DH Trip Reports

[FQ]

I've just got round to commenting on this - I read it and then forgot .

It was an excellent read and I'm glad to see that you're back to going to London using trams .

 

[Dhassell]

London 3/12/16

So as usual I make my way down to Weston station and board the 0624 towards Paddington formed of 43002 and winning power car 43136! On arrival at Paddington I head down stairs to the Bakerloo Line platforms and pick up
3241 + 3559 to Marylebone before collecting a few Chiltern numbers and catching 3247 + 3538 to Oxford Circus.
From here I head to the nearest McDonald and pick up breakfast before walking down (the eerily quiet) Oxford Street
all the way to Tottenham Court Road where I pick up Central Line 91225 + 91303 (At the time I didn't know there was 4 numbers per train to collect) all the way to Liverpool Street. Due to Engineering works I was expecting to see no Class 379's at Liverpool Street but to my surprise winning units 379016 + 379004 are waiting to work a train to Cheshunt. I board these and alight at Hackney Down where I cross the platforms and board 317729 + 317708 to Bethnal Green after a 2 minute wait 317732 + 317889 arrive to take me into Liverpool Street.

I head over to platform 4 for double winners 321315 + 321322
for the journey to Stratford. Just as we are dispatched an elderly Indian woman jumps on and asks if this is the train to "Wivenhoe" after checking RTT and confirming it's not she shows me here Paper ticket with itinerary on it. I find out she was meant to be on the 1056 direct to Colchester but had heard the whistle and jumped on the Braintree! I told here to jump off at Stratford and find a member of staff which she did. I also alighted at Stratford and jumped on the next train behind (A Express GA service) with dud 321318 on the rear and winner 321346 leading to Romford.

LOROL 317890 Romford 3.12.16 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

We arrived into Romford 3 late and I missed the half-hourly Upminster shuttle so half hour later 317890 arrived to take me onwards to Upminster. Once at Upminster I run over to the C2C platforms (after tripping on the stairs) just missing the next train to Barking! I wait 20 minutes for the next train and double winners 357323 + 357029 roll in on the 1205 service to Barking. Once at Barking I have 10 minutes to wait for dud 357325 (AGAIN!) to Rainham. From here I walked over to the HS1 footbridge (somewhere I had always wanted to go) and spent half an hour photographing trains from here. Unfortunately no Eurostars passed during the time I was there!

395024 Rainham HS1 3.12.16 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I head back to Rainham C2c station and await the 1301 back to Barking. Oh its 357325 again!! I alight at Barking and after a 5 minute wait board duds 357038 + 357006 to Stratford where I once again alight and board double winners 315843 + 315853 to Liverpool Street. For the next move I jump on Met Line 21007 + 21008 all the way to Kings Cross St Pancras before heading up to the Kings Cross concourse and finding double winners 365515 + 365524 to Finsbury Park. 66753 passes with 465931 in tow as I jump onto dud 313030 and winner 313045 to Hornsey. I walk onto the footbridge and quickly identify some depot units before heading back down to the platforms and jump on 313051 and 313061 to Finsbury Park. I notice 365527 + 365534 approaching for Kings Cross so I run over to only just catch the two winners into Kings Cross.

Great Northern 365524 London Kings Cross 3.12.16 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

Next, I walk over to St Pancras and await the next train to Blackfriars, 319373 and 319453 roll in on the 1518 towards Sutton. After alighting at Blackfriars I walk to the District line and pick up 21560 + 21559 to Embankment. After this I spend the rest of the day battling crowds in Oxford Circus until at 1700 I find myself at Bond Street looking to head back to Paddington. Due to overcrowding I only just make it onto the platforms before the gates shut and I board 92088 (couldn't get the rear half) towards Oxford Circus. Next up I jump on Bakerloo line 3299 towards Paddington but soon find out there's signalling problems and I alight at Baker Street for
S stock 21311 and 21312 back to Paddington. I arrive back at Paddington at 17:40 and have a relaxing time waiting for duds 43155 and 43197 back to Weston arriving home 15 late at 2054.

