FQ's trips around the globe

[55013]

A grand last day there.
Not enough 91s for my tastes

 

[Cowley]

Haha. Yes a good trip by the looks of things. You certainly do get out and about a lot fq.

 

[FQ]

Three excellent reads there FQ! FAR too much 91 bashing for my tastes, Turbo bashing would have been far more fun! Ouch to the winner power car for Nat being on the move you turned down!
Overall it looks like it was a good time, except for those 91s

How dare you?! 165 bashing better than milk float bashing?! Craziness!

Lots of mileage on the last day

Most certainly!

A grand last day there.
Not enough 91s for my tastes

There was certainly enough milkfloats included - just more trams because they're better !

Haha. Yes a good trip by the looks of things. You certainly do get out and about a lot fq.

I most certainly do. My last trip was Friday, my next one (which is a 4 day one) starts Wednesday!

 

[Techniquest]

Good grief FQ, you get out almost as much as Kite does! hock: Now if only your trip reports weren't 3 months behind...

165 bashing will always be superior to 91 bashing, mind you 142 bashing is superior to 91 bashing. As is...no, I can't type that...wait, yes I can, so is 350 bashing! I could go on! I still stand by what I put in my trip report last month, that I would have preferred a 142 to a 91 on that trek down the ECML from York to Peterborough!

 

[185143]

Good grief FQ, you get out almost as much as Kite does! hock: Now if only your trip reports weren't 3 months behind...

165 bashing will always be superior to 91 bashing, mind you 142 bashing is superior to 91 bashing. As is...no, I can't type that...wait, yes I can, so is 350 bashing! I could go on! I still stand by what I put in my trip report last month, that I would have preferred a 142 to a 91 on that trek down the ECML from York to Peterborough!

Not much is superior to 142 bashing!

 

[alexf380]

Not much is superior to 142 bashing!

Agreed!

A few grand reads there FQ, certainly had a good time. Food for thought when it comes to next summer, certainly.

 

[backontrack]

Some good reads for you there Quinn! I have a report myself now...though it is quite Voyager-centric

 

[507021]

Excellent reads there FQ, sounds like you had an excellent trip.

 

[FQ]

Good grief FQ, you get out almost as much as Kite does! hock: Now if only your trip reports weren't 3 months behind...

165 bashing will always be superior to 91 bashing, mind you 142 bashing is superior to 91 bashing. As is...no, I can't type that...wait, yes I can, so is 350 bashing! I could go on! I still stand by what I put in my trip report last month, that I would have preferred a 142 to a 91 on that trek down the ECML from York to Peterborough!

The reason my reports are so late is because of the detail put into them. I'm sure I could be back up to date in a few days if I didn't put that in, but I don't really want to stop with it.

How dare you?! What's superior, voyager bashing or milkfloat bashing? There is a correct answer!

Not much is superior to 142 bashing!

Except virtually everything of course !

Agreed!

A few grand reads there FQ, certainly had a good time. Food for thought when it comes to next summer, certainly.

Thanks!

Some good reads for you there Quinn! I have a report myself now...though it is quite Voyager-centric

Thanks! I've read your report but I'll comment when it's complete - I like it so far though (except, of course, the voyager parts - you were right about me screaming ).

Excellent reads there FQ, sounds like you had an excellent trip.

Cheers - it was indeed.

 

[Techniquest]

The reason my reports are so late is because of the detail put into them. I'm sure I could be back up to date in a few days if I didn't put that in, but I don't really want to stop with it.

I was intending the comment about trip reports to be a bit of light-hearted banter, my apologies if it didn't come across like that!

I like the detail in the trip reports you produce, so I too wouldn't like it to stop I'm fortunate in thet I have devices I can take with me to type stuff up as I go, although as will have been noticed on my Vienna trip report I didn't type much of it up until my flight home, which is when I absolutely slammed my way through it! As I'm normally travelling solo, when it comes to typing up trip reports, I can add to it when the occasion suits. Not as easy to do on a social bash, that's for sure!

EDIT: As for Voyager bashing versus 91 bashing, depends if it's a nice and smooth journey in the MK4s (so something like Doncaster to Leeds) and if the 91 is pushing!

 

[FQ]

I was intending the comment about trip reports to be a bit of light-hearted banter, my apologies if it didn't come across like that!

I like the detail in the trip reports you produce, so I too wouldn't like it to stop I'm fortunate in thet I have devices I can take with me to type stuff up as I go, although as will have been noticed on my Vienna trip report I didn't type much of it up until my flight home, which is when I absolutely slammed my way through it! As I'm normally travelling solo, when it comes to typing up trip reports, I can add to it when the occasion suits. Not as easy to do on a social bash, that's for sure!

EDIT: As for Voyager bashing versus 91 bashing, depends if it's a nice and smooth journey in the MK4s (so something like Doncaster to Leeds) and if the 91 is pushing!

It came across as you meant it too but I decided to say the reason why. Ever putting a 221 above a 91 is lunacy, even if the ride was like the one you had from York to Peterborough!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Tram fever

Just under a week after finishing our North East, on Saturday the 27th of August, we were to do another tram bash. This had been booked before we went away on the North East because we could get some stupidly cheap advances. This was a trip that we really wanted to do so when we found out that advances on the Pembroke Coast Express were dirt-cheap from Reading to Pembroke Dock, we had to book them. We were going to drive to Didcot and get a tram to Padd so we could get it from there and, as it was diverted via Gloucester due to engineering works this weekend, we'd get extra mileage! After a week of work (which isn't fun after a week off), Friday night finally came round and Nat came over for a sleepover due to the stupidly early start on the Saturday.

We got to bed at 22:00ish and I didn't get much sleep which, coupled with an 04:30 alarm, meant I didn't get much sleep. I got up when it went off and got ready, having to wake Nat 3 times before he got up (10 minutes before we left). We headed out at 05:00 and it was the normal race down the M40 before reaching Didcot just after '6. Car parking was paid for and we then had the short walk over to the ticket office where our tickets to Paddington and back were bought before heading to the platform, seeing old friend 66075 in the yard. We didn't have long to wait before our Paddington tram was announced and we soon saw the familiar headlights of an approaching tram. The leading powercar was sub-hundred mile 43151, with awful liveried and well over hundred mile powercar 43148 taking up the rear. We got seats on the virtually empty tram but we weren't to be on for long this morning as, due to the closure of the line around Bristol Parkway, there was another tram following this one by about 5 minutes so a liniar leap to London using Reading was in order to see if we could score any powercars for Nat or Dad for the year. I was glad to see that 151 had been cleared by Reading so nothing was lost by bailing here.

We could soon see our next set approaching from the flyover. I wasn't too happy with the front powercar, 'Eavis' being said with annoyance as it always is when 43026 comes in. This is my largest tram stalker, it being the same for Nat and dad but it was quite comedic to get it anyway. It did an excellent job at taking us the 36 miles to London, where we found out that high mileage for all of us 43016 had been pushing us. Oh well, at least both powercars kind of mean something to me, unlike the random mass of numbers (with an awful green liveried powercar included) of 151 and 148!

Upon arrival at Paddington, we immediately noticed one of Nat's few required Great Western powercars in one of the platforms, so we got ready for a potential Reading leap before the Pembroke tram. It had its taillights facing Acton so we assumed that it wasn't going anywhere soon but we then found out that it was on the 07:36 Newquay...

... Which doesn't officially stop at Reading! Darn it. It was only a few minutes before it was due to leave anyway and dad was in need of brekky and a coffee (as were we except the coffee bit) so we headed over to Sainsbury's local on the station and armed ourselves with both breakfast and lunch. I got the former, dad the latter, and we headed out of Sainsbury's with lots of food. It was then over to Cafe Nero so dad could get his coffee, while Nat and I stood next to the barriers. We observed another of Nat's winners arrive in, but assumed that it wouldn't be going anywhere for a while so would be ungettable. This annoyed him (obviously) but what could be done?

Our tram was booked to leave Paddington at 08:12 (instead of 08:45 on a non-engineering work day) and, as neither of 148 and 151 or 016 and 026 had been called, we thought that it'd be one of those. We were actually hoping for Eavis and friend but assumed that it'd be the other one so, at about 08:05 (by which point it still hadn't been announced!), we went to the gateline member and asked him what platform it was due to go from. We were very surprised when he told us the answer, because it was the platform that Nat's winner had arrived on just over 5 minutes before! He was very happy though, and it was confirmed a couple of minutes later! A run to the front was had so we could get the front powercar before boarding and we found that it was dud for all 43071 leading, with utterly dud for dad and I but winner for Nat 43159 pushing! To Wales we go!

