Devonman 2015's trips

[Devonman2014]

Well hi

Welcome to my first ever trip report on here which consists of basically 12 or so days of ramblings from between Exeter, Portsmouth, Crewe, London and all in between. Mainly on a Freedon of Severn and Solent (FOSS) 8 out of 15 days is my mainstay for the travelling but as you will see I went "out of area" one or two days
So let me start with a bit about me, aged nearly 40 living in Exeter i left the spotting and bashing scene back in 1999-2000ish when there was still slam door stock on the Southern, 47's with Mark 2's were hauling Cross Country trains and the introduction of voyagers (on test) was just happening.
So back to 2015 and as you can imagine there is lots for me to see and do so without much more delay heres the first few days of 12 of my trip....

Monday 02nd March and its 8.30, At St Davids purchasing a single to Tiverton (FOSS furtherly validity point) and my FOSS rover I head to platform 5 and catch the first train to Tiverton formed with 43034 and 43027 which leads onto Westbury and my first stop off point. Westbury at 10am and its cold and blustery
and all that was in the are is a Colas 70 and freghtliner 66.
Now its onto 158957 and a short trip to Bristol Temple Meads followed by 221130 from Temple Meads to Parkway.
Here is my next couple hours spotting position with not a lot happening except one parked up Coal train and the normal FGW HST's popping by.
I now board 43158 and 43092 for the first of a few hops into Wales passing by the new IEP depot at Filton and wow what an area this depot is with track laying currently underway and what appears to be a nearly complete large depot building. Lots diggers and groundworks vehicles milling around but sadly as some may know what appears to be excavated material has been used to form a large bank separating the main line from the depot building complex so prying eyes can't look in also appears points are piled near the entry into the complex in preparation for connection into the yards.
Anyway a short while later I'm leaving the train in Sunny but windy Newport and feeling peckish off to find food which is quickly done and i return back to Newport.
Not a lot is happening in Newport so I board 43041 and 43155 to take me to Cardiff, Here i stay for 2 hours looking for my last 142 but to no avail...although bonus spot for me and others on the station was the passing through of 2 parts of the new GWML elecrification train on route learning from Swindon toBridgend, Couple hours later it returned passing through again.
With a sister living in Yeovil (within the FOSS area) this i my ending point tonight so i have to start heading back and 67029 on the Cardiff - Holyhead is my trusty steed as far as Newport and I have to say how comfortable the seats are in the Arriva Wales set, presumably they were refurbished ???
158953 takes me from Newport to Salisbury but as its dark not much spotting takes place and my end move is 159022 from Salisbury to Yeovil Jctn and the first of many nights in Yeovil.

Tuesday March 3rd sees me dropped off at Yeovil Jctn for 159106 and 159002 on the 09:29 to Waterloo (Ex Exeter which will be my strating train when in Yeovil), A Change at Salisbury sees me head on 158953 to Southampton Central passing a very busy Freightliner stabling point and a few 70's and 66's on container trains parked in the vicinity ready to head north.
Couple hours pass and with the passing of a couple inward bound freight liners and intermodal trains its time to move on with 450091 taking me to Portsmouth Harbour for a quick turn around and back on 158954 to Southampton (Needed line as never been between Southampton and Portsmouth).
Heading on the next Eastleigh bound train I take 158884 on the Romsey Circuit for the short hop to Eastleigh passing for the first time ever the new (for me) Northam Depot which doesn't seem that big for such a large allocation !!
3 Hours passes in which time its rush hour and only a few freight pass through and with darkness (and the cold) closing in i head back to Yeovil with 158884 (again) to Salisbury and 159015 back to Yeovil.

Well I'm now going to submit this report as part one and start on part 2 later but a note has to be made of the 2 days been using and ticket checked on 99% of the journeys the guard has not checked the date entry box ticket so for two days travel i have only entered one day - Do guards not know to check ??

Any way Part 2 for days 3 to 6 follow later tonight !!!

 

[Iskra]

Good stuff. Are you aware of www.realtimetrains.co.uk it can really help with showing you roughly what is working through a station and when to help you with your spotting.

 

[Kite159]

Mainly on a Freedon of Severn and Solent (FOSS) 8 out of 15

Never knew the FOSS was available in a 8 out of 15 format (always had it in mind as 3 out of 7 only), but good to know for future

Guards don't check the date boxes, but I found when I did my FOSS a couple weeks ago it opened no ticket barriers and I had to show both parts to be allowed out

 

[Techniquest]

First of all, a warm welcome back to the hobby! I can only imagine what it was like in 1999/2000, the changes in 15/16 years will be getting quite significant by now, with plenty more big changes coming in the next few years!

