FQ's trips around the globe

[backontrack]

I preferred travelling there by 185.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

I'd prefer a pacer if it were possible

 

[backontrack]

Why? hock:

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

185 seats are uncomfortable for me... too solid

 

[47403]

I preferred going to Scarborough by HST

I have done it with an HST too tech, late 80's, once and once only, just so we could say we had(when I think now, what foresight my mate showed back then, at the time, we'd thought he'd gone off his rocker).
Summer timetable, Glasgow QS-Scarborough, from York, disappointing because the previous summer, the turn was in the hands of Eastfields NB 37's and 47's. Fluffing trams or words to that effect were said amongst my friends and I.

Taken from the Nostalgia section
4SRKT wrote:-

I used to do a great move regularly on summer Saturdays in the years before the Glasgow > Scarborough went HST. One morning I was at York station and a filthy class 37 came into platform 9 (now 5) off the Scarborough branch and ran round. I asked a member of staff what it was and he told me it was a SO Scarborough > Newcastle that was shown as non-stop Scarborough > Darlington, and supposed to run round in the centre roads at York. He said I was welcome to ride on it so I sprinted off for a priv return to Darlo. The return move was the Glasgow > Scarborough with an Eastfield or Haymarket non-ETH duff in charge.
This became a regular and highly entertaining way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday.

Oh for similar things today
Sorry if the thread been hijacked, didn't mean to, my apologies fishqunn

 

[FQ]

I's ok; It's nice to have a bit of nostalgia, especially tram and brush stuff (But units to Scarborough over locos?!)

 

[backontrack]

I've only ever gone by Class 185.

 

[FQ]

Fair enough

 

[noddy1878]

A good day there. A 91 instead of an HST is ok if the 91 is required like it was in your case.

 

[FQ]

Agreed. But definitely not as fun as a tram!


August big bash day 2: The beginning

While technically day 3, I decided to call the first day of my rover day 2 because the Sunday was just a day in Pickering (which included watching a kettle arrive from Whitby.) This was Monday the 3rd of August and I woke up to my alarm clock at 07:15 (yes, I brought and alarm clock. I didn't really want to oversleep and miss the train.) I was getting the bus to Malton this morning, which left just before 10 past 8 so I wanted to get a move on in order to be there in good time.

After getting downstairs, I said hi to the dogs and granny before grabbing a slice of toast (only 1 because I wanted to visit the cafe at Malton station again.) I chatted with Granny over my breakfast before tying my shoes and heading out of the door with my rover in my pocket. It took me all of 5 minutes (probably a little less) to get to the bus stop, where I had about 10 minutes until my Coastliner (hopefully double-decker). The bus stop had a seat but after about 2 minutes of sitting down I stood again as the seat is so darn uncomfortable. The bus was slightly late but since I had a plus 30 for the train at Malton, I wasn't worried. After the double-decker had arrived, I bought a return to Malton and headed up top to the front seats to enjoy the ride instead of hating it (as I do on most buses.) All of the number 840 buses run via Kirby Misperton roundabout, putting about 5 minutes more onto the journey than if going direct. But it arrived a few minutes late anyway, cutting my connection off the bus down to a plus 25. I bet if I checked the minimum connection time at Malton added to the bus stop connection time and walk over (crossing the road) then a +25 wouldn't be enough time .

I was looking forward to getting something from the cafe but it isn't open on Mondays . Looks like I won't get a second Breakfast, Elevenses, Luncheon (hopefully I can get that!), Afternoon tea, Dinner (again, I hope to get this) and supper! I'm most definitely not a hobbit then. All I did while waiting for the train to appear was put on some music from my I-pod. The only problem with that is that I didn't have my playlist on it so I had to manually choose each song from my (not very extensive) library on there. These were songs from (mostly) different artists but I did have loads of songs from 3 different artists - Passenger, Pink Floyd and Rush. I also had random songs from my playlist (and dads) in there but only my favorites from them including Summer of '69 (Bryan Adams) and That's All (Genesis). But away from the music and back towards the trains, after a tedious 25 minutes, made slightly longer by the Scarborough train being late (Malton is a single platform station), I was getting on my York bound train, officially starting my North East Rover on winner 185147.

I was planning to go for the Grand Central tram to Northallerton which left York at 09:58 but like a lot of my plans, this was thrown into question after the Diesel Dez that I was on drew to a stop just before York. The guard said that we were just waiting for a platform to be free in the station but just after that announcement ended, the engines shut down. I was starting to think that there was a problem with our train but about 5 minutes later the engines came back to life and we began to move, eventually arriving at York having been stuck outside the station for just under 15 minutes. This meant we arrived at York for around 10:00; two minutes after the GC should have left. I headed to the platform 3-departure board to see what else was heading north in my time frame, spotting 43290 on the London express as I did. But after looking at the board, I found out that I hadn't actually missed my chosen train but it was simply 'delayed'. As was everything else heading north from the ECML south of Colton Junction. It turns out that this was because of animals on the line near Doncaster. I called dad, keeping an eye on the departure board as I did and in the end the status on the 09:58 to Sunderland changed from delayed to 10:23. About time too! I went to the ticket office to grab a full VTEC timetable (it had every Virgin Trains East Coast service in it) before hanging around on the expected platform (5) waiting for my trams to arrive, watching the southbound GC service leave from platform 3 with a winner and a dud on. Great! That means that my pair will be a double winner! And sure enough, 43465 and 43423 arrived so I hopped onto the double winner set ready for my short journey up the ECML.

The first thing I noticed when walking into the coach was that these things have by far the best interiors of any of the other company's trams. I love what Grand Central have done with them. They even made them so little children would like it when traveling, by engraving puzzle things in the tables (I didn't try any at all...) My ticket was checked just after York by a delightful guard who took an interest in what I was planning to do. Very soche (short for sociable.) I was sat down until Thirsk, where the vestibule was calling so I headed up to the window to get some tram thrash for the last 10 minutes of my journey.

I was first off the tram at Northallerton so when everyone was off, I ran down the platform slamming the doors so the guard didn't have too, saving a little time. I then looked at the PIS to see what was due. Result! My plan was to have a +30 here to wait for a Milkfloat onward to Darlo but due to the delay of my service, it was now only a +7. So it was all good in the end. Or not so as my little journey north was in the hands of dud 91130, the same one I had had from Peterborough to Leeds two days before. But it is my favorite of the fleet so I guess that it could be worse. I got a seat in the standard class quiet coach (no first class for me today) and 10 minutes later we were arriving at Darlington for the first time on my trip.

Dad had text me some gen for trams so I brought it into action forming an itinerary (with help from dad) revolving around 43311. My train back towards York was due to be a double dud and for this, the gen wasn't wrong as I found out when 43309 and 43295 rolled in. I got myself a window and after a quick stop the ex Edinburgh train was thrashing off towards Kings Cross. It was nice to so some 125mph window hanging again, it's something you miss when you live in Leamington and won't travel on 220s or 221s to get to any trams in. Eventually my pair arrived at York and after seeing a tram set waiting to leave on the 12:03 to the Cross, I made sure I got the numbers. Both duds . But that didn't stop me from getting a photo with 43309 and 43307 when they were side by side (platform 5 for the one I had just got off, 6 for the 12:03).
Are they the same? by fishquinn1, on Flickr
I watched the tram set that I had taken from Darlo leave before walking over to the costumer information desk and asking if there was a Sainsbury's or Tesco close so I could get some lunch. Luckily there was a Sainsbury’s local less than a 5 minute walk away from the station so I headed off and with mixed jogging, walking and running I got there in 3 minutes where I went in to see what I wanted for lunch.

