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Thursday - hottest June day ever forecast and I've chosen Manchester to Brighton by train!

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Howardh

Howardh

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Yes, I know many of you suffer the trains and tube at this time of year, my sympathies! If I wasn't on an advance I would change it but there we are. Reminds me of one of the previous record days (Aug 10 2003, 35c+) when I did Manchester to London on Virgin and stayed in the Oxford Road youth hostel which was steaming, we were limited to 60mph and it seemed to take forever, but in those days track buckling under the heat was an issue (am I remembering correctly?)

One alteration, I was going from Euston to Victoria on the boiling (?) tube, but as that part isn't advance I think I had better walk to St Pancras with as little luggage as I can survive with!

Hopefully Brighton will get a bit of a sea breeze and be a little more pleasant; during my stay there I was thinking of popping up to London on the Saturday (day return) but if it's over 30c will give that a miss.
 
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Forty29

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GWR on their website are reporting delays because of severe weather already, the reason being points not aligning properly because track is becoming distorted. Delays between Reading and Paddington with some services unable to call at certain stations including Twyford and Maidenhead today 22/6.
 
Howardh

Howardh

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Forty29 said:
GWR on their website are reporting delays because of severe weather already, the reason being points not aligning properly because track is becoming distorted. Delays between Reading and Paddington with some services unable to call at certain stations including Twyford and Maidenhead today 22/6.
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Since I started the thread it's become a moving goalpost, Avanti are allowing me to travel at any time on Thurs (presumable off-peak only) or even Weds, but finding a room for that night would be horrendously expensive I suppose.

So will be aiming for any train after 9.30 on Thursday with a bottle of iced water, a wet sponge, the lightest shorts in my wardrobe and snacks to last the day! If I get to London then I'll see what Tameslink/Gatwick Express are up to.

I wanted a summer break but not this much summer!!!
 
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david1212

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Howardh said:
Yes, I know many of you suffer the trains and tube at this time of year, my sympathies! If I wasn't on an advance I would change it but there we are. Reminds me of one of the previous record days (Aug 10 2003, 35c+) when I did Manchester to London on Virgin and stayed in the Oxford Road youth hostel which was steaming, we were limited to 60mph and it seemed to take forever, but in those days track buckling under the heat was an issue (am I remembering correctly?)

One alteration, I was going from Euston to Victoria on the boiling (?) tube, but as that part isn't advance I think I had better walk to St Pancras with as little luggage as I can survive with!

Hopefully Brighton will get a bit of a sea breeze and be a little more pleasant; during my stay there I was thinking of popping up to London on the Saturday (day return) but if it's over 30c will give that a miss.
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While you are based further north my experience is that Brighton, or anywhere along the coast, is more pleasant than the Midlands. July 2021 I was there from 16 July for a week, the weekend 12 - 15 August 2022 and last year the weekend 14 - 18 August plus the day 11 August 2024.
21 July 2021 I went to Amberley, it was very noticeably warmer inland.

The London - Brighton line is not immune to heat. On 12 August 2022 I was fortunate to be on the last train south from Three Bridges for around 3 hours due to signalling problems. On 11 August 2024 by 6pm there was a speed restriction for much of if not the whole line. This applied to the Chiltern line too. I missed my intended train north from Marylebone. The next departed on time but gradually fell behind.

I would reconsider London on Saturday. The buildings will hold the heat ( think of a massive night storage heater ) plus Network Rail and TfL could be disrupted.
 
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81A

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Most TOCs are offering refunds with no fee or travel on another day if preferred. Not sure about your exact journey plan, but worth checking if you'd rather avoid...
 
Howardh

Howardh

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So set off early and things going smoothly (I bet I wished I hadn't said that!) approaching Crewe on time!
 
Howardh

Howardh

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Nearly there, just as quick if not quicker than usual. Would have been my fastest ever if I hadn't called at the offie and missed the 12.30 from St Panc!
 
8ace

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It's really hot here (33 degrees C at Shoreham weather station), there is a bit of a breeze but it's like a hairdryer!
 
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Dave W

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Howardh said:
Nearly there, just as quick if not quicker than usual. Would have been my fastest ever if I hadn't called at the offie and missed the 12.30 from St Panc!
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Getting a couple of cold cans for the journey? A man of culture, I see. ;) And sensible too, on account of dulling the experience of a 700 for 90 minutes!

My experience has been that travelling around London has been unpleasant, but not unbearable, this week. Lots of people are firmly "WFH".
 
Howardh

Howardh

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Dave W said:
Getting a couple of cold cans for the journey? A man of culture, I see. ;) And sensible too, on account of dulling the experience of a 700 for 90 minutes!

My experience has been that travelling around London has been unpleasant, but not unbearable, this week. Lots of people are firmly "WFH".
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Small bottle of red.
Amazingly, a 2L bottle with completely frozen water from the freezer at home was still partly frozen when I arrived! In my small rucksack it acred as a cooler and chilled my other drinks!
Wow it is hot here, in 2003 when the original record was broken it didn't feel as sauna-like, maybe the ground and buildings were still cool so shade offered respite?
But just been to the shop and gasping for air. Weather app says 37c, feel for those in hospital that don't have air con.
Meanwhile sat in hotel enjoying the aircon, and will be out tonight in as little as I can without getting arrested!
 
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Bald Rick

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Howardh said:
Amazingly, a 2L bottle with completely frozen water from the freezer at home was still partly frozen when I arrived! In my small rucksack it acred as a cooler and chilled my other drinks!
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Yep that’s a good tip. I did a 100 mile bike ride on the hottest ever day, and left a litre of -18C frozen water in the boot of the car. When I returned 6 hours later, to find the car at somewhere near oven tempersture, there was still a core of ice in the bottle, but about 750ml of ice cold freshness.
 
Howardh

Howardh

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Bald Rick said:
Yep that’s a good tip. I did a 100 mile bike ride on the hottest ever day, and left a litre of -18C frozen water in the boot of the car. When I returned 6 hours later, to find the car at somewhere near oven tempersture, there was still a core of ice in the bottle, but about 750ml of ice cold freshness.
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Surprised you didn't take it with you unless you had another!
 
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Deepgreen

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Bald Rick said:
Yep that’s a good tip. I did a 100 mile bike ride on the hottest ever day, and left a litre of -18C frozen water in the boot of the car. When I returned 6 hours later, to find the car at somewhere near oven tempersture, there was still a core of ice in the bottle, but about 750ml of ice cold freshness.
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Why? As a keen cyclist, I would avoid the dangers of that heat.
 
Howardh

Howardh

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8ace said:
Valley Gardens? Maybe by the end of the year....
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By then they'll start digging it up again. Bet locals are fed up! I can't see the point of it all but that's for another thread.
32c up the road in Haywards Heath I believe, barely got above 22 here with a cool breeze. Dunno if I'm disappointed or delighted!
Much more agreeable on the buses, might still get the train into London tomorrow if temps fall a bit to the high 20's
 
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