Secondly, a very good choice with the FoSS rover as it's an all-time favourite ticket here.

Thirdly, guards do check the dates boxes sometimes. I forgot to do it once on a FoSS and rightfully received a lecture about it. Guards apparently have the right to put a cross through the empty boxes (I'm not sure if this is true, but I can tell you I'm very careful with doing so these days!) and putting the relevant date in the next available boxes. Not sure what would happen if you had no more available boxes. Point I'm making is please ensure you fill the boxes in, you don't want to get landed in the brown stuff!

Fourthly, jealous about 158884 as that's my last SWT 158 to get in the book! Aiming to fix that hugely irritating gap later this year on a FoSS (only ever done a 3 in 7 myself), it's been years since I last did one!

Finally, I should say I enjoyed the read and looking forward to more when it's ready

 

[Devonman2014]

Well thanks for the welcome guys and to answer a few questions :-

iskra - Yes thanks for the tip I used RTT hell of a lot at lots various points throughout the trip which you will see as i move forward - In fact the GWML electrification train was a result of the RTT Swindon - Bridgend showing up, although to be honest a lot of us (5 or 6) thought was going to be a tamper.

For info / Tips incase any readers are not aware there is a Yahoo Group for practically every area and Facebook Wessex Rail & WRGen was a fountain of knowledge regarding workings , gen etc !!

Kite 159 - Yeah the FOSS is 3 in 7 for £45 yet 8 in 15 for £69 so was a no brainer for me.....

Techniquest - Yeah you are correct but on day 11 of using it i was told by a young guard on a 158 they can cross off one empty box and enter the date in next box I apologised, looked forlorn at him and he let me off - but by then was near end of my trip.....as for 158884 it followed me all week - along with a couple 66's lmao

Anyway now to the next installment.....
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Day 3 starts same as most days after a night in Yeovil - 09:29 from Yeovil to Salisbury was today formed of 159003 and 159013 taking me on the lengthy journey to Salisbury where a change of trains see me quickly onto 158956 to Westbury.
Now RTT showed a number of freights due in the following hour so there i sat to find 66595, 59203 and 59101 arrive in a very short time on various stone trains and engineers followed by a colas 70 (didn't get it as was in loo and was early - with no other spotters around i cursed incase was 802 (Last one).
Then looked at Yahoo Group and 70802 was at Oxford working out of Hinksey Yard, relieved i didn't miss it I joined 158960 to Bristol T'M for 43153 and one i didn't get for the hop to Parkway. Here 70004 was parked on a coal train and RTT showed a light engine move from Crewe to Stoke Gifford due in 25 mins so had to wait - It obliged with 66585, 66536 and 66415 arrive, shunt and manoevre into the sidings and 3 more cops.....
I then joined 220009 towards Cheltenham Spa to get to Gloucester area and find our self diverted - The intercom buzzed into life and a "broken down freight train was blocking main line" passing the junction into Gloucester was a colas 70 and with that gen started buzzing over the internet that a wagon in the consist of 70809 on Ratcliffe to Gloucester had derailed....
As we left Gloucester some PW type guys were in Horton Rd old dept area cutting rail and going past the scene was 20 odd orange suited guys wondering around...

At Cheltenham followed a couple northbound freights and one southbound (70010) heading to Stoke Gifford.... After a while freight dried up as it was unable to head south due to the derailment and as I left Cheltenham after an hour on 220006 , 70010 had indeed been looped south of Cheltenham and the lateness was clocking up....RTT showed a number freights due was put into loops between Cheltenham and Birmingham....
A quick change onto 43041 and 43155 at Bristol saw me heading into Cardiff again passing East Usk and Alexandra Dock Jctn a number of steel trains and coal trains were parked up (all class 66).
Again at Cardiff again looking for 142069 and again failing (Where is it ???) and time was spent watching various Arriva Trains and then out of the blue on a light engine move 56312 appeared and passed through to Margam.
67029 again provided the motive power to Newport , followed by 158798 in advertising livery from Newport to Salisbury and a surprise in the shape of 66762 was parked in Bristol Temple Meads on a coal train from Portbury Docks heading north and again parked pending path north past 70809....
Salisbury quickly arrived (OK had a kip) and 159006 took me Salisbury to Yeovil Jctn and a finish to day 3 with a lot cops in the book....more on that later

