45135's Occasional Trips Out

[45135]

Inspired by the many and varied travel reports on here, I thought I'd do a write up of my trip to the Great Central yesterday.

45041 was having a running day, three round trips on its own followed by three top & tail with 45125 (in green as D123). I'd been looking for something railway-wise to do and, as my username might suggest, I'm quite partial to Peaks, so Friday was booked off work. The Tesco Clubcard/Red Spotted Hanky offer (£1 in points = £2 in vouchers) combined with the prospect of avoiding umpteen miles of roadworks on the M1 meant that getting there by train was looking quite attractive. Did I mention that 45041's running day included an on train real ale bar?

The tickets were booked and Mrs 45135 dropped me off at Guiseley, where I joined the queue for the ticket machine. When I eventually got to the machine, the button to collect pre-booked tickets had a big red X on it. 'Oh dear' I muttered to myself, or something to that effect, and sprinted over the bridge to the ticket office, where the bloke behind the window apologised and printed out my tickets as the train pulled in... after a sprint back over the bridge I just made it, with 333013 taking me to Leeds.

We arrived in Leeds a few minutes ahead of time so I made an earlier connection than the one I'd planned as 221141+220013 rolled in heading for Plymouth. I boarded the front unit, which luckily wasn't too full as Voyagers can be claustrophobic at the best of times. They have a careworn feel about them these days too - the glazing unit opposite had blown, the blinds were grubby and the narrow, rock hard seats are looking faded and in need of a deep clean. The engine noise and vibration was as intrusive as ever, not helped by it hunting on idle. Eventually we arrived at Derby, where some real traction in the form of 20118+20132 was stabled in the sidings.
221141 20118 Derby 25-9-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

After a short wait 170397 arrived to take me to Beeston...
170397 Beeston 25-9-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

Followed by 222009 to Loughborough.
222009 Beeston 25-9-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

The GCR station is an easy 15 minute walk from the main line station and the presence of a sleeper coach told me I was heading in the right direction. (Cheat note: this photo was taken on the walk back).
Sleeper coach Loughborough 25/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

After buying my ticket I had an hour or so to spare for a pint in the Phantom, then it was time for the main attraction.
45041 Loughborough 25/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

Royal Tank Regiment, or The Tank as she's sometimes known, was had for two well driven round trips, with the fan howling away on acceleration. The GCR's excellent all day breakfast was enjoyed in the griddle car and a beer or two from Nottingham brewery provided refreshment. At Leicester a seminar shot was taken...
45041 Leicester 25/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
That's a bashers' wave by the way - railway "expert" Christian Wolmar made the rather silly mistake of thinking it was a Nazi salute a few years ago in his infamous Trainspotters on rampage article in the D**ly M**l.

The current Leicestershire and Derbyshire Yeomanry backed onto the South end for my last trip of the day,
45125 Loughborough 25/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

and all too soon we were back at Loughborough.
45041 Loughborough 25/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

Then it was time for a stroll back to the former Loughborough Midland (stopping to phot the sleeper coach) for an ex-St Pancras, splitting at Kettering, service.
222008 Loughborough 25-9-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
My plan had been to change at Derby for the Plymouth-Leeds HST, but that was running an hour late, and Meridians are more comfortable than Voyagers, so 222008 was taken through to Sheffield where an arrival a couple of minutes early just made the slightly delayed Leeds via Barnsley formed of 158842. The less said about the interior of Northern 158s, the better, but it got me to Leeds in plenty of time for 333007 Alderman J. Arthur Goodwin - Licensed To Kill (I might have made the last bit up) back to Guiseley.

 

[Techniquest]

Welcome to the trip report writers community!

I'm not a Peak fan (sorry!) but I still enjoyed the read. I will have to remember to call it the basher's wave from now on, sounds better than flail! Not that the norms will get that either, the perils of being the only crank at work!

Seminars, that's something else the norms don't get. We were all years ahead of the selfie craze...

Hopefully you'll continue to do trip reports in the future, certainly enjoyed your writing style.

 

[ooo]

Inspired by the many and varied travel reports on here, I thought I'd do a write up of my trip to the Great Central yesterday....

