All Line Rover report 2017

[James Wake]

Day 1: The positioning move Saturday 16th September

I started my fourth ALR from my home in Crawley with a taxi to Three Bridges Station, however it was late and I missed my intended 1532 to Victoria. A Thameslink service shown as on time for 1542 didn’t show up, so my first train was the 1547 to East Croydon (normally London Bridge) formed of 377427 for the short trip to Gatwick Airport.

Then I crossed over quickly to get on the 1553 Victoria bound service, led by 377616 for the quick run to Clapham Junction. After purchasing an extension ticket from Vauxhall into London Waterloo, I joined 458508 leading a 10 car set from Windsor into Waterloo.

From there I caught one of my own company’s buses VH45119 on the route 139 across to Savoy Street, where I walked to the London Transport Museum and spent an hour there. Then I headed to the Sun Tavern to go to the All the Stations wrap party, the completion of Geoff and Vicki’s excellent adventure.

At around 2030, I walked to Covent Garden to board Piccadilly Line train 321 led by car 239 to Hounslow Central and walked the short distance to the Travelodge and my bed for the night. Day 2 to come.

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good day 0 positioning move to Hounslow.

 

[barrowjack]

Sounds like a good start except for the late taxi. I love the transport museum in London.

Looking forward to reading the rest of your reports!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I look forward to reading more!!!

Shame, when I'm old enough to do an ALR all the good trains will be gone! (Can't do one on my own until I'm eighteen and trust me I'm not forking out for my dad too!)

 

[James Wake]

Day 2: “The announcement you all dread to hear” Sunday 17th September


The reason I positioned to Hounslow was in order to start early from Paddington on the HST diverts to Swindon, before heading to Norfolk. I decided against going to Southall for one Heathrow Connect service with no other back up (I later found out it was cancelled). At 05:30, I decided to walk to Bell Corner and joined SP40163 on the N9 to Chiswick Road, a former Fulwell vehicle, then onto ADH45044 on the 27 to Paddington Station arriving at 06:25. I went to get some breakfast and then heard the empty stock coming in. Sadly the train was the wrong way round for the 07:15 to Penzance, formed of 43137/160. I took a seat in the half standard/half first coach, and bang on 07:15 we set off towards West Ealing, then heading north through South Greenford, then onto the rare track to go past Greenford. After a run via Oxford Parkway, we were held outside Oxford for a late Turbo to depart, then continued after a brief platform stop towards Didcot, then round the avoider to head west to Swindon, arriving slightly late at 09:08, but the train was due out at 09:17, so I saw it leave after I crossed to platform 1.


The 09:20 to London Paddington was the correct way round, so again it was the half standard/half first coach; however we were awaiting relief crew who were supposedly in a taxi from Paddington. Then this: “Apologies, but the announcement you all dread to hear, this train will terminate here due to no relief crew.” The 09:37 Swansea left platform 2 and the 09:27 Didcot finally got into the station, luckily many people who got confused were told to wait for the next train.


The 09:52 to Paddington arrived on time, the wrong way round, the first class passengers ended up running down the back, and I got seat A73 and awaited departure on 43150/029. We left on time and retraced our route from earlier, but went straight down past Park Royal and arrived in Paddington 9 minutes early. I caught the Circle Line, train 206 with car 21490 to Kings Cross St Pancras, then headed up into the mainline station to catch a train to Cambridge. It was 12 noon, so the fastest would be the 12:14, but that being a Kings Lynn train was a double 387, so I caught the 12:04 stopper formed of 365502. It was a nice journey and no problems for a two minute early arrival at 13:26.


I then changed platforms to catch 170201 on the 13:50 to Norwich, despite no direct services from Liverpool Street, the 170 was lightly loaded all the way, arriving on time at 15:13. I then had a break in the passenger lounge at Norwich, confirming from the staff that the next Sheringham at 15:45 would upon return form the 17:36 to Great Yarmouth via Berney Arms. The answer was positive, so I boarded 156417 on the 15:45 to Sheringham, a lovely line and a recommended journey. When we pulled into Sheringham, the platform was heaving, due to a 40s weekend on the North Norfolk Railway. I stayed put as the extremely busy train headed back to Norwich, arriving at 17:30. Then I changed to the other end to be at the front for the run to Great Yarmouth.


