Kite159
Veteran Member
Great read Tech! Congrats on clearing MerseyRail
Kite has just made crazy progress on everything this year, so I doubt anyone will catch up!
I just get bored standing in the same place for long
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Juliano's World Frenzy/Tech's Trip Reports
- Thread starter Techniquest
- Start date
- Status
I just get bored standing in the same place for long
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
47403
Established Member
Oh I'll still be on a rampage of clearing stuff, don't worry. It just means I have less time to play with, hey ho.
Compared to Kite I've done jack squat all year so far, but it's all coming together slowly. Just looking at my lists on the way home has got me wanting to crack on and get down to London as soon as possible. Then again, I've got several different places I'd like to use that time off in August on! For reference, that list includes:
Scotland
Anglia
East Midlands
North East
London
Southern DaySaves
North Downs Day Rangers
Kent Rover
FoSS
So yeah, not too much to choose from!
Glad you enjoyed the read, getting closer for your next big trip slowly!
Yeah its getting closer, slowly but surely, work really paggering me at the minute, that and tendonitis in my left ankle. A cortisone injection according to my quack, will cure it apparently.:roll:
This FoSS can't come quick enough, everything paid for bar the Rover itself, which I'll get in May. Don't wanna wish away my life and everyones trips but with about 7weeks to go, I wish it was tomorrow I should get to squeeze a day out, at either Carlisle or on the fife turns. I desperately need a day on the rails fix.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Not surprised you need a day out, especially with all of us regulars making you jealous with our trip reports!
August time off is cancelled, making way for a colleague who's off on a stag do. Off tomorrow to Hebden Bridge to visit my godmother, a few trains may get scored yet!
August time off is cancelled, making way for a colleague who's off on a stag do. Off tomorrow to Hebden Bridge to visit my godmother, a few trains may get scored yet!
Nice one on clearing Merseyrail chief, well done. Was interested to read you got delayed at West Allerton, a couple of hundred yards away from my house. I was actually in Hungary at the time. Did some riding around on trams and the metro and paid a visit to Keleti station. Got an excellent value 72 hour travel pass on arrival at the airport.
alexf380
Established Member
I won't mention the fact that the new Wetherspoon's at Waverley station should be open by then....
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,543
I shant be using that, given its location and whatever I dont think therel be any major price differnce
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Never found out why we were delayed mind, but given we waited for door release at South Parkway too I can only imagine it had something to do with the guard. The driver got out at one point to see what was going on!
Keleti has been on my list to get to ever since planning began for The 10 Capitals trip. Which is now to be cut right back, as neither of us are expecting to afford that before 2022 now!
A new Spoons at Waverley? Interesting, I might have to investigate that when I'm up there. Tickets booked now for tomorrow's trip to Hebden Bridge, thanks to help from Blindtraveller on where to split the journey. I've also no late bus any more, having used it for the last time after a fairly decent session on the adult beverages in town last night. After tomorrow, I suspect a mini bash might be had the week after to go after my last two 150s on GWR, but we'll see what happens. I've got my eyes on various things right now...
Where was on the list for the 10 capitals trip chief? Just thinking of the ones I have done in Europe. Tallinn, Helsinki, Riga, Warsaw, Brussels, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Budapest, Prague, not sure if Andorra La Vella counts. Hopefully going to Vilnius in September, leave to be confirmed. Been to Spain and Greece but not Madrid or Athens. Been to Canberra, Wellington, Santiago, La Paz and Buenos Aires. Been to Peru but not Lima. Been to Hong Kong which is kind of the capital of Hong Kong, ha ha, not China though.
Also been to Austria and Switzerland but not been to Vienna or Bern.
Last edited:
Techniquest
Veteran Member
I think the plan changed 6 times when I last did it, without my copy of Plan F I won't be able to confirm what I had and didn't have in there. It should still in a thread in the International Rail sector of the forum somewhere though!
47403
Established Member
What was Budapest like for trains, my late grandfather was from Budapest and its on my list to do and visit the place.
Congratulations on clearing Merseyrail, no mean feat that.
As always, some very enjoyable reading.
I particularly noted 319382 - my last 319 required for sight and 508123 - the only Merseyrail unit that I've yet to set eyes on!
As always, some very enjoyable reading.
I particularly noted 319382 - my last 319 required for sight and 508123 - the only Merseyrail unit that I've yet to set eyes on!
