Techniquest
Veteran Member
A shame about the weather, but I'm glad you're going back for another visit
You'll not regret it!
-
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!
It's time I started doing trip reports...
- Thread starter Peter Mugridge
- Start date
- Status
A shame about the weather, but I'm glad you're going back for another visit
You'll not regret it!
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
Yes, it's quite a good route to ride along - I've done it before myself, but my wife hadn't.Did you enjoy your Cotswold Line journey? It's not an amazing line but it's quite nice in parts
-Peter
We were back at Paddington 5½ hours after setting out... and arrived in the same platform we left from! With just 20 minutes on the platforms at Great Malvern while the IET ( 802 007 ) ran round...
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Crikey, not even long enough to do anything much more than change platforms, possibly popping outside for a break from face coverings!
Point of order, you can walk up into the hills from Colwall as well. Not done that walk myself, it looks like a good one mind
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
Unlike me, she's got an exemption. ( Grrr.... jealous! )
Is the walk shorter or easier from Colwall or Great Malvern?
Ah cool. I suppose Great Malvern is one of the few stations on the line which needs more than just 20 minutes to take in properly - I wouldn't want to spend that long at some of the locations further south
-Peter
Techniquest
Veteran Member
I'm not convinced being exempt is a good thing! I suspect once I've had my second vaccine I might change my opinion.
To access the hills themselves, it is easier to access them from Great Malvern. From Colwall, it's around a mile I think along signposted footpaths which basically takes you up the western side of the hills. I guess it would make it more of an adventure, although I must go and investigate that route. Something I could possibly go and do today...
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
Hmmm... if it's a circular walk Colwall - summit - Great Malvern that might appeal, depending on the mileage. Anything over about 9 miles and my feet will be seriously protesting!
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Well that should be happily under 9 miles, although I must confess to not having measured it. I think when I looked in 2019 Colwall to the top was around 3 miles all in, and it's no more than 3 I think into Great Malvern itself.
I never did go today, as I currently post this from Salisbury! A mighty long story...
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
01/05/21
This was another day out for a walk ( see that thread for details ) in Cambridge; this meant the only rail aspect was straight there, straight back afterwards but this did allow 377 618 from Epsom to London Bridge, 700 146 from there to Cambridge, 700 150 back again and then 377 469 + 377 326 + 377 307 home to Epsom. I did in addition get to do a couple of photos at Cambridge: 755 424 and 387 108.
This was another day out for a walk ( see that thread for details ) in Cambridge; this meant the only rail aspect was straight there, straight back afterwards but this did allow 377 618 from Epsom to London Bridge, 700 146 from there to Cambridge, 700 150 back again and then 377 469 + 377 326 + 377 307 home to Epsom. I did in addition get to do a couple of photos at Cambridge: 755 424 and 387 108.
Attachments
xotGD
Established Member
- Joined
- 4 Feb 2017
- Messages
- 7,853
Mallard out on the mainline!
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
04/05/21
This was a full scale bashing mission consisting of a return to Ipswich and an Anglia Plus one day Ranger, so you can probably guess what's coming next...
The start from Epsom was on 377 316 + 377 303 + 377 405 with the cross-London element from London Bridge to Farringdon being in the shape of the very colourful 700 155 then a sideways shuffle on 21105 + 21106 to Liverpool Street where dud 745 107 formed the first available service, the 09.30. While at Liverpool Street I noted a few new units around, specifically 720 537, 720 538, 720 556, 720 561 and 720 562.
While passing Stratford I saw 66 755 on the curve from the North London Line and a further two 720s at Ilford; 720 548 and 720 558. Upon arrival at Ipswich I added 66 545, 66 554, 66 532, 66 526, 90 016 and 90 042 to my notebook along with some 755s, but for now I stayed on the train because I had got to Liverpool Street early enough to observe required 745 008 on the 08.30, which would be an easy intercept at Diss - and so it proved.
Back at Ipswich having gained the haulage on that 745 there were a few more locomotives to note before making an onwards move. These were 66 532, 66 716, 66 505, 90 041 and 90 045. Having written that lot down, required 755 334 was on the Felixstowe shuttle, so that was my next destination, passing 66 701 at Derby Road. Back at Ipswich again from that 66 736, 66 563 and 90 005 were added to the tally before I gained required 755 407 to Wickham Market.
My connection back was required 755 330, but that was no surprise as I had seen it at Ipswich when passing through to Diss earlier, and a quick check on RTT had revealed that it would be coming back and not cycling on to Crown Point, and that was then followed immediately by another required unit, 755 401, to Stowmarket - but not before adding 66 599, 66 538, 90 013 and 90 007 to the growing list of sightings for the day.
Stowmarket yielded required 755 402 back to Ipswich, where 66 503 and 66 504 had now put in an appearance and I also grabbed a photo of 720 517. My next move was required 745 009 for my second visit of the day to Diss, but this time returning on 745 107 for my second ride on that for the day. Time was getting on by then, so I would ride this all the way back to London.
Passing Shenfield I saw 720 504 + 720 551, at Harold Wood 720 524 and at Bethnal Green I grabbed a picture of 315 838 running parallel to us. My traverse of London this time consisted of 21083 + 21084 to Farringdon and 700 148 to London Bridge which landed me on 377 319 + 377 321 + 377 467 back to Epsom.
