Juliano's World Frenzy/Tech's Trip Reports

[Techniquest]

68004 suits me as it's also needed for haulage!

19/10/2016 - Tech's October Fest, Day 3

I wake up 92 minutes early at 0558, so it's a casual bit of final prep and de-rancification. Lots of calculations had to be made too, thanks to some inefficient budgeting. Yes, it will be tight this month, but things can be accommodated. Anyway, I go for breakfast at 0650 having got everything sorted, I must return here next year for a serious clearout in this part of the world!

Yesterday I missed seeing the 60 on Dalston tanks by less than a minute, today I missed seeing the 66 on a GBRf coal train to Greenburn by the same amount of time! 68021 is on the 0422 Crewe Basford Hall to Carlisle New Yard again today, as it had a clear run there was no thrash this time though. It's also less nippy thankfully today, and my first coffee of the day is devoured. I had considered trying my luck with the 0718 to Newcastle, however it was dud so no thanks. Some moves planning followed, and I get a day return to Annan for £5.10. The logic here being it fills a lot of time before my booked train, it was a shack score and there was a chance of a 156 score, noy to mention observing what's on Kingmoor. Pumpkin gets visited for a large coffee and it's to the waiting room. 156437 is already a Super Dud [what bad luck with 21 ScotRail 156s required for haulage! - Ed] on the 0646 Newcastle to Glasgow Central via Dumfries, and all the 68s I hadn't seen lately were all tucked behind other locos. At least it's a shack score at Annan...

I go for an explore during my +39 and there's not a lot to see in Annan, so I walk back to the station, take a seat and get Tech's Mobile Disco going on. First tunes since around 1413 on Day 1, so Raver's Fantasy is most welcome for the ear canals this morning! An update to the requirements memo files was also carried out, which led to the discovery I need 14 not 19 171s, even after adding the 171/2s and 171/4s, so that meant I'm down to just 2,100 requirements!

Oh come on, my luck was shocking today! Super Dud 156439 took me back to Carlisle, so I'm no closer to clearing ScotRail 156s than I was when I left home! Some spotting is then done before I get a coffee from WHSmith [the card machine in Ritazza was still not working! - Ed] before boarding winner 156475 on the 1025 Carlisle to Newcastle. Very pleased with that, and I was glad not to be booked on the next one as the inward working for it was a Bouncing Bomb [aka 142s - Ed]. It's a rather slow run to Hexham, at just under an hour, but we then run fast to Prudhoe which was nice, some proper speed again. My atlas and moves book receive an update, not that it took long as I've done surprisingly few moves. That will change today!

After arriving via the High Level Bridge into required platform 1, I meet the good sir 47403 who has even kindly provided me with a coffee, thanks! It was off to the Metro and after a short wait we join double duds 4026+4044 all the way to winner shack Millfield. Dud 4037 and winner 4066 take us onwards to winner shack Pallion, which also take us back after an 11 minute wait to winner shack Park Lane. Double duds 4009+4070 take us to my final shack out this way, winner shack University (Sunderland). A coffee break was made here before joining double duds 4070+4009 up to Pelaw. Word had been received that some battery locos were due at 1430 here on a RHTT train, so obviously we hope to see it.

After some time, it hasn't produced today so we join double winners 4016+4083 to Heworth to investigate the Northern services. Nothing wanted, and we take winner 4051 and dud 4024 to Hebburn so I can get checked in at base camp and lighten the load in my bag. With all that done, we return to the platforms to get double duds 4024+4051 to Haymarket. We await fellow forum member rg177 to join us, and after his little fail at getting the right train at Monument we then take the walk to St James Park, as I had never seen it before. Huge place, it must be said!

Back on the Metro, we join dud 4031 and winner 4038 to winner shack Chillingham Road. Thanks to 47403's decent pair of binoculars, I score the Grand Central 08 for sight [I must double check its number and add it to my notebook! - Ed] before we join double duds 4024+4051 back to winner shack Manors. We just miss a train going east, so it's a bit of a wait for double duds 4051+4024 yet again, this time we go to winner shack Wallsend. Dud 4069 and winner 4079 take us back west one stop to winner shack Walkergate, and we say farewell to 47403 on this set with very bad wheelflats, as he needs to get back to Gateshead.

