Edmund's extended excursion

[railfan99]

As a foreigner, some of my observations will be incomplete and perceptions different from many locals viewing, so please feel free to correct.

After travelling on excellent Philippine Aiirlines to Manila and then similarly good Oman Air via Muscat to Hesthrow in business class, I arrived at Heathrow to find the Elizabeth Line on Fri 23 Sep inoperable due to a signalling fault.

So the Tube with its antiquated rolling sto k on the Piccadilly Line it was to Acton Town, changing easily to the Dustrict Ljne to my accommodation. It was fast at Heathrow to purchase an Oyster Card and top it up with a foreign credit card.

 

[railfan99]

After five hours' good sleep and a shower, I caught the Tube via London Victoria making an easy transfer there to Euston.

At 0630 hours on Sat 24 the booking office was closed due to staff shortage, to open at 0930. So I went down the ramp for the 0655 nine car Pendolino where the barrier staff admitted me.

A helpful male Avanti WC staffer found train manager Jane who said I could have my Eurail Globsl Pass stamped Nd dated at Manchester Piccadilly.

 

[railfan99]

Pendolino 69206 led with 39006 at the rear. I enjoyed a hot chocolate and delicious fresh fruit salad after we departed four late.

There were only three others in car K. The trip highlight was the wonderful architecture on the up platform at busy Stoke-on-Trent. The service arrived Manchester three late at 0914 which I thought quite impressive. The toilet in car J was spotless and the 12 year staff member in K efficient and pleasant.

Piccadilly was busy but after a 10 minute wait my paper pass was validated.

With my suitcase in tow and backpack on my back, I used the lift to go to Metrolink, noting how the escalator was out of service.

I purchased a Travelpass and in nine minutes wax aboard what I assume was a Bombardier Flexity, 3088, to Bury. On a previous trip I had been to Altrincham but not Bury.

It was interesting to weave through the city centre but one set of lights lacked tram priority so we sat for maybe 90 seconds despite little road traffic. Patronage was moderate. The stops showed their rail heritage but sad that station buildings must have been demolished. The brick of 1990 painted white looked a bit rubdown.

Compared to Melbourne's light rail on routes 96 and 109, the former St Kilda and Port Melb rail lines, it was good how the crossovers were then at high speed.

I arrived at Bury and connected to route 469 single deck bus with 14 passengers. The driver said it was only one stop so he did not charge a fare.

 

[railfan99]

At the East Lancs Railway. I just missed the 1055 hours departure but purchased a Dsy Rover from friendly volunteers at the new information stand. The booking office windows were closed. I stored my case in the telephone box by arrangement.

 

[railfan99]

The 1155 hours down had loco 34092 'City of Wells' and six cars, and was quite well patronised. It departed two minutes late with a further 12 joining at Burrs Country Park and three at isolated Sumnerseat.

I loved the historic road bridge approaching touristy Ramsbottom and the handwork and interlocked gates on the way to and at, respectively, the historic station.

Rawtenstall's booking office area was arractive. On the return, 35092 had to take coal at Bury as the previous day as the driver miscalculated given the engine GG had steamed on Friday. At Bury at 1345 we crossed a preservation society special with D345 but we did not depart for Heywood until 1421, 26 mins late.

I then travelled to Ramsbottom and enjoyed a half pint at The Railway. At the station, staff put a barrier across the entrance to platform 1 at times that seemed unfriendly.

The on-train staff were very good with the TTE aged about 75 being efficient. I arrived at Bury 25 late at 1645 and after a short walk was on tram 3088 again for the 1702 to Manchester Piccadilly, arriving at 1739 to a very busy station.

 

[xotGD]

six cats

Meow!

Sounds like an enjoyable trip so far. Looking forward to the next installment...

 

[XAM2175]

A helpful male Avanti WC staffer found train manager Jane who said I could have my Eurail Globsl Pass stamped ...

Why is their gender important?

