Andy's Wanderings

[Techniquest]

Just caught up with lots of your reports. You've been busy. I like the way you highlight winning trains and stations in red. I might borrow that idea if you don't mind?

I too like that idea, but it's a little difficult to do that when typing up trip reports via the app. Probably is an easy way to do it, but I haven't seen it yet. I've also taken to using memo files on my phone then copy-pasting them into the app and posting trip reports that way. Easier than carrying around notebooks to write it all up into then type it all up on here too. That's how I got the Great Escape trip reports done so quickly!

Looked up that tablet, about £178 on Amazon. It does look good, but they all seem to be WiFi-only which isn't much good to me. Going to continue looking into them, even if it means I go for the much cheaper Galaxy Tab 3 for now. We sell tablets at my place of work so shall try to find time on Tuesday before work to have a closer look at them.

 

[andyb2706]

Just caught up with lots of your reports. You've been busy. I like the way you highlight winning trains and stations in red. I might borrow that idea if you don't mind?

By all means and to be honest I think I saw it somewhere before myself and just started to use it. Keep an eye out for more reports coming later this week....I've got a 1 1/2 weeks off work so plenty of scope starting tomorrow
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I too like that idea, but it's a little difficult to do that when typing up trip reports via the app. Probably is an easy way to do it, but I haven't seen it yet. I've also taken to using memo files on my phone then copy-pasting them into the app and posting trip reports that way. Easier than carrying around notebooks to write it all up into then type it all up on here too. That's how I got the Great Escape trip reports done so quickly!

Looked up that tablet, about £178 on Amazon. It does look good, but they all seem to be WiFi-only which isn't much good to me. Going to continue looking into them, even if it means I go for the much cheaper Galaxy Tab 3 for now. We sell tablets at my place of work so shall try to find time on Tuesday before work to have a closer look at them.

I produce my reports on a word document and then copy and paste into the message box, then I go through it highlighting the required sections.

Unfortunately unless you are willing to enter into a contract with a phone company for a tablet that is 4G most tablets are wifi only. The solution I have for my tablet is that with my current phone is with Vodafone and I get a 9 Gig of allowance of data a month which has been split between my phone and a dongle that the phone company has supplied so I use that to surf the web with the tablet. Alternatively if you are not tied into a contract apparently 3 is a decent company because you can use your current phone and go sim only contract with them and for £20ish you can use your phone to tether with a tablet and get 4 Gig of data allowance a month through tethering and unlimited data, unlimited calls and unlimited text for the phone. My current contract expires in December and am looking at doing that as I still like my phone and it would be a fraction of the cost per month.

The tablet has good sound and picture quality for any music or video you download plus I have the kindle app on it.

A machine that can play music, watch videos on, read my books,do my train logs and look at Railforums on it......does life get any better?
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East Coast Escapade Day 1 - Monday 20th April 2015

Had a late night last night and it was turned midnight before I went to sleep so when the alarm went off this morning at 5am I was not amused and wondered whether in should have another hour in bed, took me all of two minutes to decide not to but to get up. The kettle was put on immediately for a coffee and sandwiches for breakfast and lunch prepared before jumping into the shower to try and wake me up, didn't really work though, oh well I've been looking forward to this trip so I am not going to let anything stop me now. Sandwiches ready, coffee being drunk, bag packed and only one more thing to sort out and that is to sort out he cats food for the two days and then I'm ready to leave.

Today and tomorrow is pure blind luck. I have had no access to any gen for either of these days.

Upon opening the front door I was hit by how cold it was with a beautiful blue sky and ground mist rolling across the field opposite which kind of puts a hop into my stride for the 10 minute walk across the field to get to the tram stop at Wythenshawe Park. On arriving at the tram stop my tram to Cornbrook was just approaching he platform so it was a mad dash to the ticket machine to purchase my ticket, the change seemed to be dropping really slowly but luckily the tram driver was good enough to wait for me, and I was glad because the tram was 3087 my first haulage for the day turns out to be my first red pen for the day and to see I only needed 11 of the trams that are in operation this is a good start. Travelling through Sale Water Park today was very scenic with a touch of ground frost and ground mist rolling over he fields and Merseyside river wih beautiful blue sky, what a glorious morning.

On arriving at Cornbrook only had 3 minutes to wait for my tram to Piccadilly and to say it was a cold morning it didn't feel too bad being stood on the platform which is unusual as it is normally a very cold station. When the tram arrived I saw the number and had a funny feeling so jumped on board and that 3092 was also a new red pen for the day, okay, two for two on the Metrolink what a start!?

A good run was had into Piccadilly and it was a stroll upstairs and headed straight for a Costa for my second coffee of the day and then found that the next train to York was the 0712 to Scarborough from platform 13 so with ten minutes to walk over I was able to take my time and make notes of what was in the station. At platform 13 I had a few minutes to wait and realised the train was formed of 2 units, one only going as far as York while the other continues to Scarborough so with nine units still required I had double the chance of needing the unit, I couldn't be that lucky.....could I!?
I'm going to put the lottery on today, 0712 to Scarborough rolled in with 185142 which was not needed while the second unit 185104 was a required red pen so three for three so far today. What was the odds of that. I settle down on the train to my coffee and breakfast and wonder whether I should quit and head off home while I am ahead....didn't take me thirty seconds to laugh of that thought.

A quick question. Why is it that whenever I travel the Trans Pennine route whatever the weather is like Manchester side of the Pennines the weather Yorkshire side is the total opposite, beautiful blue skies Manchester side while as soon as we exit Stanedge tunnel at Marsden it was cloudy, dull and misty in places.

On arriving at Leeds I was surprised to find that we arrived on platform 12 instead of the usual platform that he TPE's arrive on, the journey to here although busy passed very quickly, maybe because of breakfast and the typing up of this report. We leave Leeds a couple of minutes down but I still have plenty of time for my connection at York. I missed anything that was on Neill Hill because I was staring at a massive structure that was going up off the railway on the right hand side. It looked like a massive high hangar, the type that they build ships in, just one problem I don't believe there is any sea port around Neville Hill! Any idea what is being built?

Arrived at York a couple of minutes late but still had time to take a few photos and head off to the platform for my train to Darlington. While I was waiting 43378 and 43366 was in the station working the 0845 to Plymouth and was departing on time but no sooner had the train started to move the platform staff raised both their arms and blew sharply on the whistle and the train came to an abrupt stop and it took another 6 minutes before the train departed,no idea what went on. Definitely buying a lottery ticket later today when I eventually get to Newcastle, this is now getting embarrassing when the 0850 to Newcastle is formed of 220002, that is now four for four thankfully I am only going as far as Darlington on this service the Voyagers are so uncomfortable and cramped.

On arriving at Darlington I head to platform 3 for the 0931 to Saltburn, I've come up to his area to try and get some more 142's for red penning so sods law has been implemented. All the trains so far have been good ones for me so why is it the first 142 (142017) is a dud? Anyhow a trip out to Thornaby to pick up my next 142 will give me a new shack so not all bad news.

These next few runs are tightly timed, but if it should work I will do the four diagrams that I have been able to work out but I still have no idea what working them except that they should be 142 units. So you can imagine my nervousness when the train from Thornaby turns up 4 minutes late and I only have a connection time of 4 minutes at my next station. As a famous football manager once said this was a squeaky but time.However on a brighter note the train was formed of 142095, which not only did I require for haulage but one of the few I still needed for sightings.

Thankfully Eagles Cliffe is an island platform so there was no footbridge I needed to cross and I was able to get myself in position on the platform as a dud 142065 came trundling around the corner, it too a few minutes late, which made this trip a bit of a tight run. I had a choice to make, the original plan was to go through to Middlesbrough on his train for a new shack but I only had two minutes connecting time for my return journey and guess what...This train was running 2 minutes late! The second option was to bail at Thornaby to guarantee getting my train back, I took a gamble and it worked....just!

At Middlesbrough I bailed quickly, went the wrong way to begin with to get to platform 1 but just made the guards door as he was about to close the others and I boarded 142027, another success for the day and this time I would be staying on this train until the end of the line at Bishop Aukland. On the journey back towards Darlington we passed a couple of freight trains operated by 66's which was a bonus, the remainder of the journey to Darlington was uneventful. I wanted to travel to Bishop Auckland for two reasons, one because it is a new shack and two to see if you could see the new Hitachi train works at Newton Aycliffe. As to the second point all you can see is the top of the factory as the grounds were surrounded by man made hills, the nearest station is Heighington.

At Bishop Aukland I got off the train to take a picture of it and then re boarded straight away. I was not waiting for another two hours for the next train.

