Drogba11CFC's reportings of trips and holidays

[Drogba11CFC]

Given that a lot of people do this, I thought I might report on roving and trips.

Sunday 7th June 2015
As I would be travelling down on the Night Riviera I left my home in Winchester before 9pm and made my way to the station. At 21:23, 444008 rolled in on 1T76 from Portsmouth Harbour to London Waterloo. A tube ride later and I reached Paddington station, where 57602 Restormel Castle would be the loco as I boarded 1C99, the 23:50 Paddington-Penzance. (After trying and failing to sleep in seated accommodation, I paid £35 and upgraded to a cabin)

More coming, if you want of course. Next time: Penzance to Paignton and Great Western steam.

 

[47403]

Given that a lot of people do this, I thought I might report on roving and trips.

Sunday 7th June 2015
As I would be travelling down on the Night Riviera I left my home in Winchester before 9pm and made my way to the station. At 21:23, 444008 rolled in on 1T76 from Portsmouth Harbour to London Waterloo. A tube ride later and I reached Paddington station, where 57602 Restormel Castle would be the loco as I boarded 1C99, the 23:50 Paddington-Penzance. (After trying and failing to sleep in seated accommodation, I paid £35 and upgraded to a cabin)

More coming, if you want of course. Next time: Penzance to Paignton and Great Western steam.

ofcourse keep it going, stop being a primmaddonna let us read the rest, bloody chelsea fans

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Monday 8th June 2015

Upon arrival in Penzance, I made my way over to the XC Platform where 220015 would be the unit for 1M49, the 09:35 Penzance-Manchester Piccadilly. Regrettably, I was sitting on the left, so I didn't get any sightings between there and Totnes, where I alighted for the South Devon. A brief walk brought me to Totnes Littlehempston (including a sighting on the river bridge of 43357 and 43285, working 1V46, the 06:40 York-Plymouth) , where I waited for 6412 to arrive with the stock for the 13:00, which included two Collett coaches in GWR livery. Having rode in each one, I returned to Totnes, for an unidentified and virtually empty Voyager which took me to Newton Abbot on 1S55, the 14:25 Plymouth-Edinburgh, where 143611, working 2T18 to Paignton, took me along the short hop to Paignton, where, having checked into Beecroft Lodge, I made my way for a round trip on the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway behind 5239 Goliath.

Tuesday 9th June 2015
After a large breakfast I returned to Newton Abbot on an unidentified 143 working 2A57, the 09:34 from Paignton. A brief wait saw 43169 The National Trust and 43158 working 1C73 to Penzance, and 220013 on 1V42 from Derby to Plymouth, before in rolled a virtually empty 221129 on 1S45 09:25 Plymouth-Aberdeen. Arrival at Taunton saw me jump on a bus to Bishops Lydeard, for a round trip behind 7828 Odney Manor before a return to Taunton saw me see the same HST that had passed Newton Abbot earlier arrive and depart on the up "Royal Duchy", before an XC HST rolled in on 1E63, the 15:25 Plymouth-Leeds. A sighting of 66179 near Bristol was surpassed by the sight of 70000 Britannia at Bath Road. Alighting at Bristol Parkway, I changed platforms and in rolled 43027 Glorious Devon working 1B55, the 16:15 Paddington-Swansea. Despite most seats being reserved, I found a window seat that was empty. Well, it was reserved Paddington-Cardiff, but as the reserver hadn't turned up...! A sighting of 56303 was notable, as were Colas-liveried 60096 at Cardiff along with 3 66s at Margam and two GUVs in FGW Motorail livery.

 

[Techniquest]

Welcome to the club of trip report writers! Did you enjoy the noise going up Churston Bank on the way to Kingswear? It goes on for ages! Just as importantly, any thoughts on the Manors? I have quite a soft spot for them with 7802 being my favourite.

 

[Kite159]

Arrived into Penzance, but departed on a XC from Paignton?

