11th July 2012 - London Daytrip

I've been on holiday so this is quite late in updating! Better late then never! I decided on a day trip to London. I went up on the Sleeper and was in London just after 5 am. And I also realised it was my first mainline 57 haulage for the year! There were a few things I wanted to do today. That included trying to get my last Chilterns 172, two GA 379s and LO 378s. I also wanted to get a couple of new bits of track in (West Ruislip - Paddington and Wandsworth Rd - Kennsington Olympia). 

I started out by heading to Marylebone. Chiltern run three 172s a day (leaving one as a spare). After arriving at Marylebone I spotted 172101 which was the one i needed. Brilliant. Just needed to wait until it was going to leave now. It was blocked in by another train which duly left. I then expected 172101 to form the 0620 off of Marylebone. It didn't and left ECS. Not happy about this! A quick check on Open Train Times showed it was ECS to Gerrards Cross. It would then form the return which I could pick up at South Ruislip. So I follwed on a dud 165 to South Ruislip. To kill some time I caught a central line train to Northolt and back. 172101 soon arrived and my 172s for Chiltern were complete. Only one left for class completion. 

Now it was time to head over to East London and go for the two remaining 379s. Whilst looking for them (005, 010) I caught winning 315s and 317s to kill time to and from Hackney downs or Tottenham Hale. Meant keeping a good eye out for 379s (not always easy) so i knew what was out and where. After an hour and 6 winning units later I finally clapped eyes on 379010! Brilliant. I got this to Tottenham Hale and then headed back to Liverpool Street. Then I spotted 379005! Awesome! Another class knocked on the head! Or maybe not! It's next move was ECS to Ilford! Foiled again! So I am left with one 379 left to get too. 

No point hanging around Liuverpool Street for too long now. I headed back to Marylebone to then make my way to South Ruislip. It was then an underground trip to West Ruislip! I had time to kill so headed eastwards first. Things got a little tight on the trip to South Ruislip as we were held for a minute or so. We pulled in and I could see my train waiting. I made my way over to the Chiltern train as qucik as I could. I could see it had the clear road and I really couldn't afford to miss this! It's a bit of track i needed and although a daily service, it takes a bit of time to get out to and back! I made it with seconds to spare! It was 165001 to Paddington! Route complete and now I headed to the NLL for some 378s.

Before starting anything i headed to Finchly for some Lunch in Wetherspoons. After this it was up to Canonbury (where the NLL and ELL meet) to try and get my last two 378s. I had no joy and after a couple hours I couldn't hack it anymore and moved on. Time for another bit of track scratching. Off to Wandsworth Road. It was soon clear I wouldn't make it. So I headed to Clapham and then made a trip out to East Croydon. Then out to Northwood Junction and then back Victoria via East Croydon. This bagged me a eight new 377s. I then decided to go after my final 450/5s. This meant Clapham to Richmond trains. I still needed some 458s as well. I saw 450565 and 450545 (separate trains but both needed) heading to Waterloo. I worked out where i needed to be for their return. I then managed 8008 from Richmond to Twickenham. Eventually 450565 returned and I caught it to Whitton. Next to wait for was 450545 and I caught this to Feltham. It was now time to head home! Would be tight connection at Paddington! 8026 was a bonus winner to Waterloo. I got to Paddington with about 15 minutes to spare. Don't normally like leaving it that tight in London! 

A good day in the end (bagging the 450/5s softened the blow of the 379 and 378s!) and well over 630 miles travelled with plenty of winners. 

5th July 2012 - Last day of FOSW

It was the last day I could use my ticket but due to a hospital appointment was going to be late out. Eventually I managed to get onto the rail network at about 1400 and from an unlikely place. Ivybridge! Finally got this station in! I caught the 1358 from here to Newton Abbot before jumping onto an hst to Taunton. Another change and onwards to Bristol. I knew I wasn't going to have much time here.

I was going to meet Peter later in Exeter but I was trying to squeeze as many miles as I could out of the last day and maybe, just maybe a winning 150!

Well the good thing was FGW have created a new hybrid set in the form of 150921. Formally 150121 I obviously needed it for renumber. I'm guessing the same will happen to 150127. Anyway I was able to catch a service to Bristol Parkway and catch my train to Exeter from there. And the best bit? 150921 was doing the honours!

It was then Exeter bound on a Voyager with broken aircon! It was boiling! Unbelievably boiling!

At Exeter we met to visit some pubs on the Tarka line leaflet. We did Tje Great Westen and The Jolly Porter in quick succession. It was then back to the line for a photo of 6C39. After that up to the Imperial for a curry and pint (also a scan for the cask marque app). After this there was time for another pub in the leaflet, The Mill on the Exe. Added bonus it was a St. Austell brewery pub so scanned in on their app too.