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good day with more units into your book for both sight & haulage

 

[Techniquest]

A nice amount of variety in London, but wasting time walking down Oxford Street seems a bit pointless! Jealous of 002 taking you to London, I've not had my machine for years!

 

[Dhassell]

A nice amount of variety in London, but wasting time walking down Oxford Street seems a bit pointless! J

Wasn't my idea!

 

[FQ]

I was also in London for some of Saturday and it sounds like you had a good time! Both 320315 and 320322 were also scored by me .

 

[shredder1]

Excellent reports, many thanks for sharing them.

 

[Dhassell]

I was also in London for some of Saturday and it sounds like you had a good time! Both 320315 and 320322 were also scored by me .

If you mean 321's where we on the same train? :P


Just checked you're trip report. You would have had it on its return from Braintree!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Excellent reports, many thanks for sharing them.

Thanks, Glad you enjoyed reading it
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Final Trip of the Year this Saturday! Trip Report will be published on the monday

 

[Dhassell]

West Midland Day Tripper 17/12/16

My alarm was set for 0500 but I missed it and woke up at 0600! Instead of rushing for the 06:24 I decided to change my plans and instead catch the 07:24. I head to the station and pick up my tickets towards Birmingham,
soon after duds 43197 + 43155 arrive to take me onto Bristol. The train arrives into Bristol 2 minutes late and I sprint over to platform 3 for the 0800 towards Birmingham formed of 221125. At 0803 the train still hasn't left and I start looking for clues as to why we have not left, A crosscountry HST set pulls in on the oppisite platform and at the time I thought nothing of it. About 30 seconds later there is an annoucment from the guard saying that our driver is on the HST which has just pulled in and we must wait for the HST to depart first. On hearing this I sprint out the voyager door and over to platform 5 to board the delayed 0730 towards Birmingham with winners 43303 and 43384! Better than the dud voyager for sure! I pick up a table of 4 next to the buffet and
spend the next hour looking at various options of what I could do today!

The set arrives into Birmingham NS at 0926 and I quickly head over to the travelshop to pick up
my Day-tripper, I see Midland Metro 17 in the platform and run out for it for a short to Corporation Street! From here I search out a McDonalds breakfast before making my way to Moor Street for the 1009 to Birmingham Snow Hill formed of winners 172214 + 172222. The idea was to go to The Hawthorns on it but there was delays due to a broken down train so I jumped off and caught Midland Metro 19 all the way to Wolverhampton!

Midlands Metro 19 Wolverhampton 17.12.16 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

After a quick toilet break, I work out my next move is to be a bus to Walsall! I head over to the bus station and board route 529 a brand spanking new 66 plate Enviro 400MMC to Walsall bus station! The ride was torture! The bus would stop at traffic lights and pick some one up every 15 seconds! Half an hour I arrive into Walsall Bus Station, I quickly get a bite to eat at Greggs before making my way to Walsall station for the 1231 towards New Street formed of Dud 323217! I had some time now before the 1355 from Moor Street left so I boarded winning Midland Metro 33 to Corporation Street before slowing walking down to Moor Street to see winner 68011 working the 1355 towards London Marylebone, I alight at Solihull.

68011 Solihull 17.12.16 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

After a 15 minute wait, winner 172337 and dud 172221 arrive to take me back into Birmingham Moor Street, Another quick run over to Birmingham New Street, I catch winning 350125 to Birmingham International, before having a quick return ride on the Birmingham Airport Monorail before catching another winning 350114 back to Birmingham New St. The final few trips of the day see me on the Midland Metro, firstly winner Midland Metro 36 to Bull Street before a walk back to Corporation Street before catching dud Midland Metro 28 to Bull Street and finally winning Midland Metro 37 to New Street. I arrive back at New Street just in time to jump on dud 221135 back to Bristol and finally winning powercar 43087 with dud 43198 on the rear!