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Welcome to the club of trip report writers! Did you enjoy the noise going up Churston Bank on the way to Kingswear? It goes on for ages! Just as importantly, any thoughts on the Manors? I have quite a soft spot for them with 7802 being my favourite.

Indeed I did. The Manors? They have a certain charm to them.

Wednesday 10th June 2015

A taxi to Swansea station ensured I was in plenty of time to spot 43035 as the rear powercar on 1L48 whilst I jumped on 153362 on 2M08, the 09:33 Swansea-Shrewsbury. I noticed a group of seniors get on and rather cheekily move their reservation cards so they had two tables. (tisk tisk) They were obviously in good spirits and quite loud (it reminded me of the Burnley scene in the Inbetweeners film!) as the train wound its way up the valleys, gradually filling up with mainly senior citizens who all piled off at Llandrindod Wells (must have been some event there) where I saw 153323 going in the opposite direction. We continued on to Shrewsbury where I had an appointment (that I'd learned of two days previously; thank God for phones with email!) at the NR office for a visit to Severn Bridge Box. About an hour of spotting and anecdotes saw me cop the best part of four 158s, 3 170s and 175108. Back to the station with a photos of everything but the train register (due to it containing signatures) and in rolls 158825 as the Pwllheli portion of 1J19, the 14:09 from Birmingham International (the other portion would go to Aberystwyth). The stop at Welshpool saw me cop 97304 John Tilley before the run to Tywyn, where I went to see Tal-y-llyn arrive with the last train of the day before heading to the Arthur guest house on the seafront.

 

[Techniquest]

Quite a nice day there, sounds like you enjoyed the Heart of Wales, certainly one of my favourite lines anywhere in the country!

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Thursday 11th June 2015

A trip behind 7 Tom Rolt was eventful for two reasons. I headed to the second coach only to found out that it was reserved to Dolgoch and back for (without intending to sound prejudiced) what I suspect was a special needs school. I travelled in the middle coach instead (and subsequently wished I'd chosen the open saloon coach right behind the engine) as we made our way into the hills. At Nant I chose the second coach from the guard's van only to be turfed out at Abergynolwyn for yet another school party. Why did my school never have these trips? Anyway, a Welshcake and £2 upgrade later and I was in first with two older enthusiasts so we had a good chat about rail memories (including South West Trains' chaotic seat reservation system) back to Tywyn where 158836 took me along the most scenic part of the Cambrian line to Porthmadog. A trek through the town and a sausage roll & chips later and I boarded the open saloon coach on the Welsh Highland Line train to Caernarfon. A fantastic journey, including the Aberglaslyn pass, complete with children waving at the train was all over too quickly as I arrived in Caernarfon and made my way to the Black Boy Inn.

Friday 12th June 2015
After a large breakfast, a bus to Pwllheli (no WHR on Fridays) and a toasted teacake with jam, I took 158839 to Porthmadog. From there, I sat in first as David Lloyd George took my train up to Blaenau Ffestiniog. I was actually in the coach with one of the original volunteers and he told several stories of his experiences. One there, I hopped onto 150237 to Llandudno Junction, where 158825 (again) soon arrived to take me to Holyhead. my hotel awaited, but not before reserving some seats.

 

[Techniquest]

What's the WHR like to ride on? I'd love to do it (as well as the Llanberis Lake Railway and Snowdon Mountain Railway while in the area, not to mention the Ffestiniog!) one day, certainly going to take some planning despite my living almost right next to Mid Wales!

 

[Drogba11CFC]

It's absolutely fantastic, it's like Wales' answer to the Durango and Silverton. Just winding through remote countryside, and through the mountains...incredible.

 

[Techniquest]

Nice, sounds like it will be worth the expense to do it. It's not cheap from what I remember of researching the trip ages ago though.

