65th Birthday and Network coverage completion

[Requeststop]

So tonight I'm on the Night Riviera to Paddington from Cornwall and will arrive at Paddington for my 65th birthday.

I've posted more about this on the route coverage thread and my intention is to just simply describe here the seven journeys I have to make to complete my total network coverage.

The journeys are:
Tulse Hill (Thameslink) - East Croydon
Motspur Park - Chessington South
Surbiton - Hampton Court
Surbiton - Effingham Junction
Selhurst - West Croydon
Balham - Epsom Downs (Via West Croydon)
Thornton Heath - Caterham

More of my comments about our railways are on the Route Coverage thread.

Cheers everyone.

 

[Requeststop]

So tonight I'm on the Night Riviera to Paddington from Cornwall and will arrive at Paddington for my 65th birthday.

I've posted more about this on the route coverage thread and my intention is to just simply describe here the seven journeys I have to make to complete my total network coverage.

The journeys are:
Tulse Hill (Thameslink) - East Croydon
Motspur Park - Chessington South
Surbiton - Hampton Court
Surbiton - Effingham Junction
Selhurst - West Croydon
Balham - Epsom Downs (Via West Croydon)
Thornton Heath - Caterham

More of my comments about our railways are on the Route Coverage thread.

Cheers everyone.

Right now just departing Plymouth on time. Tintagel Castle hauling us towards the capital. Going to try to sleep. Will post more in the morning.

 

[Requeststop]

Right now just departing Plymouth on time. Tintagel Castle hauling us towards the capital. Going to try to sleep. Will post more in the morning.

Arrived six minutes early at Paddington. I slept from Newton Abbott onwards. I didn't request any morning refreshments and was woken up by the attendant at 7 o'clock. Now in the first class lounge with a coffee and will soon get myself a breakfast and start my days journey.

 

[Requeststop]

So after a decent breakfast at the newly refurbished Mad Bishop and Bear, I've made my way to Waterloo to catch the 09:06 service to Hampton Court. 2J17. Presently slowly filling and awaiting departure. Apparently problems at Raynes Park. Departed at 09:17.

 

[Requeststop]

Well I arrived at Hampton Court 8 late. Stayed on the train to return as far back as Surbiton, and then do the run down to Effingham Junction. Now on 2J24. Took the chance of a few snaps at Hampton. 1 out of 7 trips completed.

 

[Requeststop]

Arrived 1 late at Surbiton, and just missed the delayed 2G19 by a few seconds. Never mind. There is space in the waiting room on Platform 4, and I get myself a refreshing drink, and use Realtimetrains to plot my journey to Chessington South from Effingham Junction whilst waiting for 2G21 which we are told is on time. We shall see.

 

[318266]

Unlcklty, 2G21 is late.

 

[Requeststop]

Unlcklty, 2G21 is late.

Yes it was and again I missed a connection at Effingham. So now I am on the 2D30 via Leatherhead to Wimbledon to connect to the Chessington branch. Just goes to show how difficult it is to cover what seems to be simple branches. 2/7 lines done

 

[Requeststop]

Well one journey done to time today. Now I'm at Raynes Park Platform 4 waiting for the 12:06, 2M27 to Chessington South .

 

[James Wake]

If you stay on 2M27's return to Clapham Junction at 1238, you get there at 1305, then theres an Epsom Downs via West Croydon train if you're quick at 1309, down to Epsom Downs and back to Selhurst then down to Caterham will see your task done by 1520.

 

[Requeststop]

That's very kind of you. Now at Chessington South for the return. 3/7 lines completed. The trains are now seemingly running to time. Now moving to the middle of this train for the run at Clapham Junction Now waiting for the departure of 2M34.

 

[James Wake]

Is there any particular reason you want to change at Thornton Heath, is it for a shack score or just what you had written because the change between the ex-Epsom Downs and the Caterham train will be more comfortable at Selhurst.

 

[Requeststop]

Aaaaargh! Held up by a red outside Motspur Park. The Thornton Heath thing is not knowing the rail system all that well in South London. Your advice is truly welcome . Again we seem to be dragging our heels to Raynes Park

 

[James Wake]

I'm monitoring it on OpenTrainTimes, ex Guildford a tad late. When the Caterham train gets there at 1517, it returns to London Bridge via East Croydon, Streatham and Tulse Hill at 1530, there's few Thameslinks that go that way nowadays. If you need Norwood Junction round to Crystal Palace then to West Norwood and Tulse Hill, you'll need to change at East Croydon and Norwood Junction.

 

[Requeststop]

Now headed to Earlsfield. Could we go slower? Possibly. Could we go faster? Certainly..Ready now for the run at Clapham Junction.

 

[Requeststop]

Phew. Made it. By 45 seconds. Brilliant.

 

[Requeststop]

Selhurst to West Croydon completed 4/7 lines completed. Onward to Epsom Downs

 

[Requeststop]

And I have arrived at Epsom Downs. Now awaiting the return as far as Thornton Heath on the 14:09 2B71. Things looking up. 5/7 journeys completed. Feeling relaxed about the final two.

 

[James Wake]

You'll have 10 minutes to change at Selhurst or about 4 at Thornton Heath, so if you don't need Thornton Heath for any special reason change at Selhurst. I'll be passing through Clapham Junction on my way home between 1740-1800 approximately if you're still in the area.

 

[Requeststop]

Caterham branch completed 6/7 done. Now riding back to London Bridge on 2J42 during which I will cover my final section of line. East Croydon to Tulse Hill. All GB rail network completed. Thanks to James Wake for his help and wise advice today. I would have done it a much more difficult way. I have enough battery left for one more post. Cheers everyone

 

[James Wake]

You need the bit from Streatham Common to Streatham then, rather than Crystal Palace, well done a great achievement.

 

[PeterY]

A great achievement.

I'm trying to do the same but I know it's going to take me a few years. I've done most of Scotland except the far north lines. I've some large chunks around Manchester, Leeds, West Wales to do.

 

[Requeststop]

Good morning everyone. It's the morning after the night before and last night I celebrated my birthday with A friend and family, near Leatherhead. actually my phone battery gave out at London Bridge and I wasn't able to complete my posts. I completed my coverage at of all places, Tulse Hill. If you were to have asked me at any time during my desire to complete all lines then I'd never have thought of there. So it's done. Now whenever a new branch or spur or line is opened, I'm going to have to fly back to the UK to ride over the line. I'm lucky, in that living overseas, I have been able to use a BritRailpass which has enabled me to get to so many places, especially in Scotland and the North of England. I think, if I had still been living in Cornwall, I'd have many lines still to cover. But it's all been great fun. In spite of all the problems, concerns and politics involved in the rail system, it is a magnificent thing we have, and I'd just like to finish with a huge thank you to all who keep our trains running, and the stations open. You are all doing a great job. Until there is a new line for me to cover, Cheers. By the way I'm on the night riviera on Sunday and am planning a drink at the Mad Bishop and Bear at about 10 pm. Anyone who cares to join me is welcome.

 

[B37Nth/B48Sth]

Fantastic Achievement

I started the same challenge in 2016 so a long way to go.