jayalongtheway
Member
- Joined
- 31 Oct 2015
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- 241
Keith, i don't wear a cap but if I did you could consider it doffed! Another great achievement, well done.
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Keith goes wandering
- Thread starter Keith Jarrett
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Kite159
Veteran Member
Congratulations on the 96 stock being cleared for 10 miles 
I'm surprised the W&C stock hasn't reached all cleared for 10 miles, although it would get boring going back and forward between Waterloo & Bank
I'm surprised the W&C stock hasn't reached all cleared for 10 miles, although it would get boring going back and forward between Waterloo & Bank
Last edited:
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Many congratulations on clearing the Jubilee line sets for 10 miles, and some extremely good fortune on the 378s too! Not even slightly jealous...
I might be in London at the moment, but I won't be doing any serious bashing sadly on this occasion. I really need to change that as soon as possible, but a new bed has to take priority!
I might be in London at the moment, but I won't be doing any serious bashing sadly on this occasion. I really need to change that as soon as possible, but a new bed has to take priority!
andyb2706
Member
I would never want to live in London, too much of a Northern boy but when I do read your reports especially like your last one with the choices you have I do have a touch of envy and for a brief moment I wish I did live in London.
Congrats on the Jubilee 10.
Congrats on the Jubilee 10.
Keith Jarrett
Member
Friday 15th April – Another Day, Another Gala
It was a chance conversation with a fellow enthusiast a while back along with some encouragement elsewhere on this forum that made me decide that today, I would be heading for the Bluebell’s diesel gala. Why else would I stay in the south east with the whole day at my disposal? I was tempted by the potential cast list that would be on offer with the prospect of only one dud loco. While it was a long time ago that I cleared all the 73s to make TOPS numbers (I of course missed E6027 which succumbed to accident damage in the early 1970s), the 73/9s are in effect new locos in old bodyshells as far as I am concerned.
Leaving home a little earlier than I would usually do for work, I made for London Bridge on the Northern Line (51607+51608 for the record). I purchased an extension to my Travelcard to enable me to get to East Grinstead and was pleasantly surprised at the cost. I had deliberately timed my arrival at London Bridge so that I could cover the peak-hour class 171 workings as amazingly I still need two of the two-car variants. Walking onto the platform, I could hardly believe my eyes. On the rear of the train was 171728. So one down and only one left. I boarded 171728+171805 for the run down to East Croydon, unusually stopping at Norwood Junction. I sat in 171728 of course and by East Croydon, 171728 had not only been struck from my wanted list, it had also disappeared from the 10-mile list. Job Done!
At East Croydon, I covered the next up working off the Uckfield line as that might also contain a two-car 171. It did but not the one I was seeking so I went outside to watch the trams for half an hour or so just in case my last one was out to play. But in the half hour or so that I was there, I did not see 2556 and neither did I even get a sniff of the other three that I needed for 10 miles. As they say, after the Lord Mayors Show comes the dung cart!
I retreated back to East Croydon station just in time to board an East Grinstead train formed of 377304+377307+377316+377328. As with all 377s, I had four dud units on my hands but I did not expect anything else! The only points of note were that 377304 was my last three-car 377 to be scored as a winner (2 February 2008 on a Bus Stop Bash from Clapham Junction to Victoria) and 377316 is my highest mileage 377. I’d last ventured down the East Grinstead Branch many, many years ago; The Haulage Book records the only visit as taking place on 7 April 1979 on The Southern Invader railtour with 50016 at the helm. Long before 50s were common on any parts of the Southern, this tour pioneered visits by a class 50 to many parts of Surrey.
The train seemed to be mainly populated with visitors to the Bluebell gala by the time it reached East Grinstead; probably by about a ratio of 10:1. All the cranks made a beeline for the Bluebell’s booking office, shelling out the vast sum of 25 notes for the privilege of a day’s travelling up and down the former steam stronghold. Making my way to the platform, the first regular service was already in the platform and the staff were in the process of uncoupling 47739. With Robin successfully placed in the run round loop, it was the turn of 73136 to come off. It had been many years since I had heard an English Electric 4SRKT engine close up and it still sounded as good as ever. But what I could not get my head around was the name Mhairi that had been applied to the loco – as far as I am concerned 73136 will always be named Kent Youth Music! I know that GBRf have the policy of naming some of their locos, particularly their EDs after members of staff but what about bringing back a few traditional names too?
The ground staff were obviously still learning the ropes as the run round operation seemed to take ages with much conversing between various staff members on GBRf drivers taking place. Eventually 47739+73136 got there and the gala was underway with 47739 powering although at one point the ED could be heard throbbing away. At Kingscote, another train was passed but I was so deep in conversation with some fellow bashers, I did not even note what was on it. But I need not have worried as I’d be having everything that was on offer during the day. 47739 was technically sort of a hit for me as my only previous trip with it was back in 1981 when it was a Laira steamer wearing the number 47035. At the very minimum it was a renumbering hit! 73136 was a slightly different proposition as I had had it twice (1980 and 1984) on the South Western Main Line out of Waterloo. All too soon, we reached Horsted Keynes where the 47 was removed in favour of a pair of 20s.
I could have stayed on the train and sampled the 20s but I opted for some more modern motive power as 73964 was rolling in heading back for East Grinstead on London Underground’s 4TC set. The TC set was painted in some weird livery which I could only deduce was intended to represent wooden panelled stock. The rebuilt ED was definitely being thrashed (or do they sound like that all the time?) and it sounded much better than some of the tripe that has been around in recent years (I’m thinking GM here). The game was get all the locos first before seeing if there was any time left to play or work on mileage accumulation. So having enjoyed four miles of “new ED” thrash, I bailed at Kingscote and by now the weather was beginning to close in. I thought it slightly humorous that there was a notice advertising the presence of a picnic area although I later learned that there was a beer tent closeted in said picnic area. But I was more interested in keeping my red pen busy as 66770 came in heading south with 73119 tucked inside for company. 66770 was obviously a line in the book unlike 73119 which was the very first ED that I had the privilege of Red-penning way back in 1978 when it worked The Whistler railtour from Eastbourne to Brighton. And until today, that was the only time that I’d ever had 73119.
All too soon it was time to leave these two locos behind as we were back at Horsted Keynes and I had another new loco lined up. First I watched the 66 being removed in favour of 47739. “That will please the Duff Bashers” I pondered. Apologies to any Brush men out there but Sulzer engined Type 4s are simply not my favourite fruit although give me a 47 over a 45/46 any day. Then it was time to take my seat in the observation saloon for some rod action – welcome 09018 to the show. This was taken down to Sheffield Park where we all bailed over the bridge for a second run with 47739 with 73119 coupled inside. This was simply a means to an end as I needed to get up the line for some more red pen action. I overheard some visitors comment that 73107 which spent all day sitting at Horsted Keynes was highly required - I was given to understand it was acting as Thunderbird for the day and would only come out to play if there was a failure. I wryly thought that if GBRf could name a loco Tracy then they ought to name another one Sharon.
Alighting at Kingscote, it was not long before 20901+20905+73136 appeared out of the gloom. Two more new locos for me and in the process they became my 98th and 99th winning class 20s. [Ed: I wonder what the 100th one will be?] The choppers were on top form and with the rain coming down quite hard now and some of the rails being slightly on the greasy side that could only mean one thing – Thrash! As usual, there was a loco change at Horsted Keynes where the 20s gave way to 66770. I stayed on with the aim of clocking a few more miles with the GM thing. But I opted not to return from Sheffield Park. Instead, the 09 was sent out on another spin with the observation car so along with around 70 or 80 bashers we all bailed into the single observation car. Not everyone got a seat to enjoy 09018 and the guard remarked that he’d never seen the obbo car so full. With another 4+ miles of rod action in the book I bailed at Horsted Keynes to await the return of 66770+73136. I had a quick browse around the sales stands but nothing took my fancy apart from a 2017 calendar, courtesy of GBRf.
Then it was time to get back on the rails with 66770+73136 up to Kingscote for a quick stroll through the subway. In rolled 73964 for some more rebuilt ED thrash back to Horsted Keynes – the noise through West Hoathley Tunnel was excellent. On arrival back at Horsted Keynes, the 20s were coming the other way and so the last entry in The Haulage Book before I regained the national network was 20901+20905+73119 Horsted Keynes -> East Grinstead. Upon arrival at East Grinstead there was about 20 minutes before the next train out so in the pouring rain, I watched the locos run round and marvelled that a loco in its 55th year (20901 having been delivered in 1961) was still sounding so sweet. But I was time to bid the Bluebell farewell and head north. Southern provided 377145+377203+377446 to take me to East Croydon where left the rail network and walked outside with the aim of going into town. There was a tram coming along so it would have been rude to refuse it, even though it was a Bus Stop Bash down to George Street with 2549. Here I retreated to The George and met my old mate Marcus for a few jars. For the ale enthusiasts I sampled Exmoor Gold, Dark Star Revelation and Sambrook’s Red Ale before we finished, as ever, on the top shelf. Annoyingly, as I was leaving, a few new ales including one from Tillngbourne , were being put on. Oh well another time. I bid farewell to Marcus who was headed back up to East Croydon as I could see a tram coming along bound for Wimbledon. A dud 2555 became the last entry in The Haulage Book for the day although there was the bus journey home from Morden Road to complete the day’s travels.
I cast my mind over the day and considered it to be a good one despite the poor weather with a new 171 (only 727 left now) and five new locos to add into the books. Three locos managed to top 10 miles as well (20901, 20905 and 66770) along with 171728. I’d definitely do another gala at the Bluebell. Timekeeping was exemplary, all “connections” were held, the staff professional yet accommodating towards diesel enthusiasts. Not bad for a line which has a reputation for being up its own backside with nit’s near 100% steam only policy. I’ll be back!
It was a chance conversation with a fellow enthusiast a while back along with some encouragement elsewhere on this forum that made me decide that today, I would be heading for the Bluebell’s diesel gala. Why else would I stay in the south east with the whole day at my disposal? I was tempted by the potential cast list that would be on offer with the prospect of only one dud loco. While it was a long time ago that I cleared all the 73s to make TOPS numbers (I of course missed E6027 which succumbed to accident damage in the early 1970s), the 73/9s are in effect new locos in old bodyshells as far as I am concerned.
Leaving home a little earlier than I would usually do for work, I made for London Bridge on the Northern Line (51607+51608 for the record). I purchased an extension to my Travelcard to enable me to get to East Grinstead and was pleasantly surprised at the cost. I had deliberately timed my arrival at London Bridge so that I could cover the peak-hour class 171 workings as amazingly I still need two of the two-car variants. Walking onto the platform, I could hardly believe my eyes. On the rear of the train was 171728. So one down and only one left. I boarded 171728+171805 for the run down to East Croydon, unusually stopping at Norwood Junction. I sat in 171728 of course and by East Croydon, 171728 had not only been struck from my wanted list, it had also disappeared from the 10-mile list. Job Done!
