heart-of-wessex
Established Member
Hello all,
Today was my only free December date to make use of the FCC voucher I have, so I went out to make use of it. The title name is a Derived from First Great Western and First Capital Connect...the 2 TOCs I spent my whole day on bar one trip on SWT and two on LU.
So let's begin:
I start off by heading to Trowbridge station of course, for the 0715 SWT service for Bristol. I get a return to Welwyn Garden City and get a quick funny look, and I found myself thinking...eh? Sounds so odd for me getting a WGC return from here! There is two reasons for this randomness:
1. I need the flyover south of the station...so I think
2. A return is to Welwyn via London is actually CHEAPER than a separate return ticket from the Cross AND includes LU transfer!
(Trowbridge - London RTN = £32.20, London KX - Welwyn GC separate return = £6 odds)
So in effect part if not all the Welwyn trip would be free anyway
I was in for a treat to kick off the day, 159019 rolls in on the SWT job! One required unit down, just 159013 to go and that is that all done! Will be strange not having to worry which units will be required on a triple set when joining at Waterloo, means I don't have to do the long flippin walk all the way to Surbiton just to see the number of the front unit (the long walk feels like that distance anyway!
)
A flying trip up the Avon Valley and we're in Bath 1 up. I get a coffee from the place on P2, the lady serving me compliments on how chirpy I am this morning, and is apparently a rare sight! Well I am used to overnight's and early starts, plus I'm up at 7am for my day job anyway so I'm used to it.
I see the 0743 Padd is altered to arrive on P2 as it's flashing on the screen...all London trains are booked out of P2 anyway unless there's a farce but I see the delayed Pompey is due into P2 at 0743 as well...somehow!
The 0743 Padd rolls in first on time with 43189 on lead. I get the rear number, 43169, as I won't have time to get it at Padd.
I sat in Coach D then went to the buffet for a Bacon Baguette and a Volo card, then sit down to watch TV, first by watching American Dad for the first time (same writers as Family Guy I assume?) Rather enjoyed it actually! I did like the quote (kid) "I don't have any friends in Space" (dad replies) "YOU'RE FRIENDS WITH YOUR SISTER!"
Other good quote is in Quote section at the bottom.
Watched 'The Trip' after with a much older Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, wasn't that funny to be honest...
We got to Paddington 2 up and dived over to Praed Street station to view the departure board monitors above the ticket gates, comes in handy that! The Edgware Road service was due in 5 minutes...hmmm probably better going off to Paddington H&C (or Paddington High Level as I like to call the H&C platforms, as it's at platform level and higher than Praed Street station!) as I'd get the H&C service from Edgware Road if I got on the Edgware Road terminator from Praed Street anyway.
I get there with a bit of a wait, then Hammersmith's 5533+6533 set rolls in on lead with 2 other sets behind. We get as far as the signal before Edgware Road where the driver immediately comes on when we stop to say in a boring voice 'This twain is being 'eld at a wed signol'.
We come into the usual platform...shame as I always hope to randomly one day go on the middle platforms to do that small little bit of track towards Baker Street that I need in the Quail, impossible to do that bit!
We sit there for a bit and I swear the announcement came on at the platforms to say that our train is fast to King's Cross....surely I mis-heard that!!
I heard the other announcement clearly though, saying that the Circle Line is on P2 and calls at Paddington, Notting Hill Gate, Gloucester Road, Victoria and Westminster (or as he says, Westminsta)..a semi-fast? Surely not! Probably reeling off (as ATW would call it) principle stations.
We got the 'This twain is being 'eld at a wed signol' announcement from the driver again then we got on the move calling at all shacks to King's Cross...thought I heard the fast thing wrong!
We come into King's Cross where the train terminates due to the engineering work after, no crossover done as I know it's on the other side where the blockade is.
I charge up to the main platforms as it was pushing it for 0944 now. I get there at 0938 thankfully, so that's a 26 minute connection trip, not bad at all. The 0944 doesn't even have a platform allocated yet but I see a pair of 365s on P8, but this then gets advertised as the 0953 stopper to Cambridge. The 0944 and the Hull Trains (0949? or something) service is now 'delayed'...great.
An announcement soon comes on to say that inbound services are delayed due to a signal fault at Finsbury Park..might be here for a while!
However, at 0947 or so, the 0944 Cambridge/Kings Lynn is allocated to P7. Cue the scrum up to the platform where the Networker's weren't even here yet. I walk up to the far end and see the pair of 365s roll in. 365506 is on the Kings Lynn portion and I jump in the front motor car so I can hear the motors, and so I'm at the front to scratch the track up to the blocks at Kings Lynn.
As we wait to let people off, some kid as his dad 'Is this the Edinburgh train?' That made me chuckle a bit, as I imagined being on a 365 going RA to York and pelting through Doncaster!
