21st to 24th February 2013

So for our wedding anniversary me and my wife planned to go to Cologne. We got a good deal on train travel so it was a Eurostar to Brussels and then DB ICE to Cologne. A winning pair of 373s and then my first ever ICE train. The journey was trouble free and all was good.

The return wasn't quite so straightforward! We were diverted on the way back but we still made the connection for London. However things we not right at Lille. We were soon informed that due to a high security incident we all (including luggage) needed to get off the train! Apparently two men who had forced themselves onto the train. They had been arrested but we still had to get off at the French police insistance.

2 hours 20 minutes later we were back on the move! The wait was longer than the journey itself should have taken! I didn't think we would make the return to London. I had given a nice 3 hour window (meant to get a leisurely meal somewhere) and when we got to Paddington I discovered our train was in the platform we dropped in on and was due to leave in 5 minutes! We made it!

But someone was in our reserved seats! When I asked them to move the usual guff about the train companies double booking the seats was spouted by people all around (I have never known this in all the time I have travelled). The bloke showed me his tickets and I pointed out that his ticket was for travel on 24^th March not February! He duly moved and the rest of the journey was trouble free!

The best thing about all this was we are now entitled to a free return journey on Eurostar!

So the two days travel bagged me another 903 miles of travel by train. And Cologne was a great city! It was cold and snowing but the Beer was great and we had a great time!  

20th February – Heading to Plymouth and back to London

Upon arrival into London me and my dad went and got a Travelcard. We then headed out to Wembley (on two winning 350s) to see what was there. Not a lot! Pity. We then went to get breakfast at the Wetherspoons before heading back into London via the Chiltern route (dud 165). We saw all Wrexham & Shropshire liveried 67s except 67010! One of only two I need for sight! Nevermind! I did however see my final 168 for sight! So that was good.

We then headed to Liverpool Street. And we did several trips to and from Stratford. During this time I picked up three 321s, two 360s and one 90! The 90 was a bonus as I hadn't planned that move.

It was then back to Paddington for the train home. Once at Plymouth me and dad separated as he went on to Truro and I headed home. I didn't have long. Me and my wife were due to head back to London in readiness for our anniversary trip to Germany. We got back into London just after 2200 and headed to the travelodge. We then went off for a cheeky pre anniversary drink in the Angel, Wetherspoon.

It was the end of mine and dads trip and a great one at that! Today I had travelled a massive 909 miles (obvioulsy helped with the return to london) but there was more to come. A trip to Germany!  

19th February – Central Scotland Day 3 and The West Highland Line

Today was the last day we had in Scotland and really early on we had decided we would return on the sleeper. We also decided that the return would be from Fort William. The West Highland line has been a line I have wanted to do ever since I was a kid. This all meant we needed to be at Fort William in time for the sleeper to Euston and therefore off of Glasgow Queen Street at 1221! So only a few hours using the Central Scotland ticket but we felt we had got good value anyway.

We left Edinburgh at 0926 on two winning 156s and went on the Carstairs route for a change of scenery. We got off at Bellshill and caught another winning 156 behind to Glasgow Central. Once here we headed to the lower levels and headed west to Exhibition Centre, then to Partick before heading back to Queen Street. A winning 318, and 320 were picked up as we headed west but a dud 334 (had it earlier in the week) took us to Queen Street. Once here we grabbed lunch and waited for our train. The train was showing on the board but there was no sign of it! I was getting worried about it leaving on time but it rolled in a couple of minutes before it was due to leave and we left on time.

I am going to say it now. This was the best and most enjoyable train journey I have ever taken! Yes its slow but the weather was fantastic and the views after we left Helensburgh Upper we stunning! They got better and better! The train split at Crianlarich as the first portion went to Oban. We then continued to Mallaig. Wow! Words can not describe it! Although we needed to be at Fort William we had time to head to Glenfinnan. I had done the Fort William – Mallaig route before on the Jacobite but my dad hasn't. At least this way he could see the Famous Glenfinnan viaduct. The two 156 units that had got us this far (although they had split at Crianlarich) we both winners too.

We returned on a dud 156 to Fort William. We had a bit of time so we headed into town for a curry and a pint in each of the two Cask Marque pubs.

