Juliano's World Frenzy/Tech's Trip Reports

[Techniquest]

I have a deerstalker hat at home!

13/01/2017 - Tech's Big Bang 2017, Day 7

The last full day in Scotland was here, boo! Already I was in full TPP Mode for my next visit to Glasgow, where I have a most significant number of shacks still to get, not to mention a fair few 156s, 170s and 320s. Not that I know when I can get north next of course, and I'm now of course rather looking forward to next weekend's major bash. Hashtag for which is #TheRedParade if I've not mentioned it already.

Back to this bash, and I had gen on my last two 334s as well as a very important other requirement. More on that one shortly, but to get both 334s was going to take some creative thinking, as the plan was also to do the Fife Circle with a 68 all the way around. Lothian's 758 takes me to town on route 37 at 1021, following breakfast, coffee and taking Mrs BT's dog for a good walk beforehand. It will be tight but still makeable for my move of choice. Tech's Mobile Disco is shoved on for some Nightcore on the journey, being rather bored by now of Volvo Geminis. Never thought I'd say that...Of course, I go for a seat up top, and due to not having exact cash on me I sacrifice 40p of the £2 I put in the machine on the bus. If today works out, it will be severely worth it!

Tickets sourced, and I was en-route to platform 7 for the 1100 to Glasgow, an unusual platform allocation, when I saw the 1056 to Glasgow via Shotts off platform 10, also an unusual allocation of platforms. Just as well I did and checked my NREA, as it was winner 158708! A lack of working real time data made it hard to make a full list of observations, and after some delayed trains made their way east to Waverley, 43317 rolls in with the 0755 Inverness to London Kings Cross. I have 3 TS and 1 buffet to choose from on this set, and I went for winner 42065 for the trip back to Waverley. As per the gen, 43274 appeared to be on the back in Spirit of Sunderland livery. That will be confirmed at Waverley, and sure enough it was! The VTEC HST power cars are now cleared at long last, HAPPY DAYS! 4 more remain with Grand Central, and yes plans are already being formed to go and find them.

A look around confirms the location of winner 158707 and I take it to Haymarket. A large coffee is sourced and I continue my fester on the bridge. After about 23 minutes here, I spotted winner Inverness 158 158705 coming in from Perth, so I raced over to platform 1 (my usual festering point is near the top of platforms 3 and 4) and jumped on, good thing I rushed as it left 3 minutes early. Ah yes the famous "go when ready" timetable at Haymarket! After a minor photography session, I then head back to Haymarket on winner 156458. The move one of my 334s was on arrived at platform 9W while I was departing, no matter as I have a plan...I'm not back at Haymarket for long, as I have the choice of two 170s back to Waverley! I choose winner 170403 for the leap and, having seen the 1330 to Glasgow Queen Street was required, I head to a TVM. I realised afterwards I was supposed to be chasing after my penultimate Haymarket 158, never mind. £12.70 later and I have my day return to Glasgow. Yes I probably have lost the plot, choosing to go via a 170, but time was of the essence and I had my earphones in after Haymarket.

Winner 170419 takes me west on time, and it's Nightcore up first to save me from the Flymo 'thrash' on this express working, calling only at Falkirk High and Croy. There's been some seriously good progress with the electrification of this line, surely not much longer until the 385s will be in passenger service now then! There's a large section between Newbridge and a bit west of Polmont with no wires, but it won't be much longer now.

Arrival at Queen Street is at 1418 and I rush to get a piece to Partick. The Milngavie was a pair of 334s I noted earlier, thankfully upon checking I hadn't missed the one I wanted, which was going to Helensburgh Central. Super Dud 334017 led winner 334001 and I could uncross my fingers!

It's a slow 11 minute journey due to being held, almost twice (if the signal hadn't changed when it did, it would have been!) but eventually I arrive. One more 334 to go! Double duds 320308+318260 take me to Exhibition Centre, as I had no coaches logged for 318260. That's that fixed! Similar for the next move with double duds 318266+318259, no coaches logged on the latter 318. I must have had them in a pair somewhere, but that's now all 318s with at least 1 coach logged on them. After a long 12 minutes at Anderston, I'm finally in luck with winner 320414 and dud 320415 to Argyle Street. One of the gangway doors is already falling off, secured by a rubber band, and there is no way of opening the door into the middle coach! Suffice to say this was tweeted to ScotRail asap, which was actually nearly 40 minutes later due to signal issues in The Cave of Argyle.

My coach of choice made 320414 into a Super Dud, as the others were done when it was 321414. Another member in that club! Eventually it was time for my choice of train, the 1503 Larkhall to Milngavie, and before it arrived the tension was high. Thankfully, as per the gen, winner 334007 produced. Much to my surprise, we're gripped before we depart for the BSB to Central Low Level. My last 334 was finally in the book, and I owe all of Virgin Trains East Coast and ScotRail via Twitter and postye on the forum for providing gen this week. I never would have got so much done otherwise! A fast walk gets me to Queen Street High Level from Central Low Level in just 9 minutes, not bad at all. It does mean I'd have made that 334 the other day, but then I did get that 320. Got it again today mind but let's not think about that, I'd have not needed to come over here today if I'd done the walk though...It's worth noting that all in I've scored 6 out of 10 required 320s this week, without gen I must point out. Central High Level had been a 156 fest and the draw to it was seriously huge! Temptation was put to the side somehow, I just have to remember how good Central can be for 156s for next time!

