Our third day would see a Lancashire Day Ranger in use. Like Monday it was a route coverage plan initially for me and then for Peter. An early start (not good for the now developing cough and headache!) saw us leave Leeds (winning 155342) at 0603 to get to Manchester via Hebdon bridge with plenty of time to get breakfast before the ranger kicked in. Again we did a few tram moves to get to Market street where we headed to Manchester and county for breakfast.
After breakfast we made our way back to Victoria and waited for the 0900 to Clitheroe. A winner in the form of 150133. Not the fastest of trips but needed to be done. We caught it straight back to Blackburn and in the interim wait for the train to Colne we headed to the Wetherspoons.
A dud 142037 carried us to Colne! Now here is where the plan changed and in hindsight for the better! The original plan had us wait for a long time at colne to get lunch at the Wetherspoons and perhaps another couple of cask marque pubs! But it was a long time to waste so we decided to catch the same train back! I said (and bearing in mind how I was not feeling well) I was going to try and make the pub, have a swift half and then run back for the train in 20 minutes! Peter also decided too try this!
There was snow still quite heavy on the ground and it was all up hill but some how we made it in less than 10 minutes! The quickest half pint ever followed by a run down the hill gave us 5 minutes before we left! I think it nearly killed us but we never have to worry about that spoons!
With the branch complete I have now almost completed the route on a Lancashire ranger. Only the annoying curve into Morecambe from Carnforth is left!
We stayed on the train to Preston and the plan would see us head to Blackpool. The plan changed though when I saw one of my final two 221s (221111) roll in heading north. We caught that to Lancaster and headed into town to do the spoons. I had already done one of them on a previous visit to the area but needed the other. After that we headed back to the station and decided to go to Morecambe. It was a winner in 156440 and Peter needed the branch and the spoons that we went too.
Then the opportunity arose to catch the train to Leeds from Morecambe that would traverse the annoying curve (winning 150274)! We decided to do it and bail at Carnforth! Brilliant! Then it went wrong!
The points were stuck and we headed back to Lancaster! Doh! We got off then. Gutted! Still got that bit to do! So now we made our way to Blackpool. But in reverse to the original plan. We went to Blackpool south via St Anne's. Here we headed off to get dinner in the Wetherspoons. It was then onwards to Blackpool south. From here another swift drink in the nearest Werherspoons before a tram to the tower! The Albert and the Lion was visited before the newest Wetherspoons in Blackpool (one i needed).
It was now back to the station! There was no plan but we were going to bail at Preston. But we both fell asleep and didn't wake up! Oh dear!
Luckily the train was heading to Victoria so we could bail there. We made kur way to Piccadilly and got a train to Leeds from there. I was feeling really rough now and all I wanted was my bed to honest.
All route I went for its now done! Only managed 6 winning trains but despite feeling a lot worse was a successful day. Another early start tomorrow was closing in but I had to just see it through!
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
22th January 2013 - South Pennine Day Ranger
Tuesday was going to be a more relaxing day (if it could be called that as I was now coming down with something). We were getting a South Pennine Ranger which allowed travel between Leeds and Manchester via 3 routes. There was no route to get today so it was purely unit scratching. The Ranger wasn't valid until 0845 so we had a lie in as well!
After breakfast we headed to the station and caught a winning 185133 to Manchester Piccadilly. Once we arrived it we looked for what was needed. A winning 390126 to Stockport was next and it was at this point me and Peter split and arranged to meet at a later time. We both needed different trains so it made sense. He went on the next train but I had to wait for a while before a winning train came in. Eventually 150224 arrived and I got on. Once I was back at Piccadilly I jumped onto another Pendo. This time 390138. Another 20 odd minutes later a winning 323231 rolled into Stockport. I jumped on this back to Piccadilly and just as we were arriving I saw Peter on the same train!
