Rambling Roebuck... (Trip Reports)

[xotGD]

I'm glad you had a good April and the GCR gala sounded fun; the Class 37 that you missed is well worth a spin in the future.

I was looking at doing the Embsay Gala next weekend too, but I've been before and while I really enjoy 37's and 20's- I wasn't sure how much fun they would be on a 4 mile line. I've opted for a first trip on the Churnet Valley instead, which is also a more relaxing/scenic drive to get to.

It's not so much the length of the line, it is the lack of gradient that reduces the thrash opportunity. Hopefully the trains will be heavy enough to require more than Notch 1. I had an all day staggerfest there behind the 37 on load two a few years back.

 

[Iskra]

It's not so much the length of the line, it is the lack of gradient that reduces the thrash opportunity. Hopefully the trains will be heavy enough to require more than Notch 1. I had an all day staggerfest there behind the 37 on load two a few years back.

Yes that’s a good point too.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Two Localish Days

Part 1 - Victory from the jaws of defeat. (03/05/2023)

I tend to check Real Time Trains in the morning, to see if anything was happening that merited a trip out. On this day there was - Trans Pennine were actually proposing to run a Class 68 across the Pennines at a civilized hour, and this was the hitherto-elusive 68024. So I breakfasted and joined tram 3103 for a trip up to Rochdale station in time to buy a Greater Manchester Ranger and with only a few minutes to wait for a Leeds to Wigan train, which had arrived at Todmorden on time.

So I waited, noting that Littleborough and Smithy Bridge were also reached bang on time. Then I waited some more, and some more and some more. The 158 eventually rolled in to Platform 2 (the northern-facing bay), and its passengers were decanted unceremoniously, and probably not consoled by having scored some rareish track. The following Chester train was also 20 late, it's cause not helped by the local stopper to Rainford being let out in front. As I had bought my ticket I thought I might as well have a ride, so joined 195013+195023 for the run down to town, noting 09009 as usual at Miles Platting. Just after this, a 185 headed the other way, which put the idea of intercepting the 68 at Staley Vegas. RTT was checked, and this was a goer, so a moderately speedy walk over the footbridge found me joining 185121+185139 for the short uphill run. There was then time for a smoke and ticket purchase at Stalybridge before winner 68024 rolled in as booked for my unexpected trip to Huddersfield.

I had time before the train disappeared into the bowels of Standege to work out what to do next. Pleasingly, this involved beer (something very nice called "Maris the Otter") and admiring the statue of Harold Wilson before joining winner 802204 back to Manchester (Piccadilly this time) noting 66515 at Guide Bridge, 01551 at Ardwick TMD (I refuse to use the word Traincare) and 67013 waiting to leave for Caerdydd. If there hadn't been a winner due I'd have done the skip to Stockport, but an unexpected one was already approaching from that direction. Winner 170504 and dud friend 170514 had found themselves on a Norwich to Liverpool service so were duly raked in for the mega-mileage move to Oxford Road (where 66021 was coming the other way on a liner train).

I'd not been round the Castlefield Curve in 2023, so this was corrected by a trip on 185117+185112 to Victoria, where it was more convenient (pub intended) to use the facilities on 150148 on a quick trip to Salford Crescent than use the ones at the station, 158752 being intercepted there for the return to Rochdale and a ride down to town on tram 3108.

Not a bad day - started ropily, turned out alright though.


Part 2 - Those Were the Dales My Friend (08/05/2023)

A required tractor working within reasonable distance is not to be sniffed at, even if it's at a railway whose website has more links to buy a round-trip-with-cream-tea-experience than Betty's of Harrogate and doesn't contain an accessible timetable. So off to Embsay it was.

The first bit was dead straightforward. Firstly, a ride over to Leeds on 195108. Then 333011 joined the party, for a run up to Ilkley. Then a nice bus ride, via a fairly scenic and hilly route to Embsay. Here I bought a ticket, but no physical tickets were available, but staff were aware of this and the printed timetable/roster was handed out as a substitute. I noticed a small kettle on a goods, with brakevan, waiting in the station, so also paid for a brakevan trip, behind Beatrice, an industrial saddle tank. One of the team who look after Beatrice was my fellow passenger and was quite enlightening about the amount of work involved in keeping even a fairly small loco in steam.

Then it was diesel time, with approx 1.4 There And Back Again round trips with dud 20110, followed by 0.6 round trips with winner 37294. Both locos performed well and the bottled beer in the bar car was nice (the hand pumped stuff had sold out the previous day). The run at the EBAR is pleasant and fairly scenic and time passed quickly. I then had some exercise and walked down the hill into Skipton, had fish and chips in a pub in the town (chain pub, but very nice - properly cooked, pleasant staff who seemed to actually enjoy working with each other and working as a team) and returned home, with 333007 back to Leeds and 195017+195015 back home.

