TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
I’ve always just called them “two seaters” 
not the proper term of bays/airline seats!
not the proper term of bays/airline seats!
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I do like the XC HSTs. If I remember correctly the XC HSTs have the same seats as the VTEC ones. I'm also glad that someone else dislikes standard on GWR - I hate those seats.Wow, that a sounds really good trip I've not been on a CrossCountry HST since 2015! I'm quite often on the Virgin ones though because I really like HSTs and my brother is up for any train if it is a Virgin one so the VTEC ones are great! They have the same seats don't they? I find them much nicer than other High Speed Train seats, especially standard on GWR.
Definitely worth going for 68009 instead
As Roversfan says, that's simply what I call an airline seat (for no reason whatsoever).
As long as you know what you mean then that's the main thingI’ve always just called them “two seaters”
Kite159
Veteran Member
It was only going to be on a leap to Leamington Spa to allow the train to empty out a bit more
Keith Jarrett
Member
Me playing catch up too! And good that another regular correspondent is still out and about on the rails.
Some more successful adventures there and decent phots too.
Some more successful adventures there and decent phots too.
Loss of 20 miles chiefIt was only going to be on a leap to Leamington Spa to allow the train to empty out a bit more
Cheers. Still loads more to come...
The XC livery on HSTs is just brilliant. I don't know what it is about it but it works so well and is certainly my favourite of the HST liveries.
Cheers!
cactustwirly
Established Member
It quite good, but I think I prefer GWR green or FGW dynamic lines.
EMT also works quite well on the MK3s, but I'm not a fan of the swoop on the powercars.
Both GWR green and FGW dynamic lines are excellent liveries too and I fully agree with you regarding EMT - it's great on the MK3s but the powercars could do without that orange swoop. Otherwise EMT is also a great livery on them.
Over the banks
The 29th of July was a trip booked in advance and was one that dad, Nat and I all wanted to do before the trams left: my second Devon Day Ranger (the first having been in 2013). We booked advances from Reading in order to get into area and formed a plan for the day involving a few runs over the Devon banks. It was to be a morning drive to Didcot on the Saturday and, with Nat having a sleepover it was simple to get out of the boat for 05:00. The drive down the M40 was uneventful and we got to Didcot with good time for our train to Reading, the first HST of the day (as usual). A trip to the TVM was made for our returns to Reading and it was onto the platform with only a short wait before 43037 and 43127 rolled in on the 06:29 Paddington.
Unlike most of our previous trips on this service there was no need to get a Thamesline while on board so it was just a case of chilling out in a bay of 4 and waiting for Reading, which was exactly where it was meant to be (it'd be a bit freaky if it wasn't). Next on the agenda was breakfast. We wandered into Reading to see what there was and we were all surprised at how hostile it felt at this time on a Saturday morning, with loads of homeless people and simply abusive people from a night out everywhere. We ended up in a Mc Rancids and got a homeless guy a coffee and ice drink while in there. Breakfast wasn't great (as expected) but it filled a hole so it did the job (and was actually quite expensive for what it was). We headed back through this hostile part of Reading to get to the station and had to wait there for quite a while for our service, seeing Eavis heading towards London while we were there. I checked at what it was booked to do later and found that it was booked to go to Paignton but would unfortunately not be gettable. Our service, the 07:35 Penzance, was running bang on time and, while dad and Nat waited where we knew our reserved coach would be, I waited at the back so both powercars could be identified. 43069 and 43149, both needed for a photo, were the powercars of choice this morning and I ran down to dad and Nat before boarding. Dad and I got our reserved seats, Nat standing in the vestibule as he doesn't like wedging anyone out (the words get a grip come to mind). It was good fun to leave Reading in this direction, something I haven't done for ages, and I was actually looking forward to this long distance journey straight through to Plymouth.
The Berks and Hants starts off nicely (about as far as Bedwyn) before becoming really dull. It isn't so bad before Pewsey but after that you need to knaw your own arm off to get through it. I managed to resist the temptation of doing that this time as I hadn't traveled on the route for a while but commuters from Taunton must have trouble without arms. We got caught behind a stone train for a bit before passing it just after Pewsey. The guard caught someone without their railcard and I was pleased to note followed correct procedure at charging for a new ticket and letting them know that they could claim it back if they produced a valid railcard at a later date. The guy being charged didn't see it this way and called the guard a racist. This occurred in the vestibule while dad was window hanging so the guard also asked dad if he'd done the correct thing once the guy had paid up (which took a while). Dad's answer was a definite yes.
