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55013's Contemporary Trip Reports
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I had to do the 466, 36 chains is just too pathetic for my evolving tastes.
The 66 was just pulling into the yard on a rake of hoppers from the North.
Looking on RTT, I think it was the 20.00 Doncaster Down Decoy GBRF - Peterborough, which ran early and arrived at 19.56, with my HST leaving Peterborough at 19.59.
It looks like I'll never know for certain, but thanks for looking.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
But wait....thanks for the gen!
Kristofferson
Member
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2012
- Messages
- 1,132
Great read, and love the picture of the "jumping" 465!
Those Electrostars look much smarter in blue...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Those Electrostars look much smarter in blue...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Keith Jarrett
Member
That Kent Rover thingy was definitely a worthwhile outing and has certainly helped you get closer towards reaching your 2016 challenge. The shacks look very much achievable with only 23 left before you hit the jackpot. And haulages should be an easy target if you're a good boy and Mrs 13 lets you off the leash a few more times!
I know you like your 91s but for me I prefer HSTs on the East Coast - pity that both of the last two times I've tried for HSTs, I have been caught and bowled with 91s. Of course the best of both worlds was in the early days when 91s were running round with Mark 3 stock and an HST power car. Now that's how an Inter City train is supposed to shift!
I know you like your 91s but for me I prefer HSTs on the East Coast - pity that both of the last two times I've tried for HSTs, I have been caught and bowled with 91s. Of course the best of both worlds was in the early days when 91s were running round with Mark 3 stock and an HST power car. Now that's how an Inter City train is supposed to shift!
Techniquest
Veteran Member
An excellent final day to the trip there, megatons of winners and shack scores overall which must make your books look pretty good now.
I need the new Rochester station, although I'll probably go for it when Thanet Parkway opens eventually.
I prefer an HST up the ECML personally, smoother ride after all. Not that I don't like MK4s...
I need the new Rochester station, although I'll probably go for it when Thanet Parkway opens eventually.
I prefer an HST up the ECML personally, smoother ride after all. Not that I don't like MK4s...
45135
Member
- Joined
- 15 Dec 2014
- Messages
- 107
Fifteen years since the Green Express Canterbury Tales tour eh - has it changed much in the intervening time? I remember an enjoyable wander around a sunny Canterbury. Although it was a while ago it's nice to keep abreast of such things...
Good read by the way, nice to see you're still on target.
Good read by the way, nice to see you're still on target.
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Thanks, I like the shot of the 465, but it could perhaps have been better had I fired a second earlier.
I like the blue, I must admit.
I'm reasonably confident I'll achieve both goals - I have a few moves lined up.
If I achieve my challenge I'm going to award myself an Oscar style statuette and call it a "Keith" as you were the one who inspired this year's adventure
But, but...91 mileage
I knew as soon as I saw the station that it would bug me if I didn't pay a visit, so it had to be done.
:grin:
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
I've just had an enjoyable day out which improved my totals for the year by one
Mrs 13 and I started by driving up to North Yorkshire and spent an few hours looking round the extremely interesting Rievaulx Abbey before moving on to Keighley and a totally different type of attraction.
My wife went off to hit the charity shops and I met up with 45135 and another mate for a run to Oxenhope and back behind 08993 and 08266.
A very pleasurable hour and a half and winner two hundred and fourteen in the book.
08266_2016.06.18_1_Keighley_& 08993 by Phil Wood, on Flickr
08993_2016.06.18_4_Keighley_& 08266 by Phil Wood, on Flickr
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Techniquest
Veteran Member
Very nice, you're not far behind me in terms of red pen scores, despite my being on more frequent trips!
Thanks chaps.
Anyway, time for something a bit less contemporary.
I have a bit of spare time and have just been thinking about 47403’s FoSS– one thing in particular caught my eye.
His memory of doing 37408 on a Crewe to Derby service brought back recollections of something very similar from the dim and distant past.
It was the 11th of August 1989 and my mate and I had a two day North West move in mind.
No internet or any other means of advanced gen meant we always went without knowing what developments, beneficial or otherwise, might have occurred.
We were completely unsuspecting of the delights that awaited us when we left Yorkshire behind 47543, but we would be in clover soon enough.
After purchasing our rovers at Piccadilly we headed South, first on 87026 to Stockport and then 90017 to Crewe.
So far, so normal.
Once at Crewe, though, the flapping started.
We could hear a gentle whistling and so mooched down to have a look and were mightily surprised to see a pair of 20s, 20159 and 20045, sat on a short rake of stock.
What was going on?
It seems BR were having problems with the new class 150 DMUs (whatever happened to them?) and the whole fleet had been stopped.
Obviously, many of the Crewe to Derby services would be cancelled.
Oh no they wouldn’t
We legged it to the ticket office, as our rovers didn’t cover South of Crewe, and piled aboard for the first of what turned out to be a nice run of lovely Whistling Wardrobe action.
20159 and 20045 were duly scooped in, to Alsager, for sisters 20188 and 20227, both still with us, back.
20159 & 20045 at Alsager:
20159_1989.08.11_Alsager_& 20045 by Phil Wood, on Flickr
Ex Scottish pair 20114 and 20127, at least one of them still with its Eastfield dog logo intact, were next followed by, horror of horrors, a DMU back to Crewe.
The DMU was followed in by 20045 & 20159.
