Back on the platform

[55013]

The gen for the coast, according to a post on WNXX, is that the 68s finish on the 14th to release some 66s for the RHTT season.

 

[The_Train]

Little jaunt to the local today having seen a couple of interesting potentials on RTT. The first was 4Z41 1004 Carlisle Kingmoor Sdg to Daventry Drs (Tesco) and this turned out to be winner 88003 with dud 66421 supporting as they hauled some empties south. I decided on a new vantage point at the north end of platform 1 for a photo and was subsequently blocked from getting a photo of any sort by a late running Pendolino leaving platform 3

That annoyed me so I decided to cheer myself up by collecting my tickets for next week's jaunt to Yorkshire before heading home for a couple of hours before the next service of note was due to pass through. The couple of hours turned into about an hour though as I'd kept an eye on RTT and 5Z24 1043 Southall Loco Services Ltd to Crewe H.S. seemed to have a good trailing wind or was being rocket propelled through the midlands so suddenly I was rushed to return to the station. I needn't have worried though as it was (un)conveniently held in the loop at Four Ashes for an hour which did give me chance to bag my obligatory 66 winner, this time in the form of 66593 working a Felixstowe to Crewe Freightliner. I also got to see 66952 pulling 90049 and 90047, all duds, northbound before the Southall-Crewe finally made an appearance (still early despite its wait) with dud but glorious D1935/47805 leading and equally glorious looking and more importantly winner 47853 doing the pushing
D1935/47805 at Stafford by The_Train
47853 at Stafford by The_Train

A few more duds passed by but I'd got what I wanted from the day and having witnessed a little chaos caused by 'lineside equipment failure' I called it a day.

There are also a few extra pics posted onto my flickr

 

[Skymonster]

Nice to see you got another Duff Mr. Train - they were both with DRS when I last saw them.

 

[The_Train]

Nice to see you got another Duff Mr. Train - they were both with DRS when I last saw them.

Indeed, two with lovely liveries as well

 

[The_Train]

Tekkin mi'sen up t'Yorkshire - Wednesday 5th September 2018 (Part One)

The next chapter of my outings is upon us with my first venture across to the ECML since my childhood. The main aim of the outing was to simply eat into the LNER stock whilst also opening up my Northern sightings.

My 06:00 alarm was beaten by my body clock which kicked me out of bed at 05:45 allowing me time for a coffee before getting myself ready for the full day ahead. Bag packed, I departed my apartment at 06:50 to arrive at Stafford in good time for the morning Tesco train which was running early only to be left waiting as it was held outside of the station to allow the many commuter trains to come and go. By the time it was allowed to run through platform 5, my view was blocked by a pendolino in platform 4 and even though I managed to get to the end of the platform in time to see that it was 88010 hauling the Daventry to Mossend Tesco train, there was no photo opportunity. So for the 2nd time in a matter of days a pendolino had managed to scupper my chances of photographing an 88 . As disappointing as that was, the important thing was that it was a winner and I was off and running for the day. Stafford offered very little else, with a pair of dud 86s in the form of 613 and 614 running late down the fast lines being the only excitement so I decided to jump on the 0739 LNWR 8 car service to Tamworth instead of waiting for the later service and risking a cramped journey. 350257 was at the front and 350126 was on the rear and this is where I found my seat. Whilst we waited for departure a couple of dud 66s, 66553 heading south and 66172 heading to Trafford Park, passed by before we started our journey south.

The journey through Lichfield provided a few surprises as first of all departmental DR79501 was sat in the sidings to north of the station and then as we departed I caught sight of 66739 which was heading north to Irvine Caledonian Paper having made its way from Wembley in the early hours. Arrival into Tamworth soon followed and no Pendolino to get in my way this time so I bagged a quick pic of my first haulage of the day before heading for a lovely latte from the station coffee shop
Class 350 EMU 350126 awaiting departure from Tamworth by The_Train

Another track machine was chalked off next as DR97803 passed through platform 2 on the low level before a nice surprise on the high level as a HST set arrived, formed of dud 43303 on the front and winner 43366 on the rear, with a XC service to Plymouth
43366 at Tamworth High Level by The_Train

More dud 66s passed me by on the low level before my 2nd haulage of the day, in the form of dud for sight 170397, arrived to propel me along on the short journey to Burton-on-Trent. Going past Central Rivers depot on route to Burton allowed me to nab 08943 as it sat stabled awaiting it's next duty before we arrived into Burton
170397 at Burton by The_Train