Birmingham Airport Shuttle Train (Monorail) 17.12.16 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good day

 

[Techniquest]

Jealous of you getting tram 17 as it's one of my last 3 to see and get haulage on!

 

[Dhassell]

Jealous of you getting tram 17 as it's one of my last 3 to see and get haulage on!

You try so hard and all I did was look out a window and see it

 

[djpontrack]

That was a good variety you had mate. Sounds like a good day out.

 

[Techniquest]

You try so hard and all I did was look out a window and see it

One day, one day...

 

[Cowley]

I read this the other day and enjoyed it. Has the monorail been at Birmingham international for ages? I'm wondering if it was there in the late 80s/early 90s, I've not been that way for years.
It's funny how the 'Tomorrows World'* type monorail looks the most old fashioned out of the three.



(*for the younger reader - a 1980s BBC TV program that predicted that we'd all have jet packs/flying cars etc by now)

 

[Segedunum]

I read this the other day and enjoyed it. Has the monorail been at Birmingham international for ages? I'm wondering if it was there in the late 80s/early 90s, I've not been that way for years.
It's funny how the 'Tomorrows World'* type monorail looks the most old fashioned out of the three.



(*for the younger reader - a 1980s BBC TV program that predicted that we'd all have jet packs/flying cars etc by now)

Back in the day there used to be a Maglev type system at Birmingham Airport. It lasted from 1984 to 1995 before it was deemed too expensive to maintain. It took until 2001 for the current system to be constructed, opening in 2003.

 

[djpontrack]

Back in the day there used to be a Maglev type system at Birmingham Airport. It lasted from 1984 to 1995 before it was deemed too expensive to maintain. It took until 2001 for the current system to be constructed, opening in 2003.

I remember being on the Maglev to Birmingham Airport in the 1980's, on the trip back to Birmingham International we approached the platform slowly but it carried on and there was a loud bang and the whole vehicle dropped down a few inches. There was an announcement for us to exit via the emergency doors as the automatic doors were now not aligned with the platform.

 

[Cowley]

I remember being on the Maglev to Birmingham Airport in the 1980's, on the trip back to Birmingham International we approached the platform slowly but it carried on and there was a loud bang and the whole vehicle dropped down a few inches. There was an announcement for us to exit via the emergency doors as the automatic doors were now not aligned with the platform.

Blimey, scary Maglev experience!
They didn't really take off did they? (well yours nearly did I suppose )
I think it's the Maglev at Birmingham international I remember then. I seem to remember going on one in the 80s at Gatwick too. It all seemed pretty futuristic at the time.

 

[djpontrack]

Blimey, scary Maglev experience!
They didn't really take off did they? (well yours nearly did I suppose )
I think it's the Maglev at Birmingham international I remember then. I seem to remember going on one in the 80s at Gatwick too. It all seemed pretty futuristic at the time.

It was going really slowly so I knew it wasn't going to be a danger to anyone but the bang frightened some children that were onboard. The next time I'm in the West Midlands I will have to pop into the airport for a ride on the system that is operational now.

 

[Dhassell]

It was going really slowly so I knew it wasn't going to be a danger to anyone but the bang frightened some children that were onboard. The next time I'm in the West Midlands I will have to pop into the airport for a ride on the system that is operational now.

Defiantly worth the short ride! Both lines and units can easily be cleared

 

[Dhassell]

