Andy's Wanderings

[Kite159]

To begin with it will be the stations on the Main Line as I still need quite a few stations between Liverpool Street and Shenfield and I will see where I get to after that.

Also need a load of 315's.

A zone 1-9 railcard will see you upto Brentwood, if you don't require Shenfield on the TfL Rail network.

Double units every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday (15 on Sundays), should be able to crack down your required 315s (and not ignoring the 315s under London Overground on the Chingford/Cheshunt/Enfield services)

 

[andyb2706]

A zone 1-9 railcard will see you upto Brentwood, if you don't require Shenfield on the TfL Rail network.

Double units every 10 minutes Monday to Saturday (15 on Sundays), should be able to crack down your required 315s (and not ignoring the 315s under London Overground on the Chingford/Cheshunt/Enfield services)

Thanks Kite, ticket is already sorted.

I've only ever logged 6 of the 315's for hualage so plenty to go at and with the 10 minute frequency it should be like a kid in a sweet shop.

 

[Techniquest]

Doubles on Shenfield stoppers all day too, so your book will fill up fast!

I need almost all shacks between Shenfield and Ipswich on the branches, a couple on the mainline, which are all in line to be done next year as it stands!

 

[Kite159]

Doubles on Shenfield stoppers all day too, so your book will fill up fast!

I need almost all shacks between Shenfield and Ipswich on the branches, a couple on the mainline, which are all in line to be done next year as it stands!

Lots of linear bashing for you

Only way I can see how you can clear the shacks on the branches without 'doubling' back on yourself, as that area lacks any rover tickets

 

[crehld]

Finally managed to catch up with your latest trips - sorry for not getting to them sooner.

I'm incredibly jealous of your trip to Fort William! Scotland is the one part of the country where I've yet to go walking, and I imagine the scenry is stunning. I really want to visit the area, but as usual it's a matter of finding the time! Good to see you had a good time in and around Leeds too.

As for Glasgow that's one massive gap in my coverage map (not to mention haulage) so I'm now inspired to try and make some arrangements to go and visit, especially as you managed to do it in a day. A shame about the delay on the way home for you, but at least you'd be able to claim some compensation for it, which can go towards another trip

 

[andyb2706]

A shame about the delay on the way home for you, but at least you'd be able to claim some compensation for it, which can go towards another trip

Affriad I can't claim any compensation for two reasons.

1. the train that was late was under 30 minutes late.

2. I didn't pay for my train tickets......I have a set number of free travel days to use as I have worked on the railways for a couple of decades and I had used one for this day. But it still doesn't make you feel any better with delays when you are travelling as a passenger.

Next trip T-48hrs

 

[Techniquest]

So I'm not the only one who counts down the final bit of time until a trip! Wherever it's to, hope it's a good time!

 

[andyb2706]

T- 12 hrs....hoping to do London Overground.

19/06/15: UPDATE, just completed my two one day trips to London......yes, I went down on Thursday, came back and went back for today!! Cheaper for me.

Anyhow two cracking days, a load of fun and loads of new red pens and shacks. I'll get my reports done asap but I am back out on Monday for an overnighter in Stratford-upon-Avon and my Midland Mayhem two day trip.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
My Wombling Days (1 of 2)

If you can’t figure out the meaning of the title of my trip I’ll reveal all at the end of day 2.

With having had to get up at 5:30am for the last seven days for work I’ve decided to have a lie in until 7am this morning and after a quick bowl of cereal and bacon butty I’m off out to drive to Manchester as it is cheaper to park at a car park I know than to get the tram, plus I can have a bit of extra time on the trains as I don’t have to faff around getting a tram home. Coffee will have to wait until I get to the Costa Coffee at the railway station.

At Piccadilly I buy my usual coffee and head off to the train to London Euston which is formed of 390104, not a bad start of the day yet again with the first train of the day being a good one, hope this is the sign of things to come. The journey down to London was uneventful but I found out that the 0815 to London is quite a good train to get because it is still peak time but a bit too late for workers heading off to London and is reasonably quiet until you reach Milton Keynes were the train does seem to get quiet busy as it may be one of the first off peak trains to London.

For the first time in years on my arrival at Euston I don’t leave the main line station but headed over to the first Overground service out of Euston and boarded 378230 to take me to Kensal Green, where a quick hop to the opposite platform I find 378257 for a quick trip to Kilburn High Road were I fall under my 5 minute rule for a 4 minute rush to the next platform but still made it with a couple of minutes to spare for 378225 to take me on one of my longer journeys to Wembley Central where I noted a few London Underground stock before the arrival of 378222 to take me through to Queen’s Park where I have 8 minutes until my next train and I note loads of London Underground stock while waiting for my next train which makes me think I need to do a London Underground trip when 378223 to take me to Willesden Junction where I will change from the London Overground Watford DC line to the North London Line.

At Willesden Junction I scamper through the station to get to the higher level of the station to pick up my next train to take me on the North London Line. 378232 rolls in which I jump on for another short trip out to Brondesbury Park. With a ten minute break here, for once I am not rushing to change platforms and take a leisurely stroll across and 378255 which will take me onto the West London Line for my one station visit on this line today at Shepherd’s Bush. My impression of Shepherd’s Bush before this visit was of the old BBC studios and the London stereotype suburban area, so it was to my surprise that right outside the station was a modern shopping centre and entertainment centre. Every train that arrives is rammed and a tidal wave of people exit the train so when I board 378224 that will take me back to the North London Line it is nearly empty, so at Kensal Rise I leave this train and wait for 378214 to take me through to Gospel Oak.

At Gospel Oak I transfer from the electric trains to the diesel line where I still need 5 of their class 172, although I do know that 172008 which is one of the 5 I need was spotted earlier on at Willesden depot so that is one that is going to have to wait for another time but I still need quite a few of the stations on the Gospel Oak to Barking line. The first unit that is waiting to depart for Barking is a dud 172007 which I take as far as Crouch Hill where I cross over to the adjoining platform to pick up 172006 to Upper Holloway where I pick up another dud in the form of 172004 that takes me to South Tottenham, by this time I am beginning to feel hungry and am thinking about a late lunch but I still believe I have time for a couple of runs before I can wait no longer so it was off to the opposite platform for 172001 back to Harringay Green Lanes for a 2 minute dash to the other platform for the next train, at Harringay Green Lanes I didn’t make it to the next train as my train was a minute late in arriving so it was now lunch with about 15 minutes to wait it was off outside the train station, the first time since leaving Manchester Piccadilly this morning! I had noticed a McDonalds from the station so my first thought was I would call there but upon leaving the station I found that the McDonalds was hiding a Subway…change of plan, a healthy sub and drink and points on my Subway card was called for and then it was back to the station with my sandwich where I picked up 172002 for my next trip.