The bit from Exeter through to Plymouth was great as always, with an excellent view of the sea for part of it and then a brilliant run across the banks. Definitely one of, my favourite stretches of about 50 miles in the country. Arrival at Plymouth was on time and I had to be quick when I got there in order to secure photos of both powercars as it included a run to another platform to get decent ones. I managed it (even though it was raining so I got wet in the process) and our wait at Plymouth wasn't long once that tram had left - only about 10 minutes.
Plymouth HST by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Plymouth by fishquinn1, on Flickr
43158 and 43131, neither particularly inspiring, were on the 10:43 Paddington. Once it came to a stop the doors were unlocked for about a second before being locked again almost instantly. I know what they say about wanting to shorten station dwell times but that's just taking the pi*s. Luckily the doors were unlocked after about 10 seconds to allow many people off and an almost equal number back on. We managed to land a bay of 4 in the half standard/half 1st coach and were soon on the move towards Exeter.
Quite a few things were viewable in Laira depot as we passed, including 43033 minus an engine (one that both dad and Nat wanted) giving the odd sight of being able to see straight through the loco. Back to Exeter we went on this (for it was a non stop service - quite fun doing Newton Abbot non-stop) and our plan had us with 37 minutes here before the next tram. Dad had his work phone on him so I decided to check to see if a run to Exeter Central would be doable (provided it wasn't a pacer) and also checked the walking route back. The walk back appeared to be easy and there was a train that could get me to Central so I decided to go for it provided that there was something other than a 143 on it. Dad was to head to the pub here as a trip down memory lane (many trips to this particular pub had been made back in the day) and Nat wanted to do some Stagecoach bus spotting so it was a total split up. I was very pleased to see a 'formed of 3 coaches' message next to my service because, after confirming with Nat, it couldn't be a solo 143. It turns out that this was a rather busy 143/153 combination with me (obviously) sitting in winner 153380.
It was actually winner track up the hill to Exeter Central, which was a winner shack. As we arrived at Exeter Central I noticed a service back to St Davids arriving on the other platform and it didn't even have a 143 in the combination. I was highly surprised to see that it was 3 153s. I sprinted over the bridge and managed to get on board winner 153372 leading winner 153333 leading dud 153318. I ended up sat in the middle unit for the run down the hill back to St Davids. 3 winner units, a winner shack and some winner track isn't bad for a 7-minute return trip!
Once I'd got back to the station it was a case of exiting it and meeting up with Nat who was still getting bus numbers outside. Dad was then noticed returning because his pub had unfortunately closed over the years. I headed to Smiths and, using my gift card got us each a bar of chocolate to soften the blow of loss of beer and we all headed to the platform in order to get on the 12:12 service though to Newton Abbot. This service was a Penzance bound and would also be the one that we get back to Reading later in the day (going to Penzance and back before we see it again) so I was glad to see that 43159 was on the back as we'd all had this to Pembroke Dock so it was rather high mileage. 43017, which was leading, was fairly low mileage for Nat so he was happy with that. We got seats on board no trouble and it was a nice run along the sea wall (unfortunately without any massive waves hitting us) and we had a tight plus to make at Newton Abbot onto the one back. 43098 was identified as we came down the steps onto the opposite platform and, as the last thing I'd seen this powercar with had been one on my hit list I immediately headed to the back and confirmed that it was indeed hundred-mile requirement 43193 on the back. Furthermore it would be cleared by Exeter. Result!
The wait at Exeter was only 10 minutes for the 13:14, which was to be ours for another run down to Plymouth. 43091 was leading 43063 for this service and we hopped aboard.
A busy Exeter by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Another fun run across the banks, passing 43122 and 43163 at Totnes, before arriving in Plymouth on time, ready for the longest fester of the day - 50 minutes. What to do with 50 minutes in Plymouth...