The public transport was brilliant. Paid about a tenner at the airport for a 72 hour pass valid on all the buses, trolley buses, trams, metro and local trains. Didn't travel on any full size trains alas, just the more local forms of transport. Did spend some time in Keleti station though which was brilliant. Dripping with loco hauled services, shutters, international services. I did see a couple of EMU's but no where is perfect. Ha ha.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
16/04/2016 - Tech's Gotta Jump Jump, Day 1
How ironic I'm playing the tune I reference while I start typing this trip report! Once again I'm using a musical reference [I promise I've got non-musical ones coming up this year, although of my current list are musical! - Ed] and it's back to Nightcore this time with Jump Jump. I enclose below the link to this on YouTube, it being one of my Top Tunes of 2016. So how does this reference work? Well as I've already mentioned on my TPP Discussion thread, I came across the Bluebell Railway's diesel gala by pure luck while reading the forum after work on 12th April. With a line up of locos that were all winners, and needing the line for route coverage, I couldn't resist going [good thing you didn't book that Advance to Crewe that morning, eh Tech? - Ed] quite frankly, assuming the funds would allow it. You could say I jumped at the chance, maybe jump jumped
https://youtu.be/5R3OiKs7pdk
With some help from Blindtraveller and Kite159 [who also kindly pointed I'd get new track on Day 3's way home, which I had forgotten about! - Ed] I manage to get a stay for the relevant nights and rail fares booked for £92.75 (not including cross-London moves), which was about £16 more than I would have spent on the walk-up rail fare so happy days! Including cross-London fares, which I'm budgeting £10 for, the travel and accommodation will come to £102.75, so about £40 under budget! Just as well as I need to allow for the gala fare yet too, but I also managed to order the 2016 NREA and a protective jacket for it. The magic plastic will still come in handy, without a doubt, but the King of Budgeting has a plan!
So after work was endured all week, I couldn't wait to get out and gone! To the station on a fast march, having timed it at 22 minutes on 13th April when I picked up my tickets, ready for the trip. Onto the 1740 to the Bat Cave then, my first 170 haulage in over a month with 170513+170508. After devouring some sausage and cheesy beans slices for tea, washed down with a gorgeous Strongbow Cloudy Apple [can't believe I waited this long to try it! Also, the 260th brew I've logged on Untappd! - Ed], I make sure the two Baker atlases are agreeing with each other before bringing the moves book back up to date. The dreaded ticking of stations in the Baker awaits, a task I'm not looking forward to but might start later. I sure haven't missed the slow drag from Hereford to Worcester, and I sure haven't missed 170s either! Thankfully Tech's Mobile Disco has saved me on this endurance run, although I do have a long run on a stopping 350 ahead too. I'd best dive into my bag for another beverage...
Bromsgrove's new station is almost complete I see, not much longer until it's ready to open I reckon. The sight of my first LM Starship [nothing's gonna stop us now... - Ed] in quite a while certainly put a smile on the face! Arrival is at 1905, 4 minutes early, and it only takes 2 minutes to walk from platform 10B to platform 4A. I find the guard eventually, who kindly lets me use his train instead of waiting for the 1954. It's a very busy 350112, which is now one step away from Super Dud status, but I get a seat thankfully. After International, I start devouring a bag of Walkers Mixups Meaty. Before Rugby they're gone, thanks to a stopper journey and being held for an unknown reason some distance before even the WCML flyover into Rugby!
We pull in behind a pair of 350s, and of course the doors didn't realise straight away. Cue a load of norms panicking and ending up pulling the emergency door release! The crew were, understandably,unamused but the leaving guard should have made this announcement to let people know! After we leave Northampton right time, I walk right through to the front coach to see what 350s we married, these turned out to be 350256 and 350104. I should have stayed in quiet 350104, but wanted to be near the front at Euston so sat in the busy front coach. No matter, after a break for the ears Tech's Mobile Disco is back!
With just over an hour to go at the time of typing [so much easier typing these on my phone compared to my tablet... - Ed], I'm still considering the walk to The Pan for the 2210 to East Croydon. A check on RTT will be made nearer London, but the Victoria line seems to be the most sensible move currently. I realised on the bus this morning that I left my Tube stock book at home, which would be fine if I'd already made my LU Requirements lists on my phone. Guess what I've been putting off for far too long...I also very much cannot be bothered to do the stations index tonight, another major job I'm putting off until next weekend. Along with megatons of moves to add on RailMiles...
