Techniquest
Veteran Member
Hey all,
Finally time to get on with some of these coming-of-age trip reports. I'll start with my oldest one in the queue, the Isle of Wight bash. Without any further delay then, here we go:
11th September 2011 - Day 1
My first bash on a 'proper' train since the end of my ALR, the previous bash being on the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway on 29th August. I definitely feel like I've earned this bash, having worked 48 hours this week! Anyway, since I've two days off in a row I'm off for a bash. The Isle of Wight has been bugging me for a long time, so finally it's going to be done! Up 40 minutes early, plenty of time to get ready then. It being a Sunday, Mum's driving me to Hereford, sadly not for a train but a replacement coach to Newport. My sister Francesca comes with us as she's off to London, and we leave on Lugg Valley's GIL 2633 at 1005. 63 minutes later, we're in Newport and I head to Upper Class for a coffee move. I'd forgotten just how long the walk down the platform is now, but somehow I make it in time back to platform 4 to grab one of the comfy seats on the 158, which I later discover to be 158951. Finally, 6 months after I had originally planned to get all the 3-car 158s with FGW done for the year, I get my last one for 2011. The plan had been to do them all within the first 6 months of the year, but hey ho. On the slows (sorry, reliefs on the Western) to Severn Tunnel Junction, due to engineers working at Bishton Crossing. Felt weird going over the flyover on a 158! We're held outside Patchway for a few minutes, during said interlude I expect a diversion via Bristol Parkway.
Sure enough, that's where we're going. Tiny bit of extra mileage then, and an extreme bonus in that we're put in the Up Passenger Loop, but a shame we're not going the whole way really as I still need the rest of the loop! On the way to Bristol proper, I start wondering about other track in the SWT/Southern area I still need. As it's a Sunday, the best bit to aim for would be Addlestone Junction to Byfleet and New Haw. Not sure yet, shall check out the ching later. Finally we reach Temple Meads at 1218, and jeez the coupling up to another 158 was rough as hell! Reminded me somewhat of the 442s coupling at Bournemouth, that was always bad. We finally head out 13 minutes late, and I can't wait to get to Portsmouth now. I wonder why on Earth we've got 6 coaches though, don't normally need this many on a Sunday. Still, I take advantage of it and find a table seat instead of the airline one I have, loads of them available so I get on with my Quails. The first bit of the Scottish Quail is done as is progress from the ALR, and as we pass through Westbury I note 08737, which I needed for sight. Time then to fight this gel pen to get it colouring in more ALR progress, which took until Redbridge. Just in time for the highlight of the day, observing what's on Millbrook FLT. Noted were 66524/569/535/565/505/536/537/543/70007. No 66s needed but I did need 70007. 9 of them seen now, and we get held for a considerable time on the Down Main after Southampton Tunnel, presumably for a path behind the Voyager. It should have been well out of the way by now, but I decide it's lunchtime finally so tuck into my ham sandwiches.
Eventually we go forward, possible signal failure, and take the first available crossover. Surprisingly, we overtake the Voyager which was held just before St Denys. Strange that, and we charge on towards Eastleigh. Didn't know of this diversion, so most welcome extra mileage. 3 hours and 10 minutes after leaving Newport, we depart from the reversal at Eastleigh, and arrive eventually into Fratton at 1509. This was the nearest station to the Travelodge, and a 25-30 minute walk later I check in and find my room. A quick coffee is had before walking back to Fratton for a train to the Harbour. As I didn't have my NREA on me, I didn't know at the time but got required haulage on 444017 with the 1650 off Fratton. I have a wander around Portsmouth and end up at the hoverport to watch some arrive/leave. Awesome was my first reaction, and I go to the beach this time and get a better shot. I decide there and then that I'm going this way tomorrow to the Isle, and pop back into town for tea. The White Swan is my port of call, and I get a roast pork tea and a pint of Guiness for just £5.59. Well worth the money, and I scoop another Wetherspoon, this time Isambard Kingdom Brunel. A pint of Carlsberg was only £1.99, yep I'll have one! Time after that to retire to the Travelodge for the night, where paperwork from the bash was finished and a de-rancify was required. I finish the evening with some more work on the Quails, then finally start dossing out.