At Walthamstow Queens Road I left this train and seeing my main goal of this trip was red pens and knowing there was very little chance of getting my last two London Overground 172’s today I decide it is time to head back to Gospel Oak on dud 172004 back to Gospel Oak to do some runs on the East London Line.

At Gospel Oak I pick up a dud 378232 to take me to Highbury & Islington where I pick up 378152 to Hoxton where I only have to wait 3 minutes for the following service formed of 378144 takes me forward to Shadwell where after a 9 minute wait the next train arrives to take me forward in the form of 378147.

At Rotherhithe I leave 378147 and wait for the following train which is 378215 which takes me forward to Surrey Quays where I decide to do a bash along the West Croydon Line and wait for 378135 to arrive to take me to Brockley. At this stage the next train to arrive is going to Crystal Palace but I still want to do the West Croydon line so I board this train which is 378143 to Forest Hill where I change onto 378149.
At Penge West I leave the train and the one drawback of the London Overground stock is that there is no loo! So I am on the hunt, unfortunately there seems to be nowhere at Penge West unless you go into the pub…or was it supposed to be a trendy wine bar, I wasn’t sure so I thought it could prove to be an expensive loo stop so I decided to wait and made my way back to the station to wait for a train to West Croydon. I didn’t have long to wait for 378209 to arrive and to take me on my way.

At West Croydon I find a shopping centre and suitably relieved, sorry for the graphicness of the situation I made my way back to West Croydon (which was a dud station) and had a little while to wait for the next London Overground train which I didn’t mind because I was able to log some Southern stock while I waited, a change from the London Overground stuff. I finally boarded the 1702 West Croydon to Dalston Junction train which was formed of 378150 and remained on this train to as far as Honor Oak Park (Question: Why is Honor spelt in the American way !?).

At Honor Oak Park I had 7 minutes to wait for 378205 to take make forward to New Cross Gate were after a 12 minute wait a dud 378152 took me to Canada Water, after a 3 minute lay over here the next train rolled in formed of dud 378149 to take me to Wapping for another 3 minute wait for the next train 378142 (and the cops are still coming thick and fast) to take me Whitechapel, again after another 3 minutes the next train arrives formed of 378146 to take me to Shoreditch High Street where a pick up a dud (yes dud!!) 378215 to Haggerston and get the next train which is 378138 to Dalston Junction were I pick up yet another dud (am I asking too much for every train to be a good one? ) 378143 to take me to Canonbury.

Up to Canonbury the trains have been relatively quiet seeing it is the rush hour but when 378207 arrives on the North London Line it is standing room only to take me on to Camden Road where I decide to leave this train and seeing it is now just approaching 1900 and I want to get the 2000 back to Manchester on such a beautiful summers evening I decide to walk the mile back to Euston to take in the atmosphere of Camden (always something special having a walk in London, always lively and something going on). So back at Euston I have time to nip to M&S Food for some tea on the train and then head off to the platform to find 390151 was my ride back to Manchester.

What a great day!! Knew I was going to have a good day with the 378’s but the quantity was a bonus and the two 390’s was an added extra.
So the total for the day was 28 new red pens and 31 new shacks with all the shacks on the East London line except for the branches to New Cross and Crystal Palace and Anerley and Norwood Junction. Might do them from West Croydon at some time in the future. Just hoping tomorrow will be as successful.

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Sounds like an excellent book filling session. All those shacks and the red pen action, wow! But how did you feel after all that lateral seating on the Overground? Presumably you were ready for a spot of lateral thinking, hehe. Or was it a case of being able to fly sideways through time? (Sorry about the Hawkwind reference.)

I need to go back to the East London now that everything is 5 car but I can only stomach about 4-5 hours travelling sideways so it'll have to be several sessions to crank up the mileage over there.

 

[crispy1978]

Great write-up; sounds a very productive day.

Sadly lacking in the majority of the South! I'd need a month just to clear it all I reckon!

 

[Techniquest]

Good golly gosh you did well! I can only wonder how you got on with day 2, and I can only imagine how you must have felt before the visit to the shopping centre, it is one of the biggest irritances on a light rail bash too! Getting winners on Mandatory Moves is always a bonus too.

Not sure I could have both cereal and a bacon butty for breakfast mind!

As always an excellent read!

 

[Kite159]

Busy day in LOROL land

 

[andyb2706]

It has been a while since I have posted on here, it has been a while since I have been out on the trains last June to be precise and withdrawal symptoms were setting in. I will also have a report to follow for the following day when i get a chance to type it up.

Chiltern Chasing - 21st September 2015

So this morning I set off for a day on Chiltern Railways to get my first class 68 for haulage. This meant a couple of dud Metrolink trams, which reminds me I was on the M60 on 5th September and saw 3103 on the back of a low loader going in the opposite direction. Does that mean I can put that down as a cop for sighting? However there was a new section of track for me today and it was the single line through St. Peters Square.

On arriving at Piccadilly it was time to grab a Greggs breakfast and head for the train which is formed of dud 220004 to Birmingham New Street. I settled into my seat a good 20 minutes before the trains departure, ample time for me to have my Bacon & Sausage roll and Mocha.

On the departure of the train I am on this website checking the diagrams for the Class 68’s and think I might be able to get 3 out of the 5 diagrams if I play it right as well as some other Chiltern Trains along the way Also , if I am lucky my last London Midland Class 172 (172340) intel tells me that it is running about on one of the Whitlocks End services but unsure which one. The service to Birmingham New Street is not too crowded until we got to Stoke-on-Trent but the train filled up here due to it being the first XC service for off peak travel from Stoke to Birmingham.

One arriving at Birmingham New Street I am quite impressed with the stations new concourse but I do not have time to fully evaluate it as I need to get to Moor Street to lookout for this 172 I need so a short walk across to Moor Street started.

I arrived at Moor Street about 10 minutes before the departure of the 1055 Class 68 service to London but had already decided to wait 2 hours to get the next just to try and get this 172 that should be knocking around. London Midland 172’s come and go and still no sign of 172340. I think I must have seen every 172/3 this morning apart from the one I want and time was pressing on, it was getting to the point of no return were I could get the needed 172 out to a station and then get back in time for the 1255 Class 68. My last chance was that the 1210 to Whitlocks End was formed of the 172 I need otherwise it would have to wait for another day again! The 1210 to Whitloks End rolled in and it was 172218, but there was a second unit on the rear and when I rushed to check it was 172340!! So of course I jumped on board for a trip out to Hall Green where I crossed to the opposite platform and had a 5 minute wait for the 1227 back to Moor Street which was formed of 172345.

