Juliano's World Frenzy/Tech's Trip Reports

[crispy1978]

Great write up Tech - sounds a great trip, and much more up my street is that!

Was following on Twitter avidly as you know! Glad the weather generally wasn't too bad too.

 

[backontrack]

Excellent reads Lord Tech, jealous of the Shotts Line shacks as I need Kingsknowe, Fauldhouse, Breich (!!), Hartwood, Cleland, Carfin...it goes on

Well, just off the top of my head, I need Haymarket, Slateford, Kingsknowe, Wester Hailes, Curriehill, Kirknewton, Livingston South, West Calder, Addiewell, Breich, Fauldhouse, Shotts, Hartwood, Cleland, Carfin, Holytown, Bellshill, Uddingston, Cambuslang, Newton, Airbles, Hamilton West, Hamilton Central, Chatelherault, Larkhall, Merryton, Rutherglen, Dalmarnock, Bridgeton, Argyle Street, Motherwell, Shieldmuir, Wishaw, Carluke, Lanark, Carstairs, Coatbridge Central, Whifflet, Kirkwood, Bargeddie, Baillieston, Mount Vernon, Carmyle, Greenfaulds, Gartcosh, Stepps, Springburn, Merryton, Duke Street, Cumbernauld, Camelon, Falkirk Grahamston, Falkirk High, Polmont, Linlithgow, Edinburgh Park, Uphall, Livingston North, Bathgate, Armadale, Blackridge, Caldercruix, Drumgelloch, Airdrie, Coatdyke, Coatbridge Sunnyside, Blairhill, Easterhouse, Garrowhill, Shettleston, Carntyne, Glasgow Queen Street (High Level), Croy, Bishopbriggs, Lenzie, Queen Street (Low Level), Glasgow Central (Low Level), Bellgrove, High Street, Corkerhill, Mosspark, Hillington East, Hillington West, Paisley Canal, Paisley Gilmour Street, Crookston, Hawkhead, Charing Cross (Glasgow), Anderston, Merryton, Exhibition Centre, Alexandra Parade, Barnhill, Merryton, Kirkhill, Mount Florida, Crofthill, Queens Park, Kings Park, Crosshill, Cathcart, Burnside, Langside, Muirend, Giffnock, East Kilbridge, Whitecraigs, Thornliebank Thorntonhall, Clarkston, Busby, Neilston, East Kilbride, Pollokshaws West, Pollockshaws East, Pollokshields West, Pollokshields East, Crossmyloof, Nitshill, Barrhead, Kennishead, Preisthill & Darnley, Shawlands, Maxwell Park, Hairmyres, Patterton, Williamwood, Cardonald, Dumbreck, Stewarton, Dunlop, Kilmaurs, Kilmarnock, Dalmeny, South Gyle, Merryton, Inverkeithing, North Queensferry, Glenrothes with Thornton, Cardenden, Lochgelly, Markinch, Ladybank, Kinghorn, Kirkcaldy, Rosyth, Dunfermline Queen Margaret, Dunfermline Town, Aberdour, Dalgety Bay, Burntisland, Tweedbank, Galashiels, Newtongrange, Gorebridge, Stow, Eskbank, Newcraighall, Shawfair, Brunstane, Musselburgh, Wallyford, Longniddry, Drem, Prestonpans, Dunbar, North Berwick, Lockerbie, Merryton, Blantyre, Springfield, Cupar, Leuchars, Dundee, Alloa, Stirling, Larbert, Bridge of Allan, Dunblane, Gleneagles, Gourock, Bishopton, Wemyss Bay, Ardrossan Town. Ardrossan South Beach, Kilwinning, Ardrossan Harbour, Saltcoats, Stevenston, Largs, West Kilbride, Merryton, Fairlie, Port Glasgow, I.B.M, Woodhall, Whinhill, Drumfrochar, Bogston, Cartsdyke, Greenock West, Greenock Central, Fort Matilda, Inverkip, Branchton, Langbank, Johnstone, Milliken Park, Howwood, Lochwinnoch, Glengarnock, Dalry, Irvine, Barassie, Troon, Prestwick International Airport, Prestwick Town, Newton-upon-Ayr, Ayr, Partick, Hyndland, Jordanhill, Scotstounhill, Garscadden, Yoker, Clydebank, Dalmuir, Merryton, Westerton, Singer and more...

