But not for haulage...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
A couple of my lowest would be VTEC and VTWC on 14 and 13 needed respectively. That's excluding TOCs like Hull Trains and Grand Central that have a tiny number of locos/units.
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Juliano's World Frenzy/Tech's Trip Reports
- Thread starter Techniquest
- Start date
- Status
But not for haulage...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
A couple of my lowest would be VTEC and VTWC on 14 and 13 needed respectively. That's excluding TOCs like Hull Trains and Grand Central that have a tiny number of locos/units.
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Techniquest
Veteran Member
Closest TOC fleets to completion for me is VTWC with just 390114 to get. Getting close on other TOCs that aren't already done, but still a long way to go on most of them!
Techniquest
Veteran Member
20/11/2015 - Tech's Escaping, Day 1
At long last, this trip has arrived! It would take me forever to describe just how much I couldn't wait for this one! So what's this trip title about? Some of you will be aware that last weekend was the annual social obligation, a night out drinking with the norms from work. It had been billed as the de-stress that we all needed, but while certain bits of the evening were fun [just be glad you weren't there, there was kareoke and Tech joined in! - Ed] I came out of it more stressed than I was before! So it was another tough few days, but finally my escape from reality had arrived, this trip was here! With the prep for it almost exclusively done this morning, I was out the door and ready to get back on the rails. 2nd November feels like a long time ago, indeed it's been a while since my last multi day trip and even longer since one with company! The usual chariot takes me to town and it's rather nippy this morning, so I'm very glad I have my hat on, although the gloves were forgotten!
You may have noticed I've not been active on the forum for a few days, but this isn't from a lack of wanting to be on there this time. My trusty phone's screen has gone almost totally messed up [hardly surprising after being dropped 69 times in 22 months! - Ed] so I've not been able to get online. By the time I get home in the evenings aftrr long shifts lately, I just haven't had the patience to fire up the tablet either. I'm currently borrowing my Mum's iPhone, which apparently doesn't have mobile data in the plan, so I can't use that either to go online, simply using it for creating commuting logs [I really hope I can get the rest of the notes off my phone, I'm well behind in backing the logs up into a book! - Ed] and calls/texts. Fingers crossed I can action a new phone of my own soon enough, I really can't stand iPhones! Last night I put some serious thought into making this a 4 day mega bender, but I've decided against it for reasons of sanity and need of rest, so only packed enough clothes for this 2 day adventure. I might come to regret that decision mind!
Time for a supply raid in Morrisons then a lengthy fester for the 0849 to Birmingham New Street. An Anytime Return is needed for this trip, so I fork out £20.60 for that. If I'm coming back the same day an Off Peak fare is valid on this one, but because I'm coming back tomorrow the off-peak fare doesn't kick in until 0940. Quite the weird logic there! Still, it's only about £2 more so not worth the long wait. If I'd known I'd have got the next bus and the 0940 train instead, oh well never mind! Thankfully I have my flask on this trip, so I don't have to fork out so much on coffee [just as well, it was a poor sleep so plenty of caffeine needed! - Ed] while out and about this time. 170517+153375 are in charge of taking me to Birmingham today, and I'll have 3 hours there to kill, so I plan to go phone shopping during that long fester. Bonus right now is that I successfully managed to Bluetooth all my memo files over from my phone [the screen is readable in just the right place for that! - Ed] so I haven't lost all my notes, quite the relief. I aim next to do the same with photos, but they're not such a big concern so if it doesn't work it's not the end of the world. As the files are now off the phone I can be less picky over what phone I get now, just a shame it won't let me send all my music over too!
The journey passes without incident, and I make a beeline for the EE shop. Apparently I've not been moved over to EE from Orange, but they'll allow me to upgrade. OK yeah that makes sense, not. I end up leaving and head to Moor Street after a stop at Tesco Metro. I figure I've got forever to kill yet so might as well look at a leap to Solihull. The 1055 is dud 68010 though so I don't bother, and after a while I find CEx, or Entertainment Exchange whatever they want to be called. No phones that suit me in here either, then I find the new tram stop on Bull Street. Not much longer to go now, as the wires are up all the way to New Street as well. Corporation Street is also coming on well, just the stop at New Street needs to hurry up now. Carphone Warehouse is my next port of call, and after an hour in there I have a new phone! New contract and new number, costing me a little less than I currently pay so happy days! The downside is that I will still have to pay for my current [well, old now! Ed] phone, but that ends in January so all will be good soon. I did get a couple of bonuses as well so I can't really complain! A Costa coffee move is most certainly needed now, the flask having been finished before I got to Birmingham. Off after that to Hill Street for the coach to Glasgow, yep it's a Megabus move for me today. When I booked it was only £1.50 including booking fee, I really couldn't do any better than that!