This was a full scale bashing mission consisting of a return to Ipswich and an Anglia Plus one day Ranger, so you can probably guess what's coming next...
The start from Epsom was on 377 316 + 377 303 + 377 405 with the cross-London element from London Bridge to Farringdon being in the shape of the very colourful 700 155 then a sideways shuffle on 21105 + 21106 to Liverpool Street where dud 745 107 formed the first available service, the 09.30. While at Liverpool Street I noted a few new units around, specifically 720 537, 720 538, 720 556, 720 561 and 720 562.
While passing Stratford I saw 66 755 on the curve from the North London Line and a further two 720s at Ilford; 720 548 and 720 558. Upon arrival at Ipswich I added 66 545, 66 554, 66 532, 66 526, 90 016 and 90 042 to my notebook along with some 755s, but for now I stayed on the train because I had got to Liverpool Street early enough to observe required 745 008 on the 08.30, which would be an easy intercept at Diss - and so it proved.
Back at Ipswich having gained the haulage on that 745 there were a few more locomotives to note before making an onwards move. These were 66 532, 66 716, 66 505, 90 041 and 90 045. Having written that lot down, required 755 334 was on the Felixstowe shuttle, so that was my next destination, passing 66 701 at Derby Road. Back at Ipswich again from that 66 736, 66 563 and 90 005 were added to the tally before I gained required 755 407 to Wickham Market.
My connection back was required 755 330, but that was no surprise as I had seen it at Ipswich when passing through to Diss earlier, and a quick check on RTT had revealed that it would be coming back and not cycling on to Crown Point, and that was then followed immediately by another required unit, 755 401, to Stowmarket - but not before adding 66 599, 66 538, 90 013 and 90 007 to the growing list of sightings for the day.
Stowmarket yielded required 755 402 back to Ipswich, where 66 503 and 66 504 had now put in an appearance and I also grabbed a photo of 720 517. My next move was required 745 009 for my second visit of the day to Diss, but this time returning on 745 107 for my second ride on that for the day. Time was getting on by then, so I would ride this all the way back to London.
Passing Shenfield I saw 720 504 + 720 551, at Harold Wood 720 524 and at Bethnal Green I grabbed a picture of 315 838 running parallel to us. My traverse of London this time consisted of 21083 + 21084 to Farringdon and 700 148 to London Bridge which landed me on 377 319 + 377 321 + 377 467 back to Epsom.
Attachments
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
06/05/21
For the second Anglian bash in the same week I started off from Epsom with 377 313 + 377 324 + 377 443 to London Bridge and 700 133 across the core before 21075 + 21076 to Liverpool Street. This time the 08.30 was a dud unit, so I knew I only needed to get to Ipswich on the 09.30, which itself was dud - 745 104.
Colchester contained some interest with 66 716 and 37 421 keeping each other company and there was another long list of locomotives on arrival at Ipswich, some of which had been there two days earlier; 66 515, 66 585, 66 538, 66 539, 66 547, 66 505, 66 509, 90 005... A photograph was done of 720 538 and then required 755 412 provided my first gain of the day with another visit to Felixstowe. This time we passed 66 739 at Derby Road and 66 541 at Trimley.
Back at Ipswich I added 66 716, 66 221, 90 006 and 90 042 while off to Bury St Edmunds ( oh dear... had he died, then?! ) on required 755 409. This would be a case of the first unit back, whether dud or not, as I didn't know what else was on the diagrams. In fact it was a dud one back, 755 421, but while waiting I had 66 738 pass through and also MPV pair 98909 + 98959. I changed at Stowmarket, knowing there was an express a short distance behind, and this was a good decision because required 745 004 turned up to get me back to Ipswich.
Here there were further sightings to record: 66 591, 66 541, 66 555 and 66 724 before making my second trip of the day to Felixstowe as required 755 333 had taken over the shuttles from the earlier four car unit. After returning there were more notes to be made, this time of 66 533, 66 784, 66 563, 90 014 and 90 043. Then another required haulage in the form of 755 413 whisked me back to Stowmarket and required 755 326 brought me back again. More to add: 66 547 and 66 506. Then dud 745 106 to Liverpool Street, passing 66 544 at Colchester.
Crossing London with 21031 + 21032 and 700 121, I ended up on 377 421 + 377 318 + 377 323 back to Epsom.
More to follow later, though not necessarily today...
For the second Anglian bash in the same week I started off from Epsom with 377 313 + 377 324 + 377 443 to London Bridge and 700 133 across the core before 21075 + 21076 to Liverpool Street. This time the 08.30 was a dud unit, so I knew I only needed to get to Ipswich on the 09.30, which itself was dud - 745 104.
Colchester contained some interest with 66 716 and 37 421 keeping each other company and there was another long list of locomotives on arrival at Ipswich, some of which had been there two days earlier; 66 515, 66 585, 66 538, 66 539, 66 547, 66 505, 66 509, 90 005... A photograph was done of 720 538 and then required 755 412 provided my first gain of the day with another visit to Felixstowe. This time we passed 66 739 at Derby Road and 66 541 at Trimley.
