Kite159
Veteran Member
An excellent trip 
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
Adrock's trip reports
- Thread starter adrock1976
- Start date
- Status
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Quite the excellent final day there, lots of 317/7s and getting that 139 must have been welcome.
Everyone moans about that bridge at Tile Hill, but I don't remember it being that bad on my visit years ago!
Everyone moans about that bridge at Tile Hill, but I don't remember it being that bad on my visit years ago!
Kite159
Veteran Member
I can't recall much of Till Hill, I'm pretty sure I did it linearly with the benefit of a late running LM reducing the fester.
adrock1976
Established Member
Being as I had an event on the afternoon of the Thursday and a finance meeting of an organisation I am involved with in London the next day, I decided to head down to London on the Thursday and do some hunting at Liverpool Street. The Friday morning before my meeting would involve me covering the Wickford Southminster line, as that is uncovered track and would also potentially bag me some more Class 321s in the process too.
It was out of the door for the short walk along the road to Barnhill station to board the 12:23 Dumbarton Central service that was formed by long ago dud 318267 for the run to Glasgow Queen Street, and onwards to my event. After the end of the event, it was onboard the 14:40 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway service, formed by dud 390129 City of Stoke-on-Trent all the way to EUS, arriving 5 minutes behind schedule and would go straight back out as the 19:30 GLC departure. It was over to the Metropolitan Railway platforms at Euston Square to do some linear hops along to Liverpool Street. It was on 21051+052 to Kings Cross, 21488+487 to Farringdon, 21029+030 to Barbican, 21438+437 to Moorgate, and 21044+043 to Liverpool Street.
Upstairs in the main station and after some dud Class 315s and 317s on the next few departures or a couple of required 317s on an ECS move, I eventually settled on the 20:35 Southend Victoria departure, formed by required 321363 for a run to Stratford. After a few dud pairs of Class 315s on the Shenfield service, I tapped my Oyster card on the interchange reader before heading back to Liverpool Street on the 21:03 ex Shoeburyness service, formed by required 357041+207. I believe that there were evening engineering works taking place at Fenchurch Street, hence how the London, Tilbury, & Southend Railway services were being diverted via Stratford to Liverpool Street. It was back to Stratford on the 21:18 Clacton-on-Sea service, formed by required pair 321434+427, then to LST on the 21:32 formed by required pair 357042+012.
Next up was the 21:45 Shoeburyness service, formed by required pair 357016+005 to Stratford, then another tap on the Oyster reader before hopping onboard the 22:02 Southend Victoria service, formed by required 321360+351+ dud 440 for a run to Shenfield arriving to my surprise into Platform 1. It was to the opposite island platform face for the 22:20 ex Colchester Town service, formed by required pair 321324+307 for the run back to Stratford, and for another tap on the Oyster reader. It was a slight variation to get to LST, as I decided to use the Underground, boarding a westbound Central Line train to Mile End, formed of 92057+92042+92148+91215 (unsure if 91xxx features when recording Central Line formations). It was then onboard 91003+93090+93140+91085 to Bethnal Green, then on 91137+112+402+087 (I was noting the last three digits) to Liverpool Street.
I then switched to the Metropolitan for some linear hops to Kings Cross, with the first being dud 21403+404 to Moorgate, 21465+466 to Barbican, 21068+067 to Farringdon, and 21516+515 to Kings Cross to bring the evening's action to an end and to check into my accommodation.
The following morning after checking out, it was to the Metropolitan Railway platforms for some more linear hopping to Liverpool Street. First up was 21510+509 to Farringdon, then dud 21092+091 to Barbican, 21356+355 to Moorgate, and 21036+035 to Liverpool Street. It was upstairs to the main station and as neither of my final 2 Shenfield Class 315s were out, it was straight to the 10:13 Southend Victoria service, formed by required pair 321442+362 to Wickford, passing 66543 hauling containers in the London direction at Shenfield. It was then over to Platform 4 (the bay facing Southend on the London side) for the 10:56 Southminster service formed by required 321314 for the run all the way to Southminster and back, scoring some new track in the process. It is noted that I was intentionally keeping a lookout for the second standard pattern diagram at North Fambridge where the trains are timetabled to pass each other, but it was dud 321349 so declined having 40 minutes at Southminster.
After arriving into Platform 1 at Wickford, it was over to Platform 3 for the 12:11 Liverpool Street service, formed by required 321361 to Shenfield. There were various delays that was caused by an earlier broken down train, with various attempts to recover the service. Observations at Shenfield were that 66598 was in the siding next to Platform 1 facing London, 82103+90001 was in Platform 1 having not long terminated from Norwich and departing around 12:35 calling all Intercity stations with an additional call at Witham, the 12:38 ex Braintree LST had been cancelled, the next couple of LST departures were dud, 321349+351 (believed to be the culprit that had broken down, and was the 10:55 LST to Southend Victoria) drawing into Platform 1 and terminating just after 12:35 before going ECS to a depot. It was then onboard the 13:08 ex Clacton-on-Sea departure formed by required 360114 for a run to Stratford. After declining the next couple of dud Class 321s that were heading to LST, I was about to go to Platforms 1 and 2 to go to Highbury & Islington via Hackney Wick, but it was to LST on the 13:39 ex SOV service formed by required 321357 to LST. It was then to the Metropolitan Railway platforms to hop on dud 21403+404 to Kings Cross, then to the Victoria Line and on 11003+004 to Highbury & Islington and onwards to my meeting venue.
When my meeting ended, it was back to Highbury & Islington station and down to the Victoria Line platform to hop onboard 11069+070 straight to Euston having decided against a linear hop as it was just before 17:55. It was upstairs to the main station to Platform 7 for the 18:10 Holyhead and Wrexham General service, formed by required 221142+117. I was intentionally looking out for the odd coach in 142 that formerly belonged to 221144, and as I found 60994 (the other coaches' last digit ends in a 2), I took a seat there for the run to Crewe, calling at Milton Keynes Central and Nuneaton. It was then onboard the 10 minutes delayed 20:09 Glasgow Central service, formed by dud 390152 Virgin Knight for the uneventful run all the way back home.
Overall, I managed to cover the line to Southminster, which now leaves me with both arms that diverge to Stansted Airport, and Ely Kings Lynn remaining on Great Eastern Railway metals. I have reduced my Class 321 requirements from 54 to 42, passing the halfway point of the Anglia fleet of 321s that are remaining. I also had the unexpected bonus of a few pairs of Class 357s on the Thursday evening, but as I require the track between Upminster and Shoeburyness, and Grays to Pitsea, I did not let myself get too immersed in those and decided to concentrate on the task in hand. I can see some future Liverpool Street Stratford runs at the very least in the near future so as to reduce the Anglia electric fleet requirements. As the 321s and 360s will be the last to leave the area, I still have sufficient time to clear the lot.
It was out of the door for the short walk along the road to Barnhill station to board the 12:23 Dumbarton Central service that was formed by long ago dud 318267 for the run to Glasgow Queen Street, and onwards to my event. After the end of the event, it was onboard the 14:40 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway service, formed by dud 390129 City of Stoke-on-Trent all the way to EUS, arriving 5 minutes behind schedule and would go straight back out as the 19:30 GLC departure. It was over to the Metropolitan Railway platforms at Euston Square to do some linear hops along to Liverpool Street. It was on 21051+052 to Kings Cross, 21488+487 to Farringdon, 21029+030 to Barbican, 21438+437 to Moorgate, and 21044+043 to Liverpool Street.
Upstairs in the main station and after some dud Class 315s and 317s on the next few departures or a couple of required 317s on an ECS move, I eventually settled on the 20:35 Southend Victoria departure, formed by required 321363 for a run to Stratford. After a few dud pairs of Class 315s on the Shenfield service, I tapped my Oyster card on the interchange reader before heading back to Liverpool Street on the 21:03 ex Shoeburyness service, formed by required 357041+207. I believe that there were evening engineering works taking place at Fenchurch Street, hence how the London, Tilbury, & Southend Railway services were being diverted via Stratford to Liverpool Street. It was back to Stratford on the 21:18 Clacton-on-Sea service, formed by required pair 321434+427, then to LST on the 21:32 formed by required pair 357042+012.
Next up was the 21:45 Shoeburyness service, formed by required pair 357016+005 to Stratford, then another tap on the Oyster reader before hopping onboard the 22:02 Southend Victoria service, formed by required 321360+351+ dud 440 for a run to Shenfield arriving to my surprise into Platform 1. It was to the opposite island platform face for the 22:20 ex Colchester Town service, formed by required pair 321324+307 for the run back to Stratford, and for another tap on the Oyster reader. It was a slight variation to get to LST, as I decided to use the Underground, boarding a westbound Central Line train to Mile End, formed of 92057+92042+92148+91215 (unsure if 91xxx features when recording Central Line formations). It was then onboard 91003+93090+93140+91085 to Bethnal Green, then on 91137+112+402+087 (I was noting the last three digits) to Liverpool Street.
I then switched to the Metropolitan for some linear hops to Kings Cross, with the first being dud 21403+404 to Moorgate, 21465+466 to Barbican, 21068+067 to Farringdon, and 21516+515 to Kings Cross to bring the evening's action to an end and to check into my accommodation.
The following morning after checking out, it was to the Metropolitan Railway platforms for some more linear hopping to Liverpool Street. First up was 21510+509 to Farringdon, then dud 21092+091 to Barbican, 21356+355 to Moorgate, and 21036+035 to Liverpool Street. It was upstairs to the main station and as neither of my final 2 Shenfield Class 315s were out, it was straight to the 10:13 Southend Victoria service, formed by required pair 321442+362 to Wickford, passing 66543 hauling containers in the London direction at Shenfield. It was then over to Platform 4 (the bay facing Southend on the London side) for the 10:56 Southminster service formed by required 321314 for the run all the way to Southminster and back, scoring some new track in the process. It is noted that I was intentionally keeping a lookout for the second standard pattern diagram at North Fambridge where the trains are timetabled to pass each other, but it was dud 321349 so declined having 40 minutes at Southminster.
After arriving into Platform 1 at Wickford, it was over to Platform 3 for the 12:11 Liverpool Street service, formed by required 321361 to Shenfield. There were various delays that was caused by an earlier broken down train, with various attempts to recover the service. Observations at Shenfield were that 66598 was in the siding next to Platform 1 facing London, 82103+90001 was in Platform 1 having not long terminated from Norwich and departing around 12:35 calling all Intercity stations with an additional call at Witham, the 12:38 ex Braintree LST had been cancelled, the next couple of LST departures were dud, 321349+351 (believed to be the culprit that had broken down, and was the 10:55 LST to Southend Victoria) drawing into Platform 1 and terminating just after 12:35 before going ECS to a depot. It was then onboard the 13:08 ex Clacton-on-Sea departure formed by required 360114 for a run to Stratford. After declining the next couple of dud Class 321s that were heading to LST, I was about to go to Platforms 1 and 2 to go to Highbury & Islington via Hackney Wick, but it was to LST on the 13:39 ex SOV service formed by required 321357 to LST. It was then to the Metropolitan Railway platforms to hop on dud 21403+404 to Kings Cross, then to the Victoria Line and on 11003+004 to Highbury & Islington and onwards to my meeting venue.
When my meeting ended, it was back to Highbury & Islington station and down to the Victoria Line platform to hop onboard 11069+070 straight to Euston having decided against a linear hop as it was just before 17:55. It was upstairs to the main station to Platform 7 for the 18:10 Holyhead and Wrexham General service, formed by required 221142+117. I was intentionally looking out for the odd coach in 142 that formerly belonged to 221144, and as I found 60994 (the other coaches' last digit ends in a 2), I took a seat there for the run to Crewe, calling at Milton Keynes Central and Nuneaton. It was then onboard the 10 minutes delayed 20:09 Glasgow Central service, formed by dud 390152 Virgin Knight for the uneventful run all the way back home.
Overall, I managed to cover the line to Southminster, which now leaves me with both arms that diverge to Stansted Airport, and Ely Kings Lynn remaining on Great Eastern Railway metals. I have reduced my Class 321 requirements from 54 to 42, passing the halfway point of the Anglia fleet of 321s that are remaining. I also had the unexpected bonus of a few pairs of Class 357s on the Thursday evening, but as I require the track between Upminster and Shoeburyness, and Grays to Pitsea, I did not let myself get too immersed in those and decided to concentrate on the task in hand. I can see some future Liverpool Street Stratford runs at the very least in the near future so as to reduce the Anglia electric fleet requirements. As the 321s and 360s will be the last to leave the area, I still have sufficient time to clear the lot.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Central Line stock is a pain in the rear end to grab all 4 set numbers, especially when it is busy.
They are formed of 4 units, 2 driving units ending with an odd number (91xxx/92xxx), and 'non-driving' units ending with an even number (92xxx/93xxx), however you get the odd set which has a driving unit in the middle.
I record the units as (for example) 91001, 92002, 92004, 91003, some bashers will log it as 92001, 92002, 92004, 92003. (Hope that helps in some way and I haven't confused you even more).
----
Lucky you in scoring platform 4, required micro-grice for me (I've always seem to have used the bay platform on the Southend platform), sounded like a good little trip to Southminster, can't beat some 321 motor noise on a rural branch line.
At least your required track in GA land is easy enough to get, a day return to say Cambridge is valid via Stansted Airport
They are formed of 4 units, 2 driving units ending with an odd number (91xxx/92xxx), and 'non-driving' units ending with an even number (92xxx/93xxx), however you get the odd set which has a driving unit in the middle.
I record the units as (for example) 91001, 92002, 92004, 91003, some bashers will log it as 92001, 92002, 92004, 92003. (Hope that helps in some way and I haven't confused you even more).
----
Lucky you in scoring platform 4, required micro-grice for me (I've always seem to have used the bay platform on the Southend platform), sounded like a good little trip to Southminster, can't beat some 321 motor noise on a rural branch line.
At least your required track in GA land is easy enough to get, a day return to say Cambridge is valid via Stansted Airport
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Quite a good use of your time there, doing very well with the 321s!
adrock1976
Established Member
I had arrived at the above title of the trip after various considerations to a simple Cheshire Day Ranger. As I would be attending a conference in Manchester this weekend, my original plan that I had drafted at the beginning of 2016 was to do another Greater Manchester Wayfarer with a title of Attack of the killer SKs', referring to doing some of the tricky stations in the SK postcode area such as Styal, Middlewood, and Dove Holes, and clearing the Class 323 fleet in the process as well. During the intervening period since then, I have cleared all of the Class 323s with my final one (323238) having being done in September, I decided to switch to a Cheshire Day Ranger instead. I would be concentrating on some of the Cheshire Lines Committee stations, in particular, those that are in the abyss between Merseyside and Greater Manchester where neither of the PTE Day Rangers cover them. Furthermore, I would also attempt to reduce my class 507 and 508 requirements on the Merseyrail Electrics network, focusing on the stations in CH postcode (the Wirral, south of the mighty Mersey), and completing the Chester & Birkenhead Railway. I would also visit the 2 stations between Ellesmere Port and Helsby, and would do either Frodsham or Runcorn East. The aforementioned routes eventually became part of the Great Western Railway, forming the GWR's intercity mainline route from London Paddington to Birkenhead Woodside and Warrington via Birmingham Snow Hill, Shrewsbury, Wrexham, and Chester. On an additional point, I would be switching to non-GWR metals and would cover the Bidston Wrexham Central via Shotton route, as that is required track for me.
21st October Outward bound and Cheshire Day Ranger
It was an early rise, but slightly later as (Shock! Horror!) I would not be departing on the 04:28 today, but on the 05:40 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway instead. After I eventually struggled to secure the door to the flat (the lock needs oiling, which I've done now), I walked to the bus stop on the main Springburn Road and having seeing the First Glasgow 10 pulling away, I knew that I would be relying on a combination of the 57 running to schedule, green traffic lights most of the way, and some luck as well. The 57 arrived (the timetable has this being at Union Street Central Station at 05:37) just under 10 minutes later and it was to Renfield Street (at the junction of West George Street) where I alighted at around 05:34. I then made a very rapid dash to Platform 2 for the 05:40, formed by dud 390154 Matthew Flinders for an uneventful run to Preston and relaxing soon after I boarded with a huge sigh of relief. Of note, 221104 was in Platform 4 at Glasgow Central that would be on the 05:50 EUS via Birmingham departure, various Class 37s, 47s, and a couple of 57s were at Kingmoor (too dark to see the numbers), 185132 was on the Oxenholme Windermere shuttle, and at Preston, 185148 was on the 07:58 Manchester Airport Glasgow central, 319078 was in Platform 1 (perhaps on a Liverpool Lime Street via St Helens Central limited stop), and 150147 was on the 08:00 Colne departure.
I then boarded the 08:13 Manchester Airport via Bolton service, formed by dud 185114+ required 185117 for the run from Preston to Manchester Piccadilly. As the train had accumulated an 8 minute delay along the route, it meant that there was no chance of a Picadilly Oxford Road linear hop if need be. At MAN, it was soon onboard the 09:07 ex Scarborough Liverpool Lime Street formed by required 185146 for a run to Birchwood. It was a 15 minute fester here before boarding the 09:40 ex Oxford Road LIV service formed by dud 156472 for a short hop to Warrington Central. During the fester for my next intended move, required 185136 was on the 09:45 Scarborough service. As my next intended move was to hop on the 09:59 MCO service for a bus stop bash to Padgate then on the 10:07 Padgate LIV departure, I decided to stay put at WAC when the screens had the 09:59 running 5 minutes behind schedule, and the 10:11 LIV (the 10:07 I would have picked up at Padgate) was running on time, and after consulting the timetable, I did not want to push my luck with a now zero minute connection as the frequency at Padgate is a train every 60 minutes. Of note, the delayed 09:59 was formed by double duds 156482+466, so I have not lost out haulage wise here.