My layover at Burton was less than 10 minutes so not much time to do anything but I did wander down platform 2 to get yet another track machine as DR73109 was sat in the sidings before 221123 arrived to take me on the next stage of my journey north as I headed towards Sheffield. The service was pretty empty so I didn't bother trying to find my reserved seat, just plonked myself in a sparse carriage and on the right side to have a gander at what was in Wetmore Sidings. Unfortunately I couldn't see any locos but did nab some of the sorry looking shunting stock sat there with 08918, 08994, 09006 and 09014 all chalked off with the latter being the first sightings of 09s for me. I purchased a particularly disappointing coffee from the trolley and settled down to scrutinise @Skymonster 's hints and tips regarding depots I'd be passing and to make sure I was on the right side of the train as we headed towards Derby.

I think that's a good place to end part one with 11 winners in the bag before I'd managed to get out of Staffordshire.

Part 2 won't be far behind.......hopefully

 

[Skymonster]

Good stuff... I was beginning to wonder: whether there was so much to write / whether you were all railwayed-out / whether it was a bad day and you weren't going to write... Looking forward to part 2.

 

[The_Train]

Good stuff... I was beginning to wonder: whether there was so much to write / whether you were all railwayed-out / whether it was a bad day and you weren't going to write... Looking forward to part 2.

I would say it was definitely one of those 3 options you've put there but I'll let you guess which one as we delve deeper into the day

 

[Skymonster]

I would say it was definitely one of those 3 options you've put there but I'll let you guess which one as we delve deeper into the day

I'm hoping its option 1 - and I'm discounting option 3 at this stage given you've got 11 in the bag already. Looking forward to further instalments...

 

[The_Train]

Tekkin mi'sen up t'Yorkshire - Wednesday 5th September 2018 (Part Two)

I left you at the end of part 1 having just left Burton on a XC service to Newcastle, although I would only be going as far as Sheffield. Having seen what Wetmore Sidings had to offer, I was now trying to get my bearings as to where to park myself on the Voyager to best see the depots we would be going past. Skymonster had offered some great advice but I'd opted for a rear facing seat (something I'd not considered when reading his advice at home) so I had to delve deep into my few remaining brain cells to figure it all out. It was decided, I would move across the train so as to be on the correct side for Etches Park and that would also put me on the better side for Toton and it paid off as we headed into Derby as I was sure it was needed 222008 sat outside Etches. I just needed to wait for the 10 minute layover at Derby and then I could confirm winner number 12 for the day but it wasn't to be as when we did finally leave Derby it turned out to be dud 222006.

Oh well, that one little defeat was soon forgotten as we headed past LORAM where I spied many a winner with more 08s going in the book in the form of 08536 and 08417 and 3 more track machines with DR79235/6/7 all being winners and my class 31 duck was broken with 31233 and 31105 sitting next to each other. I also bagged 97304 before turning my attention to Etches Park where I was able to chalk off 43480 and 43465 but the only other thing there was a 153 which I was unable to identify. So it was onwards to Toton where I decided, whether rightly or wrongly, to take as read what the line of 24 60s were and focus on the other side. I'd been hoping for some caution aspects or hefty speed restrictions heading through but it wasn't to be and if anything we seemed to generate speed as we reached the best part but I still managed to bag a few more winners as listed below:

66738, 66076 & 66102
60048, 60035, 60048 & 60011
67008
DR72213

These coupled with the 24 static 60s on the other side made for a decent start to the day and I was yet to make it into Yorkshire so i was feeling quite content with how things were going. There was little else to expect before Sheffield so I buried my head into my book for a few chapters whilst sucking on blackcurrant and liquorice sweets (not had them for years and forgot how good they are) as we trundled through Chesterfield and onwards to Sheffield where we arrived at around 10:47 which left me around 80 minutes to pick up as much as possible before my final outward journey of the day to Doncaster on the Cleethorpes TPE service.

Stepping off the Voyager, the first thing I got to see was a lovely Pacer in the form of 144011 which was sat in one of the bay platforms. It's been many years since I've seen one of these in the flesh and I must admit it brought a smile to my face. 158902 was next in the book as it pulled in next to the Pacer and it was then that I heard the unmistakable sound of a HST idling and as I looked out towards the far side of the station it was indeed a XC HST with a rake of coaches with the new doors. I didn't realise it at the time but it transpires it was out on test in readiness for when the new doors enter passenger services. Dud 43304 was on one end but winner winner 43285 was sat at t'other end. More 158 success next as 158851 came and went before more Pacer action with 142089 arriving in front of 144011 in the bay
142089 and 158851 at Sheffield by The_Train

