heart-of-wessex
Established Member
Well I thought for a change I'll do a blast from the past report from one of my ALR trips. I found one of my notes in a book, however it's going to be difficult as there is no year noted and some numbers are missing. I reckon it was about 2004 or 2005 but would be no later than that as I moved to Trowbridge in 2006, I've got a feeling it was late 2004 or very early 2005 though.
Back then I didn't do trip names either. I was rather boring and just did route sections instead!
Chippenham - Port Talbot Parkway
I ride my Piaggio 125 scooter (I no longer have) from Melksham to Chippenham. There I purchase my 7 day ALR. Unsure if it's a weekday or weekend but I started in the afternoon. I also seem to recall the staff had trouble issuing the ticket as they never had to do one before, not the first time I've had this at Chippenham though. It cost me £223 with a Y-P, I note that it's not bad with a Y-P..well considering it's now £306.25 with a Y-P and I'm no longer eligible for one of those anymore!
My note say's I caught the 1505 Paddington service, unsure if this would be the 1430 service from Bristol TM, or though if it was it would be 10 minutes slower than a HST...hmmm...
Anyway It's an original FGW Class 180, that I don't think was even diagrammed for one at that time of day through Chippenham, and took it to Swindon. On the approach I saw the 1525 Gloucester service leave with a rather smokey 150. My notes seem to mention that I was gobsmacked at how claggy it was. It also notes that we arrived into Swindon 5 minutes early! Must have been on HST times.
I therefore made the 15:30 Cardiff service and we left at 15:30:07. This line in my notes amuses me:
'As our unit treks up the Badmington line'
Why I decided to call HST's units I don't know, I know it's not so don't shout at me!
Apparently there were a few TSR's about, seemed to be common on the GW back then though, I still remember the TSR at Oldfield park that was there for 50 million years!
We arrived at Bristol Parkway at 15:59:45 where I saw 66158 on a rake of MGR's (probably for Didcot or Avonmouth). 158864 also passes with Great Malvern on the blinds with the lights off but I note it's going to Bristol. Quite how I saw it passing from our Cardiff HST I don't know, unless it was passing through Platform 3 since we had a 5 minute stop..
We left for Newport at 16:05:40 (do you notice I had an obsession of noting the exact times?!) After the Newport stop, 09102 and 66214 were in Godfrey Road (memories!) and a 66 and 60 was in 'Newport Yard' (which was probably A.D.J) along with 143610, though I note the latter as if it was normal to see a Pacer there!
I got off at Cardiff and awaited the Swansea HST. The 17:01 was late due to slippery rails but we did only leave 5 minutes late. Again no note of powercar numbers, but was a Valenta of some form but I remember not window leaning for the thrash though. Would have been the proper seats though in the MK3!
Nothing else noted en-route, so I stepped off at Port Talbot in the dark to meet Julian, Techniquest on here but known in my notes at FGWFan, that's going back! Maybe he can recall the year? I note that he can't do the planned trip (whatever it was!) but can maybe do it on the Tuesday (still unaware of what day we are actually on). He tells me that I could actually do the ScotRail Sleeper, so I decide to actually do it, then he goes crazy as he wants to do it
!!
Port Talbot Parkway - London Paddington
So with the new plan, not that I actually had one from here, I get the 18:49 Paddington service which gets there at 21:30. No notes for the trip at all. Don't remember leaning out for any Valenta racket either, and again no idea of the Power Cars. Oh I wish I did write my notes properly!!
London Paddington - Edinburgh Waverley
From Paddington it was on the the Circle Line (Which was an actual Circle Line of course!) to Euston Square and then walk to Euston Station.
Didn't do any spotting here, I wasn't really a fan of the Silverlink 321's either for some odd reason, I seem to have a habit of liking traction once it disappears, I'd love to try a 321 between Euston and Birmingham now! 90031 was the loco on the drag from Wembley, and 90035 was on the lead of the 23:45 Lowlands Sleeper.
This was an exciting time for me, first EWS 90 I've been on and first ever time on the Scottish Sleeper.
