heart-of-wessex
Established Member
Hello all,
Here is my next report for this year. I named it the PowerHaul bash as it has two meanings in one. First it was mainly a bash on the Abercot Generator tour, where the Power bit came from and also it was hauled by a 3,000hp powerful (though not always!) loco (Class 66).
So, I could tell you that the day started at Trowbridge after work, but I'd be lying as much as Cameron if I said that! Officially it started at lunchtime on the 1229 Weymouth service which was formed of 2 car 158766.
I went to Westbury to pick up my pre-booked tickets finally from the TVM for the bash later on. As I returned to the platform, I was surprised to see 2 Colas 47s roll through on the back road on the Washwood Heath to Westbury Light Engine move!
I then leapt on 150248 back to Trowbridge on the 1252 ex-Weymouth, then returned to work. After work..the bash began properly!
Friday 13th January 2012
I stormed off to the station via the Barclay's ATM where as I was taking a tenner out, I noted a ticket and a set of keys on the ATM. For a minute, I thought it was my keys and ticket...what the bloody hell did I do that for!?? But no, it was someone else's. I didn't quite know what to do! I had no time to hand it in to the Police Station that was more likely shut, and the bank isn't open at 1900 hours, so I left it as I doubt anyone knew what it was for, and someone may remember that they left it there and hunt it down.
So I get to the station with 3 minutes to spare so I don't have to deckchair on the platform like I usually do when I get there hours early!
Before, When I got home from work, I noted the ex-Brighton unit was showing on time at Barnham on the Live Departures board, but it will be 3 late at Freshford :?
It was showing on time at the station at around 1946...but this soon changed to 3 late...that bloody Westbury blocker in force again!
Hybrid 158956 was on this ex-Brighton service today, a TOPS number most travelled on according to RM stats (not a lot of miles though http://james143611.railmiles.org/tops-158956/). Sure enough, we were actually late into Freshford in the end.
It took us around 21 minutes to do Bradford-on-Avon to Bath, and I noted that we were due off on a delay time of 2015...but the staff let us out at around 2013...two minutes early on the delay time
hock: BLOODY HELL! hock:
Due to our delay, we got held at Bristol East at 2028 to allow the 2030 HST leave from P13 or P15 at BTM. Once this passed, we arrived into P13 at 2034.
Still, easy time to make the 2041, so I looked on the screens and saw the 2041 Worcester was due off P5. I stroll over to P3 and see a delayed 2030 Voyager loading in the platform.
I decide to wait for it to clear and get the 2041 up so there's less fester time at Bristol Parkway.
Errr hang on...why am I on P3 for a train from P5....twit! Back to the stairs, I go Bang Road on the Up Stairs, making use of the Bi-Di operation that is now in use (if it wasn't, it is now!) due to a slow Class 03 in low gear chugging away on the Down Stairs!
158763 is on the Worcester, one of the units fitted with the best seats in the west so I didn't mind.
We left on-time for Parkway. Nothing to note really, though I did like how we powered round the right hand curve on the Filton Diamond layout on full whack...I did wonder if we were going to stop at Parkway!
I bailed at Stoke Gifford AKA Bristol Parkway, and tried to find the route to Dominoes Pizza, but had no luck. Instead I took a walk to Tesco's as I knew where that was.
Either case I had 50 minutes to wait, as getting the 2041 ex-Bristol was the only latest option!
I got some supplies then headed back to Stoke Gifford station, where I saw the Swansea - Paddington HST at P3 with 43005 on the rear. Blimey, been ages since I last saw a 4300x number!!!
Now I've just realised I've forgotten ciggies...bah! I still had bags of time so I went back to Tesco again (not Tresco...Imagine that walk!
) and got a 10-CIG (:P) then wentback AGAIN to the station and had a ciggie. Whilst doing so, I saw a 37/3 and 37/6 on route 73s (Volvo Gemini's) which actually sounded pretty meaty, don't remember them sounding like that! A proper Dennis Dart also came in on the route 18 with a young plain clothed driver...as if he just nicked it after leaving Uni for the day!
Over to Platform 2, I headed for the Coach H stop to wait for the 2141 Swansea HST to arrive. It came in on time with 43063 on the sharp end, and 43030 on the rear. I took a seat at the rear of coach H by 43030 for my First Class trip to Swansea. Why? Well when I booked it, I had the choice of a £4 odd standard advance to Swansea, or a £5 odd first advance to Swansea...so I went for the latter!
I hadn't actually written any notes for this report yet so I took the time to do so, and took me all the way to Newport to fill it in! That was quick...I didn't even remember going through the Severn Tunnel!
As we left Newport, I went to the rear vestibule to hear 43030 power through the tunnel. She sounded pretty good through there with the turbo clearly audible.
I then made a start on my 2012 Bashes log book, which is basically a paper copy of my bashes in one book, since all my bashes end up in various notepads and I can list numbers that I can't add into RailMiles (Rail Replacement bus numbers, metro/tram numbers etc)
Writing in the last Scottish/London bash from last weekend took forever, writing in the hundreds of 319s and 455s I did!
In between to have a break from writing, I read an article in The Times about ticket touts legally re-selling Royal Albert Hall proms night tickets for up to £19,000....HOW MUCH!?!?hock:!!!
We arrived into Swansea at 2320 and as I was putting my stuff into my bag to get ready to leave, I noted that I had no ticket check at all from Bristol Parkway!
It was cold outside but hopefully I can get on the 2345 boat train early.
I also saw the new station concourse which looks much better than the older one!!
As I walked round to Platform 4, 153369 and 150259 arrived from Pembroke Dock. The passengers were tipped out then the 150 was split from the 153, which took 3 attempts to do.
The doors were soon unlocked and I leapt into a warm coach 52259 and checked to see if 150259 is required or not...and sure enough it is required!
2345 came and we headed off for Fishguard on time. Nothing more to note here as I spent the journey sleeping until Fishguard.
When we arrived at 0120, the engines were switched off, something I've never seen done before here when I have done it as usually the engines are left ticking over.
