Noddy's Trip Reports

[noddy1878]

I didn’t have long to wait before I was off on another bash. This time I was not on my own and on a cold Wednesday night I headed off to Plymouth for my first Night Riviera trip of the year. My mate met me at Plymouth where 57603 arrived from Penzance. Although we had been in contact with each other we hadn’t seen each other since October! Just after Exeter we decided to call it a night and got our heads down. A few hours kip would be needed. Tonights trip up from the Westcountry would see us go via Melksham for the 240 mile trip. We arrived just after 5am and we were off pretty much straight away.

It was absolutely freezing. We decided that South Eastern areas would be productive for both of us so made our way to London Bridge. 21319/21320 were had to Royal Oak as my mate needed them before 21499/21500 were had in the other direction to Baker Street where we head down to the Jubilee for 96027 and 96032. At Southwark we bail and head up to Waterloo East. It wasn’t long until something came in that I certainly needed and off we went to London Bridge with 465913, 465912 and 466039.

Hither Green was next up on 466041, 465237 and 465007. The only thing we saw here was 66117. It was back to London Bridge on 465926 and 465918 before double winners 375916 and 375826 to Waterloo East were had. For the first time today we had to Charing Cross on 465024 and 466031. For the first time (since the tube) it was all duds for me (my mate would have needed one of them at least or we would not have got on) with 465176 and 465031 to Waterloo East. Behind that was 375704 and 375830 which were had for the mile to London Bridge.

At this point my mate was going to head out to c2c land for the 387/3s. I didn’t need them as I got them last week. I decided I would go for DLR and we would meet up there once he had done the two diagrams he needed. So 96113 and 96114 were had up to Canada Water before 378153 up to Shadwell. I would now (despite the biting cold) fester. 28 minutes later I was in the warm…….for 1 minute! 75, 95 and winner 63 took me 56 chains to Limehouse! During that time I had seen a girl (she wasn’t even 16 apparently) kicking off with everyone and I have no idea why. It held up one the train she got off (which in turn delayed everything coming back out from the centre of London). Whatever it was she was kicking off about, not even her two friends could calm her down about!

Another 20 odd minutes later and I saw another unit I needed. Just needed to wait for it to return. Before it came back I saw two more units I needed! This was going very well! So half an hour after my last encounter with warmth, 25, 97 and winner 85 arrived and it was onto Westferry. Three minutes later I was on 02, 32 and 70! With that the DLR was cleared! I could no longer feel my feet or fingers but it was finally done! My mate had caught up with me by this point and we started to make our way to Lewisham for breakfast! Annoyingly for me he wanted to bus stop our way there to see if he could get winners. He got six in the end but I was cold and hungry! I couldn’t moan too much though. I had just cleared the fleet and he needed 20 odd still (although I will add, he has cleared, barrring the new stuff arriving, the entire rail fleet in the country and is on his second time round!). I won’t list all the units we had to Lewisham here but was a fair few. I needed them for the year though!

Once at Lewisham it was off to the Spoons for a large breakfast and celebratory pint (we had been up for 5 hours after all!)! With that devoured it was back to the station, this time back to South Eastern! The first train in contained winner 465011 being led by 465012. We took this to Blackheath were we had just enough time to get to the other side before double duds 465241 and 465185 back to Lewisham. We then made a rookie mistake! We saw a train in and we jumped on it with no idea what it was or where it was going! It was dud 465007, which we had had earlier and wasn’t stopping at London Bridge! Doh! We bailed at St Johns and went back to Lewisham on 456902 and 465043. It was then another set of duds (well for me) consisting of 465925 and 465930 to London Bridge . 465017 was had to Waterloo East. Finally a winner in 375709 led by 375704 turned up and it was back to London Bridge.

We weren’t here long and we were heading away from the centre of London once more. This time to Orpington with 375701 and 375917. We then headed back to the centre on 375816 and 375924. We bailed at London Bridge before 376024 and 376024 were had to Lewisham. From here a couple moves we made has me wondering why we did them. 465043 and 465902 took us to Hither Green and 465925 and 465930 back to London Bridge. We had been on these units earlier in the day so I have no idea what we were doing!

Anyway, back at London Bridge 376022 and 376021 took us to Waterloo East. next up was 465912, 465923 and 466024 to London Bridge. It was back to Waterloo East on 375605, and 375706. We had seen something going in we both needed so a returning (an incident meant it got turned back earlier than it should have) 375701 and 375917. Double winners 376028 and 376016 were had to Waterloo East and then a train of duds consisting of 465244, 465239 and 466025 to London Bridge. The next set of moves got repetitive but needed to be done!

