Keith goes wandering

[andyb2706]

Three good reads there and congratulations on clearing your DLR stock, although reading through your three reports it dawned on me how much work I still have to do!

It is great also when you can tie a bash in with meeting friends.

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Yes the admiration for Keith's major mission of getting 10 miles off everything is off the scale. Especially when it includes non-local fleets!

Congratulations on clearing the DLR and knocking off another two of the Central line units! I think I said this before but I am still impressed by your intention to get at least 10 miles in the long term off everything!

Guys, thanks for the accolades. If you are doing a job, you might as well do it properly. Yes, the 10 mile target extends to everything on the rails that is in regular revenue earning service - so basically the National Rail network, London Underground and all the various light rail systems in Great Britain. I am not sure whether I'll ever achieve the target of getting it all but the lists seem to be coming down albeit slowly - living and working in the capital is a big, big bonus. Then sometime, I will have to go after all the former BR locos & DMUs trundling around preserved railways that I still need.

You've also got to bear in mind my strict rules on things like DMU & EMU formations. If a set is reformed in any way, then I need to go after it again. Take the 378s for example - I chased them when they were three car units, then when the fourth car was added, I had to start all over gain and once more, all the mileage clocks were reset to zero when the 5th car was added. And there's a surprising number of EMU sets that are not in their as built formation!

 

[Kite159]

And when the 345s start coming in, are you going to wait for the year or so before they are extended to their full length?

Well done on a couple required trams

 

[Keith Jarrett]

And when the 345s start coming in, are you going to wait for the year or so before they are extended to their full length?

Well done on a couple required trams

Knowing me, I'll probably end up doing them twice - short formation and regular formation.

 

[FQ]

At least you can just scratch them in the short formation with little hops like Farringdon to City Thameslink and then get them for 10 miles with the longer formations!

 

[47403]

Keith just caught up with all these, excellent reads too. So many clearances, like I've already said, on kites thread, clearing all the tube shacks is one helluva achievment but to clear the S-8's and need 3 of another, wow, add in clearing the DLR, for haulage too!!!!, throw in the winners on the Croydon trams, I doff my cap to you too Sir and congratulations are in order too.

This refers to you, kite, Lord Tram etc, how many notebooks do you lot go through in a year? I ask because in the mid 80's, obviously when loco hauled stuff ruled supreme and I was out a helluva lot more, with coaching stock, HST's and units, I could go through 2 a year, now Im down to 1 every 18months or so but you lads, must need sponsorship off WH Smiths. Sorry if this hijacks the thread, I just wondered, especially with your logs for the 10mile club.

 

[Kite159]

At least you can just scratch them in the short formation with little hops like Farringdon to City Thameslink and then get them for 10 miles with the longer formations!

I would love to see a Crossrail 345 in the Thameslink core

---------

47403, I'm pretty much all computer based, take my notes on my phone using Google Keep which I can access from the laptop to copy across numerous excel sheets

 

[Techniquest]

Depends on the notebook most of the time, but since I don't write all the sightings etc down any more I tend to only use one a year. Not used a Smiths notebook in years! I also find I go through a lot of pens, some of that is down to losing them mind!

I'm now in the habit of asking for pens for Frothmas, got enough notebooks and journals last years to last me until well into 2017!

A lot of my notes are done on my phone via memo files these days, with the moves and required sightings all added to the notebook and all the moves into the moves book. On my 5th year in my current A4 book, but even got a couple of those ready and waiting for 2017 when my current one is full!

 

[FQ]

I would love to see a Crossrail 345 in the Thameslink core

Doh! You know what I mean!

 

[Kristofferson]

Always impressed by your dedication, KJ

One more tram! One more tram! Etc


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Thursday 7th April - And Then There was One

I had a couple of hours free this evening and fancied a little wander out. I did not want to go too far as there’s a pretty intensive few days coming up. Looking through The Haulage Book, a trip out on South west Trains’ Junipers seemed quite appealing. I been having quite a bit of success clearing up most of the recent conversions but one completely eluded me with a further two still needed for 10 miles. And what irritated me was that a friend from South Wales makes a one off visit to The Smoke and falls straight into it. Aaaaargh!

Back on topic, I escaped from work nice and early and made for Waterloo in sufficient time to cover all of the evening peak workings. I’d previously made the decision that in the very likely event of no matches with my wants list at Waterloo, I’d make for Clapham Junction on the first train. Within minutes of arriving at Waterloo I was on double dud 458503+458530 out to Clapham Junction. On the way out, I passed nothing of interest so now it was a matter of covering inbound 458s and any workings that were empty from depot.

I was at Clapham Junction for all of three minutes when 458506+458535 showed up on the latter stages of a Hounslow loop working. 458506 was one of the mileage requirements but I need more than a simple spin to Waterloo to tip it over 10 miles but nevertheless, off I trudged to Waterloo with it as 3.93 miles is better than nothing! Viewing a couple of more workings on the way into Waterloo including a depot chuck out, there was nothing to tempt me other than return to Clapham Junction with 458506+458535. At least 458506 would then elevate itself into the Ten Mile Club.