Day 4 arrives and 159021 takes to Salisbury for 158798 for a trip to Southampton passing the freight complex in Southampton and 66416 in new powerful is quickly spotted and logged........Southampton is quickly on us and hop of train for 158885 to Eastleigh......Feeling tired it was decided a night in my own bed was needed so 4 hours later after time in Eastleigh spotting various freights (66's and 70's - what else) and its time to head North (to Bristol) to head South (to Exeter) with a break in Westbury....
444016 obliged with Eastleigh to Southampton on a Weymouth service for a plus 10 to get on 158958 From Southampton to Westbury...... pulling into Westbury 2 colas 70's were parked up - Could it be ??? anyway a quick chat with a guy on the platform and gahhhh was 808 and 807 - Typical....
158957 then takes me to Bristol Temple Meads for an uneventful trip until i had to change trains ..... 31465 on a RTC train was parked in the siding on the far side of Temple Meads and RTT showed a Portbury Dock to somewhere Car train due and 66113 appeared and was on new vans of various sizes with a number car transporters tagged on the rear ....... 30 mins later and with my train 20 mins late 220008 appeared out of the darkness and it obliged taking me to Exeter....
Day 4 is now over and a well deserved kip taken at home...

Day 5 and 6 are going to be part 3 which i will type separately....

Follows in a few mins !!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Right so Day 5 arrives and quite frankly I'm getting bored of the area so a plan was formulated as per below

Day 5 - Use FOSS to end up at far extent of zone....overnight in Travelodge

Day 6 - Get a West Midlands Day ranger ticket for the day (Sat 07th March)

So this is how it went

Day 5 sees me joining 43196 and another one not noted on 08:51 train (from day 1) to Westbury (again buying ticket to Tiverton etc) and hour and bit later I'm in Westbury where 70807, 70808 and 70810 were all parked with no freight arrivals showing on RTT (don't know why !!) i decide today is not day to stay there although 70807 and 70808 depart light engine..... I'm quickly onto 158798 (3rd time now) to head to Southampton where a change is made onto 158884 (2nd time now) to Eastleigh on the Romsey Circuit. 35 mins at Eastleigh shows 70808 and 70807 had arrived and 66848 and 66850 were in the holding sidings and yard (Did colas have a lot engineering trains that weekend in Eastleigh area ???)
It again is to cold to hang around especially as RTT shows not much due to be happening.........158880 takes me to Romsey for 158952 to Bristol Temple Meads and again 31465 is still parked in the siding (Did it move overnight).
Hour and bit later after food at Bristol Temple Meads I join 221121 to head North towards my pit stop for the night, Cheltenham arrives and its time to change trains.....2 more freights pass in quick succession (less than 10 mins) and a lull in movements but soon 150130 arrives on a Great Malvern service which takes me to Worcester and I'm getting closer to my overnight stop but not quite there....
172337 arrives and I join to Kidderminster and I'm at my overnight stop but in the station is 68011 on the last service of the night from Leamington so i hang around to see and listen to it..... 15 mins later its nearly 10:30 and a taxi takes me to Kidderminster TRavellodge...

As Travellodges go its the standard of what is expected and a good nights sleep is taken....

Forums show the first Kidderminster service towards Leamington (07:12) is booked / normally a 68 so theres my decision for 1st move of the day. 06:40 and I'm in a taxi to the station and I find the ticket office isn't open till 7am....
A Day west Mids ranger is purchased and i wait the 1st train.... at about 07.05 in pulls 168112 ECS from Stourbridge so no 68 working today a trip is taken on it passing Stourbridge Yard where 68011 and 68014 is stabled (so why aint they working gggrrrrrr) to Snow Hill where i get off to spend a hour or two there.....A while later and units are repeating so I decide a trip to Acocks Green is on the cards taking 172218 there and 172342 back and a couple more 172's are knocked off spotting wise at Tysely.
Now back at Moor St a decision is taken i need food so off i go and find a little cafe and have a cooked brekkie.....
Back to New St I decide i want to go Rugby so Im quickly joining 390020 to Coventry for 350264 to Rugby.....
I get to Rugby and wow what a change that station has undergone since i was there, the old train roof has gone replaced with modern glass canopies and a totally remodelled layout !!
Quick check of RTT shows a lot freight due, an ECS from Stourbridge to Wembley and a special from Newcastle to Wembley is due in the next hour and half and not much Virgin Trains stuff stopping.....
Anyway 67017 appears with Chiltern ECS followed by 90035 and 67005 top n tailing the Newcastle to Wembley.....92002 and 57307 are stabled. Freights come and go with 66's and 70's.
RTT shows all freight has passed and nothing much more happening for few hours so 350375 is taken to Stafford where 66416 (again) is spotted in Nuneaton but not much else....
Stafford is how i remember it from years ago with lots Virgin and Midlands trains stopping and passing through with a few freights (66's and 70's with 60062 thrown in for good measure)
Gen on Yahoogroups shows 68013 has worked south from Motherwell to Crewe and is sat in Crewe so off i go.....350238 doing the honours and as i enter Crewe there is 68013 dropping freight liner flat wagons at the LNWR complex. Its now 5pm and with Exeter beckoning its tie to head home......
390156 takes me south to New St and arriving in darkness i take 220010 direct to Exeter but had to purchase New St to Cheltenham ticket as was to late to use the rovers via Kidderminster / Worcester etc but was worth it as i kipped Birmingham to Bristol and back in Exeter its an end to two more days.....but a few beers beckoned

