Juliano's World Frenzy/Tech's Trip Reports

[FQ]

it's only a short wait for 220033 to Dawlish, one of the places my sister wanted to visit.

So you've truly given up your 'avoid voyagers' for the year then

I'm appalled at what you've done (159s, 143s, 220) but it sounds like you've had a good time! Another great couple of reads there and congrats on getting the first two of your last 3 GWR 150s!

 

[noddy1878]

Was good to meet up again! That owner of the Nog Inn was a bit odd, kept going on about my t-shirt!

 

[47403]

Happy memories - 30 years ago to the day (21.6.86) you could have had the following on a Devon Day Ranger. 50017, 47560, 47105, 50004, 47354, 50045, 33040, 33201, 50027, 47513, 31404, 31447, 47594, 50023. Even Lord SpoonGoons machine was out that day.
Well done with the required units though - hope to get down that way before the end of the summer to revisit old haunts

Wowzer, 47105 & 47354 were massive NB machines, well jealous of them two. The Hoovers would've been a joy too, however the 47 diehards, weren't as keen of the 50s but I never had a problem riding behind them. Nice to hear, 47403 was on holiday in the west, it certainly got itself about, to be fair, it didn't matter where you went, I always bumped into one of GD's locos, no doubt sporting its customary, BR Blue with half inch thick muck livery. "The Geordie" was a beast. Not as big as 47105 or 47354, they'd have made any of the 47 fraternity, very frothy indeed.

Congrats on getting those 2 150s tech, seems a lot of stuff I had on the FoSS, seemed to materialise down inn Devon when you were our n about on your jaunts Cracking read so far tech. Bit time with your sis would've made a nice change, something a bit different and some company too. Look forward to day 3.

 

[Techniquest]

Happy memories - 30 years ago to the day (21.6.86) you could have had the following on a Devon Day Ranger. 50017, 47560, 47105, 50004, 47354, 50045, 33040, 33201, 50027, 47513, 31404, 31447, 47594, 50023. Even Lord SpoonGoons machine was out that day.
Well done with the required units though - hope to get down that way before the end of the summer to revisit old haunts

Cheers! That list generates some hellfire scenes in my imagination, it must be said, I can only imagine what a 50 sounded like going up the bank to Central!
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Sounded like a good couple days in Devon, well done on two more 150s into the bag

I don't know which part Quinn will be more horrified with, the 143s, the 220 or the 159s

I'm just about to view FQ's response

Wait and see how good Day 3 was...
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So you've truly given up your 'avoid voyagers' for the year then

I'm appalled at what you've done (159s, 143s, 220) but it sounds like you've had a good time! Another great couple of reads there and congrats on getting the first two of your last 3 GWR 150s!

That'a gone out of the window aye, and I only ended up on that one because we needed to get to Dawlish fairly quickly and it was not fun to have to endure the Voyager. As it was quiet the journey was fine, what I annoyingly didn't check upon boarding was which coaches I needed on it Turned out I needed the front one only, which I discovered after getting off!

Where pratical I did take advantage of the 153s, and there was better haulage to come...
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Was good to meet up again! That owner of the Nog Inn was a bit odd, kept going on about my t-shirt!

I genuinely thought he was going to kick us out!
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Wowzer, 47105 & 47354 were massive NB machines, well jealous of them two. The Hoovers would've been a joy too, however the 47 diehards, weren't as keen of the 50s but I never had a problem riding behind them. Nice to hear, 47403 was on holiday in the west, it certainly got itself about, to be fair, it didn't matter where you went, I always bumped into one of GD's locos, no doubt sporting its customary, BR Blue with half inch thick muck livery. "The Geordie" was a beast. Not as big as 47105 or 47354, they'd have made any of the 47 fraternity, very frothy indeed.

Congrats on getting those 2 150s tech, seems a lot of stuff I had on the FoSS, seemed to materialise down inn Devon when you were our n about on your jaunts Cracking read so far tech. Bit time with your sis would've made a nice change, something a bit different and some company too. Look forward to day 3.

Cheers squire, glad you're enjoying it so far and I do hope to have the rest posted later this morning. Day 4 is already typed up, so shall be banging on some tunes shortly to get my thumbs firing away to type it all up before work. Then there's the 3 teeth coming out this afternoon...

 

[Blindtraveler]

Sounding good so far. Tut tut, 2 voyagers! Loving the writeup

 

[Techniquest]

Glad you're enjoying the read good sir. Here then are Days 3 and 4:

24/06/2016 - Tech's a Devonian, Day 3

I was due to meet up with another enthusiast from the area today, one that is on the forum but not very active. I get a lift to Exmouth and the station, and after a farce with the car park machine not accepting many of our coins, just making the right amount with the last coin we had that worked, it was on the move aboard 153368+153329. My mileage on 153368 must be getting quite significant after this week, the numbers will be known on the next Tech's Bookwork Weekend, which should be happening in early July. My Mum's on with me to Exeter St Davids, as she's off to The Lost Gardens of Helligan today. I see her off on her HST west, then it's time to buy a Devon Day Ranger for the third time this week.