...just as well I'm not interested in 'shack scratching', then...

 

[Techniquest]

Glad you're all enjoying the read guys, and I see there was a lot of response on Twitter this time too which was nice to see

Rest assured there are more trips in the pipeline, of course my TPP Mode thread will discuss it. My Rolling Review thread for 2016 will also be posted later.

As for that shack scoring, each to their own but as I say, it would deserve a judgement at the time. I would be more likely to find a way to get to the next shack up and score that one before re-joining the train. Once I got confirmation it wasn't being skipped of course!

 

[backontrack]

Glad you're all enjoying the read guys, and I see there was a lot of response on Twitter this time too which was nice to see

Rest assured there are more trips in the pipeline, of course my TPP Mode thread will discuss it. My Rolling Review thread for 2016 will also be posted later.

As for that shack scoring, each to their own but as I say, it would deserve a judgement at the time. I would be more likely to find a way to get to the next shack up and score that one before re-joining the train. Once I got confirmation it wasn't being skipped of course!

Great to hear that you have more trips planned.

Seeing as the next shack would either be Kildonan (request stop, rural and quite a distance away) or Brora (quite a distance away), you'd have trouble!

Brora might be possible from Helmsdale, however.

 

[AJM580]

Congratulations on getting 236, It stayed out all day as I had it on a Toton Lane job at 1722. The Jam Jar on Plat 1 was heaving with football fans when I called in. It looks like it still sells the old Pumpkin stuff as I had a decent coffee and muffin from there on the 1813 to Norwich (158770 with rock-hard seats!!)

Andrew

 

[jayalongtheway]

strictly speaking Coventry Arena is in the West Midlands I'm told

Perhaps you can watch your team Newcastle United at the Ricoh next season and get it in then. Assuming Coventry get promoted to the Championship that is
Only joking
rg177 and 47403 apologies also

 

[55013]

That's an interesting one. I'm not sure if I'd count it or not to be honest, it would be a special case. Any and all special cases are judged at the time as to whether make an exception or not. As i type this though, the feeling inside me says that I probably wouldn't though.

Fair enough, thanks for the answer.
Always go with your gut feeling, that's what I say.

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Tech, that's one epic trip and so many plus points but surely the icing on your cake (and the cherry on top of that as well) has to be clearing NET with the dreaded 236. BT's encyclopedic knowledge of the Scottish bus network seems to have got you out of a few scrapes.

Pity that 390114 did not distract you on your travels but one day you'll get the better of it and then you'll curse like made every time it shows up thereafter....

As for this shack scratching malarkey, my rules are probably a little stricter than most in that I have to start or finish a distinct rail journey at that shack for it to count. But where a train calls at a shack and sits there for say 15 minutes, it does not count unless I leave the confines of the station onto the public highway and return to reboard the same train. Then that counts as a separate distinct journey. Merely alighting onto the platform and merely prancing up and down the platform before reboarding the same train does not count **unless** there is a change of traction. My rules. End of!

And normaldom will now seem totally boring in comparison ....

 

[Techniquest]

Great to hear that you have more trips planned.

Seeing as the next shack would either be Kildonan (request stop, rural and quite a distance away) or Brora (quite a distance away), you'd have trouble!

Brora might be possible from Helmsdale, however.

Very true!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Congratulations on getting 236, It stayed out all day as I had it on a Toton Lane job at 1722. The Jam Jar on Plat 1 was heaving with football fans when I called in. It looks like it still sells the old Pumpkin stuff as I had a decent coffee and muffin from there on the 1813 to Norwich (158770 with rock-hard seats!!)

Andrew

Thanks!

Cheers for the gen on Jam Jar, might be worth a look when I'm next up there. That won't for quite some time though, whenever I can do an East Midlands Day Ranger or Rover.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Perhaps you can watch your team Newcastle United at the Ricoh next season and get it in then. Assuming Coventry get promoted to the Championship that is
Only joking
rg177 and 47403 apologies also

Not a big enough fan of football to do that!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Fair enough, thanks for the answer.
Always go with your gut feeling, that's what I say.

Good to hear someone gets that!

