17th December - Track Scratching

So the plan today is to complete the passenger lines in the north east of England. Well except for a tiny curve that as far as I can work out only Grand Central trains use regularly. I had a free return ticket from East Coast which i used to Darlington and then bought a Tyne and Tees day ranger.

So I left my sisters at 0500. I needed to be on the 0524 from Tooting Broadway to get to King's Cross in time for my 0615 departure. I made it in 15 so that was fine. No problems getting to Kings Cross. I grabbed a cup of tea from Upper Crust (had cereal at my sisters but no drink as I didn't want to be up any earlier than I had to be!).

We left London on time but it was a dud Sir Bobby Robson (91109). It was pitch black until I got to Doncaster but luckily the only loco I could get the number of at Peterborough was a required 66732! Thanks flood light! I saw the outline to plenty of other locos but not a chance. Doncaster was also hard enough. I managed to spot about 3 of about 10 locos. Two were Colas 66s which is annoying because they could have been ones I needed! Also saw a 60 but was just too dark!

Nothing else eventful and we arrived into Darlington on time. I had plenty of time till my planned train. So I got my ranger and looked to see what else I could do. Nothing but head towards Middlesbrough earlier and change en route to get my planned train behind. The second winner of the day (northern line stock was first!) was a 142. I got off at Thornaby. I didn't have to wait long as a late running train (which we beat at a junction) turned up minutes later and it was another required 142 (also for sight!) so took that to Middlesbrough. I now had a fair bit of time till the train to Whitby.
There were no other moves on so I looked to see if a spoons was achievable. It looked it so I went for it via the ticket office as my ticket holder had seen better days and there was no queue. Result! New design TPE holder! I had done the nearest Wetherspoons on my last visit here and as it turned out the next one is about 5 minutes walk. So another cask marque pub done and spoons in the book!

It was now time for the 1038 to Whitby! This is a long journey (time wise) but I was looking forward to it as I had heard good things. I was expecting a 142 but in rolled a dud 156! Ah well! It is new route! I wasn't disappointed. A lovely line and one day I'll bring the missus on it. And do the NYMR at the same time.

I had about 35 minutes in Whitby. Handily The Station Inn just outside was cask marqued. Really top cosy pub! And one of the best pints of Doom Bar I have ever had! I then popped into Co-op for some lunch. It was then back onto the train and to Middlesbrough. Now for Bishop Aukland. The train went straight through from Middlesbrough and was a winning 142. We passed Shildon and the NRM. I need to get to this at some point. I could see loads though the windows but not enough! The only thing I spotted was the 08 outside which was required.

There was no plan now! I was going to head to Darlington and see what was around but then I remembered the curve only Grand Central use. Were there any trains I could make? As it turns out there was a northbound service that was running about 45 minutes late. I worked out I could meet it at Eaglescliffe and get the curve in!

I got there and waited. I had just under half an hour (and it was freezing!). Eventually I could hear the hst coming. Result! I have only had one of the gc power cars so there was a good chance of a winner! Sure enough it was! 43484!

All going well! I would make it to Sunderland in time for the 1730 to Newcastle and have an hour and half before my train back to London. Then it went wrong!

We came to a stop outside of Hartlepool. Well quite a way but it was the nearest station. We had hit a horse. After 30 mins and the driver had checked the train for damage we set off again! We arrived into Sunderland and chaos unfolded! The train should have already left to go south. People were being told not to board! It waited for ages and after about 20 minutes people got on and it left at 1811. I was still waiting for the 1730 to Newcastle. The PIS were saying due at 1750 which was quite clearly a lie as it was 1815! With no sign of it and the need to be at Newcastle by 1900 I had to catch the metro! Now I have no objection (first metro in the book!) but I'm not entirely sure my ticket was valid! I was told it was by a northern employee but he didn't seem to look at it properly!

So I got to Newcastle Central just before 1900! Luckily there were no barriers working and I ran for my train! An east coast hst rolled in! Dud but it maybe be my saviour! As it stands with me writing this there is OHLE problems at Hitchin! Electric trains can't get through and I seriously hope we can without much delay! I'm booked on the sleeper off of Paddington at 2345 and need to make it!

I'll update this when I know more!

