Juliano's World Frenzy/Tech's Trip Reports

[Techniquest]

You're going to have a better June, bar the exams, than me or Noddy will!

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a nice little day trip, congrats on getting a 150 into the bag plus a few shacks which are on my radar

 

[47403]

Not a bad day out and another good read there Lord Tram, away from the stresses and strains of work, few more shacks in the bank, a 150 underlined and a GB Shed for sight. That must count as a relative success for you squire.

 

[alexf380]

A nice read there Tech, and another good day spent by the sounds of things. Keep your head down in June and hopefully you'll reap the rewards later in the year.

 

[Techniquest]

Not a bad day out and another good read there Lord Tram, away from the stresses and strains of work, few more shacks in the bank, a 150 underlined and a GB Shed for sight. That must count as a relative success for you squire.

It was indeed a nice little success, would have liked the 142s to have been winners but no matter.

Alex, well I am and I'm not keeping my head down in June. I've got another trip in the pipeline, although whether it works out or not is another thing. Keep an eye on my TPP Discussion thread towards the end of the week for details...
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30/05/2016 - Tech's Unleashing The Khaos

Before you ask, yes I did intend to type the title that way! This is not a trip that references music in anyway, and yes I did see you almost faint at the very notion I might reference something else. The inspiration for this one came from drinking a can of Tech's Rocket Fuel [Monster Khaos - Ed] a while ago, and I've been saving it for a trip where it was planned to be a busy day. That stuff really gets me firing on all cylinders to get through a chaotic situation, and to be honest while this trip is not going to be chaotic at all, due to being full of cold, I could not be bothered to think of a better hashtag! I spent all of the day before lazing around, due to not feeling well, but I was determined to get out and not let Kite beat me to local track yet again!

Thankfully some Day Nurse tablets were found in the morning, and I know I'm not too well as my breakfast consisted of an ice cream! Tech's Fuel of Champions is also prepared and I get a lift in with my sister as she's working today and there's no bus service out here on Sundays and Bank Holidays. Otherwise I'd have set out much earlier! Day return to Birmingham sourced, looks like it will be busy as there are significant crowds from the Hay Literature Festival at the station. Earphones at the ready! 170633 is on the 1040 from Hereford, and I shove Tech's Mobile Disco on before cracking on with bookwork. Today this entails listing all my required shacks around the country. This is going to be a long task, to be completed as the week goes on. By Stoke Works Junction I've done up to page 18 and the amount of shacks I still need down there is disgraceful. I stop for a PNB and my first proper food of the day, two ham rolls kindly prepared by Mum as I had no patience for that sort of thing this morning.

I meet up with Kite159 at University, as he required 170633 and now only needs one more LM 170. We then head straight to Moor Street and jump on 172217 and 172213 to Solihull, 213 now joining the Super Dud Club and both 172s on a healthy mileage. We continue the natter as we await the arrival of a certain loco, Kite having forwarded me the gen on what it should be, as he was up here much earlier than I was. Fortunately it stuck to diagram, and the day's first score for me is had with winner 68009 for the 6 and a half mile journey back to Moor Street. Only 4 of the original batch of 68s remain to be had for haulage [001, 002, 004 and 008 - Ed] plus there's 68016-68032 to get eventually. We then trek back to New Street, as Kite's last Voyager was due shortly. True enough, it turned up with 221118 and I do something ultra silly...

I'm sure you're all aware by now my goal was to avoid Voyager haulage in 2016 [if not, you are now - Ed] and for just under 5 months I managed to do just that. Well as I wanted a power socket, and I was enjoying Kite's company, I end up boarding for the leap to Birmingham International. Having sat by the window, I see why he likes these compared to 390s, the difference in size of the windows I had forgotten, it is huge! Here we flag the next 350 to the Bat Cave, as it was 350244. Neither of us need it and prefer to avoid 350/2s if possible, so we go upstairs and something unusual happens now, the barrier [first time I've ever had to use them too - Ed] swallowed my Daytripper! The Virgin guy on the barrier was confused by this too, and after he tips the lot out we find my ticket. After a supply raid in WHSmith, where I get my first coffee in some hours, we were naturally wary of the barrier swallowing it again, so we were let through.