Dad knew from past experience that there was a Tesco nearby so we decided to go in hunt of some lunch, it now being about 14:20. The route was already known by dad (who appears to know Plymouth quite well from visiting his brother at Uni) and we decided on some rolls and paté with crisps and a couple of other munchies. Cheese and chutney crisps were selected and were actually really tasty as I found out after getting back to the station. Going through the barriers at Plymouth both ways elicited a sigh from the barrier attendant when our tickets were rejected but, after a long stare (at the tickets, thankfully, not me) we were let though. It took us a while to get a place to sit down in order to prepare lunch (we figured that it'd be easier doing it here than risking the train back to Exeter being full and standing) and the food had been demolished by the time 43149 and 43069, the same pair that we'd had down from Reading earlier, arrived. It wasn't too busy and we got a bay of 4 yet again for the ride back to Exeter, the last trip across the banks that we'd do today.
Annoyingly, as we were leaving Newton Abbot a Paignton bound service was arriving and I caught the number of the leading powercar as it passed: 43093. This was another on my hit list so dad's work phone came out once more to see what it was doing later but it was unfortunately not gettable. I did notice something else though and all three of us decided that we should have a little plan change to get something else in: 43207 on a West Country bound XC service. As this is my favourite XC powercar, I looked at our plan and to see the times it was due at both Tiverton and Exeter, finding that we could get to Tiverton for it provided all connections worked out.
At Exeter it was another 10-minute wait for our next train. 43139 was leading this but the back powercar had changed since I last saw it with 43181 doing the honors. I wasn't expecting this as it had been out of service for quite a while but it was certainly good to get as 43181 turned out to be my only winner for the year that day. Back along the sea wall to Newton Abbot but we were unfortunately running a few minutes late so the service we were hoping to be on the Tiverton was leaving Newton Abbot as we arrived. Instead we had to wait at Newton Abbot for about 15 minutes as the next service was a Northbound Cross Country tram from Paignton.
Leaving by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Arriving by fishquinn1, on Flickr
43303 was with 43304 on this 16:56 service today and the excellent XC interior made a nice change from the nasty GWR one, with comfy seats and a nice view around the carriage (including out of windows that aren't directly next to you) to boot. The downside of getting this service was that the connection onto 43207 wouldn't make at Tiverton so we'd need to get off at Exeter and pick it up from there to Newton Abbot.
Our wait at Exeter included seeing the GWR 57 on the Summer Saturdays only day turn and a look at RTT showed that we were due to pass it at Dawlish Warren.
The day turn by fishquinn1, on Flickr
The Cross Country tram was running a couple of minutes late but the monster that is 43207 was soon arriving with 43384 for company 7 coaches away. More comfy seat action was had for the run to Newton Abbot, where we had to bail as there wasn't enough time to get through to Totnes before our HST back to Reading.
Heading West by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Heading away by fishquinn1, on Flickr
The Cross Country HST was observed departing before we turned out attention to the new ticket barriers being installed, also noticing the bench next to a low wall with a short drop to the ground outside the station. It doesn't take a skilled free runner to jump that wall if they wanted too and then they'd be gone in a matter of seconds! I wonder if the wall will be made taller due to the barriers...
After seeing the 57 come and go from Newton Abbot, actually making a decent noise (I dislike 57s due to the fact that they were made from brush but they do actually sound decent) our tram could be seen approaching.
Newton Abbot by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Newton Abbot by fishquinn1, on Flickr
It was, as booked, 43159 and 43017 and, despite being fairly busy, we were able to get two bays of 2 next to each other towards the front of the train. It was quite busy but emptied out quite a lot at Taunton.
This service went via Westbury, allowing Nat to score a couple of 70s for sight in the yard. Alas the only one that dad and I required, 70816, was nowhere to be seen. Lots of stuff was identifiable though, which made up for not seeing any more locos until Reading. We knew that our connection back to Didcot was dire as the trams are only hourly at this time and we only had a +1 onto the 20:59. Unfortunately we were running 3 minutes late at Reading so, instead of a very short time in Reading we had an hour. Time to see what pies Sweeney and Todd have at this hour!
None of us were particularly annoyed about missing the connection as I'm pretty sure dad was looking for an excuse to get to Sweeney and Todd for dinner, as was I. Nat decided to stay at Reading station while dad and I headed to Reading, seeing lots of nightlife even just at 21:15. We also saw a large area that had been cordoned off by police with lots of police cars and people in the area. The reason soon became apparent: a crane had collapsed. Unlike lots of people (who had their mouths open and were pointing like toddlers) dad and I didn't hang around and instead headed straight for Sweeney and Todd, not knowing how many pies they'd have left at this time. We opened the door to see...