An ultra quick connection lands us onto double dud 4063+4042 to winner shack Howdon. The service has started coming apart, as the next Coast-bound train was still in the city centre. Winner 4012 and dud 4008 take us to winner shack Hadrian Road, and double duds 4079+4069 take us to winner shack Meadow Well, where a short wait gets us onto double winners 4010+4033 to winner shack Cullercoats. We can go in either direction now, and we end up leaving the chavs go west while we go over the bridge, now they'd gone, and join double duds 4039+4067 to winner shack Tynemouth. Winner 4090 and dud 4006, 4090 being needed for sight until a few hours previously, take us to winner shack Percy Main.

Just one shack remained for me to score, and double duds 4015+4045 take us there. I part ways now with rg177, as he got a lift home from here. I have a short wait for double duds 4048+4023 on a Longbenton service. I end up bailing at Benton, as I'm convinced the next one to the city centre may be a score. Turns out it was, with dud 4041 and winner for everything 4020 taking me to Central Station. I have enough time here before my next move to get some chocolate doughnuts from Sainsburys, then joining Super Dud 156438 on the 1925 to Carlisle, for a short leap via the High Level Bridge to Metrocentre. With the stomach satisfied for now, having not eaten for almost 8 hours at this point, I discover grim news.

Due to a train fault at Kilmarnock, the Glasgow Central to Newcastle via Dumfries was pined at Dumfries! A unit had been scrambled to restart the service at Carlisle, and it's freezing up here! I eventually get to note what came in from Middlesbrough, and the DMU scrambled into service? Super Dud 156510 [what is it with my luck and ScotRail 156s today?! - Ed] so I flag it for the 2031 Metrocentre to Newcastle, as it was winner 142095 and wow the warmth was super welcome! It was also the first ever time I'd been on a train that called at Dunston. I decide it would be far too late to eat a proper meal by the time I got to Pelaw, so I plump for Burger King instead. The logic being that, since I have to walk to Monument now anyway due to Central Station refurbishment works in the evenings, I can also devour my meal en-route. Wow didn't that go down well!

There's a fair ol' wait here for double duds 4010+4033 to Hebburn, where I make movements quickly with heavy rain starting not long before the B&B. A catch up on the forum with a winner beer, Mordue's Workie Ticket and I agree with 47403 that it's good stuff, and eventually bag preparations are made. The eyes were very heavy by 2300, so it's no surprise that I got to sleep very easily and quickly in this really comfortable bed!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Sounds like a busy day there, Iv never been over fussed about the Metro but sounds fun. I dare say Il clear it sometime.

Cut down on the booz a bit and youl be rolling in money, same goes for any other bad habbits, there certainly the first to go when stuffs tight here.

Doner Pizzas are a big thing up North esp in scotland and quite a few places mear the border do them to keep the masses happy. Whilst personally no fan the fact that every pizza delivery near me and theres over 20 of them offers said delight should tell the doubters how popular they are.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Thanks also for a grand day on Tuesday, it was nice to revisit the R and ER after a good few years, I think 2011 was my last visit.

 

[Techniquest]

Thank you for coming down and joining me, especially when money's too tight to mention. Yes I did have that song in my head for a while!

Aye the beer has been cut back a lot this week, admittedly my lot on Monday were almost all halves so they weren't super expensive. Still got one of my bottles from the supply raid in Asda on Monday night actually!

I love doner meat and chips, so it was logical I'd like doner meat on another favourite comfort food, pizza. Don't knock it until you try it I say. Much like that other classic Scottish thing, deep fried Mars bars. I have yet to try them, maybe one day!

Currently storming down the ECML on a pair of duds, sadly it's a change at York for a bouncy ride...

 

[FQ]

Sounds like a great time there! Did you see the battery locos in the end?

 

[507021]

Another really enjoyable report there Tech, looking forward to the next one.

 

[55013]

Looks like a good day on the Metro, chavs aside.
I must make it up there in 2017.

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good day on the Tyne & Wear metro

 

[Techniquest]

FQ: Sadly it appears the RHTT didn't turn up after all.

20/10/2016 - Tech's October Fest, Day 4

0600 and the alarm is sounding, the temptation to stay in bed is significant. After 10 minutes this wasn't an option, so it's time to get the kettle going on while the de-rancification occurs. Eventually I leave Hebburn B&B, highly recommended as per my previous stay, around 0640 and after buying my Zones A+B single for £2.60 I have a 9 minute wait for the next train. I make a start on finishing the trip report [which also helped fill the festers on Metro - Ed] for yesterday. Eventually dud 4080 and winner 4017 take me one stop to Pelaw. The plan here was to fill my book as much as possible now, and a 9 minute wait gets me winner 4052 and dud 4059 to Heworth. 7 minutes later I was on winner 4055 and dud 4073 to Felling. Dud 4064 and winner 4057 take me onwards to Gateshead Stadium. Not a bad start to the day with 4 winners already!