The next move was better, as we managed to grab a table and charge our devices for the trip back to Birmingham, 350373 doing the honours. I suddenly think near New Street to check if the coach we were in was required, no it's not, I needed the front one. So I move it to get in place for that score, to make it a Super Dud, alas the crowds are too severe to even think of forcing my way through, oh well next time maybe!

The move did put me on about 60 miles off 350373, so I'm closer to a goal I've set myself aboard this working, to clear all the 350s for 100 miles. An enormous task, but some are well clear of it already. Some need 96 miles and 51 chains to get there mind! It's on board 390125 next, back to International as we needed to be in place for a 390 Kite needed. Compared to the Voyager earlier, this train was very busy indeed and the size of window difference truely noticeable now. Still, only 8 more trips on this 390 to make it a Super Dud now! A fester in the fresh air at the end of the platform is had, then we join 390008 to New Street, 7 more coaches to go...

We have 25 minutes before the next departure that's any good to us, so we head outside to see the new tram line. That was, after all, a key reason for me coming out of the house today! It's realised there's time for a leap to Corporation Street, and Grand Central is technically a new shack too [like it or not, that's my ruling! - Ed] so we board tram 33, sadly dud for me but a score for Kite. After the epic two minute journey, we walk back down the hill and once again Kite's Daytripper refused to work a barrier. Mine, surprisingly enough, worked just fine! 390151 is another Pendolino score for Kite, and another coach is scored for me, 8 more to go. Sandwell and Dudley on this crammed working is enough for us, and we get 350249 back to New Street. One more move to make it a Super Dud, and a bit closer to 100 miles [about 30 to go - Ed] off it.

Back outside we go, and it's time to do the rest of the new extension, but first we have long enough to walk to Corporation Street. Winner tram 29 is a score for us both, and we take it again on its way to Wolverhampton, bailing at Bull Street this time. Winner for everything tram 31 takes us back to Grand Central, which I mistakenly thought meant I'd done all of the Midland Metro line in both directions. Kite correctly points out I need the tiny distance between the crossover and the middle of the westbound platform at Bull Street yet though. That can soon enough be done! We now join Starship 21 to University, and a journey in motor coach 64021 makes this a Super Dud. We have a longer than anticipated wait, as the 1445 Cardiff Central to Nottingham is running a fair few minutes late. I can't help but look on with envy at those passengers joining the two Starships before it arrived, but we are here for a 170 which Kite needs. Eventually we join Super Dud 170102 and back to New Street we go. A most needed PNB is had thankfully and we make our way over to Moor Street for Kite's train home, and I see him off on 168215. I head to Bull Street for some potential tram scores before my train home.

24, no thanks, 29 same. I walk to Corporation Street, via a supply raid at Poundland, and it turns out 31 is back. Oh well, on I get for the extra chainage back to Grand Central! My train home is normally 1749, tonight it's 1759, and falls to 170513 and 170501 to take me back to The Ford. I update my notebook and get Tech's Mobile Disco on the go, before then updating this trip report. This takes until about halfway to Malvern Link! The moves book takes until near Ledbury to update, the NREA needs only a couple of red lines adding to it so gets done before Hereford. I then get a lift home, after picking up my sister who's been working today [hence the later than usual finish to the bash - Ed] and we go via the chip shop, which suits me just fine!

So that really is it for May now, and having not spent a fortune today really I predict next Monday there will be another bash coming up. Where I will go is currently unknown, as I need to do some serious budgeting yet. A job for tomorrow's commuting!

 

[FQ]

Sounds like a brilliant time! I'm jealous that you got the new midland metro extension before me though! Wednesday can't come soon enough (when I get the new track and a decent run on trams)! I can't believe you went for the 221 though... That's just horrid/rancid/crazy...

The barriers at New Street and International have always been bad but have never taken my completely valid ticket! Maybe let VT know?

 

[Kite159]

The barriers at international corrupted my day tripper

Always a good day with your company Techni

 

[Blindtraveler]

Its iether a barrier problem or did you buy chance get them from the same booking office at the same time? Could be a fault there. Good day in home teritory it would seam, thanks for sharing.