We decided to see what was on the Norwich - Liverpool train. 158813 and was a winner so we took this to Oxford Road. A winning 142060 back to Piccadilly before 156471 (winner) back to Oxford Road. We needed to get back to Piccadilly as we decided to go to Stockport for lunch in the Wetherspoons. A dud 185115 to Piccadilly and then we split to get to Stockport. Peter took the first Pendo to Stockport whilst I waited for the one behind as I needed it.
After lunch we made a move back to Manchester on winning 150118. Now we decided to head to Sheffield and we ended up doing a few mileage moves. A winning 158854 took us to Sheffield. We then spotted the return train was a double winning 158810 and 846. The return back to Sheffield was 158863 and 785 (winner). During this we spotted 70016 at Castleton which was required for me.
We then spent some time making moves between Sheffield and Meadowhall. We did two out and back moves and each time got me a winning unit. After the third out move to Meadowhall we decided to head to Wombwell. There was a Wetherspoon there (quite a walk though) so we made our way to it. Another winning unit took us there and back to Meadowhall. It was then a move back to Sheffield and a 30 minute wait for the East Midland HST that would take us to Wakefield. We popped out of the station for this time and popped into a cask marqued pub.
When the HST did turn up it was a dud for me but we headed to Wakefield to continue with the plan. At Wakefield 91119 (had this on Sunday!!!!) rolled in and we took it to Leeds. We needed to be back at Wakefield for the next HST so we took a dud 322481 back.
We then did a brisk walk/run to the Wetherspoons in Wakefield (which didn't do my cough much good). Back at the station the HST rolled in and leading power car 43073 was a winner! Nice!
That was it for the day. I was feeling more under the weather which was not good but plenty of winning trains and miles in the bag. It was back to the hotel as an early start in the morning was needed. Despite my cough worsening I had bought all my tickets so was going to use them!
After breakfast we headed to the station and caught a winning 185133 to Manchester Piccadilly. Once we arrived it we looked for what was needed. A winning 390126 to Stockport was next and it was at this point me and Peter split and arranged to meet at a later time. We both needed different trains so it made sense. He went on the next train but I had to wait for a while before a winning train came in. Eventually 150224 arrived and I got on. Once I was back at Piccadilly I jumped onto another Pendo. This time 390138. Another 20 odd minutes later a winning 323231 rolled into Stockport. I jumped on this back to Piccadilly and just as we were arriving I saw Peter on the same train!
We decided to see what was on the Norwich - Liverpool train. 158813 and was a winner so we took this to Oxford Road. A winning 142060 back to Piccadilly before 156471 (winner) back to Oxford Road. We needed to get back to Piccadilly as we decided to go to Stockport for lunch in the Wetherspoons. A dud 185115 to Piccadilly and then we split to get to Stockport. Peter took the first Pendo to Stockport whilst I waited for the one behind as I needed it.
After lunch we made a move back to Manchester on winning 150118. Now we decided to head to Sheffield and we ended up doing a few mileage moves. A winning 158854 took us to Sheffield. We then spotted the return train was a double winning 158810 and 846. The return back to Sheffield was 158863 and 785 (winner). During this we spotted 70016 at Castleton which was required for me.
We then spent some time making moves between Sheffield and Meadowhall. We did two out and back moves and each time got me a winning unit. After the third out move to Meadowhall we decided to head to Wombwell. There was a Wetherspoon there (quite a walk though) so we made our way to it. Another winning unit took us there and back to Meadowhall. It was then a move back to Sheffield and a 30 minute wait for the East Midland HST that would take us to Wakefield. We popped out of the station for this time and popped into a cask marqued pub.
When the HST did turn up it was a dud for me but we headed to Wakefield to continue with the plan. At Wakefield 91119 (had this on Sunday!!!!) rolled in and we took it to Leeds. We needed to be back at Wakefield for the next HST so we took a dud 322481 back.
We then did a brisk walk/run to the Wetherspoons in Wakefield (which didn't do my cough much good). Back at the station the HST rolled in and leading power car 43073 was a winner! Nice!