Saturday 14th January 2012
I had a ciggie on the platform then proceeded to the 57259 coach (for the coach scratch!) and waited for our 0150 departure back to Swansea. We left on time, waited for the ticket check then fell asleep for the return trip...though I did wake up briefly at Carmarthen as the gripper was dealing with a fare dodger, and said she'll march him to the ticket machine at Swansea to show that you can buy a ticket from a machine...or something like that...
We arrived into Dinas Abertawe at 0321 and I marched over to P3 for the 0358 Paddington HST, which was ready for boarding. I went to Coach H again as I had another advance I bought before for £5 odds again. Was good value as when I booked, the new feature on FGW's booking page told me that I saved £33 from the walk up fare!
Still, many people would wonder how could I put up with the cold overnight weather...well I hardly had to, since the boat train loaded early so I was only outside for 5 minutes, and since the Paddington HST was unlocked as usual when we arrived back from Fishguard, I was outside for minimal time...most of the night I was roasting!
The 0358 service was formed of 43040 on the rear and 018 providing the lead power to Bristol Parkway.
We left on time and I did a bit of window leaning leaving the station and did the same when we left Neath too. When the turbo was audible as we were kicking up speed, flashbacks came to my head of the great first class bash from Pembroke, standing behind the Valenta at the front window listening to that scream...and also the Bath <-> Bristol bashes from the front window, listening to those Valenta's thrashing out of Bristol TM or Bath with added clag...especially 43172!! Anyway....
Uninteresting trip to Bristol TM via a fester at Bristol Parkway otherwise. Had two ticket checks from two different grippers between Swansea and Neath though...seem to be hot on checks on this one now! I remember doing the 0358 on overnighters last year and not seeing a gripper until at least after Cardiff.
At Bristol, I saw the Paddington HST leave, then I looked at the departures screen to see a platform alteration gala going on! Between 0600 and 0649, all were platform alterations bar the 0630 HST and, understandably, the 0608/0615 Voyagers.
I go outside for a ciggie and see a Walls van parked outside. A random sight I know but I had to note this as I loved the quote on the back of the van "Proper food. Bring it on"
I then hear a Voyager roll into Platform 3, that can only be 5M21 arriving from Barton Hill 15 minutes early.
Back onto the station, I see that Upper Crust has opened half an hour late. So I get a ham and cheese baguette and a free coffee since I have finished all 5 stamps on the loyalty card thing...whatever it's called again....
I investigate what the voyager that has arrived on P3 is, and it's dud 221130 on 1M21 0700 Bristol to Glasgow service.
The doors are unlocked at 0640, and I jump on then start eating my heated baguette....Proper food, BRING IT ON!
We leave on time at 0700, and head to Bristol Parkway where I bail to wait for the Abercot Generator to roll in. As I got off, I noted 43005 on P4 working the Bristol to Cardiff service, hello again!
It wasn't too long of a wait for the charter to arrive. A class 66 rolled in but sounded as though it was switched off, as all I could hear was the genny coach thrashing away behind the loco!
Would it be my first dud Class 66 on a tour? Nope! Required 66002 rolls in on the ECS from Eastleigh, and is on the lead for our tour today, can't complain at that!
I board coach D which I was glad to be allocated to, as the buffet was next door! We leave on time with our load 10 (or load 8 I believe for passenger use) at 0722 but straight after that....we were late! We had a super S.L.O.W cruise to Westerleigh Junction...so slow that it took 13 minutes to do from Bristol Parkway (we were allocated 7 mins)!!! I couldn't think why though, there wasn't really anything that left Parkway in front of us bar the Voyager, which should be long gone by now.
We got on the curve after Westerleigh Junction, and it felt like the driver had just remembered there is more than 2 notches on a Class 66, as we went rocketing round the curve through to Yate and charged up to speed.
An announcement came on to welcome us to the tour, and said the buffet was open for hot/cold food etc, but there was no hot drinks available as yet as the water in the boiler had frozen up!!
According to our book, Haresfield Loop was to be done but actually we went flying past the loop :? The Pathfinder steward mentioned that the Haresfield Loop idea was abolished last night from NR, and wasn't requested by PF anyway. I didn't mind either as I did this loop on the 2011 Christmas spin & win tour. But it still doesn't answer how the 0730 Voyager from Bristol will pass us. Maybe we will use Gloucester Yard Loop or Bromsgrove loop? Or maybe it will just leap over us!
Somewhere after (or it could have been before Haresfield actually) a Colas 66 passed light engine on the Gloucester New Yard to Eastleigh.
We were 6 minutes up passing Gloucester Yard Jn, but we were slowing down and then stopped by Gloucester Yard on the mainline. Either the signaller was going to shove the voyager via Gloucester to turn around (longer process though!) or the signaller stopped us and thought ...........OOOPS!
The Voyager was supposed to pass Gloucester Yard Jn at 0803, and at 0805 we were still there with no sign of the voyager, though I expected to see it passing us on the goods loop or something. A few minutes later, the 0730 ex Bristol was seen passing us bang road on the Down roadhock:!! Jammy &$&£*%£ for using the crossover at Tuffley Jn and Barnwood Jn! 
(I assume it was, only route that I can see to use the Down road from the Up) If I knew that was going to happen, I would have jumped on the 0730 to Cheltenham and joined the tour there!
Eventually we got moving and we were back to being late again, passing Barnwood Jn 9 minutes late. Well this is a Pathfinder tour so you have to expect delays. On my RailMiles record, is is the operator contributing to the most delays!!
As long as we don't get denied access to the power stations or something then I'm happy with it.
We picked up passengers at Cheltenham, leaving there 10 late, and headed off up the usual line to Barnt Green.......BORING! Again, done this route too many times, and the worst part even on something fast like a Voyager is Cheltenham to Bromsgrove, just goes on FOREVER!
Still for a tour out of Bristol heading to the Midlands, there isn't much choice unless you want to take an even longer route getting there.
I ended up nodding off for part of the section and was wide awake by the time we saw life and buildings at Stoke Works Jn
!!
We passed Bromsgrove at 0855 and came to a stop at Barnt Green at 0900. We then chugged our way through Bottleneck-City and a chance of a non stop run into New Street was out the window. In fact, there was more chance of Flying Scotsman being ready tomorrow than us rolling in non stop!