Back at Moor Street I have about 15 minutes to grab some lunch from Moor...ish, very nice cafe before boarding my very first Class 68 service in the form of 68011 where I am travelling as far as Leamington Spa. I position myself in the coach next to the engine, which happens to be the quiet coach.....not that quiet with the lovely noise coming from the Class 68!

As I get off at Leamington Spa 66021 was heading northbound on the 0947 Southampton Docks to Masborough. I had about 20 minutes to wait until my next train and although it was a damp and dull day it was quite pleasant being sat there. Bang on time my train arrived with 68014 providing the power.

While sat on the train my plans changed. I had intended to go all the way to Marylebone on 68014 but have now decided to get off at Bicester North for a new shack in the book and hopefully a few new units for my onward journeys.

At Bicester North I jumped of a comfy mark 3 coach with a charger for my phone and waited for 10 minutes for 165019 to take me forward.....oh the things I do for this hobby!!!!

At Princes Risborough I leave 165019 and you know when I said that it was pleasant sat in the dull and damp at Leamington Spa, well it isn’t here as the wind is blowing in he wrong direction. Here I have a choice and I am not too sure what to do, either option I have about 30 minutes to wait and I think it will be a spur of the moment choice and they are either the 1517 to Marylebone or the 1523 to Aylesbury shuttle service. While I was sat there I had a 10 minutes of confusion as a 168 drew in, 168329...huh!!?? Didn’t realise there was a 168/3 series and as the mobile data was working on its slowest setting it was going to take some time to figure it out, while waiting I decided to have a stroll along the platform and jot down the carriage numbers to follow up at a later time, however when I saw the carriage number I recognised it as being one of the former TPE Class 170 disguising itself as a Class 168, does that mean I now need them again for sight and haulage? One thing I forgot today was my camera which was a shame because 66740 came round the corner on the Cricklewood to Calverton service and would have made a good picture. Decision made, 168005 was on the Marylebone and 165016 was on the Aylesbury service, both are needed for haulage but I have never travelled along the line to Aylesbury so 165016 wins out as I board for the journey.

This is now getting depressing, cold, damp and wet however with a new shack in the book and a hot Mocha I wait on Aylesbury station for the 1605 to Marylebone via Amersham pulls in with 165012 and 165032, both I require so this time I decide to jump on the latter for new haulage and track back to Marylebone. Well the saying is right you are always learning, I never knew that National Rail ran over line controlled by London Underground until today so imagine my surprise when the Chiltern Railways train I was on left Amersham on London Underground lines!!

At Marylebone I go for a stroll on the streets of London, this is duly required to wake me up as a whole day of sat on my backside and being on nice warm trains has not done me any good, but I can’t do it for too long as I have a date with the 1750 to Banbury, I did like the gents toilet s at Marylebone with their Monopoly theme, a big Monopoly board on one wall and the Monopoly counters on the doors to the cubicles. Is there any other railway station toilets that have done the same? Hope I am not starting a new trend here in toilet spotting!!!

Anyhow, back to the matter in hand. It’s off to the platform to pick up the 1750 to Banbury which is formed of the BR blue stock and still slam doors which was being hauled by DRS livered 68008. So it was into the coach behind the loco and the window was already down and I sat at the first table behind the loco to soak up the noise from the engine as we travelled north. 20 minutes into the journey and an improvement in the weather as we approached High Wycombe, white fluffy clouds and blue sky and the sun reflecting of the buildings on a beautiful evening, should have brought my sunglasses….TYPICAL!! See I can always find something to moan about when it comes to the weather.

At Banbury this train terminated and it was only a short walk across the island platform and a short 3 minute wait for the next Class 68 heading north in the form of the 1910 Banbury to Kidderminster hauled by 68010.

By the time I got to Birmingham Moor Street it was dark and it was nice to hear a Class 68 chug away in the station as I headed off to Birmingham New Street for my train back to Manchester. I had 20 minutes to wait for the Cross Country train back to Manchester so just enough time to have a mooch around the new concourse at Birmingham New Street and if there is one criticism I have is that the food outlets are all over the place and no easy way of finding what you want, saying that though they were still building some outlets and the opening of the Grand Central shopping centre, which you could see has more food outlets wasn’t taking place until 24th September so another trip will have to be had to fully evaluate the station.
Time to head for the platform and my train is showing as going off Platform 4A so I make my way there and join the other passengers waiting. Then comes the announcement that the next train to Platform 4A is the Manchester train and low and behold about a minute later we see the lights of the train approaching….and does not stop but sails straight through to Platform 4B, they then decide to change the PIS to show the Manchester train was going off 4B and make a platform alteration, has no one told them they are supposed to do that before the train arrives!? That aside I was pleased to see that it was a required unit in the form of 221137 and a chilled and relaxed journey back to Manchester was had with my head stuck in a book.

Back at Manchester I was surprised that the train I arrived on (which was on time) only had a 9 minute turn around before its return journey to Birmingham. I headed down to the Metrolink and boarded a dud 3013 to Cornbrook, on my way to Cornbrook I noted 3103 going in the other direction, so as commented on earlier even if I could not book the sighting of this tram on the back of a low loader on the M60 I have now seen it in operation. At Cornbrook I had an 8 minute wait for the Airport tram to take me home and yet again another dud one in the form of 3077.
It has been a long time since I had a day like this and really enjoyed, tomorrow (22nd September) will hopefully bring the Cumbrian Coast 37…..report to follow.

 

[Techniquest]

It's been forever since I last saw a post from you on here, I was thinking you'd abandoned the hobby! Welcome back!

A really good trip had there, jealous like mad about the 68 on proper MK3s though, oh my lordz the noise is unreal. I really must get some more 68 haulage in!

I'd have counted the tram on the lorry for a sighting personally, but as you've seen it in service anyway then it's a moot point.

 

[47403]

It has been a while since I have posted on here, it has been a while since I have been out on the trains last June to be precise and withdrawal symptoms were setting in. I will also have a report to follow for the following day when i get a chance to type it up.

Chiltern Chasing - 21st September 2015

So this morning I set off for a day on Chiltern Railways to get my first class 68 for haulage. This meant a couple of dud Metrolink trams, which reminds me I was on the M60 on 5th September and saw 3103 on the back of a low loader going in the opposite direction. Does that mean I can put that down as a cop for sighting? However there was a new section of track for me today and it was the single line through St. Peters Square.