170473 took me back to Edinburgh, and you can tell the evening peak was about to begin as Eastfield had only a refurbished 158 on it, possibly 158718 but couldn't be sure. I had no coaches logged on this 170 before, indicating another MU I must have had in a pair, so that's now rectified. Time for Tech's Mobile Disco again, and it is clearly far too long since the Nightcore mix of Cascada's Bad Boy filled my ear canals, as I bounced along very happily to it! A much needed coffee was sourced from the trolley service, well priced at £1.70 and significantly cheaper than it is on ATW, however it's worse than Frothbucks! A count reveals I need just 10 EMUs as things stand in Scotland. Once the 385s start in passenger service, that will drastically change of course!

Arrival into Waverley is at 1647 and I get my ticket to Glenrothes for a whopping £15.70 then met up with BT and his enthusiast friend Alan. It was dud 68024 on the 1707 Fife Circle turn this time, which I had back on Tech's October Fest in 2016. No matter, this one's mighty fine! We had a good natter all the way round, and it was noted by BT we could bail at Inverkeithing on the way back down for the 1551 Inverness to Edinburgh, as it would overtake the 68 which would have been in Dalmeny loop. Getting back quicker was a good idea as we all wanted to get to our planned Toby Carvery meal. I remember during the journey to check my gen, and it was likely to be a winner...

Winner 170413 was indeed on it, happy days! 2 170s left to go! After arriving for the last time this week into Waverley we head upstairs for 774 on route 37 to meet up with Mrs BT. Eventually the taxi takes us to Toby, but their ovens were malfunctioning so we couldn't have a meal after all! After planning what to do for tea, we get a taxi back to BT's place and order a takeaway from Bangla Kitchen. Wow that lamb korma and keema pilau rice was amazing! A couple of wee drams of a 28 year old whiskey and some beer went down equally well with it!

A most excellent way to spend my last full day in Scotland, although the 0500 alarm was not being looked forward to!

 

[noddy1878]

Congrats on another class cleared! You've done really well with your requirements this week when you look back at it. Quick question. Would a Central Scotland rover not have a been a worthwhile purchase while you there? Surely would have been cheaper than some of the singles you have bought added up over three of the days you were out and about? Even if you weren't using it fully all day. That said I know how good you are with budgeting so I guess not?

 

[FQ]

Hi Sherlock Holmes, with your deerstalker .

Sounds like you're having an amazing time there! A huge congrats on clearing the VTEC HSTs, getting your last one on a Haymarket leap just like me, and the 318s and, particularly, the 334s! I certainly wouldn't have bailed at Inverkeithing on the 170 instead of continuing on the cat though. How many SR DMUs do you need?

 

[palmersears]

A cracking set of reads there Tech, certainly whetted my appetite for my trip up there in a couple of weeks.

I must confess though the news you've been bashing for so long is a revelation to me. I had a picture in my mind of you having been doing this far only a few years! Also makes me wonder just how much further along my quest would be had I started a few years earlier, particularly if I'd done so when I lived in London!

 

[Iskra]

Congratulations on your final VTEC power car and 334. Sounds like another epic trip you're having

 

[Techniquest]

FQ: Aye it was done purely because I'd checked my gen and it was due to be a winner. If I hadn't been suffering from Red Pen Fever I might well have stayed on the 68! We all had very angry stomachs, so wanted back sharpish. The fact that we didn't end up eating until gone 2200 isn't a nice thought, especially as I could have bailed for a winner at Haymarket...

Noddy: Funnily enough you're not the first person who's asked that. The original plan had been to use bargain basement CityLink journeys booked in advance, and in fairness yesterday's move to Glasgow was a bit impulsive but couldn't stomach the idea of leaving my last 334 to be got another time!

palmersears: Yeah I've been doing this for too long now, my books should be fuller than they are. Problem is I neglected a lot of stuff for a long time just to do HSTs over and over again. Plus for significant amounts of time over the years I'd been too skint to do much at all. Thankfully that's changed in the last 6 months!

14/01/2017 - Tech's Big Bang 2017, Day 8

It was here, the final day of 2017's first proper bash (first one was New Year's Day after all). It's fair to say I hadn't looked forward to it, but then I never look forward to a trip ending. As per tradition, TPP Mode was active already! Before I carry on, my many thanks must go to Mr and Mrs Blindtraveller for accommodating me on this trip, it was an excellent way to begin 2017 with excellent company and it was just what I needed following the 2016 Crazy Season!