At East Croydon, I covered the next up working off the Uckfield line as that might also contain a two-car 171. It did but not the one I was seeking so I went outside to watch the trams for half an hour or so just in case my last one was out to play. But in the half hour or so that I was there, I did not see 2556 and neither did I even get a sniff of the other three that I needed for 10 miles. As they say, after the Lord Mayors Show comes the dung cart!
I retreated back to East Croydon station just in time to board an East Grinstead train formed of 377304+377307+377316+377328. As with all 377s, I had four dud units on my hands but I did not expect anything else! The only points of note were that 377304 was my last three-car 377 to be scored as a winner (2 February 2008 on a Bus Stop Bash from Clapham Junction to Victoria) and 377316 is my highest mileage 377. I’d last ventured down the East Grinstead Branch many, many years ago; The Haulage Book records the only visit as taking place on 7 April 1979 on The Southern Invader railtour with 50016 at the helm. Long before 50s were common on any parts of the Southern, this tour pioneered visits by a class 50 to many parts of Surrey.
The train seemed to be mainly populated with visitors to the Bluebell gala by the time it reached East Grinstead; probably by about a ratio of 10:1. All the cranks made a beeline for the Bluebell’s booking office, shelling out the vast sum of 25 notes for the privilege of a day’s travelling up and down the former steam stronghold. Making my way to the platform, the first regular service was already in the platform and the staff were in the process of uncoupling 47739. With Robin successfully placed in the run round loop, it was the turn of 73136 to come off. It had been many years since I had heard an English Electric 4SRKT engine close up and it still sounded as good as ever. But what I could not get my head around was the name Mhairi that had been applied to the loco – as far as I am concerned 73136 will always be named Kent Youth Music! I know that GBRf have the policy of naming some of their locos, particularly their EDs after members of staff but what about bringing back a few traditional names too?
The ground staff were obviously still learning the ropes as the run round operation seemed to take ages with much conversing between various staff members on GBRf drivers taking place. Eventually 47739+73136 got there and the gala was underway with 47739 powering although at one point the ED could be heard throbbing away. At Kingscote, another train was passed but I was so deep in conversation with some fellow bashers, I did not even note what was on it. But I need not have worried as I’d be having everything that was on offer during the day. 47739 was technically sort of a hit for me as my only previous trip with it was back in 1981 when it was a Laira steamer wearing the number 47035. At the very minimum it was a renumbering hit! 73136 was a slightly different proposition as I had had it twice (1980 and 1984) on the South Western Main Line out of Waterloo. All too soon, we reached Horsted Keynes where the 47 was removed in favour of a pair of 20s.
I could have stayed on the train and sampled the 20s but I opted for some more modern motive power as 73964 was rolling in heading back for East Grinstead on London Underground’s 4TC set. The TC set was painted in some weird livery which I could only deduce was intended to represent wooden panelled stock. The rebuilt ED was definitely being thrashed (or do they sound like that all the time?) and it sounded much better than some of the tripe that has been around in recent years (I’m thinking GM here). The game was get all the locos first before seeing if there was any time left to play or work on mileage accumulation. So having enjoyed four miles of “new ED” thrash, I bailed at Kingscote and by now the weather was beginning to close in. I thought it slightly humorous that there was a notice advertising the presence of a picnic area although I later learned that there was a beer tent closeted in said picnic area. But I was more interested in keeping my red pen busy as 66770 came in heading south with 73119 tucked inside for company. 66770 was obviously a line in the book unlike 73119 which was the very first ED that I had the privilege of Red-penning way back in 1978 when it worked The Whistler railtour from Eastbourne to Brighton. And until today, that was the only time that I’d ever had 73119.
All too soon it was time to leave these two locos behind as we were back at Horsted Keynes and I had another new loco lined up. First I watched the 66 being removed in favour of 47739. “That will please the Duff Bashers” I pondered. Apologies to any Brush men out there but Sulzer engined Type 4s are simply not my favourite fruit although give me a 47 over a 45/46 any day. Then it was time to take my seat in the observation saloon for some rod action – welcome 09018 to the show. This was taken down to Sheffield Park where we all bailed over the bridge for a second run with 47739 with 73119 coupled inside. This was simply a means to an end as I needed to get up the line for some more red pen action. I overheard some visitors comment that 73107 which spent all day sitting at Horsted Keynes was highly required - I was given to understand it was acting as Thunderbird for the day and would only come out to play if there was a failure. I wryly thought that if GBRf could name a loco Tracy then they ought to name another one Sharon.
Alighting at Kingscote, it was not long before 20901+20905+73136 appeared out of the gloom. Two more new locos for me and in the process they became my 98th and 99th winning class 20s. [Ed: I wonder what the 100th one will be?] The choppers were on top form and with the rain coming down quite hard now and some of the rails being slightly on the greasy side that could only mean one thing – Thrash! As usual, there was a loco change at Horsted Keynes where the 20s gave way to 66770. I stayed on with the aim of clocking a few more miles with the GM thing. But I opted not to return from Sheffield Park. Instead, the 09 was sent out on another spin with the observation car so along with around 70 or 80 bashers we all bailed into the single observation car. Not everyone got a seat to enjoy 09018 and the guard remarked that he’d never seen the obbo car so full. With another 4+ miles of rod action in the book I bailed at Horsted Keynes to await the return of 66770+73136. I had a quick browse around the sales stands but nothing took my fancy apart from a 2017 calendar, courtesy of GBRf.
Then it was time to get back on the rails with 66770+73136 up to Kingscote for a quick stroll through the subway. In rolled 73964 for some more rebuilt ED thrash back to Horsted Keynes – the noise through West Hoathley Tunnel was excellent. On arrival back at Horsted Keynes, the 20s were coming the other way and so the last entry in The Haulage Book before I regained the national network was 20901+20905+73119 Horsted Keynes -> East Grinstead. Upon arrival at East Grinstead there was about 20 minutes before the next train out so in the pouring rain, I watched the locos run round and marvelled that a loco in its 55th year (20901 having been delivered in 1961) was still sounding so sweet. But I was time to bid the Bluebell farewell and head north. Southern provided 377145+377203+377446 to take me to East Croydon where left the rail network and walked outside with the aim of going into town. There was a tram coming along so it would have been rude to refuse it, even though it was a Bus Stop Bash down to George Street with 2549. Here I retreated to The George and met my old mate Marcus for a few jars. For the ale enthusiasts I sampled Exmoor Gold, Dark Star Revelation and Sambrook’s Red Ale before we finished, as ever, on the top shelf. Annoyingly, as I was leaving, a few new ales including one from Tillngbourne , were being put on. Oh well another time. I bid farewell to Marcus who was headed back up to East Croydon as I could see a tram coming along bound for Wimbledon. A dud 2555 became the last entry in The Haulage Book for the day although there was the bus journey home from Morden Road to complete the day’s travels.
I cast my mind over the day and considered it to be a good one despite the poor weather with a new 171 (only 727 left now) and five new locos to add into the books. Three locos managed to top 10 miles as well (20901, 20905 and 66770) along with 171728. I’d definitely do another gala at the Bluebell. Timekeeping was exemplary, all “connections” were held, the staff professional yet accommodating towards diesel enthusiasts. Not bad for a line which has a reputation for being up its own backside with nit’s near 100% steam only policy. I’ll be back!
Another excellent gala read! As I said to Tech, a line I've not done and was a nice little gala from what I have read. Unfortunately I cant do them all and having done the Nene, I still have Swanage and Severn to look forward too.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Top day out there Keith, and jammy so and so with the 20s! Glad I'm not the only one who enjoyed 73964. The thrash through the tunnel on it and 47739 was epic, but the 20s would have been jaw-dropping. I'm certain of that based on 20142 through Greet Tunnel on the Glos-Warks line.
Very nicely done on the 171 score, another fleet will soon be conquered!
Very nicely done on the 171 score, another fleet will soon be conquered!
Keith Jarrett
Member
Congratulations on the 96 stock being cleared for 10 miles
I'm surprised the W&C stock hasn't reached all cleared for 10 miles, although it would get boring going back and forward between Waterloo & Bank
Thanks for reminding me about the Drain. I've only had one ride in recent years so must do something about clocking up some mileage down there. By my reckoning, I'll need to do about 15-20 return trips to clear up all the stock for 10 miles. Disengage brain!
Keith Jarrett
Member
STOP PRESS .....
Breaking news. At around 18:00 tonight, I managed quite by chance to secure my last Croydon tram - 2556 - for haulage. On my way home, I was waiting at Wimbledon for the Thameslink up to St Helier and Stadler 2556 rolls into the new platform 10b. I simply had to have a ride, albeit a relatively short one, to Morden Road. At least that's something else I do not have to worry about. The 10 mile requirement can be dealt with when I am extremely bored and have nothing else to do.
Breaking news. At around 18:00 tonight, I managed quite by chance to secure my last Croydon tram - 2556 - for haulage. On my way home, I was waiting at Wimbledon for the Thameslink up to St Helier and Stadler 2556 rolls into the new platform 10b. I simply had to have a ride, albeit a relatively short one, to Morden Road. At least that's something else I do not have to worry about. The 10 mile requirement can be dealt with when I am extremely bored and have nothing else to do.
Looks like a great day at the Bluebell.
Interestingly 73119 was my (joint) first 73 as well - also on a class 40 tour but somewhat later than you - 31st August 1987 "The Desert Songster", 40122 was the main tour engine, with 73117 & 73119 working from Kensington Olympia to Waterloo via Barnes.
More happy memories
Congratulations on the Croydon trams.
Interestingly 73119 was my (joint) first 73 as well - also on a class 40 tour but somewhat later than you - 31st August 1987 "The Desert Songster", 40122 was the main tour engine, with 73117 & 73119 working from Kensington Olympia to Waterloo via Barnes.
More happy memories
Congratulations on the Croydon trams.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Nicely done on getting your last Croydon tram in the book good sir!
Kite159
Veteran Member
Congrats on your last Croydon Tram
And your 2nd last 171/7 and a good day on the bluebell
And your 2nd last 171/7 and a good day on the bluebell
Kristofferson
Member
- Joined
- 23 Nov 2012
- Messages
- 1,132
Wow what a catch up this was!
Nicely done with the 458s, good progress on the 222s, some quality heritage railway action and congrats on the tram!
I don't envy you bashing the Overground in peak though...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nicely done with the 458s, good progress on the 222s, some quality heritage railway action and congrats on the tram!