The signallers routed us into P6 and we arrived 7 minutes late. I was thinking about getting a photo but as we were late, I think New Street want us out ASAP before we send the station into meltdown or something. I did note that the platform screens had us advertised to 'Appleford Loop', that's one thing I like about New Street is that half the time, they will have the destination showing. (I say half the time, they have shown it on all the tours I have been on, but can't speak for the other tours I haven't done).
Our booked 5 minute stop turned into a 6 minute stop, so there was no chance of picking up time as we left 9 minutes late at 0929. We then bombed our way over to Birmingham International arriving into Platform 5 at 0940, 7 minutes late. I was happy for Platform 5 being used though the Birmingham end is dud, as all the tours I have done into P5 have been used for loco changes where we then head out back to Birmingham, so I need the bit on the Coventry side.
A 390 rolled in heading to Euston and we had to wait for that to leave before we could go. We actually picked up time here as we were due out at 0943, and left at 0946. I assume the Pendo was running a bit late maybe, otherwise we could have had an on time departure.
I went to the buffet for a coffee (if the water was running) and a browse in the shop. There were some bargains on offer, A deltic book knocked down to £2, some 1980s photo book knocked from £19 to £5 plus more. (I was going to put something vice plus more, there is a term that has to name a few in it, I forget how it goes!
)
Instead I was more interested in the bits and bobs department. I had a stack of goodies for myself in the end that came to £5.50...which was for a Platform 5 Loco Hauled diagram 1982 book, 2 Network Rail CD timetables for 2003-2004, a Class 47 badge (fitting for it's jubilee this year), a Class 59 badge (something appropriate to wear on the Quarries tour in Feb), a Silverlink pen and a Silverlink bag with Binoculars in (was only £1!)
I was happy with the latter purchase as it might come in use. It's not got a wide field of vision, nor does it zoom in a lot, but for a quid I hardly expected a top of the range version!
The water was still not ready, apparently no hot drinks will be served until after Appleford Sidings....oh what! Can't we go there first then?!
I retired to my seat as we were now going down the mainline to Banbury (yes, that's how long I was frothing for in the buffet, I didn't even see our stop at Coventry or see us passing Leamington!) where I played around with my new binoculars and read a bit of the 1982 booklet. Some random diagrams in there, I did chuckle at the Sundays Only Class 33 diagram, Port Talbot to Fishguard Harbour and return!!
After I finished with that, we were passing Fenny Compton and then we passed Banbury 1 minute early at 1031...yes I did say EARLY. I spent most the time chatting to those at my table to note any other timings until we got to Oxford, where I helped reading out the numbers of the Turbo's in the yard. At Oxford, a dud Chiltern 165 was noted in the bay platform doing the Bicester shuttles. First time I've seen a Chiltern 165 here, looks out of place!
We left Oxford 1 minute early at 1055 and did a short leap to Oxford Up Passenger Loop where we stopped for our booked 21 minute wait. Good if you joined at Oxford, wait for the tour, get on, short leap to loop, wait again!
However our 21 minutes in the loop was cut down as we were let loose onto the Up Main at 1112, 8 minutes up.
We were then given our health and safety induction for the power station loops. We could not use the toilet at all in the Power Stations (obviously though), we were not allowed anything out the window due to close contact with equipment (though wasn't that much in the way), we must be seated at all times so the buffet would be closed, and all photos has to be for private use only and not for magazines, websites etc, so I cannot put any here for you lot as I don't want to break the rules and not have any more tours go round the loops again.
I'm sure this was the case for the PLEG Central Rivers track tour too, then I saw a photo of it on line with the 08 hooked to the Voyager...
So we got through the electric gates that were opened by security and then as we went round the curve, I noticed a guy in a high viz following us, maybe we were being escorted too?
We then stopped for no more than a minute for the operational stop, probably to set creep control on. We were on the Inner Loop coal unloading pad, so we had to run at 0.5mph...rather than the 5mph we were timed for! We were given some info about the site though from a RWE rep and crank who arranged the access to Didcot and Aberthaw, at least that passed the time a bit. Still, I can get an idea on what the driver has to put up with, and see the shed itself where the coal was unloaded, seems unreal for a modern tour being able to do this!
Weather or not we can actually share gen on what was in there, I don't know so I won't carry on about the site, but all I will say is passing right next to the cooling tours was pretty damn cool, but no seriously it was funky!
We passed through the security gate at the exit where they were shut immediately as we left, then it was announced that we could use the toilet quickly because we were also barred from using the loo at Appleford Sidings (again, obvious as I doubt they want to clean the track after us!)
We used the middle road, running next to the stone unloading site and next to a rake of FCA bin liners on the waste side. There wasn't a lot to see here, just the yellow binliner on one side and piles of stone on the other.
66002 also ran around here so now we had the shed at the standard class end.
We left the sidings 45 minutes late (bearing in mind we left the power station late as we spent more time in there than we should have) and headed back to the mainine passing over Appleford L.C.
We were then told that we don't know if we could access Aberthaw since we were late, but we would have to see when we get there. As he said Aberthaw, I thought of Didcot....hmmm Aberthaw....Didcot....Aber....Cot....ahhhhh Abercot Generator, I see how the tour name came about now!! I think I'm the last person to realise that, I thought it was a random name!! *FACEPALM*!
Anyway the hot water was running, so off I leapt to the buffet where everyone else was ordering tea's and coffee's!
I got my coffee than went to my seat as we were coming past Foxhall Jn. I think we passed through Steventon loop, but I say that as I didn't see any track appear to the left at all, so we must have. Although not booked, we used Challow loop to allow a HST to thunder by, then we headed to Swindon. I ended up nodding off for a bit here too, unlike those at my table having hardly done this line. I've done it way too many times, sorry!
I was awake for Swindon though, everyone had the cameras ready for the yards but as I said, I very much doubt you'd see any locos here. Sure enough, there was only a VDA van and 3 track machines there. We were also using the Swindon East Loop right up to the crossover to the main, well we had to turn off or we would end up in Platform 4...literally!