A new crew took over and we set off on time and I finally completed all Norfolk branches when the train rolled into Great Yarmouth at 18:10, Reedham to the junction just before Great Yarmouth being required. Then a short car ride to the Kilbrannan Guest House and my bed for the night.

 

[Kite159]

Apart from the cancelled HST, sounded like a good 1st day of your rover

Brings back a memory when I first did the Norfolk branches, when I had the same 156 to/from Sherington, before heading to Yarmouth via Berney & back via Acle before the same 156 took me to Lowestoft.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Looks to be a nice, civilized ALR. Looking forward to the rest in due course.

 

[James Wake]

Day 3: “Suffolk Branches and more” Monday 18th September


Day 3 commenced after a nice breakfast at the guest house and being dropped off back to the station by Gary, like last time to join the 0917 to Norwich, the loco-hauled set. Luckily it was not swapped with a unit, being the three DRS coaches with 37716 leading and 37425 at the rear. The conductor was the same one who was on the 1736 from Norwich the day before, but he didn’t recognise me. I enjoyed the run to Norwich, where we arrived at 0953, and I made quick steps over to platform 2 to board the 1000 to London Liverpool Street as far as Ipswich, formed of 90006 and DVT 82139 at the rear. On this trip, forum member Lrd (who I had seen briefly the day before) kept me company and the journey to Ipswich passed quickly. Lewis was continuing to Colchester, but I needed the Felixstowe branch so bailed.


On the board, the 1058 was shown as 5 mins late due to an earlier unit failure, but it arrived on time from Felixstowe and I was surprised to see 170273, expecting of course a 153. I travelled in the declassified first class section on the way up to Felixstowe along with a couple of other enthusiasts and then swapped ends after a photo there for the return to Ipswich. The conductor, David was extremely friendly, interested about my plan and wished me a good journey. There were several other AGA staff on the train too, maybe monitoring passenger loadings but I’m not sure. As I was heading to Marks Tey next, I was hoping a -1 might work, but it didn’t so a class 90 to Colchester for a 360 forward it would be as was on my plan.


After a short 20 min wait at Ipswich, my train to Colchester was arriving formed of 90003 and DVT 82118 bringing up the rear. I got a double seat by the buffet for the run to Colchester through a heavy shower. After a swift run, I alighted and made my way down to platform 4 for the 1241 London Liverpool Street stopper. Formed of 360105, it arrived from Colchester Town with no headlights on! A driver manager happened to be behind me and had a quiet word with the driver before he boarded as well. I alighted at Marks Tey and crossed the bridge to board 156409 on the Sudbury branch, a nice punctual journey and a nice bit of scenery. Upon return to Marks Tey, I joined the 1349 service to Shenfield formed of 360117.


As I arrived, I decided to see if a 345 would do a service to Liverpool Street soon, because I could do that and pick up my intended Southend train there rather than do Southminster and meet it at Wickford. 345010 obliged for the 1434 to Liverpool Street, quite a noisy PA and door alarm, not the most comfortable seats but good to get the first one in the book.


At Liverpool Street, I didn’t need to exit the barriers as the 1535 Southend was on platform 14, formed of 321429/447. I went right to the front of 429 and took a bay of 2 and awaited departure. We headed east and the train began to fill, particularly at Shenfield with school children, but there were still seats available all the time as most of the kids were standing in the vestibules. After a small delay waiting for a platform, we pulled into Southend Victoria. Sadly it had started raining, and with the pedestrian crossing outside Victoria not recognising traffic gaps, I got quite wet walking to Central to join c2c. I was only heading to Basildon, and I did that on the 1649 service, a quiet 12 car move heading for the evening peak at Fenchurch Street formed of 357038/032/033 and a 20 minute journey later I was alighting at Basildon for a lift to my Dad and his wife’s house and my bed in the spare room for the night.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Sounds good. Is your rover First or Standard?

 

[James Wake]

Sounds good. Is your rover First or Standard?

Standard

 

[James Wake]

Day 4: A simple journey from East to West


After a good sleep at my Dads and a quick cup of tea and fussing their Labrador Bailey, Dad took me back to the station for me to catch a London bound train. I intended to catch the 0849 non-stop to West Ham, but even though it had only come from Leigh and Benfleet had no seats left, so I caught the 0854 stopper instead, both trains were only 4 coaches each, the 0854 being Metro unit 357320.

