FQ's trips around the globe

[Techniquest]

It certainly looks a bit different!

Superior to the HST that got refurbished!

Should have whispered that on the forum's HST nutcase's thread mind

 

[Kite159]

And I must say the NMT is looking very grand today

Sounded like a good day in the valleys

 

[FQ]

That revised refurb on the 150 looks awesome!

It does look smart and is rather nice to travel in too.

Superior to the HST that got refurbished!

Should have whispered that on the forum's HST nutcase's thread mind

The tram refurb wasn't bad although it didn't wear very well and the seats were still rubbish .

And I must say the NMT is looking very grand today

Sounded like a good day in the valleys

Damn! Changed that now

 

[FQ]

Paddington for Prestatyn

OK. Maybe not. That'd be the most crazy thing in the land of crazy. Going to Prestatyn instead of Paddington? My god, kill me now. No, kill me if I decide to go to Prestatyn instead of Paddington at some point in the future because life wouldn't be worth living if that ever happened .

Anyway, Saturday the 29th of April 2017 was the date that Nat, dad and I planned to do a Thamesline. It was also the date of a NENTA tour to Holyhead, which we decided against doing for a few reasons. 1. Holyhead is a total dump. 2. Holyhead is a total dump. 3. Holyhead is a total dump. 4. Holyhead is a total dump and 5. Holyhead is a total dump. The brush for this tour were giong to be 804 and 826 so we weren't too fussed about missing these but 47854 went out instead of 826. Still, we'll get more from a Thamesline because, well, Holyhead or Hayes and Harlington? Then it was announced that 804 had failed at Newark on the way down which changed everything. Because replacing it was 47580. Brush time!

It wasn't until Nat had come round for a sleepover on the Friday evening that we knew about the change of brush on the tour. Dad is part owner of 580 and it's one hellfire monster, that's for sure. Nat still wanted to go for the Thamesline but dad and I outvoted him with the brush saying that we may do one in May. OK, fine. There was no may about it (except the month - look at me, I'm confusing myself). We'd do an all day Thamesline sometime in May. Sorted.

Dad called NENTA the night before and booked tickets arranging for us to board at Ely. We headed to bed with the aim to be up at much the same time as if we were going for a Thamesline and were soon getting up ready for the day ahead.

We were heading off by 05:00 and our first stop was for petrol. We decided to head to the local Tesco because it's cheaper than the roadside one we pass on the way but got there to find it shut until 06:00. Blast! Instead it was back along the road, wasting more petrol to stop at the roadside one to fill up before heading towards Anglia.

It was an uneventful drive, going along some B roads that bounced us around like a pacer, and we managed to find Ely without any trouble, driving through town before parking at the station. Ely station is right next to a rather large Tesco so we decided to go in there to get brekky stuff, which would be on me. There was also a Costa on there so, with it being just before 07:00, I could see what was probably my earliest creamy cooler to date. The Costa didn't open until 07:00 so we went to grab some bits for brekky first, going for some danishes, before making use of a 3 for £1.20 deal on choccy bars for later. I got these and we then headed to Costa, Nat getting a creamy cooler for him and me, dad going for a coffee. We then took them across to the station.

A Norwich bound 170 was arriving as we got there and I was pleased to hear that it was one of them that stopped at Shippea Hill. 'Go for the shack score' dad said, jokingly. Ummm... No thanks . I've got much better traction coming up! 70007, the best betty, came through a couple of moments later, coming to a stop to await a route onto the single line section towards Ipswich. A 66 then came off the branch but the betty waited slightly longer for yet another locohauled train to come off the branch...

47580! What a beast... This was a winner for Nat so he was glad to get it but probably not as glad as dad and I as we had history with this loco (particularly dad). We reported to the coach that we were told to on the phone the night before and were handed our tickets before we could go to our bay of 4 in coach B, which just the 3 of us were at. This was the 2nd coach away from 580 so we had maximum noise from it. Sounding very sweet it powered us away from my first (and only) shack score and over the many waterways towards Peterborough.

We'd soon reached Peterborough and Nat scored a winner 66 in the depot as we passed. It was now onto the tedious bit of track towards Leicester. It was a dull run and I was glad when it was over but before joining the Midland Mainline we had to let a DBS 66 and an FL 70 pass. Then it was a quick run to Leicester where we paused for a couple of minutes allowing me to get a photo of a well-timed tram.
Leicester HST by fishquinn1, on Flickr
We then sat back and relaxed and were soon swinging over to go through Nuneaton non-stop on platform 7, the Leicester bound platform. We stayed on that track for a minute or so before going to swing down onto the West Coast Mainline. We were held at a signal for a dez and, because of this, Nat managed to see yet another winner blue death as it came off the line from the Brum direction. Lucky Nat (it's probably worth noting that I cleared my 66s a couple of days later with 66767 so I'm still ahead ).

We were soon racing down the West Coast Mainline towards Tamworth. Not too much was seen en route and we were soon passing Basford Hall and Crewe LNWR before arriving on platform 11. There was a stop for quite a while here to both wait time and let some normals bail so lots of people lot off, myself included, to get photos. It was good to get some more phots of 580 having not got any since it was at the Mid Norfolk in 2012.
Essex out of region by fishquinn1, on Flickr
I got back on again not too long later and we were soon on the move, heading past Crewe Electric where I managed to score a skoda for sight that I haven't been able to ID in the past. It was a spirited run to Chester where we let more passengers get off and I saw my last required 507, and penultimate Merseyrail unit. It was annoying but I most certainly wasn't bailing even though the next section was the dreaded coast. Why dreaded? It tends to mean you're going to Holyhead, or one of the other absolute delights on this route such as sh*tton, Flint, Prestatyn or Rhyl. Oh well, the brush thrash will keep me calm.

A stopping cart was let out ahead of us so it was a slow run as far as Colwyn Bay. I didn't notice much of it though because I'd fallen asleep, accidently drooling all over the table when doing so. Honestly, I have no idea if it was being asleep or the excellent noise from County of Essex up front that did it though .

I quickly nipped off at Ludo junction to grab another photo while even more normals bailed. I didn't have long but dad was at the door to make sure I wasn't left behind.
47580 by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Nat and I managed to get a window up front as we left Ludo, which was absolutely hellfire, particularly with a tunnel. I took a seat again not too long after and noticed how perfectly the station sign was aligned at Bangor...
B for Bangor by fishquinn1, on Flickr
I was, once again, up front leaving Bangor and it was winner track after here for Nat. The huge lions let us pass into Anglesey without a fight and we were soon passing through countryside and getting to Holyhead. What a letdown...