I don't envy you bashing the Overground in peak though...
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Keith Jarrett
Member
Saturday 16th April – Much Frothing in the North West
Straight after Friday’s jollifications, I’m out on the road again! [Ed: Something’s up here, KJ is going out on a Saturday!] This time I’m headed for Manchester with one of my friends but I won’t know which one until I get to Euston. Sounds odd doesn’t it? So let me explain. Two of my like-minded friends are a father and son outfit, Rex and Mark, whom I’ve previously mentioned in dispatches. While their particular focus is photography, we share a common interest of rail operations and as well we all take an interest in railways in their model form. When this particular trip was arranged, Rex and mark indicated that one of them would be joining me but that they’d keep me guessing up until the last moment as to whom I’d be meeting at Euston on the morning. I was expecting Mark to show up and on all accounts he was down for the trip until the previous day when Rex was delegated to join me as Mark was not feeling 100%.
Leaving home at silly o’clock, I made for Morden Underground station where 51721+51637 took me to Stockwell and a quick swap to the Victoria Line via the cross-platform interchange saw me board 11061+11062 for the onward journey to Euston. I soon identified Rex on the concourse – it was good to see him as our paths had not crossed for several weeks and there was loads to catch up on. Within minutes our train was platformed and expecting the usual dud Pendolino, we walked down the ramp with trepidation. When I saw that it was 390107, my initial reaction was that I had another dud on my hands despite still wanting no less than 12 of the extended version. Once we had found some seats, the first task was to check the lists. I was wrong and for once Virgin had made good use of my requirements list and sorted out something that I needed.
An uneventful run saw us speed northwards towards Stockport where we both bailed and purchased our tickets for the day’s travels. As Rex would be mainly photographing Northern DMU’s and EMUs, all he needed was a ticket that would allow travel to/from Piccadilly, Victoria and Salford Central whereas I needed a more exquisite product that allowed train and tram travel. 158770+158799 was the first train up at Stockport which suited both of us perfectly. 158770 was a repeat from the previous week’s jolly to Nottingham but 158799 was still under 10 miles - a run up to Piccadilly would easily solve that. I had a few minutes on the island platform at Piccadilly before 158862 tempted me back to Stockport as this was another unit that was deficient on mileage; a problem that was solved by the time Stockport was reached. I switched platforms via the dark subway and before long 150268+156466 materialised. 150268 was ultra-low mileage so a trip to Piccadilly would help me edge its mileage closer to 10. Maybe I’d catch up with it later in the day.
I wandered around Piccadilly but there was absolutely nothing to tempt me. There was only one thing to do; head downstairs and check out the Metrolink. As I arrived on the platform, the doors of 3037+3044 were closing but I was able to board, only just though and headed off towards Deansgate-Castlefield. There then followed a series of tram moves that were simple manoeuvres to get winners in the book so I did –
3061+3062 Deansgate-Castlefield – Pomona
3081+3086 Pomona - Deansgate-Castlefield
3005+3054 Deansgate-Castlefield – Trafford Bar
3039+3050 Trafford Bar - Deansgate-Castlefield
3027+3034 Deansgate-Castlefield – Trafford Bar
3026+3038 Trafford Bar - Deansgate-Castlefield
3045+3055 Deansgate-Castlefield – Trafford Bar
3042+3048 Trafford Bar - Deansgate-Castlefield
3017+3047 Deansgate-Castlefield – Trafford Bar
3041+3056 Trafford Bar - Deansgate-Castlefield
3011+3024 Deansgate-Castlefield – Trafford Bar
3013+3025 Trafford Bar - Deansgate-Castlefield
The Metrolink PA system was perpetually bleating about some frothball event at Old Trafford – you’d never have guessed given the large number of folk heading that way wearing frothball shirts and/or scarves. I saw that as an open invitation to make sure that I visited a certain station next to a frothball stadium. I had about half an hour before the first one was due off Piccadilly so made the following moves to get there -
3003+3014 Deansgate-Castlefield – Piccadilly
3112 Piccadilly – Etihad Campus
3079 Etihad Campus- Piccadilly
Now I had about 10 minutes to get to the island platform before the first train was due. 323223 appeared on time and along with yet more frothball followers [Ed: how big is their team? I thought eleven was the appropriate number but it must be thousands strong given the number wearing frothball shirts]. The conductor was keen to announce that the train was headed for Manchester United FC halt and nowhere else. Well that’s where I was going so I sat tight. At the destination, and with the shack duly scored, I made an exit. Frothball security (give someone a yellow jacket and they think they have massive powers of authority) tried to usher me towards the frothball ground but I made some excuse about needing food etc. so headed out of the arena and made for Old Trafford Metrolink shack. A few more Metrolink moves then ensued –
3030+3046 Old Trafford - Cornbrook
3057 Cornbrook - Deansgate-Castlefield
3091+3100 Deansgate-Castlefield – Piccadilly
3006+3010 Piccadilly – Etihad Campus
3028 Etihad Campus - Piccadilly
3080+3096 Piccadilly - Deansgate-Castlefield
3004+3009 Deansgate-Castlefield - Victoria
3007 Victoria - Piccadilly
By now though I was getting a little tired of one mile leaps (or thereabouts) on the Metrolink despite raking in over 40 winners so having landed up at Piccadilly, I decided to go and play with the big railway. Transpennine’s 350404+350406 looked quite inviting on account of 350406 being a winner so there was only one thing to do – fly up to the Airport and red pen 350406 along with having the pleasure of clearing it for 10 miles. As I arrived at the Airport, mileage requirement 323232 was waiting to work the stopper back to Piccadilly. It was leaving in two minutes which was just enough time to get around to the appropriate platform.
A slightly early arrival back at Piccadilly allowed me to scrutinise the available departure and it was 150132+156471 that proved to be tempting. The 156 may have been totally dud but 150132 was needed for 10 miles – the run out to Stockport nicely sorted that out. I had just enough time to stroll through the subway before a winning Pendolino presented itself. 390128’s entry into The Haulage Book started to break up a block of 11-car Pendolinos on my wants list that stretched from 390124 to 390129. The short trip up to Piccadilly would not solve the 10 mile conundrum but at least 390128 was no longer a resident of my “all timers” list. I’d positioned myself at the front of the train so that any quick dashes at Piccadilly for the next move would not be impeded by crowds of slow moving people alighting from 390128.
But that was all in vain as the next move was to be from the opposite platform! 390151 which was due out in a couple of minutes was also a winner so I ended up playing yo-yo bashing and went straight back to Stockport. As I strolled through the subway, I wondered how long it would be before something of interest would appear. I did not have long to wait as within five or six minutes 150110+150142 showed up. Although Northern have the great majority of flat fronted 150s, I have always found them relatively easy to acquire so there were very few still taking up valuable space on my lists. However, 150142 was one of them and the trip back to Piccadilly would clear it for 10 miles. Unlike the fast London trains which take only around eight or nine minutes to progress from Stockport to Piccadilly, this particular service would need nearly all of its allocated 17 minutes to get to Piccadilly. We rolled into platform 10 around three minutes ahead of schedule and I espied an eight-car 350 coming up from Oxford Road – this needed further investigation.
I made for the island platform and my arrival coincided with 350403+350410. I’ve been slowly whittling down my Transpennine 350s and this process was set to continue – 350403 was a winner. With the train being next stop Manchester Airport, I’d be both scoring it as a winner and admitting it to the Ten Mile Club in one go. I sat back in the relative comfort of a 350/4 (well comfort compared to an LM 350/2) and enjoyed a speedy run up to the Airport. I’d contemplated getting the tram back out if there was nothing of interest but 185138 was sitting on the adjacent platform and would be leaving shortly so getting the tram track in the book would have to wait for another day. 185138 did not hang around getting back to Piccadilly and thus gaining its membership of the Ten Mile Club. I noted that my mate Rex was at the platform ending strutting his stuff with his camera. To be fair, I’d seen him a couple of times before but given that I was almost constantly on the move, I had not had the opportunity to at least say hello to him. But this time, while I had lined up my next move, I had at least 10 minutes to spare so I wandered up to the platform end, said a quick “hello” and made arrangements to meet a little later.
I then wandered back down the platform to join 220011 which was an outright winner. I could only do the short leap to Stockport as time was getting on and I had to start thinking about getting back to Piccadilly for the train home. 150147 provided the final local trip of the day with the run back into Piccadilly and yet another 150/1 cleared for 10 miles which leaves just two Northern 150/1s to go, one of which I saw working. I successfully rendezvoused with Rex and we made for the Sainsbury’s store to stock up on supplies for the trip back south. We made our way to the platform to be confronted with a nine-car Pendolino (we were expecting an 11-car one) which was already pretty full and there was still 15 minutes to go. Almost totally dud 390016 was full of frothball followers and getting a seat would be near impossible. (390016 was 10 miles shy of clearing for 100 and was one of the few Pendos still running in nine-car format that I’ve never had in to/out of Euston). In the area where our reserved seats were, it seemed to have a massed concentration of frothballers who had no intention of vacating for the rightful occupiers of the seats. We resigned ourselves to standing at least to Stockport but a conversation with the conductor soon after leaving Piccadilly revealed that he had declassified first class and that there were a few seats. The next problem was getting up there. By now the train was on the viaduct on the approaches to Stockport and we figured that a mad dash along the platform at Stockport would be the best. We made it to the leading carriage and bailed in. We were able to find a couple of free seats but certainly not together. The conductor was constantly up and down the train trying to get folk seated – he was annoyed that while booked for an 11-car Pendolino, only a nine-car had been provided. He also gave some insight why the train was so overcrowded; namely the train immediately in front serving Macclesfield and Stoke was equally full, if not even more full, with frothball followers from the opposing side.
It was Milton Keynes before we were able to sit together and compare notes for the day as well as plotting further escapades. We both concluded that we’d had good days pursuing our respective goals. Rex was pleased with his photographic haul while I’d managed a fantastic list of scores of one sort or another. Starting with the 41 winning trams; that certainly knocked a big hole in my Metrolink requirements but I’m sure that I will be back fairly soon to get that total down even more. Admittedly, I could have got many more by going for singles and shorter leaps; however, today’s aim was to get quantity and also get everything over one mile otherwise Deansgate to Cornbrook leaps would also have produced more. Likewise shacks and track can wait – neither will be going anywhere in a hurry and they’ll still be there when I run out of other things to get. I’d also got six outright winners from the National Network for the day along with ten more units cleared for 10 miles. Finally, while Metrolink shack scoring was limited (only four new), the highlight has to be the scoring of Manchester United FC halt!
The final entries for the day in The Haulage book were 11043+11044 from Euston to Stockwell and 51547+51548 forward to Morden.