On arriving at Piccadilly it was time to grab a Greggs breakfast and head for the train which is formed of dud 220004 to Birmingham New Street. I settled into my seat a good 20 minutes before the trains departure, ample time for me to have my Bacon & Sausage roll and Mocha.

On the departure of the train I am on this website checking the diagrams for the Class 68’s and think I might be able to get 3 out of the 5 diagrams if I play it right as well as some other Chiltern Trains along the way Also , if I am lucky my last London Midland Class 172 (172340) intel tells me that it is running about on one of the Whitlocks End services but unsure which one. The service to Birmingham New Street is not too crowded until we got to Stoke-on-Trent but the train filled up here due to it being the first XC service for off peak travel from Stoke to Birmingham.

One arriving at Birmingham New Street I am quite impressed with the stations new concourse but I do not have time to fully evaluate it as I need to get to Moor Street to lookout for this 172 I need so a short walk across to Moor Street started.

I arrived at Moor Street about 10 minutes before the departure of the 1055 Class 68 service to London but had already decided to wait 2 hours to get the next just to try and get this 172 that should be knocking around. London Midland 172’s come and go and still no sign of 172340. I think I must have seen every 172/3 this morning apart from the one I want and time was pressing on, it was getting to the point of no return were I could get the needed 172 out to a station and then get back in time for the 1255 Class 68. My last chance was that the 1210 to Whitlocks End was formed of the 172 I need otherwise it would have to wait for another day again! The 1210 to Whitloks End rolled in and it was 172218, but there was a second unit on the rear and when I rushed to check it was 172340!! So of course I jumped on board for a trip out to Hall Green where I crossed to the opposite platform and had a 5 minute wait for the 1227 back to Moor Street which was formed of 172345.

Back at Moor Street I have about 15 minutes to grab some lunch from Moor...ish, very nice cafe before boarding my very first Class 68 service in the form of 68011 where I am travelling as far as Leamington Spa. I position myself in the coach next to the engine, which happens to be the quiet coach.....not that quiet with the lovely noise coming from the Class 68!

As I get off at Leamington Spa 66021 was heading northbound on the 0947 Southampton Docks to Masborough. I had about 20 minutes to wait until my next train and although it was a damp and dull day it was quite pleasant being sat there. Bang on time my train arrived with 68014 providing the power.

While sat on the train my plans changed. I had intended to go all the way to Marylebone on 68014 but have now decided to get off at Bicester North for a new shack in the book and hopefully a few new units for my onward journeys.

At Bicester North I jumped of a comfy mark 3 coach with a charger for my phone and waited for 10 minutes for 165019 to take me forward.....oh the things I do for this hobby!!!!

At Princes Risborough I leave 165019 and you know when I said that it was pleasant sat in the dull and damp at Leamington Spa, well it isn’t here as the wind is blowing in he wrong direction. Here I have a choice and I am not too sure what to do, either option I have about 30 minutes to wait and I think it will be a spur of the moment choice and they are either the 1517 to Marylebone or the 1523 to Aylesbury shuttle service. While I was sat there I had a 10 minutes of confusion as a 168 drew in, 168329...huh!!?? Didn’t realise there was a 168/3 series and as the mobile data was working on its slowest setting it was going to take some time to figure it out, while waiting I decided to have a stroll along the platform and jot down the carriage numbers to follow up at a later time, however when I saw the carriage number I recognised it as being one of the former TPE Class 170 disguising itself as a Class 168, does that mean I now need them again for sight and haulage? One thing I forgot today was my camera which was a shame because 66740 came round the corner on the Cricklewood to Calverton service and would have made a good picture. Decision made, 168005 was on the Marylebone and 165016 was on the Aylesbury service, both are needed for haulage but I have never travelled along the line to Aylesbury so 165016 wins out as I board for the journey.

This is now getting depressing, cold, damp and wet however with a new shack in the book and a hot Mocha I wait on Aylesbury station for the 1605 to Marylebone via Amersham pulls in with 165012 and 165032, both I require so this time I decide to jump on the latter for new haulage and track back to Marylebone. Well the saying is right you are always learning, I never knew that National Rail ran over line controlled by London Underground until today so imagine my surprise when the Chiltern Railways train I was on left Amersham on London Underground lines!!

At Marylebone I go for a stroll on the streets of London, this is duly required to wake me up as a whole day of sat on my backside and being on nice warm trains has not done me any good, but I can’t do it for too long as I have a date with the 1750 to Banbury, I did like the gents toilet s at Marylebone with their Monopoly theme, a big Monopoly board on one wall and the Monopoly counters on the doors to the cubicles. Is there any other railway station toilets that have done the same? Hope I am not starting a new trend here in toilet spotting!!!

Anyhow, back to the matter in hand. It’s off to the platform to pick up the 1750 to Banbury which is formed of the BR blue stock and still slam doors which was being hauled by DRS livered 68008. So it was into the coach behind the loco and the window was already down and I sat at the first table behind the loco to soak up the noise from the engine as we travelled north. 20 minutes into the journey and an improvement in the weather as we approached High Wycombe, white fluffy clouds and blue sky and the sun reflecting of the buildings on a beautiful evening, should have brought my sunglasses….TYPICAL!! See I can always find something to moan about when it comes to the weather.

At Banbury this train terminated and it was only a short walk across the island platform and a short 3 minute wait for the next Class 68 heading north in the form of the 1910 Banbury to Kidderminster hauled by 68010.

By the time I got to Birmingham Moor Street it was dark and it was nice to hear a Class 68 chug away in the station as I headed off to Birmingham New Street for my train back to Manchester. I had 20 minutes to wait for the Cross Country train back to Manchester so just enough time to have a mooch around the new concourse at Birmingham New Street and if there is one criticism I have is that the food outlets are all over the place and no easy way of finding what you want, saying that though they were still building some outlets and the opening of the Grand Central shopping centre, which you could see has more food outlets wasn’t taking place until 24th September so another trip will have to be had to fully evaluate the station.
Time to head for the platform and my train is showing as going off Platform 4A so I make my way there and join the other passengers waiting. Then comes the announcement that the next train to Platform 4A is the Manchester train and low and behold about a minute later we see the lights of the train approaching….and does not stop but sails straight through to Platform 4B, they then decide to change the PIS to show the Manchester train was going off 4B and make a platform alteration, has no one told them they are supposed to do that before the train arrives!? That aside I was pleased to see that it was a required unit in the form of 221137 and a chilled and relaxed journey back to Manchester was had with my head stuck in a book.

