2012 Review

So another year has passed since I took up this hobby and again another good year. Maybe spent a bit more than I should have but it has been good. My target for mileage was 30500 which would see me beat 2011.

The year started well. I was off the mark on New Years Day with a trip to Truro to see my parents. This was followed by a trip to London, a FOSW combined with a southern Daysave and finally a West Midland Day Ranger. Feb continued this good start. Another trip to London and a London Midland Great Escape (where I accessed the area via cheap London tickets) kept my mileage going. The month finished with a FONE with my Dad. I also bagged my final FGW HST power car in Feb on a Devon Day Ranger! 

Then thing started to slow down. I didn't do much in March. A devon day ranger followed by a Severn and Solant Rover (I used devon and cornwall railcard day return to Tiverton and it was valid. Cheaper than FOSW). This started to bag me ATW 67s that were now running the WAG. Two of the three assigned to the pool were required for haulage so this was good. A trip on Eurstar boosted my mailage whilst going to Paris in April and then I had a few days in Leeds. The only charter (full tour) I managed for the year was the East Midlands HST to Barrow Hill for the Fab Four event.

May would see me attend my first Swanage Diesel Gala. Loco failure meant that they were a few locos down but it was a good weekend all the same. I bought a FOSW and made the most of it with days off from work. I spent some time in Cardiff and Pompey and also added west midland rangers to it. 

June saw me attend Railfest. The naming of 91110 was the first train naming I had seen and I enjoyed that. A couple more galas. Paignton and Dartmouth and Somerset Railway. June also saw me get two charters for part journeys for Mazey Day to Penzance. So I had the Deltic twice in June. Once on the mainline and once on hertiage! July was a quiet month but saw another couple of trips to London (one was with my wife so no trains!).

In August a trip to London with my dad where I bagged my final 379 for haulage was the major highlight! Also a trip to Mangapps Farm with Dave and Pete where it was a good day for me with plenty of 03 and 04 action. I also got the 08 at Plym Valley finally (alarming really as I only live a couple of miles from the line!!).

September saw some action with me spending a couple of days in Leeds and doing a South Pennine Ranger and Lancashire. This was track scratching mainly but getting plenty of winners. I also completed the 333s for haulage. The end of Sep saw me scratch most of Kent off with a Kent rover. Only the High Speed connections left! Also got my first trip on a Eurotunnel train to France. I finally did the Severn Valley railway in October during their Diesel Gala. I also finally got my final FGW Class 150. The only thing in November of note was the short trip on the wonderfully restored Steam Railmotor on the Looe branchline. 

December's main event was my trip to the North East where I did a Tyne and Tees. I completed the track to Whitby and Bishop Auckland. I also had a disaster getting home thnaks to OHLE probs on the East Coast and required a taxi from London to Plymouth! 

So I finished the year with 26679 miles on the board. Over 3000 less than last year but my trips have been more confined as I complete route. I then only tend to go after units. Also I don't do much local anymore because I have had haulage off all local trains which means going further afield which in turn costs more so it happens less! 

Highlights! 

• Completing the FGW HST Power Cars for haulage
• Completing the FGW 150s for haulage
• Barrow Hill, Railfest
• Swanage and Severn Valley Diesel Galas
• 379s and 333s completed for haulage.

Lowlights 

• Not mentioned above but two railtours I was booked on cancelled becasue of Network Rail issues (and not the DBS issues which have plagued the charter market at the back end of the year!)

So for 2013? I have a target of 26679. Weirdly it is the same as 2012s total but this will mean that I will have achived 100k miles since May 2010 when I returned to the hobby. I need roughly 2223 miles a month to achive this. 

31 Dec 2012 - An unexpected trip to Exeter

It's New Years Eve and me and my wife have the annual get together with 4 of our closest friends it our place. We decided to go Exeter to scratch off some pubs on the worlds biggest ale trail courtesy of Cask Marque.

We got on the train at Plymouth and I forgot to get the number of the unit we were in! All I knew it was a XC Voyager. Nevermind. I'll get it on my way off the train at Exeter. Then I totally forgot! Couldn't believe it! No matter. A quick post onto the rail forums and after a few days I got it. So thanks to the guys on there.

I didn't forget to grab the train numbers I travelled on this day. Two 159s up to Central and the HST back to Plymouth to continue the new year celebrations.

So another 104 miles for 2012. A good day with friends and 4 new cask marque pubs visited.

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.

9th October to 1st November 2012 - Catch up

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.