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Juliano's World Frenzy/Tech's Trip Reports
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Blindtraveler
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Did you finish that beer or do ATW have a recently cleaned and frothy toilet trundling around? Nicely done on shacks and pacers and starships, shame not many winners though.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a good day for shacks, not so much for units. 
47403
Established Member
Good few moves there tech. Impressive on hearing the shacks you've knocked off, another 8 in the bags n 2 bouncing bombs crossed off the list. Another enjoyable read squire.
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
Congratulations on 142001, a fine beast, and some of my localish.shacks, the only one of which I've actually visited.being New Mills Central!
(Makes.mental note to do Newtown.by train, and walk DOWNHILL)
(Makes.mental note to do Newtown.by train, and walk DOWNHILL)
Can't avoid hills there whichever direction you go, I think.
In between the New Mills stations is the Millennium Walkway, worth taking that route. (Central is at the top of the wall in the picture)
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.3...09057-ro-0-fo100/!7i8704!8i4352!6m1!1e1?hl=en
In between the New Mills stations is the Millennium Walkway, worth taking that route. (Central is at the top of the wall in the picture)
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.3...09057-ro-0-fo100/!7i8704!8i4352!6m1!1e1?hl=en
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Glad you all enjoyed the read lads!
I did finish the beer after about an hour. The walk either way you do the walk in New Mills you will have steep walks but coming from Central that initial bit puts you off. I should have gone down Millenium Way but I was unconvinced it would take me the right way. Never mind!
I'm due to swing by Manchester later this month, exact dates etc TBC as I have a float day and some holiday hours to book yet. Hoping to get that actioned on Monday. I'm also due to gain a couple of extra contracted hours from next week, which will help fund the bashing! I probably won't be doing much for the next couple of weeks bashing wise, equally I plan to do what I can as March will be dire for bashing. Only one full Friday off in March for it...
I did finish the beer after about an hour. The walk either way you do the walk in New Mills you will have steep walks but coming from Central that initial bit puts you off. I should have gone down Millenium Way but I was unconvinced it would take me the right way. Never mind!
I'm due to swing by Manchester later this month, exact dates etc TBC as I have a float day and some holiday hours to book yet. Hoping to get that actioned on Monday. I'm also due to gain a couple of extra contracted hours from next week, which will help fund the bashing! I probably won't be doing much for the next couple of weeks bashing wise, equally I plan to do what I can as March will be dire for bashing. Only one full Friday off in March for it...
Shame about the low amount of winners, but you made up for it in the shacks by the look of it! Clearing the shacks from Mancc to Milford Haven, Fishguard and Plymouth? Very good going, even if it is totally nuts!
43096
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There is an explanation for this. With the reduction in the E* 373 fleet they've created a hybrid set using the intermediate cars of 3203/04 (which was a French domestic set) and the power cars of 3211/12. That is a permanent reformation as the power cars from 3203/04 and coaches from 3211/12 have gone for scrap. How you record that is up to you: don't forget the 373 intermediate cars have traction motors on the bogies next to the power cars.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
23/02/2017 - Operation Beer Bash, Day 1
Missed the updates on Twitter? Catch up using hashtag #OperationBeerBash
It was 20 days since I was last on the rails? Wow, that suddenly dawned on me and I don't quite know how I lasted that long! After that long without a bash you can be sure I'll enjoy this one, and that it's well deserved after some tough times! So what's this trip about? Some months ago andyb2706 and I came up with the idea to get us two and another beerhead basher together, the plan being to enjoy trains and each other's company with some beers. Essentially it was the same idea some of my colleagues had recently, although thankfully there will be no shots involved this time, replaced fortunately by trains!
In the morning I finally had a smile back on my face, when it was realised I wasn't just going to work today, I was getting on the rails! After work, during which I had been counting down the hours, it was time to seek food and get to the station for the train to Manchester Piccadilly. This ended up running 23 down due to disruption caused by Storm Doris, and I was in for an ultra rare treat, never heard of before in all my years on the railway. TRIPLE 175s! These were in the form of 175001+175006+175004, I've had a pair of 175/1s in the distant past but never ever heard of or seen a trio of 175/0s! Originally upon departure from Hereford, this train was going to Crewe then diverted to Chester, then after Craven Arms it was changed. 175001 would now be heading to Manchester Piccadilly, with the rear two splitting off and heading to Chester via Wrexham. At least I got to witness a trio of 175s, if it hadn't been dark I'd have tried for a photo! A quick change of 175s done in Shrewsbury and we left 36 down.
