First trip report

[mervyn72]

A while since my last trip but here goes with a Thames Valley bash. Trying to knock off a few more HST's before they disappear to Scotland, or worse, Rotherham.

365513 started my day with the normal 0550 2C27 from Meldreth, this time taken to Letchworth as I'm still 387 hunting on the way South. 1C43 is the first 387 action at 0639 with double winners 387108 & 387126. At Hitchin I got talking to the dispatcher who tells me it's the last ever day of 317's on the Great Northern as a pair came in on the 0701. I let these go for the 0708 2C29 to Stevenage as it was winner 387123 & 387105. Next up was 387112 & 387129 on 0742 2C91 and took these all the way to Kings Cross. I had time for a return to Finsbury Park before heading to Paddington so took 2P06 0834 with winners 387102 & 387125. I knew these were going to be winners as they passed me earlier at Hitchin and I tracked their work. Finally 387120 & 387127 returned me to Kings Cross on the 2Y85.

Over to Paddington and took the numbers of the many HST's in the station. Straight up was the 0930 1C08 to Bristol which was 43124 & 43141. First time I've been to Reading since it's upgrade and, wow, was my first thought. The roof and over bridge are impressive and allow quick platform transfer and having two platforms for both the up and down lines has removed all the congestion that I experienced in my last visit.

Back to the HST bashing and 43136 & 43133 arrived on the 1A10 at 1010 and back to London. I do like this stretch of track with it's 125mph running and love the way the HST's seem to stroll along effortlessly. Winner again straight away with 1B25 1045 to Swansea with 43164 & 43127. Waited a little longer at Reading this time for a winner but plenty of freight workings kept me going until 1148 1A13 with 43172 & 43170 were taken.

So 12 class 43's in Paddington and all dud so I went to see if the Hayes shuttle's had any 387 winners and they did so 1245 2S30 had 387134 & 387136 and of the Acton Main Line. Couple of engineers arguing over how to supply the CCTV camera with power entertained me until double duds 387135 & 387138 returned me on the 2S29 at 1303.

Next HST was 1330 1C16 to Bristol with 43179 & 43150. Back on 1A18 1410 43177 & 43022 and Reading again on 1B46 1445 to Swansea with 43??? & 43181. I know it wasn't a winner but forgot to write in down in Paddington then forgot to look again in Reading.

Next up was 1L65 1533 43145 & 43078. Wait a minute, where's my phone? Lots of body patting down and a look through my bag later and I realise I have left it on the bench at Reading. Went to find the guard who called Reading and the phone was found. Went back to get it straightaway so took dud 166221 1K74 to Bedwyn and gave my gratitude to the staff.

Next journey on 43180 & 43138 on 1J99 and Paddington is now getting busy. 1B76 on 1815 to Swansea next with double winners 43053 & 43037 and then 1A27 1846 with 43165 & 43086 and back at Paddington. Time now for a well deserved drink (Oliver's Island x 2) so up to the Mad Bishop and Bear until the 2035 which I knew would be double winner. 43003 & 43159 had indeed stuck to diagram and were the 1C98 2035 to Plymouth. Time for an infill move to Twyford with 2P88 2133 with duds 165130 & 165106. Straight back on winner 166213 on 2N82 and final HST was 1L94 2214 with 43140 & 43023.

Back over to Kings Cross for the journey home and made it directly onto the 2304 with 365533.

Long day and more phone mishaps on the Thames Valley (I must be more careful). 23 winners in all - 14 x 43, 1 x 166, 8 x 387. I'm now left with 18 GWR HST's to find.

 

[Kite159]

Doing quite well

 

[Techniquest]

A very, very successful day on both GWR and GN there! You were exceptionally lucky not to lose your phone 100%, thank Goodness it was handed in!

 

[mervyn72]

Friday 12th May and another trip to London, this time to make a dent in my class 465 and 466 list as I've not been to this part much previously.

Started with the 0550 from Meldreth with 365531 and quickly onto the non stop from Royston at 0559 with 365506.