At Sainsbury's, there is a £3 meal deal, which is for a sarnie, a drink and a packet of crisps. I went for a chicken triple sarnie (chicken and sweetcorn, chicken and stuffing, chicken and mayo), a 750ml bottle of water and just a packet of Walkers crisps before buying them and heading back to the station with plenty of time to get onto my next train. This was the 12:24 to Manchester Airport and it had another winner 185 on, 185113. The journey to Leeds was nice enough and I arrived with a ages until my chosen train south. In order to fall into 43311 and its partner in crime 43257, I had decided to head down to Donny and then step back up to Wakefield to get them south from there. A milkfloat was waiting in the platform on the 13:15 to Kings Cross so after getting the DVT number, I got on board winner 91111, the For The fallen liveried one.

It did the job of getting my to Doncaster on time where I had a half hour wait before my next train. I was in need of a drink so I blew away another £3.50 and had a Belgian Chocolate Creamy Cooler to drink while watching the trains before the 14:14 to Leeds pulled in with my second dud Milkfloat of the day, 91115. I was first at the doo so after letting what I thought was everyone off, I clambered on myself to see a few late people coming after getting on. A normal waiting to get on the train complained to her friend that I didn't wait for everyone to get off, just for someone else to say to her that there was a gap and that I couldn't see that someone else was coming. I didn't care; it meant I got a good seat for the 20-minute journey up to Westgate where I left the train and headed back onto the other platform for what should have 311 on.

I saw a tram set coming down the line towards me, I crossed my fingers and a cheer was in order when I saw winner 43257 leading the train. There still could have been a very quick set swap, so before getting on I went to the back to see if it was the correct power car and another cheer was in order after seeing the number on the side of the VTEC red loco. 43311. I hopped on the first door I came to (which was away from all of the normals who just get through the automatic doors from the concourse and then stop moving.) I decided window hanging was on the agenda for the short journey back to get some thrash from my two new locos. It was all over to soon and I had to get off at Donny again where a long wait would have to happen to get the 16:10 up to York. Or so I thought. As we were coming in I saw a tram set had just that second stopped on a northbound train. It was way too early for the Hull Executive so I knew that wherever it was going, I could take it so I swung open the door of the mark 3 and sprinted from platform 1 to platform 8, going from train to train in less than 15 seconds. I had no idea where I was going until the guard came over the PA and said 'Welcome to the 15:14 Virgin Trains East Coast service to Leeds'. I then knew. I had boarded the 14:58 train from Wakefield Westgate and ended up on a train back from Donny 16 minutes later!

It wasn't until I got off at Leeds that I found out that my train for the 30 mile leap was double duds 43290 and 43208. Its not Kings Cross to Inverness for 208 but it was still a bit of mileage. I got a few photos of my favorite VTEC before being asked by the driver if I wanted to look in the cab. Who was I to say no?
Its not Inverness by fishquinn1, on Flickr

I had a lot of time before my train back to Malton so I just did a bit of spotting at the station before the 16:12 to Scarborough arrived with final train of the day and winner 185106 on it. The journey back was very uneventful and it was nice to be getting off the fairly crowded train at Malton after a journey of about an hour, ready for the bus in 30-minutes. Thankfully it was another double decker and I spent the time on it listening to some more music. I wish I had thought of that after getting on the 185 at Leeds instead of 5 minutes out of Malton!

I alighted at the bus stop a 2-minute walk from Granny and Granddads house and headed back, ready for a cracking tea of Pie, Chips and Beans.

Tuesday was the day I had given to Granny to take me to York but it did include some trains. Hopefully that report will be up soon.
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And another one.

August big bash day 3: From Donuts to Milkfloats

Today was Tuesday the 4th of August and I had given the day to Granny so she could take me to York for the day as I needed to get a couple of jumpers/jackets. Granny doesn't like taking the train between Malton and York because you rarely get a seat on it so I foolishly agreed to take the bus direct from Pickering. But since I wasn't on my rover today, it meant that I could have a lie in and I eventually got up around 08:00. We both wanted to get the 09:12 bus and get a donut each from a coffee shop that Granny liked before going shopping for my jumpers. Then, to finish we would get brunch/lunch from another place that Granny knows. I didn't know York outside the station and NRM so it would be quite nice to see what sort of things it has.

After getting downstairs and saying hi to Granny, we both got a slice of toast to keep us going until brunch. Then, after a bit of time chilling out, we headed off the bus stop ready for the long bus journey ahead. £9 later (yes £9!), which Granny kindly paid, we headed up to the second deck and got a seat up front for the incredibly long endurance of an hour and 10 minutes. I don't like buses at the best of times. Half and hour is most definitely long enough for me but 10 minutes over an hour really is hell, especially when I could do it in only 15 minutes more by rail (including a 40 minute wait at Malton for the train). Granny said that I could get the train back between York and Malton because I had done well enduring the ride out. We got off (finally!) at York, The Stonebow bus stop and took the very short walk to the coffee shop where we ordered 2 donuts, and 2 drinks (I had a milkshake). The donuts were warm and tasted absolutely stunning. The best that I had ever had. Unfortunately it wasn't as big as I would have liked (that would have been the size of York) and it was finished to quickly for my liking.

After I paid, it was time for clothes shopping. I can't really think of something I dislike more. The first store we went into (GAP) was rubbish. The price of the clothes was through the roof and none looked good quality and all the stupid logo all over them. A mega waste of money. Granny was going to try Next after that but on the way I saw a TK Max and we found just what we wanted for a very good price. Result!

It wasn't far to go in order to get to the cafe that Granny wanted to go to where we ordered some Brunch. I got a heart disease on a plate (a full English breakfast) and Granny had some mushroom thing that looked pretty foul. It came very quickly and it was very filling and incredibly tasty. Granny looked at her watch when we had both finished. 12:05. After paying (Granny this time), I asked if I could spend a little time on the trains and come back from York to Malton on the train later on. She agreed to this and after being told the directions, I headed off the station, hoping to be on the 12:31 to Donny.

First of all, I would like to apologies for the shopping and stuff being so long. But without the bit about the donuts in there, the title wouldn't have really made sense. It's just trains from now on though.

The station was reached about 10 minutes before the Kings Cross bound train arrived. This was, as expected, a Milkfloat. I hadn't had many of them at the time so it wasn't a surprise to see that a winner was on the back of the train, 91125. On the way out of the station, I saw that the brush in the sidings had changed from 47828 to 47818 meaning I had something to do during the wait at York later in the day. Get a photo of it of course! Other than that it was a rather uneventful ride, the upside of it all being just before Donny when I saw a Red Death (EWS 66) sat in the other platform. But this wasn't just any old red death. This was 66144, one of my required ones. Only 66017, 66085, 66103 and 66200 left (out of those 4 I now only need the last 2).