I reached 700 unique brews by Whitchurch (Shropshire) which is just crazy. Won't take long to hit 800 at this rate! I was glad not to join the train at Crewe mind, as we left very much full and standing (thanks ATW for sending 4 coaches to Chester when it should have been clear 2 coaches for Manchester wouldn't be enough!) and 47 minutes late! Arrival in Manchester eventually arrived at 2101, 47 down, and a night out with norms would have been more enjoyable than that journey! I met up with andyb2706 shortly afterwards, and it was decided a pint was in order. We go to The Bank and had a rather nice pale ale, discovering noddy1878 was also in the pub, a pleasant surprise that mini forum meet was!
Andyb2706 and I also took in a pint at The City Arms and another at The Deansgate, and I thoroughly enjoyed the social with Andy. Before we knew it, it was time to get to St Peters Square for a tram to Andy's. Strictly speaking it was a shack score as it had moved a short distance. First up was winner 3108 to Deansgate-Castlefield where we changed for dud 3089 and winner 3061 to Trafford Bar. Winner 3049 took us to Brooklands, and 25 trams remain to be scored. I only need 3 more for sight, having got 3119 for sight earlier in the evening. A walk to Andy's followed and it's actually quite a nice area. The alarms would soon be sounding at 0630...
24/02/2017 - Operation Beer Bash, Day 2
0630 and every part of me was moaning at the idea of getting up, even though this time is strictly speaking a lie-in for me! That 3
7% beer must have been stronger than 3.7% we both agreed, once everything was prepared and we were off on the walk to Wythenshawe Park. Dud 3081 takes us to St Werburgh's Road, and we both see winners heading to East Didsbury which was frustrating as we didn't have time to wait at least 20 minutes for them!
Dud 3071 took us to Cornbrook, and it is incredibly chilly here so we gave up waiting on winners quite quickly and jumped on dud 3082 to Piccadilly. We sourced breakfast once we got our South Pennines Day Rangers, Greggs being our choice today. Eventually the third member of our group, Ark, joined us after his train was caught up behind an all-shacks from Huddersfield. Just as well we got tickets beforehand then! Super Dud 150114 is the first train of the day and we take it to Reddish North. The first walk of the day takes us to winner shack Reddish South and it's not long before noddy1878 joins us for the ride to winner shack Denton. Double duds 142014+150201 take us there, and I turned 142014 into a Super Dud in the process. Turned out TC60054 from the forum was right behind us, and I think his companion was tramdan. Quite the unplanned forum meet we were having!
We left TC60054 and tramdan on the train, the rest of us heading onwards. Noddy1878 was off for a bus to Hyde, whereas me, Ark and Andy were on a walk to Guide Bridge. Quite the walk that was and we had earnt our adult beverages that were still some time away! Super Dud 323228 takes us onwards to Manchester Piccadilly, and after a break to get some bits and bobs done we join dud 185141 to Huddersfield. By now it was about 1130 so we visit The Head of Steam, my first visit. It's not actually too bad at all here, and the pints aren't cheap but they're good. Free WiFi was taken advantage of and of course we were all having a good social too, then it was soon time to join dud 142047 to winner shack Marsden for the pub there. Quite nice this pub actually and less than a minute's walk from the Manchester-bound platform.
The hour is soon up and it was onto my first winner of the day, with 150135 taking us to winner shack Greenfield. A visit to Tesco for some munch and then a drink in the adjacent pub was up first, the pub was nice but the beer poor. Mind you, the pub next to the Manchester bound platform was far less pleasant and quite frankly not worth visiting. Ark's pint of Carling was unanimously voted as disgraceful, the opinion being unclean lines. I would NOT recommend a visit here, the choice of brews was awful and hardly anything we all wanted was actually on!
Thankfully winner 142046 saves us from this place and takes us to Stalybridge. Now to find out what all the fuss is about with this pub! Lots of winners here, as there were in Huddersfield, but the decision I made was to completely change the afternoon...I ordered a pint of Thoughtless porter, and when he told me it was £6 a pint I genuinely thought he was taking the mick. As it's 9.4% it attracts a premium I'm told, so really I should have gone with just a half but sure enough I went with a full pint. A really stupid decision that, as it was literally mind-blowing. I feel it appropriate to mention I'd only had that one small coffee from Greggs all day which really wasn't enough! I found the pub to be far too small for the amount of people using it, and just generally preferred The Head of Steam.
Anyway, eventually we made it onto dud 185125 to Manchester Piccadilly, and after sourcing a winner cider (yes, really!) for later the third and final walk of the day was done to winner shack Ardwick. The cider was drunk here, and surprisingly nice for a kiwi and lime flavour! Much to my surprise, the leap to Ashburys produced winner 142056, 19 142s to go!