Now home time. We caught the HST of Exeter St Thomas! It stopped everywhere. It was then the voyager to Plymouth a couple of minutes behind from Newton abbot.

I was going to photograph the 0C38 light engine move but was far too dark once I got back. Never mind. A good day but short day with more than just trains!

30th June/1st July 2012 - Short London Trip

A flying visit to the capitol for a day with my wife. My wife was currently in Derby with her family. I travelled up on Saturday night via Bristol Temple Meads. I used a large proportion of my trip with my FOSW. I caught the 1E75 XC HST to Bristol Parkway. From there it was an FGW HST to Paddington. I then made my way across London to Earlsfield to stay at my sisters.

The Sunday morning allowed me to have a few hours before meeting my wife at St Pancras. A winning 455 took me to Clapham Junction. From here I headed to East Croydon on a winning 377. After this I headed towards London Bridge on a winning Southern 455. Shortly after leaving East Croydon I spotted a required 378 unit. I worked out its return and planned a move to get it. I bailed at Annerley. It was then a short hop to Norwood Junction on a winning 377 before another short hop to Sydenham on a 455. Next should be the 378 and it was. I caught this to Brockley before finally heading to London Bridge.

At London Bridge i jumped onto a 319 to Farringdon. I then headed to Liverpool Street. Now would I get any of my final 379s? No. But my out and and back to Tottenham Hale did divert via Stratford giving me a spot of new track. After that it was time to head to St Pancras to meet my wife.

We decided to go to London Bridge and go to the markets. We got there on two winning 377s. The markets were unfortunately closed to we headed to Canary wharf for lunch. After Lunch we went to the see some Chineese Dragon boats. We caught the DLR to Royal Albert. I noticed the new cable cars were also running in the distance.

After a while watching the boats racing we headed to Stratford to have a look round the Westfield Centre. Then we took a walk around the area to see what we could glimpse of the Olympic Park. It was totally off bounds. We then headed to Central London (on a couple of winning 315s) and looked for a pub. It was soon time to head home. We went via Tower Bridge.

It was a long day but enjoyable. And I got a few new units in for good measure!

28th June - West Midland Daytripper

So for the second Thursday of my FOSW I decided a second extension to the West Midlands would be a good idea. Try and get my final London Midland 172 hopefully and then all that's required is one Chiltern one.

So I left Plymouth on the 0925 train to Aberdeen after buying my Cheltenham – Birmingham return. All was good up until near Gloucester. I'd acquired a laptop from my Dad and having restored it to as new and then removed all slow and infuriating applications from it, the first 2h 30 mins of my journey flew by as I watched Transformers 3!

Then it all went wrong and would set the tone of the day! Shortly after we came to standstill, it was announced that there were problems between Cheltenham and Birmingham. The problems weren't known (but a quick check of my emails revealed flooding in Barnt Green area) and then we were told the service would go to Gloucester and be terminated! Great!

We arrived into Gloucester, got off and then seconds later were told to get back on the train as it would continue after all but at 5mph over the affected area. So on we went and quite quickly until we approached the affected area. We must have spent about 1h 15mins getting through a queue of trains. If I am honest the flooding must have mostly disappeared because it didn't seem to warrant over an hours worth of delays. I finally got into New Street 1h 27 late! Not good. Delays were left right and centre at New Street so I headed to Moor Street!

Not a good move! It was even worse! Flooding at Rowley Regis was causing chaos here. I got the first train (172342) to Snow Hill and decided to go on the tram to Wolverhampton. At Snow Hill there were two trains already in the platforms but these were being taken out of service. Odd how the ones going east were being taken out as there were no probs that way apparently.

On to the tram I spotted a 153/170 combo at Jewellery Quarter. The 170 was 635 and required so I risked it not moving till I got to it. I got on it and we waited about 5 mins before we went on. Took about 30 mins to get to Snow hill as the trains were just queuing up. Once at Snow Hill I returned to the trams. This time I stayed on the tram to Wolverhampton so that line is complete. I saw about six trains queueing to get to Snow Hill before we veered off to Wolverhampton. No sign of the one I needed and this would have to wait another day.

By the time I had got to Wolverhampton it was nearly 4 o'clock and I had only been on two trains since arriving in Birmingham! Luckily the next train I was able to catch was a winner. I caught 350110 to Birmingham New Street. Again this was met with delays getting into the station! Next up was ATW service pulling into the platform next to me. A quick check revealed one half as being very much required. The doors of 158824 was right by me and I got on. I have never seen so many people on a four car 158! It was rammed and was a right effort to get off at Smethwick! I regretted getting on quickly and being in the middle of the carriage in a seat! At Smethwick I noticed that there was no improvement on the Snow Hill Lines and rushed back downstairs to a 350 in the platform. 350244 was a winner, so good. Another short delay into New Street was guaranteed!