With one down, I alighted at Clapham Junction again with the aim of covering all inbound workings plus the one remaining peak hour working to see if either of my two other targets were out to play. If my last fester at Clapham was short, this was to prove even shorter as just when I got into position on the footbridge, to view inbound workings, I was on the move, going down to the Waterloo-bound platforms as 458521+458529 were rolling in. 458521 was the target and like 458506 from earlier was extremely low mileage. So off to Waterloo I bounded but still I was a couple of miles short to allow 458521 to join the Ten Mile Club. There was only one thing to do, go back to Clapham with 458521+458529. Around Queenstown Road, 458521 became the 34th 458/5 to clear 10 miles [Ed: 35th if you count the 458501/458518 hybrid].

Bailing at Clapham Junction for a third time, I marvelled at the fact that so far, I had not had a lot of hanging around; the longest waits being at Waterloo while the trains I had arrived on turned round to form their next working. I was pretty sure that my luck would not hold but nevertheless I took up position on the footbridge once more. Five minutes later, a ten-car 458 appeared from the country direction. I had to do a second take at 458507+458512 as I had an outright winner on my hands. I made for the platform with reasonable haste – I was not letting 458507 slip from my clutches. So for the third time in little over an hour, I set off for Waterloo. Next came the dilemma – shall I stay with 458507 and clear it for 10 miles? It would have been simply rude to refuse so I simply stayed on board 458507 at Waterloo and had a good seat while the commuting masses surged on board on their way home. I wondered if any of them wanted to clear 458507 for 10 miles? As 458507+458512 were on a Windsor train that meant the train was fast from Putney to Richmond. Ideally I would have liked to bail at Barnes but I went through to Richmond. There was no need to risk the dodgy +1 across the platform at Twickenham as by Richmond 458507 had nicely tipped the 10 mile scales. Instead, I had a comfortable stroll over the footbridge to await the arrival of 450111+450124 on the next up Windsor.

I bailed from the Dessies at Clapham Junction and was intending to get a Southern service down to Balham and the tube onwards to Morden but as usual, GTR’s attitude towards timekeeping was extremely poor so when a 455+456+456 combo rolled in bound for Wimbledon, I selected that as my way out of The Junction – 5848+456009+456022 provided the traction. 5848 was one of four SWT 455s that I did not travel on in 2015. When I checked The Haulage Book, I had not travelled on it since for over four years (27 March 2012 being the last recorded journey). Both of the 456s were welcome as both were relatively low mileage. As I had just missed a Thameslink at Wimbledon, I made do with the bus for the final leg of the journey home.

So what of the evening. Target definitely achieved in eliminating all running 458s for haulage and membership of the Ten Mile Club. But for once, everything was positioned neatly – no long festers or me blaspheming at just seeing something go and not being able to grab it. Lady Luck was definitely on my side tonight. So that only leaves one five-car 458 to get – 458516 which has only recently return from Doncaster so probably will not be in traffic for a few weeks yet. I’ll have to find something different to do on the commute home – 378s perhaps?

 

[Kite159]

Congrats on getting 458507 into your book

 

[Techniquest]

Very nice work indeed, I'm green with envy as I need 28 458s! To have cleared all but one for 10 miles is also mighty fine going, it has to be said.

As for what to do in the meantime, until 458516 arrives? There must be a fair few options, but aside from 378s I'm currently drawing a blank. When I wake up properly I might have an idea, because the only other one I have right now is clearing the 387/1s for 10 miles before they leave Thameslink. Or clear out anything required from Liverpool Street, before new stock starts arriving?

 

[FQ]

Congrats on getting 507 in! I'm sure you'll be one of the first people to get 516 when it enters service!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Friday 8th April – East Midland Madness

The idea for this little outing came about following the realisation that a. I had not been to the East Midlands on a proper bashing trip since the summer of 2012 and b. I had never touched the Nottingham tram network. The Haulage Book indicated that I need 16 various EMT units along with a further 15 being required for 10 miles. Admittedly, I can pick up the 158s when I visit places such as Manchester but even then, I cannot clear them for 10 miles in one go. But the more embarrassing gap in the requirements is a sizeable number of 222s. Then you have to add in the fact that I have not had the majority of EMT’s HST fleet in a while – most were had many years ago when they sported Paxman Valenta power units rather than the VP185s that are now the power-plant of choice. It was a no brainer really and with the availability of some reasonably priced advanced up to the East Midlands and back and with HSTs booked both ways, the die was cast.

I agonised what to do all the way up to London - 51638+51639 on the Northern Line to Morden followed by 11091+11092 on the Victoria Line forward to Kings Cross St Pancras. Then I finally made the decision. The trams could wait and I’ll see whether I could track down anything from the East Midlands fleet. Kings Cross VTEC ticket office kindly issued me my East Midlands Day Ranger. Always handy to have your day rover in your hand ready for the first move once you arrive in the area of attack!