21 minutes of festering got me onto dud 4060 and winner 4076 to Gateshead. Only 3 minutes here until dud 4058 and winner 4035 take me to Central Station, 6 winners today and only 9 Metro units to get for haulage! Breakfast options were numerous, but I settle on a large bacon bap and coffee deal in Bowers of Newcastle on Grainger Street for £3. Wow wasn't that nice, even the coffee! Double duds 43290+43312 take me to York, and after discovering my booked table seat had been changed to an airline seat, crammed next to someone, I choose an unreserved one instead. No working sockets, great start VTEC, I'm not best pleased already! Coach D had some unreserved seats with working sockets so I eventully got in there instead. I couldn't see 47403 to wave back, and nothing of interest on Tyne Yard either.

We arrive with a +7 for the 1003 to London Kings Cross, as the HST annoyingly runs non-stop to London. No time to source a coffee then, just enough to score a few GC HST coaches though. It was dud 91115 forward and I at least have my booked table seat and a working power socket! That's where the good news ended, as it was very jerky for the first few miles, which I'm informed happens with a 91 on the back regularly. The rough ride of the MK4s is well noted around the universe, but it is less common for people to note just how much the 91 jerks the train and not just on isolated incidences, this was happening a LOT. Cue the #IHateClass91s and #IHateVTEC hashtags! Send these pieces of junk, these horrible junkpiles, to the scrappers and keep Booths Rotherham nice and busy!

The trolley service hasn't got even close to me after just short of an hour, so I went looking for it. Still in coach E! Stuff it, I'll wait now until Peterborough for better value coffee, Pumpkin or Ritazza had better be there still! There appears to be issues south of Newark, as we come to a halt by a loop at Barnby Lane level crossing which had 43277 at the head of an HST in it on a York service, 43208. The HST driver was out of the cab, so this could be bad news! Thankfully we're back on the move shortly, no idea what happened there! The notebook is finally up to date, the moves book update is going to take a while. I've so not enjoyed this run that the following applies:

I would have preferred a MerseyRail 142 at full thrash all the way;

I am actually looking forward to getting on a 170!

Yes I really did say that! We finally arrive at 1135 at Peterborough, and all hail the mighty Pumpkin, that coffee was gorgeous! I see I'm off platform 6, on the new island platform installed a while back. Required microgrice then, excellent. A couple of GBRf 66s are scored for sight, as were 3 MK4s, before I join 170397 to Ely. One more step to go on it before it joins the highly desirable Super Dud Club! The ride quality is just so much better than the MK4 it's unreal. My Anglia Plus 3 in 7 is easily sourced for £36.40, and I do a supply raid at Tesco Ely. Super Dud 158812 to Norwich is flagged, and I get winner 365519 to Cambridge. 170203 was on the GA run to Norwich, which I need!

Knowing where 170203 is currently is still useful, the chase may well be on! Dud 170271 on 1344 to Ipswich, so I end up waiting for the 1412 to Norwich. Unfortunately it's dud 170205, but Brandon is a required shack and I might well get 170203 back out of there. Worth a punt! In the meantime I take a seat on the 170 to devour lunch, it having now been over 5 hours since breakfast. That feels a lot better, just need another coffee to have gone with that and I'd have been well away.

When I suddenly realise I have bookwork to do, I discover I've made quite an epic fail. I knew I should have checked the atlas when I got to the B&B and dropped stuff off, but now I look and I see West Monkseaton and Monkseaton are actually required! No wonder they felt like I hadn't been to them before when we went through last night! Oh I was screaming at myself for that...I manage to get WiFi at Thetford, which meant I could check for my gen on the last two GA 170s that I need. KB on Twitter came through for me, and now I know where they are a move can be formulated. Winner 170203 is had to winner shack Brandon, where a +21 is available instead of a +37 and I can get to Norwich quicker this way. My last two 170s are going to and from Ipswich, so a trip there is mandatory!

A bottle of beer, my last one from Monday's supply raid in Asda, is devoured while at Brandon and it's onto dud 170201 to Norwich. The noise of it gets on my wick before we get to Thetford, so it's back on with Tech's Mobile Disco to drown out the noise. I also note I only need 2 GA 153s and 4 GA 156s, as well as 5 GA 90s, it will be no surprise to any of you that I would love to clear at least the DMUs but the 90s as well would be amazing. Not bothered to an extent about the shacks, but any of them I can get is of course a bonus. We arrive 2 up at 1628, and the noise and smell of the 68s is oh so tempting. However, I am today on a mission. During the run, needed from platform 3 to platform 1 as I was at the back of the 170 and we parked behind 158806, I noted 153314 parked up. Why am I running *away* from a 68?