Back at Darlington I do not have long to wait for my train up to Newcastle and Cross Country dud 221129 arrives, on the half hour journey up to Newcastle I got to thinking about future train fleets and came up with this pie in the sky idea while having lunch . As the HST's become available from East Coast and First Great Western some should be transferred to Cross Country to replace the Voyagers as they are so crampt and uncomfortable for long journeys and with the new Northern and TPE franchises stating new units for both with 125mph for TPE to fill the gap between ordering HST's in five car formation to TPE and cascade the 185's to Northern and then in a few years time Northern would have new stock and the 185's.....ah the things I dream about.

Anyhow back to reality half an hour later I arrived Newcastle and have a short wait for my first trip with the 1245 to Metro Centre, I've done this trip before but I still can't figure out why they run this service for such a short distance although I should not be complaining because it brings me my next red pen of the day 156480, not the 142 that should be diagrammed on it, hope this is not the sign of things to come.

At the Metro Centre I have 20 minutes to bask in the warm sun until my train, the 1316 to Nunthorpe arrives and normal service has resumed with another newbie for me in the form of 142026 for my journey to my next destination which will be a new shack for me. I stayed on this train after it left Newcastle and got my first close up glimpse of the Tyne & Wear Metro, I didn't realise you could sit next to the driver! Can't wait for later this year when I am back up here for a day on the T&W.

At Heworth I leave this train and cross to the opposite platform for the 1342 to Hexham formed of 142016, the plan was to go as far as Blaydon on this train where I had 4 minutes until my return journey, however the train was 2 minutes late arriving and by the time we were approaching Metro Centre we were 4 minutes late so I decided to jump off here instead so as not to chance missing my next train, which was 142022 back to Newcastle, where I noted for the first time 67015 was stabled in the siding.

I had only a 5 minute wait before my next train which was 142071 back to Heworth copping more T&W for sighting, there is so much scope for me with the T&W when I'm hopefully back up here in November. After a few minutes wait 142089 arrives to take me back to Metro Centre where I have a 20 minute wait for my next train and we're I was good as I called into Greggs and came out with a diet drink and fruit only!

After the shock of that revelation I was calmed down when 156463 arrived to whisk me back to Newcastle.
At Newcastle I only have 15 minute wait for my next trip which will take me to a new shack along the Hadrian's Wall line and 156469 arrives to take me, once you get beyond the Metro Centre the scenery starts to become very beautiful, one day I will have to do the full length none stop.

I chose to go to Prudhoe for this shack attack but when I passed through Wylam I realised a future visit is required to photograph the massive gantry that goes over the railway with the signal box on it. At Prudhoe I left my train and crossed to the opposite platform by the old fashioned wrought iron footbridge for a ten minute wait for my train back, here I noticed a lovely looking pub called the Adam & Eve warrants a visit at some point, I've already got plans for Freedom of the North East card for later this year I now think I may have to do another next year! My 14th red pen for the day arrives in the former of 142086 for a rather longer journey than normal as this time I am going through to Sunderland to grab a few more T&W stock, I also didn't realise that the T&W shared national rail network in places.

Sunderland turns out to be my final new station for the day and I have to say I am not too impressed, it's dark and dindgy station which I could not wait to get away from I though Birmingham New Street was bad, so it was not a disappointment for me when a dud 142071 arrived to take me back to Newcastle, now I had a dilemma. It was approaching 1745 and I had three choices:
1. Get the 1759 to York, have 30 minutes there, enough time for a beer at The York Tap, get the 1931 to Doncaster then the 2028 to Peterborough for my bed for the night.
2. Go and have a beer and food in Newcastle and then get the 1906 to Peterborough.
3. See what I needed for haulage and get that but I did need to get the same train to Peterborough and sort out food en route somehow.

I chose the third option and I have to say it worked out pretty well. The 1759 was formed of 91117 which was required for haulage so that was my first part of the trip to York. Sandwich, crisps and drink were bought on board and I alighted at York and made straight for The York Tap on the platform. What a way to while away a bit of time on a nice warm spring evening, sitting on the platform under railway shed sipping on a real ale watching the trains go past. When the 1931 to Doncaster arrived I was still sat in pub and was pleasantly happy to find it to be a dud, so much so I forgot to make a note of what it was so I had another half an hour to kill....just enough time for another pint. At 2005 bang on time 43315 and 43206 arrived at York to take me to Peterborough, both were needed for red penning so it was quite a good end to a good day.

By the time I reached Peterborough 2115 it was dark and I got some decent night time pictures of 365's in the station this was followed by a ten minute walk to my hotel for the night I had amassed 17 new haulage and 7 new stations. Hope tomorrow will be as eventful.

 

[Techniquest]

Wow you had an incredibly productive day! Scoring stuff on Mandatory Moves is always a bonus, and I must admit to smiling when I see you went to Costa, fellow Costa fan here!

Your 142 requirements must have come down a lot after that, and agreed the Tyne Valley is a good scenic run, I've only ever done it on dull days or in the dark.

Very much enjoyed the read, as is usually the case, and looking forward to the rest of the trip report when it's ready!

 

[crehld]

Great read. An extremely productive day there. Good work sir! Your 142 requirements are far less than mine, but then I have four Northern Day rangers to make use of next month

 

[andyb2706]

East Coast Escapade Day 2 - Tuesday 21st April 2015

Since doing this trip what a hetic week I have had and had no time to type this report up. At the time of writing this I am sat on a train on the way down to Exeter starting my next trip, hopefully I will be able to get the Exeter trip written before I begin my next! I still need to come up with a name for the Exeter trip. Anyhow, more on that in future reports. Carry on reading for part two of my East Coast Escapade.

Up at the crack of dawn I was breakfasting in the room as I had one of those Oat so Simple Just Add Water pots and a banana so by 7am I was ready to check out and return to Peterborough station for what I hoped would be a fruitful day, I have to say now that the idea of the East Coast Escapade was to spend the entire time on the East Coast, the went a bit awry towards the end but that will become clear when I get to that. Back to this morning, it was another beautiful sunny morning wih the birds singing, people shaking hands and hugging with the joys of spring.....well maybe in the wonderful world of Andy and maybe it should be in the real world as the world wold be a lot better but at least it was a beautiful spring morning.

My first journey was on board the 0715 to London Kings Cross formed of 3 x 4 car 365 units, all three I needed for haulage but I got on board 365508 and decided to go as far as Huntingdon for my first new shack, if I am not mistaken this used to be the constituency that former Prime Minister John Major represented. It wasn't until it had pulled out and left me standing on the platform at Huntingdon I realised I had made a mistake and could have got an extra unit and station just by jumping on one of the other two units at Huntingdon...doh!!!! I didn't have to wait long for he next service to come which was the 0740 to London Kings Cross and was formed of a pair of 365's of the two 365523 was the only decent unit so of course I climbed aboard this unit for the journey to Biggleswade, second new shack, I have to say here there are some really catchy names for stations throughout the county...Biggleswade, I just like it.

At Biggleswade (sorry I just like saying it in my head as I type the name) I have ten minutes to wait for my next trip and it should be a 321 unit, so to my delight it was a triple set of 321's all required and plenty of shacks to cop as well so I will just list the three and the journey below as I positioned myself at the door nearest the next unit so it was just a quick hop onto he platform and back on through the next door:
321409 Biggleswade (had to say it one last time)to Arlesey
321420 Arlesey to Stevenage
321404 Stevenage to Finsbury Park

At Finsbury Park it was time to start the real reason for being down here and that was to knock some of the 28 Class 313's that I required for red penning. I started off pretty well with a double units on the 0856 to Gordon Hill so I had 313018 to Bowes Park were I dashed onto the other unit 313043 to Winchmore Hill where I crossed over to the opposite platform for yet another two unit train forming the 0917 to Moorgate and yet again both were needed so 313029 to Palmers Green were I hopped off and on to 313052 to Harringay, here I only had three minutes to get my next train which meant a mad dash across to the opposite platform and for the first time today I only needed one of the two units on this train in the form of 313032 to Hadley Wood.

Hadley Wood is a station I could spend some time at just taking photographs as the station is situated between two tunnels but plenty of greenery and serenity, well it was when I was there. I'm particularly proud of my photo of the Grand Central 180 that came through while I was there. The train following the GC was my next red pen service formed of 313055 to take me to my next new shack of New Barnet resulting in another station on the East Coast knocked off my required list.
At New Barnet a quick hop to the opposite platform resulted in my next score of the day and I hoped they would just keep coming with 313040 to take me to Brookmans Park. From here another three red pens followed in quick succession with 313062 to Hatfield, 317345 Hatfield to Potters Bar and 313042 from Potters Bar to Welham Green with the final station being a needed Shack.

Welham Green, what can I say, an excellent location for photography especially on a nice sunny day like I had, with its long straight section of track....unless you are me, I must have mucked up about half a dozen decent shots, either chopping off front or back potions of trains, having the camera on the wrong setting and the train being blurred, managed to get a few though. My next haulage was aboard 313059.

