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Keith goes wandering
- Thread starter Keith Jarrett
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Keith Jarrett
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Both the Cats were noisy things even though they were on load three plus idling Cat tagging along for the fun of it.
Tech - you're more than welcome to mention 170206. I will get it sometime, perhaps on my next Anglia trip.
Books are going well at the moment and taking up a decent amount of my time.
Alex, thanks for the "welcome back". And I'm sure that one day you'll make it down to the flat lands of East Anglia.
Mr 13, you're absolutely correct - I was well in front of you and long gone from Norwich by the time the 14:05 set sail. Hope you and Mr Sixteen Wheeler enjoyed the Cats as much as I did.
And November has been really kind so far with four RLU 700s bagged this week on the daily trudge. I am getting perilously close to 500 winners this year which is almost unbelievable given what I want. As you can imagine, the target is to break the 500 barrier! Even with projected deliveries for 2017, I'm thinking that it's going to be a bit of a struggle to amass 500 next year but let's see how that pans out. If I get a chance, I might do a quick piece on how good 2016 was for me but don't hold me to it. And I have to have a December challenge of some sort. Last year it was 31 winners for the month, i.e. one for each day. What's it to be this year?
Techniquest
Veteran Member
I'm looking forward to your December challenge, it provided some excellent reading last year! You've done better in recent times with 700s than I have for all time, something which will change as soon as the opportunity arises!
Keith Jarrett
Member
It’s December [Ed: As we didn’t know] and therefore time for the December Challenge. As to what challenge I should set myself, that was likely to be a bigger challenge than the challenge itself! My initial thoughts revolved around trying to ride on 31 (or more) different classes of unit entirely within the Travelcard zones – it’s entirely possible if you include London Underground, DLR and Tramlink stock but that thought went out of the window when I looked at my haulage needs for London – it’s far worse than last year with a staggering 91 units still needed for haulage. Last year’s December Challenge was supposed to see me getting on top of requirements in the capital but brand new 387s and 700s along with 171 conversions have put paid to that. When I completed last year’s December Challenge, I was left needing 60 units from London but that’s been inflated to 95 so again I am going to set myself the target of grabbing at least 31 winners in the 31 days of December.
Those 95 needs break down as follows
165 5
171 5
317 1
350 5
360 2
365 2
378 2
387 30
395 6
455 1
465 17
700 12
S-7 2
1992ts 3
Tram 2
Total 95
One difference from last year is that retractioned 455s and 465s now count (although there were no retractioned 455s in traffic this time last year) – I’ve of course long cleared 455s and 465s in their original state. The daily commute has seen S-7 sets dwindle to the extent that only one required pair is in traffic with another one delivered but still on test. And I have picked up a few 378s during the year along with all my remaining Thameslink 387/1s and I’ve managed a few 395s as well as keeping on top of the Vossloh 455s.
There’s obviously going to be several days when I am unable to score anything so that will simply put pressure on me to score more than my “one a day” on other days! While I expect 387s and 700s to make up a good number of the winners, I’ll try to inject a little variety. Stay tuned to see how I get on.
--------
Well it December was less than nine hours old when I caught sight of my first potential candidates for the Challenge. Slight problem, the train was heading in the opposite direction to me and I was headed for work although rather annoyed to see my last running S-7 pair moving away from me. At least I got the train number and made a mental note to look up its workings for the rest of the day as soon as I could. Thankfully, it should remain out all day shuttling up and down the District line between Upminster and Richmond/Ealing Broadway and what’s more, it was perfectly accessible at lunchtime. Bingo!
The morning rushed by and all too soon it was time to head for the District Line. In the off peak, District Line trains seem to have a habit of running a minute or two ahead of the working times if there’s no disruptions. So with four minutes to spare, I made it onto the District Line platforms at Westminster only to see an Upminster train departing – thankfully the train number was not the one I was seeking and neither was the unit. A few minutes later, the indicator board showed the next Upminster train as approaching – “this should be it” I thought to myself. I read off 0…0..5 from the train number display. “They got that right”. “Hallelujah” was the next thought to cross my mind as car 21563 passed me. Taking my place initially in the rear part of the unit to get 21564 in the book, I moved forward at Blackfriars so that the other half, 21563 could also enter The Haulage Book. A mile and a bit later, I bailed at Tower Hill having successfully had 21563+21564 and therefore clearing all running S-7 sets for the first time since their introduction back in July 2012. I have not formally cleared S-7s as a class yet as there’s one delivered set (21381/382) still to enter traffic, two S-7+1 sets to revert to seven-car formation and two units on test. Two winners down, 29 to go. (For the record, 21482 returned me to the safety of Westminster).