... Almost the best selection of pies I've ever seen there. This included the pork and apple pie, one that I had the first time I'd come to Sweeney and Todd but had never been present in each of my subsequent visits. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out what I went for although the choice was staggering. We came away with 4 pies (one each for dad, Nat and I and one for my brother) and took them back to Reading station before eating them on the overbridge. I'm certainly not a fan of Reading station - it has no character and is just a boring, tedious station that looks rubbish. I've also had the worst of my rail experiences in Reading while on a loophole so that also tarnishes my view of it. Once pies had been eaten there was about 20 minutes left to kill so it was down to the waiting room for a wait in the warm in order to get the 21:59 back to Didcot with 43009 and 43133.
Back at Didcot it was straight over to the car, seeing the tram leave as we walked over to it. An hour's drive was ahead of us so, having left home at 05:00 we got back at about 23:15. A very long day but a very enjoyable one too, with a change of scene from the usual Thamesline.
The 29th of July was a trip booked in advance and was one that dad, Nat and I all wanted to do before the trams left: my second Devon Day Ranger (the first having been in 2013). We booked advances from Reading in order to get into area and formed a plan for the day involving a few runs over the Devon banks. It was to be a morning drive to Didcot on the Saturday and, with Nat having a sleepover it was simple to get out of the boat for 05:00. The drive down the M40 was uneventful and we got to Didcot with good time for our train to Reading, the first HST of the day (as usual). A trip to the TVM was made for our returns to Reading and it was onto the platform with only a short wait before 43037 and 43127 rolled in on the 06:29 Paddington.
Unlike most of our previous trips on this service there was no need to get a Thamesline while on board so it was just a case of chilling out in a bay of 4 and waiting for Reading, which was exactly where it was meant to be (it'd be a bit freaky if it wasn't). Next on the agenda was breakfast. We wandered into Reading to see what there was and we were all surprised at how hostile it felt at this time on a Saturday morning, with loads of homeless people and simply abusive people from a night out everywhere. We ended up in a Mc Rancids and got a homeless guy a coffee and ice drink while in there. Breakfast wasn't great (as expected) but it filled a hole so it did the job (and was actually quite expensive for what it was). We headed back through this hostile part of Reading to get to the station and had to wait there for quite a while for our service, seeing Eavis heading towards London while we were there. I checked at what it was booked to do later and found that it was booked to go to Paignton but would unfortunately not be gettable. Our service, the 07:35 Penzance, was running bang on time and, while dad and Nat waited where we knew our reserved coach would be, I waited at the back so both powercars could be identified. 43069 and 43149, both needed for a photo, were the powercars of choice this morning and I ran down to dad and Nat before boarding. Dad and I got our reserved seats, Nat standing in the vestibule as he doesn't like wedging anyone out (the words get a grip come to mind). It was good fun to leave Reading in this direction, something I haven't done for ages, and I was actually looking forward to this long distance journey straight through to Plymouth.
The Berks and Hants starts off nicely (about as far as Bedwyn) before becoming really dull. It isn't so bad before Pewsey but after that you need to knaw your own arm off to get through it. I managed to resist the temptation of doing that this time as I hadn't traveled on the route for a while but commuters from Taunton must have trouble without arms
. We got caught behind a stone train for a bit before passing it just after Pewsey. The guard caught someone without their railcard and I was pleased to note followed correct procedure at charging for a new ticket and letting them know that they could claim it back if they produced a valid railcard at a later date. The guy being charged didn't see it this way and called the guard a racist. This occurred in the vestibule while dad was window hanging so the guard also asked dad if he'd done the correct thing once the guy had paid up (which took a while). Dad's answer was a definite yes.The bit from Exeter through to Plymouth was great as always, with an excellent view of the sea for part of it and then a brilliant run across the banks. Definitely one of, my favourite stretches of about 50 miles in the country. Arrival at Plymouth was on time and I had to be quick when I got there in order to secure photos of both powercars as it included a run to another platform to get decent ones. I managed it (even though it was raining so I got wet in the process) and our wait at Plymouth wasn't long once that tram had left - only about 10 minutes.