Lots of possible moves here, but I settle with 150938 to winner shack Topsham while it's dry. Yeah well it was dry, it was raining by the time I got to the most awkward shack on the Exmouth branch to do. Why so awkward? As it's a passing loop shack, with a level crossing, you're guaranteed a 30 minute wait for the next service during the day. I go off in search of a coffee, getting one from Shaul's Bakery for £1.45 in the end. Back at the station, it's moves planning time and I go back and forth on the best moves to do now. I end up sticking to the original plan, and join 150938 for the 4th time this week, bailing at the day's second winner shack, St James Park [the Exeter one! - Ed] and I was surprised at how good the WiFi was on the 150! 153373+143617 take me east, this time bailing at another hourly-served shack, Polsloe Bridge. That's 3 down today, many more to go...

A can of Tech's Rocket Fuel is sourced from Bargain Booze, as the coffee in the nearby coffee shop was rather chingy at £2.35! 143611 takes me to Exeter St Davids, as it was time to head to the other side of the estuary. My first HST haulage in ages is had next with 43017+43010 to Newton Abbot, and I was lucky to find a seat with available power socket. Sadly no HST trailers in this set that I needed for haulage, although anyone that's seen how many I've had will know how hard it is to find one I do need. More on that later...Having overtaken 143611 at Dawlish Warren [how satisfying was that! - Ed] I rejoin it for a trip to the day's 4th winner shack at Torre. I had found a move getting this with just a +7 so it was wise to do it now. It's the last one between Paignton and Paddington via Bristol that I needed, only two more remain on the Berks and Hants to clear that route too. All of a sudden I have a desire to get over and deal with them!

150108+153377 take me to Exeter, joining my mate at Newton Abbot. A lot of nattering about all sorts fills the journey to Exeter brilliantly, and we change here for 143603+143619 to winner shack number 5, Newcourt. Those with excellent memories will recall 143603 is my last GWR 143 to clear for Super Dud status. It was that many years ago since I first had it, I never recorded which coach I had on it, so I score one of them now. My mate needs 150938 to clear the GWR West fleet, so it was all good news for him when it did indeed turn up for our return move to Exeter St Davids. I'd received word my last GWR 150 was due to be in Exeter this afternoon, so I leave the other shacks on the Exmouth branch alone for now, there was something more important to get!

Sure enough, it stuck to diagram and this was incredibly pleasing to see. Naturally a couple of photos were taken, and it's time to await its next move. The level crossing's siren sounds, the barriers go down, is it going to do what I'm told it does next? Fingers and toes were crossed and the Danger Music is playing...

YES! Finally 150131 is to be mine! It attaches to 143619+143603 and we are off! Happy days at finally clearing the GWR West fleet, 6 165/1s and 6 166s stand in my way of clearing the entire GWR fleet. Only until the 800s etc arrive of course, but the end is FINALLY in sight for now! No doubt there'll be some more 150/9s to get in the future too, but for now I'm chuffed!

We bail at Teignmouth for a winner Spoons and a celebratory beer, it being a winner for both of us. We're here for a good while before we end up joining 153377 on its own for the trip to Newton Abbot. We have 20 minutes now before an HST back to Exeter, and we umm and ahh for a minute before we go for the walk to winner Spoons [for me, obviously my mate's done these ones before - Ed] and the variety on puts my local Spoons to shame! A swift half is all we have time for, otherwise it was to be a Voyager back to St Davids. No thanks! Ridiculously nice winner brew for both of us had, we march back in the glorious sunshine to the station, all in 20 minutes.

43161+43139 take us east and we almost forgot to log our brews on Untappd! Earlier I discussed my HST trailers requirements being low, well this move had 42509 in the set which I needed. Just before alighting, I noticed we were in 40113, one of my last two 40xxx trailers, so now I had to decide which one I would count. Going for 40113, we sit on a bench and await the HST's departure to identify the rear power car, and I'm proper gutted to see it's 44060, my last GWR TGS to get for haulage. If I'd known it was there I'd have got it in! It's also worth noting that, had a load of these HST trailers not been renumbered and reclassified, I'd have more or less had the lot by now. All those First Class trailers done, now they're renumbered...If you haven't noticed, I really want to go on a proper HST bashing session now [especially as I'm typing this on my work-bound commute today - Ed]!

143603+143619 are back to take us to winner shack 6 today, Exton and I made 143603 into a Super Dud now. We go to The Puffing Billy up the road for a beer vice walk to Lympstone, and we're glad we did as we both enjoyed a rather excellent half before we had to get back on the rails. No surprise for what came next, 143619+143603! I bail at shack score 7 today, Digby & Sowton, as my mate carries on home. The day's moves end on 153373+143617 and I join my Mum on this one. A lift back via Krispies chippy in Exmouth is had to Haven.

An excellent day in Devon, many thanks to the good sir for joining me on this one! 3 new beers, 2 new Spoons, another new pub, 7 shack scores, tons of mileage and my last GWR West fleet member for haulage, top day it was indeed!

26/06/2016 - Tech's a Devonian, Day 4

The penultimate day in Devon and my last chance to go bashing could not be turned down, especially as it was a summer Sunday. This meant GWR services were running to Okehampton today, and the Dartmoor Railway's services to Meldon Viaduct were also running. As I need that track, having not had the opportunity in 2005 to do it, I had to do it! Family meal in a nearby Toby Carvery postponed until the evening vice lunchtime, it had been a disturbed sleep thanks to the drunks on the Devon Cliffs site making a racket until silly o'clock in the morning. Nevertheless, I was up and had my bacon sandwich for breakfast. Mum drives me to Exmouth station for the 4th time this week, and as the TVM doesn't have Okehampton on it I have to join the queue at the manual platform gate [this thing is still here?! - Ed] which eventually moves up after a huge family were served. £6 later my day return to Okehampton is purchased and I join 150926 to Exeter St Davids.