My last trip on Lothian Buses this week fell to 844 on route 37 to Princes Street. A top deck seat at the front is of course got and it was time for some Nightcore! I went to Sainsburys at Waverley to source a large drink for later, but they don't open until 0700 which is really unhelpful. I end up in McDonalds for breakfast, and order a bacon roll meal. I get charged by mistake for a breakfast wrap meal which is 10p more at £3.69, thankfully I noticed on the receipt quickly and got the correct meal but not the 10p back. More hassle than it was to chase it up, and it was nice enough but not enough food compared to having a BK. Which I should have done when I was at Waverley, bit late to remember it an hour later! I also do some tram spotting while here, alas neither 260 or 263 have been seen this week and remain my last two trams to see. Non-existant mandatory equipment in the gents left me annoyed and heading to the bus station for the by-now urgent PNB! Thanks McDonalds, you let me down hugely and I won't be back for anything but coffee from now on!

Still no joy with the trams, and 30p well spent, I also sourced a bottle of Pepsi Max from a vending machine for £1.60, getting 60p change back instead of 40p helped take the sting out of the overcharge and extra ching for a PNB at least. FN63 PWJ is on the 0645 National Express route 539 to Bournemouth and we leave 1 down with just me and one other passenger on board! I get some banging tunes on for the trip out of town and just over 15 minutes later we're storming down the M8. After the first 25 minutes of the journey I'm bored and thoroughly looking forward to getting to Birmingham! My notebook is more or less up to date by the time we leave Glasgow with a handful of passengers, so I finish my updates for the Red Pen, New Sights and Shack Attack 2017 threads. I will reveal the Scores on the Doors for this trip later!

By Hamilton Bus Station (really? How slow do they want to make this run?!) I was looking at alternative options for getting south with a bail at Penrith. None of them were all that suitable in terms of ching, so I cut my losses and was hoping for a more enjoyable journey after the stop at the services. At the time of typing, we were 60 miles north of Carlisle and had a call there at the bus station as well as Penrith station. Non-stop to Birmingham via a rest break at a services, and due to arrive at the heart of the Midlands at 1425. I'm just glad I wasn't on this all the way to Bournemouth, that's a 13 hour journey! I get my book out and make good progress with it before we finally cross the border a little before 1000.

We reach Tebay Services Southbound at 1105 and have a 30 minute break here. I use the time to source some Cumbrian beers for the weekend and a couple of Creme Eggs, although I only have one on the way south. I finish my book a little after half 1, which ended up filling a lot of the journey and I'm glad I brought it with me now! We have a ten minute stop at Stafford Services for a driver change and PNB opportunity, which I take advantage of. Not much here, all I noticed in the quick look was a McDonalds, Costa and WHSmith. I ring the LM Lost Property Office line as per the email, however it isn't open on weekends. Grr, not good! We come off the M6 at J6 at 1432, not much longer to go by then but by the time we arrive at Digbeth we'll be lucky to be less than 25 down. I receive gen as we come off the A38...

Arrival at Digbeth Coach Station is finally at 1447, 22 minutes late. I marched like mad into town and swung by Tesco Express for a very late lunch in the form of a meal deal. Bull Street is, as always, my festering spot once I navigate my way past all the crowds of shoppers. As per the gen, the first two trams were indeed dud, so I devour my sandwich during the wait before the Danger Music kicks in. And the third tram comes in, the fingers were crossed, and did I read that number correctly...

YES! I did indeed! Thanks to Midland Metro I got my last tram in Birmingham, winner for everything 35 is had to Grand Central and very much worth £1! There's virtually nothing to come to Birmingham for now, not for anything that doesn't run elsewhere so happy days! I made sure I got a photo first, then to Upper Crust for a large coffee, my first one since about 0626 this morning so over 9 hours later it went down a right treat! 170513+170501 are joined on the 1549 to Hereford and I find a table seat, add the sugar to my coffee and bang on Tech's Mobile Disco for the trip south. No snow on the ground down here, I was informed the weather had been dire here last night. As we approach Droitwich Spa the sun's setting on what has been an incredible 8 days. As promised, Scores on the Doors for this bash are confirmed as:

Winners: 59
Shack scores: 21
New sights: 36

An incredible haul and I would have been hard pushed to do better than that! An excellent time with brilliant company, what more can one ask for? I have spent a LOT of money in those 8 days mind, about £315! Granted some of that was things like a pair of new boots for BT as a thank you gift, and £40 on some accommodation for our trip in June and £24 on Advances to/from London for #TheRedParade next weekend, but £315 still sounds wrong! On the assumption my logs are correct, then it was all money very well spent indeed. My RailMiles update is not yet complete, but I know full well I've done very well on that front. My Scottish requirements, until 70 385s arrive, are now:

16 156s
7 158s (5 Inverness, 2 Haymarket)
2 170s
4 320s
6 380s
11 SPT Crapway cars
11 Edinburgh Trams

Thanks again to Mr and Mrs BT, indeed same to Allan, for the excellent company and for helping kick off 2017 in style!

 

[Kite159]

A very productive week within Scotland

 

[FQ]

That can't have been a fun run home...

Congrats on clearing Midland Metro, although you'll still need to come to Brum for the 168/3s . I also don't know why you didn't go to St Chads instead of Bull Street - By your rules you'll need to come back to Brum to do that

 

[Kite159]

That can't have been a fun run home...