It was onboard the 10:11 ex MCO LIV service formed by dud 156427 for a bus stop bash to Sankey for Penketh. I then had a gentle saunter over to the opposite platform via the roadbridge, which had a couple of rusty signs detailling that the Cheshire Lines Railway/Committe were responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of the aforementioned bridge. I then boarded the slightly delayed 10:28 MCO service that was formed by not one, but two of 1985's finest lean, mean, basic bare bones machine, albeit they were dud pair 142039+001 (it helps to have a dark sense of humour as most of my Class 142 requirements are mainly the Heaton Depot, Newcastle based ones remaining) that I had landed for an eastbound bus stop bash to Warrington Central. I then went over to the Liverpool platform for the 10:46 LIV service formed by dud 156441 for a linear hop to Widnes, having spotted dud 185146 on the 10:45 Scarborough departure at WAC. At Widnes, it was a 10 minute or so fester before boarding the slightly delayed 11:05 LIV service formed by required pair 158865+857 for a run to Liverpool South Parkway.
After making the seems to be neverending massive hike from Platform 2 (London & North Western Railway) to Platform 6 (Cheshire Lines Committee/Merseyrail Electrics), it was onboard the 11:24 Southport departure formed by required 507016 to Brunswick. As the trains are timetabled to pass each other here within a couple of minutes of each other, I knew it would have been rather optimistic to make the 11:32 Hunts Cross departure. It was then a gentle saunter over the rather evil looking footbridge to the opposite platform for the slightly delayed 11:47 Hunts Cross departure formed by dud 508125 for a run to Aigburth (I pulled back from Cressington due to the slight delay), then on the 11:59 SOP service formed by required 507025 for a bus stop bash to St Michaels. It was then over to the opposite platform for the 12:05 Hunts Cross service formed by dud 507011 to Cressington (extending this move from Aigburth, having swapped around a short while ago), then to Liverpool Central on the 12:12 SOP departure formed by a reaquaintence with dud 508125.
It was time to leave behind CLC metals and to switch to the Mersey Railway platforms, and as I was 15 minutes ahead, I decided to hop onboard the 12:25 West Kirby service formed by dud 508126 for a run to Moreton to save doing it later on, passing 507004 and 007 at Birkenhead North depot. It is noted that Moreton is a station where the trains are timetabled to depart within a couple of minutes of each other, so I knew full well that I would be riding my luck here. Also, as I have not got round to compiling a sheet of required 507s and 508s, I am just hopping on them regardless and hoping that I get a few winners at least. After alighting at Moreton, it was a rapid dash over the footbridge to the Liverpool platform to hop on the 12:45 LVC that had just arrived at the same time, and was formed by required 507012 for the run to Birkenhead North and putting me back on schedule with my original plans. It was then onboard the 13:04 LVC formed by required 508136 for a linear hop to Conway Park, then to James Street (unsure if I have ever scored this station back in 1990 or 2013, so did it just to be sure) on the 13:14 formed by dud 508120.
I then made the hike from Platform 3 (the 1977 Loop) to Platform 1 (the original Mersey Railway platforms, with Platform 2 rarely used and is artistically made into a dark and dingy underground cavern, and illuminated too) for the 13:24 Ellesmere Port departure formed by required 508123 for a run to Port Sunlight, switching to the Chester & Birkenhead Railway metals that became part of the Great Western Railway. It was a short fester at Port Sunlight before hopping on the 13:46 Chester service formed by dud 508110 for a run to Eastham Rake, then over to the Birkenhead platform on the 14:01 formed by dud 508108 for a bus stop bash to Bromborough. It was then over to the Chester platform for the 5 minutes delayed 14:07 Chester service formed by required 508114 for the run to Capenhurst. It is noted that Capenhurst (alongside with the stations to Ellesmere Port) has a standard pattern frequency of every 30 minutes daily rather than every 15 minutes like the rest of the Merseyrail Electrics network, and that during the daytime, Capenhurst is best scored from the Birkenhead side, while evenings and Sundays it is best to do it from the Chester side.
Anyway, it was over to the Birkenhead platform for the 14:25 formed by expected now super dud 508110 for the run to Bromborough Rake, now having cleared all the stations along the Chester & Birkenhead Railway. I went over to the Chester platform for the 14:43 Ellesmere Port service formed by dud 507033 for the run to Overpool. As it was a pleasant sunny afternoon, I decided to go on a walk and stopped off at the Co-op convenience store along Overpool Road to pick up a meal deal, then continued via Rossmore Road West to Little Sutton station with 8 minutes to spare. It was onboard the 15:24 to Ellesmere Port formed by a now recently fresh dud 508123 for the run to ELP, and for the moment I have been waiting for and have built the day's trip plans around.
It was over the footbridge to the opposite platform to board the 15:34 Helsby departure formed by required 156423 for the run to Ince & Elton. Of note, there was another passenger onboard with me who was obviously going to Helsby, as nobody boarded or alighted at Stanlow & Thornton and with me being the only passenger who alighted at Ince & Elton with nobody boarding. After the train had departed, it was a gentle saunter via the foot crossing at the end of the platform to cross to the Hooton side to await the 15:51 and the return of the same train for a bus stop bash to Stanlow & Thornton. There was one other passenger who boarded with me who was going to Ellesmere Port, with no other passengers having boarded at Helsby. Unsurprisingly, there was nobody who boarded at Stanlow & Thornton. After I alighted the train, it was a very gentle saunter over the evil looking footbridge to the opposite side, and I decided to go down to street level for a close up feel of the vastness of the refinery site. It is noted that although it is possible to walk between Stanlow & Thornton and Ince & Elton stations via Oil Sites Road and Station Road, Google Maps has the walking time of 23 minutes, with that being the exact time between the departures heading in the same direction whether to Helsby or Ellesmere Port.
I went up the steps to the footbridge and down to the Helsby platform for the 16:08 Warrington Bank Quay departure and for my third aquaintance with 156423 for the run to Runcorn East. There was one other passenger who had boarded at Ellesmere Port, nobody boarding or alighting at Ince & Elton, and 6 boarding at Helsby. After I had alighted at Runcorn East, I make the hike up to the footbridge and over to the opposite side to await the 12 minutes delayed 16:33 Llandudno service that was formed by required and heavily loaded 175110 for the run to Shotton. Before departure from Runcorn East, there was a short game of musical chairs where as some passengers who were alighting at Frodsham vacated their seats and offered it to those who were going to Chester and points further on.
After I had alighted at Shotton and having left GWR metals behind at Chester, I had a very gentle saunter to the north bank of the Dee to Hawarden Bridge station. As I had plenty of leeway here even with the 12 minute delay that was accumulated back at Runcorn East, I had a brief wander around before returning to the Wrexham platform. I had signalled to the driver on the slightly delayed 18:07 Wrexham Central for the train to stop, as it is a request stop. Rather surprisingly, there were 2 other passengers who boarded with me, with none alighting on dud 150213 that I took as far as Wrexham General. It was then a rapid dash from Platform 4 (former Wrexham, Mold, & Connah's Quay Railway platform) to Platform 1 (Shrewsbury & Chester Railway/GWR platforms) as the 18:45 Cardiff Central train arrived at the same time. I made it in time to hop on required 175116 for a short hop to Ruabon, and back to Wrexham General on the 5 minutes delayed 18:55 Llandudno departure formed by required 158824. I am certainly both pushing and riding my luck today regarding narrow and tight connections.
I then went for a wander into town and back before spotting 158838 on the 19:33 Shrewsbury departure. It was onboard the 19:41 Wrexham Central formed by as expected dud 150236 having spotted it at Shotton earlier on, and remaining onboard for the 19:44 Bidston departure, spotting 67002 on the slightly delayed 19:43 Holyhead departure (I never got the DVT as it was dark). It was a short fester at Bidston before boarding the 20:50 West Kirby departure formed by required 507015 for a run to Hoylake, then on the 21:04 Liverpool Central to Meols formed by dud 508126 to bring the day's action to an end and to check into my accommodation.
22 October To and from Manchester
I had a reasonable night's sleep and after getting ready, it was to the station for the 08:13 Liverpool Central departure formed by dud 508111 (covered in The Beatles vinyls) for the run to Liverpool Lime Street. It was a gentle saunter upstairs to the main station and to Platform 9 for the 08:52 Norwich service, formed by required 158810 for the run via Warrington Central to Manchester Oxford Road, then a short walk to the conference venue along Princess Street.
After the conference had finished, it was back to Oxford Road and on checking the screens, the 18:41 Liverpool LS service had been cancelled. It was onboard the 18:16 LIV departure formed by dud pair 142003+156466 which was being delayed due to a fault with the doors on the 142. Eventually, the train departed 15 minutes behind schedule and after I consulted the timetable, I identified a possible connection at Warrington Central for a bus stop bash to Padgate, albeit there would only be a couple of minutes leeway. Arrival at WAC was at 18:59 (12 minutes behind schedule) and I made a rapid dash to the Manchester platform as the 19:04 Oxford Road had just pulled in. It was onboard dud 156427 for the short hop to Padgate, and over to the Liverpool platform for the 10 minutes delayed 19:15 Warrington Central formed by required 142055, scoring an unexpected microgrice into Platform 1 (the Manchester platform) and completed the 2 stations either side of Warrington Central that are in the abyss between Merseyside and Greater Manchester PTE areas.
It was over to Platform 2 for the slightly delayed 1930 LIV service formed by dud 185133, arriving at LIV at 20:00, 1 minute behind schedule. As I had allowed for 30 minutes for the West Kirby train at xx33, combined with me being in the front coach and having arrived into Platform 9, I decided to be ambitious and optimistic and went on a sprint to the Loop platform for the 20:03 WKI train, and somehow or another much to my surprise, I had made it just before the train pulled in. It was onboard now super dud 508111 that I landed first thing this morning (I wonder what the odds would have been, bearing in mind I did not have any Merseyrail Electrics timetables in my possession. As there are 5 standard pattern diagrams for the 15 minute frequency, I think it may be 3 for the 30 minute frequency) for the run to Manor Road, then to Meols on the 20:36 formed by dud 508115.
23 October Final day and homeward bound
When I had arranged this bashing trip to tie in with the conference I was attending, the engineering works had not been loaded into the system at the time I had booked things. Today, there was engineering works that would close the line between Bidston/New Brighton and Birkenhead Hamilton Square, and part of the CLC route as well. As it was a short hop between Bidston and Birkenhead, I submitted myself to a light dose of masochism and decided to use the replacement bus, as it would be the one and only time today I would be doing so. Furthermore, I am aware of the possibility that haulage wise, there would be a greater risk of me ending the day empty handed, but I have a couple of get out of jail free cards to play if need be.
After another reasonable night's sleep and checking out, it was to the station for the 08:08 Bidston service formed by super dud 508108. It was then to the car park next to Tesco for some indulgence in masochism for the replacement bus, which arrived 5 minutes or so after leaving the train. The bus was an Arriva Crossriver double decker, and after departing went via the A553 Hoylake Road and Stanley Road to call at Birkenhead North station, then via Laird Street to Birkenhead Park station, Price Street to Conway Park station, then to Birkenhead Hamilton Square. It was down to the Liverpool platform for a fester of around 10 minutes to board the 08:51 LIC formed by super dud 507033 to Liverpool Lime Street.
It was a gentle saunter up to the main level to see what was on the 09:12 Newcastle Central departure, but I declined that as it was dud 185133 that I had last night. In the adjacent platform, 185126 and 185121 were spotted, with 390013 being on the next London Euston departure. It was over to the front train at Platform 1 for the 09:15 Manchester Airport via Liverpool & Manchester Railway formed by unknown to me at the time dud 319375, with required 319374 being the rear train for the following departure. It was all stations to Manchester Oxford Road, spotting 156424+150214 heading to Liverpool at Lea Green.
When the conference came to an end and after participating in an afternoon event, it was to Platforms 13 and 14 at Piccadilly to play my get out of jail free cards. First up was the 17:35 Southport train, which I declined as it was a dud pair of Sprinters. This gave me one last chance which was the 17:38 ex Peterborough Liverpool LS departure, formed by required pair 158813+852 for a bus stop bash to Oxford Road. It was then onboard the 17:49 ex Manchester Airport Blackpool North/Talbot Road formed by dud pair 156423+461 for the run to Preston. During the fester at Preston, 150205 was on the 18:37 Leeds, 150201 on the 18:45 Blackpool South, 390046 (required) on the 5 minutes delayed 18:42 ex London Euston via Trent vAlley Railway Glasgow Central, 142046+044 on the Manchester Victoria, and 185110+137 on the 5 minutes delayed 18:47 Manchester Airport departures.
You may be thinking how come I declined a required Class 390? It is because as the minimum interchange time at Preston is 8 minutes, the train from Manchester I had arrived on arrives at PRE less than the 8 minutes required, therefore I was booked on the 18:53 ex EUS GLC via Birmingham departure. Furthermore, as there were quite a few passengers boarding a 9 coach 390 and combined with having felt that I have already pushed my luck a few times during the course of the weekend, I decided not to approach the train crew to enquire if it would be acceptable for be to board that train. However, I might have done if the 18:53 was running 15 minutes or greater behind schedule (breaking the onward connection), and also mentioned avoiding the need to claim Delay Repay.
Anyway, it was soon onboard the 5 minutes delayed 18:53 GLC, formed by dud 390107 that was covered in the Independence Day vinyls (the recent movie, and not the ongoing campaign for Scottish independence). At Carlisle, 153359 was in Platform 2, and 390129 was on the 20:07 Birmingham NS departure. Arrival at Glasgow central was 8 minutes behind, and just about not breaking my connecting train from Queen Street.
Conclusion
Overall, I felt it was a worthwhile exercise in doing some bits and pieces broadly in the Wirral and Cheshire. I have visited all stations along the Chester & Birkenhead Railway, which became part of the mighty Great Western Railway. I have also covered some new track between Bidston and Wrexham Central, plus I also fitted in the visit of Ince & Elton, Stanlow & Thornton, and Hawarden Bridge which was not an easy task to build plans around. On my previous visit to Manchester back in September and having got in discussion with a fellow passenger at Reddish South regarding station visits, I mentioned that amongst other things, I would attempt to visit every station that became part of the Great Western Railway, as the Stourbridge Railway that became a part of the GWR was my local ine when I used to reside in the West Midlands. On a related topic, the sections of GWR track I still require are Princes Risborough Aylesbury, and Shrewsbury Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. On a final note, it was a good judgement call to play my get out of jail free card at Manchester Piccadilly on the Sunday evening, so as to get something that was required even though it was a short hop along to Oxford Road and avoiding returning home empty handed in regards to haulage requirements.
21st October Outward bound and Cheshire Day Ranger
It was an early rise, but slightly later as (Shock! Horror!) I would not be departing on the 04:28 today, but on the 05:40 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway instead. After I eventually struggled to secure the door to the flat (the lock needs oiling, which I've done now), I walked to the bus stop on the main Springburn Road and having seeing the First Glasgow 10 pulling away, I knew that I would be relying on a combination of the 57 running to schedule, green traffic lights most of the way, and some luck as well. The 57 arrived (the timetable has this being at Union Street Central Station at 05:37) just under 10 minutes later and it was to Renfield Street (at the junction of West George Street) where I alighted at around 05:34. I then made a very rapid dash to Platform 2 for the 05:40, formed by dud 390154 Matthew Flinders for an uneventful run to Preston and relaxing soon after I boarded with a huge sigh of relief. Of note, 221104 was in Platform 4 at Glasgow Central that would be on the 05:50 EUS via Birmingham departure, various Class 37s, 47s, and a couple of 57s were at Kingmoor (too dark to see the numbers), 185132 was on the Oxenholme Windermere shuttle, and at Preston, 185148 was on the 07:58 Manchester Airport Glasgow central, 319078 was in Platform 1 (perhaps on a Liverpool Lime Street via St Helens Central limited stop), and 150147 was on the 08:00 Colne departure.
I then boarded the 08:13 Manchester Airport via Bolton service, formed by dud 185114+ required 185117 for the run from Preston to Manchester Piccadilly. As the train had accumulated an 8 minute delay along the route, it meant that there was no chance of a Picadilly Oxford Road linear hop if need be. At MAN, it was soon onboard the 09:07 ex Scarborough Liverpool Lime Street formed by required 185146 for a run to Birchwood. It was a 15 minute fester here before boarding the 09:40 ex Oxford Road LIV service formed by dud 156472 for a short hop to Warrington Central. During the fester for my next intended move, required 185136 was on the 09:45 Scarborough service. As my next intended move was to hop on the 09:59 MCO service for a bus stop bash to Padgate then on the 10:07 Padgate LIV departure, I decided to stay put at WAC when the screens had the 09:59 running 5 minutes behind schedule, and the 10:11 LIV (the 10:07 I would have picked up at Padgate) was running on time, and after consulting the timetable, I did not want to push my luck with a now zero minute connection as the frequency at Padgate is a train every 60 minutes. Of note, the delayed 09:59 was formed by double duds 156482+466, so I have not lost out haulage wise here.
It was onboard the 10:11 ex MCO LIV service formed by dud 156427 for a bus stop bash to Sankey for Penketh. I then had a gentle saunter over to the opposite platform via the roadbridge, which had a couple of rusty signs detailling that the Cheshire Lines Railway/Committe were responsible for the general upkeep and maintenance of the aforementioned bridge. I then boarded the slightly delayed 10:28 MCO service that was formed by not one, but two of 1985's finest lean, mean, basic bare bones machine, albeit they were dud pair 142039+001 (it helps to have a dark sense of humour as most of my Class 142 requirements are mainly the Heaton Depot, Newcastle based ones remaining) that I had landed for an eastbound bus stop bash to Warrington Central. I then went over to the Liverpool platform for the 10:46 LIV service formed by dud 156441 for a linear hop to Widnes, having spotted dud 185146 on the 10:45 Scarborough departure at WAC. At Widnes, it was a 10 minute or so fester before boarding the slightly delayed 11:05 LIV service formed by required pair 158865+857 for a run to Liverpool South Parkway.