Back at Manchester I was surprised that the train I arrived on (which was on time) only had a 9 minute turn around before its return journey to Birmingham. I headed down to the Metrolink and boarded a dud 3013 to Cornbrook, on my way to Cornbrook I noted 3103 going in the other direction, so as commented on earlier even if I could not book the sighting of this tram on the back of a low loader on the M60 I have now seen it in operation. At Cornbrook I had an 8 minute wait for the Airport tram to take me home and yet again another dud one in the form of 3077.
It has been a long time since I had a day like this and really enjoyed, tomorrow (22nd September) will hopefully bring the Cumbrian Coast 37…..report to follow.

Both trip reports were a very enjoyable to read, certainly hit the spot with the red pen, not least with 172340. Glad you eventually got the chance to ride behind the Cats. I love them, they make a great noise, they've certainly created a bit of a stir among the rail enthusiast's
Enjoy the Cumbrian Coast, another Class that makes a wonderful noise, whilst I love the Cats, a syphon they aint, these old girls are a joy to behold and a loco that, no doubt, stirs many many a good memory, among many within this forum.

 

[andyb2706]

It's been forever since I last saw a post from you on here, I was thinking you'd abandoned the hobby! Welcome back!

Thanks Techniquest, just been extremely busy as I had been in teaining to do Manchester 100K bike ride earlier this month and I've now said I will do the Manchester 10K run next year so have to start trainung for that but not to the detriment of this hobby. My Cumbrian trip is ready to go live, unfortunately the report is at home and I am in Fort William to do Ben Nevis tomorrow, although I did come up on the Caledonian Sleeper

 

[Techniquest]

Ah fair games, you will have been very busy indeed! Not many of us on here who could commit to such a massive fitness challenge, certainly not me nor anyone I know, so I tip my hat to you!

Looking forward to the trip report of course, hope Ben Nevis is a brilliant experience in the meantime!

 

[55013]

Looks like you had a good time.
68ers seem to have attracted fans of all areas of the motive power spectrum.
In the words of a certain TV tiger, They're grrrrrrrrrreat.

 

[andyb2706]

Scenic Coast and Dales – Tuesday 22nd September 2015

Class 37 day and my first trip on the Cumbrian Coast planned!! Also my first logged trip as visiting East Didsbury station…..or so I thought.

My plan was to drive to East Didsbury and get the 0835 to Preston which was the TPE service to Blackpool operated by a pair of Northern 156’s, which is quite poetic as that was the reason for the 37 LHS on the Cumbrian Coast so I left my house with 45 minutes to get to East Didsbury I soon hit traffic and it soon became apparent I was not going to make it in time…disaster!!! Even before the day has begun it is ruined so I turn round and head off back home to drop the car off and head to the tram stop and to re-plan my day ahead. At least I know I have some time before the Class 37 LHS is withdrawn.

At the tram stop my ride to Cornbrook was a dud 3077 (this one is haunting me, it was my ride home last night) so on the tram I checked RTT to see what options were open to me from Piccadilly and my eye glanced over the 0916 to Glasgow…..wait a minute, this train was due in to Preston 7 minutes before the 1004 Class 37 service to Barrow service was due to depart, I’m back in the game.

At Cornbrook I got dud 3089 to Piccadilly. I do still need a few lower number tram and quite a lot of the higher number trams but I just don’t seem to be timing it right. I get to Manchester Piccadilly with 20 minutes to spare until my train to Preston so I grab a cold drink to have with my lunch on the second Class 37 as I will not have time until I get to Carlisle to get anything and a Costa Coffee for the trip to Preston. I then head to Platform 14 for dud 350410, another train that seems to be haunting me as I have already done 710 miles 12 chains on this unit.

We arrive at Preston a couple of minutes late so a quick dash from Platform 3 to Platform 5 so that I can get a picture of the engine before boarding and it was 37401. We departed Preston bang on time as we passed Preston Power Box all I could see were faces at the power box windows watching us go by. It wasn’t long before disaster struck again when Preston PSB put us inside at Barton & Broughton Passing Loop to get a late running Virgin Trains pass us, by the time we leave the loop we are 8 minutes late and if we stay like that we will arrive into Barrow 3 minutes after the Class 37 to Carlisle is booked to leave. Nervous times!!!!

On route we pick a few minutes here and there and then lose a few at Ulverston because some numpty has either got on or off the train and left the door open, this really annoys me as it is just courteous that if you are the last person to close the door.

We arrive in Barrow bang on time, which was a huge relieve and the 1138 to Carlisle had not arrived yet. When it did it was top and tailed with 37402 and 37612. For the trip back to Carlisle 37612 was the engine in use. What a stunning journey the Cumbrian Coast is however I do not think I would like to do it on a Class 142. Got chatting to a very nice retired chap who used his senior railcard was doing his 13th return trip on the Cumbrian Coast behind the Class 37’s for about £12.50 I think he said. He also commented where else would he get 6 hours of enjoyment for a price like that plus he has had 10 different 37’s on the trips he has done. On the final stretch to Carlisle I started thinking of my next move. I was tight for time as I had to be at East Didsbury this evening for a prior engagement so I would have loved to have a run to Gretna Green so I could see what was on Kingsmoor Yard but the timings didn’t help. I then noticed if I waited 40 minutes there was a service to Leeds…..Cumbrian Coast and the Settle-Carlisle line in the same day, I had to do it.

So at Carlisle I disembarked, this was a new station for me I have passed through plenty of time but have never got on or off a train here. The class 37 train has a 5 minute turn around so I watch it depart and then head over to the platform for the Leeds service and settle down to wait. 158901 arrives and our departure is heavily loaded, it seems a very popular service with the elderly and is busy all the way to Leeds. There is not much I can say about the Settle-Carlisle line except for….stunning!!

At Leeds I have only a short wait for dud 185122 to take me to Manchester Piccadilly and as usual it was standing room only, it was rush hour as well.
At Manchester Piccadilly I head for the next train to East Didsbury which was dud 323226. I have to say I will be sorry to see these go to the West Midlands, they are a very good unit.

At East Didsbury I leave the station and head to The Gateway (Wetherspoons) for some tea. It was Steak Tuesday so BBQ Chicken Melt was had. Then I met up with some friends who had driven over as we were supposed to be going to the cinema, however there was also an event going on at the local school and my friends were stuck in traffic in the car park for over 35 minutes unable to park up so we missed the film, so back to The Gateway for a cheeky pint.

At a good natter we all went on our way, I headed off to East Didsbury tram stop to get dud 3006 to St. Werburgh’s Road where I changed onto dud 3084 to take me home. All in all another stonking day. I need to plan more of these.

My next trip is at the weekend when I am going up to Fort William on the sleeper from Crewe. Can’t wait for that.