375910, 375813 London Bridge - Waterloo East
465933, 465919 Waterloo East - Charing Cross
375614, 375802 Charing Cross - Waterloo East
375618, 375919 Waterloo East - Charing Cross
465920, 466001 Charing Cross - London Bridge
465180, 465041 London Bridge - Charing Cross
376016, 376028 Charing Cross - London Bridge
375916, 375615 London Bridge - Waterloo East
376018, 376019 Waterloo East - Charing Cross
465030, 465161 Charing Cross - Waterloo East

At this stage me and my mate split. I had got some gen on the potential location of some units in SWT land so decided to go and have a look. He stayed in the London Bridge area whilst I wondered over to Waterloo. I got onto 450570 and 450122. The guard was announcing something as I got on but missed it. Turns out there was signalling problems but we left pretty much right time. We got held a little and I decided I would bail at Vauxhall and wait there for my train. It meant a longer fester but didn’t want to risk the delays being worse towards Clapham (turns out they weren’t and I would have made it!). Eventually 458514 and 458507 arrived and I got on. One down!

Next up was 458508 and 458532 which I took out to Clapham. Once again I waited. But I waited on the bridge as there was no wind up there! Was still cold mind! Eventually my late running train arrived and 458521 and 458506 took me onto Waterloo. That was the 458s cleared once more!

I then made my way back to Southwark where I met my mate and we headed on to Baker Street on the following moves,

96042, 96107 Southwark - Green Park
96104, 96017 Green Park - Bond Street
96086, 96095 Bond Street - Baker Street

That was a haul with no effort! We went to the Spoons and got dinner before we walked back to Paddington for our train home. First class was enjoyed and we reflected on a good day! I had finally cleared the DLR. I had cleared the 458s once more. In total I bagged another 31 winners which takes me to 81 for the year so far (more than I could have dreamed of to be honest!). Over the trip 571 miles were travelled. No new shacks but I have a few trips in the pipeline that will see a few scratched soon.

 

[Kite159]

Congrats on clearing the DLR, plus scoring a lot of SET units, along with your final 2 458/5s

 

[Techniquest]

Congratulations on clearing the DLR and 458s! As always an excellent read, although I don't envy the spree of moves between Charing Cross and Waterloo East!

 

[Kite159]

Congratulations on clearing the DLR and 458s! As always an excellent read, although I don't envy the spree of moves between Charing Cross and Waterloo East!

Agreed there, at least you can look out at the various movements on the river

 

[noddy1878]

Congratulations on clearing the DLR and 458s! As always an excellent read, although I don't envy the spree of moves between Charing Cross and Waterloo East!

Sometimes you need to do it to clear stuff! I hadn't done those moves for quite a long time as I'd been avoiding London Bridge during the works.

 

[47403]

Just caught up with your sojourns Noddy, How productive have you been on your travels, Congrats on clearing a multitude of stuff, not least clearing all the tube shacks. Very impressive stuff.

Would love a spin behind a thumper, they do sound awesome, only ever seen videos of them but its on my railway bucket list for sure.

Top reads again Noddy, thanks for sharing.

 

[55013]

Congratulations on clearing the 458s and the DLR - exceptional luck getting both your last two on the same service!

 

[FQ]

A very successful trip there! Congrats on the DLR and 458s, both of which I'm a long, long way from clearing!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Noddy, belated congratulations on clearing the DLR and the 458s. Your trips up to town always seem productive and the latest was no exception. The DLR is not that easy to clear up unless you are prepared to make numerous visits - it even took me a day and an age to get my final unit and it was only the threat of multiple deckchairs that eventually saw my final unit "come to daddy"

 

[noddy1878]

Thanks Keith. It did take me countless trips to clear the DLR! Festering in the summer was an option I thought of but I just wanted to clear them and be done with it! No need to worry about them now!

 

[noddy1878]

Before I continue with this particular trip I will just note that I had ‘popped’ to London on the 26th January but it was not a bashing trip! It was a social with two friends (one of which is a basher). We had gone up on 0755, ‘The Golden Hind’ and then spent a brilliantly social day pub crawling in London. At times to get about we used the tube and during the course of the day I picked up three new piccadilly line sets so that was better than nothing! The most eventful train related thing was the journey home. At Totnes we arrived and left on time. A few minutes later whilst attacking Rattery bank we came to a stop. A problem with the rear power and slippery rails meant a 35 minute wait for the driver to isolate the problem and we were once again on the move. It was a juddery start but we eventually made it to the top and didn’t lose much more time! We arrived into Plymouth 40 late!