We leave at 0955, not bad after all. The slower 0953 Cambridge stopper was let out first though.
67020 an 37685 is at the loco point...what's the latter doing here??
If it was a second Thunderbird loco then I'd go back to the cross and start breaking HST's until it comes out
The driver comes on to explain our delay was due to NR imposing speed restrictions on the route from Kings Lynn to Ely....so Finsbury Park did not affect it then or what :?
Soon after something squealed past us in the tunnel, and that sound can only be the brakes of a 180, so that's the late Hull Trains service finally coming in then.
I miss Finsbury Park and Hornsey as I was busy scribbling my report notes but I noticed we were bombing on the fast, I guess the Cambridge stopped on the slow at Finsbury then.
After a bombing trip on the fast we slow down to turn off at Hitchin. It occurs to me that there will be another bit of required track on the FCC network when the flyover is installed here, so I got to come back again to do that.
Our run through the Royston line feels slow, probably as I got used to running at full speed on the ECML! The Edinburgh kid at the bay seat in front starts playing 'count the animals' game. 10 points for seeing a bird, 900 for an Elephant, 970 for sheep and 1,700 for something else. Right! Let's see if I can kick his butt...cue me staring out for sheep and elephants! As I write this, he see's 20 birds...damn I missed it and I'm still at 0!
He see's 10 more that I missed at suddenly he's nearly at 2,000 points, as birds are now 100 points for seeing 2...but the points raked up as he went along...I was more confused than his dad who got lost in it all :?
Needless to say I lost with 0 points!
We were soon on the approach to Cambridge and the 'Electrostar' announcer came on (Can't seem to escape her from Southern!) and said 'Please listen for announcements'.....errrr ok :?
I think it was triggered by the driver who soon came on to make an announcement. He said that due to our late running (we are only 15 late) he has been advised by NR (FCC probably) that we have to terminate at Cambridge and the Kings Lynn portion will no longer run. Instead we have to go to P5 for a Kings Lynn service.....errr ok :?
We come into Cambridge and I note the new platform is really coming along nicely. Platform surface, fencing and canopies all look complete!
I bail off at the front and cross over to P5 to see no unit there yet. In the meantime I note 365506's name is 'The Royston Flyer' sounds like a random name that!
I see Anglia Spearmint livery 170271 leave and just after that, a 4 car 365 comes into P5 with 'King's Cross via Stevenage' on the front...the ex-King's Lynn service maybe?
365539 was the unit, another required 365 so I wasn't complaining. We left P5 15 minutes late so made up no time as we came in 15 late anyway. As we left I saw 170207 stabled at 376005, 015 and another un-ID 376 in the yard.
4 317s were at Cambridge depot, shame as I'd love to have one of those kick out on the Kings Cross fast!
Uneventful trip alert coming up! I remembered the sandblower tour to Middleton Towers was miserable and even on this rammed 365, I started to doze off.
I was alert by Littleport, and noticed a TSR sign after the platform. We didn't go slow but didn't go that fast either, which made me nod off again.
Eventually we reached King's Lynn and saw 317666 in the station sidings. Shame NXEA don't run here often from Liverpool Street like they did, I doubt I'd nod off in a 317!
Seeing the 317 here, do NXEA just run a late night and early morning service here instead now?
I noticed we lost 4 minutes throughout our run to here, so I guess that TSR was playing up for delays. The 30 minute turn around turned into a 13 minute turn around, so I went to the TVM to get a return to....errr...damn what's the next shack called again!!
I put in WA...Wallington? £75 fare via Cambridge...no that ain't it then...of course that's the one in Surrey.
I find a local list and see Watlington on the list and priced at £2.30 with a Y-P OPR, that'll be the one!
I go through the human barriers with my ticket and jump on 365539 again at the other motor coach to scratch that off. We leave on time at 1156 and have a pacer ride to Watlington...may as well be as we were rocking around all over the place like meat in the back of a butchers van!
Watlington shack was scratched off and I went over the level crossing to the opposite platform to see the 1211 was delayed by 4 minutes. I notice it's bloody cold but it was a clear day and the sun was out. As I thought about that, Linkin Park's 'The sun will shine for you' song came into my head...oh I wish I had my MP3 with me!
365508 (required) came in and I jump in the rear motor driving car for the leap back to Kings Lynn. We weren't too far off right time so a good 30 minute fester was in order here.
I looked at the timetable to see I have nearly an hours wait each time at Downham Market and Littleport if I wanted to do them both. If it was a summers day I'd be doing it but the thought of the long wait at both in the freezing wind put me right off!
I went to Morrisons for a lunch manoeuvre and came back to join the rear coach of 365508. Soon after I got on, two 13/14 year old's came running into our coach and ran through the train. This was followed by two RPI's who were at the manual gates chasing after them who were then escorted back up the platform...I tried to resist from opening the hopper window and bellowing 'BOWLED!!!!'