 

[47403]

Great read Andy and with a north west rover planned from next Monday, food for thought with the 37's especially if its top n tailed. Agree with the timings on the GSW, every visit to Carlisle, I fancy doing it but the fester time is ridiculous.
Look forward to reading the next trip report.

 

[Techniquest]

Another excellent read, not that I expected anything less. I should imagine that was a huge relief when you found that train off Piccadilly to make the 37s!

NB 37 haulage too, oh I am beyond jealous, no two ways of putting that. Any 37 is nice to have but a non-passenger loco is a huge bonus!

I too have been left with terrible festers for the GSW line services, I've only ever done it south of Kilmarnock once, on the way south from Stranraer in January 2011. It gets boring fast!

 

[47403]

Another excellent read, not that I expected anything less. I should imagine that was a huge relief when you found that train off Piccadilly to make the 37s!

NB 37 haulage too, oh I am beyond jealous, no two ways of putting that. Any 37 is nice to have but a non-passenger loco is a huge bonus!

I too have been left with terrible festers for the GSW line services, I've only ever done it south of Kilmarnock once, on the way south from Stranraer in January 2011. It gets boring fast!

Couldn't agree more, NB 37, this day an age on a passenger working, froth wouldn't be the word
I can associate with that tech, I sat on Annan in a hail storm for close to an hour. I was bored rigid and numb.

 

[andyb2706]

2nd November – Short Great Western Railway

It is the start of 10 days off from work and have been looking forward to this time to get out on the trains for a few days. Unfortunately, this morning has arrived and not really in the mood as I had a bad night’s sleep. But I decide to make a go of it.

Off to Brooklands tram stop for yet another dude tram in the form of 3034, I only need 3 of the lower numbered M5000 trams of Metrolink and then a load of the higher numbered trams which we don’t see on the Altrincham line. I believe this is due to the fact that they are not fitted with the old style equipment for the standard signalling equipment between Timperley and Altrincham. So off I go heading into Manchester playing sardines on a rush hour tram, one thing about it I now never have a problem pushing onto a packed Tube train in London as I have had plenty of practice.

At Piccadilly I nip into Sainsbury’s for part of my breakfast a banana and a bottle of water before I pop into Gregg’s for the obligatory bacon roll and Mocha. Then off for the 0915 to Euston train which is formed of dud 390155, with 15 minutes before departure there is not many people knocking around and also it is the last peak time train before the off peak start so most people are waiting for that train. I have to say for different reasons the **15 service to London from Manchester in the morning peak are great services to get, anyhow back to this train today I head straight for coach U which is always the unreserved coach and find myself a table window seat and settle down for the journey and breakfast. When I take a bite into the roll it turns out I have sausages on it too!!

Train departs on time and nothing really out of the ordinary to report for the trip down to London and just the usual Virgin and Cross Country trains seen on the way down.

At London I head for the Tube and decide to have a little play short play on the Tube so I board 51702 on the Northern Line and head for Tottenham Court Road where I decide to head above ground to have a walk along the famous Oxford Street, all I will say is that its big and busy!! At Oxford Circus I head back down to the Tube and board 4554 to Paddington on the Bakerloo Line (I have to say I kind of cheat with the Tube because unlike the national network and other operators where I log haulage on the unit only with the Tube I log them for haulage by coach so for this unit I now only need haulage on 3454 to complete the set……this is going to take me ages!) with nothing to see on the Tube I always get my book out for a read and I got so engrossed in it that the next thing I know I’ve missed my stop and am pulling into Warwick Avenue so I hop off and change platforms to head back to Paddington, on a brighter note that is a new shack for the day and the possibility of another new red pen. It is, when 3365 rolls in to take me on the short trip back to Paddington.
At Paddington I locate a HST I need, which to be honest isn’t hard as I still need loads and it gets a bit boring just going back and forth to Reading on them (ed- thought has just come to me as I am typing this, perhaps every time I visit London I should go to Paddington and do one return trip to Reading and use the time to have a read? It should soon get rid of those HST’s before they start to disappear) So I board 43194 and 43196 for the half hour journey to Reading, nothing to report from the journey apart from the odd Class 59.
I have to say every time I visit Reading I am impressed with the job done, I remember the old station and it has changed beyond belief. I don’t stay long and head for the next train back to Paddington which is formed of 43182 and 43069 for the journey back to Paddington.

At Paddington I decide to do a shack run and to get a 165/166 to Ealing Broadway unfortunately as I went through the barriers and approached the platform (platform 13 which is not the easiest to get to) the train pulled out so heading back to the barriers I was directed to 360203 which was the next service to Ealing Broadway.

At Ealing Broadway, I had a choice, the train or the Tube…. The Tube it is so I board 92228 and decide to go shack hunting on the Tube and hopefully score a few red pens along the way. So at Holland Park I leave this train and wait for the next one which is 92194 to take me as far as Marble Arch, where I decide to head up top and have a walk to and head over to Bond Street for 91223 to London Liverpool Street where I head up to the main station for a service out to Stratford in the form of a TfL train 315827.

At Stratford I decide to visit the shopping centre to get some tea before heading back to the station to pick up 321302 back into London Liverpool Street.

It’s getting on now and I need to get back up to Manchester so it is time to head back to Euston so I head down to the Tube and board 24057 on the Metropolitan Line as far as Moorgate where I transfer to the Northern Line and board 51582 to London Euston.

At Euston I have about 15 minutes to wait for the 2000 to Manchester Piccadilly which is formed by a dud 390117, the journey passes quite quickly as I spend the entire journey either reading or listening to music before I know it we are pulling into Piccadilly where I head down to the Metrolink station for a dud 3023.

Stats for the day:
Red Pen – 14
New Shacks - 4

 

[FQ]

That sounds like a fun day! I'm jealous of 43194; it's one of my last 7 GWR ones.

 

[Techniquest]

Ah you boarded the 0741 Penzance to Paddington I see, which I had 43069+43182 on from Bristol to Bath.

It'll be an impossible mission for you doing the Tube coach by coach, I used to do it that way before I started doing it by set numbers, the best way with the Tube!

Looks like you had a good day despite a bad sleep. I didn't have a good one myself that night and, like you, was adament that I was still going out for the day!

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good day in London

 

[andyb2706]

Ah you boarded the 0741 Penzance to Paddington I see, which I had 43069+43182 on from Bristol to Bath.

It'll be an impossible mission for you doing the Tube coach by coach, I used to do it that way before I started doing it by set numbers, the best way with the Tube!

Looks like you had a good day despite a bad sleep. I didn't have a good one myself that night and, like you, was adament that I was still going out for the day!