After making the seems to be neverending massive hike from Platform 2 (London & North Western Railway) to Platform 6 (Cheshire Lines Committee/Merseyrail Electrics), it was onboard the 11:24 Southport departure formed by required 507016 to Brunswick. As the trains are timetabled to pass each other here within a couple of minutes of each other, I knew it would have been rather optimistic to make the 11:32 Hunts Cross departure. It was then a gentle saunter over the rather evil looking footbridge to the opposite platform for the slightly delayed 11:47 Hunts Cross departure formed by dud 508125 for a run to Aigburth (I pulled back from Cressington due to the slight delay), then on the 11:59 SOP service formed by required 507025 for a bus stop bash to St Michaels. It was then over to the opposite platform for the 12:05 Hunts Cross service formed by dud 507011 to Cressington (extending this move from Aigburth, having swapped around a short while ago), then to Liverpool Central on the 12:12 SOP departure formed by a reaquaintence with dud 508125.
It was time to leave behind CLC metals and to switch to the Mersey Railway platforms, and as I was 15 minutes ahead, I decided to hop onboard the 12:25 West Kirby service formed by dud 508126 for a run to Moreton to save doing it later on, passing 507004 and 007 at Birkenhead North depot. It is noted that Moreton is a station where the trains are timetabled to depart within a couple of minutes of each other, so I knew full well that I would be riding my luck here. Also, as I have not got round to compiling a sheet of required 507s and 508s, I am just hopping on them regardless and hoping that I get a few winners at least. After alighting at Moreton, it was a rapid dash over the footbridge to the Liverpool platform to hop on the 12:45 LVC that had just arrived at the same time, and was formed by required 507012 for the run to Birkenhead North and putting me back on schedule with my original plans. It was then onboard the 13:04 LVC formed by required 508136 for a linear hop to Conway Park, then to James Street (unsure if I have ever scored this station back in 1990 or 2013, so did it just to be sure) on the 13:14 formed by dud 508120.
I then made the hike from Platform 3 (the 1977 Loop) to Platform 1 (the original Mersey Railway platforms, with Platform 2 rarely used and is artistically made into a dark and dingy underground cavern, and illuminated too) for the 13:24 Ellesmere Port departure formed by required 508123 for a run to Port Sunlight, switching to the Chester & Birkenhead Railway metals that became part of the Great Western Railway. It was a short fester at Port Sunlight before hopping on the 13:46 Chester service formed by dud 508110 for a run to Eastham Rake, then over to the Birkenhead platform on the 14:01 formed by dud 508108 for a bus stop bash to Bromborough. It was then over to the Chester platform for the 5 minutes delayed 14:07 Chester service formed by required 508114 for the run to Capenhurst. It is noted that Capenhurst (alongside with the stations to Ellesmere Port) has a standard pattern frequency of every 30 minutes daily rather than every 15 minutes like the rest of the Merseyrail Electrics network, and that during the daytime, Capenhurst is best scored from the Birkenhead side, while evenings and Sundays it is best to do it from the Chester side.
Anyway, it was over to the Birkenhead platform for the 14:25 formed by expected now super dud 508110 for the run to Bromborough Rake, now having cleared all the stations along the Chester & Birkenhead Railway. I went over to the Chester platform for the 14:43 Ellesmere Port service formed by dud 507033 for the run to Overpool. As it was a pleasant sunny afternoon, I decided to go on a walk and stopped off at the Co-op convenience store along Overpool Road to pick up a meal deal, then continued via Rossmore Road West to Little Sutton station with 8 minutes to spare. It was onboard the 15:24 to Ellesmere Port formed by a now recently fresh dud 508123 for the run to ELP, and for the moment I have been waiting for and have built the day's trip plans around.
It was over the footbridge to the opposite platform to board the 15:34 Helsby departure formed by required 156423 for the run to Ince & Elton. Of note, there was another passenger onboard with me who was obviously going to Helsby, as nobody boarded or alighted at Stanlow & Thornton and with me being the only passenger who alighted at Ince & Elton with nobody boarding. After the train had departed, it was a gentle saunter via the foot crossing at the end of the platform to cross to the Hooton side to await the 15:51 and the return of the same train for a bus stop bash to Stanlow & Thornton. There was one other passenger who boarded with me who was going to Ellesmere Port, with no other passengers having boarded at Helsby. Unsurprisingly, there was nobody who boarded at Stanlow & Thornton. After I alighted the train, it was a very gentle saunter over the evil looking footbridge to the opposite side, and I decided to go down to street level for a close up feel of the vastness of the refinery site. It is noted that although it is possible to walk between Stanlow & Thornton and Ince & Elton stations via Oil Sites Road and Station Road, Google Maps has the walking time of 23 minutes, with that being the exact time between the departures heading in the same direction whether to Helsby or Ellesmere Port.
I went up the steps to the footbridge and down to the Helsby platform for the 16:08 Warrington Bank Quay departure and for my third aquaintance with 156423 for the run to Runcorn East. There was one other passenger who had boarded at Ellesmere Port, nobody boarding or alighting at Ince & Elton, and 6 boarding at Helsby. After I had alighted at Runcorn East, I make the hike up to the footbridge and over to the opposite side to await the 12 minutes delayed 16:33 Llandudno service that was formed by required and heavily loaded 175110 for the run to Shotton. Before departure from Runcorn East, there was a short game of musical chairs where as some passengers who were alighting at Frodsham vacated their seats and offered it to those who were going to Chester and points further on.
After I had alighted at Shotton and having left GWR metals behind at Chester, I had a very gentle saunter to the north bank of the Dee to Hawarden Bridge station. As I had plenty of leeway here even with the 12 minute delay that was accumulated back at Runcorn East, I had a brief wander around before returning to the Wrexham platform. I had signalled to the driver on the slightly delayed 18:07 Wrexham Central for the train to stop, as it is a request stop. Rather surprisingly, there were 2 other passengers who boarded with me, with none alighting on dud 150213 that I took as far as Wrexham General. It was then a rapid dash from Platform 4 (former Wrexham, Mold, & Connah's Quay Railway platform) to Platform 1 (Shrewsbury & Chester Railway/GWR platforms) as the 18:45 Cardiff Central train arrived at the same time. I made it in time to hop on required 175116 for a short hop to Ruabon, and back to Wrexham General on the 5 minutes delayed 18:55 Llandudno departure formed by required 158824. I am certainly both pushing and riding my luck today regarding narrow and tight connections.
I then went for a wander into town and back before spotting 158838 on the 19:33 Shrewsbury departure. It was onboard the 19:41 Wrexham Central formed by as expected dud 150236 having spotted it at Shotton earlier on, and remaining onboard for the 19:44 Bidston departure, spotting 67002 on the slightly delayed 19:43 Holyhead departure (I never got the DVT as it was dark). It was a short fester at Bidston before boarding the 20:50 West Kirby departure formed by required 507015 for a run to Hoylake, then on the 21:04 Liverpool Central to Meols formed by dud 508126 to bring the day's action to an end and to check into my accommodation.
22 October To and from Manchester
I had a reasonable night's sleep and after getting ready, it was to the station for the 08:13 Liverpool Central departure formed by dud 508111 (covered in The Beatles vinyls) for the run to Liverpool Lime Street. It was a gentle saunter upstairs to the main station and to Platform 9 for the 08:52 Norwich service, formed by required 158810 for the run via Warrington Central to Manchester Oxford Road, then a short walk to the conference venue along Princess Street.
After the conference had finished, it was back to Oxford Road and on checking the screens, the 18:41 Liverpool LS service had been cancelled. It was onboard the 18:16 LIV departure formed by dud pair 142003+156466 which was being delayed due to a fault with the doors on the 142. Eventually, the train departed 15 minutes behind schedule and after I consulted the timetable, I identified a possible connection at Warrington Central for a bus stop bash to Padgate, albeit there would only be a couple of minutes leeway. Arrival at WAC was at 18:59 (12 minutes behind schedule) and I made a rapid dash to the Manchester platform as the 19:04 Oxford Road had just pulled in. It was onboard dud 156427 for the short hop to Padgate, and over to the Liverpool platform for the 10 minutes delayed 19:15 Warrington Central formed by required 142055, scoring an unexpected microgrice into Platform 1 (the Manchester platform) and completed the 2 stations either side of Warrington Central that are in the abyss between Merseyside and Greater Manchester PTE areas.
It was over to Platform 2 for the slightly delayed 1930 LIV service formed by dud 185133, arriving at LIV at 20:00, 1 minute behind schedule. As I had allowed for 30 minutes for the West Kirby train at xx33, combined with me being in the front coach and having arrived into Platform 9, I decided to be ambitious and optimistic and went on a sprint to the Loop platform for the 20:03 WKI train, and somehow or another much to my surprise, I had made it just before the train pulled in. It was onboard now super dud 508111 that I landed first thing this morning (I wonder what the odds would have been, bearing in mind I did not have any Merseyrail Electrics timetables in my possession. As there are 5 standard pattern diagrams for the 15 minute frequency, I think it may be 3 for the 30 minute frequency) for the run to Manor Road, then to Meols on the 20:36 formed by dud 508115.
23 October Final day and homeward bound
When I had arranged this bashing trip to tie in with the conference I was attending, the engineering works had not been loaded into the system at the time I had booked things. Today, there was engineering works that would close the line between Bidston/New Brighton and Birkenhead Hamilton Square, and part of the CLC route as well. As it was a short hop between Bidston and Birkenhead, I submitted myself to a light dose of masochism and decided to use the replacement bus, as it would be the one and only time today I would be doing so. Furthermore, I am aware of the possibility that haulage wise, there would be a greater risk of me ending the day empty handed, but I have a couple of get out of jail free cards to play if need be.
After another reasonable night's sleep and checking out, it was to the station for the 08:08 Bidston service formed by super dud 508108. It was then to the car park next to Tesco for some indulgence in masochism for the replacement bus, which arrived 5 minutes or so after leaving the train. The bus was an Arriva Crossriver double decker, and after departing went via the A553 Hoylake Road and Stanley Road to call at Birkenhead North station, then via Laird Street to Birkenhead Park station, Price Street to Conway Park station, then to Birkenhead Hamilton Square. It was down to the Liverpool platform for a fester of around 10 minutes to board the 08:51 LIC formed by super dud 507033 to Liverpool Lime Street.
It was a gentle saunter up to the main level to see what was on the 09:12 Newcastle Central departure, but I declined that as it was dud 185133 that I had last night. In the adjacent platform, 185126 and 185121 were spotted, with 390013 being on the next London Euston departure. It was over to the front train at Platform 1 for the 09:15 Manchester Airport via Liverpool & Manchester Railway formed by unknown to me at the time dud 319375, with required 319374 being the rear train for the following departure. It was all stations to Manchester Oxford Road, spotting 156424+150214 heading to Liverpool at Lea Green.
When the conference came to an end and after participating in an afternoon event, it was to Platforms 13 and 14 at Piccadilly to play my get out of jail free cards. First up was the 17:35 Southport train, which I declined as it was a dud pair of Sprinters. This gave me one last chance which was the 17:38 ex Peterborough Liverpool LS departure, formed by required pair 158813+852 for a bus stop bash to Oxford Road. It was then onboard the 17:49 ex Manchester Airport Blackpool North/Talbot Road formed by dud pair 156423+461 for the run to Preston. During the fester at Preston, 150205 was on the 18:37 Leeds, 150201 on the 18:45 Blackpool South, 390046 (required) on the 5 minutes delayed 18:42 ex London Euston via Trent vAlley Railway Glasgow Central, 142046+044 on the Manchester Victoria, and 185110+137 on the 5 minutes delayed 18:47 Manchester Airport departures.
You may be thinking how come I declined a required Class 390? It is because as the minimum interchange time at Preston is 8 minutes, the train from Manchester I had arrived on arrives at PRE less than the 8 minutes required, therefore I was booked on the 18:53 ex EUS GLC via Birmingham departure. Furthermore, as there were quite a few passengers boarding a 9 coach 390 and combined with having felt that I have already pushed my luck a few times during the course of the weekend, I decided not to approach the train crew to enquire if it would be acceptable for be to board that train. However, I might have done if the 18:53 was running 15 minutes or greater behind schedule (breaking the onward connection), and also mentioned avoiding the need to claim Delay Repay.
Anyway, it was soon onboard the 5 minutes delayed 18:53 GLC, formed by dud 390107 that was covered in the Independence Day vinyls (the recent movie, and not the ongoing campaign for Scottish independence). At Carlisle, 153359 was in Platform 2, and 390129 was on the 20:07 Birmingham NS departure. Arrival at Glasgow central was 8 minutes behind, and just about not breaking my connecting train from Queen Street.
Conclusion
Overall, I felt it was a worthwhile exercise in doing some bits and pieces broadly in the Wirral and Cheshire. I have visited all stations along the Chester & Birkenhead Railway, which became part of the mighty Great Western Railway. I have also covered some new track between Bidston and Wrexham Central, plus I also fitted in the visit of Ince & Elton, Stanlow & Thornton, and Hawarden Bridge which was not an easy task to build plans around. On my previous visit to Manchester back in September and having got in discussion with a fellow passenger at Reddish South regarding station visits, I mentioned that amongst other things, I would attempt to visit every station that became part of the Great Western Railway, as the Stourbridge Railway that became a part of the GWR was my local ine when I used to reside in the West Midlands. On a related topic, the sections of GWR track I still require are Princes Risborough Aylesbury, and Shrewsbury Aberystwyth and Pwllheli. On a final note, it was a good judgement call to play my get out of jail free card at Manchester Piccadilly on the Sunday evening, so as to get something that was required even though it was a short hop along to Oxford Road and avoiding returning home empty handed in regards to haulage requirements.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
An intense few days, but I would imagine the tension was mounting in Glasgow on the 57!
Quite the reasonable number of winners and loads of shack scores, not to mention some required track. Indeed a good call with the bus stop bash in Manchester before heading home, I would imagine you don't need many EMT 158s now.
Quite the reasonable number of winners and loads of shack scores, not to mention some required track. Indeed a good call with the bus stop bash in Manchester before heading home, I would imagine you don't need many EMT 158s now.
adrock1976
Established Member
My heart was pounding indeed on the 57 bus on the Friday morning.
Regarding the EMT 158s, I still require 14 as I've got 12 so far. This could be attributed to me not intending to score them on previous Manchester bashing trips, with me instead concentrating on the Northern Rail fleet. This has got me thinking about switching to a West Yorkshire Day Ranger, as I still require 25 Northern Rail 158s, plus 14 Class 150s, 11 153s, and 9 Class 333s. Not forgetting I also require Wakefield Kirkgate - Knottingley via Streethouse and the curve between both Wakefield stations.
Regarding the EMT 158s, I still require 14 as I've got 12 so far. This could be attributed to me not intending to score them on previous Manchester bashing trips, with me instead concentrating on the Northern Rail fleet. This has got me thinking about switching to a West Yorkshire Day Ranger, as I still require 25 Northern Rail 158s, plus 14 Class 150s, 11 153s, and 9 Class 333s. Not forgetting I also require Wakefield Kirkgate - Knottingley via Streethouse and the curve between both Wakefield stations.
Kite159
Veteran Member
An excellent few days picking up those stations which fall outside the PTE rangers
Although they will be easier to get than the likes of Trafford Park and Glazebrook
Although they will be easier to get than the likes of Trafford Park and Glazebrook
adrock1976
Established Member
As it is the time of year before switching to another seasonal role and decreasing the chances of big bashing trips for the last 2 months of the year, I decided to concentrate on some bits and pieces in Yorkshire. The plans would mainly be built around the bits of track that I still require, with those being the Todmorden curve, Wakefield Kirkgate Pontefract Monkhill via Streethouse, the curve between both Wakefield stations, and the short section of track between Weeton and Pannal along the Leeds York via Harrogate line. I would also try to additionally make use of linear hops with short festers and also invoke official doublebacks rather than using the West Yorkshire Day Ranger and the add on to cover the Horsforth Starbeck section of track.
The day began with an early rise similar to my previous bashing trip a few weeks ago, where this time I managed to be at the bus stop on the main Springburn Road for the First Glasgow 10 to take me to Glasgow Central Station, arriving at around 05:25. I was able to breath easily this time, as the next option of the 57 arrives at Central Station at 05:37, and would have made me sweat a bit similar to a few weeks ago. It was a gentle saunter to Platform 2 for the 05:40 London Euston via Trent Valley railway departure formed by required 390103 Virgin Hero for the southbound run. Of note, 221136 was in Platform 1 on the 06:01 Plymouth service, and required 221105 was in Platform 4 for the 05:50 EUS via Birmingham departure. At Kingmoor, I managed to make out 37402 and a Scotrail liveried Class 68 as it was still dark at this moment in time, while at Carlisle 37059+259 were on the inspection train at the junction with the Maryport & Carlisle Railway, and at Oxenholme 350405 was on a northbound Edinburgh Waverley and 185133 was on the Windermere shuttle.
As my original plan was to alight at Preston and rapidly hop on the 08:00 Colne departure with 4 or 5 minutes to do it in for a run to Bamber Bridge and back to Preston, I abandoned that as the southbound leg had accumulated a 7 minute delay between Carlisle and Lancaster. Instead, I bailed at Lancaster knowing that the EUS via Birmingham was a required 221, and during the short fester of 10 minutes or so, 156454 was on the 08:02 Morecambe departure, and dud 185106 was on the 7 minutes delayed 07:47 ex Barrow-in-Furness Manchester Airport departure. After the MIA service departed, it was then onboard the slightly delayed 07:57 EUS via BHM departure formed by expected and required 221105 for the run to Preston. Observations at Preston were that 390020 was on the 08:15 Glasgow Central, 150139+205 on the 08:20 Hazel Grove, 142041+009 on the 08:22 Blackpool North/Talbot Road, 350407 on the 12 minutes delayed 08:26 ex MIA Edinburgh Waverley, 319362 on the 08:30 Liverpool Lime Street limited stop, and 150112 on the 08:39 ex Colne Blackpool South.
I then hopped onboard the 08:38 ex BPN York departure formed by dud 158851 for the three stop run to Burnley Manchester Road, having spotted 150204 in Platform 4 at Blackburn along the way. It was a 25 minute fester here before boarding the 09:39 ex Blackburn Manchester Victoria via Rochdale that was formed by required 150269+ dud 150206 for the run to Todmorden and scoring my first bit of new track today. It was then over to the Leeds platform for the 10:05 ex Manchester Victoria Leeds via Brighouse formed by required 158759 for a run to Mirfield. It was a very brief fester before boarding the 10:40 Wakefield Westgate formed by required 150114 for the eastbound run to Wakefield Kirkgate, passing the sorry state that the site of the yard at Healey Mills is in nowadays, with vegetation having taken over a large part of the site.