I was so bored by Hemel Hempstead it was unreal. "Why not read some of the forum Tech?" I hear you asking. Well despite leaving the house on 79% charge this morning, and the phone having approximately 40 minutes off earlier, I was down to 20% battery by now. So it was trying to save the battery as much as I could [while still enjoying Tech's Mobile Disco, and updating this trip report of course! - Ed]. 377708 and Watford Junction made a welcome sight, as I knew London was finally not far away. The temptation to bail was real, as I need 377708! Next stop Euston, and on Tech's Mobile Disco is a favourite for endurance tasks where patience is majorly required, a 10 minute loop of Sonic 2's Bosses music. I like this on when I've a major session of RailMiles updating going on, or when I've an annoying task to do [you'd love it at work then Tech! - Ed] or similar. This journey is a bargain at £9.10 but is also one heck of an endurance test! Arrival is at 2144, 2 minutes early, and I pelt it down the Tube entrance near platform 8 downstairs and tap in. I continue the fast pace [I could outshine a seasoned Londoner... - Ed] and get onto a southbound train within 4 minutes of arriving at Euston!
11071+11072 take me south at 2148, and yes Blindtraveller and Kite159, I know I texted to say I was going to do the Thameslink at 2210 off The Pan, but the pull of the Tube was too severe! I'm back on the surface at 2156, which is impressive. Victoria and Southern is in a disorganised farce, as the 2201 to Dorking was decided to be used for a TTF, then whatever to Croydon. Yeah, no, apparently they made a mistake, my 377 was the 2202 to Horsham so we eventually left on dud 377453 6 minutes late. The train was so busy First Class was declassified, fortunately I was right by the door to it so jumped in and got my phone on charge, as by now I was on 12%! Up to 17% by Croydon, and base camp is at easyHotel. Really quick and easy to get to from East Croydon station too.
Check in is swift, and the rooms are basic but reasonable. Funny noise coming from my aircon unit, but after firing it up the noise eventually ceases. So not the most interesting trip report, but I'm sure you'll all find it an interesting insight into how Tech does a trip! Some stats for you all then:
Winners: 0 (potentially 2 if my Tube stock book says so on Monday!)
Shack scores: 0
New sights: 0
Rail fares: £13.80
Hotel ching: £63.95 (for both nights)
Bus fares: £0 (my bus this morning is technically a commute one so not counted for a bash)
General expenditute: £4.72
Total: £82.17
How ironic I'm playing the tune I reference while I start typing this trip report! Once again I'm using a musical reference [I promise I've got non-musical ones coming up this year, although of my current list are musical! - Ed] and it's back to Nightcore this time with Jump Jump. I enclose below the link to this on YouTube, it being one of my Top Tunes of 2016. So how does this reference work? Well as I've already mentioned on my TPP Discussion thread, I came across the Bluebell Railway's diesel gala by pure luck while reading the forum after work on 12th April. With a line up of locos that were all winners, and needing the line for route coverage, I couldn't resist going [good thing you didn't book that Advance to Crewe that morning, eh Tech? - Ed] quite frankly, assuming the funds would allow it. You could say I jumped at the chance, maybe jump jumped
https://youtu.be/5R3OiKs7pdk
With some help from Blindtraveller and Kite159 [who also kindly pointed I'd get new track on Day 3's way home, which I had forgotten about! - Ed] I manage to get a stay for the relevant nights and rail fares booked for £92.75 (not including cross-London moves), which was about £16 more than I would have spent on the walk-up rail fare so happy days! Including cross-London fares, which I'm budgeting £10 for, the travel and accommodation will come to £102.75, so about £40 under budget! Just as well as I need to allow for the gala fare yet too, but I also managed to order the 2016 NREA and a protective jacket for it. The magic plastic will still come in handy, without a doubt, but the King of Budgeting has a plan!
So after work was endured all week, I couldn't wait to get out and gone! To the station on a fast march, having timed it at 22 minutes on 13th April when I picked up my tickets, ready for the trip. Onto the 1740 to the Bat Cave then, my first 170 haulage in over a month with 170513+170508. After devouring some sausage and cheesy beans slices for tea, washed down with a gorgeous Strongbow Cloudy Apple [can't believe I waited this long to try it! Also, the 260th brew I've logged on Untappd! - Ed], I make sure the two Baker atlases are agreeing with each other before bringing the moves book back up to date. The dreaded ticking of stations in the Baker awaits, a task I'm not looking forward to but might start later. I sure haven't missed the slow drag from Hereford to Worcester, and I sure haven't missed 170s either! Thankfully Tech's Mobile Disco has saved me on this endurance run, although I do have a long run on a stopping 350 ahead too. I'd best dive into my bag for another beverage...