Congrats on clearing Midland Metro, although you'll still need to come to Brum for the 168/3s . I also don't know why you didn't go to St Chads instead of Bull Street - By your rules you'll need to come back to Brum to do that

I believe Techni visited it last Saturday with tram 17

 

[fowler9]

Been a great start to the year Tech, well done.

 

[Techniquest]

I believe Techni visited it last Saturday with tram 17

I did indeed get it in, haven't counted it as a new shack in my update for some reason.

FQ is right, I still have 168/3s to chase but I'm not rushing for them!

 

[Kite159]

Are you forgetting something else?

(Not my photo, but don't 165s look nice in NSE colours)

 

[Cowley]

It's been quite some start to the year for you Tech. Very entertaining reading. I always love reading about Scotland too, thanks for sharing it all.

 

[507021]

A fantastic start to the year Tech, well done, glad to see you were in good company too. My start to the year hasn't been as productive in terms of mileage or winner units (although I did manage to clear the 333s on my last day out in Yorkshire), but with my daughter due to be born on the 24th, I don't really want to go too far from Liverpool at the moment. My annual ALR is planned for April, so hopefully that will be as productive as your "Big Bang".

 

[Techniquest]

Are you forgetting something else?

(Not my photo, but don't 165s look nice in NSE colours)

I was remembering them but as they're limited to every 2 hours, and the 172/1s are very infrequent visitors, I'm not fussed about finding them in Birmingham. Once I clear the shacks they serve, which isn't that far off, then I'll be on the hunt...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

A fantastic start to the year Tech, well done, glad to see you were in good company too. My start to the year hasn't been as productive in terms of mileage or winner units (although I did manage to clear the 333s on my last day out in Yorkshire), but with my daughter due to be born on the 24th, I don't really want to go too far from Liverpool at the moment. My annual ALR is planned for April, so hopefully that will be as productive as your "Big Bang".

I hope it is a big bang for you, and in advance congratulations! Fingers crossed it all goes well!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It's been quite some start to the year for you Tech. Very entertaining reading. I always love reading about Scotland too, thanks for sharing it all.

Quite the start indeed, this weekend coming will continue that theme!

Glad you enjoyed the read

 

[507021]

I hope it is a big bang for you, and in advance congratulations! Fingers crossed it all goes well!

Thanks mate. We're ready for her arrival, it's just a case of waiting now.

Looking forward to your next trip report.

 

[Kristofferson]

Right, I'm finally caught up (only a few weeks overdue)!

Your Octoberfest was productive but shame about not getting the last few requirements cleared... Great read anyway and a great time - clearly a bargain too vs an ALR.

Vienna Xmas markets look amazing. BA sounds good for domestic flights... sadly I'm stuck with FlyBe for my jaunt this summer! Also, that electric loco sounds musical!

I see you had some hugely productive trips stopping the cavalry and for anti-frothmas!

2017 certainly started with a bang for you - clearing out a few awkward shacks, the 318s, VTEC power cars, last Brum tram and 334s... On another note, isn't 320414 one of the ex-LM 321s? They were in a far better state when they were down south!

That coach journey back sounds like an endurance... and I complain about 2 hours on a GWR HST twice a week! Incredible scores on the doors

I'll be following the Red Parade where possible on Twitter - thank you for the cracking reads!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Techniquest]

Glad you enjoyed the reads good sir!

The ex-LM 321s have had a very good refurbishment done on them, it must be said.

Only 5 days to go until I head to London now. Oh, and an update on the case. Got hold of Lost Property this morning, and they insist it's not there. So that's £40 worth of an excellent case lost, as well as more than that in clothes. I'm glad that I didn't spend money on going to Birmingham this morning, the whole day would have cost around £32 to find out the news when you add in bus fares, food and drink etc.

For now, I have an alternative for this weekend, but for my future globe-trotting trips I'll need to get a new case. I've now got an expensive visit to clothes shops ahead...

 

[noddy1878]

I enjoyed reading about your Scottish exploits. You did really well with scratching off some classes and as always shacks! Well done on the last Midland Metro tram too. Where are you off too next?

 

[Techniquest]

I enjoyed reading about your Scottish exploits. You did really well with scratching off some classes and as always shacks! Well done on the last Midland Metro tram too. Where are you off too next?

Off to London to set up base camp and virtually nothing else (any winners that pop up will be welcome of course!) at easyHotel. Early start to chase winners on Sunday morning before the 0858 to Brussels, where I intend to either chase winners all day or get some new track in and chase winners. Beer consumption is also in the plan Back to London on Monday morning and some red penning before heading home.

 

[47403]

Where do I begin? Utmost congrats on clearing the VTEC zings, 318's and 334's. You had both my last ones needed for sight, for haulage, 334005 & 006.
Also whilst at Motherwell the cafe just outside the main entrance, Eat n Greet is fantastic fare and excellent value.

The 2 68's on the modal, you couldn't ID, I believe were 019 & 002. As for the Fife turns 68020 and 024 were both all round winners for me, so I'm fairly envious you got them in too, albeit not bitter.