We passed Swindon P4 40 minutes late at 1403, and set off for Royal Wootton Bassett Jn, where I explained to those at my table how the stone train works, having to pass the site first to Swindon, run around at Cocklebury Yard then head back to Wootton Bassett again, then reverse in...needless to say they were surprised at that! "Why can't they put a crossover in?" I've thought about that...A) Too easy, B) Really, it doesn't run enough to qualify for one, I'd suspect.
We headed up the misery line (how many more misery lines do I have!) to Hullavington where I hoped to do the loop. As Jules may remember, the last time we both tried to do the loop was on the FootEx (or RugEx?) behind 67026 on an Anglia MK2 (forget what the rest of the rake was) from Swindon to Bristol Parkway as it was supposed to do the loop, but the HST that was supposed to pass us did so at Parkway's Platform 3 instead.
We actually passed through Hullavington Down Goods Loop itself this time so I was well happy with that! We then went past Westerleigh Jn, around 7 hours later from when we turned off this morning at 0735, and we were going lot faster than this morning too!
As booked, we turned off just before Bristol Parkway station into Bristol Parkway Down Goods Loop. Seems odd using this track before Platform 1 even opens, as if it was a chance to preview what going into P1 would be like!
We stopped here for a crew change and headed off 29 minutes late to Patchway, passing there 30 minutes late as it took an extra minute to do, as we were given 3 minutes from the loop to Patchway.
After Severn Tunnel Junction, we flew along the mainline until the River Usk bridge, where we crossed over into Platform 1 for an operational stop at Newport. We left 20 minutes late and went through the tunnel to Alexandra Dock Junction where we turned off onto the Goods Loop. We were supposed to stop there for a minute but we passed through non stop instead.
We then stayed on the relief lines up until Cardiff where we stopped by the Valley Lines flyover to let a pair of pacers leave Cardiff, then we crossed over to Platform 7, bonus track for me!
We then passed the station and rounded the curve towards Grangetown. Passing Canton, we saw a Class 50 in the Pullmans works site (though I think someone saw 2 50's), and a 175, Class 67 and a 153 in the ATW site.
I got up and stood by the droplight for the run down the VoG as I have been sitting down for too long at this point!
There wasn't much to note for our run to Barry. Once we passed Barry station, we used some unexpected track in the form of Barry Down Passenger Loop. As the pathfinder steward announced, we were held here to allow a Bridgend unit to clear the block ahead, to which the block reached all the way to Aberthaw, but the signaller decided to let us use the loop. Even the steward said it was new track to him so hopefully it would be for others too...that would include me!
5 miles later we arrived at Aberthaw Reception Road 3. The usual rules were in force again, no photos published, no standing up, no going to the loo etc. We were allowed into the site even though we were late so that was a plus, but what road would we use? We went round the single line loop and ended up on the Through line (next to the 2 Merry-go-Round roads) and passed through the no. 1 Oil Discharge road, big track! We still had to do 0.5mph nonetheless as the RWE rep said, and also said we were being watched by CCTV either for their entertainment or to check if we were behaving ourselves, but he did mention that if he arranged another tour, we would use the coal unloading road next time.
We had another interesting talk from him about how the site works, what does what etc, and then we left the site and stopped on the Aberthaw 1 Reception Road. Hopefully if there is another tour here, it would use the number 2 road then I would have finished off all the roads!
We let a Bridgend 150 pass on the main, then we left onto the mainline for a run back up the VoG, where I went to the droplight again. We didn't use Cogan Goods Loop on the return as expected, but instead we were routed onto the required Up Barry Relief line just after Penarth Curve South Jn, so that's all three lines after Penarth Curve Junction done!
We went through Cardiff P4 to the Relief line, a tiny bit of track being required there.
Back at Newport, we passed through Platform 1 via a required crossover, to where we then ran on the required Up Relief road. This was a good sign as it meant we used Bishton Flyover, and was glad I finally got that in! I didn't see much of it as it was dark, but still we did it and that's all that matters.
Soon enough we were in the tunnel and at the other side, we rolled through the Pilning Up Passenger Loop as planned. Bingo!
Now it was decision time. If we were on time, I could easily make the +30 odd at New Street for the 2042 to Bristol, and then the 2225 from Bristol to Trowbridge. We were nearly 20 late though, so I don't know if I would make it, depending if it got later going to New Street. But then I could go to Cheltenham and then back down? Oh hell I'll get off at Parkway, I can't be bothered going all the way there and then back on a Voyager in the dark!
I bailed off at Bristol Parkway and watched the 66 leave on notch 5 or 6, and it shot off into the night. I went over to P2 for the 1856 Bristol Voyager which was running 10 late.
In the meantime, I saw a 150 leave for Great Malvern and a HST leave on the Bridgend to Paddington (sounded odd when the announcement said 'This is the service from Bridgend')
Dud 220025 rolled in on the late runner Bristol service and I took it to Temple Meads of course, where I managed to make a small plus onto the 1922 Pompey service with 158957.
I took this back to Trowbridge where I went home to end a cracking day out!
Even though a majority of the tour was on dud mainline track, I was happy with all the loops and tings we did (just had to use Jens techno track name!) and the required 66 to boot. The overnighter went well with minimal time outside, so I am in the process of re-jigging my next London overnighter to spend as little time outside as I can as it works wonders, though I don't mind a long wait at Bedford as it's warm there.
Anyway stats as normal:
Mileage altogether - 711m
Highest Mileage on one train - 327m 14ch on 66002
Lowest Mileage on one train - 4m 03ch on 158766/150248 (Westbury return)
Best part of trip - All the required loops being done and doing the Power Stations/Appleford Sidings.
Worst part of trip - Either the run up to New Street or the stagger round Didcot Loop at half mile an hour...mind you, there were things to see at the latter!
Random Quote no.1 - "The Baggage area is the coolest seat!"
Random Quote no.2 - "Ooo an Éclair, I love these, I LOVE THESE!" (alright, chill man!)
Random Quote no.3 - "That's all we've seen today is Eversheds." (best quote of the day!)
Random Quote no.4 - "It's actually a slow express."