To jump on winner 90010 as I need to get to Ipswich quick. Why? My last two GA 170s are working down that way! "Tech, surely they could have waited, there was a 68 there!" I know you're all screaming at me, but these 170s have been a thorn in my paw for too long, I want those gaps gone from my book! After a couple of minutes, my breath has been caught, and on the walk to the buffet car I note two MK3s in this set that I needed for sight so happy days. £2.20 later and I have a coffee, and this is indeed nice. I wasn't aware MK3s had power sockets in Standard Class now, this is however welcome news and my phone goes on charge for the run to Ipswich.

Up and over the footbridge, and it's good news as it's winner 170206 which was my last 3-car GA 170 to get, happy days! Unsurprisingly for this time of night, it's quite busy but I manage to get a seat relatively easily. It was off to winner shack Wickham Market, my first intermediate shack between Westerfield and Lowestoft. 170271 joins the League of Super Duds for the return journey to Ipswich, and I look at going via Lowestoft to get to base camp in Acle. It would mean another shack scratch, but arriving 67 minutes later into Acle than via Ipswich, which means a potentially required 90. As I'm already tired, having been on the rails since 0653 [it was 1812 as I typed this, so nearly 12 hours on the move - Ed] and not having had any tea yet, getting to base camp quickly was considered a very wise idea.

Thankfully, despite being 2 down into Ipswich, the 1730 London to Norwich is a few minutes late itself, so I manage to note that it's dud 90015. Shame it wasn't required after all, oh well never mind, it was worth a punt! A look through the NREA reveals 18 more MK3s shown as being allocated to Crown Point to see, making progress slowly then. I've also decided to make a Fishquinn-style rule for 91s!

For those unaware, he has a rule about not departing London Marylebone on a DMU, possibly more rules like that but memory is failing me here. So my rule for 91s is ultra simple, and it is to avoid 91 haulage whenever possible if the 91 is pushing. That won't be easy to maintain, more of a guideline than anything, but I'll give it a go!

Just as well that I came this way after all, as the day's travels end with winner 156417 to winner shack Acle! All that remained was to get the walk on to base camp, which on this occasion was Kings Head Inn, Acle. Google Maps reckoned a 15 minute walk, however that wasn't using the footpath to the village. Going via that, which is very poorly lit and not recommend too late at night, got me to base camp in 9 minutes. A very friendly welcome, and I got upgraded to a double room vice single room. Tea is eventually sourced from East of England Co-Op, and formed of ham, rolls and Penguins. A local beer is also sourced, as my room keys had a bottle opener on it too!

So that was Day 4, only 2 days of bashing remain. An excellent first day on the rover, now bring on the morning!

 

[FQ]

A big shame about the poor VTEC rides there but at least it's loco hauled! You're crazy to look forward to the 170 though and incredibly crazy to prefer a 142! You're also crazy for going for that potential 170 instead of a cat.

Good luck with your 91 rule too - it is kind of like mine!

 

[AJM580]

I tell you these youngsters have no idea running away from a 68 just to do some Turbostar I know what I'd have done! Still well done on a successful day and welcome to Norfolk

 

[507021]

Another excellent read Tech, sounds like you're having an excellent and very productive time so far.

 

[Techniquest]

Productive is right, been an amazing 4 days! Thanks for the welcome AJM580, I had to get those gaps filled with the 170s. Sadly one remains to taunt me yet, but that could go away yet. Oh, and my first move tomorrow falls to the 68s!

FQ: Yes I really would have preferred a 142, unexpected comment but it really did come to mind as we jerked almost to a stop just north of Doncaster!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

A couple of excellent days there. Good luck with the "missing" 170...

Agree to.differ on doner meat pizza, but then I don't particularly care for pepperoni either. Too greasy. Pizza of choice is hot chilli beef/lamb - keema, onions and lots of chili pepper. Agree to agree, though, on the deep fried Mars Bars, the first one of which I ever sampled was in Great Yarmouth. So if you get the chance tomorrow...:

 

[55013]

As someone who's done one or two 91s I can honestly say that I don't remember ever having that much of a problem, maybe there was an issue with the communication from the DVT.
Other than that, a great read as usual, good luck with getting that last local 170.

 

[37038]

91s are marginally smoother pulling rather than pushing but what you had there was a bad case. The Mk4s don't ride track imperfections very well (Mk3s are better) but I don't recall significant issues on my trips to and from work.