After a busy journey between Barking and West Ham, I made my way to the Jubilee Line platforms, letting the first train go due to it being rather busy and boarding a few minutes later Train 372 led by car 96042 pulled in and took me to Baker Street. There a 1 minute change took me on Train 221on the Bakerloo Line to Paddington, led by car 3559. I went up into Paddington and saw my train was boarding. The 1022 to Hereford was formed of 43009/126 and I went up to the front with the intention of taking seat A75 that had been reserved for me by GWR twitter team. I then noticed that despite them saying it was the best seat as I initially asked for A73, A73 was unreserved (maybe a booking cancellation), and A76 was reserved from Oxford to Hereford! So of course, I sat straight in seat A73 and informed the staff. After Oxford, the chap reserved in A76 arrived, and the reservations were swapped over for the return journey really early. The Cotswolds and Malverns line was a delight, especially on a HST and I got several scenic photos out the windows. We arrived at Hereford on time at 1347. I crossed over to platform 3 to board the 1355 Manchester service as far as Shrewsbury, formed of 175111. Due to a rather large number of bags blocking two seats, I took a tip-up seat in the front vestibule, which was reasonably comfortable for the run to Shrewsbury, arriving on time at 1450.


My next and final train was the 1530 to Aberystwyth and Pwlhelli, formed of 158820 and 823, 820 going to Aber, so I boarded that portion, getting a good seat after Welshpool for the long run to Aberystwyth, a nice line and a teaser for what was to lie ahead the day after. I then had a nice steak in the Wetherspoons on the station before heading to the Glyn Garth Guest House and my bed for the night.

 

[Kite159]

Another varied day

 

[James Wake]

Day 5: Scenic West and Mid Wales


As I intended to catch the 0830 from Aberystwyth, the guest house owners very kindly did me breakfast early and after a lovely cooked breakfast, I made my way to the station. I boarded the 0830 formed of 158836 and took a good seat on the left hand side so as to get the better view from that side on the way back to Dovey Junction. Dovey Junction is of course just an interchange, with no road access and I was there at one of the busiest times of day. My Shrewsbury bound train had wait for a Birmingham to Aber, then my next train up to Pwlhelli to clear the single line before heading east. My Pwlhelli service was 158833, and having started at Machynlleth was really empty, so I got a good seat on the left hand coastal side and we set off up one of the most scenic railway lines in Britain, the Cambrian Coast.


It was a lovely journey and I got plenty of phone pictures, the Barmouth Bridge seeing just water on both sides of the single track was a definite highlight. The conductor was excellent and earned a tweet of praise to ATW, and after a punctual run we arrived in Pwlhelli. 20 minutes later we headed back south and I bailed at Porthmadog, thanking the crew and watching the 158 leave. I then headed off to walk to Porthmadog Harbour station, but ended up walking the wrong way, after turning round and almost getting stung by a wasp (despite the rain), I made a detour into Tesco to get some lunch and then finally after 10 more minutes I made it to the Harbour station. The Welsh Highland train was sitting waiting for its 1410 departure, and the guard of the WHR train I knew through the Bluebell Railway and Metrobus, as he used to drive the shuttle service 473 to Kingscote before the line opened through to East Grinstead. At 1340, steam loco David Lloyd George came across the Cob and pulled into the station, and I took a seat in what would be the first 3rd class compartment, just past several first class ones. After a 45 minute shelter in the train, we set off over the Cob. I had that compartment and the adjacent one to myself, 16 seats in total right behind the loco! Bliss! Shame about the weather, but that didn’t spoil the journey too much. I saw a Routemaster just past Boston Lodge and just got my phone out in time for a photo. After passing the down train at Tan-Y-Bwlch, we headed up into the slate hills and I noticed we were losing time, so now I was worrying about my connection to Llandudno. No need to worry as we arrived at 1450 and I crossed the bridge to board winner 150227.