I must say now, I am bored stiff of the Exmouth branch and cannot wait to be done with it! Not a lot of thrash off the 150, and we arrive 2 minutes late. A large americano is sourced from Costa, then before returning to the platform I get some cash out in case I need it in Okehampton. Much to my annoyance, the 1125 to London Waterloo is due off platform 3, which does one of the last bits of micro-gricing I need here, the crossover from the Down to the Up Waterloo part-way up the bank to Exeter Central [the other bit is platform 2 at St Davids - Ed]. Oh well, one day! 153370 arrives to take quite a lot of passengers to Okehampton, plenty of DBT as well. I spend the journey doing the trip report for the day thus far, with 3 trip reports from this weekend still to do! Arrival is bang on time at 1151 into Okehampton.

After purchasing my day ticket for the Dartmoor Railway at a cost of £5, I have a look around and find nothing interesting for now, so walk 10 minutes downhill all the way to the town centre. Wetherspoons' The White Hart Inn is discovered to be opening on 19th July, then it takes me about 15 minutes to walk back to the station. Winner for everything D4167 is in use this weekend, and I take a seat in 61743, formerly part of NSE's EMU 1589. The former BR Laboratory Coach 11, 975046, is also in the consist and consists of tables and wooden chairs for seating. It's a very slow boring ride, it must be said! Arrival at Meldon Viaduct is 3 minutes up at 1302, and I take in the views and snap away from the viaduct. The weather is not amazing for parking up on the picnic bench for lunch, so I jump back on and sit in the laboratory coach for the ride back to Okehampton at 1320.

I accidentally coloured in the line to Meldon Quarry in summer 2013 when I got the then-new edition of the Baker, so almost 3 years later I've finally corrected that. Lots of bookwork to do still from this week, let alone trip report typing up, at least there's plenty of time to do it! The 08 is reported to be 08937, the year's first winner 08 and second shunter score. Two rounds of ham sandwiches are devoured on the slow and uncomfortable ride back to Okehampton, and I turn down the opportunity to get a coffee at £2.30, too chingy for me. After another wander, I get back on the train to update my little notebook before I pull out the moves book to get the big update done. This is all done before the second round trip to Meldon Viaduct [note, this is reported in my atlas as Meldon Quarry, hopefully this has been updated in the current Baker to show as Meldon Viaduct - Ed], well before the end of the trip! Now I'm looking forward to getting back on a mainline train and feeling some speed!

A coffee was deemed necessary now, and I see filter coffee is £1.80. That'll do me, more than I'd like to spend but hey-ho. The cups are small mind, but it had to be done. 153370+153361 take me back to Exeter, and after Sampford Courtenay I'm missing my Nightcore tunes too much and bang on Tech's Mobile Disco for the trip to Exeter Central.

I'd forgotten how good Raver's Fantasy sounds on a bash, I need to get that trip I want to do which the musical reference would go perfectly with. All in good time, and I'm sure I'll have it discussed in my TPP Discussion thread soon enough. I know I haven't posted on it for a while, so many of my trips have been short notice ones. It's due to make a comeback soon though. It's going to be sad to leave Devon, what with needing so many shacks and preserved lines still, but all the more reason to get myself back down sharpish! Ravers in the UK next on TMD, ooh this has been missed too, I wanted to get some glowsticks out, which reminds me to note another hashtag for future use...

150244 ends the adventure by rail around Devon, but it's a winner microgrice for bay platform 1 and the associated crossover so I'm well pleased at that. Off to Toby Carvery Lympstone for a family meal, then it was back to Devon Cliffs to finish preparations for departure home, most of which was done by the women of the house earlier. So ends June's travels, I think it's fair to say I did better than expected! How will July go? Well there's nothing planned yet, but at least one major trip is due to happen!

 

[47403]

Very good read tech, well done on seeing off 150131, hope it smelt better than that night I had it, it smelled worse than a portaloo at Glastonbury when I had it.

Sounds like a welcome break away, bit time with the family, a very productive adventure on the rails with fellow cranks, few beers along the way and more importantly a nice de-stress away from graft.

Good luck at dentist, don't envy that move one bit.

 

[alexf380]

A very nice couple of days in Devon, Tech! (Car Park woes aside) Very much a part of the country I desperately want to visit. So many needs, so little time...

 

[Kristofferson]

Great holiday there!

Rail travel in Devon is ridiculously cheap, but when you look at the stock (Pacers etc) I'd be offended if it was more expensive...

Was the Exeter spoons the fancy country house one? It's fantastic. So many beers too little time.

Well done on that last GWR 150 of course


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Kite159]

Well done on clearing the GW 150s.

Won't be long before the GW 387s start arriving

 

[AJM580]

Cheers! That list generates some hellfire scenes in my imagination, it must be said, I can only imagine what a 50 sounded like going up the bank to Central!