Here is my next report for this year. I named it the PowerHaul bash as it has two meanings in one. First it was mainly a bash on the Abercot Generator tour, where the Power bit came from and also it was hauled by a 3,000hp powerful (though not always!) loco (Class 66).
So, I could tell you that the day started at Trowbridge after work, but I'd be lying as much as Cameron if I said that! Officially it started at lunchtime on the 1229 Weymouth service which was formed of 2 car 158766.
I went to Westbury to pick up my pre-booked tickets finally from the TVM for the bash later on. As I returned to the platform, I was surprised to see 2 Colas 47s roll through on the back road on the Washwood Heath to Westbury Light Engine move!
I then leapt on 150248 back to Trowbridge on the 1252 ex-Weymouth, then returned to work. After work..the bash began properly!
Friday 13th January 2012
I stormed off to the station via the Barclay's ATM where as I was taking a tenner out, I noted a ticket and a set of keys on the ATM. For a minute, I thought it was my keys and ticket...what the bloody hell did I do that for!?? But no, it was someone else's. I didn't quite know what to do! I had no time to hand it in to the Police Station that was more likely shut, and the bank isn't open at 1900 hours, so I left it as I doubt anyone knew what it was for, and someone may remember that they left it there and hunt it down.
So I get to the station with 3 minutes to spare so I don't have to deckchair on the platform like I usually do when I get there hours early!
Before, When I got home from work, I noted the ex-Brighton unit was showing on time at Barnham on the Live Departures board, but it will be 3 late at Freshford :?
It was showing on time at the station at around 1946...but this soon changed to 3 late...that bloody Westbury blocker in force again!
Hybrid 158956 was on this ex-Brighton service today, a TOPS number most travelled on according to RM stats (not a lot of miles though http://james143611.railmiles.org/tops-158956/). Sure enough, we were actually late into Freshford in the end.
It took us around 21 minutes to do Bradford-on-Avon to Bath, and I noted that we were due off on a delay time of 2015...but the staff let us out at around 2013...two minutes early on the delay time
hock: BLOODY HELL! hock: Due to our delay, we got held at Bristol East at 2028 to allow the 2030 HST leave from P13 or P15 at BTM. Once this passed, we arrived into P13 at 2034.
Still, easy time to make the 2041, so I looked on the screens and saw the 2041 Worcester was due off P5. I stroll over to P3 and see a delayed 2030 Voyager loading in the platform.
I decide to wait for it to clear and get the 2041 up so there's less fester time at Bristol Parkway.
Errr hang on...why am I on P3 for a train from P5....twit! Back to the stairs, I go Bang Road on the Up Stairs, making use of the Bi-Di operation that is now in use (if it wasn't, it is now!) due to a slow Class 03 in low gear chugging away on the Down Stairs!
158763 is on the Worcester, one of the units fitted with the best seats in the west so I didn't mind.
We left on-time for Parkway. Nothing to note really, though I did like how we powered round the right hand curve on the Filton Diamond layout on full whack...I did wonder if we were going to stop at Parkway!
I bailed at Stoke Gifford AKA Bristol Parkway, and tried to find the route to Dominoes Pizza, but had no luck. Instead I took a walk to Tesco's as I knew where that was.
Either case I had 50 minutes to wait, as getting the 2041 ex-Bristol was the only latest option!
I got some supplies then headed back to Stoke Gifford station, where I saw the Swansea - Paddington HST at P3 with 43005 on the rear. Blimey, been ages since I last saw a 4300x number!!!
Now I've just realised I've forgotten ciggies...bah! I still had bags of time so I went back to Tesco again (not Tresco...Imagine that walk!
) and got a 10-CIG (:P) then wentback AGAIN to the station and had a ciggie. Whilst doing so, I saw a 37/3 and 37/6 on route 73s (Volvo Gemini's) which actually sounded pretty meaty, don't remember them sounding like that! A proper Dennis Dart also came in on the route 18 with a young plain clothed driver...as if he just nicked it after leaving Uni for the day!Over to Platform 2, I headed for the Coach H stop to wait for the 2141 Swansea HST to arrive. It came in on time with 43063 on the sharp end, and 43030 on the rear. I took a seat at the rear of coach H by 43030 for my First Class trip to Swansea. Why? Well when I booked it, I had the choice of a £4 odd standard advance to Swansea, or a £5 odd first advance to Swansea...so I went for the latter!
I hadn't actually written any notes for this report yet so I took the time to do so, and took me all the way to Newport to fill it in! That was quick...I didn't even remember going through the Severn Tunnel!
As we left Newport, I went to the rear vestibule to hear 43030 power through the tunnel. She sounded pretty good through there with the turbo clearly audible.
I then made a start on my 2012 Bashes log book, which is basically a paper copy of my bashes in one book, since all my bashes end up in various notepads and I can list numbers that I can't add into RailMiles (Rail Replacement bus numbers, metro/tram numbers etc)
Writing in the last Scottish/London bash from last weekend took forever, writing in the hundreds of 319s and 455s I did!
In between to have a break from writing, I read an article in The Times about ticket touts legally re-selling Royal Albert Hall proms night tickets for up to £19,000....HOW MUCH!?!?
hock:!!!We arrived into Swansea at 2320 and as I was putting my stuff into my bag to get ready to leave, I noted that I had no ticket check at all from Bristol Parkway!
It was cold outside but hopefully I can get on the 2345 boat train early.
I also saw the new station concourse which looks much better than the older one!!
As I walked round to Platform 4, 153369 and 150259 arrived from Pembroke Dock. The passengers were tipped out then the 150 was split from the 153, which took 3 attempts to do.
The doors were soon unlocked and I leapt into a warm coach 52259 and checked to see if 150259 is required or not...and sure enough it is required!
2345 came and we headed off for Fishguard on time. Nothing more to note here as I spent the journey sleeping until Fishguard.
When we arrived at 0120, the engines were switched off, something I've never seen done before here when I have done it as usually the engines are left ticking over.
