Trips, trips, and yet more trips

[LordCreed]

Sounds like an excellent day, although it is a shame you couldn't do those flights to Poland! If you had booked Ryanair you could have changed your flights, although I confess to having never done so before so I don't know the process.

Really looking forward to the international part of your trip!

Last time I checked Ryanair often charge more to amend a ticket than you would pay to book it again!

LordCreed Goes International - Day 2 - Friday 10 March

It was 04:00, and my alarm was making far too much noise for the time of the morning. I can safely say I needed more sleep, as I was tired, slightly hungover and not in the mood to get up. But alas, there was no choice, and by 04:30 it was time to leave for the bus stop.

Up first was E27 on route 36 towards Paddington. The bus was surprisingly busy for this time in the morning, and it wasn't long until we were at Paddington (not long enough, I wanted sleep!).

We originally were planning on catching a Heathrow Connect service at around six, but because the journey had gone well so far, we were able to catch the 05:33 from London Paddington to Heathrow Terminal 4. Arriving at 06:10, we were considerably early for our flight so had some time to kill. It turns out that there isn't a lot to do at Terminal 4 compared to the other terminals... Breakfast was sourced, and didn't require a morgage which is always a bonus.

After killing a few hours (my phone already needed some more juice) our plane landed and made its way to the gate. Todays plane was F-HRBA an Air France Boeing 787-900. Possibly the most overkill plane for a flight to Paris, but it was certainly an experience. The chocolate croissant was very nice, and the flight went by very quickly. The at seat entertainment seems a bit of a gimmick, but I guess the films are handy for a long flight.

We arrived in Paris Charles de Gaulle, and endured the wait to go through passport control (we queued for around half hour)... Once that was out the way, it was down to the station ready for our trip across Paris. The first task was buying a ticket, as none of the vending machines sold the ticket we wanted. We ended up going into the ticket office and spending 21.50 euros each. That was surprisingly expensive, but never mind, it should be a good day anyways...

It was now 13:14 local time, and we caught 8278 to Antony. This was a metro train, very much like some of the older tube stock (except the exterior). One thing I noticed was the rather neat destination displays. They showed a map of the line, with each station we were calling at having a light. The light for the next station flashes. I think it's such a great idea, as it instantly shows you where you are and the stopping pattern. I tried finding an image online to show everyone, but no such luck...

At Antony it was time to change onto a shuttle to Orly airport. This was a rather rapid tram system that ran every twelve minutes. It was very efficient, and our tram was P06. The speeds seemed to be far superior to that on the DLR.

Once again, we had arrived at the airport with plenty of time. The security here was very speedy (took maybe three minutes end to end). Orly airport is rather odd, with the gates being split into fans, meaning you can't walk between them. This meant we had a choice of two coffee shops to get a late lunch. We settled on one of them, and twenty euros later we had both got some food. Not the cheapest, but it is an airport!

I spent the next couple of hours trying to catch up on sleep, and it didn't seem long until our plane landed. This time it was EI-RJT a CityJet Avro RJ85. A very different beast to our last plane. I did love the four engines, which makes it seem very inefficient.

This time we were flying to London City, which was a very different landing. The approach is extremely steep. I'm not sure those that dislike flying would cope all that well... I have to say, I was very surprised with CityJet. It was one of the best flights I've ever had. Comfy seats, nice legroom, plenty of storage space, a good flightcrew. I would definitely recomment them, and will certainly fly with them in the future.

Security at City Airport was very very quick. I think it took ten minutes from plane to DLR station. From here I caught 128 on the DLR to Canning Town, and then a tube to Green Park. The carriage number was 96605, but I have absolutely no clue what the set number is. Anyone able to help?

All in all, it was a very good day and I was definitely ready for some sleep. I need to book some more flights soon!

 

[Techniquest]

So you enjoyed your 787 experience I trust? CityJet sounds like good fun, not yet had the opportunity to try them. There's too many airlines I've yet to try mind! You've got Heathrow done too, something I've yet to do on a flight. Same for London City actually, darn it I have the itch to go flying again!