It was then over to Platform 3 for the 11:13 ex Bradford Interchange London Kings Cross that was formed by required 180114 for the run via Streethouse to Pontefract Monkhill, scoring my second bit of new track today. I then had a gentle saunter to the opposite platform and during the fester, 66745 was passing through from the Castleford direction towards Knottingley hauling open wagons that seemed to have either ballast or some other aggregates. I hopped onboard the 11:57 Wakefield Kirkgate that was formed by dud 150201 for a bus stop bash to Pontefract Tanshelf, and walked back to Monkhill via Headlands Lane, Skinner Lane, Denwell Terrace, continuing onto the footpath that took me onto Black Walk following the railway line, passing the Railway Inn and up the hill to Monkhill station. I had arrived on the platform around 12:20.
I was intending to get the 12:49 Bradford Interchange to Wakefield Kirkgate, but when I saw that the 12:3x ex Leeds Knottingley was required, that gave me an alternative option if the 12:49 BDI was dud. Lo and behold, it was dud 180105 therefore I declined that for the 12:57 Wakefield Kirkgate that was formed by as expected required 144016 for the run all the way to WKK. I then went for a walk mainly via the ring road to Wakefield Westgate station with 7 minutes to spare to hop on an expected fresh dud 150114 that was on the 13:44 Huddersfield departure for a bus stop bash round the curve to Kirkgate, scoring my third bit of new track today. It was back to Westgate on the 14:04 formed by required 142026 arriving into the London platform, then a very rapid dash over the bridge for the 14:09 ex Sheffield Leeds where it was immediately on board, and having checked the ID of the train after alighting at Leeds, it was dud 142065. Of note, 321903 was spotted on a Doncaster local all stations service near Copley Hill Junction.
As I was 20 or so minutes ahead, I decided to check the screens to see if I could do a quick run to Cross Gates or one of the Garforth stations. However, there seemed to have been disruption that has affected the TPE services and the London & North Western railway route to and from Manchester, with the 12xx Scarborough departure being 125 minutes delayed, and the 12:xx Middlesbrough departure being 90 minutes delayed. As one of the Middlesbrough departures would be departing at 14:40 according to the screen, I consulted the timetable to see if I could do a short run to Garforth, but that was not possible if I wanted to be back in time for my next move. I then took the decision to exit the station for some fresh air and to escape the melee that was going on.
When I went back into the station, it was over to Platform 1 for the 14:59 Knaresborough departure formed by dud 155343 + required 153301. I hopped on the dogbox for some gentle thrash to Starbeck. I would like to note that Starbeck station is one of these tricky ones to score, as the trains in opposite directions are timetabled to depart within a minute of each other due to the level crossing at the main road. Also, I have covered my fourth and final bit of new track today between Weeton and Pannal, as I did Leeds Weeton in August 2015 and York Pannal in June 2016, meaning that I had that missing bit between Leeds and York via Harrogate. Upon arrival at Starbeck, the 15:39 ex York Leeds was already in, therefore I was unable to pull off that connection which would have been very optimistic anyway.
I had originally planned to walk to Hornbeam Park station, but after both trains had departed, I consulted the map of the local area and as the showers had started, I decided to abandon that idea. Of note, there is a co-op convenience store nearby along the main road on the York side of the track, and a few independent businesses along the same road on the Leeds side of the track. It was to the Leeds platform taking cover in the shelter to await the same pair of dogboxes from Knaresborough on the 16:09 LDS departure, with me taking position in front 153301 for a short run to Hornbeam Park. After navigating my way out of the station (Hornbeam Park has staggered platforms either side of a road overbridge) and waiting for a convenient gap in the traffic to get across (I had already hit the school run), it was a gentle saunter down to the York platform where it was obvious that the classes/lectures at the nearby college had ended for the day due to the amount of student type passengers that were already on the platform. It was eventually onboard the 16:31 Knaresborough that was formed by required 155345+153307 for a bus stop bash to Harrogate. It was then over to the Leeds platform for the slightly delayed 16:45 ex York Leeds departure, formed by dud pair 150277+150218 for the run back to Leeds.
From this point onwards, my original plan was to board the 18:05 ex York Blackpool North departure to New Pudsey, 18:30 Manchester Vicoria to Hebden Bridge, 19:17 Mancchester Victoria to Todmorden, 19:30 to Blackburn, and 20:30 ex York Blackpool North to Preston, giving me 6 minutes (2 minutes less than the official minimum interchange time) before my booked 20:53 to Glasgow Central. Being as I was ahead of myself and the thought of pushing my luck combined with having already completed the Todmorden curve, I decided to revise those plans after consulting the timetables and checking the screens. In regards to the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway route between Leeds and Bradford Interchange, when I was drawing up plans for a couple of linear hops on the way back to Preston, I simply input Leeds and Bradford to Hebden Bridge, which as I was in a rush planning this trip, I had forgot about the Huddersfield via Bradford Interchange services and never involved those in the plan. Anyway, after checking the screen for the next New Pudsey departure, it was over to Platform 12 for the slightly delayed on departure 17:35 Huddersfield via BDI, formed by both heavily loaded required 142091+ dud 142016 for the run to New Pudsey.
I remained on the Bradford/Manchester platform for the 18:03 Manchester Victoria that was formed by dud 158755 for a run to Sowerby Bridge where I decided to bail after consulting the timetable and as practically everything calls at Hebden Bridge, I can save that for another time. It was a 15 minute or so fester before boarding the 5 minutes delayed 18:45 ex York Blackpool North (that I would have originally boarded at Leeds) formed by required 158757 for a run to Accrington. This is where I invoked the official doubleback and made a rapid dash over the footbridge to the opposite platform for the 19:28 Manchester Victoria via Rochdale, formed by dud pair 150103+142040 (I believe the rear Pacer was locked out of use, as the guard was operating the doors from the front Sprinter) for a short run to Rose Grove. It was a brief fester before boarding the 19:40 ex Colne Blackpool South that was formed by dud 150112 to take me to Preston calling all stations, including the request stop of Pleasington.
Before I headed back north, observations were that 156490+455 were on the 20:38 ex Manchester Airport Blackpool North, 153315+358 in Platform 6 possibly on the 21:09 Barrow-in-Furness (the screens displayed a platform alteration in that the 21:09 BIF would depart Platform 6, with the engines being started at around 20:50, with some passengers boarding soon after), 390011 on the slightly delayed Glasgow Central, 350405 on the 20:48 MIA, 150144 on the 20:50 Manchester Victoria, 158851 on the 20:48 ex York BPN (the one I did not fancy pushing my luck with, and it was dud anyway), the return of 158757 on the 20:56 ex BPN York, and an unidentified 390 on the 20:58 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway as the 20:53 that I was booked on was drawing into Platform 3, 7 minutes behind schedule. I boarded required 390114 City of Manchester (I believe this was the 390 that seemed to elude forum member Techniquest for a while if my memory is not playing tricks on me) for the run to Glasgow Central, and to Queen Street for the 5 minutes delayed 23:34 to Barnhill.
Although today was not as rapidfire that I would have liked, it was either using a WYPTE Day Ranger combined with some festers to grab anything required, or going at a more gentle pace to complete missing bits of track for coverage. Of note, the only bits of track for normal routes that I require in Yorkshire is Middlesbrough Whitby, and Meadowhall Interchange Rotherham Central.
The day began with an early rise similar to my previous bashing trip a few weeks ago, where this time I managed to be at the bus stop on the main Springburn Road for the First Glasgow 10 to take me to Glasgow Central Station, arriving at around 05:25. I was able to breath easily this time, as the next option of the 57 arrives at Central Station at 05:37, and would have made me sweat a bit similar to a few weeks ago. It was a gentle saunter to Platform 2 for the 05:40 London Euston via Trent Valley railway departure formed by required 390103 Virgin Hero for the southbound run. Of note, 221136 was in Platform 1 on the 06:01 Plymouth service, and required 221105 was in Platform 4 for the 05:50 EUS via Birmingham departure. At Kingmoor, I managed to make out 37402 and a Scotrail liveried Class 68 as it was still dark at this moment in time, while at Carlisle 37059+259 were on the inspection train at the junction with the Maryport & Carlisle Railway, and at Oxenholme 350405 was on a northbound Edinburgh Waverley and 185133 was on the Windermere shuttle.
As my original plan was to alight at Preston and rapidly hop on the 08:00 Colne departure with 4 or 5 minutes to do it in for a run to Bamber Bridge and back to Preston, I abandoned that as the southbound leg had accumulated a 7 minute delay between Carlisle and Lancaster. Instead, I bailed at Lancaster knowing that the EUS via Birmingham was a required 221, and during the short fester of 10 minutes or so, 156454 was on the 08:02 Morecambe departure, and dud 185106 was on the 7 minutes delayed 07:47 ex Barrow-in-Furness Manchester Airport departure. After the MIA service departed, it was then onboard the slightly delayed 07:57 EUS via BHM departure formed by expected and required 221105 for the run to Preston. Observations at Preston were that 390020 was on the 08:15 Glasgow Central, 150139+205 on the 08:20 Hazel Grove, 142041+009 on the 08:22 Blackpool North/Talbot Road, 350407 on the 12 minutes delayed 08:26 ex MIA Edinburgh Waverley, 319362 on the 08:30 Liverpool Lime Street limited stop, and 150112 on the 08:39 ex Colne Blackpool South.
I then hopped onboard the 08:38 ex BPN York departure formed by dud 158851 for the three stop run to Burnley Manchester Road, having spotted 150204 in Platform 4 at Blackburn along the way. It was a 25 minute fester here before boarding the 09:39 ex Blackburn Manchester Victoria via Rochdale that was formed by required 150269+ dud 150206 for the run to Todmorden and scoring my first bit of new track today. It was then over to the Leeds platform for the 10:05 ex Manchester Victoria Leeds via Brighouse formed by required 158759 for a run to Mirfield. It was a very brief fester before boarding the 10:40 Wakefield Westgate formed by required 150114 for the eastbound run to Wakefield Kirkgate, passing the sorry state that the site of the yard at Healey Mills is in nowadays, with vegetation having taken over a large part of the site.
It was then over to Platform 3 for the 11:13 ex Bradford Interchange London Kings Cross that was formed by required 180114 for the run via Streethouse to Pontefract Monkhill, scoring my second bit of new track today. I then had a gentle saunter to the opposite platform and during the fester, 66745 was passing through from the Castleford direction towards Knottingley hauling open wagons that seemed to have either ballast or some other aggregates. I hopped onboard the 11:57 Wakefield Kirkgate that was formed by dud 150201 for a bus stop bash to Pontefract Tanshelf, and walked back to Monkhill via Headlands Lane, Skinner Lane, Denwell Terrace, continuing onto the footpath that took me onto Black Walk following the railway line, passing the Railway Inn and up the hill to Monkhill station. I had arrived on the platform around 12:20.
I was intending to get the 12:49 Bradford Interchange to Wakefield Kirkgate, but when I saw that the 12:3x ex Leeds Knottingley was required, that gave me an alternative option if the 12:49 BDI was dud. Lo and behold, it was dud 180105 therefore I declined that for the 12:57 Wakefield Kirkgate that was formed by as expected required 144016 for the run all the way to WKK. I then went for a walk mainly via the ring road to Wakefield Westgate station with 7 minutes to spare to hop on an expected fresh dud 150114 that was on the 13:44 Huddersfield departure for a bus stop bash round the curve to Kirkgate, scoring my third bit of new track today. It was back to Westgate on the 14:04 formed by required 142026 arriving into the London platform, then a very rapid dash over the bridge for the 14:09 ex Sheffield Leeds where it was immediately on board, and having checked the ID of the train after alighting at Leeds, it was dud 142065. Of note, 321903 was spotted on a Doncaster local all stations service near Copley Hill Junction.
As I was 20 or so minutes ahead, I decided to check the screens to see if I could do a quick run to Cross Gates or one of the Garforth stations. However, there seemed to have been disruption that has affected the TPE services and the London & North Western railway route to and from Manchester, with the 12xx Scarborough departure being 125 minutes delayed, and the 12:xx Middlesbrough departure being 90 minutes delayed. As one of the Middlesbrough departures would be departing at 14:40 according to the screen, I consulted the timetable to see if I could do a short run to Garforth, but that was not possible if I wanted to be back in time for my next move. I then took the decision to exit the station for some fresh air and to escape the melee that was going on.
When I went back into the station, it was over to Platform 1 for the 14:59 Knaresborough departure formed by dud 155343 + required 153301. I hopped on the dogbox for some gentle thrash to Starbeck. I would like to note that Starbeck station is one of these tricky ones to score, as the trains in opposite directions are timetabled to depart within a minute of each other due to the level crossing at the main road. Also, I have covered my fourth and final bit of new track today between Weeton and Pannal, as I did Leeds Weeton in August 2015 and York Pannal in June 2016, meaning that I had that missing bit between Leeds and York via Harrogate. Upon arrival at Starbeck, the 15:39 ex York Leeds was already in, therefore I was unable to pull off that connection which would have been very optimistic anyway.
I had originally planned to walk to Hornbeam Park station, but after both trains had departed, I consulted the map of the local area and as the showers had started, I decided to abandon that idea. Of note, there is a co-op convenience store nearby along the main road on the York side of the track, and a few independent businesses along the same road on the Leeds side of the track. It was to the Leeds platform taking cover in the shelter to await the same pair of dogboxes from Knaresborough on the 16:09 LDS departure, with me taking position in front 153301 for a short run to Hornbeam Park. After navigating my way out of the station (Hornbeam Park has staggered platforms either side of a road overbridge) and waiting for a convenient gap in the traffic to get across (I had already hit the school run), it was a gentle saunter down to the York platform where it was obvious that the classes/lectures at the nearby college had ended for the day due to the amount of student type passengers that were already on the platform. It was eventually onboard the 16:31 Knaresborough that was formed by required 155345+153307 for a bus stop bash to Harrogate. It was then over to the Leeds platform for the slightly delayed 16:45 ex York Leeds departure, formed by dud pair 150277+150218 for the run back to Leeds.
From this point onwards, my original plan was to board the 18:05 ex York Blackpool North departure to New Pudsey, 18:30 Manchester Vicoria to Hebden Bridge, 19:17 Mancchester Victoria to Todmorden, 19:30 to Blackburn, and 20:30 ex York Blackpool North to Preston, giving me 6 minutes (2 minutes less than the official minimum interchange time) before my booked 20:53 to Glasgow Central. Being as I was ahead of myself and the thought of pushing my luck combined with having already completed the Todmorden curve, I decided to revise those plans after consulting the timetables and checking the screens. In regards to the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway route between Leeds and Bradford Interchange, when I was drawing up plans for a couple of linear hops on the way back to Preston, I simply input Leeds and Bradford to Hebden Bridge, which as I was in a rush planning this trip, I had forgot about the Huddersfield via Bradford Interchange services and never involved those in the plan. Anyway, after checking the screen for the next New Pudsey departure, it was over to Platform 12 for the slightly delayed on departure 17:35 Huddersfield via BDI, formed by both heavily loaded required 142091+ dud 142016 for the run to New Pudsey.
I remained on the Bradford/Manchester platform for the 18:03 Manchester Victoria that was formed by dud 158755 for a run to Sowerby Bridge where I decided to bail after consulting the timetable and as practically everything calls at Hebden Bridge, I can save that for another time. It was a 15 minute or so fester before boarding the 5 minutes delayed 18:45 ex York Blackpool North (that I would have originally boarded at Leeds) formed by required 158757 for a run to Accrington. This is where I invoked the official doubleback and made a rapid dash over the footbridge to the opposite platform for the 19:28 Manchester Victoria via Rochdale, formed by dud pair 150103+142040 (I believe the rear Pacer was locked out of use, as the guard was operating the doors from the front Sprinter) for a short run to Rose Grove. It was a brief fester before boarding the 19:40 ex Colne Blackpool South that was formed by dud 150112 to take me to Preston calling all stations, including the request stop of Pleasington.
Before I headed back north, observations were that 156490+455 were on the 20:38 ex Manchester Airport Blackpool North, 153315+358 in Platform 6 possibly on the 21:09 Barrow-in-Furness (the screens displayed a platform alteration in that the 21:09 BIF would depart Platform 6, with the engines being started at around 20:50, with some passengers boarding soon after), 390011 on the slightly delayed Glasgow Central, 350405 on the 20:48 MIA, 150144 on the 20:50 Manchester Victoria, 158851 on the 20:48 ex York BPN (the one I did not fancy pushing my luck with, and it was dud anyway), the return of 158757 on the 20:56 ex BPN York, and an unidentified 390 on the 20:58 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway as the 20:53 that I was booked on was drawing into Platform 3, 7 minutes behind schedule. I boarded required 390114 City of Manchester (I believe this was the 390 that seemed to elude forum member Techniquest for a while if my memory is not playing tricks on me) for the run to Glasgow Central, and to Queen Street for the 5 minutes delayed 23:34 to Barnhill.
Although today was not as rapidfire that I would have liked, it was either using a WYPTE Day Ranger combined with some festers to grab anything required, or going at a more gentle pace to complete missing bits of track for coverage. Of note, the only bits of track for normal routes that I require in Yorkshire is Middlesbrough Whitby, and Meadowhall Interchange Rotherham Central.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a good day in Yorkshire, scoring required track, a few shacks and winning units
The Blackpool South - Colne trains run east of Preston with the rear unit (when it is a pair) locked out of use due to short platforms, with both units being used west of Preston (as all the stations on the South loop can handle 4-coaches.
The Blackpool South - Colne trains run east of Preston with the rear unit (when it is a pair) locked out of use due to short platforms, with both units being used west of Preston (as all the stations on the South loop can handle 4-coaches.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Quite a nice clearout in Yorkshire for track, and a nice little sprinkling of winners to go with it Another excellent read of course too.