Our reserved seats were rubbish so, because we ran down the platform and knew it before everyone else; we could easily find an unreserved bay of 4 in coach B. No one e wedged us out on departure from Paddington and brekky - a sausage bap ad a bacon bap each - was got out and devoured as we headed west. We raced along the Great Western Mainline, stopping at Reading before continuing our speedy run, crossing over to platform 3 at Swindon as we now needed to go down the Golden Valley. This is dud track for dad and I but Nat needed it so he was happy enough.

We found out that Cross Country services were also being diverted down the Golden Valley when 1V44, a tram, raced past us. The Golden Valley is certainly making use of its double track today! We continued without fault and were soon going non-stop through Gloucester, alas on the platform road instead of the centre line. Again, this was dud track for dad and I but required for Nat, although I was very young when I last had it and dad hadn't had it in ages either. It was a good run down the Severn estuary and we were soon joining on with the track from the Severn tunnel at... well... Severn Tunnel junction. How imaginative!

We were soon arriving at Newport, where we had a 10-minute wait before moving on again! That's some pretty large timetable padding! Anyway, we were soon on the move again with a spirited run through to Cardiff, where Nat scored one of his last 9 required ATW 150s, before moving onward once again, now on my first winner track of the day. Nat also needed it but dad had had everything as far as Llanelli. Anyway, we continued along the line, me falling asleep just before Neath and waking up just before Swansea (so a very long kip of about 10 minutes). We were soon at Swansea, where we reversed to get onto the line towards Carmarthen. When we left Swansea, I was the only one who was still scoring track, as Nat had had all of the track from Swansea to Pembroke Dock many moons ago...

On a pacer (in one hit)! I don't let him forget that!

It was a nice run with decent scenery, especially between Gowerton and Pembery and Burry Port, and, after Llanelli, I wasn't the only one of winner metals as dad had joined me in that group. We were soon arriving at Carmarthen, where another reversal took place, this time to get down the branch to Pembroke. We were soon heading off again, dad pointing out the Carmarthen avoider, which gets a heavy tank train with a donut each day, as we passed. We continued along the line before turning off just after Whitland and heading onward towards Pembroke Dock.

I quite like this branch. It's truly a banger branch line, with level crossings that the train has to come to a stop at before blasting the horn and slowly moving forward. It's all jointed track and was a hellfire run along towards Pembroke, passing a 150 at Tenby. From there we didn't have many passengers on the train and we were soon leaving Pembroke on the last little bit of track to Pembroke Dock, the end of the line and my only shack score of the day. The Pembroke line can't be a fun one to get shack scores on but, as dad pointed out, if you were quick on your bike from Tenby and arrived before the train that you're crossing, then you might be able to get to the next shack down the line before the train that you were originally on.

We obviously got off at Pembroke Dock and then marvelled at the view from the buffer stop straight down. There's a road just after the buffers, with houses either side and a gap between them where the railway line used to continue. A phot of this was needed so the camera was got out and this photo taken:

Pembroke Dock by fishquinn1, on Flickr

Then it was a walk down the high street, in the hope to find something for a bite to eat. 'You've already got lunch', you may be saying. True, but we wouldn't have a chance to get anything for dinner so we wanted to save that for then and get something in Pembroke Dock for lunch. I noticed a Greggs as we wandered down the high street so a visit was made, getting stuff there. Whoever was packing the bags (OK, fine. Me.) stupidly forgot to put the drinks in there and we were back on the train with 10 minutes until departure when I noticed, and knew that we must have left them so I ran back out to Greggs and got them before sprinting back to the train, getting there with 4 minutes until departure. Brilliant!

Before we had found out about the drinks, a second photo was got, showing exactly where we were.
Pembroke Dock by fishquinn1, on Flickr

The reservations hadn't been put out for the return leg yet, so we just picked a right hand side bay of 4. They still hadn't been put out by the time we'd left and, when the guard came round, he said that he didn't have them and that the cleaner was meant to put them out. The cleaner never made an appearance so the train was unreserved for the entirety of the journey.

We continued along the branch line, getting some window hanging in, and being incredibly shocked when we saw a 142 heading towards Pembroke at Tenby - I didn't think they got this far west anymore! We were soon joining the 'mainline' at Whitland and then picked up some speed, reversing at Carmarthen once again to continue towards Swansea. The run was good fun and we were soon back at Swansea, where the final reversal of the trip took place to send us back towards London.

We were soon racing down the South Wales Mainline towards Cardiff, where we saw a 142. This wasn't any 142 though. This was my final 142 for sight! Finally, I've cleared the awful things! This was also a score for Nat, being his last ATW 142 to see, but he still needed a few Northern ones. Nat also saw another of his winner 150s, taking his count up to 2. He was hoping for more though!

We continued through to Newport, seeing 43147 in the platform here. I like this powercar and was chatting to Nat and Dad about it when I heard a familiar voice saying hi. It was Tech on his way to London! We hadn't been wedged out so there was one free spot left at our bay of 4, which he took, and we had a very soche time for the rest of the journey. The same route was taken as the outward journey and we came to a stop just before Gloucester and just before the junction for the Golden Valley due to a stopper being let out in front of us. We were getting worried about our connection at Reading back to Didcot because, if we missed it, it'd be an hour until the next one but, like Newport earlier in the day, there was recovery time at Swindon so we were only a few minutes late arriving at a pitch black Reading, after saying by to Tech. Dinner had been consumed en route and it had been a fantastic day with some excellent tram mileage off that pair, 071 being my highest GW powercar now. We changed platforms at Reading and had a short wait before our connection back to Didcot, sub-hundred-mile 43185 leading. This was before I even knew that it was to be getting the IC Swallow livery and it was still in blue at the time. At Didcot, we found that it was high mileage 43087 on the back, a powercar that I'd had 7 times after that run.


It was a short wander back to the car and, once we were all in, it was off home after one heck of an excellent day!

 

[Techniquest]

This report was a nice reminder of years gone by for me, when I could do the Pembroke Dock HST every Saturday if I fancied it. Forum meets and privately organised meets to do an HST to Pembroke Dock are well remembered, as is the utterly awesome experience of being in First Class and at the droplight right behind 43175 as it stopped, sounded the horn and accelerated over open crossings This was still well before my records were done very well, so I couldn't tell you when it was or anything else, but it was always an enjoyable bash.

As always, an excellent trip report although I must admit I took 'tram bash' quite literally in the title It was nice to catch up with you and your Dad, and to finally meet Nat. If you organise a bash to Pembroke Dock on an HST again next summer, let me know as it could be one of the last chances we'll get to do an HST down that way. Oh yeah, that reminds me, I haven't updated my NREA with those HST coaches or anything else from last week yet!

 

[Kite159]

The morning Newport - Fishguard service uses the Carmarthen avoider curve on the way to Fishguard, also avoids Swansea (Monday to Friday via the Swansea District Line, Saturday via the curve behind the depot)

The Pembroke line is on my list to do when the days are longer as the shacks are mostly remote

 

[backontrack]

Thanks! I've read your report but I'll comment when it's complete - I like it so far though (except, of course, the voyager parts - you were right about me screaming ).

Thanks! Looks like you'd had a good Welsh jaunt yourself I'd be trying to get off at the castles at Narberth and Manorbier, you have much better self-control than me!

It might be Christmas before my report is fully finished - I wouldn't get your hopes up

 

[FQ]

This report was a nice reminder of years gone by for me, when I could do the Pembroke Dock HST every Saturday if I fancied it. Forum meets and privately organised meets to do an HST to Pembroke Dock are well remembered, as is the utterly awesome experience of being in First Class and at the droplight right behind 43175 as it stopped, sounded the horn and accelerated over open crossings This was still well before my records were done very well, so I couldn't tell you when it was or anything else, but it was always an enjoyable bash.

As always, an excellent trip report although I must admit I took 'tram bash' quite literally in the title It was nice to catch up with you and your Dad, and to finally meet Nat. If you organise a bash to Pembroke Dock on an HST again next summer, let me know as it could be one of the last chances we'll get to do an HST down that way. Oh yeah, that reminds me, I haven't updated my NREA with those HST coaches or anything else from last week yet!

Hellfire! Is that back when the trams had Valentas?

I think that next year will be Newquay - we're trying to get them all before the trams go.