I made for the Platforms at St Pancras and my HST was already in with power cars 43054+43059 being supplied for the run north. Both were dud but I’d never had 43059 since in acquired its VP185 engine a while back so under my rules, I have to do it again. UI was also interested in the pair of 222s in the adjacent platform as they would split and then separately follow my train up the Midland Main Line. I wanted the one on the country end so that meant I’d be taking the HST up to Leicester. The run northwards was uneventful – the highlight being the sighting of all three red 387s on hire to Thameslink from GTR’s Gatwick Express operation. I left the HST behind at Leicester and after noting another couple of 222s (both sadly dud) my requirement rolled in - winning 222015 which I took to Ratcliffe Parkway, sorry East Midlands Parkway, for a shack score and also I got bored with the 222 as it had cleared 10 miles. While there was nothing else stopping for a while, that did not worry me as I was fairly certain I had another winner in the pipeline.

I started the day wanting nine East Midlands Trains 222s, three of which were the former Hull Trains four-car units. I’d already seen the one that I had previously had earlier in my travels so it was a case of covering the remaining four-car workings. After a reasonable wait, 222101 appeared on a Corby to Derby working - doing two PSUL moves in the process; Corby northwards to Manton Junction and then the Syston curve. Such trivia did not really concern me as I had another winner on my hands. Next stop Derby was fine for me as that would also see 222101 join the Ten Mile Club. We had a slow run into Derby, giving me a chance to have a good look at Etches Park Depot and the RTC on the opposite side of the line. Having shelled out for an East Midlands Day Ranger, the idea was to keep moving so I was already planning my next move.

A few minutes after I had alighted from the winning 222 at Derby, I was boarding 153357+153383. Sadly, both were dud but I was off to another winning shack at Duffield. Arriving at this convenient island platform, I had only a couple of minutes to make a mental note for the future of the interchange with the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway – useful if I want to pay a visit in the future. Then 153319+153379 rolled in to whisk me back to Derby but again this pair of Tin Rockets were again dud which prompted the question “Where are my EMT 153s lurking?” I left the 153 duo oat Derby and contemplated my next move. The next move did not take too much effort as soon after the 153s had cleared the platform, a winning 222011 followed up from Sheffield. I was “RA” Ratcliffe Parkway again.

I spent all of five minutes marvelling at the fact that I’d already hit three of my required 222s (and all for 10 miles as well) when my only mileage requirement 222 appeared heading for Derby and ultimately Sheffield. I’d only ever done a Bus Stop Bash with 222012 so a trip to Derby would see it nicely over 10 miles. I was now getting mindful of the time as within an hour there would be a four-car 222 working out of Nottingham so once I got to Derby, I decided not to mess around anymore and make for the Nottingham area. 153357+153383 [Ed: remember this pair of jokers from earlier?] provided a suitable conveyance. I bailed at Beeston and crossed over to the up platform. But I had a greater wait that I had budgeted for so time for a fill-in move. 158770 on a Lincoln to Leicester working provided the suitable “Get Out of Jail Free” card for a short leap to East Midlands Parkway. Six minutes after arriving at EM parkway, I was on the on the move back to Beeston aboard mileage requirement 156413. I would have liked to stay on to Nottingham in order to clear this particular unit for 10 miles but the prospect of a winning 222 took precedence. I bailed at Beeston and head over the footbridge, meeting a party of tipsy young ladies on the way. Given that my RSPB membership lapsed many years ago, I pressed on as the 222 was due in a minute. 222104 showed up a couple of minutes late but I was not concerned as I had a winner on my hands – that’s number four of the day. Given my awful luck in getting the four-car 222s on previous East Midlands visits, I had to get the requisite 10 miles on the clock so that meant a trip to Loughborough. I had a few minutes to look around Loughborough before anything was due. It had been a while since I was last here and the first thing that struck me was that the platforms had been extended northwards. Secondly was the installation of ticket barriers – not in the old station building but in a “greenhouse” at the side of the station building. Despite the very firm announcement on 222104 that the barriers were in operation, there was not a member of staff to be seen!

Within minutes, 222017 appeared from the London direction – winner number five. I felt compelled to revisit Derby yet again so hopped on, not realising what lay ahead. We progressed at a reasonable rate but were slowed by signals in the Spondon area. No problem as soon we were on our way again into Derby. That’s when I realised that I had made a bad move – I’d heard a couple of railwaymen talking about some problem at Derby with London-bound trains but not appreciated what the problem was. Anyway Derby station was in chaos – the PA was advising that the line towards Nottingham & Leicester was blocked due to a broken down train and that seemed to completely foul up Derby station. One platform was full of Cross Country 170s, another had several East Midlands Trains 156s. I made the decision to get out as quick as I could but on what? 158866, while dud, heading towards Crewe seemed attractive as I wanted all the intermediate shacks to Stoke. The train was already late so I knew that I would not make the normal crossover point of Tutbury and Hatton, especially with a level crossing and staggered platforms so I opted to stay on as far as Blythe Bridge – our lateness meant Longton was a bit dodgy.

