I'll let you all cast an opinion on how it went...
20/04/2015 - Tech's Mersey Hunt
Finally, I'm returning to Merseyside, having not been since 14th July 2014! How did this trip come about then, I hear you ask. Well after several rounds of extreme examination of my available funds and outgoings, I discover I had some funds I was unaware of previously so actually had money to go on another bash! This one got booked before last week's Great Escape trip, and I settled with coming back the same day. This unfortunately means a really short day out, thanks to the last bus home being at 1815, and I have to suffer the dreadfully dull route to Chester via Wrexham going north. Still, a 3.5 hour bash in Liverpool is better than nothing, and more than I'd have had if I went via Crewe both ways! £20 each way is not bad to be fair either, considering the mileages involved. The name of the game today is a two-parter. Firstly it's hunting down my last 3 507s for haulage and the same for my last 508. Secondly it's getting as many Merseyrail Northern Line shacks I need in the book as possible. I suppose in a way going to Liverpool via Chester is going to be beneficial, as I can keep an eye on the Wirral lines somewhat on my way to Moorfields. The alarm goes off at 0600 and it's time to finalise preparations for departure, with breakfast and filling the travel mug with Douwe Egberts being the priority. The usual bus is out on the first run to town, on which I get on with updating my commuting logs.
Rather cold again this morning, it was last Monday too. A pattern is emerging this month, thankfully I had my really warm hat on so it was bearable! I wonder, as I play music for the first time since Thursday morning, whether the Gods of Merseyrail will be kind to me today, fingers crossed! At least there's no need for a supply raid at Morrisons this morning, having prepped lunch and multiple bottles of squash last night. I could do with another coffee though, the one I had on the way to town is not enough! I end up in Morrisons after all, the need of the facilities was too great. Caffeine requirements are met with some Monster, still on promotion at £1 a can. Of course, I get two so as to avoid the need for a coffee stop later. Time to pick up the tickets for today, and I discover on an ATW poster that Ebbw Vale Town is to open this summer. At last, and I now have something to head to South Wales for again! It's 175105 on the 0721 Cardiff Central to Holyhead today, and once my notes are updated it's time to get to work on my moves book. That big job has been outstanding for just short of 2 months, high time I got on with it! I make a lot of progress with it before I get to Chester, and it's warmed most significantly since earlier! Super Dud 507005 is on the 1031 from Chester to Liverpool Central, on said journey I'm constantly looking out of the window to ID southbound trains. None of the 507s or the 508 are on the Chester or Ellesmere Port services, and due to refurbishment the Wirral line platform at Moorfields is currently closed. That sure felt strange passing through non-stop!
After a quick look around outside at Central, I get an All Areas Saveaway for £5.10. 507023 was noted on an ECS move at 1128 northbound, so probably not going to get that one today. Dud 507027 is made into a Super Dud on the 1129 to Hunts Cross, off to Cressington for a shack attack first of all. Super Dud 508108 is up next for a shack attack at Blundallsands & Crosby, during which journey I have my lunch of ham rolls, devouring the second can of Monster Khaos during the interlude. That's followed by freshly Super Dud 507027 to Formby and 508126 to Hightown, the 508 now joining the Merseyrail League of Super Duds. 508111 is up next for yet another shack attack at Freshfield. 508138 is next to get me to Ainsdale, another one to highlight green on page 60 of my Baker atlas. 507033 surprises me next, as I didn't see it going to Southport. I've examined the timetable very carefully, twice, and no I can't risk getting Bootle Oriel Road in as well. I take 507033 to Hall Road, the 8th shack attack of the day. I have a quick look at the site of Hall Road depot, cleared some time ago by the looks of it and awaiting re-development. Quite a decent size depot judging by the open space, although NR's boards suggest it's 2.7 acres. 508138 is back and successfully files its application to join the League of Super Duds, Merseyrail Division.
There's no sign of the 3 507s or last 508 I needed for haulage, except for when I saw 507023 on that ECS move at Central at 1128, which I believe was on a Kirkdale to Birkenhead North EMU swap. Never mind, something to come back for this summer! At Central, as I'm running low on drinks, I stop off at Sainsburys Local before walking to Lime Street. Supply raid carried out, I happen to pass by a winner Spoons, The Richard John Blacker, and as I have time I pop in for a swift half. First Merseyside Spoons done,now on 43 Spoons with a great many to go! 350265 is taking me to Crewe on the 1504 to Birmingham New Street, I knew it was too much to ask for 350/3s to be used up here! I settle in for an enjoyable run, as Lime Street to Crewe is on the xx04 services in the daytime, due to running non-stop from Runcorn to Crewe. It's time for some tunes again, starting with a top favourite from the nostalgia collection. In this case, that's Jet Set Radio's Magical Girl. Other dips into the same collection brings out Sash!'s Ecuador and Hot Action Cop's Fever for the Flava. Ooh,that's calling out to be used for a trip title! I would say it's been a disappointing trip, due to getting no winners, but it's been good for mileage, enjoyment of classic BR EMU action with 507s and 508s and, of course, a much needed return to Merseyside! I still have a total of 5 shacks within the Saveaway area to get, so with the 319s to enjoy next time too I have plenty to come back for in the summer , before then if I can!
It did seem weird seeing 319s at Lime Street, they will be enjoyed next time for sure! Yes I'm already planning to come back at the first available opportunity, just a case currently of finding a day I can do so on, as I don't have an available Monday for over a month yet! Not long before Crewe I was going to check my NREA for something, then realise my pocket was empty. I'd only dropped them out of my pocket during the use of the facilities! Thankfully I went back and both it and the notebook were still there, phew! It's time to soak up the sunshine before joining the 1530 Manchester Piccadilly to Carmarthen at Crewe, and it's 175102 taking me home. Much to my surprise, 66752 is a winner for sight as we curve around by the DRS depot, which is near enough empty! Time to get to work on the moves, which by Craven Arms has me up to the end of March's epic London bash. I have a short break before adding the recent Great Escape moves, today's lot and the mileage figures can be added another time! I start adding today's journeys to the RailMiles app, but it doesn't like Blundallsands and Crosby. Another one it doesn't like, I'm going back to my basic account without the use of the app, it's getting on my wick anyway! At least I'm not far behind on my bookwork now, certainly in a much stronger place with it than I was this morning! Back in Hereford and it's awaiting the bus home, during the interlude I upload this trip report. It's not been the best of trips, next time I'm after gen! Still enjoyed it all though, now bring on the next big trip! My next trip is more of a point-to-point one, due to visit my godmother with my Mum in Heptonstall next week. Well, so is the plan at the moment!
hock:
I can still do a West Yorkshire Rover on the Sunday, which is still on the list of things to do this year. I also could see about popping into Hebden Bridge and onwards to Heptonstall that day to visit my godmother, I shall get in touch with her soon and see whether that'll work out for her too.