I hopped off, hoping to get a photo but in the end I couldn't because it had started leaving. It doesn't matter though. 321411 was still just outside the station (it had been every day I was there.) It was nice to look at the departure board and find out that I had 2 VTEC options to get back up to York on; the 13:05 and the 13:10. I decided that if the 13:05 had a winner on it then I would go for that but if it was a dud then I would wait for the 13:10. Luckily I didn't have to wait for another 5 minutes after the first one arrived because the York bound train had winner 91116 on. I had a plan for the rest of the day in my head so I got off at York (it terminates there) and wandered over to platforms 10 and 11 to get a photo of 47818. What a monster!

I was very glad that I didn't wait for the 13:10 from Doncaster as it had 91115 on, one that I had had twice before. I went and taken a look at the departure board to see if my next train was on time. It was and I liked what was written there. 13:55 to Inverness and then below it 'Highland Chieftain'. I smiled at this, noting that it was due on platform 9 at the same time. I had no gen today so I had no idea which tram would be on it and wasn't too happy to see that it was a pair that I had had on the Saturday (so 3 days ago), double duds 43305 and 43306. This was the first time I had traveled on the Highland Chieftain in Standard and the first thing that I noticed was that it was very full! Luckily all I wanted was a vestibule as a seat would have been hard to find (that wouldn't be nice for someone wanting to travel from York to Inverness!) I noticed the southbound Chieftain arrive just after we left. The front power car was 43310. That number rings a bell. I remembered why when I saw the rear power car. 43319! That's the HSTs finally cleared for sight! The strange thing with that power car is that it is a winner for sight but a dud for haulage. This is because I had it for haulage long before I started recording sights. But it was great to see anyway. Other than that, the journey to Darlo was just the same as usual and after a +10, I was on another HST back to York, this time double duds 43272 and 43238. This was the 09:52 from Aberdeen, taking just over 5 hours to get to York, arriving at 14:56. I got off here, as it was non-stop to The Cross after this. My plan gave me a +35 onto the 15:31 to Donny so after quite a long wait, I saw a DVT come round the corner and onto platform 5. It seemed oddly familiar...

Of course! The 91 pushing the train was dud 91126 from Saturday. At least this move pushes it up to 65 miles, one step closer to 100. The journey was quick and before I knew it we were crossing over the level crossing just before the station. There are 2 level crossings on this 1 little stretch of road, one with the ECML on and the other with the Donny-Leeds line. I bet drivers would get annoyed when they are stopped at both of them!

I had 20 minutes at Doncaster (no, I didn't get a Creamy cooler this time) before the 16:10 to Newcastle (it goes to Edinburgh on Saturdays). It passed quite quickly as there was a lot to see and it wasn't long before winner 91131 was arriving. As always, I got a good seat in the quiet coach and we sped away arriving on time.

Over to platform 5 (not the railway books, the platform) where the 185 on the Scarborough train arrived minutes later. This was another winner, 185106. I am most definitely doing well with the Diesel Dezes on this trip! I listed to music for the journey back including the bus, which ran to time with a double decker on again. Easy to say that I got home in time for a brilliant dinner.

Today was only a few hours long but it got me 3 winner Milkfloats and a winner Diesel Dez, not to mention 2 new jumpers (Granny bought one of them, I bought the other) so I will call it a fairly productive afternoon on the rails.

 

[47403]

Agreed. But definitely not as fun as a tram!


August big bash day 2: The beginning

While technically day 3, I decided to call the first day of my rover day 2 because the Sunday was just a day in Pickering (which included watching a kettle arrive from Whitby.) This was Monday the 3rd of August and I woke up to my alarm clock at 07:15 (yes, I brought and alarm clock. I didn't really want to oversleep and miss the train.) I was getting the bus to Malton this morning, which left just before 10 past 8 so I wanted to get a move on in order to be there in good time.

After getting downstairs, I said hi to the dogs and granny before grabbing a slice of toast (only 1 because I wanted to visit the cafe at Malton station again.) I chatted with Granny over my breakfast before tying my shoes and heading out of the door with my rover in my pocket. It took me all of 5 minutes (probably a little less) to get to the bus stop, where I had about 10 minutes until my Coastliner (hopefully double-decker). The bus stop had a seat but after about 2 minutes of sitting down I stood again as the seat is so darn uncomfortable. The bus was slightly late but since I had a plus 30 for the train at Malton, I wasn't worried. After the double-decker had arrived, I bought a return to Malton and headed up top to the front seats to enjoy the ride instead of hating it (as I do on most buses.) All of the number 840 buses run via Kirby Misperton roundabout, putting about 5 minutes more onto the journey than if going direct. But it arrived a few minutes late anyway, cutting my connection off the bus down to a plus 25. I bet if I checked the minimum connection time at Malton added to the bus stop connection time and walk over (crossing the road) then a +25 wouldn't be enough time .

I was looking forward to getting something from the cafe but it isn't open on Mondays . Looks like I won't get a second Breakfast, Elevenses, Luncheon (hopefully I can get that!), Afternoon tea, Dinner (again, I hope to get this) and supper! I'm most definitely not a hobbit then. All I did while waiting for the train to appear was put on some music from my I-pod. The only problem with that is that I didn't have my playlist on it so I had to manually choose each song from my (not very extensive) library on there. These were songs from (mostly) different artists but I did have loads of songs from 3 different artists - Passenger, Pink Floyd and Rush. I also had random songs from my playlist (and dads) in there but only my favorites from them including Summer of '69 (Bryan Adams) and That's All (Genesis). But away from the music and back towards the trains, after a tedious 25 minutes, made slightly longer by the Scarborough train being late (Malton is a single platform station), I was getting on my York bound train, officially starting my North East Rover on winner 185147.

I was planning to go for the Grand Central tram to Northallerton which left York at 09:58 but like a lot of my plans, this was thrown into question after the Diesel Dez that I was on drew to a stop just before York. The guard said that we were just waiting for a platform to be free in the station but just after that announcement ended, the engines shut down. I was starting to think that there was a problem with our train but about 5 minutes later the engines came back to life and we began to move, eventually arriving at York having been stuck outside the station for just under 15 minutes. This meant we arrived at York for around 10:00; two minutes after the GC should have left. I headed to the platform 3-departure board to see what else was heading north in my time frame, spotting 43290 on the London express as I did. But after looking at the board, I found out that I hadn't actually missed my chosen train but it was simply 'delayed'. As was everything else heading north from the ECML south of Colton Junction. It turns out that this was because of animals on the line near Doncaster. I called dad, keeping an eye on the departure board as I did and in the end the status on the 09:58 to Sunderland changed from delayed to 10:23. About time too! I went to the ticket office to grab a full VTEC timetable (it had every Virgin Trains East Coast service in it) before hanging around on the expected platform (5) waiting for my trams to arrive, watching the southbound GC service leave from platform 3 with a winner and a dud on. Great! That means that my pair will be a double winner! And sure enough, 43465 and 43423 arrived so I hopped onto the double winner set ready for my short journey up the ECML.

The first thing I noticed when walking into the coach was that these things have by far the best interiors of any of the other company's trams. I love what Grand Central have done with them. They even made them so little children would like it when traveling, by engraving puzzle things in the tables (I didn't try any at all...) My ticket was checked just after York by a delightful guard who took an interest in what I was planning to do. Very soche (short for sociable.) I was sat down until Thirsk, where the vestibule was calling so I headed up to the window to get some tram thrash for the last 10 minutes of my journey.