Someone noticed that one had a whisky bottle in his pocket too...sound's right :roll:
We left on time for the long drag back to Cambridge, and I started doing some research for a new book idea of mine, so that passed the time. Some school kids in school uniform got on at Ely (school on a Saturday??) who seemed to be going to Essex since one bellowed out she lives in Essex (you have a house in Essex? That's some whopping big house!)
Eventually, year's later, we came into Cambridge and I noticed we didn't join onto another 365 and just went solo instead, so that made our train rammed to the rafters...do they do this often?
We had a grip after Cambridge and started at the rear of the last coach that I was in, and took until Hitchin to reach me. He gave up checking tickets after reaching the corridor end of the coach though.
After another bombing trip to Kings Cross we arrive into P9 4 minutes late, again probably due to the slow running between Downham Market and Littleport.
Decisions now...do I go to Welwyn on a stopper or on a fast to Potters Bar then to Welwyn? Or maybe Hatfield? Either case, the 1506 Peterborough was due out of P10 calling at Potters Bar, Hatfield, Welwyn GC, Welwyn North, Knebworth etc etc so I went to P10 and awaited for the 365 to come in. I noticed 313061 was sitting in P9 having arrived from somewhere.
365537 (another requirement) rolls in and I leap into the front coach. I check my book for 313061...oh my god! My last 313 I need for sight!! WOOO!!!!!
We leave on time and I check my quail for Welwyn flyover as I couldn't quite remember if it's for units into or out of Welwyn...but I notice the crossover from the Down Slow and the flyover to the Up slow is all dud.......oh.
I seem to recall being at Welwyn at night time coming off and onto a 313...I think I am right that it is dud actually. There are a few long forgotten old trips I have done that I have remembered in stages, like Stevenage...required in the Baker but I know it is dud as I remember clearly walking over the 90's looking bridge and going to the Tesco, then coming back for a 91 to Kings Cross....shame I have no moves book record for the numbers!
I was going to stay on to Welwyn anyway since my ticket goes there, and maybe we might be on the fast line until the crossover before Potters Bar....or not. We stayed on the slow all the way to Welwyn Garden City, but then it's probably due to the fact that the Welwyn leaves 5 minutes after we leave at The Cross.
Required track however is done as I need the bit in and out of P2 anyway. So I stayed on to scoop the slows through to the end at Digswell Jn, just need the crossover out of P2 direct onto the fast which is a slower route out, don't think many use it though.
Another reason to stay on was to do Knebworth as I'd have a +3 there for one back, not bad at all, just need a return ticket sorted out though I suspect it's only a couple of quid.
We arrived right at the far end of the station for some reason so walked all the way back to the middle to the stairs, though thinking about it, there were no DOO monitors in the middle so I suspect that's why we stop by the 8 car mark.
Outside I noticed no TVM but I noticed the timetable poster and planned the next move. With that noted I heard the 365 roll in on the southbound slow (Platform thingy...no idea on numbers there!) so ran through the subway to the 365 at the platform, didn't note the number though stupidly.
We left on time and got as far as Digswell where we let a 365 bomb past, then some time later a MK4 set bombed past. We eventually got going and arrived late into Welwyn North.
I bailed here for the scratch and got a return to Hitchin at £3.65. I had a 10 minute wait for the delayed 1604 (by 2 minutes) but at least I got to see 365s and a 180 bomb through at some speed, can see why it's a popular for videoing trains at speed...if only GNER Valenta's were running still!!
The now late 1604 came in on time...well it's 2 late so it's on time really! I didn't have a 365 on the Peterborough stopper this time, but was treated to a High Speed Box Machine...i.e a 317!!
I watch the pantograph as it comes in and see the MSO is at the front end, so off I charge towards the front! I get a seat at the back that has some serious leg room...the next seat in front is like 5 miles away! Space much!
Enjoyed that for sure, especially through Welwyn Tunnel
The slows after Knebworth are now scooped as I scratch the required line to Hitchin....I was tempted to stay on and extend my ticket to Peterborough though!
I got off at Hitchin for the station scratch and went over to the other side for the delayed 1629.
365527 (required!) was on the..I think..ex-Cambridge and we left at 1633. I took it all the way to Kings Cross standing up since it was wedged!
Back at the cross I nearly headed home as I did the bits I wanted to do, and any more station scratches are far out and involves more time and money. However, As JML would say, 'but wait...there's more!'
Over to St Pancras I see a few HS local services due out soon...that's not what I'm thinking of though. Over to the departure boards...let's see...1720 all shacker lacker to Bedford Midland...1734 to Bedford calling West Hampstead...RA St Albans that's the one!
What is it with Bedford, some are listed as Bedford, then others as Bedford Midland :?