It was a complete miss at Tutbury – an unidentified 153 sped past about half a mile out of Tutbury. So rather than incur an hours wait, I went on a shack bash with Blythe Bridge succumbing. I had about seven or eight minutes here so Longton would have been a definite no. Dud 153308 took me on my way to Uttoxter which seemed to be a sleepy little station although I would imagine that with the adjacent racecourse, it might come alive on racedays. 153308 was one of those long term absentees from The Haulage Book – its previous (and only) appearance being in April 2002 when I had it from Bristol Temple Meads to Bath Spa. I had around 15 minutes to swap platforms as the next Crewe bound service was coming through slightly late – but not sufficiently late to endanger my first ever visit by rail to Longton. I reckoned that it would be about a +5. 153321 showed up several minutes down and I climbed on board. The run to Longton seemed to last only a few minutes and before I knew it I was stumbling down the stairs at Longton and over to the opposite platform to get back towards Derby. RTT was telling me that things were on the move again at Derby so I made the decision to stick with 158866 on the uneventful run back to Derby. The train was one of the few that stopped at Peartree and I did contemplate bagging the shack but opted to leave that for another day.

Derby was still a little chaotic but somewhat better than earlier. Immediately on arrival at Derby, Cross Country’s 170105 attracted my attention. This low mileage unit was there for the taking – it would have been simply rude to refuse it so I leapt aboard and worked out my next move. Passing Etches Park Depot, I noticed 222001 with a large number of orange clad folk staring at it. I wonder whether that was the unit that had caused all the chaos earlier? My calculations showed that we’d be just ahead of 156413 at Beeston and I only needed a Bus Stop Bash to nudge it over 10 miles. With 170105 now well over 10 miles, I bailed at Beeston. 156413 was only a few minutes behind but the run into Nottingham was at best a stagger. In amongst all the chaos at Derby earlier, I had seen what I thought was a required Cross Country 170 – flicking through RTT revealed that it might be on its way back to Nottingham and if so, I had about 10 minutes to get to Beeston for it. Thankfully a Newark to Matlock service was departing in a couple of minutes so I cambered onto 153319+153379 for a second time today and took the short run out to Beeston.

I knew that I had only a few minutes to get over the bridge at Beeston and from the top of the bridge, I could already see the 170 in the distance. I was slightly disappointed when 170523 rolled in but that disappointment did not last long as winning 170115 was tagging along for the ride! OK, the short three mile and a bit run with 170115+170523 into Nottingham still leaves me having to get '115 again but at least it has now been scratched off of one list! With less than an hour to go before I was due to catch my HST back to London, I looked for one last move. A dud 158846 was not the first choice until I realised that there was a potential shack score in it for me. So on we jumped for another three mile ride, except this time we headed east to Netherfield. Leaving the train at this shack-score, I had about 15 minutes for a short amble over to Carlton and another shack score. There’s no prizes for guessing which units were on hand to take me back to Nottingham – megadud (and that's just for today) 153357+153383!

With the bash now effectively over, I had about 10 minutes to dash outside the station to raid Tesco for supplies for the journey back to London. As I returned to the station, I curded to myself as 156415, my last EMT 156 was begging me to join it but had a booked train so there’ll be another time for that one. EMT had provided 43064+43082. Both of these power cars were long term absentees from The Haulage Book and also required for VP185 engines. 43064 last appeared in The Haulage Book way back in May 1987 when I had it new from St Pancras to Leicester while 43082’s last entry was more recent (July 2004, Derby to Leicester). So I sat back and enjoyed the HST comfort all the way back to The Smoke, recording a reasonably early arrival. But that unfortunately did not translate into an equally early arrival back home – it took over an hour from alighting the HST to tumbling through the front door. For the record 11079+11080 did the honours on the Victoria Line before 51611 plus friend took me south to Morden.

I reflected on the day’s proceedings. Six winners wasn’t too bad a haul for the day. Add in seven new shacks and eight more units pushed over then 10 mile barrier, it all added up to a reasonable day out. And of course a few long-term absentees made it back into The Haulage Book and three power cars were scored for vp185 engines. Yes, not the highest scoring day out and I was slightly disappointed not to collar at least one or two Tin Rockets but that’s bashing!