As usual a great read and some finishing off with your last Midland tram, just put the cherry on a rather massive cake.

Shame about the case mind but there's no pleasure without pain, as the Tory minister said to the madam.
Have a great time away at the weekend. Will try and keep abreast of your shenanigans via Twitter.

Enjoy and Happy Hunting.

 

[Techniquest]

I think I know that cafe LSG, you're right when you say it's good!

21/01/2017 - Tech's Red Parade, Day 1

Missed any of the Live Trip Report? Catch up using hashtag #TechsRedParade

If you had told me in 2016 I would be doing a Eurostar bash in January 2017 I'd have laughed at you! This trip came about as a result of a conversation in the Twitter chatter group. I believe it was Kite159 who mentioned the Eurostar sale, and I had monies available after Frothmas 2016 to take advantage. I had wanted to do an out and back day trip, which was not possible on the funds I had. So it became a full day in Belgium, coming home the following day, and even as I started typing this up on 17th January I had no idea on my exact moves! In the morning of 18th January however, I checked my spending logs, with the conclusion that the trip to Eeklo was unrealistic on this occasion and, needing a mega ton of Brussels' trams and Metro sets too, a one day Jump would suffice. After all, a major point of the trip was also to enjoy some Belgian brews, preferably to bring home some Jupiler which I fell in love with in 2013, so to not partake of some Belgian brews would be criminal!

So the trip title, this is a musical reference once again, 2017's first of many. This time it's My Chemical Romance's Welcome to the Black Parade, one of my favourites of theirs. With so much required in Belgium, the red pen would be out in force, it would be a parade of winners if you like, hence the title. It's also worth noting that as I type this the TPP Mode part of the brain is still working upon Norway, and I hope to announce firm details in the coming weeks.

To the trip itself then, as you'll have noticed it was maximising my days off again, as I have no holiday time available until April. It was to London after work, with base camp at the forum favourite, easyHotel in Croydon. As GWR wanted silly money off me to travel with them (none of their seat sale fares were available!) I had booked Advances via Birmingham, using Virgin beyond Birmingham. As much as I'd love to take up the bargain Weekend First from Birmingham, finances weren't on my side. To Birmingham, and it was 170507+170513 taking me to the Bat Cave. There's been far too much 170 mileage this year already...Time for Tech's Mobile Disco! My long-put-off task of creating memo files of my required shacks was finally started too, and took a lot longer than expected, nevertheless a big job for a Tech's Bookwork Weekend has finally been started!

Burger King is visited for tea, which was beyond well received by the stomach (having not eaten since a ham sandwich around 0705!) then it was to Tesco Metro for a supply raid. That strawberry beer was beyond gorgeous, I wish I'd got more of it. I noted it was a Belgian brew too, these must be investigated...390043 soon arrives and it's very busy, thankfully my reserved seat was eventually got to and it's back on with Tech's Mobile Disco to drown out the drunkard. A bottle of winning Crumpton Oaks cider was devoured later on, and according to my NREA I've only had this 390 once before. We did the slow lines a little after MKC, which is probably a required microgrice and I need to check that when I get home. Sadly the cider wasn't as nice as hoped, but it was only 85p and I now know why it doesn't sell well at work!

Arrival off the slow lines was eventually at 2202, 5 down, and I head to the Northern line via Bank. The first pair were dud, then scored double winners for everything 51668+51669 which I took to Angel. Double winners for everything 51624+51625 took me to Old Street and double winners 51570+51571 took me to London Bridge. Just as well I went up when I did as I end the day on winner 455816 for the trip to Norwood Junction. I *should* have stayed with it to East Croydon, but the lure of a winner 171 was too much! Winner 171805 takes me on the final leap of the day and I have an alarm for 0530 set...

An excellent evening all in, now bring on Brussels!

 

[Kite159]

A productive evening spin in London. Enjoy Belgium

(And can I join the "no holiday left until April" club as well )

 

[fowler9]

Good stuff Tech, looking forward to the next installment.

 

[Kristofferson]

I believe that beer may be Fruli? One of my all time favourites, and I even have a glass bearing its name.

Enjoying the read and following on Twitter!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[noddy1878]

Nice start to the trip! Glad you're making use of the trip to try a few belgian brews! Making me wonder.....

 

[507021]

Great start to your trip Tech, can't wait for the next instalment. I was planning to use the Eurostar this year after last year's surprise trip to Paris for my birthday, but I doubt that'll be happening until at least next year now. Never mind.

 

[Techniquest]

It was indeed Fruli, I'm glad I'm not the only fan of it!