12th September 2011 - Day 2
Up again after a relaxing night at 0630 and off I go at 0657. Annoyingly, the weather sucks today. A stop at McDonalds is had for a bacon roll breakfast, and after much battling the wind and rain I arrive at the Hoverport 51 minutes after leaving the Travelodge. £15.50 later, I have my combined hovercraft travel and Island Line ticket. The Hovercraft are fun to watch, but they're also great fun to travel on! The ride is over so quickly and I make my way to Ryde Esplanade. 483006 becomes my first 483 for sight, and I join it with 483004 for the short run to Ryde Pier Head. The same pair are taken straight back out to Shanklin, and ain't the ride bouncy! Good fun on jointed track though, and I get the same pair to Lake for a station grice. 8 minutes later, 483007+009 take me to Shanklin before returning with them to Ryde St Johns Road. A 483 is outside the depot, assumed to be withdrawn 483003, but no numbers visible. No sign of 002 or 008, doubt I'll ever see them. A 20 minute wait results in 007 and 009 again, this time to Sandown for another station grice. Another 20 minute walk results in the same pair to Smallbrook Junction for the steam railway.
They don't do cards here, but they allow me to travel to Haven Street where I'll be able to use it there. Waggoner is the loco today, and I find a compartment. I'll be honest, I didn't find the run that enjoyable, and after a 20 minute journey we reach Wootton. A middle-of-nowhere station, I'm glad we haven't long here before we leave. At Haven Street, I get my ticket and re-join the train to enjoy the company of a couple from Yorkshire on holiday. 483007+009 turn up for my journey to Brading, my final station grice on the Island Line. 483004+006 produce for my last northbound train and I take it to the pier again for one last journey on them back to Esplanade. The amount of mucky people coming back from the festival was crazy, and annoyingly the wind has picked up so the 15 minute frequency has dropped to a 30 minute one and only with Solent Express. Had that one this morning and I was hoping to get another one in the book. Never mind, I get to go straight past the queues of the flithy people, although the woman at the barrier inside seemed to think I was one of the beer-swogglers! The wait is thankfully not too long, and the sea is a bit choppy but not as bad as I was expecting. Another walk comes up after the sea crossing, something I've done loads of on this trip!
Lunch finally comes in the form of a 6" turkey, ham and cheese sub with BBQ sauce, toasted of course, from Subway. Had to have a coffee and cookie too, all totalling £3.99. Shame I still don't know where my Subcard is, those points would have been welcome! Back at Southsea station, I don't need 444029 or 377466, so I settle with 158957 all the way to Newport and I find a comfortable seat on the correct side of the train for Millbrook. The way to Northam is spent updating this from wherever I left off, and on Millbrook was 66518/565/505/588/70007. Score with 66588! More festival flith enthusiasts join the train at Southampton Central, in such numbers that meant we left 8 minutes late! The bag and my books have to go to the luggage rack for now, and it's not until Westbury when the train empties considerably and I can get room to move to a table to work on my Quails. That bump at Yarnbrook is STILL there, what on Earth is going on?! Feels like invading enemy territory randomly, and it must be said that the weather is vastly improved on this morning!
As I finish off this report late on 18th September, I recall almost all of the trip back to Newport was spent making my Eastern Quail up to date. Still loads to do in my new Southern book and my Scottish one, but the next bash will see progress on book 5. We finally reach Newport 7 minutes late at 1732, and I meet back up with Francesca for a rush to platform 4 for the 1736 to Holyhead. The journey passes without incident and we arrive at 1824. Fuel for the car, some chips we're off home. Summary of the bash then: Totally worth doing, very glad I went and I enjoyed the 1938 stock way more than I thought I would do. The steam railway, not so much but it's in and out of the way now. Mission complete, other than sighting those other 483s. Stats then:
Total mileage for the trip: 352m10c.
Highest mileage on one train: 128m65c on 158957.
Lowest mileage on one train: 0m32c on 483004+006, twice!
Best part of the trip: The ride to Shanklin, closely followed by the hovercraft.
Worst part of the trip: IoW Steam Railway, at least it's done now.
No random quotes as I wasn't listening out for them then.