Over to London Bridge on the Northern Line and the long day begins. Triple winners to start on 0711 with 466029 + 465934 + 465919 and Charing Cross arrived. Controversial I know for some but I count any unit providing power and available to passenger use as part of the consist as a winner.

465184 + 465018 take me back to London Bridge at 0732 for the hop straight back to Waterloo East on 466023 + 465032 + 465157. Stayed on the same platform for next Charing Cross service at 0756 which was 466024 + 465931 + 465911.

Time to head out of the centre of London now on the 0809 to Lewisham with 465152 + 465037 + 465005 and then to Blackheath at 0831 with 465196 + 466021. Over the bridge and back to Lewisham at 0842 and my first busy train with 465039 + 465249 and then out to Hither Green at 0904 on 465028 + 465038, my first all non-winner. Bought an Earl Grey at the kiosk on platform 5 as it was already a while since breakfast when 465023 + 465173 took me back to Lewisham at 0904.

Next few moves were all on the North Kent Line as that sees 465/6's and they were my target, not the 376's. So at 0914 I just made the rear unit towards Blackheath and forgot to get it's mates up front but sources kindly inform me that it was 466039 + 465026 + 465189. Linear move to Woolwich Arsenal at 0929 with 466038 + 465162 + 465046. Back one step to Dockyard at 0959 and double winners 465930 + 465169 and free first class travel was had for some. Back to Arsenal now at 1012 with 465013 + 465009 and with 10 minute frequency on this line a few line moves to the edge of Travelcard validity were made.

Next up was 465916 + 466032 + 466020 at 1012 to Plumstead then at 1024 triple winner 465248 + 465172 + 465040 took me to Abbey Wood with its rapidly progress Crossrail terminus. Next stop Belvedere at 1037 with 466003 + 465034 + 465155. Back two steps to Abbey Wood at 1050 which was 465160 + 465003 then Plumstead 1103 with 465019 + 465159. Took the next train away from London but to Erith and this time the 1114 was 466037 + 466002 + 465175.

A few inward leaps now began with 1128 to Plumstead with double dud 465156 + 465186 and then at 1146 465174 + 465048 put me back at Woolwich Arsenal. Bought a sausage roll at the cafe on the platform but couldn't eat as it tasted of imminent food poisoning. Leap to the Dockyard at 1159 with 465246 + 465187 to find a couple arguing and pointing at the information screens. They eventually come to me sat in the little shelter and in their best attempt at English try to explain that they want to go to Gatwick Airport. They were French (possibly Francophone North African) and my knowledge of the language managed to explain that Cannon Street services were not calling at London Bridge (which they knew they need to change at) as it is being rebuilt. Eventually I got them to take the 1212 with me to Charlton with 466030 +465165 where there would be services to Charing Cross that call at their desired London Bridge. I however had a trip to Sainsbury's local outside the station for lunch.

Upon returning to the the station my foreign friends were gone as I awaited the 1234 to Woolwich Arsenal which was 465248 + 465172 which I had earlier. There must of been a set swap as I wasn't expecting a repeat. Back to Charlton at 1243 with 465035 + 465153 then to Greenwich at 1255 with 466013 + 465007. I know this station well as I previously worked for ISIS (no.. not that one) which are based in Greenwich. The company has since changed it's name. The 1309 back to Charlton was 465170 + 465045 and at 1334 465158 + 465176 put me back at Arsenal.

Blackheath next at 1343 with 465033 + 465190 and then Lewisham at 1404 with 465236 + 466021. Staying on the same platform for the 1419 to London Bridge got me 465025 + 465006 and then to Waterloo East at 1437 with 465005 again but this time coupled to 465244. Made the zero connection here for the 1442 back to London Bridge with 466038 + 465162 + 465046 as I wanted to get my final Class 455 unit for haulage. I had info that it would be around soon so positioned myself to Queens Road Peckham using the 1455 with 455846 + 455816 and sat in the warm sunshine until 455802 laboured in with the 1426 back to London Bridge. Once again thanks to the person who helped me locate this and complete another large class for haulage.