EDIT: Your Jubilee set would be 96005

 

[LordCreed]

So you enjoyed your 787 experience I trust? CityJet sounds like good fun, not yet had the opportunity to try them. There's too many airlines I've yet to try mind! You've got Heathrow done too, something I've yet to do on a flight. Same for London City actually, darn it I have the itch to go flying again!

EDIT: Your Jubilee set would be 96005

The trip on the 787 was very good, but truth be told, I actually preferred the trip on Cityjet. I would definitely recommend giving them a go, and I will be flying with them again.

It wasn't actually my first time through Heathrow (I flew with Lufthansa to/from Frankfurt last year), but it was my first time landing at City. Definitely an experience! I always find once I get on a plane, I want to book another flight. So in June I've booked a Flybe flight from Norwich to Exeter (I've wanted to do this route for a while).

I really want to give Swiss a go, so that's something I'm looking at doing this year, as well as finally going to Poland.

Thanks for the info with regards to the tube stock.

 

[Techniquest]

I know that feeling about booking another trip, I never do though! Landing at LCY sounds like enormous fun!

 

[LordCreed]

I know that feeling about booking another trip, I never do though! Landing at LCY sounds like enormous fun!

I'm terrible at booking flights and then not being able to use them (I have two flights booked with Blue Air to Romania at the end of the month, but work has gotten in the way - at least they were only £15 each!)

 

[LordCreed]

Okehampton / London - 17/18 March

Day 1

First off, I need to get better at naming my trips...

We'll start at the beginning of the 17th, which was a normally day followed by a rather short positioning move. I caught my usual stupid train to work (The 05:54 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon), with power cars 43035 and 43168. Some work took place, before it was time to head down to Exeter.

I caught the 15:41 from Swindon to Bristol Parkway with power car 43134 leading. I changed here for the 16:41 down to Exeter St Davids. This was formed of 221140. Some of you might think I was crazy for getting a Voyager instead of going via Westbury and getting a HST, but I had a first class pass for Cross Country, and I wanted to use it. I find first class on a voyager fairly bearable, and the journey went pretty quickly.

After purchasing a plus bus, I caught 36248 on Route H up to the university, and then 36238 to Central Station where I was staying at the Mercure. Yes, not the most direct route, but it did enable me to get a couple more buses in the books.

I was contemplating catching a bus or two more, but decided that I wanted dinner and then bed as I had an early start. After a very nice dinner, I set my alarm for 05:00 and went to sleep.

Day 2

It wasn't long before my alarm woke me again, and it was time to head down to Exeter St Davids. It was pretty chilly this time of the morning, and we had a little wait before the ECS to Okehampton collected us. Power cars 43194 and 43188 were on this set. We had a fairly slow journey to Okehampton (being the first HST in a number of years, the driver was taking it cautiously), arriving around 15 minutes late. Boarding took around ten minutes, as loading only took place on four of the eight coaches. Those that followed the Railtour thread, will have seen that leaving Okehampton we encountered some issues with severe wheel flats on the rear power car. This resulted in us swapping sets at Exeter St Davids, with power car 43143 now leading. The rest of the journey was pretty uneventful, and we arrived into Paddington around 40 minutes late.

My plan now was to head to Croydon and then spend a few hours on the trams. Unfortunately this didn't happen, as after catching 12320 on Route 205 to Marylebone, I discovered that route 2 was part suspended due to demonstrations in the City Centre. I didn't fancy the tube, so had to come up with alternative plans.

I caught 12333 on Route 205 a little bit further to Kings Cross Station, before changing onto route 63 for the journey through to Honor Oak. I was hoping for a Optare Olympus to be on this route, but instead MHV52 turned up. This was a MCV EvoSeti, and it turned out to be a very nice vehicle. The legroom upstairs on the offside is very generous (probably the best of any bus I've been on), and it was a nice journey. Honor Oak has some very nice parks, and I should spend a little bit more time there one day...

I didn't stay long today, before catching DOE13 on route 63 back to The Aylesham Centre, where there is a large supermarket. Handy for getting some food for later! The Olympus is as I remember from when I used to catch them on route 40/50 to and from Swanage Railway a number of years ago. They're one of my favourite vehicles for looks, although they do rattle quite a lot!