They were rather hellfire up the bank - and indeed whereever you saw them. I have so many memories of bashing 50s, 47s, 33s etc on Devon Rovers. Its good that the Saturday only turn with the 57 still runs as its a good excuse to head that way - provisionally in August courtesy of a NENTA railtour from Norwich.

Well done on getting your last GW 150 in - worth a beer indeed.

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Tech, that was a great holiday down in Devon. Bet you were pleased to knock those Great Western Units on the head - you've got one up on me in having 150938 and as well I still need the elusive 150121 but one day it'll come my way.

Topsham is a right pain to get but thankfully late running helped me out as we had 10+ minutes to wait so the bobby in the box couldn't justify keeping the gates down although one evil bobby that I knew years back would do something like that for sheer devilment.

I see you also had my last fGW 153 that I need for 10 miles in the form of 153369. That'll take some rounding up.

And good to see you wagging the Spoons again. I seem to recall going to the Exeter Spoons up the hill but that would have been many years ago - The Haulage Book indicates that 2002 would have been the likely time. Was it a Spoons then?

 

[Blindtraveler]

Pitty you found Sunday so dull, all in all though great time away and well worth it from a bashing POv. Thanks

 

[Techniquest]

Very good read tech, well done on seeing off 150131, hope it smelt better than that night I had it, it smelled worse than a portaloo at Glastonbury when I had it.

Sounds like a welcome break away, bit time with the family, a very productive adventure on the rails with fellow cranks, few beers along the way and more importantly a nice de-stress away from graft.

Good luck at dentist, don't envy that move one bit.

Aye thankfully the 150 was in decent nick last week. Very much welcome break away from rhe graft feat, the boss was more than happy ro have me back too.

Dentist appointment went surprisingly well, bit sore yet and still tired but getting there and a good coffee will sort me out today. Glad you enjoyed the read!
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A very nice couple of days in Devon, Tech! (Car Park woes aside) Very much a part of the country I desperately want to visit. So many needs, so little time...

I know the feeling on needs, some areas of the country will take me forever to conquer. Especially with all this new stuff arriving!
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Great holiday there!

Rail travel in Devon is ridiculously cheap, but when you look at the stock (Pacers etc) I'd be offended if it was more expensive...

Was the Exeter spoons the fancy country house one? It's fantastic. So many beers too little time.

Well done on that last GWR 150 of course


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Cheers good sir! It was indeed that Spoons, quite a nice one it is and better than my local. Good point on the fares matching the 'quality' of rolling stock!
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Well done on clearing the GW 150s.

Won't be long before the GW 387s start arriving

Very true on the 387s, I keep forgetting they're coming over and I've lost track of what's going where!
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Cheers! That list generates some hellfire scenes in my imagination, it must be said, I can only imagine what a 50 sounded like going up the bank to Central!

They were rather hellfire up the bank - and indeed whereever you saw them. I have so many memories of bashing 50s, 47s, 33s etc on Devon Rovers. Its good that the Saturday only turn with the 57 still runs as its a good excuse to head that way - provisionally in August courtesy of a NENTA railtour from Norwich.

Well done on getting your last GW 150 in - worth a beer indeed.

Jealous, a pair of 153s doesn't come close to the fun! I could do with a good beer right now after yesterday!
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Tech, that was a great holiday down in Devon. Bet you were pleased to knock those Great Western Units on the head - you've got one up on me in having 150938 and as well I still need the elusive 150121 but one day it'll come my way.

It was indeed a good break, with more bashing than I expected. Very pleased to clear GWR's West fleet indeed! 121 will fall for you I'm sure, keep the faith! How long 938 will last is anyone's guess.

Topsham is a right pain to get but thankfully late running helped me out as we had 10+ minutes to wait so the bobby in the box couldn't justify keeping the gates down although one evil bobby that I knew years back would do something like that for sheer devilment.

Thank Goodness your signaller saw sense then!

I see you also had my last fGW 153 that I need for 10 miles in the form of 153369. That'll take some rounding up.

And good to see you wagging the Spoons again. I seem to recall going to the Exeter Spoons up the hill but that would have been many years ago - The Haulage Book indicates that 2002 would have been the likely time. Was it a Spoons then?

No idea if it was a Spoons back then, Noddy would probably know better than me. Now the Pubfinder app allows me to mark off my visited locations, and that I know how to make Excel work on my phone, I'll be keeping better track of them. I must ask Noddy to forward me the spreadsheet actually...

Fingers crossed 153369 produces for you next time!
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Pitty you found Sunday so dull, all in all though great time away and well worth it from a bashing POv. Thanks

Glad you enjoyed the read, Sunday was never likely to be a thrashtastic day but stuff that needed doing was done!

 

[FQ]

Huge congrats on GWR West! Shame you didn't get 47828 at the Dartmoor instead though.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Recent trips have been great to read whilst doing my own report...

I hope you can find time to view it

 

[Techniquest]

Huge congrats on GWR West! Shame you didn't get 47828 at the Dartmoor instead though.

Oh well, 47828 is dud and there'd have been fudge all thrash off it on the very slow line! The 08 was a winner though!
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Recent trips have been great to read whilst doing my own report...

I hope you can find time to view it

I shall catch up soon, I am miles behind on absolutely everything at the moment and trying to get caught up. I haven't posted my latest update on Shack Attack 2016 yet, and those were nearly a week ago...