Back out to Lewisham now at 1604 with 465163 + 466041 + 465049 followed by 465194 + 465195 on the 1627 to Blackheath. The late 1634 to me to Kidbrooke with 466019 + 465002 and just made the 1652 back to Lewisham with previous 465930 + 465169. The 1706 to Ladywell was taken next with 466003 + 465034 + 465155 and I was in position for a known winner spotted earlier. In the mean time I took linear hop to the next station along the line at 1717 with 376009 + 376031. This would be my only 376 action of the day and I'm now at Catford Bridge.

The 1743 to Clock House was next and as predicted winner 465193 + 465024 took me swiftly there. A little walk now over to Kent House station to pick up the units on the Chatham Main Line but not before noticing how the streets around the station had gravel roads and footpaths.

Anyway it was time for a few leaps to Beckenham Junction and back stating with 1804 and non winners 465238 + 465041. 1811 back was 465241 + 466022. Next up at 1820 was 465188 + 465237 and then 1826 with 465167 + 465154. A Couple more leaps to go so the 1834 to Beckenham brought in 465197 + 465029 then 1841 was 465183 + 465002. Final leap at Kent House this time had 465015 + 465182 but this time all the way to Bromley South.

The 1913 was next with 465004, the first solo Networker of the day and Denmark Hill was reached. Another solo unit next on 1941 to Victoria was 465903 and time to head upstairs for a couple of well needed pints. Got a seat on the balcony overlooking platforms 1-7 which is a lovely place to people and train watch.

Three more Networker moves before heading for home so at 2034 465902 + 466010 took me back to Denmark Hill with 465019 + 466031 bringing me back at 2049. Finally at 2109 my last Networker move was 466011 + 465908 and I'm back at Denmark Hill.

Time to head home now and had a couple of options but decided on the 2124 to Blackfriars and some 319 action whilst they're still around in 319426 + 319443. First class seat taken until switching to the 2138 to Bedford as far as St Pancras and my second class 700 in the book. 700103 to be precise. Walked over to Kings Cross for the 2204 with 387128 and my day was over.

Fab day scoring plenty of winners (62) 2 x 376, 47 x 465, 11 x 466 and 1 x 700, and the FINAL class 455. Trip to IKEA tomorrow with the wife for a chest of drawers. Oh the joy!!!!

 

[Techniquest]

WOW that was an intensive day on Southeastern! You've really got me wanting to spend a couple of days down there again.

Congratulations on clearing the 455s!

 

[Kite159]

A very productive day in South Eastern land

 

[noddy1878]

As Tech said, intensive! I think most of us include all the units in a consist for haulage. They're part of the train and all powering.

 

[shredder1]

Welcome to the club mate, great reports, look forward to reading more, well done with the 317`s.

 

[mervyn72]

Another go at filling in the gaps in the West Midlands as I need one or two of each class from the LM fleet bar the 350's where I need lots for haulage.

Now a change to the morning routine today has me going a long winded route to Birmingham.

Firstly the 0634 from Meldreth to Cambridge with 387126 and then a fast walk/run over to Parker's Piece for the X5 coach to Bedford. Two reasons for this route; one, its cheap and two, I knew that a required 153 was on the Marston Vale.

So en route to Bedford I notice that the Marston Vale has gone pop for the second day running and the 153 would not show up. Instead two minibuses arrive to drive us to Bletchley. Most of the passengers wanted to be in Bletchley with only a couple for the intermediate stops but both buses were calling all stops and estimates were for 90 minutes. At this point I was going to give up and go home but some of the passengers asked if one of the buses could go direct to Bletchley and one call all stops. A couple of phone calls by the drivers and the plan was agreed so off we went. I was booked onto the 1024 from Bletchley going North and damn nearly made it due to the driver's casual attitude towards speed limits and red traffic lights.

So back to the trains now and first up was the 1043 to Milton Keynes with 350255. Passing the sidings 153364 was dumped behind 150109 so maybe it was the latter at fault today?

Next up taken all the way to New Street was 350374 at 1054 and a Day Tripper purchased on board too. During the journey I received info that my last 139, 150, 153 and 323 were all in hiding and only the 170 needed was out. I'm beginning to regret this.