Day 7-9 follows tomorrow evening but any questions or comments welcome.....will try to answer most of them !!

Now my cop total for 6 days is standing at a whopping 395 (yes i told you i needed lots of everything that practically moved)

 

[Techniquest]

Jeez, how did you manage to cop 395 different trains?! hock:

Quite the bit of mileage undertaken too, looks like you had a good time in the Midlands too

The 68s will be going strong with Birmingham services soon enough, I think they're not doing weekend work at the moment but now Harbury's open again things should be getting there again now. I've been waiting ages for my first 68 action, but I can't imagine I'll have to wait too much longer now

You're doing better than me on Colas 70s, I still have 6 of them to see yet.

Looking forward to the rest of the trip report when it's ready

 

[Devonman2014]

Hi

Well the 395 cops come from re numbered HST coaches, re numbered power cars, freightliner and colas engines to new Southern EMU's and re numbered 158 and 159's !!!!

As stated in post 1..... When I left slam door stock and DMU's were the mainstay of the Southern and most of Tyseley DMU's were slam door, the 170's were brand new back then lol

More to follow tonight .....

 

[Techniquest]

Fair point there, hadn't considered HST coaching stock.

You're going to have fun at Clapham Junction and London Bridge (when it's back to normal operations in a few years' time) then, so much to see! The notebook and pen will be smoking away from having to write at a fast pace!

 

[Kristofferson]

Avoid London Bridge for now, however!

What an epic trip, welcome back to the trip report community

 

[Devonman2014]

Techniquest have you got my spotting pad as London forms a part of the big bash (see later)

Anyways from Day 6 i ended back in Exeter and a good nights sleep after a few beers and Im up for Day 7 as i have to work on the Monday (09th) and Tuesday I can't go to far so off i go.....

Its Sunday 08th March at 10.20 and I'm Joining 221132 parked in platform 4 for the trip from Exeter to Bristol Parkway (train started at Exeter as lone between Exeter and Plymouth been shut overnight for engineering) and a check of Yahoogroups shows 59101 is due 5 min after my train leaves with an engineers to Westbury and as a dud I sit back for an uneventful trip to Bristol Parkway....
Pulling in sees 70004, 70004 and 70010 parked next to each other with coal trains ready to head South (Avonmouth or Portbury ??) along with a glance from footbridge I see 5 roofs of parked engines......10 min later I'm at the entry gates into Stoke Gifford and 66589 / 590 / 536 / 54 and one other right at back....
Gen reveals two 66's parked on Pengam sidings and Alexandra Docks so off i go onto 43130 & 43183 to Cardiff and 66154 and 66737 is noted - 5 cops in less than a hour is racked up.
A quick turn around grabbing a coffee and 43137 and 43164 takes me in the Bristol direction but not before 66061 and 66034 pass in 3 mins on steel trains in different directions and between Newport and Bristol 66044 is noted on a steel train so 3 steel trains in less than a hour on a Sunday !!!
Checkng National Rail app reveals the HST to Swindon connects with a Southampton bound unit and a plus 25 at Southampton onto an Exeter bound train being diverted due to Salisbury - Andover closed for engineering works so here we go again to Southampton on 158953....
Westbury comes and goes with only 59101 noted (from engineers that morning) and Salisbury is quickly passed.
Southampton Yard reveals various 66's and a couple 70's parked up mostly ones seen during the preceding week......
The plus 25 turned into a plus 5 as the earlier train was late so onto 159104 and a trip in darkness home leads me to Exeter and home ready for the following couple of days at work.