After a dose of rain, I find out the coach is about 20 minutes late. Great, but thankfully the rain didn't last long. Eventually it turns up, Megabus' 50232 being charged to take the large crowd north to Preston, Glasgow and points north to Aberdeen. Thankfully I get a table seat and a power socket, and we're eventually on the move 28 minutes late. Rather rough ride for a good while, which got smoother once we eventually hit the motorway somewhere north of Erdington. I don't know where as I was busy finishing off my lunch and then setting up my new phone, a Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo for the record. Of course there then followed texting people! Somewhere north of Stoke on Trent we hit another lot of slow traffic, no way we'll make Glasgow on time now. As I type this it's 1528, so it's still a long time to go! Almost 2 hours later and the traffic is still dire, not even close to Preston. J19-26 Long Delays on the boards at J20 of the M6, yeah that's not wrong, we've crawling along and stop-starting for ages! I should use the time to get my commuting logs sorted, but the lights above my seat aren't working so can't really see to do that! Eventually my mobile data signal comes back so I do some more catching up on the forum. Lord BT and I concur, after I overhear the driver's conversation, that a taxi from Buchanan Street Bus Station is going to be the best optionm as we are estimating no earlier than 2030 into Glasgow. With a need to source food, check in to base camp and with an 0300 alarm, getting to base camp as fast as possible is just sensible!
We finally, finally arrive into Preston at 1905, something like 3 hours and 40 minutes late, and by now I cannot stand it any more, I'm off! A fast walk has me at the station in 10 minutes surprisingly, and I bust out the magic plastic for a £39.50 single to Glasgow! I make it in time for the delayed 1858 to Edinburgh which had dud 350406 leading winner 350403 so I board for a leap to Lancaster, leaving the stag do lot there to join dud 390119 a few minutes later forward to Motherwell. On board I find nothing but chicken salad sandwiches to eat, so I get a bottle of Tilting Ale to finally try and a packet of dry roasted peanuts. I like the beer that much [not to mention the Scottish lass manning the shop! - Ed] that I go back and get some more! My magic plastic company are going to love me this month, thank the good Lord I brought it with me! It's off at Motherwell, the first time I've ever done so on a Pendolino, and I await Blindtraveller's arrival on his HST, when we then have just a few minutes to wait for 318257 to take us to Cambuslang, it successfully filing its application to join Tech's Super Dud Club.
A taxi move is up next and we're soon at base camp, Premier Inn next to M74 J2A. It's not too long before we're both conked out, certainly not for me after I devoured 4 ham rolls for an exceptionally late tea! It's getting for midnight by now, and with an 0300 alarm this is going to be a tiny bit of doss!
21/11/2015 - Tech's Escaping, Day 2
Oh the eyes, and indeed the body in general, didn't want to get up at 0300! Nevertheless it had to be done, there's rare track to be scored! A thorough de-rance was in order now, which was more than appreciated it must be said. It's 0350 before we know it and it's absolutely freezing outside in that most bitter wind! Thankfully the taxi turns up without worry, and we're at Glasgow Central in no time. So what on blazes did we have to be up so early today for? Well the 0426 Glasgow Central to London Euston is booked via Mount Florida and the Newton East Connecting Line on Saturdays only, the connecting line being the rare track with nothing else booked over it. So to do it takes some serious planning and major determination! Fortunately we had that in ourselves today, and much staring out of the window from dud 390049 has it confirmed that we are indeed going via Mount Florida and the rare track. This called for a celebratory coffee from the buffet! Only instant stuff today, due to a coffee machine failure, but that's fine as it's Cafe Nero nonsense from the machine. It's a rather long journey to Wigan on this run, so we manage a bit of doss on the way thankfully. Wow this train got busy at Preston, and by crumbs it was hot on board this morning, quite the difference noticed as we alighted 2 hours and 40 minutes after leaving Glasgow!
Tickets to the Saveaway boundary [why else would we have gone to Wigan?! - Ed] purchased, we were told to buy our Saveaway tickets on board. The Northern gripper had no intention of selling tickets to anyone it seemed, so we get them at the gateline at Lime Street instead. Much to our surprise it was winner 142007 on the 0731 Wigan North Western to Liverpool Lime Street, happy days! Burger King is our breakfast port of call, and I'm amazed but delighted that I can get a XL Bacon Double Cheeseburger meal at this hour, not that I was complaining! Phwoar didn't that go down well, money ridiculously well spent. We take our food down to the Wirral Line and join dud 507020 to West Kirby. The main aim of the day was for Blindtraveller to clear out his requirements on MerseyRail, and his coverage was limited to just Liverpool to Chester so this was of course required track for the honourable gentleman! We re-join 507020 on its return journey as far as Birkenhead North, where we get dud 508131 to New Brighton. Worth pointing out that while this was all dud track for me, some of it I haven't done in years so it was a nice trip down Memory Lane too. 508131 is stuck with to Birkenhead Hamilton Square, where our +1 onto an Ellesmere Port train had turned into a +4 so we just beat the hustle alarm and get over for it. Dud 507006 [no luck today for me eh? - Ed] takes us there and clears the Wirral Line for Blindtraveller.