Thanks for posting. The photos definitely add to the trip report

 

[55013]

How do murty, welcome to The Institute of Report Writers and Trip Reviewers.
Your membership card will be in the post shortly
A nice move, that, shame I was otherwise engaged.

It's nice to see all the sprightly young folk in the seminar.

 

[FQ]

It was a great read and I hope you continue doing them.

 

[45135]

Thanks for all the comments - I don't do that many moves these days due to work, kids etc. but I've got some other recent stuff I can wibble on about for a bit.

How do the photos look, size-wise? On my monitor the photos look quite large in relation to the text and layout.

 

[55013]

The pics are a tad on the large size.
I use the medium 500 x 375 setting on mine.

 

[45135]

Cheers, I'll give that a try next time.

 

[Techniquest]

I did mean to mention the size of the photos, especially big when viewing on my phone!

Should you have other trips to discuss, feel free to share!

 

[45135]

Yesterday I took a trip to the East Lancs for a run on 33109. I'm a member of the ELR, which includes 3 free trips, and yesterday was one of the last days of the year they're valid as Santa is in residence for the next few weeks.

I fancied a pint or two so decided to get there by train and tram - the ELR has a pub on Bury station, the Trackside, and the Buffer Stops at Rawtenstall, with take out available.

From Guiseley, 333016 took me to Bradford Forster Square.
333016 Bradford Forster Square 21-11-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

The long ramp exiting Forster Square was pretty grim, with a beggar sat at the station exit and homeless people sleeping under the arches. Incongruously, a brand new Range Rover Sport was parked outside the Midland Hotel.

After a short walk across Bradford, past the shiny new shopping centre, only a slight improvement over the notorious hole in the ground that's occupied the site for the past seven years, I arrived at Interchange for the Manchester Victoria service worked by 158844. It was a typical 158, with the engines seemingly bolted directly to the seat and vibrations that would make Ann Summers jealous. The train filled up en route and was wedged after Rochdale but got to Victoria on time, where I took the next tram to Bury, formed of 3010+3050.
158844 Manchester Victoria 21-11-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
(The covered signals are for the new tram platform).

3010 Manchester Victoria 21-11-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

At Bury it was another short walk between Interchange and Bolton Street. I bought a pint in the Trackside and took a seat at an empty table only for a lovely old woman to scrawk at me "SOMEONE'S SITTING THERE!! WE'VE ORDERED FOOD!!". Not wishing to inadvertently start another War of the Roses I commented on her rudeness and wandered outside, which turned out to be the better option as the Royal Preston Morris Dancers were providing entertainment.
Morris dancers Bury 21-11-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

By now it was time for lunch from the nearby fried chicken shop - they offered chicken burger and fries for £2.00 or chicken fillet burger and fries for £2.50, so I took the luxury option, with a pint (to take out) from the Trackside, and boarded my train.
33109 Bury 21-11-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

The ELR has decided to concentrate on Mk1s for its coaching stock fleet so the Mk2s are heading for a new home soon, rumoured to be the Wensleydale Railway.
33109 Rawtenstall 21-11-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

Back at Bury, 03062 was busy shunting an extra coach onto the other rake. This weekend is/was themed the Lancashire Weekend at the ELR, featuring locos built in, er, Smethwick and Crewe.
03062 Bury 21-11-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

After some more 8LDA thrash up to Heywood and back to Ramsbottom, Crab 13065 returned me to Bury and trams 3028+3058 on a very full and slow journey to Victoria, caused apparently by points failure at Piccadilly Gardens.
3028 Bury 21-11-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

Two of the glittering turds in Northern Rail's crown, 142041+142067, were on the Leeds via Bradford service.
142041 Bradford Interchange 21-11-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

At Forster Square it sounded like there was a madman shouting, but it turned out to be someone busking, very badly, and so it was onto 333013 back to Guiseley and home in time for tea.

 

[Techniquest]

Despite the buskers making Bradford feel rough, and the dreadfully dull Metrolink journey, looks like it was a good day. Not had a 158 with that problem of vibration before, must be a Northern thing!