A nice enough day out, but on the OK side of things rather than the excellent.

 

[Techniquest]

Some decent times locally there You have reminded me that it has been way too long since I last enjoyed a 37, this might have to change soon!

 

[xotGD]

a railway whose website has more links to buy a round-trip-with-cream-tea-experience than Betty's of Harrogate and doesn't contain an accessible timetable

Oh yes, their website is a bit rubbish. When I was after the 37 a few years back it was painful trying to figure out when it was actually working.

Good that you were able to enjoy some EE traction.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

11th/12th/13th May 2023
A Shortened trip South

Due to the strike action on 13th May, I abandoned the planned second half of this trip (to Kent) and instead booked coach tickets home via London.

The revised trip started on Thursday with a trip on the 05:38 red-eye bus Shude Hill, then tram 3128 up to Manchester Piccadilly. A ticket to Crewe, sausage bap and coffee were sourced, and pendo 390005 boarded for a smooth trip to Crewe, passing 68031/032 on Longsight and picking up a couple of Class 197 sight scores enroute.

At Crewe, WH Smith's was not open (as usual) so I had a walk to the corner shop by the turn to Gresty Rd, bought my ticket to Euston, then joined dud-but-comfy pair 350372/376 for the run to Euston. "Heritage fleet" 86101/87002/90001/90002 were lined up at Crewe, 67017 was at the other side of the line together with sight scores of classes 197 and 730. Then I dozed off, waking up at Willesden Jc!

Arriving at Euston, I cranked out my oyster and did one stop leaps setting back a train each time on the Northern Line, until eventually winners 51547/51548 produced at Leicester Square to take me to Waterloo. Here, whilst RTT indicated a winning 444 pair on my chosen train in an hour, but nothing of interest on a time wasting leap to Vauxhall or Clapham. So I baled out to Waterloo East and had a trip over the River Thames on winner/dud combo 376025+376024 and back from Charing Cross on dud/winner combo 465161+465913. Then I bought my ticket (super Off Peak return to Wareham) and some food, and joined promised winners 444019+444014 as far as Bournemouth (to detach 444014), then Wareham.

I rather like 444s - fast and comfortable trains, from which to note a new class 710 plus 66086, 66706, 66708, 08683, 47830 (also heading for the gala), 66531 and 70001 enroute. Arriving at Wareham, I then joined winning Class 117 trio M51356+M59486+M51388, on new track for me from the junction to the River Frome, for a run to Norden. Claggy the Clayton (D8568 - last seen in Leicestershire!) then appeared to take me to Corfe Castle, and winning Bulleid Pacific 34028 "Eddystone" took me back to Norden Corfe for the same Cl117 back to Wareham.

In view of the price differential in hotels I had booked in at Christchurch Travelodge so had a productive hour of 444 bashing and shack scratching to get there. Winner 444002 took me to a shack score at Parkstone, where 33012 passed delivering 47830, a vilely liveried 4TC and itself to the gala and a nice bloke doing a passenger survey and sticking to his script got a complaint about feral brats using Metrolink for Parkours to randomly add to his list of comments about Bournemouthian Bus Lanes. Then winner 444026 Parkstone took me to Bournemouth, attached another winner in 444009 and then deposited me at a new shack in Christchurch, for a 10 minute walk to the Travelodge.

This particular Trodge goes high up my list of good ones - plenty of eateries nearby and a particularly good shower, as well as friendly and helpful staff. One of the eateries was a Chinese takeaway which supplied a pleasant supper on my first night, another was the Costa which was also the best of this chain I have used, and ended up breakfasting at on both days.

Friday dawned with a rail strike and therefore a bus ride into Bournemouth (noting that this passed Pokesdown station on the way, another shack to be scored but not this time). I got off at the pier, walked along the prom and had a ride up the West Cliff funicular (new track, and the Eastern greenhouse thing scored for (rope) haulage), amused to find at the top I was on the road I had stayed in a B&B on the last time I went to Swanage. I then hit the bus stop for the ride via the chain ferry to Swanage.

There's not that much to say about the gala - some lovely locos did there stuff and I travelled as follows:
Winner 47830 Swanage to Corfe Castle
50026 "Dom" + winner 50021 "Dave" Corfe Castle to River Frome (limit of Swanage Railway
40145 (my highest mileage loco after 3 railtours years ago) R Frome to Norden
33012 "Jenny" Norden to R Frome
45108 R Frome to Norden
D8568 "Claggy" (again) Norden to R Frome
73107 "Tracy" (my fastest ever run behind this loco, as I'd only had in previously double heading with 08016 at 15mph!) R Frome to Corfe
33111 Corfe to Swanage

I then got the bus back the way I'd come, stopping in Bournemouth to confirm that the Steak and Ale pie at the Hop Inn was still as good as in 2016.

