8/9th August 2012 - Finally 379005!

Another trip to the capital but this time I went with my Dad. The trip started out on the Wednesday night with me heading West to Par. Here I met my Dad and we wondered round to where the 60s stored there could be seen through the bushes. At the time it was rumoured that some of the 60s were due to go back to Toton and put back into service. I needed 039 and my Dad needed 3 of the 5.

After that we headed to the pub. If you've been following my blog you may remember that I have been to Par recently and started going to the pubs there for the Atlantic Line Rail Ale Trail. Well tonight I completed the other 3 (and one was also in the St Austell Rail Ale book for the mainline!).

It was then back to the station for 2254 and off to London behind 57605. I did wonder if Peter would be out tonight for this seeing as though it was his last FGW 57 (he wasn't but has since been on it). We travelled  via Bristol Temple Meads and then Parakway. More miles so this was good.

So after a McDonalds breakfast we headed East to Liverpool Street. All I wanted was 379005. We decided I needed to stay still and hope it was out. So that we did. We parked ourselves at the end of Platform and waited. After an hour 379005 finally turned up! At last! And this time it ran a passenger service (unlike last time) and we got it to Tottenham Hale! The 379s completed for haulage!

Next up, a bit of new route. We headed back to Hackney Downs. It was then a 315 up to Enfield Chase. We then went for a cup of tea as the Moon Under Water as we headed to Gordon Hill. More new route as we headed back to Kings Cross. We bailed at Finsbury Park to get the train to Kings Cross.

Now with the Olympics on there was the intensive Javelin timetable. Time to try and bag some 395s. We managed a fair few but crowd management made it harder than expected. We needed to take long walks to make our way back onto a train. It was hard work but we managed 8 trains. 7 were new for me. A bonus eurostar was spotted and I now also only need two 395s for sight.

Next up was some Southern units. We headed to London Bridge and caught a 171 to East Croydon. A couple of trips to and from Clapham and Victoria bagged some more winning 377s. Then for something a bit different. I haven't got much in the way of South Eastern units so a trip out to Bromley South bagged a couple of 375s. The return did a couple more.

Nearly the end of the day now. We headed out to Euston and did a dud (well for me) to Harrow and Wealdstone. Nothing new for me at Wembley but my Dad did ok. A winning 350 back to Euston and a winning 350 for sight brings me to one required.

It was now over to Paddington. A quick out and back to Ealing Broadway bagged one new 165 for haulage.  Then it was home time.

A great day but very tiring! Not sure I'd recovered from my weekend and seated sleeper doesn't give much sleep! Plenty of winning units and the big one was obviously 379005! The whole trip took me over 690 miles for the day and I am now on 19251 for the year.

3rd - 5th August - Wedding Weekend

We had my cousins wedding to go to over this weekend in Reading. The reception was being held in Bracknell so me and my wife stayed with friends which was good. We headed up on the Friday night with the change at Reading for Bracknell. Nothing new but wasn't unexpected.

With the Olympics in full swing (and how fantastic have they been?) we decided on the Sunday that we would go into London to see some of the Women's Marathon. We also went on the new cable (good views but very fast!). I headed back home on the Sunday night so whilst there was nothing new on the heavy rail there was new stuff on light rail and tube. The two days of rail travel also bought me another 470 odd miles.

18th - 22nd July - Holiday catch up

Bit of a catch up after my holiday from a few weeks ago. I went to Hereford with friends and we had a great time. There were a few times where we caught the train so here's what happened. We went to Birmingham on the 18th July from Hereford. Bargain price of £9.45 each return and with that the 2 for 1 ticket to Cadbury world was used too. The only winner of the day was the return from New Street in the evening on 170632.

A few days later we were in Newport where we were staying for the final night. We headed to Cardiff Bay on the train. It was mostly the usual units operating as I expected, but whilst waiting at Queen Street to go to the Bay a 153 rolled in heading back to Central. A quick check on my phone revealed it was a required unit. Knowing how tricky these units are to pick up I apologised to my friends and said i'd meet them in 10 minutes and caught it to Central. Bonus.

Finally on the Sunday some of us decided to head to Barry Island. We caught the train as it was a lot easier than driving. Not winners today but a few bonus miles.