 

[railfan99]

At Manchester, the 1748 to Preston, a Northern train was a three car DMU, one car being 101101. I only made it by 30 seconds as I had to race along lengthy travel actors with my suitcase and backpack and then negotiate stairs down to platform q4.

The DMU seemed quite good as floors were carpeted and seats were modern and OK for shortish trips.

The train was very busy with very few spare seats and quite a few other suitcases on board. Railcars lack much space for cases that are too heavy for overhead racks. Many more joined at Manchester Oxford Rd and heaps alighted at Wigan NW where more joined.

The female conductor/guard had to spend 10 minutes with a couple who had only bought singles for their return trip. They did not understand why the on-train tickets to get them home were more expensive. We arrived Preston at
1835 hours to complete a good day.

 

[railfan99]

At Preston, steam loco 34067 and support car were uncoupling from 'Northern Belle' to be replaced by WCR diesel 51314. A bonus sighting.

 

[railfan99]

On Sunday I caught an Avanti WC Pendolino from. Preston to Warrington Bank Quay at 0900, running on time with car K 69131 and power car 390131. Patronage was light.

This misses the Chester connection by two minutes. Amazing! Why not re tine the latter?

So after almost an hour admiring the Victorian era hotel opposite, J joined 50751-56751-79704 on the Transport for Wales 1020 hours.

This line was very interesting with historic stations at Frodsham and Helsby. Light patronage with my ticket being checked. A contrast to Sunday afternoon patronage as I was to discover.

The barriers at Chester were manned with already many travellers around by 1115 hours. I enjoyed a walk along the street from the station, returning to catch the 1132 hours two car DMU with 158835. It was very busy, arriving Ruabon at 1154, on time where there were six on and eight off. Wrexham General earlier had 19 on and at least 15 off, so pleasing to see so many using.

 

[railfan99]

At Ruabon I walked to the main.road and connected to the Artiva double decker, with three others joining. An impressive, modern bus.

One of the mysteries of life is that this driver charged me £3.70 but returning from Llangollen later that day, the fare was £3.10. Inconsistent.

As the Llangollen Railways steam loco's fusible plug failed on Saturday, we had diesel 31271 'Stratford' hauling four cars including at the rear observation car 80975. I travelled in compartment car M15674. The train had about 30 on board but the earlier, first train of the day was a lot better patronised.

We departed six late at 1256. The en route stations were interesting, especially riverside Berwyn with its amazing bridges. Carrog arrival was at 1328, seven minutes late.

Here a raffle was drawn.

 

[XAM2175]

The female conductor/guard had to spend 10 minutes ...

Still not seeing the relevance...

 

[Techniquest]

Certainly a variety of motive power so far! I see you managed a 195/1 to Preston, some of Northern's newer trains. The 175/1 you had to Chester, that class will be leaving Transport for Wales in due course to be replaced by 197s. Much yikes to the ticket office issues at Euston, and the varied pricing on the buses to/from Llangollen, that's a bit odd.

Looking forward to the next instalments when they're ready

 

[busestrains]

At Ruabon I walked to the main.road and connected to the Artiva double decker, with three others joining. An impressive, modern bus.

One of the mysteries of life is that this driver charged me £3.70 but returning from Llangollen later that day, the fare was £3.10. Inconsistent.

As the Llangollen Railways steam loco's fusible plug failed on Saturday, we had diesel 31271 'Stratford' hauling four cars including at the rear observation car 80975. I travelled in compartment car M15674. The train had about 30 on board but the earlier, first train of the day was a lot better patronised.

We departed six late at 1256. The en route stations were interesting, especially riverside Berwyn with its amazing bridges. Carrog arrival was at 1328, seven minutes late.

Here a raffle was drawn.

The correct fare from Ruabon to Llangollen or vice versa is £3.10 Single. The driver must have accidentally selected the previous fare stage as the origin or next fare stage as the destination on the ticket machine which results in the higher fare of £3.70 Single. If you look on the tickets it should shows which stops that you were charged from and to.