Onto this trip. It was the first of my trips using GWR’s Jan sale advance tickets! £15 singles to London was not to be sniffed at for the 226 odd mile trip to the capital! For my first one I even managed to bag on for the 0553 off Plymouth, ‘The Armada’ which meant we would do what I love, sail on through Totnes and Tiverton only stopping at Newton Abbot, Exeter, Taunton and Reading. I wish more trains did that as it’s quicker (stating the obvious I know!)!

I was up at 0500 and ready to go by 0530 (driving today with the expected awful weather). Getting up wasn’t as much of a struggle as I expected. I had worked the previous 7 days and because we had stock take at work I certainly banged the hours in (80 in 7 days mainly due to things out of my control, so this trip was well earned!). Once at the station I got my tickets but then had the problem of sorting through the pile of tickets that were printed! I had booked more than one trip at the same time and they all came out at the same time as expected. What I didn’t expect was the the reservations to be separate because I thought they had all gone to the ticket and reservation being on one. To add to the confusion is the fact the date that they are printed is also on the ticket so all I kept seeing was ’03-FBY-17’ on every single one!

We were soon off, with no sign of the impending doom, of the sea wall being shut. For the majority of XC services, maybe? 43092 and 43010 were in charge and I sat on the right hand side as I wanted to see if there was any ‘high wave action’. I’d seen on tv the night before some huge waves engulfing HSTs and in all the years I had been along the wall I had never been on a train that came over the train. It was then time for some Trainspotting T2 music! I had seen the film during the week. I loved the first film. One of the best films I have ever seen and was that iconic film of the 90s that you had to see as you were growing up. Twenty years on the sequel does not disappoint and the soundtrack (much like the first one) is a wall of banging tunes and emotion! The film is brilliant and cant wait for it to come out on Blu ray!

The journey to London town was eventful to say the least. The wall produced no action! We powered along at line speed and I couldn’t even see anything! But as we approached Taunton there was a some sort of farce. The two trains in front left 12 and 8 late which put us 10 late. As it turns out there was a broken down train in the Westbury area so we were diverted via Bristol. Real Train times was useless now as my train wasn’t showing at all so had to override Rail Miles too. An extra 20 odd miles on the journey would now be had though and no more station stops apparently (although Reading was originally the only planned stop, surely we’d have to stop to allow people off?).

We sailed (I use the term loosely! We were going slowly but didn’t stop!) through Bristol and it was new track as we went though the through line on the far side of the station. Spotted a few NR trains here too. 37069 and 37667 were stabled as was 950001. Swindon saw another bit of new track as we DID sail through on the through line! Sorry Tech! I missed the four 70s in the platform though (but later found out it was 70802, 804, 806 and 809)! We were hitting 120mph very soon after, certainly the quickest I have ever been on a train that got up to that speed east of Swindon that quickly! Helps not stopping!

There were a couple of locos at Didcot but I couldn’t ID them. I note the knitting had progressed a lot since I was last here (in daylight). We did stop at Reading and now was the question of would we make Paddington by 1001, the point at which I could claim delay compensation. It didn’t feel like a particularly quick last part of the journey and I was hopeful. We arrived into Paddington at 1001!60 minutes late so can claim my ticket cost back. The important bit is two new bits of track! I could also now get my next ticket with Network Railcard discount because it was now 1000.

So what would I be doing today? I would be doing a Thames Branches Ranger. I hadn’t done one for years but I needed a fair few Turbos, one 180 and a quite a lot of shacks. I had been waiting for the Turbos to head west so there was something to go after there but I couldn’t be bothered to wait anymore (the 800/1/2s will have to do when the finally arrive). There’s been enough delay so I’ll just see what I can get before then. In many ways it was the shacks I should be going after and the 180. The 180 will be off to GC, in fact I believe GWR hire them from GC already?

So armed with the diagrams for the 180s I knew there was one due off Paddington at 1050. To narrow down the potential wasting of time I requested some info in the relevant thread and Postye informed me, my last GWR 180 was indeed out and was on the 1050 off Pad. Cheers Postye. I now had to see if I could bag a couple of moves before the 180 was due. Winner 165102 with 165127 was spotted and had to Ealing Broadway as I had seen what was on the Hayes and Harlington shuttle that would be behind. I checked another move which allowed me to get this west and all would be good.

