RJ
Established Member
Start time - 05:15
Finish time - 02:20
Taking into account various factors, available gen and free time among them, I chose Thursday as my day out photting for the half-term.
Firstly, I planned to go to Petts Wood to see 6O62 Willesden - Dungeness. In order to overcome the possible early running of this train, it was necessary to take a bus from my home to Lewisham, then the 0557 to Petts Wood (arr. 06:13). However, as I stepped out of my front door, I saw it go, so I had to change plans very early on. I was hoping this was not indicative of events for the rest of the day.
I eventually ended up in Penge High Street, and another bus took me to Penge East Station, arrving at 05:40, in good time for the 05:52 to Petts Wood. I met IH on this train, and we arrived at Petts Wood at 06:10
Having not received any info on 6A73 Crewe - Willesden flasks on Wednesday night, I was slightly worried when 6O62 was not showing up on the P2 map anywhere at 06:20 (due off Willesden 05:35). This turned to relief when I received a TRUST report which showed it left Willesden 5 early, then was 35ish late running along the West London Line. It was revealed a minute later that 20307 + 20310 (again!!) were working it.
We were hoping that 6O62 would take the down fast Tonbridge loop from Bickley, which would have resulted in a full sun picture and probably some thrash as the speed changes from 20 to 60 once it hits the loop. No such luck, it came off route on the slow 19 late at 07:17. Full thrash when it came on the mainline, then reduced to a whistle from the leading loco and still some thrash from the second loco, as the aspect was showing amber - the preceeding Sevenoaks unit stopped at Orpington.
Reasonably pleased, we were off to get our second pair of DRS locos, 37259 + 605 on 1Q14. This is a significantly hellfire pairing I hasten to add. we took the 07:30 Networker to Beckenham Junction, then a tram to East Croydon. We opted to take the longer, scenic route to Purley (412, which goes via Selsdon and Riddlesdown) instead of the 407 which shadows the line from East Croydon - Caterham via Purley. We arrived at Purley 09:25, and went to sign the visitors book, the staff being friendly as ever. 1Q14 was showing at Salfords, so it was a tad late.
37259 lead 1Q14 through the station at 09:51, in full sun on its way to Selhurst Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot. We took the 10:08 to Whyteleafe South, a pleasant suburb and explored the line a bit. 1Q14 passed around 10:45 going into Caterham, and 11:00 going back out. We then took a 455 back to East Croydon, where Ian had to go elsewhere. During this time I was sent the times for 5Z47 Selhurst - Derby and 8Q65 Ilford - Ipswich.
I took the 11:32 First Capital Connect service to St Albans. 5Z47, DBSO 9714 + 31105 passed at 12:50. I procrastinated in going to the up platform for a train to Mill Hill to see 31601 and 31459 working 4Q31. As I eventually made my way to the up platform for a train to Mill Hill, I bumped into Gez, who was going to Luton to see 4Q31. When Gez told be it was being held to time at Luton, I went to catch the train to Mill Hill, which came at 13:32.
31601 TnT 31459 forming 4Q31 coasted through at 13:50. At this point it started raining, and didn't stop for the rest of the day. I waited for the 31s to return north, and they eventually came at 15:00, 20 or so late. In the meantime, I saw 66623 for the first time, appropriately enough, on Bardon hoppers. This part of the day I used to call "peak time freight drought", as normally nothing interesting runs during the peak. So I took a 221 from Mill Hill to Turnpike Lane, then a 67 from Turnpike Lane to Aldgate.
Upon arrival, the drizzle turned into a downpour, so I took the first bus that came, a bendy bus 25 to Tottenham Court Road. By this time it was 17:45, and was thinking about where to see 6M95. I made my way to Shepherd's Bush on the buses, then took the Central Line rail replacement to White City. I waited at the bus stop there until 1900, then made my way to the lineside, where the signal is at White City (first signal after Kensington Olympia).
20307 and 20310 passed at 19:25, and stopped just after the main flyover near North Pole Junction - location to try for next week
. I made my way to Shepherd's Bush, and procrastinated leaving again, trying to find a bus to Olympia. When I realised I wouldn't make the 20:11 Southern to Harrow, I had to move again to the 220 bus stop. The 220 goes to Willesden Junction.
