Juliano's World Frenzy/Tech's Trip Reports

[iainbhx]

Thanks. I will definitely be using that one in the future.

And has a good hygiene rating (4/5) with the council unlike some of the premises around there.

 

[crehld]

Sounds like a good trip to Scotland and back, and with some rare track and winners added to the mix (including brush elusive 507) it sounds like a recipe for a good time... As for that 3am start? It's a sign off from me I'm afraid!

 

[Techniquest]

Aye it was great, apart from that early start and dire M6 experience! Not doing such an early start again for a long time!

Monday I might be out again, but with a dire weather forecast I might just stay in. We'll see but I could definitely do with a trip!

 

[Kite159]

The cats are calling you Techni

 

[Techniquest]

So tempting, but then not getting drenched or blown away tomorrow will also be a priority! Especially since I've done none of the stuff I was supposed to be doing today...

 

[Blindtraveler]

Id stay in doors if I were u mate.

 

[FQ]

I'd go out but it's your choice!

 

[47403]

The cats are calling you Techni

All I can about that photo, is said in the link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NdWJpHt1Xws

 

[Techniquest]

I wasn't expecting some jazz there! Especially with my phone on maximum volume!

 

[Techniquest]

Sorry to keep you all waiting for this trip report, I've had quite a busy and testing week! I haven't added the photos to this trip report yet, ideally they will be looked at on Sunday. Nevertheless, here we go:

14/12/2015 - Tech's Anti Frothmas, Day 1

Finally this trip was here! It was a long three and a bit weeks since my last proper trip, when I went to Glasgow and Liverpool, with just a Ledbury to Hereford move made on 6th December in the meantime which helped me keep going. After some nightmare shifts lately, I was more than ready for a decent bash again! This will be the last major bash of 2015 too, with potentially one more day trip next week. This year has gone quick, but by gum hasn't it been a great year! Stay tuned for my final instalment on my Rolling Review thread later this month which will be full of stats and so on.

Credit for this trip's hashtag and trip title must go to Blindtraveller, as it was he who came up with it. This trip had a few revisions, and potentially more as today progressed, but both Lord BT and I managed to get it worked out in the end. Preparations were complete on Sunday evening and I was so keen to get going sleep evaded me until gone 0130. So I wasn't jumping out of bed at 0630, and admittedly for a few minutes I was wondering why the alarm was going off, but the brain was soon awake enough to get me up and about! I join my sister on the relief bus for the 0720, as the double decker is still out of service. It basically runs as a CollegeEx, going via a different route and runs non-stop to Hereford. So I had tons of time in town before my train [typical that I didn't need it for a supply raid! - Ed] at 0846 to the Bat Cave. This is of course the retimed 0849, and today I have 170514+153364 on it. Obviously I go for some DBT, and after a flick through the Metro I start work on the trip report and updating a couple of notes. I also progress with my Rolling Review of 2015, December edition and this move is number 763 in 2015! That doesn't include buses, coaches, planes, ferries or lifts into/out of town. Quite impressed by how much I've done it has to be said!

Even with a re-time this service is incapable of being on time, and we finally arrive at 1022. I go for a wander, and I see 168001 appears to be on the 1055 from Moor Street, so I'm rather glad I didn't have that move to get me to London! I manage to somehow resist the temptation to go to Burger King, and Tesco Metro is visited for the supply raid. This was always going to be the case with a £2.50 Clubcard voucher to use up! Something in the meal deal didn't work, so I have to get someone to manually fix it. A chicken bacon and stuffing sandwich [I'd forgotten how much I love these! - Ed], a packet of Skips and a bottle of Ballygowan water, as well as a large bottle of Pepsi Max for later, for the princely sum of £1.49, yep I'm not complaining at all! Costa time next for a large white Americano [was this really a surprise? - Ed] before I join my booked working, the 1130 Birmingham Bat Cave to London Bat Cave. I do have skinny milk in my coffee [I bet that was a surprise though! - Ed] though, have done in Costa for some time now, as it's part of The Grand Plan. Yes, that is still in force, and in all fairness it's working well so far. I'm disappointed though that 390114 is not out for me today, and I find my booked seat aboard dud 390049.

I have to move someone from my seat, but she doesn't mind too much. It turned out she was in the seat next to me, but the people at the other side of the table didn't produce so we can spread out. Just as well for her, as she's got an iPhone and needs a power socket [surprise surprise with those things! - Ed], and you may be thinking "390049, that sounds familiar", as I was too. It's the same one I had from Glasgow to Wigan last month, so by the time I arrive at the Bat Cave of the South I'll have had this one for quite some mileage this year alone! Once I play my favourite Christmas song a couple of times pre-departure [yep, even Captain Humbug himself has a select few favourites! - Ed], the lyrics for which are actually a little sad in parts, it's Green Day's American Idiot album time. Well, it sort of is, Google Play Music didn't download it properly so Jesus of Suburbia doesn't play! There's an idea for a trip title in 2016...

It's a very slow journey between Birmingham International and Coventry, one can only assume we're stuck behind a freight or very much caught up with the 1114 Bat Cave North to Bat Cave South [Birmingham New Street and London Euston - Ed], looking forward to getting some high speed running going on, hopefully nice and fast through Rugby! We got the fast run through Rugby indeed, and later the epic tilt via Weedon arrives, but as soon as it did we hit the brakes hard just before Roade Junction, much grr! I've got Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory album on now, oh it's been a while. 15 years it may be now, but I still like it! What do you mean you've never heard of it? Classics like Papercut, Points of Authority and In The End are blasting into the ear canals. The tilt through Wolverton caught me by surprise as I was tapping away, oh I am like a kid in a sweet shop when it comes to high speed tiliting! Oh and it's nice to go storming through MKC as well, yep I'm having fun for sure! I'd best put this away for now I think, before I bore you all to tears!