Next up was 8325 on route P13 to New Cross Bus Garage. Not a lot to note, just yet another Enviro 200 (pretty boring buses to be fair). I changed onto WVL404 on route 36 to Marble Arch (One of Go Ahead Londons Gemini 2's). Route 2 was now running again, and as I had some time to kill, I decided to go to Marylebone and back again. The outbound was on HV304, a Gemini 3 HEV. I think these could be my new favourite buses, as the layout downstairs is very nice and they generally look pretty good. The return was on T86, a Enviro 400. The last bus of the day was WVL410 back to Paddington also on route 36 (Another Gemini 2).

It was time for the return HST, which I caught as far as Exeter St Davids. This time we had power car 43005 leading. We arrived five minutes early, allowing me to make a +1 connection onto 159020 to Sherborne. It was now finally home time!

A long day, but certainly productive. I always love the Okehampton branch (would definitely advise making use of the Summer sunday service!)

Up Next

Nothing for the last few days of this month. But in April I have the following planned:

- Another trip up North to play on TPE services again.
- Two trips out to Princes Risborough to go on the bubblecar. One time with the forum, the other with a friend.
- A trip down to the Bluebell Railway.
- A day on Wilts and Dorset (or Morebus) buses, seeing what has changed since I lived there.

I am also tempted to squeeze in another Heart of England Rover, but we will see if I have time...

 

[Kite159]

A few more required buses into your book Mr Creed

 

[Techniquest]

A fun little adventure there, a shame the special didn't go to plan though. Good progress towards your goal on winner buses too!

 

[LordCreed]

I still need a hell of a lot more to reach my goal of 240! Although compared to my first month, I'm now doing pretty well.

Tonight should hopefully see me clear the GWR 180s (Going to go home via Reading and Worcester to get the last one), which is a bonus.

What's the best way to clear Grand Centrals fleet? Is there any rovers that cover them? If I can get their HSTs before they go, I'll be very pleased.

Likewise, is there any rangers valid for Virgin East Coast? I need pretty much their entire fleet.

 

[FQ]

It stuns me how often some people go abroad - I've done it once in 15 years (well, twice if you include Guernsey many years ago). It sounds like a great time there, and arriving at London city airport sounds brilliant! Shame the Okehampton one didn't go to plan, but it sounds like a good time anyway.

With VTEC/Grand Central, I suggest getting a North East Rover (4 in 8 or 7 day) and bashing them that way. It's valid to Retford in the south to Berwick in the north, along with Sunderland (for GC) and Leeds (for other VTEC stuff). I've just completed my third one and it was great fun.

This is the GB Railrover page for it: http://railrover.org/pages/north-east-rover.html

 

[Segedunum]

If you just want a day on VTEC, the Tyne Tees Day Ranger is valid between Newcastle and Darlington (also to Northallerton via Yarm) and I've used it to clear off HSTs and 91s before. The pricier North East Round Robin is valid between Newcastle and York.

The former is £22 and the latter is £48

 

[Kite159]

I still need a hell of a lot more to reach my goal of 240! Although compared to my first month, I'm now doing pretty well.

Tonight should hopefully see me clear the GWR 180s (Going to go home via Reading and Worcester to get the last one), which is a bonus.

What's the best way to clear Grand Centrals fleet? Is there any rovers that cover them? If I can get their HSTs before they go, I'll be very pleased.

Likewise, is there any rangers valid for Virgin East Coast? I need pretty much their entire fleet.

For Grand Central, remember that some rovers are not valid on their services

Easiest way is within West Yorkshire as the Bradford services are all 180 operated. For HSTs probably work out for bus stop leaps from Sunderland to Hartlepool (i think on a Sunday there was a +10 between GC HSTs)

Virgin East Coast, a West Yorkshire day rover can score you some between Leeds & Wakefield

 

[LordCreed]

Thanks for the suggestions all. I think I need to book a hotel north for a couple of nights to enable me to do some fleet clearing.

With a number of fleet changes coming up soon, I'm trying to clear as much as I can before it's too late. Mainly HSTs, as well as Pacers (to some forum members disgust).

 

[LordCreed]

Time for a very quick review of my goals. March has been a pretty quiet month (with the exception of France). April and May will both be much busier, with a number of trips planned already. I'm wanting to bring my average monthly miles back up to 4,000 so there will be a fair amount of travelling taking place!