390114 is indeed the forum celebrity 390, the one I was chasing for ages. Thankfully it's been dud for quite some time now, and its replacement irritating gap 68008 has been conquered too and I currently have no majorly annoying gap in my NREA to chase. Apart from 158884...
Another excellent read of course too.390114 is indeed the forum celebrity 390, the one I was chasing for ages. Thankfully it's been dud for quite some time now, and its replacement irritating gap 68008 has been conquered too and I currently have no majorly annoying gap in my NREA to chase. Apart from 158884...
adrock1976
Established Member
I had realised that most of my previous trips from August onwards have mainly involved bits of track that became part of the Great Western Railway i.e. the Freedom of the Severn & Solent Rover, and the Chester & Birkenhead Railway recently. As my former local line was the Stourbridge Railway, I never really concentrated that much on the part from Birmingham Snow Hill London Paddington side of the route barring the odd exception when I covered the track to both Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon back in 1989. The only stations I have definitely scored along that part is Tyseley (when I visited the railway museum next door), Acocks Green (to switch to the 11 Outer Circle bus), Solihull, Dorridge, Leamington Spa, Spring Road (to switch to the 11 Outer Circle bus from Fox Hollies Road), Shirley (before the present day extension to Whitlocks End), and Stratford-upon-Avon. Of note, I did almost alight from the train at Bordesley on the way back to either Moor Street or Snow Hill and have a short bus ride to the Bull Ring Centre back in the early 1990s, but decided against that. Subsequently, the frequency at Bordesley was gradually reduced to its present day level, and I was left kicking myself afterwards. Of note, I only require 7 of the LM Class 172s, which is not bad considering that I scored my first 2 on Monday 28 December 2015, with the other 18 at various points during 2016 on previous bashing trips. I would also take a run to Coventry to see which pair of dogboxes are on the Coventry Nuneaton shuttle, as I require 4 (as LM has a fleet of 8, I should have at least a 50% chance of a winner).
So how can I fit in Bordesley with its present day level of service of 1 train in one direction on a Saturday? It was by sheer coincidence when I was drawing up the plans for today, there is an extra level of service today for one reason only. This would put me in the position to swallow my pride, keep mouth closed, do not wear anything that resembles claret and blue, nor anything that references a famous event in Rotterdam back in 1982 in English football. Yes, the dirty Bluenoses (who always make a lot of noise of how great they are) were at home today, meaning that I would be throwing myself not amongst the Wolves (I'll leave that pun for West Bromwich Albion fans), but being a rogue Villain amongst the noisy lot. Admittedly, since the once mighty but not so mighty nowadays Aston Villa won the European Cup, and apart from winning the League Cup in 1994 and 1996, they have not really done much else to set the heather on fire since then. Today, the main concentration is to stop the rot that has set in.
Anyway, most of the above paragraph would be a better fit in the Football thread in the General Discussion section of the forum, so I will now return to railway matters. It was a rise at 04:30 for me to get ready and walk to Glasgow Central station after setting off at 05:00, as the first buses on Saturdays arrive at Central Station after my intended train that I was booked on. It was to Platform 9 for the 05:40 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway that was formed by dud 390112 Virgin Star for the southbound run to Preston, passing 92010 at Carstairs (most likely to attach to the Edinburgh portion of the sleeper), and various Class 37s and a Scotrail Class 68 at Kingmoor (I could not make out which ones they were, as it was still dark, and with the locos not being anywhere near the arclights). Observations after alighting at Preston were that 390006 in reverse formation being on the 5 minutes delayed 07:53 Edinburgh Waverley, 150270 on the 08:04 Colne, 319378 in Platform 5 on the 08:30 Liverpool Lime Street limited stop, 350410 on the 5 minutes delayed 07:58 Glasgow Central, and 156466+482 on the 08:09 Manchester Airport.
It was onboard the 08:17 ex Glasgow central London Euston via Birmingham formed by dud 221101, spotting 319375 at Wigan NW on the 08:3x Liverpool LS local all stations, and at Crewe spotted 350255 heading to Liverpool, 350128 in Platform 8 with 153323 next door in Platform 7, 92023+033 at Gresty Bridge, and 66557 at Basford facing north. I bailed at Wolverhampton after arriving 5 minutes behind schedule to see if the Bournemouth is required. Meanwhile, 390141 was on the 09:37 Glasgow Central before boarding the 5 minutes delayed 09:41 Bournemouth that was formed by a heavily loaded and required 220020 for the run to Birmingham New Street. After purchasing the Daytripper, I made my over to Moor Street and got a cup of tea and something light before doing anything else.
After my purchase from the cafe, it was over to Platform 1 for the 10:31 Stratford-upon-Avon via Shirley, formed by required 172340 for a run to Yardley Wood. I crossed over to the Birmingham platform for the 10:45 ex Whitlocks End Kidderminster that was formed by dud 172343 for a bus stop bash to Hall Green. Even though Hall Green station is situated along the main A34 Stratford Road and also a short walk from Spring Road station, I do not ever remember scoring this station at all, so decided to do it today to get it out of the way. It was over to the Stratford platform for the 10:59 Whitlocks End formed by dud 172214 for the run to its terminus. I scored the previous station Shirley in 1989 when Class 115s and 116s were common in the WMPTE area when 2 trains per hour terminated there, before the present day extension to Whitlocks End. I remained onboard for the 11:19 Worcester Foregate Street for the run to Small Heath, gricing the crossover at Whitlocks End. I already scored Small Heath years ago when I alighted here and as the station is in the Poets Corner area of Small Heath, I remember walking to the bus stop to board the 28 to Six Ways Erdington.
It seemed a lengthy 8 minute fester here as it was quite chilly before my next move. A thing that I have noticed since I left the West Midlands is that I can remember both Small Heath and Tyseley having a Monday to Saturday frequency of every 10 minutes in 1989, then the Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon calls were removed leaving a frequency of every 10/20 minutes, and now today, it is every 30 minutes. It was onboard the 11:43 Dorridge formed by required 172218 for the run to Olton, another station I've never had before. My intention was to board the 12:10 Stratford-upon-Avon via Solihull, and I already made a note of the 11:57 Great Malvern for a bus stop bash to Acocks Green if it was required. I did indeed reduce the fester as the 11:57 was required 172222+ dud 213, so I hopped on the front unit for the bus stop bash as a filler move.
I then boarded the 12:07 SAV (that I would have picked up at Olton) that was formed by dud 172331 for the run to Widney Manor, scoring this station as well. It is noted that I done Dorridge years ago (again in a Class 115/116) on a Birmingham Snow Hill Dorridge terminator. It was a gentle saunter over to the Birmingham/Stourbridge/Birkenhead Woodside [sic] platform (Acocks Green to Bordesley are island platforms) for a fester before boarding the 12:33 ex SAV Stourbridge Junction that was formed by dud 172221 for a bus stop bash to Solihull (another station I scored years ago). I had a few options here of the 12:46 ex London Marylebone Birmingham Moor Street, the 12:54 ex Dorridge Worcester Foregate Street (which I knew would be fresh dud 172218, but a handy get out of jail free card if need be if the next Birmingham bound departure is largely delayed), and the 13:02 ex Leamington Spa Birmingham MS. Anyway, it was the first option of the 12:46 that I boarded when I had a pleasant surprise of it being formed by required and un-named 68012+ required DVT 82301 for the non stop run to Birmingham MS for some Class 68 thrash.
As I had time to spare before the 13:31 SAV via Shirley was due, I hung about to see if my 4 remaining LM Class 172s were heading in the Stourbridge direction for a bus stop bash to Snow Hill. The 12:59 Kidderminster and 13:09 (the second option from Solihull) were duds, so declined those and kept a lookout to see what was on the 13:10 ex Kidderminster Whitlocks End. I sprinted across the footbridge to Platform 1 and boarded required 172335 for the run to Spring Road. As I already scored Spring Road years ago, I knew that there was some convenience stores nearby at the junction of Shaftmoor Lane and Olton Boulevard East, so picked up some lunch before heading back to the station. It was onboard the 13:37 SAV (that I would have boarded at Moor Street) formed by the return of recently fresh dud from earlier 172340 for the run to Wythall, scoring another GWR station. It is noted that technically Wythall is in Worcestershire, but the stations either side Earlswood and Whitlocks End are in the West Midlands metropolitan boundary (both formerly in Warwickshire before 1974).
It was then over to the Birmingham platform for the 13:57 Stourbridge Junction formed by dud 172341 for the run to a certain station which I would be alighting at amongst a certain crowd of people, with the train starting to fill up gradually. Yes, I was among quite a few dirty Bluenoses, but as I had my sheet and a pen as I always do for bashing trips, I think it is safe to say that I managed to being sniffed out as a rogue Villan when I alighted at Bordesley, passing 66143 hauling containers in the London direction at Small Heath. Anyway, it was my intention to do a linear hop to Moor Street on the 14:28 ex Dorridge Kidderminster, but I changed my mind when I saw a required 172 on the 14:22 ex Worcester FS Dorridge, formed by 172219+ dud 212 for a run to Solihull in the front unit. I returned back to Moor Street on the 14:37 ex SAV Stourbridge Junction formed by dud pair 172339+217, then sprinted across to New Street to switch my attention from GWR metals to L&NWR metals.
After checking the screens, it was a sprint to Platform 3a for the 14:54 London Euston via Northampton, but there was no train there in the platform (I was down on the platform at 14:53). It was announced to await further information, then another announcement that the 15:14 EUS via Northampton would be departing from Platform 4a. Another announcement was made that the next train at Platform 3a would be the 15:04 Bournemouth and that the 14:54 EUS had been cancelled, as was the 15:14. It would have been a 40 minute fester for those passengers who were travelling to Northampton, and there is not a great deal of alternative options to get there any earlier, even doubling back from Milton Keynes Central I would imagine. Anyway, it was onboard required 220018 that was on the 15:04 Bournemouth for a run to Birmingham International, then onboard the 15:20 ex Edinburgh Waverley EUS formed by dud 390006 Tate Liverpool that I had spotted earlier at Preston that was in reverse formation i.e. Standard Class at the London end of the train. After I bailed at Coventry, I went to the main concourse to check the screen so as to make sure that the Nuneaton shuttle is actually running, as on my previous venture in October, it had been cancelled.
When I ascertained that it was running, it was over to Platform 2 to see was on the shuttle. Much to my surprise, it was a lone dogbox as I was expecting a pair as it is a Saturday. More annoyingly, it was dud 153375 so I declined that in slight disgust. This got me thinking here slightly there is 1 on the Nuneaton shuttle, I did not see any in the open when passing Tyseley Depot, 1 singles are used on the Bletchley Bedford Midland (with the second diagram being a Class 150). The question is this: Where on earth are the other 6 LM dogboxes? It seems rather puzzling to me, or perhaps that is the whole idea of it all. I'm going to post this question in the Traction & Rolling Stock section of the forum and hope somebody could enlighten me [UPDATE: I've had various replies to that query many thanks indeed. I was simply in the wrong place on the wrong day at the wrong time]. Going back to the remainder of the trip, I had an alternative plan in the eventuality of the Nuneaton shuttle being dud, and before my next move, I had spotted 66168 passing through Platform 4 hauling covered trailers of Range Rovers in the London direction, and 390155 (which was dud) on the 15:42 Edinburgh Waverley.
Remaining on Platforms 2 and 3, it was onboard the 15:50 ex EUS Birmingham NS formed by required 350110 for the run to Hampton in Arden, and also scoring this station to clear the Rugby Birmingham section of the London & Birmingham Railway. It was over a 20 minute fester here (the frequency these days is still 2 trains per hour, but it is an uneven 20/40 split, which could be attributed to the Virgin Trains ICWC December 2008 timetable change) before boarding the 16:25 BHM formed by required 350260 for a bus stop bash to Birmingham International. It was to the adjacent Platform 3 face of the same island among a huge crowd for the 16:33 ex EUS BHM formed by required 390047 CLIC Sargent (formerly Heaven's Angels, and Virgin Atlantic before that) for the non stop run to New Street. It was then over to Platform 6 for the 16:57 ex Bournemouth Manchester Piccadilly formed by a heavily loaded dud 221119 for the run to Wolverhampton to set me up for the next move, which would involve a roll of the dice to land a double six and it being my one and only gamble in regard to pushing my luck.
The very first thing I did after alighting was to check both the arrival and departure screens in the main concourse, and although the 17:20 Liverpool Lime Street (17:01 ex BHM) had been cancelled, my luck was still in. It was to Platform 5 for the 17:20 Walsall via Birmingham that was formed by dud 323209 and positioning myself in the centre coach (as I was unsure where the exit from the platform would be in relation to where the train stops an old fashioned method indeed) for a 5 or 6 minute short hop to Coseley. After the doors were released (ideally, it is the rear coach of a 323 that is the best place to be if anybody else is attempting to do what I'm doing here), it was immediately a rapid sprint up to the road bridge and over and a right turn into Havacre Lane until I found the gap in the fence for the set of steps onto the northbound platform. I had barely got my breath back when less than 30 seconds later, the 17:26 formed by dud 323242 rolled in to take me to Wolverhampton, basing myself in the front coach so as to make it easier for my homeward move, having finally scored Coseley at long last (it is quite a hike to the main A4123 Wolverhampton to Birmingham New Road for the 126 bus, hence how I've never done this one years ago) and completed all of the stations between Wolverhampton and Rugby via Birmingham NS.
It was a simple walk to Platform 1, which is adjacent to Platform 5 to await the 17:37 ex EUS Glasgow Central to take me home. It is noted that the 19:37 (19:15 departure from Birmingham) that I normally use terminates at Preston on Saturdays, arriving after the EUS GLC via Trent Valley Railway already having departed meaning that I would have around a 45-50 minute fester. Over at Platform 2, 390141 was on the 17:45 EUS departure. The 17:37 was formed by required 221109+ dud 118, and with me boarding the front Voyager, I had an uneventful run northbound until Farrington Curve Junction when the train got held there for 20 minutes or so. The delay was caused by a broken down freight train recently, so was waiting for the backlog of traffic to clear before proceeding to arrive into Platform 5 at Preston. 350406 appeared to have terminated in Platform 6, as the destination boards on the train displayed Not in service. 390127 (or 123) was in Platform 3, but I was unsure of its destination as I could not make out what the screens on the doors were displaying. Eventually, departure from Preston was at 19:17, and after departing Carlisle 35 minutes behind schedule at 20:37, arrival at GLC was at 21:51 (arrival time was meant to be 21:17) meaning that my connection with the 22:04 from Glasgow Queen Street to take me to Barnhill had been broken.
Overall, even though I finished a couple of hours earlier than I normally do when in the West Midlands area, I feel that I have managed to score several of the GWR stations heading from Birmingham to London and Stratford-upon-Avon directions. I also managed to Score Bordesley quite easily today, even though it meant holding my breath to put myself amongst a bunch of dirty Bluenoses to do so. When I realised that I only required 7 of the LM Class 172s, I decided to try to target those with me having landed 5 of those today. I only require 172333 and 338 to clear the fleet. Out of all of the GWR stations within the PTE area, I have Earlswood left hanging, which I could do on an early evening linear hop (owing to the standard pattern timetable having the trains in opposite directions passing each other 1 minute apart) or a walk from The Lakes. It is further noted that within the shire counties of the West Midlands region, the GWR stations I require are Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury, Gowbowen for Oswestry, Chirk, Colwall, Ledbury, Shrewsbury to Newport (except Hereford), Pershore, Evesham, Earlswood to Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway, Bearley, Claverdon, Lapworth, Hatton, and both Warwick stations. In other words, still a fair amount of GWR stations in the region I need to do.
Moving onto London & NWR metals, I was smart enough to have an alternative plan in the event that the Coventry Nuneaton shuttle was dud (I require 4 LM dogboxes). When I found out that it was a dud dogbox, I switched my attention to do a linear hop to Hampton in Arden, and even though I still require a lot of Class 350s, it is 2 less for me to chase after. I also managed to fit in Coseley after a good number of years (I already scored the other stations between Birmingham and Wolverhampton a long time ago) even though I certainly pushed and rode my luck. Of the L&NWR stations within the West Midlands region, I require Bloxwich Rugeley Town (except Hednesford, as I did that back in 1989), possibly Hamstead and Tame Bridge Parkway (I do not recall doing those), Atherstone, Polesworth, Penkridge, Stone, Norton Bridge, Barlaston, and Wedgwood (still technically open even though it is a bus), North Staffordshire Railway, Longport, and Kidsgrove. I can maybe feel a West Midlands Day Ranger coming on at some point in the future, depending on how many trains I require for haulage as I have already covered the track.
So how can I fit in Bordesley with its present day level of service of 1 train in one direction on a Saturday? It was by sheer coincidence when I was drawing up the plans for today, there is an extra level of service today for one reason only. This would put me in the position to swallow my pride, keep mouth closed, do not wear anything that resembles claret and blue, nor anything that references a famous event in Rotterdam back in 1982 in English football. Yes, the dirty Bluenoses (who always make a lot of noise of how great they are) were at home today, meaning that I would be throwing myself not amongst the Wolves (I'll leave that pun for West Bromwich Albion fans), but being a rogue Villain amongst the noisy lot. Admittedly, since the once mighty but not so mighty nowadays Aston Villa won the European Cup, and apart from winning the League Cup in 1994 and 1996, they have not really done much else to set the heather on fire since then. Today, the main concentration is to stop the rot that has set in.
Anyway, most of the above paragraph would be a better fit in the Football thread in the General Discussion section of the forum, so I will now return to railway matters. It was a rise at 04:30 for me to get ready and walk to Glasgow Central station after setting off at 05:00, as the first buses on Saturdays arrive at Central Station after my intended train that I was booked on. It was to Platform 9 for the 05:40 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway that was formed by dud 390112 Virgin Star for the southbound run to Preston, passing 92010 at Carstairs (most likely to attach to the Edinburgh portion of the sleeper), and various Class 37s and a Scotrail Class 68 at Kingmoor (I could not make out which ones they were, as it was still dark, and with the locos not being anywhere near the arclights). Observations after alighting at Preston were that 390006 in reverse formation being on the 5 minutes delayed 07:53 Edinburgh Waverley, 150270 on the 08:04 Colne, 319378 in Platform 5 on the 08:30 Liverpool Lime Street limited stop, 350410 on the 5 minutes delayed 07:58 Glasgow Central, and 156466+482 on the 08:09 Manchester Airport.