We wandered down to 47854 next to get a few photos and, on one of my close ups I took, a photo of a partly folded (as in some of the sticky bit has come off so you can't read it) notice was readable. The part I could see read 'Smoking can seriously improve your engine's health'. I noticed that 4 days before 47854 caught fire at Northampton on a tour to Windsor. Oh dear - it looks like the notice was taken too literally.
Holyhead by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Too literal by fishquinn1, on Flickr
We then decided to head into town to find some lunch and stopped on a stupidly high footbridge to get a photo of 580. Annoyingly you can't view the camera screen when taking a photo because of the height of the bridge so it's a case of holding the camera above your head and hoping for the best: this is one of my shots.
From the bridge by fishquinn1, on Flickr

After that we headed into the awful town in hunt of a chippy. One was located after a while so we went in. We certainly weren't expecting any miracles from our stuff: dad and I got a fishcake each, Nat getting a battered sausage, and we got a large chips to share. It turns out we judged the chippy too soon - the chips were absolutely amazing and we were all glad we went for them. Now time for a drink.

Dad wanted a coffee so we decided to head to one of the coffee shops but got there just as it closed - it was only about 14:30 at this point too. Oh well - let's go to a supermarket to get something for dinner we thought. We noticed an Asda not far away but it took a while to find out how to get there because pedestrians weren't allowed to walk down the road. We managed to find a way eventually and got stuff for dinner - some rolls and ham along with crisps and fruit (and some beer for dad) - before going back to the station and getting some more photos of the brush.
Between the signals by fishquinn1, on Flickr
47580 by fishquinn1, on Flickr
47580 by fishquinn1, on Flickr
We then went back down onto the platform and got some more photos of 47580.
County of Essex by fishquinn1, on Flickr
47580 by fishquinn1, on Flickr
The DVT and the brush by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Then it was back to our seats to wait for departure from Holyhead, 47854 now to be powering.

We'd soon left Anglesey and reached Bangor without any problems. We picked several passengers up here before moving on; next stop Llandudno Junction. As we left there I headed up to the vestibule window to get some photos of 854.
Powering away by fishquinn1, on Flickr

On the next stretch we got to see Rhyl and Prestatyn in the best way possible: at speed. With the run down section after Colwyn Bay we were glad to eventually make it to Chester. Some more passengers were picked up here before heading onwards to Crewe where we had a quick stop in platform 6. I needed a drink at this point so headed to the buffet for some water and a refill of dad's thermal mug with hot water, noticing the 1st class passengers tucking into dinner. We planned to start our own dinner upon departure from Crewe, which is exactly what we did. Wow did those rolls go down well. 854 was sounding absolutely brilliant on the run reminding me why it's one of my favourite brush (not that I needed reminding) and, I have to say, it out performed 580 on this tour. Still, County of Essex is one hellfire 47.

At Nuneaton we crossed back onto the Leicester lines and followed them through to Leicester where we were looped for a pathing stop allowing me to get a couple of photos. Warning: photos may contain 170s .
Peek-a-boo by fishquinn1, on Flickr

I tried to get a video to help ID the stuff in Leicester depot but it came out completely awfully so I just had to rely on what Nat said for the stuff we didn't get on the way out - still, they were all duds. Just after swinging onto boredom line of the midlands - Syston to Peterborough - we passed 37254 and 37057, having seen them in Peterborough yard earlier in the day. Dad stood up for this journey and I did a forum catch up using his work phone and found out some information that I was really shocked about (not that I should be, knowing the line). Had we gone for a Thamesline on that day we would've been attached to another object by an incline plane wrapped helically around an axis (screwed). A major signaling problem had pretty much drawn the GWML to a stop with no trams leaving Paddington between about 13:00 and 20:00 except maybe an Oxford and a Hereford. Lucky escape!

Nat scored another of his winner GBRF 66s at Peterborough, taking him down to needing only a handful. It was pretty much dark by now so all we could do was sit and listen to 854 as it thrashed away back towards Norwich. The horror . It was a good run back to Ely where after watching 47854 leave Ely with lots of noise it was back to the car for the drive home. As always I wasn't awake for too long and was waking up a couple of hours later when we got home after and excellent, brushtastic day.

 

[noddy1878]

Sounded like a good time behind 47580! How do you know you were bouncing along like a pacer if you won't get on them? I bet you've never been on one!

 

[Kite159]

Blimey a 47 didn't break down or catch fire

I take it your not the biggest fan of Holyhead then

A lucky escape from the GWML it sounded like, isn't that the day where Swindon pretty much collapsed onto itself?

 

[barrowjack]

Always enjoy reading your trip reports Fishquinn - make the most of the cats and trams while you can though - these new fangled things just aren't the same and don't have the same appeal!

Question for you - If you have read any of my reports you will see I travel from Cumbria to London alot. Been thinking of changing at Birmingham for the Cat too Marylebone. How long would I need to walk between New Street and either Moor Street or Snow Hell? Thanks

 

[Dhassell]

Always enjoy reading your trip reports Fishquinn - make the most of the cats and trams while you can though - these new fangled things just aren't the same and don't have the same appeal!

Question for you - If you have read any of my reports you will see I travel from Cumbria to London alot. Been thinking of changing at Birmingham for the Cat too Marylebone. How long would I need to walk between New Street and either Moor Street or Snow Hell? Thanks

Moor Street is closed to New Street than Snow Hill, and most Class 68 services terminate at Moor Street. If you are a quick walker, It's possible to get between the two in 15 minutes, But I would give yourself more just incase!

 

[Segedunum]

You could run between Moor Street and New Street IF you know the way in about 4 or 5 minutes, I've done it before during Storm Doris when I was running to Moor Street in hope of an actual train running!

Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

 

[roversfan2001]

I've gone from platform 2 at Moor Street to the concourse of New Street in 4 minutes without running. Minimum official connection is something ridiculous like 28 minutes. You'd likely make the xx15 departure from Moor Street off the xx05 arrival in New Street (VT from Cumbria)(with no luggage or heavy crowds etc.)

Sent from my HTC Desire 530 using Tapatalk

 

[Techniquest]

For someone not familiar with the area, I'd allow a bare minimum of 15 minutes for the New Street to Moor Street walk. I can comfortably do it platform to platform in 7 minutes at a reasonable rate, but for someone from well away I wouldn't suggest trying that, nor my 8 minute uphill walk to Snow Hill!

Quinn: JESUS you went on and on and on about Holyhead! It is NOT that bad a place to spend a few hours! Good god I felt rather insulted at the way you were slagging off North Wales as a general rule. If you don't like it up there you should have got off at Chester!

Quite, next time you go up there I'll ensure passport control block your entry!

 

[FQ]

Sounded like a good time behind 47580! How do you know you were bouncing along like a pacer if you won't get on them? I bet you've never been on one!