---
December 2nd looms and the daily commute turns up another winner. With two 700 workings on the Wimbledon loop in the morning peak, I am not going to go hunting RLU 700s as I figure they’ll end up coming my way sooner or later. My regular train into work has just gone over to 700 operation but this morning it turns up with dud 700008 – at least I clear another carriage off of it I thought, trying to salvage something from the second dud RLU 700 this week on 1O10. But my stay on 700008 was limited to all of five minutes as our arrival at South Merton coincided with the arrival of the other 700 working. Plan B immediately was activated and a rapid bail across the platform on to winning 700018 ensued. Heading to London the long way around the loop, 700018 not only received the red pen treatment from me but it was also scratched for 10 miles. Three down!
As an aside, does anyone have a complete list of RLU 700s that are in traffic? Thus far I am aware of 700002, 003, 005, 008, 014, 018, 019, 023 having been used in revenue earning service. Are there any more?
Those 95 needs break down as follows
165 5
171 5
317 1
350 5
360 2
365 2
378 2
387 30
395 6
455 1
465 17
700 12
S-7 2
1992ts 3
Tram 2
Total 95
One difference from last year is that retractioned 455s and 465s now count (although there were no retractioned 455s in traffic this time last year) – I’ve of course long cleared 455s and 465s in their original state. The daily commute has seen S-7 sets dwindle to the extent that only one required pair is in traffic with another one delivered but still on test. And I have picked up a few 378s during the year along with all my remaining Thameslink 387/1s and I’ve managed a few 395s as well as keeping on top of the Vossloh 455s.
There’s obviously going to be several days when I am unable to score anything so that will simply put pressure on me to score more than my “one a day” on other days! While I expect 387s and 700s to make up a good number of the winners, I’ll try to inject a little variety. Stay tuned to see how I get on.
--------
Well it December was less than nine hours old when I caught sight of my first potential candidates for the Challenge. Slight problem, the train was heading in the opposite direction to me and I was headed for work although rather annoyed to see my last running S-7 pair moving away from me. At least I got the train number and made a mental note to look up its workings for the rest of the day as soon as I could. Thankfully, it should remain out all day shuttling up and down the District line between Upminster and Richmond/Ealing Broadway and what’s more, it was perfectly accessible at lunchtime. Bingo!
The morning rushed by and all too soon it was time to head for the District Line. In the off peak, District Line trains seem to have a habit of running a minute or two ahead of the working times if there’s no disruptions. So with four minutes to spare, I made it onto the District Line platforms at Westminster only to see an Upminster train departing – thankfully the train number was not the one I was seeking and neither was the unit. A few minutes later, the indicator board showed the next Upminster train as approaching – “this should be it” I thought to myself. I read off 0…0..5 from the train number display. “They got that right”. “Hallelujah” was the next thought to cross my mind as car 21563 passed me. Taking my place initially in the rear part of the unit to get 21564 in the book, I moved forward at Blackfriars so that the other half, 21563 could also enter The Haulage Book. A mile and a bit later, I bailed at Tower Hill having successfully had 21563+21564 and therefore clearing all running S-7 sets for the first time since their introduction back in July 2012. I have not formally cleared S-7s as a class yet as there’s one delivered set (21381/382) still to enter traffic, two S-7+1 sets to revert to seven-car formation and two units on test. Two winners down, 29 to go. (For the record, 21482 returned me to the safety of Westminster).
---
December 2nd looms and the daily commute turns up another winner. With two 700 workings on the Wimbledon loop in the morning peak, I am not going to go hunting RLU 700s as I figure they’ll end up coming my way sooner or later. My regular train into work has just gone over to 700 operation but this morning it turns up with dud 700008 – at least I clear another carriage off of it I thought, trying to salvage something from the second dud RLU 700 this week on 1O10. But my stay on 700008 was limited to all of five minutes as our arrival at South Merton coincided with the arrival of the other 700 working. Plan B immediately was activated and a rapid bail across the platform on to winning 700018 ensued. Heading to London the long way around the loop, 700018 not only received the red pen treatment from me but it was also scratched for 10 miles. Three down!