Hopefully my next trip will get me two more steps closer to clearing the Midlands in terms of shacks...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Tech, that's one epic trip and so many plus points but surely the icing on your cake (and the cherry on top of that as well) has to be clearing NET with the dreaded 236. BT's encyclopedic knowledge of the Scottish bus network seems to have got you out of a few scrapes.

Oh yes, I think that clearing NET has to be the highlight!

Yes his bus knowledge is incredibly, and far better than mine on pretty much anything!

Pity that 390114 did not distract you on your travels but one day you'll get the better of it and then you'll curse like made every time it shows up thereafter....

Agreed, just got to keep hoping it makes it out of bed when I make the effort to get out of mine!

As for this shack scratching malarkey, my rules are probably a little stricter than most in that I have to start or finish a distinct rail journey at that shack for it to count. But where a train calls at a shack and sits there for say 15 minutes, it does not count unless I leave the confines of the station onto the public highway and return to reboard the same train. Then that counts as a separate distinct journey. Merely alighting onto the platform and merely prancing up and down the platform before reboarding the same train does not count **unless** there is a change of traction. My rules. End of!

Sounds like your rules are similiar to mine. If you arrive at a terminus on something, which has a ridiculously tight turnaround before heading back out, let's say less than 3 minutes, I assume you would count it still as two seperate journeys and a shack score if it was needed? I'm not totally certain reading your paragraph there if that is the case.

And normaldom will now seem totally boring in comparison ....

Sort of back to reality today, the difference being a ton of bookwork to do! A lot of which is now done, but some big outstanding tasks to deal with. If February is indeed a quiet month, at least I'll have time to deal with them!

Proper back to reality is Tuesday morning, I don't have to tell you how much I'm not looking forward to that!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Sounds like your rules are similiar to mine. If you arrive at a terminus on something, which has a ridiculously tight turnaround before heading back out, let's say less than 3 minutes, I assume you would count it still as two seperate journeys and a shack score if it was needed? I'm not totally certain reading your paragraph there if that is the case.

Shack score would definitely count as it is two distinct services. But a simple reversal of the same service would not count unless the traction changed

Sort of back to reality today, the difference being a ton of bookwork to do! A lot of which is now done, but some big outstanding tasks to deal with. If February is indeed a quiet month, at least I'll have time to deal with them!

Ah, the dreaded paperwork. Despite me not going anywhere at the weekend on the trains, I still ended up doing a load of "end of month" procedures. This haulage game seems to be a full time task and the job that pays for it should be taking the back seat....

Proper back to reality is Tuesday morning, I don't have to tell you how much I'm not looking forward to that!

Aargh. The dreaded Monday Morning Feeling running a day late and hitting you full on in the face like a wet fish on a Tuesday instead.

 

[Techniquest]

Mostly done now, just some more updates to the Quails to do, well that and a ton of moves from January to still add to the moves book. Creating my paper backup of commuting logs since October is still outstanding, that'll take some doing...

Yep, I expect reality to hit very hard tomorrow! Fortunately I have Sundays and Mondays off from work, which proves quite handy.

On the bright side, in just 36 days and a matter of minutes we'll be boarding the flight to New York! Bring it on I say, I'm already bouncing off the walls as it is!

 

[backontrack]

Wow, the Big Apple is finally coming! Or, rather, the other way round...

If you're going to NYC, then, whatever you do, don't bring back the Republican frontrunner with you. :P


And now...

The entire list of 'shacks' in the Scottish Central Belt that backontrack has done
1. Edinburgh Waverley
2. Glasgow Central (High Level)
3. Perth
4. Er...
5. That's it.

 

[FQ]

I still need Perth and Glasgow Central! The ones that I've had in Scotland are Edinburgh Waverley, North Berwick, Dundee, Stonehaven, Aberdeen, Aviemore and Inverness (off the top of my head)

 

[backontrack]

Oh, I've done more than just those three. I was referring to 'central belt' shacks.

 

[FQ]

Oh, I've done more than just those three. I was referring to 'central belt' shacks.

Which other ones? Are you doing as poorly as me?

 

[backontrack]

I still need Perth and Glasgow Central! The ones that I've had in Scotland are Edinburgh Waverley, North Berwick, Dundee, Stonehaven, Aberdeen, Aviemore and Inverness (off the top of my head)

Aberdeen, Inverness and a couple of northern ones - made in the same way as 55013's Helmsdale 'scratch'.