Back at Ipswich I added 66 716, 66 221, 90 006 and 90 042 while off to Bury St Edmunds ( oh dear... had he died, then?! ) on required 755 409. This would be a case of the first unit back, whether dud or not, as I didn't know what else was on the diagrams. In fact it was a dud one back, 755 421, but while waiting I had 66 738 pass through and also MPV pair 98909 + 98959. I changed at Stowmarket, knowing there was an express a short distance behind, and this was a good decision because required 745 004 turned up to get me back to Ipswich.
Here there were further sightings to record: 66 591, 66 541, 66 555 and 66 724 before making my second trip of the day to Felixstowe as required 755 333 had taken over the shuttles from the earlier four car unit. After returning there were more notes to be made, this time of 66 533, 66 784, 66 563, 90 014 and 90 043. Then another required haulage in the form of 755 413 whisked me back to Stowmarket and required 755 326 brought me back again. More to add: 66 547 and 66 506. Then dud 745 106 to Liverpool Street, passing 66 544 at Colchester.
Crossing London with 21031 + 21032 and 700 121, I ended up on 377 421 + 377 318 + 377 323 back to Epsom.
More to follow later, though not necessarily today...
Attachments
Kite159
Veteran Member
A busy few days in Greater Anglia land
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
I apologise for my continued slackness in keeping up with these reports! I will try to to better...
08/05/21
This was a combined track bash for the wife with a short walk in the country, a choice forced on us by a rather rainy morning with the prospect - correct as it turned out - of a brighter mid afternoon.
Epsom to Guildford was the starting leg on this trip, with 455 714 + 456 012 + 456 016, followed by 165 102 to Redhill and then 377 306 on to Tonbridge. The bits my wife needed for her atlas were Guildford to Tonbridge. A short walk in the area followed ( see the walking and rambling thread in "general" ) which afforded me the opportunity to snap 66 793 as the footpath "just happened to be" the one that goes past the gate to the yard...
It's just as well this wasn't a haulage exercise; the return to Redhill was on the same 377 and the return to Guidlford on the same 165... then of course the return to Epsom was on the same units as the way out as well!
08/05/21
This was a combined track bash for the wife with a short walk in the country, a choice forced on us by a rather rainy morning with the prospect - correct as it turned out - of a brighter mid afternoon.
Epsom to Guildford was the starting leg on this trip, with 455 714 + 456 012 + 456 016, followed by 165 102 to Redhill and then 377 306 on to Tonbridge. The bits my wife needed for her atlas were Guildford to Tonbridge. A short walk in the area followed ( see the walking and rambling thread in "general" ) which afforded me the opportunity to snap 66 793 as the footpath "just happened to be" the one that goes past the gate to the yard...
It's just as well this wasn't a haulage exercise; the return to Redhill was on the same 377 and the return to Guidlford on the same 165... then of course the return to Epsom was on the same units as the way out as well!
Attachments
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
15/05/21
This was another track bash for the wife in weather that was less than ideal for a long walk; this time using Anglia Plus day rangers to clear off all her track in the area with the exception of the Felixstowe branch. This means Ipswich to Cambridge, to Ely, to Lowestoft and Lowestoft to Norwich. We had to leave the Felixstowe branch for another time as engineering between Stowmarket and Norwich precluded the use of the quick way back after doing Lowestoft.
We started from Epsom on 377 160 + 377 325 + 377 312 and then connected at London Bridge for 700 150 to Farringdon then 21311 + 21312 for the short sideways shuffle to Liverpool Street. Our train to Ipswich was 745 008 and the adjacent platform played host to 720 522 + 720 539. Another pair of these, 720 564 + 720 548, were observed at Stratford but the only other item of interest on the way down was 90 043 at Colchester.
The sidings at Ipswich were quite full with 66 531, 66 533, 66 517, 66 529, 66 570 and 90 005 all present. Our first onwards move was 755 327 ( dud ) to Ely, which took us past 66 705 near Stowmarket. Just outside Ely while waiting at a signal I grabbed a picture of 387 112. At Ely 66 741 came past while we were waiting for 387 108 + 387 111 to convey us to Cambridge from where required 755 418 would take us back to Ipswich.
This time we passed 66 720 + 66 766 at Stowmarket and once back at Ipswich I added 90 042 + 90 006 and 66 701 to the log of the day's sightings, and we then discovered that we had the same 755 onwards to Lowestoft! My suspicion that this was cycling back to Crown Point was confirmed when it also took us from Lowestoft to Norwich!
We returned to Lowestoft straight away on 755 409, but not before I had noted 37 423 lurking and grabbed a picture of 755 338. This time there was a change of unit at Lowestoft and 755 405 took us back to Ipswich; this time I added 720 552 + 720 562 and 66 591 to the day's log. As you might have already guessed, our return to Liverpool Street was 745 008... Colchester saw 90 014 and at Ilford 08 871 was parked adjacent to the main line while 66 543 was seen trundling through Stratford.
The sideways shuffle to Farringdon followed on 21549 + 21550 and then it was 700 030 to London Bridge and 377 131 + 377 307 + 377 324 for the final leg back to Epsom. While on the latter, we saw a spectacular dark cloud over London - it looked like someone had invoked the Dark Mark from Harry Potter!!!
This was another track bash for the wife in weather that was less than ideal for a long walk; this time using Anglia Plus day rangers to clear off all her track in the area with the exception of the Felixstowe branch. This means Ipswich to Cambridge, to Ely, to Lowestoft and Lowestoft to Norwich. We had to leave the Felixstowe branch for another time as engineering between Stowmarket and Norwich precluded the use of the quick way back after doing Lowestoft.