323224 took us back to Manchester Piccadilly, and after sourcing a ticket home me and Ark join 175116 for the journey south. Andy left us suddenly when he discovered the Voyager next to us was a winner, the first of the day for him. Ark joined me to sample his first ATW train, which he seemed to enjoy. He bailed at Stockport, and I spent most of the journey south fast asleep. 175116 was of significance, as it was my first MU to be cleared for The Magic Thou! Not that it mattered at the time for me, as I was just wanting to get home!
I got my lift home, specially arranged of course, and we stopped at a chippy for what turned out to be a disappointing meal. I think I was fast asleep again by about 2130! Thanks must go to Andy and Ark for the excellent company, and for keeping an eye on me after that beer! I won't be making that mistake again, trust me. 6 winners across the two days and a winner for sight, plus an excellent time which got me back to being me following some rough weeks at work. I was of course still feeling a bit worse for wear the next day at work, but then it was a ridiculously tough day!
Next up is a mini London bash this weekend!
Missed the updates on Twitter? Catch up using hashtag #OperationBeerBash
It was 20 days since I was last on the rails? Wow, that suddenly dawned on me and I don't quite know how I lasted that long! After that long without a bash you can be sure I'll enjoy this one, and that it's well deserved after some tough times! So what's this trip about? Some months ago andyb2706 and I came up with the idea to get us two and another beerhead basher together, the plan being to enjoy trains and each other's company with some beers. Essentially it was the same idea some of my colleagues had recently, although thankfully there will be no shots involved this time, replaced fortunately by trains!
In the morning I finally had a smile back on my face, when it was realised I wasn't just going to work today, I was getting on the rails! After work, during which I had been counting down the hours, it was time to seek food and get to the station for the train to Manchester Piccadilly. This ended up running 23 down due to disruption caused by Storm Doris, and I was in for an ultra rare treat, never heard of before in all my years on the railway. TRIPLE 175s! These were in the form of 175001+175006+175004, I've had a pair of 175/1s in the distant past but never ever heard of or seen a trio of 175/0s! Originally upon departure from Hereford, this train was going to Crewe then diverted to Chester, then after Craven Arms it was changed. 175001 would now be heading to Manchester Piccadilly, with the rear two splitting off and heading to Chester via Wrexham. At least I got to witness a trio of 175s, if it hadn't been dark I'd have tried for a photo! A quick change of 175s done in Shrewsbury and we left 36 down.
I reached 700 unique brews by Whitchurch (Shropshire) which is just crazy. Won't take long to hit 800 at this rate! I was glad not to join the train at Crewe mind, as we left very much full and standing (thanks ATW for sending 4 coaches to Chester when it should have been clear 2 coaches for Manchester wouldn't be enough!) and 47 minutes late! Arrival in Manchester eventually arrived at 2101, 47 down, and a night out with norms would have been more enjoyable than that journey! I met up with andyb2706 shortly afterwards, and it was decided a pint was in order. We go to The Bank and had a rather nice pale ale, discovering noddy1878 was also in the pub, a pleasant surprise that mini forum meet was!
Andyb2706 and I also took in a pint at The City Arms and another at The Deansgate, and I thoroughly enjoyed the social with Andy. Before we knew it, it was time to get to St Peters Square for a tram to Andy's. Strictly speaking it was a shack score as it had moved a short distance. First up was winner 3108 to Deansgate-Castlefield where we changed for dud 3089 and winner 3061 to Trafford Bar. Winner 3049 took us to Brooklands, and 25 trams remain to be scored. I only need 3 more for sight, having got 3119 for sight earlier in the evening. A walk to Andy's followed and it's actually quite a nice area. The alarms would soon be sounding at 0630...
24/02/2017 - Operation Beer Bash, Day 2
0630 and every part of me was moaning at the idea of getting up, even though this time is strictly speaking a lie-in for me! That 3
7% beer must have been stronger than 3.7% we both agreed, once everything was prepared and we were off on the walk to Wythenshawe Park. Dud 3081 takes us to St Werburgh's Road, and we both see winners heading to East Didsbury which was frustrating as we didn't have time to wait at least 20 minutes for them!
Dud 3071 took us to Cornbrook, and it is incredibly chilly here so we gave up waiting on winners quite quickly and jumped on dud 3082 to Piccadilly. We sourced breakfast once we got our South Pennines Day Rangers, Greggs being our choice today. Eventually the third member of our group, Ark, joined us after his train was caught up behind an all-shacks from Huddersfield. Just as well we got tickets beforehand then! Super Dud 150114 is the first train of the day and we take it to Reddish North. The first walk of the day takes us to winner shack Reddish South and it's not long before noddy1878 joins us for the ride to winner shack Denton. Double duds 142014+150201 take us there, and I turned 142014 into a Super Dud in the process. Turned out TC60054 from the forum was right behind us, and I think his companion was tramdan. Quite the unplanned forum meet we were having!