Back at the station we got on the train and found our berths. It was then time to head to the lounge car. The train was in charge of 67004 (a dud). Pity it was now dark so we couldn't see the views again! At Rannoch we had a little wait for a passing service and driver change. I was invited out by the driver and we had chat for a while. The unit arrived and with the driver swap complete I headed back to the lounge car. Shortly before 2300 we headed to the berths. The rest of the journey was relatively easy. I woke at 0100 when the various sleeper portions we being shunted about in Edinburgh but apart from that not a bad sleep.

Great day and up until the 90 took over at Edinburgh (a winning 90024) 373 miles we travelled.

18th February – Central Scotland Day 2

So after an early start (we headed to Leath for Breakfast in the Wetherspoons) it was 0915 for the first valid train of the day to Glasgow. Not a winner. At Glasgow we then caught a slow but winning 158 to Falkirk Grahmston. We had a bit of time until our train to Stirling so we popped to the Wetherspoons for an early drink!

Back at the station things weren't going well. Trains started running late for some reason so it was unlikely we would make it to Stirling in time for the train to Alloa. Whilst waiting DRS 57304 passed through light engine (route learning apparently). We finally made it to Stirling on a winning 158 but missed the planned train to Alloa. We had an hour to kill before the next one so we did a couple of trips to Larbert and back. I picked up 2 winning 158s and a 170 during this time. We grabbed a tea from the pumpkin before heading onto new route to Alloa. This was on a winning 170. There was a little wait at Alloa and not a lot nearby. We popped into ASDA to grab some bits before heading back to Stirling.

From here a winning 158 took us to Haymarket. We spent some time going between Haymarket and Edinburgh and I picked up four 170s, four 156s and three 158s in this time. It was then time for the loco hauled 67 to onto the Fife Circle. It was 67007 (dud) doing the duty. I wasn't aware only one was running and we got off at Inverkeithing hoping for the second. But was a unit (although it was a double winning 158 set). So we got off at Dunfermaline Town and headed to the centre for some dinner. After this we headed back to the station where we caught a train to Dunfermaline Queen Margaret before a train back to Haymarket. Both were duds.

We then did a series of moves that would incorporate new stations, mean we were on a train for as long as possible (it was getting seriously cold!) and hopefully continue to pick up new units. First up was a return to South Gyle. A winning 158 took us a dud 170 back. Then a return to Linlithgow. A winning 170 took us and then a dud one back. A winning 158 to Edinburgh from Haymarket before the last planned set of moves for the day. It was late but would cover a bit of track to Markinch via Cowden that was required. A dud 158 took us and then a dud 221 back to Edinburgh. It was after midnight by the time we got back but that bit of track was complete. It was really cold waiting at Markinch (the temperature had seriously dropped) but was another good day with another 319 miles travelled and plenty of winning trains along with winning track.

17th February – Central Scotland Day 1

A change in the weather meant clear skies greeted us when we left the Travelodge. We headed to a Wetherspoons for a Scottish Breakfast before heading on. It was a Sunday so the earliest train is never early enough. 0900 off of Glasgow Queen Street and we took this to Haymarket. It was a double 170 (units 434, 455 – one required for haulage). We then took the next train along the short mile section through the tunnels. This was a dud 158. Not a good start to the day then! Next up, some new route. We caught 380108 (winner) to North Berwick. Having now completed the route we went straight back to Edinburgh on the same train.

Back at Edinburgh we had a little while until our train to Kirkcaldy. So we did a couple of trips to Haymarket and back. During this I picked up two winning 170s, a 334 and 158. It was then time for a winning 170 to Kirkcaldy. We popped into the Wetherspoons for a quick drink and then headed back to the station for the East Coast service to Haymarket. The big bonus was the leading power car was winning.

After we returned to Haymarket a winning 170 took us to Edinburgh where caught another wininng 170 to Falkirk high. We returned to Haymarket (two more winning 170s) just in time for an East Coast service to Edinburgh. And as we arrived into Edinburgh I saw another East Coast set going the other way! So we jumped on that back to Haymarket. Two more winning HST power cars meant I had picked up 3 in the space of 3 odd hours! Brilliant!

It was soon time for a trip to Berwick Upon Tweed. This wasn't valid on the rover so advance singles had been purchased but it meant I could cover the line that goes through Dunbar station. A winning 91125 propelled us to Berwick where we had enough time to pop into the town and find the Wetherspoons for a quick drink.