I was still unsure if you could use ALR's being a Sleeper service. I was told just to take a seat that wasn't reserved, as you didn't need one back then.
The seat's are very comfortable and at least the lights are dimmed down. I did wonder weather there would be a rude awakening at somewhere like Tamworth for a ticket check, but at least the guard came through as we were climbing Camden Bank, not that you'd notice the bank since the 90's make light work of the hill.
I don't remember the journey as I slept like a brick, well until somewhere in the Lake District when we came to a stop literally in the middle of nowhere. I only woke up as the MK2 brakes got me up!! Never been in a MK2 either, and was quite surprised when I woke up to this loud hiss and crunching of the brakes as we came to a stop. Quite a characteristic sound but was more annoyed that it woke me up! I think we were held at a red a we were there for a while, it was so quiet it was unreal. Sitting there with everyone asleep, outside was pitch black with no sign of life, not even a single light was seen. If I went to the droplight, the only thing audible would be the spirax valve from the 90.
Next thing I was asleep again and didn't wake up until the brakes rocked our coach to a stop at Edinburgh at 07:17. My first time at Edinburgh Waverley, and my second time into Scotland. First time I came here was as a kid when me and my family took EasJet from Bristol Airport to Edinburgh Airport.
I was quite baffled at how much of a mess the station was to me. I managed to find some departure screens but what do I do? I need so much I don't know where to start!
One service that caught my eye was the Berwick service, I seem to recall 322's no longer dominate the line and were now Class 90's. And to think a 90 on a local service didn't seem to odd either!
Edinburgh Waverley - North Berwick and return
Platform 4 was the allocated platform, now where the bloody hell is platform 4? I seem to recall I was on Platform 7 at the time, as I remember walking round to see the bay platforms from 13 to 17. Well that threw me off somewhat! I was more confused when I then saw 19 and 2 on the same platform!! I eventually found Platform 4 within the crystal maze of Edinburgh and saw an ex-VT DVT with ex-VT MK3a's that had ScotRail logos in place of the Virgin logos.
The ECML 90024 in GNER house colours, that was to spend it's time on the WCML anyway, was at the lead of the North Berwick service. Well at least it was operating on part of the ECML for a change I suppose! I rather enjoyed the trip over probably the only part of the ECML that is actually enjoyable. At North Berwick, I filmed the train leaving and then awaited for the 09:10 arrival. I didn't actually look around the town itself, don't know if there's much to see anyway? Station and branch was scratched off though, not been there since to this day. Never even did any ScotRail 322's on the branch, I only have record of doing one 322 and that's it, still need the others!
The train arrives and I was somewhat surprised to see 90031 instead, wasn't aware there was two diagrams. I did H-O back to Edinburgh. Anyone remember that was the term to be used on RailUK as appointed by Yorkie? I still remember that!!
As we left at 09:17 I was surprised to be the only enthusiast on board. Unsure why I was surprised but I guess for me it was a new experience and being used to Class 31's to Weymouth that always had bashers, I'd assume that it would happen on all loco hauled services. Looking at it now I'm not surprised, it was frequent and ran every day anyway.
Edinburgh Waverley - Bathgate and back
My notes here start off with 'After the ultimate ride on the 90', well I think the ultimate ride is doing one at speed but back then it was my first Class 90's I've done in daylight.
I look at the screens to see what to do, and I decide on the 10:19 Bathgate service, I guess I found the platform OK as I don't recall chasing platform numbers around the station! 158727 was in the bay platform but when we got on, we were told it would be the front 2 coaches only, so we were ushered onto 158734 instead. We leave for Haymarket where I then get ready to note numbers at the depot. Quite unsure what to expect there was a lot more numbers to see than I thought! As I was slow I only noted 170411, 429 and 416.
Next stop is Edinburgh Park, a new station (suggesting this trip was around 2004) and I note that it looks more like an Airport terminal than a train station!
Some very nice scenery that, back then, would have been uninterrupted with no OHLE masts. I did flag the return trip with 158734 though.
I take the delayed 11:18 service back with 158706, at least I scored another unit for haulage which is probably why I didn't get 734 back.