We left slightly late, due to some passengers who needed time to cross over from the Ffestiniog, passing two class 57s waiting to form a charter to Dumfries at 1610 (which was shown on the board!). The Conwy Valley was a nice run and I decided not to risk a tight change at Llandudno Junction and Chester by going to Llandudno and back first, so bailed at the Junction to await the 1618 to Chester. It arrived as the back portion of the Holyhead service and filled in a gap in my books, being required 158834 (833-836). We left slightly late and it was a speedy scenic run along to Chester arriving at 1708.


Then I boarded the 1735 Virgin service to London Euston, formed of 221108, a busy journey later, nothing of interest with a slightly late arrival into Euston on platform 18. I rapidly made my way to the Victoria Line, joining car 11051 to Victoria, 4 mins after stepping off the Voyager, then up to the 2000 Gatwick Express service to Gatwick formed of 387201/227/225. After a good journey and a catch up with the OBS, who I had known for a few years, I crossed to join the 2040 service to Crawley, formed of 377470/203, then just caught a delayed bus home and slumped into my bed for the night.

 

[Kite159]

Shame about the weather but what can you really do about it?

Another varied day and isn't the 16:18 Chester the one which runs fast to Chester?

 

[James Wake]

Shame about the weather but what can you really do about it?

Another varied day and isn't the 16:18 Chester the one which runs fast to Chester?

Semi fast, stopped at a few stations, the 1646 (from Holyhead) the tight connection I mentioned is fast to Chester. I saw it from the Voyager so the connection would've made. Yep, shame about the weather but an enjoyable day.

 

[Kite159]

Semi fast, stopped at a few stations, the 1646 (from Holyhead) the tight connection I mentioned is fast to Chester. It was a 175/0, I saw it from the Voyager. Yep, shame about the weather but an enjoyable day.

I know there was one service which is odd in being an all station stopper from Holyhead to Llandudno Junction then fast to Chester. At least the ~08:50 Manchester - Holyhead is fast west of Llandudno [calls at Bangor only].

 

[James Wake]

Day 6: “Arrgh! Of all of them I need!”

Day 6 started with a bus from my home in Northgate to Gatwick Airport. I intended to catch the 0910 GWR service to Reading, which runs fast from Guildford to Reading. However as I was on the bus I checked National Rail and found it was cancelled. So instead I headed for the 0856 to London Victoria, as I was planning to catch the 1042 Reading to Cardiff, so I needed to be at Paddington by 1015. The 0856 was busy with no seats, so I let it go in favour of the 0906 Gatwick Express service, formed of 387225 and presumably 227 from last night for a not particularly quick run to Victoria, arriving at 0946.


I decided to go to Paddington via Oxford Circus, so train 212 with car 11086 took me on a Victoria Line service to Oxford Circus, then again on the Bakerloo I caught train 221 (on the same trip as on day 4) this time with car 3543 leading and I was on Paddington concourse by 1010. I walked smartly to platform 4 to board the awaiting HST to Cardiff Central, 43069/179 doing the honours and bang on time we were speeding west to Reading. An uneventful journey followed until halfway between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, when we began to slow. Turns out the 0945 Swansea was only running on one power car and we had caught it up. Rather than delaying it for us to get past, we crawled behind it to Newport, and then further trains got put in front of us. My plan to get to Treherbert then clear another couple of Valley Branches was shot to pieces as we arrived 20 minutes late at 1241.


I instead chose to go to Rhymney and back on the 1316, so headed to where I knew a Greggs was from the first time I visited Cardiff and then headed back to the station. I wasn’t sure what would form the Rhymney, but was hoping for the greater comfort of a 150. A 150 was indeed soon visible, but then “Arrgh! Of all of them I need!” It was one of the 4 Arriva 150s I’d already had, 150231 (Chester to Crewe on my first All Line). However as all the track was required, I still did the return trip to Rhymney, a different crew bringing the train back down as there is a train crew depot at Rhymney. We arrived back in Cardiff at 1530. I saw 43185 at this point in Intercity Swallow colours and got a nice picture, noticing its set was in reverse formation, heading for Swansea. I would see it again on the trip.


I was heading for a bed and breakfast in Weston-super-Mare, so the 1600 Taunton service would do perfectly. 150002 materialised for the journey and it was quite busy after Bristol and I was relieved to alight a few minutes late at Weston-super-Mare, grabbing dinner in the town centre and then heading to the B and B to rest and to get a good nights sleep.