That was it for the day. I was feeling more under the weather which was not good but plenty of winning trains and miles in the bag. It was back to the hotel as an early start in the morning was needed. Despite my cough worsening I had bought all my tickets so was going to use them!
Saturday, 9 February 2013
21st January 2013 - Cheshire Day Ranger
So the first day of the eventual plan required an anytime return to Manchester Piccadilly. Today would see us do a Cheshire Day Ranger, my first. We planned to get to Manchester and have breakfast there before the Cheshire Ranger was valid. Peter got the tickets and specified Manchester stations so we could use the tram between Piccadilly and Victoria!
We left Leeds at 0625 on a dud 185. Once we arrived into Piccadilly we headed to the trams. We rode these for a short while until the Wetherspoons, (The Waterhouse) we were planning on going to, was open.
After breakfast we headed to Deansgate to catch a train to Piccadilly. This was where we were meeting Dave for the day. There were some severe delays when we arrived and everything heading east was not stopping. Eventually a train stopped (156424 a winner!) but was only going as far as Oxford Road! Another dud 185 took us onwards! There was a +1 for the next train to Chester and was on one of the terminating platforms! I ran ahead of Peter as he said he would catch up later in the day if the plan went wrong! The plan was set by me and was a route scratching plan. He needed pretty much all of what I needed but not the first bit!
Anyway as it so happened the train didn't leave on time and we both made it and found Dave! It was a winning 150148 and 142051 so a good start! The snow continued to fall as we headed to Chester but didn't lose any more time. At Chester a dud 175 took us to Shotton. The original plan was to pop into the Wetherspoons here as we had just over an hour, but a late running train to Bidston rolled in and we jumped on that instead! Bonus! Saved an hour and it was one of my two remaining ATW 150s! (I didn't realise this until I got home though!)
We were now on the Merseyrail network where I should be picking up winners as I had only been on it once before! Dave went his own way from here for a bit as me and Peter headed for Wetherspoons on the network that Dave had already done. We headed to West Kirby first. Then onto Hoylake and then Moreton. Three winning trains and three new pubs!
We then met up with Dave and headed to New Brighton. With the branch complete and the location of the new Wetherspoon known for when it opens, it was now time to head to Ellesmere Port. We headed to one of the two Wetherspoons once here before catching a winning 156460 to Warrington Bank Quay. From here me and Pete visited both Wetherspoons whilst Dave settled in the nearest for dinner. After this it was back to the station and time to head Chester again. Whilst waiting 66849 rolled into the station (only need one more Colas 66 now for sight!). At Chester we headed back onto the Merseyrail network once more to Hooton and back to Chester. We had dinner at Chester before we headed to Crewe. We photted various trains in Crewe and waited for the Pendolino (390104) to Manchester via the Styal line. With that complete we did a Piccadilly to Oxford Road move and back.
We then repeated the move to Oxford Road but stayed on the train as it returned to Wilmslow via the airport. This meant i had completed the 3 sides of the junction to the airport. It was then back to Piccadilly. It was now late but our train to Leeds wasn't for a while. We saw what would be our train (185126) and decided to get on it to the airport. It would then return to Piccadilly and go on through to Salford Crescent before reversing to Victoria and then onto York via Leeds.
A good day for route scratching and managed to ride 15 new units. I also bagged 8 new trams too and travelled just under 325 miles.
We left Leeds at 0625 on a dud 185. Once we arrived into Piccadilly we headed to the trams. We rode these for a short while until the Wetherspoons, (The Waterhouse) we were planning on going to, was open.
After breakfast we headed to Deansgate to catch a train to Piccadilly. This was where we were meeting Dave for the day. There were some severe delays when we arrived and everything heading east was not stopping. Eventually a train stopped (156424 a winner!) but was only going as far as Oxford Road! Another dud 185 took us onwards! There was a +1 for the next train to Chester and was on one of the terminating platforms! I ran ahead of Peter as he said he would catch up later in the day if the plan went wrong! The plan was set by me and was a route scratching plan. He needed pretty much all of what I needed but not the first bit!