As ever, I round off with the day’s moves -
LU 51637+51721 Morden -> Stockwell ---
LU 11061+11062 Stockwell -> Euston ---
390107 Euston -> Stockport WINNER, cleared for 100 miles
158770+158799 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly 158799 Cleared for 10 miles
158862 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport Cleared for 10 miles
150268+156466 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly ---
3037+3044 Piccadilly -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3061+3062 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Pomona WINNER x 2
3081+3086 Pomona -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3005+3054 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Trafford Bar WINNER x 2
3039+3050 Trafford Bar -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3027+3034 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Trafford Bar WINNER x 2
3026+3038 Trafford Bar -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3045+3055 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Trafford Bar WINNER x 2
3032+3048 Trafford Bar -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3017+3047 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Trafford Bar WINNER x 2
3041+3056 Trafford Bar -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3011+3024 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Trafford Bar WINNER x 2
3013+3025 Trafford Bar -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3003+3014 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Piccadilly WINNER x 2
3112 Piccadilly -> Etihad Campus WINNER x 2
3079 Etihad Campus -> Piccadilly WINNER x 2
323223 Manchester Piccadilly -> Manchester United FC ---
3030+3046 Old Trafford -> Cornbrook 3030 = WINNER
3057 Cornbrook -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER
3091+3100 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Piccadilly WINNER x 2
3006+3010 Piccadilly -> Etihad Campus WINNER x 2
3028 Etihad Campus -> Piccadilly WINNER
3080+3096 Piccadilly -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER
3004+3009 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Victoria 3004 = WINNER
3007 Victoria -> Piccadilly WINNER
350404+350406 Manchester Piccadilly -> Manchester Airport 350406 = WINNER & cleared for 10 miles
323232 Manchester Airport -> Manchester Piccadilly Cleared for 10 miles
150132+156471 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport 150132 cleared for 10 miles
390128 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly WINNER
390151 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport WINNER
150110+150142 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly 150142 cleared for 10 miles
350403+350410 Manchester Piccadilly -> Manchester Airport 350403 = WINNER & cleared for 10 miles
185138 Manchester Airport -> Manchester Piccadilly Cleared for 10 miles
220011 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport WINNER
150147 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly Cleared for 10 miles
390016 Manchester Piccadilly -> Euston Cleared for 100 miles
LU 11043+11044 Euston -> Stockwell ---
LU 51547+51548 Stockwell -> Morden ---
Milestones
Winners 220011, 350403, 350406, 390107, 390128, 390151 and 41 Metrolink units
Cleared for 10 miles 150132, 150142, 150147, 158799, 158862, 185138, 323232, 350403, 350406
Cleared for 100 miles 390016, 390107
New Shacks Etihad Campus, Manchester United FC, Old Trafford, Pomona, Trafford Bar
Straight after Friday’s jollifications, I’m out on the road again! [Ed: Something’s up here, KJ is going out on a Saturday!] This time I’m headed for Manchester with one of my friends but I won’t know which one until I get to Euston. Sounds odd doesn’t it? So let me explain. Two of my like-minded friends are a father and son outfit, Rex and Mark, whom I’ve previously mentioned in dispatches. While their particular focus is photography, we share a common interest of rail operations and as well we all take an interest in railways in their model form. When this particular trip was arranged, Rex and mark indicated that one of them would be joining me but that they’d keep me guessing up until the last moment as to whom I’d be meeting at Euston on the morning. I was expecting Mark to show up and on all accounts he was down for the trip until the previous day when Rex was delegated to join me as Mark was not feeling 100%.
Leaving home at silly o’clock, I made for Morden Underground station where 51721+51637 took me to Stockwell and a quick swap to the Victoria Line via the cross-platform interchange saw me board 11061+11062 for the onward journey to Euston. I soon identified Rex on the concourse – it was good to see him as our paths had not crossed for several weeks and there was loads to catch up on. Within minutes our train was platformed and expecting the usual dud Pendolino, we walked down the ramp with trepidation. When I saw that it was 390107, my initial reaction was that I had another dud on my hands despite still wanting no less than 12 of the extended version. Once we had found some seats, the first task was to check the lists. I was wrong and for once Virgin had made good use of my requirements list and sorted out something that I needed.
An uneventful run saw us speed northwards towards Stockport where we both bailed and purchased our tickets for the day’s travels. As Rex would be mainly photographing Northern DMU’s and EMUs, all he needed was a ticket that would allow travel to/from Piccadilly, Victoria and Salford Central whereas I needed a more exquisite product that allowed train and tram travel. 158770+158799 was the first train up at Stockport which suited both of us perfectly. 158770 was a repeat from the previous week’s jolly to Nottingham but 158799 was still under 10 miles - a run up to Piccadilly would easily solve that. I had a few minutes on the island platform at Piccadilly before 158862 tempted me back to Stockport as this was another unit that was deficient on mileage; a problem that was solved by the time Stockport was reached. I switched platforms via the dark subway and before long 150268+156466 materialised. 150268 was ultra-low mileage so a trip to Piccadilly would help me edge its mileage closer to 10. Maybe I’d catch up with it later in the day.
I wandered around Piccadilly but there was absolutely nothing to tempt me. There was only one thing to do; head downstairs and check out the Metrolink. As I arrived on the platform, the doors of 3037+3044 were closing but I was able to board, only just though and headed off towards Deansgate-Castlefield. There then followed a series of tram moves that were simple manoeuvres to get winners in the book so I did –
3061+3062 Deansgate-Castlefield – Pomona
3081+3086 Pomona - Deansgate-Castlefield
3005+3054 Deansgate-Castlefield – Trafford Bar
3039+3050 Trafford Bar - Deansgate-Castlefield
3027+3034 Deansgate-Castlefield – Trafford Bar
3026+3038 Trafford Bar - Deansgate-Castlefield
3045+3055 Deansgate-Castlefield – Trafford Bar
3042+3048 Trafford Bar - Deansgate-Castlefield
3017+3047 Deansgate-Castlefield – Trafford Bar
3041+3056 Trafford Bar - Deansgate-Castlefield
3011+3024 Deansgate-Castlefield – Trafford Bar
3013+3025 Trafford Bar - Deansgate-Castlefield
The Metrolink PA system was perpetually bleating about some frothball event at Old Trafford – you’d never have guessed given the large number of folk heading that way wearing frothball shirts and/or scarves. I saw that as an open invitation to make sure that I visited a certain station next to a frothball stadium. I had about half an hour before the first one was due off Piccadilly so made the following moves to get there -
3003+3014 Deansgate-Castlefield – Piccadilly
3112 Piccadilly – Etihad Campus
3079 Etihad Campus- Piccadilly
Now I had about 10 minutes to get to the island platform before the first train was due. 323223 appeared on time and along with yet more frothball followers [Ed: how big is their team? I thought eleven was the appropriate number but it must be thousands strong given the number wearing frothball shirts]. The conductor was keen to announce that the train was headed for Manchester United FC halt and nowhere else. Well that’s where I was going so I sat tight. At the destination, and with the shack duly scored, I made an exit. Frothball security (give someone a yellow jacket and they think they have massive powers of authority) tried to usher me towards the frothball ground but I made some excuse about needing food etc. so headed out of the arena and made for Old Trafford Metrolink shack. A few more Metrolink moves then ensued –
3030+3046 Old Trafford - Cornbrook
3057 Cornbrook - Deansgate-Castlefield
3091+3100 Deansgate-Castlefield – Piccadilly
3006+3010 Piccadilly – Etihad Campus
3028 Etihad Campus - Piccadilly
3080+3096 Piccadilly - Deansgate-Castlefield
3004+3009 Deansgate-Castlefield - Victoria
3007 Victoria - Piccadilly
By now though I was getting a little tired of one mile leaps (or thereabouts) on the Metrolink despite raking in over 40 winners so having landed up at Piccadilly, I decided to go and play with the big railway. Transpennine’s 350404+350406 looked quite inviting on account of 350406 being a winner so there was only one thing to do – fly up to the Airport and red pen 350406 along with having the pleasure of clearing it for 10 miles. As I arrived at the Airport, mileage requirement 323232 was waiting to work the stopper back to Piccadilly. It was leaving in two minutes which was just enough time to get around to the appropriate platform.
A slightly early arrival back at Piccadilly allowed me to scrutinise the available departure and it was 150132+156471 that proved to be tempting. The 156 may have been totally dud but 150132 was needed for 10 miles – the run out to Stockport nicely sorted that out. I had just enough time to stroll through the subway before a winning Pendolino presented itself. 390128’s entry into The Haulage Book started to break up a block of 11-car Pendolinos on my wants list that stretched from 390124 to 390129. The short trip up to Piccadilly would not solve the 10 mile conundrum but at least 390128 was no longer a resident of my “all timers” list. I’d positioned myself at the front of the train so that any quick dashes at Piccadilly for the next move would not be impeded by crowds of slow moving people alighting from 390128.
But that was all in vain as the next move was to be from the opposite platform! 390151 which was due out in a couple of minutes was also a winner so I ended up playing yo-yo bashing and went straight back to Stockport. As I strolled through the subway, I wondered how long it would be before something of interest would appear. I did not have long to wait as within five or six minutes 150110+150142 showed up. Although Northern have the great majority of flat fronted 150s, I have always found them relatively easy to acquire so there were very few still taking up valuable space on my lists. However, 150142 was one of them and the trip back to Piccadilly would clear it for 10 miles. Unlike the fast London trains which take only around eight or nine minutes to progress from Stockport to Piccadilly, this particular service would need nearly all of its allocated 17 minutes to get to Piccadilly. We rolled into platform 10 around three minutes ahead of schedule and I espied an eight-car 350 coming up from Oxford Road – this needed further investigation.
I made for the island platform and my arrival coincided with 350403+350410. I’ve been slowly whittling down my Transpennine 350s and this process was set to continue – 350403 was a winner. With the train being next stop Manchester Airport, I’d be both scoring it as a winner and admitting it to the Ten Mile Club in one go. I sat back in the relative comfort of a 350/4 (well comfort compared to an LM 350/2) and enjoyed a speedy run up to the Airport. I’d contemplated getting the tram back out if there was nothing of interest but 185138 was sitting on the adjacent platform and would be leaving shortly so getting the tram track in the book would have to wait for another day. 185138 did not hang around getting back to Piccadilly and thus gaining its membership of the Ten Mile Club. I noted that my mate Rex was at the platform ending strutting his stuff with his camera. To be fair, I’d seen him a couple of times before but given that I was almost constantly on the move, I had not had the opportunity to at least say hello to him. But this time, while I had lined up my next move, I had at least 10 minutes to spare so I wandered up to the platform end, said a quick “hello” and made arrangements to meet a little later.