I also note the Starbucks is closed for long term engineering work (refurb) just as well I have no overnighters planned soon!
I get a return to St Albans at £6.95. I like how it's printed as London Thameslink to St Albans! Is it valid today? The Thameslink platforms are shut
I saw off the 1720 All shacks and lamppost's service and waited for the Fast to roll in. In the meantime I saw the 1732 Paris being loaded at the second platform behind the glass screen. The travelator up to the platform seemed to have a people spawner on full settings at the bottom, as this endless sea of people came up!! Can't say that the Paris is under-used!
A 319 came into P1 so I joined the queue for the service. Piles of people came out and we got let on. I see the Swiss 319 was allocated to the 1734, which is required 319215! Straight to the MSO, which was full and standing in no time, got a seat at least and we left on time. Bombing up the fast made a huge change from doing the overnight stoppers, shame 215 was epically quiet though
At St Albans, I got off for the station scratch, only Cricklewood, Hendon, Mill Hill Broadway, Luton and Leagrave left to do on the north Thameslink part!
A 10 minute wait for another fast St Pancras was welcoming, and required 319220 and 361 rolled in...the latter ALSO required!
I sat in the MSO of 361 for the fast run back which was MUCH louder than 215! Bloody hellfire run on the fast screaming and screeching all the way back. I like the screeching sound that starts kicking in when it gets to a fast speed, dunno what causes it though.
Arrived at St Pancras on time, so with my day complete I headed over to the SSL LU platforms via the 500 mile walk. Down the stairs was a set waiting to go, timed that well!
Back at Paddington High Level at 1855, the 1900 or 1906 HSTs were my options but were no doubt rammed, so I got a KFC and a coffee and came back to see a HST in P5...that can only be the 1930 Bristol surely....A look on Traveline suggested it's due out of P2..but the 1900 went out of P2 but that was due for P1...platform alterations tonight by the looks of it. Funny with terminals, you never know if there is alterations!
So I went for a wander up P5. 43087 was on the rear with 138 up front. I board Coach C and look at one of the res tickets '1930 PADD - BTM'....well that's answered that then!
I take a choice of a seat..seems strange doing it without having to fight with other passengers piling on!
I know some HST's I get back on have the odd passenger on before it's advertised on the boards who obviously get the gen beforehand.
The announcement is made and I stroll to the door to see the hoard of people marching up with baton sticks and smoke as they batter anyone who dares overtake them!
We leave right time into the night and I work on some more research for my book. Also having my coffee randomly makes me think of 'Coffee and TV' by Blur (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1uvECNUYRE) and immediately think of revised lyrics:
'So give me Coffee 'n HST's,
It's enough for me,
Take me away from Paddington,
as I'm going home you see'
The first bit is too many syllables but it's the only thing I could think of!
Arrival into Bath saw us 3 late at 2103, the initial +7 is now a +4...or not..2107 due 2117. I also see the Pompey later is booked out of P1 :? An announcement soon came on to say the Pompey will leave from P2...thought it would!
I also heard Phil announce a new announcement I've never heard before...saying about trains regularly pass the station without warning and parents with children should ensure they are behind the yellow line...never heard that before!
As if to prove a point, 221137 soon came through on the 5C59 19+04 Paignton - Barton Hill ECS.
A manual announcement came on to say the Weymouth will depart further down the platform than usual. Odd? I then saw a poster saying that due to the frothmas market going on, Portsmouth, Weymouth an Westbury services will stop further down the station....what's that got to do with the flippin market!!
The revised stopping position was by the 6 car marker with a hand written board telling drivers to stop here. May as well be Platform 2a or 2b or something!
The 2107 finally came in with 2 car 150239 on the turn and took it home to Trowbridge. The guard admitted we were late as he refused to use the initial unit booked for the turn as it had no working toilet...good idea really as there were some people on who were drinking.
We left at 2122 and arrived into Trowbridge at 2147, loosing 4 minutes en-route due to a door problem at Freshford.
Well that was a good bash! Initially planning to only do the Welwyn Flyover and do, Watlington, Littleport and Downham Market stations, I ended up doing more required 365s, one required 317, two required 319s and 6 stations bagged...oh and one required 159 to kick off the day too...just glad I don't have to go north of Downham Market at least!
Stats:
Mileage altogether - 563m 57ch
Highest Mileage on one train - 106m 66ch on 43138 and 43189 on both HST's
Lowest Mileage on one train - 3m 03ch on 365xxx
Best part of trip - 319361 on the MML fast matched with 317339!
Worst part of trip - The stagger to King's Lynn!
Random Quote no.1 - "The dream of an afro on the moon is within our grasp people" (American Dad)
Random Quote no.2 - "You're annoyingly, annoyingly, remembering"
Random Quote no.3 - "Why do people go to Cambridge?"