I was first off the tram at Northallerton so when everyone was off, I ran down the platform slamming the doors so the guard didn't have too, saving a little time. I then looked at the PIS to see what was due. Result! My plan was to have a +30 here to wait for a Milkfloat onward to Darlo but due to the delay of my service, it was now only a +7. So it was all good in the end. Or not so as my little journey north was in the hands of dud 91130, the same one I had had from Peterborough to Leeds two days before. But it is my favorite of the fleet so I guess that it could be worse. I got a seat in the standard class quiet coach (no first class for me today) and 10 minutes later we were arriving at Darlington for the first time on my trip.

Dad had text me some gen for trams so I brought it into action forming an itinerary (with help from dad) revolving around 43311. My train back towards York was due to be a double dud and for this, the gen wasn't wrong as I found out when 43309 and 43295 rolled in. I got myself a window and after a quick stop the ex Edinburgh train was thrashing off towards Kings Cross. It was nice to so some 125mph window hanging again, it's something you miss when you live in Leamington and won't travel on 220s or 221s to get to any trams in. Eventually my pair arrived at York and after seeing a tram set waiting to leave on the 12:03 to the Cross, I made sure I got the numbers. Both duds . But that didn't stop me from getting a photo with 43309 and 43307 when they were side by side (platform 5 for the one I had just got off, 6 for the 12:03).
Are they the same? by fishquinn1, on Flickr
I watched the tram set that I had taken from Darlo leave before walking over to the costumer information desk and asking if there was a Sainsbury's or Tesco close so I could get some lunch. Luckily there was a Sainsbury’s local less than a 5 minute walk away from the station so I headed off and with mixed jogging, walking and running I got there in 3 minutes where I went in to see what I wanted for lunch.

At Sainsbury's, there is a £3 meal deal, which is for a sarnie, a drink and a packet of crisps. I went for a chicken triple sarnie (chicken and sweetcorn, chicken and stuffing, chicken and mayo), a 750ml bottle of water and just a packet of Walkers crisps before buying them and heading back to the station with plenty of time to get onto my next train. This was the 12:24 to Manchester Airport and it had another winner 185 on, 185113. The journey to Leeds was nice enough and I arrived with a ages until my chosen train south. In order to fall into 43311 and its partner in crime 43257, I had decided to head down to Donny and then step back up to Wakefield to get them south from there. A milkfloat was waiting in the platform on the 13:15 to Kings Cross so after getting the DVT number, I got on board winner 91111, the For The fallen liveried one.

It did the job of getting my to Doncaster on time where I had a half hour wait before my next train. I was in need of a drink so I blew away another £3.50 and had a Belgian Chocolate Creamy Cooler to drink while watching the trains before the 14:14 to Leeds pulled in with my second dud Milkfloat of the day, 91115. I was first at the doo so after letting what I thought was everyone off, I clambered on myself to see a few late people coming after getting on. A normal waiting to get on the train complained to her friend that I didn't wait for everyone to get off, just for someone else to say to her that there was a gap and that I couldn't see that someone else was coming. I didn't care; it meant I got a good seat for the 20-minute journey up to Westgate where I left the train and headed back onto the other platform for what should have 311 on.

I saw a tram set coming down the line towards me, I crossed my fingers and a cheer was in order when I saw winner 43257 leading the train. There still could have been a very quick set swap, so before getting on I went to the back to see if it was the correct power car and another cheer was in order after seeing the number on the side of the VTEC red loco. 43311. I hopped on the first door I came to (which was away from all of the normals who just get through the automatic doors from the concourse and then stop moving.) I decided window hanging was on the agenda for the short journey back to get some thrash from my two new locos. It was all over to soon and I had to get off at Donny again where a long wait would have to happen to get the 16:10 up to York. Or so I thought. As we were coming in I saw a tram set had just that second stopped on a northbound train. It was way too early for the Hull Executive so I knew that wherever it was going, I could take it so I swung open the door of the mark 3 and sprinted from platform 1 to platform 8, going from train to train in less than 15 seconds. I had no idea where I was going until the guard came over the PA and said 'Welcome to the 15:14 Virgin Trains East Coast service to Leeds'. I then knew. I had boarded the 14:58 train from Wakefield Westgate and ended up on a train back from Donny 16 minutes later!

It wasn't until I got off at Leeds that I found out that my train for the 30 mile leap was double duds 43290 and 43208. Its not Kings Cross to Inverness for 208 but it was still a bit of mileage. I got a few photos of my favorite VTEC before being asked by the driver if I wanted to look in the cab. Who was I to say no?
Its not Inverness by fishquinn1, on Flickr

I had a lot of time before my train back to Malton so I just did a bit of spotting at the station before the 16:12 to Scarborough arrived with final train of the day and winner 185106 on it. The journey back was very uneventful and it was nice to be getting off the fairly crowded train at Malton after a journey of about an hour, ready for the bus in 30-minutes. Thankfully it was another double decker and I spent the time on it listening to some more music. I wish I had thought of that after getting on the 185 at Leeds instead of 5 minutes out of Malton!

I alighted at the bus stop a 2-minute walk from Granny and Granddads house and headed back, ready for a cracking tea of Pie, Chips and Beans.

Tuesday was the day I had given to Granny to take me to York but it did include some trains. Hopefully that report will be up soon.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
And another one.

August big bash day 3: From Donuts to Milkfloats

Today was Tuesday the 4th of August and I had given the day to Granny so she could take me to York for the day as I needed to get a couple of jumpers/jackets. Granny doesn't like taking the train between Malton and York because you rarely get a seat on it so I foolishly agreed to take the bus direct from Pickering. But since I wasn't on my rover today, it meant that I could have a lie in and I eventually got up around 08:00. We both wanted to get the 09:12 bus and get a donut each from a coffee shop that Granny liked before going shopping for my jumpers. Then, to finish we would get brunch/lunch from another place that Granny knows. I didn't know York outside the station and NRM so it would be quite nice to see what sort of things it has.

After getting downstairs and saying hi to Granny, we both got a slice of toast to keep us going until brunch. Then, after a bit of time chilling out, we headed off the bus stop ready for the long bus journey ahead. £9 later (yes £9!), which Granny kindly paid, we headed up to the second deck and got a seat up front for the incredibly long endurance of an hour and 10 minutes. I don't like buses at the best of times. Half and hour is most definitely long enough for me but 10 minutes over an hour really is hell, especially when I could do it in only 15 minutes more by rail (including a 40 minute wait at Malton for the train). Granny said that I could get the train back between York and Malton because I had done well enduring the ride out. We got off (finally!) at York, The Stonebow bus stop and took the very short walk to the coffee shop where we ordered 2 donuts, and 2 drinks (I had a milkshake). The donuts were warm and tasted absolutely stunning. The best that I had ever had. Unfortunately it wasn't as big as I would have liked (that would have been the size of York) and it was finished to quickly for my liking.

After I paid, it was time for clothes shopping. I can't really think of something I dislike more. The first store we went into (GAP) was rubbish. The price of the clothes was through the roof and none looked good quality and all the stupid logo all over them. A mega waste of money. Granny was going to try Next after that but on the way I saw a TK Max and we found just what we wanted for a very good price. Result!