To be continued...
Back then I didn't do trip names either. I was rather boring and just did route sections instead!
Chippenham - Port Talbot Parkway
I ride my Piaggio 125 scooter (I no longer have) from Melksham to Chippenham. There I purchase my 7 day ALR. Unsure if it's a weekday or weekend but I started in the afternoon. I also seem to recall the staff had trouble issuing the ticket as they never had to do one before, not the first time I've had this at Chippenham though. It cost me £223 with a Y-P, I note that it's not bad with a Y-P..well considering it's now £306.25 with a Y-P and I'm no longer eligible for one of those anymore!
My note say's I caught the 1505 Paddington service, unsure if this would be the 1430 service from Bristol TM, or though if it was it would be 10 minutes slower than a HST...hmmm...
Anyway It's an original FGW Class 180, that I don't think was even diagrammed for one at that time of day through Chippenham, and took it to Swindon. On the approach I saw the 1525 Gloucester service leave with a rather smokey 150. My notes seem to mention that I was gobsmacked at how claggy it was. It also notes that we arrived into Swindon 5 minutes early! Must have been on HST times.
I therefore made the 15:30 Cardiff service and we left at 15:30:07. This line in my notes amuses me:
'As our unit treks up the Badmington line'
Why I decided to call HST's units I don't know, I know it's not so don't shout at me!
Apparently there were a few TSR's about, seemed to be common on the GW back then though, I still remember the TSR at Oldfield park that was there for 50 million years!
We arrived at Bristol Parkway at 15:59:45 where I saw 66158 on a rake of MGR's (probably for Didcot or Avonmouth). 158864 also passes with Great Malvern on the blinds with the lights off but I note it's going to Bristol. Quite how I saw it passing from our Cardiff HST I don't know, unless it was passing through Platform 3 since we had a 5 minute stop..
We left for Newport at 16:05:40 (do you notice I had an obsession of noting the exact times?!) After the Newport stop, 09102 and 66214 were in Godfrey Road (memories!) and a 66 and 60 was in 'Newport Yard' (which was probably A.D.J) along with 143610, though I note the latter as if it was normal to see a Pacer there!
I got off at Cardiff and awaited the Swansea HST. The 17:01 was late due to slippery rails but we did only leave 5 minutes late. Again no note of powercar numbers, but was a Valenta of some form but I remember not window leaning for the thrash though. Would have been the proper seats though in the MK3!
Nothing else noted en-route, so I stepped off at Port Talbot in the dark to meet Julian, Techniquest on here but known in my notes at FGWFan, that's going back! Maybe he can recall the year? I note that he can't do the planned trip (whatever it was!) but can maybe do it on the Tuesday (still unaware of what day we are actually on). He tells me that I could actually do the ScotRail Sleeper, so I decide to actually do it, then he goes crazy as he wants to do it
!!Port Talbot Parkway - London Paddington
So with the new plan, not that I actually had one from here, I get the 18:49 Paddington service which gets there at 21:30. No notes for the trip at all. Don't remember leaning out for any Valenta racket either, and again no idea of the Power Cars. Oh I wish I did write my notes properly!!
London Paddington - Edinburgh Waverley
From Paddington it was on the the Circle Line (Which was an actual Circle Line of course!) to Euston Square and then walk to Euston Station.
Didn't do any spotting here, I wasn't really a fan of the Silverlink 321's either for some odd reason, I seem to have a habit of liking traction once it disappears, I'd love to try a 321 between Euston and Birmingham now! 90031 was the loco on the drag from Wembley, and 90035 was on the lead of the 23:45 Lowlands Sleeper.
This was an exciting time for me, first EWS 90 I've been on and first ever time on the Scottish Sleeper.
I was still unsure if you could use ALR's being a Sleeper service. I was told just to take a seat that wasn't reserved, as you didn't need one back then.
The seat's are very comfortable and at least the lights are dimmed down. I did wonder weather there would be a rude awakening at somewhere like Tamworth for a ticket check, but at least the guard came through as we were climbing Camden Bank, not that you'd notice the bank since the 90's make light work of the hill.