We returned on a 220 (not ideal but I didn't want to wait for a later train or pay anymore!). We returned to Edinburgh and checked into the Travelodge (a bargain £13 each per night and that was a room each!). We then went off to get some dinner and a drink before a relatively early night. A great day for east power cars, a bit more new route and we travelled 313 miles during the course of the day.

16th February – Glasgow Daytripper

After arriving into Paddington we had an hour to get across to Euston. We made our way over to Euston Square on the Hammersmith line and once we arrived we had a wonder round to see what was here. With the renumber of the Pendolinos I still needed a fair few to see (and one 350 and 378 unit). Saw a new 390 and that was it. About 20 minutes before our train was due to leave a Class 47 rolled in near our platform with a charter train to Carlisle. A photo was taken of this and then it was onto a dud Pendolino to Glasgow. I've not done the West Coast in its entirety in daylight before so it was a bit new for me. There wasn't much to see for the first hour or so as daylight was only just appearing. Luckily we needed the most light as we passed the likes of Crewe and Carlisle. Of all the locos spotted on the way only one required 66 was seen at Kingmoor. Better than nothing!

As we neared Glasgow this was the time I needed to be most alert. I still need a lot of Scottish units. We arrived on time and we bought forward the plan I had set by an hour (made for contingency). We grabbed some lunch and then went for a trip down to the newly electrified Paisley Canal branch. This on a winning 314205 and we returned on the same unit. Next up was a trip to Gourock on 380006. We then headed back to Paisley Gilmour Street on 380014. We had a short wait for the train to Wemyss Bay so we popped out of the station to get a drink in the Wetherspoons. It was then onto Wemyss Bay on 380008.

Now because we were an hour ahead and we needed to get back onto the plan (it wasn't all clockface) we had spare time. Once we got back to Glasgow we did a Central to Central train to cover some new route on 314216. It was then back onto plan and off to Largs. Another 380 unit (010) took us there and then back to Saltcoats. Whilst we were waiting for the train to complete the Ardossan Harbour branch we popped into the Wetherspoons. It was then off to the Ardossan Harbour before returning to Glasgow on 380110. Back at Glasgow it was time to find the travelodge and check in.

Upon doing that we headed out to find something to eat at a Wetherspoons not yet visited. After this we popped back onto the train for a bit. We walked to Charing Cross and headed to Partick on 320310. We then headed back on 318252 (my first ever 318!) before jumping on 334012 to Dalmuir which meant I completed the Yoker route. It was then a return to Queen Street on 334019 before we used the clockwork orange to Buccanan Street which was the nearest station to our travelodge.

A good first day. Plenty of winners for both sight and haulage. Also a lot of new route now covered over the 635 miles we travelled. Tomorrow would be the start of the Central Scotland Rover.    

15th February 2013 – Night Riviera to London

Today would see the start of my trip to Scotland with my Dad. Well only just! We had from the Saturday until Wednesday but to maximise our time we headed out on the sleeper from Plymouth which left just before midnight on the Friday. We had sleeper berths so we did get a reasonable nights sleep. The route the train took was Via Westbury then Melksham. This was a 240 mile journey to start the trip away and we arrived into Paddington on time.

14th February 2013 – Ride Cornwall

I had enjoyed the week before so much I decided to do another Ride Cornwall and do a similar thing. Initially my ultimate plan for the day was to get Menheniot in the book. Its an awkward station on the Cornish network as it could entail a long wait but I found a window where only a 2 minute wait is required before the next train. Ideal!

But my plans changed when it transpired the cement train was running to Moorswater! My day off and its running? This changed the days plans. I headed to Liskeard and then onto the Looe Branch. I wanted to see it in the valley so Coombe Halt was the station required. I had plenty of time so down to Looe and back where I got off. A walk back was going to be needed as no train would be stopping at Coombe Halt until the evening now! Anyway I waited patiently for the Cement train. I had no phone (well internet) signal so was very frustrating as I couldn't see the whereabouts of the train. After 30 odd minutes someone else turned up. That was a good sign. We waited and after another 15 or so minutes we could see it coming down the hill. After it passed we crossed the line and ran up to the station. He then offered me a lift to Moorswater itself and we headed there for some lineside photos. Was very pleased with my efforts. After this I headed up to Liskeard for a well earned pint. Another pub knocked off the Looe Valley Trail. I then headed West Penzance before returning to Plymouth. Another 180 odd miles, one new station and one new pub! But I was now getting excited! Tomorrow would see the start of my trip with my dad to Scotland!  