It wasn't far to go in order to get to the cafe that Granny wanted to go to where we ordered some Brunch. I got a heart disease on a plate (a full English breakfast) and Granny had some mushroom thing that looked pretty foul. It came very quickly and it was very filling and incredibly tasty. Granny looked at her watch when we had both finished. 12:05. After paying (Granny this time), I asked if I could spend a little time on the trains and come back from York to Malton on the train later on. She agreed to this and after being told the directions, I headed off the station, hoping to be on the 12:31 to Donny.

First of all, I would like to apologies for the shopping and stuff being so long. But without the bit about the donuts in there, the title wouldn't have really made sense. It's just trains from now on though.

The station was reached about 10 minutes before the Kings Cross bound train arrived. This was, as expected, a Milkfloat. I hadn't had many of them at the time so it wasn't a surprise to see that a winner was on the back of the train, 91125. On the way out of the station, I saw that the brush in the sidings had changed from 47828 to 47818 meaning I had something to do during the wait at York later in the day. Get a photo of it of course! Other than that it was a rather uneventful ride, the upside of it all being just before Donny when I saw a Red Death (EWS 66) sat in the other platform. But this wasn't just any old red death. This was 66144, one of my required ones. Only 66017, 66085, 66103 and 66200 left (out of those 4 I now only need the last 2).

I hopped off, hoping to get a photo but in the end I couldn't because it had started leaving. It doesn't matter though. 321411 was still just outside the station (it had been every day I was there.) It was nice to look at the departure board and find out that I had 2 VTEC options to get back up to York on; the 13:05 and the 13:10. I decided that if the 13:05 had a winner on it then I would go for that but if it was a dud then I would wait for the 13:10. Luckily I didn't have to wait for another 5 minutes after the first one arrived because the York bound train had winner 91116 on. I had a plan for the rest of the day in my head so I got off at York (it terminates there) and wandered over to platforms 10 and 11 to get a photo of 47818. What a monster!

I was very glad that I didn't wait for the 13:10 from Doncaster as it had 91115 on, one that I had had twice before. I went and taken a look at the departure board to see if my next train was on time. It was and I liked what was written there. 13:55 to Inverness and then below it 'Highland Chieftain'. I smiled at this, noting that it was due on platform 9 at the same time. I had no gen today so I had no idea which tram would be on it and wasn't too happy to see that it was a pair that I had had on the Saturday (so 3 days ago), double duds 43305 and 43306. This was the first time I had traveled on the Highland Chieftain in Standard and the first thing that I noticed was that it was very full! Luckily all I wanted was a vestibule as a seat would have been hard to find (that wouldn't be nice for someone wanting to travel from York to Inverness!) I noticed the southbound Chieftain arrive just after we left. The front power car was 43310. That number rings a bell. I remembered why when I saw the rear power car. 43319! That's the HSTs finally cleared for sight! The strange thing with that power car is that it is a winner for sight but a dud for haulage. This is because I had it for haulage long before I started recording sights. But it was great to see anyway. Other than that, the journey to Darlo was just the same as usual and after a +10, I was on another HST back to York, this time double duds 43272 and 43238. This was the 09:52 from Aberdeen, taking just over 5 hours to get to York, arriving at 14:56. I got off here, as it was non-stop to The Cross after this. My plan gave me a +35 onto the 15:31 to Donny so after quite a long wait, I saw a DVT come round the corner and onto platform 5. It seemed oddly familiar...

Of course! The 91 pushing the train was dud 91126 from Saturday. At least this move pushes it up to 65 miles, one step closer to 100. The journey was quick and before I knew it we were crossing over the level crossing just before the station. There are 2 level crossings on this 1 little stretch of road, one with the ECML on and the other with the Donny-Leeds line. I bet drivers would get annoyed when they are stopped at both of them!

I had 20 minutes at Doncaster (no, I didn't get a Creamy cooler this time) before the 16:10 to Newcastle (it goes to Edinburgh on Saturdays). It passed quite quickly as there was a lot to see and it wasn't long before winner 91131 was arriving. As always, I got a good seat in the quiet coach and we sped away arriving on time.

Over to platform 5 (not the railway books, the platform) where the 185 on the Scarborough train arrived minutes later. This was another winner, 185106. I am most definitely doing well with the Diesel Dezes on this trip! I listed to music for the journey back including the bus, which ran to time with a double decker on again. Easy to say that I got home in time for a brilliant dinner.

Today was only a few hours long but it got me 3 winner Milkfloats and a winner Diesel Dez, not to mention 2 new jumpers (Granny bought one of them, I bought the other) so I will call it a fairly productive afternoon on the rails.

Cracking read so far young fishquinn, well done on clearing the zings, looking forward to the next report..

 

[Kite159]

Nothing to do with being able to get the bus for free over paying for the train?

Sounds like a couple good days on the ECML

 

[FQ]

That would probably be another reason! But in my case I could get the train for free (it all comes with the rover!) but I have to pay for the train.

It most definitely is. Hopefully Wednesday will be up soon.

 

[Techniquest]

Two rather decent days there, it must be said! Even though you had to go clothes shopping, poor boy!

You apologise I see for talking about the shopping bit, well I went on for far longer with the backstory to my recent London bash! If it forms a necessary part of the story then no need to apologise!

Well done on clearing the HSTs for sight, 43319 is one of my last two EC power cars to get for haulage, the other being 274. When I saw 319 out on Monday I nearly ran down the platform (big job too, from almost the end of a 12-car 321 set!) to find out where it was going and fork out epic ching to score it! Good thing I didn't mind as I then went on to score 3 winner 321s a little later! One day I will make it to the NE to get the HST power cars done...

As always an excellent read, I look forward to the rest of the read when it's done

 

[FQ]

I guess it was an essential part of the story.

43274 is one of my last 6 VTEC ones (the others being 43296, 43302, 43308, 43315 and 43367.) I really want to get them soon but i'm not sure when. Hopefully 43319 and 43274 will appear for you soon! It's a shame 43319 wasn't on the Newark or York stopper when you saw it at Kings Cross. Then it would just be a basic ticket to Stevenage.

 

[Techniquest]

One day they will be mine! Just got to be patient, which is not easy for me

 

[backontrack]

How did I miss this? I guess I must have marked the forums read while this was on the second or third page.

Anyway, I shall now commence reading.
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August big bash day 3: From Donuts to Milkfloats...

...I didn't know York outside the station and NRM so it would be quite nice to see what sort of things it has.

And with that, I can no longer take you seriously.


Just kidding.

York is a beautiful city, and a brilliant place with great people, and lots of museums and landmarks (NRM, The Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, the recently refurbished Art Gallery, the Shambles, the famous Minster, Clifford's Tower, Castle Museum, the city walls, the York Eye, and the various snickelways of the city), great shopping and lots of history. I recommend a day trip to experience some of the best of this.

 

[FQ]

I had a walk around the walls the next day with a bunch of forum members and some of the views are lovely. But York station has HSTs!

 

[backontrack]

I have to admit, sometimes I do get exasperated about some common 'tropes' of spotters/bashers sometimes.

I like, nay love, riding on trains. I've always loved trains, and should continue to for many years to come.

I realise that there are some classes of trains that are terrible, let's be honest. Pendolinos sometimes make me feel seasick, and this is even worse for my dad. I wouldn't like to be on a Pacer or Voyager for a long amount of time, either.