Reasoning could be anything from DVT having intermittent communication with the 91, neutral sections with a overly ambitious pick up or just 91115 requiring some attention.

 

[Kite159]

91115 wasn't that bad last week coming back from Leeds, so might have been a different set (82211 was the DVT at the front last week)

Doh on the missing shacks on the metro!

 

[47403]

Eventually caught up, another top read Tech, was nice to catch up with you and finally meet fellow Geordie compatriot rg177. Your welcome for the coffee but you missed the bit out about the young lady, with the long legs in the cut off denim shorts and knee high socks on Sunderland station, trust me lads, her rear in them shorts, looked fantastic, she certainly caused a bit of a twinge. Also the look of horror on my face when you underlined a metro needed for sight without a ruler and the 08's seen, not in the book, written at the top of the page. I'm way, way too OCD with my NREA, maybe I need help, we laughed about it but after a while I had to stop looking.

A good day was had, I saw you window hanging as you passed my house, I did wave but you were looking the wrong way. Can't believe you didn't get both Monkseaton's stations in, talk about being so close, yet so far. Did you get those last 3 metros for sight? That metro wheelflat was shocking and a big shame the Battery loco RHTT never materialised either.

Have a cracking next few days, its been a fairly productive trip so far, good luck with the 90's and finding that last 170. jammy sod going for the 37s and 68s but happy hunting squire, look forward to the trip reports, will have a butchers on twitter soon.

 

[Segedunum]

Sounds like a productive time. I'm glad you managed to scoop up further winners from the Metro after I departed!

Sent from my F3311 using Tapatalk

 

[Techniquest]

You still got that lass in your head LSG? Jeez she sure made an impression on you!

Gotta admit your NREA is way way tidier than mine squire, and glad you enjoyed the read. That wheelflat was just crazy, never heard one like it before!

Day 5 ended a lot differently than originally expected. Read on to find out more:

21/10/2016 - Tech's October Fest, Day 5

Horrible isn't it, when you're not far from the end of an amazing time and you realise the fun is almost over! I was like that soon after waking up, which was 60 minutes early at 0630. I just can't stay in bed for a lie in anymore it seems! I suppose it didn't help that I was keen to get moving, not an option sadly before 0845 this morning. So it's a nice and very casual bit of preparation, with a coffee made thanks to the kettle and supplies in the room. I've rather liked my stay here and wishing I had booked two nights and not just the one now. My final base camp is Central Hotel, Norwich, the logic for which being that I want to get on the rails early, as I only have the morning to play with before heading home, so being near a mainline station made sense. I just hope it's a nice place now!

I leave a little after 0800 to get to the station for a photo of the 68 coming in from Norwich, but gen on 170273 is promising, the photo may have to wait...I am amazed though that TV screens are still used for PIS out here! Photos of the 68s got and it's indeed winner 170273 to winner shack Lingwood. Many thanks go to a good friend for getting it looked up for me, I owe him yet another beer now! Very quiet place is Lingwood, and only Brundall Gardens is in the way of clearing Norwich to Great Yarmouth via Acle for shacks.

The peace is soon disturbed by a very noisy 37 in the distance, and a few minutes later it arrives and leaves with me 8 down as I needed 5937 for sight as well as haulage. Of course, the thrash was most welcome from 37425 as well! Platform 3 at Great Yarmouth should be a required microgrice too, and it's not long until 37419 growls us back out to Norwich, also a very noisy machine! Breakfast is served, today formed of the biscuits from the hotel room. 08847 is a score for sight as we pass Crown Point, it shunting thankfully dud 90 and MK3s. A meal deal for this afternoon's lunch is sourced, as is a coffee for right now. It's OK stuff but I'll not be returning to East of England Co-Op for one later.

Winner 68004 is at the head of the 1005 to Lowestoft, naturally I'm in the front coach and this one's quite thrashy too on the trip to winner shack Oulton Broad North. I had forgotten just how slow the run through the Reedham area is, so many tight curves and the swing bridge don't help of course, so once we're past the long 20mph section the thrash is back and 68004 is clagging nicely! Somerleyton Swing Bridge currently has a 10mph TSR on it too, which was just an endurance. With the shack scored, it was simply a case of waiting for winner 68024 to return from Lowestoft for a non-stop run back to Norwich.

