I was very pleased to see that the Severn Valley Railway were holding a Diesel Gala and it would start on a Thursday, my day off! I'd seen this several weeks before hand and suggested this to Peter and he was able to get the day off too.
It was an early start as I left Plymouth at 0430 to pick Peter up from Newton Abbot at 0500. It was cold too! We had plenty of time as the first train wasn't until 0925 off Kidderminster but we didn't want to take any chances and miss the first train.
We made it in plenty of time so we headed into town and got breakfast from Wetherspoons, The Penny Black.
Neither of us had done the line before so the plan I'd made would enable us to get the whole line and all but one loco on the gala. That one loco was D821 but we had fortunately both had haulage off of it before at the West Somerset Railway (in 2010 if I remember correctly).
So the first train was D8059 which we took all the way to Bridgnorth. I was recently here (but only had a wonder round) so took Peter down to where D1013 was hiding and we photted all that was here on the depot. We then returned behind D1062 (also had before at the WSR!). Was supposed to be behind this to Bewdley where the rest of the day would see us catching a mixture of shuttles and full services to get haulage off every thing! It became apparent very soon that things were wrong! We were held for ages whilst waiting for an up train to Bridgnorth. It was running 20 late and wasn't 33108 like it should have been! Great! Plan foiled already! 33108 wouldn't start apparently (flat battery). So we stayed on the train to Kidderminster. The plan was now out the window because nothing was running on time and they had changed locos round from running what was planned. Coupled to that was the fact 50026 was missing (not a problem for me as I had it at Swanage earlier in the year but Peter needed it!) and the 31. It did appear that 37906 was running though instead. It was now a matter of trying to get what we needed when we could. We did try to establish what was where and try and tie it to the plan as the 08s needed to be done whatever!
After arriving at Kiddy we then caught D8188 back to Bewdley. Then it was the shuttle back with 37906 leading. We then worked out we needed to be at Bewdley to meet 50031 so it was off behind D8059 once more. 50031 duly turned up and back to Kiddy! They then attached 50135 to 031 and it was a double header to Bewdley.
Now time for some 1st Gen DMU action! Back at Kiddy we met Dave who had arrived for the 08s (well 08;72 in particular!). A short while later 56311 turned up with 50026 and 31601 from the mainline. So the 50 and 31 would be here for tomorrow then!!!!
After a long wait we finally saw the 08s heading into the station. Once the stock arrived they backed onto it and we were soon off.
At Bewdley I was going to catch 33108 back to Kiddy. Then the DMU back to Bewdley for the 45 on the last train to Kiddy. But it was all a bit tight and didn't want to risk missing the connections for two reasons. The 45 would be my first haulage from a Peak and secondly the car was at Kiddy and I didn't fancy being stuck at Bewdley! Peter had had 33108 before and was heading into Bewdley to visit some Cask Marque pubs. I noticed that the 33 was to run back to Bewdley and then double head with the 45! I decided to do this as it was less risky and people assured me the 33 would be back so I would still get both!
So into Bewdley I went and visited the pubs with Peter. It was real ale week and couple of halfs would be fine.
Afterwards it was home time. We called into Stourport-on-Severn for dinner at the Spoons before I headed home via Exeter (to drop Dave off) and Newton (for Peter). A great day! The line complete, a load of new locos for haulage and plenty of new spots (well nearly all the steam was new!).
Friday, 19 October 2012
Sunday, 14 October 2012
17th to 22nd September - Kent Holiday
Been a while since my last update but I have done quite a bit! More or less after my trip to Leeds my wife and I started our holiday together. It was to be a bit of everything and we were going to be staying in Britain. The bulk of our stay would be in Kent and half the travel would be by train by using a Kent 3 Day Rover. This gave us the flexibility to both drink and gave us discount on places we visited by using 2 for 1 offers.
We set up base in Canterbury and were about 15 minute walk to Canterbury East station. On the first day my wife said I could try and cover as much route as possible (whilst she did her own thing) and the remaining two days would see us go on route that was left and spend more time off the network! Most stops saw us visit Cask Marque pubs (mostly Wetherspoons) as well!
Day 1
The first day saw us head to Faversham for a change of train to Rochester. We had a wonder round here before heading to Gravesend. We had a lunch here before heading back to Strood for a train to Padock Wood on the Medway Valley line. It was at this point my wife did her own thing! I then headed west to Sevenoaks and then onto Swanley. I then doubled back a bit to Otford before the slow trip inland to Ashford. Here I met my wife and we went for some dinner.
After dinner she headed home whilst I headed to Sittingbourne via Swanley. The whole point of the late trip to Sittingbourne and then up to Sheerness on Sea was so I could get both curves to Sheerness completed. Glad its done but it was now 2132 and I was at Gillingham and needed to get home. By the time I returned it was gone 2300 but I had completed a lot of track and grabbed a fair few winners. This was by far going to be my most intense day of the week.
Day 2
We headed to Faversham once again and then headed east to Margate. What a hole! We didn't discover this straight away as we headed round to the Turner Art building (I think thats what it's called!). Not my cup of tea but nevertheless. Afterwards we started to wonder round Margate. We decided very quickly that was not the best idea and headed back to the station. We headed back to Canterbury via West station and spent some more time there (making use of the 2 for 1) at some museums. We then went back to Canterbury West and headed down to Ashford before heading to Folkestone for dinner. It was then onto Dover Priory before heading straight up to Faversham and onto Herne Bay for a visit to the Wetherspoons. After this it was back to Canterbury. Another late day with the same service as yesterday to Canterbury!