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good day out, I think one of my aims for 2016 will be to cover some of the heritage lines in the country

 

[FQ]

That sounds like a fun day out!

 

[Kristofferson]

Great photos there, good day out too by the sound of it

 

[55013]

it was a typical 158, with the engines seemingly bolted directly to the seat and vibrations that would make ann summers jealous.

Anyway, a nice move there.
Shame I couldn't do it, but violent crime had my attention at the time

 

[45135]

Cheers everyone, it was a very enjoyable move. The East Lancs is one of the most pro-diesel lines in the country, with gradients either way out of Bury to give the locos some exercise, and even better, and it's just over the hill from me. Getting home at a relatively early hour is always a good thing.

 

[45135]

At last, more train trips! This time, various rail related adventures on the family holiday to Devon last August and September (2015). We had a lodge booked at Devon Hills in Collaton St Mary, just outside Paignton (a park which also has the thatched 15th Century Blagdon Inn on site) and decided to break up the long journey from Yorkshire by stopping off en route. By a happy coincidence, Solihull is around the halfway point.

After the usual stagger down the M1 we got to Solihull mid afternoon and the family headed off to check in to the hotel nearby, leaving me with enough time to get a photo of 66740 from the car park steps
66740 Solihull 28/8/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
before winner (for sight too) 68010 arrived to shove me to Banbury.
68010 Solihull 28/8/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
Banbury station is a very interesting place to spend an hour (if you're a crank), with semaphores,
166210 Banbury 28/8/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
including some installed as recently as 2010,
168005 Banbury 28/8/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
various units and a bit of freight
70001 166210 Banbury 28/8/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
to keep me and the camera occupied until the main attraction turned up, hauled by 68008, also a winner for sight, to take me to Leamington Spa.
68008 Leamington Spa 28/8/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
At Leamington there was just time to view a (peak hours only, I think?) London Midland arrival
172344 Leamington Spa 28/8/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
before 68011 rolled in to return me to Solihull. I've noticed that food is sometimes mentioned on trip reports, so I'll recommend Giovanni's in Shirley, which the family had picked as our venue for tea - some of the best Italian food I've had in a while.

Only a brief glimpse of trains the next day as we plodded South along the M5, checking out the Quantocks on the way, although unlike many of the cars heading in the same direction, we didn't spend the entire journey in the middle lane. Despite the usual delays around Bristol, then on the unfinished bits of the A380 around Newton Abbot, we arrived in Paignton well before our check in time so we (well... OK then... I) decided that Dartmouth Regatta would be a good way to spend a couple of hours.

I'd found out a few days before that the last flying example of the legendary Vulcan bomber, XH558 (which has since had its wings clipped, sadly), was to perform at the airshow, but by the time we'd parked and joined the queue for the bus (it was a bus enthusiasts' paradise - a selection of motley buses had been borrowed from various local operators) XH558 had already started its display, so there was only the chance of a quick shot above the treetops.
Vulcan Dartmouth 29-8-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
(I got some better photos of XH558 later, at the Yorkshire Air Show - not from the showground itself but the much cheaper and more railway orientated located of the footbridge at Church Fenton station, but that's another Flickr plug, for when I get round to uploading the pics.)

Although we missed most of the Vulcan's show we did see an impressive air sea rescue display by the Royal Navy Sea King (also now retired)
Sea King Dartmouth 29/8/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
and in spite of the dull weather the displays from the Spitfire and Hurricane, Pitts S2S and Strikemaster were also enjoyable. 57316 (with 57601 bringing up the rear) was spied across the harbour working a charter on the former Manchester Pullman rake.
57316 Kingswear 29-8-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
Pitts S2S and Strikemaster Dartmouth 29/8/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
The next day, being the Sunday of an August bank holiday, chucked it down and the rest of the family fancied a day in, but the Dart Valley Railway (featuring Staverton beer festival) was calling. Mrs 45135 dropped me off at Totnes (home of the famous Bickering Fair) and as I was crossing the footbridge, the rain easing a little, an XC HST arrived from the West.
43366 Totnes 30/8/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
After a brisk walk round to Totnes Riverside, steamer 3205 took me to Staverton, which was busy in spite of the weather, with pasties and cake to accompany a selection of beers from Devon, Cornwall and, er, Yorkshire - how could they have known?