In total, I've got 8 'shacks' in Scotland.

 

[FQ]

Better than me and you live further away!

 

[backontrack]

By one shack... :P

In total, I've got 55 'shacks' across the UK - ones that I remember, anyway. None of these are in Wales.

 

[noddy1878]

Shack score would definitely count as it is two distinct services. But a simple reversal of the same service would not count unless the traction changed

You have the same rules as me. I too am quite strict about it. If it means I will not get a shack in then so be it!

 

[55013]

As for this shack scratching malarkey, my rules are probably a little stricter than most in that I have to start or finish a distinct rail journey at that shack for it to count. But where a train calls at a shack and sits there for say 15 minutes, it does not count unless I leave the confines of the station onto the public highway and return to reboard the same train. Then that counts as a separate distinct journey. Merely alighting onto the platform and merely prancing up and down the platform before reboarding the same train does not count **unless** there is a change of traction. My rules. End of!

I assure you I didn't indulge in any form of prancing during my long fester at Helmsdale.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

My rules are simple - Have I arrived at the station? If so, it counts

 

[AJM580]

I'm with HMS Ark Royal on this one, as I'll include photo-stops on railtours - such as Dent (1984) and a few scenic Scottish shacks on the Kyle line and Far North line. I'll also count reversals at branch line terminii, as generally I arrive on one service, grab a photo for posterity and then reboard the unit on the next departure. Each to their own though, it's whatever you feel comfortable with claiming.

 

[507021]

My rules are simple - Have I arrived at the station? If so, it counts

Agreed, I'm with you on this one too.

 

[backontrack]

Do you include just stopping, or do you get out of the train?

 

[507021]

Do you include just stopping, or do you get out of the train?

I have a list of stations that I have passed through and another list of stations where I have alighted the train and started a new journey on either the same or a different unit. I haven't updated either for quite a while, something I need to do when I've got some free time.

 

[crehld]

What. A. Week! Hats off to you sir! Plenty of coverage and winners in there. Great achievements all round, even despite some disruption, so credit for that. And yes, I noticed that offer of a free pint which I will cash in

 

[Techniquest]

What. A. Week! Hats off to you sir! Plenty of coverage and winners in there. Great achievements all round, even despite some disruption, so credit for that. And yes, I noticed that offer of a free pint which I will cash in

Aye it was one monster of a bash! Do remind me when I'm next up your way about the pint (or coffee, depending on the time of day!) and I'll certainly reimburse you!

The trip report is complete and is to be uploaded as soon as I can make Polaris Office copy and paste anything at all. It won't even let me copy a small amount at once, either that or the forum software won't let me paste it!

What a mission and a half this is! Oh, and I tried Open Office, that was worse...

 

[Kite159]

Evil software

 

[Techniquest]

Well what do you know, when I opened it in Android Open Office it let me select all text, copy it and then paste it! To think I was going to uninstall it...

08/02/2016 - Tech's I Need A Miracle

Finally I'm on the rails in February! The trip title this time is another musical reference, this one is in loving tribute to one of my favourite tunes of all time, Fragma's Toca's Miracle [I should get it added to Tech's Mobile Disco actually! - Ed], a ridiculously popular dance tune in the past. Quite, I might have to reference another massive tune from that era next time...

It's up and at 'em after a surprisingly good sleep at 0630, and after final prep I leave to join the College-Ex which produced the 05-plate Tempo this morning. A minor supply raid at Morrisions follows and £31.30 later in the ticket office I have my WMDR and a single to Ledbury. The latter at £6.20 is deemed necessary as the WMDR has no easements whatsoever, and I needed the 0846 today as it turned out, having got gen from my usual source on a particular EMU which needs no introduction whatsoever! If you haven't guessed what one I mean yet, I'm sure you will later in this write-up! 170510 and 153334 are in charge of taking me to the Bat Cave today, and whatever it is rattling in the saloon of the 153 it's irritating, and lasts until almost Worcester. I spend the journey that far talking to a colleague, and we're surprisingly on time today so far. A first for everything I suppose! At Shrub Hill it's time to fire up the tablet and bring this up to date, and with the 153 now doing its usual noise the headache it generated [thank Goodness I packed some ibuprofen! - Ed] will hopefully do one soon.