So in this knowledge I just thought I'd play 'see a winner, take a winner' and what would be would be. The 1250 to Euston was 390044 so off to Birm Int to get the Welsh units back at 1308 with 158821 & 158834.

Out to University now with 1349 on 170631 & 170510 and my only planned move was next with 170502 on the 1400 back to New Street. This is the LM 170's all ridden. Another winning Welsh unit now on 1425 to Smethwick in 158837 & 158826 and after getting lost in the myriad of stair cases I finally made it to the New Street bound platform for the 1441 with 350239. Passing Soho I could see 323243 outside so I would check the workings off the shed to see if the plans had changed and it came out. It didn't.

Southbound next on 1533 to Hampton-in-Arden on 350257 and back to International on 1601 350103. More Welsh work on 1609 with 158819 & 158839 and I was back at New Street. The VT service from Shrewsbury was due in and was 221142 and was well loaded before attaching to it's friend, 221106 for the 1630 to Euston. I left at International for the final hit of Wales with 158838 & 158823 at 1709 and I've now been on 8 x 158 today and not one of them had working air conditioning!

Another Pendo next on 1750 with 390126 to International with noted winner right behind on the 1805 to Berkswell with 350102. Quick change of platform required and the train back was approaching and 350122 to me back at 1821. South again at 1830 to Hampton with 350118 and following it was 350241 at 1848 to Tile Hill. A late running 1837 was caught back to International with 350130 and we went into platform 5 from the South as it was being caped there. This meant that the 1908 to New Street was rammed but another winner in 350128.

Now I had been checking throughout the day for any STP workings from Tyseley Depot to Worcester as the 150 from the morning needs to return ready for tomorrow morning. Spotted one on RTT forming the 1959 to Worcester SH and could it be my required 150 as I knew 105 and 109 were at Bletchley? Going down the stairs I could hear that it was and 150107 was taken to University. I know there are only three of them but 107 has been evading me for too long. Another very late service back was the 1939 to Nottingham so a bonus winner here in 170101.

Up to get some food for the journey home before the 2050 to International in 390123 followed by 220002 at 2114 to Coventry and finally 390104 on 2131 to Euston and the lack of air con earlier bit back as this was like a fridge. Walked to Kings Cross to warm up for the 2314 to Kings Lynn with 387106 & 387102 to Letchworth and then 387107 at 2354 back home.

So warm day and targets missed but still managed 25 winners (1 x 150, 4 x 158, 2 x 170, 1 x 220, 2 x 221, 11 x 350 and 4 x 390). LM 150/170 complete.

 

[Techniquest]

Nice work on clearing the LM 150s and 170s, but an enormous shame the rest weren't out to play. One heck of a farce on the Marston Vale too!

You really did need a lot of 350s! I don't miss those days of an empty book on 350s. Fingers crossed next time you have far better luck!

 

[Kite159]

A productive day in the West Midlands

Shame you couldn't get everything you wanted

 

[noddy1878]

25 winners is good haul despite not quite getting what you wanted. They've got to fall at some time!

 

[mervyn72]

So, I have decided where possible to try and concentrate efforts on clearing the stuff soon to be retired so today's aims were Anglian sprinters and the odd class 90.

Early alarm call to wake up and see the final few results of the election come in and listen to the reports of impending doom and negativity. What a cheery start to the day!

Anyway to more important matters and first up the 0634 to Cambridge with 387117. There is time at Cambridge to grab an XC service to Ely which was 170104 at 0656. Immediately behind was winner 170203 for the rest of the journey to Norwich. This is the one that stops at Shippea Hill but today the train does not stop. We did at Spooner Row though and let 3 off but no-one on. Arrival into the capital of the East was on time and straight onto the Class 37 short set today with 37422 & 37419. This was the 0836 to Great Yarmouth but I jumped out at Lingwood as the other short set with the 68's arrives going the other way a few minutes later at 0903. 68003 was on the front but unlike the 37's which were both providing power, dead on the back was 68022.