 

[55013]

Looks like a grand time was had.
Congratulations on getting your wanted units
Agreed about the Devon Rover, it's excellent value.

 

[Techniquest]

Here's the epic read from today then gang!

10/07/2016 - Tech's Uprocking Bash, Day 1

Finally, Q3 2016 and July's bashing is underway! It took some time to get things organised, and originally it was going to be just a one-day event, but things have been tough and I needed to get out on the rails to boost the spirits up. 2 weeks since the last bash might not sound like much, but it sure felt like it! 7th July saw me make the final decision on things, and while it wasn't entirely what I wanted originally this had to do. Newport to Shrewsbury was rail replacement buses, as was Hereford to Great Malvern. With terrible onward connections on top of that, I had originally given up on making it into a decent bash, however National Express saved the day! As I promised to Crispy, here were my most usable choices for the journey to London. The others were all much later in the day leaving, so not much good to me! So these three were the best of a bad crop:

- 0950 National Express coach all the way to London, £21.60 (including £1 booking fee and 50p mobile ticket fee)

- 0950 coach to Gloucester for a +34 onto the 1134 to Paddington, £7.10 for the coach (including the same fees as above) plus £29.70 for a single to London (route Via Stroud)

- 0957 rail replacement coach Hereford to Newport for a +61 or so onto an HST to London, £39.50 I think for a Super Off Peak Single.

Based solely on cost, National Express won. If I'd realised at the time [it's amazing the things you remember when crawling along the A49... - Ed] I could have used the most useful benefit my employer gives me, 15% off National Express fares. A couple of quid is a couple of quid, I could be a Yorkshireman! No matter, bit frigging late now! No doubt you'll all see why I went for the coach now, especially as there's normally modern coaches with power sockets on route 444!

So it was up and about just after 0730, already rather awake and ready to go, and after a bacon sandwich and some coffee I finish packing. My phone charger nearly got left behind, thanks to my sister for reminding me about it I have it with me, that would have been awkward! Winner coach BK15 AKJ [I was expecting AKN to produce again, the one I had on my last National Express ride to/from London! - Ed] is in charge of carting me off to London, having got a lift into town. It's on with the charger as I intend to use my phone quite a lot on the 4.5 hour journey. It's a slow trek out of town, and my data signal is shocking along the A49 to Ross-on-Wye, so I get Tech's Mobile Disco going on and get typing up the trip report. It's been a couple of days since I last had some tunes on, so the Nightcore is more than welcome and put quite the grin on my face!

Oh yeah, I never mentioned the tune this trip references! It's a trip down Memory Lane with Bombfunk MCs' Uprocking Beats, one of two of their tracks I like. The other one, Freestyler, was hugely popular in the early 2000s but this one's more lively. I must get YouTube on later...

Having survived the boring journey to Ross-on-Wye, and picked up 2 or 3 passengers, it's off to the M50 as far as Junction 3 [I appreciate most of you won't know the area or care about the routing - Ed] where we branch off for Newent. 6 passengers get on at the stop next to The Kings Arms here, which looks like a rather nice pub. I'm now back to recent territory covered, as the rest of the route to Gloucester was covered on the family holiday in June. I do regret filling a flask of coffee though, as it would go down beautifully right now. I think we've got a spare few minutes in Gloucester mind, so I might get a stretch of legs going on. These leather-covered Fainsa seats are comfortable for a while, but I highly recommend getting up for a stretch regularly!

Arrival into the dump better known as Gloucester is at 1054, 6 minutes early, and I go to the Tesco Express right next to the bus station. I note too the cafe and rancid lavatories are both demolished, and the artists impression for the fully refurbished and rebuilt bus station here looks impressive.

It's difficult to summarise how rancid the bus station in Gloucester currently is, I'm not exaggerating when I say it's beyond overdue to be knocked down and made better. Those of you [if anyone on the forum ever sampled it! - Ed] who used Swansea's Quadrant bus station before it was refurbished will know how bad that was, Gloucester is no better. Even Hereford's bus station is better than Gloucester's one! Temporary lavatories are in use in Gloucester, which are normally rancid but, in this case, are far better than what was there before! Anyway, enough of me going on about that! We leave bang on time at 1115 with a fair number of passengers but still with seats going. No-one at Longlevens, and we use the A40 to avoid the little villages, oh this is so much better a route to Cheltenham! Not many seats on departure from Cheltenham's Royal Wells bus stops, and just one more call at Charlton Kings [little village on the east side of Cheltenham - Ed] before we're RA to London.

No more passengers to load up with, down the A435 we go and we follow a horses lorry until Stratton when it finally allows us to pass. At this point, I'll say thanks to all those who've been posting trip reports lately, they've sure helped make today's journey more interesting! We get caught up for a bit in some roadworks on the A419, then join the M4 at 1248, just under 3 hours after starting off from Hereford. Time for some ham sandwiches for lunch while I bang on some fast-paced tunes for the motorway thrash! We encounter heavy traffic from Junction 7 of the M4, early indications suggest an ETA of 1520 vice 1420 into Victoria. I'm losing bashing time, not amused!