I then wandered back down the platform to join 220011 which was an outright winner. I could only do the short leap to Stockport as time was getting on and I had to start thinking about getting back to Piccadilly for the train home. 150147 provided the final local trip of the day with the run back into Piccadilly and yet another 150/1 cleared for 10 miles which leaves just two Northern 150/1s to go, one of which I saw working. I successfully rendezvoused with Rex and we made for the Sainsbury’s store to stock up on supplies for the trip back south. We made our way to the platform to be confronted with a nine-car Pendolino (we were expecting an 11-car one) which was already pretty full and there was still 15 minutes to go. Almost totally dud 390016 was full of frothball followers and getting a seat would be near impossible. (390016 was 10 miles shy of clearing for 100 and was one of the few Pendos still running in nine-car format that I’ve never had in to/out of Euston). In the area where our reserved seats were, it seemed to have a massed concentration of frothballers who had no intention of vacating for the rightful occupiers of the seats. We resigned ourselves to standing at least to Stockport but a conversation with the conductor soon after leaving Piccadilly revealed that he had declassified first class and that there were a few seats. The next problem was getting up there. By now the train was on the viaduct on the approaches to Stockport and we figured that a mad dash along the platform at Stockport would be the best. We made it to the leading carriage and bailed in. We were able to find a couple of free seats but certainly not together. The conductor was constantly up and down the train trying to get folk seated – he was annoyed that while booked for an 11-car Pendolino, only a nine-car had been provided. He also gave some insight why the train was so overcrowded; namely the train immediately in front serving Macclesfield and Stoke was equally full, if not even more full, with frothball followers from the opposing side.
It was Milton Keynes before we were able to sit together and compare notes for the day as well as plotting further escapades. We both concluded that we’d had good days pursuing our respective goals. Rex was pleased with his photographic haul while I’d managed a fantastic list of scores of one sort or another. Starting with the 41 winning trams; that certainly knocked a big hole in my Metrolink requirements but I’m sure that I will be back fairly soon to get that total down even more. Admittedly, I could have got many more by going for singles and shorter leaps; however, today’s aim was to get quantity and also get everything over one mile otherwise Deansgate to Cornbrook leaps would also have produced more. Likewise shacks and track can wait – neither will be going anywhere in a hurry and they’ll still be there when I run out of other things to get. I’d also got six outright winners from the National Network for the day along with ten more units cleared for 10 miles. Finally, while Metrolink shack scoring was limited (only four new), the highlight has to be the scoring of Manchester United FC halt!
The final entries for the day in The Haulage book were 11043+11044 from Euston to Stockwell and 51547+51548 forward to Morden.
As ever, I round off with the day’s moves -
LU 51637+51721 Morden -> Stockwell ---
LU 11061+11062 Stockwell -> Euston ---
390107 Euston -> Stockport WINNER, cleared for 100 miles
158770+158799 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly 158799 Cleared for 10 miles
158862 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport Cleared for 10 miles
150268+156466 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly ---
3037+3044 Piccadilly -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3061+3062 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Pomona WINNER x 2
3081+3086 Pomona -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3005+3054 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Trafford Bar WINNER x 2
3039+3050 Trafford Bar -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3027+3034 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Trafford Bar WINNER x 2
3026+3038 Trafford Bar -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3045+3055 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Trafford Bar WINNER x 2
3032+3048 Trafford Bar -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3017+3047 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Trafford Bar WINNER x 2
3041+3056 Trafford Bar -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3011+3024 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Trafford Bar WINNER x 2
3013+3025 Trafford Bar -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER x 2
3003+3014 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Piccadilly WINNER x 2
3112 Piccadilly -> Etihad Campus WINNER x 2
3079 Etihad Campus -> Piccadilly WINNER x 2
323223 Manchester Piccadilly -> Manchester United FC ---
3030+3046 Old Trafford -> Cornbrook 3030 = WINNER
3057 Cornbrook -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER
3091+3100 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Piccadilly WINNER x 2
3006+3010 Piccadilly -> Etihad Campus WINNER x 2
3028 Etihad Campus -> Piccadilly WINNER
3080+3096 Piccadilly -> Deansgate-Castlefield WINNER
3004+3009 Deansgate-Castlefield -> Victoria 3004 = WINNER
3007 Victoria -> Piccadilly WINNER
350404+350406 Manchester Piccadilly -> Manchester Airport 350406 = WINNER & cleared for 10 miles
323232 Manchester Airport -> Manchester Piccadilly Cleared for 10 miles
150132+156471 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport 150132 cleared for 10 miles
390128 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly WINNER
390151 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport WINNER
150110+150142 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly 150142 cleared for 10 miles
350403+350410 Manchester Piccadilly -> Manchester Airport 350403 = WINNER & cleared for 10 miles
185138 Manchester Airport -> Manchester Piccadilly Cleared for 10 miles
220011 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport WINNER
150147 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly Cleared for 10 miles
390016 Manchester Piccadilly -> Euston Cleared for 100 miles
LU 11043+11044 Euston -> Stockwell ---
LU 51547+51548 Stockwell -> Morden ---
Milestones
Winners 220011, 350403, 350406, 390107, 390128, 390151 and 41 Metrolink units
Cleared for 10 miles 150132, 150142, 150147, 158799, 158862, 185138, 323232, 350403, 350406
Cleared for 100 miles 390016, 390107
New Shacks Etihad Campus, Manchester United FC, Old Trafford, Pomona, Trafford Bar
Keith Jarrett
Member
Definitely a busy day but there's still masses to do on Metrolink. Something like 70 trams along with most shacks and track.
I was lined up to get 390125 a few days later but it failed. Rats!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Being a seasoned commuter for many a year, the Overground is no worse than the tube. Probably better in that there's at least something to gawp at out of the windows although the sideways seating is not exactly 100% "gawp out of the window" friendly.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Wow that was a good Saturday for you! 
hock: 70-odd trams to go? Only 43 for me...
Nicely done on the track and shack to MUFC Halt, one of the few bits of heavy rail network on the mainlines that I need (Hitchin Flyover, I'm also looking at you)...
Another excellent read, and I didn't envy you dealing with that packed 390 south!
hock: 70-odd trams to go? Only 43 for me...Nicely done on the track and shack to MUFC Halt, one of the few bits of heavy rail network on the mainlines that I need (Hitchin Flyover, I'm also looking at you)...
Another excellent read, and I didn't envy you dealing with that packed 390 south!
49 for me... I need to get to Mancc and beat 43 soon!Wow that was a good Saturday for you!
Nicely done on the track and shack to MUFC Halt, one of the few bits of heavy rail network on the mainlines that I need (Hitchin Flyover, I'm also looking at you)...
Another excellent read, and I didn't envy you dealing with that packed 390 south!
Techniquest
Veteran Member
We all need to get to Manchester asap and overtake andyb2706, who I believe only has a handful of new ones left to get!
alexf380
Established Member
A fantastic read there Keith, really enjoyable. Congrats on MUFC Halt as well, definitely deserves some sort of medal of completion there.
Keep 'em coming!
Keep 'em coming!
Keith Jarrett
Member
Wow that was a good Saturday for you!
Nicely done on the track and shack to MUFC Halt, one of the few bits of heavy rail network on the mainlines that I need (Hitchin Flyover, I'm also looking at you)...
Another excellent read, and I didn't envy you dealing with that packed 390 south!
Despite the wedged Pendo back home, it was a great day out.
Heavy rail track requirements are substantial for me but that's because I am concentrating on getting the haulage needs down. That's of course far more difficult given my desire for 10 miles off of everything.
I need to get back to Manchester again for the trams. I reckon that I'll need several visits to get them under control as needing 70 is still very bad in my books.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Congrats on a very productive day in Manchester, as well as getting that shack in the book
Keith Jarrett
Member
Monday 18th April & Wednesday 20th April – Two Evening Quickies
Having a couple of spare hours after work twice in one week was an excellent excuse to carry on the task of battering those 378s. As there was no opportunity for past-work bashes the following week, it would have been ultra-rude to refuse two opportunities when they came along. The trouble with 378 bashing is that they are so slow which somewhat counteracts the frequent services.
On the Monday (18th) I left work and make for the Jubilee Line – no need to look for a certain set of 1996ts as its now out of the way – and I found 96034 to take me north to West Hampstead where I crossed the road and made for the North London Line. The first train in was dud but I did not have long to wait for 378228 which I took as far as Gunnersbury. With that one safely admitted to the Ten Mile Club, I pondered my next move. The next 378 north was dud as were all the S-7 sets flying around but 15 minutes later 378215 came to my rescue. This one needed a little work before I could contemplate admittance to the Ten Mile Club so initially I took it to Richmond and then having momentarily stepped off of the unit, I reboarded 378215 and went to Willesden Junction. Number two admitted to the Ten Mile Club. On the approaches to Willesden Junction I passed required 378257 heading for Richmond but as it would be almost an hour before it came back, I abandoned all thoughts of waiting for it. However, it was not long before a Clapham Junction bound 378226 appeared. “Ah another one required for 10 miles” I thought to myself. And the spin down to Clapham would sort that out as well so it was a no brainer. By the time I got to Clapham, my thoughts turned to the dinner that was sitting in the fridge at home so 5704+456006+456012 provided a suitable way of getting to Wimbledon before 319005+319370 took me on to St Helier and home to my waiting dinner.
Two days later and I was headed for the North London Line again. This time, I thought that I’d try a different route so a short hop to Victoria via 7532 followed by 2009ts 11039+11040 to Highbury & Islington got me to my objective for the next couple of hours. I was definitely in luck as the first train up was 378203, one of three five-car 378s that I’d never had. Now that leaves 378214 and 378257 to get but they’ll come my way sometime.378203 was heading west; the logical place to bail was Willesden Junction with its island platform and the possibility of 378s on the DC lines too. While a Willesden leap did not clear 378203 for 10 miles in one go, at least it was a decent “down payment”. I had to let four or five dud units go before 378256 showed up. A Bus Stop Bash would see 256 tip the 10 mile scales – Kensal Rise here we come! I swapped platforms and scrambled onto 378232 as it was about to depart. This unit was seriously deficient on mileage and taking it to Clapham Junction would not tip it over 10 miles. Only one thing to do at Clapham Junction – re-board 378232 and go to West Brompton. The idea was to meet another mileage requirement coming the other way. However, the unit in question was in difficulties and RTT showed that it terminated at Willesden Junction. At least the District Line would get me out of trouble. S-7 21429+21430 took me down to Wimbledon where I enjoyed 319215+319453 up the bank to St Helier and home.
Two quickies and I managed to bag five more 378s along with one of three needed outright. I’m not complaining but I’m pretty sure that’s it’s only going to get tougher rounding up my remaining 378s. At least I have several evenings worth of entertainment left on the North London Line!