Saturday 14th January 2012
I had a ciggie on the platform then proceeded to the 57259 coach (for the coach scratch!) and waited for our 0150 departure back to Swansea. We left on time, waited for the ticket check then fell asleep for the return trip...though I did wake up briefly at Carmarthen as the gripper was dealing with a fare dodger, and said she'll march him to the ticket machine at Swansea to show that you can buy a ticket from a machine...or something like that...
We arrived into Dinas Abertawe at 0321 and I marched over to P3 for the 0358 Paddington HST, which was ready for boarding. I went to Coach H again as I had another advance I bought before for £5 odds again. Was good value as when I booked, the new feature on FGW's booking page told me that I saved £33 from the walk up fare!
Still, many people would wonder how could I put up with the cold overnight weather...well I hardly had to, since the boat train loaded early so I was only outside for 5 minutes, and since the Paddington HST was unlocked as usual when we arrived back from Fishguard, I was outside for minimal time...most of the night I was roasting!
The 0358 service was formed of 43040 on the rear and 018 providing the lead power to Bristol Parkway.
We left on time and I did a bit of window leaning leaving the station and did the same when we left Neath too. When the turbo was audible as we were kicking up speed, flashbacks came to my head of the great first class bash from Pembroke, standing behind the Valenta at the front window listening to that scream...and also the Bath <-> Bristol bashes from the front window, listening to those Valenta's thrashing out of Bristol TM or Bath with added clag...especially 43172!! Anyway....
Uninteresting trip to Bristol TM via a fester at Bristol Parkway otherwise. Had two ticket checks from two different grippers between Swansea and Neath though...seem to be hot on checks on this one now! I remember doing the 0358 on overnighters last year and not seeing a gripper until at least after Cardiff.
At Bristol, I saw the Paddington HST leave, then I looked at the departures screen to see a platform alteration gala going on! Between 0600 and 0649, all were platform alterations bar the 0630 HST and, understandably, the 0608/0615 Voyagers.
I go outside for a ciggie and see a Walls van parked outside. A random sight I know but I had to note this as I loved the quote on the back of the van "Proper food. Bring it on"
I then hear a Voyager roll into Platform 3, that can only be 5M21 arriving from Barton Hill 15 minutes early.
Back onto the station, I see that Upper Crust has opened half an hour late. So I get a ham and cheese baguette and a free coffee since I have finished all 5 stamps on the loyalty card thing...whatever it's called again....
I investigate what the voyager that has arrived on P3 is, and it's dud 221130 on 1M21 0700 Bristol to Glasgow service.
The doors are unlocked at 0640, and I jump on then start eating my heated baguette....Proper food, BRING IT ON!
We leave on time at 0700, and head to Bristol Parkway where I bail to wait for the Abercot Generator to roll in. As I got off, I noted 43005 on P4 working the Bristol to Cardiff service, hello again!
It wasn't too long of a wait for the charter to arrive. A class 66 rolled in but sounded as though it was switched off, as all I could hear was the genny coach thrashing away behind the loco!
Would it be my first dud Class 66 on a tour? Nope! Required 66002 rolls in on the ECS from Eastleigh, and is on the lead for our tour today, can't complain at that!
I board coach D which I was glad to be allocated to, as the buffet was next door! We leave on time with our load 10 (or load 8 I believe for passenger use) at 0722 but straight after that....we were late! We had a super S.L.O.W cruise to Westerleigh Junction...so slow that it took 13 minutes to do from Bristol Parkway (we were allocated 7 mins)!!! I couldn't think why though, there wasn't really anything that left Parkway in front of us bar the Voyager, which should be long gone by now.
We got on the curve after Westerleigh Junction, and it felt like the driver had just remembered there is more than 2 notches on a Class 66, as we went rocketing round the curve through to Yate and charged up to speed.
An announcement came on to welcome us to the tour, and said the buffet was open for hot/cold food etc, but there was no hot drinks available as yet as the water in the boiler had frozen up!!
According to our book, Haresfield Loop was to be done but actually we went flying past the loop :? The Pathfinder steward mentioned that the Haresfield Loop idea was abolished last night from NR, and wasn't requested by PF anyway. I didn't mind either as I did this loop on the 2011 Christmas spin & win tour. But it still doesn't answer how the 0730 Voyager from Bristol will pass us. Maybe we will use Gloucester Yard Loop or Bromsgrove loop? Or maybe it will just leap over us!
Somewhere after (or it could have been before Haresfield actually) a Colas 66 passed light engine on the Gloucester New Yard to Eastleigh.
We were 6 minutes up passing Gloucester Yard Jn, but we were slowing down and then stopped by Gloucester Yard on the mainline. Either the signaller was going to shove the voyager via Gloucester to turn around (longer process though!) or the signaller stopped us and thought ...........OOOPS!
The Voyager was supposed to pass Gloucester Yard Jn at 0803, and at 0805 we were still there with no sign of the voyager, though I expected to see it passing us on the goods loop or something. A few minutes later, the 0730 ex Bristol was seen passing us bang road on the Down road
hock:!! Jammy &$&£*%£ for using the crossover at Tuffley Jn and Barnwood Jn! (I assume it was, only route that I can see to use the Down road from the Up) If I knew that was going to happen, I would have jumped on the 0730 to Cheltenham and joined the tour there! Eventually we got moving and we were back to being late again, passing Barnwood Jn 9 minutes late. Well this is a Pathfinder tour so you have to expect delays. On my RailMiles record, is is the operator contributing to the most delays!!
As long as we don't get denied access to the power stations or something then I'm happy with it.
We picked up passengers at Cheltenham, leaving there 10 late, and headed off up the usual line to Barnt Green.......BORING! Again, done this route too many times, and the worst part even on something fast like a Voyager is Cheltenham to Bromsgrove, just goes on FOREVER!
Still for a tour out of Bristol heading to the Midlands, there isn't much choice unless you want to take an even longer route getting there.
I ended up nodding off for part of the section and was wide awake by the time we saw life and buildings at Stoke Works Jn
!!We passed Bromsgrove at 0855 and came to a stop at Barnt Green at 0900. We then chugged our way through Bottleneck-City and a chance of a non stop run into New Street was out the window. In fact, there was more chance of Flying Scotsman being ready tomorrow than us rolling in non stop!