London 14/1/17

So it was time for my first trip of 2017 and after an almost sleepless night, I was up at 0500 to get ready for the 06:24 train towards London! On arrival to the station I pick up my tickets and board my train formed of double duds with 43016 on the rear and 43010 on the front, I alight at Reading at 08:16 and wait 10 minutes for a pair of winners in the form of 166218 + 165122 on the final leg into Paddington arriving at 09:00. I walk down to the Bakerloo Line platforms and jump on another pair of winners, 3252 + 3532 to Marylebone, from here I collect the Chiltern units which are on the platforms before walking down to Baker St, also picking up a Sausage & Omelette Roll from Pret, before heading down to the Jubilee line platforms and joining 96023 + 96064 to London Bridge, from London Bridge I join the 10:08 sevice towards East Croydon formed of winning unit 171805.
171805 London Bridge 14.1.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr
Once at East Croydon, I spend some time on the platform collecting passing unit numbers which leaves me with one Gatwick 387 to find for sight, I head up to the tram platforms and jump on the first tram to arrive which is 2555 around to a new shack of West Croydon (Tramlink) from there I spend 15 minutes photographing the buses departing the bus station, before jumping on 2550 back around to East Croydon, once back there I jump onto the first Clapham Junction bound train with double winners 377403 + 377456 providing, once at Clapham I take a few photos of 707001,003 and 004 before heading over to the Overground platforms, the plan was to head around the loop towards Canada Water, but the platform was blocked off and signs saying trains were being diverted into Battersea Park, a little bit of a rare divert (excluding weekday mornings and evenings), So I headed over to platform 14 to join dud 455817 to another new shack, Battersea Park, I wait around at Battersea for about 15 minutes but the boards are no longer showing any trains towards Dalston. I check realtimetrains and surprise,surprise I missed the last diverted train by 2 minutes! What a waste of time! I head back over to the London bound platforms and catch winner 377601 back into Victoria.
707003 + 707004 Clapham Junction 14.1.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr
The time was now 12:45 so I decided it was time to get something to eat so I picked up a Bacon and Cheese Bagel from a little shop next to the Southeastern platform and headed over to platform 7 to catch a train which would clear the line from Victoria towards Lewisham via Nunhead, so at 13:09 I boarded winning unit 465004 and dud 465005 towards Lewisham arriving at 13:30. I head over to the DLR platforms and join dud 135, and winning 150 + 144 on the journey towards Canary Wharf (front seats as well ), I alight at Canary Wharf and make the quick change onto the Poplar bound train formed of double winners 53 + 94, from there I wait another two minutes for 125 + 122 + 154 for the ride to Royal Albert. I quickly walk over to the riverside to photograph some British Airways jets parked on the runway at London City before heading back over to Royal Albert and rejoining now dud 125 + 122 + 154 for the second time today to Canning Town. From there I head down to the Jubilee Line platforms, 96063 + 96022 soon roll up and take me along to Stratford. From Stratford I jump on 378228 around the North London Line to Hackney Central, where I walk up to Hackney Downs before jumping on double duds 315814 + 315815 to Bethnal Green before jumping on double winners 315801 + 315810 into Liverpool Street. I head down to the Sub-Level platforms and jump onto 21488 + 21487 around to Farringdon before making the quick interchange onto the Thameslink platforms and jumping onto winner 700108 to City Thameslink. After a 7 minute wait I jump onto winning unit 319423 and dud 319012 to Blackfriars. A quick walk onto the other platforms and I board 700014 back to London St Pancras. Once at St Pancras the time is 17:00 and am starting to get hungry so I head upstairs to look in the little cafes near the East Midlands platforms, I found a place next to AMT called “The Curious Pig”, I ordered Sausage and Mash, food came quickly and tasted great! After this I headed back down to the Circle Line platforms and jumped on 21532 + 21531 to Great Portland Street and finally 21429 + 21491 to Paddington. The final move of the day, I jump onto the 18:27 back towards Weston formed of dud 43033 and winner 43186!
Docklands Light Railway 94 Poplar 14.1.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

In total 32 Winners!

 

[Kite159]

A productive day

 

[Dhassell]

A productive day

I try

 

[Techniquest]

Ooh I am jealous of the 707s, not seen one yet. Another reason why I should head to SWT territory on Monday...

 

[Dhassell]

Ooh I am jealous of the 707s, not seen one yet. Another reason why I should head to SWT territory on Monday...

707001 is hidden behind 20142 in the sheds, 707003 + 004 is visible in the yard.