I'll give the Tube thing a good go......until I see sense that is

 

[Techniquest]

Well it took me years to do it by sets myself, and fair games to you trying it by each coach!

 

[andyb2706]

3rd November – Virgin South West Trains Day

Okay, a play on words this is. I know SWT is operated by Stagecoach but this is the first time I have spent an entire day riding the SWT network only (apart from getting down to London of course!)

I set out at the same time as the day before and head to Brooklands tram stop to start my journey and feeling more in the mood for it today I board a dud 3029, still no joys with the three lowered numbered M5000’s that I need for my journey to Manchester Piccadilly. Yet again it is the sardine tram so I can’t really see what else is knocking around on the network as my view is blocked by an armpit!

At Piccadilly I do my usual ritual of Sainsbury’s for a banana and Gregg’s for a bacon roll (which I do get today) and Mocha then it is off to the train to enjoy my breakfast and the trip down to London on a dud 390130 via Crewe. Things to note on this journey was that 67001 was operating the ATW Piccadilly – Holyhead LHCS service and 92010 and 92038 were noted parked up at Crewe in full Caledonian Sleeper livery.

At Euston I head to the Tube and get on the Northern Line service to London Waterloo formed of 51559. My plan for today is to have a go at cutting my requirements for SWT 455’s. Would you believe it I still need 88 of them so here goes.

So of course the first 455 I see at London Waterloo is a need for red penning, also I haven’t done many shacks in the area as I have in the past stuck to the main line big stations so I board 5729 and head off.

At Earlsfield I leave this train and have already broken the under 5 minute rule and only have 3 minutes to wait for my next train to head back towards Waterloo in the form of 5707, however I don’t make it back to Waterloo and disembark at Vauxhall, I have to say the MI6 building next to the station seems in pretty good nick after it got blown up in the last Bond movie – Skyfall (note – if any of you have seen the latest movie please don’t say anything I am hopefully going to see it this weekend.....spoiler alert, surprised to see it standing after seeing the latest Bond movie!). Here I had 5 minutes to wait for 5849 for the short hop to Clapham Junction.

At Clapham Junction I left this service but remained on the same platform as my next train was from there in a few minutes’ time which would be the service to Hampton Court. 5715 rolled in with 5709 and I boarded the train for my journey out to Raynes Park to pick up the service to Guilford, although of course I am not going all the way to Guilford with this train, so I board 5717 for a run out to Stoneleigh where I swap platforms and wait for 5742 to take me back to Motspur Park, where within a whisker I made it to the other platform in 2 minutes for the 1246 service to Dorking with 5907 taking me as far as Epsom, where I see my first non-South west Train for what seems hours I did wonder for a minute or two whether the Southern train had got lost. Within another few minutes I was boarding my next train which was the 1304 to Waterloo and another cop of the day with 5721 which would take me to Worcester Park. Here I had a few minutes to wait for the 1318 to Dorking to arrive which consisted of 2 Class 456 units and 1 Class 455 unit, no guessing required here which one I jumped on with 5706 proving another winner.

I remained on this train for a couple of stops and alighted at Ewell West which is the last station I needed to complete all the stations that SWT stop at between London Waterloo and Epsom. Clapham Junction and Wimbledon had been done on previous trips. With knowing this event was getting close I had started planning for lunch so it was back to Raynes Park on board 5708.

At Raynes Park I leave the station……so this is what the outside world looks like, and head down the road to the local Spoons that I had found on the internet called The Edward Rayne for a beer and lunch.

After being watered and fed its back to the station for the late afternoon session and did not have to wait long for 5701 to arrive to take me forward just down the line to my next new station for the trip and that being Hampton Wick, were after a few minutes 5869 rolled in to take me to Kingston.

At Kingston I had the longest break on a station for the day with 15 minutes to wait before my next train when 5702 arrived to take me on a short trip to Teddington where after a few more minutes 5730 arrived to take me to Norbiton, with the only station left on this section of track I need to set foot on was Strawberry Hill but after checking RTT it appears to be a 30 minute wait for the next train, so when the 1522 to Richmond arrived formed of 2 required units it sort of answers the question so I first jump onto 5863 and position myself by the front door in the front coach so that on arrival at Strawberry Hill I can just hop onto the front unit, so on arrival at Strawberry Hill I swapped units via the platform and travelled on 5918 as far as my next new shack of Twickenham, where I leave the 455's and have a bit of time playing on the other classes that operate for South West Trains. So I decide to head onto the Hounslow Loop to try and knock off some of the stations along that stretch of line and 450007 to take me around to Hounslow station which is my first shack on the Hounslow Loop.

At Hounslow I leave the train and change my plans again and decide to head back to the main line so cross to the opposite platform for a pair of 458’s going to Weybridge. I have to say these are the first 458’s I’ve ever been on and have to say I like them. They seem to be light and airy inside them. So I board 458519 for the first leg of the journey to Feltenham where I hop onto the platform and transfer to 458509 as far as Staines. On arrival at Staines I have a 15-minute wait for my next train so time to have a break. 450117 arrives to form the 1629 to London Waterloo, which I board.

At Richmond I leave the train and wait for the next service to Windsor & Eton Riverside which is formed of 458525 and 458830 which I take as far as Ashford station. At Ashford I have a short wait for a pair of 458’s to arrive that are heading back towards London so I board the leading unit 458524 as far as Syon Lane where I transferred to 458532 via the platform and remained on this train as far as Kew Bridge where I cross to the opposite platform for the next train to London Waterloo via Twickenham when another two 455 units arrived on the 1735 to London Waterloo where I got on board the rear unit 5735 as far as Isleworth where I hop off onto the platform to transfer to the lead unit which was 5865 to take me onwards to North Sheen before crossing to the opposite platform to head away from London and waited for the 1810 to Hounslow which was 450033 to travel as far as Whitton, with time no cracking on it is time to head back into London and head back up to Manchester.

At Whitton the 1822 to London Waterloo (arrived at 1829, 7 minutes late) arrived formed of a pair of 458 units so I climb aboard the leading unit 458522 for a short hop to my final new station for the day and at St. Margarets I transfer to the rear unit via the platform and complete my journey to London Waterloo on board 458510.
At London Waterloo I head down to the Tube to get the Northern Line back to Euston and got on board 52676 for the journey.

At Euston I have a little time to wait so head to M&S Food for some tea to have on the train before the platform is displayed on the departure board. On the way to the train 90042 arrives with the Caledonian Sleeper stock and I climb aboard the 2000 to Manchester Piccadilly formed of 390126.