Dad's been one one . Well, it was more what I thought a pacer would be like

Blimey a 47 didn't break down or catch fire

I take it your not the biggest fan of Holyhead then

A lucky escape from the GWML it sounded like, isn't that the day where Swindon pretty much collapsed onto itself?

You could say the same every time you're on a 172

You could say that I'm not too keen on Holyhead, that's for sure

It is indeed the day Swindon collapsed on itself.

Always enjoy reading your trip reports Fishquinn - make the most of the cats and trams while you can though - these new fangled things just aren't the same and don't have the same appeal!

Question for you - If you have read any of my reports you will see I travel from Cumbria to London alot. Been thinking of changing at Birmingham for the Cat too Marylebone. How long would I need to walk between New Street and either Moor Street or Snow Hell? Thanks

Cheers! I agree that the new stuff just isn't the same.

As the others have said, I'd leave at least 15 minutes. If you get to Brum on an ex Cumbria pendo/voyager that should be in at about xx:05. The cats tend to leave Brum on some xx:55 services, with one exception (the 13:12 from Snow Hell) so you should have lots of time.

For someone not familiar with the area, I'd allow a bare minimum of 15 minutes for the New Street to Moor Street walk. I can comfortably do it platform to platform in 7 minutes at a reasonable rate, but for someone from well away I wouldn't suggest trying that, nor my 8 minute uphill walk to Snow Hill!

Quinn: JESUS you went on and on and on about Holyhead! It is NOT that bad a place to spend a few hours! Good god I felt rather insulted at the way you were slagging off North Wales as a general rule. If you don't like it up there you should have got off at Chester!

Quite, next time you go up there I'll ensure passport control block your entry!

It really is that bad - I know from experience. Don't get me wrong, not all of North Wales. Shotton-Rhyl on the North Wales coast is really rubbish, as are the places, but Colwyn Bay, Ludo and, most certainly Blaenau Ffestiniog aren't bad. I quite like parts of North Wales but Holyhead is certainly not one of those places. I'll admit to not having done too much exploring of a lot of places in North Wales and I'm sure there are some brilliant rural places but the places mentioned in the report aren't some of them.

 

[roversfan2001]

I agree with Quinn on this one; Holyhead is an awful place. Granted, I've only ever spent an hour there - but my God it looked so unfriendly.

 

[noddy1878]

I don't think there's much wrong with North Wales. Admittedly it's been a while since I went to Holyhead but I don't remember ever having bad thoughts about it.

 

[Techniquest]

I haven't been to Holyhead properly for a while, 2015 being my last visit and I never ventured beyond the station. In 2008 I was there for much more time though, and it really wasn't that bad a place. OK so it's not overly exciting, but there are FAR less pleasant places to visit! Certainly there are way too many places to list that are more boring, and unless you're a local you won't get fully appreciate this:

It could be worse, you could have gone to Leominster...

On a more serious note, I still feel you've given North Wales a tougher time than it really deserves. Nowhere's perfect, but if you didn't like Holyhead you wouldn't like most of the places I've been to on the Heart of Wales for a start...Or some of the smaller places in South Wales...Or some of the Valleys...

 

[FQ]

I agree with Quinn on this one; Holyhead is an awful place. Granted, I've only ever spent an hour there - but my God it looked so unfriendly.

I'm glad someone agrees with me

I don't think there's much wrong with North Wales. Admittedly it's been a while since I went to Holyhead but I don't remember ever having bad thoughts about it.

You'll need to return to Holyhead - you'll change your mind

I haven't been to Holyhead properly for a while, 2015 being my last visit and I never ventured beyond the station. In 2008 I was there for much more time though, and it really wasn't that bad a place. OK so it's not overly exciting, but there are FAR less pleasant places to visit! Certainly there are way too many places to list that are more boring, and unless you're a local you won't get fully appreciate this:

It could be worse, you could have gone to Leominster...

On a more serious note, I still feel you've given North Wales a tougher time than it really deserves. Nowhere's perfect, but if you didn't like Holyhead you wouldn't like most of the places I've been to on the Heart of Wales for a start...Or some of the smaller places in South Wales...Or some of the Valleys...

It really is dire. For places as a whole of that size there really aren't many places that could be much worse. I've never been to Leominster to can't comment on there.

I've never even been down the heart of wales line so I can't comment on ther either but I assume many places on the Valleys are bad - a lot of it is old mining towns.

 

[cactustwirly]

I'm glad someone agrees with me


You'll need to return to Holyhead - you'll change your mind


It really is dire. For places as a whole of that size there really aren't many places that could be much worse. I've never been to Leominster to can't comment on there.

I've never even been down the heart of wales line so I can't comment on ther either but I assume many places on the Valleys are bad - a lot of it is old mining towns.

The towns on the North Wales coast aren't that bad, just a little deprived like most seaside resorts.

Haven't been to Holyhead but it can't be worse than Port Talbot!!

BTW Some nice trips there!

 

[Cowley]

Well fq I very much approve of your dad being involved with 47580 as it's one of my favourite 47s, the group have done an excellent job on it and I was very pleased that it survived. Especially as it hasn't been painted in that god awful West Coast maroon like so many other class 47 survivors have (at least they have survived though).
Funnily enough 47854 was a bit of a favourite too when in old money it was 47604 as in the photo (not mine) below. A Stratford 47 on one end and a Scottish one on the other. Can't be bad.
I won't get into the North Wales debate other than to say that some of it's beautiful and some of it really isn't.
Nice report.

 

[noddy1878]

I'm glad someone agrees with me


You'll need to return to Holyhead - you'll change your mind


It really is dire. For places as a whole of that size there really aren't many places that could be much worse. I've never been to Leominster to can't comment on there.

I've never even been down the heart of wales line so I can't comment on ther either but I assume many places on the Valleys are bad - a lot of it is old mining towns.

Sorry, no doubt 'bad in your eyes' due to circumstances out of their control i.e. the mines closing! These 'mining towns' were once powering our great nation! Don't ever go to my home county, Cornwall. Once a great mining (and fishing) county and now very poor with only rich Londoners with their second homes inflating the prices.

 

[Cowley]

Sorry, no doubt 'bad in your eyes' due to circumstances out of their control i.e. the mines closing! These 'mining towns' were once powering our great nation! Don't ever go to my home county, Cornwall. Once a great mining (and fishing) county and now very poor with only rich Londoners with their second homes inflating the prices.

Let it go Noddy, you've gone to the bad place.

 

[Lou92]

I haven't been to Holyhead properly for a while, 2015 being my last visit and I never ventured beyond the station. In 2008 I was there for much more time though, and it really wasn't that bad a place.

Agreed. Mind you, the concourse between platforms 1 and 2 looks (and smells!) like an abandoned warehouse, and I actually apologised to an American tourist on behalf of Britain...