So at Ealing 387136 and 387134 took me on to Hayes before 165113 onto Slough. From here I would meet 180104 which was had onto Reading. With the GWR 180s (and the red pen I really wanted for the day) done, my attention turned to shacks. From Reading I got on 165104 and took this a short distance to Twyford. I had a little bit of time to kill so wondered into the town to get some money out. Back at the station, winner 165128 eventually returned from Henley. I got on (it was a little bit nippy) and waited to be off. I wouldn’t be doing the full length of the line and I got off at Shiplake for my first new shack of the day. Upon the return of the same unit I bailed at Wargrave and took a wonder into the village as I had a bit of time before the unit would return. I popped into the village pub for a drink. It was far enough away to not bother rushing back to the station for the first train to Henley but I took the train back to Twyford.

Once at Twyford once more I got 165105 to Maidenhead. The plan now was to do the shacks on the Marlow branch. However, winner 165136 coming the other way was too much of a draw and over the bridge I went and onto Reading. My stomach was getting angry now, so with the 30 odd minute wait that ensued (late train) I got a pasty. 165108 was in the platform already and was waiting for a train behind where they would join. 165108 was a winner what would eventually turn up? 165107. Also a winner! Happy days!

The two units were joined and I got on. A few minutes later an announcement was made that there was a problem. Visions of Nottingham when my final EMT 156 was taken away from me due to it not playing ball came to mind. Thankfully splitting the units and rejoining them fixed the problem. The only problem now was the service was running to Pad non stop. Marlow branch would have to wait even longer! We were soon off 20 odd minutes late but arrived into Pad 8 late. Now I needed to get back to Maidenhead. 180102 was due to leave in 10 minutes. That would do to get me to Slough. It was wedged (even at 1521!) and we overtook the unit I needed to get to Maidenhead. 166220 was that unit and once at Maidenhead I realised that the connections for the Marlow branch were all wrong. It was ages before the next train onto the branch (I had missed one by a few minutes) so I came up with a plan. I went and got a drink in the town and walked on to Furze Platt. By the time this was all done I had a a ten minute wait for 165137 to arrive and it was on to Cookham. Half an hour here was enough time to have a wonder (It was raining now though so I didn’t wonder for long) and go the chippy by the station. Dinner sorted and mostly eaten before 165119 arrived to take me onto Bourne End where it would terminate. 165137 was now working the Bourne End - Marlow Shuttles.

I got off to bin my rubbish and moved into the front carriage of the unit. We were soon off after a few minutes and once at Maidenhead a short wait before 165105 arrived and it was onto Langley. I made a +0 and back to Slough on 165113 and 165118. From here 165111 and 165135 were had to Hayes. From here I would wait for the Heathrow Connect to Hanwell. Before it could arrive though 165103 and 165117 turned up so I got on this to Southall. The Heathrow train was behind so no problem. 360203 duly arrived and it was onto Hanwell. Delightful station but is totally unlike any others within in the zones on the GWR! Still with its GWR charms, I wasn’t here long before 360205 arrived to take me back to Hayes. This was the first time I had had the unit outside of the confines of the Heathrow shuttle service.

At Hayes 165127 and 166204 arrived and onto Ealing Broadway I went. It was cold and I couldn’t be bothered to wait for something I may have needed. 165108 was had into Pad and then I waited, not entirely sure of what I should do. I still had an hour till my train home. I waited for a bit to see what was on the other Hayes Shuttle. 387138 and 387139! I’ll take that! This means I have now cleared the first ten GWR 387s that had been delivered so far.

Onto Ealing Broadway and back on 165108, it was now time to pop to Sainsbury’s for some supplies. After that was done the train was announced. I boarded and found a bay of four. Another late night train that wasn’t that busy. Fine by me. I was able to spread out after Reading as I was the only one in the bay. 43028 and 43141 we powering the train home and we arrived a few minutes late. Another great trip out! 12 winners, 7 new shacks and 650 miles travelled. The only Thames branches shacks I now need are the ones on the Greenford branch, easily done with a travel card.