Anyway as it so happened the train didn't leave on time and we both made it and found Dave! It was a winning 150148 and 142051 so a good start! The snow continued to fall as we headed to Chester but didn't lose any more time. At Chester a dud 175 took us to Shotton. The original plan was to pop into the Wetherspoons here as we had just over an hour, but a late running train to Bidston rolled in and we jumped on that instead! Bonus! Saved an hour and it was one of my two remaining ATW 150s! (I didn't realise this until I got home though!)
We were now on the Merseyrail network where I should be picking up winners as I had only been on it once before! Dave went his own way from here for a bit as me and Peter headed for Wetherspoons on the network that Dave had already done. We headed to West Kirby first. Then onto Hoylake and then Moreton. Three winning trains and three new pubs!
We then met up with Dave and headed to New Brighton. With the branch complete and the location of the new Wetherspoon known for when it opens, it was now time to head to Ellesmere Port. We headed to one of the two Wetherspoons once here before catching a winning 156460 to Warrington Bank Quay. From here me and Pete visited both Wetherspoons whilst Dave settled in the nearest for dinner. After this it was back to the station and time to head Chester again. Whilst waiting 66849 rolled into the station (only need one more Colas 66 now for sight!). At Chester we headed back onto the Merseyrail network once more to Hooton and back to Chester. We had dinner at Chester before we headed to Crewe. We photted various trains in Crewe and waited for the Pendolino (390104) to Manchester via the Styal line. With that complete we did a Piccadilly to Oxford Road move and back.
We then repeated the move to Oxford Road but stayed on the train as it returned to Wilmslow via the airport. This meant i had completed the 3 sides of the junction to the airport. It was then back to Piccadilly. It was now late but our train to Leeds wasn't for a while. We saw what would be our train (185126) and decided to get on it to the airport. It would then return to Piccadilly and go on through to Salford Crescent before reversing to Victoria and then onto York via Leeds.
A good day for route scratching and managed to ride 15 new units. I also bagged 8 new trams too and travelled just under 325 miles.
Wednesday, 6 February 2013
20th January 2013 - Heading North
A little late but illness and work has prevented me writing this up earlier. A trip in the planning since the end of October 2012 with Peter would see us head North and stay in Leeds. Leeds was chosen because at the time of planning, we weren't planning to do what we ended up doing, and we'd already booked the Travelodge.
So we left the South West on the Sunday on the earliest train of the day. Because we had booked so far in advance we travelled first class with cheap tickets. Peter got on at Newton Abbot and the train carried on. We soon hit the snowy landscape of Somerset and as nice as the view looked we were worried how the snow would affect the weeks plans.
We arrived in London bang on time with the snow causing no delay. The snow was falling quite heavily upon arrival into Paddington but we had about 90 minutes to kill so we headed underground to "but stop" our way to Kings Cross via Bakerloo, Circle and then Northern. Some snowy pictures of the soon to be replaced C-Stock were taken at Barbican. After an hour we headed to Kings Cross to catch our train North. Kings Cross was empty as trains we arriving late (ours included). This meant it would leave about 7 minutes late so that wasn't too bad. There were two 67s stabled and a few pictures were taken in the now heavily falling snow.
A pretty uneventful trip (behind a dud 91132 for me) to Leeds followed in the falling snow. Both at Peterborough and Doncaster passing trains hindered the view of depots and yards! A few bits were spotted but we know we missed more! Despite the snow and the late departure from London, we arrived into Leeds 1 minute early!
We headed to the Travelodge (next to the station) and unloaded our stuff. We then headed out to look for The Three Hulats in Leeds as this was the final Wetherspoons I needed to visit in the city. We had already bought a West Yorkshire Rover with bus travel included to get to it as it was a good ten minutes away on the bus. We found it with no trouble and then headed back to the station to start Pete's plan for the evening.