We left TC60054 and tramdan on the train, the rest of us heading onwards. Noddy1878 was off for a bus to Hyde, whereas me, Ark and Andy were on a walk to Guide Bridge. Quite the walk that was and we had earnt our adult beverages that were still some time away! Super Dud 323228 takes us onwards to Manchester Piccadilly, and after a break to get some bits and bobs done we join dud 185141 to Huddersfield. By now it was about 1130 so we visit The Head of Steam, my first visit. It's not actually too bad at all here, and the pints aren't cheap but they're good. Free WiFi was taken advantage of and of course we were all having a good social too, then it was soon time to join dud 142047 to winner shack Marsden for the pub there. Quite nice this pub actually and less than a minute's walk from the Manchester-bound platform.
The hour is soon up and it was onto my first winner of the day, with 150135 taking us to winner shack Greenfield. A visit to Tesco for some munch and then a drink in the adjacent pub was up first, the pub was nice but the beer poor. Mind you, the pub next to the Manchester bound platform was far less pleasant and quite frankly not worth visiting. Ark's pint of Carling was unanimously voted as disgraceful, the opinion being unclean lines. I would NOT recommend a visit here, the choice of brews was awful and hardly anything we all wanted was actually on!
Thankfully winner 142046 saves us from this place and takes us to Stalybridge. Now to find out what all the fuss is about with this pub! Lots of winners here, as there were in Huddersfield, but the decision I made was to completely change the afternoon...I ordered a pint of Thoughtless porter, and when he told me it was £6 a pint I genuinely thought he was taking the mick. As it's 9.4% it attracts a premium I'm told, so really I should have gone with just a half but sure enough I went with a full pint. A really stupid decision that, as it was literally mind-blowing. I feel it appropriate to mention I'd only had that one small coffee from Greggs all day which really wasn't enough! I found the pub to be far too small for the amount of people using it, and just generally preferred The Head of Steam.
Anyway, eventually we made it onto dud 185125 to Manchester Piccadilly, and after sourcing a winner cider (yes, really!) for later the third and final walk of the day was done to winner shack Ardwick. The cider was drunk here, and surprisingly nice for a kiwi and lime flavour! Much to my surprise, the leap to Ashburys produced winner 142056, 19 142s to go!
323224 took us back to Manchester Piccadilly, and after sourcing a ticket home me and Ark join 175116 for the journey south. Andy left us suddenly when he discovered the Voyager next to us was a winner, the first of the day for him. Ark joined me to sample his first ATW train, which he seemed to enjoy. He bailed at Stockport, and I spent most of the journey south fast asleep. 175116 was of significance, as it was my first MU to be cleared for The Magic Thou! Not that it mattered at the time for me, as I was just wanting to get home!
I got my lift home, specially arranged of course, and we stopped at a chippy for what turned out to be a disappointing meal. I think I was fast asleep again by about 2130! Thanks must go to Andy and Ark for the excellent company, and for keeping an eye on me after that beer! I won't be making that mistake again, trust me. 6 winners across the two days and a winner for sight, plus an excellent time which got me back to being me following some rough weeks at work. I was of course still feeling a bit worse for wear the next day at work, but then it was a ridiculously tough day!
Next up is a mini London bash this weekend!
Sorry to hear that you're having a rough time at work Tech. Everything seems like a bit of struggle this time of year. Enjoyed reading that. I'm not sure about a cider in the middle of all those beers though, made me worry that did.
Sorry to hear that you're having a rough time at work Tech. Everything seems like a bit of struggle this time of year. Enjoyed reading that. I'm not sure about a cider in the middle of all those beers though, made me worry that did.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
It was the only winner available in Marsden, and I was after plenty of winners. Not the most sensible choice, but hey ho!
Work *should* start getting better now, although the search for the dream job is beginning. Not before doing a few more important things, though, which I must get on with!
I'm tempted to not do a hashtag for this weekend's adventure, but I'll figure that out by tomorrow. Glad you enjoyed the read though!
Work *should* start getting better now, although the search for the dream job is beginning. Not before doing a few more important things, though, which I must get on with!
I'm tempted to not do a hashtag for this weekend's adventure, but I'll figure that out by tomorrow. Glad you enjoyed the read though!
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,543
Too many drinks and not enough trains IMO but some pacer action yay.
Get your delay repay in for the Thursday, your elegible for 50 percent back.