Plymouth HST by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Plymouth by fishquinn1, on Flickr43158 and 43131, neither particularly inspiring, were on the 10:43 Paddington. Once it came to a stop the doors were unlocked for about a second before being locked again almost instantly. I know what they say about wanting to shorten station dwell times but that's just taking the pi*s
. Luckily the doors were unlocked after about 10 seconds to allow many people off and an almost equal number back on. We managed to land a bay of 4 in the half standard/half 1st coach and were soon on the move towards Exeter.Quite a few things were viewable in Laira depot as we passed, including 43033 minus an engine (one that both dad and Nat wanted) giving the odd sight of being able to see straight through the loco. Back to Exeter we went on this (for it was a non stop service - quite fun doing Newton Abbot non-stop) and our plan had us with 37 minutes here before the next tram. Dad had his work phone on him so I decided to check to see if a run to Exeter Central would be doable (provided it wasn't a pacer) and also checked the walking route back. The walk back appeared to be easy and there was a train that could get me to Central so I decided to go for it provided that there was something other than a 143 on it. Dad was to head to the pub here as a trip down memory lane (many trips to this particular pub had been made back in the day) and Nat wanted to do some Stagecoach bus spotting so it was a total split up. I was very pleased to see a 'formed of 3 coaches' message next to my service because, after confirming with Nat, it couldn't be a solo 143. It turns out that this was a rather busy 143/153 combination with me (obviously) sitting in winner 153380.
It was actually winner track up the hill to Exeter Central, which was a winner shack. As we arrived at Exeter Central I noticed a service back to St Davids arriving on the other platform and it didn't even have a 143 in the combination. I was highly surprised to see that it was 3 153s. I sprinted over the bridge and managed to get on board winner 153372 leading winner 153333 leading dud 153318. I ended up sat in the middle unit for the run down the hill back to St Davids. 3 winner units, a winner shack and some winner track isn't bad for a 7-minute return trip!
Once I'd got back to the station it was a case of exiting it and meeting up with Nat who was still getting bus numbers outside. Dad was then noticed returning because his pub had unfortunately closed over the years. I headed to Smiths and, using my gift card got us each a bar of chocolate to soften the blow of loss of beer and we all headed to the platform in order to get on the 12:12 service though to Newton Abbot. This service was a Penzance bound and would also be the one that we get back to Reading later in the day (going to Penzance and back before we see it again) so I was glad to see that 43159 was on the back as we'd all had this to Pembroke Dock so it was rather high mileage. 43017, which was leading, was fairly low mileage for Nat so he was happy with that. We got seats on board no trouble and it was a nice run along the sea wall (unfortunately without any massive waves hitting us) and we had a tight plus to make at Newton Abbot onto the one back. 43098 was identified as we came down the steps onto the opposite platform and, as the last thing I'd seen this powercar with had been one on my hit list I immediately headed to the back and confirmed that it was indeed hundred-mile requirement 43193 on the back. Furthermore it would be cleared by Exeter. Result!
The wait at Exeter was only 10 minutes for the 13:14, which was to be ours for another run down to Plymouth. 43091 was leading 43063 for this service and we hopped aboard.
A busy Exeter by fishquinn1, on FlickrAnother fun run across the banks, passing 43122 and 43163 at Totnes, before arriving in Plymouth on time, ready for the longest fester of the day - 50 minutes. What to do with 50 minutes in Plymouth...
Dad knew from past experience that there was a Tesco nearby so we decided to go in hunt of some lunch, it now being about 14:20. The route was already known by dad (who appears to know Plymouth quite well from visiting his brother at Uni) and we decided on some rolls and paté with crisps and a couple of other munchies. Cheese and chutney crisps were selected and were actually really tasty as I found out after getting back to the station. Going through the barriers at Plymouth both ways elicited a sigh from the barrier attendant when our tickets were rejected but, after a long stare (at the tickets, thankfully, not me) we were let though. It took us a while to get a place to sit down in order to prepare lunch (we figured that it'd be easier doing it here than risking the train back to Exeter being full and standing) and the food had been demolished by the time 43149 and 43069, the same pair that we'd had down from Reading earlier, arrived. It wasn't too busy and we got a bay of 4 yet again for the ride back to Exeter, the last trip across the banks that we'd do today.