But I endure Pendolinos because I want to go to these places. I'd rather go to Edinburgh or York or Oxford or Exeter or Chester on a Voyager than not at all, certainly. I don't like them, and not many people do, but I'd rather use them than not at all. Why else have people experienced them?

Now, I really enjoy travelling on trains, but I don't really see the point on travelling on them for the sake of it - except possibly for scenic routes - unless I'm getting from A to B. Trains are my favourite way to travel long distances, but they were created to get you between places, not as a form of entertainment (not that I have any problem with this, I just don't really understand it). Trains can take you anywhere, so why stay onboard?

I urge you to get off, and explore somewhere truly great. Cities like York, but also Winchester, Durham, Cambridge, Norwich, Lincoln, Bath - all can be easily explored by rail.*

*Except Cambridge, which needs a bus into town.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Forgot to mention the actual trip, looks like you had a great time.

I don't consider spotting/bashing/tripping a stupid idea, in fact quite the opposite, but I'm merely stating that I wouldn't be able to doing it without visiting these places.

 

[55013]

Another nice move involving Yorkshire, a jolly good read.

Backontrack - I see where you're coming from, personally I've visited all those places you mentioned and enjoyed the lot.
The walk from Cambridge station into town isn't too bad, we did it last year and it enabled us to view Hobson's Conduit and the monument on Lensfield Road.
However, for me days on my own are bashing days and those with my wife are for visiting places (We're members of both English Heritage and The National Trust - she wouldn't be happy if I started doing solo visits!).
Do whatever makes you happy, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, is my motto

 

[sprinterguy]

Now, I really enjoy travelling on trains, but I don't really see the point on travelling on them for the sake of it - except possibly for scenic routes - unless I'm getting from A to B. Trains are my favourite way to travel long distances, but they were created to get you between places, not as a form of entertainment (not that I have any problem with this, I just don't really understand it). Trains can take you anywhere, so why stay onboard?

I urge you to get off, and explore somewhere truly great. Cities like York, but also Winchester, Durham, Cambridge, Norwich, Lincoln, Bath - all can be easily explored by rail.*

Hear hear. I enjoy travelling up and down on HST and loco hauled services from time to time, as travelling on long distance services and "proper trains" still invokes a bit of a childlike thrill in me that harks back to family days out on the train to such seemingly far flung destinations as York and Edinburgh, but even then I usually tie in the travelling with a wander around at least one of the towns I visit en route. It is important to get out of "the system" and have a look at the world around you.

Usually though I'm just looking to get to my destination as fast as possible so that I can get to where I'm going and start the day out proper. Hence, particularly living in Birmingham, Voyagers are a "necessary evil", and really not that bad for journeys of two hours or so (I start to get "itchy feet" if I have to be on one train for more than about three hours anyway).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

York is a beautiful city, and a brilliant place with great people, and lots of museums and landmarks (NRM, The Yorkshire Museum and Gardens, the recently refurbished Art Gallery, the Shambles, the famous Minster, Clifford's Tower, Castle Museum, the city walls, the York Eye, and the various snickelways of the city), great shopping and lots of history. I recommend a day trip to experience some of the best of this.

And pubs. There's some cracking pubs.

 

[FQ]

Of the cities you have mentioned, I have already explored 3 of them (Cambridge, Lincoln and Bath) and I've never even been to the stations of Winchester, Durham or Norwich! Chester has been thoroughly explored as has Oxford. But a good way to avoid voyagers to get to the places you have mentioned is below

Oxford - HST/180/165/166 from Paddington
York - HST/91 from Kings Cross
Exeter - HST from Paddington
Chester - 390 to Crewe from Euston then change for a 150 for the rest of the way
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August big bash day 4: Walking, Talking and a bit of bashing

Wednesday had 2 things as part of the day. Another Rover day in the morning and most of the afternoon with a forum meet in York for the evening. Dad sent me some gen again this morning which helped and I begun my day the same time as Monday at 07:15. Granny had made me a couple of boiled eggs for breccie and they went down really well with a glass of orange juice. I headed out for the bus slightly later than on Monday, knowing that I would just be waiting for ages otherwise but even though I had left later, I saw my (single decker) bus heading out to Thornton le Dale, where it turns around to come back to Leeds, picking up me. This meant that it was late (lowering my connection at Malton from 30 to about 15) but this just increased my time at the side of the road by the bus stop in Pickering and Malton station is a nicer place to wait that there. Eventually the bus I had seen 15 minutes ago appeared so after purchasing a single to Malton I headed to the back of the bus and sat down.

The journey to Malton was slow and after getting there, I crossed the road and popped in the cafe, just to get a drink as I had already had breakfast. It was a pleasant way to spend 15 minutes and before I knew it winner 185133 was pulling in on the 09:13 to Liverpool Lime Street. I found myself a seat on board and put my head against the window for the 25-minute stagger north.

We arrived at York about 5 minutes late (due to the 09:04 to Scarborough from Malton running late again) but this didn't affect me whatsoever because I just wanted to be on the 09:53 to Darlington in order to connect with a certain tram set back... I headed over to platform 9 and smiled when I saw the Milkfloat approaching the station. Welcome to the book 91110, Battle of Britain Memorial flight! Strangely, I was at York when it was named, having come on 55022 from Leam on a railtour. 47237 and D9009 were still just outside the NRM (they had been every day so far) and I decided to get a photo of them when on a tram later on. 43480 and 43467 were seen at Thirsk, 480 still being needed for haulage. The sprint up to County Durham was nice and half an hour later I was getting off the train and getting a few photos of 91110.
Lest we forget? by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Then I headed over to the other through platform and waited for the 10:29 to Kings Cross, with my fingers crossed hoping that the gen was right.

Score! Double winners 43318 and 43277 were the pair powering 1E07 the 08:00 from Edinburgh to The Cross today! I happily climbed on and grabbed a vestibule for the thrash out of Darlington. Since there were loads of good seats free, I decided to take on for most of the journey, getting up at about Skelton Bridge junction for the last little bit of my 44-mile run.

After leaving the train, I had an hour until my next planned one. It was too early for lunch so what I did was wander over to the NRM to see the best thing there (and whatever else was dotted around.) Give yourself a cookie if you guessed I was talking about 87001 (vote 87!) It was a quick wander and it wasn't long before I was getting a few (admittedly blurry) photos of Royal Scot. Ok. That's a slight under exaggeration. It's more like a few hundred. Well, that's what it felt like anyway. After saying bye to the brilliant 87, I wandered over the great hall, picking off the loco numbers as I went. Then I headed to the works to see what was in there at the time (a couple of tractors) before finishing with the balcony to get a good view of a Milkfloat heading north. After about 5 minutes there, I decided to head back to the station now to get in position for the first northbound (ex Kings Cross) Aberdeen tram. 'The Northern Lights' arrived on time and I got on double duds 43313 and 43307. I was very surprised to see that, although it has an East Coast silver exterior, the coaches had EMT interiors. But the Wi-fi still worked so I got a seat and turned my iPod on to check how stuff was going on the forum and plan my next few moves. I knew the train I was getting back from Darlo (the 12:29) but after that I had no idea what to do. A bit of Grand Central tram thrash sounded good so I found a way to get two tram sets and a winner shack in after my move back from Darlington.
North at Darlington by fishquinn1, on Flickr
I got a photo of the leading power car after getting off the train before heading over to the other platform and eagerly waiting for my train back. Yes! The gen was right again and double winners 43317 and 43251 pulled in on the 07:52 from Aberdeen. I posted my new plan on the forum to say what i would be arriving on for the forum meet before getting up and doing a bit of 125mph window hanging for the ride to York, getting that photo of 47237 and 55009 before arriving at the station. And it was even better as I could get most of my train in the shot (due to the curve) and a departing milkfloat too.
Which year am I in? by fishquinn1, on Flickr
After that I moved over to the other side of the train to open the door at York before heading out of the station and towards the Sainsbury's local that I had visited 2 days before, as my next train wasn't until 13:22.