It was then a dash over to Platform 3 as I saw an 11 car pendo about to leave. 390131 was new for renumber and was itself then delayed. I could only stand and the train was so hot! Lots of unhappy people!

I got off at International and spotted a winning 350 in the platform heading south. I jumped on 350258 to Coventry. As I was leaving I spotted 390156. Bonus. I was hungry and decided a visit to one of the four Wetherspoons was needed! After a Curry and Guinness it was back to the station. A dud 390050 to Birmingham International was followed by a swift return on 390029. Well I say swift but this then met delays. Tresspass on the line! The swift bit was the fact I didn't wait at International.

It was now time to start heading back to New Street for my train home. I caught the next Pendo (028) to International and then waited for 350262 which I knew was behind me as I saw it at Coventry and was required.

Once at New Street I saw my train was nearly 50 mins late! Marvellous! I saw a move that was to be honest very risky and looking back at it I probably shouldn't have done! Anyway I caught a winning 350235 to Stechford (new station in the book!) and dud 323202 back! I had a four minute window at Stechford but that turned into two when the 350 left New Street late!

I made it back and waited for Voyager home! I'm writing this on the train so goodness only knows when I get back what time it'll be! Very tiring day and dare I say it the most unenjoyable day I've had since I got back into this hobby! Yes I saw two new Pendolinos for renumber and caught 9 winning trains for haulage, but it was really hard work and just about every train was late which made trying to see what moves I was able to make impossible!

23rd June 2012 - Mazey Day

June 23rd and thats means Mazey Day in Penzance. This normally means several rail tours heading West. This year was no exception, although due to rolling stock shortages (!) only two would be running. Pathfinders were running 'The Mazey day Cornishman' and Spitfire ran 'The Kernow Explorer'.

I headed out early as my FOSW was valid. I was to meet Peter later in the morning so planned a mileage move (and with luck winners for 2012) to Taunton and back to Newton Abbot. Both the HST up and voyager down were winners for 2012 and a few more 2012 miles on the clock. 

So I met Peter at Newton Abbot and we headed to Pumpkin for a tea. It was then time for the busy 2P94 to  Plymouth on 150261. Shortly after we hopped onto the HST hauled by 43163 to Par. The original plan was to head back to Bodmin and pick the Spitfire tour from there to Truro. We changed our minds however and took a walk to see what we could see of the 60s now stored at St Blazey. I knew I didn't need them for sight but Peter had a high chance of requiring them all. Disappointingly there were visible just but not photographable. I managed one shot which caught the nose of 60100 and the St Blazey Lizard. 

It wasn't yet 11am but we headed back to the station the Par Inn for a drink. We also got a stamp in the Atlantic Coast Line and The Great Cornish Rail Ale Trail leaflets. 

Back at the station we waited for the Kernow Explorer. It rolled in on time with 37516 and 37676. Both required for haulage. We took this to Truro for £10. It was then an hour wait till the Mazey Day Cornishman arrived with Royal Scots Grey at the Helm. We popped into Truro for another couple of stamps in the leaflets. This time we visited Wig & Pen and William IV for two more stamps in the Cornish leaflet and the Wig & Penn in the Maritime leaflet. 

55022 arrived on time and for the second time just over a week I had Deltic haulage, this time on the mainline. I have now doubled my Deltic mileage to 50 odd miles! Once we got to Penzance we took photos and then headed out along the sea wall to get some photos of the 37s that had already dragged it's coaches to the sidings. 

Next up was time to head to St Ives. New track for Peter. We walked into town and headed to the newly opened Wetherspoons. After a swift drink here there was time for another at The Golden Lion, a pub in the St Ives Bay leaflet. On the way back to the station we saw an other pub that was in the Cornish Rail Ale leaflet. It would have been rude not too! 

It was now time to head home. Well I say home. I was due to meet my wife at Par where we would grab something to eat before we headed to Eden Project to see Tim Minchin. I managed another stamp in the Atlantic Coast Line with a bonus food stamp at the Royal Inn.

It was a good day. I travelled 298 miles and was good to catch up with Peter. It had been a long time. Oh and despite the awful weather that had rolled in, Tim Minchin was excellent at Eden Project!

21st June 2012 - West Midlands Daytripper

A chance to get a FOSW presented itself meaning at £16.75 a day with the 6 days of use I would get minimum making it good value. One day I may get 8!

I decided I would head to Birmingham and got a £22 return from cheltenham. A West Midlands day tripper for £5.80 means for £44.55 I could get from Plymouth to the West Mids and back at what I consider is a reasonable price.