The morning Newport - Fishguard service uses the Carmarthen avoider curve on the way to Fishguard, also avoids Swansea (Monday to Friday via the Swansea District Line, Saturday via the curve behind the depot)

The Pembroke line is on my list to do when the days are longer as the shacks are mostly remote

I never said that it was just a tank train that used the curve .

Good luck with the Pembroke line - it can't be fun!

Thanks! Looks like you'd had a good Welsh jaunt yourself I'd be trying to get off at the castles at Narberth and Manorbier, you have much better self-control than me!

It might be Christmas before my report is fully finished - I wouldn't get your hopes up

I didn't even know that they had castles but, even if I did, the tram would win hands down .

Not much worse than me with the trip reports then .





Pretending to be a Scouser

The 3rd of September 2016 was the day of the forum Merseyside challenge, which I was to be attending with Alexf380, Cactustwirly and 185143 but cancellations from Alexf380 and 185143 meant that my team would be Cactustwirly and Roversfan2001. I'd been on the Merseyrail network two days before for a mini shack clearout on the Chester line (as I was up at Chester to pick my brother up from a week at our cousins) but was looking forward to getting back to it anyway.

I was in bed by 22:00 on the Friday night and was up to my alarm at 06:20 on the Saturday morning. I then got ready for the day ahead and had a little forum time before dad kindly got out of bed to take me down to the station for the 07:21. An uneventful drive was had and I was at the station with about 10 minutes until my train - ample time to by my tickets to get to Liverpool. I was in position for my unit about 5 minutes before it was due in and I wasn't too happy to see one of Chiltern's two car 170s arriving with my service, especially after seeing the number - the only one of Chiltern's 170s that I've cleared for 100. It was 168322 that would be my first train of the day. I can see why they put a two car on this though - it's a dead service and I was the only on in the front part of the unit for most of the journey.

Gingertom was passed just outside Moor Street, where we arrived on time. I now had the short walk across to New Street for the 08:15 north to Crewe but I had time to head via Meal Deal to get some brekky first. I got there and paid for my usual chicken and bacon baguette, fries and a drink before wandering over to the station and seeing that 390157 would be taking me north this morning. I got a table seat easily and was surprised to see that there were drunk people gambling on the train with cheap beer next to them. It's 08:00 for goodness sake!

I ate my fries first with brekky before moving onto the baguette, which was absolutely foul. The bacon tasted days old, as did the chicken and the sauce tasted completely off, with the baguette partly stale. It immediately got binned and a ban placed on meal deal. It turns out that the reason it was awful is because it's changed owner but the branding wasn't complete. Other than breakfast, the drunks and it being a pendo, it was a nice journey (), arriving at Crewe a couple of minutes late.

Cactustwirly was on the next Liverpool (the 08:36 New Street-Lime Street), so I was planning to get that to Runcorn for a liniar bash to get the pendo behind (as Runcorn is a required shack) so I got into position for it. This is a service booked to leave Crewe at 09:32 so I didn't have too long to fester before dud 350111 arrived. I met up with Cactus with no trouble and we were soon racing towards Liverpool on the dez. I decided to flag Runcorn in the end and be soche instead, chatting with Cactus for the ride up to Liverpool Lime Street, arriving on time. Cactus and I now split up as I wanted to shack score Conway Park before the meeting time at 11:00, for a start at 11:30. I headed over to the ticket office and had my saveaway £2.70 later before descending the escalator and getting onto the Wirral line platform a couple of minutes later. Dud 508112 was the first one to arrive and, as it was heading for New Brighton, I could use it to get to Conway Park. We waited at Hamilton Square for quite a while for some unknown reason (about 3 minutes) before moving on again, getting to Conway Park, shack score 1, with time for me to get up the billion stairs, over the rail lines and then back down the billion stairs before superdud 508124 arrived to take me back. This is one of my stalkers that is over 10 miles so I decided to only take it one stop to Hamilton Square before getting the following unit around to Lime Street. This was a very good call as it was winner 508141 following 124 so my first winner of the day fell before the challenge. This was taken around the loop to Liverpool, where I wandered over to Sainsbury's local to get myself a meal deal for later. Little did I know at the time, but this would be my last one of 'the old' Sainsbury's meal deals, and my last chicken triple as I don't think they do it anymore . I got these and a pack of 5 choccy cookies before heading out £3.50 lighter.

I ran back across the road to Lime Street due to the foul weather and located cactus a couple of minutes later, finding that he'd paid more for his lunch than I did, just getting a sarnie and crisps (not a drink and pack of cookies that I also got with mine)! It's surprising how much you can save by shopping around .

We met up with the others at 11:00 as planned and, while waiting, got a text from Roversfan2001 saying that he'd overslept and had only just got up but would join us later in the day! He's worse than Nat !

We had a plan but decided that there was no point in sticking to it as it included loads of long slogs on 507s and 508s, which I didn't really want to do, and we couldn't stay for the meal so couldn't make use of the prize. Instead we decided to enjoy ourselves and start with some 319 motor noise on a non-stop run to Liverpool South Parkway. Before the beginning of the challenge, each team was given a card that has three stations on that you get bonus points for visiting. They weren't of much use to us but we decided to try to include one or two of St Helens Central, Seaforth and Litherland, and Hightown. When we were released at 11:30, we were the only ones to go for the 11:39 to South Parkway, with loads of people getting the first train to stop at St Helens Central, so we thought that they'd have got similar cards to us.

Dud 319368 was in charge of the 11:39 to Liverpool South Parkway, and decent seats (if that's possible on a 319) were got in the motor coach. We were soon on the move to South Parkway, and I gave dad a call when we emerged from the Liverpool challenge but could barely hear him over the noise that this 319 was giving off - holy moly! He knew that we were on from the noise too and it had soon got quieter by quite a bit, but was still certainly audible. There are few times I'd say this for units but it was truly hellfire!

At South Parkway, where the 319 finished its journey, we decided to head over to Merseyrail and head back towards the city centre. When we got to the Merseyrail platforms, we saw that the first one was running about 3 down so we had a small fester before we saw the 6 coach formation approaching. I was over the moon (not literally of course - I don't think I'd be typing this if I really was) when I saw the unit leading as it was my last Miseryrail unit for sight, 508127. This obviously meant that it was required for haulage too. I was even happier when I identified the rear unit as winner 507025. Double winner!

We got seats in the virtually empty front unit and settled down for the ride through to Liverpool Central, where we changed to the Wirral line for a ride to New Brighton. The first service was a Chester bound so we decided to liniar hop using that, but unfortunately it was dud for the day 508141 that took us through to Birkenhead Hamilton Square, where the first Merseyrail unit I'd had that day, 508112 took us through to New Brighton. I'd received a text from Roversfan while on this unit to say that he was in Liverpool and was wondering where we were. I let him know and told him to head out to Birkenhead North and that we'd meet him there after getting back from New Brighton. This was fine with him so we took 112 through to New Brighton where we found out that the toilets were out of order. Darn it.

508112 was taken back out of New Brighton to Birkenhead North as planned, where we had a platform change in the heavy rain, meeting up with Roversfan when we got here. We had a short wait under the shelter before the West Kirby unit arrived, with dud 507017 providing the power. This was taken to Manor Road, shack score 2, where we had a platform change (easy to do using the station footbridge) for the next Liverpool bound one, which we were going to take back to Liverpool. I was pleased to see that it was winner 508104 taking us back along the line, alighting at Moorfields after a fairly long journey. Wow! They've certainly improved this station! People who have been reading my trip reports for a while now will know what I thought about the pre-refurbished Moorfields and they've now brought it up to the standard that all of the other underground stations have on the network and it's now not bad to wait at. We changed to the Northern line here and immedietly jumped onto dud 508138 up to Sandhills, where we were planning to head a shack or two up the Southport line to fall onto one of my winners that I knew was coming south. There was a change of plans here when I saw what was on the next Liverpool Central as 508117 was another winner. By taking this through to Liverpool Central, a PNB could be had before getting my winner south from Central (it was on a Hunts Cross). We didn't have long at Liverpool Central before dud 508110 leading winner 508131 arrived. We'd decided to take this only 1 stop but, after seeing that another unit was arriving at the same time as us at this one, we decided to continue slightly further, bailing at Aigburth, shack score 3, a few minutes later. The connection was easily made here onto double dud 508114 and 507008, which were taken up the Southport branch all the way to Blundellsands and Crosby (another shack score), for another one back down the line. It's fairly easy to change platforms here, by means of a subway, and we made double dud 507009 and 508120 back towards Liverpool, alighting at Sandhills 5 miles later. We now wanted to do the Kirkby branch and, as there was one in a few minutes time, we decided to go for that. Dud 507003 was soon arriving and was had for the ride up the branch to Kirkby, getting there on time.