The signallers routed us into P6 and we arrived 7 minutes late. I was thinking about getting a photo but as we were late, I think New Street want us out ASAP before we send the station into meltdown or something. I did note that the platform screens had us advertised to 'Appleford Loop', that's one thing I like about New Street is that half the time, they will have the destination showing. (I say half the time, they have shown it on all the tours I have been on, but can't speak for the other tours I haven't done).
Our booked 5 minute stop turned into a 6 minute stop, so there was no chance of picking up time as we left 9 minutes late at 0929. We then bombed our way over to Birmingham International arriving into Platform 5 at 0940, 7 minutes late. I was happy for Platform 5 being used though the Birmingham end is dud, as all the tours I have done into P5 have been used for loco changes where we then head out back to Birmingham, so I need the bit on the Coventry side.
A 390 rolled in heading to Euston and we had to wait for that to leave before we could go. We actually picked up time here as we were due out at 0943, and left at 0946. I assume the Pendo was running a bit late maybe, otherwise we could have had an on time departure.
I went to the buffet for a coffee (if the water was running) and a browse in the shop. There were some bargains on offer, A deltic book knocked down to £2, some 1980s photo book knocked from £19 to £5 plus more. (I was going to put something vice plus more, there is a term that has to name a few in it, I forget how it goes!
)Instead I was more interested in the bits and bobs department. I had a stack of goodies for myself in the end that came to £5.50...which was for a Platform 5 Loco Hauled diagram 1982 book, 2 Network Rail CD timetables for 2003-2004, a Class 47 badge (fitting for it's jubilee this year), a Class 59 badge (something appropriate to wear on the Quarries tour in Feb), a Silverlink pen and a Silverlink bag with Binoculars in (was only £1!)
I was happy with the latter purchase as it might come in use. It's not got a wide field of vision, nor does it zoom in a lot, but for a quid I hardly expected a top of the range version!
The water was still not ready, apparently no hot drinks will be served until after Appleford Sidings....oh what! Can't we go there first then?
!I retired to my seat as we were now going down the mainline to Banbury (yes, that's how long I was frothing for in the buffet, I didn't even see our stop at Coventry or see us passing Leamington!) where I played around with my new binoculars and read a bit of the 1982 booklet. Some random diagrams in there, I did chuckle at the Sundays Only Class 33 diagram, Port Talbot to Fishguard Harbour and return!!
After I finished with that, we were passing Fenny Compton and then we passed Banbury 1 minute early at 1031...yes I did say EARLY. I spent most the time chatting to those at my table to note any other timings until we got to Oxford, where I helped reading out the numbers of the Turbo's in the yard. At Oxford, a dud Chiltern 165 was noted in the bay platform doing the Bicester shuttles. First time I've seen a Chiltern 165 here, looks out of place!
We left Oxford 1 minute early at 1055 and did a short leap to Oxford Up Passenger Loop where we stopped for our booked 21 minute wait. Good if you joined at Oxford, wait for the tour, get on, short leap to loop, wait again!
However our 21 minutes in the loop was cut down as we were let loose onto the Up Main at 1112, 8 minutes up.
We were then given our health and safety induction for the power station loops. We could not use the toilet at all in the Power Stations (obviously though), we were not allowed anything out the window due to close contact with equipment (though wasn't that much in the way), we must be seated at all times so the buffet would be closed, and all photos has to be for private use only and not for magazines, websites etc, so I cannot put any here for you lot as I don't want to break the rules and not have any more tours go round the loops again.
I'm sure this was the case for the PLEG Central Rivers track tour too, then I saw a photo of it on line with the 08 hooked to the Voyager...
So we got through the electric gates that were opened by security and then as we went round the curve, I noticed a guy in a high viz following us, maybe we were being escorted too?
We then stopped for no more than a minute for the operational stop, probably to set creep control on. We were on the Inner Loop coal unloading pad, so we had to run at 0.5mph...rather than the 5mph we were timed for! We were given some info about the site though from a RWE rep and crank who arranged the access to Didcot and Aberthaw, at least that passed the time a bit. Still, I can get an idea on what the driver has to put up with, and see the shed itself where the coal was unloaded, seems unreal for a modern tour being able to do this!
Weather or not we can actually share gen on what was in there, I don't know so I won't carry on about the site, but all I will say is passing right next to the cooling tours was pretty damn cool
, but no seriously it was funky!We passed through the security gate at the exit where they were shut immediately as we left, then it was announced that we could use the toilet quickly because we were also barred from using the loo at Appleford Sidings (again, obvious as I doubt they want to clean the track after us!)
We used the middle road, running next to the stone unloading site and next to a rake of FCA bin liners on the waste side. There wasn't a lot to see here, just the yellow binliner on one side and piles of stone on the other.
66002 also ran around here so now we had the shed at the standard class end.
We left the sidings 45 minutes late (bearing in mind we left the power station late as we spent more time in there than we should have) and headed back to the mainine passing over Appleford L.C.
We were then told that we don't know if we could access Aberthaw since we were late, but we would have to see when we get there. As he said Aberthaw, I thought of Didcot....hmmm Aberthaw....Didcot....Aber....Cot....ahhhhh Abercot Generator, I see how the tour name came about now!! I think I'm the last person to realise that
, I thought it was a random name!! *FACEPALM*!Anyway the hot water was running, so off I leapt to the buffet where everyone else was ordering tea's and coffee's!
I got my coffee than went to my seat as we were coming past Foxhall Jn. I think we passed through Steventon loop, but I say that as I didn't see any track appear to the left at all, so we must have. Although not booked, we used Challow loop to allow a HST to thunder by, then we headed to Swindon. I ended up nodding off for a bit here too, unlike those at my table having hardly done this line. I've done it way too many times, sorry!
I was awake for Swindon though, everyone had the cameras ready for the yards but as I said, I very much doubt you'd see any locos here. Sure enough, there was only a VDA van and 3 track machines there. We were also using the Swindon East Loop right up to the crossover to the main, well we had to turn off or we would end up in Platform 4...literally!