This train terminates at Welwyn Garden City so I can go no further, which is a good thing because it is another tick on my station list. By now I'm beginning to feel hungry but it's only just turned 11am so a bit early for lunch so out comes realtime trains to plan my next move to incorporate a visit to a Tesco to pick up some lunch as I have a £2.50 voucher there appears to be a 1123 to Kings Cross formed of a 365, when the train arrives it is formed of 365519 wrapped in advertising vynls and is a good one to take me to London Kings Cross.

At Kings Cross I left the station to purchase lunch were, with the coupon a £3 meal deal with a few extra bits and bobs only cost me £1.10, I'm happy when things like this happen.
So with my lunch purchased I head back to London Kings Cross to find a suitable train to sit on and have my lunch,it didn't take long to find a pair of required 365's working the 1222 to Peterborough which I jump on, first 365516 to Finsbury Park followed by 365524 from Finsbury Park to Stevenage which gives me time to eat and relax.

At Stevenage I decide it's time to have a proper bash on the Hertford Loop line and 313033 arrives to form the next Moorgate service via Hertford so I jump on board and travel to Cuffley where I pick up a dud 313032 to Hertford North. At this point I would like to state I quite like this line, the stations are tranquil and appears to be remote. My type of countryside station...either that or the warm sunny weather has got me in an extremely good mood.
Back to the reason I am here. From Hertford North it is a dud 313042 to take me to Grange Park from where 313025 helps me along to Gordon Hill where I sat and soaked up the sun waiting for my next ride to Crews Hill which was formed of 313057.

At Crews Hill I had a twenty minute wait for my next train as a little while earlier I noticed a required unit travelling in the opposite direction to me and had figured out its next working, I hoped. Surely enough I had figured it out and 313054 arrived to take me to Old Street.

Old Street was the only station I required on the Moorgate branch so they are now cleared, as we arrived a 313 unit was just departing from the opposite platform and with a heavy heart I crossed to the opposite platform thinking that the next train would be the back working of the one I had just got off, how wrong was I when ten minutes later a different units rolled in and both of he were good units for me, so I jumped in the back coach of 313044 for the short hop to Highbury and Islington where I then jumped into the back unit which was 313061 which I stayed on as far as Finsbury Park.

At Finsbury Park on the adjoining platform was a service for London Kings Cross which was formed of 317348 which being a good unit I though it would be wrong to let it go without being on it. At Kings Cross I had a fifteen minute wait for the next required unit which was 365504 and formed the 1605 to Cambridge, again another short hop to Finsbury Park were 313053 took me to Hornsey.

At Hornsey it was the start of a couple of duds, firstly with 313042 to Finsbury Park followed by 317339 to London Kings Cross. By the time I get to London Kings Cross it is approaching 1700 and one of my hates is travelling in the rush hour around London, so I decide to have a break and have a mooch around Kings Cross and St Pancras International and people watch.
At times like this I am proud to say I work for Network Rail, when you stop and look and marvel at he rebuild and restoration of St Pancras and Kings Cross it brings a lump to my throat. They are a thriving and bustling stations and the original architects, I hope are smiling down on the work that has been done on these two stations and the life that has been returned to them. I remember he old St Pancras and it changed beyond all recognition. I visit these stations several times a year and every time I go into these stations my eyes are wide open with awe and amazement....may that long continue.

Also at St Pancras something else became clear to me and that is that if you provide a good reliable service people are willing to pay premium. I believe you pay more to travel on Southeastern High Speed trains but the number of people using this service surprised me, it was as busy as the normal commuter services.

After an hour of mooching I was getting itchy feet and wanted a bit more bashing but I had got bored of travelling between Finsbury Park and Stevenage so I head down to the Thameslink station and jump aboard 319455 for the short ride to London Blackfriars, as to the comments I made abut Kings Cross and St Pancras I could repeat them about Blackfriars, what a great bit of engineering this station is built over the River Thames. From here I board 319458 to take me back to St Pancras were I realise I have had nineteen new stations today and would like to round that up to a nice twenty when I realise I have never stepped foot on to Farringdon station so back at St Pancras I cross to the opposite platform and let the first train go as they were both duds but the following train included a good 319013 to take me to Farringdon, where five minutes later I was boarding 319427 to take me back to St Pancras.
By now it has just turned 1900 so after getting off the train at St Pancras I start the ten minute walk to London Euston....

Well, I've been brought back down to earth with a bump, after all my praises for the previous three stations I come upon Euston.....not much nice to say about this station. It's dark,clostriphobic, dismal. I know Network Rail are building a mezzanine for shop etc but all that will do is bring in more revenue and make it more clostriphobic, that horrible concrete roof has to go, the designers of the 1960's and 70's should be tried for crimes against architecture .

As for travelling through Euston,what a nightmare with the building of the mezzanine and half the food court shut down the queues at the remaining food outlets to purchase dinner was huge as such the I arrived at the station twenty minutes before my train w booked to depart, by the time I had got my food and got to the train I had 3 minutes to spare! That was ridiculous. My steed home was a dud 390118.

Apart from the last few hours, basically when I arrived at Euston it has been a great two days with 17 red pens yesterday and 32 red pens today and 7 new stations yesterday and 20 new stations today that is a total for the trip of 49 red pens and 27 new shacks.....not a bad haul for two days really.

As I said, I finished typing this report up on the trip down to Exeter for my two dayer down here, still haven't come up with a name for it yet, any suggestions? But until my next report hope you all have good days out and see 'ya for now.

 

[Kite159]

I need to try and get shack attacking on the Great Northern network, maybe a job for a weekday up the loop, a Saturday for Peterborough stations, although that will probably be linear bashing [not the forward 2, back 1 style of shacking used within the zones]

Sounds like a busy couple of days

 

[Techniquest]

Andy's Up and Down Pacing (or similar) might work for your Exeter bash. First thing that came to mind anyway.

Incredibly productive day had there! I can only agree massively on Kings Cross, what a transformation! Shame it's not got any food outlets I like now, same for St Pancras there actually. Euston is one of those weird stations that I've grown kind of fond of, although I prefer New Street (bet you never thought you'd ever hear someone say that!), especially the pre-refurb New Street. I miss my New Street Burger King, I so hope we're getting it back later this year! Of course, Paddington's the favourite, although the change of access from the Hammersmith and City line will take some getting used to!

I am jealous of your bash around London, where I noted several trains I need, including 390118! I'm looking forward to hearing about your Exeter bash, l take it you didn't come down the North and West?

 

[55013]

Biggleswade, I just like it.

At Biggleswade (sorry I just like saying it in my head as I type the name)

Reminds me of the excellent Monty Python sketch "Scott Of The Sahara", "From the same team that brought you 'Lawrence Of Glamorgan', 'Bridge Over The River Trent', 'The Mad Woman Of Biggleswade' and 'Krakatoa, East Of Leamington'"

I've just had to watch it on youtube for old times sake - the lion fighting scene is one of the funniest things I've ever seen.

Anyway, sorry, I digress.
An excellent write up, thanks for posting.

 

[andyb2706]

l take it you didn't come down the North and West?

Yes i did. A class 221 from Manchester Piccadilly to Bristol Parkway:cry: Going home today I'm thinking of going up to Leeds on a HST and thwn TPE to Manchester.

 

[Techniquest]

The North and West refers to the Crewe to Newport line, it's more modern name is the Marches.

Ouch to having to suffer all that HHVA!

 

[47403]

A great read Andy, I too would suggest a trip along the length of the Tyne Valley, it's a very picturesque line, ok it's not the S&C but none less enjoyable to travel over. Ofcourse it's better travelling over it by 156 than a 142.

Andy said-Sunderland turns out to be my final new station for the day and I have to say I am not too impressed, it's dark and dindgy station which I could not wait to get away from

Yeah it's not the greatest Station in the world but still the scene of one of my fave bashing memories, where a driver opened up 37289 on a summer timetable working from Scarborough, the noise just reverberated round the place, if I could've videoed it back then, it'd be a youtube sensation among the 37 fraternity, these days, it had the hairs on my neck standing on end, I still smile now and that was nigh on 30yrs ago.

 

[andyb2706]

I've attached links to this post for photos for my East Coast trip last week.

Day One
https://www.flickr.com/photos/16858191@N03/sets/72157652189280152/

DayTwo
https://www.flickr.com/photos/16858191@N03/sets/72157651795313097/

47403 I have to say the 43's operating the Grand Central train did sound pretty good at Sunderland station, would have been better if they had their original engine.

Below is my day one of my two day trip to the South West, day two should be following shortly. Read on and I hope you enjoy.

Devonshire Delights - Monday 27th April 2015
Now I have finished my previous report for East Coast Escapade Day 2 I can start on this one, currently I am whizzing along the Great Western line between Bristol and Exeter between a pair of Cross Country 43's, more on that later.

5am my alarm goes off, my hand flings at the phone to shut the alarm up, it takes me several attempts, couple of naughty words nearly slip out of my mouth, half asleep I swing my legs out of bed and on auto pilot I head to the kitchen to put the kettle on, as I come around stood next to the kettle I realise how lucky I am that I live in a flat as don't think I could have managed any stairs this morning.