 

[Cowley]

I love pottering around London, it's so different to what I'm used to, lines and junctions everywhere, loads of trains and architecture, amazing mixture of old and new. Very interesting. Enjoyed reading.

 

[Dhassell]

A quick update after a short morning bash this morning.

09:44 WSM - YAT 150101
10:08 YAT - WOR 150128 (Was meant to be required 150002 )
11:14 WOR - WSM 150108!
Which means I have now cleared all GWR Class 150/1's thats if you don't count 150002.

 

[Dhassell]

London 28/1/17

So after a two week break it was time to get back on the rails! I awake as usual at 05:00 and head down to the station for the 06:24 towards London! I arrive at the station and collect my tickets before boarding winning powercar 43005 + 43036 for the trip towards Paddington. I buy myself a tea and relax for the journey ahead, the lovely buffet car manager even through me in a pack of biscuits for free! . After arriving into Paddington at 08:51, I make a quick dash over to platform 14 to hopefully catch a pair of 387's. I only just make it with 30 seconds to pair and board winning pair 387138 + 387139 (My first GWR 387's) to Acton Main Line. From here I have 10 minutes to cross the platforms before 387134 + 387136 roll in to take me back to Paddington

GWR Class 387's, 387136 + 387134 Acton Main Line 28.1.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

Once back at Paddington, I head down to the Bakerloo Line platforms and jump on double winners 3243 + 3551 to Marylebone arriving at 09:38, I run upstairs and with 2 minutes to spare jump onboard an additional service to Harrow-On-The-Hill (Covering for Tube Engineering Works) on winner 165034. I have a 10 minute wain at Harrow before a packed 165029 pulls in to take me pack to Marylebone, Everyone else who boarded managed to push ahead leaving me running to the other end to only just squeeze on. The annoying thing was there was alot of bags on seats!

165034 Harrow-On-The-Hill 28.1.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

My next move is a bus! I jump onto Stagecoach London 12308 (SN14 TYD) for the 20 minute ride to St Pancras station, I head down to the Thameslink platforms and jump on the first train to West Hampstead Thameslink, that being required 700104. From there I waited for the first train to Hendon, this was formed of dud 319215 and winnner 319440. I watched a few fast 700's pass before heading back over to the London bound platform and joined 319445 + 319447 back to West Hampstead Thameslink, I noticed there was a reduced service on Thameslink today and it was not worth staying longer, so I boarded 700008 back to St Pancras and made a walk over to Kings Cross, I jumped on the first unit out to Finsbury Park which happened to be required 387113. After a 10 minute wait dud 313053 and winner 313058 roll in to take me to Hornsey. After a run over the footbridge double winners 313037 + 313054 roll in to take me all the way to Highbury and Islington. I alight at Highbury & Islington and see a Victoria Line stock already in the platform, so I make the run for it and jump onboard 11043 & 11044 all the way down to
Victoria.

Great Northern 387113 Finsbury Park 28.1.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

The plan from here was to buy a Boundary Z6 to Gatwick Airport ticket but the ticket office where useless and I wasn't sure how to get it on the TVM, so I decided against it for today and join 455815 down to Clapham Junction, I ID 707005 in the shed at Clapham before heading onboard triple winners, 450558, 450079 and 4500551 for the non-stop run into London Waterloo. At this point I end up walking to Tottenham Court Rd (Don't Ask) before heading down to the Northern Line and jumping on 51630 + 51720 to Euston. From there I jump on 378217 out to Wembley Central, I check RTT and notice theres a fast LM (the final of the day) back into Euston. I head over the platforms and wait 5 minutes until the gates open and I can walk down to the platform, 350232 rolls in for the slow journey in to Euston.
From here I walk down to Euston Sq and jump on 21373 + 21374 back to Paddington, after a quick walk into the main concorse I jump on now dud 43005 + 43036 for the return trip home!

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a varied day in London

 

[Techniquest]

Always nice to start a bash with a winner when you still need stuff in your local fleet!

Quite the fun day out, clearly!