It's a long slog back into town, so we both take the opportunity to get a bit more doss in en-route to Central. Here we have a break as facilities were needed by now, as was a coffee! Greggs is visited for the fluids, and fair dos that coffee went down beautifully. Eventually the lift arrives to take us down to the Northern line, and it's so tiny we only just manage to squeeze in next to a guy and his pushchair. We certainly time it well though, as winner [finally! - Ed] 507023 is on the 1220 Liverpool Central to Kirkby! Naturally it's on we get, and we head to journey's end to score the 4th branch of the day for Lord BT. It's a much nicer run up here too, as it's so much quicker than the Wirral Line. We stay put with 507023 for the return journey as far as Kirkdale, where we change to do the Ormskirk branch. 508128 in all its dudness took us there, and we swap to better seats for the return journey, having endured fold-down seats on the way up. It sure got busy on this run for a while, as Everton were playing at home, Moorfields for us and we have a long trek around to the Wirral Lines, getting dud 508143 around the corner to Lime Street.
Why does Lime Street have so few TVMs? We were worried we'd miss the 1432 to Wigan for a while, the queues everywhere were just silly today. Thankfully we get it dealt with, and he has his Advance home. Certainly more TVMs are needed here! We discover it's winner 319363 which I cannot ignore, especially as I have time for an Edge Hill leap before my train homeward. 319365 is a dud 'un for the return leg, and I join 350115 next for my booked move home, time for some tunes now! We somehow leave 3 minutes late, and it's not entirely a fast run to Crewe as normal, much grr! The trip report gets a big update too, and soon after Crewe we overtake a charter [not used to seeing them on my bashing! - Ed] which had Frothnado on the front. I think it's coffee and food time when I get to the Bat Cave, I'm rather famished now! 350115 becomes the latest member of Tech's League of Super Duds [one day I'll settle on my preferred name for that group! - Ed] and I go to Meal Deal for tea, bargain at £1.74 for some fries, a can of pop and a baguette!
170631 is on the 1719 to Worcester Shrub Hill, I join it as I can't be bothered hanging around a lacked Birmingham any longer. Tea is devoured and afterwards I update my spending logs, not too much over 2 days then! There's an hour fester in Worcester Shrub Hill, so I fill some time with a coffee at Cafe Loco, and since 150246 on a Warminster to Great Malvern is dud I continue waiting for the promised HST from Paddington, flagging too 170635 to Hereford. As hoped, it is indeed an HST and I have 43152+43140 to take me home. It's been way too long since I last did an HST, especially on home turf, so this move was special. It also helps to break up the MU diet! Somehow we end up 11 minutes late into Hereford, and I get a lift home, where I get some BBQ chicken chargrills and chips on for a late meal, which made me sleepy and I finally hit the pillow just after 2200, 19 hours after getting up!
Apart from the motorway farce, then this trip was a great one and I've certainly escaped Norm Land!
Let's get some stats going on then:
Winners: 4
Required shacks: 0
New track: Newton East Connecting Line
Rail fares: £75.00
Coach fares: £1.50
Hotel ching: £20 (Lord BT booked the hotel and I'm paying him back)
Taxi ching: £9
General spending: £39.12
Total: £144.62
Not as cheap as the trip was supposed to be, not by a country mile, if it hadn't been for that farce on the motorway I'd have spent about £50 less! Now bring on the next trip, wherever that may be to!
At long last, this trip has arrived! It would take me forever to describe just how much I couldn't wait for this one! So what's this trip title about? Some of you will be aware that last weekend was the annual social obligation, a night out drinking with the norms from work. It had been billed as the de-stress that we all needed, but while certain bits of the evening were fun [just be glad you weren't there, there was kareoke and Tech joined in! - Ed] I came out of it more stressed than I was before! So it was another tough few days, but finally my escape from reality had arrived, this trip was here! With the prep for it almost exclusively done this morning, I was out the door and ready to get back on the rails. 2nd November feels like a long time ago, indeed it's been a while since my last multi day trip and even longer since one with company! The usual chariot takes me to town and it's rather nippy this morning, so I'm very glad I have my hat on, although the gloves were forgotten!