Bromsgrove's new station is almost complete I see, not much longer until it's ready to open I reckon. The sight of my first LM Starship [nothing's gonna stop us now... - Ed] in quite a while certainly put a smile on the face! Arrival is at 1905, 4 minutes early, and it only takes 2 minutes to walk from platform 10B to platform 4A. I find the guard eventually, who kindly lets me use his train instead of waiting for the 1954. It's a very busy 350112, which is now one step away from Super Dud status, but I get a seat thankfully. After International, I start devouring a bag of Walkers Mixups Meaty. Before Rugby they're gone, thanks to a stopper journey and being held for an unknown reason some distance before even the WCML flyover into Rugby!
We pull in behind a pair of 350s, and of course the doors didn't realise straight away. Cue a load of norms panicking and ending up pulling the emergency door release! The crew were, understandably,unamused but the leaving guard should have made this announcement to let people know! After we leave Northampton right time, I walk right through to the front coach to see what 350s we married, these turned out to be 350256 and 350104. I should have stayed in quiet 350104, but wanted to be near the front at Euston so sat in the busy front coach. No matter, after a break for the ears Tech's Mobile Disco is back!
With just over an hour to go at the time of typing [so much easier typing these on my phone compared to my tablet... - Ed], I'm still considering the walk to The Pan for the 2210 to East Croydon. A check on RTT will be made nearer London, but the Victoria line seems to be the most sensible move currently. I realised on the bus this morning that I left my Tube stock book at home, which would be fine if I'd already made my LU Requirements lists on my phone. Guess what I've been putting off for far too long...I also very much cannot be bothered to do the stations index tonight, another major job I'm putting off until next weekend. Along with megatons of moves to add on RailMiles...
I was so bored by Hemel Hempstead it was unreal. "Why not read some of the forum Tech?" I hear you asking. Well despite leaving the house on 79% charge this morning, and the phone having approximately 40 minutes off earlier, I was down to 20% battery by now. So it was trying to save the battery as much as I could [while still enjoying Tech's Mobile Disco, and updating this trip report of course! - Ed]. 377708 and Watford Junction made a welcome sight, as I knew London was finally not far away. The temptation to bail was real, as I need 377708! Next stop Euston, and on Tech's Mobile Disco is a favourite for endurance tasks where patience is majorly required, a 10 minute loop of Sonic 2's Bosses music. I like this on when I've a major session of RailMiles updating going on, or when I've an annoying task to do [you'd love it at work then Tech! - Ed] or similar. This journey is a bargain at £9.10 but is also one heck of an endurance test! Arrival is at 2144, 2 minutes early, and I pelt it down the Tube entrance near platform 8 downstairs and tap in. I continue the fast pace [I could outshine a seasoned Londoner... - Ed] and get onto a southbound train within 4 minutes of arriving at Euston!
11071+11072 take me south at 2148, and yes Blindtraveller and Kite159, I know I texted to say I was going to do the Thameslink at 2210 off The Pan, but the pull of the Tube was too severe! I'm back on the surface at 2156, which is impressive. Victoria and Southern is in a disorganised farce, as the 2201 to Dorking was decided to be used for a TTF, then whatever to Croydon. Yeah, no, apparently they made a mistake, my 377 was the 2202 to Horsham so we eventually left on dud 377453 6 minutes late. The train was so busy First Class was declassified, fortunately I was right by the door to it so jumped in and got my phone on charge, as by now I was on 12%! Up to 17% by Croydon, and base camp is at easyHotel. Really quick and easy to get to from East Croydon station too.
Check in is swift, and the rooms are basic but reasonable. Funny noise coming from my aircon unit, but after firing it up the noise eventually ceases. So not the most interesting trip report, but I'm sure you'll all find it an interesting insight into how Tech does a trip! Some stats for you all then:
Winners: 0 (potentially 2 if my Tube stock book says so on Monday!)