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like an excellent trip to the Thames Valley with hopefully some money back from that diversion via Bristol & Swindon

Greenford is easily done on a travelcard, and with it being the same unit going up and down you don't have tight connections on the branch itself [bar the connection at West Ealing, but if you miss it you could always walk to Drayton Green]

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Noddy, another excellent read and well done on reeling in all those winning units and shacks. Pity you did not get any wave action - surely that's excuse enough for a refund but GWR will no doubt see it otherwise.

 

[postye]

Well done on a productive day. The Thames Rovers are really goo value for what you can get out of them. Glad to be able to help out re the 180

 

[Cowley]

Excellent report Noddy, I've had a few trips along the wall in full wave mode, pretty exciting I must say, going to do a couple of evening rovers soon hopefully.
Looks like you did well in London especially getting the 180 .

 

[noddy1878]

Sounded like an excellent trip to the Thames Valley with hopefully some money back from that diversion via Bristol & Swindon

Greenford is easily done on a travelcard, and with it being the same unit going up and down you don't have tight connections on the branch itself [bar the connection at West Ealing, but if you miss it you could always walk to Drayton Green]

I'll definitely be doing some walking between some of those shacks to speed up knocking them off.

Noddy, another excellent read and well done on reeling in all those winning units and shacks. Pity you did not get any wave action - surely that's excuse enough for a refund but GWR will no doubt see it otherwise.

Thanks. I'm sure if the wall was the reason I was late I would get nothing. I've put my claim in so we'll see what happens.

Well done on a productive day. The Thames Rovers are really goo value for what you can get out of them. Glad to be able to help out re the 180

It is great value. Hopefully I'll do some one of the others soon.

Excellent report Noddy, I've had a few trips along the wall in full wave mode, pretty exciting I must say, going to do a couple of evening rovers soon hopefully.
Looks like you did well in London especially getting the 180 .

Devon Evening Ranger is exceptional value especially with a Devon and Cornwall railcard! I use it to get from Plymouth to Exeter quite a bit. Way cheaper than a return!

 

[Techniquest]

An excellent read good sir! Not at all jealous about the Down Through at Bristol Temple Meads or indeed the Up Through at Swindon. No, not at all...

A most productive day there, well done on getting your last GWR 180 in the book and so many shacks too. I think only one, maybe two, of those Turbos are required here!

 

[alexf380]

It's always nice to hear of a trip from an area that doesn't get much airtime on these boards, and this one was certainly good to you. I'm already considering one for the future!

 

[noddy1878]

A very unwelcome wake up call at 0430 soon saw me come to my senses when I realised I had a train to catch! The second of my four GWR Jan sale bargain trips was the 0530 off Plymouth, 23 minutes earlier than last weeks bonus 0553 departure but still arriving into London as off peak begins. I doubt I'll have the eventful journey I'd had last week (and hoped I didn't!).

What to do today? Plenty of choices of which are (in no particular order):
- Head to Oxford Parkway via Chiltern (new route with plenty of shacks needed and potential red pen)
- West coast mainline up to Wolverton (few shacks required but no red pen!)
- Midland mainline up to Bedford (all shacks required, red pen more than likely in action and one required spoons)
- East coast mainline to Huntingdon (few shacks, potential red pen and two spoons needed)
- c2c to Shoeburyness (only needed for route between Southend and Shoeburyness, shacks and two spoons)
- South Eastern (few shacks in the zones with plenty further out and red pen more than likely)
- Southern (bit of route, shacks and plenty of red pen)
- Travel card shacks in various areas (LO and Greater Anglia where no red pen was needed)

The draw of the red pen was too strong to go for bits where there was no chance or scoring. Eventually I will have to do bits where no red pen will come into play, but that will be later! I then decided to narrow it down so I could get a my least one new spoons. My aim is to be down to 50 required by the end of the year. I need another 112 as it stands but that includes a few yet to open and awkward ones that are at airports. The Midland mainline bit I decided to leave till March because the time I would have then (all will be revealed in due course!), it could be more or less done in (and more 700s should be out then too). That left a trip to Huntingdon! Bit of everything!

The journey was uneventful. 43136 and 43079 led me to a 2 minute late arrival into London Paddington. This was a far cry from last weeks hour delay. I then headed to the tube via a ticket machine for my travel card. 21544 and 21543 were had for the small hop to Edgware Road. From here 21334 and 21333 on to Kings Cross. It was then to the ticket office once more for a return to Huntingdon. With nothing I needed on the Great Northern front, I looked at the Virgin East Coast Newark train.