This morning is a morning of choices, great!!! All that I need when feeling more than half asleep, first was should I walk ten minutes to the nearest tram stop or drive to the multi storey at Sale and get the tram from there or drive it Manchester and bypass the tram altogether and pay extortionate prices to park until I return tomorrow night. By the time I had put my breakfast together and got coffee and got ready and had several internal battles as what to do and deciding to drive to Sale I climb in the car and realise I would be cutting that fine....great drive to Manchester then.

My next choice didn't have to be made until I got to Manchester and that was either to go via London, which would take an extra hour but totally miss out Cross Country Voyager service. At Manchester 390049, which was required for haulage was forming 0715 to London Euston while the dud 221125 was forming the 0707 to Bristol Temple Meads, you guessed it I took the dud Cross Country and bit the bullet seeing this trip was about First Great Western local services out of Exeter so Virgin Trains and First Great Western HST's can be left for another time. This trip is going to be more about quality than quantity.

I settled into my seat as comfortable as possible and set in to my breakfast, a ham and cheese spread bagel and a coffee. The journey from Stockport to Birmingham was even more uncomfortable as the train became busier and sat one row forward on the other side was a work colleague and really I didn't want see me as I had things to do and wanted to be left alone. If he had been a work colleague friend that would have been a different matter but he was someone I wouldn't go to the pub with for a pint. So for the entire journey to Birmingham I was skulking in my chair either dozing or doing some typing for my previous trip report.

From Birmingham the service quietened down and was a bit more roomy, looking at realtime trains I noticed that there was quite a wait a Bristol Temple Meads for my onward service to Exeter so upon investigation I found that if I got off the XC Voyager at Bristol Parkway there was a local FGW service to Weston-Super-Mare calling at Bristol Temple Meads.

At Bristol Parkway, which has an added bonus as a new shack for me, I alight the awful Voyager and wait for the local service to Bristol Temple Meads which was formed of 150106.

At Bristol I have a twenty minute wait for my onward journey to Exeter and when it arrives it is formed of 43301 and 43207 of Cross Country, I have to say I am impressed wih the interior of these mark 3 coaches and have come up with another possibility for future use of ex FGW an East Coast HST's.....let Cross Country have them then they can do them up to the same standard as their other HST stock and get rid of he Voyagers.

At Exeter St Davids I just miss the Exmouth service but it was formed of a 150 unit while I am chasing 143 units so I am not too bothered, then a service to Paignton arrives formed of 143619, a dud...darn!!! So I let that go. I have fifteen minutes to wait for my next service towards Exmouth so I nip over to the far side of the station to see what can be seen on the depot . There on the depot were a couple of 150 units, a 153 unit and three of the 143 units I require...fabulous!! Just hope they come off the depot during the day. So back to platform 1 and the 1216 to Exmouth arrives formed of 150129 (still no 143) but it is still needed. As we arrive at Exeter Central I notice two 143's 143611 and 143603 going in he opposite direction, both required so a quick check on realtime trains and I think I have figured out their back workings for later in the day.

At Digby & Sowton I get off the train and have about a ten minute wait for a return trip formed of 150128 on the 1242 to Paignton. Where I go as far as Exeter Central for a new shack, I cross to the opposite platform and it is only now that I realise that there is such a climb coming out from Exeter St Davids! Only after a few minutes waiting a 143 comes up the bank, could this be the first of my required six?....short answer no! 143612 trundled into the platform for my trip to Exmouth, as a required shack the disappointment of a dud unit was diminished.

On my arrival at Exmouth I had a 30 minute wait for my return journey to ensure I get a different unit so it was straight out of the station and to the nearest Wetherspoons for a quick half, the pub was called Powder Monkey. On my return to the station 150124 was waiting to take me back to Exeter St Davids to pick up the two earlier 143's that I saw and needed for haulage.

Just one problem, on arriving on the platform for my train back towards Exmouth there was an announcement stating the Exmouth service was a four coach train but there was already a 143 stood on the platform, not an issue though as it was one of the three I saw on the sidings earlier on in the form of 143621, just a little confusing as time wore on the announcements continued until a 143 pulled in behind 143621 to couple up and it turned out to be one of the two I had seen earlier and we're chasing.....so what has happened to the other one then !? That was soon answered as before we had the chance to leave 143603 (the second unit from earlier on) turned up with 143620 which is one of the missing..Eureka!!!

Next thing was to work out what service it was working and that turned out to be the 455 to Paignton. I then departed on 143621 to travel as far as Lympstone Village, which I did not realise was only just down the road from were our Royal Marine Commandos train, although the name of the station next to the camp called Lympstone Commandos should have given it away really.

At Lympstone Village I alighted the train to wait for its back working ten minutes later, just enough time to pop down onto the road and a quick mooch around the village before popping back up onto the station for the train back towards Exeter and a new red pen on 143611. The journey back was quite alarming at one stage when as we picked up a passenger at Lympstone Commandos there was a well muscular bloke carrying kit bags towards the exit gate of he camp, that was not the alarming point hour because as we pulled out of the station you could see some military personnel on training and guns seemed to be pointed towards the railway!

At Exeter I decided to stay on board and have a run out to Dawlish to pick up those required 143's that were working the Paignton service earlier. At Dawlish I got off the train and another shack in the book as well. I had a twenty minute wait for the arrival of the service to Exmouth and this time it went to plan, I travelled on 143603 to Exeter St Davids and then 143620 to Exeter Central where my hotel is situated right outside the station and seeing it was 5pm I thought it was time to check in and freshen up a bit.

I returned to the station at 6pm and found that he next train to Exeter St Davids was another 25 minutes off and the service looks sporadic to and from Central. I take this as a sign. Grab some food and have an early night to be refreshed for the morning.

6 new shacks and 10 quality red pen numbers isn't bad for a day down here. Time to plan my moves and needs for tomorrow, I still need two FGW 143's and if I can knock off more 150's and maybe a couple more Cross Country HST's I will be happy.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16858191@N03/sets/72157652190458126/

 

[Techniquest]

Quite the productive day down in Devon, certainly will have filled the books somewhat!

 

[47403]

Yes very good Andy, you've certainly got the red pen doing overtime. Hope the 2nd day is as productive for you.

 

[alexf380]

A fantastic day was had by the sounds of it! Hope the weather was better than it is up here, pouring down with rain for 4 days straight. Looking forward to hearing about day 2.

 

[47403]

A fantastic day was had by the sounds of it! Hope the weather was better than it is up here, pouring down with rain for 4 days straight. Looking forward to hearing about day 2.

Alex its always raining up there mate

 

[andyb2706]

A fantastic day was had by the sounds of it! Hope the weather was better than it is up here, pouring down with rain for 4 days straight. Looking forward to hearing about day 2.

Hi Alex,

It was sunny spells down in Devon and Gloucestershire as my photos will attest to

Great Great Western Wander - Tuesday 28th April 2015

Got up this morning with the best sleep in a hotel for ages, actually it was so good and comfy I was wrapped up in my duvet I didn't want to get up for different reasons than yesterday morning.

The plan for today was to do a bit of hopping on and off the trains around Exeter and then head off about 1430 on the Cross Country HST's to Leeds to avoid the Voyagers. Breakfast this morning was planned to visit the Gregg's I saw in the city centre last night for a bacon roll and coffee, unfortunately I was too early and it wasn't open yet so two doors down was a McDonald's and after purchasing a bacon roll and coffee from there it was off to Exeter Central for my first train of the day, I needed to get to Exeter St Davids so I could evaluate the plan for the day so whatever came first I would get on to get into position, luckily it was a new one for me and it was not First Great Western but a South West Trains 159019.

At Exeter St Davids I check the depot and the two required 143's are still on the depot with 143617 still under the tent, don't think there is much chance of that one moving today! I wait for the first train to arrive that I need, with saying that I didn't need to wait long and 153370 arrived with the 0842 to Paignton and decided to travel to Torre for a new shack and had a two minute connection back towards Exeter. De-ja-vu hit as I jumped off the 153 at Torre my return trip pulled out of the station, still not learnt from Bramley!! I had a twenty minute wait for the next train which would have been the train I had just got off but seeing it was a lovely sunny day and I wasn't too far from Torquay I decided to walk to Torquay and pick up a train from there.

At Torquay I started to recall a holiday I had down here a few years ago and brought back many happy memories and realised I needed another holiday here doing all the tourist things. At the station there is a temporary footbridge in use while major work is carried out on the covered footbridge for a dud 221139 to Teignmouth.

At Teignmouth I had about a twenty minute wait for my next train and I just sat there chilling watching HST trains whizz through the station, eventually 153329 and 150232 arrived to form the 1053 to Paignton for my journey to Newton Abbot on the 153 where I then moved through to the 150 for the final leg of this journey back to Torre, this time I made sure I had enough time for the connection!