Day 8 for me is Wednesday 11th March and to date I have only 3 date boxes entered so plenty more to do !!!
St Davids 08:51 i join 43151 and one other not noted Was taken to Westbury with the yard empty and RTT showing only 59's due on stone trains I quickly join 158957 from Westbury to Southampton (again) with the intention of a few hours at Eastleigh on the cards I change at Southampton for a plus 45 min and in rolls 158884 (again - sorry techniquest) for the hop from Southampton to Eastleigh.
Eastleigh finds a lot of spotters out and RTT reveals why - A lot freight and additional freights seem to be running so i plonk myself down for 5 hours of Eastleigh spotting as I fancy a quiet day, travelling is becoming boring at this point .
After 5 or so hours its now got cold and I join 159101 on 18.22 to Salisbury from Eastleigh to Southampton, 158884 from Southampton to Salisbury and 159004 to Yeovil Jctn which courtesy of my sister is bed and board for the night.

Now its Thursday and day 9 - 159101 and 159004 are joined for 09:29 service to Salisbury where looking at a poster I hit a brainwave - Use my FOSS on Saturday to get Yeovil to Salisbury and buy a £15 return Salisbury to London with a £12 add on for zone 1-6 travel card is purchased for a day in London.....Ticket purchased and away i go to complete day 9.
Now at end of today I have to be home as need to work on Friday 13th so i decide from Salisbury to take 158952 to Bristol T'M closely followed (plus 8) by 221134 to Parkway.
Pulling in a 70 is in yard hidden away so a walk over to the next platform a look bak up the yard and its 70004 again and RTT showing nothing due i decide to head to Cheltenham....221125 does the honours on one of the 7 or 8 additional Bristol - Birminghams ran by cross Country for Cheltenham festival.
Not a bus fan but the car park reveals Stagecoach buses from London, Wign, Manchester and all in between parked up quietly awaiting the call to the racecourse to pick up travellers, Crowd control barriers and a queuing system is also in place in readiness for large crowds.
The tannoy buzzes into action and a plymouth bound train is due so I decide to take this one to Exeter for an early finish (home by 5) and in rolls 43321 and 43207 on a Dundee - Plymouth train....
No further things noted and an uneventful final trip home before a nights kip and work next day.....

Its now Friday 13th and I get bad news - My sister has had a disaster at home and I can't stay and i have the £15 London return to use the following day !!!
Travellodge website checked and I decide a night at Eastleigh in the travelogue opposite the station can be obtained for £40 so booked and done and I can get to Salisbury the following morning for my planned train (07:20 to Waterloo) so finishing work I get a lift to Pinhoe Station to use my FOSS to get to Eastleigh purchasing a Pinhole to Axminster single.
159104 rolls in on the 17:34 and in darkness I travel to Salisbury for 158950 to Romsey and 158885 to Eastleigh arriving around half 8....
Holding sidings hold 2 Colas 70's (could it be 802) but no its 804 and 805 with 66758 and 720 keeping them company.
RTT shows from half 8 to 10 a number of freights which are all logged before retiring to the travelogue via the Weatherspoons for a bite to eat and then sleep.

SAturday 14th now and I'm up bright and early crossing the road to meet the 06:13 to Salisbury for a plus 13 onto the Waterloo train (my booked £15 ticket) this is where disaster is averted as the 06:13 is 16 mins late so now be a minus 3 at Salisbury and a plus 57 for the next train !!!:cry:
Luckily at 06:13 theres a train at Eastleigh to Waterloo direct, a 2 min natter and a quick explanation to the guard and he allows me to join the 444 (number not noted but one of a pair) for direct to Waterloo - very nice man and I'm very thankful !!
Im now in London a full hour before I'm due to be so I alight at Clapham Jctn and spend 2 hours here noting the various 444,450 and 377 units which over 70% I cop !!
About 9.15 i join 450034 into Waterloo and over to Waterloo East - Now not knowing London Bridge is not served by train from Waterloo I join the underground for the one stop hop and up onto London Bridge.
Now i know more than most with rebuilding comes disruption but wow how London Bridge is changing (the old station roof is gone and its now more like 2 separate stations) with Thameslink terminating there and a lot of mess and inconvenience going on.
After an hour I'm getting frustrated at not being able to log everything (am i in wrong spot on station to ?) so i head back to the underground and over to Marylebone to see the loco hauled arrive from Kidderminster and in rolls 67017 with the second one being a 168 ! so logged a few 168's and 165's i head to Willesden Jctn and the infamous bridge over the main line (remembered from when i was young).
Standing there for 2 hours various 350's and 378's on the North London line are noted, No freight is running and a few more cops.
Heading to the NLL i head onto 378257 to go to Gospel Oak and onto the GOBLIN line to Barking (to get the 172's) with 3 noted parked on Willesden and 5 running the service i clear the class.
Arriving into Barking 66623 runs past on a cement train and a few 357's run through.
I join 357008 for short trip to West Ham and the underground to Kings Cross where i spend a few hours noting the renumbered HST's and 180's with the renumbered Mk 4's and 180's - Throw in a couple 313 and 321's and its a rather good couple hours.
Add in 91124 in new Virgin livery arriving its time to move on - Underground to Euston and not much happening apart from a few 390's and 350's copped.
My train from Waterloo is 18:20 and by now its 17:30 so i decide to head across arriving at 17:55 i have 25 min for quick beer and i join a rather busy 159 for the trip home.