 

[FQ]

The towns on the North Wales coast aren't that bad, just a little deprived like most seaside resorts.

Haven't been to Holyhead but it can't be worse than Port Talbot!!

BTW Some nice trips there!

They really are - I've had the misfortune of spending time in some of them. At least Port Talbot will be warm, although probably for different reasons

Well fq I very much approve of your dad being involved with 47580 as it's one of my favourite 47s, the group have done an excellent job on it and I was very pleased that it survived. Especially as it hasn't been painted in that god awful West Coast maroon like so many other class 47 survivors have (at least they have survived though).
Funnily enough 47854 was a bit of a favourite too when in old money it was 47604 as in the photo (not mine) below. A Stratford 47 on one end and a Scottish one on the other. Can't be bad.
I won't get into the North Wales debate other than to say that some of it's beautiful and some of it really isn't.
Nice report.

Hellfire photo! Cheers!

Sorry, no doubt 'bad in your eyes' due to circumstances out of their control i.e. the mines closing! These 'mining towns' were once powering our great nation! Don't ever go to my home county, Cornwall. Once a great mining (and fishing) county and now very poor with only rich Londoners with their second homes inflating the prices.

I know that but it doesn't change the fact that they are grotty eg. Coventry's incredibly grotty because it was bombed badly in WW2 but that doesn't change the fact that it's a dire place.

Agreed. Mind you, the concourse between platforms 1 and 2 looks (and smells!) like an abandoned warehouse, and I actually apologised to an American tourist on behalf of Britain...

In the zone day 1

A rather basic title for this 3-day bash. I simply gave it this title because I really was in the zone on the entire, enjoyable trip, just wanting to get more and more. Anyway, what was I doing? Dad needed to be in Chippenham for work on Thursday the 4th and 5th of May 2017 with an overnight stay so I decided to go with him and do a 3 in 7 FOSS, getting the 3rd day done at some point in the next week. This would hopefully improve the amount of GWR trams I'd had for the year and 100 so I was really looking forward to the trip.

On the morning of the 4th I was up at the usual time for heading in with dad - 05:15. I'd got my clothes packed the night before so there was no worries about getting that done. I got ready for the day and we were heading out at about 05:55 for Chippenham.

The traffic was really good except a lorry somewhere en route and a tractor but both had left after affecting us for a huge amount of time. We got to Chippenham at about 08:00 so we wandered over to the station and, as I tried to take a picture of a tram I realized something really annoying. I'd forgotten to charge my camera. It died on me pretty much instantly. So much for taking tram photos then... :roll:

We headed over to the station buffet and I got us a sausage and egg bap each, which was absolutely amazing and highly recommended if you're ever at Chippenham. We had a nice brekky and chat before I had to change platform for the 08:42 Paignton. 43079 was leading this morning but I didn't get the rear powercar before boarding, asking dad to text me when he saw it. He did so and I knew that Nat would be annoyed when he saw that I had it because it was 43186, a powercar that he only needed 68 miles to clear for 1000. I got a bay of 2 to myself without any problems and it was a swift run to Bristol where I bailed, clearing 186 for 900 in the process.

I knew what my plan was for the first part of the day but, due to being held outside the station for a couple of minutes I missed my connection onto the 09:10 Bristol Parkway cart. This didn't affect me too much though - it just meant I lost out on a winner cart and shack. Instead I headed over to the bay platform and boarded winner 150261 on the 09:16 to Severn Beach. I took this two stops to Stapleton Road, a shack score, and didn't have too long to wait for winner 150249 to return me to Temple Meads, getting me there not long before my next service.

My next train was one that I've left at Temple Meads several times but never boarded there. It was the train the I tend to get to Bristol from New Street when doing a tram spin and it was 43357 and 43321 in charge today. I got on board and we were soon on the move on what was a fun ride south to Exeter St Davids. 37218 and 37059 were noted on a flask train at Bridgewater but there wasn't much else noted before Exeter, where we arrived on time. I watched the XC set leave towards Plymouth before changing platforms to wait for my next set. I could soon see it approaching and it was double dud for 100 but winners for the year 43145 and 43078 in charge today, the latter being identified after I bailed. There was a couple of annoying normals behind me and the seats were rubbish as usual but I managed to make it to Swindon without going utterly insane. Now time to observe.

Well, my observation went well. I ran to get the rear powercar after bailing and then saw another tram arriving heading towards Swansea. The leading powercar was dull (except for the year) so I ran through the subway and up onto the other platform before heading to the back powercar. The moment I saw that it featured a powercar on my needs list I jumped on board, 43021 being boring but 43088 being needed for 100.

I checked my notes to see how far I needed to go to clear it for 100 and found out that Bristol Parkway would do the trick. Making use of my i-pod I spent a bit of time reading trip reports before making a plan for Bristol Parkway. It's a rather annoying shack with a +25 from this direction so I was considering getting a cart down to Temple Meads to get another tram from there. I then noticed that the return working which would be a -5 was running a couple of minutes late. If it lost a few more minutes then I'd make the connection. I didn't expect to make it but I was at the vestibule window as we were arriving and saw no tram in the opposite platform. I got off and quickly ran over getting there as 43180 was arriving. Connection made! To be honest that wasn't what I was thinking at the time though. What I was thinking was 'excellent - another winner for 100'! Two down! I waited at the back of the train to get the rear powercar, which was boring 43138.

I was pleased to see the 43180 was to be cleared for 100 by Swindon so that'd be another taken off the list. We were soon reaching Swindon where I changed platforms and didn't have to wait on the westbound platform long before the 14:00 Temple Meads arrived with 43030 and 43190. The leading one was needed for 100 so I got on board and, after working out where I needed to go to clear it, bailed at Bath. A platform change was had and a short wait for the next Paddington bound, which I was very surprised had yet another winner for 100 on it - my god I'm doing well! 43156 was the 100-mile-requirement and was being accompanied by 43163 so I got on board and was soon heading back towards Swindon, which was where I'd needed to go to clear it. We passed a late running Bristol bound service at Swindon and I saw yet another winner for 100 on it. I didn't bail but jotted down what it was on even though I wouldn't be able to clear it because it was only on 41 miles at that point.

I got off at Swindon and decided that it was now lunchtime so headed into town, hoping to find something. Wandering away from the station reinforced my hatred of Swindon but I managed to find a high street at some point so I could get something. It seems Sainsbury's and Tesco have the right idea and don't have a store in Swindon (well, at least in plain view on the high street) but I found a Greggs without any problems so got lunch from there before heading back to the station ready for the 15:30 Weston-Super-Mare.