It's dud 156417 from last night on the 1145 to Sheringham, no thanks. Pumpkin is visited for a coffee, and I go for a leap of faith on the 1200 to London. Good move, as it was winner 90012 which leaves just 3 more GA 90s to get in the book, happy days! I get Tech's Mobile Disco on for some Nightcore into the ear canals, after all it's not like I'll get any thrash off the 90s! Dud 90011 is flagged, just as well as the 1200 from London produced winner 90014, well chuffed! Gen has come through on the two GA 153s, now I have a tough choice or two to make. I bail at Diss and eventually winner 90013 arrives to take me to Norwich. In that set alone I scored 5 MK3s for sight, meaning I have nearly all the GA MK3s for sight! Far too many to get for haulage of course, but hey ho. Just 90006 to get from the GA 90s now, which I'm told is not out today. No matter, I've had 3 out of the 4 I needed today, a shame the whole set couldn't be cleared but it could end up producing tomorrow for all I know!

I head to my final base camp of the trip, Central Hotel, and make a coffee before returning to the station to board 90013 again. This time it's off to Stowmarket, where a +6 is available onto what should apparently be one of my final GA 153s. Fingers crossed!

My meal deal from Co-Op is finally devoured for a very late lunch as I left Norwich, the first bit of proper food I had had all day at that point. At Stowmarket, the Danger Music was playing in my head. Will the 153 produce or will I be bowled out? Thankfully I needed not panicked, as winner 153314 was with dud 153306 to take me to winner shack Bury St Edmunds!

A quick trip to Tesco is made before the train back, which is dud from yesterday 170206. Only one leap to get on it to make it a Super Dud! Another 170, another dose of Tech's Mobile Disco, and at Stowmarket it's time to Rock Da Party! Dud 90003 produces to push me to Norwich, and unlike 91s they don't jerk the passenger coaches like mad even when pushing! A can of Adnams Southwold Bitter was deemed necessary, £3 but I'd pay not much less in a pub for a pint of it, maybe even more, and this is only 128ml less than a pint, so I'm happy. I think it's a winner beer, but the WiFi doesn't work [Bad Gateway issues - Ed] and my mobile data signal out here is awful.

At Norwich, the Danger Music is on again, and I source some Adnams beers from Co-Op as there were plenty of winners available. On the platform, it's good news, as winner 153322 and dud 153309 are on the 1745 to Sheringham! My last GA 153 to get as well, happy days and a bottle of Adnams Sole Star is opened in celebration, with a smile on my face. There's an early start ahead tomorrow, to maximise the last bit of my rover, I'll explain that properly in the final part of the trip report of course. Those on Twitter, expect an early tweet...Winner shack Worstead gets me started on clearing the Sheringham branch shacks, as you'll have all noticed I haven't focused on them much this time, the winners were more important.

Winner 156402 turns up to take me back to Norwich, just 156402 and 156419 to get to clear the GA DMUs. It won't be a surprise to learn that I will be after them tomorrow! I end up in OneStop for some cheap food for tea, bread and ham to make sandwiches as well as a Walla ham and cheese slice will do. Winner 321349, dud 321337 and winner 321306 were had on the 1930 to London, 54 321s to go. 3 of which are on Great Northern and 1 with Northern.

I visit The Jolly Porter next to platform 1 at Diss and I come away with a takeaway pint of Scotts Farm's Darkside. Very nice stuff, although I can't find it on Untappd! I might have looked up the wrong name mind, worth a look again. We arrive on platform 4, something I've never done on a 90 before, and I cannot resist scoring MK2 6024 [like that was the only reason! - Ed] on the 2040 to Great Yarmouth. 68004 provides some more than welcome noise, and so much for a relaxing evening at base camp eh? I end up bailing at winner shack Brundall Gardens, instead of clearing the line to Yarmouth with 68s. I have a feeling I may regret that decision one day, but on the bright side, all shacks Norwich to Great Yarmouth via Acle are now all done!

"Tech, you should have walked to Brundall in that time!" I know you're shouting at your screens, screen readers or whatever. Yes, maybe I could have walked the mile and a bit. However, it was raining significantly, I was hungry after not yet eating any ham sandwiches and finally, the route to the main road was not lit at all, so I didn't fancy it. It's time for the world famous [OK, forum and Twitter famous! - Ed] Tech's Mobile Disco and some Nightcore at high volume as I consume a beer and devour a sandwich!

68024 is back before I know it, and I develop a crazy plan. Yes, crazier than setting my alarm for 0400. I get back on and have 68004 take me to winner shack Somerleyton. At 2205, I must be mad, and yes I suppose I am! Late night shack scratching is a bit strange, when I could have been in the hotel since 2040, but since when have I done the sensible thing?! Having now eaten a couple more sandwiches however, I wanted to go back to base camp. It would get me back to Norwich 34 minutes earlier, oh how tempting was that?