First up we headed out to Wakefield powered by 91119. It was then back to Leeds on 150150 before back to Wakefield with 91120! It was then a dud East Coast HST back to Leeds before we waited for the 91 to Keighley. This turned up and was 91121 (I couldn't believe 3 in a row in numerical order had turned up!). Next we decided to head to Shipley on a winner hopefully. There was a good chance, because by luck the next train was coming from Morecambe (most trains in the area are powered by 333s and these are complete for me). Yes! 144011! First winner of the day! We bailed at Shipley and popped to the Wetherspoons. After this we headed back to Leeds (a dud 333!). That was it for the day! We had a wonder and took some photos before heading to the hotel. We had an early start in the morning and it was already nearing midnight.
I had done 486 miles for the day (Peter about 30 less) and got one winner (but it goes like that sometimes!).
So we left the South West on the Sunday on the earliest train of the day. Because we had booked so far in advance we travelled first class with cheap tickets. Peter got on at Newton Abbot and the train carried on. We soon hit the snowy landscape of Somerset and as nice as the view looked we were worried how the snow would affect the weeks plans.
We arrived in London bang on time with the snow causing no delay. The snow was falling quite heavily upon arrival into Paddington but we had about 90 minutes to kill so we headed underground to "but stop" our way to Kings Cross via Bakerloo, Circle and then Northern. Some snowy pictures of the soon to be replaced C-Stock were taken at Barbican. After an hour we headed to Kings Cross to catch our train North. Kings Cross was empty as trains we arriving late (ours included). This meant it would leave about 7 minutes late so that wasn't too bad. There were two 67s stabled and a few pictures were taken in the now heavily falling snow.
A pretty uneventful trip (behind a dud 91132 for me) to Leeds followed in the falling snow. Both at Peterborough and Doncaster passing trains hindered the view of depots and yards! A few bits were spotted but we know we missed more! Despite the snow and the late departure from London, we arrived into Leeds 1 minute early!
We headed to the Travelodge (next to the station) and unloaded our stuff. We then headed out to look for The Three Hulats in Leeds as this was the final Wetherspoons I needed to visit in the city. We had already bought a West Yorkshire Rover with bus travel included to get to it as it was a good ten minutes away on the bus. We found it with no trouble and then headed back to the station to start Pete's plan for the evening.
First up we headed out to Wakefield powered by 91119. It was then back to Leeds on 150150 before back to Wakefield with 91120! It was then a dud East Coast HST back to Leeds before we waited for the 91 to Keighley. This turned up and was 91121 (I couldn't believe 3 in a row in numerical order had turned up!). Next we decided to head to Shipley on a winner hopefully. There was a good chance, because by luck the next train was coming from Morecambe (most trains in the area are powered by 333s and these are complete for me). Yes! 144011! First winner of the day! We bailed at Shipley and popped to the Wetherspoons. After this we headed back to Leeds (a dud 333!). That was it for the day! We had a wonder and took some photos before heading to the hotel. We had an early start in the morning and it was already nearing midnight.
I had done 486 miles for the day (Peter about 30 less) and got one winner (but it goes like that sometimes!).
Thursday, 17 January 2013
17th January 2013 - Ghost Train
Today saw me head to London. I had two things to make sure I did. Firstly the parliamentary service from Clapham High Street to Kensington Olympia needed to be completed (before the rumoured end of it) and visit the Ship of Fools Wetherspoon (also rumoured to be closing when it's lease is up).
I caught the same trains as last week for cheapness and it would give me the time I needed. Upon arrival at Clapham Junction I caught a winning 455836 and 456003 (my first 456!!!) to West Croydon. This was also new route so all good. The Ship of Fools was directly outside the station. After a pint of Jaipur (nice strong IPA) I went in search for my wife's birthday present.