Annoyingly, as we were leaving Newton Abbot a Paignton bound service was arriving and I caught the number of the leading powercar as it passed: 43093. This was another on my hit list so dad's work phone came out once more to see what it was doing later but it was unfortunately not gettable. I did notice something else though and all three of us decided that we should have a little plan change to get something else in: 43207 on a West Country bound XC service. As this is my favourite XC powercar, I looked at our plan and to see the times it was due at both Tiverton and Exeter, finding that we could get to Tiverton for it provided all connections worked out.
At Exeter it was another 10-minute wait for our next train. 43139 was leading this but the back powercar had changed since I last saw it with 43181 doing the honors. I wasn't expecting this as it had been out of service for quite a while but it was certainly good to get as 43181 turned out to be my only winner for the year that day. Back along the sea wall to Newton Abbot but we were unfortunately running a few minutes late so the service we were hoping to be on the Tiverton was leaving Newton Abbot as we arrived. Instead we had to wait at Newton Abbot for about 15 minutes as the next service was a Northbound Cross Country tram from Paignton.
Leaving by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Arriving by fishquinn1, on Flickr43303 was with 43304 on this 16:56 service today and the excellent XC interior made a nice change from the nasty GWR one, with comfy seats and a nice view around the carriage (including out of windows that aren't directly next to you) to boot. The downside of getting this service was that the connection onto 43207 wouldn't make at Tiverton so we'd need to get off at Exeter and pick it up from there to Newton Abbot.
Our wait at Exeter included seeing the GWR 57 on the Summer Saturdays only day turn and a look at RTT showed that we were due to pass it at Dawlish Warren.
The day turn by fishquinn1, on FlickrThe Cross Country tram was running a couple of minutes late but the monster that is 43207 was soon arriving with 43384 for company 7 coaches away. More comfy seat action was had for the run to Newton Abbot, where we had to bail as there wasn't enough time to get through to Totnes before our HST back to Reading.
Heading West by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Heading away by fishquinn1, on FlickrThe Cross Country HST was observed departing before we turned out attention to the new ticket barriers being installed, also noticing the bench next to a low wall with a short drop to the ground outside the station. It doesn't take a skilled free runner to jump that wall if they wanted too and then they'd be gone in a matter of seconds! I wonder if the wall will be made taller due to the barriers...
After seeing the 57 come and go from Newton Abbot, actually making a decent noise (I dislike 57s due to the fact that they were made from brush but they do actually sound decent) our tram could be seen approaching.
Newton Abbot by fishquinn1, on Flickr
Newton Abbot by fishquinn1, on FlickrIt was, as booked, 43159 and 43017 and, despite being fairly busy, we were able to get two bays of 2 next to each other towards the front of the train. It was quite busy but emptied out quite a lot at Taunton.
This service went via Westbury, allowing Nat to score a couple of 70s for sight in the yard. Alas the only one that dad and I required, 70816, was nowhere to be seen. Lots of stuff was identifiable though, which made up for not seeing any more locos until Reading. We knew that our connection back to Didcot was dire as the trams are only hourly at this time and we only had a +1 onto the 20:59. Unfortunately we were running 3 minutes late at Reading so, instead of a very short time in Reading we had an hour. Time to see what pies Sweeney and Todd have at this hour!
None of us were particularly annoyed about missing the connection as I'm pretty sure dad was looking for an excuse to get to Sweeney and Todd for dinner, as was I. Nat decided to stay at Reading station while dad and I headed to Reading, seeing lots of nightlife even just at 21:15. We also saw a large area that had been cordoned off by police with lots of police cars and people in the area. The reason soon became apparent: a crane had collapsed. Unlike lots of people (who had their mouths open and were pointing like toddlers) dad and I didn't hang around and instead headed straight for Sweeney and Todd, not knowing how many pies they'd have left at this time. We opened the door to see...