Having a couple of spare hours after work twice in one week was an excellent excuse to carry on the task of battering those 378s. As there was no opportunity for past-work bashes the following week, it would have been ultra-rude to refuse two opportunities when they came along. The trouble with 378 bashing is that they are so slow which somewhat counteracts the frequent services.
On the Monday (18th) I left work and make for the Jubilee Line – no need to look for a certain set of 1996ts as its now out of the way – and I found 96034 to take me north to West Hampstead where I crossed the road and made for the North London Line. The first train in was dud but I did not have long to wait for 378228 which I took as far as Gunnersbury. With that one safely admitted to the Ten Mile Club, I pondered my next move. The next 378 north was dud as were all the S-7 sets flying around but 15 minutes later 378215 came to my rescue. This one needed a little work before I could contemplate admittance to the Ten Mile Club so initially I took it to Richmond and then having momentarily stepped off of the unit, I reboarded 378215 and went to Willesden Junction. Number two admitted to the Ten Mile Club. On the approaches to Willesden Junction I passed required 378257 heading for Richmond but as it would be almost an hour before it came back, I abandoned all thoughts of waiting for it. However, it was not long before a Clapham Junction bound 378226 appeared. “Ah another one required for 10 miles” I thought to myself. And the spin down to Clapham would sort that out as well so it was a no brainer. By the time I got to Clapham, my thoughts turned to the dinner that was sitting in the fridge at home so 5704+456006+456012 provided a suitable way of getting to Wimbledon before 319005+319370 took me on to St Helier and home to my waiting dinner.
Two days later and I was headed for the North London Line again. This time, I thought that I’d try a different route so a short hop to Victoria via 7532 followed by 2009ts 11039+11040 to Highbury & Islington got me to my objective for the next couple of hours. I was definitely in luck as the first train up was 378203, one of three five-car 378s that I’d never had. Now that leaves 378214 and 378257 to get but they’ll come my way sometime.378203 was heading west; the logical place to bail was Willesden Junction with its island platform and the possibility of 378s on the DC lines too. While a Willesden leap did not clear 378203 for 10 miles in one go, at least it was a decent “down payment”. I had to let four or five dud units go before 378256 showed up. A Bus Stop Bash would see 256 tip the 10 mile scales – Kensal Rise here we come! I swapped platforms and scrambled onto 378232 as it was about to depart. This unit was seriously deficient on mileage and taking it to Clapham Junction would not tip it over 10 miles. Only one thing to do at Clapham Junction – re-board 378232 and go to West Brompton. The idea was to meet another mileage requirement coming the other way. However, the unit in question was in difficulties and RTT showed that it terminated at Willesden Junction. At least the District Line would get me out of trouble. S-7 21429+21430 took me down to Wimbledon where I enjoyed 319215+319453 up the bank to St Helier and home.
Two quickies and I managed to bag five more 378s along with one of three needed outright. I’m not complaining but I’m pretty sure that’s it’s only going to get tougher rounding up my remaining 378s. At least I have several evenings worth of entertainment left on the North London Line!
Techniquest
Veteran Member
You're certainly doing very well with the 378s, especially as you're cramming in mini-sessions after work. They're definitely a good way of keeping you going until a proper bash. A visit to the station yesterday to pick up an Advance had to do, but it'll just about keep me going until next Friday!
I'm a little green eyed this morning of you though, as 319215 is my last 319/2 to get!
Two high quality reads, as per expectations
I'm a little green eyed this morning of you though, as 319215 is my last 319/2 to get!
Two high quality reads, as per expectations
Keith Jarrett
Member
Friday 22nd April – A Mancunian Reprise
This trip came into an already hectic schedule on account of Virgin West Coasts Seat Sale and my inability to refuse a bargain. I booked my outward ticket to Wigan but my return from Manchester as this gave me a couple of options –
1. A Lancashire Day Ranger which would allow me to cover the 10:04 departure from Preston. Afterwards I could go Pendolino chasing between Wigan & Lancaster, get in a couple of bits of required track (Colne and the Todmorden curve, possibly visit Merseyside and check out required 507s and/or bash around North Manchester. For this option to be followed, the 10:04 would need to be a winning loco.
2. Purchase some form of day ticket covering Greater Manchester and dependent upon available information, go chasing some combination of required DMU/EMU, trams, shacks or if all else failed, get some required Metrolink track in the book.
Leaving home at about 06:20, I made for Morden station. I initially had Mrs KJ in tow but lucky(?) her, she was off to work while I was planning on playing trains for the day. 1995ts 51607+51608 took me north from Morden to Stockwell where I made the usual switch to the Victoria Line and onto 2009ts 11019+11020 for the onward journey to Euston. You may well ask why I always make the switch at Stockwell when the Northern Line goes through to Euston (and Kings Cross). Well, it saves time and also I get to ride on 2009ts where I still need one unit outright and loads more for the dreaded 10 miles.
I arrived at Euston in good time and within minutes my train was announced as being ready for boarding so I took up my seat in dud 390107. Admittedly, it was only my second trip with is particular Pendolino but also my second trip within a week as six days previously, it conveyed me from Euston to Stockport. The journey north was uneventful and the train appeared to be poorly loaded but I supposed that’s Virgin’s policy of exorbitant fares in the morning peak and the withdrawal of the railcard discounts on off peak returns at this time of day. I tried getting in touch with a mate who has access to a magic box but alas he was taking a day’s leave himself and was planning on chasing cats through the Chilterns. Therefore, whatever I did, I’d have to do it in the traditional style without any information. How did I get on?
I arrived at Wigan North Western and made for the booking office only to be confronted by a joint Virgin/Northern revenue block in the subway. And tickets were getting a thorough examination. The Virgin RPI who examined my ticket claimed she had never seen a VTWC PROMO ticket before and was unsure of its validity until a colleague of hers intervened and said it was a promotional single and should be accepted like any other single ticket from London. That little hurdle over and done with, the booking office were quite willing to issue me with a GM Wayfarer ticket and this time the revenue block were not even interested in me as I reentered the station! As I was not heading for Preston and the 10:04 departure – that was 37401 which was only needed for renumbering – I was going to target the Manchester area. I espied the option for a shack attack at nearby Bryn as my “Starter for Ten” so I jumped on board 319361 for the run down to Bryn. This was to be my first run on a 319 outside the south east and a good job seems to have been made in tarting them up although the 319 characteristic of very low seats has not been addressed. I had about two minutes to get over the bridge for the train back to Wigan which was rolling in as I made it onto the platform. 319367 provided my second trip with a 319 outside the class’s traditional sphere of operations.
Back at Wigan north Western, I had two options, either wait and see whether a couple of late running train from Scotland were any good or take a stroll across the road to Wallgate to checkout the Northern Random DMU Generator. The former won the day although I was wondering whether I’d made the right decision when a dud pair of 221s came in but then I remembered the 350 that was right behind. Bingo! Transpennine turned up trumps with a winning 350402; after the previous Saturday’s successes with 350s, this would leave me just one Transpennine 350 (409) to sort. A slightly late departure from Wigan was converted with ease into an on-time arrival at Piccadilly where I alighted and went for a stroll. All I could find of interest was a required Pendolino but that would not be leaving for the best part of 20 minutes and so I returned to the through platforms only to see a required 158 just leaving for Liverpool. “Rats!” was the only thought to go through my mind but at least I could try to bag it later.
My mood was soon tempered by the arrival of a pair of 158s, 158770+158858, from Liverpool as this also contained a winner. Loyal followers of my trip reports will doubtlessly remember that 158770 has already featured twice in my trip reports in April but not a winning 158858. A move was starting to build now as I could do the 158s to Stockport, wait a few minutes and bag a winning Pendolino. The 158 duo were slightly late but not sufficiently late as to get me worried that a required Pendolino would go sailing by on the way to Stockport. Bang on cue, 390124 rolled in and took me on a Bus Stop Bash (for a Pendolino) to Wilmslow. A quick stroll through the subway and 323238 was soon arriving to take me back to Stockport – another Starship in the book for 10 miles. It was sorely tempting to have a go at getting some of the intermediate shacks in the book but I was mindful of the winning 158 that I had lined up for a little later on; consequently, another low mileage Starship, 323234, was the favoured way of getting back to Manchester. Unfortunately, this one was so low that I would still need a mile or so to clear once I alighted at Piccadilly.
I still had plenty of time before the winning 158 was due. More than enough for a local spin. My eyes alighted on 221127 and while not a winner despite me still needing too many Vomit Comets, it was sub 10 miles and Stockport would sort that one out. No prizes for guessing where I went! I now had about 25 minutes before my appointment at Piccadilly with my 158 and the option of about five trains to get there. The first two were completely dud but the third was far from dud. 158788+158812 rolled in on a Norwich to Liverpool service and both units gave rise to notations of some description in The Haulage Book. 158788 had been absent from The Haulage Book for many years (the only previous record being a trip from Nottingham to Loughborough on 17 May 1997) while 158812 was an outright winner. [Ed: There’s something wrong here! More than one EMT 158 winner in a day? It’s simply not allowed.] I was rather pleased as with the 158 that I had in the pipeline, I would be left chasing just one EMT 158. A slow run to Piccadilly ensued but fortunately not slow enough to jeopardise the +7 onto my next move. I bade farewell to the 158 duo at Piccadilly and strolled to the opposite end of the island platform to await another pair of 158s that were on their way back in from Liverpool.
While waiting for my prey to arrive from Liverpool, I noted a pair of mileage requirement 156s heading to Manchester Airport – something for me to grab later after their brief visit to Manchester’s aviation hub. I was more interested in the 156s clearing the platform so that my winning 158 could occupy the platform; I could see it and a friend waiting on the viaduct! AT long last the 156s clear the platform after copious amounts of luggage had been unloaded by just two passengers and in trundled 158777+158854. I had no interest in 158777 but 158854 was a definite winner so in a matter of a couple of hours, I’d sorted out three (from four) of my all-time required EMT 158s. Only 158852 and several mileage needs to go but they’ll have to wait another day. I could only do the 158s to Stockport but at least now they would be “in the book”. At Stockport, I did not hang around very long as I knew that all too soon my 156s mileage needs would be heading back from the Airport so after rejecting a dud Pendolino and an equally dud Starship, I ended up on yet another dud, 175107 for my first Hippo ride of the year and made it back to Piccadilly in good time for the 156s. Earlier in the day, I’d noted 390125 in the platforms and mused that I’d like to bump into it at some point in time on account of it being an outright winner but it appeared that it was going nowhere fast, judging by the number of orange-attired folk staring at it and scratching anything that could be scratched. It was obviously not well and doing a good job of screwing Virgin up as they were having to step up London arrivals so that meant less than 10 minutes to turn each arrival around and get it out again on time. Not once, but every 20 minutes!