Shame
20227 and 20188 were on the next departure so we decided to have a bit of a change and headed up to Manchester behind beast 37429 on the service from Cardiff.
My favourite 37 was then done back to Crewe and it was time for some more 20s.
20056 and 20189 took us out and 20188, still with 20227 of course, brought us back.
It was now quite late in the day and the Derby services had stopped for the evening, so it was over to the through platforms to see what was occurring.
Still with us in 2016:
20227_1989.08.11_Crewe_& 20188 by Phil Wood, on Flickr
The 150s weren’t the only things having problems.
Apparently, class 90 reliability was particularly poor that week.
It’s an ill wind and all that.
Due to a shortage of the usual power, something a bit older had been roped back into frontline service.
After a string of 20s, we couldn’t believe our luck when an overnight service arrived behind 81007.
Very nice
This was taken to Preston and a wedged overnight, powered by 85034, was stood on back to Crewe.
We spent the rest of the night getting what sleep we could on a brute trolley, jumping up whenever a loco passed through the station.
The next day was Saturday and we had a bit of a quandary.
We were due to meet up with a couple of mates who intended doing a local move around Manchester.
Do we meet them or stay with the 20 fest?
Being nice people we decided it would be unfair of us to leave them wondering what was happening and so decided to go and meet up.
First though, more Chopper action.
20140 and 20154 were taken all the way to Stoke for a DMU back.
Naughty photograph - don't do it kids!
20154_1989.08.12_& 20140 by Phil Wood, on Flickr
In all honesty it was probably the unit that helped convinced us to head up to Manchester, figuring that the fun was over.
Anyway, from here it gets back to more usual fare for the time.
We met up with our mates at Piccadilly and headed to Stockport on 87035, this was followed by a unit back and then a trip to Macclesfield, with 47450 taking us to Stockport and then 47444 the rest of the way.
Another unit, probably a 304, was our transport back to Stockport where we alighted in favour of 90025 into Piccadilly.
A series of Stockport leaps then followed with 87016, 90010, 86231, 90006 and nice pairing 31445/31410 powering South whilst 31427/31438, 86101, 87025 and at least one unit worked in the other direction.
Macclesfield received a repeat visit from us, courtesy of 90023, and this was followed by 86253 through to Piccadilly, 47665 to Stockport and a big finish with 37408 into Picc.
All that remained was to get home, using 47422 on a Pennine.
So, that was an illustration of our trips in the 80s, one a phenomenal day with a few surprises and the other our bog standard (and looked down upon by many cranks at the time) Manchester day out.
Anyway, time for something a bit less contemporary.
I have a bit of spare time and have just been thinking about 47403’s FoSS– one thing in particular caught my eye.
His memory of doing 37408 on a Crewe to Derby service brought back recollections of something very similar from the dim and distant past.
It was the 11th of August 1989 and my mate and I had a two day North West move in mind.
No internet or any other means of advanced gen meant we always went without knowing what developments, beneficial or otherwise, might have occurred.
We were completely unsuspecting of the delights that awaited us when we left Yorkshire behind 47543, but we would be in clover soon enough.
After purchasing our rovers at Piccadilly we headed South, first on 87026 to Stockport and then 90017 to Crewe.
So far, so normal.
Once at Crewe, though, the flapping started.
We could hear a gentle whistling and so mooched down to have a look and were mightily surprised to see a pair of 20s, 20159 and 20045, sat on a short rake of stock.
What was going on?
It seems BR were having problems with the new class 150 DMUs (whatever happened to them?) and the whole fleet had been stopped.
Obviously, many of the Crewe to Derby services would be cancelled.
Oh no they wouldn’t
We legged it to the ticket office, as our rovers didn’t cover South of Crewe, and piled aboard for the first of what turned out to be a nice run of lovely Whistling Wardrobe action.
20159 and 20045 were duly scooped in, to Alsager, for sisters 20188 and 20227, both still with us, back.
20159 & 20045 at Alsager:
20159_1989.08.11_Alsager_& 20045 by Phil Wood, on FlickrEx Scottish pair 20114 and 20127, at least one of them still with its Eastfield dog logo intact, were next followed by, horror of horrors, a DMU back to Crewe.
The DMU was followed in by 20045 & 20159.
Shame
20227 and 20188 were on the next departure so we decided to have a bit of a change and headed up to Manchester behind beast 37429 on the service from Cardiff.
My favourite 37 was then done back to Crewe and it was time for some more 20s.
20056 and 20189 took us out and 20188, still with 20227 of course, brought us back.
It was now quite late in the day and the Derby services had stopped for the evening, so it was over to the through platforms to see what was occurring.
Still with us in 2016:
20227_1989.08.11_Crewe_& 20188 by Phil Wood, on FlickrThe 150s weren’t the only things having problems.
Apparently, class 90 reliability was particularly poor that week.
It’s an ill wind and all that.
Due to a shortage of the usual power, something a bit older had been roped back into frontline service.
After a string of 20s, we couldn’t believe our luck when an overnight service arrived behind 81007.
Very nice
This was taken to Preston and a wedged overnight, powered by 85034, was stood on back to Crewe.
We spent the rest of the night getting what sleep we could on a brute trolley, jumping up whenever a loco passed through the station.
The next day was Saturday and we had a bit of a quandary.
We were due to meet up with a couple of mates who intended doing a local move around Manchester.
Do we meet them or stay with the 20 fest?
Being nice people we decided it would be unfair of us to leave them wondering what was happening and so decided to go and meet up.