We started from Epsom on 377 160 + 377 325 + 377 312 and then connected at London Bridge for 700 150 to Farringdon then 21311 + 21312 for the short sideways shuffle to Liverpool Street. Our train to Ipswich was 745 008 and the adjacent platform played host to 720 522 + 720 539. Another pair of these, 720 564 + 720 548, were observed at Stratford but the only other item of interest on the way down was 90 043 at Colchester.
The sidings at Ipswich were quite full with 66 531, 66 533, 66 517, 66 529, 66 570 and 90 005 all present. Our first onwards move was 755 327 ( dud ) to Ely, which took us past 66 705 near Stowmarket. Just outside Ely while waiting at a signal I grabbed a picture of 387 112. At Ely 66 741 came past while we were waiting for 387 108 + 387 111 to convey us to Cambridge from where required 755 418 would take us back to Ipswich.
This time we passed 66 720 + 66 766 at Stowmarket and once back at Ipswich I added 90 042 + 90 006 and 66 701 to the log of the day's sightings, and we then discovered that we had the same 755 onwards to Lowestoft! My suspicion that this was cycling back to Crown Point was confirmed when it also took us from Lowestoft to Norwich!
We returned to Lowestoft straight away on 755 409, but not before I had noted 37 423 lurking and grabbed a picture of 755 338. This time there was a change of unit at Lowestoft and 755 405 took us back to Ipswich; this time I added 720 552 + 720 562 and 66 591 to the day's log. As you might have already guessed, our return to Liverpool Street was 745 008... Colchester saw 90 014 and at Ilford 08 871 was parked adjacent to the main line while 66 543 was seen trundling through Stratford.
The sideways shuffle to Farringdon followed on 21549 + 21550 and then it was 700 030 to London Bridge and 377 131 + 377 307 + 377 324 for the final leg back to Epsom. While on the latter, we saw a spectacular dark cloud over London - it looked like someone had invoked the Dark Mark from Harry Potter!!!
Attachments
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
17/05/21
Back to haulage hunting on this mission!
Starting with 455 854 + 456 006 + 456 012 from Epsom, I first aimed for Paddington via Wimbledon with 21433 + 21434 with the intention of grabbing some 387/3 images at Reading. To this end, I utilised IETs 802 015 + 802 019 out of London and took the opportunity to see which 345s were in action; quite a few required examples were noted so that bode well for later. Other sightings en route were 66 093, 66 150, 66 137 and 66 748 at Acton and 66 549 at Hayes and Harlington.
At Reading I could see an object of interest in the depot, so rather than simply wait for the 387s to turn up I took 165 104 to Reading West and accordingly imaged the said object of interest - 37 099 - as I went past it. Two more pictures were taken while waiting for a 387 to appear, these being of 66 140 and 66 007.
Having passed one of the 387s while on the 165, I was able to snap that when it came back, thus 387 301 was the first to fall to my camera, rather pleasingly side by side with 165 113. Shortly afterwards the other active unit, 387 306, turned up and I snapped this and rode it back to Reading. The third unit, 387 302, was just out of reach of the camera in the EMU depot. However, what was not out of reach was 769 943 on test. 66 744 also turned up, but was bowled for photo, and I then boarded 800 301 to swiftly transit back to Paddington, passing 66 722 at Southall and adding 66 542, 66 543 and 66 044 to the tally at Acton.
Now it was down to the serious business of haulages and required 345 068 duly obliged by being the next one out of Paddington, which I took to Ealing Broadway. Further gains were made at Acton... 66 522, 66 413 and 66 597 this time. My next move was required 345 004 from Ealing Broadway to Southall, then 345 043 on to Hayes and Harlington. The short fester at Southall was rather dramatic... a tower crane about 300 feet away from the station took a lightning strike while I was there... that was LOUD!!!
From Hayes and Harlington a fourth required unit turned up, 345 021, which took me back to Paddington for the next serious business of the day... the urgent TOPS thread had advised me that my last GWR IET for photo was on the way up from Penzance and so I relocated myself to Royal Oak with the assistance of 21559 + 21560, got 802 018 off the photo list at last then took 21355 + 21356 back the other way, continuing on board to Baker Street for a quick PNB before catching the following 21427 + 21428 to Liverpool Street.
Required 745 102 took me to Tottenham Hale and required 745 003 was following too closely to get back in time to catch it, so a BZ6 to Harlow Town return was swiftly purchased and the haulage duly gained, with a swift return on 379 008 + 379 018. The sideways shuffle back to Farringdon was one of the pairs I'd already had that day. Boo!
Next up was 700 012 to Sutton and 377 462 + 377 310 + 377 305 home to Epsom.
In the pictures below... just how close to being bowled by the mast was that one of 66 522 on the incline at Acton?!?
Back to haulage hunting on this mission!
Starting with 455 854 + 456 006 + 456 012 from Epsom, I first aimed for Paddington via Wimbledon with 21433 + 21434 with the intention of grabbing some 387/3 images at Reading. To this end, I utilised IETs 802 015 + 802 019 out of London and took the opportunity to see which 345s were in action; quite a few required examples were noted so that bode well for later. Other sightings en route were 66 093, 66 150, 66 137 and 66 748 at Acton and 66 549 at Hayes and Harlington.