The main aim was to finish the London Midland 172s. I only needed two more. Upon arrival at New Steet I headed to Smethwick Galton Bridge. 323219 did the honours and was a winning start. As pretty much expected a dud 172 rolled in. I took this to Moor Street. It was required for 2012 haulage though.

I didn't have to wait very long for a winning 172! 172222 rolled in next so a short hop to Snow Hill ensured this was bagged. A dud 172 back to Moor Street (felt this was the best place as I was able to bag Chiltern units I need at the same time if they were there) and I went and checked the Chiltern 168 in the bay. A required unit! I took this to Solihull. A dud 168 but good for 2012 took me back to Moor Street.

Double winner next! In rolled 153365 and 170631. I took this to Acocks Green and then swapped to the other set and bailed at Olton. It was then back to Moor Street. A short hop to Snow hill on a 2012 winning 172 and I waited for anything new. Another Chiltern 168. A repeat journey to Solihull and back to Moor Street got this in and another dud 168 (but good for 2012!).

It would seem my last LM 172 was not out! Either that or I missed it. There was only one unit I didn't quite catch the number of during my travels in the last few hours! Next time?

So I headed back to New Street. Wanted to try and get a XC 170 that was required. I found 3 in the platform but two were going nowhere! Luckily they were dud and the last one which was required was about to leave for Leicester! Excellent! 170522 was duly caught to Coleshill. It was running late so I missed my connection back but that turned out to be a stroke of luck! Whilst I was waiting a DB 66 passed through the station and was one of my last required for sight! I also spotted a new shunter on the journey to Coleshill.

Once back at New Steet I saw a required Virgin Super Voyager. I caught this to Wolverhampton. Not sure if the next train is booked as a Voyager but the Wolverhampton - Euston at 1745 was a winning one. Most of these services are Pendolinos. I bailed at Sandwell and Dudley and got the 323 stopper behind it. I knew it was a winner as I saw it at Wolverhampton.

Once I was back at New Street I noticed the next Super Voyager north was another winner! So I headed back to Wolverhampton. From here the Pendo back was a winner. I was about to jump in it and noticed a LM 170 waiting to leave ahead of the pendo. It was a dud but there was a 153 attached! And was needed. Two in one day! Only one LM left for haulage. So I caught this to Sandwell and then the Pendo to New Street.

I was hungry by now and considered heading to a Spoons. I didn't though and went for a bk as I could eat that one a train if needed!

Good move! A required ATW 158 was heading north so i got that to Smethwick. I then got my final winning train of the day back to New Street. It was then a very late running XC to Plymouth. Running late due to tresspass in the Sheffield area I was on it 30 mins before my planned train so was hoping I'd be home earlier! Well I was but not that much! It would seem it paths home were knocked back later and later! Never mind! A productive day even if there is still one LM 172 to get! Next Thursday hopefully if I do the same!

I know I've said it before but next up Mazey Day!

15th June 2012 - West Somerset Railway Mixed Heritage Gala

It's been a couple of years since I last went on the West Somerset Railway, and I was able to go again this year. The draw of Royal Scots Grey (missing at the Swanage gala) the chance to finally get a Hymek in the book, a GBRF 73 and 66 and the first outing of D6575 was good enough for me. Also due to be running was resident D1661, western D1010 and warship D832.

A few days before the event it was announced that the 66 was unable to attend but a second 73 would instead visit. Fine by me. The only problem was the new working timetable didn't even show the second 73 as doing anything!

I left Plymouth on the 0625 to Taunton and then waited a while for the bus to Bishops Lydeard. I was there by 9 and was able to witness the Deltic starting up! I'd not heard a Deltic before and what an amazing sound! It was a while before my plan to catch it so I headed west on the 1st gen DMU to Blue Anchor.

From here it was D1661, North Star back to Williton. Here is where I would meet the Deltic and get first haulage off of one. I took this to Minehead. After a few photos in and around Minehead station I took the return to Bishops Lydeard behind the Deltic all the way! It was now time for 73119 hauling a goods train with brakevans to Norten Fitzwarren station. Little used, we were able to get off and see the 73 detach and run round the new loop to take us back to Bishops Lydeard.

Now it was time to head to Williton again. This time behind D6566. Once here I had a few minutes to see and photograph the newly arrived Class 14 D9518. It was then a doubled headed Western and Hymek back to Bishops Lydeard.

They then both returned to Williton where the Hymek was removed and the Warship added. Onwards to Blue Anchor. The final train of the day was D6575! Another winner!

It was then a walk to the bus stop and onto Taunton station. I don't know what was going on but all trains were running late. I jumped on a train that was running late but was earlier than my intended train. Much better. Was an HST and now the entertainment coach is free even better!

A thoroughly enjoyable day. Shame the second 73 wasn't working. To be honest I don't understand why it didn't just do what the 66 was planned into do on the original timetable!