We passed Swindon P4 40 minutes late at 1403, and set off for Royal Wootton Bassett Jn, where I explained to those at my table how the stone train works, having to pass the site first to Swindon, run around at Cocklebury Yard then head back to Wootton Bassett again, then reverse in...needless to say they were surprised at that! "Why can't they put a crossover in?" I've thought about that...A) Too easy, B) Really, it doesn't run enough to qualify for one, I'd suspect.
We headed up the misery line (how many more misery lines do I have
!) to Hullavington where I hoped to do the loop. As Jules may remember, the last time we both tried to do the loop was on the FootEx (or RugEx?) behind 67026 on an Anglia MK2 (forget what the rest of the rake was) from Swindon to Bristol Parkway as it was supposed to do the loop, but the HST that was supposed to pass us did so at Parkway's Platform 3 instead.We actually passed through Hullavington Down Goods Loop itself this time so I was well happy with that! We then went past Westerleigh Jn, around 7 hours later from when we turned off this morning at 0735, and we were going lot faster than this morning too!
As booked, we turned off just before Bristol Parkway station into Bristol Parkway Down Goods Loop. Seems odd using this track before Platform 1 even opens, as if it was a chance to preview what going into P1 would be like!
We stopped here for a crew change and headed off 29 minutes late to Patchway, passing there 30 minutes late as it took an extra minute to do, as we were given 3 minutes from the loop to Patchway.
After Severn Tunnel Junction, we flew along the mainline until the River Usk bridge, where we crossed over into Platform 1 for an operational stop at Newport. We left 20 minutes late and went through the tunnel to Alexandra Dock Junction where we turned off onto the Goods Loop. We were supposed to stop there for a minute but we passed through non stop instead.
We then stayed on the relief lines up until Cardiff where we stopped by the Valley Lines flyover to let a pair of pacers leave Cardiff, then we crossed over to Platform 7, bonus track for me!
We then passed the station and rounded the curve towards Grangetown. Passing Canton, we saw a Class 50 in the Pullmans works site (though I think someone saw 2 50's), and a 175, Class 67 and a 153 in the ATW site.
I got up and stood by the droplight for the run down the VoG as I have been sitting down for too long at this point!
There wasn't much to note for our run to Barry. Once we passed Barry station, we used some unexpected track in the form of Barry Down Passenger Loop. As the pathfinder steward announced, we were held here to allow a Bridgend unit to clear the block ahead, to which the block reached all the way to Aberthaw, but the signaller decided to let us use the loop. Even the steward said it was new track to him so hopefully it would be for others too...that would include me!
5 miles later we arrived at Aberthaw Reception Road 3. The usual rules were in force again, no photos published, no standing up, no going to the loo etc. We were allowed into the site even though we were late so that was a plus, but what road would we use? We went round the single line loop and ended up on the Through line (next to the 2 Merry-go-Round roads) and passed through the no. 1 Oil Discharge road, big track! We still had to do 0.5mph nonetheless as the RWE rep said, and also said we were being watched by CCTV either for their entertainment or to check if we were behaving ourselves, but he did mention that if he arranged another tour, we would use the coal unloading road next time.
We had another interesting talk from him about how the site works, what does what etc, and then we left the site and stopped on the Aberthaw 1 Reception Road. Hopefully if there is another tour here, it would use the number 2 road then I would have finished off all the roads!
We let a Bridgend 150 pass on the main, then we left onto the mainline for a run back up the VoG, where I went to the droplight again. We didn't use Cogan Goods Loop on the return as expected, but instead we were routed onto the required Up Barry Relief line just after Penarth Curve South Jn, so that's all three lines after Penarth Curve Junction done!
We went through Cardiff P4 to the Relief line, a tiny bit of track being required there.
Back at Newport, we passed through Platform 1 via a required crossover, to where we then ran on the required Up Relief road. This was a good sign as it meant we used Bishton Flyover, and was glad I finally got that in! I didn't see much of it as it was dark, but still we did it and that's all that matters.
Soon enough we were in the tunnel and at the other side, we rolled through the Pilning Up Passenger Loop as planned. Bingo!
Now it was decision time. If we were on time, I could easily make the +30 odd at New Street for the 2042 to Bristol, and then the 2225 from Bristol to Trowbridge. We were nearly 20 late though, so I don't know if I would make it, depending if it got later going to New Street. But then I could go to Cheltenham and then back down? Oh hell I'll get off at Parkway, I can't be bothered going all the way there and then back on a Voyager in the dark!
I bailed off at Bristol Parkway and watched the 66 leave on notch 5 or 6, and it shot off into the night. I went over to P2 for the 1856 Bristol Voyager which was running 10 late.
In the meantime, I saw a 150 leave for Great Malvern and a HST leave on the Bridgend to Paddington (sounded odd when the announcement said 'This is the service from Bridgend')
Dud 220025 rolled in on the late runner Bristol service and I took it to Temple Meads of course, where I managed to make a small plus onto the 1922 Pompey service with 158957.
I took this back to Trowbridge where I went home to end a cracking day out!
Even though a majority of the tour was on dud mainline track, I was happy with all the loops and tings we did (just had to use Jens techno track name!) and the required 66 to boot. The overnighter went well with minimal time outside, so I am in the process of re-jigging my next London overnighter to spend as little time outside as I can as it works wonders, though I don't mind a long wait at Bedford as it's warm there.
Anyway stats as normal:
Mileage altogether - 711m
Highest Mileage on one train - 327m 14ch on 66002
Lowest Mileage on one train - 4m 03ch on 158766/150248 (Westbury return)
Best part of trip - All the required loops being done and doing the Power Stations/Appleford Sidings.
Worst part of trip - Either the run up to New Street or the stagger round Didcot Loop at half mile an hour...mind you, there were things to see at the latter!
Random Quote no.1 - "The Baggage area is the coolest seat!"
Random Quote no.2 - "Ooo an Éclair, I love these, I LOVE THESE!" (alright, chill man!)
Random Quote no.3 - "That's all we've seen today is Eversheds." (best quote of the day!)
Random Quote no.4 - "It's actually a slow express."
Anyway, let's crack on with replying to yet another fantastic read!