The same unit was now had back down from Kirkby, where we looked at our options. The challenge finish time was 16:45 and we'd just left Kirkby on the 15:58 but we wanted to see if we could cram anything else into the little time we had. There was one option but it required stupidly tight connections at both Moorfields and Lime Street but we decided to give it a try anyway. The Moorfields connection was a +3 from the Northern to Wirral platforms, put down to a +2 because of the delay on our train, with a +2 at Lime Street from the Wirral platforms to the Northern ones. We agreed that if one of us could make it then go for it and leave the others. How did it go?

We arrived at Moorfields one down, with 2 minutes until departure from the Wirral platform. We all sprinted, following signs down a long corridor...

... Leading to the lift, not the stairs or escalator! There was no way that we'd make it with the lift so we sprinted down the corridor again and located the escalators fairly easily after that. This was Roversfan's first meet and, because he'd not been there at the start, Cactus and I were the only people he'd met off the forum so, both Cactus and I recognised the voice of Yorkie calling over to us just saying don't run on the escalators and the station and stuff, but Roversfan kept looking back to see who it was. This was a joke (obviously) and it didn't cause us to miss the train, with it approaching as we made it to the platform, Yorkie and Mojo coming down a couple of moments later, before saying to Roversfan who they were. We all got onto the train and I groaned when seeing that it was, once again 508112, which we'd had three times already.

We let Yorkie and Mojo know what we were planning and they said that there was no chance we'd make it, with a +2. This didn't stop us trying though, and we were onto the platform the moment the doors had opened and I was off like a rocket, well ahead off all the others as I took the corner up the escalator at speed. I then took the escalator two or three steps at a time at a run and continued sprinting at top speed. I was very glad that the gate with the Merseyrail barriers was open, with the barrier staff checking tickets of people as they went through. I had mine out so it only delayed me by a moment before I could continue sprinting again, up another escalator and over to the low numbered platforms and onto the 16:20 with a couple of seconds before the doors locked. I was the only one that had made dud 319363.

As we planned, this was taken through to Wavertree Technology Park, where a change of platforms was had. My service back to Liverpool was formed of 4 coaches and one that's likely to throw a 319 so I was horrified when I saw a 142 leading. To rub the salt in the wound, it had a winner 156 on the back but, as my rule regarding pacers had changed from not at all to only if they're with something else and you must travel in the other thing had changed after the trip, I didn't take it and instead waited to see what would be along next. There was another thing following the pacer/156 combo and I was very glad to see that it was a 319, being even more glad to see that it was winner 319361! Now that's more like it!

I got a bay of 4 at the very front of the unit and walked through for a PNB en route before going back to my seat. A couple of moments after I'd sat down again, I had Bungle965 joining me as he'd seen me wander down the unit to find the toilet. He was on board to go to the evening meal and we had a good, short chat for the journey back through to Lime Street, where I found out that the rest of my team had also headed out to Wavertree and would be arriving back 5 minutes after the finish time! At least they got another little run too!

I chatted with the rest of the group and, when quite a few of the group headed to the pub, a few of us waited for Cactus, Roversfan and another member who was running late. We were all soon back at Lime Street so headed off to the pub, getting a drink each while there. None of my team had too long before they had to leave, Cactus and I getting the same trains back, so we quickly had our drink before thanking everyone for a great day and heading off into Liverpool. We said bye to Roversfan as we left the pub and then wandered over towards Liverpool Central, to go to a chippy. It took a few minutes to find but we did in the end and each got a fish and chips. They were certainly rather pricey and, as I didn't have any cash on me, Cactus kindly paid so I said that I'd pay him back when I could. In the end I bought one of his tickets at our next meet.

We took our dinner over to Lime Street and got on our train, the 17:47 Euston, with 390016 providing the power. This was Cactus's first pendo (!) and it wasn't too busy, meaning that we got fairly good seats. Dinner was devoured, and was very tasty, as we headed south, stopping at Runcorn before running non-stop to Stafford. Yep, no Crewe. It was quite fun to do Crewe non-stop again and it was a pretty uneventful journey, chatting about random things (as well as my approaching doom exams). We were soon at Stafford, with a little fester before a dez to Brum.

We weren't too happy to see that it was a /2 taking us back, even though dud 350260 wasn't too busy. We got good enough seats for the ride and tried to relax in the awful dez seats for the ride back through to the bat cave, getting there on time. Cactus was heading back on the 19:33 Reading (which is, quite frankly, craziness) so I wandered over to the platform and his awful unspeakably horrible thing was soon approaching. I said bye now and headed over to Moor Street for my own train, the 19:55 to Marylebone. I was there with ages before booked departure, and heard Cactus's 221 go under my feet while waiting there for it. I soon saw my 168 approaching from Snow Hell (it runs ECS between Snow Hell and Moor Street) and was very glad to see that it was 168216 - my last required 168/2 for 100, which passed the barrier by Solihull. Score!

Dad picked me up from Leamington this evening and we chatted about the day as we drove home, getting there at about 20:50 after one heck of a good day. Thanks to everyone who organized the challenge and thanks to Cactustwirly and Roversfan2001 for helping to make it a brilliant time!

 

[cactustwirly]

When I looked in June the advances were £50 each way (with railcard) so I went to Carmarthen instead! That train was quite busy until Cardiff. But I the line west of Cardiff all the way to Carmarthen was brilliant.

It's quite unusual to find unreserved seats in coach B, because I'm always plonked in D when I book advances.

Was it a HD set?

 

[Techniquest]

Gosh darn it FQ you talking about 319s and their hellfire AC racket has got me wanting to go to Liverpool and get chasing my required Northern 319s!

 

[alexf380]

Missed a great day there. In hindsight, I should have just come to the meet as my reason for missing it turned out to not be all it lived up to! (I was promised a good ol' social with some theatre buddies, but it was a bbq and it ended up raining all night.)

I've decided I'll be heading down to Merseyside in the new year to attempt a "here's what you could have had" sort of thing.

Looking forward to the next one!

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good day, foul weather aside.

Alex, beware there is engineering works on the Wirral line for a few months next year

 

[alexf380]

Alex, beware there is engineering works on the Wirral line for a few months next year

Of course! I knew that was happening...I say new year, it'll end up being July by the time I get round to it

 

[FQ]

When I looked in June the advances were £50 each way (with railcard) so I went to Carmarthen instead! That train was quite busy until Cardiff. But I the line west of Cardiff all the way to Carmarthen was brilliant.

It's quite unusual to find unreserved seats in coach B, because I'm always plonked in D when I book advances.

Was it a HD set?

Ouch! We got it for £42 for the return (1 adult, 2 child with fam and friends railcard).!

LD set thankfully!

Gosh darn it FQ you talking about 319s and their hellfire AC racket has got me wanting to go to Liverpool and get chasing my required Northern 319s!

You'll need to get up there - the sound on the South Parkway non stops is excellent!

Missed a great day there. In hindsight, I should have just come to the meet as my reason for missing it turned out to not be all it lived up to! (I was promised a good ol' social with some theatre buddies, but it was a bbq and it ended up raining all night.)

I've decided I'll be heading down to Merseyside in the new year to attempt a "here's what you could have had" sort of thing.

Looking forward to the next one!

Darn it - shame you couldn't make it in the end. Good luck at getting down to Merseyside sometime next year. As Kite says, the tunnel is shut for a few months starting from the 3rd of January.

Sounded like a good day, foul weather aside.

Alex, beware there is engineering works on the Wirral line for a few months next year

It most certainly was.


Now, to keep you busy .




An Innocent Man

This is a title that is inspired by Billy Joel's song 'An Innocent Man' (a shocker I'm sure ). I think it fits quite well with this Bristol jaunt as both Nat and I had completely valid tickets yet the guard took issue with them on a large scale and actually chucked us off the train. I'm not going to say what tickets we held or give any hints so the conversation we had with the guard will be pretty vague so I don't risk getting the ticket found out but I hope you enjoy it anyway.