Arrival is at 1453, 33 minutes late, and I march fast to the mainline. Southern is in chaos [shock! - Ed] so I have a spin on Southeastern. The day's first train is winner 465911 which I take to Denmark Hill. Double winners 465180+465244 take me on a Bus Stop Bash to Peckham Rye, couldn't turn down a pair of winners! 319444 is dud next, but it was a bit difficult to turn down a 319 in London for potentially the last time before they move away. Naturally, I take a seat in the motor coach, but it's a far from enjoyable noise on DC compared to the wonderful noise made by these on AC power. A walk from Catford to Catford Bridge leaves me a +14 to head back to town, and I note a pair of 375s charging through on a Hastings run.

Winner 465015 led dud 465037 for a leap to Lewisham, vice Cannon Street, as I fancied a spin on the DLR. Needing 51 DLR units at that point, it seemed reasonable I'd get a good few in. Well, umm, yes and no! The next lot of moves weren't all that exciting, and to list them all would make dull reading if I'm honest, so over multiple moves I scored 24, 51, 56, 75, 118 and 155 with 118 and 155 in one move. The first was a trio of duds!

Onto the Tube for the first time then, and the transfer felt like ages between DLR and the Jubilee line. Double winners 96121+96004 take me to North Greenwich where they terminated, and eventually double winners 96113+96006 take me forward to West Ham. I was after a D stock run for a personal farewell to them, as the odds of me managing it again before they go are low to say the least. However I also need some shacks out this way, so first of all I get on double winners 21483+21484 to the day's first shack score at Upminster Bridge. Fortunately this is an island platform shack, and I am soon on double winners 21479+21480 to winner shack Hornchurch. A short fester here resulted in Mission Accomplished...

Double duds 7012+7095 take me to winner shack East Ham, at last a D stock move! If I don't get to have another run on these, which is likely, then a good farewell run has been had. I hope to get another run on them before they get completely withdrawn of course, but we'll see. Double winners 21544+21543 are soon arriving to cart me off to winner shack Plaistow, which now clears Upminster to Ealing Broadway for shacks on the District line. A few still remain on the Wimbledon branch, maybe a job for tomorrow? Double winners 21523+21524 take me to West Ham, where I assume I'll be able to get a takeaway. Umm yeah, no! I end up in Costcutter for some supplies, including two different cans of Tatra, a Polish beer. One is 7% and the other 6%, good thing I'm used to beer and am a big lad!

After the 16 minute break, I noted 21345+21346 having to be taken out of service, due to a broken window. It's not caved in at this point but still shattered and wouldn't take much persuasion to fall out. Not good news for LU! Double winners 21519+21520 take me to Mile End, after a fair bit of deciding where to go next. A quick transfer of platforms just gets me onto quadruple winners 91015+92212+91327+91153 to winner shack Barkingside. As I jumped on at the back, I had to leap off and run forward a couple of times to make sure I got all 4 sets in the formation! Another quadruple winner move with 91249+92096+92194+91225 taking me to winner shack Fairlop. I'd say I was doing well to get so much done on a Sunday!

Quadruple winners once again now, with 91145+92228+92246+91241 taking me onto the more limited service section between Hainault and Woodford, winner shack Roding Valley the choice on this move. 91241+92246+92228+91145 unsurprisingly return to take me to winner shack Grange Hill. Outside LU premises [no alcohol consumption permitted on LO or LU - Ed] I have the 7% can of Tatra, very nice but wow don't you notice the effects quick! It's winner 91017 leading dud 92022 with winners 92422+91129 on the back for the short leap to Chigwell. That's all the every 20 minutes shacks out of the way and it's only 4 minutes before I head to the city again.

Well, yeah, I say that but I came down with a heavy dose of Red Pen Fever! I noticed a Hainault starter would be following shortly behind us, so I bail at winner shack Newbury Park. Quadruple winners 91179+92106+92402+91257 got me there, where more of the trip report was typed up [these festers have proved handy for that! - Ed] before I join yet another set of quadruple winners 91147+92118+92234+91307 to winner shack Redbridge. I think it's obvious I needed a LOT of Central line sets before today! From Redbridge I head to winner shack Wanstead, the last one I needed on the Hainault loop. Guess what, quadruple winners again!

91069+92456+92446+91053 get me there, and for the journey into town it's the return of 91129+92422+92022+91017. I really need food now, it having been 7 hours since I finished my lunch at the time of typing, so the first available opportunity will be taken up. A count of winners so far is an impressive 51, my target having been 50 over the two days. 12 shack scores as well, considering I didn't get onto the rails until 1504 I reckon that's not bad going at all. Of course, it only gets harder now! A count on the long trek to Oxford Circus reveals I only need 8 more Central line shacks now, not bad going whatsoever, and 38 LU shacks all in. Considering there's well over 200 shacks to score on LU, that isn't a bad achievement whatsoever!

I had now intended to use the Victoria line, however due to being routed via the southbound Bakerloo line platform, I end up using that to score another winner, once I found the Bakerloo sets in my lists! Winner 3237 led dud 3435 for the trip to Waterloo, where I head to Burger King for some much needed food, finally! I jump on the first available train to Clapham Junction as I just want to get to Croydon now, and devour my supersize meal on the journey down with dud 455849. A Southern service going south was cancelled, and eventually double duds 377455+377155 arrive to take me to East Croydon. The fact a 'temporary' timetable is being implemented from tomorrow on Southern is another sign of how much they've gone downhill. I used to love travelling with them, and now DaySaves seem to have been made extinct, I'm less than impressed. I really hope they turn it around, as FGW did when it got bad with them in the mid-2000s. Sure enough, a new management team did the job and it makes you wonder what the fudge happened to Southern to repeat history!

