55013's Contemporary Trip Reports

[DarloRich]

Interesting week in Wales - i haven't explored that area of the country much!

 

[sprinterguy]

When I was wandering around its' perimeter last year, I hadn't realised that there was a part of Caernarfon Castle that you could stay in: Interesting stuff.

On that occasion when the other half and I were visiting that area, mainly for the Welsh Highland Railway beer festival, we stayed on the campsite at the Snowdonia Parc: Very handy for the Welsh Highland station at Waunfawr (the line runs through the grounds!), and with its' own brewhouse producing some most excellent ales to boot.
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LT have a policy of no TV, telephone or Wi-Fi at any of their properties and it's absolute heaven.

Sounds perfect - I do a lot of holidays in North West Scotland, where the telly and the phone are roundly ignored for the whole week (you can't often get signal even if you tried).

 

[alexf380]

A very interesting week's worth of reading there, certainly kept me entertained throughout. it'll be at the very least 2018 before I get to that part of the country, so I'll be sure to recap your moves closer to the time.

 

[55013]

Thanks for all the positive comments chaps, they're much appreciated
That part of Wales is highly recommended.

As for the 2016 Challenge, you've committed yourself now! But as self appointed moderator of such challenges, I'll have to go away and have a think as to whether a mixed units & shacks challenge is a valid combination. But nevertheless, it's good to see you embracing the idea of a year long challenge.

It's funny you should mention the validity of such a challenge, I've been having the same thoughts.
The trouble is that I fancied the idea of a one-a-day average and initially felt that it wouldn't be possible.
After all I had a good year in 2015 and only scored about 250 locos and units, didn't I?
Well no, actually, I've just counted and I got 415 winners, which puts a different perspective on it.
So, I've re-jigged my challenge and am now going for 366 new locos/units/HSTs/trams AND 183 new stations.
That'll keep me out of mischief

So, for my 2016 challenge I'm currently standing at:
23/366 and 47/183.
It looks a lot more daunting now!

 

[jayalongtheway]

Good luck with your challenge Phil. No harm in providing oneself with a challenge, it will certainly motivate you on the 'can I be bothered' days.

 

[Kristofferson]

Good luck!

 

[Techniquest]

I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking counting shacks in the original challenge was cheating a bit!

I'm tempted to give such a thing a go myself...

 

[45135]

After all I had a good year in 2015 and only scored about 250 locos and units, didn't I?
Well no, actually, I've just counted and I got 415 winners, which puts a different perspective on it.
So, I've re-jigged my challenge and am now going for 366 new locos/units/HSTs/trams AND 183 new stations.
That'll keep me out of mischief

Alternatively, calculate it on the basis of 2 vehicles = 1 shack. Easy

Some nice scenery shots there (did you get any photos of the yarn bombing, by the way?) - it's a shame that Spitfire didn't get to Pwllheli on their last tour, and they've been very quiet about a re-run (yeah, I know)...

 

[55013]

Alternatively, calculate it on the basis of 2 vehicles = 1 shack. Easy

Some nice scenery shots there (did you get any photos of the yarn bombing, by the way?) - it's a shame that Spitfire didn't get to Pwllheli on their last tour, and they've been very quiet about a re-run (yeah, I know)...

Yeah, but it did mean we got Welshpool in

Anyway, a few shots of the Yarn Bombing:

DSCN3734 by Ruth Wood, on Flickr

DSCN3733 by Ruth Wood, on Flickr

DSCN3732 by Ruth Wood, on Flickr

DSCN3731 by Ruth Wood, on Flickr

Nothing too fancy but it does brighten the station up a bit.
The sea view on the shelter is painted.

 

[alexf380]

The sea view on the shelter is painted.

Really?? I couldn't tell!

Looks quite nice though.

 

[55013]

Really?? I couldn't tell!

I meant as opposed to crocheted!
It's not exactly Michelangelo but it does brighten the place up a bit

I'm glad I wasn't the only one thinking counting shacks in the original challenge was cheating a bit!

I'm not sure you can cheat if you're setting the rules yourself!
I changed it because it thought it was a bit too vague and wanted it to be more specific.
It does mean I'll probably fail though

 

[Techniquest]

My challenge for the year is to totally avoid Voyager haulage. So far so good!

 

[55013]

Excellent challenge, I doff my cap to you.
Best of luck with that

Now, on with today's shenanigans.
Baghill is in the, er, bag
My wife had a lunch date with some of the girls from work and so I saw an opportunity to get one or two of the trickier West Yorkshire stations roped in.
There’s nothing too thrilling to report, I drove to Pontefract in time for the 10.10 York service, which provided me with the first of the day’s encounters with 142068.