Arrival at Bat Cave South is at 1301, 6 minutes late, and I have a stretch of legs before making my way down to the Tube. Goodge Street is my final Zone 1 shack to score, so since I have time before Lord BT arrives I go for the leap on the Northern line, scoring double winners for everything 51664+51663 from Euston to Goodge Street. After that 2 minute insect leap, I'm very shortly on double winners for everything [how Good-ge was that, eh? I know, terrible joke! - Ed] 51507+51506 from Goodge Street to Warren Street, where I change for the Victoria line instead of Euston. Good call as well, as I score double winners 11016+11015 for the insect leap. We had arranged to meet each other on the southbound platform here, which was all fine and good except delays are hard to communicate with each other when you're underground! I see off many Victoria line trains before I give up, thinking I've missed him and head to the surface to check for messages. Nothing, so I return to the platform and he's not long arrived. Quite a farce at Walthamstow had occured, let alone delays coming into Tottenham Hale, but no matter, we were both here now. Double duds 11037+11038 take us forward next to Green Park, where we change for the Jubilee.

Winner 96103 leads dud 96034 on our trip to Canning Town, where we were changing for the DLR. Lord BT required the Beckton branch to clear the DLR, and not being one to turn down a decent run on said system I was more than up for it! Double duds 138+140 take us to the end of the line, where I end up micro-gricing platform 2 which was required. A supply raid is deemed more than essential by now, so we pop into the Asda across the road from the station. After dealing with that, we return to the DLR and join dud 41 leading winner for everything 80 with winner 89 on the back. Off at Shadwell for dud 134 leading winner 121 with dud 105 on the back for the leap down to Bank and the rather decent run diving around this, that and the other underground. Double duds 51548+51547 [I was Bank-ing on some more winners here. Yep, the bad jokes are carrying on! - Ed] take us to Angel. I know what you're thinking, why go here? This was for the novelty factor, as Angel reportedly has the longest escalators on the entire Underground system. I thought we had been tricked to begin with, but the second and main escalator was indeed enormous, trumping even that massive one at Liverpool Lime Street Low Level!

After a quick look around, it's back down and the rail gods are on break, leaving the angels to cover [I know, I know, terrible. Just be glad you don't work with me! - Ed] and they're clearing working miracles as we get double winners for everything 51518+51519 to Elephant & Castle. The interchange here is easier than I thought, and we jump on Super Dud 3250 for the trip through town to Marylebone up the Bakerloo line. It's just 15 minutes on the heritage line before we head upstairs for the mainline station. Tension has mounted by now, as the Banbury set is not yet in. Yep, we're heading north on one of the best workings [these days, what with no proper sounding HSTs out of Paddytoon! - Ed] out of town, the 1721 London Marylebone to Banbury, a Class 68-hauled MK3 set, but this one doesn't have power doors yet. Yes, that means droplights, and that means you can hear the thrash! This used to be the 1750 from Marylebone, note the new time gang. Eventually it rolls in empty from Wembley, and for a few moments we make sure it's the right set. It is, so we head to the ticket office and get our tickets to Birmingham.

With that sorted, we make our way to the front carriage and it's that busy [bear in mind this is a 5 coach train, normally 6 to be fair. Capacity we can only dream of on ATW! - Ed] we have to stand in the front vestibule. Not that we were complaining mind! The 1718 to Oxford Parkway, with just one call at Bicester Village, was 168324 and a required sight for me. Just 2 coaches at this time of day seems crazy! We're off right time with Super Dud 68010, and the noise is immediately excellent, once we clear the station throat though the noise is just immense and extremely flail-worthy. It was jaw-droppingly excellent, I hope the video clip I got comes out well! At High Wycombe we get some welcome seats, and appreciate the racket from the seats nearest the front. What an excellent run, I so want to do that again as soon as physically possible! We have a fair ol' wait for the next 68, flagging the dud 172+168+168 combination. Winner 68011 is up next and we eventually leave 5 minutes late, due to a "communications problem" according to the guard.

We bail at Moor Street as we need to get moving to Longbridge for the Premier Inn there. I'm surprised we weren't gripped all the way mind! Something I've never seen at New Street though is TBC on the departures screen, as the Southampton service was interfering with our rather late Starship. Eventually common sense is seen and it's chucked into platform 10b and we leave 14 down on Starship 209. It's soon heard why, the motors in this coach [65009 - Ed] are totally out of action! Most disappointing it has to be said. We finally reach Longbridge at 2057, and it sounded like motors in one of the coaches of the unidentified 323 on the rear were also out of action. 2 out of 4 motor coaches not powering would certainly explain a significant delay! The Premier Inn is approximately 5 minutes walk away, and after checking in we drop off bags and order food, taking advantage of the meal deal they offer. A 2 course meal, a drink and breakfast for £24.99 sounded expensive, but it turned out to be money well spent. Cod chips and peas for my main, which was just gorgeous, and Chocolate Melt in the Middle pudding with ice cream for pudding, which although small was just stunning!