Random Quote no.4 - "Join me on the dark side...oh and I don't like fruit"
Today was my only free December date to make use of the FCC voucher I have, so I went out to make use of it. The title name is a Derived from First Great Western and First Capital Connect...the 2 TOCs I spent my whole day on bar one trip on SWT and two on LU.
So let's begin:
I start off by heading to Trowbridge station of course, for the 0715 SWT service for Bristol. I get a return to Welwyn Garden City and get a quick funny look, and I found myself thinking...eh? Sounds so odd for me getting a WGC return from here! There is two reasons for this randomness:
1. I need the flyover south of the station...so I think
2. A return is to Welwyn via London is actually CHEAPER than a separate return ticket from the Cross AND includes LU transfer!
(Trowbridge - London RTN = £32.20, London KX - Welwyn GC separate return = £6 odds)
So in effect part if not all the Welwyn trip would be free anyway
I was in for a treat to kick off the day, 159019 rolls in on the SWT job! One required unit down, just 159013 to go and that is that all done! Will be strange not having to worry which units will be required on a triple set when joining at Waterloo, means I don't have to do the long flippin walk all the way to Surbiton just to see the number of the front unit (the long walk feels like that distance anyway!
)A flying trip up the Avon Valley and we're in Bath 1 up. I get a coffee from the place on P2, the lady serving me compliments on how chirpy I am this morning, and is apparently a rare sight! Well I am used to overnight's and early starts, plus I'm up at 7am for my day job anyway so I'm used to it.
I see the 0743 Padd is altered to arrive on P2 as it's flashing on the screen...all London trains are booked out of P2 anyway unless there's a farce but I see the delayed Pompey is due into P2 at 0743 as well...somehow!
The 0743 Padd rolls in first on time with 43189 on lead. I get the rear number, 43169, as I won't have time to get it at Padd.
I sat in Coach D then went to the buffet for a Bacon Baguette and a Volo card, then sit down to watch TV, first by watching American Dad for the first time (same writers as Family Guy I assume?) Rather enjoyed it actually! I did like the quote (kid) "I don't have any friends in Space" (dad replies) "YOU'RE FRIENDS WITH YOUR SISTER!"
Other good quote is in Quote section at the bottom.
Watched 'The Trip' after with a much older Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, wasn't that funny to be honest...
We got to Paddington 2 up and dived over to Praed Street station to view the departure board monitors above the ticket gates, comes in handy that! The Edgware Road service was due in 5 minutes...hmmm probably better going off to Paddington H&C (or Paddington High Level as I like to call the H&C platforms, as it's at platform level and higher than Praed Street station!) as I'd get the H&C service from Edgware Road if I got on the Edgware Road terminator from Praed Street anyway.
I get there with a bit of a wait, then Hammersmith's 5533+6533 set rolls in on lead with 2 other sets behind. We get as far as the signal before Edgware Road where the driver immediately comes on when we stop to say in a boring voice 'This twain is being 'eld at a wed signol'.
We come into the usual platform...shame as I always hope to randomly one day go on the middle platforms to do that small little bit of track towards Baker Street that I need in the Quail, impossible to do that bit!
We sit there for a bit and I swear the announcement came on at the platforms to say that our train is fast to King's Cross....surely I mis-heard that!!
I heard the other announcement clearly though, saying that the Circle Line is on P2 and calls at Paddington, Notting Hill Gate, Gloucester Road, Victoria and Westminster (or as he says, Westminsta)..a semi-fast? Surely not! Probably reeling off (as ATW would call it) principle stations.
We got the 'This twain is being 'eld at a wed signol' announcement from the driver again then we got on the move calling at all shacks to King's Cross...thought I heard the fast thing wrong!
We come into King's Cross where the train terminates due to the engineering work after, no crossover done as I know it's on the other side where the blockade is.
I charge up to the main platforms as it was pushing it for 0944 now. I get there at 0938 thankfully, so that's a 26 minute connection trip, not bad at all. The 0944 doesn't even have a platform allocated yet but I see a pair of 365s on P8, but this then gets advertised as the 0953 stopper to Cambridge. The 0944 and the Hull Trains (0949? or something) service is now 'delayed'...great.
An announcement soon comes on to say that inbound services are delayed due to a signal fault at Finsbury Park..might be here for a while!
However, at 0947 or so, the 0944 Cambridge/Kings Lynn is allocated to P7. Cue the scrum up to the platform where the Networker's weren't even here yet. I walk up to the far end and see the pair of 365s roll in. 365506 is on the Kings Lynn portion and I jump in the front motor car so I can hear the motors, and so I'm at the front to scratch the track up to the blocks at Kings Lynn.
As we wait to let people off, some kid as his dad 'Is this the Edinburgh train?' That made me chuckle a bit, as I imagined being on a 365 going RA to York and pelting through Doncaster!