As an aside, does anyone have a complete list of RLU 700s that are in traffic? Thus far I am aware of 700002, 003, 005, 008, 014, 018, 019, 023 having been used in revenue earning service. Are there any more?
Kite159
Veteran Member
Congrats on the S7s 
Good luck with your challenge, I suspect the 20:06/20:36 from East Croydon to Victoria might feature for some 387/2s, plus a trip to Hayes & Harlington on some green 387s
Good luck with your challenge, I suspect the 20:06/20:36 from East Croydon to Victoria might feature for some 387/2s, plus a trip to Hayes & Harlington on some green 387s
37078xotTE
Established Member
- Joined
- 29 Feb 2012
- Messages
- 2,840
700010 is working the below today:-
St Pancras Int P 16:40 1H66
Farringdon 16:45 16:45 1H66
London Blackfr's 16:51 16:52 1H66
Beckenham Juncti 17:18 17:30 1G79
London Blackfr's 17:55 17:56 1G79
Farringdon 18:01 18:01 1G79
St Pancras Int P 18:05 18:06 1G79
Bedford Midland 19:06
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Excellent, Keith is back on his December challenge! Doing well so far too.
RLU 700s confuses me though!
RLU 700s confuses me though!
Kite159
Veteran Member
Just think RLU 700 = 700/0 (8 car units), FLU are the full fat 12 coach ones.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
Keith Jarrett
Member
Congrats on the S7s
Good luck with your challenge, I suspect the 20:06/20:36 from East Croydon to Victoria might feature for some 387/2s, plus a trip to Hayes & Harlington on some green 387s
O yes. Probably combined with searching for the two new trams.
Not forgetting the option of a little trip to Fenchurch Street of course. I believe that red pens come out to play at about 17:43.
RLU = Restricted Length Unit
FLU = Full Length Unit
Kite159
Veteran Member
Or even a trip to Paddington for a trip on the 19:15 service to Ealing Broadway for the other set coming back (or even a risky move at West Ealing)
Alpine and Taddys in Sam Smiths Lager terminology...
Or abysmal and horrific in people-who-have-proper-taste-in-beer terminology
Keith Jarrett
Member
After a quiet weekend (for bashing), a new week loomed. But would Lady Luck be riding with me and help to turn up some winners or would she be elsewhere and leave me floundering around? My first impressions on a cold Monday morning was that she was nowhere to be seen as 1O10 turns up with my stalker 700, 700014. But at least there’s still required carriages to tick off! Progressing towards London, we pass a very late running 1V83 at Haydons Road with required 700023. Let’s just hope that it sticks to diagram and I can grab it on my way home on 2O93.
Meanwhile, 1O10 makes its normal slow progress towards central London but by Herne Hill, I’ve had enough of 700014 and bail over the platform to join 465194+465240. At least I’ve rescued something as the run into Victoria sees 465194 tip 10 miles and thus eligible to join that most hallowed of organisations, The Ten Mile Club. At Victoria, S-7 21471+21472 is on hand to take me to work!
Fast forward eight hours and I am now leaving the “factory” having noted that 700023 appears to have stuck out all day so with half an hour to get to Blackfriars, 21471+21472 take me to Tower Hill on a timewasting move for 21551+21552 back to Blackfriars. I leap up the escalators to the southbound Thameslink platform with about five minutes to spare before 700023 appears on 2O93. I managed to secure a seat on what is a fairly crowded train and as soon as 700023 moves off, it is accorded the red pen treatment. From Tulse Hill onwards, the journey is somewhat of a stagger as we seem to be behind a late running Southern service [Ed: What’s new there - Southern couldn’t run to time if they tried?]. The problem was that the Southern was also headed around the “loop” so the stagger continued beyond Sutton, by which time 700023’s reporting number had become 2O94 thus allowing me to switch carriages and eventual arrival at St Helier was a mere 11 down. Not bad after an on-time departure from Blackfriars! Winner number 4 in the book for December and 700023 successfully applies to join the Ten Mile Club.
Tuesday looms large and there’s no 1O10 running today as the inbound working was caped at Blackfriars so I have no choice but to go for 1V83/2V12 to get me to work. One problem is that it’s 700002 and I have already had one run-in with this unit already in its short working career. With no 1O10, the train becomes rather cosy from Streatham onwards but everyone manages to squeeze on. That is until Herne Hill where end up with a door defect right at the back of the unit. It takes two visits from the driver to sort it out by which time the front-most doors decide also to join in the fun and games and go defective. While the driver is trying to fix the problem, which involves a phone call or two to Control for some tech support, folk are starting to panic. For example there’s a loud-mouthed person with an American accent flapping about being late for a meeting and getting wound up that they’re not being told what’s going on - their view was that the driver should tell everyone all about the problems rather than getting on and trying to fix the problem!