After another good night's sleep at the Trodge and breakfast at Costa I had a wander round Christchurch (nice castle, church, antique-y gift shops with excellent paintings in particular on sale) I caught the bus back to Bournemouth, then spent the rest of the day in the competent hands of National Express, returning to Rochdale via a change at Victoria Coach Station (with an excellent cheese toastie at the café across the road) and stopping at Norton Canes services, which I think we're new for me. A surprisingly smooth trip back to end a pretty good couple of days.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Sounds like a good day. I too have often saved a lot of money by using Avanti/Virgin only on Crewe-Manchester and LNR for the rest, but the 350 feels like such a drag compared to the 390 to me that each time I question if it's worth it.

I'm jealous of all of the winning locos for the book, certainly.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

15/05/2023 - A pleasant interlude

Basically this was just a swift trip out for a change of scene and the chance to pick up a couple of low-hanging winners. Tram 3079 took me up the hill to Rochdale station, for a ride round to Bolton on the Clitheroe service with 150125+150120. Here, I wanted to check if the alighting-only rule on the TPE Scotland to Manchester Airport services was enforced. It seemed to be, so I left required(!) 802212 well alone and instead followed it to Manchester Oxford Road on duds 331024+331011.

Then it was winner time, with 197018 duly scooped in for a round trip to the airport, with 08721, 68020, 68025 and 68034 being noted at Longsight in passing. Back at Oxford Rd I had just a short wait for winner 197015 back to the airport, where I crossed the platform to pick up winner 331026, which was tail gunner to 331013 back up to Salford Crescent on a Blackpool train.

Time now to head homewards, with 156460+150108 as the motive power and passing 66763 and 09009 (actually moving for once) on the way.

A pleasant jaunt. A longer trip was on the cards later that week, though.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

A couple of days in the midlands…

It was the week of the Severn Valley Railway gala, which had a plethora of interesting (and in some cases required) traction. There was too much to do sensibly in one day without becoming hot and bothered, so a night was booked at the Solihull Travelodge, 5 minutes walk from the station and with plenty of trains to Birmingham and Kidderminster. Here's the story of a couple of hectic days (with peaceful bits, too)

19/05/2023

Possibly showing signs of senility here, but I'm getting fonder of Class 158 units. In particular, I find the refurbished Northern ones with comfy seats and USB chargers to be a decent piece of kit, so was pleased when a run with 158755 down to Manchester started my trip, noting 09009 as usual at Miles Platting. Tram 3072 transferred me to Piccadilly and 158822 (the Welsh ones aren't bad, either) took me down to Crewe, passing 68025 at Longsight.

The Class 350 Bingo at Crewe managed to serve up a winner, with 350401+350120 taking me smoothly down to Smethwick Galton Bridge, passing railtour engines 86101, 87002, 90001, 90002, 57313 and 57314 enroute. Dud pair 172338+172002 then appeared to take me to Kidderminster where 68014 and its rake of stock were in the sidings.

I ambled across to the SVR, collected my wristbands for my prepaid tickets, then started spinning as follows;

1. Winning pair 43465+43484 to Bewdley. Vile livery, and back-to-back power cars is just wrong.
2. Semi-winners 43186+43188 to Kidderminster. Proper HST, much better
3. Winner 37263 to Arley. Thrashtastic.
4. D1015 to Bewdley. Also excellent.
5. Winner 60062 to Arley. Chugged along benignly enough.
6. 20142+20189 to Bewdley. Entertaining run, nice and noisy.
7. Winner 31270 to Arley. Good loco, good run.
8. 47712 to Kidderminster. Loco decent enough, forgot how much I detested fixed-armrest mark 3 stock.
9. Winner 56051 to Bewdley. Nice and noisy
10. 37263 to Kidderminster. See 3.
11. 40106 to Bewdley. Good loco, didn't disappoint.
12. D821 to Kidderminster. Excellent from the preservation pioneer.

The following locos were noted during the day at the SVR:
Diesel: 08015, 08471, 08896, 20048, 20142, 20189, 31270, 31466, D7029, 37263, 37308, 40106, D821, 43465, 43484, 43186, 43188, 50007, 50031, 50035, 50044, 50049, D1013, D1062, 56051, 57307, 60062, 73951, 73952, 88004
DMUs: M50933, M52064, M56208, M59250,
Steam: 4930, 7325, 7714, 34027
Industrial Gronk: Ruston #319290/1953

It was now time to think about booking in at the Travelodge, so I joined duds 172216+172221 for a run to Olton and a cheeky shack scratch, noting that 68011 had appeared in Kidderminster Sidings enroute. I thought I might as well score Widney Manor as well, courtesy of duds
172337+172211 on the following train, then dud 172343 took me to Solihull


20/05/2023

I'd rather enjoyed the shack scratching the previous evening, so decided on some more on the way in to Kiddy. As a bonus, winner 172342 joined dud 172218 at Solihull to take me to Dorridge on a tine-filling move, then back North to a new shack at Acocks Green. Another winner in 172101 took me back to the start at Solihull, then wedged winner 168219 took me to to Dorridge (again), then duds 172221+172216 to a new shack at Lye, noting 08616 at Tyseley. Another dud in 172341 took me back on myself again to score Old Hill before duds 172001+172215 finally took me to to Kidderminster for the day.