Baghill bagged:
DMU 142068_2016.01.30_02_Pontefract Baghill by Phil Wood, on Flickr

I took the Pacer from Baghill to Ulleskelf where I spent what, in better weather conditions, could have been an enjoyable half an hour photographing passing trains, including a Cross Country HST.

43384, I've no idea what was on the front:
HST 43384_2016.01.30_1_Ulleskelf by Phil Wood, on Flickr

As it was, the high winds spoilt it somewhat and I was glad to see 142068 reappear to take me back from whence I came.
Next up was a drive across the county as I was after my last two West Yorkshire shacks on the Penistone line.
The train I was aiming for was the 13.24 to Huddersfield, but when I arrived at Denby Dale it was a quarter of an hour late and the ETA just kept getting worse.
It’s a good job my car was parked outside the station as I went and sat in it for a while to keep warm.
I mooched back to the platform only to find that the next arrival was the service from Huddersfield, which I had been planning on making at Shepley.
At this point I had a thought, if the ex-Sheffield service was so late, I would be able to gain an extra station with no time penalty.
So, instead of waiting at Denby Dale I boarded 144016 and headed to South Yorkshire and Penistone.

At least it's not 142068:
DMU 144016_2016.01.30_1_Denby Dale by Phil Wood, on Flickr

When reaching the former DC electrified station I saw that the train I had intended to catch was stood in and there was no way I was going to make it across.
I went to view it leave and get a shot and what unit was it?
Only this morning’s traction 142068.
Because it was so late, I didn’t have that long to wait for the next service, although by now it had started hailing, which was a bit of a pain.
I did have a bit of a wander to see what, if any of the old layout could be seen (not much) and to see if any 76ers were working through on freights (amazingly, none were) .
It was 144013 that took me to my original destination of Shepley and the weather was now even worse.
Unsurprisingly it was 142068 that appeared, for my third run of the day on it, to take me back to Denby Dale.

The weather could be better:
DMU 142068_2016.01.30_08_Shepley by Phil Wood, on Flickr

It was definitely the right decision to go to Penistone – if I’d stuck to my original plan I would still have come back from Shepley on 142068, only I would have got there a lot sooner and it would have been on 142068.
I was back home by mid-afternoon, up by five shacks, meaning I now need two West Yorkshire stations, Darton and Moorthorpe.
I think I’ll wait until Kirkstall Forge is open and do all three on the same day.

 

[Kristofferson]

I do love a mini bash it's amazing what opportunities present themselves at odd times

 

[47403]

Good read 55013, I admire your commitment to get those stations in.

 

[jayalongtheway]

I think anyone would be grateful for a Pacer when the weather is that foul. Well perhaps not everybody!

 

[FQ]

I think anyone would be grateful for a Pacer when the weather is that foul. Well perhaps not everybody!

Not me!

A good mini bash with a fair few shacks.

 

[Techniquest]

A fun little trip there, except for the rancid weather in Penistone!

Moorthorpe is one of the few West Yorkshire stations I've actually done

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a productive day, apart from the rotten weather

 

[55013]

I do love a mini bash

Me too, a couple of hours out and back home to thaw out.

Good read 55013, I admire your commitment to get those stations in.

Twelve months ago I didn't give a stuff about stations, now I'm doing moves like this.
All thanks to the good folk of this forum and their inspiring trip reports.

I think anyone would be grateful for a Pacer when the weather is that foul. Well perhaps not everybody!

Not me!

You'll absolutely love my secondary aim for 2016 - to clear all Pacer coaches for riding in.
I need 2 x northern 142s, 5 x Cardiff 142s and 4 x Cardiff 143s.

A fun little trip there, except for the rancid weather in Penistone!

Shepley was worse, although I was only there for four minutes so wasn't as perturbed as I was at Penistone.

Moorthorpe is one of the few West Yorkshire stations I've actually done

It will fall this year, mark my words

Sounded like a productive day, apart from the rotten weather

It was actually quite enjoyable, even the weather couldn't dampen my spirits, although I was glad to get back home into warmth and comfort.

 

[Keith Jarrett]

I do love a mini bash it's amazing what opportunities present themselves at odd times

Mini bashes are a very good way to get odds and ends out of the way as our friend Mr Black Watch has suitably demonstrated. Once those last few in West Yorkshire are suitably dispatched, surely the next objective has to be the rest of Yorkshire?

And 55013, well done on getting where you have with West Yorkshire shacks - the end is in sight.