And here’s the obligatory table of the day’s moves –

LU 51638+51639 Morden -> Stockwell ---
LU 11091+11092 Stockwell -> Kings Cross, St Pancras ---
43054+43059 St Pancras International -> Leicester 43059 new with VP185 power unit
222015 Leicester -> East Midlands Parkway WINNER, cleared for 10 miles
222101 East Midlands Parkway -> Derby WINNER, cleared for 10 miles
153357+153383 Derby -> Duffield ---
153319+153379 Duffield -> Derby ---
222011 Derby -> East Midlands Parkway WINNER, cleared for 10 miles
222012 East Midlands Parkway -> Derby Cleared for 10 miles
153357+153383 Derby -> Beeston ---
158770 Beeston -> East Midlands Parkway ---
156413 East Midlands Parkway -> Beeston ---
222104 Beeston -> Loughborough WINNER, cleared for 10 miles
222017 Loughborough -> Derby WINNER, cleared for 10 miles
158866 Derby -> Blythe Bridge ---
153308 Blythe Bridge -> Uttoxeter ---
153321 Uttoxeter -> Longton ---
158866 Longton -> Derby ---
170105 Derby -> Beeston Cleared for 10 miles
156413 Beeston -> Nottingham Cleared for 10 miles
153319+153379 Nottingham -> Beeston ---
170115+170523 Beeston -> Nottingham WINNER
158846 Nottingham -> Netherfield ---
153357+153383 Carlton -> Nottingham ---
43064+43082 Nottingham -> St Pancras International Both = new with VP185 power unit
LU 11079+11080 Kings Cross, St Pancras -> Stockwell ---
LU 51611+??? Stockwell -> Morden ---
Milestones
Winners 170115, 222011, 222015, 222017, 222101, 222104
Cleared for 10 miles 156413, 170105, 222011, 222012, 222015, 222017, 222101, 222104
New for VP 185 power units 43059, 46064, 43082
New Shacks Blythe Bridge, Carlton, Duffield, East Midlands Parkway, Longton, Netherfield, Uttoxeter

 

[Techniquest]

You had a good day there, that's for sure! Appalled at your 222 requirements? I need 13 of them, 2 of them being /1s, so I'm doing much worse than you are! I also needed 3 of your 153s there, I too have awful luck on them when I go up there so I sympathise with you having scored no 153s.

Loved the RSPB comment, might be nicking that for use in my own trip report on Saturday.

I do believe Blythe Bridge and Longton are shacks Kite hasn't done yet, achieving those before him is perhaps worthy of note!

As always, an excellent read good sir.

 

[FQ]

Sounds like a great day in the East Midlands! Very jammy with 43082 at the end of the day though - it's one of my last 2 EMT powercars!

 

[noddy1878]

Great day on the East Mids! I will be up that way in May and hoping to do an East Midlands Day Ranger. But I am also seriously tempted by a good session on the trams in Nottingham. I think I would be pushing my luck with the missus if I tried to do both on separate days!

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a rather good day in the East Midlands

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Sunday 10th April 2016 – A Bit of Valley Bashing

After Friday’s ramblings around the East Midlands, I took a day off from cranking (to spend time with Mrs KJ on her day off) only to re-emerge into the cranking world bright and early on Sunday morning. April looks set to be a relatively busy month so expect a flurry of trip reports in the coming weeks. Today I was going to do something different to the norm – I rarely venture far on a Sunday mainly on account of there being chores of some description to undertake but a careful stint of planning meant that this week was completely clear. So I set off from home at the unusually early hour of 08:15 [Ed: that’s late for a weekday but definitely early for a Sunday] and set the compass for Kings Cross. 1995ts 51638+51639 was provided for the northbound trip from Morden to Stockwell – it was only when I entered things up in The Haulage Book that evening, did I realise that my previous trip out of Morden was on the very same set. Switching to the Victoria Line at Stockwell, ultra-low mileage 2009ts 11063+11064 took me on to Kings Cross St Pancras where I arrived somewhat earlier than planned and had almost half an hour to wait for my desired train northwards from Kings Cross.

I spent the time wandering around the station photographing VTEC HSTs and a VTEC 91 before boarding 43296+43319 which were bound for Aberdeen. However, I was only going as far as the first stop and thankfully so – the train was rather full and seats were hard to come by. Fortunately, I had espied a vacant but reserved seat and occupied it. Don’t worry, the reservation applied from Peterborough where I was alighting. 45 minutes after leaving The Cross, I was alighting at Peterborough and while I have passed through the station on many an occasion, it’s been around three or four years since I have actually alighted here. Let’s say, platforms 5 and 6 did not exist when I was last on the ground here. If you haven’t guessed already, today’s target was the Nene Valley’s diesel gala. Virgin territory for me. I had been tempted by the array of motive power that was available and I had seven potential winners but the difficulty was going to be fitting them all in.

First of all, I had to find the Nene Valley Railway. Thankfully, the walk was not too difficult and I popped into the ASDA store en route for some additional provisions. I arrived at Peterborough Nene Valley station just as 31452 was about to run round. Parting with 24 of my hard-earned pounds for a day rover, I made my way onto the platform to watch 31452 complete its run-round and a few minutes late, we were off and I had my first winner in the book. 31452 was only one of three 31s still in existence that I still need – the other two being 31018 which is incarcerated in the NRM and 31289 which is operational but failed to make last week’s event at the Spa Valley. I’m assured that it will eventually get to the Spa Valley later this year so hopefully not too long before I am down to one non-razor blade Ped.