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Saturday 13th June 2015
So on my way home I boarded 1V96 to Llandudno Junction, comprised of 175112, having seen 67012 in the carriage sidings. At Llandudno Junction, I boarded 175115 for 1H87 to Oxford Road. Chester yielded 15028y, 150281, 142014 and 142040, while Warrington brought the sight of 90019, 66079 James Nightall QC, 08428, 390137 Virgin Difference and 175011. Following lunch in Manchester, 390020 Virgin Cavalier whisked me to London with 1A49, first class quiet coach all the way. Along the WCML I copped 323231, 350369, 66020, 350122, 350234, 350375 and 378234, with 90037 Spirit of Dagenham and 90039 at Wembley Yard and 87002 Royal Sovereign at Willesden yard along with two unidentified Scotrail 92s. 444014 was sighted at Waterloo, clearing the 444s for sight, before 378211 was sighted at Clapham Junction and 66735 at Wimbledon.

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Rest assured that this is not dead; Winchester City have "aways" at Didcot Town and Banbury Utd after Christmas and I've got another ALR in the pipeline for next June. Are loco diagrams still operating on the Cumbrian?

 

[Techniquest]

They certainly are!

 

[Kristofferson]

Apologies for the bump here - just working my way through some reports that slipped my attention!

Welcome to the trip report section - and what great locations to cover if you have photos to share, that'd be great to see!

 

[dave87016]

A very enjoyable read and really glad you enjoyed it , I am doing a 8 day Freedom Of The South West Rover middle of January followed by a ALR in June

However just a couple of noticeables you put 221115 at Penzance that's a Virgin voyager and unlikely to be at that location and 150239 to Llandudno Jumction? IIRC thats a FGW unit

 

[Drogba11CFC]

A very enjoyable read and really glad you enjoyed it , I am doing a 8 day Freedom Of The South West Rover middle of January followed by a ALR in June

However just a couple of noticeables you put 221115 at Penzance that's a Virgin voyager and unlikely to be at that location and 150239 to Llandudno Jumction? IIRC thats a FGW unit

You're right; it was in fact 150237 to Llandudno Junction but I can't remember the Voyager.

 

[Drogba11CFC]

2016 ALR Report

Sunday 12/06/16
As there would not be a sleeper on this one, I took 1M31 from Winchester to Birmingham International with a first class upgrade, sighting 221121, 165132, 43098, 43028, 66158, 66031, 66150, 172340 and 172220 at various points of the journey. At Birmingham International, 350108 and 390008 Virgin King were both sighted at International before I boarded 1D11 with 158838 as the motive power to Shrewsbury. The journey there yielded more sightings, with 170512 at New Street, 08805 at Soho, 323243 and 221142 at Wolverhampton and 08790 at the Alstom yard. After a cramped replacement coach (and no, there were no Welsh-speakers in niqabs, and secondly, I fail to see the attraction in coach trips if that's all the legroom you get) I hopped on board the much more comfortable 158824 on 2J19 to Aberystwyth and the Glengower Hotel.

Tomorrow: Monday; retracing steps and Severn Valley steam.
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Monday 13/06/16

The day started wet as I made my way for Aberystwyth where 158827 would be the motive power on 1G25 as far as Smethwick Galton Bridge. Shrewsbury yielded the sightings of 97302, 158840, 170631 and 158823. Galton Bridge yielded 172344 and 172222 before 172334 pulled in on 2K27 to Kidderminster. At Kidderminster, I killed some time before boarding the final train of the day, hauled by 4566 to Bridgnorth. Along the way, I saw D1062, 55019 and 50049 at Kidderminster and D1015 at Bewdley.

 

[FQ]

Sounds like a fun time so far!

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Tuesday 14/06/16
So it was back to Kidderminster (4566 again) for 2C30 to Birmingham Snow Hill. In rolled 172339 and 172222, and the journey there yielded 172332, 139001 and 139002 at Stourbridge Junction. From New Street it was 1D63 with 170113 to Nottingham with 222008 Derby Etches Park seen at (appropriately enough) Derby. Outside Nottingham were 156413 heading for Worksop (I think) and 67029 Royal Diamond on an engineering train. Nottingham saw me board 2S21 to Skegness with 158783 and 156470 as the haulage, 91119 being sighted at Grantham.