Goals:

- Travel 40,000 miles on trains this year. (11695 miles at the end of March -
29.24% of target)
- 240 new UK haulage (71 so far this year - 29% of target)
- 240 new UK buses (43 so far this year - 17% of target)
- Clear the GWR fleet (47 to go, plus the 387s as they enter)
- Clear the ATW fleet (114 to go)
- Clear the AXC fleet (47 to go)

New haulage so far this year:

Trains:

[B]Class 43[/B] | 43027 | 43091 | 43207
[B]Class 57[/B] | 57602 | 57603
[B]Class 67[/B] | 67012
[B]Class 68[/B] | 68008 | 68011 | 68015
[B]Class 139[/B] | 139001
[B]Class 150[/B] | 150002 | 150129 | 150264 | 150938
[B]Class 153[/B] | 153366 | 153375
[B]Class 158[/B] | 158881 | 158885 | 158953
[B]Class 159[/B] | 159020
[B]Class 165[/B] | 165016 | 165039 | 165111 | 165119 | 165128 | 165137
[B]Class 166[/B] | 166213 | 166221
[B]Class 168[/B] | 168001 | 168107 | 168216
[B]Class 170[/B] | 170501 | 170521 | 170523
[B]Class 172[/B] | 172212 | 172335
[B]Class 175[/B] | 175101
[B]Class 180[/B] | 180102 | 180106 | 180110 | 180113
[B]Class 185[/B] | 185106 | 158118 | 185121 | 185124
[B]Class 220[/B] | 220004 | 220006 | 220011 | 220018 | 220022 | 220027 | 220028 | 220031
[B]Class 221[/B] | 221110 | 221129 | 221134
[B]Class 313[/B] | 313042
[B]Class 350[/B] | 350103 | 350113 | 350234 | 350237 | 350246 | 350371
[B]Class 360[/B] | 360202
[B]Class 387[/B] | 387130 | 387132 | 387133
[B]Class 390[/B] | 390002 | 390125
[B]Class 450[/B] | 450091
[B]Class 455[/B] | 455847

Buses:

[B]Abellio[/B] | LT609 | LT709 | 8325| 8341
[B]Arriva London[/B] | HV304 | LT717 | T86
[B]Go Ahead London[/B] | DOE13 | EH2 | E27 | LT43 | LT65 | MHV52 | SEe28 | WVL288 | WVL404 | WVL410 | WVN13
[B]Johnsons Excelbus[/B] | SN65 OJA | SN65 OJB
[B]Metroline[/B] | DE1336 | DLD709 
[B]Stagecoach London[/B] | 12307 | 12310 | 12312 | 12315 | 12320 | 12329 | 12333 | 15100
[B]Stagecoach South West[/B] | 10454 | 19107 | 19109 | 24146 | 24149 | 34862 | 36224 | 36231 | 36238 | 36248
[B]Stagecoach West[/B] | 10752 | 15972 | 37238

 

[Kite159]

Doing quite well for your targets for 2017

 

[Techniquest]

Making good progress, but to clear 114 ATW DMUs in 9 months will no doubt prove virtually impossible unless you're on their network on a very regular basis. Even if you are, as I was in the mid-2000s, it'll take you a long time to get the lot. I still haven't cleared GWR yet, and the HST power cars took me 4 years to get!

 

[LordCreed]

Making good progress, but to clear 114 ATW DMUs in 9 months will no doubt prove virtually impossible unless you're on their network on a very regular basis. Even if you are, as I was in the mid-2000s, it'll take you a long time to get the lot. I still haven't cleared GWR yet, and the HST power cars took me 4 years to get!

GWR power cars took me under a year, which I was very happy with. But I do agree, it will certainly be a challenge.

Of all the goals, I think it's this one and the bus scores that will be the hardest. I'm not worried by mileage (and am a good way there already), nor am I for train haulage.

Clearing GWR might involve a few extra day trips, but shouldn't be too bad. Especially given that I only need three west units, the rest being turbos (and therefore all in one place).