 

[James Wake]

Day 7: “Why didn’t you check that before this train left”


After a fantastic breakfast in the guest house, I walked back to Weston-super-Mare to board the 0833 Voyager to Bristol Temple Meads to try and get the 0900 to Paddington. 220021 did the honours, getting a seat for the short trip into Bristol. Straight across onto the awaiting HST, formed of 43179/069. Eagle eyed readers will notice it’s the same set I had to Cardiff the day before. I only realised as we were nearly at Swindon. The train was fairly busy, but not excessively. The HST from Cheltenham was coming in alongside at Swindon and I saw on the signalling diagram that my HST would leave first, so I stayed put. I noticed the ex-Cheltenham train was in reverse formation and then thought as the doors locked on my set, is 43185 leading as I need it for haulage? As we pulled out, I saw the distinctive livery and thought “Why didn’t you check that before this train left”. I decided to bail at Reading, so had a 10 minute wait there as the Cheltenham service also called at Didcot.


43185/136 were soon arriving at Reading and I boarded for the trip into Paddington arriving at about 1050. I once again headed for the tube to Kings Cross St Pancras, Circle Line train 207 led by car 21478 eventually came in after a nearly 10 minute wait. I was heading for the 1200 Inverness service to York so I could get another HST ride in. I managed to locate the correct platform before it was advertised, so after confirming it was 43272/307 I boarded quickly to take seat B63 behind the train managers office and awaited departure. Someone else also boarded just behind me and took seat B66 across the way (especially as pretty much all other seats in the coach were reserved) The train was quite busy out of Kings Cross, a few standing in the vestibules, but the train manager managed to get through the whole train from the back, reaching us at the front just before Doncaster. I alighted at York and saw the HST leave for Inverness.


I was heading to Sheffield, so decided to catch the 1411 service to Leeds via Harrogate, formed of 144019, which left 15 minutes late due to the unit having a few problems. As a result we were held at one of the next stations for the York bound train to clear the single line. After Harrogate the train ran fast to Horsforth then Leeds, so we weren’t too late arriving into Leeds. I then boarded very busy 185137 to take me across to Huddersfield, where I had just long enough to catch the 1613 Sheffield service, but it was rammed, so I let it go and rested at Huddersfield, sadly not getting to meet Felix, but 144014 took me to Sheffield at 1713 with a slightly late arrival at 1837, a quick Burger King then a walk to the Premier Inn and my bed for the night. The last day of my fourth ALR was almost here.

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good couple days

 

[James Wake]

Day 8: The ups and downs of railway staff encounters


Sorry for the hold up, completely forgot to put the last day up


The last day of my ALR arrived with breakfast in the Premier Inn in Sheffield then a 20 minute walk to the station. My first train was the reason I had come to Sheffield, with 142034 forming the 0803 Sheffield to Cleethorpes via Brigg service. Just before departure the guard made sure people going to Grimsby or Cleethorpes knew this would take longer than the following TPE service. We set off on time and it was an enjoyable journey over the rare track, and arriving on time into Cleethorpes. 185148 was waiting with the next Manchester Airport train, which I took as far as Doncaster, sat on a tip up seat behind the front cab, and arriving into Doncaster around an hour later at 1138.


I checked the 1215 Leeds VTEC (as it was then) departure but it was rather busy so boarded the 1226 stopper, formed of 322483, which got very busy after Wakefield as there was football on in Leeds. Upon arrival at Leeds at 1315 I made a quick escape on 185130 on the Manchester Piccadilly TPE service. We got slightly delayed by a Northern stopper so I just missed the 1415 Euston service, so decided to take the 1435 instead.


390125 was waiting with the 1435 departure, and I decided to treat myself to first class upgrade as it was a Saturday, so went right to the front of the train to the first row of seats behind the kitchen. This is where things went downhill, one of the staff was sat there and had all her stuff on the double seat opposite. She demanded I go two coaches down the train, not even one row of seats back was good for her, so she nearly sent me into an anxiety attack, due to my autism and only feeling comfortable in certain seats. I ended up walking back down the train and found on the platform the station team leader and then the train manager, who said to explain and see if she would let me sit in the second row. The team leader was very sympathetic and wanted me to be as comfortable as possible. I then went back down the train and saw the seats behind the kitchen had become freed up, so sat down in the single one. Moments later, the same staff member came out and berated me, but eventually agreed to let me sit in the second row. All in all this put a very sour note on the journey, and I think the TM thought twice whether to take my weekend upgrade money, but did in the end. In future, if I do decide to do weekend first on VTWC again I will seek assurances from the customer service team that these problems will not materialise. We arrived in Euston and I made a hasty exit, deciding to go for a spin on a Javelin to cheer me up a bit, going to Ashford, then back across to Tonbridge and Redhill and down to Crawley to home.