 

[railfan99]

Thank you for great replies busestrains and Techniquest.

The return on Llangollen Railway was on time and once I worked out where to catch the Arriva bus, that was uneventful. Same fleet number.

At Ruabon I struggled across the footbridge with 175113, a three car DMU departing bang on time at 1603. There were four on here, and the opposite direction train with four cars almost called concurrently.

All seats bar two in my car were taken. At Wrexham General about 25 joined and 15 alighted. We arrived Chester 90 seconds eRluer than the timetabled 1629. A large crowd alighted.

I easily connected using the footbridge to TfW 158833 as a three car DMU. Again, few spare seats on a timely 1636 departure with confusingly an announcement from the conductor/guard re moving forward due to the short Helsby platform. Did he mean move to the front car of the second two car unit, as IIRC there isn't a gangway between the two sets?

 

[railfan99]

I alighted at Warrjngton Bank Quay along with sbout 25 others on time at 1603, having bought a tiny 32.5 gram packet of potato chips from the young man operating the trolley service.

The 11 car Pendolino departed a minute late at 1717 but was slightly early arriving Preston at 1741. The 1st class catering gent offered me a drink but I declined. He was Scottish and like me only going to Preston.

Monday afforded the opportunity for a sleep In with my TransPennine Express including 471001, departing on time at 0903 hours. Alighting at historic Lancaster, I admired the architecture. Surprising that this location does not see more tourists.

The station was busy when I returned to find two car 158791 forming the punctual 1245 hours to Leeds via the scenic Bentham line. At Carnforth. Diesel 47815 was seen. My train was lightly patronised.

 

[railfan99]

Despite much forum discussion about tickets not being checked on board, to PM Wednesday 28 I have only been on one train when that did not occur. More on that later.

 

[Techniquest]

If that TfW train you did to Warrington Bank Quay was a 3-car train, including the 158, the front coach would have been a 153. There would have been a corridor connection available

 

[railfan99]

Thanks. Sometimes with fairly tight connections and luggage to get over footbridges. I have not recorded the full consist. But I will try to.

 

[Daniel_P]

Thanks. Sometimes with fairly tight connections and luggage to get over footbridges. I have not recorded the full consist. But I will try to.

This is where RTT can help you out*

*Selected TOCs only, but TfW is on the list.

 

[railfan99]

After Long Preston, the passenger tally was 28. I alighted at Hellifield a minute early at 1339. The Cafe closes two days a week: this was one of them.

60047 arrived on the up quarry products train from the S&C line at 1353 and waited to be overtaken. Great to see rail freight!

158752 and two more cars formed the 1409 hours to Carlisle with about 65 on board, which to me was good given it was not peak hour, nor school holidays.

A pleasant lady pushed the refresh trolley, a handy feature. This was only my second trip on this line so great to again see Ribblehead Viaduct and isolated Blea Moor box.

At 1502, just after Kirkby Stephen, what may have been the rail inspection train whizzed by on the up.

Track quality seemed good. I assume max permitted speed is either 100 or 115 kmh for railcars. We had a four minute signal stop close to Carlisle for an up Northern railcar to pass by.

A couple of closed stations on the line's northern section added interest. Origjnal buildings remain.

I was going to catch an up Avanti WC back to accommodation.at Preston but TPE due out at 1631, but departing at 1636 was earlier. 397007 was car A. Arrival was at 1748, on time. I liked the first class car design but ride quality on curves was not as good as the Pendolinos.

 

[railfan99]

This is where RTT can help you out*

*Selected TOCs only, but TfW is on the list.greT

Great suggestion but I am so tired from each day's walking that I may not do that. Priority is to collapse into bed.

 

[railfan99]

While I am days behind in writing this trip report, my impression is that many are again using rail, though perhaps patronage was 20 or 30 per cent higher in 2019. Birmingham New St sure was busy at 1730 this late arvo.