First though, more Chopper action.
20140 and 20154 were taken all the way to Stoke for a DMU back.
Naughty photograph - don't do it kids!
20154_1989.08.12_& 20140 by Phil Wood, on FlickrIn all honesty it was probably the unit that helped convinced us to head up to Manchester, figuring that the fun was over.
Anyway, from here it gets back to more usual fare for the time.
We met up with our mates at Piccadilly and headed to Stockport on 87035, this was followed by a unit back and then a trip to Macclesfield, with 47450 taking us to Stockport and then 47444 the rest of the way.
Another unit, probably a 304, was our transport back to Stockport where we alighted in favour of 90025 into Piccadilly.
A series of Stockport leaps then followed with 87016, 90010, 86231, 90006 and nice pairing 31445/31410 powering South whilst 31427/31438, 86101, 87025 and at least one unit worked in the other direction.
Macclesfield received a repeat visit from us, courtesy of 90023, and this was followed by 86253 through to Piccadilly, 47665 to Stockport and a big finish with 37408 into Picc.
All that remained was to get home, using 47422 on a Pennine.
So, that was an illustration of our trips in the 80s, one a phenomenal day with a few surprises and the other our bog standard (and looked down upon by many cranks at the time) Manchester day out.
Last edited:
45135
Member
- Joined
- 15 Dec 2014
- Messages
- 107
Nice spot of nostalgia there. I remember you phoning me from a payphone (remember them?) at Crewe and reeling off a list of what seemed like about 229 class 20s you'd had that day!
47403
Established Member
Phil I do love reading your nostalgic posts.
That sounded like an awesome couple of days. Them days, the only real reason for getting on a unit was for a neccesary move, however I did like the 304's and always had at least one, when doing the Man Picc to Crewe leaps.
Class 20 haulage anywhere in the North East was as rare as hen teeth, I only have 2 trips behind 20's, one was on the Scarborugh-Newcastle summer Saturday turn and they replaced either 37003 or 37023, can't remember which, which had failed at York, sadly I can't remember which 2 they were, despite efforts to research on the internet and asking if anyone remembers which 2 they were, have been fruitless the other 2 were on the Tyne Tess Spa Express 20172/20173 from Newcastle-York.
Getting 81007 in the bag was a good move, the original roarers, were no doubt getting pretty thin on the ground, even then, I liked the 85s too, however it took a couple of years to realise this because as a kid, I was obsessed by the 86s and 87s, in my eyes, they were the more glamarous because they carried the nameplates, a few wise words by a now late friend, he told me, "get the 81s and 85s, when you get the chance because the 86s and 87s will last a helluva bit longer", I never refused them EVER again, when doing any Leccy bashing, on the WCML.
Glad I stirred up this memory. Top read. Moooorrreeee!!!!!!
That sounded like an awesome couple of days. Them days, the only real reason for getting on a unit was for a neccesary move, however I did like the 304's and always had at least one, when doing the Man Picc to Crewe leaps.
Class 20 haulage anywhere in the North East was as rare as hen teeth, I only have 2 trips behind 20's, one was on the Scarborugh-Newcastle summer Saturday turn and they replaced either 37003 or 37023, can't remember which, which had failed at York, sadly I can't remember which 2 they were, despite efforts to research on the internet and asking if anyone remembers which 2 they were, have been fruitless the other 2 were on the Tyne Tess Spa Express 20172/20173 from Newcastle-York.
Getting 81007 in the bag was a good move, the original roarers, were no doubt getting pretty thin on the ground, even then, I liked the 85s too, however it took a couple of years to realise this because as a kid, I was obsessed by the 86s and 87s, in my eyes, they were the more glamarous because they carried the nameplates, a few wise words by a now late friend, he told me, "get the 81s and 85s, when you get the chance because the 86s and 87s will last a helluva bit longer", I never refused them EVER again, when doing any Leccy bashing, on the WCML.
Glad I stirred up this memory. Top read. Moooorrreeee!!!!!!
Last edited:
Cheers, of course it was your reminiscences that compelled me to look into my old moves in the first place.
There were only eight 81s left by that time, so it was definitely a huge bonus getting that in.
81007 only lasted another four months or so.
And now for something completely different.
Once again I had a short notice move (this time because my wife was helping her mate prepare for a job interview – her expertise is widely sought after) and not for the first time I took inspiration from this very forum.
One area of the country that I’ve not visited for quite a while was Merseyside.
Various postings on here recently have documented trips to the Merseyrail network and my moves envy has been working overtime, so I knew what I had to do.
As with my recent Manchester trips I parked up at Brighouse and began on a 144.
It was 144016, the same unit that had kicked off my last trip across the Pennines, that got the ball rolling.
I had come up with a plan that involved changing trains at Piccadilly in order to rope in a 319.
Split ticketing was the order of the day as well, it’s nearly four pounds cheaper to get Huddersfield to Manchester and Manchester to Liverpool returns than it is to purchase a Huddersfield to Liverpool and I’m from Yorkshire, so four pounds means a lot
As I intended to make the hourly Airport to Lime Street EMU I had no option but to take the first TPE from Huddersfield.
I only need three and so was expecting it to be dud.
It was a winner!
185112 provided me with a great start to the day.
Only 185102 and 185106 to go.
The proof:
DMU 185112_2016.06.25_Manchester by Phil Wood, on Flickr
185112 was on a Manchester terminator, so I would have had no choice but to go forward on something else, even if it hadn’t been my explicit intention to do that.