Next up I headed to Sutton to complete the bit of route on winning 455818. It was then back to Clapham on a winning 377164. I then took a risk. A cheeky trip to Victoria on winning 455821 and back on winning 455833. It was the. Onto some of the new overground route to Clapham high street. I made it with a minute to spare. It was then another 455 winner! This time 805. I took this 'Ghost train' to Kensington Olympia.
I then went one stop further on the overground. Here I gabbed another pint and food at the Central Bar at Sheperd's Bush. Then I jumped onto the Central Line and headed West to Ealing Broadway. I then headed back to Bank and changed trains at various intervals. I bagged 38 winning Central units which wasn't a bad effort for an hours work!
I got back to Waterloo on the Waterloo & City but it was a dud pair of units. The trip home was uneventful. A successful day. I did what I set out to do. I got a bit of new route, 7 winning trains and 38 underground units. Excluding underground (rail miles wasn't playing!) I managed 480 miles as well. Nearly at 1k for jan so far. Up next? A trip up to Leeds with Peter for a five day mega trip!
I caught the same trains as last week for cheapness and it would give me the time I needed. Upon arrival at Clapham Junction I caught a winning 455836 and 456003 (my first 456!!!) to West Croydon. This was also new route so all good. The Ship of Fools was directly outside the station. After a pint of Jaipur (nice strong IPA) I went in search for my wife's birthday present.
Next up I headed to Sutton to complete the bit of route on winning 455818. It was then back to Clapham on a winning 377164. I then took a risk. A cheeky trip to Victoria on winning 455821 and back on winning 455833. It was the. Onto some of the new overground route to Clapham high street. I made it with a minute to spare. It was then another 455 winner! This time 805. I took this 'Ghost train' to Kensington Olympia.
I then went one stop further on the overground. Here I gabbed another pint and food at the Central Bar at Sheperd's Bush. Then I jumped onto the Central Line and headed West to Ealing Broadway. I then headed back to Bank and changed trains at various intervals. I bagged 38 winning Central units which wasn't a bad effort for an hours work!
I got back to Waterloo on the Waterloo & City but it was a dud pair of units. The trip home was uneventful. A successful day. I did what I set out to do. I got a bit of new route, 7 winning trains and 38 underground units. Excluding underground (rail miles wasn't playing!) I managed 480 miles as well. Nearly at 1k for jan so far. Up next? A trip up to Leeds with Peter for a five day mega trip!
Thursday, 10 January 2013
10th January 2013 - Thames Branches Day Ranger
So my first outing of 2013 and it feels like ages since I last went out on a train. It was in fact only 10 days but that was a short hop to Exeter and it was 17th Dec since I last went on a full blown day on the trains. My yearly target for 2013 is 26679 miles. This will see me reach 100000 since May 2010, when I got back into trains. My first major trip planned for jan wasn't due until 20th when I'd be heading away with Peter for a few days so I needed to find something to kickstart the new year. After a little searching I decided on a trip to Reading and then a Thames branches day ranger. To keep costs down I wouldn't be starting until the peak was over. A day return with my Devon and Cornwall was a nice £6.25 to Axminster and then onwards to Reading with my Network Railcard £26.40. The ranger was £11.55 with the railcard so all in all a good value day out. Only downside is I'd only have about 5 and half hours with the ranger but its a compromise on the cost and there would still be stuff to go after.
I left Plymouth (just!!!!) on the 0925 to Exeter. I changed here for the 1026 to Basingstoke. I was expecting one of the prototype 150s to roll in here to take me to Reading but it was a Turbo. Was a dud turbo though. Once at Reading it was time to look for required units. I checked the 458s in the bays but they were not required. I then headed across the bridge to where a Paddington bound train was due (even though it said Ealing Broadway).
It rolled in (166208) and was needed. So I took this to Maidenhead and jumped off. Thanks to the delayed arrival to Maidenhead I only had a few minutes to wait for the next train in. This time 166203, another winner. So I took this to West Drayton. I hadn't been to this station since the late 90s when I lived there for a short time. From here a headed west slightly when I realised a wining unit was approaching (165111). At Iver (never been here) before) I caught the next train to Paddington. It wasn't needed but I wasn't going to wait here all day until a winner came!