It was not long before 31452 ground to a halt at Orton Mere and I discovered that I was effectively parked under a motorway. Lovely! And here we sat for almost 15 minutes before 56006+56098 appeared. This was when I discovered that an earlier operating problem (failed points I was told) caused the whole service to be running 20 minutes late. At least, old BR timekeeping standards were being preserved! In normal circumstances, a pair of grids would beat a 31. However, there was a “but”. The “but” being that I wanted to get down the line to Wansford for a winning Teddy Bear – and that particular Teddy Bear was shortly to make its last run of the day, and indeed the weekend. Trundling on through Ferry Meadows, we eventually arrived at Nene Valley HQ, aka Wansford. Most bashers immediately bailed over the footbridge and onto the continental stock hauled by 50008 – and again I would certainly have contemplated such a move but a bright blue Teddy Bear was restraining me!

Wansford seemed a hive of activity with the depot yard being well placed adjacent to the station with numerous viewing/photographic points available to admire the comings and goings. D9529 was already coming off shed along with 31271 which was to tail the train. Last time I had seen D9529 it was numbered somewhat futuristically as 14029 and working on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link construction site at Beechbrook Farm near Ashford several many years ago. Once 50008 had cleared the station, 31452 came off the set of Mark 1 carriages and was replaced by D9529 as train engine with 31271 on the rear. While it was only just over a mile to Yarwell Junction, the Teddy Bear seemed to be on full thrash for almost all of the one and a bit mile journey. After a brief pause, the train returned to Wansford, this time with 31271 providing the power. The Ped was not as loud as the Teddy Bear but all the same, it was more than just “audible” from where I was sat - in the middle of the five/six coach train.

Back at Wansford, the Teddy Bear dropped off the back of the train and continued with the NVR’s resident Ped thrashing and staggering its way along the Nene Valley’s main line. I’d had enough of this dud Ped by the time we had reached Ferry Meadows so I bailed, along with around half of the train. 31271 was dud although I had only had it once before and that was way back on 12 June 1982 from Yarmouth to Norwich on the Saturday Only through train to Leeds. A short wait ensued while the Ped made its way up to Orton Mere and before long, Thunderer appeared. I’d not sampled a 50 in many a year although at one time I went everywhere behind 50s. 50008 made light work of the continental coach set and before long, the train was back at Wansford. It was almost thirty years ago to the day when I last sampled Thunderer [Ed: was it really that long ago?] – 17 April 1986 to be precise on the 09:10 Waterloo to Exeter service and whilst not my favourite 50, it was still good to add another few miles to number 8’s tally.

Back at Wansford, I was fully expecting the next Peterborough-bound service to be released as soon as Thunderer had landed in the platform but the staff held the train until all the bashers had trooped over the footbridge to join the mark 3 set with 66768 and 41001 at the helm. Well done to the NVR for holding the connection even though the service was still 20 late with no prospect of pulling any time back. This practice was repeated throughout the day every time a train arrived at Wansford - well done to the NVR as I could name other heritage lines who would deliberately let trains go early in order to disrupt intensive bashing. Both 66768 and 41001 were winners [Ed: a bit obvious in the case of 66768 seeing as it had never worked before] although I did ride the prototype HST back in the mid-1970s but I never recorded the journey. It was certainly good to get behind a Valenta-engined power-car again – the screaming of the engine is something that you don’t get with the current power units in HSTs. 66768 could occasionally be heard yinging away at the head of the train but I’m assured that it was under power! After trundling all the way to Peterborough, I alight to watch 66768 run round and hopefully get a few snaps. Then it’s back on the train with 66768 the sole source of motive power this time – I’m sitting in the comfy first open; it looks fantastic from the outside but there’s still some work to do inside.

Having got dangerously close to lunchtime, and a late lunch at that, it’s time to crack open the sarnies acquired from ASDA earlier on. Quite nice they were as well but then I realised that I was rather short on drinking matter so I amble up to the buffet car and relieve them of a nice pint of Oakham Ales cider. And very nice it was too! After the obligatory wait in the loop at Orton Mere we progress onwards to Wansford where again, the next train out is held to ensure that everyone who wanted it was able to get over the bridge.

I was over the bridge before the hordes and straight on to the Mark 1 set again with 60066 on the front with 31271 coupled inside to act as translator. I’d only ever had three Do’nuts before today and when I first saw the roster, I thought that 60066 was dud but once I had checked the records, it was the numerically similar 60068 that had entered The Haulage Book many years ago. I opted for another return trip to Peterborough, sitting back with 60066+31271 up front and enjoying the quiet throb of the Tug being interrupted at times by the Ped driver getting bored and putting some Ped thrash into the equation. Again at Peterborough, I jumped off to watch the run round and grab some snaps before returning to the Mark 1 open that I found so comfortable and reminiscent of travel from days gone by. With 60066+31271 back on the front of the train we departed once more for Wansford. Again the Tug was doing most of the work although the Ped did not want to be left out of the action so again the Tug was drowned out by sporadic bouts of the Ped thrashing away.