At Reading I could see an object of interest in the depot, so rather than simply wait for the 387s to turn up I took 165 104 to Reading West and accordingly imaged the said object of interest - 37 099 - as I went past it. Two more pictures were taken while waiting for a 387 to appear, these being of 66 140 and 66 007.
Having passed one of the 387s while on the 165, I was able to snap that when it came back, thus 387 301 was the first to fall to my camera, rather pleasingly side by side with 165 113. Shortly afterwards the other active unit, 387 306, turned up and I snapped this and rode it back to Reading. The third unit, 387 302, was just out of reach of the camera in the EMU depot. However, what was not out of reach was 769 943 on test. 66 744 also turned up, but was bowled for photo, and I then boarded 800 301 to swiftly transit back to Paddington, passing 66 722 at Southall and adding 66 542, 66 543 and 66 044 to the tally at Acton.
Now it was down to the serious business of haulages and required 345 068 duly obliged by being the next one out of Paddington, which I took to Ealing Broadway. Further gains were made at Acton... 66 522, 66 413 and 66 597 this time. My next move was required 345 004 from Ealing Broadway to Southall, then 345 043 on to Hayes and Harlington. The short fester at Southall was rather dramatic... a tower crane about 300 feet away from the station took a lightning strike while I was there... that was LOUD!!!
From Hayes and Harlington a fourth required unit turned up, 345 021, which took me back to Paddington for the next serious business of the day... the urgent TOPS thread had advised me that my last GWR IET for photo was on the way up from Penzance and so I relocated myself to Royal Oak with the assistance of 21559 + 21560, got 802 018 off the photo list at last then took 21355 + 21356 back the other way, continuing on board to Baker Street for a quick PNB before catching the following 21427 + 21428 to Liverpool Street.
Required 745 102 took me to Tottenham Hale and required 745 003 was following too closely to get back in time to catch it, so a BZ6 to Harlow Town return was swiftly purchased and the haulage duly gained, with a swift return on 379 008 + 379 018. The sideways shuffle back to Farringdon was one of the pairs I'd already had that day. Boo!
Next up was 700 012 to Sutton and 377 462 + 377 310 + 377 305 home to Epsom.In the pictures below... just how close to being bowled by the mast was that one of 66 522 on the incline at Acton?!?
Attachments
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
22/05/21
A walk with the wife around Sudbury in Suffolk...
From Epsom to London Bridge on 377 119 + 377 434, with 700 149 on to Farringdon and 21381 + 21382 across to Liverpool Street, the need to change at Mark's Tey forced the use of a slower service on this occasion, so it was 321 311 + 321 447 which took us out of London. present in the adjacent platform were 720 517 + 720 537 while at Ilford both 08 871 and 08 700 were parked in a visible location.
We passed 720 548 + 720 556 at Shenfield, and at Mark's Tey it was, in a stroke of luck, required 755 331 which was working the branch.
Some hours and several miles and sore feet later...
Obviously it was the same 755 back again, but a different pair in the shape of 321 336 + 321 327 back to London, 720 518 being spied at Shenfield and 21057 + 21058 back across to Farringdon for 700 023 to Sutton and then 377 312 + 377 308 + 377 154 back to Epsom.
From the pictures below, it should be obvious that part of our walk included the disused railway beyond Sudbury. No great surprise there really, I suppose...?
A walk with the wife around Sudbury in Suffolk...
From Epsom to London Bridge on 377 119 + 377 434, with 700 149 on to Farringdon and 21381 + 21382 across to Liverpool Street, the need to change at Mark's Tey forced the use of a slower service on this occasion, so it was 321 311 + 321 447 which took us out of London. present in the adjacent platform were 720 517 + 720 537 while at Ilford both 08 871 and 08 700 were parked in a visible location.
We passed 720 548 + 720 556 at Shenfield, and at Mark's Tey it was, in a stroke of luck, required 755 331 which was working the branch.
Some hours and several miles and sore feet later...
Obviously it was the same 755 back again, but a different pair in the shape of 321 336 + 321 327 back to London, 720 518 being spied at Shenfield and 21057 + 21058 back across to Farringdon for 700 023 to Sutton and then 377 312 + 377 308 + 377 154 back to Epsom.
From the pictures below, it should be obvious that part of our walk included the disused railway beyond Sudbury. No great surprise there really, I suppose...?
Attachments
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
29/05/21
Another walk, this time the long slog from Herne Bay to Birchington. Engineering work between Epsom and Victoria provided a good excuse to get a fast blast in on the 395s for this trip...
Once again starting with Epsom to London Bridge, this time with 377 205 + 377 208, followed by 700 111 onwards to St Pancras for the short walk upstairs to the main line station from where 395 016 + 395 023 took us to Herne Bay, with 66 789 being noted at Hoo Junction en route.
A lot of hours, miles and sore feet later... again...!!!
Waiting at Birchington gave an opportunity to photograph 395 021 + 395 013 going in the opposite direction before 385 018 + 395 008 arrived to rush us back to St Pancras, this time we were on the right side of the train for Hoo Junction and I accordingly added 66 023, 66 170, 66 585 and 66 091 to my notes. There was also 66 177 in the Dagenham area.