We leave at 0955, not bad after all. The slower 0953 Cambridge stopper was let out first though.
67020 an 37685 is at the loco point...what's the latter doing here??
If it was a second Thunderbird loco then I'd go back to the cross and start breaking HST's until it comes out The driver comes on to explain our delay was due to NR imposing speed restrictions on the route from Kings Lynn to Ely....so Finsbury Park did not affect it then or what :?
Soon after something squealed past us in the tunnel, and that sound can only be the brakes of a 180, so that's the late Hull Trains service finally coming in then.
I miss Finsbury Park and Hornsey as I was busy scribbling my report notes but I noticed we were bombing on the fast, I guess the Cambridge stopped on the slow at Finsbury then.
After a bombing trip on the fast we slow down to turn off at Hitchin. It occurs to me that there will be another bit of required track on the FCC network when the flyover is installed here, so I got to come back again to do that.
Our run through the Royston line feels slow, probably as I got used to running at full speed on the ECML! The Edinburgh kid at the bay seat in front starts playing 'count the animals' game. 10 points for seeing a bird, 900 for an Elephant, 970 for sheep and 1,700 for something else. Right! Let's see if I can kick his butt...cue me staring out for sheep and elephants! As I write this, he see's 20 birds...damn I missed it and I'm still at 0!
He see's 10 more that I missed at suddenly he's nearly at 2,000 points, as birds are now 100 points for seeing 2...but the points raked up as he went along...I was more confused than his dad who got lost in it all :?
Needless to say I lost with 0 points!
We were soon on the approach to Cambridge and the 'Electrostar' announcer came on (Can't seem to escape her from Southern!) and said 'Please listen for announcements'.....errrr ok :?
I think it was triggered by the driver who soon came on to make an announcement. He said that due to our late running (we are only 15 late) he has been advised by NR (FCC probably) that we have to terminate at Cambridge and the Kings Lynn portion will no longer run. Instead we have to go to P5 for a Kings Lynn service.....errr ok :?
We come into Cambridge and I note the new platform is really coming along nicely. Platform surface, fencing and canopies all look complete!
I bail off at the front and cross over to P5 to see no unit there yet. In the meantime I note 365506's name is 'The Royston Flyer' sounds like a random name that!
I see Anglia Spearmint livery 170271 leave and just after that, a 4 car 365 comes into P5 with 'King's Cross via Stevenage' on the front...the ex-King's Lynn service maybe?
365539 was the unit, another required 365 so I wasn't complaining. We left P5 15 minutes late so made up no time as we came in 15 late anyway. As we left I saw 170207 stabled at 376005, 015 and another un-ID 376 in the yard.
4 317s were at Cambridge depot, shame as I'd love to have one of those kick out on the Kings Cross fast!
Uneventful trip alert coming up! I remembered the sandblower tour to Middleton Towers was miserable and even on this rammed 365, I started to doze off.
I was alert by Littleport, and noticed a TSR sign after the platform. We didn't go slow but didn't go that fast either, which made me nod off again.
Eventually we reached King's Lynn and saw 317666 in the station sidings. Shame NXEA don't run here often from Liverpool Street like they did, I doubt I'd nod off in a 317!
Seeing the 317 here, do NXEA just run a late night and early morning service here instead now?
I noticed we lost 4 minutes throughout our run to here, so I guess that TSR was playing up for delays. The 30 minute turn around turned into a 13 minute turn around, so I went to the TVM to get a return to....errr...damn what's the next shack called again!!
I put in WA...Wallington? £75 fare via Cambridge...no that ain't it then...of course that's the one in Surrey.
I find a local list and see Watlington on the list and priced at £2.30 with a Y-P OPR, that'll be the one!
I go through the human barriers with my ticket and jump on 365539 again at the other motor coach to scratch that off. We leave on time at 1156 and have a pacer ride to Watlington...may as well be as we were rocking around all over the place like meat in the back of a butchers van!
Watlington shack was scratched off and I went over the level crossing to the opposite platform to see the 1211 was delayed by 4 minutes. I notice it's bloody cold but it was a clear day and the sun was out. As I thought about that, Linkin Park's 'The sun will shine for you' song came into my head...oh I wish I had my MP3 with me!
365508 (required) came in and I jump in the rear motor driving car for the leap back to Kings Lynn. We weren't too far off right time so a good 30 minute fester was in order here.
I looked at the timetable to see I have nearly an hours wait each time at Downham Market and Littleport if I wanted to do them both. If it was a summers day I'd be doing it but the thought of the long wait at both in the freezing wind put me right off!
I went to Morrisons for a lunch manoeuvre and came back to join the rear coach of 365508. Soon after I got on, two 13/14 year old's came running into our coach and ran through the train. This was followed by two RPI's who were at the manual gates chasing after them who were then escorted back up the platform...I tried to resist from opening the hopper window and bellowing 'BOWLED!!!!'