Back at Wansford, it was time for yet another traipse over the footbridge – this time to join 31452 on the continental set for a short and very uneventful spin up to Ferry Meadows where I bailed. After the obligatory 10 minute wait while the train went on to Orton Mere to cross the in-bound service. Having racked up five winners already today, I was about to get number six in the shape of 56098 at the head of the Mark three set. Grids had been absent from The Haulage Book for far too long – in fact Griddage was required for the 21st century. I’d only ever logged 13 Grids before so it was especially good to move on to number 14. Again I opted for the comfort of the first open but I could clearly hear the Grid up front. The train paused at Wansford for 10-15 minutes while a Peterborough bound train departed and 56006 was attached to the rear. Then it was off to Yarwell Junction again.

56006, my seventh and final winner of the day, piloted 41001 back to Wansford where 56098 should have been detached from the rear. However, it stayed on the train although not powering. 56006 left Wansford in fine style but it was clear that all was not well with the blue Grid as around two miles out of Wansford, the train ground to a halt and after a few minutes, 41001 which was coupled inside the Grid was fired up. The prototype HST power car then proceeded to pull the train (and push the dead Grid) all the way to Peterborough. But at least I had managed some haulage off of 56066 before it died!

At Peterborough, I left the train (and the Nene Valley Railway) for the walk back to the main line station. I discovered that my selected service back to London was around 20 late but I just camped out on the platforms until 43277+43314 arrived. The train was absolutely heaving but I managed to get on at the rear but there was absolutely no chance of a seat. At least it would be only 45 minutes back to Kings Cross – I’d imagine that some folk were standing for a lot longer. At Kings Cross, I made for the Victoria Line where I had low-mileage 11071+11072 to Stockwell followed by 51584+51585 to Morden. I reflected on the day – was it worth it, having spent £46 on fares? A resounding yes, especially as I managed to get no less than seven winning locos along with a reunion with 50008 Thunderer. The highlight has to be though, the return of Griddage to The Haulage Book after an absence of almost 18 years! The Nene Valley seems like a well-run, customer orientated railway and that alone will ensure that I’ll be making a return visit again at gala-time as I am sure that there’ll be more winners at future events. All in all, a grand day out if by my standards, a shade on the expensive side (anything over about £30 is normally “expensive” by my frugal standards).

Just in case you got lost here is a table of the day’s moves -

LU 51638+51639 Morden -> Stockwell ---
LU 11063+11064 Stockwell -> Kings Cross, St Pancras ---
43296+43319 Kings Cross -> Peterborough ---
31452 Peterborough Nene Valley -> Wansford WINNER
9529 Wansford -> Yarwell Juncftion WINNER
31271 Yarwell Juncftion -> Wansford ---
31271 Wansford -> Ferry Meadows ---
50008 Ferry Meadows -> Wansford ---
41001+66768 Wansford -> Peterborough Nene Valley WINNER x 2
66768 Peterborough Nene Valley -> Wansford Cleared for 10 miles
31271+60066 Wansford -> Peterborough Nene Valley 60066 = WINNER
31271+60067 Peterborough Nene Valley -> Wansford 60066 = cleared for 10 miles
31452 Wansford -> Ferry Meadows ---
56098 Ferry Meadows -> Wansford WINNER
56098 Wansford -> Yarwell Juncftion ---
41001+56006 Yarwell Juncftion -> Wansford WINNER
41001+56006 Wansford -> Peterborough Nene Valley 41001 cleared for 10 miles, 56006 failed en route at Lynch Bridge
43277+43314 Peterborough -> Kings Cross ---
LU 11071+11072 Kings Cross, St Pancras -> Stockwell ---
LU 51584+51585 Stockwell -> Morden ---

Milestones
Winners D9529, 31452, 41011, 56006, 56098, 60066, 66768
Cleared for 10 miles 41001, 60066, 66768
New Shacks Ferry Meadows, Peterborough (Nene Valley), Wansford, Yarwell Junction

 

[noddy1878]

I agree it was a good gala. I also agree that it was a little pricey but it can't be cheap putting on these gala's. We used the Great Northern service as it was cheaper. Ok its 25 mins longer but quite a bit cheaper at about £18 for a return from KGX. Glad you enjoyed the grids! I think most people did.

 

[AJM580]

Enjoyed both your trip reports as always. An East Midlands Day Rover is on my to do list at some point, as there's some annoying 153/156s I need to knock off. The NVR gala was a good bash - went on Saturday and really enjoyed it.

 

[FQ]

The NVR is a very good railway although I agree it was slightly expensive. Is everyone going out of their way to get my last few required power cars? You got one of my last 3 VTEC ones (43296) from Kings Cross to Peterborough!