At Torre I had a comfortable eight minute wait for my next ride and was disappointed to find that the dud 150128 was my next ride, but only as far as Newton Abbot, at this point I was at some quandary, should I head further East from Newton Abbot into virgin territory of Plymouth or should I head West back to Bristol where I know for a fact after seeing what was knocking around there yesterday I was guaranteed new haulages and still required loads of stations. I had ten minutes to think about this as I didn’t have to make a decision until I arrived at Newton Abbot.

Newton Abbot, decision time and I did have two options. The 1145 to Plymouth or the 1150 to London Paddington, I decided on the latter. So Jumped aboard 43063 and 43078 for the trip to Exeter St Davids where I had to change onto 220001 for the hours trip to Bristol Temple Meads. This train was the 1224 to Dundee, this sent a shiver down my spine which poor soul would have to travel on a Class 220 from Exeter to Dundee, thankfully not me!

Only thing to report from this journey is the couple of 66’s sighted in the Fairwater Sidings just outside of Taunton. At Bristol Temple Meads I hunted down my next target which was 150101 for a short trip to Filton Abbey Road but for some reason on leaving Bristol we were brought to a stand for five minutes alongside Barton Hill Depot and there was nothing on the depot to make notes of, typical usually you fly past theses depots and there is plenty of stuff going past at a blur, but this time when you are brought to a stand…nothing! Looked like they were having some problems because everything had been stood.

At Filton Abbey Road I alight this train and have only about five minutes to wait for the service to Bristol Parkway which is formed of 158763, this is where a decision has to be made. If you remember from the beginning of this report I had said that I would get the Cross Country HST mid-afternoon to Leeds to avoid a Voyager service to Manchester….having second thoughts now as I am enjoying myself too much down here and I have figured out from Manchester you could easily do a day trip to Bristol, get the 0707 from Manchester to Bristol arriving just turned 1000 and get the 1900 back to Manchester arriving at 2207. Something for me to think about in the future, but now back to this choice. I’ve also noted on realtime trains that there is a Cross Country HST booked at Bristol Parkway to go to Plymouth. Decision made, bite the bullet and get the 1900 Voyager service back to Manchester and carry on hopping on and off First Great Western trains.

At Bristol Parkway I cross to the opposite platform to await my train back to Bristol Temple Meads, with the sun behind me I get some cracking pictures from the platform. Then I here an announcement for the 1423 FGW service to Weymouth….ooo a stopping local service, very good chance of a new unit and I could get a new shack out of this so a minute of choice and 150248 rolls in, I jump on board. I can get the Cross Country HST anywhere in the country so it was a no brainer.

Two station down the line at Stapleton Road I jump off as I would only have a five minute wait for a service along the Severn Beach branch, so I cross to the opposite platform and wait a few minutes and 150925 rolls in for my trip to Redland where I would have about five minutes to wait for the return journey. As we pull out of Stapleton Road the Cross Country HST service I was going to get from Bristol Parkway passed me at speed….but it wasn’t a HST but a Voyager, lucky escape!

As I am travelling on the Severn Beach branch I consult the rail atlas and notice that it is mostly single line but at the stop beyond Redland is a passing loop and I have a couple of minutes to connect with the service back so I decide to stay on the train to the next stop.
We arrive at Clifton Down a minute late and my return journey is already in the platform so I rush across the bridge and as I am getting onto the platform the train pulls out……..I NEVER LEARN!!!!! I should leave myself a minimum of five minutes connection in the future, what is worse the next train isn’t for another forty minutes and that will be the train I had just got off returning to Bristol. After a few curse words at my stupidity yet again, third time in a month…second for today!! I decide to head up top to see what is around, imagine my surprise when I realised that Clifton Down was a fully-fledged town (apologies for my ignorance if anyone on the forum is from this area) and more than that someone in the past had the bright idea to put the railway station at the heart of the town and there across the road is only what I could say would be like seeing a mirage in a huge hot desert was a Costa Coffee. Salvation for half an hour rather being sat on a platform without a chance of a train coming through. After finishing my Hazelnut Skinny Latte I realised that Redland wasn’t too far away as it was only like a minute on the train, but could I get Google Maps to work…no, so I had to settle for getting the train back from Clifton Down and great…letting out time at the school, rowdy kids on the train back which was dud 150925.

Back at Bristol Temple Meads I want to increase my red pens so what better way than a few rides on the HST’s, two for the price of one so my first trip was on the 1600 to London Paddington formed of 43164 and 43028 to the beautiful town of Bath Spa, especially when bathed in the lovely sun light that was on it this afternoon. I crossed to the opposite platform to wait for my return trip to Bristol Temple Meads in the form of 43088 and 43180.

Back at Bristol Temple Meads I worked out I could do another trip before having to start to sort out food for my trip home so I got on board 158953 for a trip through the Severn Tunnel as far as Severn Tunnel Junction were I had a short wait for a Taunton service and to my horror I saw 150232, now a dud after getting haulage on it earlier today roll in but there was a 153 on the rear in the form of 153373 and although packed I chose the 153.

I alighted this service at Bristol Temple Meads as it was approaching 1800 and noted 221137 for Manchester Piccadilly, this is a red pen need but I decide to let that go and I went on the hunt of a Wetherspoons for some food before my journey home. Temple Quays is a great open air space with plenty of bars to meet and have a few drinks on a glorious evening.

Back at Bristol Temple Meads I board 221133, a dud, great the one an hour earlier was a good one too. Anyhow the service is quiet and at least all window seats have power points so I plug in the tablet and start on today’s report for about forty-five minutes before I turn my attention to watching some TV I had downloaded, including the first episode of Peter Kay’s Car Share, I found myself laughing out loud on the train….how embarrassing. All in all though the journey went by quick and before I knew it I was back in Manchester at the end of another great trip and ended it with two pictures of Voyagers under the lights in Piccadilly shed.

With a total of 26 red pens and 12 new shacks a very productive two days, only another seven days until I start my next two day trip…already counting down the days.

Photos for the day:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16858191@N03/sets/72157651840744589/

 

[Kite159]

Sounds like a busy day

 

[Techniquest]

I'm watching the second one of Peter Kay's Car Share, not watched the first one yet but enjoying it! Not seen owt of Peter Kay for ages!

A most productive day there, and I couldn't help smiling when I read about the multiple missed trains due to short connections, I seem to never learn from my mistakes either!

Lucky escape indeed with not going after the HST when it turned up a Voyager!

 

[andyb2706]

I'm watching the second one of Peter Kay's Car Share, not watched the first one yet but enjoying it! Not seen owt of Peter Kay for ages!

A most productive day there, and I couldn't help smiling when I read about the multiple missed trains due to short connections, I seem to never learn from my mistakes either!

I'll probably miss trains in the future due to short connections, those few extra miles are always a luring.

Where have you found the second episode of car share? Got the first episode from it layer but they seem to have disappeared

 

[Techniquest]

I watched the second episode as it was showing on TV last night. Watched the first one this morning (thank you Sky+!) and loved it! Creased up laughing with the sat nav bit at the start, brilliant all the way through!

 

[andyb2706]

I watched the second episode as it was showing on TV last night. Watched the first one this morning (thank you Sky+!) and loved it! Creased up laughing with the sat nav bit at the start, brilliant all the way through!

Episode 2 has appeared on iplayer again, just downloading it. You see why I said I was laughing out loud on the train! Thank goodness I wasn't in a quiet coach.

 

[Techniquest]

I'm surprised I didn't wake the rest of the house! Can't wait for the next one, which I believe is Tuesday.

Definitely see why you were laughing out loud, Peter Kay's awesome. Not seen much of him for ages.

 

[andyb2706]

Tuesday 5th May 2015

Having just finished nights the previous morning I made the mistake of going to bed on the Monday morning until midday which meant that last night it was midnight before I got to bed resulting in me missing my alarm going off at 5am this morning, luckily only by 10 minutes but still very unusual for me, so I am typing this as I am sat still half asleep while heading south on the train.

Yesterday afternoon I had spent figuring out, hopefully, the diagrams of AGA' 90's, 1970's and 15×'so for Norwich and Ipswich so I know which trains I am heading for and hopefully no repeats as I still need the majority of the units.
I have two choices to get over to Norwich, one is to get the direct East Midlands service from Manchester to Norwich which takes more than 4 hours or go via London resulting in both Virgin Trains and AGA class 90. No contest Virgin and AGA won right out.

At 0558 I boarded my first ride for the day in the form of 3021, a dud tram to take me into the city centre, tired but feeling chilled I just sit there quietly contemplating the day ahead and before I knew it we are approaching St. Peters Square where I need to change trams to get to Manchester Piccadilly and I only had to wait for a few minutes for 3069 for Ashton to take me to Manchester Piccadilly station.