You may have noticed I've not been active on the forum for a few days, but this isn't from a lack of wanting to be on there this time. My trusty phone's screen has gone almost totally messed up [hardly surprising after being dropped 69 times in 22 months! - Ed] so I've not been able to get online. By the time I get home in the evenings aftrr long shifts lately, I just haven't had the patience to fire up the tablet either. I'm currently borrowing my Mum's iPhone, which apparently doesn't have mobile data in the plan, so I can't use that either to go online, simply using it for creating commuting logs [I really hope I can get the rest of the notes off my phone, I'm well behind in backing the logs up into a book! - Ed] and calls/texts. Fingers crossed I can action a new phone of my own soon enough, I really can't stand iPhones! Last night I put some serious thought into making this a 4 day mega bender, but I've decided against it for reasons of sanity and need of rest, so only packed enough clothes for this 2 day adventure. I might come to regret that decision mind!
Time for a supply raid in Morrisons then a lengthy fester for the 0849 to Birmingham New Street. An Anytime Return is needed for this trip, so I fork out £20.60 for that. If I'm coming back the same day an Off Peak fare is valid on this one, but because I'm coming back tomorrow the off-peak fare doesn't kick in until 0940. Quite the weird logic there! Still, it's only about £2 more so not worth the long wait. If I'd known I'd have got the next bus and the 0940 train instead, oh well never mind! Thankfully I have my flask on this trip, so I don't have to fork out so much on coffee [just as well, it was a poor sleep so plenty of caffeine needed! - Ed] while out and about this time. 170517+153375 are in charge of taking me to Birmingham today, and I'll have 3 hours there to kill, so I plan to go phone shopping during that long fester. Bonus right now is that I successfully managed to Bluetooth all my memo files over from my phone [the screen is readable in just the right place for that! - Ed] so I haven't lost all my notes, quite the relief. I aim next to do the same with photos, but they're not such a big concern so if it doesn't work it's not the end of the world. As the files are now off the phone I can be less picky over what phone I get now, just a shame it won't let me send all my music over too!
The journey passes without incident, and I make a beeline for the EE shop. Apparently I've not been moved over to EE from Orange, but they'll allow me to upgrade. OK yeah that makes sense, not. I end up leaving and head to Moor Street after a stop at Tesco Metro. I figure I've got forever to kill yet so might as well look at a leap to Solihull. The 1055 is dud 68010 though so I don't bother, and after a while I find CEx, or Entertainment Exchange whatever they want to be called. No phones that suit me in here either, then I find the new tram stop on Bull Street. Not much longer to go now, as the wires are up all the way to New Street as well. Corporation Street is also coming on well, just the stop at New Street needs to hurry up now. Carphone Warehouse is my next port of call, and after an hour in there I have a new phone! New contract and new number, costing me a little less than I currently pay so happy days! The downside is that I will still have to pay for my current [well, old now! Ed] phone, but that ends in January so all will be good soon. I did get a couple of bonuses as well so I can't really complain! A Costa coffee move is most certainly needed now, the flask having been finished before I got to Birmingham. Off after that to Hill Street for the coach to Glasgow, yep it's a Megabus move for me today. When I booked it was only £1.50 including booking fee, I really couldn't do any better than that!
After a dose of rain, I find out the coach is about 20 minutes late. Great, but thankfully the rain didn't last long. Eventually it turns up, Megabus' 50232 being charged to take the large crowd north to Preston, Glasgow and points north to Aberdeen. Thankfully I get a table seat and a power socket, and we're eventually on the move 28 minutes late. Rather rough ride for a good while, which got smoother once we eventually hit the motorway somewhere north of Erdington. I don't know where as I was busy finishing off my lunch and then setting up my new phone, a Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo for the record. Of course there then followed texting people! Somewhere north of Stoke on Trent we hit another lot of slow traffic, no way we'll make Glasgow on time now. As I type this it's 1528, so it's still a long time to go! Almost 2 hours later and the traffic is still dire, not even close to Preston. J19-26 Long Delays on the boards at J20 of the M6, yeah that's not wrong, we've crawling along and stop-starting for ages! I should use the time to get my commuting logs sorted, but the lights above my seat aren't working so can't really see to do that! Eventually my mobile data signal comes back so I do some more catching up on the forum. Lord BT and I concur, after I overhear the driver's conversation, that a taxi from Buchanan Street Bus Station is going to be the best optionm as we are estimating no earlier than 2030 into Glasgow. With a need to source food, check in to base camp and with an 0300 alarm, getting to base camp as fast as possible is just sensible!