CrossCountry shouldn't be too bad as I do catch then semi-regularly between Bristol and Cheltenham. It's mainly the 170s and the HSTs that I'll need to work on...

 

[LordCreed]

It's been a little while since I've updated this, as April has been a very hectic month. I made a number of trips during the month, namely the following:

07/04 - Day Out On TPE
08/04 - Bluebell Railway
13/04 - GWR / Hull Trains / Chiltern Bubble Car Adventure
15/04 - Go South Coast Buses
19/04 - Forum Bubble Car Meet

I'll try and write up a little for each, but my memory is a little poor for some of them. I've already had my first trip out this month up to Birmingham, covering some new track as well as finally going on the trams.

Scores on the door as of the end of April are:

- Travel 40,000 miles on trains this year. (15847 miles at the end of April - 39.62% of target)
- 240 new UK haulage (99 so far this year - 41% of target)
- 240 new UK buses (61 so far this year - 25% of target)
- Clear the GWR fleet (45 to go, plus the 387s as they enter)
- Clear the ATW fleet (113 to go)
- Clear the AXC fleet (47 to go)

First two goals should be very easy, so I'm not worried about them. The buses is exactly on target, so I need to average 20 new vehicles a month.

GWR fleet is slowly coming down, my plan this month is to clear the last few west units. Then it's a case of spending a few days on turbos. I hope to clear the AXC powercars this month as well (making use of the Kemble diverts).

Wales is going to be a challenge... If anyone reading this is interested in a trip to the Cardiff Valleys, then please let me know.

For May I've created a mini hitlist of the haulage I'm wanting to get in May:

GWR: 150246, 150916, 153373, 153382, 158954
AXC: 43301, 43366, 43378, 43384
Thamesdown Buses: 363, 364, 365, 366

As per usual, complete list of haulage is as follows:

Trains:

[B]Class 43[/B] | 43027 | 43091 | 43207 | 43295
[B]Class 57[/B] | 57602 | 57603
[B]Class 67[/B] | 67012
[B]Class 68[/B] | 68008 | 68011 | 68015
[B]Class 91[/B] | 91113
[B]Class 121[/B] | 121034
[B]Class 139[/B] | 139001
[B]Class 150[/B] | 150002 | 150129 | 150218 | 150252 | 150264 | 150938
[B]Class 153[/B] | 153366 | 153375
[B]Class 158[/B] | 158881 | 158885 | 158953 | 158957
[B]Class 159[/B] | 159020
[B]Class 165[/B] | 165012 | 165014 | 165015 | 165038 | 165016 | 165020 | 165039 | 165111 | 165119 | 165128 | 165137 | 165114
[B]Class 166[/B] | 166213 | 166221
[B]Class 168[/B] | 168001 | 168002 | 168107 | 168216
[B]Class 170[/B] | 170501 | 170521 | 170523
[B]Class 172[/B] | 172212 | 172335
[B]Class 175[/B] | 175101
[B]Class 180[/B] | 180102 | 180106 | 180109 | 180110 | 180111 | 180113
[B]Class 185[/B] | 185103 | 185106 | 185111 | 158118 | 185121 | 185124 | 185135
[B]Class 220[/B] | 220004 | 220006 | 220011 | 220018 | 220022 | 220027 | 220028 | 220031
[B]Class 221[/B] | 221110 | 221129 | 221134
[B]Class 313[/B] | 313042
[B]Class 350[/B] | 350103 | 350113 | 350234 | 350237 | 350246 | 350371 | 350401 | 350402
[B]Class 360[/B] | 360202
[B]Class 365[/B] | 365521 | 365524 | 365528 | 365532
[B]Class 377[/B] | 377125 | 377609
[B]Class 387[/B] | 387130 | 387132 | 387133 | 387144
[B]Class 390[/B] | 390002 | 390125
[B]Class 450[/B] | 450091
[B]Class 455[/B] | 455838 | 455847

Buses:

[B]Abellio[/B] | LT609 | LT709 | 8325| 8341
[B]Arriva London[/B] | HV304 | HV305 | HV313 | LT717 | T86 | VLA43
[B]Arriva Shires[/B] | 5431
[B]CT Plus[/B] | 2502
[B]Go Ahead London[/B] | DOE10 | DOE13 | EH2 | E27 | LT43 | LT65 | MHV13 | MHV52 | SEe28 | WVL288 | WVL404 | WVL410 | WVN13
[B]Go South Coast[/B] | 1540 | 1578 | 1650 | 1826 | 1831 | 2272
[B]Johnsons Excelbus[/B] | SN65 OJA | SN65 OJB
[B]Metroline[/B] | DE1336 | DLD709 
[B]Stagecoach London[/B] | 12307 | 12309 | 12310 | 12312 | 12315 | 12320 | 12323 | 12329 | 12333 | 12407 | 12420 | 15100
[B]Stagecoach South West[/B] | 10454 | 19107 | 19109 | 24146 | 24149 | 34862 | 36224 | 36231 | 36238 | 36248
[B]Stagecoach West[/B] | 10752 | 15972 | 36259 | 37238

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good month, I can see many Cardiff Central - Queen Street leaps coming your way to get some ATW pacers.

I might see you on Sunday as I'm planning to head from Taunton towards Cheltenham Spa via Swindon, depends on connection at Taunton from a HST from Westbury

 

[Techniquest]

Quite an intense month there, I hope you get to do some trip reports soon.

150916 is definitely on my hitlist too, and I wish you luck with the ATW fleet! Cardiff Valleys can be quite fun, the scenery at the northern parts can be pretty good.

The buses you are doing pretty well on, that's for sure. Just the mention of Thamesdown brings back some good memories that's for sure!

 

[Segedunum]

Sounds like an excellent month, but seeing 220028 in the list had me screaming slightly as it's my last 220 to get!

150916 evaded me when I was around Bristol, so hopefully it'll produce for you eventually.

Sent from my LG-K350 using Tapatalk

 

[Kite159]

150916 is one to avoid for any long distance trips as like the 150/0s it is all 3+2 high density airline seating.

It evaded me (could have got it if I fancied a tight +2 at Newport) last weekend, but it is on my list (along with 150126 as I think that is back now in service as a regular unit with the centre coach which previously was in 926 now being in 216)

 

[LordCreed]

I might see you on Sunday as I'm planning to head from Taunton towards Cheltenham Spa via Swindon, depends on connection at Taunton from a HST from Westbury

The plan for this Sunday is likely to be:

1752 CNM - BRI 1928
1940 BRI - CNM 2109

Both will be Voyagers, but this will be the earliest opportunity I'll have.

Hopefully on the 14 May I'll be able to play on the HSTs.

Quite an intense month there, I hope you get to do some trip reports soon.

150916 is definitely on my hitlist too, and I wish you luck with the ATW fleet! Cardiff Valleys can be quite fun, the scenery at the northern parts can be pretty good.

The buses you are doing pretty well on, that's for sure. Just the mention of Thamesdown brings back some good memories that's for sure!

I've yet to step foot on a Thamesdown bus, but figured with the recent acquisition by Go South Coast, it is likely the older vehicles will go. Best get them sooner rather than later!

150916 evaded me when I was around Bristol, so hopefully it'll produce for you eventually.

It seems to like the Severn Beach Line currently, so shouldn't be too hard to get one evening after work.

150916 is one to avoid for any long distance trips as like the 150/0s it is all 3+2 high density airline seating.

It evaded me (could have got it if I fancied a tight +2 at Newport) last weekend, but it is on my list (along with 150126 as I think that is back now in service as a regular unit with the centre coach which previously was in 926 now being in 216)

I had actually forgot the 150126 is back, so that's another I need to get this month! With a bit of luck I'll be able to get all six units this month.

 

[Kite159]

Hello, is it me your looking for?





150002 was on the earlier Portsmouth service, ouchie for anybody wanting to do work

 

[Techniquest]

All you people needing 150126, so dud To quote my RailMiles page:

150126
5 journeys in total, with 112mi 68ch travelled in 1h 56m.

18/07/2009 00:00 Birmingham Snow Hill to Worcester Shrub Hill
11/04/2011 17:32 Kidderminster to Worcester Foregate Street
09/05/2011 15:29 Great Malvern to Stourbridge Junction
06/06/2011 18:25 Stourbridge Junction to Rowley Regis
18/02/2013 11:18 Newport (South Wales) to Bristol Temple Meads

 

[LordCreed]

Finally have a little bit of time to catch up on a report or two (life is stupidly busy currently!)