 

[507021]

Great report as usual Tech, nice to see you got a few winners on your travels today. Can't say I've ever had any of my tickets retained by the ticket barriers before, but generally if I have a paper ticket (I only use a smart card at railway stations if I'm within the SaveAway boundary) I'll show it to the gate attendant, rather than insert it into the ticket barrier.

Looking forward to hearing where you're off to next week!

 

[Iskra]

Voyager praise in the trip report section! I've seen it all now!

 

[Kite159]

Its iether a barrier problem or did you buy chance get them from the same booking office at the same time? Could be a fault there. Good day in home teritory it would seam, thanks for sharing.

I got my earlier in the day from Solihull ticket office and it was working fine until Birmingham International, Techni got his from Moor Street. I was surprised when the ticket barrier ate the ticket, it's like a barrier within London eating a travel-card (as in you don't expect it to happen as it is still very much valid)

 

[Techniquest]

Cheers all for the replies! You haven't missed much Quinn, hardly an exciting ride

I don't know if I can be bothered to contact Virgin about the barrier issue to be honest, even if there is a slim possibility of Virgin being generous with things like a free First Class lounge pass for the inconvenience. I am tired tonight though, so might do it tomorrow.

Glad you all enjoyed the read, and likewise Kite, always a good day of bashing with your company

 

[iantherev]

Voyager praise in the trip report section! I've seen it all now!

There might be some more coming up on my thread when I write up today's trip some time tomorrow.

 

[noddy1878]

Sounds like a rather good 'local' day out apart from the hassle with the ticket. Now the extension of the tram is complete I need to get up there myself.

 

[Kristofferson]

Great stuff Tech, so glad the tram to New Street is open at last! Hopefully next time I go to Brum, I won't have to walk through the city itself at all


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FQ]

Its iether a barrier problem or did you buy chance get them from the same booking office at the same time? Could be a fault there. Good day in home teritory it would seam, thanks for sharing.

I'm pretty sure that it is a barrier problem. I've had the barriers at New Street accept my WMDT at 2 of the 3 barriers you have to go through to get from the B end to the main exit (for Moor Street) and then decline it at the last. I've also had it decline non ranger/rover tickets as well!

 

[iantherev]

I'm pretty sure that it is a barrier problem. I've had the barriers at New Street accept my WMDT at 2 of the 3 barriers you have to go through to get from the B end to the main exit (for Moor Street) and then decline it at the last. I've also had it decline non ranger/rover tickets as well!

Down in Devon, I've found that the barriers may let you out on the first occasion with a Devon Day Ranger but they won't let you in again. This week I've taken to just showing the Rover (which at least saves me having to take it out of the wallet)

Not that it mattered yesterday - barriers at Bournemouth and Southampton Central (P4) both wide open.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Without wanting to turn thi into a thread about barriers, can someone please tell me whats the point when theyr so **** that they swallow tickets that are valid, have hissy fits at others and why are they there at all if left open all the time?

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Tech, good to see that you escaped yet again. I did wonder how long it would take you to get the new bit of the tram network. And the winners on home soil were at an acceptable level.

 

[Techniquest]

Tech, good to see that you escaped yet again. I did wonder how long it would take you to get the new bit of the tram network. And the winners on home soil were at an acceptable level.

I'd have made it 4 winners if I'd known about 168324 and 168325 coming up from London on the 1510 from Marylebone, as 325 is required. It was on the 1755 off Moor Street as its next working, so couldn't do it Nothing else on home turf was required, not until new trains arrive on the scene!

 

[Kite159]

I'd have made it 4 winners if I'd known about 168324 and 168325 coming up from London on the 1510 from Marylebone, as 325 is required. It was on the 1755 off Moor Street as its next working, so couldn't do it Nothing else on home turf was required, not until new trains arrive on the scene!

The seats on 325 are quite comfortable

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Without wanting to turn thi into a thread about barriers, can someone please tell me whats the point when theyr so **** that they swallow tickets that are valid, have hissy fits at others and why are they there at all if left open all the time?

They're cheaper than training and paying competent staff.

Same as the Oyster rubbish, which is so inept it must have been designed by the clowns who got the contract for.Metrolink's signalling...