I arrive at Manchester Piccadilly for 0630 and although I arrived in time to get the 0635 to London but I decided to stay to my original plan and get the 0700 to London. This resulted in enough time to nip into Sainsbury's to buy a healthy breakfast of a roast chicken salad sandwich, a Muller Light Fruitolopis, Tropical and a banana and of course the compulsory purchase of an American from Costa Coffee, never realised how insulated the take a way cups are, the coffee is still warm at 8am when I finish it off on the train, a full 75 minutes after buying it.

The 0700 was formed of dud 390123 which only stop is Stockport to pick up only. It hadn't dawned on me until this morning that although this service would normally be busy on a Tuesday morning it is probably going to be busier than normal as yesterday was a bank holiday so it is likely you will also have the business persons who would normally go to London on the Monday to spend the week there travelling this morning. Boarding the train at coach B I find nearly enough all seats are reserved until I reach coach U, which apparently is an unreserved coach. I chose a seat and within 10 minutes I am moving seat, realising that after unpacking my bag for the trip and that this was to be a busy service I try to place my bag on the overhead self. My bag is a day rucksack and it won't fit, it appears the seat I have chosen is under one of the pantograghs as the roof is slightly lower in this part of the coach, so I move further down the coach and find the seats with a decent overhead shelf. This is where I make my second mistake of the day, the seat I choose is the first set of seats after where the pantograph ends and almost immediately I realise the seat is quite straight and with choosing the window seat and with being wide shouldered I realise this seat is going to be quite cramped for the journey to London but I am not quick enough to change again so it is only a 2 hour journey and will have to put up with it. I managed to doze throughout the journey through he journey so breakfast wasn't completed, save some for the next train.

At Euston I think Virgin was eager to get us off the train because before everyone was off the train, or even had chance to get off, the automated announcement started welcoming us to the service to Glasgow Central! At Euston I do my usual trick when wanting the Circle Line....I head off to the Northern Line! If I didn't have a set agenda for today that wouldn't have bothered me as more haulage but I was concentrating on AGA today, so after going down the stairs at Euston to the tube it was straight back up and off to Euston Square for the Circle Line. At Euston Square as I got to the platform the first good 'un for the day arrived in the form of 22354 to take me to London Liverpool Street.

At Liverpool Street I locate my train to take me as far as Colchester (a new shack) in the form of 90003, while sat in the platform next to me is 2 x360 units which are forming my journey from Colchester to Manningtree, both good units, I'm a happy boy. So I get on the 1000 to Norwich and settle down, on the wrong side of the train. I sit on he right side thinking everything to see will be on he right....oh how wrong was I as everything appeared to be on he left. I will know for the next time.

At Colchester I alight the train and wait for the 360's to arrive, the amount of 321's flying around that I need (near enough all of them to be honest!) left me drooling, but they're for another time. It was a good job I required both 360's that I saw at London Liverpool Street as only one of them turned up. So I climbed on board 360112, with its smiley face (see my photos) for the ride to Manningtree.

At Manningtree, another new shack, I left the train I was on to wait for 20 minutes for my next class 90. While I was there all that appeared was a couple more 90's, one on an AGA and the other was a Freightliner train then 90007 arrived to take me to Ipswich. Why do I have the urge to say my name is Bond, James Bond with a (bad) Scottish accent!?

At Ipswich I left this service and was instantly in Freightliner heaven with 66's,70's and 86's coming out of my ears! Think I nearly took a photograph of each one. I didn't have long to wait for the next train as it was already sitting at he opposite platform of the island platform I arrived on. This was formed of 170272 the 1158 to Peterborough for a short hop out to Stowmarket, the unit was in the AGA Green and white and looked pretty good but the interior was looking a bit tired.

At Stowmarket I bid adieu to this train and had chance to amble across to the opposite platform for a 20 minute wait for my return journey.....what? Do I finally hear you saying he has finally learnt not to leave a minute or two for connections? Carry on reading. My return to Ipswich is in the form of 90010, there is another 90 knocked of the requirements list.

Back at Ipswich I have a 15 minute wait for my next service, and in the time I have been away a couple more Freightliner locomotives have turned up in the form of a couple of 66's and a 70. I must not have done my sighting list of the class 70 too much harm in the short amount of time I've been here. My next train is the 1258 to Felixstowe formed of 153306. I had figured out this was a shuttle service and the same unit running back and forth all day so the plan was not to go all the way to Felixstowe......This decision is when my plan went slightly awry!.....to be honest, it wouldn't be one of my trips if something didn't go wrong.

Just outside Westerfield we are held up for a few minutes as there is apparently a Freightliner just in front of us and has caused us a few minutes delay, so we eventually arrive at Westerfield and up to now no worries, this is when it changes. As I said earlier I had today planned out and my next trip would have been on the 1329 back to Ipswich...although there wasn't one. But I could have sworn I saw one on Realtime Trains but when I checked it was there but it was in light blue not dark blue which normally denotes a stopping train, I was confused. I had 20 minutes to wait for my supposedly 1329 so decided to nip to The Railway Inn for a quick half which I saw when we came across the level crossing. The pub is lovely, nice atmosphere, lovely staff and what seemed a lovely menu but I had no time to try it out as I wanted to be back on the station to see this phantom 1329 service. I returned to the station for a few minutes before it was due and it did arrive, however it is only booked to stop to wait for the barriers to be lowered. Not to drop off or pick up passengers......how stupid is that!?
So I now had to wait for the returning 153 which meant a repeat unit, which I was trying to avoid today but at least there was a 4 minute connection for my planned journey to Ely, or so I thought. The return journey started off being 3 minutes late, tight but you never know it might pick up a few minutes. then it went to 4, 5, 6 minutes late......oh, this is not going to work and when I checked RD it had arrived at Felixstowe 9 minutes late.

This has now meant I had lost one new shack and two new units so during the wait I had to come up with a plan to try and retrieve the situation, for me to pick up my services from Norwich later his afternoon I had to cut out Ely but was there a way that I could get to Norwich without losing the two new units and to take into account the diagrams I think I have figured out for later in the day and not to go on any of those trains, the answer is yes, I think I have. The return service to Ipswich arrived at Westerfield at 1352, 6 minutes late and as we were passing through East Suffolk Junction the 1358 departure from Ipswich to Ely went in the other direction, so close, but new plan is in place.

Back at Ipswich another class 70 has turned up and logged and I have 15 minutes to wait for the 1420 service to Cambridge formed of 170205 but I would only be travelling to Stowmarket. You may remember me saying that the previous 170 that I had travelled on today looked a bit tired, this one looked comatosed. At Stowmarket I had a 20 minute wait for my next train which, if I have my diagrams correct is a 90 I would not travel on today and is formed of 90014 to take me to Norwich, not bad if I do say so myself. The two 170's I have missed out on have been replaced with a 170 and a 90 plus I get to Norwich an hour earlier and an hour and ten minutes until my next train which means I can check in earlier than planned (original idea was at 9pm tonight) and I have chance to put my phone on charge as it is getting low.

On arrival at Norwich I noted 47790, 47818 and 47813 in the sidings with the first two top and tailing a rake of three coaches, hope these will be out on a service for me to get within the next 24 hours. Fifty minutes later I was back at the station after giving my phone a bit of a boost and it was now time to start and knock off some of the local services in the form of 156416 for a ride out to the seaside town of Great Yarmouth, on the way there as we passed through Brundall my jaw dropped at the sight of the boat yard and all the beautiful, and no doubt expensive luxury yachts that were in the marina and as you passed the open doors of the buildings you could see the yachts under construction. I was also surprised by how many crossing keepers there still was along this stretch of line and thought what a wonderful job that must be especially on a sunny day like today and in this environment.

On arrival at Great Yarmouth I was going to wait for the next train to arrive and let the one I had arrived on to go, so I decided to have a stroll down to the harbour to see if any ships are in. I’ve holidayed in Great Yarmouth in the past and to be honest I didn’t remember it looking so rundown, although I am not sure whether I had walked the section of town that I walked this time. Hopefully it was just this bit as I have many happy memories of the holidays I had had here. There were a few large ships in but only one that I could see the name of and that was Vos Producer so I made a note of it and took a picture and headed back to the station for the train (have I just started boat spotting as well?). Back at the station I don’t have long to wait for 156412 to arrive to form the 1747 to Norwich via Reedham, where I will be alighting.

At Reedham I leave the service and have a ten minute wait for my next train, so far today everything has been running really well and the next train is only a couple of minutes down and 156402 arrives to take me to my next destination of Brundall so I can have a look around the marina and drool over the yachts. What I have noticed about AGA 156 units is that all three I have been on are already DDA compliant as well as the standard audible noise for doors closing they have the flashy light thingy and a disabled accessible toilet, which I presume doesn’t flush stuff (trying to be polite as possible here) directly onto the track so saying that these 156’s are going to be around for a long time to come.