That my friends concludes my trip and thus my report, Hope you have enjoyed my report and you are reading this without dozing off.....

Now for preparations for my next trip....

 

[Techniquest]

I don't need to see your notebook to know how full it would be, I remember only too well my days of needing an absolute truckload of stuff passing through Clapham Junction. All those 444s, 450s, 455s, 458s, 377s, 456s, 460s and even 313/1s (at the time!), plus anything else I'm forgetting. Ahhhhh good times!

I still need one 450 (thanks to the 450/5s), all the 458/5s, 2 377/6s and 2 or 3 377/7s so I have a hunch I'll be doing a Clapham spotting spree again one day, for those and for the nostalgia!

Anyway, I digress! I see you've noted 70004 twice at Stoke Gifford there, no doubt a typo but might be worth checking notes. I believe it's all Portbury for Freightliner coal trains, Avonmouth certainly used to be dominated by EWS (now DBS) coal trains. That could well be different now, someone more local will know.

Not bad going with those loco cops that day, fair dos!

London Bridge, pre-works at least, was best spotting from platform 6, although no matter where you were it's more or less impossible to get everything. You try it when it's all fully open again in 2018 during the peak, trust me it gets VERY busy! Also worth trying Bethnal Green for GEML stuff next time, it gets busy there but definitely worth a go, I always found it a good spot in the evening peak. No doubt I'll be returning there one day to spot whatever replaces 315s et al in years to come!

That was sure good fortune on getting to London that morning, could easily have bowled you out that delay!

Looks like you had an amazing time all in, I'm outrageously jealous!

 

[Kite159]

Salisbury to Waterloo is every 30 minutes during the day, I'm guessing you were aiming for the 7:21 departure to Waterloo (semi-fast and calls at Clapham), there was another departure at 7:47 towards Waterloo (stopper to Basingstoke, doesn't call at Clapham, needing a change to a service from Poole at Basingstoke which runs fast to Clapham).

 

[Devonman2014]

Techniquest - Thanks for the reply

Well regarding the 444's I'm down to 3 - 450's I'm down to 15, all 460's cleared and all the 455's cleared bar 455821 (Southern one), Three 456 and ten 458's required so Clapham is calling for me as well (See below for next trip )

London Bridge is a lesson well learnt and will be avoiding there.... lol

As for GEML apart from the 379's and renumber 317/5 and 6's (seen as original numbers lol) all GEML is cleared.......

So for my next trip.....with 4 nights in Edmonton Travelodge booked my general idea for bash of London is.....

09-04-15 after work - Head to London for a later evening (poss rush hour to 9) at Clapham Jctn

10-04-15 Rush Hour at Bethnal Green to get some pesky renumbered units in the morning, Day in Willesen / Euston / Kings Cross with evening rush hour at Alexandra Palace to crack some 313's and 321's working from HE.

11-04-15 Railtour from Alexandra Palace to Cleethorpes (Humber Sceptre from UK Railtours)

12-04-15 Sunday - What to do ???

13-04-15 Morning and evening rush hours at Waterloo East (unless someone tells me differently) to crack on with 375,376,465\9's as i need boat load of them !! with daytime in between at Victoria and on Southern cracking a lot of my 377's required.
Then train home.....

Lot scope to change there......need a lot of 378/1's (seen most 2's) and a load new Thameslink 387's (Wheres best in London for these units ?)
Probably do few hours in Barking looking for last ten 357's at some point !!