I had hoped it was a 90 but was 91105. I decided I’d take it anyway as it was a loco and something a bit different. We left on time but something must have happened further north. We slowly approached Welwyn but soon came to a halt. We eventually arrived into Stevenage 15 down. I bailed and waited for the Great Northern behind. It was a pair of 365s. 507 and 515 were doing the honours and with what was happening I took the opportunity to bail at Arlesey. The train behind was showing as on time but that was false info and I ended up waiting for 29 minutes (instead of 30!!!). 365523 was behind and I took this to St Neots. It was now time for my first stroll of the day, a lengthy one at that! Into the town I went and scored my first spoons of the day.

Once I was back at the station I took 365505 forward to Huntingdon, my northern limit for the day. A shorter walk this time, I headed to the spoons for (a cracking, as it turned out) pint of Black Hole Porter! Back at the station I waited for the return of 365505. This was taken as far as Sandy where a wait (although it was in a local pub) was had for 365519 at Biggleswade. Another wait (in more pubs!) was had for winning 387125. This was had all the way back to the Cross where my attention was turning to the tube. Or was it?

As we rolled into Kings Cross I spotted 90039! Very much required, it was running a Newark service, stopping at Stevenage! Mind made up then! I quickly made my way to the ticket office for the second time that day and bought a Boundary Z6 to Stevenage! Very much worth it! 90039 was now in the book and once I got to Stevenage went to get a drink. What now? There was a Great Northern behind and a couple due south. Annoyingly a winning unit was heading north. A message from someone (who shall remain nameless) convinced me to head north one more stop. Onto Hitchin I went on 365535 where I waited for a southbound train (no more heading north! I had spent enough today!). Another good move. 365523 and 365534 were heading south and to the Cross I went.

Once here it was finally down to the tube! 21007 and 21008 were had to Liverpool Street. I tried my luck with what was behind to no avail! 21483 and 21484 arrived but I got on anyway as I had a new plan. At Mile End I got off and headed over to the Central Line heading West. I had enough time (as it turned out) to be patient and bus stop my way to Notting Hill Gate and pick up a winner at each stop.

92261, 92190, 92186, 92173 Mile End - Bethnal Green
92293, 92422, 92456, 92347 Bethnal Green - Liverpool Street
92277, 92062, 92248, 92147 Liverpool Street - Bank
92083, 92180, 92166, 92021 Bank - St Paul’s
92211, 92112, 92024, 92255 St. Paul's - Chancery Lane
92333, 92210, 92244, 92075 Chancery Lane - Holburn
92025, 92218, 92226, 92007 Holburn - Tottenham Court Road
92239, 92110, 92454, 92323 Tottenham Court Road - Oxford Circus
92193, 92012, 92056, 92231 Oxford Circus - Bond Street
92051, 92080, 92188, 92159 Bond Street - Marble Arch
92137, 92162, 92196, 92297 Marble Arch - Queensway
92223, 92238, 92448, 92097 Queensway - Notting Hill Gate

Once at Notting Hill Gate it was to the Sub Surface line and 21399 and 21400 were had back to Paddington. I had plenty of time so a Burger King was sourced. Not before they tried to get me to have one I didn’t want. It’s quicker the tell me. But I wanted a Tex Mex! I had enough time to get what I wanted and what I wanted was what I got!

43163 and 43022 were the power cars I had home, both now in excess of 500 miles. To sum up the day, 17 winners, 5 new shacks and 649 miles travelled. 90039 was a bonus that I hadn’t even gone out to look for. All shacks are now cleared between King’s Cross and Peterborough direct and another dent in my requirements of the Central line stock was welcome.

 

[FQ]

Two highly successful trips by the sound of it! At least you could get delay repay from the hours delay heading to London. Score on 90039 as well - it seems you made the right decision for the day!

 

[noddy1878]

They were good trips. I have put in my delay repay request so should hear something soon.

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a successful day on the southern end of the ECML picking out those Great Northern shacks. It must have been around this time last year I hit those shacks linearly on a Friday night making use of some of the peak time extras.

Add on a nice little trip to Stevenage behind that 90 (I suspect you weren't the only one doing that)

 

[noddy1878]

Sounded like a successful day on the southern end of the ECML picking out those Great Northern shacks. It must have been around this time last year I hit those shacks linearly on a Friday night making use of some of the peak time extras.

Add on a nice little trip to Stevenage behind that 90 (I suspect you weren't the only one doing that)

To be honest I didn't see anyone else about going for the 90 which was odd.