We were both at Crewe roughly the same time I think and both our train swallowed large numbers of pax.
Get your delay repay in for the Thursday, your elegible for 50 percent back.
We were both at Crewe roughly the same time I think and both our train swallowed large numbers of pax.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
I'm not sure I am entitled to compensation on ATW unfortunately. Plus I think I put the ticket on the fire last night! Or was that this morning...
Yeah me and Andy both agree we had too much booze and not enough trains. At least we know what such a trip is like now!
FQ: Yeah you probably are, but I've not made any real effort to go after trams for a while. One day, but unless you need less than 8 trams there's only one forum member who's leading the charge on clearing the fleet. Apart from 185143 who I think has cleared the lot!
Yeah me and Andy both agree we had too much booze and not enough trains. At least we know what such a trip is like now!
FQ: Yeah you probably are, but I've not made any real effort to go after trams for a while. One day, but unless you need less than 8 trams there's only one forum member who's leading the charge on clearing the fleet. Apart from 185143 who I think has cleared the lot!
Sounds like a good weekend away with a nice variety of action plus associated alcohol beverages 
£6 for a pint is rather nuts, and I thought i was being milked dry when I paid £4 for a pint of cider on a P&O ferry last week! (Not a good mix, couldn't tell if it was me or the boat causing me to be a bit unsteady walking around... Also yes I'm 18 now and can purchase those mystical alcoholic things
)
£6 for a pint is rather nuts, and I thought i was being milked dry when I paid £4 for a pint of cider on a P&O ferry last week! (Not a good mix, couldn't tell if it was me or the boat causing me to be a bit unsteady walking around... Also yes I'm 18 now and can purchase those mystical alcoholic things
)
Last edited:
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
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- 10,543
4 quid on a ferry is v reasonable, good old P and O, my favourit opperater in terms of on board service, in value terms anyway. For shear class, qualitty and a bit of a luxury treat its Britany ferries but as I say not one for the budget concious.
They delayed our departure by 24 hours at 24 hours notice and tried to charge us extra for the privilege but I think the blame for that lay with Direct Ferries. Indeed I can't fault the minicruise we had nor the onboard staff.
Well I don't do Twitter or Facebook or anything like that so it's nice when I've got a few minutes just catching up on here with what people have been up to, I haven't done any trips recently but I've got some plans this year which are partly inspired by what everyone has been up to. So yeah, I do enjoy reading it all.
Mm. Brittany Ferries. We had a bit of a rough crossing on the way to France one year and my son projectile vomited a chicken nugget straight into one of our other kids glass of lemonade from across the table. She screamed, we all held our mouths and looked away, a woman on the next table said "Oh my god" and looked like she was going to faint. Ah, good times.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Congrats on clearing some limited served shacks, plus a couple local shacks on the line between Manchester & Huddersfield, shame the required units weren't out to play for you.
Sounded like a good social as well
Sounded like a good social as well
Blindtraveler
Established Member
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- 28 Feb 2011
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- 10,543
Thats just made me laugh!
RG, I know if booking online your forced through Directferries, mext time book on phone for the full P and O experience, same price too unless you have a voucher code?
RG, I know if booking online your forced through Directferries, mext time book on phone for the full P and O experience, same price too unless you have a voucher code?
185143
Established Member
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- 3 Mar 2013
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- 5,373
M5000s... Yawn... keep up! All dud from November(ish)
Blindtraveler
Established Member
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- 28 Feb 2011
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- 10,543
Metrolink, yorn!
Kristofferson
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- 23 Nov 2012
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Having followed this on twitter, I can see you all had an excellent time! Some of the photos are priceless for sure
*envy grows*
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
*envy grows*
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Good report! Puts all the pieces I knew about together! Was good to see you again, all be it very briefly.
£6 for a pint of 9.4% beer is not a bad price. Having a pint of it was your downfall! I see you didn't even rate it that highly on Untappd! I've added it to my wish list to see if I like it (if I find it!). I do like my Double Imperial Stouts though! The Christmas Cake one I had in Cloudwater was absolutely gorgeous!
£6 for a pint of 9.4% beer is not a bad price. Having a pint of it was your downfall! I see you didn't even rate it that highly on Untappd! I've added it to my wish list to see if I like it (if I find it!). I do like my Double Imperial Stouts though! The Christmas Cake one I had in Cloudwater was absolutely gorgeous!
87electric
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Noddy you are the same as me. I love Imperial Stouts and welcome paying £6 plus for one. When in the USA it is so amazing the variety of Stouts and have often paid $40 for those special ones. Indulgent....yes, but I enjoy myself.
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