It was dud 319367 that took me the thirty-two miles to Liverpool.
As might be imagined, the main purpose of my visit was to score a few 507s and 508s, so after purchasing my Saveaway it was downstairs to see what was occurring.
As usual I had no definitive plan, I would just wait until something required turned up and see where it took me.
It wasn’t a long wait as the first thing that produced was double winner 507031 and 508126.
This set was on a Chester working and so I started looking for required stations to bail at – not too difficult as I needed them all after Hamilton Square (Chester excepted, of course)
I couldn’t say if these services are usually pairs - today, as I was a little dismayed to discover, was Chester race day.
I perused the map and came up with some vague move ideas which started with me leaping at the first new shack of the day, Eastham Rake.
This was the first of a run of ten services that gave me a winning station.
Dud pairing 507007 and 507025 were next, to the delightfully named Spital
In contrast to its somewhat phlegmy name, Spital appears to be quite a pleasant place, the station was nice and I had a look outside and it looks to be a quiet, leafy suburb.
Green Spital:
EMU 507025_2016.06.25_Spital by Phil Wood, on Flickr
After a couple of unrequired units it was back to more positive results with the first of what turned out to be several runs on 507024 and 508122.
Bromborough was where I alighted.
Dud for the day 508126 and 507031 were next, which at least gave me the chance to ride in the 508, having sat in the 507 on my first trip.
I took these to Port Sunlight and I was pleased to find it was, indeed, sunny
EMU 507031_2016.06.25_Port Sunlight by Phil Wood, on Flickr
The second Bromborough station, Bromborough Rake, was also my second “Rake” of the day.
A bit of research shows that Rake is an old Norse word for Lane and apparently there was a 10th century Viking settlement on the Wirral, so there you go.
It was another new unit, 507004 that provided me with my next run, to Birkenhead Central
508138 took me from there to Rock Ferry and a renewing of my acquaintance with 507017 which I took for the short hop to Green Lane.
I found Green Lane to be a very interesting station, it’s almost, but not quite, underground.
More acquaintances were renewed, this time with 508122 and 507024 and I had a fairly lengthy run on these to Bache.
According to the on-board announcements this is pronounced “Bash”, which made me smile.
Soon, I was literally on the Bache as I awaited the same pair returning from Chester
They were taken back as far as Hooton.
It had been a while since my last winning unit, so I was pleased when 507028 rolled in and I could use this to reach my last required station between Lime Street and Hooton, Bebington.
I just needed Capenhurst to have had everywhere on the Chester line and so had come up with a way of getting it.
507004 was taken back to Hooton.
I intended to catch the next City bound service one stop and then pick up the Chester unit which would be stopping at Capenhurst (unusually for this line, not every service stops there, so some thought had to be given to it).
My plan changed, and Capenhurst was abandoned, when required 507010 rolled in.
I didn’t want to do Micky Mouse mileage and so stayed on board for a run into the city.
It was now nearing time for me to head home and I had decided to cover the 16.19 Airport service from Lime Street.
I had a bit of time, so I stayed aboard 507010 as it headed back South, getting off at Birkenhead Central.
I had decided to aim for a particular train as I knew it would give me my third run on 507004.
This meant I would have the chance to not only clear it, but also to get a ride in coach 64388, which is the vehicle that was formerly in 507022 and was a unit sister to the now numerically similar 64588 (then 64426) in 314203, which I had ridden in last year.
This little aim was accomplished and my Merseyrail adventure was over.
Covering the 16.19 proved to be a good move as it was worked by 319364 - that’s another Northern 319 in the book.
EMU 319364_2016.06.25_2_Manchester by Phil Wood, on Flickr
At Piccadilly my train back over the Pennines, which left Liverpool six minutes after the 319, arrived early, so it was looking good for my plus six at Huddersfield onto the Brighouse train.
I couldn’t be lucky enough to get another new 185, could I?
No, as it happens.
It was 185140 that crawled over to Huddersfield, losing time hand over fist and my plus six finished up a minus three
I didn’t make it and faced with a fifty seven minute wait for the next one I decided to abandon the rails and suffer one of the frequent buses that run between the two places.
I alighted at the railway station before the unit that would form the 18.50 had reached Brighouse on its inward journey, so it was definitely the right decision.
All in all a very enjoyable day.
In the end the racegoers didn’t impact on my day too much – I envisaged trains being wedged to the gunnels but, although I did have to stand on one or two, it wasn’t as bad as I feared.
So, in summary nine new units and eleven shacks, meaning that with half the year to go I only need twelve to reach my target.
I think it’s do-able
There were only eight 81s left by that time, so it was definitely a huge bonus getting that in.
81007 only lasted another four months or so.
And now for something completely different.
Once again I had a short notice move (this time because my wife was helping her mate prepare for a job interview – her expertise is widely sought after) and not for the first time I took inspiration from this very forum.
One area of the country that I’ve not visited for quite a while was Merseyside.
Various postings on here recently have documented trips to the Merseyrail network and my moves envy has been working overtime, so I knew what I had to do.
As with my recent Manchester trips I parked up at Brighouse and began on a 144.
It was 144016, the same unit that had kicked off my last trip across the Pennines, that got the ball rolling.
I had come up with a plan that involved changing trains at Piccadilly in order to rope in a 319.