 

[backontrack]

Hey, Tech! I've got a question:

Have you ever been to Cardiff Bay? Or Wrexham? Or Narberth? Or Llanberis?

 

[185143]

Barrier at Manchester Oxford Road retained my countycard last week so its by no means just new barriers with problems!

Sent from my SM-G920F using Tapatalk

 

[FQ]

The barriers at New Street were hilarious yesterday. I was heading to Bristol with Nathan and, in the morning, I put my ticket through the barriers and it accepted it, just for it to decline Nathan's, who was right behind. Then, later on when we exited the barriers, mine went through fine and then Nathan's was declined again. Since the barrier guy was busy, I just handed Nat my ticket for him to put through and it declined that as well! Nat now thinks that the barriers at New Street hate him .

 

[Techniquest]

Hey, Tech! I've got a question:

Have you ever been to Cardiff Bay? Or Wrexham? Or Narberth? Or Llanberis?

Wrexham General and Central yes, Narberth and Llanberis no. Why do you ask?

 

[backontrack]

Wrexham General and Central yes, Narberth and Llanberis no. Why do you ask?

No reason...

 

[Techniquest]

06/06/2016 - Tech's A Super Trouper

It's back to musical references gang! ABBA isn't exactly my cuppa, but I heard 'Super Trouper' for the first time in years whilst at work one day in April, which brought to mind a ton of memories from childhood road trips. It was decided that evening to use it for a hashtag and trip title! Having done some calculations on 31st May, TPP Mode was engaged and I set about deciding where I could go. I knew it had to be rather bargain basement, thanks to needing money for a family holiday in Devon from 20th to 27th June, but I was adament I was going somewhere! At that point, it was a toss-up between clearing some irritating ATW shack requirements and heading to Birmingham for some Midland Metro trams. The latter would, of course, also feature a look-in on Chiltern stuff, in case a requirement or two could be found. Clearing up some Starships and 350s, as well as progressing more 390s towards Super Duddage was also an option while up there, hmm...A decision still hadn't been made by the commute home on 3rd June, by which time I was feeling a lot better after a week of a heavy cold. I don't think I need to tell you all how glad I was to be done with that! Late Saturday night, I'd made the decision and booked the relevant tickets, I was going up to Crewe to do some shack scoring!

Or at least, that was the plan. In the morning of the trip, I investigated a possible scoring of either the Birkenhead Tramway or the Foxfield Railway, neither of us are running sadly today. An investigation into the amount available meant I could indeed afford to do a trip that's been on my list to do for years, as well as a Manchester rail ranger. Yesterday I also made extreme progress with the listing of my required shacks around the country, starting from where I left off last week with page 19. I get to the end of page 64 before I put the books down, but I realised before the bus arrived that I'd missed 3 Metrolink shacks on the Rochdale line [I blame that on the rather intense heat! - Ed!] so I must fix that asap! As my sister was on a late finish today, it meant I could have a late finish to my bashing today, happy days! It's also worth noting now that I was originally taking today off to catch up on bookwork, however as the forecast was more stunning weather how could I turn it down? It's an excellent day for shack scratching, that's for sure! Hopefully now you'll all understand why I had such difficulty in planning my moves, and why there was no post on my TPP Discussion thread for the second week in a row. Talking of, I do need to plan some more trips...Anyway, let's get properly started with the latest entry in my autobiography!

After a light breakfast and packing my bag, I fill up the travel mug with another dose of Tech's Fuel of Champions and I get the local Optare Spectre to town. Memories come flooding back of the many, many journeys I've made over almost 15 years on this beast, and it's time for Tech's Mobile Disco [it was also in use yesterday, whilst sat in the garden, could it still be called that yesterday? - Ed] to wake me up somewhat, getting up to page 73 with the shacks list. All being well, before the end of the day, that list will be created and I can start counting them up! A realisation I have no painkillers with me means a minor supply raid in Morrisons will be required after all. I get ID'd for ibuprofen, possibly the first ever time I've had that happen. Apparently it's a new thing, according to the grumpy self-scan assistant. Never heard of it before, for paracetamol yes but ibuprofen?!