After a most needed meal it's off to the room to chill out after an amazing day, the thrash off 68010 will stay in memory for a long time! 13 winners today, not bad going at all!

15/12/2015 - Tech's Anti Frothmas, Day 2

0600 and the alarm is going off, signalling de-rancification time. I sure felt a lot more alive after that shower! Preparations for departure follow filling in the moves book and marking off my Tube scores, doing so while Lord BT of the Burgh had his shower. It was now time to see how legendary the Premier Inn breakfast really was! Good golly gosh this was good food, worth every penny and I sure had my fill! Before too long it's time to head to Longbridge station and pick up tickets for the homeward journey. Starship 221 takes us to the Bat Cave, thankfully making a bit more noise than 209 last night, but still nothing compared to the racket Northern's Starships make! Am I just being unlucky on LM? I see Lord BT off on 350246 after navigating the chaotic route from platform 8a to platform 4c, then unfortunately the queue at Costa is moving too slowly to get a drink and still make it onto the 0849 to Hereford. Yes I probably could get the 0949 instead, but it's a 30 minute walk from the station to work and I'd rather time for a social and rest before work starts then be exhausted before starting an 8 hour graft fest!

170630 does the honours, and it's time for some tunes all the way south, and I get the trip report updated. That took me until Ledbury to do much to my surprise! Costa is visited for a much needed coffee before heading to work, and just for once I finish at 5. After a quick social with other colleagues, I'm off to Yates for food. I try their chicken tikka and it's not that great but then it was only £3.49! I end the day with an evening in Ledbury, and we get 170634 and 170507 over. I see my first HST in a little while and because it leaves only a couple of minutes later, we watch 43041 and 43160 power the 1722 London Paddington to Hereford on the last leg of the journey. It's mighty strange seeing a lass enjoy a HST, it must be said! I score two renumbered HST trailers for sight too which was welcome. The evening ends with a couple of drinks, including my first try of Southern Comfort [not a fan to be honest, althouh equally I wouldn't turn it down- Ed] and a rather nice cold can of Rekordlig Wild Berries cider. First time trying that stuff, I'll be having more of that some time! A bit of a chillout watching The Big Bang Theory was enjoyed before we both suffer a massive crash out around 2330.

The next day, I wake up feeling strange, knowing I'm now 31. Yep, today was the day I marked the 31st anniversary of being expelled from a birth canal [that's an image and a half isn't it! - Ed], and quite frankly all I wanted to do was jack squat all day, eventually hitting the sauce in the afternoon. However, as it's too close to Frothmas there was no chance of having the day off! I give up at 5 though, being far too unmotivated to do much all day [I don't particularly enjoy these anniversaries - Ed] and just want to go home. With almost everyone working, and Lynz feeling beyond shattered too [poor girl's not been too well lately, and it's not her favourite time of year either - Ed] I see her off on her bus home, get some money out for my commuter ticket and head to Costa for a much needed coffee. The bus home eventually arrives, ridiculously heavy traffic tonight! Linkin Park gets shoved into the ear canals and I finish tapping this out, as well as updating my Rolling Review, December edition. That is still lined up to be posted on 27th December. A bloody good meal and some beers when I get in is looked forward to all the way home to be honest, not to mention my own bed as I haven't seen it since Sunday night!

And that was that, sorry the final part wasn't the most interesting! As it turns out, that was indeed my last trip of the year, as I've been drafted in despite my protests to work on Monday. I now have zero days where I can go bashing until 4th January [Sundays are pointless even trying to go bashing anywhere from my neck of the woods, and I'm not going to attempt anything on New Year's Day!- Ed], even then I might have to put it off until 11th January. An advantage to the latter option is that I can make it a bigger trip, but that is still forever away!

As a result, I shall be bringing forward the final part of my Rolling Review, with the plan to now upload that on Sunday. I can't believe I'm sacrificing my last bashing day of the year...

 

[FQ]

That sounds like an excellent couple of days! I'm surprised that you got no heavy rail stuff around London though!

And, to finish, happy (belated) birthday!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Well you (we) certainly went out with a bang for 2015 didnt we! Loving the jokes my friend. I note you failed to mention the fact you had 2 uses out of a Return Birmingham Hereford Off Peek Return making the overnighter possible. Thanks once again for your company!

 

[Kristofferson]

Glad to see Lynz making a return in your reports, sounds like a fun lass

Enjoyed the read of course, I'm sure the 68 was epic. £25 doesn't seem bad for dinner and breakfast - try out a Coast To Coast next time you're out and about, you'll probably knock a tenner off a bill for two

 

[jayalongtheway]

Another great read - more inspiration for me to get cracking in the New Year, cannot wait to try a Cat for myself!

 

[Cletus]

You were lucky with Angel station, I went there the other week, mainly to check out the escalator & also having seen that old BBC documentary, only to find the station exit only - no working escalator back down! :-x

 

[Techniquest]

Glad you've all enjoyed the read, I'm about to go into work so no time to do so yet!

Thanks Lord Fish for the birthday wishes!

 

[backontrack]

Merry Christmas Techniquest! :P

Oh, and happy birthday as well

 

[heart-of-wessex]

14/12/2015 - Tech's Anti Frothmas, Day 1

Haha! Love it!