At Paddington I had to wait nearly an hour before a required train was ready to leave. So I popped into the Sloe Bar. That's all three pubs on the station done now and all are Cask Marqued. When a required train finally turned up, it was 165109 that did the honours to Reading non stop. I then started to get hungry so decided to head back towards Slough and get dinner in the Wetherpoons (Moon and Spoon). My ride was winning 165130 and 166202!
After dinner (a Flaming Dragon Curry - nice to see them elsewhere now and not just Wales) I saw that a quick trip to Windsor and back was possible. This was good as 165119 was on the branch and required. After this move it was time to head back to Reading to start my not so straight forward journey home. There was a delayed train which meant I caught a winning (166220) to Maidenhead before catching the one I was planning to get to Reading! This was also a winner (166212).
My train to Basingstoke was one of the 150's!!! 150002 was doing the honours! I have a soft spot for 150s and it was weird to see them up in this area. I know they've been there a while but I hadn't been on one here before. At Basingstoke I had 30 odd minutes to kill. I decided to head into the town to the Lloyds No1 Bar. I'd been years ago but I hadn't got the Cask Marque scan. With that done it was back to the station for the train to Exeter. From Exeter I got the HST back to Plymouth.
A had an enjoyable day. Yes the main bit was short but it's cheaper. And I got 9 winning units which is good and 3 more Cask Marque pubs. I'm off the mark for 2013 with 499 miles too!
I left Plymouth (just!!!!) on the 0925 to Exeter. I changed here for the 1026 to Basingstoke. I was expecting one of the prototype 150s to roll in here to take me to Reading but it was a Turbo. Was a dud turbo though. Once at Reading it was time to look for required units. I checked the 458s in the bays but they were not required. I then headed across the bridge to where a Paddington bound train was due (even though it said Ealing Broadway).
It rolled in (166208) and was needed. So I took this to Maidenhead and jumped off. Thanks to the delayed arrival to Maidenhead I only had a few minutes to wait for the next train in. This time 166203, another winner. So I took this to West Drayton. I hadn't been to this station since the late 90s when I lived there for a short time. From here a headed west slightly when I realised a wining unit was approaching (165111). At Iver (never been here) before) I caught the next train to Paddington. It wasn't needed but I wasn't going to wait here all day until a winner came!
At Paddington I had to wait nearly an hour before a required train was ready to leave. So I popped into the Sloe Bar. That's all three pubs on the station done now and all are Cask Marqued. When a required train finally turned up, it was 165109 that did the honours to Reading non stop. I then started to get hungry so decided to head back towards Slough and get dinner in the Wetherpoons (Moon and Spoon). My ride was winning 165130 and 166202!
After dinner (a Flaming Dragon Curry - nice to see them elsewhere now and not just Wales) I saw that a quick trip to Windsor and back was possible. This was good as 165119 was on the branch and required. After this move it was time to head back to Reading to start my not so straight forward journey home. There was a delayed train which meant I caught a winning (166220) to Maidenhead before catching the one I was planning to get to Reading! This was also a winner (166212).
My train to Basingstoke was one of the 150's!!! 150002 was doing the honours! I have a soft spot for 150s and it was weird to see them up in this area. I know they've been there a while but I hadn't been on one here before. At Basingstoke I had 30 odd minutes to kill. I decided to head into the town to the Lloyds No1 Bar. I'd been years ago but I hadn't got the Cask Marque scan. With that done it was back to the station for the train to Exeter. From Exeter I got the HST back to Plymouth.
A had an enjoyable day. Yes the main bit was short but it's cheaper. And I got 9 winning units which is good and 3 more Cask Marque pubs. I'm off the mark for 2013 with 499 miles too!
Tuesday, 8 January 2013
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.
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