Glad you're all enjoying the read so far, and now the exciting conclusion:

22/01/2017 - Tech's Red Parade, Day 2

0530 and I've had about 4.5 hours sleep, the body was telling me to go back to bed for a bit, there's tons of time before my main move of day. I ignore it and commence preparations for departure! The first move of the day falls to my first 700/0, winner for everything 700014, at last the 700/0s begin to fall on the trip to London Bridge. I head to the Jubilee line, and score double winners 96018+96087 to Waterloo where the train terminated due to engineering works. To the Northern line, Charing Cross branch, then! A 15 minute fester gets me onto winner 51661 and winner for everything 51662 for the leap to Leicester Square. It's a long 10 minutes or so on the Piccadilly line platform, but eventually winner 227 and winner for everything 858 arrive to take me to Kings Cross St Pancras. The stomach had now had enough and wanted feeding sharpish, hence only one leap on the Piccadilly line!

WHSmith sandwiches were the best I could get for breakfast, and whilst not enjoyable it silenced the stomach. The machines couldn't understand my ticket reference for some reason, and I did try multiple times on multiple machines, thankfully they're issued without problems. It took a while to get through security, even JFK Airport got people moving quicker, but eventually I got a coffee from Nero. Not my first choice but it had to do. At 0841 the platform is finally announced as platform 7, which I believe is a dud platform in both directions. Double winners 373016+373015 were in charge of the 0858 to Brussels, and I have a refurbished set. It's really rather nice with amazing legroom, comfortable seats and power sockets. It's when I saw the Euro plug socket that I remembered I had no adaptor with me, extreme fail!

0940 and we enter the tunnel, with Euro Shuttle loco 9705 being noted and a score for sight. Will this be my last 373 bash? Only one way to find out! It's back to Tech's Mobile Disco, which I really need to add some new tunes to. Another job for a Tech's Bookwork Weekend! A count reveals 17 winners on the trip so far, and tomorrow *should* see a fair few more come my way. It's worth noting my 2017 goal for winners is only for the UK, although obviously I'll still note everything I score in Europe. Only 424 winners to hit the target and just over 11 months to go in the year. If I can't manage it I'll be shocked! At 1005 we emerge from the tunnel into France, and a trip to the buffet was made for a large coffee. I'm not a fan of long life milk but it had to do, and £3.10 is not cheap but worth it for a cup the same size as Costa's medium cup. Considering in 2013 the large cup was nowhere near a Costa small, this is a huge improvement, and it's a good thing I had some cash on me as it appeared to be cash only! My gosh doesn't it take forever to leave Lille?! It's a long slow crawl for nearly FIVE minutes before we return to the daylight, and that was on top of a lengthy stop in Lille! TGVs 4527, 227 and 225 are noted in some sidings, although I have no book for French stuff so I can't mark them off.

Arrival is 14 down at 1222 (1122 UK time), although the reason for the delay was unknown. I tried to get my 24 hour Jump from the domestic tickets office, but I got sent to the office for the Metro. With that done, it was back upstairs sharpish and I only just make it on board in time for a loco hauled set on a leap to Central. It turns out to be a Class 21, but imagine my dismay when it turned out to be dud 2115! It's not long before my next leap, back to Midi, with my first Class 18 of the day, winner for everything 1884. It's noted that the AM08s are out in force in Brussels these days, so much so I didn't see any of the AM62 family of EMUs whatsoever. Call me crazy, but I missed them and actually got nostalgic for the time they were everywhere! Quite, my first SNCB train for haulage in 2013 was one of them, and I recall how out of place they looked at Liege on the cross-border workings!

Anyway, back to this trip, it was eventually onto winner for everything 1867 to Central again, and it's a while here filling my book with required sights before the Amsterdam rolled in with my first Class 28 (also numbered Class 186s for some reason) for haulage, winner 2812 on a leap to Nord. They're quite funky noise generators, although I can't think of something from the UK that they sound like. Now I dislike Central for the awkward platform-to-platform layout, but I dislike Nord simply because of how rough it all looks. I didn't feel unsafe or anything, but I wouldn't like being here at night. I was expecting the next Tournai service to be loco-hauled, but it turned up as double winners for everything AM96 EMUs, better known as 'rubber rings' or simply 'rings' 532+441. The nickname makes sense when you've seen them! The interior of 532 was less clean and tidy than I remember the rings being on my Benelux InterRail bash in 2013, and the nostalgia from that trip is off the charts. I'd love to do another one...Why didn't I just change platforms to avoid the rings? I had two bags with me as it was too early to check in at base camp yet, so to change platforms again was too much.

Back at Central, I hang on for the next train from Amsterdam (well, Roosendaal this weekend) which was unsurprisingly winner for everything 2805 for the leap to Midi. There wasn't much I wanted around for a while here, and from platform 8 I noticed some SNCB stock on what appeared to be the next Roosendaal. "Hmm, I'd best check that out" I tell myself. Good thing I did, as I only just made it for the leap to Nord. I just missed an 18 back into town, and I realised I hadn't checked the loco on my train so pelted it up the platform in time to find it was winner 2809. Nothing of any real interest turned up for ages, as a LOT of IC workings were in the hands of AM08s EMUs, and the working from Roosendaal had been cancelled. If I had wanted to, I could have filled my books super well with EMUs, which sound like noisy versions of Electrostars with a hint of Desiro, but I was after some loco haulage. I instead fill my book with required sightings, having a quick chat with an old friend who was over for the day cranking, before I spot a DB ICE coming in. The temptation to go over to it and try for a leap to Midi was unreal, but resist I did and my patience was rewarded with winner 1910 and winner for everything 1913 to Central.