I had more time, and only one winner to go for today, so 37263 took me for a full line trip to Bridgnorth, and pleasant and relaxing it was - sol relaxing that I decided not to rush over the bridge for "Claggy the Clayton" (D8568) back to Hampton Loade, but waited for competent Crompton 33108 to take me back to Highley.

A nice break was taken here for a bacon butty (good), a sit in the sun and a browse in the book stall shed. Then the push and pull Mark 3 rake appeared behind 56051, and I joined this in the first class bit and let 47712 return me sedately to Kidderminster, where I retained my seat in order to rake in winner 88004 to Bewdley in comfort. A nice trip back to Kidderminster with D1015 completed my trip to the gala for this year.

Time to head homewards, and winner/dud pair 172104+172212 to Smethwick GB. From here I'd worked out a micro-distance shack scoring move, and struck lucky with winner 350128 to take me to Smethwick Rolfe St. Dud 350232 took me back to Galton Bridge, then winner 196110 took me to Wolverhampton on the Shrewsbury train.

A break here for a smoke, then I joined a queueing system with some cheerful Wolves fans (presumably they won) and joined yet another lucky winner, with 350236 taking me up to Stafford. From here home was dud but pleasant - lightly loaded 390154 speedily to Manchester (68021 and 68031 at Longsight), tram 3096 across town and mixed pair 156424+150128 up to Castleton for a beer and takeaway move.

A pretty decent trip, with a well-run gala with decent guests and some shack scratching to reignite my interest in this aspect. Here's to next year…

 

[Techniquest]

Definitely a fun couple of days there, clearly Hopefully next year I will book time off for the gala and attend it, although I said that about the UCI championships in Glasgow and I never got to it!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Definitely a fun couple of days there, clearly Hopefully next year I will book time off for the gala and attend it, although I said that about the UCI championships in Glasgow and I never got to it!

I'm a fan of cycling (watching, not participating ) myself, but prefer the Grand Tours to the track, in particular the mountain stages. I wonder if somewhere like Alpe D'Huez has a handy funicular or chairlift up... (goes away to consult the interweb).

I do have a provisional plan for tomorrow (Sat 27th) if the weather looks good based partially on one of your recent trips. Should get me a spot of new track (not full sized) and a couple of new NR shacks

 

[Techniquest]

Fair enough, the big races I often don't get around to watching but the Tour de France is an exception. First time watching it last year, loved it and I'm excited to see how it goes this year. Same for TdF Femmes, that was a great watch and promises the same this year.

Track cycling is what I enjoy watching the most though. Especially things like the madison, points race and the elimination race. I've never been in a velodrome, but I would love to do so. I'm not fit enough to ride around one, granted, but watching the action in person would be incredible

When it comes to my own cycling, I do enjoy road cycling the most. There are some good traffic-free routes, but when there's the opportunity to put the power down and get the rpm up, it's all about the roads for me. Not many dog walkers on the roads after all

I am keen to see where you may end up tomorrow, and I'm pleased to hear I've inspired someone with one of my trips. I'm hoping to now be back out next week, pending strike action. It was to be Sunday, but I've had to take today off to recover from whatever's causing aches and such like. Hopefully back to work tomorrow after a full day of rest, if that goes well I may be out on Sunday but otherwise I think it'll be Wednesday.

*goes off to check for strike dates*

 

[D841 Roebuck]

25th May 2023 - Riding the Big Green Thing

I hadn't previously had the privilege (?) of a trip behind the preserved A3 Pacific 60103, so booked tickets for a run at Keighley. Come the day, tram 3096 (which seems to be stalking me at the moment) took me up the hill to the station, and 195113 took me to Hebden Bridge, for the bus to Oxenhope. I had time for a coffee whilst waiting at Hebden Bridge, and was pleased to see
70809 storm through en-route to Haverton Hill just before the bus arrived. And a named bus - "Anne Bronte", which took me to Oxenhope amidst dire warnings from the driver of heavy traffic.