Someone noticed that one had a whisky bottle in his pocket too...sound's right :roll:
We left on time for the long drag back to Cambridge, and I started doing some research for a new book idea of mine, so that passed the time. Some school kids in school uniform got on at Ely (school on a Saturday??) who seemed to be going to Essex since one bellowed out she lives in Essex (you have a house in Essex? That's some whopping big house!)
Eventually, year's later, we came into Cambridge and I noticed we didn't join onto another 365 and just went solo instead, so that made our train rammed to the rafters...do they do this often?
We had a grip after Cambridge and started at the rear of the last coach that I was in, and took until Hitchin to reach me. He gave up checking tickets after reaching the corridor end of the coach though.
After another bombing trip to Kings Cross we arrive into P9 4 minutes late, again probably due to the slow running between Downham Market and Littleport.
Decisions now...do I go to Welwyn on a stopper or on a fast to Potters Bar then to Welwyn? Or maybe Hatfield? Either case, the 1506 Peterborough was due out of P10 calling at Potters Bar, Hatfield, Welwyn GC, Welwyn North, Knebworth etc etc so I went to P10 and awaited for the 365 to come in. I noticed 313061 was sitting in P9 having arrived from somewhere.
365537 (another requirement) rolls in and I leap into the front coach. I check my book for 313061...oh my god! My last 313 I need for sight!! WOOO!!!!!
We leave on time and I check my quail for Welwyn flyover as I couldn't quite remember if it's for units into or out of Welwyn...but I notice the crossover from the Down Slow and the flyover to the Up slow is all dud.......oh.
I seem to recall being at Welwyn at night time coming off and onto a 313...I think I am right that it is dud actually. There are a few long forgotten old trips I have done that I have remembered in stages, like Stevenage...required in the Baker but I know it is dud as I remember clearly walking over the 90's looking bridge and going to the Tesco, then coming back for a 91 to Kings Cross....shame I have no moves book record for the numbers!
I was going to stay on to Welwyn anyway since my ticket goes there, and maybe we might be on the fast line until the crossover before Potters Bar....or not. We stayed on the slow all the way to Welwyn Garden City, but then it's probably due to the fact that the Welwyn leaves 5 minutes after we leave at The Cross.
Required track however is done as I need the bit in and out of P2 anyway. So I stayed on to scoop the slows through to the end at Digswell Jn, just need the crossover out of P2 direct onto the fast which is a slower route out, don't think many use it though.
Another reason to stay on was to do Knebworth as I'd have a +3 there for one back, not bad at all, just need a return ticket sorted out though I suspect it's only a couple of quid.
We arrived right at the far end of the station for some reason so walked all the way back to the middle to the stairs, though thinking about it, there were no DOO monitors in the middle so I suspect that's why we stop by the 8 car mark.
Outside I noticed no TVM but I noticed the timetable poster and planned the next move. With that noted I heard the 365 roll in on the southbound slow (Platform thingy...no idea on numbers there!) so ran through the subway to the 365 at the platform, didn't note the number though stupidly.
We left on time and got as far as Digswell where we let a 365 bomb past, then some time later a MK4 set bombed past. We eventually got going and arrived late into Welwyn North.
I bailed here for the scratch and got a return to Hitchin at £3.65. I had a 10 minute wait for the delayed 1604 (by 2 minutes) but at least I got to see 365s and a 180 bomb through at some speed, can see why it's a popular for videoing trains at speed...if only GNER Valenta's were running still!!
The now late 1604 came in on time...well it's 2 late so it's on time really! I didn't have a 365 on the Peterborough stopper this time, but was treated to a High Speed Box Machine...i.e a 317!!
I watch the pantograph as it comes in and see the MSO is at the front end, so off I charge towards the front! I get a seat at the back that has some serious leg room...the next seat in front is like 5 miles away!
Space much!Enjoyed that for sure, especially through Welwyn Tunnel
The slows after Knebworth are now scooped as I scratch the required line to Hitchin....I was tempted to stay on and extend my ticket to Peterborough though!
I got off at Hitchin for the station scratch and went over to the other side for the delayed 1629.
365527 (required!) was on the..I think..ex-Cambridge and we left at 1633. I took it all the way to Kings Cross standing up since it was wedged!
Back at the cross I nearly headed home as I did the bits I wanted to do, and any more station scratches are far out and involves more time and money. However, As JML would say, 'but wait...there's more!'
Over to St Pancras I see a few HS local services due out soon...that's not what I'm thinking of though. Over to the departure boards...let's see...1720 all shacker lacker to Bedford Midland...1734 to Bedford calling West Hampstead...RA St Albans that's the one!
What is it with Bedford, some are listed as Bedford, then others as Bedford Midland :?
I also note the Starbucks is closed for long term engineering work (refurb) just as well I have no overnighters planned soon!