We finally, finally arrive into Preston at 1905, something like 3 hours and 40 minutes late, and by now I cannot stand it any more, I'm off! A fast walk has me at the station in 10 minutes surprisingly, and I bust out the magic plastic for a £39.50 single to Glasgow! I make it in time for the delayed 1858 to Edinburgh which had dud 350406 leading winner 350403 so I board for a leap to Lancaster, leaving the stag do lot there to join dud 390119 a few minutes later forward to Motherwell. On board I find nothing but chicken salad sandwiches to eat, so I get a bottle of Tilting Ale to finally try and a packet of dry roasted peanuts. I like the beer that much [not to mention the Scottish lass manning the shop! - Ed] that I go back and get some more! My magic plastic company are going to love me this month, thank the good Lord I brought it with me! It's off at Motherwell, the first time I've ever done so on a Pendolino, and I await Blindtraveller's arrival on his HST, when we then have just a few minutes to wait for 318257 to take us to Cambuslang, it successfully filing its application to join Tech's Super Dud Club.
A taxi move is up next and we're soon at base camp, Premier Inn next to M74 J2A. It's not too long before we're both conked out, certainly not for me after I devoured 4 ham rolls for an exceptionally late tea! It's getting for midnight by now, and with an 0300 alarm this is going to be a tiny bit of doss!
21/11/2015 - Tech's Escaping, Day 2
Oh the eyes, and indeed the body in general, didn't want to get up at 0300! Nevertheless it had to be done, there's rare track to be scored! A thorough de-rance was in order now, which was more than appreciated it must be said. It's 0350 before we know it and it's absolutely freezing outside in that most bitter wind! Thankfully the taxi turns up without worry, and we're at Glasgow Central in no time. So what on blazes did we have to be up so early today for? Well the 0426 Glasgow Central to London Euston is booked via Mount Florida and the Newton East Connecting Line on Saturdays only, the connecting line being the rare track with nothing else booked over it. So to do it takes some serious planning and major determination! Fortunately we had that in ourselves today, and much staring out of the window from dud 390049 has it confirmed that we are indeed going via Mount Florida and the rare track. This called for a celebratory coffee from the buffet! Only instant stuff today, due to a coffee machine failure, but that's fine as it's Cafe Nero nonsense from the machine. It's a rather long journey to Wigan on this run, so we manage a bit of doss on the way thankfully. Wow this train got busy at Preston, and by crumbs it was hot on board this morning, quite the difference noticed as we alighted 2 hours and 40 minutes after leaving Glasgow!
Tickets to the Saveaway boundary [why else would we have gone to Wigan?! - Ed] purchased, we were told to buy our Saveaway tickets on board. The Northern gripper had no intention of selling tickets to anyone it seemed, so we get them at the gateline at Lime Street instead. Much to our surprise it was winner 142007 on the 0731 Wigan North Western to Liverpool Lime Street, happy days! Burger King is our breakfast port of call, and I'm amazed but delighted that I can get a XL Bacon Double Cheeseburger meal at this hour, not that I was complaining! Phwoar didn't that go down well, money ridiculously well spent. We take our food down to the Wirral Line and join dud 507020 to West Kirby. The main aim of the day was for Blindtraveller to clear out his requirements on MerseyRail, and his coverage was limited to just Liverpool to Chester so this was of course required track for the honourable gentleman! We re-join 507020 on its return journey as far as Birkenhead North, where we get dud 508131 to New Brighton. Worth pointing out that while this was all dud track for me, some of it I haven't done in years so it was a nice trip down Memory Lane too. 508131 is stuck with to Birkenhead Hamilton Square, where our +1 onto an Ellesmere Port train had turned into a +4 so we just beat the hustle alarm and get over for it. Dud 507006 [no luck today for me eh? - Ed] takes us there and clears the Wirral Line for Blindtraveller.
It's a long slog back into town, so we both take the opportunity to get a bit more doss in en-route to Central. Here we have a break as facilities were needed by now, as was a coffee! Greggs is visited for the fluids, and fair dos that coffee went down beautifully. Eventually the lift arrives to take us down to the Northern line, and it's so tiny we only just manage to squeeze in next to a guy and his pushchair. We certainly time it well though, as winner [finally! - Ed] 507023 is on the 1220 Liverpool Central to Kirkby! Naturally it's on we get, and we head to journey's end to score the 4th branch of the day for Lord BT. It's a much nicer run up here too, as it's so much quicker than the Wirral Line. We stay put with 507023 for the return journey as far as Kirkdale, where we change to do the Ormskirk branch. 508128 in all its dudness took us there, and we swap to better seats for the return journey, having endured fold-down seats on the way up. It sure got busy on this run for a while, as Everton were playing at home, Moorfields for us and we have a long trek around to the Wirral Lines, getting dud 508143 around the corner to Lime Street.