Check in is a doddle at easyHotel and I'm soon in my room. A call home to let Mum know I was safe and sound, then it was time to post this lot. 52 winners, 12 shacks and without a ton of new sights. I left my ST Publications book with Tube stock in it at home, my Tube winners were noted from memo files on my phone.

Bring on tomorrow, which should be epic as well! An 0600 alarm to get onto East Croydon's platforms for 0645...

 

[Kite159]

Lots of winners today

 

[Techniquest]

Just a few eh Kite? Catching you up slowly...

 

[Blindtraveler]

Wow what a clearout. Your count of unscored LU Shacks is impressive in itself never mind anything else. Lots of veriety in there also.

Southern IMO are a disgrace as are the DFT but I guess as long as someone is doing their dirty work for them they dont really care? Looking forward to Day 2

 

[FQ]

I wouldn't have gone for the option of the bus all the way but I see why you did it and you certainly pulled a good day out of it too! 52 winners... Wow!

 

[alexf380]

A top class first day Tech, and 52 winners alone is no mean feat. Day 2 should be a good one, even if it is a long day.

 

[55013]

Grand stuff - 52 winners!
I'm looking forward to the next instalment.

 

[507021]

Superb read Tech, well done on getting 52 winners too. Looking forward to hearing about Day 2!

 

[Techniquest]

Wow what a clearout. Your count of unscored LU Shacks is impressive in itself never mind anything else. Lots of veriety in there also.

Southern IMO are a disgrace as are the DFT but I guess as long as someone is doing their dirty work for them they dont really care? Looking forward to Day 2

I didn't think I'd manage anywhere near that, so I'm more than pleased. As you say, variety too!

I could rant about Southern for ages! Day 2 is coming up once I reply to the comments. A shorter read too.
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I wouldn't have gone for the option of the bus all the way but I see why you did it and you certainly pulled a good day out of it too! 52 winners... Wow!

I think I need to re-count that number, I put 48 in my notebook earlier! Shows how empty my books were before this trip!
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A top class first day Tech, and 52 winners alone is no mean feat. Day 2 should be a good one, even if it is a long day.

Oh it was an excellent day, tiring with that early start! Totally worth it though, as the trip report will show.

Glad everyone's been enjoying the read, even though it was longer than Fishquinn's reports
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Grand stuff - 51 winners!
I'm looking forward to the next instalment.

That sort of number won't easily happen again now mind!

My post on Red Pen 2016 will make an interesting read

 

[FQ]

Even though it was longer than Fishquinn's reports

I'm not sure about that

 

[Techniquest]

Superb read Tech, well done on getting 52 winners too. Looking forward to hearing about Day 2!

Glad you enjoyed it good sir!

Here is the much shorter read (only two memo files, rather than 4!) for Day 2:

11/07/2016 - Tech's Uprocking Bash, Day 2

The sunshine wakes me up at 0538, and I get gen I need for a certain 313 as well. Bag packing and de-rancification takes a while, but I'm out of base camp and into Costa by 0616. Armed with a coffee, much needed too, I position myself for a 171 to Bridge. A late running Thameslink arrives first, and when I see what's on it I cannot turn it down. Winner for everything 387222 led dud 387120 with winner for everything 387129 on the back. The 700 will have to wait, I'm off to Blackfriars! The Thameslink Stagger via Crystal Palace is still going, and on the approach to Blackfriars I see more winners ready to follow my train in. Yep, I'm alighting here for sure then! Double winners 387127+387125 take me up the road to Farringdon.

I need to head to Moorgate, so jump on double winners 21031+21032 for the short journey, then it's to the mainline platforms. I get confused as to where my move is, as it's not on the screens. Turns out it's going ECS to Welwyn Garden City before coming back down. That'll teach me to read gen properly! A 'get out of hell' move is needed now, so I head down to the Northern line, where a 4 minute wait feels like forever! Double winners 51554+51555 take me to Kings Cross St Pancras, and I always forget how long it takes to transfer from the Tube to the low level mainline platforms! A very busy dud 377508 with winner 377518 to Farringdon, and I'm sure you can guess what I'm up to by now!

Double winners 387107+387128 take me on a BSB to City Thameslink, now will what I want to be out, be out? Well before it, winner 319433 produced for a leap to Blackfriars, couldn't turn that down! Eventually, it turns up and winner for everything 700114 produces on the 0658 Bedford to Three Bridges! Something I've beaten Kite159 to as well, as he has [at the time of typing at least - Ed] yet to have a 700! Of course, this meant I had to do a Thameslink Stagger again, and would now not get all 3 700s due out today unless I paid for an extra ticket to Gatwick Airport. Reason being the one on the 0734 Bedford to Brighton wouldn't get me back into town in time for my booked train home. Never mind, I've got a long time to get these in anyway!