 

[noddy1878]

A rather relaxed start to the day with my alarm going off at 0700 (so was a 45 minute lie in to my normal working day) I got up and got ready to head out. I left the house at 0740 for the mile and half walk to the station. The coat was soon off as I headed into town as the weather had completely turned and I was overheating! I got the station with plenty of time as I needed to get quite a few tickets for my next few trips and was easier to do it all now. I got the advance for the first part of my day from the machine and then headed to the ticket office for the other bits. The other bits for today being a Freedom of Severn and Solent, a Valley Lines Explorer and a Evening Devon Ranger (with my railcard!).

I headed to Pumpkin then for a large tea before making my way to Platform 8 for Quinn’s unit of choice, a Voyager! I admit not my usual choice of unit but if they were longer I would not have much of a problem with them. Instead today just proved why I personally don’t like them. 220028 arrived from Penzance and was already quite busy. I had a reserved seat for the first part of the journey which was a good job as there were no non reserved seats at all! Plenty of seats that were to be taken from Exeter so at this point everyone had a seat.

My ticket was valid until Tiverton where the FOSS would kick in. At this point I sat waiting to be turfed out the seat. I couldn’t see the little screen from where I was so didn’t know if my seat was now for someone else or from when. Tiverton came and went and I was still sat down. At Taunton things changed. The train was wedged all the way down the aisles. About 15 minutes after we left the person who was to be in the seat I currently occupied eventually made it to the seat! It’s all of this I hate about Voyagers. For speed and reliability they are good. I don’t find them that uncomfortable either to be honest (when they’re quiet) but they are too short. They all need to be 6 or 7 at least some even 8 coaches long I reckon.

Anyway, Bristol was reached 15 minutes later and the train emptied. It soon filled up again but not to the level where anyone was standing. I found a seat for the final 5 miles I would be on it to Bristol Parkway. Once here I made my way for the approaching Cardiff bound HST led by 43192 (43177 was on the rear). For the first time in ages I was heading for Wales through the Severn Tunnel. Once an area I was in a lot until I more or less cleared everything a FOSS could give me it was time to turn my attention to finding my last ATW unit, clearing the newly opened route to Ebbw Vale Town and shacks. Of the later I need plenty in Wales and starting with the valley ones is the easiest thing to do. I have had a fair few but now it was time to make an effort to clear them.

I had a few plans but decided to hit the Ebbw Vale branch today as I needed the last bit of route. The bonus would be more clear later on. Once at Cardiff I headed over to Platform 0 via the M&S for an early lunch pickup. Upstairs 150231 awaited. We left two late but that didn’t mater. The 30 odd mile trek to Ebbw Vale Town was made and my first new shack of the day complete.

20170216-Ebbw Vale Town-150231 by Steven Booth, on Flickr (Yes, I have managed to upload photos of this trip in time for the report!)

It was straight back down the line on the same unit to Crosskeys. I had a two minute window to make it to the other side. I pegged it just incase but I needn’t have worried. 150285 (once a FGW hire in) duly arrived and it was onto Llanhilleth. I had bit of a wait here and the was absolutely nothing to do here! I had a wonder round finding myself doing a loop back to the station. I didn’t see a pub (I would clearly have popped in to kill time if I had) so either there isn’t one or I went in the wrong direction.

150285 eventually returned and it was now onto Pye Corner. From here I started the (what started out as a 2.4 mile) walk to Rogerstone. Kills time and meant the branch was obviously cleared a lot quicker. It was only about 2 miles in the end when I found a short cut that must have knocked nearly half a mile off the suggested distance. Now I had to wait to see if the suggested gen i had was correct!

Earlier in the day I had asked if 153323 was out. Postye kindly provided the gen and providing it should stick to diagram I should soon be seeing it! Handy as I ended up on the branch it was supposed to be working! The signs were good with the PIS suggesting a 3 coach train was due. I was so engrossed in something on my phone (cant remember what) that I didn’t realise the train was arriving!

150231 was back but this time a 153 was on the back! A little walk to the back and it was 153323! Yes! That was my final ATW unit!

20170216-Rogerstone-153323 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

I headed to the middle of the 153 for some DBT and off we went to Newbridge. This was to be my final shack required of the Ebbw branch.