Split ticketing was the order of the day as well, it’s nearly four pounds cheaper to get Huddersfield to Manchester and Manchester to Liverpool returns than it is to purchase a Huddersfield to Liverpool and I’m from Yorkshire, so four pounds means a lot
As I intended to make the hourly Airport to Lime Street EMU I had no option but to take the first TPE from Huddersfield.
I only need three and so was expecting it to be dud.
It was a winner!
185112 provided me with a great start to the day.
Only 185102 and 185106 to go.
The proof:
DMU 185112_2016.06.25_Manchester by Phil Wood, on Flickr185112 was on a Manchester terminator, so I would have had no choice but to go forward on something else, even if it hadn’t been my explicit intention to do that.
It was dud 319367 that took me the thirty-two miles to Liverpool.
As might be imagined, the main purpose of my visit was to score a few 507s and 508s, so after purchasing my Saveaway it was downstairs to see what was occurring.
As usual I had no definitive plan, I would just wait until something required turned up and see where it took me.
It wasn’t a long wait as the first thing that produced was double winner 507031 and 508126.
This set was on a Chester working and so I started looking for required stations to bail at – not too difficult as I needed them all after Hamilton Square (Chester excepted, of course)
I couldn’t say if these services are usually pairs - today, as I was a little dismayed to discover, was Chester race day.
I perused the map and came up with some vague move ideas which started with me leaping at the first new shack of the day, Eastham Rake.
This was the first of a run of ten services that gave me a winning station.
Dud pairing 507007 and 507025 were next, to the delightfully named Spital
In contrast to its somewhat phlegmy name, Spital appears to be quite a pleasant place, the station was nice and I had a look outside and it looks to be a quiet, leafy suburb.
Green Spital:
EMU 507025_2016.06.25_Spital by Phil Wood, on FlickrAfter a couple of unrequired units it was back to more positive results with the first of what turned out to be several runs on 507024 and 508122.
Bromborough was where I alighted.
Dud for the day 508126 and 507031 were next, which at least gave me the chance to ride in the 508, having sat in the 507 on my first trip.
I took these to Port Sunlight and I was pleased to find it was, indeed, sunny
EMU 507031_2016.06.25_Port Sunlight by Phil Wood, on FlickrThe second Bromborough station, Bromborough Rake, was also my second “Rake” of the day.
A bit of research shows that Rake is an old Norse word for Lane and apparently there was a 10th century Viking settlement on the Wirral, so there you go.
It was another new unit, 507004 that provided me with my next run, to Birkenhead Central
508138 took me from there to Rock Ferry and a renewing of my acquaintance with 507017 which I took for the short hop to Green Lane.
I found Green Lane to be a very interesting station, it’s almost, but not quite, underground.
More acquaintances were renewed, this time with 508122 and 507024 and I had a fairly lengthy run on these to Bache.
According to the on-board announcements this is pronounced “Bash”, which made me smile.
Soon, I was literally on the Bache as I awaited the same pair returning from Chester
They were taken back as far as Hooton.
It had been a while since my last winning unit, so I was pleased when 507028 rolled in and I could use this to reach my last required station between Lime Street and Hooton, Bebington.
I just needed Capenhurst to have had everywhere on the Chester line and so had come up with a way of getting it.
507004 was taken back to Hooton.
I intended to catch the next City bound service one stop and then pick up the Chester unit which would be stopping at Capenhurst (unusually for this line, not every service stops there, so some thought had to be given to it).
My plan changed, and Capenhurst was abandoned, when required 507010 rolled in.
I didn’t want to do Micky Mouse mileage and so stayed on board for a run into the city.
It was now nearing time for me to head home and I had decided to cover the 16.19 Airport service from Lime Street.
I had a bit of time, so I stayed aboard 507010 as it headed back South, getting off at Birkenhead Central.
I had decided to aim for a particular train as I knew it would give me my third run on 507004.
This meant I would have the chance to not only clear it, but also to get a ride in coach 64388, which is the vehicle that was formerly in 507022 and was a unit sister to the now numerically similar 64588 (then 64426) in 314203, which I had ridden in last year.
This little aim was accomplished and my Merseyrail adventure was over.
Covering the 16.19 proved to be a good move as it was worked by 319364 - that’s another Northern 319 in the book.
EMU 319364_2016.06.25_2_Manchester by Phil Wood, on FlickrAt Piccadilly my train back over the Pennines, which left Liverpool six minutes after the 319, arrived early, so it was looking good for my plus six at Huddersfield onto the Brighouse train.
I couldn’t be lucky enough to get another new 185, could I?
No, as it happens.
It was 185140 that crawled over to Huddersfield, losing time hand over fist and my plus six finished up a minus three
I didn’t make it and faced with a fifty seven minute wait for the next one I decided to abandon the rails and suffer one of the frequent buses that run between the two places.
I alighted at the railway station before the unit that would form the 18.50 had reached Brighouse on its inward journey, so it was definitely the right decision.
All in all a very enjoyable day.
In the end the racegoers didn’t impact on my day too much – I envisaged trains being wedged to the gunnels but, although I did have to stand on one or two, it wasn’t as bad as I feared.
So, in summary nine new units and eleven shacks, meaning that with half the year to go I only need twelve to reach my target.
I think it’s do-able
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Kite159
Veteran Member
Apart from TPE doing what TPE does best, sounded like a good day
It was a very good day, thanks.