I spoke to dad when I got back to the station to say how it was going and that the plan was to get that Weston train to Bath to pick up the winner for 100 that I'd seen at Chippenham earlier in the day but, when he heard that it was going to Weston he said that I should take it straight through to get another GWR tram destination off the list. I said that I'd think about it and take a look at times etc. and was soon boarding 43175 and 43005, the former being needed for 100 but would be cleared by Chippenham. This was one of the sets with the green interior and I managed to get a bay of 4 without any problems.

I used my i-pod to go back onto GWR wifi to take a look at RTT (it saves using the phone) and found out that it wouldn't take much out of the rest of my day to go to Weston and that the tram only spends 20 minutes there before going back non-stop to Temple Meads. Because of that I decided to go throughout to Weston-super-Mare, a shack score.

We stopped at Yatton and Worle on the way and got held at Worle junction for a late running cart before going on the winner track through to Super-Mare. I was the only person in the coach after Worle, which was nice and I got off at Weston to get some photos of the powercars using my i-pod but, as expected, they came out very poorly. Oh well - next time I'll just need to make sure I charge the camera.

We were soon on the move back towards Bristol, 43005 leading 43175 this time and it was a quick, non-stop journey except getting held at Bedminster for a couple of moments. Knowing that area of Bristol isn't the nicest you wonder why they'd risk holding anything there for over 30 seconds - it'd probably get stones thrown at it or something . Anyway, we were soon arriving at Temple Meads which was home to a XC tram on the 17:30 Leeds and a colas betty (806) on a cement train. Not bad really, considering that there was also a tram set in platform 13 meaning that there were 7 locos at Temple Meads in one go!

The train filled up after Temple Meads with me getting wedged out in my bay of 4 by someone. I checked times to get back to Chippenham at about 19:15 as requested but found that it'd be rather hard without purposely waiting for one due to a gap in services from Bath to Chippenham for an hour. I let dad know that I'd probably need to be back at 18:15 instead but then came up with a different option that I very quickly checked as we were nearing Swindon. I found that it'd work and get me back to Chippenham at 19:15 so called dad again and asked if that was OK. He was fine with it so, instead of getting off 005 and 175 at Swindon I continued to Didcot.

After a quick journey down a dull part of the Great Western Mainline I was bailing and changing platform for the 18:42 Temple Meads. I wasn't waiting long for it and I was absolutely delighted (no sarcasm) to see 43162 leading - another winner for 100! I'm doing so well today! I had to get the rear powercar, dud 43032, after bailing but it was a nice enough ride back to Chippenham, being ticket checked while at Swindon station strangely enough. I showed my rover and was very surprised when the ticket checker (I presume an RPI) asked to see the date boxes too - this is the first time I've ever had that asked in all my rovers!

I was soon getting to Chippenham, 43162 having passed the 100-mile mark, and I watched it leave before wandering over to the car and meeting dad there. We then hopped in and drove to our B&B for the night, The Jolly Huntsman in Kington St Michael, a place not far away. We relaxed in the room for a few minutes before heading over for dinner to decide what we were to have. It took ages but I eventually decided on going for paté and warm bread for starter and fish and chips for main. Dad went for pigeon breast for starter and savory pancakes for the main - neither of us were in the mood for kangaroo or alpaca, both of which were also on the menu.

Dinner was excellent and we were both absolutely stuffed when it was finished. We headed back to our room after and we weren't up too long before heading to bed, both of us now rather tired. Brekky had been requested for 07:00 so we set the alarm for about 06:30 and headed to bed after a fun first day on the trams.

 

[FQ]

In the zone day 2

Neither of us slept brilliantly and I got up first, popping onto the laptop for a few minutes before dad got up. We soon headed down for brekky, going for the usual full English (which was great). We had a nice chat with one of the waiters before checking out and heading back to the car for the drive to Chippenham. We'd soon got there and both wandered over to the station, my plan being to get the 08:26 to Swindon. I said bye to dad and could soon see it arriving with a pair of powercars that I'd had the day before. I got on board anyway but decided to stay next to an open door to see what was on the late running 08:17 Temple Meads in case it was on my hit list. The moment I saw that 43034 was leading I ran over and got on board the 9 coach set. I've no idea why it was a 9-car one but it meant I had no problems getting a bay of 4 to myself. I asked dad to text me the back powercar and I was surprised to hear that it was 43156, which I'd had the day before as an 8-car set with 163.

034 needed more than just the run to Bristol to clear it for 100 so I decided to wait for a while at Bristol for it to go back out. It was a nice enough fester including seeing 37254 and I was soon leaving Temple Meads again on 43156 and 43034. I took this through to Swindon and watched it leave before seeing a pair of GWR's new awful units arrive - 800001 and 800002. I got talking to another rail enthusiast who had something in common with me - he also hates IEPs. We had a chat about them and Bath station got mentioned - I'd been wondering about it. It turns out my theory was correct and that they've actually reduced the platform length to straighten the curve out meaning a tram only has 7 doors opening now. Utterly ridiculous :roll:.

I was next on the 10:25 Temple Meads as it had a required for 100 powercar leading, 43033. 43147 was on the back and I found out that I'd need to go straight through to Temple Meads to clear it. I did so and it was an uneventful journey back to Bristol, where I saw what my next tram set would be. Neither powercar was required for 100 this time but both were needed for the year so I had no problems with getting 43189 and 43023 back to Swindon, using the wifi to do another forum catchup.

Arrival at Swindon was on time at about 12:10, which allowed me to get onto the other platform in time to view the 12:13 Cardiff. I didn't really want to wait around and I knew that doing this would get me the maximum amount of mileage available even though it did mean a wait at Bristol Parkway. This would be reduced slightly by the fact that the 12:13 was running late due to both a freight train and a railtour with 67006 and 67022. It was soon arriving at about 12:20 with double duds for 100 (but winners for the year) 43165 and 43086. Both of these powercars are rather high mileage but another 34 would just put them even higher up.

It was, as usual, a rather dull journey through to Bristol Parkway but my wait there wasn't too long and I was spending the time texting Nat who had just apparently seen one of my two last required dezes for haulage at Rugby and felt the need to tell me about it. Because of that I just felt the need to remind him that I was out tram bashing, which I presume would've wiped the smile off his face. 43130 and 43196 were in charge of the 13:02 Paddington so I hopped on board and got a seat. It was formed of 7 coaches today with coach B being missing and once I told Nat which set I was on he asked if coach B was still declassified 1st class. The stupid TOC has removed the coach instead of letting passengers enjoy slightly more comfort than the rocks they put in standard! Oh, sorry. That's giving rocks a bad name...

They delivered me to Swindon a couple of minutes late, much to my annoyance. It was a +3 onto a Bristol bound tram that I'd be able to get back to Chippenham but it was leaving as we were arriving and had a powercar that was needed for 100 in the formation. Darn. I instead had to wait the half-hour until the next Bristol and decided to get lunch. I obviously needed to ask to be let out of the barriers due to my ticket being a rover and, just like the previous day, had my date boxes checked at this point! Wow!