175009 takes me to Crewe, just made it out of Pumpkin in time for it following a payment farce. They gave me a voucher for a free coffee next time at least. I get almost all the way to the end of my list of required shacks, leaving just some in Northern Ireland to write down, before Crewe. I also score 68017 for sight before arrival, happy days! I change plans from a Cheshire Day Ranger to a cheaper bash, having discovered I only need 17 Metrolink shacks!

A Virgin Only day return to Manchester costs me £10.80 and I get 22 Nectar points out of it via the TVM too, all handy for Frothmas! I go back down for a much needed PNB and claim that free Pumpkin coffee, cheekily grabbing some charge [another reason for going to Manchester, charge for my phone which was already down to 68% - Ed] for my phone while making a few observations. 390122 eventually arrives, following waiting for multiple late runners to get out of the way, and I thankfully find a power socket to charge the phone up. We leave 7 down and it's time for Tech's Mobile Disco again. First time for me on a 390 between Crewe and Stockport too!

By Wilmslow the shacks list is finally complete! The main count will occur lately, but to begin with in Northern Ireland [including preserved lines - Ed] I need a whopping 44 shacks. The full count and requirements will eventually follow in a brand new thread called "Your Station Requirements" although in the meantime I dread to think what the grand total will be! My red pen is dug out of the bag, although the only bit of it that remains is the central bit, that'll teach me not to bury the pens at the bottom of a full bag next time! Bang on time arrival into platform 6 [I'm sure that's a required micro-grice, will need to look it up when I get home! - Ed] at 1148, and I head straight down to the Metrolink platforms. When did the glass panels at the end of the mainline platforms get removed at Piccadilly?

A fiver later, my tram-only travelcard is bought and dud 3088 kicks the main event off for a trip to today's first winner shack at Audenshaw. A lengthy fester in the bright blue sky and heat got me onto winner for everything 3110 to Cemetery Road, where I get dud 3076 back to Droylsden for winner shack three today. Dud 3109 takes me west to Velo Park, shack score 4 so far. A most needed PNB is had via Asda Eastlands, and a cold can of Tech's Rocket Fuel is also sourced. I now have a 13 minute wait for the next tram to Clayton Hall, my last shack on the Ashton line, which handily gave me time to update the trip report and jump on Twitter quickly. Winner 3072 takes me to Clayton Hall for a short wait to get dud 3098 to Holt Town, following sight of a pair of winners on an Etihad Campus starter. Difficult to turn those two down! The Rochdale line waits a little longer...Double winners 3041+3044 to Piccadilly then, and time is fast running out! Bailed here as a winner was seen on a Bury service, got to get them in while I can!

Winner 3035 is taken to Victoria, where I then plan to get back onto the Rochdale line services. Winner for everything 3107 eventually comes in, a Shaw and Crompton service failing to materialise. It's rammed on here, so I go for a bail at winner shack Monsall. A points failure at Derker is messing things up, my plan to clear the Metrolink shacks may not work out after all! Winner for everything 3114 is up next and the front of the tram reports Oldham as its terminating point. Which Oldham stop, Central or Mumps? No announcements on board to say, and the screens at Monsall still said Rochdale Town Centre. Really helpful! After Newton Heath and Moston, an announcement is finally made to say we'll be terminating at Oldham Mumps. That means I'll have 4 shacks that I cannot get today, which sucks really badly. Oh well, a good excuse to come up on a pair of cheap Advances next month! 3107 is taken back to Oldham Central, another shack score and I've now lost track of how many I've had today!

3114 then takes me to winner shack Westwood, and it's already close to 1500. My last available move to Crewe is at 1655, which sounds like a long time left but it really isn't, after all I've been on Metrolink for 3 hours now already! 3072 is back to take me to Failsworth, which clears Oldham Mumps to the city centre, and only 7 shacks left to get, only 3 of which are achievable today.

Well, umm, yeah that was the case but during the fester here I find out the points failure has now been rectified, with services now running the whole way to Rochdale Town Centre again. That's all fine and good, but it's too late for me sadly. Dud 3110 is next to Victoria, where I change to deal with the shacks I need west of the city centre. The other 4 can now wait for another day, typical! 36 Metrolink trams remain to be scored, a couple of which have gone to Rochdale as well. Maybe I'll have some luck in a bit now!