56301 was at West London Junction with a late 4O90 as I arrived. Bakerloo unit came in at 20:36. On the way, I saw 20307 and 20310 sitting at Willesden Brent, surrounded by hi-viz. Part of the train was obscured by some condemned stock, so I could only see 20307 and the nose of 20310. 20312 worked light engine from Stowmarket to Wembley earlier in the day for a bit of TLC. I arrived at South Kenton at 20:47.
Soon after I arrived, 56303 went south with 4O60, and a 92 + FSR 90 went south with 6L48 to Dagenham. At 21:17, I saw 6K51 Willesden - Crewe. As it came closer, it became apparent they were thrashing like nobody's business, and that it was triple headed - 20312 leading, with 20307 behind it, face first and of course nose - nose with 20310.
I took the first unit to Harrow & Wealdstone, where I met Ian again. We saw 1S25, EWS 90 + load 15 and an early 1A97 with 3* 325s. We caught the 21:54 to Euston, then went to Paddington to see the sleeper, with FGW Green 57603 on the blocks, and 57605 on the country end.
Finally, we went to get our last DRS locos of the day, 37606 and 37608 at Liverpool Street (aforementioned 8Q65). It was due in 23:38 - 23:50. Fortunately, there was a screen and computer which looked about 20 years old with a very basic map showing where all the trains were at between Bethnal Green and Liverpool Street. Unfortuately, when 8Q65 had not shown up, I made some enquiries. It was revealed that it was sitting in platform 10a at Stratford. We caught the 23:52 to Stratford, only to find a liner sitting in 10a - so we went to the office to have it confirmed - 8Q65 had the down main to itself, pottering along at 30mph at Ilford. A bit of a disappointing end to the day. Travel home was via Tottenham Court Road then night buses, arriving at 02:20.
Fairly productive day - 2 37s/56s, 3 20s/31s and a few bits in between. 21 hours - an 'all-dayer' as opposed to an all nighter is one way of looking at it
Finish time - 02:20
Taking into account various factors, available gen and free time among them, I chose Thursday as my day out photting for the half-term.
Firstly, I planned to go to Petts Wood to see 6O62 Willesden - Dungeness. In order to overcome the possible early running of this train, it was necessary to take a bus from my home to Lewisham, then the 0557 to Petts Wood (arr. 06:13). However, as I stepped out of my front door, I saw it go, so I had to change plans very early on. I was hoping this was not indicative of events for the rest of the day.
I eventually ended up in Penge High Street, and another bus took me to Penge East Station, arrving at 05:40, in good time for the 05:52 to Petts Wood. I met IH on this train, and we arrived at Petts Wood at 06:10
Having not received any info on 6A73 Crewe - Willesden flasks on Wednesday night, I was slightly worried when 6O62 was not showing up on the P2 map anywhere at 06:20 (due off Willesden 05:35). This turned to relief when I received a TRUST report which showed it left Willesden 5 early, then was 35ish late running along the West London Line. It was revealed a minute later that 20307 + 20310 (again!!) were working it.
We were hoping that 6O62 would take the down fast Tonbridge loop from Bickley, which would have resulted in a full sun picture and probably some thrash as the speed changes from 20 to 60 once it hits the loop. No such luck, it came off route on the slow 19 late at 07:17. Full thrash when it came on the mainline, then reduced to a whistle from the leading loco and still some thrash from the second loco, as the aspect was showing amber - the preceeding Sevenoaks unit stopped at Orpington.
Reasonably pleased, we were off to get our second pair of DRS locos, 37259 + 605 on 1Q14. This is a significantly hellfire pairing I hasten to add. we took the 07:30 Networker to Beckenham Junction, then a tram to East Croydon. We opted to take the longer, scenic route to Purley (412, which goes via Selsdon and Riddlesdown) instead of the 407 which shadows the line from East Croydon - Caterham via Purley. We arrived at Purley 09:25, and went to sign the visitors book, the staff being friendly as ever. 1Q14 was showing at Salfords, so it was a tad late.