I get a return to St Albans at £6.95. I like how it's printed as London Thameslink to St Albans! Is it valid today? The Thameslink platforms are shut
I saw off the 1720 All shacks and lamppost's service and waited for the Fast to roll in. In the meantime I saw the 1732 Paris being loaded at the second platform behind the glass screen. The travelator up to the platform seemed to have a people spawner on full settings at the bottom, as this endless sea of people came up!! Can't say that the Paris is under-used!
A 319 came into P1 so I joined the queue for the service. Piles of people came out and we got let on. I see the Swiss 319 was allocated to the 1734, which is required 319215! Straight to the MSO, which was full and standing in no time, got a seat at least and we left on time. Bombing up the fast made a huge change from doing the overnight stoppers, shame 215 was epically quiet though
At St Albans, I got off for the station scratch, only Cricklewood, Hendon, Mill Hill Broadway, Luton and Leagrave left to do on the north Thameslink part!
A 10 minute wait for another fast St Pancras was welcoming, and required 319220 and 361 rolled in...the latter ALSO required!
I sat in the MSO of 361 for the fast run back which was MUCH louder than 215! Bloody hellfire run on the fast screaming and screeching all the way back. I like the screeching sound that starts kicking in when it gets to a fast speed, dunno what causes it though.
Arrived at St Pancras on time, so with my day complete I headed over to the SSL LU platforms via the 500 mile walk. Down the stairs was a set waiting to go, timed that well!
Back at Paddington High Level at 1855, the 1900 or 1906 HSTs were my options but were no doubt rammed, so I got a KFC and a coffee and came back to see a HST in P5...that can only be the 1930 Bristol surely....A look on Traveline suggested it's due out of P2..but the 1900 went out of P2 but that was due for P1...platform alterations tonight by the looks of it. Funny with terminals, you never know if there is alterations!
So I went for a wander up P5. 43087 was on the rear with 138 up front. I board Coach C and look at one of the res tickets '1930 PADD - BTM'....well that's answered that then!
I take a choice of a seat..seems strange doing it without having to fight with other passengers piling on!
I know some HST's I get back on have the odd passenger on before it's advertised on the boards who obviously get the gen beforehand.
The announcement is made and I stroll to the door to see the hoard of people marching up with baton sticks and smoke as they batter anyone who dares overtake them!
We leave right time into the night and I work on some more research for my book. Also having my coffee randomly makes me think of 'Coffee and TV' by Blur (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1uvECNUYRE) and immediately think of revised lyrics:
'So give me Coffee 'n HST's,
It's enough for me,
Take me away from Paddington,
as I'm going home you see'
The first bit is too many syllables but it's the only thing I could think of!
Arrival into Bath saw us 3 late at 2103, the initial +7 is now a +4...or not..2107 due 2117. I also see the Pompey later is booked out of P1 :? An announcement soon came on to say the Pompey will leave from P2...thought it would!
I also heard Phil announce a new announcement I've never heard before...saying about trains regularly pass the station without warning and parents with children should ensure they are behind the yellow line...never heard that before!
As if to prove a point, 221137 soon came through on the 5C59 19+04 Paignton - Barton Hill ECS.
A manual announcement came on to say the Weymouth will depart further down the platform than usual. Odd? I then saw a poster saying that due to the frothmas market going on, Portsmouth, Weymouth an Westbury services will stop further down the station....what's that got to do with the flippin market!!
The revised stopping position was by the 6 car marker with a hand written board telling drivers to stop here. May as well be Platform 2a or 2b or something!
The 2107 finally came in with 2 car 150239 on the turn and took it home to Trowbridge. The guard admitted we were late as he refused to use the initial unit booked for the turn as it had no working toilet...good idea really as there were some people on who were drinking.
We left at 2122 and arrived into Trowbridge at 2147, loosing 4 minutes en-route due to a door problem at Freshford.
Well that was a good bash! Initially planning to only do the Welwyn Flyover and do, Watlington, Littleport and Downham Market stations, I ended up doing more required 365s, one required 317, two required 319s and 6 stations bagged...oh and one required 159 to kick off the day too...just glad I don't have to go north of Downham Market at least!
Stats:
Mileage altogether - 563m 57ch
Highest Mileage on one train - 106m 66ch on 43138 and 43189 on both HST's
Lowest Mileage on one train - 3m 03ch on 365xxx
Best part of trip - 319361 on the MML fast
matched with 317339!Worst part of trip - The stagger to King's Lynn!
Random Quote no.1 - "The dream of an afro on the moon is within our grasp people" (American Dad)
Random Quote no.2 - "You're annoyingly, annoyingly, remembering"
Random Quote no.3 - "Why do people go to Cambridge?"
Random Quote no.4 - "Join me on the dark side...oh and I don't like fruit"