 

[railfan99]

So far, all but one rail staff members have been friendly and when needed helpful. But more on that later.

 

[railfan99]

That and a few other typos have been corrected. Apologies. I prefer a PC but do not cart one around.

 

[railfan99]

Good luck does not last forever as I discovered on Tu 37 Sep as TPE cancelled my planned 0647 hours departure from Preston, Lancs.

Plan B saw me on the slower 0650 hours interurban/suburban with my car being 466004 via Chorley to Manchester Oxford Rd. All stations had reasonable numbers joining with a very large number alighting at my transfer station.

A Sainsbury's Local was on the street corner up an ascending street and had good morning pastries.

Probably because some decline to buy a ticket, the barriers at Manchester Oxfofd Rd often banked up with morning commuters. Despite the guard announcing otherwise,there was no ticket check on that suburban. The train had good acceleration and was comfortable Internally.

Trains were mostly late by a few minutes. At 0846 I joined the 0838 hours M Ox Rd EMR train via Hazel Grove, where my ticket was checked. Ironically this was where my interurban from Preston would have terminated. Hope Valley line I think.

This railcar set of 158774 and 158846 had red seats and was incredibly cramped. I had to store my suitcase on a spare seat. We reversed direction at Sheffield as we departed 12 late at 0946 after a five minute stay.

The train had by then lagely emptied. I alighted at Alfreton at 1009,struggling over the footbridge with my case and backpack. A cyclist helped carry the case down. Despite the scenery, this railcad was by far the worst experience in my UK travels to date.

There was meant to be a bus at 1010 for Crich but it failed to appear,so after another 18 minutes I resorted to a £15 taxi.

Crich had Blackpool bus-like 630 and Leeds 180 and 399 operating. The volunteers were not effusive.

I then walked down Sea Lane 40 minutes to Whatstandwell station. Heavy going with a 16kg suitcase and nine kg backpack as part was uphill. I arrived at 1317 for the 1325 railcar to Duffield.

 

[railfan99]

170417 as a three car DMU was three late departing. Two others joined. I alighted at Duffeld at 1344, joining the 1415 hours Ecclesbourne Valley Railway's 1415 hours train that left six late with loco D9537 'Eric' and an unnecessarily long consultation of five cars including a kitchen car.

The level crossing at Idridgehay was hand operated and one closer to Wirksworth operated by the guard or a second staff member so we stopped either side.

We were at the terminus from 1503 to 1522 so no time to explore the town. They need donations for a new station building.

I then caught the very well patronised 1640 from Duffield with 35 plus alighting at Belper. The brief Matlock stop was 1715 to 1719 with Derby arrival at 1753.

 

[Techniquest]

If you experienced the old Derby station, it was not as good as it is now following the re-modelling of the track layout and so on. It is a lot nicer than it used to be!

Sorry to hear the bus service to Crich let you down! I haven't been to that one yet, hoping to eventually get there next year. The Ecclesbourne Valley line is a nice one, it's a shame you didn't get to do the short but big incline up to Ravenstor from Wirksworth, that's a really steep gradient and certainly made the railcar I did on it work very hard!

 

[Watershed]

Interesting! Just a minor point but generally, British units are denoted [class number][unit number], e.g. 158757 or 390004. Some of the 5 and 6 digits numbers you have quoted are the individual carriage numbers. Whilst not wrong, it takes a bit more effort to look those up for those inclined

 

[Techniquest]

Interesting! Just a minor point but generally, British units are denoted [class number][unit number], e.g. 158757 or 390004. Some of the 5 and 6 digits numbers you have quoted are the individual carriage numbers. Whilst not wrong, it takes a bit more effort to look those up for those inclined

The OP has mentioned previously they have not yet had the time to research all these things, and is not super knowledgeable on the class numbers etc I have similar problems when travelling on trains outside of the UK, especially when it comes to things like the NYC Subway.