I've slipped again! Not updated for a while but I have been busy. I really need to start updating on the move via the app for my phone. Anyway here's a brief catch up of all that has happened.
9th October - West Midland Day Ranger
I had an unexpected change of day off and my wife also happened to be heading to Swindon for work. I decided I would (with a combination of tickets) head to Birmingham and do a West Midland Day Ranger. I would travel with my wife as far as Bristol. The route I took was via Worcester (so much cheaper, but does take longer). Luckily the first LM train I caught from Worcester was a winning 170. I took this to New Street. Once at New street I took a look around and spotted a winning XC 170 so jumped on this to Tamworth. I then headed south to Nuneaton on a winning 350. Next train due was an XC back to New Street. I couldn't believe it! Another winner! After arriving back at New Street on my penultimate XC 170 I jumped on a winning LM 170 to Wolverhampton (all 170s today!!!). I then did a return trip back to New Street on a winning 221 and then 390. It was then another winning 170 to Telford Central. The day was going well! I had a drink in the Wetherspoons at Telford before a dud (was bound to happen!) pair of 158s to Wolverhampton. I then spotted a winning 323 to Sandwell & Dudley. Then a dud 170 to New Street. Once at New Street I spotted a winning Pendo so took it to Birmingham International. It was now time to head home. A winning 350 to new street before a dud 170 took me towards Worcester. I bailed at Droitwich and waited to see what was on the train behind. A winner! 170511 took me to Worcester where the long trip home started. There was a slim hope my final FGW 150 might be on but unlikely. And it wasn't! A good day nevertheless. Plenty of winners and miles under my belt!
12th October - A very lucky break!
A very lucky break indeed! I saw some gen that 150202 was heading west and would be returning on a service that I would have been able to make if I parked at Saltash (needed to drive straight to work) and caught a train to Par. So off I went and waited for the train to take me. I was waiting at Saltash and then felt stupid! I thought to my self that I needed 150102 not 202! I was cursing myself as I had come all this way for nothing! Aaaaarrghhhhhh! I was heading back to the car when I saw the train I was due to catch to Par come round the corner. I couldn't believe my eyes! 150102!!!!! My final FGW 150! I pegged it back to the platform and got on. The rest of the trip went as expected. Sure enough 150202 took me back to Saltash. So I have finally cleared (barring any unusual workings) everything FGW run in the South West. In fact all I now need is Thames units and the recently transfered (back to) 180s.
19th October - London Daytrip
After arriving on the usual 0553 from Plymouth I headed to Richmond via the District line. Whilst here I looked for my final 458s. I spotted one but on my attempt to meet its return from Waterloo it never came. Obviously went ECS to depot. Great! So after wasting a bit of time I headed on to Victoria on a winning 377. I then saw the VSOE leaving before heading to Bromley South for lunch on a pair of 375s (one a winner). I had lunch and then caught a dud 319 north towards Kentish Town. Once within the Thameslink tunnels I bus stopped it to St Pancras and back to London Bridge bagging 9 winning units along the way (including 3 for sight). I then headed to East Croydon on a winning 171. Time for a change. I did the Croydon Tram to Elmers End. I then caught a train to Hayes to complete the branch. I returned and headed to London Bridge and attempted to bag winning SE trains. I didn't realise that half the trains don't stop at London Bridge off of Waterloo East. So I got bored quite quickly and only got 9 winners before heading back to Croydon on a winning 442. It was then back to Victoria where I decided for my last hour or so would stay on the underground. I headed east on the Circle/District line and changed at almost every station to pick the units running. All Distrct line trains were winners as I have been on very few of them. At Aldgate I headed westwards to head back to Paddington. It was a very productive last hour and I need to do more of it as I have a lot of tube stock left to get. Need to concentrate on C Stock however as this is on borrowed time with the new S Stock now starting to be tested on the Circle and Hammersmith lines.
1st November - The Great Escape
With half term upon us London Midland were doing there great escape ticket once more. I bagged one for my day off and headed to London on earliest train. The ticket was valid from 0930 and a bargain at £9.90 with railcard! I headed north to Watford and changed. I was going to head to St Alburns but the time to wait was quite big so caught the next train to Milton Keynes. I spent an hour here and visited all four of the Wetherspoons. It was then time to head to Bletchley. And then onto the Marston Vale line for new track. 150107 was doing the honours for the trip to Bedford. Once here I went to both Wetherspoons and had lunch in one of them. It was then back to the West Coast Mainline. Time to see if I could get any winning 350s. I got two to Rugby (changed at Northampton). I realised time had gone quite quick and headed back south. I also realised I wouldn't be able to make the St Alburns line! Damn! Need to do that another day now (although of all the LM network that is the easiest bit to do from London). No more winning trains back either. Hmmmm. I bus stopped back to Paddington and picked up a few winning tube units. In hindsight a good day. New track and 3 winning 350s (I'm at that stage where its starting to get more difficult). I also travelled over 600 miles. For the next Great Escape I only need the St Alburns branch and then it really is 350 hunting. Watford - Northampton (Milton Keynes is inbetween) is the key. Any further North and time is wasted.
And that is it! All up to date. I should have ridden the GWR Steam Railmotor last Sunday but was cancelled. Hopefully I'll get it in two weeks time on the 18th November.
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