Sheffield is certainly a station to keep your step count up (if you're into monitoring that sort of thing of course) and I was certainly working hard to keep a track of where trains were going. 158816 went into the book next and was quickly followed by 150133, my first 150, and 144018 before we got some EMT action with dud 222010 rolling in from St Pancras with winner 222007 attached. Dud 66751 rolled through with a Bardon Hill train but it was all all-out the MUs here and it was my first 185 next as TPE 185106 came and went with the Cleethorpes service I'd originally planned to catch before deciding to extend my stay in Sheffield. 158872 went into the book next before we were inundated with 144s as 005, 017 and 008 all arrived within 5 minutes of each other. It was around this time that my joy of seeing pacers everywhere was tempered somewhat with the news that the Cleethorpes train I intended to catch had broken before leaving Manchester and was therefore cancelled. This meant that for the first time I was tasked with thinking on my feet to revise my travel plans. It was either wait for the next Cleethorpes service which would keep me in Sheffield longer but reduce my time in Doncaster or jump on the Newcastle destined XC due in around 15 minutes time and cut short my stint at Sheffield. As my day was always planned for Doncaster, I decided to cut short my time at Sheffield but I still had time to nail more units with 158858, 158793, 158854 and 158889 all winners.

The mornings intake of coffee was starting to catch up with me so a comfort break was required but at the point of no return I heard the sound of a 66 sneaking in. Everything was suddenly very rushed and with hands still dripping wet (with water I may add) I raced out to see that it had been held at the signal and was dud 66957 with a rake of cement hoppers. A lot of rushing for nothing there but the bladder can become very unhelpful to us spotters. Despite no success with the 66, I did notice 158850 which added to the 158 coffers before dud for sight 221134 arrived to take me on my final leg to Doncaster. Sheffield did have a parting gift, however, as I was able to chalk off 144006 and 158815 who had just arrived as we began our departure. And then having not had much luck with 66s today I managed a bonus sighting somewhere after Meadowhall as winner 66767 was sat in a loop.

There was nothing else to see on my journey so I settled down to munch my first batch of sandwiches I'd made for myself happy with the 22 winners I'd bagged in an hour at Sheffield to go with the 33 at Toton (including the 24 static 60s) and the 10 at LORAM/Etches Park. With the 11 I picked up at Stafford/Tamworth/Burton earlier in the morning I was now at 76 winners before even reaching my main destination for the day. Happy days so far although I'm disappointed I only managed the one photo at Sheffield, not sure what happened there. Guess it was just the new environment and the hectic nature of racing around to sight everything available to me.

6 hours of fun at Doncaster will start in part 3 which will probably come tomorrow now. Surely there was nothing to stop me gaining 3 figures worth of winners now.......or is there a twist to the tail?

 

[gtis]

Nice report so far can’t wait for part 3
I have a video of the XC HST with new doors you mention has I was there the same time has you
I was on the train back to Swinton when the class 66 sneaked in
Neil

 

[NorthWestRover]

If you like Pacers and Sprinters, you'd enjoy Manchester - Piccadilly and Victoria. Combine that with Leeds and you'd be like a pig in muck.

 

[The_Train]

Nice report so far can’t wait for part 3
I have a video of the XC HST with new doors you mention has I was there the same time has you
I was on the train back to Swinton when the class 66 sneaked in
Neil

Thanks for your kind words. It's the 2nd time I've been in the vicinity of a fellow forum member without realising it at the time. I didn't even bother with a pic of the HST set as I didn't realise it was on test and never thought about the doors so a wasted opportunity there.

 

[The_Train]

If you like Pacers and Sprinters, you'd enjoy Manchester - Piccadilly and Victoria. Combine that with Leeds and you'd be like a pig in muck.

I've been looking at ways of working the Manchester stations into a day as I want to visit but don't really see them being worth a full day. Adding Leeds into that would be a good option

 

[Skymonster]

Ooo... A cliffhanger... Eagerly awaiting part 3

 

[The_Train]

Ooo... A cliffhanger... Eagerly awaiting part 3

It is important to ensure that your audience wants to keep turning the pages of your book

 

[Skymonster]

If it helps, the row of 60s on the northern end of depot side of Toton (from south to north - the direction you were travelling) is:
60058, 60068, 60048, 60035, 60034, 67008

You note some of those in the row but not all.