I made the 10 minute walk to St Pancras International and went through to board the 1712 to Margate, formed of 395011/017, a 12 car formation. I went and got a seat at the front and awaited departure. I then saw the driver arrive and looked around to get a brief glimpse of the cab when he opened the door, but didn’t move from my seat. After he set the train up, he came back out and invited me in for a look, and took my photo in the seat, which is now my profile picture on here. After a nice couple of minutes in the cab and talking to him, I returned to my earlier seat for departure and enjoyed the run down to Ashford International, arriving at 1750.


It was then a mad dash for the 1754 Tonbridge service (terminating there due to engineering works at Sevenoaks) formed of 375819 with one of the other diagrams being a 465/9. We stopped abruptly in Tonbridge platform as one of the staff had a stop board out as an 8 car Southern service was expected so they needed all the space possible on the platform. I changed there for the 1830 diverted SouthEastern service to London Bridge, which I took as far as Redhill formed of 375829/801. Unfortunately we were delayed outside Redhill and I just missed a train heading towards Horsham, so I decided just to get the bus home, one of the usual Fastway Scania Omnicities on the 1930 service 100 back to Crawley, alighting at the end of my road in Northgate and a short walk home brought to an end another overall excellent (bar the earlier Virgin) ALR. My next ALR may be in 2019, this year I did a week on the Isle of Wight and may well write up a trip report about that soon too, but it is rather bus heavy!

 

[Kite159]

I hope you made a formal complaint about that member of catering staff being rude, some of them think the front coach is for their own private use, they don't any passengers there.

Nice driver allowing you to see the cab of the Javelin

 

[James Wake]

I hope you made a formal complaint about that member of catering staff being rude, some of them think the front coach is for their own private use, they don't any passengers there.

Nice driver allowing you to see the cab of the Javelin

I didn’t actually I don’t think, although I was super close to doing so.

It was indeed, he was a great driver.

 

[Mag_seven]

This is where things went downhill, one of the staff was sat there and had all her stuff on the double seat opposite. She demanded I go two coaches down the train, not even one row of seats back was good for her, so she nearly sent me into an anxiety attack, due to my autism and only feeling comfortable in certain seats. I ended up walking back down the train and found on the platform the station team leader and then the train manager, who said to explain and see if she would let me sit in the second row. The team leader was very sympathetic and wanted me to be as comfortable as possible. I then went back down the train and saw the seats behind the kitchen had become freed up, so sat down in the single one. Moments later, the same staff member came out and berated me, but eventually agreed to let me sit in the second row. All in all this put a very sour note on the journey, and I think the TM thought twice whether to take my weekend upgrade money, but did in the end. In future, if I do decide to do weekend first on VTWC again I will seek assurances from the customer service team that these problems will not materialise.

Not this Coach K issue again - there was quite a long thread about it some time ago:

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/vtwc-coach-k-single-seats.143589/

This issue really does need VTWC Management attention given the shocking anti customer attitude displayed here by albeit a single member of staff.

 

[James Wake]

Not this Coach K issue again - there was quite a long thread about it some time ago:

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/vtwc-coach-k-single-seats.143589/

This issue really does need VTWC Management attention given the shocking anti customer attitude displayed here by albeit a single member of staff.

Unfortunately Yes, it's very disappointing that this seems to be a regular issue, if I'd have known it wasn't company policy I'd have stood my ground. Hopefully I'll stumble across that particular Pendolino one day and get a better ride on it.

 

[robbeech]

Even if it was company policy you should stand your ground with an attitude like that.
LNER hst coach J seem to have similar issues, though it’s worth noting I haven’t had any issues since it was VTEC (not that it ought to make a difference)