Lunch is finally had [a long time since that sandwich at 0645! - Ed] in the form of some ham sandwiches, that sure filled a hole! More delays here, as an act of vandalism smashing a tram window has caused delays between East Didsbury and Bury. Clearly not a good day for Metrolink, and it's already 1536. Time is almost out! Winner 3112 takes me to Exchange Square, and I umm and ahh for ages about walking to Deansgate. Not being familiar enough with the walk, I end up running [and pulling a muscle! - Ed] back to join 3112 after its reversal back to Victoria. It does mean all the UK's tram track is dud now at least! Dud 3015 takes me to Deansgate-Castlefield, and by the time I join an Eccles via MediaCityUK tram it's 1608. With my train from Piccadilly being at 1655, no way will I make it to MCUK and back in time, so I settle for winner shack Exchange Quay. Winner 3092 leads dud 3063 on the move, and I'm going to be leaving Manchester with 6 required Metrolink shacks to get. More than I wanted to leave needing [quite, I had hoped originally I'd have them all done today! - Ed] but it's far less than I needed this morning, and a good excuse to get back up here as soon as possible. If I'd paid for an Any Permitted ticket, and come up on the 175 not nearly 50 minutes later out of Crewe, I might well have done better.

Winner 3097 leads dud 3089 back to Piccadilly, and we leave at 1625. Crikey it's going to be tight to make the 1655 back to Crewe! I'm leaving Manchester with 33 trams required, somewhat better than this morning's needs. I make it to the platforms by 1648, and observed 66954 clagging its guts out on an eastbound intermodal, noteworthy for the clag as well as it being 1 number higher than my last Freightliner 66 for sight! 390053 has some most welcome aircon after the sweatboxes better known as M5000 trams, and a table seat by a window is obtained for the run to Crewe. It is also, of course, time for Tech's Mobile Disco! A PNB after Stockport was more than welcome, 4 hours after the last one. I enjoy the InterCity Journey departure out of Piccadilly, feels more like a proper journey on a long-distance train like a 390 than it does on a 175! I know that sounds weird, but hey ho! I also don't care what anyone else thinks, I like the new announcements on Virgin Trains West Coast, it makes me happier to have chosen VTWC! You could say I Arrived Awesome, although as my reply from Virgin on Twitter corrected me, it's now Bound For Glory!

175101 turns up and leaves 8 minutes late to take me home, and I have those shacks to finish counting up. I expect to have data tonight, but I might leave the reveal until the thread goes live. Can't wait for the usual super-cold aircon to kick in! Eventually it does, but it's still very warm on board, and just before Shrewsbury the bookwork is done [except for new highlighting in the Baker, as my highlighter is at home! - Ed] so it's shack counting time shortly! So, how did I do in the end? 10 winner trams, 11 shack scores and 6 new sights, not to mention plenty of mileage. Job well done I say! The shacks are all counted up a little over Craven Arms, and I know some of you are keen to see how much I have left to do. Well, while I still have to put them all in files in alphabetical order etc, I can reveal before I post the thread [a job for the forthcoming Tech's Bookwork Weekend! - Ed] that across all of the UK and Ireland, I need a grand total of 1,505 shacks!

This total does, I must point out, include LU, light rail and preserved line shacks. The national network shacks total up to much more than expected mind, but that breakdown of figures is coming soon! All that helped pass the time quite nicely, next time I have a long journey I plan to list all of the members of the Super Dud Club. Quite a long task in itself...A lift home was up next, via the chippy, and that was that. No more bashing for a couple of weeks, there's money needed for that family holiday after all!

 

[palmersears]

An excellent read as always, Tech. You could have made Deansgate, it's only a 7/8 minute amble! And the glass panels in Piccadilly went about 3/4 weeks ago, to be replaced with ticket barriers for the virgin services. Going to make the place bloody freezing in the winter (which will arrive in about 4 weeks!).

 

[1D53]

The glass screens went at Piccadilly about 6-8 weeks ago now as part of the ticket barriers which are coming soon.