I decided to search for a Tesco or Sainsbury's by turning a different way on the high street and had soon found a Tesco so went to get some lunch. I went for a couple of pasties and also got a couple of GU puddings because they were reduced and would do well for pudding that evening. I paid and headed back to the station, a normal commenting on how they liked my fleece before I tucked into my lunch. I went for a Ginsters pasty and I can say that it'll probably be my last - it was dire. I was soon watching my tram set back to Chippenham, the 14:00 arrive and I was annoyed to see incredibly dull 43128 leading, which was needed for the year but not 100. I got even more annoyed when I saw stalker 43004 on the back, which was not only dud for 100 but also for the year. What a bad way to end the day (well, considering that I could've got a winner for 100 and double winner for the year it was a bad way to end the day).

I'd soon got back to Chippenham where I headed back over to dad's car and met up
with him there before piling in for the ride home. A great two days of my rover with the third and final day to come at some point in the next week. I can't wait!

 

[Techniquest]

I thought Bath had changed, having had quick glances on my journeys through there this weekend. I need to get off the train there and have a proper look, but that is odd. Mind you if the platform is wider now that's not a bad thing.

I see I'm not the only one who had a power car swap within 24 hours. I had 43145+43174 yesterday (bet my mileages on them are better than yours ) but I had the same set today just with 43162 instead of 43145. Surprised they didn't swap the mini buffet mind as it still had air conditioning issues as per yesterday!

 

[47403]

Paddington for Prestatyn

OK. Maybe not. That'd be the most crazy thing in the land of crazy. Going to Prestatyn instead of Paddington? My god, kill me now. No, kill me if I decide to go to Prestatyn instead of Paddington at some point in the future because life wouldn't be worth living if that ever happened .

Anyway, Saturday the 29th of April 2017 was the date that Nat, dad and I planned to do a Thamesline. It was also the date of a NENTA tour to Holyhead, which we decided against doing for a few reasons. 1. Holyhead is a total dump. 2. Holyhead is a total dump. 3. Holyhead is a total dump. 4. Holyhead is a total dump and 5. Holyhead is a total dump. The brush for this tour were giong to be 804 and 826 so we weren't too fussed about missing these but 47854 went out instead of 826. Still, we'll get more from a Thamesline because, well, Holyhead or Hayes and Harlington? Then it was announced that 804 had failed at Newark on the way down which changed everything. Because replacing it was 47580. Brush time!

It wasn't until Nat had come round for a sleepover on the Friday evening that we knew about the change of brush on the tour. Dad is part owner of 580 and it's one hellfire monster, that's for sure. Nat still wanted to go for the Thamesline but dad and I outvoted him with the brush saying that we may do one in May. OK, fine. There was no may about it (except the month - look at me, I'm confusing myself). We'd do an all day Thamesline sometime in May. Sorted.

Dad called NENTA the night before and booked tickets arranging for us to board at Ely. We headed to bed with the aim to be up at much the same time as if we were going for a Thamesline and were soon getting up ready for the day ahead.

We were heading off by 05:00 and our first stop was for petrol. We decided to head to the local Tesco because it's cheaper than the roadside one we pass on the way but got there to find it shut until 06:00. Blast! Instead it was back along the road, wasting more petrol to stop at the roadside one to fill up before heading towards Anglia.

It was an uneventful drive, going along some B roads that bounced us around like a pacer, and we managed to find Ely without any trouble, driving through town before parking at the station. Ely station is right next to a rather large Tesco so we decided to go in there to get brekky stuff, which would be on me. There was also a Costa on there so, with it being just before 07:00, I could see what was probably my earliest creamy cooler to date. The Costa didn't open until 07:00 so we went to grab some bits for brekky first, going for some danishes, before making use of a 3 for £1.20 deal on choccy bars for later. I got these and we then headed to Costa, Nat getting a creamy cooler for him and me, dad going for a coffee. We then took them across to the station.

A Norwich bound 170 was arriving as we got there and I was pleased to hear that it was one of them that stopped at Shippea Hill. 'Go for the shack score' dad said, jokingly. Ummm... No thanks . I've got much better traction coming up! 70007, the best betty, came through a couple of moments later, coming to a stop to await a route onto the single line section towards Ipswich. A 66 then came off the branch but the betty waited slightly longer for yet another locohauled train to come off the branch...

47580! What a beast... This was a winner for Nat so he was glad to get it but probably not as glad as dad and I as we had history with this loco (particularly dad). We reported to the coach that we were told to on the phone the night before and were handed our tickets before we could go to our bay of 4 in coach B, which just the 3 of us were at. This was the 2nd coach away from 580 so we had maximum noise from it. Sounding very sweet it powered us away from my first (and only) shack score and over the many waterways towards Peterborough.

We'd soon reached Peterborough and Nat scored a winner 66 in the depot as we passed. It was now onto the tedious bit of track towards Leicester. It was a dull run and I was glad when it was over but before joining the Midland Mainline we had to let a DBS 66 and an FL 70 pass. Then it was a quick run to Leicester where we paused for a couple of minutes allowing me to get a photo of a well-timed tram.
Leicester HST by fishquinn1, on Flickr
We then sat back and relaxed and were soon swinging over to go through Nuneaton non-stop on platform 7, the Leicester bound platform. We stayed on that track for a minute or so before going to swing down onto the West Coast Mainline. We were held at a signal for a dez and, because of this, Nat managed to see yet another winner blue death as it came off the line from the Brum direction. Lucky Nat (it's probably worth noting that I cleared my 66s a couple of days later with 66767 so I'm still ahead ).

We were soon racing down the West Coast Mainline towards Tamworth. Not too much was seen en route and we were soon passing Basford Hall and Crewe LNWR before arriving on platform 11. There was a stop for quite a while here to both wait time and let some normals bail so lots of people lot off, myself included, to get photos. It was good to get some more phots of 580 having not got any since it was at the Mid Norfolk in 2012.
Essex out of region by fishquinn1, on Flickr
I got back on again not too long later and we were soon on the move, heading past Crewe Electric where I managed to score a skoda for sight that I haven't been able to ID in the past. It was a spirited run to Chester where we let more passengers get off and I saw my last required 507, and penultimate Merseyrail unit. It was annoying but I most certainly wasn't bailing even though the next section was the dreaded coast. Why dreaded? It tends to mean you're going to Holyhead, or one of the other absolute delights on this route such as sh*tton, Flint, Prestatyn or Rhyl. Oh well, the brush thrash will keep me calm.