A loco hauled set on a working to Brussels Airport (Zavantam) rolled in and I only just made it thanks to the confusing layout of stairs and one-way escalators. I discover at Nord that it was fresh dud 1867, d'oh! Thankfully the next one from Roosendaal was running, and produced winner for everything 2804 back to Central, where I decide it's time to find easyHotel. My screenshots from Maps weren't too clear, and I didn't listen to my gut instinct for going down one road and ended up lost! I popped into a couple of shops and they had no interest in trying to help. I sourced some beers for later on in a mini-supermarket, which didn't sell Jupiler to my surprise! Eventually I find myself at Bourse on pre-Metro lines 3/4 but the map there was not helpful. I elect to go to Gare Du Midi on winner for everything 4003 and go from there back to Central and try to find help.

The first IC heading to Central was double winners 477+540 and this time I cross-reference my maps against the map here. Aha, so the road my gut told me to go down was correct after all! Eventually I find it down a little street, and the self-check-in machines are really clever and even let you select your room. Free WiFi was also beyond welcome, hence the tweets in the late afternoon and evening on Day 1! The really friendly and helpful lass on reception was very welcoming and during our little discussion I got a map and she told me where to find DelHaize. I saw on the map where I went wrong too, although as she rightly pointed out I got to see more of Brussels!

After my visit to the supermarket, where I sourced an 8 pack of 440ml cans of Jupiler for just €8.15, I can't find anything I want to eat around this area so decide to go back to Midi as the Quick there should be open unlike the one around Bourse. Winner for everything 4070 takes me from Bourse (which was a winner shack earlier!) to Gare Du Midi on pre-Metro line 4. I end up getting a huge slice of meaty pizza from Sbarro for €4.20 which was devoured fast, as I had not eaten since the WHSmith sandwich!

Winner for everything 1819 took me to Central and it wasn't long before winner for everything 1826 took me back to Midi. I was in the middle of finding a choice of move, when I heard something noisy so pelted it upstairs to find a loco hauled set of double-deck coaches in. At Central, it's discovered to be fresh duds 1913+1910. I'm asked here by a SNCB staff member where I'm going, and he seemed unable to understand what a trainspotter was. He asked to see my ticket, and he reckoned my €7.50 Jump was invalid, and that I needed to go upstairs and pay another €2 to use the trains. If anyone can confirm the situation I'd love to hear whether I was right or wrong! I end up back on his platform after a while to join triple winners 521+513+511 to Nord. He comes up and asks through the doors if I have a ticket now, and a different one at that, so I tell him yes and I'm amazed he didn't come onto the train to check it.

I await a train to Oostende at Nord, and I'm rewarded with winner 1880 back to Midi. With services drying up somewhat now, especially anything likely to produce loco haulage, I head downstairs to the Metro as I haven't had a go on it yet on this trip. Triple winners for everything 159+160+416 led winner 435 and dud 415 on a leap to winner shack Delacroix, where a short wait on the island platform got me double winners for everything 245+345 with winner 246 and double winners for everything 406+405 on the back to winner shack Clemenceau. Another short wait on the island platform got me quadruple winners 229+329+230+174 to Beekkant, and I cannot remember as I type this on the storming through France if it's required or not. I'll have it confirmed in my update for the Shack Attack 2017 thread! My last move of the day, bearing in mind it was now almost 2030 and I had an early alarm in London and another for Day 3, fell to winner 6281 to winner shack De Brouckère and I didn't realise until I checked my book in the hotel these things run as two 3-car sets, much akin to S stock sets, d'oh!

Back at base camp, I get the bottles I sourced earlier open and score 3 winner brews unsurprisingly, including my first sour beer which I wasn't a fan of. 148 brews to score before I hit my target now, shouldn't be too hard! It was a rather brilliant day it has to be said, a shame to go home but equally I have a min red pen fest waiting for me in London so bring it on!

23/01/2017 - Tech's Red Parade, Day 3

0600 local time, 0500 UK time and the alarm is going off. Which reminds me that I still haven't used a particular hashtag...De-rancification was most welcome after a full day of bashing spanning 3 countries. OK so I didn't step foot in France but it still counts! I'm all done, checked out and on the way to Central by 0620, rather impressive even if I do say so myself. I stop at a shop en-route to pick up a chocolate bar, which I subsequently dropped out of my pocket somewhere between the front door at Central and getting on the train (I blame it on the bitter cold!) so that meant buying something else for breakfast! Winner for everything 1818 took me to Midi, and I make my way downstairs to source breakfast. A chocolate-covered drukkel and large coffee (a small in Costa and most UK outlets) was sourced in Panos for €3.80 and went down beautifully.