It wasn't long before 37275 rolled in
37275 Staverton 30/8/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
for a trip via Totnes to Buckfastleigh, where 6412 returned me to the festival. By now the rain had stopped so I strolled down into the yard for a look at (winner for sight) D2246.
D2246 Staverton 30/8/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
A little later, suitably refreshed, I headed back, the long way again, via L.92 to Buckfastleigh
L.92 Staverton 29-8-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
then 37275 to Totnes.
43169 37275 Totnes Riverside 30/8/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

More to follow, featuring (spoiler alert) classes 08, 14 and 25, narrow gauge diesels and steam powered chips...

 

[FQ]

It sounds like you had a nice little outing on the cats in my local area along with the Devon stuff! I'm looking forward to the rest!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

37275 looks great! That's a good enough reason to go to the South Devon Railway in itself!

 

[Kristofferson]

Very jealous of you having seen the Vulcan!

Loved the read - planes, trains and automobiles

 

[47403]

45135 said:-

It was a typical 158, with the engines seemingly bolted directly to the seat and vibrations that would make Ann Summers jealous

Thats one of the funniest quotes I've read on here, had me giigling anyway.
Great write up, certainly jealous of some crompton action, been waaaaaay too long since I enjoyed a bit of that/

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Damn fine read.

Nice to see someone else enjoying the preserved/heritage side of things, too. This is sadly lacking from this part of the forum.

I'm tempted to do a "preserved shacks" spreadsheet as an add-on to the one Lord Kite ( I think it was he) did last year for NR/Underground/Tramhuts.

 

[55013]

Excellent couple of write ups, there.
Nice to see a reference to Half Man Half Biscuit as well
I know I've told you before, but that picture of the Vulcan always takes me back to 1982, walking home from school and feeling the ground shake beneath my feet as five of them, in V formation, flew overhead on their way to/from The Falklands.
God, they were loud.

 

[Techniquest]

An excellent read good sir.

I think preservation trip reporting, or rather a lack of it, shows how much some of us don't have the time to do a trip on a preserved line. I sure don't, although I would love to do some more preserved lines.

 

[Kite159]

I think those semaphores signals haven't got that long left, as the Banbury area is closed for a week at the start of August.

 

[FQ]

I think those semaphores signals haven't got that long left, as the Banbury area is closed for a week at the start of August.

I can confirm that when Banbury is shut, the semaphores will be taken out and a whole new layout will be put in.

 

[Kite159]

I can confirm that when Banbury is shut, the semaphores will be taken out and a whole new layout will be put in.

And leamington spa will be full of voyagers

 

[FQ]

I probably won't be at Leam for that time at all! Dad won't be working in Brum at the time so I wouldn't have any reason to head down to Brummingham!

 

[45135]

37275 looks great! That's a good enough reason to go to the South Devon Railway in itself!

Aye, 37275 is a credit to the people who look after it, and the SDR, whilst not the thrashiest, is a very pretty line.

Very jealous of you having seen the Vulcan!

They're an unforgettable sight and sound (as 55013 mentioned) and still well worth a look on the ground. I believe they still do fast taxi runs now and again - being in the cockpit as it blasts down the runway is another one for the bucket list!

Nice to see someone else enjoying the preserved/heritage side of things, too. This is sadly lacking from this part of the forum.

For me personally, the things that interest me the most (and that I keep records for) are diesel and electric locos, so the preservation scene has a lot to offer, on the diesel side at least. I'm spoilt too, with diesel hauled trains within an hour's drive from home most weekends.

I do enjoy most train journeys though, as long as it's not too wedged, the other passengers are behaving themselves and there aren't long periods of time spent staring at a hedge.

Nice to see a reference to Half Man Half Biscuit as well

I noticed music gets mentioned during trip reports quite a bit too, so I thought I'd crowbar it in - also, during my motorway journey, on certain sections, I was keeping two chevrons apart

I think those semaphores signals haven't got that long left, as the Banbury area is closed for a week at the start of August.