I join my sister on the relief bus for the 0720, as the double decker is still out of service. It basically runs as a CollegeEx, going via a different route and runs non-stop to Hereford. So I had tons of time in town before my train [typical that I didn't need it for a supply raid! - Ed] at 0846 to the Bat Cave. This is of course the retimed 0849, and today I have 170514+153364 on it. Obviously I go for some DBT, and after a flick through the Metro I start work on the trip report and updating a couple of notes. I also progress with my Rolling Review of 2015, December edition and this move is number 763 in 2015! That doesn't include buses, coaches, planes, ferries or lifts into/out of town. Quite impressed by how much I've done it has to be said!

Cover bus I assume, what vehicle out of interest? Might have to explain DBT to me too, sorry :blush:

Shed load of moves though, blooming heck!

Even with a re-time this service is incapable of being on time, and we finally arrive at 1022. I go for a wander, and I see 168001 appears to be on the 1055 from Moor Street, so I'm rather glad I didn't have that move to get me to London! I manage to somehow resist the temptation to go to Burger King, and Tesco Metro is visited for the supply raid. This was always going to be the case with a £2.50 Clubcard voucher to use up! Something in the meal deal didn't work, so I have to get someone to manually fix it. A chicken bacon and stuffing sandwich [I'd forgotten how much I love these! - Ed], a packet of Skips and a bottle of Ballygowan water, as well as a large bottle of Pepsi Max for later, for the princely sum of £1.49, yep I'm not complaining at all! Costa time next for a large white Americano [was this really a surprise? - Ed]

Yep! Still rateable! I must admit I saw the bit 'packet of Skips' and just imagined these small potato shaped 67 crisps !

Costa? Well that surprised me!......

It's a very slow journey between Birmingham International and Coventry, one can only assume we're stuck behind a freight or very much caught up with the 1114 Bat Cave North to Bat Cave South [Birmingham New Street and London Euston - Ed]

!!!

looking forward to getting some high speed running going on, hopefully nice and fast through Rugby! We got the fast run through Rugby indeed, and later the epic tilt via Weedon arrives, but as soon as it did we hit the brakes hard just before Roade Junction, much grr! I've got Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory album on now, oh it's been a while. 15 years it may be now, but I still like it! What do you mean you've never heard of it? Classics like Papercut, Points of Authority and In The End are blasting into the ear canals. The tilt through Wolverton caught me by surprise as I was tapping away, oh I am like a kid in a sweet shop when it comes to high speed tiliting! Oh and it's nice to go storming through MKC as well, yep I'm having fun for sure! I'd best put this away for now I think, before I bore you all to tears!

NICE! High honours to you! Though I do like the Points of Authority/99 problems mash up, only Jay Z one I can hack. You know, I've been playing the Chocolate Starfish and the Hot Dog Flavored Water Limp Bizkit album a lot recently, epic!

Forgot how much fun tilting is on the Pendo's!

[how Good-ge was that, eh? I know, terrible joke! - Ed]

...tumble weed....

With that sorted, we make our way to the front carriage and it's that busy [bear in mind this is a 5 coach train, normally 6 to be fair. Capacity we can only dream of on ATW! - Ed] we have to stand in the front vestibule. Not that we were complaining mind! The 1718 to Oxford Parkway, with just one call at Bicester Village, was 168324 and a required sight for me. Just 2 coaches at this time of day seems crazy! We're off right time with Super Dud 68010, and the noise is immediately excellent, once we clear the station throat though the noise is just immense and extremely flail-worthy. It was jaw-droppingly excellent, I hope the video clip I got comes out well! At High Wycombe we get some welcome seats, and appreciate the racket from the seats nearest the front. What an excellent run, I so want to do that again as soon as physically possible! We have a fair ol' wait for the next 68, flagging the dud 172+168+168 combination. Winner 68011 is up next and we eventually leave 5 minutes late, due to a "communications problem" according to the guard.

I've yet to try a Cat, especially on the Banbury rake! They are becoming rather popular, even heard reports that even in coffin plug door stock they are audible! I envy you somewhat!

Starship 221 takes us to the Bat Cave, thankfully making a bit more noise than 209 last night, but still nothing compared to the racket Northern's Starships make! Am I just being unlucky on LM?

Not just me who noticed that then? I was at Crewe once watching a 323 go out to Manchester, sounded bloody hellfire in comparison to the LM ones I've heard!


I'd like to meet up with Mr BT, sounds like a great guy to go on a bash with too, enjoyed the rest of the read as always, didn't expect a lazy day in there at the end!


Good read mate

 

[Techniquest]

Glad you enjoyed the read James!

Aye Northern 323s take some beating! 68s are audible on coffin stock yep, need to be right near the loco mind. Well worth doing them, and aye 68s have a massive fanclub on here alone!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That sounds like an excellent couple of days! I'm surprised that you got no heavy rail stuff around London though!

And, to finish, happy (belated) birthday!

Thanks Lord Fish!

Aye there just wasn't enough time to do any heavy rail stuff this time, maybe next time!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Well you (we) certainly went out with a bang for 2015 didnt we! Loving the jokes my friend. I note you failed to mention the fact you had 2 uses out of a Return Birmingham Hereford Off Peek Return making the overnighter possible. Thanks once again for your company!

We sure did!

Thank you too for your company! Two anti-Frothmas bashers hitting the rails together!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Glad to see Lynz making a return in your reports, sounds like a fun lass

Enjoyed the read of course, I'm sure the 68 was epic. £25 doesn't seem bad for dinner and breakfast - try out a Coast To Coast next time you're out and about, you'll probably knock a tenner off a bill for two

Aye she's a good girl fair dos!