A chicken triple sarnie, a packet of kettle chips and a bottle of water were sourced for £3 and I stuffed it all in my bag before strolling back to the station ready for my Sunderland bound tram. I ate lunch on platform 5 and after finishing; I walked up the platform ready to see which tram would be taking me north to Thirsk. Imagine the look on my face when I saw that it wasn't a tram coming around the corner... Damn! I had forgotten that there is a blasted 180 on the Kings Cross to Sunderland each day. Still very annoyed, I climbed aboard winner 180112 and seeing the interior made my mood drop even more. Compared to the trams, the interior of this is like the interior of a 390 (and probably 221; I've never been in the position to check). Probably even worse than a pendo and it definitely isn't like a 175, what it is based on. The experience of the ride made me hate inadequalantes (my nickname for 180s) even more than I originally had.

I was glad to get off it at the winner shack of Thirsk and cross platforms to get onto some proper traction; double duds from Monday 43423 and 43465. I got in the coach right next to 43423 and I was amazed by what I saw. You could see into the luggage compartment of the powercar and literally stand on it. That's what I did as it pulled off before heading to the window to get some thrash and breeze, something that is impossible when you have a hammering engine under your feet in a sealed 180. I couldn't resist sitting down for most of the ride in one of the brilliant GC tram seats but after sitting down, I was there until the approach to York where I got off, ready for a half hour fester until my Milkfloat to Donny.

I got a Creamy Cooler (I know, stop me!) while waiting and I was glad to see that it was winner 91124 pushing the train towards London. I got on board and found a seat ready for the fast journey to Donny where it arrived on time. Then, an HST set I had seen earlier arrived with double duds 43319 and 43310, 2 of my first 4 HSTs that I had had for haulage. 43310 was one of my first 2 as 43110 with 43113 being the other for the leap from Stonehaven to Aberdeen on the 29th of March 2004. 43119 were the next one I had with 43067 (now 43467) from York to Newcastle on the 20th of September 2004.

Yorkie had said that Mojo was on my train north but I couldn't find him on it so after getting off at York, I headed over to platform 1 in order to meet a bunch of other forum members already congregated there. This included samgeorge965 and, according to Yorkie, we are the 2 youngest forum members who attend meets. Yorkie had wandered off to get some reservations (none of us knew what for) so after 5 minutes of waiting for him to come back we headed to the ticket office to find him. It was easy enough and after waiting for a few more members to appear (and after seeing 43384 on a VTEC set with 43311 on the back), we headed out towards the city walls and up onto them to begin the walk. I'm surprised that in these days of health and safety they haven't closed the walls or put 10-foot high fences there! It was a very nice walk, talking to lots of different forum members and about an hour later we were in a model shop, me staring at an N gauge 47715 and 47711 (we now have 715). Then I didn't have too long left until I had to get back to the station for the 17:40 to Malton. Most of the group split up and chosen a pub to go to but Starmill and Yorkie walked me back to the station before joining back with the others.

I had about 20 minutes until my cart back and during that time I made a decision that I now regret. I flagged a winner tram on the 18:03 to Kings Cross, one of them that I still need now (43296 if anyone is interested). I should have gone for it but instead I took dud Tinpot express 185126 for the north-east journey. It was dull (as most are on that route) and I was soon getting off and going for a little walk to the signal box and level crossing to get a photo of the Liverpool bound 185 (the best place at Malton to get one). After that, it wasn't too long until my bus back so I headed to the bus stop and was surprised to see a 'Harrogate Express' bus coming in on the 840. This was a Coastliner hire in and it had a much nicer interior. I went in the front seats up top again for the bounce back to Pickering.

After getting in Granny and Granddad's house, I saw that Granny had her sewing group over so I head to go through to the living room and eat my lasagna and (brilliant homemade) chips there while thinking about how well the day went; 4 winner tram powercars, a winner milkfloat, 2 winner carts and a bit of soche with forum members. I just hope the next 3 days will be as good or better!

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

An enjoyable read...

I must, however, disagree with you regarding the 180s... I recently travelled on a 180 from Hull to Retford (see my most recent report) and found the unit I used to be the most enjoyable and comfortable of modern units I have used so far - so much so that I actually nodded off at one point which is a rare thing indeed

 

[FQ]

I guess they are good when you compare them to some other units. But I guess my opinion of them was soured as I was expecting a tram.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

I guess they are good when you compare them to some other units. But I guess my opinion of them was soured as I was expecting a tram.

Like those passengers in Sheffield then? You wait for a tram - a bus turns up

 

[backontrack]

And pubs. There's some cracking pubs.

Indeed.

August big bash day 4: Walking, Talking and a bit of bashing

Wednesday had 2 things as part of the day. Another Rover day in the morning and most of the afternoon with a forum meet in York for the evening. Dad sent me some gen again this morning which helped and I begun my day the same time as Monday at 07:15. Granny had made me a couple of boiled eggs for breccie and they went down really well with a glass of orange juice. I headed out for the bus slightly later than on Monday, knowing that I would just be waiting for ages otherwise but even though I had left later, I saw my (single decker) bus heading out to Thornton le Dale, where it turns around to come back to Leeds, picking up me. This meant that it was late (lowering my connection at Malton from 30 to about 15) but this just increased my time at the side of the road by the bus stop in Pickering and Malton station is a nicer place to wait that there. Eventually the bus I had seen 15 minutes ago appeared so after purchasing a single to Malton I headed to the back of the bus and sat down.

The journey to Malton was slow and after getting there, I crossed the road and popped in the cafe, just to get a drink as I had already had breakfast. It was a pleasant way to spend 15 minutes and before I knew it winner 185133 was pulling in on the 09:13 to Liverpool Lime Street. I found myself a seat on board and put my head against the window for the 25-minute stagger north.

We arrived at York about 5 minutes late (due to the 09:04 to Scarborough from Malton running late again) but this didn't affect me whatsoever because I just wanted to be on the 09:53 to Darlington in order to connect with a certain tram set back... I headed over to platform 9 and smiled when I saw the Milkfloat approaching the station. Welcome to the book 91110, Battle of Britain Memorial flight! Strangely, I was at York when it was named, having come on 55022 from Leam on a railtour. 47237 and D9009 were still just outside the NRM (they had been every day so far) and I decided to get a photo of them when on a tram later on. 43480 and 43467 were seen at Thirsk, 480 still being needed for haulage. The sprint up to County Durham was nice and half an hour later I was getting off the train and getting a few photos of 91110.
Lest we forget? by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Then I headed over to the other through platform and waited for the 10:29 to Kings Cross, with my fingers crossed hoping that the gen was right.