Day 3
Today would see us go back to Dover for a visit to the Castle and the War Time Tunnels. Great place. After this I needed a couple of bits of track to do in Kent. This saw me catch the 1532 Dover Priory to Ramsgate via Minster and then return to Dover. This got the rarely used curve in near Minster. My wife had headed to Whitstable whilst I did this so I headed up to meet her. After a visiting 3 pubs here (nice place) we headed back to Canterbury for an early night (back by 2100!).
Thursday!
We had planned a day trip to France and went by Eurotunnel. It was quick and easy. It literally was drive on and off in no time. Spotting the rear locomotive was easy as i drove past it. The front was a little trickier and required an email to Eurotunnel (but the replied promptly with the answers I needed for both the out and return journeys). I managed to spot a fair few Eurotunnel locomotives as we left Folkestone so was pleased. But when we arrived at Coquelles I couldn't believe it! I spotted loads on the depot and then 7 of the 8 stored Class 92 locomotives! Brilliant! Photos were taken from the train. Not great but passible. It was then off the train and on into France (we ended up going to Belgium but that really wasn't far at all). On the way, whilst passing the massive freight yards by the motorway I spotted two Eurocargo 66s. One was an old EWS loco and the other a newer Eurocargo ordered one (with air con unit on top). Luckily the one i could see the number for was the old EWS one!
A great day and a few more Eurotunnel locos spotted on the way home!
Saturday
On our way back home we called into Spa Valley Railway. It was one of their Diesel and Steam timetables. We had 33056 out and 47493 (Steam) back. Great little line two winners for haulage. Also managed to visit the cab of the 33 and had a great chat with the driver.
A nice week away. My wife was good enough to let me complete Kent for all lines (except the HS1 to classic connections). So all I need to do now is get the South Eastern trains themselves and the Suburban London lines they run on. That should be easy enough at Key locations on a London Travelcard. The trip on Eurotunnel was great (and so easy) and the week nicely rounded off on a heritage railway!
We set up base in Canterbury and were about 15 minute walk to Canterbury East station. On the first day my wife said I could try and cover as much route as possible (whilst she did her own thing) and the remaining two days would see us go on route that was left and spend more time off the network! Most stops saw us visit Cask Marque pubs (mostly Wetherspoons) as well!
Day 1
The first day saw us head to Faversham for a change of train to Rochester. We had a wonder round here before heading to Gravesend. We had a lunch here before heading back to Strood for a train to Padock Wood on the Medway Valley line. It was at this point my wife did her own thing! I then headed west to Sevenoaks and then onto Swanley. I then doubled back a bit to Otford before the slow trip inland to Ashford. Here I met my wife and we went for some dinner.
After dinner she headed home whilst I headed to Sittingbourne via Swanley. The whole point of the late trip to Sittingbourne and then up to Sheerness on Sea was so I could get both curves to Sheerness completed. Glad its done but it was now 2132 and I was at Gillingham and needed to get home. By the time I returned it was gone 2300 but I had completed a lot of track and grabbed a fair few winners. This was by far going to be my most intense day of the week.
Day 2
We headed to Faversham once again and then headed east to Margate. What a hole! We didn't discover this straight away as we headed round to the Turner Art building (I think thats what it's called!). Not my cup of tea but nevertheless. Afterwards we started to wonder round Margate. We decided very quickly that was not the best idea and headed back to the station. We headed back to Canterbury via West station and spent some more time there (making use of the 2 for 1) at some museums. We then went back to Canterbury West and headed down to Ashford before heading to Folkestone for dinner. It was then onto Dover Priory before heading straight up to Faversham and onto Herne Bay for a visit to the Wetherspoons. After this it was back to Canterbury. Another late day with the same service as yesterday to Canterbury!
Day 3
Today would see us go back to Dover for a visit to the Castle and the War Time Tunnels. Great place. After this I needed a couple of bits of track to do in Kent. This saw me catch the 1532 Dover Priory to Ramsgate via Minster and then return to Dover. This got the rarely used curve in near Minster. My wife had headed to Whitstable whilst I did this so I headed up to meet her. After a visiting 3 pubs here (nice place) we headed back to Canterbury for an early night (back by 2100!).
Thursday!
We had planned a day trip to France and went by Eurotunnel. It was quick and easy. It literally was drive on and off in no time. Spotting the rear locomotive was easy as i drove past it. The front was a little trickier and required an email to Eurotunnel (but the replied promptly with the answers I needed for both the out and return journeys). I managed to spot a fair few Eurotunnel locomotives as we left Folkestone so was pleased. But when we arrived at Coquelles I couldn't believe it! I spotted loads on the depot and then 7 of the 8 stored Class 92 locomotives! Brilliant! Photos were taken from the train. Not great but passible. It was then off the train and on into France (we ended up going to Belgium but that really wasn't far at all). On the way, whilst passing the massive freight yards by the motorway I spotted two Eurocargo 66s. One was an old EWS loco and the other a newer Eurocargo ordered one (with air con unit on top). Luckily the one i could see the number for was the old EWS one!
A great day and a few more Eurotunnel locos spotted on the way home!
Saturday
On our way back home we called into Spa Valley Railway. It was one of their Diesel and Steam timetables. We had 33056 out and 47493 (Steam) back. Great little line two winners for haulage. Also managed to visit the cab of the 33 and had a great chat with the driver.
A nice week away. My wife was good enough to let me complete Kent for all lines (except the HS1 to classic connections). So all I need to do now is get the South Eastern trains themselves and the Suburban London lines they run on. That should be easy enough at Key locations on a London Travelcard. The trip on Eurotunnel was great (and so easy) and the week nicely rounded off on a heritage railway!
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