It's fair to say the weather is a bit rancid today, thanks to Storm Imogen. Is it just me or did we not have anywhere near as many named storms in a 6 week period in 2015? Bang goes our good running at Stoke Works Junction, certainly haven't been held here for a long time. 12 down off Bromsgrove, heaviest delay I've had on this working for quite some time. We eventually arrive at 1025, and thankfully it's an easy walk from platform 5b to platform 4c, and I'm glad I did my supply raid in Morrisons after all! 350263 takes me to Crewe on the 1036 to Liverpool Lime Street, and Tech's Mobile Disco is on while I play Flow Free. I make some serious progress before arrival into Crewe at 1133, and it's coffee time in Pumpkin after a walk about. I observe a K reg Olympian [sorry to the non-bus fans! - Ed] on route 36 to Sandbach, phwoar I didn't think anything halfway decent existed up here these days! It's devices charging time briefly while I also update the trip report, and it's tense while I await the 1147 Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston. Ooh that's it in the distance, will it be, won't it be, the fingers are crossed...

YES! YEEHAA! FINALLY! VICTORY PARTY REQUIRED!

I think you'll have all guessed what I'm so happy about already, but for those unaware winner 390114 is my last Pendolino to get for haulage, and it's thankfully stuck to the diagram it was on this morning. Yes that does mean I owe someone a pint, as I have now cleared my 390s for haulage! Oh it felt good to finally eliminate that from my needs list, I won't lie. I can't however underline it for haulage yet, as I forgot to pack any pens! The run to Stafford is over in no time, and I sure had a big grin on my face. I'm glad though that I wasn't relying on Pumpkin at Stafford, as due to refurbishment works in the ticket office [read ticket barriers on their way... - Ed] it no longer exists! 350116 is up next on the 1202 Crewe to London Euston, on which I'm on to Nuneaton. As I board, my first 387/2s for sight fly through on a test working to Crewe [memories of seeing 379s on test at Atherstone come flooding back - Ed], which went through at 1251 and were 387207 and 387210. I also add all 27 387/2s to my needs list, I think I'm going to be spending a LOT of time on the Brighton Main Line in the coming years...Back to today, 350116 becomes the newest member of the Super Duds Club, and Tech's Mobile Disco is on again.

So why am I not heading to Chiltern territory, or indeed to the Midland Metro? Well there's those two new shacks between Nuneaton and Coventry to do, Chiltern stuff can wait for another Monday when I'll be on a Daytripper. Even so I'm gutted I won't get any 68 haulage today, but needs must. There's something like a +39 for the next Coventry service here, but I go for a sandwich from the nearby Asda to help kill time, as there had been nothing I wanted in Morrisons this morning. The service here leaves a lot to be desired mind, my local Asda is much better for that! It's rather breezy and wet in Nuneaton, so I'm glad there's a waiting room to wait in. 153365 is the Dog Box on the Nuneaton to Coventry line today, and I take it to today's first shack score, Coventry Arena. The weather is rancid here too, but I eventually find Costa on the first floor of Next in Arena Park shopping centre. Of note for enthusiasts [I don't think there's any shopping enthusiasts on the forum! - Ed] is a large Tesco, Costa and Frothbucks (that one's in New Look), as well as Pizza Hut and Burger King in the area. National Express Coventry's route 4 serves the area too, which was noteworthy for having bendy buses on it! A PNB is taken in Costa [as the facility on the 153 was locked out of use - Ed] and I charge away with a large coffee, having had better service than the one in Birmingham city centre, which I make sure I tell them too. 153365 is back to take me to shack score 2 today, Bermuda Park.

The only thing of note here is a Booker wholesale shop across the road, otherwise it's a very boring place. I use the time to pop onto the forum to start catching up, and 153365 comes back to take me to Coventry. The woman on the mobility scooter was very adament she wasn't going to move back out of the doorway to let me in, but eventually begrudingly starts it up and moves back to let me in. Quite why I'd be standing in the doorway otherwise I have no idea, people like her really do annoy me! We eventually make it to Coventry for 1537, and after some chavvy youngster finally realises he has to press the button to open the door, I can alight. I hope gets Penalty Fare'd by the barrier staff, by gum wasn't he moaning endlessly after the guard warned us of ticket barriers here. If I'd realised the chaos that was unfolding, and that I was putting myself into, I'd have got back on the 153 and gone into town via Nuneaton...