In other news, I'm now down to eleven shacks required to meet my 2016 target.
I've just nipped out to Shipley.
I did 333004 to Kirkstall Forge, had a twenty minute wait and then took 333003 back.
I was back home just over an hour after leaving
In other news, I'm now down to eleven shacks required to meet my 2016 target.
I've just nipped out to Shipley.
I did 333004 to Kirkstall Forge, had a twenty minute wait and then took 333003 back.
I was back home just over an hour after leaving
A good time there! You're lucky that the 507s/508s weren't too full there too. At least it meant you could get more winners! It must have been very annoying with the TPE on the way back too... Bache is pronounced Bay-che. I know because it's where my auntie lives.
How many winner units/locos do you need to complete your challenge now?
How many winner units/locos do you need to complete your challenge now?
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I must admit, I didn't expect the pronunciation to be "Bash", but I did find it funny.
It's not alone amongst automated announcements in getting it wrong - Slaithwaite is a good one
I need 143 winning haulages to complete my goal, so still a way to go.
It's not alone amongst automated announcements in getting it wrong - Slaithwaite is a good one
I need 143 winning haulages to complete my goal, so still a way to go.
Keith Jarrett
Member
I'm sure that the very kind hearted Mrs 13 will let you out to play a few more times this year once she knows that there's a target to be met. And then there's the bragging rights to consider as well.
Seriously, you had a good day on the Wirral bagging those PEP units and also the shacks. That shack target will surely be met next time you go out for a decent bash.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Wow what a contrast between one write-up and another! I'll never get to same a Roarer it seems, which is incredibly sad as I'd love to see one working a train. 20s on the mainline, another thing I've never had and would love to try.
An excellent time in Merseyside that's for sure, well done on getting so close to your shack score target. Not far to go now, and I'm not from Yorkshire but am a tight-fisted so and so most of the time, so I agree that £4 was well saved there. Top read as always!
An excellent time in Merseyside that's for sure, well done on getting so close to your shack score target. Not far to go now, and I'm not from Yorkshire but am a tight-fisted so and so most of the time, so I agree that £4 was well saved there. Top read as always!
I have a few things lined up
Hopefully my shack target will be reached within the next week or two.
I miss the Roarers, no doubt about it.
I never managed any from classes 82, 83 and 84 but many 85s and a couple of 81s were roped in.
I have another London trip soon, but I don't know if I'll manage to get eleven new stations in - as usual I have no more than a vague plan.
I still need three West Yorkshire shacks, though and I kind of think it would be nice to reach the target with one of those.
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Techniquest
Veteran Member
Definitely so, preferably an unusual one perhaps just because you can for the last one?
11 shack scores in London might not be overly difficult, depending on your needs down there. I could certainly get 11 of them in a couple of hours, mostly by clearing out my needs on the Metropolitan and Jubilee lines.
11 shack scores in London might not be overly difficult, depending on your needs down there. I could certainly get 11 of them in a couple of hours, mostly by clearing out my needs on the Metropolitan and Jubilee lines.
11 new stations is certainly possible, I need loads in London.
The thing is that I'll be concentrating more on winning units and I like to get a decent run on everything, so bailing off everything one stop down the line is a none starter.
Obviously, I intend to get some new shacks, but exactly how many will remain a mystery to me until the day.
Given that Wimbledon is on I think I'll be heading East from Kings Cross next week
The thing is that I'll be concentrating more on winning units and I like to get a decent run on everything, so bailing off everything one stop down the line is a none starter.
Obviously, I intend to get some new shacks, but exactly how many will remain a mystery to me until the day.
Given that Wimbledon is on I think I'll be heading East from Kings Cross next week
As I’ve mentioned before, I try and make sure I book an annual leave day off work once a month for a nice bit of weekday train action and a bit of R and R.
This month is no exception and Friday the 8th was the day in question.
Not for the first (or last) time this year I was London bound.
My train South was the 07.28 off Wakefield, a service that is usually a 91.
The worst case scenario was that it was cancelled, second worst that it was a HST.
Well, at least it wasn’t cancelled.
43314 and 43320 provided the power and once again my 91 mileage failed to rise.
So it goes.
I had decided to head East this time for several reasons, firstly there was some sporting event or other taking place in Wimbledon, meaning that was a good place to avoid, secondly the number of 317s that I’d had for haulage was truly dire and lastly I had a couple of shacks that tempted me.
With nearly half the year still to go I only needed eleven new stations to hit my target, so there’s no pressure but I figured I could still get a few without really trying.
Following a short stroll from Kings Cross to St Pancras I headed to the Southeastern platforms and boarded 395012 for a run to Stratford International, a station that I have wanted to visit since passing through it after my recent Kent shenanigans, just to have a closer look.
By, but that must have taken some digging out
EMU 395012_2016.07.08_2_Stratford International by Phil Wood, on Flickr
After marvelling at the impressive, but simultaneously bleak, station I headed outside and made my way over the road to Stratford International (DLR), two winners for the price of one.
132 and 138 took me to a station that was high on my list – Abbey Road.
Why was Abbey Road high on my list?
Was it because I’m a massive Beatles fan and wanted to view the famous zebra crossing?
No, actually.
For a kick off, I’m well aware of the fact that the Abbey Road of Fab Four fame is on the other side of London, although I was amused to see posters up telling befuddled Mop Top Nostalgia-hungry tourists where they should be going
My reason for wanting to get Abbey Road in the book was simple – alphabetically it’s at the top of my spread sheet of stations and I wanted it to be green for done rather than red for required.