And so it proved, with parked cars and coaches making it difficult for the bus to get through the village, not helped by a very senior plain clothes policeman trying to issue instructions to the bus driver which would have resulted in it crashing, and losing his temper when the driver (reasonably) refused to crash. Eventually, when a couple of double parked cars had shifted, I got to the bus stop, dismounted and walked up to the station, where my route to the area where tickets were to be collected was barriered off…

However, I knew the station geography quite well, so detoured via the platform and a side passage, only to come to a halt when I realised I was about to gatecrash a private event. I tried to look inconspicuous as was possible in a Panama hat, tartan fleece and shorts whilst the railway officials continued their welcoming speeches to HRH The Duke of Kent, then retreated the way I had came when they had finished, hoping to remain unnoticed - which I almost was, but for a slight nod and smile from the Duke (who may have recognised me from 50 years ago when I sat 10 or so rows behind the Royal Box at Wembley for the FA Cup final where he was presenting the trophy!)

The "Scotsman" then arrived, and the Duke and entourage went off to look at it, so I got my tickets, found my seat (next to the bar) and acquired a bottle of fruity cider for the trip. Standard 2MT tank 78022 was at the downhill end of the train, so was in charge for a slowish chug down to Keighley (Scotsman is apparently too fat to run round trains at the KWVR).

The main event then came around, with 60103 leading back up the hill. This wasn't a fast trip, and it was clear that 78022 was still doing a lot of the work, so I baled out at Haworth, for a mooch around and some photos, considered and declined going back to Keighley by bus and eventually joined Standard 4 4-6-0 75078 for a run up to Oxenhope and back to Keighley. 75078 was on its usual good form and both runs were enjoyable.

At Keighley I started homewards via Leeds. 333005 was perfectly on time, and gave a good connection onto the Newcastle to Liverpool service. Whilst I wasn't able to score it from Bolton the previous week there was no objection at Leeds to me boarding winner 802212, for a run to, since it stopped there,a new shack at Slaithwaite. Even better was my escape from here, with a short but noisy run behind 68029 to Huddersfield. A trip round to Brighouse on 150276 to pick up comfy 158755 on a Wigan train as far as Rochdale, and tram 3052 completed the day with a run down to town.

Locos, etc noted at the KWVR were:
D2511, 08994, 20031, 37075
144011, M50928
D32 "Huskisson"
48431, 51218, 60103, 75078, 78022, 80002
Hudswell #1782

A decent day out, with the Duke perhaps upstaging the big green thing!

 

[Techniquest]

I would agree the Duke would have been a much more exciting event than the Flying Scotsman!

 

[xotGD]

This wasn't a fast trip

There are additional speed restrictions for FS due to its weight. Hence the extra slow run.

You got it in the book, anyway.

Perhaps we need to start a "Famous people spotted at heritage railways" thread? I saw Winston Churchill at the KWVR during the Haworth 1940s weekend last year, but I think he might have been an impostor!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

27/05/2023 - Off the Well Beaten Tracks..

The day started with the familiar - tram 3107 up the hill to Rochdale station then 158903+158792 to Manchester Victoria. Tram 3125 took me across to Piccadilly, and 221127 (remarkably, my first 221 of the year), down to Macclesfield, passing 08721 enroute.

I then walked up the hill to the bus station, noticing a distinct lack of places to get a coffee in the vicinity, then joined the #109 Leek bus service, passing Macclesfield FC's ground then out into the countryside. (The bus was an Optare Solo, PO56ROU, for those who like this level of detail.) Twenty minutes later a lake appeared to the right, then we pulled off the Leek Road, ducked under a promising-looking railway arch and was deposited at the edge of Rudyard village. I strolled back down to the arch, then up to the right and found Nirvana!

This consisted of a very tidy station, complete with cafe and an engine shed full of promising looking, if somewhat small, locomotives. First job was (of course) a coffee, and I crossed the footbridge to the Platform 2 cafe to order one, making history in a small way as the cafe had only opened that day and l was its first ever customer (there were plenty of other passengers about, but being mostly families with kids and dogs they were better organised than me and had already breakfasted!). Sadly, my arrival preceded that of any sausages (carnivorous or vegan), but a cheese roll filled the gap well enough.

Due to the bus service being two hourly (the Han Solo shuttling hither and yon between Macc and Leek) and the trains running half-hourly due to the splendid weather, I had plenty of time, so let the first couple of trains go, then joined the third, headed by "King Arthur" (Works No. Exmoor 324/2005), for a trip to the Northern terminus of the line at Hunthouse Wood, passing non-stop through the intermediate station of The Dam, which is served by Southbound trains only. The line itself runs alongside a popular footpath, with plenty of people exercising their dogs (virtually every possible breed was noticed, except for dachshunds), then running alongside a rather splendid reservoir, with wooded banks and various boats, etc, to hire from the opposite bank. Scenically superb, and well worth a visit even if little trains are not your thing.