It was onboard the 08:17 ex Glasgow central London Euston via Birmingham formed by dud 221101, spotting 319375 at Wigan NW on the 08:3x Liverpool LS local all stations, and at Crewe spotted 350255 heading to Liverpool, 350128 in Platform 8 with 153323 next door in Platform 7, 92023+033 at Gresty Bridge, and 66557 at Basford facing north. I bailed at Wolverhampton after arriving 5 minutes behind schedule to see if the Bournemouth is required. Meanwhile, 390141 was on the 09:37 Glasgow Central before boarding the 5 minutes delayed 09:41 Bournemouth that was formed by a heavily loaded and required 220020 for the run to Birmingham New Street. After purchasing the Daytripper, I made my over to Moor Street and got a cup of tea and something light before doing anything else.
After my purchase from the cafe, it was over to Platform 1 for the 10:31 Stratford-upon-Avon via Shirley, formed by required 172340 for a run to Yardley Wood. I crossed over to the Birmingham platform for the 10:45 ex Whitlocks End Kidderminster that was formed by dud 172343 for a bus stop bash to Hall Green. Even though Hall Green station is situated along the main A34 Stratford Road and also a short walk from Spring Road station, I do not ever remember scoring this station at all, so decided to do it today to get it out of the way. It was over to the Stratford platform for the 10:59 Whitlocks End formed by dud 172214 for the run to its terminus. I scored the previous station Shirley in 1989 when Class 115s and 116s were common in the WMPTE area when 2 trains per hour terminated there, before the present day extension to Whitlocks End. I remained onboard for the 11:19 Worcester Foregate Street for the run to Small Heath, gricing the crossover at Whitlocks End. I already scored Small Heath years ago when I alighted here and as the station is in the Poets Corner area of Small Heath, I remember walking to the bus stop to board the 28 to Six Ways Erdington.
It seemed a lengthy 8 minute fester here as it was quite chilly before my next move. A thing that I have noticed since I left the West Midlands is that I can remember both Small Heath and Tyseley having a Monday to Saturday frequency of every 10 minutes in 1989, then the Leamington Spa and Stratford-upon-Avon calls were removed leaving a frequency of every 10/20 minutes, and now today, it is every 30 minutes. It was onboard the 11:43 Dorridge formed by required 172218 for the run to Olton, another station I've never had before. My intention was to board the 12:10 Stratford-upon-Avon via Solihull, and I already made a note of the 11:57 Great Malvern for a bus stop bash to Acocks Green if it was required. I did indeed reduce the fester as the 11:57 was required 172222+ dud 213, so I hopped on the front unit for the bus stop bash as a filler move.
I then boarded the 12:07 SAV (that I would have picked up at Olton) that was formed by dud 172331 for the run to Widney Manor, scoring this station as well. It is noted that I done Dorridge years ago (again in a Class 115/116) on a Birmingham Snow Hill Dorridge terminator. It was a gentle saunter over to the Birmingham/Stourbridge/Birkenhead Woodside [sic] platform (Acocks Green to Bordesley are island platforms) for a fester before boarding the 12:33 ex SAV Stourbridge Junction that was formed by dud 172221 for a bus stop bash to Solihull (another station I scored years ago). I had a few options here of the 12:46 ex London Marylebone Birmingham Moor Street, the 12:54 ex Dorridge Worcester Foregate Street (which I knew would be fresh dud 172218, but a handy get out of jail free card if need be if the next Birmingham bound departure is largely delayed), and the 13:02 ex Leamington Spa Birmingham MS. Anyway, it was the first option of the 12:46 that I boarded when I had a pleasant surprise of it being formed by required and un-named 68012+ required DVT 82301 for the non stop run to Birmingham MS for some Class 68 thrash.
As I had time to spare before the 13:31 SAV via Shirley was due, I hung about to see if my 4 remaining LM Class 172s were heading in the Stourbridge direction for a bus stop bash to Snow Hill. The 12:59 Kidderminster and 13:09 (the second option from Solihull) were duds, so declined those and kept a lookout to see what was on the 13:10 ex Kidderminster Whitlocks End. I sprinted across the footbridge to Platform 1 and boarded required 172335 for the run to Spring Road. As I already scored Spring Road years ago, I knew that there was some convenience stores nearby at the junction of Shaftmoor Lane and Olton Boulevard East, so picked up some lunch before heading back to the station. It was onboard the 13:37 SAV (that I would have boarded at Moor Street) formed by the return of recently fresh dud from earlier 172340 for the run to Wythall, scoring another GWR station. It is noted that technically Wythall is in Worcestershire, but the stations either side Earlswood and Whitlocks End are in the West Midlands metropolitan boundary (both formerly in Warwickshire before 1974).
It was then over to the Birmingham platform for the 13:57 Stourbridge Junction formed by dud 172341 for the run to a certain station which I would be alighting at amongst a certain crowd of people, with the train starting to fill up gradually. Yes, I was among quite a few dirty Bluenoses, but as I had my sheet and a pen as I always do for bashing trips, I think it is safe to say that I managed to being sniffed out as a rogue Villan when I alighted at Bordesley, passing 66143 hauling containers in the London direction at Small Heath. Anyway, it was my intention to do a linear hop to Moor Street on the 14:28 ex Dorridge Kidderminster, but I changed my mind when I saw a required 172 on the 14:22 ex Worcester FS Dorridge, formed by 172219+ dud 212 for a run to Solihull in the front unit. I returned back to Moor Street on the 14:37 ex SAV Stourbridge Junction formed by dud pair 172339+217, then sprinted across to New Street to switch my attention from GWR metals to L&NWR metals.
After checking the screens, it was a sprint to Platform 3a for the 14:54 London Euston via Northampton, but there was no train there in the platform (I was down on the platform at 14:53). It was announced to await further information, then another announcement that the 15:14 EUS via Northampton would be departing from Platform 4a. Another announcement was made that the next train at Platform 3a would be the 15:04 Bournemouth and that the 14:54 EUS had been cancelled, as was the 15:14. It would have been a 40 minute fester for those passengers who were travelling to Northampton, and there is not a great deal of alternative options to get there any earlier, even doubling back from Milton Keynes Central I would imagine. Anyway, it was onboard required 220018 that was on the 15:04 Bournemouth for a run to Birmingham International, then onboard the 15:20 ex Edinburgh Waverley EUS formed by dud 390006 Tate Liverpool that I had spotted earlier at Preston that was in reverse formation i.e. Standard Class at the London end of the train. After I bailed at Coventry, I went to the main concourse to check the screen so as to make sure that the Nuneaton shuttle is actually running, as on my previous venture in October, it had been cancelled.
When I ascertained that it was running, it was over to Platform 2 to see was on the shuttle. Much to my surprise, it was a lone dogbox as I was expecting a pair as it is a Saturday. More annoyingly, it was dud 153375 so I declined that in slight disgust. This got me thinking here slightly there is 1 on the Nuneaton shuttle, I did not see any in the open when passing Tyseley Depot, 1 singles are used on the Bletchley Bedford Midland (with the second diagram being a Class 150). The question is this: Where on earth are the other 6 LM dogboxes? It seems rather puzzling to me, or perhaps that is the whole idea of it all. I'm going to post this question in the Traction & Rolling Stock section of the forum and hope somebody could enlighten me [UPDATE: I've had various replies to that query many thanks indeed. I was simply in the wrong place on the wrong day at the wrong time]. Going back to the remainder of the trip, I had an alternative plan in the eventuality of the Nuneaton shuttle being dud, and before my next move, I had spotted 66168 passing through Platform 4 hauling covered trailers of Range Rovers in the London direction, and 390155 (which was dud) on the 15:42 Edinburgh Waverley.
Remaining on Platforms 2 and 3, it was onboard the 15:50 ex EUS Birmingham NS formed by required 350110 for the run to Hampton in Arden, and also scoring this station to clear the Rugby Birmingham section of the London & Birmingham Railway. It was over a 20 minute fester here (the frequency these days is still 2 trains per hour, but it is an uneven 20/40 split, which could be attributed to the Virgin Trains ICWC December 2008 timetable change) before boarding the 16:25 BHM formed by required 350260 for a bus stop bash to Birmingham International. It was to the adjacent Platform 3 face of the same island among a huge crowd for the 16:33 ex EUS BHM formed by required 390047 CLIC Sargent (formerly Heaven's Angels, and Virgin Atlantic before that) for the non stop run to New Street. It was then over to Platform 6 for the 16:57 ex Bournemouth Manchester Piccadilly formed by a heavily loaded dud 221119 for the run to Wolverhampton to set me up for the next move, which would involve a roll of the dice to land a double six and it being my one and only gamble in regard to pushing my luck.
The very first thing I did after alighting was to check both the arrival and departure screens in the main concourse, and although the 17:20 Liverpool Lime Street (17:01 ex BHM) had been cancelled, my luck was still in. It was to Platform 5 for the 17:20 Walsall via Birmingham that was formed by dud 323209 and positioning myself in the centre coach (as I was unsure where the exit from the platform would be in relation to where the train stops an old fashioned method indeed) for a 5 or 6 minute short hop to Coseley. After the doors were released (ideally, it is the rear coach of a 323 that is the best place to be if anybody else is attempting to do what I'm doing here), it was immediately a rapid sprint up to the road bridge and over and a right turn into Havacre Lane until I found the gap in the fence for the set of steps onto the northbound platform. I had barely got my breath back when less than 30 seconds later, the 17:26 formed by dud 323242 rolled in to take me to Wolverhampton, basing myself in the front coach so as to make it easier for my homeward move, having finally scored Coseley at long last (it is quite a hike to the main A4123 Wolverhampton to Birmingham New Road for the 126 bus, hence how I've never done this one years ago) and completed all of the stations between Wolverhampton and Rugby via Birmingham NS.
It was a simple walk to Platform 1, which is adjacent to Platform 5 to await the 17:37 ex EUS Glasgow Central to take me home. It is noted that the 19:37 (19:15 departure from Birmingham) that I normally use terminates at Preston on Saturdays, arriving after the EUS GLC via Trent Valley Railway already having departed meaning that I would have around a 45-50 minute fester. Over at Platform 2, 390141 was on the 17:45 EUS departure. The 17:37 was formed by required 221109+ dud 118, and with me boarding the front Voyager, I had an uneventful run northbound until Farrington Curve Junction when the train got held there for 20 minutes or so. The delay was caused by a broken down freight train recently, so was waiting for the backlog of traffic to clear before proceeding to arrive into Platform 5 at Preston. 350406 appeared to have terminated in Platform 6, as the destination boards on the train displayed Not in service. 390127 (or 123) was in Platform 3, but I was unsure of its destination as I could not make out what the screens on the doors were displaying. Eventually, departure from Preston was at 19:17, and after departing Carlisle 35 minutes behind schedule at 20:37, arrival at GLC was at 21:51 (arrival time was meant to be 21:17) meaning that my connection with the 22:04 from Glasgow Queen Street to take me to Barnhill had been broken.
Overall, even though I finished a couple of hours earlier than I normally do when in the West Midlands area, I feel that I have managed to score several of the GWR stations heading from Birmingham to London and Stratford-upon-Avon directions. I also managed to Score Bordesley quite easily today, even though it meant holding my breath to put myself amongst a bunch of dirty Bluenoses to do so. When I realised that I only required 7 of the LM Class 172s, I decided to try to target those with me having landed 5 of those today. I only require 172333 and 338 to clear the fleet. Out of all of the GWR stations within the PTE area, I have Earlswood left hanging, which I could do on an early evening linear hop (owing to the standard pattern timetable having the trains in opposite directions passing each other 1 minute apart) or a walk from The Lakes. It is further noted that within the shire counties of the West Midlands region, the GWR stations I require are Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury, Gowbowen for Oswestry, Chirk, Colwall, Ledbury, Shrewsbury to Newport (except Hereford), Pershore, Evesham, Earlswood to Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway, Bearley, Claverdon, Lapworth, Hatton, and both Warwick stations. In other words, still a fair amount of GWR stations in the region I need to do.
Moving onto London & NWR metals, I was smart enough to have an alternative plan in the event that the Coventry Nuneaton shuttle was dud (I require 4 LM dogboxes). When I found out that it was a dud dogbox, I switched my attention to do a linear hop to Hampton in Arden, and even though I still require a lot of Class 350s, it is 2 less for me to chase after. I also managed to fit in Coseley after a good number of years (I already scored the other stations between Birmingham and Wolverhampton a long time ago) even though I certainly pushed and rode my luck. Of the L&NWR stations within the West Midlands region, I require Bloxwich Rugeley Town (except Hednesford, as I did that back in 1989), possibly Hamstead and Tame Bridge Parkway (I do not recall doing those), Atherstone, Polesworth, Penkridge, Stone, Norton Bridge, Barlaston, and Wedgwood (still technically open even though it is a bus), North Staffordshire Railway, Longport, and Kidsgrove. I can maybe feel a West Midlands Day Ranger coming on at some point in the future, depending on how many trains I require for haulage as I have already covered the track.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Not a bad little spin around your former (and my current) stomping grounds, certainly you did well with the 172s there
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a productive day, bar the delays (although always nice in a way to get some money back). Well done on Bordesley
adrock1976
Established Member
First of all, apologies for the delay in submitting this report as I have been doing my seasonal work. For a change, I have opted to do backshift rather than nightshift, which has meant that I only have the mornings to do various tasks that need to be done at this time of year. Furthermore, as I had a meeting this weekend in London, this would give me the chance to do a few bits and pieces, and after hearing The Jam's Going Underground on the tranny the previous day, I decided to mainly do some Piccadilly Line clearances as I have yet to record the trains on that route.
Anyway, the trip to London began the previous night after I finished my shift, with me setting off about 23:00 for the 57 bus to Glasgow Central. It was over to Platform 9 for the 23:40 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway and Northampton sleeper, with 86401 Mons Meg having brought the set in from Polmadie. Arrival at Euston according to the Real Time Trains website was at 06:33 34 minutes ahead of schedule. After I rose and had the complementary tea and shortbread, I made my way to the Underground having noted that (I believe required) 90049 hauled the sleeper southbound. The first port of call for me was The White Swan Wetherspoons at Highbury Corner, so it was to the northbound Victoria Line platform to hop on required 11060+059 for a linear hop to Kings Cross, then on required 11018+017 to Highbury & Islington for a large veggie breakfast.
It was back to Highbury & Islington station to hop on required 11078+077 on a northbound Victoria Line to Finsbury Park, then across to the opposite island platform face to do some linear hops northbound on the Piccadilly Line. As all Piccadilly Line trains are required for me, I will simply have the numbers bolded and in list form below, with the numbers being from the cab ends if I've done it properly of course.
107+890 Finsbury Park Manor House
195+192 Manor House Turnpike Lane
164+137 Turnpike Lane Wood Green
148+149 Wood Green Bounds Green
180+235 Bounds Green Arnos Grove
241+124 Arnos Grove Southgate
208+115 Southgate Oakwood and Cockfosters Holloway Road
139+140 Oakwood Cockfosters
As time was getting on and especially with a reduced service due to train faults, it was to Holloway Road from Cockfosters on 115+208, then onwards to my meeting venue.
After the meeting ended and having a quick socialising session, it was to Holloway Road station. As there were some gaps of up to 20 minutes between trains, I decided to use my own judgement of where to meet trains heading in the opposite direction along the route of the Piccadilly Line. Again, I have listed the moves below.
154+229 Holloway Road Caledonian Road
221+856 Caledonian Road Kings Cross
161+104 Kings Cross Russell Square
169+874 Russell Square Caledonian Road
236+131 Caledonian Road Arsenal/Gillespie Road
156+153 Arsenal/Gillespie Road Covent Garden
125+128 Covent Garden Knightsbridge
248+121 Knightsbridge Barons Court
I decided to switch to the District Line for some linear hopping in the direction of Richmond.
21359+360 Barons Court Hammersmith
21427+428 Hammersmith Ravenscourt Park (dud train)
21562+561 Ravenscourt Park Stamford Brook
21368+367 Stamford Brook Turnham Green
21537+538 Turnham Green Gunnersbury (dud train)
I then went to the opposite face of the island platform and immediately hopped on the 19:04 Stratford to Acton Central, formed by dud 378223. It was over to the Richmond platform for the 19:31 formed by dud 378232 to Kew Gardens. As I was needing the lavatory, I set off for a walk in the direction of Kew Gardens but when I arrived at the entrance, there appeared to be an event taking place. It was back to the station and making my way onto the Stratford/Upminster platform, I noticed there was a lav there. How silly of me for not noticing earlier on, but it was a moment when my brain had switched off. Having been to the lav, it was back to the action and to head eastbound to West Kensington on 21508+507, and to Gloucester Road on 21504+503 to return to Piccadilly Line bashing. The following moves are listed below.
108+233 Gloucester Road South Kensington
874+169 South Kensington Knightsbridge
238+105 Knightsbridge Hyde Park Corner
106+141 Hyde Park Corner Holborn
After alighting at Holborn, I decided to switch to the Central Line. Again, the moves are listed below.
91075+92162+92196+91297 Holborn Lancaster Gate
91017+92016+92426+91147 Lancaster Gate Holland Park and South Ruislip Perivale
91287+92202+92152+91045 Holland Park East Acton
91295+92254+92462+91131 East Acton North Acton
91271+92015+92010+91343 North Acton Hanger Lane
91173+92146+92144+91139 Hanger Lane South Ruislip
91063+92070+92246+91195 Perivale West Ruislip and West Ruislip Tottenham Court Road
91313+92256+92240+91235 West Ruislip Ruislip Gardens
91309+92092(dud)+92424+91295 (dud) Ruislip Gardens West Ruislip
After alighting at Tottenham Court Road, it was to the Northern Line and onboard dud 51608+607 to Mornington Cresent and to bring the day's action to an end, and to check into my accommodation in Bayham Street, Camden.