The three rows in the headshunt are as follows, from furthest to nearest to you:

• Depot sidings - probably lots of 60s and 66s
• Headshunt row 1: 60079 60... 60... etc
• Headshunt row 2: 60045 60... 60... etc
• Headshunt row 3: 60058, 60068, 60048, 60035, 60034, 67008
• Down main - to Chesterfield / Sheffield (your route)
• Upmain - to Trent Junction

You should have seen all of those if you were looking out of the left hand side. They were checked yesterday and haven't changed for months, if not years. As for the condemned 24, they are noted in one of my recent posts in this forum and haven't moved for years.

 

[The_Train]

If it helps, the row of 60s on the northern end of depot side of Toton (from south to north - the direction you were travelling) is:
60058, 60068, 60048, 60035, 60034, 67008

You note some of those in the row but not all.

The three rows in the headshunt start with:

60058 (nearest the mains, as see above)
60045 (heading the row next in)
60079 (heading the row furthest from the mains)

These were all checked yesterday and haven't changed for months, if not years. As for the condemned 24, they are noted in one of my recent posts in this forum and haven't moved for years.

More top info Skymonster, thanks very much. I got the list of 24 off your thread during my journey and may make use of this information........that is of course if I didn't manage to add to my Toton winners on my return journey

 

[55013]

Excellent stuff.
I'm looking forward to the next instalment .

 

[47403]

Good read Mr Train.
Been looking forward to this trip report, the book of sights will be grateful, certainly making hay while the sun shines. Its great when you go somewhere and you know your gonna fill your boots. Even if you didnt get to Donny, it's been a profitable day.
Looking forward to the rest.

 

[Kite159]

Looks like a good day in Yorkshire so far

For fast Sheffield - Doncaster services don't forget about the hourly Sheffield - Hull + beyond which is sometimes a comfortable 158

 

[The_Train]

Excellent stuff.
I'm looking forward to the next instalment .

Thanks 55013, hopefully I will have more posted at some point today.

Good read Mr Train.
Been looking forward to this trip report, the book of sights will be grateful, certainly making hay while the sun shines. Its great when you go somewhere and you know your gonna fill your boots. Even if you didnt get to Donny, it's been a profitable day.
Looking forward to the rest.

I suppose it's the beauty of being new to the game. Venturing into untapped areas should always be profitable although I suppose it's a dangerous game to take anything for granted when chasing trains around

Looks like a good day in Yorkshire so far

For fast Sheffield - Doncaster services don't forget about the hourly Sheffield - Hull + beyond which is sometimes a comfortable 158

Wish I'd spotted that at the time as part of the fun of the day was going to be travelling on some different stock and a 158 would have been a nice substitute for the 185 I'd have been on I'd the Cleethorpes had not been cancelled. Is the service you mentioned the one that sometimes goes as far as Bridlington or is that different altogether?

 

[The_Train]

Tekkin mi'sen up t'Yorkshire - Wednesday 5th September 2018 (Part Three)

There was nothing to report on the journey from Sheffield to Doncaster other than I stuffed my face. Got to keep the energy up in this game. I opened up my account for Donny as we headed past the Roberts Road Depot where I was able to sight 66781, 66783 and 08927 all stabled between duties. My arrival into Doncaster station itself coincided with dud 88008 moving light engine towards Doncaster Decoy and 66719 passing through. Also sat in the yard was 66431 along with a 67 and a Colas 70 but as they were more difficult to identify I decided to return later to nab them and instead head off into the thick of it to chalk off units already in the station. Turns out there was just the 2 Northern units to log with 321901 being the first 321 to go in the book and then 158796 soon following. It seemed quiet enough to head back to the end of platform 8 to identify the stabled locos and they turned out to be winners 70816 and DB 67002. This proved to be a bit of a mistake as I missed the front of a HST set that flew through the fast lines, just being able to catch 43239 on the rear. I've since found out that 43314 was leading from the front.

I won't lie, it took me a little bit of time to get my bearings but I soon settled at the north end of platform 4 and 142003 went into the book as it arrived into platform 0 running the Scunthorpe stopper. Then came a bit of action across the way at the Wabtec works as 08724 made an appearance shunting some coaching stock around the works.
Class 08 08724 shunting at Wabtec, Doncaster by The_Train

Unfortunately that would be the only action of the day at Wabtec with the only other challenge being to identify the 465 of which only half was on show in the yard. Turns out it was 465246 which was a bonus sighting considering it was so far from home. More Pacer action next as 144011 made a 2nd appearance of the day and while that sat in platform 3, I was able to open my 180 account as Grand Central 180108 arrived into platform 4 with a service ex Kings Cross to Bradford Interchange
GC 180108 in P4 and 144011 in P3 at Doncaster by The_Train