Shack scores: 0
New sights: 0
Rail fares: £13.80
Hotel ching: £63.95 (for both nights)
Bus fares: £0 (my bus this morning is technically a commute one so not counted for a bash)
General expenditute: £4.72
Total: £82.17
Kite159
Veteran Member
Good first day
I'm glad you found the easy hotel safe and well
I'm glad you found the easy hotel safe and well
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,543
You just get that buz when you first arrive in London dont you?
Amazing value positioning moves there, pitty about the 170s though
Amazing value positioning moves there, pitty about the 170s though
andyb2706
Member
Good first day read there. I take it that everyone's reports over the last few months of their Underground adventures was what pulled you towards the tube instead of Thameslink?
Never realised there was a EasyHotel in London. Ill have to remember that for next time. Have a good second day and I look forward to your report.
Never realised there was a EasyHotel in London. Ill have to remember that for next time. Have a good second day and I look forward to your report.
Kite159
Veteran Member
I believe there are several easyhotels in the London area.
Enjoy your day, at least the sun is shining
Kristofferson
Member
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2012
- Messages
- 1,132
By the looks of Twitter, you're having an epic day out the move from Brum to London is always an endurance on the stopper, although it's a good way to admire the scenery on an empty early morning train in the reverse direction.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
the move from Brum to London is always an endurance on the stopper, although it's a good way to admire the scenery on an empty early morning train in the reverse direction.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,543
Iv never had the need to do the LM Birmingham>London service but am a regular on the Trent Valley stopper which whilst being a grind is quite a lot of fun after Rugby as its fast and only calls at MKC.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Agreed with fowler9 there, although the same applies to Electrostar! I can't explain the lure of the Tube on arrival into Euston, but I would attribute the travels of so many trip reporters on it along with needing 990 LU sets to the reason. No doubt after all that staggering on the way down, the forthcoming Thameslink Stagger was too much to endure and an escape route was needed!
Andy: There's this easyHotel, and one in Paddington that I know of, plus more. Croydon and Paddington's ones are within a few minutes walk of East Croydon and Paddington stations too.
Blindtraveller: Oh yes, I love the buzz, the aliveness of London (and indeed other major cities)! Living in the sticks, I really notice the difference. It's oh so much nicer on the Tube than New York's Subway too!
Here then is Day 2 for all your reading pleasure. You'll note it's a bit cheerier than Day 1!
17/04/2016 - Tech's You've Gotta Jump Jump, Day 2
I'm still jump jumping, this time out of bed at 0616 to de-rancify. With little prep to do before going out for the day, it was soon a case of hunt down breakfast. I hope to eventually get on with my TripAdvisor reviews, but in the meantime I found the bed better than in Travelodge and the shower to be pretty decent. However, there is no kettle and no TV. Not that the lack of TV bothers me at all, but the lack of a kettle does [like crehld, I like my coffee! - Ed]. This is not so much of an issue in Croydon as I'm sure there will be plenty of choice around though! It's sunny but rather nippy, and it's off to McDonalds for breakfast using a WHSmith voucher. I think she put it through the till wrong, as I paid zero for my sausage muffin and coffee, not that I was complaining of course!
I do the walk to West Croydon and just make it onto the 0712 to Shadwell, sadly it was dud 378135. Three more coaches to go! There's a 30 minute fester here, and aside from using FlightRadar24 to ID a plane as BA's G-EUYD [will know if it's a winner for sight when I check my AFQR tomorrow - Ed], I visit Norwood Mini Market near the station for a can of Monster Khaos for £1.59. Double duds 377442+377121 take me on a slow journey to East Croydon, where I score 387201 for sight, happy days! Double duds [seriously, what bad fortune today! - Ed] 377301+377313 take me to East Grinstead, 377313 made into a Super Dud on this run. Tech's Mobile Disco comes in handy to save me from a load of noisy people further down my carriage. The walk from East Grinstead's mainline station to the Bluebell Railway station is just a few minutes, and I pay my £25 for a day rover.
Coffee break at the buffet in the MK1 and I sit outside to soak up the sun, awaiting the 1015 to Sheffield Park. Eventually it's time to board, and winner 47739 is the first score of the day. The 73/1s are being used as translator vehicles, but thankfully they're also powering which is good news. There was to be loco swaps at Horsted Keynes on Sheffield Park journeys, however they apparently ran out of fuel yesterday [due to overly enthusiastic drivers, according to a Bluebell guy - Ed] so they're not working today. I take the 47 and 73/1, 73119 a winner for everything to my surprise, all the way to Sheffield Park, scoring the entire Bluebell route too as I've never been here before! The connection onto the 09-hauled observation saloon is easily made, a brakevan is also on it for extra capacity. My first 09 haulage with winner 09018 and it's not exactly thrashy, but another class has now been sampled. It's only as far as Horsted Keynes, where a much-needed coffee will need to be sourced!