Update! So we arrived into Doncaster a few minutes late and once we stopped it was announced that the train would be terminating! We all had to catch the 2139 to Kings Cross. An hour! It got later and later and didn't arrive till 2214 in the end. Now we wouldn't get to London until 0015 so I'd missed my train home. I was effectively back in London 2 hours late. I'd given myself a comfortable hour and half to Paddington. Now I don't know what's gonna happen.

The only positive was this. Plenty if freight passed through Doncaster so the hour and half wait wasn't totally dull! A couple of 37s rolled in too. And I saw my final 144.

But what will happen next? Who knows!

Another update! So we arrived at Biggleswade at about 2350. After a wait of about 15 minutes we slowly moved off. We then came to a halt a short way (0.72 miles according to my phone) out and after another wait we reversed back into the station having changed lines! We finally got going again southbound at 0022!

Final Update! We finally arrived into Kings Cross about 0130. I made sure I  was off the train quickly and near the front of the queue to what was happening. In the end they gave me a taxi to Plymouth!!!!! There was also another passenger heading to Plymouth too which was bizarre. The cost on the meter when we finally arrived at my house was £895!!!! Surely East Coast won't be paying that much?

16th December - First Class to London

What would probably be my last trip of the year started on 16th December from Plymouth. I headed to London on the first train of the day. I got a good ticket price in first class. The little extra it cost me I was sure I would get back with the complimentary tea and biscuits!

The trip would hopefully see me have bit of a London Underground bash on Sunday afternoon and on Monday, courtesy of a free return to Darlington, a chance to complete some required route to Whitby and Bishops Aukland.

I arrived into Paddington on time and it was straight to the ticket office. I needed to renew my Network Rail card. With that done I headed to the Bakerloo line. I headed south and changed at every station. Once at the end I headed to Stockwell on the Northern line. From here I headed to Brixton on the Victoria line. I then headed North and stopped at every stop to Walthamstow Central. I had now completed the entire Victoria line. I had a quick pint at The Goose outside the station before heading back on the first Victoria train I travelled on today to Finsbury Park. I then caught a winning 313 to Kings Cross.

Here I picked up my tickets for tomorrow. One less thing to have to worry about. I then headed North on the northern line to Edgware. I hadn't realised the time so it was straight back and onto Tooting Broadway and onto my sisters.

I didn't have much time but in the 6 hours or so I had I caught 54 winning underground units and 1 heavy rail unit. Not bad going. I'm more than half way the through the Victoria Line stock too.

Bring on tomorrow.

8th December - Trip to Dorchester

Nothing particularly special. Me and my wife headed to Dorchester to meet up with a friend. We missed our connection at Castle Cary though as we left Plymouth late and with all the temporary speed restrictions at various points along the sea wall, Cowley bridge and near Taunton (due to flooding) we never had a chance. An hour wait at Castle Cary then! At least the sun was shining and I managed a couple of good photos of trains approaching the station.

The trip back was also delayed for the same reasons!

18th November 2012 - Steam Rail Motor

Today was the day I would finally get to go in the fully restored GWR Steam Rail Motor 93. I should have made the trip two weeks before but it was cancelled as the WCRC locomotive that was to be used to haul it from the Bodmin and Wenford Railway to Liskeard failed. In many ways the cancellation was good because today the weather was fantastic! Clear blue skies with the cold crisp wintery morning feeling.

I was booked onto the first run of the day, which was 0830 off of Liskeard. I arrived with plenty of time to spare (45 minutes) but even that made me one of the last people to get there!!! I managed to see it move off the yard and into the station. What a sight! The restoration is fantastic!

At 0830 on the dot we started our descent into the valley. We headed right I into Coombe Junction Halt for water. For the duration of the journey nobody was allowed off the train, not even at Looe. Part of the stipulations Network Rail laid down for its mainline certification.

The trip down the branch was made all the better thanks to the weather. It was stunning. It had been a few years since I last went on the branch. The return journey obviously involved the climb into Liskeard. I expected this to be a challenge but we climbed it with ease.

After the journey had finished I decided to drive to Terras Crossing and get photos of it. I was very pleased I did this as I got some really good photos.

Overall a great, if expensive day (£30 with fees etc) It was also my last outing on a train for November (only other trip was when I went on my great escape!). My trips have definitely dried up. December isn't going to be much better. I have a little trip to Dorchester planned with my wife and then I'm off to Darlington courtesy of a return trip free with East Coast.