At Brundall I have fifteen minutes to wait for my next service so head off down to the marina to drool over the yachts there. Just wish I had a spare million or so. On the return to the station I have a few minutes to await for my next train, just enough time to wipe away any saliva from my chin from my adventures down at the marina. The diagram for this train is shown as a 15x diagram but when 170204 turns up I’m not too fussed as this was still a requirement for me and will get me back to Norwich ten minutes before my next train.

Back at Norwich I head for the 1900 to London Liverpool Street which is powered by 90011 for a one stop trip to Diss. At Diss I should have had a fifteen minute wait for my next service back to Norwich, hope you noticed I said should have and that I commented not too long ago about how I was thinking everything had been running pretty smoothly, well it has all changed. I head to the opposite platform for the 1929 to Norwich to find it was expected at 1942…..1946……1951…..1957….1959…..finally turned up at 1958, it wasformed of 90006, great that means I missed my next train and in turn the final return trip back to Norwich which means I have missed two Class 90’s and would be time to call it a day when I get back to Norwich. Apparently the delay was caused by a failed train and then level crossing failure.

However on the arrival at Norwich the train I was on was to form the delayed 2000 back to London, which according to my diagrams was not the service it should have worked because it would have only given it a ten minute turn around instead of the usual forty minute turn around which led me to think that the failed train was what should have formed the 2000 to London, the train I was planning to get so in fact it would not have mattered my day would have been over anyhow. So now it was time to head for some food and the B&B. With being absolutely shattered I couldn’t be bothered with ordering food and waiting for it to be served so it was off to the local co-op for a sandwich and cake and back to the room to chill out with a bit of TV and early night to be fully refreshed for my adventures tomorrow.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/16858191@N03/sets/72157652496039932

 

[55013]

Nice report, thanks for that.
I see you had 153306, which is my only required Anglia DMU.
It reminds me, I'll have to ask 45135 if he fancies getting an Anglia 90 bash in at some point later in the year, I really enjoy it down there.

 

[Techniquest]

Someone else who's got 153306 now I see, it appears to be quite the regular on Felixstowe services, and the only line I see anyone mention that they scored it on! And yes, I did 153306 on a Felixstowe service too

High time they doubled up at least some of the track on the Felixstowe branch, it's not as if it's a quiet rural line after all these days! That issue at Westerfield is a strange one, I can't remember what the logic is there now as it's been way too long since I was last there. Something to do with pathing and headways, although of course if the crossing wasn't there it would be so much easier.

For some reason I creased up laughing when I read the comment on leaving plenty of time for connections at Stowmarket, good bit of humour there.

Correct on Costa's cups, that outer layer keeps the coffee hot for much longer than other coffee shops. Granted, it's also down to how hot the day is and how boiling the water was when the coffee was made too, oh and of course how much milk is added. It doesn't surprise me though that you had your coffee still going hot enough to drink after 75 minutes, my record is just short of 90 minutes.

It must cost a fortune to travel down to Euston on the 0700 from Piccadilly to Euston! Always wanted to do that one in the past for the non-stop run through Stoke-on-Trent, but I've now done that with The Retro Shakespearean Tug last year.

The 156s with GA have been getting those DDA-compliant facilities for quite a while, I had 156417 in June 2014 after such a refurb. Correct that they carry retention tanks so that'll help keep the network cleaner!

170272 will almost certainly be in the ancient Anglia Railways livery, which I thought would have been getting consigned to railway history by now as it was beyond ancient in June 2014. The interior of the 170s will still be from those Anglia Railways days, which I agree is in need of a refresh now. Anglia Railways hasn't been around for a long time, so naturally it's going to be worn out.

Is the B&B any good? I'm always on the lookout for good value but still comfortable accommodation around the country, and Norwich is but one of the many places I need somewhere.

Certainly it was a very good day, despite the issues at Westerfield and the failed train in the evening. An absolute ton of mileage without a doubt too!

 

[alexf380]

A fantastic read there Andy. We've all been there waiting for a train that keeps getting later and later. However, 90 haulage must make it more bearable! Looking forward to reading about the rest of the happenings of your Eastern adventure.

 

[andyb2706]

It must cost a fortune to travel down to Euston on the 0700 from Piccadilly to Euston! Always wanted to do that one in the past for the non-stop run through Stoke-on-Trent.

The 156s with GA have been getting those DDA-compliant facilities for quite a while, I had 156417 in June 2014 after such a refurb. Correct that they carry retention tanks so that'll help keep the network cleaner!

Is the B&B any good? I'm always on the lookout for good value but still comfortable accommodation around the country, and Norwich is but one of the many places I need somewhere.

Luckily for me I am so ancient and have been working on the railways for years I still get free passes for the trains so I don't know and I don't think I want to know how much the 0700 to Euston is! The train was rammed from Stockport with very few seats available in the carriage I was in so there wouldn't be much room for anyone at Stoke, although it did seem a bit weird not stopping there, I will use the service again but try and position my seat a bit better.

The sooner that all trains have retention tanks the better. It will cut down the risk of me being splashed when someone flushes the toilet, although it has not happened to me yet but I have experienced walking along the track to find white and brown mulch in the middle of the track!....sorry for being so graphic but it is gross.

The B&B was okay, it was £60 for the night, with no breakfast (that was an option), the room was comfortable small double room but it was ideally situated as it was only a five minute walk from the station and if from the station you walked five minutes in the other direction you had all the eateries ranging from the good old Wetherspoons to the other known brands of Pizza Hut, Frankie & Benny's plus many others,can't really go wrong
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

A fantastic read there Andy. We've all been there waiting for a train that keeps getting later and later. However, 90 haulage must make it more bearable! Looking forward to reading about the rest of the happenings of your Eastern adventure.

The 90's did make it easier to stand the delay. Think over the two days I managed half the fleet of the 90's.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

High time they doubled up at least some of the track on the Felixstowe branch, it's not as if it's a quiet rural line after all these days! That issue at Westerfield is a strange one, I can't remember what the logic is there now as it's been way too long since I was last there. Something to do with pathing and headways, although of course if the crossing wasn't there it would be so much easier.

I quite like it being a single line, I met a couple of gents the day after at Ipswich who advised me of a spot at Trimley where you can get a cracking shot of the Freightliners going on or off to the docks. I managed to time it right myself to get a shot of one going on and it came out well.

I've been thinking about the possible reason for the Westerfield crossing and the only thing I can come up with is is the level crossing activated by a treadle? If so could it be located in the platform to work for both the Lowesoft and Felixstowe trains. This may explain why the Lowesoft train stops in the platform but doesn't do station duties.

 

[Kite159]

But does seem strange that it stops in the station, but doesn't actually stop in the station.

Is pathing so tight that an minute or two to open the doors will send Ipswich into meltdown?

 

[andyb2706]

My 300th post and my next report, soon reached this milestone:

Wednesday 6th May 2015
The one thing I should have learned by now is that:
1. Leave yourself at least five minutes between trains.
2. Don’t rely too much on a plan of action for the day.
Okay, that’s two but who is counting?

After a restful night’s sleep I awake to another bright and sunny morning in Norwich, I’m tempted to turn on the radio to see if I can hear a certain Mr Partridge on the morning show. Any how I was up for 7am and got myself ready for the day and after checking RTT I decided to head for the 0840 to Cambridge for a short hop and then tie in some more DMU running. So after checking out I head to the station and to Upper Crust for a sausage baguette and coffee and into the co-op for some granola and yogurt to have breakfast on the train.

You know point two above, it didn’t last long. At 0830 I gained access to the platforms to head off to the platform for the train to Cambridge when I came to an abrupt stop…..oooo, what is that!! On another platform was the 0836 to Great Yarmouth formed of 47790 with three coaches and 47818 on the rear. Oh, what do I do now? Right!! As if I even had to think about it!! Plans for the day are already out of the window, sorry Class 170 bu two 47’s and Mark 2 coaches beat you any day, so I settle in to my seat in the coach behind the engine and what a shame the door into the vestibule won’t close and the door windows are open what a racket from the engine (hint of sarcasm there). As I was travelling to Great Yarmouth I began to day dream wishing this was my haulage home tonight to Manchester instead of the Pendolino. Not a bad way to have breakfast, nice scenery, nice seat and nice noise from up front.

At Great Yarmouth I have just over five minutes before my return journey behind 47818, just enough time to take a picture of 47790, which I think has turned out to be the picture of the two day trip, as you can see from below has come out pretty well. I do wish I could say it was from skill and not luck, and then head off to the coach behind the loco for the return trip which was just as enjoyable as the trip out. I've done a thumbnail attachment at the bottom of the report for 47790. I tried to implant it into the report but I can't figure out how to do it so it covers the entire page because when I previewed it it was only a small picture in the report. Can anyone help for future reference?