That 5mph section into Horsted Keynes from the north is such a drag mind, and the ride rather rough between Horsted Keynes and Sheffield Park. The run with the 09 was that dull I ended up updating this trip report and observations file! After a PNB, I buy a GBRf pen and lanyard off the stand, then get a burger and pint for £7.10 from the refreshment area. Both went down beauitfully! Next up was winner for everything 66770 and wjnner 73136 which I'm assured was powering! A coffee is sourced, as the restaurant and bar was so busy that I would be a while waiting for a pint, it was then back onto 66770 and 73136 to Horsted Keynes to get the 73s on the LUL TC set back down.
73107 is the next winner on the LUL 4TC set, is this thing supposed to be special as it doesn't feel any different to MK1s I've been on in NSE condition. Getting a bit bored of the section between Horsted Keynes and Sheffield Park, I have to admit! Fair game to 73107 mind, it sounded pretty good. I wonder how 73964 will sound on the way back! Well, it's a very different sound to 73107, unsurprisingly, but still interesting considering it's got a MTU 1,500hp engine in it. Now that I wasn't expecting, to enjoy the noise! Kingscote is still required, so that has to be done next to clear the line's shacks.
Winner 73964 is the 7th winner today, and I'm still gutted about the 20s not producing today. It's been far too long since I last had one [we're probably talking 2006 after all - Ed], but hey ho. The noise through the noise was just epic, I need to get back through here with the 47 going north...We finally arrive 2 minutes late into Kingscote, and I was going to stop off for a beer here, however the set rolled in and I noticed a buffet car with a bar in it. Oh go on then, back on 66770 and 73136 to Horsted Keynes, enjoying some Sussex Pride but not such a fan of Partridge Dark Star. Another new beer at Horsted Keynes, Dark Star Hophead. Not the best I've had [but to be fair, to live up to that Harveys beer earlier is hard to do! - Ed] but another new one to add to my Untappd logs later!
Back onto 47739 for some uphill and tunnel thrash next, the 73 not partaking of any action this time. Oh the noise, forum member 47403 is going to be so jealous! I stay on to East Grinstead, and I can't decide what to do next. Returning to the mainline is an option, as the stomach's wanting food again now and I have a plan for that. However, after even more thrash from Kingscote I change my mind on finding a Toby Carvery, going back in for more 47 thrash! A coffee is sourced and it seems most of the crowds have now gone home, as the 1550 is almost empty. We get held at Kingscote for 29 minutes due to the token for the section to Horsted Keynes getting stuck in the box! I can't be bothered to bail for 73964 with the rush from one train to another, I'm comfortable so stay put with 47739+73119. I'm going to have some decent mileage off this pair today! A swift half is enjoyed at Sheffield Park before finding a compartment at the front for maximum 47 thrash on the 1725 back to East Grinstead.
Back on the mainline after one last bit of thrash, it's winner 377464 and dud 377427 on the 1842 to London Victoria. A food move is needed, and I look up moves from East Croydon to Purley Oaks to go to the Toby Carvery there. It's not feasible, until I realise Sanderstead is a short walk from Purley Oaks, so it's back on! Until I get there after a 10 minute march, when I discover there's an hour's wait for a table. 20-30 minutes I could understand, but an hour was too much for my angry stomach. I go to an ATM nearby instead and get a large doner meat and chips instead, washed down with a can of Dr Pepper,for £6.10. I finish this on the platform at Purley Oaks just in time to board dud 455826, which drops me off at East Croydon about 5 minutes later.
A supply raid in Sainsburys includes a bottle of Bulmers No.17 cider to toast an excellent day, and I wait for ages for an attendant to bother turning up to deal with the self-scan checkout. Indeed, they only turned up when the girl on the kiosk rang her bell! Then back at the room, the keycard didn't work so it was back downstairs to get that done. I have to wait for someone from reception to turn up and fix it, and even then it still didn't work again straight way! Eventually I'm back in to **** out, charge my phone and all that. So that was Day 2 of the trip, and I'm very pleased with the overall result. 8 winners all in, and some most pleasing thrash. I think I may have caught the preservation bug again mind! Some stats to round it up:
Winners: 8
Shack scores: 4
New sights: 5
Rail fares: £35.70
General expenditure: £35.84
Total: £71.54
Andy: There's this easyHotel, and one in Paddington that I know of, plus more. Croydon and Paddington's ones are within a few minutes walk of East Croydon and Paddington stations too.