Back from St Pancras to London Bridge it was 700 029 and from there to Epsom the day concluded with... guess what... 377 205 + 377 208 again...
Another walk, this time the long slog from Herne Bay to Birchington. Engineering work between Epsom and Victoria provided a good excuse to get a fast blast in on the 395s for this trip...
Once again starting with Epsom to London Bridge, this time with 377 205 + 377 208, followed by 700 111 onwards to St Pancras for the short walk upstairs to the main line station from where 395 016 + 395 023 took us to Herne Bay, with 66 789 being noted at Hoo Junction en route.
A lot of hours, miles and sore feet later... again...!!!
Waiting at Birchington gave an opportunity to photograph 395 021 + 395 013 going in the opposite direction before 385 018 + 395 008 arrived to rush us back to St Pancras, this time we were on the right side of the train for Hoo Junction and I accordingly added 66 023, 66 170, 66 585 and 66 091 to my notes. There was also 66 177 in the Dagenham area.
Back from St Pancras to London Bridge it was 700 029 and from there to Epsom the day concluded with... guess what... 377 205 + 377 208 again...
Attachments
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
Further pictures from 29/05/21.
Someone please pester me if I don't start on catching up with the June reports by the end of the week...
Someone please pester me if I don't start on catching up with the June reports by the end of the week...
Attachments
Techniquest
Veteran Member
A decent bit of variety there, and I have to ask if the former railway route from Sudbury was worth doing. Similar for the one in Birchington, it sounds good but unlike Kite I'm more into routes I can take the bike on.
Plenty of good results all round, good to see you haven't given up doing these
Plenty of good results all round, good to see you haven't given up doing these
Kite159
Veteran Member
A decent bit of variety there, and I have to ask if the former railway route from Sudbury was worth doing. Similar for the one in Birchington, it sounds good but unlike Kite I'm more into routes I can take the bike on.
Plenty of good results all round, good to see you haven't given up doing these
Walking allows more time to take in the scenery
Both walks are on my (massive) list to do at some point, I was toying with doing something similar in that area (Birchington) as it's possible to do a nice linear walk along the seafront (looking at the map), but time flew and it will wait to next year
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
A decent bit of variety there, and I have to ask if the former railway route from Sudbury was worth doing. Similar for the one in Birchington, it sounds good but unlike Kite I'm more into routes I can take the bike on.
Plenty of good results all round, good to see you haven't given up doing these
Kite159:
Walking allows more time to take in the scenery
Both walks are on my (massive) list to do at some point, I was toying with doing something similar in that area (Birchington) as it's possible to do a nice linear walk along the seafront (looking at the map), but time flew and it will wait to next year.
Well, we only went a short distance along the old line beyond Sudbury - I put a map up in the walking and rambling thread in General which would show you how far we did go; certainly it was worth the walk as far as we got, so I'd day yes you should try it at some point.
For Birchington from Herne Bay; easily do-able. There's only one short section where you'd have to push the bike uphill and that's the bit just short of Reculver where you need to gain height to get past the bit where there is no promenade. See screenshot below - the way we did it was the thin black line, and that's the way I'd recommend if you have a bike. The only bit you'd have to wheel it is the bit right at the left including the curve towards the car park. The shorter way is the yellow line, but there's a very steep set of stairs at the end of that - definitely not recommended with a bike!
The closed bridge I've marked is not a problem - you only have to walk a minute or so further along to be able to get round that. Just follow the footpaths round and remember which side of you the sea is and you won't get lost.
In fact, with a bicycle, you could probably do the whole distance from Seasalter at Whitstable to Margate in one go. Apart from the short bit described here, and a set of stairs between Birchington and Westgate ( at the east end of Epple Bay ) the entire distance is along a promenade.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Thanks for the detailed response I am not currently following that walking thread, I should as I do love a good urban walk when the wind is too strong to cycle. Well I say walk, for me my walking speed is 4.1mph and that's going slowly! When I'm putting some effort in, the average rises to 4.4mph. I can do faster, with a personal best over a sustained hour long walk in the summer reaching an average of 5.0mph (or 5.1, I can't remember for sure now) but that caused much aching in the lower back and sides 
I think I know vaguely the route you describe in Kent, from a look at the Sustrans map for Kent it certainly looks pretty easy going in general. It's not for no reason why I really want to return to Kent and do a Kent Rover. The cycling opportunities are numerous, and I need a good few 395s as well as 375s and 465s. It was on the list to do this year, circumstances didn't lead to me doing it after all. 2022 is going to be a very busy year!
Related question actually to the walking thing, quite understandable is the sore feet, but I was wondering whether you and your wife use anything in particular to ease the soreness? A good soak in warm water, maybe with something added to said water, that sort of thing? I'd imagine a good bath does wonders, something I don't have in this house and I've got it on a priority list for when I eventually move!
I am not currently following that walking thread, I should as I do love a good urban walk when the wind is too strong to cycle. Well I say walk, for me my walking speed is 4.1mph and that's going slowly! When I'm putting some effort in, the average rises to 4.4mph. I can do faster, with a personal best over a sustained hour long walk in the summer reaching an average of 5.0mph (or 5.1, I can't remember for sure now) but that caused much aching in the lower back and sides I think I know vaguely the route you describe in Kent, from a look at the Sustrans map for Kent it certainly looks pretty easy going in general. It's not for no reason why I really want to return to Kent and do a Kent Rover. The cycling opportunities are numerous, and I need a good few 395s as well as 375s and 465s. It was on the list to do this year, circumstances didn't lead to me doing it after all. 2022 is going to be a very busy year!