Why does Lime Street have so few TVMs? We were worried we'd miss the 1432 to Wigan for a while, the queues everywhere were just silly today. Thankfully we get it dealt with, and he has his Advance home. Certainly more TVMs are needed here! We discover it's winner 319363 which I cannot ignore, especially as I have time for an Edge Hill leap before my train homeward. 319365 is a dud 'un for the return leg, and I join 350115 next for my booked move home, time for some tunes now! We somehow leave 3 minutes late, and it's not entirely a fast run to Crewe as normal, much grr! The trip report gets a big update too, and soon after Crewe we overtake a charter [not used to seeing them on my bashing! - Ed] which had Frothnado on the front. I think it's coffee and food time when I get to the Bat Cave, I'm rather famished now! 350115 becomes the latest member of Tech's League of Super Duds [one day I'll settle on my preferred name for that group! - Ed] and I go to Meal Deal for tea, bargain at £1.74 for some fries, a can of pop and a baguette!
170631 is on the 1719 to Worcester Shrub Hill, I join it as I can't be bothered hanging around a lacked Birmingham any longer. Tea is devoured and afterwards I update my spending logs, not too much over 2 days then! There's an hour fester in Worcester Shrub Hill, so I fill some time with a coffee at Cafe Loco, and since 150246 on a Warminster to Great Malvern is dud I continue waiting for the promised HST from Paddington, flagging too 170635 to Hereford. As hoped, it is indeed an HST and I have 43152+43140 to take me home. It's been way too long since I last did an HST, especially on home turf, so this move was special. It also helps to break up the MU diet! Somehow we end up 11 minutes late into Hereford, and I get a lift home, where I get some BBQ chicken chargrills and chips on for a late meal, which made me sleepy and I finally hit the pillow just after 2200, 19 hours after getting up!
Apart from the motorway farce, then this trip was a great one and I've certainly escaped Norm Land!
Let's get some stats going on then:
Winners: 4
Required shacks: 0
New track: Newton East Connecting Line
Rail fares: £75.00
Coach fares: £1.50
Hotel ching: £20 (Lord BT booked the hotel and I'm paying him back)
Taxi ching: £9
General spending: £39.12
Total: £144.62
Not as cheap as the trip was supposed to be, not by a country mile, if it hadn't been for that farce on the motorway I'd have spent about £50 less! Now bring on the next trip, wherever that may be to!
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,543
No fast running to Crewe? Bad times. Its also a sad day when your not platform ending at BHM but that has more to do with BHM me thinks. Thank goodness for HSTs to finish things off A? Thanks for your company, just what we both needed!
Brilliant read chief. I always enjoy reading about other peoples little jaunts around Merseyside. Merseyside in general seems to have a shortage of ticket machines, I always notice that especially when I have to buy a ticket at South Parkway (Which also has a shortage of toilets).
crispy1978
Member
Good write-up again Tech. Having done quite a bit of Merseyrail recently I can relate fairly well to that.
I hate coach journeys, so bailing sounds very sensible! Comfort>Ching for me, so would definitely have been a train for me but I understand the £1.50 Megabus being attractive.
Roll on the next one eh?
I hate coach journeys, so bailing sounds very sensible! Comfort>Ching for me, so would definitely have been a train for me but I understand the £1.50 Megabus being attractive.
Roll on the next one eh?
Wow! I was on 170635 into Foregate street! I knew we'd missed each other by about 30 minutes at BHM based on what I read on Twitter, but even though i knew you'd been on the HST i didn't twig that you had waited at Shrub Hill for it!
I've not been on here for ages either. Not entirely sure when my latest trip report will be up. So busy at the moment.
I've not been on here for ages either. Not entirely sure when my latest trip report will be up. So busy at the moment.
A couple of fantastic reads. It looks like baleing off the coach payed off though with 350403.
I was on the 10:55 from Moor Street that day (although I didn't get off the train after it arrived from Marylebone) so it sounds like we just missed each other. But it sounds like a great time was had! Just one question - What is and where is meal deal at New Street?
I was on the 10:55 from Moor Street that day (although I didn't get off the train after it arrived from Marylebone) so it sounds like we just missed each other. But it sounds like a great time was had! Just one question - What is and where is meal deal at New Street?
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Techniquest
Veteran Member
Meal Deal, well come out of New Street at the exit by where the tram stop will be, walk up the street by Cafe Nero towards Tesco Metro onto New Street itself, turn left here and Meal Deal is on the left just next to the Thomas Cook shop. Meal Deal does baguettes, paninis, breakfast rolls, other hot snacks and hot/cold drinks. For £1.74 for a can of pop, baguette and a portion of fries you will struggle to do any better anywhere!
Glad you all enjoyed the read!