My 156s soon returned from their little excursion up the Airport and I was quite pleased to see 156424+156484. Both needed a couple of more miles to get to the magic 10 so I set my destination as Salford Crescent. It always seems to be such a stagger across town from Piccadilly to the Crescent and this journey was no different, taking almost 15 minutes. Having exhausted, or so it seemed, the available units on the south side of Manchester, now would be a good time to start on the north side which always seems to get neglected when I visit Manchester. I had only a few minutes to wait before my interest was aroused by 150143+156483. The 150 was of no interest but the 156 was a different story as I’d only ever had it before on a Bus Stop Bash from Salford Central to Salford Crescent and therefore needed some serious mileage off of it. The train was bound for Huddersfield despite it being almost a dead end move, I had to go to Stalybridge in order to clock up the magic 10 miles. But within a few seconds of leaving Salford Crescent, that was all set to change as I passed my last all-time 150/2 heading the opposite way. I could not afford to go to Stalybridge any more as I’d have a very dodgy +1 somewhere in the equation if I were then to chase down the 150. So I settled on going as far as Ashton-under-Lyne where at least I would get a shack scratch and then have several options to grab the winning 150. 150143 was dropped from the train at Manchester Victoria leaving 156483 to struggle on alone to Huddersfield. I bailed at Ashton as per the revised plan, leaving 156483 needing just a Bus Stop Bash before it cleared 10 miles.
I had only a short wait before 156440 appeared to take me back to Manchester Victoria where, if I made a -1, I could have a much better go at the 150/2. The -1 duly made and I had almost three minutes to switch platforms at Victoria onto 142041+142047 which I had all the way to Bolton. On the way up to Bolton, I passed a pair of 156s and the back one looked suspiciously like one of my last Northern 156s. That had to be investigated further and a quick check of RTT revealed that I had just seen a Blackpool to Manchester Airport service. Could I get it later on in the day? At Bolton, I had just under four minutes to make the awkward platform switch and as I arrived on the Manchester-bound platform, so did winning 150210 (only Great Western’s 150121 left to go before the 150s are clear). [Ed: Haven’t you heard about the new hybrid 150/9 that Great Western are supposed to be forming up?] Taking 150210 through to Manchester Victoria cleared it for 10 miles and now I had just under half an hour to get across to Piccadilly. Metrolink 3031 came to my rescue and deposited me at Piccadilly with a good ten minutes to spare. I took the opportunity to bag provisions for the remainder of the day in case there was no opportunity later on.
I made for the island platform and was greeted by 323233 heading to Oxford Road on a Crewe to Oxford Road service. I needed just over a mile off of the Starship to clear it for 10 miles and figured that if I had misread the 156 then Oxford Road and back on the 323 would kill that off. At Oxford Road, the 156s duly followed up and it was a case of “Houston, we have a winner on our hands” as 156423+156481 hove into view. 156481 was of no interest but 156423 was my third to last Northern 156 (156448 & 156490, both Heaton, left to bag now). There was only one place to go now, Bolton! At Bolton, I figured that I had around three minutes to get over that footbridge again but in the end I comfortably made it onto 150205+156464 which landed me back at Piccadilly.
I wandered around Piccadilly and soon found 150211+150268; both were under 10 miles but it might prove problematic to sort out 150211 as that would entail going to Hazel Grove where there was over half an hour wait for anything back. Instead, I opted to bail at the required shack of Davenport for a +3 onto 150142+150272 back to Stockport. I had around 40 minutes before my booked train out of Piccadilly. Could I bag anything else? Various things came and went but with no matches with my lists, I was about to settled for a dud 390008 back into Piccadilly when 323234 rolled in. At least I’d now have the pleasure of clearing another Starship for 10 miles. At Piccadilly, I crossed over to an already packed 390005 for the trip back south. 390005 was my last nine-car 390 still needed for 10 miles although the trip to Euston would also see it clear 100 miles. 390005 was scored not too long ago in the West Midlands and was therefore also required for Euston – of the nine-car Pendolinos, only 390010 is still needed for a Euston visit. Likewise, with 390005 clearing 100 miles, only 390002 of the nine-car variant has yet to achieve such worthy heights.
The trip to Euston passed all to quickly and it was left to 11043+11044 to take me down to Stockwell before boarding 51542+51542 onwards to Morden. I reflected on the day and despite having no plan at all, figured that I had done well with seven winners [Ed: Aren’t you forgetting the Metrolink?] along with ten more units cleared for 10 miles in what is increasingly becoming difficult territory. OK the wants list is still well-populated but it’s nothing like it was a year or two back. Future visits to that part of the world will no doubt see more Metrolink bashing as well as shack scratching (there’s tons of those still to bag). As for marks out of 10, I think that I’d give this one a 9! And the “hit of the trip” award goes to 150210. No contest! And as I walked out of Morden station, who should I bump into? No less than Mrs KJ on her way home from work – thankfully her day was not as tiring as mine.
Finally, here’s the days moves if you, dear reader, have been unable to keep up -
LU 51607+??? Morden -> Stockwell ---
LU 11019+11020 Stockwell -> Euston ---
390107 Euston -> Wigan North Western ---
319361 Wigan North Western -> Bryn ---
319367 Bryn -> Wigan North Western ---
350402 Wigan North Western -> Manchester Piccadilly WINNER, cleared for 10 miles
158770+158858 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport 158858 = WINNER
390124 Stockport -> Wilmslow WINNER
323238 Wilmslow -> Stockport Cleared for 10 miles
323234 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly ---
221127 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport Cleared for 10 miles
158788+158812 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly 158812 = WINNER
158777 +158854 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport 158854 = WINNER
175107 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly ---
156424+156484 Manchester Piccadilly -> Salford Crescent Both = cleared for 10 miles
150143+156483 Salford Crescent -> Ashton-under-Lyne 150143 detached at Vctoria
156440 Ashton-under-Lyne -> Manchester Victoria ---
142041+142047 Manchester Victoria -> Bolton ---
150210 Bolton -> Manchester Victoria WINNER, cleared for 10 miles
3031 Victoria -> Piccadilly WINNER
323233 Manchester Piccadilly -> Manchester Oxford Road ---
156423+156481 Manchester Oxford Road -> Bolton WINNER, cleared for 10 miles
150205+156454 Bolton -> Manchester Piccadilly 156454 = cleared for 10 miles
150211+150268 Manchester Piccadilly -> Davenport 150268 = cleared for 10 miles
150142+150272 Davenport -> Stockport ---
323234 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly Cleared for 10 miles
390005 Manchester Piccadilly -> Euston Cleared for 100 miles
LU 11073+11074 Euston -> Stockwell ---
LU 51542+51543 Stockwell -> Morden ---
Milestones
Winners 3031, 150210, 156423, 158812, 158854, 158858, 350402, 390124
Cleared for 10 miles 150210, 150268, 156423, 156424, 156454, 156484, 323234, 323238, 350402
Cleared for 100 miles 390005
New Shacks Ashton-under-Lyne, Bryn, Davenport
This trip came into an already hectic schedule on account of Virgin West Coasts Seat Sale and my inability to refuse a bargain. I booked my outward ticket to Wigan but my return from Manchester as this gave me a couple of options –
1. A Lancashire Day Ranger which would allow me to cover the 10:04 departure from Preston. Afterwards I could go Pendolino chasing between Wigan & Lancaster, get in a couple of bits of required track (Colne and the Todmorden curve, possibly visit Merseyside and check out required 507s and/or bash around North Manchester. For this option to be followed, the 10:04 would need to be a winning loco.
2. Purchase some form of day ticket covering Greater Manchester and dependent upon available information, go chasing some combination of required DMU/EMU, trams, shacks or if all else failed, get some required Metrolink track in the book.
Leaving home at about 06:20, I made for Morden station. I initially had Mrs KJ in tow but lucky(?) her, she was off to work while I was planning on playing trains for the day. 1995ts 51607+51608 took me north from Morden to Stockwell where I made the usual switch to the Victoria Line and onto 2009ts 11019+11020 for the onward journey to Euston. You may well ask why I always make the switch at Stockwell when the Northern Line goes through to Euston (and Kings Cross). Well, it saves time and also I get to ride on 2009ts where I still need one unit outright and loads more for the dreaded 10 miles.
I arrived at Euston in good time and within minutes my train was announced as being ready for boarding so I took up my seat in dud 390107. Admittedly, it was only my second trip with is particular Pendolino but also my second trip within a week as six days previously, it conveyed me from Euston to Stockport. The journey north was uneventful and the train appeared to be poorly loaded but I supposed that’s Virgin’s policy of exorbitant fares in the morning peak and the withdrawal of the railcard discounts on off peak returns at this time of day. I tried getting in touch with a mate who has access to a magic box but alas he was taking a day’s leave himself and was planning on chasing cats through the Chilterns. Therefore, whatever I did, I’d have to do it in the traditional style without any information. How did I get on?
I arrived at Wigan North Western and made for the booking office only to be confronted by a joint Virgin/Northern revenue block in the subway. And tickets were getting a thorough examination. The Virgin RPI who examined my ticket claimed she had never seen a VTWC PROMO ticket before and was unsure of its validity until a colleague of hers intervened and said it was a promotional single and should be accepted like any other single ticket from London. That little hurdle over and done with, the booking office were quite willing to issue me with a GM Wayfarer ticket and this time the revenue block were not even interested in me as I reentered the station! As I was not heading for Preston and the 10:04 departure – that was 37401 which was only needed for renumbering – I was going to target the Manchester area. I espied the option for a shack attack at nearby Bryn as my “Starter for Ten” so I jumped on board 319361 for the run down to Bryn. This was to be my first run on a 319 outside the south east and a good job seems to have been made in tarting them up although the 319 characteristic of very low seats has not been addressed. I had about two minutes to get over the bridge for the train back to Wigan which was rolling in as I made it onto the platform. 319367 provided my second trip with a 319 outside the class’s traditional sphere of operations.
Back at Wigan north Western, I had two options, either wait and see whether a couple of late running train from Scotland were any good or take a stroll across the road to Wallgate to checkout the Northern Random DMU Generator. The former won the day although I was wondering whether I’d made the right decision when a dud pair of 221s came in but then I remembered the 350 that was right behind. Bingo! Transpennine turned up trumps with a winning 350402; after the previous Saturday’s successes with 350s, this would leave me just one Transpennine 350 (409) to sort. A slightly late departure from Wigan was converted with ease into an on-time arrival at Piccadilly where I alighted and went for a stroll. All I could find of interest was a required Pendolino but that would not be leaving for the best part of 20 minutes and so I returned to the through platforms only to see a required 158 just leaving for Liverpool. “Rats!” was the only thought to go through my mind but at least I could try to bag it later.