There isn't much at Hunthouse Wood, so after 10 minutes I returned behind King Arthur to The Dam (very accurately named), then had a walk across the actual dam to the resort area on the West side, passing several more dogs and their humans, then returned to The Dam to pick up the second engine in use, "Lady Jane Gray" (works number not noted, but from the name presumably worked the Guildford-Dudley route) for the short run back to Rudyard station. I then walked back up to the bus stop, passing a garage enroute which seemed to by a Range Rover dealership, but had, appropriately, an old "Exceedingly Good Cakes" sign from Mr Kipling on display.

"Han the Solo" turned up on time, and took me back to Macc, where I had 40 minutes to source a late lunch (Spar, on this occasion) then joined another Optare Solo (YJ66AOG) on the #60 New Mills service. This was another pleasant country ride, slightly spoiled by a friend of the driver being on board and insisting on telling his mate, tediously and at length, about his new flat and the problems of getting an internet connection there. I'd had enough by Whaley Bridge, so got off there and returned to the proper big trains.

First up was a pair, 150118+150119, to Chapel-en-le-Frith on a time-filling move. Then 150101 took me to Furness Vale, a required shack and rather a pleasant one. 150106 then took me to my last required shack on the line at Dove Holes, which has one of the most awkward changes from Up to Down platforms I have come across, just making 150119+150118 again to trundle me down to Stockport. I dived off here for a fast train to Manchester, which turned out to be a late-running 158780+158854, conveniently into platform 13, where it was due to be followed (and indeed was followed) by winner 197011 + dud 197008, duly scooped in for the ned move to Oxford Road.

I had a walk here, across to St Peter's Square for tram 3030 to Victoria, 156408+150141 up to Castleton, passing the somnolent 09009 in its usual spot, for some beer - which turned into several, and a karaoke and takeaway curry, mainly due to a young chap bringing his rather sweet dachshund to the pub. After all it's not every day you can score some new track, new shacks, nice bus routes, a gratuitous Welsh Popty-Ping unit AND the entire cast of "Crufts, The Musical" in one go!

A great day out, highly recommended…

 

[Techniquest]

It certainly sounds like fun on the Rudyard line, I've not done it before but good to know there is a good bus service to it. Not done the bus from Macclesfield to New Mills yet, it does sound like a good one to do though. I highly recommend the Macc to Buxton bus if you get the chance to do it, a nice scenic ride taking in a lot of the Peak District. Some big climbs in both directions on the A road, but absolutely worth the bus journey. I don't think I'd cope with the elevation gains on two wheels, but I would love to do it!

I'd also recommend Buxton to Matlock on the bus too, that was a nice and scenic ride. Always good to do these things when there's £2 fares available!

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good day trip

 

[D841 Roebuck]

May 2023 summary.

I did pop out on 29/05/2023 with the hope of some winners, but after I'd picked up 331027 for a run from Salford Crescent to Manchester Piccadilly (with dud 331023) my plans for a couple of TFW winners were kyboshed by an incident at Wilmslow. I had an hour to spare before the other Northern winner was in range, so I made the best of a bad job, took 195127 to Belle Vue to score the dullish shack, walked to Ryder Brow and caught 156441 back. I then scored my last 331 (331031 with dud 331024) on a run up to Salford Crescent and went home, courtesy of 150110+150134.

Anyway, May's totals, etc:
Mileage for May 1284.8
Mileage YTD: 7628.1

Best New Shack: Wareham just pips Olton and Furness Vale

Dullest New Shack: Belle Vue

Best Loco: 37263 just pips 37294

Dullest Loco: Flying Scotsman

As for June, it starts quietly with a strike meaning a long, dull, tram ride to Stretford on Saturday. However things liven up the following week, when a plethora of galas as well as a quiz means, er, an ALR seems the most sensible(!) option…

 

[Techniquest]

Well done on clearing the 331/0s, a task I am only 2 behind you on. Your June sounds like it should be fun, I'm having similar problems due to the strikes taking the absolute mickey again. It's meant more use of buses, but I guess I should be grateful as it gives me opportunity to focus on cycling etc!

 

[NorthWestRover]

I need one 331/0 and one 195/1...

 

[D841 Roebuck]

To Middlesbrough via the Stupid Route - ALR Day 1 (07/06/2023)

When you have three events you want to attend the same weekend, in West Somerset, Teesside and North Norfolk, the answer is an All–Line Rover…

My first steed of the week was 195001 on a straightforward run over to Halifax to connect with the early Grand Central down to London. After sourcing the usual scalding hot (but very nice) coffee and sausage sandwich I joined 180104 for a smooth, uneventful run down to Kings Cross. Objects of interest seen on the way down included 73962 at Doncaster, 57012 somewhat randomly at Newark and ex-C2C 387303 at Peterborough. At Kings Cross I found that, unsurprisingly, ALR's do not work automatic ticket gates. Perhaps if the reverse of penalty fares applied, where TOCs were fined if their machine failed to recognise a valid ticket, this situation would be corrected! This was compounded next-door at St Pancras when the surly muppet on the ticket line refused to recognise the ticket, however he had a more pleasant colleague who intervened, passed me through to the platform and (hopefully) passed on a bit of knowledge. Fortunately, this was the last time this happened for the whole trip, all other gateline staff being helpful, friendly and a credit to their profession.