A stopping cart was let out ahead of us so it was a slow run as far as Colwyn Bay. I didn't notice much of it though because I'd fallen asleep, accidently drooling all over the table when doing so. Honestly, I have no idea if it was being asleep or the excellent noise from County of Essex up front that did it though .

I quickly nipped off at Ludo junction to grab another photo while even more normals bailed. I didn't have long but dad was at the door to make sure I wasn't left behind.
47580 by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Nat and I managed to get a window up front as we left Ludo, which was absolutely hellfire, particularly with a tunnel. I took a seat again not too long after and noticed how perfectly the station sign was aligned at Bangor...
B for Bangor by fishquinn1, on Flickr
I was, once again, up front leaving Bangor and it was winner track after here for Nat. The huge lions let us pass into Anglesey without a fight and we were soon passing through countryside and getting to Holyhead. What a letdown...

We wandered down to 47854 next to get a few photos and, on one of my close ups I took, a photo of a partly folded (as in some of the sticky bit has come off so you can't read it) notice was readable. The part I could see read 'Smoking can seriously improve your engine's health'. I noticed that 4 days before 47854 caught fire at Northampton on a tour to Windsor. Oh dear - it looks like the notice was taken too literally.
Holyhead by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Too literal by fishquinn1, on Flickr
We then decided to head into town to find some lunch and stopped on a stupidly high footbridge to get a photo of 580. Annoyingly you can't view the camera screen when taking a photo because of the height of the bridge so it's a case of holding the camera above your head and hoping for the best: this is one of my shots.
From the bridge by fishquinn1, on Flickr

After that we headed into the awful town in hunt of a chippy. One was located after a while so we went in. We certainly weren't expecting any miracles from our stuff: dad and I got a fishcake each, Nat getting a battered sausage, and we got a large chips to share. It turns out we judged the chippy too soon - the chips were absolutely amazing and we were all glad we went for them. Now time for a drink.

Dad wanted a coffee so we decided to head to one of the coffee shops but got there just as it closed - it was only about 14:30 at this point too. Oh well - let's go to a supermarket to get something for dinner we thought. We noticed an Asda not far away but it took a while to find out how to get there because pedestrians weren't allowed to walk down the road. We managed to find a way eventually and got stuff for dinner - some rolls and ham along with crisps and fruit (and some beer for dad) - before going back to the station and getting some more photos of the brush.
Between the signals by fishquinn1, on Flickr
47580 by fishquinn1, on Flickr
47580 by fishquinn1, on Flickr
We then went back down onto the platform and got some more photos of 47580.
County of Essex by fishquinn1, on Flickr
47580 by fishquinn1, on Flickr
The DVT and the brush by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Then it was back to our seats to wait for departure from Holyhead, 47854 now to be powering.

We'd soon left Anglesey and reached Bangor without any problems. We picked several passengers up here before moving on; next stop Llandudno Junction. As we left there I headed up to the vestibule window to get some photos of 854.
Powering away by fishquinn1, on Flickr

On the next stretch we got to see Rhyl and Prestatyn in the best way possible: at speed. With the run down section after Colwyn Bay we were glad to eventually make it to Chester. Some more passengers were picked up here before heading onwards to Crewe where we had a quick stop in platform 6. I needed a drink at this point so headed to the buffet for some water and a refill of dad's thermal mug with hot water, noticing the 1st class passengers tucking into dinner. We planned to start our own dinner upon departure from Crewe, which is exactly what we did. Wow did those rolls go down well. 854 was sounding absolutely brilliant on the run reminding me why it's one of my favourite brush (not that I needed reminding) and, I have to say, it out performed 580 on this tour. Still, County of Essex is one hellfire 47.

At Nuneaton we crossed back onto the Leicester lines and followed them through to Leicester where we were looped for a pathing stop allowing me to get a couple of photos. Warning: photos may contain 170s .
Peek-a-boo by fishquinn1, on Flickr

I tried to get a video to help ID the stuff in Leicester depot but it came out completely awfully so I just had to rely on what Nat said for the stuff we didn't get on the way out - still, they were all duds. Just after swinging onto boredom line of the midlands - Syston to Peterborough - we passed 37254 and 37057, having seen them in Peterborough yard earlier in the day. Dad stood up for this journey and I did a forum catch up using his work phone and found out some information that I was really shocked about (not that I should be, knowing the line). Had we gone for a Thamesline on that day we would've been attached to another object by an incline plane wrapped helically around an axis (screwed). A major signaling problem had pretty much drawn the GWML to a stop with no trams leaving Paddington between about 13:00 and 20:00 except maybe an Oxford and a Hereford. Lucky escape!

Nat scored another of his winner GBRF 66s at Peterborough, taking him down to needing only a handful. It was pretty much dark by now so all we could do was sit and listen to 854 as it thrashed away back towards Norwich. The horror . It was a good run back to Ely where after watching 47854 leave Ely with lots of noise it was back to the car for the drive home. As always I wasn't awake for too long and was waking up a couple of hours later when we got home after and excellent, brushtastic day.

Loved reading every minute of this, I'd have loved every single minute of that Tour too. I think 47580 should get its white roof back. Thanks for sharing this Quinn.

 

[FQ]

I thought Bath had changed, having had quick glances on my journeys through there this weekend. I need to get off the train there and have a proper look, but that is odd. Mind you if the platform is wider now that's not a bad thing.

I see I'm not the only one who had a power car swap within 24 hours. I had 43145+43174 yesterday (bet my mileages on them are better than yours ) but I had the same set today just with 43162 instead of 43145. Surprised they didn't swap the mini buffet mind as it still had air conditioning issues as per yesterday!

My mileages on those powercar are like this:
43145: 369.75
43174: 113.00
43162: 134.50

Loved reading every minute of this, I'd have loved every single minute of that Tour too. I think 47580 should get its white roof back. Thanks for sharing this Quinn.

Agreed - it'd look excellent with a white roof.

 

[Techniquest]

Much grr, I get 502 Bad Gateway trying to load my HST mileages on RM. I've demolished the figures you have for 43174 mind just from the London bash

 

[55013]

As usual, I'm playing catch up and just read your last few adventures.
Fantastic stuff.
I agree about Holyhead, although the rest of Anglesey is lovely, as is Wales generally.
If you think Holyhead is bad during the day, you should try spending a few hours there in the middle of the night.
We did many a boat train move, arriving there on a 37 at 01 something then loitering until 03 whatever for another tractor back out.
Happy days

 

[FQ]

As usual, I'm playing catch up and just read your last few adventures.
Fantastic stuff.
I agree about Holyhead, although the rest of Anglesey is lovely, as is Wales generally.
If you think Holyhead is bad during the day, you should try spending a few hours there in the middle of the night.
We did many a boat train move, arriving there on a 37 at 01 something then loitering until 03 whatever for another tractor back out.
Happy days

I agree with you there. I'll pass on spending a night in Holyhead - I can't think of much things worse! Sounds like a good boat train move though, even though it was to Holyhead.