Wednesday 15/06/16
There's only one way out of Skegness and so it was 158799 and 153374 on 2S10 as far as Grantham, with 153385 spotted at Sleaford. Grantham yielded 43208 Lincolnshire Echo and 43274 Spirit of Sunderland, along with 91131, 180111, 91126 and 158813, before boarding 1N83 with 91110 Battle of Britain Memorial Flight as the motive power. 150276 was sighted at York before a bus to Pickering for 45428 Eric Treacy on 1T18 as far as Whitby, with D213, 37264, 26038 and 75029 spotted at Grosmont.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Thursday 16/06/16
It was an early start today and it was 156490 on 2D17 along the Esk Valley to Middlesbrough. 142084 and 142094 were both sighted before boarding 185115 on 1P31 as far as Leeds. 158902 was sighted at York, before Leeds turned out to be a goldmine, with 144009, 333008, 321902, 158702, 43310, 142078, 185106, 185144, 158905, 155347, 185116, 43277, 144021, 144345 and 333003 ticked off before 158909 took me to Appleby on 2H92, 158903+158906 being sighted at Settle.

 

[FQ]

Sounds like a fun time again there! Leeds was very good to you!

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Friday 17/06/2016
After a night at the Midland Hotel and breakfast I hopped on board 2H85 with 158905 as the motive power. Despite a relatively sight-free journey to Leeds I managed to harvest more sightings there, with 333013, 91109 Sir Bobby Robson, 153304, 333014, 155342 and 91104. Having ticked off those sightings and treated myself to a Big Mac Meal, I boarded 2H07 to Lancaster with 153331 and 150203 as the motive power. Along the way 66754 Northampton Saints was seen outside Leeds and 333005 at Skipton, before 47746 and 57313 were seen top & tailing a rake of WCRC ECS at Carnforth. 156451 was boarded at Lancaster on 2C43 to Ravenglass, before Carnforth was passed again, enabling me to score 08441, 37214, 37668, 37669, 37685, 37706, 47270 and 47772. 142096 and 153315 were seen at Ulverston, while 37402 was glimpsed prior to Foxfield. Arrived at Ravenglass, I booked into the Bay Horse B&B.

 

[Kite159]

Lucky having both a 153 & 150 to Lancaster, better than a 142 or even a 144

Filling up your books

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Saturday 18/06/16
To my disappointment I had had to forego the Ravenglass and Eskdale but this cloud turned out to have a silver lining as 37402 Stephen Middlemore 23.12.1954 - 8.6.2913 pulled in on 2C41, on which I sat as close to the loco as possible. At Sellafield I copped 37606, 37609, 57003, 57009, 68019 Brutus and 37667, with 37425 Pride of the Valleys seen at St Bees. Arrived at Carlisle with a new appreciation for classic traction, it was dud 156451 to Newcastle but with 43014 The Railway Observer sighted on departure and 142016 seen at Dunston. Having treated myself to Burger King at Newcastle and copped 67016, I boarded 1E16 with 91114 Durham Cathedral as the power, first class all the way to London. York yielded 66305, 68004 Rapid, and the one and only 60103 Flying Scotsman, with 43295 sighted at Doncaster and Peterborough yielding 66708 Jayne, 66713 Forest City, 66717 Good Old Boy and 66761 Wensleydale Railway Association. Further south, 08441 was sighted at Alexandra Palace, with 700110, 387104 and 700113 seen at Hornsey and 67023 at Kings Cross. At Waterloo, it was 1W79 taking me home with 444040+444003 as traction, with 458505 being sighted, along with 455840 at Clapham Junction and 455715 at Wimbledon. And so, the planning for Scotland 2017 begins.

 

[Techniquest]

Crikey you filled your boots somewhat there! A most enjoyable time away, clearly. Glad to hear the Burger King is still there at Newcastle too!

 

[FQ]

Loads of locos at Sellafield there!

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Indeed. As at Carnforth and Peterborough, I had to use the docs app first and add them to the trainspotter app later.

Also, the mystery of the Penzance Voyager has been solved, it was in fact 220015 to Totnes.