When it becomes clear that 700002 is not going anywhere quickly (it eventually moved about 50 late) I join others in decamping to the next Victoria bound service with 465169+466039. That was rather a good move on my part as another winner shows up so six days into December and winner number 5 has already fallen victim to my red pen. Remember that when the 465s were retractioned with Hitachi systems a few years back, they effectively became new units as far as I was concerned hence the use of the red pen. 21317+21318 complete the journey into work.
Leaving the factory at the pointed hour, I have to do yet more timewasting before my evening appointment so it’s time for a bit more mileage accumulation with S-7 stock. 21413+21414 to South Kensington followed by 21403+21404 to Tower Hill then a brisk walk to Fenchurch Street as my red pen is getting itchy again! Staggering up to platform 2, I find myself confronted with three winners; the red pen is having a field day and it’s not long before 387301, 387302 and 387303 have all succumbed to the red pen treatment. With c2c’s odd stopping pattern for evening peak services, Barking is my limit of travel on 387301+387302+387303 so I can keep those application forms for the Ten Mile Club safely in my bag.
Crossing to the London-bound platforms, I wonder what’s in store for me and that is revealed in a couple of minutes as I have the choice of 357316 or 357319 for the journey back into London. As I am stood right next to 357316 and it’s sub ten miles, the choice is out of my hands and I will be needing one of those membership forms after all! In fact I need to go all the way to Fenchurch Street in order to be able to invite 357316 to join the Ten Mile Club. After that, it is a quick trot round to Tower Hill to join 21435+21436 for a real Bus Stop Bash to Monument where I descend the escalator to Bank. 51605+51606 are conveniently waiting to whisk me south to Morden and on to home. That’s now eight winners in the book so far this month. Is this challenge going to be a doddle? If so, I’ll have to revise it and suggest that it’s going to be a minimum of 31 winners and an ideal of over 40. But let’s see how I get on in the coming days and weeks.
-----------------------------------
Belated thanks 37078xotTE for the knowledge that number 10 is also out to play. I've seen it stated, but not conformed, that 700004 is also available for traffic. I'd appreciate confirmation of that if at all possible.
Meanwhile, 1O10 makes its normal slow progress towards central London but by Herne Hill, I’ve had enough of 700014 and bail over the platform to join 465194+465240. At least I’ve rescued something as the run into Victoria sees 465194 tip 10 miles and thus eligible to join that most hallowed of organisations, The Ten Mile Club. At Victoria, S-7 21471+21472 is on hand to take me to work!
Fast forward eight hours and I am now leaving the “factory” having noted that 700023 appears to have stuck out all day so with half an hour to get to Blackfriars, 21471+21472 take me to Tower Hill on a timewasting move for 21551+21552 back to Blackfriars. I leap up the escalators to the southbound Thameslink platform with about five minutes to spare before 700023 appears on 2O93. I managed to secure a seat on what is a fairly crowded train and as soon as 700023 moves off, it is accorded the red pen treatment. From Tulse Hill onwards, the journey is somewhat of a stagger as we seem to be behind a late running Southern service [Ed: What’s new there - Southern couldn’t run to time if they tried?]. The problem was that the Southern was also headed around the “loop” so the stagger continued beyond Sutton, by which time 700023’s reporting number had become 2O94 thus allowing me to switch carriages and eventual arrival at St Helier was a mere 11 down. Not bad after an on-time departure from Blackfriars! Winner number 4 in the book for December and 700023 successfully applies to join the Ten Mile Club.
Tuesday looms large and there’s no 1O10 running today as the inbound working was caped at Blackfriars so I have no choice but to go for 1V83/2V12 to get me to work. One problem is that it’s 700002 and I have already had one run-in with this unit already in its short working career. With no 1O10, the train becomes rather cosy from Streatham onwards but everyone manages to squeeze on. That is until Herne Hill where end up with a door defect right at the back of the unit. It takes two visits from the driver to sort it out by which time the front-most doors decide also to join in the fun and games and go defective. While the driver is trying to fix the problem, which involves a phone call or two to Control for some tech support, folk are starting to panic. For example there’s a loud-mouthed person with an American accent flapping about being late for a meeting and getting wound up that they’re not being told what’s going on - their view was that the driver should tell everyone all about the problems rather than getting on and trying to fix the problem!