First note, I've managed to get 150916 for haulage between Bristol Parkway and Cheltenham, so can at least cross off that one from the list. (Alongside 158954 and 43384 which I had on Sunday.).

Second note, is there any comprehensive London Underground fleet lists? I've been trying to find some with little success.

06/04/2017 - A Positioning Move

Today was my usual positioning move to catch the sleeper. I caught the 05:54 from Cheltenham to Swindon, with power cars 43010 and 43040. After a few hours of working (productivity may vary) it was time to catch the 15:11 from Swindon to Westbury with 153329. Next up was the slightly delayed 16:23 from Westbury to Penzance with power car 43023 leading.

I unfortunately hadn't been feeling great today, and by Penzance I was regretting the decision to do this trip, however I was past the point of return. I walked up to the supermarket to grab some tablets, and took them as soon as I could. Thankfully after half hour they seemed to be doing their job.

The loco on tonights sleeper was 57603, and as per always it was a good nights sleep in one of the cabin.

07/04/2017 - The North Is Scary

By the morning I was feeling a lot better, I was glad that I had made the decision to progress with the trip.

I got my usual route 205 bus across London (this time it was vehicle 12307

Like with my last trip, me and a couple of friends were making use of some Hull Trains and TPE rovers. I'm trying to clear both fleets before they disappear in the nearish future.

We boarded the 07:22 Hull Trains service from London Kings Cross to Doncaster. Whilst some people hate them, I do love the 180s (and this was winner 180109), and enjoy travelling long distance on them. It wasn't too long before we arrived, and it was now a good opportunity to have food. A quick trip to Subway was needed, as we were rather peckish.

Up next was 185135 on the 09:44 Doncaster to Manchester Aiport. On arrival at Manchester Aiport we discovered what is possibly the worst signed station around. CIS screens were poor and lacking (oddly we couldn't see any at all in the terminal building). Luckily it wasn't too long a wait before 350401 arrived for the 12:01 service to Wigan North Weston.

At Wigan North Weston it was time to change onto 350402 for the short hop back to Manchester Piccadilly. It was now time for lunch, and where better than a quick trip to Weatherspoons? Always the best place for quick and easy food in my opinion.

After lunch it was time for 185103, yet another Desiro, on the 15:25 to York. This journey was full and standing, and we couldn't wait to bail at York. Here we then took 150218 on the 17:04 to Leeds via Starbeck. This was a pleasant journey, if not a little slow (we averaged under 30mph).

Our last hop before heading back to London was on 185111 on the 18:42 to Selby. Due to overshooting one of the shorter platforms, we arrived a few minutes late into Selby. Luckily we had a 45 minute connection, so there was nothing to worry about. The time passed fairly quickly, and 180110 arrived to take us home on the 19:47 to London Kings Cross. I was so hopeful that it would be my final HT 180, but alas was not to be.

On arrival in London we sourced dinner, before our final train of the day, 365521 on the 00:01 to Stevenage where we were staying the night. I really do recommend the Holiday Inn Express there, as it is normally pretty cheap and also really close to the station (five minutes walk).

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good day

If you PM me your email address I will send you the sheet which BB21 kindly put together to log LU stuff

 

[noddy1878]

Sounded like a good trip! What ranger/rover were you using?.

 

[Techniquest]

I was wondering what you were up to lately, so I'm glad I saw your thread having activity. Looks like you've had a busy time, and ouch to going all the way to Penzance not feeling good!

My LU lists come from my now rather old ST Publications 2013 UK combine book. I'm surprised there isn't a list on Abrail, or indeed on a similar site. As I have the lists I don't need to look them up.

My hatred of 180s comes from when they would turn up vice HST on both FGW and on GC some years ago. Otherwise, since they had WiFi and power sockets fitted, they're nowhere near as bad as they were.

 

[PHILIPE]

Might have to be quick to get 150916. 150126 is back from Works and is numbered 150926 on each end so could be the car that went to 916 is going back sometime soon and the latter going back to 150216.