Abbey Wood is now the first needed one.
Yeah, yeah, yeah:
DLR 30_2016.07.08_Abbey Road by Phil Wood, on Flickr
The various different parts of Stratford station provide me with rich new shack pickings and this time it was Stratford Low Level (DLR) that was added to my list, courtesy of 30 and 84, which obviously I did from Abbey Road.
My DLR soiree over with it was on to the day’s main event, trying to get a few 317s in the book.
I started with a pair of 315s.
Dud 315836 and winner 315857 took me the four miles to Liverpool Street and I began the mooch up and down the concourse to see what was available.
No 317s, but a pair of 379s were tempting me.
I’d only had two prior to today and they had been done from Liverpool Street to Tottenham Hale so I fancied a bit of a longer run and took 379006 and 379003 to Cheshunt.
Some 317s surfaced at last and they were taken back to Liverpool Street.
They being 317882 leading 317669.
On the journey I espied a required (unsurprisingly) 317 on a Stratford to Bishops Stortford service and resolved to get it in.
A quick plan was put together and I headed out of Liverpool Street on the same pair of 317s that I had arrived on.
317669 and 317882 left me behind at Enfield Lock.
I was pleased when the Stratford bound service produced the unit that I had been chasing, 317510.
Prior to this move my 317/5 total stood at two – 317501 and 317503, with the latter having been done so long ago it was numbered 317303.
EMU 317510_2016.07.08_2_Stratford by Phil Wood, on Flickr
Rather than a lengthy fester I chose to head back out on 317510 as far as Tottenham Hale and pick up another 317, this time 317668, which I took for the fairly short run to Lea Bridge.
Obviously, getting London’s newest station in the book was nice but my main reason for bailing there was another 317/5 that I knew was heading out of Stratford.
317508 carried me from Lea Bridge to Cheshunt.
It was now time to have a brief break from 317s as a required 315 was in the bay at Cheshunt and couldn’t be ignored.
315802 was thus sampled to Stoke Newington before another pair of 317s, 317887 and 317714 were enjoyed
My 317/7 status was even worse than that of the 317/5s before today, with only one unit, 317708, having graced my haulage book.
This pairing was taken as far as Southbury, which was a move done purely to get the shack as I intended to do them back to London.
A short wait ensued at Southbury before they reappeared, giving me the chance to ride in the set that I’d not done on the way there.
Once back at Liverpool Street rush hour was getting underway and this is always my cue to get out of town before it gets really busy.
Happily, I could get out of town with a pair of winning 317s.
Not only that, one of them was another 317/7.
See:
EMU 317710_2016.07.08_Enfield Town by Phil Wood, on Flickr
317889 leading 317710 took me all the way to Enfield Town and, after swapping from one unit to the other, back to Silver Street.
Next up was a dud pairing, 315814 and 315807 which took me once more to Enfield Town.
I now had an eye on the clock and figured I didn’t have too long to wait so jumped on the set that was waiting to head back to Liverpool Street.
Once again this was a pair of duds, 315815 on the front and 315816 on the back.
These were done throughout and then I retraced my steps from the morning, with a pair of unrequired (!!) 317s, 317649 and 317501 to Stratford.
DLR units 26 and 64 took me back to Stratford International and winning Javelin 395002 rocketed me to St Pancras.
All that remained was my journey back to Yorkshire.
I was hoping to get a 91 and my luck was in.
Those masochists that regularly read my reports will be aware that I’m trying to get every 91 for a thousand miles.
At the start of the year I had three locos still below five hundred miles, an earlier trip had seen two of the three sampled, leaving 91120 languishing way behind all the others on a mere 263 miles.
I walked down the set saying to myself “be 120, be 120”.
When I reached the loco it was….
91120!
Yeah.
Just what I wanted:
91120_2016.07.08_Kings Cross by Phil Wood, on Flickr
I’ve only had three 91s this year thanks to an infestation of HSTs and they’ve been my three lowest mileage ones, which is nice.
91120 and 91131 remain below five hundred, but my list looks a lot more respectable now
Departure from Kings Cross was a few minutes late due the set requiring an “emergency water supply delivery”, presumably so that it can be given out in the event of the train getting stuck in the middle of nowhere for hours.
So that was that, twenty new haulages and nine shacks, meaning I'm now two short of my target.
I think it's possible.
This month is no exception and Friday the 8th was the day in question.
Not for the first (or last) time this year I was London bound.
My train South was the 07.28 off Wakefield, a service that is usually a 91.
The worst case scenario was that it was cancelled, second worst that it was a HST.
Well, at least it wasn’t cancelled.
43314 and 43320 provided the power and once again my 91 mileage failed to rise.
So it goes.
I had decided to head East this time for several reasons, firstly there was some sporting event or other taking place in Wimbledon, meaning that was a good place to avoid, secondly the number of 317s that I’d had for haulage was truly dire and lastly I had a couple of shacks that tempted me.
With nearly half the year still to go I only needed eleven new stations to hit my target, so there’s no pressure but I figured I could still get a few without really trying.
Following a short stroll from Kings Cross to St Pancras I headed to the Southeastern platforms and boarded 395012 for a run to Stratford International, a station that I have wanted to visit since passing through it after my recent Kent shenanigans, just to have a closer look.