Stats for the Day:
Red Pens: 30
New Shacks: 25

 

[James Wake]

3rd November – Virgin South West Trains Day

Okay, a play on words this is. I know SWT is operated by Stagecoach but this is the first time I have spent an entire day riding the SWT network only (apart from getting down to London of course!)

I set out at the same time as the day before and head to Brooklands tram stop to start my journey and feeling more in the mood for it today I board a dud 3029, still no joys with the three lowered numbered M5000’s that I need for my journey to Manchester Piccadilly. Yet again it is the sardine tram so I can’t really see what else is knocking around on the network as my view is blocked by an armpit!

At Piccadilly I do my usual ritual of Sainsbury’s for a banana and Gregg’s for a bacon roll (which I do get today) and Mocha then it is off to the train to enjoy my breakfast and the trip down to London on a dud 390126 via Crewe. Things to note on this journey was that 67001 was operating the ATW Piccadilly – Holyhead LHCS service and 92010 and 92038 were noted parked up at Crewe in full Caledonian Sleeper livery.

At Euston I head to the Tube and get on the Northern Line service to London Waterloo formed of 51559. My plan for today is to have a go at cutting my requirements for SWT 455’s. Would you believe it I still need 88 of them so here goes.

So of course the first 455 I see at London Waterloo is a need for red penning, also I haven’t done many shacks in the area as I have in the past stuck to the main line big stations so I board 5729 and head off.

At Earlsfield I leave this train and have already broken the under 5 minute rule and only have 3 minutes to wait for my next train to head back towards Waterloo in the form of 5707, however I don’t make it back to Waterloo and disembark at Vauxhall, I have to say the MI6 building next to the station seems in pretty good nick after it got blown up in the last Bond movie – Skyfall (note – if any of you have seen the latest movie please don’t say anything I am hopefully going to see it this weekend.....spoiler alert, surprised to see it standing after seeing the latest Bond movie!). Here I had 5 minutes to wait for 5849 for the short hop to Clapham Junction.

At Clapham Junction I left this service but remained on the same platform as my next train was from there in a few minutes’ time which would be the service to Hampton Court. 5715 rolled in with 5709 and I boarded the train for my journey out to Raynes Park to pick up the service to Guilford, although of course I am not going all the way to Guilford with this train, so I board 5717 for a run out to Stoneleigh where I swap platforms and wait for 5742 to take me back to Motspur Park, where within a whisker I made it to the other platform in 2 minutes for the 1246 service to Dorking with 5907 taking me as far as Epsom, where I see my first non-South west Train for what seems hours I did wonder for a minute or two whether the Southern train had got lost. Within another few minutes I was boarding my next train which was the 1304 to Waterloo and another cop of the day with 5721 which would take me to Worcester Park. Here I had a few minutes to wait for the 1318 to Dorking to arrive which consisted of 2 Class 456 units and 1 Class 455 unit, no guessing required here which one I jumped on with 5706 proving another winner.

I remained on this train for a couple of stops and alighted at Ewell West which is the last station I needed to complete all the stations that SWT stop at between London Waterloo and Epsom. Clapham Junction and Wimbledon had been done on previous trips. With knowing this event was getting close I had started planning for lunch so it was back to Raynes Park on board 5708.

At Raynes Park I leave the station……so this is what the outside world looks like, and head down the road to the local Spoons that I had found on the internet called The Edward Rayne for a beer and lunch.

After being watered and fed its back to the station for the late afternoon session and did not have to wait long for 5701 to arrive to take me forward just down the line to my next new station for the trip and that being Hampton Wick, were after a few minutes 5869 rolled in to take me to Kingston.

At Kingston I had the longest break on a station for the day with 15 minutes to wait before my next train when 5702 arrived to take me on a short trip to Teddington where after a few more minutes 5730 arrived to take me to Norbiton, with the only station left on this section of track I need to set foot on was Strawberry Hill but after checking RTT it appears to be a 30 minute wait for the next train, so when the 1522 to Richmond arrived formed of 2 required units it sort of answers the question so I first jump onto 5863 and position myself by the front door in the front coach so that on arrival at Strawberry Hill I can just hop onto the front unit, so on arrival at Strawberry Hill I swapped units via the platform and travelled on 5918 as far as my next new shack of Twickenham, where I leave the 455's and have a bit of time playing on the other classes that operate for South West Trains. So I decide to head onto the Hounslow Loop to try and knock off some of the stations along that stretch of line and 450007 to take me around to Hounslow station which is my first shack on the Hounslow Loop.

At Hounslow I leave the train and change my plans again and decide to head back to the main line so cross to the opposite platform for a pair of 458’s going to Weybridge. I have to say these are the first 458’s I’ve ever been on and have to say I like them. They seem to be light and airy inside them. So I board 458519 for the first leg of the journey to Feltenham where I hop onto the platform and transfer to 458509 as far as Staines. On arrival at Staines I have a 15-minute wait for my next train so time to have a break. 450117 arrives to form the 1629 to London Waterloo, which I board.

At Richmond I leave the train and wait for the next service to Windsor & Eton Riverside which is formed of 458525 and 458830 which I take as far as Ashford station. At Ashford I have a short wait for a pair of 458’s to arrive that are heading back towards London so I board the leading unit 458524 as far as Syon Lane where I transferred to 458532 via the platform and remained on this train as far as Kew Bridge where I cross to the opposite platform for the next train to London Waterloo via Twickenham when another two 455 units arrived on the 1735 to London Waterloo where I got on board the rear unit 5735 as far as Isleworth where I hop off onto the platform to transfer to the lead unit which was 5865 to take me onwards to North Sheen before crossing to the opposite platform to head away from London and waited for the 1810 to Hounslow which was 450033 to travel as far as Whitton, with time no cracking on it is time to head back into London and head back up to Manchester.

At Whitton the 1822 to London Waterloo (arrived at 1829, 7 minutes late) arrived formed of a pair of 458 units so I climb aboard the leading unit 458522 for a short hop to my final new station for the day and at St. Margarets I transfer to the rear unit via the platform and complete my journey to London Waterloo on board 458510.
At London Waterloo I head down to the Tube to get the Northern Line back to Euston and got on board 52676 for the journey.

At Euston I have a little time to wait so head to M&S Food for some tea to have on the train before the platform is displayed on the departure board. On the way to the train 90042 arrives with the Caledonian Sleeper stock and I climb aboard the 2000 to Manchester Piccadilly formed of 390126.

Stats for the Day:
Red Pens: 30
New Shacks: 25

Good read Andy, so I presume you had a travelcard and a Boundary Zone 6 to Epsom return and BZ6 to Staines return for all that? Good work on clearing a lot of shacks and units.