170202 becomes one step closer to Super Dud status, and as the eyes have become tired and yawning started and quite regular, it's time to head back to base camp. Reedham can wait, I need sleep! Umm, no, not yet as it turned out, after we arrived at Reedham I grabbed my bag quick to bail. It had the bonus of enjoying 68024 make a fine racket on the ECS to Crown Point!

The final move of the day was the 2347 to Norwich, and fell to 156417, now a Super Dud. Back at Norwich, it was straight to base camp, let home know I was still alive and then straight to bed! What an epic day it was though, such a shame the final day of the 6 day mega bash was upon me. This lion did NOT want to go back to its cage! That was one key reason for the 0400 alarm, to maximise every available minute of my freedom! I am going to miss the 37s and 68s though, it'll be quite some time until I get to enjoy either class again!

 

[AJM580]

A very productive day, hard lines on not getting 90006 It's been back and forth to Crewe for repairs and is there at the moment. One of our 156s does the Mark's Try to Sudbury run which takes it out of the rover area so it may have be worth checking the gen

 

[FQ]

That is a highly successful day there! Congrats on clearing AGA's 170s and 153s - something I'm very far off from as I haven't even had one of either yet

 

[Blindtraveler]

Well Well, 2 v interesting and productive days there, sorry to hear the bad bits e.g 91, 170s and discovery of 2 unscored bits of Metro. Good things though with DMUs, shacks and nice Locos. Great reads, look forward to day6

 

[Cowley]

Great stuff Tech. It looks like it's been really good, varied and interesting. You've certainly covered a lot of stuff

 

[Techniquest]

Variety indeed, been a monster of a week. Today was less productive than the rest of the 6 days but also really enjoyable:

22/10/2016 - Tech's October Fest, Day 6

Oh, really? It's the final day already? How fast has this week gone?! My 0400 alarm gets turned off, as during the night I got to sleep around 0100, then disturbed by noisy guests coming in at 0250. A headache followed by 0345, at which point I knew what would happen. Once the alarm was silenced I went back to sleep until about 0640. De-rancification was more than welcome now, and I'm out the door by 0712. It was very quiet around Norwich this morning, felt more like a Sunday morning! Sadly there's no 37s or 68s due out today, and having got out 2.5 hours later than planned I abandon shack scratching efforts up here and join 90014 to Ipswich instead. I manage to score a Standard Class GA MK3 on Crown Point, one of those, 3 buffet cars and 2 First Class coaches remain to be seen on GA! Between Norwich and Ipswich, coach G may as well been hired out to me only, as no-one else was in it!

It's an absolutely cracking run down the GEML and we arrive at 0804, just as the 0733 Witham to Norwich arrived. I run over the bridge as it had 12093 in the set. My last GA Standard Class MK3 to see, I had to do it one way or another! For anyone interested, at this point at least, I only needed 10228, 10406, 10411 [how strange there's none between the two! - Ed], 11007 and 11100 of the MK3s to see. Haulage wise, it's a very different matter! At Diss, I partake of a coffee from Espresso Vapore on the London platform for £2.30. It was actually really nice stuff! 90002, not one I've had this week, is up to take me to Ipswich and we leave 2 down. I can't see me making the next 90 back up then. Having scored 3 MK3s for haulage by now today, I still need another 55 Standard Class MK3s with GA to get the red pen treatment. Yeah, that won't be managed now!

As expected, the next Norwich 90 left as we arrived into Ipswich. I flag 170201 on the 0920 to Cambridge, just in case of a winner later on. A most urgent PNB was needed anyway, and it's time for some spotting. 90001 is up next, dud and 90011 was on the 0900 from Norwich. Oh well, it was worth a look for 90006! I did consider bailing at Diss for a look at the following working from Witham, as my calculations say that would be formed from the 0700 off Norwich which I didn't see. The issue was that it was a tight +7 at Norwich for an EMT run to Ely and GN onwards. A persistant headache was irritating me no end too! I decide against the risky plus, and I simply hope I haven't missed 90006 as a result.

After passing through Stowmarket, I get a couple of ham sandwiches going on for breakfast. It's Super Dud 170207 on the 1040 to Cambridge, which is rather busy throughout, time for Tech's Mobile Disco! I receive word 90006 wasn't out today anyway, and a look on RTT shows a +16 from the 170 onto a fast 365 to London Kings Cross. If it's a winner I'm on it as that gives me more time to hunt LU stuff and, of course, to visit Burger King! The new shack at Cambridge North is coming on well I see, another reason to return to the area upon its opening.