Ah, that's progress I suppose... glad I got 'em in.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Grab your bucket and spade, it's holiday time again...

On Wednesday we fancied a rail and river cruise (not my idea - honest), so after an invigorating run into Paignton on the top deck of the open top bus, viewing 150238 holding up the traffic at Paignton,
150238 2/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
we boarded 5239 Goliath's train to Kingswear (seen here with, yes another, winner for sight 03371)
D2371 5239 Kingswear 2/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
and the ferry across to Dartmouth, an ex-GWR station which has never been visited by a train (does it count? Discuss ). Time for an obligatory pasty before boarding the boat for a trip along the Dart. Goliath was spotted plying its trade
5239 Kingswear 2/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
and was due to return and take us back to Paignton.

So, after a circular-ish tour up and down the Dart, passing Castle Cove, Sugary Cove, Deadmans Cove and Ladies Cove, we took the ferry back to Kingswear and awaited our train. 'Parp!' Hmm, that boat's horn sounds like a loco...
25185 Kingswear 2-9-15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
Then, around the corner, appeared 25185!

Turns out Goliath was misbehaving, so it had been put in the naughty siding. Mrs 45135 is used to me being like an excited kid in these situations so wasn't too bothered by me risking the highly dangerous practice of looking out of the window a bit to appreciate the 6LDA28 racket. Mind you, there had been a gap of nearly 24 years since my last run behind it, which was on 23/11/91 on a wedged train with most of the fellow participants of Pathfinder's Valiant Thunderer railtour, for the record.

Paignton Zoo on Thursday featured a surprise appearance of a loco, on the Jungle Express, doing a reasonable impression of a 37. Well, visually, at least. (It cost extra. We rejected it.) Looking at other photos on t'interweb, in the past it's also impersonated a Warship and a Peak, less successfully.
Paignton Zoo 3/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr

On Saturday it was time to pack up and head for our stop off point near Leicester, with a detour to Norchard and the Dean Forest Railway (lunch was taken in the pretty border town of Chepstow). One of the kids decided to stay in the car with a PS Vita for entertainment but D9521+D9555+D9537 took the rest of us to Lydney Junction
D9521 D9555 D9537 Lydney Junction 5/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
for a DMU back, then down to the low level platform for a run on winner for haulage 08769 in the beautifully restored inspection saloon.
08769 Lydney Junction 5/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
After that it was new track time, beyond Whitecroft, behind D9555+D9537 to Parkend for a DMU to Lydney, finishing on another run in the by now not quite as full saloon, doubling my mileage for 08769 to 3.18 (decimal, in case anyone's wondering).
08769 Lydney Junction 5/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
Another grub recommendation now - after more motorway plodding and checking in at our hotel it was time for tea, at Indian Fusion in Markfield, near Leicester - very good food but they also know how to make an occasion of a meal out, so go there if you're in the area and you like Indian food.

Our plan for the final day, Sunday, was to visit The Victory Show in Cosby, just South of Leicester, but after queuing for well over an hour and still being miles away from the site, we abandoned that and headed for the Space Museum, only to be enticed into the Abbey Pumping Station open day next door. A good decision as it turned out, because as well as various crank friendly exhibits including a beam engine chuffing away and a Triang 3 rail layout, a Ruston & Hornsby beastie was working the narrow gauge line and was duly raked in for haulage. (The driver was a little surprised when I took this photo but didn't seem to mind.)
RH223700 Abbey Pumping Station Leicester 6/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
Finishing on the theme of food, a coal fired van was doing a roaring trade serving chips for the bargain price of a voluntary donation of a pound a bag (we bought two bags ).
Abbey Pumping Station Leicester 6/9/15 by Carlos_45135, on Flickr
So, all told, a grand holiday. I'm trying to persuade the family that, sunshine aside, heading back to Devon this Summer is a better option than Spain...

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Another great report.

I didn't know 03371 had migrated to Devon. That's something else on the to do list, together with the top bit of the Dean Forest...