Aye the meal deal was indeed good value, would highly recommend it. What's the Coast to Coast?

That 68 thrash is still in my ears!
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Another great read - more inspiration for me to get cracking in the New Year, cannot wait to try a Cat for myself!

You'll love the 68s, I've yet to meet anyone who doesn't like them!

Glad you enjoyed the read and have been inspired! I hope we'll see some trip reports from you in 2016
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

You were lucky with Angel station, I went there the other week, mainly to check out the escalator & also having seen that old BBC documentary, only to find the station exit only - no working escalator back down! :-x

Harsh! We had escalators up and down thankfully!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Merry Christmas Techniquest! :P

Oh, and happy birthday as well

Oi cheeky!

Cheers for the birthday wishes, still feels weird being 31 now and still outpacing colleagues 10+ years my junior!

 

[hassaanhc]

Winner 96103 leads dud 96034 on our trip to Canning Town, where we were changing for the DLR. Lord BT required the Beckton branch to clear the DLR, and not being one to turn down a decent run on said system I was more than up for it! Double duds 138+140 take us to the end of the line, where I end up micro-gricing platform 2 which was required. A supply raid is deemed more than essential by now, so we pop into the Asda across the road from the station. After dealing with that, we return to the DLR and join dud 41 leading winner for everything 80 with winner 89 on the back. Off at Shadwell for dud 134 leading winner 121 with dud 105 on the back for the leap down to Bank and the rather decent run diving around this, that and the other underground.

Can't believe you ended up at my end of the DLR and went to my local Asda! :P I was at the family home in Southall at the time but even then I could have joined you instead of falling asleep again after waking up at 8 .

It's mighty strange seeing a lass enjoy a HST, it must be said! I score two renumbered HST trailers for sight too which was welcome. The evening ends with a couple of drinks, including my first try of Southern Comfort [not a fan to be honest, althouh equally I wouldn't turn it down- Ed] and a rather nice cold can of Rekordlig Wild Berries cider. First time trying that stuff, I'll be having more of that some time! A bit of a chillout watching The Big Bang Theory was enjoyed before we both suffer a massive crash out around 2330.


With almost everyone working, and Lynz feeling beyond shattered too [poor girl's not been too well lately, and it's not her favourite time of year either - Ed] I see her off on her bus home, get some money out for my commuter ticket and head to Costa for a much needed coffee.

I grow even more convinced about you and Lynz (gets coat)

 

[Keith Jarrett]

A pretty good conclusion to your year's bashing. I can see how Euston is now the Annex to the real Bat Cave. Pity, you didn't think too much of the LM Starships - just have to wait until the Northern ones come south!

Almost forgot the Birthday wishes - many congratulations. Just think, now you are a fully fledged Goyle having graduated from a Mirlees!

General tip for communicating on the underground with internet enabled phones - sign up for the free wi-fi and then use Google Hangouts (or indeed any similar web-based IM systems).

 

[noddy1878]

Good read as always. Happy birthday! Nine days before mine (although I have a few more years on you!). I know what you mean about work! Its intense at the moment!

I wondered where the report had got too! 68010! My final Chiltern 68 needed! Your underground adventures have kind of inspired me as to what I think I may do next time I am in the capital. Plenty of winners for me down there!

 

[55013]

Many happy returns!
It doesn't seem that long ago since your 30th birthday bash.
Tempus fugit indeed.

 

[Techniquest]

Can't believe you ended up at my end of the DLR and went to my local Asda! :P I was at the family home in Southall at the time but even then I could have joined you instead of falling asleep again after waking up at 8 .

Sorry, didn't think to let you know we were going that way, kinda unplanned as we went really!

I grow even more convinced about you and Lynz (gets coat)

No, not a chance there! Trust me, neither of us want that to happen.
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A pretty good conclusion to your year's bashing. I can see how Euston is now the Annex to the real Bat Cave. Pity, you didn't think too much of the LM Starships - just have to wait until the Northern ones come south!

I think Lord Kite first called Euston that, and I obviously liked it enough to nick it. If it wasn't Lord Kite, please speak up so we can clarify it.

I think with LM the Starships depend on the driver and the run itself. I've had really great runs in Birmingham but also some terrible ones.

Aye it was a good end to the year indeed, the start of 2016 promises to be great!

Almost forgot the Birthday wishes - many congratulations. Just think, now you are a fully fledged Goyle having graduated from a Mirlees!

Thank you good sir! I hadn't considered how my age corresponds with a ped!

General tip for communicating on the underground with internet enabled phones - sign up for the free wi-fi and then use Google Hangouts (or indeed any similar web-based IM systems).

I'll have to remember that, I've never used Hangouts so will be a good opportunity to try it out. Cheers for the tip!
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Good read as always. Happy birthday! Nine days before mine (although I have a few more years on you!). I know what you mean about work! Its intense at the moment!

Thanks good sir, yours is Frothmas Day? Poor boy! Work is intense aye, I'm fudged after my shift today, and I'm not looking forward to next week! You won't be either I suspect, but we've got a paid day off next week which will be nice!

I wondered where the report had got too! 68010! My final Chiltern 68 needed! Your underground adventures have kind of inspired me as to what I think I may do next time I am in the capital. Plenty of winners for me down there!

68010 is my most regularly had one! Still need 012 and 014 of the Chiltern batch. I still need tons on the Tube, so I dread to think what you need!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Many happy returns!
It doesn't seem that long ago since your 30th birthday bash.
Tempus fugit indeed.