A coffee is sourced from WCPC for the loyalty points, although only having brown sugar annoys me. Winner 365533 is on the 1215 fast to London Kings Cross, and even the First Class compartment nearest London is half full. Is everyone on actual First Class fares I wonder! 17 more 365s to go now, one day I may get more of them done. I don't like the seats in First Class, the material is uncomfortable, they don't recline and the space around the airline seat tables and seats themselves is tiny. I also can't believe you have to leave First Class to put rubbish in the bin! Standard Class was rammed so glad I wasn't in there, and Kite reminds me that I am entitled to use the First Class lounge at Paddington. I had forgot about that to be honest, got to take advantage of such an option!

We finally arrive at 1306, and I head to the sub-surface lines with double winners 21456+21455 eventually turning up to take me to Paddington on a Hammersmith service.

So, the lounge, was it worth the effort? In a word, NO! Why? Coffee machine broken, so only Nescafe Azera from packets, which is OK but not great. The sandwiches looked rancid and I didn't fancy fruit, so I got some snacks as well as a can of Coke to take with me. Just in case the buffet car doesn't open on the HST, which does happen! I also preferred the First Class feel of the old lounge, this modern place is OK but no thanks, unless I'm desperate I won't come back here!

I go to The Beer House instead for a pint, my most expensive one ever at £5.45! Very nice and thankfully almost worth it! 43002, the power car my username originally came from when it was named Techniquest in the mid-2000s, was on the back of the 1402 to Penzance, would have loved a run with it again. Instead I have to settle for 43136+43148 on the 1432 London Paddington to Port Talbot Parkway [engineering works beyond there - Ed] and wow! First Class is lush on GWR HSTs these days. Shame it's dud 41104 for the Trailer First and dud 40713 for the buffet car, required Trailer Standard 42511 meant I left First Class for a short time to scratch it off. I get a coffee and snacks from the buffet car as we pelt it onwards to Wales, and wow that green HST I saw earlier looks amazing! High time more refurbished HSTs were out mind, I have yet to ride on one. I see we're not diverting via Gloucester as originally expected, but we do travel nearly 15 miles on the Down Relief from Dolphin Junction to just west of Twyford.

Flooring it today, absolutely whizzed through Didcot Parkway which is exactly how it *should* be! Across all of the First Class coaches, micro buffets and Standard Class coaches, I need 69 GWR HST coaches for haulage now. Most of which are due to renumberings. I'll never get them all of course, only 4 of my requirements are Trailer Firsts! 14 of the renumbered trailers remain to be seen, following scoring 42575 at Swindon. If it wasn't at all obvious,I'm looking a major HST bashing spree in the coming months! We arrive at 1630 into Newport and I'm going to miss First Class, what an epic journey it's been on GWR. Some spotting is done at Newport before the final train of the 6 day mega bash falls to 175113. It's a sad occasion, as it's been such an amazing time and I didn't want it to end. I can tell you now if my magic plastic had been empty enough I would have made it into a 8 day bash at the time!

Next known trip is on Wednesday, when I head to Stamford for a funeral. In terms of trains for fun, that's 22.25 days away when me and my mate head to Gatwick. With some creative budgeting, and I think I've got that sussed, there *might* be something before then!

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good week, putting a large dent into your GA DMUs and 90s

 

[Blindtraveler]

A productive and enjoyable run home.

Thanks for sharing

 

[47403]

Well done tech, now that's what I call a bit of a clear out. Epic read, the red pen worked overtime(shame the ruler didn't accompany it too) and a fair bit of variety on the haulage front too.

Hadn't seen first class on GWR, till you put a pic up on twitter, looked very Gentlemen's Club, where you wouldn't have looked out of place dressed like this

Least you'd have got an extra few points on the untapped app with that bottle of bubbles.

Joking aside, very productive escape, wish I could've joined you in Anglia, you know it's a place high on my agenda for 2017, so I've been reading the last few days with more than a vested interest. Thanks for sharing squire,

 

[507021]

Excellent as ever Tech, I enjoyed reading that whilst having a cup of tea after a rather busy day!

 

[Techniquest]

Thanks all, glad you've all enjoyed the read!

LSG: Aye it is a lot like a gentleman's club, it felt like First Class unlike the previous interior too. A whiskey and cigar and one would look quite at home in there. Not many people like that would go to the droplight for some MTU thrash and to spot carriage numbers on an adjacent HST at Swindon mind

 

[AJM580]

Glad you had a good run home hope all goes well with the next installment