The usual start for a trip to Bristol and Reading was had on the 9th of September, a Friday. Yep, it began at 05:30 and I got ready immediately after silencing my alarm. I then changed boats and said morning to dad before we headed out just after 05:45, picking Nat up on the way to the station, getting there after a walk at 06:10. The tickets for the day were bought here and we then headed to the platform and stalker 165005 was soon arriving to take us to Brum. A bay of four was got in the front of the unit (as we had Nat with us the usual bay of 2 wouldn't work) and we had a nice conversation on the ride through to Birmingham Snow Hell, getting there just after 07:00, having seen a pair of tractors in Tyseley. We now decided to go for brekky, at the usual subway that dad and I use for brekky, but sit in. We wandered over and got the usual mega melts and went to sit down with them, having a very tasty brekky before going our separate ways. We decided to walk dad most of the way to his work before heading through to New Street as we had time, and then headed through to the bat cave and took a seat for a bit before 1V44. It was running on time and was soon approaching the station at 08:05, with 43285 leading and 43304 trailing. We got on board and easily found a decent bay of four for the journey through to Bristol.

Nothing out of the ordinary happened on the journey through to Bristol and we got to the vestibule window just after Bristol Parkway for some tram thrash. As we were arriving at Temple Meads, we saw a hellfire sight in the siding just outside the station - 37025 with its split box and BR large logo livery. The camera was quickly got out and a photo taken as we passed. Shame about the coaches .
Scottish tractor down south by fishquinn1, on Flickr

We watched the tram set thrash away towards the West Country before doing a quick sweep of the platforms to check for any winners for Nat. It was then over to the platform for the 10:00 to Paddington, which was being led by sub-hundred-mile 43174. Nat got in position at where we knew the door would open as I identified the rear powercar as hellfire, monstrous 43147, which was also under 100 miles. Nat was pleased at this combo because, although he didn't score anything, both powercars would be cleared for 100 for him by Reading. The same was true for me, by quite a lot.

We got seats at the end of coach A, next to the vestibule, and we were soon en route. A ticket check took place after departure from Temple Meads and he got to us a minute or so before Bath. He looked at our tickets and then asked where we were going. I replied, saying 'to Reading on this one', for him to ask why didn't you go a different route (he specified the route but I'm not putting it in here). He knew where the origin of our ticket was, but not the destination. We replied saying that it was a valid route via Bristol and he said that he'd be back in a moment, as we were now arriving at Bath. He did the doors and stuff and then returned, saying that it wasn't a valid route, point blank, having looked up the destination. I tried to show him that it was but he either didn't understand what I was showing him (Which would be a very poor show from a guard) or didn't care and said that we'd have to either buy a ticket to Reading or leave the train at Chippenham. We obviously did the latter, much to Nat's annoyance as it meant he didn't clear either of the powercars for 100. I found out when I did my mileage after getting home that I'd cleared both for 100, but haven't mentioned it to Nat. The guard had taken our tickets, but gave them back to us on the platform at Chippenham after writing a large RA on them, meaning restrictions advised. He also told the platform staff, who had no clue about ticket validity anyway but didn't care either. We were both rather ticked off at this guard, who had more proof against him that it was a valid route than he had for not a valid route (which was "I'm a train guard, I know everything and anyone who dares question me is wrong") and I called dad to say how it was going while we waited 10 minutes for the tram back towards Bristol (it'd look a bit obvious to the station staff if we continued through to Reading on the next one). Duds for 100 (for both of us) 43172 and 43150, the former being in the 'Harry Patch' WW1 livery, were in charge of the 10:41 to Temple Meads today and we had no ticket check on the journey through to Bristol.

Once back at Temple Meads, we decided to go for the next available out to Bath, not wanting to head out to Chippenham in case we were recognized. We only had a +15 at Temple Meads, with a green set powercar leading a blue set, and it was cleared for 100 miles 43005 pulling with 'Building a greater west' liveried powercar 43146 pushing. 146 was needed for 100 but most certainly wasn't cleared by Bath where we left them to continue to Paddington as we crossed to the other platform for the 11:59 to Temple Meads.

We were trying to work out a plan of action when double dud for 100 miles 43165 and 43021 rolled in on our service to Temple Meads. We were thinking of getting a return to Tiverton and getting a Cross Country tram down for a +15 before the one we'd have caught from Bristol back up to Brum so, when we got back to Temple Meads, we headed to the TVMs and looked at the prices to Tiverton for the two of us. Holy moly! We were highly, highly surprised to learn that the fare would be £26 for the two of us with a family railcard, that's for sure! Not a hope in hell.

As we were on this side of the barriers, I decided it was time to get a bite of lunch from the Smiths (there really isn't much else around Temple Meads annoyingly). The meal deals are a much poorer quality than most places here and cost £1 more but I paid for it anyway due to being hungry. Then, with some lunch, we walked over to the platform that the Cross Country tram was due out of and watched it arrive. Luckily it didn't have 207 on because I think we would've gone for it and paid to Taunton if it had.

We decided to do another return to Bath with the remainder of our time (I know - how exciting). It would be the same set that we got from Bath to Bristol that we'd be getting back out, 43165 and 43021. We relaxed on board and I ate my lunch (Nat had packed his own lunch so had already eaten most of it) as we headed for Bath, where we had a small fester before the next Bristol tram. Nat needed his water bottle filled up so we went to the Pumpkin on the station and asked to fill it up with some tap water, which was completely fine. Then it was back to the fester and double duds for 100 43138 and 43016 were soon arriving.

When we got back to Temple Meads, there was little time for anything else before our train back, with 45 minutes to kill. Because of this, all we could do was a bit of spotting before getting ready for our tram back. Nat scored a few units before we had to head back and it was obviously the same set as earlier that was working 1S51 - 43304 and 43285, the latter passing 600 miles by New Street.

It was an uneventful ride back through to New Street, getting more mileage off both powercars, and we were soon arriving at New Street a few minutes after Dad's train had left New Street. That's the only annoying thing about this move - it misses 'H62! Nothing can be done of course (I hate 323s on this section) so we just said bye to the tram set and headed for Snow Hell and the 16:12 back to Leam.

We reached Snow Hell at about 16:05 and went down to platform level to see a stupid /0 in the platform but I immediately perked up when I saw which one. 168004, yes! Remember how I'd got 168216 back from the Liverpool challenge and cleared my 168/2s? 168004 was my last of the /0s required for 100 and would be cleared by Leam easily! Brilliant stuff!

It was a poor journey back to Leamington, but we did have decent seats so it was slightly better, and we got there to see dad waiting on the platform. There was no hanging around when we got to him and we were soon wandering back to the car and heading home.

Certainly not the day I wanted and it wasn't excellent but at last some more tram mileage was added to the total, which is something that wouldn't have happened if we hadn't gone out so I'd say that it was worth it over all.





Problem solved

On the 21st of September, a Wednesday, I was to do another of the Bristol via Reading runs but, as you can probably tell from the title, there was no problems this time. The reason I was doing it today is because I have the return portion of an open return from Leam to Nottingham to make use of, so it'd be possible to continue through to Derby on 1S51 and then use that to get back to Leamington. I'd called Nathan from Banbury station the evening before (I'd been doing some cat bashing) and he said that he'd be happy to come along too. We knew that there was a chance of his winner, 207 appearing as it had been out and about recently but it really could be any of them. Fingers crossed for 207!

The day started at 05:20 after a poor night sleep. I got dressed and teeth done and all the other guff that needs to be done before heading out, and we were soon heading for Leamington with dad at the wheel (not to mention the seat, accelerator, clutch, brakes and many other things but let's just focus on the wheel for some odd, peculiar reason). As usual, Nat was picked up on the way and we were soon parking the car and walking over to the station. It's beginning to get colder in the mornings, which is very easy to tell when walking through Leamington at '6 in the morning, so a jacket was needed for the day. Tickets bought at Leamington again and we were on the platform in good time for the 06:24, with 165015 working it this morning. A bay of 4 was got and we relaxed for the journey through the familiar countryside, getting to Snow Hell on time after an uneventful journey.

Just like the week before, we headed to Subway for brekky. It was my turn to pay this week and, as I was paying by card, the machine decided to fail. we weren't sure if it charged me or not and, even after we'd devoured our amazing mega melts, it wasn't working so I was just told to go, any pay after I get my statement if I haven't already been charged for it.

Just like the week before, we walked dad over to work before heading towards New Street, stopping off in Poundland by request from Nat. I decided that I may as well get lunch while I was here so I paid £3 for two cheese and onion pastries (which I think were just pastry), a pack of Tunnocks teacakes and two small bottles of Oasis before heading down the hill to the bat cave. We had to wait a while for the 08:12, which was running a few minutes late, and eventually arrived a minute before its booked departure. We were stood and quite a way up the platform at this point and Nat was incredibly happy when he saw the number of the front powercar. It was 43366, which is the powercar that had been running round with 207. We ran to the rear powercar to check and, sure enough, it was 43207 pushing. XC powercars cleared for Nat!