By, but that must have taken some digging out
EMU 395012_2016.07.08_2_Stratford International by Phil Wood, on FlickrAfter marvelling at the impressive, but simultaneously bleak, station I headed outside and made my way over the road to Stratford International (DLR), two winners for the price of one.
132 and 138 took me to a station that was high on my list – Abbey Road.
Why was Abbey Road high on my list?
Was it because I’m a massive Beatles fan and wanted to view the famous zebra crossing?
No, actually.
For a kick off, I’m well aware of the fact that the Abbey Road of Fab Four fame is on the other side of London, although I was amused to see posters up telling befuddled Mop Top Nostalgia-hungry tourists where they should be going
My reason for wanting to get Abbey Road in the book was simple – alphabetically it’s at the top of my spread sheet of stations and I wanted it to be green for done rather than red for required.
Abbey Wood is now the first needed one.
Yeah, yeah, yeah:
DLR 30_2016.07.08_Abbey Road by Phil Wood, on FlickrThe various different parts of Stratford station provide me with rich new shack pickings and this time it was Stratford Low Level (DLR) that was added to my list, courtesy of 30 and 84, which obviously I did from Abbey Road.
My DLR soiree over with it was on to the day’s main event, trying to get a few 317s in the book.
I started with a pair of 315s.
Dud 315836 and winner 315857 took me the four miles to Liverpool Street and I began the mooch up and down the concourse to see what was available.
No 317s, but a pair of 379s were tempting me.
I’d only had two prior to today and they had been done from Liverpool Street to Tottenham Hale so I fancied a bit of a longer run and took 379006 and 379003 to Cheshunt.
Some 317s surfaced at last and they were taken back to Liverpool Street.
They being 317882 leading 317669.
On the journey I espied a required (unsurprisingly) 317 on a Stratford to Bishops Stortford service and resolved to get it in.
A quick plan was put together and I headed out of Liverpool Street on the same pair of 317s that I had arrived on.
317669 and 317882 left me behind at Enfield Lock.
I was pleased when the Stratford bound service produced the unit that I had been chasing, 317510.
Prior to this move my 317/5 total stood at two – 317501 and 317503, with the latter having been done so long ago it was numbered 317303.
EMU 317510_2016.07.08_2_Stratford by Phil Wood, on FlickrRather than a lengthy fester I chose to head back out on 317510 as far as Tottenham Hale and pick up another 317, this time 317668, which I took for the fairly short run to Lea Bridge.
Obviously, getting London’s newest station in the book was nice but my main reason for bailing there was another 317/5 that I knew was heading out of Stratford.
317508 carried me from Lea Bridge to Cheshunt.
It was now time to have a brief break from 317s as a required 315 was in the bay at Cheshunt and couldn’t be ignored.
315802 was thus sampled to Stoke Newington before another pair of 317s, 317887 and 317714 were enjoyed
My 317/7 status was even worse than that of the 317/5s before today, with only one unit, 317708, having graced my haulage book.
This pairing was taken as far as Southbury, which was a move done purely to get the shack as I intended to do them back to London.
A short wait ensued at Southbury before they reappeared, giving me the chance to ride in the set that I’d not done on the way there.
Once back at Liverpool Street rush hour was getting underway and this is always my cue to get out of town before it gets really busy.
Happily, I could get out of town with a pair of winning 317s.
Not only that, one of them was another 317/7.
See:
EMU 317710_2016.07.08_Enfield Town by Phil Wood, on Flickr317889 leading 317710 took me all the way to Enfield Town and, after swapping from one unit to the other, back to Silver Street.
Next up was a dud pairing, 315814 and 315807 which took me once more to Enfield Town.
I now had an eye on the clock and figured I didn’t have too long to wait so jumped on the set that was waiting to head back to Liverpool Street.
Once again this was a pair of duds, 315815 on the front and 315816 on the back.
These were done throughout and then I retraced my steps from the morning, with a pair of unrequired (!!) 317s, 317649 and 317501 to Stratford.
DLR units 26 and 64 took me back to Stratford International and winning Javelin 395002 rocketed me to St Pancras.
All that remained was my journey back to Yorkshire.
I was hoping to get a 91 and my luck was in.
Those masochists that regularly read my reports will be aware that I’m trying to get every 91 for a thousand miles.
At the start of the year I had three locos still below five hundred miles, an earlier trip had seen two of the three sampled, leaving 91120 languishing way behind all the others on a mere 263 miles.
I walked down the set saying to myself “be 120, be 120”.
When I reached the loco it was….
91120!
Yeah.
Just what I wanted:
91120_2016.07.08_Kings Cross by Phil Wood, on FlickrI’ve only had three 91s this year thanks to an infestation of HSTs and they’ve been my three lowest mileage ones, which is nice.
91120 and 91131 remain below five hundred, but my list looks a lot more respectable now
Departure from Kings Cross was a few minutes late due the set requiring an “emergency water supply delivery”, presumably so that it can be given out in the event of the train getting stuck in the middle of nowhere for hours.
So that was that, twenty new haulages and nine shacks, meaning I'm now two short of my target.
I think it's possible.
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47403
Established Member
Good read that Phil, some good pics too. i'm on my second time round with the 91s but my mileage aint nowhere near yours on them.
Just as well your not looking for 91104, I believe it lost its pantograph yesterday, near Morpeth.
Just as well your not looking for 91104, I believe it lost its pantograph yesterday, near Morpeth.
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