Anyway (rant over) I now boarded the first winner of the trip, 395003 trailing dud 395022 for a fast trip to Ashford. It was now time for some random shack attacking, with winner 171729 taking me to new shack Appledore, where I reversed myself and waited for another winner in 171812 to take me back to new shack (Green Eggs and) Ham Street, for a fester for the same unit on a longer run through to new shack ('tis a pity she's an) Ore. Here was a supermarket which did a meal deal, then 171729 returned me as far as new shack Winchelsea (but not with Frank Lampard in charge). The third unit on this run turned out to be dud 171805, which took me through to Warrior Square (not a new shack).

The stabiliser rail had appeared from Ore onwards, and supplied the power for double winners 375618+375701 to a shack score at Battle, where a rapid stroll over the bridge enabled me to join a slightly late-running winner/dud pair in 375904+375619 to an unplanned bonus shack score at West St Leonard's, where after a short wait dud/winner pair 375702+375806 took me to Hastings.

Now for something completely different - some new track! I walked down through Hastings to the front, then scored the East Cabin, from Bottom to Top of Hastings West Cliff Lift (which is mostly in tunnel. Alighting at the top, I had a quick look at the castle and walked back to the station, via an ice cream van.

Back to the proper trains, and another new shack score. William the Conqueror landed at Pevensey Bay and headed North from there; I was heading back North (eventually), but had previously alighted at Pevensey Bay (in 2004), so settled for scoring Pevensey and Westham instead, courtesy of dud 171812. Following behind was winner 377138, though, and this went via a reversal at Eastbourne where it collected another winner in 377411, which so excited me that I fell asleep, fortuitously waking to score Wivelsfield as planned.

Here there was trouble - all trains delayed due to trespassers at Preston Park, so I adjourned to the pub next-door to await developments. A pint of Doom Bar and packet of Cheese and Chive crisps later things seem to have been resolved, and I revised my plan slightly. Firstly, winner 700102 took me down to Hassocks for the shack score, then double winners 377104+377474 round a curve which I'd previously travelled once, in 1971(!) to another new shack at Hove, where a raft of recently withdrawn Class 313s awaited their fate. A short wait here and winner 377301 took me round to Brighton.

From here, I completed the third side of the triangle, on triple winning Gatwick Express units 387226+387206+387213 to (appropriately) Gatwick Airport, this finally clearing my Network Rail operated shacks (I had flown from the airport as a kid, but don't recall how I got there). A short wait, and a further winner in 700131 took me to Blackfriars.

It would be rude not to have a go on underground, so I cracked out the oyster and headed downstairs. A nice winning pair in 21371/21372 took me to Embankment, but I wasn't as lucky on the Bakerloo line, with duds 3559/3238 on the first train. As I had time in hand I stepped back a service at Regents Park, and was rewarded with winners 3555/3239 to Paddington.

It was now food time - the Paddington area is well supplied with eateries, and I found a very nice and reasonably priced Donner Kebab sandwich at a takeaway, ate this in the warm evening, grabbed a couple of cereal bars and a bottle of Vimto for breakfast at Sainsbury's (I thought, what about, Breakfast at Sainsbury's; this time, though, I'll remember the juice…)

I then boarded the Night Riviera, and at 23:45 dud 57602 took me rumbling off westwards…

 

[Techniquest]

A most productive first day there, it sure kept the red pen busy and I rather enjoyed the comments on station names

Just wanted to point out a typo at Hove, where you've got it down as 323s not 313s. I honestly thought I'd missed something for a moment

 

[87electric]

Muppets, Doom Bar, cheese & chive crisps and rapid strolls! Sounds like one of my day bashes. Good report, keep 'em coming.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

A most productive first day there, it sure kept the red pen busy and I rather enjoyed the comments on station names

Just wanted to point out a typo at Hove, where you've got it down as 323s not 313s. I honestly thought I'd missed something for a moment

Typo now corrected! (I did proof-read the post before posting, but missed that one )

Interestingly, Real Time Trains showed the Night Riviera for the night I caught the train being operated by 57602 AND 57603 as far as Reading. 603 was at the blocks at Paddington and had presumably worked the empty stock in and was working back to save a path. Don't know if it did any actual shoving, so haven't officially recorded it. Not had 603 as a 57, but did have it as 47349 yonks ago at an ELR gala, so as I go by bodyshells it's dud, anyway

 

[D841 Roebuck]

.