Score! Double winners 43318 and 43277 were the pair powering 1E07 the 08:00 from Edinburgh to The Cross today! I happily climbed on and grabbed a vestibule for the thrash out of Darlington. Since there were loads of good seats free, I decided to take on for most of the journey, getting up at about Skelton Bridge junction for the last little bit of my 44-mile run.

After leaving the train, I had an hour until my next planned one. It was too early for lunch so what I did was wander over to the NRM to see the best thing there (and whatever else was dotted around.) Give yourself a cookie if you guessed I was talking about 87001 (vote 87!) It was a quick wander and it wasn't long before I was getting a few (admittedly blurry) photos of Royal Scot. Ok. That's a slight under exaggeration. It's more like a few hundred. Well, that's what it felt like anyway. After saying bye to the brilliant 87, I wandered over the great hall, picking off the loco numbers as I went. Then I headed to the works to see what was in there at the time (a couple of tractors) before finishing with the balcony to get a good view of a Milkfloat heading north. After about 5 minutes there, I decided to head back to the station now to get in position for the first northbound (ex Kings Cross) Aberdeen tram. 'The Northern Lights' arrived on time and I got on double duds 43313 and 43307. I was very surprised to see that, although it has an East Coast silver exterior, the coaches had EMT interiors. But the Wi-fi still worked so I got a seat and turned my iPod on to check how stuff was going on the forum and plan my next few moves. I knew the train I was getting back from Darlo (the 12:29) but after that I had no idea what to do. A bit of Grand Central tram thrash sounded good so I found a way to get two tram sets and a winner shack in after my move back from Darlington.
North at Darlington by fishquinn1, on Flickr
I got a photo of the leading power car after getting off the train before heading over to the other platform and eagerly waiting for my train back. Yes! The gen was right again and double winners 43317 and 43251 pulled in on the 07:52 from Aberdeen. I posted my new plan on the forum to say what i would be arriving on for the forum meet before getting up and doing a bit of 125mph window hanging for the ride to York, getting that photo of 47237 and 55009 before arriving at the station. And it was even better as I could get most of my train in the shot (due to the curve) and a departing milkfloat too.
Which year am I in? by fishquinn1, on Flickr
After that I moved over to the other side of the train to open the door at York before heading out of the station and towards the Sainsbury's local that I had visited 2 days before, as my next train wasn't until 13:22.

A chicken triple sarnie, a packet of kettle chips and a bottle of water were sourced for £3 and I stuffed it all in my bag before strolling back to the station ready for my Sunderland bound tram. I ate lunch on platform 5 and after finishing; I walked up the platform ready to see which tram would be taking me north to Thirsk. Imagine the look on my face when I saw that it wasn't a tram coming around the corner... Damn! I had forgotten that there is a blasted 180 on the Kings Cross to Sunderland each day. Still very annoyed, I climbed aboard winner 180112 and seeing the interior made my mood drop even more. Compared to the trams, the interior of this is like the interior of a 390 (and probably 221; I've never been in the position to check). Probably even worse than a pendo and it definitely isn't like a 175, what it is based on. The experience of the ride made me hate inadequalantes (my nickname for 180s) even more than I originally had.

I was glad to get off it at the winner shack of Thirsk and cross platforms to get onto some proper traction; double duds from Monday 43423 and 43465. I got in the coach right next to 43423 and I was amazed by what I saw. You could see into the luggage compartment of the powercar and literally stand on it. That's what I did as it pulled off before heading to the window to get some thrash and breeze, something that is impossible when you have a hammering engine under your feet in a sealed 180. I couldn't resist sitting down for most of the ride in one of the brilliant GC tram seats but after sitting down, I was there until the approach to York where I got off, ready for a half hour fester until my Milkfloat to Donny.

I got a Creamy Cooler (I know, stop me!) while waiting and I was glad to see that it was winner 91124 pushing the train towards London. I got on board and found a seat ready for the fast journey to Donny where it arrived on time. Then, an HST set I had seen earlier arrived with double duds 43319 and 43310, 2 of my first 4 HSTs that I had had for haulage. 43310 was one of my first 2 as 43110 with 43113 being the other for the leap from Stonehaven to Aberdeen on the 29th of March 2004. 43119 were the next one I had with 43067 (now 43467) from York to Newcastle on the 20th of September 2004.

Yorkie had said that Mojo was on my train north but I couldn't find him on it so after getting off at York, I headed over to platform 1 in order to meet a bunch of other forum members already congregated there. This included samgeorge965 and, according to Yorkie, we are the 2 youngest forum members who attend meets. Yorkie had wandered off to get some reservations (none of us knew what for) so after 5 minutes of waiting for him to come back we headed to the ticket office to find him. It was easy enough and after waiting for a few more members to appear (and after seeing 43384 on a VTEC set with 43311 on the back), we headed out towards the city walls and up onto them to begin the walk. I'm surprised that in these days of health and safety they haven't closed the walls or put 10-foot high fences there! It was a very nice walk, talking to lots of different forum members and about an hour later we were in a model shop, me staring at an N gauge 47715 and 47711 (we now have 715). Then I didn't have too long left until I had to get back to the station for the 17:40 to Malton. Most of the group split up and chosen a pub to go to but Starmill and Yorkie walked me back to the station before joining back with the others.

I had about 20 minutes until my cart back and during that time I made a decision that I now regret. I flagged a winner tram on the 18:03 to Kings Cross, one of them that I still need now (43296 if anyone is interested). I should have gone for it but instead I took dud Tinpot express 185126 for the north-east journey. It was dull (as most are on that route) and I was soon getting off and going for a little walk to the signal box and level crossing to get a photo of the Liverpool bound 185 (the best place at Malton to get one). After that, it wasn't too long until my bus back so I headed to the bus stop and was surprised to see a 'Harrogate Express' bus coming in on the 840. This was a Coastliner hire in and it had a much nicer interior. I went in the front seats up top again for the bounce back to Pickering.

After getting in Granny and Granddad's house, I saw that Granny had her sewing group over so I head to go through to the living room and eat my lasagna and (brilliant homemade) chips there while thinking about how well the day went; 4 winner tram powercars, a winner milkfloat, 2 winner carts and a bit of soche with forum members. I just hope the next 3 days will be as good or better!

Looks like you had a good time! Lucky with the 'milkfloat', why are they called that?

I don't really go in for the forum meets, but I'm one of the younger posters on this forum.

An enjoyable read...

I must, however, disagree with you regarding the 180s... I recently travelled on a 180 from Hull to Retford (see my most recent report) and found the unit I used to be the most enjoyable and comfortable of modern units I have used so far - so much so that I actually nodded off at one point which is a rare thing indeed

I really like 180s. Not just because they're InterCity but not Virgin or Stagecoach.

Like those passengers in Sheffield then? You wait for a tram - a bus turns up

In Leith they're still waiting.

 

[FQ]

They're called milkfloats because of the sound.

 

[backontrack]

And, if you don't mind me asking, why are HSTs called trams? Why are 321s Dusty Bins?

 

[Darandio]

Why are 321s Dusty Bins?

An old game show...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3-2-1

 

[FQ]

HSTs are known as trams because they used to be in a fixed formation and go back and forth all day. It's a name that has passed through from the 1970/1980s.

321s are known as Dusty Bins due to the old game show 3-2-1