I called dad while waiting for everyone to get off before we could get on to let him know. He was very happy for Nat and wished that he was on the trip too - he'd only ever had 207 for 6 miles from Temple Meads to Parkway. I wished him luck with whatever he was doing at work before saying bye and getting on board, easily getting a bay of 4 to ourselves for the run south. Nothing decent was seen as we headed towards Bristol (except, of course, the tram set we were on) and it was an uneventful ride, soon arriving at Bristol Temple Meads right time. We watched the tram set thrash out of Temple Meads before turning our attention to the one that had just arrived from Paddington. A number check told us that it was nothing of importance to either of us so we left it and headed over to the platform that the 10:00 to Paddington was booked out from.

43029 and 43009 were both sub-hundred-mile, the former being cleared by Bath, the latter between Chippenham and Swindon. We got on board and managed to find seats before trying to get comfy in the awful GWR tram seats. We were soon flying down the line, stopping at Bath, Chippenham and Swindon before racing with decent speed towards Reading. At Swindon, we noticed one of Nat's winners leading a Bristol Parkway service and, as we pulled out, we saw that the rear one was also required! I was immediately on the case with RTT and saw that it was due to leave Swindon for Paddington at 12:29, meaning we couldn't get through to Reading in time for the connection back up to Bristol for 'S51. We thought that it wouldn't be gettable because of this, but I noticed that it stopped at Didcot and that there was a connection from Didcot to Swindon that would get us there before the one we had to be on to Temple Meads! Excellent!

There was a 'first time ever' event at Reading. What was it? This was the first time ever that I'd arrived on time on this service, meaning that we'd be able to make the 11:12 to Swansea instead of the 11:27 to Temple Meads! We immediately changed platforms and got in position to see what the 11:12 was...

And then decided to flag it! The first time we could have got it, yet we decided not to and decided to go for the one that we always get :roll:.

We didn't have too long to fester on the platform at Reading and it was required for 100 pair 43079 and 43063 on the 11:27 today. They were also both required for 100 for Nat, but that isn't what he was very happy about - it was the fact that 063 was required for him! We got on board, a really soche guard saying hi to us before we got on (after seeing us get the rear powercar so I'm guessing that he was an enthusiast too), and easily found seats for the ride through to Swindon, part of my lunch being devoured around Didcot (the rest being left for later on).

We were soon at Swindon after a speedy run (stopping at Didcot though), watching the tram set thrash away into the distance. We had a fairly long fester here of just under half an hour so we headed over to the London bound platform and watched the trams at work. Nat didn't like the fact that one of his winners arrived working a Paddington tram ahead of our one but two winners beats one so he let 43195 head to Paddington without him and was rewarded with the 12:29 to Paddington, from Bristol Parkway, with double winner for Nat 43156 and 43131. I was certainly alright with this set as both powercars were low mileage for me, 131 particually, being at 43 and 16.75 respectively. There were very few people on this service and we easily found a bay of 4 towards the front for the ride through to Didcot.

Once there, we had time to get a couple of photos and watch it thrash away before having to change platforms.
Didcot tram by fishquinn1, on Flickr
The connection wasn't long here - only about a +10 - so we didn't have long to wait at Didcot before seeing a tram that we'd had on our last (failed) trip arriving, 43146 up front and 43005 at the back. 146 was still needed for 100, so this was good, and still wasn't cleared by Swindon, at which point it was up to 71.75 miles. We didn't have too long to wait at Swindon and, while Nat waited at the Bristol end of the platform, I waited at the London end so I could ID both powercars when they arrived. I could son see our set approaching and it was incredibly, incredibly high mileage 43071 leading (we had this one to Pembroke and back) but the rear powercar had changed. Remember how I was saying on the Pembroke trip that a certain powercar, Eavis to be precise, stalks me. Well, here's the proof! It was 43026 pushing the stock towards Bristol!

We got on board and tried to find seats, eventually managing to on this surprisingly busy service. It was then a fairly slow 41 miles through to Bristol once again, getting there on time, with 15 minutes until our tram to Derby.

As always it was departing from platform 3, and we were in position for the front set of doors before 43207 and 43366 had arrived. Once we were on board, an unreserved bay of two was easily found (no chance of being wedged out) and we were soon leaving Bristol again, this time for Derby.

This would be one my longest XC tram journey in one hit, at 131.5 miles, and it would be enough to put 366 up to 803 miles, which would be my highest XC powercar by the time we got there. There was no problemss on the journey and it was a very spirited run up until Kings Norton, where we staggered through to Brum. I'd been window hanging from Bromsgrove to University, where I decided to get our seats for Brum, where we knew it'd fill up even more. It felt weird arriving at New Street on the tram and not bailing but we were soon on the move once again, going through the 'other' New Street tunnels and towards Derby.

Stopping at Tamworth en route, Derby was reached a few minutes late, due to a delay out of New Street (annoying starships!). This just lowered our fester at Derby to a nicer +25 from a +29 (yep, it just misses a 170 back). We had seen 4 bombs en route, loads of stuff at Nemesis rail (Burton) and 56312 and 37884 at Derby station and, when our tram was in the platform, there were 4 locos there. The MTU thrash was soon over as they headed off and it was into deckchair mode while waiting for our 170.

A couple of minutes late, we could see our 170 approaching from Nottingham, ready for the reversal. I couldn't believe it! I'd actually scored a 170 on a mandatory move as it was winner 170108 working the 17:10 New Street! This put me down to needing 3 XC 170s - one of each /3, /5 and /6 so I was very happy.

The 170 was in poor condition (as are all the Cross Country ones) and we weren't looking forward to the journey. I certainly dislike the 170s, especially the XC ones, but the journey was over soon enough and we were back through the tunnel, with a little wait for a platform.

We could still get the 18:12 from Snow Hell instead of going for Moor Street so it was a quick walk up Corporation Street, reaching Snow Hell a few minutes later, where dud for 100 168109 was waiting. We got the usual seats and relaxed for the usual journey back through to Leamington, Nat's mum picking us up from there after a terrific day! Nat scored 4 powercars (which he was very happy about), including his last XC one and I scored quite a few powercars for 100 and got a winner 170 so overall, a brilliant day!

 

[Kite159]

A busy few days, harsh on the guard not believing you on the Bristol - Peruvian Bear service

 

[185143]

Knowing the ticket you used, I'm not surprised a guard took issue with it when he knew where the origin and destination actually are!

Is Nat under 16?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[cactustwirly]

Knowing the ticket you used, I'm not surprised a guard took issue with it when he knew where the origin and destination actually are!

Is Nat under 16?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

No he's 16

£26 to Taunton isn't that expensive, remember it is 60 miles on an intercity train

 

[185143]

No he's 16

£26 to Taunton isn't that expensive, remember it is 60 miles on an intercity train

Ah. Was going to pass comment about the guard kicking two under 16s off the train...

 

[507021]

More excellent reads there FQ, I enjoyed those as per usual.

Poor show from that guard though.

 

[FQ]

A busy few days, harsh on the guard not believing you on the Bristol - Peruvian Bear service

Certainly. I like that name for Padd too!

Knowing the ticket you used, I'm not surprised a guard took issue with it when he knew where the origin and destination actually are!

Is Nat under 16?

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

Agreed but he should have let us off

No he's 16

£26 to Taunton isn't that expensive, remember it is 60 miles on an intercity train

£26 for 60 miles is quite expensive for me, that's for sure!

More excellent reads there FQ, I enjoyed those as per usual.

Poor show from that guard though.

Cheers!





Mmmm... Pies...

The title will make sense in time, trust me In fact, you'll probably get it after I put where I went on Saturday the 24th of September. Well, Nat, dad and I. It was Thamesline time. With Reading pies!

The Saturday started stupidly early; at exactly the same time as always - 00:00 . Nat had stayed for a sleepover and we were up only 4 and a half hours after that (well, I was. Nat was up 4 hours, 50 minutes after that for an 05:00 departure. Dad was up too and we all headed off in the cold to the car and got in for the drive down the M40, getting to Didcot just after 06:00. We then got the car parking ticket and wandered over to the station to find the ticket office shut as it always is. Nat had kindly said that he'd get tickets today because 'we get so much for him' so we headed to the TVM and got the usual return to Reading, knowing that we'd get the Thameslines on the train.