My mood was soon tempered by the arrival of a pair of 158s, 158770+158858, from Liverpool as this also contained a winner. Loyal followers of my trip reports will doubtlessly remember that 158770 has already featured twice in my trip reports in April but not a winning 158858. A move was starting to build now as I could do the 158s to Stockport, wait a few minutes and bag a winning Pendolino. The 158 duo were slightly late but not sufficiently late as to get me worried that a required Pendolino would go sailing by on the way to Stockport. Bang on cue, 390124 rolled in and took me on a Bus Stop Bash (for a Pendolino) to Wilmslow. A quick stroll through the subway and 323238 was soon arriving to take me back to Stockport – another Starship in the book for 10 miles. It was sorely tempting to have a go at getting some of the intermediate shacks in the book but I was mindful of the winning 158 that I had lined up for a little later on; consequently, another low mileage Starship, 323234, was the favoured way of getting back to Manchester. Unfortunately, this one was so low that I would still need a mile or so to clear once I alighted at Piccadilly.
I still had plenty of time before the winning 158 was due. More than enough for a local spin. My eyes alighted on 221127 and while not a winner despite me still needing too many Vomit Comets, it was sub 10 miles and Stockport would sort that one out. No prizes for guessing where I went! I now had about 25 minutes before my appointment at Piccadilly with my 158 and the option of about five trains to get there. The first two were completely dud but the third was far from dud. 158788+158812 rolled in on a Norwich to Liverpool service and both units gave rise to notations of some description in The Haulage Book. 158788 had been absent from The Haulage Book for many years (the only previous record being a trip from Nottingham to Loughborough on 17 May 1997) while 158812 was an outright winner. [Ed: There’s something wrong here! More than one EMT 158 winner in a day? It’s simply not allowed.] I was rather pleased as with the 158 that I had in the pipeline, I would be left chasing just one EMT 158. A slow run to Piccadilly ensued but fortunately not slow enough to jeopardise the +7 onto my next move. I bade farewell to the 158 duo at Piccadilly and strolled to the opposite end of the island platform to await another pair of 158s that were on their way back in from Liverpool.
While waiting for my prey to arrive from Liverpool, I noted a pair of mileage requirement 156s heading to Manchester Airport – something for me to grab later after their brief visit to Manchester’s aviation hub. I was more interested in the 156s clearing the platform so that my winning 158 could occupy the platform; I could see it and a friend waiting on the viaduct! AT long last the 156s clear the platform after copious amounts of luggage had been unloaded by just two passengers and in trundled 158777+158854. I had no interest in 158777 but 158854 was a definite winner so in a matter of a couple of hours, I’d sorted out three (from four) of my all-time required EMT 158s. Only 158852 and several mileage needs to go but they’ll have to wait another day. I could only do the 158s to Stockport but at least now they would be “in the book”. At Stockport, I did not hang around very long as I knew that all too soon my 156s mileage needs would be heading back from the Airport so after rejecting a dud Pendolino and an equally dud Starship, I ended up on yet another dud, 175107 for my first Hippo ride of the year and made it back to Piccadilly in good time for the 156s. Earlier in the day, I’d noted 390125 in the platforms and mused that I’d like to bump into it at some point in time on account of it being an outright winner but it appeared that it was going nowhere fast, judging by the number of orange-attired folk staring at it and scratching anything that could be scratched. It was obviously not well and doing a good job of screwing Virgin up as they were having to step up London arrivals so that meant less than 10 minutes to turn each arrival around and get it out again on time. Not once, but every 20 minutes!
My 156s soon returned from their little excursion up the Airport and I was quite pleased to see 156424+156484. Both needed a couple of more miles to get to the magic 10 so I set my destination as Salford Crescent. It always seems to be such a stagger across town from Piccadilly to the Crescent and this journey was no different, taking almost 15 minutes. Having exhausted, or so it seemed, the available units on the south side of Manchester, now would be a good time to start on the north side which always seems to get neglected when I visit Manchester. I had only a few minutes to wait before my interest was aroused by 150143+156483. The 150 was of no interest but the 156 was a different story as I’d only ever had it before on a Bus Stop Bash from Salford Central to Salford Crescent and therefore needed some serious mileage off of it. The train was bound for Huddersfield despite it being almost a dead end move, I had to go to Stalybridge in order to clock up the magic 10 miles. But within a few seconds of leaving Salford Crescent, that was all set to change as I passed my last all-time 150/2 heading the opposite way. I could not afford to go to Stalybridge any more as I’d have a very dodgy +1 somewhere in the equation if I were then to chase down the 150. So I settled on going as far as Ashton-under-Lyne where at least I would get a shack scratch and then have several options to grab the winning 150. 150143 was dropped from the train at Manchester Victoria leaving 156483 to struggle on alone to Huddersfield. I bailed at Ashton as per the revised plan, leaving 156483 needing just a Bus Stop Bash before it cleared 10 miles.
I had only a short wait before 156440 appeared to take me back to Manchester Victoria where, if I made a -1, I could have a much better go at the 150/2. The -1 duly made and I had almost three minutes to switch platforms at Victoria onto 142041+142047 which I had all the way to Bolton. On the way up to Bolton, I passed a pair of 156s and the back one looked suspiciously like one of my last Northern 156s. That had to be investigated further and a quick check of RTT revealed that I had just seen a Blackpool to Manchester Airport service. Could I get it later on in the day? At Bolton, I had just under four minutes to make the awkward platform switch and as I arrived on the Manchester-bound platform, so did winning 150210 (only Great Western’s 150121 left to go before the 150s are clear). [Ed: Haven’t you heard about the new hybrid 150/9 that Great Western are supposed to be forming up?] Taking 150210 through to Manchester Victoria cleared it for 10 miles and now I had just under half an hour to get across to Piccadilly. Metrolink 3031 came to my rescue and deposited me at Piccadilly with a good ten minutes to spare. I took the opportunity to bag provisions for the remainder of the day in case there was no opportunity later on.
I made for the island platform and was greeted by 323233 heading to Oxford Road on a Crewe to Oxford Road service. I needed just over a mile off of the Starship to clear it for 10 miles and figured that if I had misread the 156 then Oxford Road and back on the 323 would kill that off. At Oxford Road, the 156s duly followed up and it was a case of “Houston, we have a winner on our hands” as 156423+156481 hove into view. 156481 was of no interest but 156423 was my third to last Northern 156 (156448 & 156490, both Heaton, left to bag now). There was only one place to go now, Bolton! At Bolton, I figured that I had around three minutes to get over that footbridge again but in the end I comfortably made it onto 150205+156464 which landed me back at Piccadilly.
I wandered around Piccadilly and soon found 150211+150268; both were under 10 miles but it might prove problematic to sort out 150211 as that would entail going to Hazel Grove where there was over half an hour wait for anything back. Instead, I opted to bail at the required shack of Davenport for a +3 onto 150142+150272 back to Stockport. I had around 40 minutes before my booked train out of Piccadilly. Could I bag anything else? Various things came and went but with no matches with my lists, I was about to settled for a dud 390008 back into Piccadilly when 323234 rolled in. At least I’d now have the pleasure of clearing another Starship for 10 miles. At Piccadilly, I crossed over to an already packed 390005 for the trip back south. 390005 was my last nine-car 390 still needed for 10 miles although the trip to Euston would also see it clear 100 miles. 390005 was scored not too long ago in the West Midlands and was therefore also required for Euston – of the nine-car Pendolinos, only 390010 is still needed for a Euston visit. Likewise, with 390005 clearing 100 miles, only 390002 of the nine-car variant has yet to achieve such worthy heights.
The trip to Euston passed all to quickly and it was left to 11043+11044 to take me down to Stockwell before boarding 51542+51542 onwards to Morden. I reflected on the day and despite having no plan at all, figured that I had done well with seven winners [Ed: Aren’t you forgetting the Metrolink?] along with ten more units cleared for 10 miles in what is increasingly becoming difficult territory. OK the wants list is still well-populated but it’s nothing like it was a year or two back. Future visits to that part of the world will no doubt see more Metrolink bashing as well as shack scratching (there’s tons of those still to bag). As for marks out of 10, I think that I’d give this one a 9! And the “hit of the trip” award goes to 150210. No contest! And as I walked out of Morden station, who should I bump into? No less than Mrs KJ on her way home from work – thankfully her day was not as tiring as mine.
Finally, here’s the days moves if you, dear reader, have been unable to keep up -
LU 51607+??? Morden -> Stockwell ---
LU 11019+11020 Stockwell -> Euston ---
390107 Euston -> Wigan North Western ---
319361 Wigan North Western -> Bryn ---
319367 Bryn -> Wigan North Western ---
350402 Wigan North Western -> Manchester Piccadilly WINNER, cleared for 10 miles
158770+158858 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport 158858 = WINNER
390124 Stockport -> Wilmslow WINNER
323238 Wilmslow -> Stockport Cleared for 10 miles
323234 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly ---
221127 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport Cleared for 10 miles
158788+158812 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly 158812 = WINNER
158777 +158854 Manchester Piccadilly -> Stockport 158854 = WINNER
175107 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly ---
156424+156484 Manchester Piccadilly -> Salford Crescent Both = cleared for 10 miles
150143+156483 Salford Crescent -> Ashton-under-Lyne 150143 detached at Vctoria
156440 Ashton-under-Lyne -> Manchester Victoria ---
142041+142047 Manchester Victoria -> Bolton ---
150210 Bolton -> Manchester Victoria WINNER, cleared for 10 miles
3031 Victoria -> Piccadilly WINNER
323233 Manchester Piccadilly -> Manchester Oxford Road ---
156423+156481 Manchester Oxford Road -> Bolton WINNER, cleared for 10 miles
150205+156454 Bolton -> Manchester Piccadilly 156454 = cleared for 10 miles
150211+150268 Manchester Piccadilly -> Davenport 150268 = cleared for 10 miles
150142+150272 Davenport -> Stockport ---
323234 Stockport -> Manchester Piccadilly Cleared for 10 miles
390005 Manchester Piccadilly -> Euston Cleared for 100 miles
LU 11073+11074 Euston -> Stockwell ---
LU 51542+51543 Stockwell -> Morden ---
Milestones
Winners 3031, 150210, 156423, 158812, 158854, 158858, 350402, 390124
Cleared for 10 miles 150210, 150268, 156423, 156424, 156454, 156484, 323234, 323238, 350402
Cleared for 100 miles 390005
New Shacks Ashton-under-Lyne, Bryn, Davenport
- Status