Blindtraveller: Oh yes, I love the buzz, the aliveness of London (and indeed other major cities)! Living in the sticks, I really notice the difference. It's oh so much nicer on the Tube than New York's Subway too!
Here then is Day 2 for all your reading pleasure. You'll note it's a bit cheerier than Day 1!
17/04/2016 - Tech's You've Gotta Jump Jump, Day 2
I'm still jump jumping, this time out of bed at 0616 to de-rancify. With little prep to do before going out for the day, it was soon a case of hunt down breakfast. I hope to eventually get on with my TripAdvisor reviews, but in the meantime I found the bed better than in Travelodge and the shower to be pretty decent. However, there is no kettle and no TV. Not that the lack of TV bothers me at all, but the lack of a kettle does [like crehld, I like my coffee! - Ed]. This is not so much of an issue in Croydon as I'm sure there will be plenty of choice around though! It's sunny but rather nippy, and it's off to McDonalds for breakfast using a WHSmith voucher. I think she put it through the till wrong, as I paid zero for my sausage muffin and coffee, not that I was complaining of course!
I do the walk to West Croydon and just make it onto the 0712 to Shadwell, sadly it was dud 378135. Three more coaches to go! There's a 30 minute fester here, and aside from using FlightRadar24 to ID a plane as BA's G-EUYD [will know if it's a winner for sight when I check my AFQR tomorrow - Ed], I visit Norwood Mini Market near the station for a can of Monster Khaos for £1.59. Double duds 377442+377121 take me on a slow journey to East Croydon, where I score 387201 for sight, happy days! Double duds [seriously, what bad fortune today! - Ed] 377301+377313 take me to East Grinstead, 377313 made into a Super Dud on this run. Tech's Mobile Disco comes in handy to save me from a load of noisy people further down my carriage. The walk from East Grinstead's mainline station to the Bluebell Railway station is just a few minutes, and I pay my £25 for a day rover.
Coffee break at the buffet in the MK1 and I sit outside to soak up the sun, awaiting the 1015 to Sheffield Park. Eventually it's time to board, and winner 47739 is the first score of the day. The 73/1s are being used as translator vehicles, but thankfully they're also powering which is good news. There was to be loco swaps at Horsted Keynes on Sheffield Park journeys, however they apparently ran out of fuel yesterday [due to overly enthusiastic drivers, according to a Bluebell guy - Ed] so they're not working today. I take the 47 and 73/1, 73119 a winner for everything to my surprise, all the way to Sheffield Park, scoring the entire Bluebell route too as I've never been here before! The connection onto the 09-hauled observation saloon is easily made, a brakevan is also on it for extra capacity. My first 09 haulage with winner 09018 and it's not exactly thrashy, but another class has now been sampled. It's only as far as Horsted Keynes, where a much-needed coffee will need to be sourced!
That 5mph section into Horsted Keynes from the north is such a drag mind, and the ride rather rough between Horsted Keynes and Sheffield Park. The run with the 09 was that dull I ended up updating this trip report and observations file! After a PNB, I buy a GBRf pen and lanyard off the stand, then get a burger and pint for £7.10 from the refreshment area. Both went down beauitfully! Next up was winner for everything 66770 and wjnner 73136 which I'm assured was powering! A coffee is sourced, as the restaurant and bar was so busy that I would be a while waiting for a pint, it was then back onto 66770 and 73136 to Horsted Keynes to get the 73s on the LUL TC set back down.
73107 is the next winner on the LUL 4TC set, is this thing supposed to be special as it doesn't feel any different to MK1s I've been on in NSE condition. Getting a bit bored of the section between Horsted Keynes and Sheffield Park, I have to admit! Fair game to 73107 mind, it sounded pretty good. I wonder how 73964 will sound on the way back! Well, it's a very different sound to 73107, unsurprisingly, but still interesting considering it's got a MTU 1,500hp engine in it. Now that I wasn't expecting, to enjoy the noise! Kingscote is still required, so that has to be done next to clear the line's shacks.