 

[Kite159]

Typo now corrected! (I did proof-read the post before posting, but missed that one )

Interestingly, Real Time Trains showed the Night Riviera for the night I caught the train being operated by 57602 AND 57603 as far as Reading. 603 was at the blocks at Paddington and had presumably worked the empty stock in and was working back to save a path. Don't know if it did any actual shoving, so haven't officially recorded it. Not had 603 as a 57, but did have it as 47349 yonks ago at an ELR gala, so as I go by bodyshells it's dud, anyway

I believe the rear 57 is taken to Reading where it detaches (saves a path) but is dead in tow. Similar the inbound sleeper gets a 57 put on the rear at Reading for the ride to Paddington.

 

[gabrielhj07]

At Kings Cross I found that, unsurprisingly, ALR's do not work automatic ticket gates.

How odd, King’s Cross was one of the only stations that let mine through.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

08/06/2023 ALR Day 2. Heading back a bit North, with a diversion.

You left me on the Night Riviera, trundling westwards. I eventually got to sleep somewhere in the Kennet Valley, woke briefly at Exeter, slept again, then woke and sourced a coffee once we arrived at Plymouth. I then ate my breakfast whilst enjoying the views of the early morning sun on the Hamoaze and Lynher River, eventually getting off at Liskeard in order to meet a train going the other way. Winner 802001 soon arrived, and took me to the first new shack of the day at Saltash, a pleasant spot in the shadow of Brunel's bridge. A few minutes later another winner appeared, with 802008 taking me back West again as far as St Germans, another new shack and another very pleasant station.

The next train was much more old school, in the shape of 150248. This was not a winner, but since the only previous time I'd sampled it was on 6th August 1987, when it was brand new and took me back from Manchester to Rochdale at the end of a week's Freedom of Scotland, it was the next best thing and still performing competently as it trundled me along to a new shack at Devonport. This was not as scenic as the first two, but still impressively situated at the bottom of a large cutting. Rescue from here was on even older motive power, with winner 43098 topping and dud 43122 tailing the through Cardiff train, on which I promptly fell asleep and missed the scenic Dawlish bit for the second time in a few hours. I did wake up, though, in time to get off as planned at Taunton.

It was now time to get sidetracked, and I did so in spades. The #28 Butlins Bus was boarded outside the station, and took me on a pleasant run to Bishop's Lydeard station. Here I acquired a day Rover, and set about enjoying some superior haulage. This started with the most appropriate engine for the line in Hymek D7017, which was its usual entertaining self when taking me through to Washford. Next up was the Wonderland Zoo, with a Bear Pair Bunch headed by local D9526 and tailed by elusive and winning D9551, which for once decided not to pull a sickie on my approach (it had previous form for this) and the bears coughed vigorously enough to get me to Williton.

Time now for Ursas Minor to be replaced by Rattus Norvegicus, as Pete Waterman's beautifully restored rodent 25309 made its guest appearance and took me noisily back to Watchet,for a short break and same-platform-interchange-with-heavy-rucksack. This was onto another winner/dud combination, although in this case local resident 33057 was the winner and guest partner 33002 was dud, with another entertaining run ensuing back to Williton.

Time now for a loco which may well have had Middlesbrough as a destination in the past, but 55009's destination this time was a different seaside town beginning with M, as I joined the final leg of the Alycidon Goes To Minehead tour. Sadly, there was no time for a celebratory ice cream as things were running behind time and so 25309 headed out again after only a few minutes, taking me this time all the way to Norton Fitzwarren and scoring me the track beyond Bishop's Lydeard in the process. The rat then returned me to Bishop's Lydeard, a mooch in the shop and the bus back to Taunton.

I had a couple of options from here, but a look at Real Time Trains decided me if favour of going via Westbury and the low-lying fields of Athelney. This gave me time to grab some grub at Costa, then double winners 802011+802014 took me to Westbury. A wait here whilst two late-running trains decided what order they were going in, then winner 168218 took me to a new shack at Bradford on Avon, a rather pleasant place as far as I could tell in the five minutes before winner 158747 appeared for the run to Bath. Final train, and winner, of the day was 802112 - to Swindon where I had booked in at the Travelodge for the night.

 

[Techniquest]

Some decent amount of scores there, and some nice routes to boot I don't remember a ton of stuff about Bradford-on-Avon either, which is a little embarrassing considering I once lived down the road in Trowbridge. Mind you, if I'd had the active lifestyle I have now back then, I'd have not had the experience of the railway that I have acquired! As you can imagine, I have similar knowledge of the town and I have now put it on my list of places to go and have a proper full-on explore of. Maybe on two wheels, maybe on two feet or even a combination of both!

Hopefully the Travelodge wasn't too grim!