37259 lead 1Q14 through the station at 09:51, in full sun on its way to Selhurst Traction & Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot. We took the 10:08 to Whyteleafe South, a pleasant suburb and explored the line a bit. 1Q14 passed around 10:45 going into Caterham, and 11:00 going back out. We then took a 455 back to East Croydon, where Ian had to go elsewhere. During this time I was sent the times for 5Z47 Selhurst - Derby and 8Q65 Ilford - Ipswich.
I took the 11:32 First Capital Connect service to St Albans. 5Z47, DBSO 9714 + 31105 passed at 12:50. I procrastinated in going to the up platform for a train to Mill Hill to see 31601 and 31459 working 4Q31. As I eventually made my way to the up platform for a train to Mill Hill, I bumped into Gez, who was going to Luton to see 4Q31. When Gez told be it was being held to time at Luton, I went to catch the train to Mill Hill, which came at 13:32.
31601 TnT 31459 forming 4Q31 coasted through at 13:50. At this point it started raining, and didn't stop for the rest of the day. I waited for the 31s to return north, and they eventually came at 15:00, 20 or so late. In the meantime, I saw 66623 for the first time, appropriately enough, on Bardon hoppers. This part of the day I used to call "peak time freight drought", as normally nothing interesting runs during the peak. So I took a 221 from Mill Hill to Turnpike Lane, then a 67 from Turnpike Lane to Aldgate.
Upon arrival, the drizzle turned into a downpour, so I took the first bus that came, a bendy bus 25 to Tottenham Court Road. By this time it was 17:45, and was thinking about where to see 6M95. I made my way to Shepherd's Bush on the buses, then took the Central Line rail replacement to White City. I waited at the bus stop there until 1900, then made my way to the lineside, where the signal is at White City (first signal after Kensington Olympia).
20307 and 20310 passed at 19:25, and stopped just after the main flyover near North Pole Junction - location to try for next week
. I made my way to Shepherd's Bush, and procrastinated leaving again, trying to find a bus to Olympia. When I realised I wouldn't make the 20:11 Southern to Harrow, I had to move again to the 220 bus stop. The 220 goes to Willesden Junction.56301 was at West London Junction with a late 4O90 as I arrived. Bakerloo unit came in at 20:36. On the way, I saw 20307 and 20310 sitting at Willesden Brent, surrounded by hi-viz. Part of the train was obscured by some condemned stock, so I could only see 20307 and the nose of 20310. 20312 worked light engine from Stowmarket to Wembley earlier in the day for a bit of TLC. I arrived at South Kenton at 20:47.
Soon after I arrived, 56303 went south with 4O60, and a 92 + FSR 90 went south with 6L48 to Dagenham. At 21:17, I saw 6K51 Willesden - Crewe. As it came closer, it became apparent they were thrashing like nobody's business, and that it was triple headed - 20312 leading, with 20307 behind it, face first and of course nose - nose with 20310.
I took the first unit to Harrow & Wealdstone, where I met Ian again. We saw 1S25, EWS 90 + load 15 and an early 1A97 with 3* 325s. We caught the 21:54 to Euston, then went to Paddington to see the sleeper, with FGW Green 57603 on the blocks, and 57605 on the country end.
Finally, we went to get our last DRS locos of the day, 37606 and 37608 at Liverpool Street (aforementioned 8Q65). It was due in 23:38 - 23:50. Fortunately, there was a screen and computer which looked about 20 years old with a very basic map showing where all the trains were at between Bethnal Green and Liverpool Street. Unfortuately, when 8Q65 had not shown up, I made some enquiries. It was revealed that it was sitting in platform 10a at Stratford. We caught the 23:52 to Stratford, only to find a liner sitting in 10a - so we went to the office to have it confirmed - 8Q65 had the down main to itself, pottering along at 30mph at Ilford. A bit of a disappointing end to the day. Travel home was via Tottenham Court Road then night buses, arriving at 02:20.
Fairly productive day - 2 37s/56s, 3 20s/31s and a few bits in between. 21 hours - an 'all-dayer' as opposed to an all nighter is one way of looking at it
Tut tut tut....
:mad: :mad: 