Departmental track machines DR97507 and DR97807 kept up the variety on offer as they headed to the Roberts Road Depot before the LNER stuff started to pick up a pace with a HST set powered by 43238 and 43208 passing through the fasts with a service to KX. TPE 185125 also joined the party before I was able to start marking off some of the LNER electric stock with 91112 and 82228 teaming up to head northbound and 91115 and 82216 forming a service to London. A surprise appearance was then made in platform 8 by an EMT HST set with 43075 (this was my 100th success of the day) and 43047 on loan to LNER to work a service towards Leeds
43047 at Doncaster by The_Train

My trek to the other end of the station gave me an opportunity to check out what was in bay platform 5. Unfortunately it turned out to be dud EMT 153308 so I headed back to the north end of platform 4 to find dud 66002 sat waiting for a path towards Wakefield. A dud Pacer came and went but we were soon back to winners with 82222 bringing 91113 along with it followed by more Pacer fun with 144004 going into the book. 322483 also went into the book when it arrived from Leeds and sat around waiting to make the return journey. Here it is ready to make that return journey
Class 322 322483 at Doncaster by The_Train

The 180s were proving to be a nightmare when it came to identifying them. The advice of clocking the coach numbers was working though and 180103 was soon in the book as was 144009 as the Pacer successes slowly crept up. 91105 was the next winner as it arrived with a service ex Kings Cross to York, supported by DVT 82208 at the rear
Class 91 91105 at Doncaster by The_Train

DR80214 departmental was next in the book having arrived from Grantham before more flying HST action with 43305 and 43295 flying through the fasts and these were followed by 91126 and 82223 before 150127 became my 2nd success in that class as it headed towards Sheffield. More joy with the LNER electrics as 91122 and 82201 entered the book as they ran north and these were followed by a double whammy of 180s as 180109 and 180111 headed off in opposite directions. More HST power carswere knocked off thanks to 43320 and 43310 and then 43306 and 43317 before 144003 arrived to keep the units ticking over. Another 66 then found its way into the book as 66112 headed light engine down the goods line having come from Wakefield on a journey through to Belmont Yard
Class 66 66112 at Doncaster by The_Train

The TPE Cleethorpes services then passed each other with both 185s being winners thanks to 104 and 118 and that takes me to 52 winners at Doncaster thus far to go with the 76 from earlier in the day. With 128 winners already nailed I think we can leave part 3 there with this picture of 185104 as it readies to depart for Cleethorpes
Class 185 185104 at Doncaster by The_Train

Hopefully part 4 will be posted at some point tomorrow evening so make sure you tune in to see what else Doncaster had to offer

 

[gtis]

Looking forward to it
I usually go to Doncaster on a Saturday morning
Neil

 

[The_Train]

Looking forward to it
I usually go to Doncaster on a Saturday morning
Neil

What's it like there at the weekend? Does more freight go through the station?

 

[Skymonster]

Talking of slippery slopes... I see you're doing DVTs - unpowered vehicles... You'll be on to coaches and wagons next!

 

[The_Train]

Talking of slippery slopes... I see you're doing DVTs - unpowered vehicles... You'll be on to coaches and wagons next!

they look like locomotives, that's good enough for me oh and not to forget that they operate on the National network and not on scalextric tracks

 

[gtis]

What's it like there at the weekend? Does more freight go through the station?

I seem to think so plus there are a few
More spotters there
But with northern strikes it’s a bit awkward for me to get there at the moment
Neil

 

[Kite159]

Wish I'd spotted that at the time as part of the fun of the day was going to be travelling on some different stock and a 158 would have been a nice substitute for the 185 I'd have been on I'd the Cleethorpes had not been cancelled. Is the service you mentioned the one that sometimes goes as far as Bridlington or is that different altogether?

Yes, the Bridlington services are normally quite fast from Sheffield, calls at Meadowhall only towards Doncaster. The big benefit is that they start from Sheffield so it is normally easier to get a seat

 

[The_Train]

Yes, the Bridlington services are normally quite fast from Sheffield, calls at Meadowhall only towards Doncaster. The big benefit is that they start from Sheffield so it is normally easier to get a seat

That's a good point about it starting at Sheffield. I shall bear this in mind should I head that way again

 

[Skymonster]

they operate on the National network and not on scalextric tracks

LMAO

they look like locomotives, that's good enough for me

Hmmm... You say tomato, I say tomato - you say DVT, I say tram!

68020 was at the rear of the TPE Mk5 test run

But what about the TPE Mk.5 DT which would meet the same criteria?