Finally time to get on with some of these coming-of-age trip reports. I'll start with my oldest one in the queue, the Isle of Wight bash. Without any further delay then, here we go:
11th September 2011 - Day 1
My first bash on a 'proper' train since the end of my ALR, the previous bash being on the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway on 29th August. I definitely feel like I've earned this bash, having worked 48 hours this week! Anyway, since I've two days off in a row I'm off for a bash. The Isle of Wight has been bugging me for a long time, so finally it's going to be done! Up 40 minutes early, plenty of time to get ready then. It being a Sunday, Mum's driving me to Hereford, sadly not for a train but a replacement coach to Newport. My sister Francesca comes with us as she's off to London, and we leave on Lugg Valley's GIL 2633 at 1005. 63 minutes later, we're in Newport and I head to Upper Class for a coffee move. I'd forgotten just how long the walk down the platform is now, but somehow I make it in time back to platform 4 to grab one of the comfy seats on the 158, which I later discover to be 158951. Finally, 6 months after I had originally planned to get all the 3-car 158s with FGW done for the year, I get my last one for 2011. The plan had been to do them all within the first 6 months of the year, but hey ho. On the slows (sorry, reliefs on the Western) to Severn Tunnel Junction, due to engineers working at Bishton Crossing. Felt weird going over the flyover on a 158! We're held outside Patchway for a few minutes, during said interlude I expect a diversion via Bristol Parkway.
Sure enough, that's where we're going. Tiny bit of extra mileage then, and an extreme bonus in that we're put in the Up Passenger Loop, but a shame we're not going the whole way really as I still need the rest of the loop! On the way to Bristol proper, I start wondering about other track in the SWT/Southern area I still need. As it's a Sunday, the best bit to aim for would be Addlestone Junction to Byfleet and New Haw. Not sure yet, shall check out the ching later. Finally we reach Temple Meads at 1218, and jeez the coupling up to another 158 was rough as hell! Reminded me somewhat of the 442s coupling at Bournemouth, that was always bad. We finally head out 13 minutes late, and I can't wait to get to Portsmouth now. I wonder why on Earth we've got 6 coaches though, don't normally need this many on a Sunday. Still, I take advantage of it and find a table seat instead of the airline one I have, loads of them available so I get on with my Quails. The first bit of the Scottish Quail is done as is progress from the ALR, and as we pass through Westbury I note 08737, which I needed for sight. Time then to fight this gel pen to get it colouring in more ALR progress, which took until Redbridge. Just in time for the highlight of the day, observing what's on Millbrook FLT. Noted were 66524/569/535/565/505/536/537/543/70007. No 66s needed but I did need 70007. 9 of them seen now, and we get held for a considerable time on the Down Main after Southampton Tunnel, presumably for a path behind the Voyager. It should have been well out of the way by now, but I decide it's lunchtime finally so tuck into my ham sandwiches.
Eventually we go forward, possible signal failure, and take the first available crossover. Surprisingly, we overtake the Voyager which was held just before St Denys. Strange that, and we charge on towards Eastleigh. Didn't know of this diversion, so most welcome extra mileage. 3 hours and 10 minutes after leaving Newport, we depart from the reversal at Eastleigh, and arrive eventually into Fratton at 1509. This was the nearest station to the Travelodge, and a 25-30 minute walk later I check in and find my room. A quick coffee is had before walking back to Fratton for a train to the Harbour. As I didn't have my NREA on me, I didn't know at the time but got required haulage on 444017 with the 1650 off Fratton. I have a wander around Portsmouth and end up at the hoverport to watch some arrive/leave. Awesome was my first reaction, and I go to the beach this time and get a better shot. I decide there and then that I'm going this way tomorrow to the Isle, and pop back into town for tea. The White Swan is my port of call, and I get a roast pork tea and a pint of Guiness for just £5.59. Well worth the money, and I scoop another Wetherspoon, this time Isambard Kingdom Brunel. A pint of Carlsberg was only £1.99, yep I'll have one! Time after that to retire to the Travelodge for the night, where paperwork from the bash was finished and a de-rancify was required. I finish the evening with some more work on the Quails, then finally start dossing out.