Aye the run to Crewe was pretty slow all the way sadly, used to love going like a bat out of hell on that trip. Another journey I'll not be in a rush to do again which is disappointing, althiugh admittedly still better than enduring a long trek up the Wirral line from Chester! The HST to end the day was most wonderful, I've seen 180s on it vice HST before and 165s vice HSTs!
I suspect I'll end up in Merseyside again soon, so expect another Merseyside write-up
Wherever the next trip is, it'll be the last one of the year sadly. Still, 2016 appears to be promising! I had considered buying last minute tickets on Friday morning via Manchester, using the magic plastic, and I rather wish I had! If it all gone smoothly things would have been fine on the coach, I will use them again but I hope to get WiFi next time which works! The M6 problems were certainly rare, our first coach driver said he'd never seen such a thing in 15 years!
Shame I didn't know you were coming in on 170635, I didn't know you were on my turf! I know what you mean about being busy, it's been chaotic here too so I've had very little time to do owt myself!
Glad you all enjoyed the read!
Aye the run to Crewe was pretty slow all the way sadly, used to love going like a bat out of hell on that trip. Another journey I'll not be in a rush to do again which is disappointing, althiugh admittedly still better than enduring a long trek up the Wirral line from Chester! The HST to end the day was most wonderful, I've seen 180s on it vice HST before and 165s vice HSTs!
I suspect I'll end up in Merseyside again soon, so expect another Merseyside write-up
Wherever the next trip is, it'll be the last one of the year sadly. Still, 2016 appears to be promising! I had considered buying last minute tickets on Friday morning via Manchester, using the magic plastic, and I rather wish I had! If it all gone smoothly things would have been fine on the coach, I will use them again but I hope to get WiFi next time which works! The M6 problems were certainly rare, our first coach driver said he'd never seen such a thing in 15 years!
Shame I didn't know you were coming in on 170635, I didn't know you were on my turf! I know what you mean about being busy, it's been chaotic here too so I've had very little time to do owt myself!
Kristofferson
Member
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2012
- Messages
- 1,132
Great read Tech, good to see you back to normal (but not Norm-al!) 
Be careful with that magic plastic, eh
Be careful with that magic plastic, eh
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Great read Tech, good to see you back to normal (but not Norm-al!)
Be careful with that magic plastic, eh
Oh I've got to be careful with it aye, that statement didn't make pleasant reading this afternoon!
Definitely not norm-al, thankfully!
Get back to Merseyside soon. Went for a little bimble about this evening and as I mentioned before 59003 is still there, didn't expect it to have moved since earlier in the day to be honest, ha ha.
A couple of little trips I have taken to doing of late are cheap Virgin returns from Lime Street to either Crewe or Runcorn just for a change of scenery (As you know I don't go out bashing much these days). You are going to hate this but I had 390114 on the 14:47 Lime Street to Euston as far as Runcorn last Sunday. £5.20 Virgin return if I recall correctly. It was a pleasant afternoon, had a cheeky pint in a pub near the station in Runcorn, then another cheeky one by Lime Street before I headed back to West Allerton.
A couple of little trips I have taken to doing of late are cheap Virgin returns from Lime Street to either Crewe or Runcorn just for a change of scenery (As you know I don't go out bashing much these days). You are going to hate this but I had 390114 on the 14:47 Lime Street to Euston as far as Runcorn last Sunday. £5.20 Virgin return if I recall correctly. It was a pleasant afternoon, had a cheeky pint in a pub near the station in Runcorn, then another cheeky one by Lime Street before I headed back to West Allerton.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
That's a good value fare it must be said! Jealous of 390114, seems everyone's had it but me!
It is a bargain. The Virgin return to Crewe is more fun and only £8.60 if I recall correctly from the other week. Only shame is it has gone up from £7. £7 for a return from Liverpool to Crewe! Now that is a bargain.
Am sure you will get 114 soon enough chief. It is handy living where I do. If I put my mind to it I could probably clear the 185's and 350's (Apart from the 4's) using the pass I use to get to work.
Same for everyone with various forms of traction depending on where they live I guess. Do get a fair old choice of classes using my Trio ticket from South Parkway though.
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Techniquest
Veteran Member
Oh I know 390114 will fall eventually, just getting a bit impatient
Bargain fare indeed! Aye I know what you mean about local classes, I've had all of ATW's fleet for a while now, as well as the LM diesel fleet for quite some time and the rest of their fleet for a bit now. It is nice needing nothing from the local fleets!
Bargain fare indeed! Aye I know what you mean about local classes, I've had all of ATW's fleet for a while now, as well as the LM diesel fleet for quite some time and the rest of their fleet for a bit now. It is nice needing nothing from the local fleets!