20170216-Newbridge-153323 by Steven Booth, on Flickr

To kill time here I headed over to the coffee shop opposite the station. A tea was had (not keen on coffee to be honest) and a massive piece of Raspberry Cheesecake! A bargain at £1! Eventually it was time to head back to the station. I was going to head to Cardiff but realised that this was a Bridgend train and I could get to Pontyclun for a train back to Cardiff. Back into 153323 once more, it wasn’t until we hit the mainline that the DBT was savoured once more.

Passing Canton bagged my a winning Tamper (looked like it had been there a while) for sight. The 08 wasn’t needed and nor would the 70 (had I been able to id it) as it was a Colas one. I believe my only required 70 has been stored at Midland Road. We were soon at Pontyclun and it was over to the other side for the few minute wait for 150236 back to Cardiff. It was now I had bit of a dilemma! I had another 2 and half hours roughly until my planned train back to Bristol. I could either head off to scratch more shacks or head into the town for some pubs (and food). In the end my stomach one as I knew I would need to eat and I quite fancied a drink.

I left the station and boy how has the station approach changed! I made my way to where some pubs were and spotted the Cambrian Tap (well my cask marque app pointed me in its direction) so in I went! So glad I did! It was a Brain’s Craft Brewery pub. There was so much choice I ended up staying here for a while. My stomach politely reminded me it needed food too so after a couple of half and a few thirds I popped to the chippy opposite. I chilli burger with chips ordered and devoured I headed off to find the Brewdog!

I didn’t get that far! I spotted the Tiny Rebel on the way. I only had enough time for another pint. The Brewdog will have to wait! Another three thirds in the Tiny Rebel and off I went to the station. I was very happy with the last couple of hours with some brilliant beers had!

At the station 158954 was platformed already. The doors were locked though and weren’t opened until a few minutes before we left. Annoyingly we arrived into Bristol 1 minute late! Why annoyingly? I had a to wait for the train to Plymouth anyway! It was potentially going to be my first trip out this year where I didn’t encounter any delay at all! Ah well!

220029 arrived and we left on time. We also arrived on time so that 1m delay was it for the day! A good day nevertheless! ATW trains cleared! A tiny bit of new route and all the shacks cleared on the Ebbw Branch. Total miles travelled today was 442 with 7 new shacks. Just three days of work left (two as I type this) before my next trip out!

 

[Iskra]

Congrats on clearing ATW! I agree about the Voyagers, nothing that wrong with them beyond being too short.

 

[postye]

Well done on clearing ATW! ??????

Must have another day out in the valleys bashing units myself

 

[Cowley]

I need so many of the Valley lines, one day I shall go and explore some of them. Well done for clearing ATW and well done for having so many beers

 

[87electric]

Well done for finding that last ATW 153. I think that was my last to fall as well.
Cardiff is great for craft beer choices these days. The Gravity Station is a proper tiny establishment which i visit a lot along with Urban Tap House, Brewdog, Zero Degrees and The HopBunker.

 

[noddy1878]

Congrats on clearing ATW! I agree about the Voyagers, nothing that wrong with them beyond being too short.

They could do with a good refurbish too. Well certainly the XC ones.

Well done on clearing ATW! ��

Must have another day out in the valleys bashing units myself

I want one of my valley bash days to be sunny though! Every time I do it its always cloudy with the threat of rain! I'm sure the sun shines there sometimes!

I need so many of the Valley lines, one day I shall go and explore some of them. Well done for clearing ATW and well done for having so many beers

I do like my beers!

Well done for finding that last ATW 153. I think that was my last to fall as well.
Cardiff is great for craft beer choices these days. The Gravity Station is a proper tiny establishment which i visit a lot along with Urban Tap House, Brewdog, Zero Degrees and The HopBunker.

Will bear them in mind the next time I go. Thanks.

 

[Techniquest]

Starting to sound like we should have organised Operation Beer Bash in Cardiff!

Some very good fortune on GN there Noddy, Sandy is one of those shacks that sticks out in my atlas as being required. One day I will clear that part of the GN empire! Very nicely done on the 90 as well, must have spent a fair whack on fares there, which I understand the feeling of from last month's impulsive moves!

March on the MML by the sounds of it for you, should be an interesting read! Another line there that I need to hurry up and finishing conquering, but for some reason I always find something better to do.

Congratulations on clearing the Valleys for shacks, and indeed for clearing the ATW fleet! Welcome to the club on both counts, been a bit lonely in these clubs waiting for other bashers to get here! Mind you, it'll be a long time before any of us get to the hallowed status of ATW 100% Cleared! I looked at your Untappd logs from the other day, got to be said there's some nice sounding stuff you had!