12th September 2011 - Day 2
Up again after a relaxing night at 0630 and off I go at 0657. Annoyingly, the weather sucks today. A stop at McDonalds is had for a bacon roll breakfast, and after much battling the wind and rain I arrive at the Hoverport 51 minutes after leaving the Travelodge. £15.50 later, I have my combined hovercraft travel and Island Line ticket. The Hovercraft are fun to watch, but they're also great fun to travel on! The ride is over so quickly and I make my way to Ryde Esplanade. 483006 becomes my first 483 for sight, and I join it with 483004 for the short run to Ryde Pier Head. The same pair are taken straight back out to Shanklin, and ain't the ride bouncy! Good fun on jointed track though, and I get the same pair to Lake for a station grice. 8 minutes later, 483007+009 take me to Shanklin before returning with them to Ryde St Johns Road. A 483 is outside the depot, assumed to be withdrawn 483003, but no numbers visible. No sign of 002 or 008, doubt I'll ever see them. A 20 minute wait results in 007 and 009 again, this time to Sandown for another station grice. Another 20 minute walk results in the same pair to Smallbrook Junction for the steam railway.
They don't do cards here, but they allow me to travel to Haven Street where I'll be able to use it there. Waggoner is the loco today, and I find a compartment. I'll be honest, I didn't find the run that enjoyable, and after a 20 minute journey we reach Wootton. A middle-of-nowhere station, I'm glad we haven't long here before we leave. At Haven Street, I get my ticket and re-join the train to enjoy the company of a couple from Yorkshire on holiday. 483007+009 turn up for my journey to Brading, my final station grice on the Island Line. 483004+006 produce for my last northbound train and I take it to the pier again for one last journey on them back to Esplanade. The amount of mucky people coming back from the festival was crazy, and annoyingly the wind has picked up so the 15 minute frequency has dropped to a 30 minute one and only with Solent Express. Had that one this morning and I was hoping to get another one in the book. Never mind, I get to go straight past the queues of the flithy people, although the woman at the barrier inside seemed to think I was one of the beer-swogglers! The wait is thankfully not too long, and the sea is a bit choppy but not as bad as I was expecting. Another walk comes up after the sea crossing, something I've done loads of on this trip!
Lunch finally comes in the form of a 6" turkey, ham and cheese sub with BBQ sauce, toasted of course, from Subway. Had to have a coffee and cookie too, all totalling £3.99. Shame I still don't know where my Subcard is, those points would have been welcome! Back at Southsea station, I don't need 444029 or 377466, so I settle with 158957 all the way to Newport and I find a comfortable seat on the correct side of the train for Millbrook. The way to Northam is spent updating this from wherever I left off, and on Millbrook was 66518/565/505/588/70007. Score with 66588! More festival flith enthusiasts join the train at Southampton Central, in such numbers that meant we left 8 minutes late! The bag and my books have to go to the luggage rack for now, and it's not until Westbury when the train empties considerably and I can get room to move to a table to work on my Quails. That bump at Yarnbrook is STILL there, what on Earth is going on?! Feels like invading enemy territory randomly, and it must be said that the weather is vastly improved on this morning!
As I finish off this report late on 18th September, I recall almost all of the trip back to Newport was spent making my Eastern Quail up to date. Still loads to do in my new Southern book and my Scottish one, but the next bash will see progress on book 5. We finally reach Newport 7 minutes late at 1732, and I meet back up with Francesca for a rush to platform 4 for the 1736 to Holyhead. The journey passes without incident and we arrive at 1824. Fuel for the car, some chips we're off home. Summary of the bash then: Totally worth doing, very glad I went and I enjoyed the 1938 stock way more than I thought I would do. The steam railway, not so much but it's in and out of the way now. Mission complete, other than sighting those other 483s. Stats then:
Total mileage for the trip: 352m10c.
Highest mileage on one train: 128m65c on 158957.
Lowest mileage on one train: 0m32c on 483004+006, twice!
Best part of the trip: The ride to Shanklin, closely followed by the hovercraft.
Worst part of the trip: IoW Steam Railway, at least it's done now.
No random quotes as I wasn't listening out for them then.
2012's ALR has already seen advances in planning, almost settled on a date. I had considered starting on 1st January 2012 on it, but I know I won't have quite enough by now and my holiday time is pretty much used up. As soon as I can then after April!