In the zone day 3

Day 3 of my FOSS. I'd chosen Wednesday the 10th of May for my last day and I'd be heading to and from Bristol on an XC tram, heading in with dad. I set my alarm for the usual time on the Tuesday evening and got a rather bad night sleep before having to get up at 05:30. I got ready for the day and made some lunch at the same time so I didn't need to get it while out. We headed to the car at about 05:50 and drove to Leam, having to brake for a few suicidal pigeons on the way. We had soon got to Leamington and eventually the station where it was onto the platform ready for the 06:24 to Moor Street.

I was surprised to see 66516 on a freight that should be a heavy haul 66 so it tells me that I was probably right about all of FL's 66s now being in a mixed pool. Anyway, after that it was onto 165020 for the ride to Birmingham, passing Colas shovels 023 and 027 at Tyseley. We'd soon reached Snow Hell where it was over to Wetherspoon for brekky. Pancakes were had as usual, dad buying this time.

I'd been worried about what was going to appear for me to Bristol today because the set that should've ended up at Leeds to form this one had run into difficulties the day before and had been caped at Bristol on its way to Plymouth so I had no idea if it'd made it back to Leeds or if an unspeakably horrible thing had taken its place. I decided to check using a handy source that I know (although it isn't always updated) and I was very pleased to see that 1V44 was running on time with a tram set. Potential dilemma avoided.

We headed our separate ways at about 07:55 and I'd soon reached New Street. I didn't have long to wait before I could hear an MTU rumble (the thing about New Street is that you'll probably hear the train before seeing it due to the low light and high smog ). My gen was correct about the powercars - 43321 and 43357. This was good for me as both were still needed for 1000 but only just in 321's case - it was on 945 miles so would be cleared by Bristol.

It was in reverse formation today so I got a seat fairly close to the front - a bay of 4 to be precise. The run was enjoyable and I decided to bail at Bristol Parkway after looking at my options, 43321 safely past the magical thou'.
Bristol Parkway by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Heading for Temple Meads by fishquinn1, on Flickr
I did this because it'd give me less than 10 minutes before a tram to Swindon which was today in charge of double requirement for the year (but duds for 100) 43087 and 43056. I got on board and was soon on the move for the 34-mile journey up to Swindon where I wanted to make a +2. This was easily doable because my connecting service was running about 5-late so I had time to get a photo of 056 before double requirement for the year (again, duds for 100) 43017 and 43071.
Swindon HST by fishquinn1, on Flickr

I got on board and because neither powercar was on my hit list I decided to bail at Chippenham. This would actually get me onto the same set I would've got had I taken the Cross Country tram though to Temple Meads. Anyway, after arrival I headed over to the Sainsbury's local just outside the station to grab a drink. I got a bottle of water and headed back to the station for my tram to Swindon.

I could soon see a regular blue powercar approaching which surprised me when I saw the number as it was required for 100 43146. I was surprised for a rather basic reason - for the past several years this powercar has been in an advertising livery saying 'building a greater west', along with 144. I was glad that it was this powercar anyway because it was needed for 100 and would be cleared by Swindon. Excellent. The back powercar was a dull one, 43164. I got a photo of 164 before hopping on board and taking a journey through to Swindon.

Back at Swindon I was soon watching an IEP arrive. While I hate almost everything about the awful units with a passion I do have to admit that the front ends look very stylish. Shame the engine makes the whole station rumble, and not in a good way.
Waste of time, waste of money by fishquinn1, on Flickr
I got a couple of photos for the record of it and was soon watching the 10:59 Paignton arrive. I was very pleased to see that a winner for 100, 43124, was leading. Dud for 100 (but winner for the year) 43141 was on the back.
Swindon by fishquinn1, on Flickr
I got a bay of 2 on board and made use of GWR's wifi to do a trip report catch up and an RTT browse, moving to a bay of 4 that became free at Bath. It was on departure from Bath that I heard the service was going via Weston-Super-Mare. My plan had been to bail at Temple Meads for another set back out but 124 wouldn't be cleared by there. There were now two things compelling me to continue towards Exeter - the chance of winner track from Weston to joining back on the mainline and a powercar clearance for 100. I did a few checks and found out that my mileage would actually be better if I stayed on so that was what I did. Exeter here we come!

We went via Weston as planned and it was a nice enough journey down towards Taunton and forward to Exeter St Davids where I bailed and watched the tram leave before changing platform for the next part of my plan. I got to see several failed attempts at trying to get a voyager on the move (including several engine shutdowns), which was fun, and I was soon watching my next set arrive, the 13:04 Paddington. This was unfortunately double duds for the year and 100 43191 and 43155 but I've had so much luck over the past few days so who cares (except me, that is )?

I got a bay of 2 on board for the short ride and I was soon leaving the train at Tiverton Parkway where a few photos were got. I watched the GWR set leave and was then watching a Cross Coutnry set arrive heading for Plymouth. A few phots were got of this too before I headed back to the up platform (bound for the sky, as VT would probably say ).
Heading for Padd by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Heading for Plymouth by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Then it was time for my train back to Birmingham (yes, already). This was, as expected, the same set as earlier on so I got a nice bay of 4 towards the front of a set sandwiched between 43357 and 43321 for the uneventful run home.

My ticket got checked on departure from Taunton and I was, for the third time on my rover, asked for the date boxes! It hadn't ever happened to me before the start day of this rover and it's occurred 3 times before the end! I moved to a bay of 2 in the last coach before Temple Meads because it'd likely be less busy and I wasn't wedged out, thankfully.

We were held outside Bristol Parkway for a few moments before moving forward. The reason for this soon became clear - a late running ex Cardiff tram was in the platform but instead of making us wait to go in on our usual platform they decided to put us into the one that the carts use for terminating, which was a first for me on a tram. Other than that nothing much of note happened through to Brum except the fact that I was hoping we'd go via the Camp Hill as we were in reverse formation. We didn't and I got to New Street just as dad was leaving Moor Street. Brilliant.

I had soon left the bat cave for the walk to an even more dire station - Snow Hell. This would put me on the 16:12 back to Leamington as usual and I was pleased to see that a 168/2 had graced me with its presence instead of the /0 that I always seem to get. 168215 was duly boarded and it was a dull run back through to Leamington, getting there a minute or so late at 16:46. Dad was waiting on the platform so I headed over to him and we both wandered back over to the car after a fun day out.

 

[Kite159]

While I hate almost everything about the awful units with a passion

Funny how you can hate something with a passion when you have never been on board to see what it is like :roll:

Especially since you hate the seats on a GWR HST so much