Any help appreciated - Anyone around any days in London could meet up for a bash and a beer perhaps ??
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Salisbury to Waterloo is every 30 minutes during the day, I'm guessing you were aiming for the 7:21 departure to Waterloo (semi-fast and calls at Clapham), there was another departure at 7:47 towards Waterloo (stopper to Basingstoke, doesn't call at Clapham, needing a change to a service from Poole at Basingstoke which runs fast to Clapham).

Hi Kite

Thanks for the info and to be honest once i boarded the 6.13 to Waterloo all the pressure was off.

Im guessing lesson learnt here is to check timetables and facts before putting fingers to keyboard or pen to paper !!!

 

[Techniquest]

I would probably suggest East Croydon for 387s (as well as 377s) although I've not been down there for quite a while so not tried it for 387s yet. South Croydon may also be worth a look, but as most stuff will be passing at some speed there ID'ing stuff may not be too easy.

I'm not about or live anywhere near by to join in the fun while you're in London, otherwise I'd join you.

Looks like you're going to have an excellent time all in!

 

[Kite159]

See you at Finsbury Park on the 11th, I'm slamming it overnight in a cheap guest house out Acton way, 30 minutes is doable to Finsbury from Waterloo, but quite tight if I don't time the Bakerloo right, 4 minutes waiting soon eats into the time)

387s I would probably suggest Elephant & Castle, only as it will less busy than East Croydon, and has fewer platforms.
387/1s, just have a couple hours on the East London Line core, and you will probably clear your requirements.

 

[Devonman2014]

Kite - So your on the good old Humber Sceptre tour then or just going to see it off prior to day in London ?

If on it maybe meet up as be good to meet a fellow forum member and possibly partake in a few beers

Now could we get Techniquest to join us ??

 

[Kite159]

I be on the tour, although I don't drink beer, more than welcome for you to have a few beers and I have a few soft drinks.

 

[Devonman2014]

I be on the tour, although I don't drink beer, more than welcome for you to have a few beers and I have a few soft drinks.

We shall exchange coach and seat numbers once we have allocated tickets

And no issues with not drinking beer - with my job it helps after a bad day lol

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Sunday. Check out engineering work first but here's a few thoughts.
378/1s - East London line is same frequency as weekday so you should be good for most of them. You might bag another by passing New Cross Gate depot.
379s - on Sunday afternoon, there'll be about 25 or 26 out. Camp out at Tottenham Hale in order to get the ones that go to Stratford. The Stansteds will be pairs in the afternoon. There singles in the morning.
London Bridge can be busy even on a Sunday. Country end of platform 1,2,3 should get you everything.

Wherever you go, good luck!

 

[Techniquest]

Now could we get Techniquest to join us ??

I wish I could, however I'm working (as per normal) on that day. Always work Saturdays unless I've had the good luck to get some time off. There's also the huge cost with tours etc these days, what with hotels and train fares to the other side of the country to get on the tour!

 

[Devonman2014]

Sunday. Check out engineering work first but here's a few thoughts.
378/1s - East London line is same frequency as weekday so you should be good for most of them. You might bag another by passing New Cross Gate depot.
379s - on Sunday afternoon, there'll be about 25 or 26 out. Camp out at Tottenham Hale in order to get the ones that go to Stratford. The Stansteds will be pairs in the afternoon. There singles in the morning.
London Bridge can be busy even on a Sunday. Country end of platform 1,2,3 should get you everything.

Wherever you go, good luck!

Many thanks for that info .... Sounds like half day ikon East London line and half day @ Tottenham Hale then !!

Just one question and my knowledge is scarce but I know the North London Line is Clapham - Willesden - Stratford but what line is East London Line ???

 

[Techniquest]

Highbury and Islington - Dalston Junction - New Cross/New Cross Gate - West Croydon/Crystal Palace/Clapham Junction

 

[Devonman2014]

Highbury and Islington - Dalston Junction - New Cross/New Cross Gate - West Croydon/Crystal Palace/Clapham Junction

Thanks for the info

 

[47403]

Absolute brilliant read, very jealous on the Colas 70's front, I need them all for sight, I keep seeing their 56's or 60's which I don't. As for Clapham Jct, I'd suggest a dictaphone, in fact i use one regardless of wherever I go, much easier to get coaching stock too.

 

[Devonman2014]

Right the time has come, currently on 159001 having just passed Axminster I'm en route to Clapham where I intend to catch last of the rush hour based mainly on the southern platforms.