I make the foolish decision to use Southern now, boarding dud 377468+377139 with winner 377447 on the back. 18 minutes to do Croydon to Clapham on a 'fast' train as well...Should have stayed on Thameslink! I've now bowled myself out for my last GN 313 and any other 700s, but good news here as triple winners 456024+456003+455728 roll in on a Dorking service. Impossible to deny that, and I head off to Wimbledon. A coffee break is had before I join the District line to clear out the final few on this line that I need. Double winners 21509+21510 take me to the day's first winning shack at Putney Bridge. A quick dive under via the subway just gets me onto double winners 21308+21307 to winner shack Southfields where I miss a D stock pair, one of which I needed, by 30 seconds.

458519+458503 look weird here on their ECS move to depot, both required for sight which was pleasing. Double winners 21429+21430 take me to winner shack East Putney, where there's quite a wait for double winners 21499+21500 to take me forward to winner shack Parsons Green. I see planes flying over the station, no IDs possible but phwoar, that noise! Double duds D stock take me to my final District line shack at Fulham Broadway, my final D stock move of the trip and possibly forever. I go up to the shopping centre here for a PNB, 40p well spent by now but oh my gosh weren't they rancid! Having to pay for such facilities is not amusing, they were in dire need of cleaning and reminded me of Gloucester bus station's former facilities. Yes, that bad! Back on the station I'm now chasing winners only, as I have only 90 minutes until I need to be at Euston for my train home. Double winners 21486+21485 take me to Earls Court.

You'll have noticed a lot of winning S7 half-sets by now, well I needed a LOT of them before this trip [still do! - Ed] and it's going to take years to get them all! Double winners 21304+21303 take me to Gloucester Road, before continuing with double winners 21396+21395 to South Kensington. Time for a change of scene now, working my way down to the Piccadilly line. Double winners 106+177 taking me on the next stage of linear hops to Knightsbridge. Double winners 120+123 take me to Hyde Park Corner and double winners 251+184 3 minutes later take me to Green Park. A change of tactic again now, something I've not done in far too long...

Yes, the Victoria line! A visit to London is not complete without a ride on this in my mind, and I am sick of the amount of requirements I have on it. Time to deal with that then! Double winners 11066+11065 take me on yet another linear hop to continue to Warren Street with double winners 11012+11011 and then double winners 11089+11090 back to Oxford Circus. It's yet more double winners with 11061+11062 to Green Park, and low numbered sets finally start turning up for me with double winners 11003+11004 to Victoria. By now it's 1121 and I need to get food as I've yet to eat today, so the next required set will take me to Euston. Due to inefficient logging over the years, I don't need 11076 but I did need winner 11075 and my stomach is getting ready for war, so I have no choice but to finish my Tube bashing.

Upstairs I manage to resist Burger King somehow, and get a combined breakfast and lunch in Sainsburys instead. A coffee is also sourced but wasn't very effective in making me wake up to do bookwork [same for the coffee from Birmingham - Ed] and I join 350112 on the 1213 to the Bat Cave. It becomes a Super Dud now too, and it'll be on rather significant mileage by the time I alight too. Food is consumed and my stomach is satisfied for now. Eventually we get going and it's a bit slow to begin with. It's of course time for Tech's Mobile Disco, much needed to keep me awake. I didn't sleep amazingly last night much to my dismay, less than 5 hours kip was had. Some of the bookwork is done on the way north, but most of the journey was spent vegging out with tunes on to be honest.

We eventually arrive 3 minutes late at 1420 at the Bat Cave, 29 minutes to kill, I think you can all guess what I did next! For those of you who didn't, Midland Metro tram 19 eventually pulled in at Grand Central. It's a winner for everything, and eventually we get going for a BSB to Corporation Street. A walk back down the hill gets me in position for a coffee, and I head down to platform 10B to find 150109 on the 1449 to Hereford. I had forgot this turn was booked a 150 [probably because it's not been for me so often in the past... - Ed] and I'm lucky to get a seat. Stirring my sugar in was fun, but managed. The thrash out of the Bat Cave was immense and we get chucked on the slow lines after Kings Norton for some reason. It therefore takes ages to get to Bromsgrove, the last time I'll call at the old station here then.

Arrival is eventual at 1622, 3 minutes down due to slack in the timetable, at Hereford. I'm in desperate need of a charge up, so with scoring two winner ciders in Spoons I get a charge up going. 53 new brews required now to hit my target of 400 before the end of August, that should be easy enough! I'm soon on the bus home, the usual stallion on my work-bound commute, and I have just enough charge to finish typing this up and getting the tunes back on.

53 winners all in today, and 5 shack scores, which was far better than expected. My first 700 scored and 114 of them to go! All in across the 21 hours I was in London for, I scored 103 winners, more than doubling my target, and end the trip on 104 winners. From memory that's now 424 winners this year, which I'm very happy with. 182 to go to hit my target for 2016, easy done! 217 shacks scored this year and only 33 off my target for the year! I haven't checked my new sights yet, as my Tube book was at home. That I'm working on shortly, so expect an addendum later or tomorrow, there will be some big updates to post so will deal that by the morning.

Already looking forward to my next London trip!
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I'm not sure about that

I reckon mine was longer. Random competition going on

 

[FQ]

Well done in beating Kite to a 700 ()! Shame you didn't get the 313 but with another 53 winners I'm sure you were happy! Bromsgrove old station was still open when you passed today? I thought the new one was to open today? Also, what are you going to do regarding the new station and shack scoring?

Finally, I don't think it was longer than mine