Brekky was on me, lunch on dad, so Nat didn't need to worry about food, and we knew that we'd get brekky from the Sainsbury's local at Paddington like we always do. A short wait on the platform was had before the first ex Bristol tram (and, indeed, first tram of the day through Swindon) was approaching. 43009, one that we'd had from Bristol to Reading on our last spin out that way, was pulling but it'd done a powercar swap as 100-mile requirement 43194 was pushing. This is always a very quiet service, even after Reading, so a bay of 4 was very easily found in the rear coach for the swift journey through to London.

Nat and I went up to the TGS between Didcot and Reading to get our Thameslines issued - me because I knew what we wanted and Nat because he was paying. A couple of minutes later we were armed with our ticket for the day and were back in our bay of 4, watching the amazing sunrise, which was worth getting up at 04:30 for without anything else (oh, who am I kidding. It was brilliant but not that brilliant ).

Apart from trams and red deaths, the first 'different' loco sighting of the day was at Southall and went to the monster that is 47746. It was there with a kettle and an even more hellfire brush, 47580. 70808 was spotted on an engineering train just before Paddington and, just after Old Oak, we were caught off guard by a westbound tram and I only managed to get the number of the rear powercar - 43147. The last time I saw this powercar was at Swindon on our last trip across to Reading 3 days previously with one of Nat's winners. As I didn't get the front powercar, I had no way to confirm that it was his requirement but we traced what it was doing - heading to Swansea - and would it'd be forming back to try and view it. Fingers crossed!

We were all looking for a certain few powercars, me being the most flexible, as I need quite a few for 100 and the year. Dad was looking for scores for the centaury and Nat obviously looking for all time scores. There were a few powercars that crossed for all of us but there was one particular one that both dad and I really wanted to get. I hadn't had it yet this year and it was my lowest mileage GWR powercar on a mere 11.75 (Newport to Cardiff) and dad hadn't had it since (I think) 1987. We were very happy when we walked down platform 1 at Paddington after arrival to see that at the blocks waiting to form one of our two choices back out to Reading. Choice made!

We headed to Sainsbury's for breakfast and were appalled to see that they had no hot food! This was the first time but we weren't getting anything else and walked out empty handed, heading over to Cafe Nero so dad could get a coffee. It was then over to the coaches sandwiched between a kind of stalker for me, 'Cartoonist' (it's nameplate is David Austin Cartoonist), which translates to 43021, and the one that we were on the set for, 43035. We were moving again right time at 07:32 and it was a spirited run back out to Reading, not seeing much more on the way.

When we arrived at Reading and the doors unlocked, we could see another set arriving imminently so I ran to the front of the platform (not far as we were in the front coach) to view the front powercar, which was of no interest to any of us. The rear powercar on the other hand was of interest to both dad and I, because I'd only ever had 41 miles from it and dad hadn't had it since 1988! We had quite a while before it was due out so we could walk over the footbridge, where I noticed a light engine approaching from the Didcot direction. It was a light engine ped (31) so we quickly popped down to the platform that it was comeing through for some ped thrash before moving over to 43078 and dad's score, 43040, which we took back through to Paddington.

We saw the ped again around Maidenhead as we were racing past it at speed and we checked dad's work phone to see what options we had after arrival at Paddington, seeing that there was a fairly tight connection that would be doable by using the footbridge so we decided to try it out if the next set out wasn't a winner for either dad or Nat.

I knew that the front powercar on the set with the tight connection was required for 100 for all of us and the one on the next one out meant nothing so a quick rush over the footbridge was had onto 43189 and its partner, which was unknown at the time but was found out at Reading as annoying powercar 43143, putting it up to being had by me 6 times. We saw 31452 once again around Ealing (for the last time that day) and it was an uneventful ride through to Reading, getting there on time. There was a tram set due in under 5 minutes before a gap so we decided to go for the first one, which had dull 43161 leading, and the distinctive livery of 43002 at the back. This is a pair that meant nothing to me or dad (except 002 being a pretty good powercar) but Nat needed both for 100 and 002 is one of his favourite powercars so he was happy enough.

The trains were most certainly getting busier now, this one leaving Reading at 09:15 and being a coach down. It was absolutely heaving, standing into the aisles, but Nat got a vestibule window so he was happy enough, and I got a luggage stores as a seat so I was happy enough (if that's possible on one of those luggage stores with loads of oversized suitcases). Dad was stood next to me but we got talking with another guy next to us, who was also a rail enthusiast from dad's time (don't tell him I referred to it as dad's time ) so they got chatting about the IEPs and how good stuff was back in the day and the journey passed smoothly, being held just before Airport junction for a fresh air carrier as usual.

70808 had moved from earlier and had moved onto the flyover to Old Oak depot, 70810 having moved to take its place. Colas betty madness! Not that I'm complaining though! We were soon arriving at Paddington, where dad scored once again! On the front of the 10:02 out of Paddington was another of dad's requirements (and maybe Nat's - I can't remember). We had a little while before it was booked out so decided to head to Sainsbury's again to see if they've got any hot food yet. Bear in mind (grrr - no, not that kind of bear ) that this is 09:45 in the morning, what do you think about the only hot food they have being a Southern fried chicken burger? Madness! We, once again, went out empty handed and wandered over to 43033 (dad's score) and 43136, the former of which was required for 100 by me.

Back at Reading, the first set to arrive would be the only one for a while so we went for that, required for 100 43170 leading and dud for 100, GWR green liveried 43041 trailing. Nat was now beginning to moan at getting no winners (or only one winner if 033 was required for him) but, even trying to remind him that we had one potential lined up (the one that might have gone to Swansea) didn't work. Oh well.

As Paddington he was trapped on the right hand side vestibule window instead of the right one, where all of the platforms except the empty platform 1 were. Because of this, dad and I saw something he didn't We saw that in the platform next to us was one of his winners! We immediately informed him that we'd be going for that one and, when he asked why, I informed him and, before saying anything, he went up to the front powercar to confirm it! What does he take me for?! He was very pleased to see that it was indeed one of his few winners, so I went to check when it was due to leave and what the rear powercar was. It was a very lightly loaded 11:50 to Oxford, which was due to leave in about 20 minutes, and the powercars were 43093, which was also required for 100 for me, and 43091, which was dud for both 100 and the year. We got in the front coach and chilled out for a bit before departure, stopping at Slough on the way to Reading, where there was quite a while until the next one to Paddington (20 minutes). Because of this, we decided that it was pie time! We got Nat's order from Reading station and left him there while we headed off, collecting two pies each (me going for a chicken and ham as I always do, and a steak and kidney). We then got back to the station in time for the first tram back in.

It was a couple of boring ones so we stayed put to see what was on the next one, me scoffing my first (absolutely amazing) pie. I went for the chicken and ham one first as it's my favourite (apart from maybe pork and apple, which I had on my first time but they haven't had it any time since). We then turned our attention to an arriving set, which had 43087 on the front. The last time I'd seen that powercar was our trip 3 days ago at Temple Meads...

... With one of Nat's winners! I told him and, sure enough, his winner was still with it so 43087 and 43142 took us back along the line to Paddington.

When we got back to the capital, we had one option to get us back out to Reading without a fester but I didn't really like the option. Why? EAVIS!!! We decided to go for it anyway to keep moving and 43071 with 43026 took us back out to Reading, 071 reaching 748 miles by Reading, where we had a fester before what would hopefully be Nat's winner coming back from Swansea.
Away from Reading by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Costa was visited for you know what (and a coffee for dad) and 70805 was viewed thrashing its guts out on its way to Old Oak while we waited. A tram set that we hadn't yet seen, with a couple of duds, rolled in while we waited and we were soon wandering downstairs for the arrival of 43147 and...

Nat's winner, 43195! He was very glad to get this, and it meant that he only needed two GWR powercars - 43034 and 43086 (neither of which we'd seen so far). My second pie was devoured on this one, and I remembered to get a couple of photos of it to show you.
Sweeney and Todd pies by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Sweeney and Todd pies by fishquinn1, on Flickr
We found seats on board this 15:10 to Paddington and did an RTT check to see what we could get out of Paddington. We'd viewed another of dad's winners earlier in the day and knew that it'd be heading out of Paddington again at 16:20 so we decided to wait for that in the end, me popping to the 1st class lounge using a cheap ticket that I knew about, with dad and Nathan heading to the pub. This was decided and, once I got to Paddington, I headed to buy my ticket that'd get me entry into the lounge and Dad and Nat headed to a local pub.