... Almost the best selection of pies I've ever seen there. This included the pork and apple pie, one that I had the first time I'd come to Sweeney and Todd but had never been present in each of my subsequent visits. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work out what I went for although the choice was staggering. We came away with 4 pies (one each for dad, Nat and I and one for my brother) and took them back to Reading station before eating them on the overbridge. I'm certainly not a fan of Reading station - it has no character and is just a boring, tedious station that looks rubbish. I've also had the worst of my rail experiences in Reading while on a loophole so that also tarnishes my view of it. Once pies had been eaten there was about 20 minutes left to kill so it was down to the waiting room for a wait in the warm in order to get the 21:59 back to Didcot with 43009 and 43133.
Back at Didcot it was straight over to the car, seeing the tram leave as we walked over to it. An hour's drive was ahead of us so, having left home at 05:00 we got back at about 23:15. A very long day but a very enjoyable one too, with a change of scene from the usual Thamesline.
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Kite159
Veteran Member
A good day trip to Devonshire
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
I'm so jealous that your dad is a rail enthusiast too, I wish mine was, then I'd be able to get far more units further away. I have a Pendolino first class return to Glasgow and about thirty SR units (no exaggeration, it is in the 30s) planned, my brother is pretty happy to come too (although likely won't do the SR units) but my dad who I'm dragging along is pretty miserable about the whole idea and is jealous of my mum and sister for staying at home!
But to be honest at £55 first class return each London to Glasgow it's a steal really.
Great report - XC HSTs have the best Standard seats going (Mallard) and yes are a welcome change after Grammer IC ones, but if you hate them so much why spend a whole day on them?!
I used to force myself to go back and forth between Reading and Didcot in horrible GWR standard class from 9am until 6pm all day just to get some HST winners up until the point where I actually felt desperate for each journey to end! First class rovers really need to be introduced and fast.
Oh and Reading is my absolute all time favourite station, it's a train journey away from me and I'm there all the time, yet I've never in my life seen a McDonalds there! There is a Burger King, Subway, Boots, Pasty Shop, WHSmith, M&S, another Boots, another Pasty Shop, another WHSmith, a third WHSmith and an Upper Crust but no McDonalds! Do you mean in the town centre? I can't believe you don't like that station by the way it's a work of art. Hideous before the refurbishment but now it's an amazing station!
But to be honest at £55 first class return each London to Glasgow it's a steal really.
Great report - XC HSTs have the best Standard seats going (Mallard) and yes are a welcome change after Grammer IC ones, but if you hate them so much why spend a whole day on them?!
I used to force myself to go back and forth between Reading and Didcot in horrible GWR standard class from 9am until 6pm all day just to get some HST winners up until the point where I actually felt desperate for each journey to end! First class rovers really need to be introduced and fast.
Oh and Reading is my absolute all time favourite station, it's a train journey away from me and I'm there all the time, yet I've never in my life seen a McDonalds there! There is a Burger King, Subway, Boots, Pasty Shop, WHSmith, M&S, another Boots, another Pasty Shop, another WHSmith, a third WHSmith and an Upper Crust but no McDonalds! Do you mean in the town centre? I can't believe you don't like that station by the way it's a work of art. Hideous before the refurbishment but now it's an amazing station!
Kite159
Veteran Member
Where is the tesco near Plymouth station anyhow (for future reference for myself)?
It's great fun travelling with dad as most of my interests have been built from the ones that he has - I detest voyagers (as does dad) and much prefer locos to units etc. The fact that we both like HSTs is also excellent - I wouldn't have a trip to Inverness in 1st on the Chieftain on Wednesday if he didn't. Only 30 units? I had 60 winner units from my first day in Glasgow and that's excluding repeats
. Why don't you let your dad do his own thing in Glasgow for the day while you do SR bashing? It's an excellent city.I definitely wouldn't complain at £55 for a 1st class return!
I spend a whole day in the GWR seats because I like the trams and won't get a chance to do them soon. I don't want to have regrets of what I wasn't able to get when they're gone so it's a case of getting them now even if it means using the grammars.
No McDonalds on Reading station - it was in the town centre. What do you like so much about the station and, the serious question, why do you prefer it to a particular London terminus 36 miles away?
I can't check right now but I'll post some directions later
More photos have just been added by the way.
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
Ah yes. Well I’m at this very moment on a train to Reading and that saves me from looking for the McDonalds! (I do like their hash browns I must admit)
Whoa, sixty is a lot but I could only get the bargain deal if I returned the next day from Glasgow so I’m doing the rover on the day I go back, I can only cram in about 30 units between about 10am and 4pm, my train leaves 4:45 and I want time to use the lounge. Plus my dad wants to use the hotel facilities in the morning so I’m starting from 10am.