Sunday morning saw me checking out of the accommodation and as I had a couple of hours before my meeting, I decided to take a run out to West Acton so as to clear the Middlesex side of the former GWR line that became part of the London Underground Central Line in 1948. I would also fit in Chancery Lane and Marble Arch as well, as I am unsure if I have scored those years ago. Anyway, it was a gentle saunter to Mornington Cresent to hop onboard required 51565+566 for the southbound run to Tottenham Court Road. The Central Line moves are listed below.
91303+92250+92264+91225 Tottenham Court Road West Acton
91159+92220+92132+91051 West Acton Marble Arch
91149+92058+92218+91153 Marble Arch Bond Street
91203+92190+92088+91141 Bond Street Tottenham Court Road
91175+92170+92428+91243 Tottenham Court Road Chancery Lane
91059+92154+92124+91161 Chancery Lane Holborn
91317+92224+92044+91227 Holborn Tottenham Court Road
91033+92054+92446+91233 Tottenham Court Road Oxford Circus
I then made my way to the northbound Victoria Line platform to hop onboard required 11084+083 to Highbury & Islington and onwards to my meeting venue. When the meeting ended, I decided to take a quick run to Oxford Circus to find out the number of a couple of cab ends I had missed one from last night, and one from this morning. It was back to Highbury & Islington for a southbound Victoria Line onboard required 11031+032 to Oxford Circus for some festering. Within 30 minutes, I got both the missing cab ends and then boarded a northbound Victoria Line onboard required 11044+043 to Euston.
It was then over to Platform 14 for the 17:28 Glasgow Central via Trent Valley Railway departure formed by required 390118 Virgin Princess for an uneventful run homeward bound, spotting 90039 at Warrington Bank Quay in the London facing bay platform, 150214, 150110, and 142054+150204 at Wigan NW, and 153304 in Platform 2 at Carlisle on a Whitehaven departure.
Overall, I am reasonably satisfied with my efforts due to the limited time I had over the course of the weekend. Had it not been for some Piccadilly Line trains being took out of service for repairs, I felt that I would have landed some more for haulage. Also, I have scored all of the Central Line stations on the Middlesex side, plus the original section between White City and Stratford as well. I have also cleared the Richmond arm of the District Line, and while I was in the area, I took a run to Acton Central. I still have South Acton hanging on the Willesden Junction Richmond section. Of note, I have to date landed 86 Central Line cars out of 340 (85 sets according to Wikipedia), making that 25% of the fleet so far. Furthermore, I have 40 Piccadilly Line train halves out of 176 (88 according to Wikipedia) again making that just under 25% of the fleet. I will be back for some more Piccadilly Line action, and as I have yet to get off the mark on the Bakerloo, that will be another task during 2017.
Anyway, the trip to London began the previous night after I finished my shift, with me setting off about 23:00 for the 57 bus to Glasgow Central. It was over to Platform 9 for the 23:40 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway and Northampton sleeper, with 86401 Mons Meg having brought the set in from Polmadie. Arrival at Euston according to the Real Time Trains website was at 06:33 34 minutes ahead of schedule. After I rose and had the complementary tea and shortbread, I made my way to the Underground having noted that (I believe required) 90049 hauled the sleeper southbound. The first port of call for me was The White Swan Wetherspoons at Highbury Corner, so it was to the northbound Victoria Line platform to hop on required 11060+059 for a linear hop to Kings Cross, then on required 11018+017 to Highbury & Islington for a large veggie breakfast.
It was back to Highbury & Islington station to hop on required 11078+077 on a northbound Victoria Line to Finsbury Park, then across to the opposite island platform face to do some linear hops northbound on the Piccadilly Line. As all Piccadilly Line trains are required for me, I will simply have the numbers bolded and in list form below, with the numbers being from the cab ends if I've done it properly of course.
107+890 Finsbury Park Manor House
195+192 Manor House Turnpike Lane
164+137 Turnpike Lane Wood Green
148+149 Wood Green Bounds Green
180+235 Bounds Green Arnos Grove
241+124 Arnos Grove Southgate
208+115 Southgate Oakwood and Cockfosters Holloway Road
139+140 Oakwood Cockfosters
As time was getting on and especially with a reduced service due to train faults, it was to Holloway Road from Cockfosters on 115+208, then onwards to my meeting venue.
After the meeting ended and having a quick socialising session, it was to Holloway Road station. As there were some gaps of up to 20 minutes between trains, I decided to use my own judgement of where to meet trains heading in the opposite direction along the route of the Piccadilly Line. Again, I have listed the moves below.
154+229 Holloway Road Caledonian Road
221+856 Caledonian Road Kings Cross
161+104 Kings Cross Russell Square
169+874 Russell Square Caledonian Road
236+131 Caledonian Road Arsenal/Gillespie Road
156+153 Arsenal/Gillespie Road Covent Garden
125+128 Covent Garden Knightsbridge
248+121 Knightsbridge Barons Court
I decided to switch to the District Line for some linear hopping in the direction of Richmond.
21359+360 Barons Court Hammersmith
21427+428 Hammersmith Ravenscourt Park (dud train)
21562+561 Ravenscourt Park Stamford Brook
21368+367 Stamford Brook Turnham Green
21537+538 Turnham Green Gunnersbury (dud train)
I then went to the opposite face of the island platform and immediately hopped on the 19:04 Stratford to Acton Central, formed by dud 378223. It was over to the Richmond platform for the 19:31 formed by dud 378232 to Kew Gardens. As I was needing the lavatory, I set off for a walk in the direction of Kew Gardens but when I arrived at the entrance, there appeared to be an event taking place. It was back to the station and making my way onto the Stratford/Upminster platform, I noticed there was a lav there. How silly of me for not noticing earlier on, but it was a moment when my brain had switched off. Having been to the lav, it was back to the action and to head eastbound to West Kensington on 21508+507, and to Gloucester Road on 21504+503 to return to Piccadilly Line bashing. The following moves are listed below.
108+233 Gloucester Road South Kensington
874+169 South Kensington Knightsbridge
238+105 Knightsbridge Hyde Park Corner
106+141 Hyde Park Corner Holborn
After alighting at Holborn, I decided to switch to the Central Line. Again, the moves are listed below.
91075+92162+92196+91297 Holborn Lancaster Gate
91017+92016+92426+91147 Lancaster Gate Holland Park and South Ruislip Perivale
91287+92202+92152+91045 Holland Park East Acton
91295+92254+92462+91131 East Acton North Acton
91271+92015+92010+91343 North Acton Hanger Lane
91173+92146+92144+91139 Hanger Lane South Ruislip
91063+92070+92246+91195 Perivale West Ruislip and West Ruislip Tottenham Court Road
91313+92256+92240+91235 West Ruislip Ruislip Gardens
91309+92092(dud)+92424+91295 (dud) Ruislip Gardens West Ruislip
After alighting at Tottenham Court Road, it was to the Northern Line and onboard dud 51608+607 to Mornington Cresent and to bring the day's action to an end, and to check into my accommodation in Bayham Street, Camden.
Sunday morning saw me checking out of the accommodation and as I had a couple of hours before my meeting, I decided to take a run out to West Acton so as to clear the Middlesex side of the former GWR line that became part of the London Underground Central Line in 1948. I would also fit in Chancery Lane and Marble Arch as well, as I am unsure if I have scored those years ago. Anyway, it was a gentle saunter to Mornington Cresent to hop onboard required 51565+566 for the southbound run to Tottenham Court Road. The Central Line moves are listed below.
91303+92250+92264+91225 Tottenham Court Road West Acton
91159+92220+92132+91051 West Acton Marble Arch
91149+92058+92218+91153 Marble Arch Bond Street
91203+92190+92088+91141 Bond Street Tottenham Court Road
91175+92170+92428+91243 Tottenham Court Road Chancery Lane
91059+92154+92124+91161 Chancery Lane Holborn
91317+92224+92044+91227 Holborn Tottenham Court Road
91033+92054+92446+91233 Tottenham Court Road Oxford Circus
I then made my way to the northbound Victoria Line platform to hop onboard required 11084+083 to Highbury & Islington and onwards to my meeting venue. When the meeting ended, I decided to take a quick run to Oxford Circus to find out the number of a couple of cab ends I had missed one from last night, and one from this morning. It was back to Highbury & Islington for a southbound Victoria Line onboard required 11031+032 to Oxford Circus for some festering. Within 30 minutes, I got both the missing cab ends and then boarded a northbound Victoria Line onboard required 11044+043 to Euston.
It was then over to Platform 14 for the 17:28 Glasgow Central via Trent Valley Railway departure formed by required 390118 Virgin Princess for an uneventful run homeward bound, spotting 90039 at Warrington Bank Quay in the London facing bay platform, 150214, 150110, and 142054+150204 at Wigan NW, and 153304 in Platform 2 at Carlisle on a Whitehaven departure.
Overall, I am reasonably satisfied with my efforts due to the limited time I had over the course of the weekend. Had it not been for some Piccadilly Line trains being took out of service for repairs, I felt that I would have landed some more for haulage. Also, I have scored all of the Central Line stations on the Middlesex side, plus the original section between White City and Stratford as well. I have also cleared the Richmond arm of the District Line, and while I was in the area, I took a run to Acton Central. I still have South Acton hanging on the Willesden Junction Richmond section. Of note, I have to date landed 86 Central Line cars out of 340 (85 sets according to Wikipedia), making that 25% of the fleet so far. Furthermore, I have 40 Piccadilly Line train halves out of 176 (88 according to Wikipedia) again making that just under 25% of the fleet. I will be back for some more Piccadilly Line action, and as I have yet to get off the mark on the Bakerloo, that will be another task during 2017.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Wow that was still pretty darn amazing for the red pen! 
hock: An extremely productive time on the Central line, and the Piccadilly for that matter. I need to go back and clear out more on LU in early 2017!
hock: An extremely productive time on the Central line, and the Piccadilly for that matter. I need to go back and clear out more on LU in early 2017!
Kite159
Veteran Member
A very productive couple days on LU
Keith Jarrett
Member
Adam, that looked to be an excellent prowl around the capital. Well done on your mega haul of LU units and I see that you accrued some decent mileage with one of my last two (92246) but the other (92046) did not feature.
adrock1976
Established Member
This is the time of year that I make my annual visit to my original neck of the woods during the festive season. As I still have various requirements in the region, I took the chance to do a few bits and pieces and also making this my final bash of 2016. This would predominantly involve chasing after Class 153s on the Coventry Nuneaton shuttle, and also to score a few more Great Western Railway stations in the area as well. Depending on how things progress on the 27th, I would decide upon one of two options, with those being a run to Wootton Wawen, Wood End, and Danzey, or a run to Oakengates, Birches & Bilbrook [sic], and if lucky in pulling off the 2 minute connection, also Codsall as well.
24 December outward bound and hunt for double dogboxes
It was out of the door at midday and a walk to the bus stop on the main Springburn Road for the 57. The bus soon arrived and after a lengthy dispute with the driver (after I had put my exact money in the vault) regarding the fare. My destination was Central Station, but the driver insisted that the money I had put in would only take me to the Royal Infirmary (2 stops from where I boarded), and then mentioned the college (which I knew was nonsense, as the next fare stage after the Royal is Queen Street Station). In my mind I was going to alight at Queen Street and walk to save any further hassle (the driver had put the handbrake on and glanced behind to make sure I would be leaving there), but the couple of passengers who were in the row of seats in front of me insisted that I remain on as I was laden with luggage, and offered to pay to take me from Queen Street to Central (2 stops). The driver had a right go at the passenger who offered to tender the fare, and as I was prepared to leave the vehicle, I could see that the driver had the look in his eyes that he was going to deck somebody and was about to get out of the cab. I quickly held my hand up for the classic stop sign, and mentioned that it is after all supposed to be the season of goodwill, and most importantly, that I would not tolerate violence of any kind whatsoever. I was on the move eventually and after alighting at Central Station, I did wish the driver a Merry Christmas. Of note, I have been asked for various fares in the previous 6 months or so, which has never been consistent. I have been charged £1.40, £1.95, or £2.15. I do not know what the hell it is meant to be, as even a search on First Glasgows website is not very clear.
I then made my way into the station and to Platform 2 for the 12:40 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway that was formed by required 390046 Virgin Soldiers, which cheered me up after what happened on my down to the station. Observations during the southbound run were that 66108, 66092, 66096, 66424, and 37401 were spotted at Kingmoor, 390141 in Platform 3 at Carlisle on a northbound service, and at Lancaster, 153332+324 were in Platform 2 on a Morecambe service. After bailing at Preston, 142042 was on the 15:04 ex Blackpool South Colne, 185134 on the 15:09 Manchester Airport, and 153358 terminating in Platform 2 to form the next Ormskirk shuttle. I then boarded the 15:17 London Euston via Birmingham formed by dud 390148 Virgin Harrier to continue south spotting 319361 at Wigan NW.
As I knew that the train I was on would be the one that would get me to Coventry to meet the 17:42 Nuneaton shuttle, and as it was a dud 390, I decided to bail at Wolverhampton to see if the 16:41 ex Manchester Bournemouth (last direct service of the day) was required. I was rewarded with required 221125 so hopped on board for the run to Coventry, and meeting up soon after again with 390148 drawing into Platform 1 while awaiting to see what was on the Nuneaton shuttle. A few moments later I was rewarded with required 153356+ dud 153375 so boarded 356 for the run to Nuneaton. It was over to Platform 6 for the 18:10 Birmingham NS formed by dud 170521 for the run all the way to the trains destination. It is noted that as I type this I require 6 x Class 390s, 7 x Class 220s, and 9x ICXC Class 221s, and with me having landed 62.5% of the London Midland Class 153s (I have 5 out of 8 so far). I then left New Street and headed in the direction of Moor Street, and happened to stumble upon the bus stop for the 126 to take me to Dudley via Broad Street, Hagley Road, and the A4123 New Road, then the 244 to take me to my mums.
27 December West Midlands bits and pieces and homeward bound
I left my Mums early afternoon as she had an event later on in the day, and as I was working the next day. It was on the 81 (I remember this being the 581) to Dudley, and after deciding which direction to head it was on the 87 to Smethwick Galton Bridge. My intention today was to take a run to Coventry to see what was on the Nuneaton shuttle, and to do some of the GWR stations in the West Midlands region. As the 14:17 Stratford upon Avon via Shirley had already departed 5 minutes earlier, this ruled out the run to Wootton Wawen and back to Wood End for a walk to Danzey, and back to Moor Street, especially I was mainly targeting the Coventry Nuneaton shuttle. It was downstairs to Platform 4 after navigating the maze to board the 20 minutes delayed 14:23 Birmingham International that was formed by dud 158829+ required 158836 for the run to New Street, where I bailed.
I then rapidly made my way over for the 14:54 London Euston via Northampton formed by required 350112, which would additionally be calling at Adderley Park today (normally runs non stop to Marston Green). After alighting at International, I had a couple of options to continue to Coventry, with those being the Bournemouth first, and the ICWC London. During the fester here, 90019, 90037, 66094, and 92042 were passing through Platform 2 heading in the London direction. 390107 was on the Euston Liverpool via Aston and Bescot, and 390001 was on the 45 minutes delayed 14:36 Euston. As some trains were running slightly out of sequence, the 15:22 ex Edinburgh Euston arrived first, being formed of double duds 221114+117 which I took a gamble and declined those to see what would be on the 15 minutes delayed 15:14 ex Manchester Bournemouth. I was rewarded with required 220032 for the gentle run to Coventry as it was closely following the Euston train in front. The train was routed into Platform 2 and having spotted the same pair of dogboxes that I had a few days ago (153356+375) in Platform 1, my mind was made up to decline those and immediately cross to Platform 3 to head back to Birmingham on the 5 minutes delayed 15:44 Edinburgh Waverley via Preston formed by required 390130 City of Edinburgh for the run to New Street.
My next port of call was the Tesco store along New Street at the junction of Temple Street for a meal deal, and also to pick up some timetables back at the station to see if anything required would be heading towards Wolverhampton. The 16:57 Manchester via Stoke-on-Trent was dud 221119, so declined that and as the LM Liverpool LS had been cancelled, it was then onboard the 17:01 ex Euston Manchester via Crewe formed by dud 390124 Virgin Venturer for the run to Wolverhampton. It was a short fester before boarding the 17:25 ex Birmingham Shrewsbury local formed by required pair 170507+514 for the run to Oakengates. It is noted that I have already called at all of the intermediate stations between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury when I first covered this line back in 1989, but have never boarded or alighted at any of them. Furthermore, this line was part of the Great Western Railway route between London Paddington and Birkenhead Woodside, so that is another GWR station I have in the bag. I still have quite a lot to go to complete them all, and I have yet to cover the track between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth/Pwllheli, and Princes Risborough Aylesbury.
Anyway, it was over to the opposite platform for the 18:05 BHM formed by dud 170633 for the run to Bilbrook (I remember it being Birches & Bilbrook in the late 1980s/early 1990s). It is noted that this is a station where the trains are timetabled to pass each other within a couple of minutes of each other, and that Bilbrook has staggered platforms with a road junction above. Although Codsall is a 25 minute walk, the frequency of the local trains are every 60 minutes on Mondays to Saturdays, therefore there would still be a half hour fester at the very least, and also there is the option of the 5 (former 535) bus between the 2 stations. As I had positioned myself in the centre of the train, it was an immediate rapid sprint to road level and as I could see the headlights of the approaching Shrewsbury bound train, I continued my rapid sprint over the roadbridge and across the junction and down the ramp to the platform for the 18:31 formed by required 170512+ dud 170502 for a bus stop bash to Codsall, having pulled it off.
It was then out of the station via the footbridge and onto Station Road for a walk to the main Wolverhampton Road/Bakers Way bus stop for the 5 that was due at 18:41 (this would have been the same bus I would have picked up at Bilbrook station ten minutes later). As I had no get out of jail free card to play, it was a huge sigh of relief when I saw the bus approach the turning circle to head to Wolverhampton. The route was via Bilbrook village, the main Codsall Road, Claregate, Whitmore Reans, and Waterloo Road passing Molyneux Stadium (one of the first batch to have floodlights installed in the mid 1950s, with the first floodlit match being a friendly between Wolves and Barcelona in 1955). As it has been over 20 years since I last used the bus station at Wolverhampton, I eventually managed to exit and walk along the bridge over the ring road to the railway station forecourt and onto Platform 1 for the 19:37 ex Euston Glasgow Central formed by dud 390104 Virgin Scot/Alstom Pendolino, and apart from being routed into Platform 4 at Preston, was an uneventful run back home.