Thank you good sir!

Aye it's hard to believe it's been a year since the 30th birthday bash. It's been a fast-flowing year for sure!

 

[47403]

Sorry to keep you all waiting for this trip report, I've had quite a busy and testing week! I haven't added the photos to this trip report yet, ideally they will be looked at on Sunday. Nevertheless, here we go:

14/12/2015 - Tech's Anti Frothmas, Day 1

Finally this trip was here! It was a long three and a bit weeks since my last proper trip, when I went to Glasgow and Liverpool, with just a Ledbury to Hereford move made on 6th December in the meantime which helped me keep going. After some nightmare shifts lately, I was more than ready for a decent bash again! This will be the last major bash of 2015 too, with potentially one more day trip next week. This year has gone quick, but by gum hasn't it been a great year! Stay tuned for my final instalment on my Rolling Review thread later this month which will be full of stats and so on.

Credit for this trip's hashtag and trip title must go to Blindtraveller, as it was he who came up with it. This trip had a few revisions, and potentially more as today progressed, but both Lord BT and I managed to get it worked out in the end. Preparations were complete on Sunday evening and I was so keen to get going sleep evaded me until gone 0130. So I wasn't jumping out of bed at 0630, and admittedly for a few minutes I was wondering why the alarm was going off, but the brain was soon awake enough to get me up and about! I join my sister on the relief bus for the 0720, as the double decker is still out of service. It basically runs as a CollegeEx, going via a different route and runs non-stop to Hereford. So I had tons of time in town before my train [typical that I didn't need it for a supply raid! - Ed] at 0846 to the Bat Cave. This is of course the retimed 0849, and today I have 170514+153364 on it. Obviously I go for some DBT, and after a flick through the Metro I start work on the trip report and updating a couple of notes. I also progress with my Rolling Review of 2015, December edition and this move is number 763 in 2015! That doesn't include buses, coaches, planes, ferries or lifts into/out of town. Quite impressed by how much I've done it has to be said!

Even with a re-time this service is incapable of being on time, and we finally arrive at 1022. I go for a wander, and I see 168001 appears to be on the 1055 from Moor Street, so I'm rather glad I didn't have that move to get me to London! I manage to somehow resist the temptation to go to Burger King, and Tesco Metro is visited for the supply raid. This was always going to be the case with a £2.50 Clubcard voucher to use up! Something in the meal deal didn't work, so I have to get someone to manually fix it. A chicken bacon and stuffing sandwich [I'd forgotten how much I love these! - Ed], a packet of Skips and a bottle of Ballygowan water, as well as a large bottle of Pepsi Max for later, for the princely sum of £1.49, yep I'm not complaining at all! Costa time next for a large white Americano [was this really a surprise? - Ed] before I join my booked working, the 1130 Birmingham Bat Cave to London Bat Cave. I do have skinny milk in my coffee [I bet that was a surprise though! - Ed] though, have done in Costa for some time now, as it's part of The Grand Plan. Yes, that is still in force, and in all fairness it's working well so far. I'm disappointed though that 390114 is not out for me today, and I find my booked seat aboard dud 390049.

I have to move someone from my seat, but she doesn't mind too much. It turned out she was in the seat next to me, but the people at the other side of the table didn't produce so we can spread out. Just as well for her, as she's got an iPhone and needs a power socket [surprise surprise with those things! - Ed], and you may be thinking "390049, that sounds familiar", as I was too. It's the same one I had from Glasgow to Wigan last month, so by the time I arrive at the Bat Cave of the South I'll have had this one for quite some mileage this year alone! Once I play my favourite Christmas song a couple of times pre-departure [yep, even Captain Humbug himself has a select few favourites! - Ed], the lyrics for which are actually a little sad in parts, it's Green Day's American Idiot album time. Well, it sort of is, Google Play Music didn't download it properly so Jesus of Suburbia doesn't play! There's an idea for a trip title in 2016...

It's a very slow journey between Birmingham International and Coventry, one can only assume we're stuck behind a freight or very much caught up with the 1114 Bat Cave North to Bat Cave South [Birmingham New Street and London Euston - Ed], looking forward to getting some high speed running going on, hopefully nice and fast through Rugby! We got the fast run through Rugby indeed, and later the epic tilt via Weedon arrives, but as soon as it did we hit the brakes hard just before Roade Junction, much grr! I've got Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory album on now, oh it's been a while. 15 years it may be now, but I still like it! What do you mean you've never heard of it? Classics like Papercut, Points of Authority and In The End are blasting into the ear canals. The tilt through Wolverton caught me by surprise as I was tapping away, oh I am like a kid in a sweet shop when it comes to high speed tiliting! Oh and it's nice to go storming through MKC as well, yep I'm having fun for sure! I'd best put this away for now I think, before I bore you all to tears!

Arrival at Bat Cave South is at 1301, 6 minutes late, and I have a stretch of legs before making my way down to the Tube. Goodge Street is my final Zone 1 shack to score, so since I have time before Lord BT arrives I go for the leap on the Northern line, scoring double winners for everything 51664+51663 from Euston to Goodge Street. After that 2 minute insect leap, I'm very shortly on double winners for everything [how Good-ge was that, eh? I know, terrible joke! - Ed] 51507+51506 from Goodge Street to Warren Street, where I change for the Victoria line instead of Euston. Good call as well, as I score double winners 11016+11015 for the insect leap. We had arranged to meet each other on the southbound platform here, which was all fine and good except delays are hard to communicate with each other when you're underground! I see off many Victoria line trains before I give up, thinking I've missed him and head to the surface to check for messages. Nothing, so I return to the platform and he's not long arrived. Quite a farce at Walthamstow had occured, let alone delays coming into Tottenham Hale, but no matter, we were both here now. Double duds 11037+11038 take us forward next to Green Park, where we change for the Jubilee.