Oh I know 390114 will fall eventually, just getting a bit impatient
Bargain fare indeed! Aye I know what you mean about local classes, I've had all of ATW's fleet for a while now, as well as the LM diesel fleet for quite some time and the rest of their fleet for a bit now. It is nice needing nothing from the local fleets!
That alone is a massive achievement. Glad to see you back and posting trip reports anyway mate.
47403
Established Member
Glad you had a good time mate, sounds like it was, just what the Doctor ordered. As for being jealous of everyone having 390114, I haven't, if thats of any consolation whatsoever. I'm not a jealous person but seeing you had my last TP 350 required for haulage, for haulage yourself made me laugh and say out loud, you jammy git
Great read as usual Lord Tech of Hereford.
Great read as usual Lord Tech of Hereford.
alexf380
Established Member
I had been wondering what this Scottish trip was going to be all about! Needless to say I'm not disappointed at the outcome cracking read there, Tech. Any hints as to what's going to kick off 2016 for you?
cracking read there, Tech. Any hints as to what's going to kick off 2016 for you?
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Oh aye I forgot 350403 was your last TPX 350!
Not totally sure what will kick off 2016, nor indeed what will end 2015 just yet. I am adament I'm going somewhere in the morning but I could also do with staying in and getting my bookwork finished.
Yep I have zero intentions to ever visit Norm Land again like that, although something tells me I've said that before!
Not totally sure what will kick off 2016, nor indeed what will end 2015 just yet. I am adament I'm going somewhere in the morning but I could also do with staying in and getting my bookwork finished.
Yep I have zero intentions to ever visit Norm Land again like that, although something tells me I've said that before!
Oh aye I forgot 350403 was your last TPX 350!
Not totally sure what will kick off 2016, nor indeed what will end 2015 just yet. I am adament I'm going somewhere in the morning but I could also do with staying in and getting my bookwork finished.
Yep I have zero intentions to ever visit Norm Land again like that, although something tells me I've said that before!
Enjoy whatever you do. I am on an early in work. Gah. Ha ha.
47403
Established Member
My sentiments, me too fowler. I would say have a half day somewhere tech but it would be hypocritical of me because if i go out, I'm out for the duration. Do the bookwork through the week.
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
Good read there, as ever.
Pleased that you scored the 350 - well deserved after baling from the megabussage.
Good luck tomorrow (today?) if you decide to have a jaunt.
One question, to which I suspect I'm the only one on here who wants to know the answer - what did you sing at the karaoke ? "Midnight Train to Georgia" (winner for me) or possibly "Morningtown Ride" (megadud - love The Seekers)...
Pleased that you scored the 350 - well deserved after baling from the megabussage.
Good luck tomorrow (today?) if you decide to have a jaunt.
One question, to which I suspect I'm the only one on here who wants to know the answer - what did you sing at the karaoke ?
"Midnight Train to Georgia" (winner for me) or possibly "Morningtown Ride" (megadud - love The Seekers)...
Techniquest
Veteran Member
I didn't expect anyone to ask what I did on karaoke I must admit! It was Linkin Park's Faint for some reason. Still think I fared better with Keane's Everyhody's Changing in 2005...
Looks like I'm not going anywhere today, not been able to sleep and preferred to get on here and read some threads!
Looks like I'm not going anywhere today, not been able to sleep and preferred to get on here and read some threads!
Cracking song!
Blindtraveler
Established Member
- Joined
- 28 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 10,543
Your bank balance will doubtless be glad. I wanted to ask what you sang but didnt have the courage!
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a good trip clearing that connecting line at long last
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Indeed so, about time that PSUL move was done! Hambleton West Curve is now the most irritating one to go for. Yep it's on my wish list for 2016, another one which needs a Saturday off work!
Just added all my journeys from this trip, I'm now on 12,483 miles for 2015 which is 483 miles ahead of my target a month and a bit early so happy days!
Only two available Mondays left to go bashing on this year, all the others are occupied sadly. Next Monday then 14th December, very much doubt I'll be able to go bashing on 21st December. If I can then that will be awesome, but it's the final few days before Frothmas so I'll no doubt be required at work!
Just added all my journeys from this trip, I'm now on 12,483 miles for 2015 which is 483 miles ahead of my target a month and a bit early so happy days!
Only two available Mondays left to go bashing on this year, all the others are occupied sadly. Next Monday then 14th December, very much doubt I'll be able to go bashing on 21st December. If I can then that will be awesome, but it's the final few days before Frothmas so I'll no doubt be required at work!
Kite159
Veteran Member
Hitchin Flyover
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Oh yeah, I'm still forgetting that exists! I really don't know why that bit won't stay in memory, you're giving me ideas now...
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