Still have no definitive plan except obviously the railtour on Saturday but I think will go something like :-

Friday rush hr @ Bethnal green grabbing brekkie somewhere along the line, then off to Marylebone for 68's and maybe grab couple last 165's and 168's
Trundle around london all day until evening rush hour....
That I think will take at London Bridge....before heading to barking for hour or two and then bk to hotel

Sat on the railtour... See you there kite

Sun think sun will concentrate on thameslink and east London line 387's

Mon will be morning rush hr @ London bridge or barking , day around Willesden (if sunny) or Harrow & Wealdstone , evening rush at Marylebone before going to pads for train home.

Looking to try and cop in excess of 150 lol but we shall see

Anyone else out tomorrow or over weekend fancy meeting ?

 

[Techniquest]

I wish I could come down and meet up, but I'll be busy grafting like hell tomorrow, then a well earnt rest day on Sunday after a 6 day week, Monday I'm on a Great Escape.

Hope you're having an excellent time!

 

[Kite159]

See you tomorrow (currently waiting a LO service towards Richmond to get back to Acton)

Remember to take food with you, as RTT is suggesting a break in Cleethorpes around 3pm

 

[Devonman2014]

Well firstly many apologies for the delay in this report - Work has been absolutely mental and having learnt to drive out riding around has taken precedence !

So here goes and we go back to Thursday 09th April and its 15:15 as i join 159001 for the 15:25 to Waterloo, travelling up the "mule" is a standard journey taking just over 3 hrs 20 to get to the big smoke, nothing was seen that was out of the ordinary and theres nothing more to say about it.....
I disembark at Clapham where the next couple hours (Last part of Thursday rush hour) is spent on the Southern Platforms of Clapham knocking off a few of the many Southern EMU's required, again just a standard busy Clapham although 73202 in Southern Livery ran through the station heading out of London to ???
It now comes to 20:30 and the Travellodge at Edmonton beckons which is my base for the next few days......
377618 takes me into Victoria for an underground (Victoria Line) to Seven Sisters where i join 315636 for the 8 min hop to Edmonton.
Already with 27 new sightings a Pizza is obtained from th local takeaway and back in room by 21:45 i chill out and get an early night.

Friday morning and I'm awake at 6 for the local hop to Bethnal Green on 317670 & 508 to Seven Sisters where i alight to get a travel card (Edmonton was all open and ticket machine out of order), That obtained 315824 takes me on the 15 min or so hop to Bethnal Green where id forgot just how many trains fly by and you need eyes in the back of your head to see it all.
Rush hour comes and goes and I manage to reduce the number of anglia units from about 50 to about 8 or 9 so its a big bonus for me....
317660 takes me away from Bethnal Green back to Seven Sisters where a 1 stop on the Victoria Line quickly sees me on Finsbury Park Stn which i didn't realise was such a big station with 7 platforms, A couple hours here sees me get my 313's from 6 down to 1 (313030) and clear my last 321 as well as a couple 180's and renumbered HST's so all is good, Its now about half 11 so i hop aboard 313026 on a Moorgate service is taken to Highbury & Islington.
Here it is my aim to get on the overground and get as many of the 378's as possible - taking 378149 to Hagerston (why i chose here i can't recall) but plonking myself there for a hour and I'm knocking off a lot of 378's although after a while repitition sets in so I'm off again, This time on 378205 for the trip to Canda Water for Central underground to Blackfriars.....
Here i stay for couple more hours taking in the new station and knocking off the new 387 and 377's whilst also trying to finish off my 319's before they leave Thameslink.
its now 3:30 and i head off for some food heading towards the Shard my aim is to get to London Bridge for rush hour - Getting some food en route sees me on platform 3 by 4:15 where i stay until 6:45....
Heading across London Underground takes me to Moorgate for 313054 unto Finsbury Park - In the hope of seeing 313030 i stay around here until 8:30 but no show.
Underground to Seven Sisters sees me on 315858 from Seven Sisters to Edmonton and with a whopping 204 cops I'm in my room by 9:15 and after 15 hours on the go and a early night beckons as next day is railtour day !!!

To be continued

 

[Kite159]

Glad I'm not the only one needing 313030.

 

[Techniquest]

Wow that was an exceptionally productive day, it's 9 years this June since I had that sort of trip around London. Don't envy you doing the Mule all the way from Exeter, I did Bristol to Waterloo (£1 each way on Megatrain, soon after it started from Brissle) via Salisbury in June 2006 and it's so boring! I remember wanting to fall asleep before Basingstoke!

Minor thing I know, but in the first part you've got 315636 listed to Edmonton. I take it you had 315836, I know it's going to be a typo just wanted to point it out in case you've got incorrect logs

Definitely looking forward to more of your trip report!