On arrival back at Norwich I checked the timetable and noted that most of the trains seem to arrive in a forty minute time slot and most depart in a thirty minute time slot, I would have to wait about thirty minutes for my next DMU departure and that would continue throughout the day. Seems like part two of my plan has gone out of the window two which was to spend the day DMU hunting at Norwich, with only ten minutes until the next 90 departure to Ipswich and seeing it was 90008 I decided to jump aboard and head south.

At Ipswich I had planned (laughingly) to jump on the first needed DMU for a run out to where ever, however I got talking to two very nice local chaps who were heading off the Ely later on to catch a couple of freight trains and we were exchanging advice as to what was happening in our local areas and where to go, the hour and fifteen minutes flew by and was really enjoyable. One bit of advice they gave me was to the Felixstowe branch, I had told them I was going to do a run out to Felixstowe and was there anywhere at Felixstowe you can see anything of the docks and the trains. They told me no, not without additional travel but Trimley is not a bad station as that is where they leave the line to head off to the docks. So their train was due, which was a dud for me so I bid them fair well and good luck on their freight train hunting and I head off to the platform for the Felixstowe train which today is formed of 153335.

While I was on the Felixstowe branch I decided to check RTT to see if there is any sign of any Freightliners knocking around and as luck would have it there was one right behind us and would have to traverse the single line before my train returns from Felixstowe so at Trimley I bailed off my train to wait its return and go and stand on the footbridge awaiting the arrival of the Freightliner and I do not have to wait long for it to appear being hauled by 66593, and for the second time today I get a photo that I am quite proud of as the angle is slightly different from photos I normally take, I’ve attached the picture below. After the train has past I don’t have long to wait for the now dud 153335 to take me back to Ipswich, it was a well worth trip with a red pen for haulage, a new shack and a photograph I am quite proud of, picture included in the thumbnails at the bottom of this report.

Back at Ipswich I have about twenty minutes to wait for my next train, and I’m spoilt for choice as there was two Class 170 trains in that I needed. The 1320 to Cambridge formed of 170202 and the 1317 to Lowesoft formed of 170208. I use a scientific and tested method to choose which one to go one……..170208 is in nice pretty vinyl’s, sorry 170202 you have lost out. Welcome to the weird and wonderful world of Andy!!!
So we are delayed by a few minutes as there has been a fatality just outside London and this service was a booked connection with the service from London so they held onto us for a few minutes awaiting the arrival of the aforementioned London to Norwich train, which meant that the Cambridge service left before us so I waved bye to 170202 until the next time. With a seven minute delay we leave Ipswich for our journey towards Lowesoft, after consulting RTT I decide only to go as far as Wickham Market and a twenty minute wait for my return journey.

At Wickham Market I leave 170208 to go on its merry way and settle down in the shelter to wait for the return trip as the weather has taken a turn for the worse as it is now raining and breezy. Only a few minutes late 170203 arrives to take me back to Ipswich, where upon arrival there is nothing in that I require and decide to start my journey south but stopping off on the way to rack up some red pens and miles. So I jump on the dud 360102 to take me to Colchester where I planned to do a few runs taking Sudbury in to account as well……there is that magic word, planned and guess what…..it changed again.

I was only at Colchester for five minutes when a pair of 360’s arrived, which I needed the pair of them for red penning, which were going to Clacton on Sea, sorry Sudbury, another time so I jumped on board the rear of the two units in the form of 360113 for a trip out to Clacton on Sea, knowing there was a depot there I was quite excited to see what was going to be on there.

On arriving at Clacton on Sea I was quite disappointed, one of the best located depot, no obstructive view from the station and there was one EMU on there! Need to be here probably first thing in the morning. Anyhow I’m not down hearted I only have twenty minutes to wait for the train I came in on to depart so it was on to the second unit, 360105 to await the return journey, although not all the way back to Colchester after consulting RTT.

At Thorpe-le-Soken I leave this train as there is a connecting service to Colchester Town, this is formed by a 321 unit. Out of all the Greater Anglia 321 units I have had haulage on only four units, and this was one of them, the dud 321354.Well, with the next few trips planned around this area a few more 321 units will be had and hopefully none of the other three, or could lightning strike twice?

At Colchester Town I leave the train and wait for the next service that should be in twenty minutes time but due to the earlier fatality and now overhead line power issues between Stratford and Shenfield it was running about ten minutes late. There are a load of people on the platform eating chips and they smelt good, seeing it was 1630 I thought I would have a quick nip out to see if the chippy was anywhere near the station, after about a ten minute walk I found the chippy and there wasn’t a queue so I bought a chip butty and ate it on the way back to the station, the chips were really good and set me up for the remainder of the trip. Back at the station a pair of 321 units rolled in to form the 1657 to Colchester, I neededthe pair of them but seeing it was only one stop that would be difficult so I decided to jump on the leading unit formed of 321358.

Back at Colchester I cross to the other side of the station and wait for the delayed 1713 to Clacton on Sea, which again was formed of a pair of 321 units, which again I needed the pair of them and which again I jumped on the leading unit formed of 321329 for my trip to Wivenhoe.

At Wivenhoe I have five minutes to wait for my return trip to Colchester via Colchester Town, when the services arrives it is formed of 321330 but is now running three minutes late. On the journey back we call at Hythe and I check for next time and find it appears to be only an hourly service calling there and they do not really connect with the return trip, however I do also note that it is only a short distance to Colchester Town so I could possibly walk from Hythe to Colchester Town for a more frequent service.

Back at Colchester it is now approaching 1800 and I have to seriously start to consider my return to London to head over to Euston for my train back to Manchester. My original plan had been to get the 1700 from Norwich or pick up the service from Ipswich to Liverpool Lime Street and with the timing now I could pick up the same service from Colchester at 1803…..but I had been thinking, which usually is dangerous for me, I had noted that the 1812 stopping service to London Liverpool Street was formed of a needed 360 unit so the plan is now that if the 90 is a dud I will get the 360, however if the 90 is a good one I will get that to Stratford and then pick up the 360 for the final part of the trip into London. The 1803 arrived and was formed of 90012 so I decided on the second option and jumped aboard to go to Stratford…..or so I thought! As we pulled away from Colchester I was still thinking (I am going to have to stop doing this thinking malarkey as it will give me a headache.) What if I could split the journey up even more and get more red pens and new shacks or am I just being greedy?...... nah, not being greedy to making the best use of my time so RTT re-activated and the train I am on stops at Chelmsford were I can pick up the 1816 Wisham to London Liverpool Street service.

At Chelmsford I alight the train and wait for the Witham to London service, as you may remember there is problems with the OLE in the Stratford-Shenfield area and there was no sign of the unit that should form this train, a bit of a disappointment but at least I would be able to still pick up the 360 that I had planned to pick up, just a bit earlier than planned. This would be a little bit of a disappointment due to the prospect of another red pen. However OLE problems taketh, OLE problems giveth. Due to the OLE problems the 1809 to London Liverpool Street (which was the service from Braintree) had been severely delayed, had it been on time I would not of even have seen it, however it rolled in at 1830 and was formed of two 321 units, both requirements with stops at Shenfield and Romford before reaching Stratford, success!! So I board the rear units front coach formed by 321340 so that I am positioned to jump off the train at one of the stops and then hop straight on to the front unit.

At Shenfield, seeing Romford wasn’t needed for a new shack, I hopped off the unit I was on and onto 321443 for the remainder of the journey to Stratford. This journey was interesting as there were 315’s flying past in all directions. Can’t wait to do a trip to this part of the Greater Anglia network to knock off some of these.

At Stratford I leave the train and the full scale of the OLE problems come to light, although it is affecting the entire network the Shenfield local services seem to be the worst hit as the Shenfield platform was heaving and they were making announcements STRONGLY advising passengers to get the bus instead of the train. I only had five mintues to wait for the arrival of 360109 to take me on my final leg of the journey to London Liverpool Street which has been another enjoyable day on the Greater Anglia network and am looking forward to the next time I can be around here.

At London Liverpool Street I bid farewell to AGA and head off downstairs for the tube back towards Euston, this time I decide to change tube trains and go straight to Euston station instead of Euston Square, so I board 24009 to Chesham for a one stop hop to Moorgate.

At Moorgate tube station I alight the tube and head to the Northern line and boar 51626 to Edgware as far as London Euston Underground where I alight and head up top for my train back to Manchester which turns out to be 390157, and the red pens keep on coming!! After departing and having passed Willesden I decide it is time to settle down and to chill and relax for the remainder of the journey and the tablet comes out to watch a bit of downloaded TV, which includes part two of Car Share and like the last time I find myself bursting out with laughter especially when one of the characters realises the real meaning of a term they have been using doesn’t mean what they thought it did…if you haven’t seen this latest Peter Kay creation you have to.

Back at Manchester I head down to the tram stop and find it is another eight minutes before the tram and then I would have to change so I decide to walk over to Market Street and on arrival I am glad to have done that because the Altrincham tram was formed of two units including 3039 to take me home.
What a great trip this has been many good memories from it and am looking forward to my next trip.