 

[Techniquest]

I can only imagine how glad you must have been to get in. When's Kirkstall Forge opening? I need to get back and do Apperley Bridge,not to mention the many West Yorkshire shacks I still need. Maybe in 2017

EDIT: Agreed, mini bashes are a good way to do the odd bit here and there, did just that earlier in the month with Wem and Whitchurch (Shropshire). No doubt plenty of mini bashes due as the year goes on!

 

[55013]

Mini bashes are a very good way to get odds and ends out of the way as our friend Mr Black Watch has suitably demonstrated. Once those last few in West Yorkshire are suitably dispatched, surely the next objective has to be the rest of Yorkshire?

And 55013, well done on getting where you have with West Yorkshire shacks - the end is in sight.

Thanks. Shack wise, I think I'll be aiming for South Yorkshire next, the Travelmaster is good value at £7.70.
North Yorkshire is a bit more complicated, as there's not really a decent day rover type ticket.
There is the North East Round Robin, but that's a jaw dropping £47.50.
FORTY SEVEN POUNDS FIFTY for a day rover!

I still need some 185s which can be got on my M-Card, but I find the overcrowding makes for a pretty miserable experience and I'm supposed to be enjoying myself.

I can only imagine how glad you must have been to get in. When's Kirkstall Forge opening? I need to get back and do Apperley Bridge,not to mention the many West Yorkshire shacks I still need. Maybe in 2017

EDIT: Agreed, mini bashes are a good way to do the odd bit here and there, did just that earlier in the month with Wem and Whitchurch (Shropshire). No doubt plenty of mini bashes due as the year goes on!

I believe Kirkstall Forge is due to open around Easter. The one I'm really waiting for is Low Moor, I can walk home from there and not suffer a bus back after a day at work

 

[Techniquest]

Excellent, I might delay my trip up there until Kirkstall Forge opens. Shall see how things go. Low Moor will be dead useful for you, and no doubt a lot of people. I'd imagine that's some way off yet though.

 

[55013]

Yeah, I passed it this evening, on 142068 would you believe, and they've started to lay the foundations at long last.

 

[Techniquest]

You must have some extreme mileage on 142068

I like the idea you had too of getting all Pacers vehicles travelled in. I need to find another challenge for the year that's doable...

 

[andyb2706]

Great little trip, making me want to be out again. Love the picture at Shepley with the hailstone.

 

[DarloRich]

hehehehehehehehehehehehe Penistone hehehehehehehehehehehehe

interesting little trip out

 

[andyb2706]

hehehehehehehehehehehehe Penistone hehehehehehehehehehehehe

interesting little trip out

Take it you saw the Top Gear they did from there then?

 

[55013]

Great little trip, making me want to be out again. Love the picture at Shepley with the hailstone.

Thanks.
It was pretty bad at Shepley, this is 142068 a second or two after that pic - I didn't use this one initially as it's blurred, but you get the idea


DMU 142068_2016.01.30_09_Shepley by Phil Wood, on Flickr

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My good friend 45135, our mate Steve and I finally managed to get our Christmas trip done yesterday.
Nothing much to report, other than the fact that we had a very enjoyable time and nobody died, so a great improvement on our first attempt last December.

Also, 45135 and I bagged a winner.

After doing the obligatory pre-move full English breakfast we headed to Solihull and made it in plenty of time to get dud 172334 to Moor Street before taking 68012 through to Marylebone.

68012_2016.02.06_03_Marylebone by Phil Wood, on Flickr

After adjourning to "The Metropolitan" for a mixed grill we returned for the 18.10 and found Marylebone in chaos.
A tree had fallen across the line at Gerrards Cross (cross? I bet he was furious )
68012, which should have worked the 17.10, was still there.
We were a bit worried that we would have to do a unit back.
The 17.10 had been cancelled, the 17.40 unit left at 18.11 and then we breathed a sigh of relief as the 18.10 was announced as being the train at platform 3, which was 68012.

We were only sixteen late leaving, which wasn't too bad considering.
The journey North produced lots of cat thrash but also several crawls, as might be expected, and a couple of signal checks, including one just South of Princes Risborough, after we which we crossed over and went through the up platform, before crossing back.
Not sure why that happened.
Anyway, we arrived at Solihull thirty nine late.

A quick shot before the drive home:
68012_2016.02.06_09_Solihull by Phil Wood, on Flickr

After that, it was a relatively good drive home, taking into account the terrible weather conditions, and after dropping the lads off I was home at midnight.
So a successful Christmas trip at last, 68012 was required in the morning and is now my highest mileage member of the class