I don't remember the journey as I slept like a brick, well until somewhere in the Lake District when we came to a stop literally in the middle of nowhere. I only woke up as the MK2 brakes got me up!! Never been in a MK2 either, and was quite surprised when I woke up to this loud hiss and crunching of the brakes as we came to a stop. Quite a characteristic sound but was more annoyed that it woke me up! I think we were held at a red a we were there for a while, it was so quiet it was unreal. Sitting there with everyone asleep, outside was pitch black with no sign of life, not even a single light was seen. If I went to the droplight, the only thing audible would be the spirax valve from the 90.
Next thing I was asleep again and didn't wake up until the brakes rocked our coach to a stop at Edinburgh at 07:17. My first time at Edinburgh Waverley, and my second time into Scotland. First time I came here was as a kid when me and my family took EasJet from Bristol Airport to Edinburgh Airport.
I was quite baffled at how much of a mess the station was to me. I managed to find some departure screens but what do I do? I need so much I don't know where to start!
One service that caught my eye was the Berwick service, I seem to recall 322's no longer dominate the line and were now Class 90's. And to think a 90 on a local service didn't seem to odd either!
Edinburgh Waverley - North Berwick and return
Platform 4 was the allocated platform, now where the bloody hell is platform 4? I seem to recall I was on Platform 7 at the time, as I remember walking round to see the bay platforms from 13 to 17. Well that threw me off somewhat! I was more confused when I then saw 19 and 2 on the same platform!! I eventually found Platform 4 within the crystal maze of Edinburgh and saw an ex-VT DVT with ex-VT MK3a's that had ScotRail logos in place of the Virgin logos.
The ECML 90024 in GNER house colours, that was to spend it's time on the WCML anyway, was at the lead of the North Berwick service. Well at least it was operating on part of the ECML for a change I suppose! I rather enjoyed the trip over probably the only part of the ECML that is actually enjoyable. At North Berwick, I filmed the train leaving and then awaited for the 09:10 arrival. I didn't actually look around the town itself, don't know if there's much to see anyway? Station and branch was scratched off though, not been there since to this day. Never even did any ScotRail 322's on the branch, I only have record of doing one 322 and that's it, still need the others!
The train arrives and I was somewhat surprised to see 90031 instead, wasn't aware there was two diagrams. I did H-O back to Edinburgh. Anyone remember that was the term to be used on RailUK as appointed by Yorkie? I still remember that!!
As we left at 09:17 I was surprised to be the only enthusiast on board. Unsure why I was surprised but I guess for me it was a new experience and being used to Class 31's to Weymouth that always had bashers, I'd assume that it would happen on all loco hauled services. Looking at it now I'm not surprised, it was frequent and ran every day anyway.
Edinburgh Waverley - Bathgate and back
My notes here start off with 'After the ultimate ride on the 90', well I think the ultimate ride is doing one at speed but back then it was my first Class 90's I've done in daylight.
I look at the screens to see what to do, and I decide on the 10:19 Bathgate service, I guess I found the platform OK as I don't recall chasing platform numbers around the station! 158727 was in the bay platform but when we got on, we were told it would be the front 2 coaches only, so we were ushered onto 158734 instead. We leave for Haymarket where I then get ready to note numbers at the depot. Quite unsure what to expect there was a lot more numbers to see than I thought! As I was slow I only noted 170411, 429 and 416.
Next stop is Edinburgh Park, a new station (suggesting this trip was around 2004) and I note that it looks more like an Airport terminal than a train station!
Some very nice scenery that, back then, would have been uninterrupted with no OHLE masts. I did flag the return trip with 158734 though.
I take the delayed 11:18 service back with 158706, at least I scored another unit for haulage which is probably why I didn't get 734 back.
To be continued...
appears in my notes, quite why I don't know, I'd imagine them to sound quite descent! I was obviously so unamused I have no unit number record. Being in the peak hour now the unit was packed all the way to Largs. I also note that 334's is the usual traction, as if I was the expert of the SPT network! Was a 318 rare for this time? Something tells me it was probably something that happened a few times...