Related question actually to the walking thing, quite understandable is the sore feet, but I was wondering whether you and your wife use anything in particular to ease the soreness? A good soak in warm water, maybe with something added to said water, that sort of thing? I'd imagine a good bath does wonders, something I don't have in this house and I've got it on a priority list for when I eventually move!
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
No... I just rest for a few hours afterwards!
xotGD
Established Member
- Joined
- 4 Feb 2017
- Messages
- 7,853
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Fair enough! Similar to what I do after a good ride then.
I've had that suggestion many times before, it's supposed to be really good for sore feet. I don't have even a washing up bowl to use for soaking the feet, and the thought of carrying one full of water upstairs isn't one I'm rushing to carry out!
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
02/06/21
This was another Anglia Plus trip hunting down more "Catfish". As usual my route to Liverpool Street was from Epsom with 377 304 + 377 325 + 377 454 then 700 126 from London Bridge and 21077 + 21078 from Farringdon. Dud 745 003 took me out to Diss, with 66 772 being noted at Stratford and 720 561 at Colchester; 720 522 + 720 556 were at Ipswich along with 66 518, 66 531, 66 592 and 90 005.
The reason for the Diss move was that I hadn't got to Liverpool Street in time to see what was on the earlier working, so on the off chance that it would be required... unfortunately it wasn't; dud 745 010 was what brought me back to Ipswich. With nothing required to hand but knowing there would be in an hour, rather than hang around I did a return to Felixstowe on dud 755 424 just to fill in the time. On this trip I noted 66 774 at Derby Road while I was outbound.
Upon returning to Ipswich, 66 503 was present and as expected required 755 338 was waiting with a Lowestoft working, so I took this up to Wickham Market and caught required 755 423 back again. In fact the former was a bonus; the latter I had seen while passing through to Diss and knew it would be the return so that was my actual target with that move. Additional locomotives were noted at Ipswich after this move, with 66 501, 66 519 and 90 042 + 90 043 in sight, then I noticed that the four car had been ripped off the Felixstowe branch and required 755 328 put on in place of it... so a second trip down the branch for the day! This time I passed 66 005 at Derby Road on the return leg.
Once back at Ipswich, 66 953 and 66 068 were added and I took dud 755 418 to Stowmarket on a speculative move. Nothing required turned up southbound, so I boarded dud 745 008 to Norwich just to see what was at Crown Point; there was a required 755 or two around, but I was out of time and in any case I knew I would be doing a second Anglia Plus mission the next day, so I stayed with 745 008 for the ride back to London, treating that excursion to Norwich as a reconnaissance for the second trip.
On the way back, 37 424 + 37 425 were clocked in the sidings at Stowmarket, 66 418 at Ipswich and 66 592 at Colchester. Back in London, 21115 + 21116 took me across to Farringdon for 700 117 to London Bridge and hence 377 405 + 377 327 + 377 315 onwards to Epsom.
This was another Anglia Plus trip hunting down more "Catfish". As usual my route to Liverpool Street was from Epsom with 377 304 + 377 325 + 377 454 then 700 126 from London Bridge and 21077 + 21078 from Farringdon. Dud 745 003 took me out to Diss, with 66 772 being noted at Stratford and 720 561 at Colchester; 720 522 + 720 556 were at Ipswich along with 66 518, 66 531, 66 592 and 90 005.
The reason for the Diss move was that I hadn't got to Liverpool Street in time to see what was on the earlier working, so on the off chance that it would be required... unfortunately it wasn't; dud 745 010 was what brought me back to Ipswich. With nothing required to hand but knowing there would be in an hour, rather than hang around I did a return to Felixstowe on dud 755 424 just to fill in the time. On this trip I noted 66 774 at Derby Road while I was outbound.
Upon returning to Ipswich, 66 503 was present and as expected required 755 338 was waiting with a Lowestoft working, so I took this up to Wickham Market and caught required 755 423 back again. In fact the former was a bonus; the latter I had seen while passing through to Diss and knew it would be the return so that was my actual target with that move. Additional locomotives were noted at Ipswich after this move, with 66 501, 66 519 and 90 042 + 90 043 in sight, then I noticed that the four car had been ripped off the Felixstowe branch and required 755 328 put on in place of it... so a second trip down the branch for the day! This time I passed 66 005 at Derby Road on the return leg.
Once back at Ipswich, 66 953 and 66 068 were added and I took dud 755 418 to Stowmarket on a speculative move. Nothing required turned up southbound, so I boarded dud 745 008 to Norwich just to see what was at Crown Point; there was a required 755 or two around, but I was out of time and in any case I knew I would be doing a second Anglia Plus mission the next day, so I stayed with 745 008 for the ride back to London, treating that excursion to Norwich as a reconnaissance for the second trip.
On the way back, 37 424 + 37 425 were clocked in the sidings at Stowmarket, 66 418 at Ipswich and 66 592 at Colchester. Back in London, 21115 + 21116 took me across to Farringdon for 700 117 to London Bridge and hence 377 405 + 377 327 + 377 315 onwards to Epsom.