The day before I’ll be trying out the Glasgow Subway though, racing my brother to see who gets around the circle first! Me outer him inner.
Whoa, sixty is a lot but I could only get the bargain deal if I returned the next day from Glasgow so I’m doing the rover on the day I go back, I can only cram in about 30 units between about 10am and 4pm, my train leaves 4:45 and I want time to use the lounge. Plus my dad wants to use the hotel facilities in the morning so I’m starting from 10am.
The day before I’ll be trying out the Glasgow Subway though, racing my brother to see who gets around the circle first! Me outer him inner.
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
Wow, that will be ace going on the Chieftain in 1st, I’ve done it (albeit 2nd to Darlington, 1st from there) and the staff are so generous even on weekends! You should get well fed there provided the catering timetable is stuck to!
The scenery is very nice north of Perth as well.
The scenery is very nice north of Perth as well.
185143
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Edited for you!
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
Well, I don’t know. It certainly is lovely but I was more impressed on the Kyle Line, and even that isn’t as nice as some lines abroad (Interlaken springs to mind)
PS: Sorry @fishquinn I didn’t answer your question. I love the layout of loads of through platforms and the clever little bays at each end, plus the wonderful footbridge and the roof is really cool too!
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Sorry I've taken so long to reply; I completely forgot.
For a return to Glasgow in 1st class, £60 is excellent. Can't you let your dad stay in bed and start early?
A great run was had. Alas with it being December it was dark by Edinburgh but there was still evidence of lots of snow.
Indeed.
I've never actually done the Kyle line but I can think of plenty overseas that will be much better than it ever could...
cactustwirly
Established Member
Perhaps the Semmeringbahn, Arlbergbahn or the Mittenwaldbahn. Basically everything in Austria
cactustwirly
Established Member
But crap trains.
Austria also has amazing scenery, and probably one of the world's best railways. I mean who doesn't like Loco hauled with a Taurus? The region services are Talents (a bit like an Electrostar)
Germany is awesome too, but the scenery isn't quite as good.
cactustwirly
Established Member
True, but when you come to ride them you'll see why (the ones you can actually ride that is...)
I do admit that the P32s I had for haulage in the summer were fun!
I'm guessing that the suburban stuff would be pretty rubbish (if it isn't loco hauled ) but seeing the freights while touring the USA is absolutely amazing. Amtrak also seems really good for the longer distance stuff (I really want to do the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle at some point).
) but seeing the freights while touring the USA is absolutely amazing. Amtrak also seems really good for the longer distance stuff (I really want to do the Empire Builder from Chicago to Seattle at some point).
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
The routes are breathtaking in Canada but with the exception of the Gold Leaf Rocky Mountaineer the rolling stock is rubbish.
I do love Swiss railways though, I always have done.
I do love Swiss railways though, I always have done.
Kite159
Veteran Member
I'm guessing that the suburban stuff would be pretty rubbish (if it isn't loco hauled
One wish for me is to do something like this tour:
https://www.greatrail.com/tours/usa-coast-to-coast/#USG18
Maybe if I ever should win some money on the lottery, or save up the pennies from not heading out so much *dreams*
Similar to the Canadian Rockies train, I've gone across them on a bus tour a few years ago and they were amazing
TT-ONR-NRN
Veteran Member
For what it is that’s a great price!
That would be fantastic but I’d hate to go around as a tour that’s the only problem. Whenever i go to the Caribbean I see people walking around as part of a tour and I just think that it would be so much more enjoyable for them if they could explore whichever island it is as they like!
Kite159
Veteran Member
Speaking from someone who has been on a few Organised tours, they are a double edged sword in my book
Advantage is not having to worry about dealing with accommodation/travel and being with a local tour manager who knows the area, which can show you parts of the beaten track (and what parts to avoid as being touristy rubbish). The big disadvantage is on some tours not having a lot of free time to do your own thing, as well as some busy days.
Pretty much my own thoughts. I'd probably prefer to just hire an RV and roam the country as I pleased with no timetable than be stuck to a timetable. That way I can include everything I'd like.
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