7th February 2013 – Ride Cornwall

Not been very good at keeping this up to date! Never mind! Ok so after my trip away to Leeds/Manchester it was back in the south west. After a discussion I had had with Peter about stations we had alighted at I found a list of all of them on the National Rail Website. I imported them into a spreadsheet and marked off the ones I had been to. When I say been to I mean caught a train to or from it and then caught another train or made my way elsewhere by other means of transport. It surprised me to find I had been to nearly 500!

With this is mind and the number of rail ale trails in the south west I thought this was an ideal time to try and visit this pubs and therefore the stations near them. It had been a long time since I had done a Ride Cornwall so I decided to do this and head West. I headed to St Erth and then onto to St Ives and headed into town. My back was killing me (put it out during my trip away during my coughing fits!) but got easier as I made my way slowly into town. I haded to the Lifeboat Inn to get a stamp in my book. I have been to this pub on several occasions before but never had the book. I then headed back to the station and then onto Lelant Saltings. There were two pubs here. Well I say two. One is nearer to Lelant but no train seems to stop there during the day! The station will have to wait till the summer when it is warmer and lighter and I will stay out longer. I walked to it and then onto the other nearby for my stamps.

Then it was onto Hayle to find one of the St Austell pubs (this was for my phone app). The station was also new for alighting. It was then back to Penzance for the London Train back to Plymouth.

An enjoyable day. I'm not going to get anything new (maybe for the year) but I did get two new stations and 4 pubs across the ale trails I am doing. And a respectable 180 miles added to my total.  

24th January 2013 - West Yorkshire Rover

It was our last day but I had something I had planned to do on my own as Peter had already done it. Basically it was route that I had planned to do when I did my freedom of the north east last year but never got to it. Leeds to York via Harrogate and York to Selby. A few cheap advance tickets saw me leaving Leeds at just after 0600. I was feeling really rough but I had already paid so had to do it. Basically I did the Harrogate route and then caught a train to Selby to complete some route required. It was then back to Leeds to meet Peter just after 0930 when the West Yorkshire Rover would start.

The first two trains were winning units but it was a dud TPE 170 to Leeds. I arrived into Leeds at the right time and knew where Peter was. On a train heading to Bradford Interchange. It left as I was coming down the stairs! Didn't matter I caught the next train and our plan would kick in from Bradford. 

We had planned to do Grand Central trains and Brighouse & Halifax Wetherspoons. Upon arriving at Bradford I found Peter on the GC 180. It was a winner for me so all was good. Upon arriving at Halifax we headed into the town to find the two Wetherspoons. We then headed back to Bradford on a dud 158. We then caught a train back to Brighouse (winning train) for lunch. By now I was really not feeling the love of anything! I had the Welsh Dragon in hope that it would help my throat! It felt better whilst eating but that was it! Back to the station we waited for the GC 180. It was a winner so that was something! Back at Bradford we waited for the train back to Leeds. It was the same 150 we caught earlier so not a winner. 

We no had some time to kill. There wasn't much we could do with the time we had left so we caught a train to Frizinghall and back. Unless a 321 or 322 fell onto the diagram i knew it wouldn't be a winning train as I had completed the 333s on last visit to Leeds. So a mileage boost it ended up being. 

It was then a dud 91 back to London. I now had sometime to kill in London. Or did I. Peter was staying in london for a few more days whilst i was heading back to Plymouth. I misread the time of my train back and did a few moves on the Thameslink thinking I had time. I picked up one new 319 during the process and then as I got to Paddington realised my mistake! I was not a happy person. Feeling worse than I had done at anytime during the trip I headed to the FGW desk (I was on advance tickets)! The first desk (Platform 12 end) had an incredibly unhelpful woman on it. She said go to the ticket office. I stopped at the other desk and the bloke was helpful and stamped my tickets! Phew! Next train home it was then! 

So that was the end of the holiday! Ignoring how ill I had become I did have a good time. A lot of route covered and plenty of winners. Thursday was the hardest day as I really didn't want to do anything. Glad I managed to do Harrogate and Selby route though! Next big plans we in Feb with my dad but there would be stuff in-between. Thats for sure!