The 1st class lounge had the excellent cake as it always does at this time so I got a couple of slices of Viccy sponge, a hot choc and several bits to put in the bag for afternoon tea on the next tram. It was a great little time in there and I was soon emerging, with lots for afternoon tea, and heading over to duds from the trip three days ago, 43079 and 43063. I met up with dad and Nat in a bay of 4 in the front coach of this lightly loaded 16:20 to Techland. Nat told me what the barrier guy had said to him while I was in the lounge and he tried to get through using the Thamesline to get a photo of the nameplate. The gateline staff had been complete *insert word here* all day and had looked at us like crazy people, hating our Thameslines and us it seemed, not knowing ticket validity or anything. Our Thameslines always failed to work the gates and when Nat went to try and go through, it was no exception. The barrier guy actually said 'you're not allowed through. That isn't valid to Reading', cue Nat telling him otherwise. The guy persisted, saying 'I know what's valid and what isn't' but he gave up in the end, having a ticked off, persistent Nat. Honestly, what sort of idiots do GWR employ?

I got quite a bit for afternoon tea and, as I couldn't get brekky, it was decided that this would be my contribution (along with a future drinks run). We stopped at Slough on the way back to Reading, getting there on time, with a few seconds before the 17:10 to Paddington, which was only just made with 43028 and 43192 powering us back to London.

Once we were back at London, I saw that a pair of powercars that I needed for the year and 100 (the front one being on 99 miles) were waiting to head out so, with nothing much else of interest, we went for 43153 and 43030 back out to Reading.

Looking at RTT, a fairly lengthy fester would be needed here so we got ready for the fester but, as we were arriving at Reading, Nat spotted another tram arriving on platform 15, heading for Padd! We all sprinted off the tram and over the footbridge, just managing to make it onto 43031 and 43003 back through to London. It turns out that these were on the delayed 17:56 to Paddington, which was due to leave Reading 9 minutes after 153 and 030 left Padd! We were certainly glad that they were running late, as it gave us another move back through to the capital.

RTT was checked, once again, while on this tram and we saw that it'd be possible to do another return to Reading before getting the train that we wanted to be on back through to Didcot so we ran off this pair, over the footbridge once more, and onto another set that we hadn't had that day, 43175 and 43070, both being needed for 100 (particularly 070, being on a mere 26.5). Back through to Reading, now in total darkness, and we crossed platforms again for the 19:48 to Paddington, which was running a few minutes late. This was an ex Temple Meads, so we'd likely already had it, but it'd be the first repeat of the day, so it wasn't too bad. We were stunned and very happy when the set that we'd flagged at Reading earlier in the day to get Nat's winner through to Paddington, 43012 and 43092 were found to be powering us back through to London.

By now we were all tired and were ready to head back to Didcot, which we'd be doing on the 20:32 from Paddington. We were really hoping for a set that we hadn't yet had, because it'd mean that we wouldn't have had any repeats at all, and our wish was answered, with a set that we hadn't even seen all day taking us back though to Didcot. 43144 was viewed before boarding, but we didn't get the rear powercar until Didcot, where we found out that it was 43197.

We left a few minutes late, somehow getting to the topic in our conversation of a huge apocalypse hitting London as we departed (thankfully none did). We continued on this very full tram, with many football hooligans on board, and were stopped at Reading for quite a while, which the guard announced over the tannoy, rather well, that it was 'due to drunkenness. Three separate fights in three different areas of the train', so the police had to be called. That over, we eventually got to Didcot about 15 late, and had the walk over to the car, hearing the MTU engine thrash away towards Swindon as we did. We were all in the car by 21:30 and were soon heading back towards home, getting there just after 22:30. An absolutely brilliant day out on the trams. They won't be with us for much longer, of course...







Tip-topping along the Nene

The 15th of October was the Saturday of the Nene Valley Railway's October diesel gala, which dad, Nat and I planned to go to due to two 26s and a brush going. Unfortunately it was announced that one of the 26s, 26038, now wouldn't be going (just like the two bombs that were meant to come), due to a brake failure. Still, it just meant that 26007 would have a heavier load!

Nat came for a sleepover on the Friday eve and we got to bed at 23:00. After a fairly poor night sleep, we got up at 05:40. After a hunt for clothes we were ready to head out, leaving home at 06:05 and getting to Wansford only and hour and 20 minutes later at 07:25. We stopped at the trucker cafe thing and all got a HDOAP (heart disease on a plate), dad with extra black pudding, me with extra... umm... chips... and Nat with nothing extra. Soon our huge brekkies had arrived and we were all stuffed by the time we'd finished. Not to the station!

We got our tickets after getting to the station and watched as various locos started up, including 55022 which we saw leave to Peterborough on the MK1s before winner, and dad's favourite member of the class, 26007 arrived on the foreign set. We got a very cold compartment up front for the thrashy sulzer move up to Peterborough, seeing 91107 arrive while tip-top 7 ran round. It then thrashed us back to Wansford, where a platform change was needed for hellfire winner 47765. This gave us another good run but we couldn't really hear it from the very rear coach, where our compartment was located.

Peterborough was soon reached and I noticed the same one of dad's old bashing friends that we'd noticed last year, so he came and joined us all the way to Yarwell Junction, winner teddy bear D9523 replacing the brush at Wansford. Winner 45041 took us from here and left us at Wansford where we had a short wait before the funky 1212 railcar arrived and took us back to Yarwell. It's really funky and even dad enjoyed the little fill in move, taking it back to Wansford from Yarwell before winner for all of us 56081 on the continental set took us onward. It was fairly busy but we managed to get a bay of 4 in the back coach for the run to Peterborough, where I noticed Bungle965, who came to sit in the bay of 4 next to us with his company (so sorry but I can't remember who). It was a very soche run with some grid thrash and we were soon getting back to Wansford.

Our next one, pair 26007 and 47765, was already in the platform so we crossed the footbridge and got a compartment for the sulzer thrash up to Peterborough. Dad's friend decided to bail at Orton Mere on the way back for the Deltic, and it was just 47765 powering for the ride back to Wansford. I fell asleep between Ferry Meadows and Wansford, waking up as we were leaving Wansford heading towards Peterborough, dud D9529 having taken us from Wansford to Yarwell, with winner 46045 and dud 45041 taking us home from there to Peterborough. Dad's friend had rejoined us at Wansford and we were soon seeing a VTEC tram whizz past Peterborough heading for the Cross. The peaks ran round and were soon powering us back to Wansford.

We'd left lunch in the car as there was no point carrying it for the day, so I got off and headed to the car while D9529 was put on the front. It was enjoyed with pies through to Yarwell where 26007, which was on the back of the train at Wansford, took us all back through to Peterborough. Jaffa cakes were enjoyed on this run and it was a shame to say bye to dad's friend when he left the train at Peterborough to get back to the mainline and a London bound VTEC. Meanwhile, dad, Nat and I enjoyed a star performance from right next to 26007 as it thrashed away from Peterborough. After that it was a case of dart to the front vestibule window as it left each shack. It was an absolutely brilliant run and made us really look forward to our last run of the day. We had a wait at Wansford for the log to clear the single line before 46046 and 45041 took us back to Peterborough, crisps and revels (why do I always get the awful coffee ones?) devoured en route. A short wait was had before the same pair took us back. 26007 was waiting to come on our stock in the darkness. It coupled up and, about 20 minutes later, we were magically thrashing into the darkness on the last train of the day to Peterborough.

Some geography work was done en route and we were soon getting to Peterborough after a non stop run. We sat in our dimly lit compartment, the train completely quiet, listening to the rain, and just imagined the Kyle line or another one of the Scottish branches as the beast that is 26007 gave off one hell of a great performance on the 29:25 and reached Wansford bang on time at 19:50. I wonder how many people watching telly were disturbed by the absolute racket from our tip-top!

We walked through the rain to our car, got in, and got home an hour and a half later after a spectacular day out. The star of the show? Without a doubt, 26007, which is now also my favourite of the class. Oh I love small sulzers (and large sulzers for that matter!).

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good couple days, did you manage to get to spot any of the 387s at North Pole?

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Eavis haunts us all - even in this thread...

Some great trips there, Lord Fishquinn

 

[Iskra]

Wow, what shop were the pies from? I need to invest in some of those!

And wow, the Nene Valley diesel gala sounded like fun. I've become a 26 fan this year too And you got a Deltic a 45 and a Grid, which I need all haulage on!