The Eurostar terminal is currently undergoing renovation, so a temporary facility is set up some way along. Check in is done more swiftly than at St Pancras, and I buy my little sister a souvenir but find nothing suitable for my brother. I then source a large coffee for €3.20, and the outlet had no large lids which is just insane! Soon enough boarding commenced, and it was onto double duds for everything 373211+373212 on the 0756 to London St Pancras. We leave 2 minutes early, and I got to charge my phone up so go for gold on typing up the trip report which took until a quarter the way into the Channel Tunnel! A count reveals 35 Belgian winners, including Metro and Pre-Metro, not a bad haul. On arrival at 0859, bang on time, I discover to my horror I was wrong and that it wasn't 373204+373203 as the coach numbers suggested but actually double duds 373211+373212! Memory fails me as to when I had these but I believe it was to or from Marne-la-Ville Chessy in 2006 or 2007. To say I was disappointed is an understatement! I score 4 374s for sight which helped take away the sting a bit.

To the Underground, and double winners for everything 21087+21088 took me to Liverpool Street. The mission today was to hunt 315s and LO 317s, what with their replacements well on the way and will be in service soon. It starts very well, as I join double winners 317883+317884 for a leap to Hackney Downs. My observation was correct on an Enfield Town service, and I join double winners 317885+317889 to Rectory Road. Sadly it was double duds 315811+315812 back to Hackney Downs, and eventually a fast train turns up, just as well I went for it as it was winner 317511 with dud 317663 on the back for the non-stop trip to The Street. One of my LO 315s was noted out, so after chasing it on RTT I went after my TfL Rail 315 needs. Another of my LO 315s was buffer blocking on platform 2, although I don't know what happened to it as it had gone later.

Double duds 315847+315860 take me to Stratford, where I planned to wait for a winner. The next few outward workings were also going to be dud so happily ignored them. I got cracking on a serious Central line stock spotting spree, which resulted in me noting Keith Jarett's last 92 stock so a PM was rapidly sent to him! Eventually after a 22 minute fester, winner 315832 rolls in with dud 315837 on the back and I go back to The Street. I then go and jump on that 315 I needed with LO, knowing when a TfL Rail one I needed should be back. Winner 315815 was taken to Bethnal Green and I joined dud 315817 back to The Street. With only 3 minutes to get from platform 3 to platform 17 I don't know how I made it but I did. Dud 315821 led winner 315855 for another Stratford leap, and having seen all the 315s that were out (I forgot to chase 317708, oops...) I give up and head towards LU. Eventually I settle on the Central line, and double winners for everything 91319+92158 led double duds 92208+91273 to Mile End. Winners for everything 21439+21440 took me to Whitechapel, and Stepney Green was closed due to a security alert.

Winners for everything 21384+21383 took me back to Mile End, and I need to head west now as time is ticking by far too fast. Double winners for everything 21557+21558 take me to Whitechapel, and double winners 21306+21305 took me forward to Aldgate East. Double winners for everything 21498+21497 took me onward to Tower Hill where I changed platforms for the Circle line. That plan changed when double winners 21514+21513 were attainable, back to Aldgate East then! After 7 minutes (and on the Tube that's a lot!) here I was onto double winners for everything 21546+21545 to Monument. A moderately lengthy walk put me onto the Northern line where I get double winners 51613+51612 from Bank to Euston. A 10 minute journey gets me there at 1330, with only 30 minutes until the train was leaving and lunch to source I was charging up the long escalators as fast as I could with bags!

A meal deal from Sainsburys got sourced, and the bacon sandwich was hugely rateable and highly recommended to all meat eaters out there. Filter coffee from Pret sourced for 99p, which is a bargain I've taken advantage of lots this year already, and Virgin texted me to let me know the platform which was quite the nice touch. I still confirmed it on the screen before making my way to platform 16, a possibly required microgrice, to discover I was getting the forum celebrity and my old nemesis, 390114, to Birmingham. I had forgotten how long the walk is to coach C, wishing I had paid £28 for a First Class Advance after all! Lunch was devoured as the first priority after my coffee, and I'm so busy updating my notes from the Central line I don't observe Wembley which is just incredibly odd for me. The journey flies by with the aid of Tech's Mobile Disco as I had a lot of notes to add to the notebook and a lot of trip report typing to do.

Arrival was 1 up at the Bat Cave, and I go and source a coffee for the final leg of the trip. Don't forget, I was awake at 0500 UK time! 170506 was in charge of taking me home, and in case a 153 wasn't attached I get on sharpish to find a seat which was easier said than done. There was something attached in the end, but I wasn't willing to move all my stuff to find out what, that can wait until Hereford. We finally leave 4 down at 1553 and I finish the trip report just before Kings Norton. The Red Pen and New Sights update files took some doing, especially the latter, and my Scores on the Doors can be revealed:

Winners: 80, of which 45 were in the UK
New sights: 186, of which 62 were in the UK
Shack scores: 2, potentially 3 depending on needing Beekkant or not.

A ridiculously good haul, especially considering it was a Sunday bash in Brussels!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Wow that was fun. Wetted the already healthy apitite for a Eurostar trip and London never fails to disapoint. Cheers for sharing.

 

[noddy1878]

Another great trip report! Duds on a Eurostar sucks though! Especially when you need so many!