Winner 73964 is the 7th winner today, and I'm still gutted about the 20s not producing today. It's been far too long since I last had one [we're probably talking 2006 after all - Ed], but hey ho. The noise through the noise was just epic, I need to get back through here with the 47 going north...We finally arrive 2 minutes late into Kingscote, and I was going to stop off for a beer here, however the set rolled in and I noticed a buffet car with a bar in it. Oh go on then, back on 66770 and 73136 to Horsted Keynes, enjoying some Sussex Pride but not such a fan of Partridge Dark Star. Another new beer at Horsted Keynes, Dark Star Hophead. Not the best I've had [but to be fair, to live up to that Harveys beer earlier is hard to do! - Ed] but another new one to add to my Untappd logs later!
Back onto 47739 for some uphill and tunnel thrash next, the 73 not partaking of any action this time. Oh the noise, forum member 47403 is going to be so jealous! I stay on to East Grinstead, and I can't decide what to do next. Returning to the mainline is an option, as the stomach's wanting food again now and I have a plan for that. However, after even more thrash from Kingscote I change my mind on finding a Toby Carvery, going back in for more 47 thrash! A coffee is sourced and it seems most of the crowds have now gone home, as the 1550 is almost empty. We get held at Kingscote for 29 minutes due to the token for the section to Horsted Keynes getting stuck in the box! I can't be bothered to bail for 73964 with the rush from one train to another, I'm comfortable so stay put with 47739+73119. I'm going to have some decent mileage off this pair today! A swift half is enjoyed at Sheffield Park before finding a compartment at the front for maximum 47 thrash on the 1725 back to East Grinstead.
Back on the mainline after one last bit of thrash, it's winner 377464 and dud 377427 on the 1842 to London Victoria. A food move is needed, and I look up moves from East Croydon to Purley Oaks to go to the Toby Carvery there. It's not feasible, until I realise Sanderstead is a short walk from Purley Oaks, so it's back on! Until I get there after a 10 minute march, when I discover there's an hour's wait for a table. 20-30 minutes I could understand, but an hour was too much for my angry stomach. I go to an ATM nearby instead and get a large doner meat and chips instead, washed down with a can of Dr Pepper,for £6.10. I finish this on the platform at Purley Oaks just in time to board dud 455826, which drops me off at East Croydon about 5 minutes later.
A supply raid in Sainsburys includes a bottle of Bulmers No.17 cider to toast an excellent day, and I wait for ages for an attendant to bother turning up to deal with the self-scan checkout. Indeed, they only turned up when the girl on the kiosk rang her bell! Then back at the room, the keycard didn't work so it was back downstairs to get that done. I have to wait for someone from reception to turn up and fix it, and even then it still didn't work again straight way! Eventually I'm back in to **** out, charge my phone and all that. So that was Day 2 of the trip, and I'm very pleased with the overall result. 8 winners all in, and some most pleasing thrash. I think I may have caught the preservation bug again mind! Some stats to round it up:
Winners: 8
Shack scores: 4
New sights: 5
Rail fares: £35.70
General expenditure: £35.84
Total: £71.54
47403
Established Member
Oh I'm jealous of you having to endure 47739 thrash around the Blue Bell alright, sounds like an awesome couple of days. A great shame the 20's didnt produce for you, you wouldve thought, they'd have went and got them refuelled afer Saturdays procedings finished.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Oh it was quite a chore Lord Goon, I can tell you!
Glad you all enjoyed the read, I anticipate posting Day 3's happenings around 1750 tomorrow, if not then it'll be the evening.
Glad you all enjoyed the read, I anticipate posting Day 3's happenings around 1750 tomorrow, if not then it'll be the evening.
jayalongtheway
Member
- Joined
- 31 Oct 2015
- Messages
- 241
Now that is handy, the ones round here only give out money, or at a push phone top-up!
Sounds like fun, I too am jealous of the Sulzer thrash.
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,543
sounds like a rather fun day. Take a travel kettle next time you use Easyhotel? Still need the Bluebell and come to that the track to East Grinstead!
andyb2706
Member
ATM that dishes out doner meat and chips!! Lead me to it
As you may have caught the preservation bug again will you be making an appearance at the diesel gala at the Severn Valley Railway?
But another great read with a day of riding the cushions, free breakfast and a selection of ales, you couldn't really ask for much more could you?
- Status