Attachments
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
03/06/21
For the second of these two missions, the start from Epsom was on 377 462 + 377 303 + 377 307 and the cross-London transfer was supplied by 700 150 followed by 21503 + 21504. This time I got to Liverpool Street in time to see that there would be no point in going up to Diss, so dud 745 006 on the first off peak working at 09.30 took me only to Ipswich.
Sightings en route were 720 540 + 720 536 at Shenfield and 57 305 dragging 321 402 + 321 405 southbound through Witham to their fate. At Ipswich, 720 515 + 720 511 were present, as were 66 097, 66 546, 66 512, 66 951 and 66 507. Required 755 332, which I had seen on the previous day's reconnaissance at Norwich, had found itself on the Felixstowe branch so yet again I found myself trundling along to the coast and back. On the way out 66 741 came past at Westerfield and 66 559 at Trimley; on the way back it was 66 526 at Derby Road.
Further sightings at Ipswich were 90 011, 90 015, 90 005, 90 010 and 90 046. Nothing required was around, so I made a speculative move to Wickham Market with 755 415, but the return was also dud, 755 335. Adding 66 715, 66 952 and 66 413 to my notebook I decided to shift north for the rest of the day and took dud 745 103 to Norwich, where 66 703 was present.
Straight away, required 755 406 was present with a Stansted that was going out almost immediately, so I rode that to Attleborough and returned on dud 755 411; immediately upon arrival I noted required 755 420 about to head out to Sheringham so I boarded that and then worked out my fastest return to be from Worsted, this turned out to be a further required unit, 755 325, so that was a good move abandoning Ipswich.
By now running short of time, I found the London train to be the same 745 008 as the previous day on the same diagram! Seen en route back south were 90 003 and 90 004 at Ipswich plus 66 514 at Colchester. This time it was 21309 + 21310 across to Farringdon followed by 700 154 to London Bridge and 377 429 + 377 308 + 377 312 to Epsom to conclude the day.
For the second of these two missions, the start from Epsom was on 377 462 + 377 303 + 377 307 and the cross-London transfer was supplied by 700 150 followed by 21503 + 21504. This time I got to Liverpool Street in time to see that there would be no point in going up to Diss, so dud 745 006 on the first off peak working at 09.30 took me only to Ipswich.
Sightings en route were 720 540 + 720 536 at Shenfield and 57 305 dragging 321 402 + 321 405 southbound through Witham to their fate. At Ipswich, 720 515 + 720 511 were present, as were 66 097, 66 546, 66 512, 66 951 and 66 507. Required 755 332, which I had seen on the previous day's reconnaissance at Norwich, had found itself on the Felixstowe branch so yet again I found myself trundling along to the coast and back. On the way out 66 741 came past at Westerfield and 66 559 at Trimley; on the way back it was 66 526 at Derby Road.
Further sightings at Ipswich were 90 011, 90 015, 90 005, 90 010 and 90 046. Nothing required was around, so I made a speculative move to Wickham Market with 755 415, but the return was also dud, 755 335. Adding 66 715, 66 952 and 66 413 to my notebook I decided to shift north for the rest of the day and took dud 745 103 to Norwich, where 66 703 was present.
Straight away, required 755 406 was present with a Stansted that was going out almost immediately, so I rode that to Attleborough and returned on dud 755 411; immediately upon arrival I noted required 755 420 about to head out to Sheringham so I boarded that and then worked out my fastest return to be from Worsted, this turned out to be a further required unit, 755 325, so that was a good move abandoning Ipswich.
By now running short of time, I found the London train to be the same 745 008 as the previous day on the same diagram! Seen en route back south were 90 003 and 90 004 at Ipswich plus 66 514 at Colchester. This time it was 21309 + 21310 across to Farringdon followed by 700 154 to London Bridge and 377 429 + 377 308 + 377 312 to Epsom to conclude the day.
Attachments
Peter Mugridge
Veteran Member
04/06/21
This was just a shopping trip, but with a slight diversion because two of my photographically required were available without costing me more than about an hour in total.
From Epsom on 377 403 + 377 429 to Clapham Junction, snap 450 051, board 455 849 + 455 850 to Waterloo, snap 450 057 then walk across to Waterloo East. Transfer to London Bridge on 465 929 + 465 934 + 466 041, catch 700 154 to East Croydon and get a nifty +1 cross platform connection to Thornton Heath on 455 804 + 455 828. Having done Tesco, I find a few cancellations on Thameslink and Southern, so my easiest way back was 455 818 + 455 812 to London Bridge and then 377 110 + 377 327 + 377 315 to Epsom.
This was just a shopping trip, but with a slight diversion because two of my photographically required were available without costing me more than about an hour in total.
From Epsom on 377 403 + 377 429 to Clapham Junction, snap 450 051, board 455 849 + 455 850 to Waterloo, snap 450 057 then walk across to Waterloo East. Transfer to London Bridge on 465 929 + 465 934 + 466 041, catch 700 154 to East Croydon and get a nifty +1 cross platform connection to Thornton Heath on 455 804 + 455 828. Having done Tesco, I find a few cancellations on Thameslink and Southern, so my easiest way back was 455 818 + 455 812 to London Bridge and then 377 110 + 377 327 + 377 315 to Epsom.
Attachments
- Status