Back at Norwich now and the 0940 to Cambridge was winner 170206 so headed off to Wymondham and had a cuppa in the fabulous bistro in the old station house. Had a look at what was on the shed to see 153309 tucked away. Annoying as I need that one and plenty of mark 3 coaches but no other DMU's visible. Dud but refurbished 170208 took me back at 1015.

Time for a trip up to Hoveton & Wroxham now at 1045 on 156422 and a chance to see the shed from the other angle and still no other units of note. Had a walk round the town and got stopped by school children doing a Geography survey but made it back in time for 156412 at 1124 and back to Norwich again.

Next up was a round trip to Brundall first with 153322 on the 1205 and a charming little station with platforms on either side (but the wrong side) of a manual level crossing. In between operating the gates, the keeper was fixing a puncture on his bike. 156418 arrived at 1222 and took be back.

Another 153 now in the form of 153335 all the way to Lowestoft on a fast run only stopping at Oulton Broad North. I must say that the quality of track after Reedham swing bridge is excitingly rough. You would pay 50p at the fair for a ride like just like. Imagine what it would be like on a pacer. Next up was 156419 at 1348 back to Oulton Broad North then a steady stroll through town to South station. I had info that my final 2 car 170 would be next and indeed it was with refurbished 170270 at 1435.

I had over an hour planned in Lowestoft so went for a drink in the Joseph Conrad then a little walk round town until I found a chippy. Ordered my chips open with gravy then decided to drop the entire lot on the floor still inside the shop. Thankfully the shop keeper saw the funny side of it and helped clear up, and replaced the chips for free despite offering to pay again. What a lovely man. Time for the next move on 170272 at 1607 to Beccles. I expected another 156 here though not to be, but one did come in at 1625 take me back to Lowestoft which was 156407.

The next move is a double 153 with one that come off the shed, might it be 309? No, 153306 & 153322 take me to Norwich at 1648. Noticed that the class 68 short set had a loco swap as 68003 was now 68024. Time to get supplies from the Eastern Co-Op and onto 90015 for the 1800 to Stowmarket. Right behind us was 170204 fresh from its holiday at 1845 to Ipswich. We went into platform 2 which I though strange as we were now blocking the up fast. A quick look at RTT saw that as STP was coming down from Norwich to take over the rest of 170204's diagram. This was another winner so the plan altered slightly to get that in later. Anyway 90010 took me back to Stowmarket at 1904 and 90012 South again at 1929. Second winning loco, 90005 took me away from Ipswich at 1944 this time to Diss for the 2017 back to Stowmarket with 90002. Time to head to Bury now at 2035 with dud from earlier 156422 and time for a pint of Eastern IPA in the pub opposite.

156402 was the unexpected winner on the 2124 which I took to Elmswell. Beware here that it is a level crossing station with no bridge and the barriers were not raised between my two trains. As 153306 went past me it was a quick dash under the barrier and run up the ramp to make my last option home. Expensive taxi avoided and off to Cambridge we go. Great noise from the dog box as there's plenty of 75mph running which drowned out the many youths on their way to Cambridge's night life.

There used to be a very long wait for the train to Meldreth but since the new timetable there is an excellent new service at 2256 which was 387112 & 387117 which bookended my day.

Nice day out but frustratingly still need 1 of GA's 153's and 170's. 18 winners in total (2 x 37, 1 x 68, 2 x 90, 2 x 153, 6 x 156 and 5 x 170)

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a productive day in Anglia

 

[Techniquest]

Sorry to nitpick, but you report scoring 170203 out of Ely to Norwich, then again as a score for the leap to Wymondham. Might be worth double-checking the notes, just in case an error has come up.

Super amount of productivity in there, with scores left right and centre!

Cheers for the heads-up on Elmswell, I need that one so I must bear the crossing in mind for tight connections.

 

[mervyn72]

Sorry to nitpick, but you report scoring 170203 out of Ely to Norwich, then again as a score for the leap to Wymondham. Might be worth double-checking the notes, just in case an error has come up.

Super amount of productivity in there, with scores left right and centre!

Cheers for the heads-up on Elmswell, I need that one so I must bear the crossing in mind for tight connections.

Well spotted. It was 206 on the 0940...