I originally join 350114 on the delayed 1530 to the Bat Cave, then when 390006 arrives it's realised it'll get priority and I join the large number of people running over for it. Thanks to Kite159, I find out coach F is the former coach G on 9 car Pendolinos, that cleared up the confusion and I learnt something new. We leave 9 minutes late and are informed a plastic object is on the OHLE in the Stetchford area, so we may get diverted after International. That'll be a first on a 390 for me, and we arrive at 1601 into International, along with a pair of 158s, Starship 242 and a 350 also occupying the platforms. 1608 or so we get an announcement to tell us we're being held here and a further announcement will follow with more information when it's available. A few minutes later I'm sweltering and get up to step out onto the platform for some fresh air, as well as hopefully a coach where I can actually access the facilities [should have known a large coffee was a bad idea! - Ed]. I try coach H, no more luck here either. I'm now standing in a busy vestibule, which we nearly got crushed in by three people joining us and almost crushing feet with a suitcase. I dread to think what the coaches behind me got like, as apparently a station announcement had confirmed we'd go first. Therefore everyone wanted us!

We wait, then we wait, then we wait some more, and still nothing. It was that crammed I couldn't move enough to use my phone for ages, then two people gave up and left our space. That made life more bearable, and eventually we got going at 1643, after sitting around at International for 42 minutes, with no information at all for the last 35 minutes of the wait! Thankfully we go full pelt to the Bat Cave, and I mean thankfully as the nearest facility was by now creating quite the stench! 1654 sees us finally arrive at the Bat Cave, and it had been that bad at International multiple announcements were made to say that platforms 2 and 3 were that crowded they were closed from the concourse! Funnily enough when I had managed to pop my head out platform 2 only had Virgin staff on it, I had had images of Tube-style crowds on it. I was also disappointed about the lack of any announcements at Coventry, another poor show across the board from both LM and Virgin. I'd seen no warnings on Twitter either, which I could have missed in all fairness. A Delay Repay will be sent in, even though it'll only be a couple of quid. I should have got the form in Birmingham, even so Virgin will be in receipt soon of a lengthy complaint about their unusually poor customer service.

So what shall I do now I ponder. No point getting the 1719 to Hereford as it'll be a long wait for the bus home anyway, I might as well go tram spotting at Bull Street. Armed with two quid in coins, first of all dud 32 rolls in, then dud 36 [I had these with Kite159 on 25th January you may recall - Ed] before winner tram 34 turns up. Fair games to the gripper, he got to me well quickly, and I happily give him a quid for a one way fare to Jewellery Quarter. Although the ticket he issues is to St Pauls! A 4 minute journey gets me to Jewellery Quarter, and I end up joining 172331 for a trip to Snow Hill. It qualifies for membership of the Super Duds Club now, and is something like the 13th LM 172 to join it. Or is it the 12th, I've lost track! I finally get that PNB at Snow Hill, then join the army of commuters marching to the Bat Cave. To my surprise, the empties from Tyseley arrive at 1747, and we leave right time at 1749 with seats still spare! 170504 and 170516 are in charge of taking me home, and I fire up Tech's Mobile Disco while I update the trip report, which surprisingly takes until Worcester Foregate Street to do. Tea time when I get back to Hereford, which ended up being a large chicken curry and chips for £3, followed by a pint of Elland Brewery's Nettle Thrasher [nicer than it sounds! - Ed] then I meet back up with my sister before the bus home. So, some stats:

Winners: 2
Shack scores: 2
New sights: 2

Rail fares: £32.30
Bus fares: £6.20
General expenditure: £23.51
Total: £62.01

 

[fowler9]

Quick reply without reading the full report as I have to dart out but made up you got your last Pendo. 59003 is still knocking around Liverpool in recent weeks if that is still required. Chuffed mate, all the best. Will read the rest later. Am sure it will be as good a read as always.

P.S. I was so close to being on it with you, missed my usual move to town after discovering my phone needed charging. Ha ha.