Winner 96103 leads dud 96034 on our trip to Canning Town, where we were changing for the DLR. Lord BT required the Beckton branch to clear the DLR, and not being one to turn down a decent run on said system I was more than up for it! Double duds 138+140 take us to the end of the line, where I end up micro-gricing platform 2 which was required. A supply raid is deemed more than essential by now, so we pop into the Asda across the road from the station. After dealing with that, we return to the DLR and join dud 41 leading winner for everything 80 with winner 89 on the back. Off at Shadwell for dud 134 leading winner 121 with dud 105 on the back for the leap down to Bank and the rather decent run diving around this, that and the other underground. Double duds 51548+51547 [I was Bank-ing on some more winners here. Yep, the bad jokes are carrying on! - Ed] take us to Angel. I know what you're thinking, why go here? This was for the novelty factor, as Angel reportedly has the longest escalators on the entire Underground system. I thought we had been tricked to begin with, but the second and main escalator was indeed enormous, trumping even that massive one at Liverpool Lime Street Low Level!

After a quick look around, it's back down and the rail gods are on break, leaving the angels to cover [I know, I know, terrible. Just be glad you don't work with me! - Ed] and they're clearing working miracles as we get double winners for everything 51518+51519 to Elephant & Castle. The interchange here is easier than I thought, and we jump on Super Dud 3250 for the trip through town to Marylebone up the Bakerloo line. It's just 15 minutes on the heritage line before we head upstairs for the mainline station. Tension has mounted by now, as the Banbury set is not yet in. Yep, we're heading north on one of the best workings [these days, what with no proper sounding HSTs out of Paddytoon! - Ed] out of town, the 1721 London Marylebone to Banbury, a Class 68-hauled MK3 set, but this one doesn't have power doors yet. Yes, that means droplights, and that means you can hear the thrash! This used to be the 1750 from Marylebone, note the new time gang. Eventually it rolls in empty from Wembley, and for a few moments we make sure it's the right set. It is, so we head to the ticket office and get our tickets to Birmingham.

With that sorted, we make our way to the front carriage and it's that busy [bear in mind this is a 5 coach train, normally 6 to be fair. Capacity we can only dream of on ATW! - Ed] we have to stand in the front vestibule. Not that we were complaining mind! The 1718 to Oxford Parkway, with just one call at Bicester Village, was 168324 and a required sight for me. Just 2 coaches at this time of day seems crazy! We're off right time with Super Dud 68010, and the noise is immediately excellent, once we clear the station throat though the noise is just immense and extremely flail-worthy. It was jaw-droppingly excellent, I hope the video clip I got comes out well! At High Wycombe we get some welcome seats, and appreciate the racket from the seats nearest the front. What an excellent run, I so want to do that again as soon as physically possible! We have a fair ol' wait for the next 68, flagging the dud 172+168+168 combination. Winner 68011 is up next and we eventually leave 5 minutes late, due to a "communications problem" according to the guard.

We bail at Moor Street as we need to get moving to Longbridge for the Premier Inn there. I'm surprised we weren't gripped all the way mind! Something I've never seen at New Street though is TBC on the departures screen, as the Southampton service was interfering with our rather late Starship. Eventually common sense is seen and it's chucked into platform 10b and we leave 14 down on Starship 209. It's soon heard why, the motors in this coach [65009 - Ed] are totally out of action! Most disappointing it has to be said. We finally reach Longbridge at 2057, and it sounded like motors in one of the coaches of the unidentified 323 on the rear were also out of action. 2 out of 4 motor coaches not powering would certainly explain a significant delay! The Premier Inn is approximately 5 minutes walk away, and after checking in we drop off bags and order food, taking advantage of the meal deal they offer. A 2 course meal, a drink and breakfast for £24.99 sounded expensive, but it turned out to be money well spent. Cod chips and peas for my main, which was just gorgeous, and Chocolate Melt in the Middle pudding with ice cream for pudding, which although small was just stunning!

After a most needed meal it's off to the room to chill out after an amazing day, the thrash off 68010 will stay in memory for a long time! 13 winners today, not bad going at all!

15/12/2015 - Tech's Anti Frothmas, Day 2

0600 and the alarm is going off, signalling de-rancification time. I sure felt a lot more alive after that shower! Preparations for departure follow filling in the moves book and marking off my Tube scores, doing so while Lord BT of the Burgh had his shower. It was now time to see how legendary the Premier Inn breakfast really was! Good golly gosh this was good food, worth every penny and I sure had my fill! Before too long it's time to head to Longbridge station and pick up tickets for the homeward journey. Starship 221 takes us to the Bat Cave, thankfully making a bit more noise than 209 last night, but still nothing compared to the racket Northern's Starships make! Am I just being unlucky on LM? I see Lord BT off on 350246 after navigating the chaotic route from platform 8a to platform 4c, then unfortunately the queue at Costa is moving too slowly to get a drink and still make it onto the 0849 to Hereford. Yes I probably could get the 0949 instead, but it's a 30 minute walk from the station to work and I'd rather time for a social and rest before work starts then be exhausted before starting an 8 hour graft fest!