Overall, even though I could have done without a bus driver who obviously got out of bed on the wrong side on the 24th, I did land some winners. I also finished off 2016 by scoring some GWR stations in the West Midlands, and as I had calculated that the Birmingham Shrewsbury locals has 3 diagrams, I targeted them and landed 3 required LM Class 170s as well. I have realised that as I require 9 of the Machynlleth based Class 158s, I need to be careful in not using the xx23 Smethwick GB International departures as I will have nothing to chase after west of Shrewsbury, apart from covering the track. I am thinking that this is what I could do as one of my main tasks for 2017, in addition to chasing after the Anglia fleet and IC125s.
24 December outward bound and hunt for double dogboxes
It was out of the door at midday and a walk to the bus stop on the main Springburn Road for the 57. The bus soon arrived and after a lengthy dispute with the driver (after I had put my exact money in the vault) regarding the fare. My destination was Central Station, but the driver insisted that the money I had put in would only take me to the Royal Infirmary (2 stops from where I boarded), and then mentioned the college (which I knew was nonsense, as the next fare stage after the Royal is Queen Street Station). In my mind I was going to alight at Queen Street and walk to save any further hassle (the driver had put the handbrake on and glanced behind to make sure I would be leaving there), but the couple of passengers who were in the row of seats in front of me insisted that I remain on as I was laden with luggage, and offered to pay to take me from Queen Street to Central (2 stops). The driver had a right go at the passenger who offered to tender the fare, and as I was prepared to leave the vehicle, I could see that the driver had the look in his eyes that he was going to deck somebody and was about to get out of the cab. I quickly held my hand up for the classic stop sign, and mentioned that it is after all supposed to be the season of goodwill, and most importantly, that I would not tolerate violence of any kind whatsoever. I was on the move eventually and after alighting at Central Station, I did wish the driver a Merry Christmas. Of note, I have been asked for various fares in the previous 6 months or so, which has never been consistent. I have been charged £1.40, £1.95, or £2.15. I do not know what the hell it is meant to be, as even a search on First Glasgows website is not very clear.
I then made my way into the station and to Platform 2 for the 12:40 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway that was formed by required 390046 Virgin Soldiers, which cheered me up after what happened on my down to the station. Observations during the southbound run were that 66108, 66092, 66096, 66424, and 37401 were spotted at Kingmoor, 390141 in Platform 3 at Carlisle on a northbound service, and at Lancaster, 153332+324 were in Platform 2 on a Morecambe service. After bailing at Preston, 142042 was on the 15:04 ex Blackpool South Colne, 185134 on the 15:09 Manchester Airport, and 153358 terminating in Platform 2 to form the next Ormskirk shuttle. I then boarded the 15:17 London Euston via Birmingham formed by dud 390148 Virgin Harrier to continue south spotting 319361 at Wigan NW.
As I knew that the train I was on would be the one that would get me to Coventry to meet the 17:42 Nuneaton shuttle, and as it was a dud 390, I decided to bail at Wolverhampton to see if the 16:41 ex Manchester Bournemouth (last direct service of the day) was required. I was rewarded with required 221125 so hopped on board for the run to Coventry, and meeting up soon after again with 390148 drawing into Platform 1 while awaiting to see what was on the Nuneaton shuttle. A few moments later I was rewarded with required 153356+ dud 153375 so boarded 356 for the run to Nuneaton. It was over to Platform 6 for the 18:10 Birmingham NS formed by dud 170521 for the run all the way to the trains destination. It is noted that as I type this I require 6 x Class 390s, 7 x Class 220s, and 9x ICXC Class 221s, and with me having landed 62.5% of the London Midland Class 153s (I have 5 out of 8 so far). I then left New Street and headed in the direction of Moor Street, and happened to stumble upon the bus stop for the 126 to take me to Dudley via Broad Street, Hagley Road, and the A4123 New Road, then the 244 to take me to my mums.
27 December West Midlands bits and pieces and homeward bound
I left my Mums early afternoon as she had an event later on in the day, and as I was working the next day. It was on the 81 (I remember this being the 581) to Dudley, and after deciding which direction to head it was on the 87 to Smethwick Galton Bridge. My intention today was to take a run to Coventry to see what was on the Nuneaton shuttle, and to do some of the GWR stations in the West Midlands region. As the 14:17 Stratford upon Avon via Shirley had already departed 5 minutes earlier, this ruled out the run to Wootton Wawen and back to Wood End for a walk to Danzey, and back to Moor Street, especially I was mainly targeting the Coventry Nuneaton shuttle. It was downstairs to Platform 4 after navigating the maze to board the 20 minutes delayed 14:23 Birmingham International that was formed by dud 158829+ required 158836 for the run to New Street, where I bailed.
I then rapidly made my way over for the 14:54 London Euston via Northampton formed by required 350112, which would additionally be calling at Adderley Park today (normally runs non stop to Marston Green). After alighting at International, I had a couple of options to continue to Coventry, with those being the Bournemouth first, and the ICWC London. During the fester here, 90019, 90037, 66094, and 92042 were passing through Platform 2 heading in the London direction. 390107 was on the Euston Liverpool via Aston and Bescot, and 390001 was on the 45 minutes delayed 14:36 Euston. As some trains were running slightly out of sequence, the 15:22 ex Edinburgh Euston arrived first, being formed of double duds 221114+117 which I took a gamble and declined those to see what would be on the 15 minutes delayed 15:14 ex Manchester Bournemouth. I was rewarded with required 220032 for the gentle run to Coventry as it was closely following the Euston train in front. The train was routed into Platform 2 and having spotted the same pair of dogboxes that I had a few days ago (153356+375) in Platform 1, my mind was made up to decline those and immediately cross to Platform 3 to head back to Birmingham on the 5 minutes delayed 15:44 Edinburgh Waverley via Preston formed by required 390130 City of Edinburgh for the run to New Street.
My next port of call was the Tesco store along New Street at the junction of Temple Street for a meal deal, and also to pick up some timetables back at the station to see if anything required would be heading towards Wolverhampton. The 16:57 Manchester via Stoke-on-Trent was dud 221119, so declined that and as the LM Liverpool LS had been cancelled, it was then onboard the 17:01 ex Euston Manchester via Crewe formed by dud 390124 Virgin Venturer for the run to Wolverhampton. It was a short fester before boarding the 17:25 ex Birmingham Shrewsbury local formed by required pair 170507+514 for the run to Oakengates. It is noted that I have already called at all of the intermediate stations between Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury when I first covered this line back in 1989, but have never boarded or alighted at any of them. Furthermore, this line was part of the Great Western Railway route between London Paddington and Birkenhead Woodside, so that is another GWR station I have in the bag. I still have quite a lot to go to complete them all, and I have yet to cover the track between Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth/Pwllheli, and Princes Risborough Aylesbury.
Anyway, it was over to the opposite platform for the 18:05 BHM formed by dud 170633 for the run to Bilbrook (I remember it being Birches & Bilbrook in the late 1980s/early 1990s). It is noted that this is a station where the trains are timetabled to pass each other within a couple of minutes of each other, and that Bilbrook has staggered platforms with a road junction above. Although Codsall is a 25 minute walk, the frequency of the local trains are every 60 minutes on Mondays to Saturdays, therefore there would still be a half hour fester at the very least, and also there is the option of the 5 (former 535) bus between the 2 stations. As I had positioned myself in the centre of the train, it was an immediate rapid sprint to road level and as I could see the headlights of the approaching Shrewsbury bound train, I continued my rapid sprint over the roadbridge and across the junction and down the ramp to the platform for the 18:31 formed by required 170512+ dud 170502 for a bus stop bash to Codsall, having pulled it off.
It was then out of the station via the footbridge and onto Station Road for a walk to the main Wolverhampton Road/Bakers Way bus stop for the 5 that was due at 18:41 (this would have been the same bus I would have picked up at Bilbrook station ten minutes later). As I had no get out of jail free card to play, it was a huge sigh of relief when I saw the bus approach the turning circle to head to Wolverhampton. The route was via Bilbrook village, the main Codsall Road, Claregate, Whitmore Reans, and Waterloo Road passing Molyneux Stadium (one of the first batch to have floodlights installed in the mid 1950s, with the first floodlit match being a friendly between Wolves and Barcelona in 1955). As it has been over 20 years since I last used the bus station at Wolverhampton, I eventually managed to exit and walk along the bridge over the ring road to the railway station forecourt and onto Platform 1 for the 19:37 ex Euston Glasgow Central formed by dud 390104 Virgin Scot/Alstom Pendolino, and apart from being routed into Platform 4 at Preston, was an uneventful run back home.
Overall, even though I could have done without a bus driver who obviously got out of bed on the wrong side on the 24th, I did land some winners. I also finished off 2016 by scoring some GWR stations in the West Midlands, and as I had calculated that the Birmingham Shrewsbury locals has 3 diagrams, I targeted them and landed 3 required LM Class 170s as well. I have realised that as I require 9 of the Machynlleth based Class 158s, I need to be careful in not using the xx23 Smethwick GB International departures as I will have nothing to chase after west of Shrewsbury, apart from covering the track. I am thinking that this is what I could do as one of my main tasks for 2017, in addition to chasing after the Anglia fleet and IC125s.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a good trip to the West Midlands, bar grumpy bus drivers
alexf380
Established Member
A right grumpy sod to start the trip, but otherwise it sounded like a top class time!
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Wow that bus driver was a miserable one! Never come across anything quite so bizarre, I would certainly have complained wildly to First Glasgow about it!
A good little hunt on my stomping grounds there, and a good way to end 2016. I wonder what you'll do to begin 2017!
A good little hunt on my stomping grounds there, and a good way to end 2016. I wonder what you'll do to begin 2017!
adrock1976
Established Member
This trip is my first of 2017, and with this being a spontaneous and spur of the moment type, I decided to complete my remaining 4 stations in the DG postcode area. These are Dumfries, Annan, Gretna Green, and Lockerbie. As today is Saturday, I decided to attack them from the Carlisle side as the frequency between Carlisle and Dumfries is broadly every 60 minutes on Saturdays, rather than every 2 to 3 hours with some odd short workings on weekdays. Rather unusually for me, I started at lunchtime which is late when compared to my normal planned bashing trips. As my seasonal work has ended and with me being under the weather slightly the last week, I was itching to get back out on the rails again. Of note, as I require 6 x Class 156s (including 478 and 509) of the Scotrail fleet, and only requiring 7 x Class 390s, I was taking a risk that I would end the day empty handed for the very first time in regards of my haulage requirements.
Anyway, it was out of the door and down to Glasgow Central for the 12:00 London Euston via Birmingham, formed by dud 390002 Virgin Angel for the run to Carlisle. During the course of the journey, I pulled out the timetable to work out a plan, and as I also had the Newcastle & Carlisle Railway timetable on me, I also consulted that as well. I was originally going to attempt the 13:12 Carlisle Glasgow via Dumfries, but that idea fell apart as firstly, the train got held just before Motherwell for 5 minutes, and I saw the 13:12 having already departed when crossing the bridge over the River Eden. After gathering my thoughts and consulting the Newcastle timetable, that decided my next course of action.
I then made my way to Platform 5 for the 13:32 Newcastle, formed by dud 142091 for a countryside definition of a bus stop bash to Wetheral. It was over the footbridge via a gate from and to each platform to the Carlisle platform to board the 13:42 ex Newcastle formed by dud 156481 back to Carlisle (or Castleford according to the destination blind on the front of the train. I imagined the hellfire thrash going over Shap Fell if it would be going that way to Castleford, but a dose of reality was soon brought when the guard announced that the train would be terminating at Carlisle). After popping out of the station to the Tesco to pick up a meal deal, it was time to switch my attention to Glasgow & South Western Railway metals.
It was over to Platform 7 to board the 14:22 and heavily loaded short Dumfries working that was formed by dud 156431 for the run to Annan. After a brief wander, it was back to the station to board the slightly delayed 15:12 ex Glasgow Central to Gretna Green, formed by dud 156194 with the 15:23 ex Newcastle Glasgow Central having just departed. I did pencil in that optimistic connection on the off chance I would make it, and it was a dud 156 anyway. I went for a wander to the famous blacksmiths first and over to Gretna on the other side of the tracks before heading back to the station. It was onboard the 16:28 Dumfries short working formed by the return of dud 156494 all the way to Dumfries.
I initially had a couple of thoughts here in that I could either spend almost an hour here for the next Carlisle train, or maybe hop on a bus over to Lockerbie. I decided upon neither of those as the train I just arrived on terminated in the Glasgow platform and would be departing at 17:07 to Carlisle, meaning that I would score a microgrice of the crossover south of the station. I remained onboard for the run back to Carlisle, and consulted the timetable to see how I could fit in Lockerbie. On arrival at Carlisle, I went for another brief wander to pick up a light snack before my next move.
I then boarded the 18:11 ex Manchester Airport Edinburgh Waverley that was formed by double duds 350405+408 for the run to Lockerbie. Of note, I require 5 x TP Class 350s, and although 405 was dud, I landed that for the first and previous time on a Manchester Piccadilly Oxford Road leap, making this a double digit mileage at least rather than being less than 1. Upon arrival at Lockerbie, it was immediately over the footbridge to the Carlisle/London platform to hop on the slightly delayed 18:32 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway that was formed by dud 390119 Virgin Warrior back to Carlisle. I have managed to score Lockerbie by using an Intercity train as it is an Intercity station. I did make a note of an optimistic -5 minute connection at Carlisle onto the 18:47 Glasgow Central, which I would have to rely on being delayed. Needless to say, I saw it passing me around Kingmoor, so it was to the 19:11 ex MIA Glasgow Central as my next option, which was formed by required 350404 making this my sole winner for the day, and narrowly avoiding ending the day empty handed regarding haulage requirements.
Overall, I felt that this was a gentle way to have a warm up session to get back into bashing after a winter break. I have now managed to complete all the DG stations, which through doing it on a Saturday from the Carlisle side makes it a lot easier. I only ever need to go that way again if Thornhill station ever reopens. Of note, (and with the exception of Leyland and Euxton Balshaw Lane) I have completed all of the stations along the main line between Warrington Bank Quay and Inverness.
Anyway, it was out of the door and down to Glasgow Central for the 12:00 London Euston via Birmingham, formed by dud 390002 Virgin Angel for the run to Carlisle. During the course of the journey, I pulled out the timetable to work out a plan, and as I also had the Newcastle & Carlisle Railway timetable on me, I also consulted that as well. I was originally going to attempt the 13:12 Carlisle Glasgow via Dumfries, but that idea fell apart as firstly, the train got held just before Motherwell for 5 minutes, and I saw the 13:12 having already departed when crossing the bridge over the River Eden. After gathering my thoughts and consulting the Newcastle timetable, that decided my next course of action.
I then made my way to Platform 5 for the 13:32 Newcastle, formed by dud 142091 for a countryside definition of a bus stop bash to Wetheral. It was over the footbridge via a gate from and to each platform to the Carlisle platform to board the 13:42 ex Newcastle formed by dud 156481 back to Carlisle (or Castleford according to the destination blind on the front of the train. I imagined the hellfire thrash going over Shap Fell if it would be going that way to Castleford, but a dose of reality was soon brought when the guard announced that the train would be terminating at Carlisle). After popping out of the station to the Tesco to pick up a meal deal, it was time to switch my attention to Glasgow & South Western Railway metals.
It was over to Platform 7 to board the 14:22 and heavily loaded short Dumfries working that was formed by dud 156431 for the run to Annan. After a brief wander, it was back to the station to board the slightly delayed 15:12 ex Glasgow Central to Gretna Green, formed by dud 156194 with the 15:23 ex Newcastle Glasgow Central having just departed. I did pencil in that optimistic connection on the off chance I would make it, and it was a dud 156 anyway. I went for a wander to the famous blacksmiths first and over to Gretna on the other side of the tracks before heading back to the station. It was onboard the 16:28 Dumfries short working formed by the return of dud 156494 all the way to Dumfries.
I initially had a couple of thoughts here in that I could either spend almost an hour here for the next Carlisle train, or maybe hop on a bus over to Lockerbie. I decided upon neither of those as the train I just arrived on terminated in the Glasgow platform and would be departing at 17:07 to Carlisle, meaning that I would score a microgrice of the crossover south of the station. I remained onboard for the run back to Carlisle, and consulted the timetable to see how I could fit in Lockerbie. On arrival at Carlisle, I went for another brief wander to pick up a light snack before my next move.
I then boarded the 18:11 ex Manchester Airport Edinburgh Waverley that was formed by double duds 350405+408 for the run to Lockerbie. Of note, I require 5 x TP Class 350s, and although 405 was dud, I landed that for the first and previous time on a Manchester Piccadilly Oxford Road leap, making this a double digit mileage at least rather than being less than 1. Upon arrival at Lockerbie, it was immediately over the footbridge to the Carlisle/London platform to hop on the slightly delayed 18:32 London Euston via Trent Valley Railway that was formed by dud 390119 Virgin Warrior back to Carlisle. I have managed to score Lockerbie by using an Intercity train as it is an Intercity station. I did make a note of an optimistic -5 minute connection at Carlisle onto the 18:47 Glasgow Central, which I would have to rely on being delayed. Needless to say, I saw it passing me around Kingmoor, so it was to the 19:11 ex MIA Glasgow Central as my next option, which was formed by required 350404 making this my sole winner for the day, and narrowly avoiding ending the day empty handed regarding haulage requirements.
Overall, I felt that this was a gentle way to have a warm up session to get back into bashing after a winter break. I have now managed to complete all the DG stations, which through doing it on a Saturday from the Carlisle side makes it a lot easier. I only ever need to go that way again if Thornhill station ever reopens. Of note, (and with the exception of Leyland and Euxton Balshaw Lane) I have completed all of the stations along the main line between Warrington Bank Quay and Inverness.
- Status