 

[55013]

Outstanding couple of days there.
I love the NVR.
One of my favourite railway memories is of one Autumn evening, standing in a MK1 compo with my head out of the window, whilst the train waited at Orton Mere for another to pass.
It was 25 (25057, I think) and it was steaming.
Listening to the rat gently tick over and watching the steam escaping from between the coaches was a glorious few minutes, proving that they don't have to be moving to be entertaining

 

[Techniquest]

Well jealous of the NVR bash, I wish I could have gone. Jealous too of 43319, one of just 2 VTEC power cars that I need.

All this preserved action recently has got me wanting to play catch up! Grid haulage has been missing from my own books since 2009, Huddersfield to Bristol Temple Meads with 56311+56312. Far too long ago...

 

[FQ]

All this preserved action recently has got me wanting to play catch up! Grid haulage has been missing from my own books since 2009, Huddersfield to Bristol Temple Meads with 56311+56312. Far too long ago...

That one move would be at least 10 times higher than my grid mileage overall!

 

[Kite159]

I probably would have used Great Northern as well, not quite as fast, but makes a better noise in the motor coach (and at least you would have had a seat for the run southbound)

Sounded like a good day at the Nene valley, one of the few heritage lines I've done [all be it on an EMT HST]!

 

[andyb2706]

Great read. It's really getting me in the spirit for the SVR Diesel Gala next month as there is a whole lot of diesel locos going to be present. My hotel is already booked for the entire event.

 

[Techniquest]

Jealous Andy, I can't get to the SVR for it

Where's next for you Keith?

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Tuesday 12th April – A bit of luck

Leaving work at my normal hour, I contemplated what to do. Shall I head home and if not where shall I head for? I’d had nothing planned so it was a spur of the moment decision that saw me head for the Jubilee Line with the aim of going up to West Hampstead and playing with the North London Line for an hour or so. I quietly cursed that I just missed a train as I approached the platform but within a minute another appeared. The luck of the Irish or what? It was almost three months ago [Ed: 13th January to be precise] that I had secured my 125th Jubilee Line set for 10 miles and there was only the dreaded 96091 to get. I had even contemplated sitting on West Hampstead in the evening peak for an hour or so in the vain hope that I got lucky but all that was now out of the window as I was about to board it out of necessity.

The journey up to West Hampstead would see 96091 tip the 10 mile scales around St Johns Wood/Swiss Cottage so that’s another tube stock where every member is now on ten miles or more – joining the 1995ts, the 1972ts (mark II variant only) D78 stock and 1967ts where each unit has already long attained such hallowed status. The 2009ts will be next by my reckoning but after that, it’ll be anyone’s guess.

Anyway, back to the task in hand. Despite my spending a lot of December playing with 378s, I still want most of the 378/2s for 10 miles as five-cars (and three ore still needed outright so any dent that I can make in that number is all very welcome. As I got to West Hampstead, I missed 378221 by a whisker – to put it simply, the volume of people coming up the stairs off of 378221 was around ten times as many as those trying to get down the stairs. There was simply no contest. I unfortunately was on the losing side. I then switched allegiances to the other (westbound) platform where I had only a couple of minutes before 378234 rolled in. This time, I did not have to do battle on the stairs as I was already in position – in actual fact despite it being the height of the evening peak, I secured a seat straight away as so many folk in the rear car wanted to bail at West Hampstead. By Willesden Junction, 378234 had been successful with its application to join the Ten Mile Club so I jumped off. 378230 was rolling in on the opposite platform and despite the train shedding a good number of people it was difficult to squeeze on but somehow, I did manage to find a few square inches. I wanted a decent mileage off of this one so had to go all the way to Canonbury before I could admit this one to the Ten Mile Club. I hopped over the footbridge and within a couple of minutes, 378233 was trundling in and again it was a) wedged and b) a reasonable run was required. The former was rectified at Highbury & Islington where it seemed about 75% of the train evacuated and the latter conundrum was solved by staying on to Kensal Rise. I leapt here and was contemplating the next move when I realised the next unit up was 378221 which was also Clapham Junction bound. A trip to Clapham Junction would definitely sort out ‘221’s membership of the Ten Mile Club and also point me in the direction of home.

Not wanting to get entangled with Southern at Clapham Junction, I decided on the Wimbledon+bus route home especially as there were two 455+456+456 combos due. The first one rolls in with 5847+456002+456010. I was particularly pleased to see 5847 as that, along with 5848 was one of a handful of SWT 455s that I never managed to ride in 2015 (the others being the two AC conversion units 5732 and 5870). In fact, 5847 had eluded me since the early days of 2014. All too son, I was bailing at Wimbledon and with a noticeable wait for a Thameslink, the bus won the day. I reflected on the evening’s travels. The highlight has to be the bagging of 96091 and clearing it for 10 miles and in the process every 1996ts set is now over 10 miles (some sets are now approaching 50 miles) but also I was able to completely knock four more 378s off of my lists and reacquaint myself with 5848 after a period of over two years. All in all, a good couple of hours.