170630 does the honours, and it's time for some tunes all the way south, and I get the trip report updated. That took me until Ledbury to do much to my surprise! Costa is visited for a much needed coffee before heading to work, and just for once I finish at 5. After a quick social with other colleagues, I'm off to Yates for food. I try their chicken tikka and it's not that great but then it was only £3.49! I end the day with an evening in Ledbury, and we get 170634 and 170507 over. I see my first HST in a little while and because it leaves only a couple of minutes later, we watch 43041 and 43160 power the 1722 London Paddington to Hereford on the last leg of the journey. It's mighty strange seeing a lass enjoy a HST, it must be said! I score two renumbered HST trailers for sight too which was welcome. The evening ends with a couple of drinks, including my first try of Southern Comfort [not a fan to be honest, althouh equally I wouldn't turn it down- Ed] and a rather nice cold can of Rekordlig Wild Berries cider. First time trying that stuff, I'll be having more of that some time! A bit of a chillout watching The Big Bang Theory was enjoyed before we both suffer a massive crash out around 2330.

The next day, I wake up feeling strange, knowing I'm now 31. Yep, today was the day I marked the 31st anniversary of being expelled from a birth canal [that's an image and a half isn't it! - Ed], and quite frankly all I wanted to do was jack squat all day, eventually hitting the sauce in the afternoon. However, as it's too close to Frothmas there was no chance of having the day off! I give up at 5 though, being far too unmotivated to do much all day [I don't particularly enjoy these anniversaries - Ed] and just want to go home. With almost everyone working, and Lynz feeling beyond shattered too [poor girl's not been too well lately, and it's not her favourite time of year either - Ed] I see her off on her bus home, get some money out for my commuter ticket and head to Costa for a much needed coffee. The bus home eventually arrives, ridiculously heavy traffic tonight! Linkin Park gets shoved into the ear canals and I finish tapping this out, as well as updating my Rolling Review, December edition. That is still lined up to be posted on 27th December. A bloody good meal and some beers when I get in is looked forward to all the way home to be honest, not to mention my own bed as I haven't seen it since Sunday night!

And that was that, sorry the final part wasn't the most interesting! As it turns out, that was indeed my last trip of the year, as I've been drafted in despite my protests to work on Monday. I now have zero days where I can go bashing until 4th January [Sundays are pointless even trying to go bashing anywhere from my neck of the woods, and I'm not going to attempt anything on New Year's Day!- Ed], even then I might have to put it off until 11th January. An advantage to the latter option is that I can make it a bigger trip, but that is still forever away!

As a result, I shall be bringing forward the final part of my Rolling Review, with the plan to now upload that on Sunday. I can't believe I'm sacrificing my last bashing day of the year...

Sounds like a very productive couple of days there between you and the Laird of Midlothian. Been ages since I was on the DLR, gotta be about 3-4 years, they always remind me of the taxis in the film Total Recall.

Jealous of the trip behind the 68 with drop down windows. I must do that move sometime, however reading that, just makes me wanna get to the Scottish Capital and ride the fife circle Kitty's again, co-incidentally, what Cats are on the Circle at the moment? I'm assuming it's 6 and 7.

Another cracking read Lord Tram, hope the Birthday went well.

 

[FQ]

There are currently day turns operating on the Fife stuff due to the Forth Road bridge being closed. So the 68s currently up there are 003, 006 and 007, with a top and tail set on one of them each day. Also, 67008 and 67021 are working Tnt up there too.

 

[Techniquest]

Sounds like a very productive couple of days there between you and the Laird of Midlothian. Been ages since I was on the DLR, gotta be about 3-4 years, they always remind me of the taxis in the film Total Recall.

Jealous of the trip behind the 68 with drop down windows. I must do that move sometime, however reading that, just makes me wanna get to the Scottish Capital and ride the fife circle Kitty's again, co-incidentally, what Cats are on the Circle at the moment? I'm assuming it's 6 and 7.

Another cracking read Lord Tram, hope the Birthday went well.

Apart from having to graft 12-5 on Wednesday, I had a lush meal and 3 beers so it went better in the evening

Aye I want to do the Fife Circle turns again too!

 

[47403]

Apart from having to graft 12-5 on Wednesday, I had a lush meal and 3 beers so it went better in the evening

Aye I want to do the Fife Circle turns again too!

Thanks for that gen, fishquinn, how long them 4 got them turns for? Because if there was some kind of day rover for Edinburgh, I would do it in the first week of January, 68006 and 67021 are certainly in my haulage requirements.

Whilst were on about skips, fishquinn, where's 67013 hanging abut these days? I only ask because you knew where the last time.

Get xmas out the way, something needs to be done, I need to get back out and about on the rails again.

 

[FQ]

I don't know how long those certain locos will last for but the extras should be running until the Forth road bridge is open again.

Dyfrbont Pontcysyllte (pronounced Dry-bont Ponecon-sythe), which is 67013, is currently at Cardiff Canton acting as spare for the WAG to Holyhead.

 

[noddy1878]

Thanks good sir, yours is Frothmas Day? Poor boy! Work is intense aye, I'm fudged after my shift today, and I'm not looking forward to next week! You won't be either I suspect, but we've got a paid day off next week which will be nice!

Not quite. Xmas Eve.