When it becomes clear that 700002 is not going anywhere quickly (it eventually moved about 50 late) I join others in decamping to the next Victoria bound service with 465169+466039. That was rather a good move on my part as another winner shows up so six days into December and winner number 5 has already fallen victim to my red pen. Remember that when the 465s were retractioned with Hitachi systems a few years back, they effectively became new units as far as I was concerned hence the use of the red pen. 21317+21318 complete the journey into work.
Leaving the factory at the pointed hour, I have to do yet more timewasting before my evening appointment so it’s time for a bit more mileage accumulation with S-7 stock. 21413+21414 to South Kensington followed by 21403+21404 to Tower Hill then a brisk walk to Fenchurch Street as my red pen is getting itchy again! Staggering up to platform 2, I find myself confronted with three winners; the red pen is having a field day and it’s not long before 387301, 387302 and 387303 have all succumbed to the red pen treatment. With c2c’s odd stopping pattern for evening peak services, Barking is my limit of travel on 387301+387302+387303 so I can keep those application forms for the Ten Mile Club safely in my bag.
Crossing to the London-bound platforms, I wonder what’s in store for me and that is revealed in a couple of minutes as I have the choice of 357316 or 357319 for the journey back into London. As I am stood right next to 357316 and it’s sub ten miles, the choice is out of my hands and I will be needing one of those membership forms after all! In fact I need to go all the way to Fenchurch Street in order to be able to invite 357316 to join the Ten Mile Club. After that, it is a quick trot round to Tower Hill to join 21435+21436 for a real Bus Stop Bash to Monument where I descend the escalator to Bank. 51605+51606 are conveniently waiting to whisk me south to Morden and on to home. That’s now eight winners in the book so far this month. Is this challenge going to be a doddle? If so, I’ll have to revise it and suggest that it’s going to be a minimum of 31 winners and an ideal of over 40. But let’s see how I get on in the coming days and weeks.
-----------------------------------
Belated thanks 37078xotTE for the knowledge that number 10 is also out to play. I've seen it stated, but not conformed, that 700004 is also available for traffic. I'd appreciate confirmation of that if at all possible.
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Kite159
Veteran Member
Congrats on another few winners into your book
Techniquest
Veteran Member
You are doing very well so far Keith, much like last December you'll have 31 red penners with ease I reckon!
37078xotTE
Established Member
- Joined
- 29 Feb 2012
- Messages
- 2,840
Belated thanks 37078xotTE for the knowledge that number 10 is also out to play. I've seen it stated, but not conformed, that 700004 is also available for traffic. I'd appreciate confirmation of that if at all possible.[/QUOTE]
004 is indeed quoted as serviceable but has allocation today
004 is indeed quoted as serviceable but has allocation today
47403
Established Member
Just caught up with your thread Keith, as usual a great read. Boy that red pens quill must be worn down to the nub now. Congrats on all your gains. To see a seasoned basher like yourself strike off so many requirements gives us all hope, not least me.
Ah the December Adventure, I remember last years and would frequent here on a daily basis in hope you'd succeed, DIDN'T you get closer to 50 in the end?. Good luck with this years, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Ah the December Adventure, I remember last years and would frequent here on a daily basis in hope you'd succeed, DIDN'T you get closer to 50 in the end?. Good luck with this years, I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.
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Keith Jarrett
Member
Once bashing gets in your blood, it's bl**dy difficult to flush it out. I've been seriously bashing for nigh on 40 years now - the official first day was sometime in February 1978 so there will be definitely a 40th Anniversary bash in 2018.
Yes, last year I did extremely well but this year there's a lot less opportunities to get out. For starters, there seems to be more social occasions in the diary this year. Add in that the brothers at Southern are denying us a full train service and I'm convinced that my requirements are all diagrammed on cancelled services. Then last year, I did target a lot of low hanging fruit (although 387s and 700s hang pretty low) and finally, I do have to devote some time to the book business that I inherited a few months back.
But let's see how we get on the the coming weeks, especially as there's more good news to report. I'm even minded to have a full day out later this month as it is simply embarrassing to have so many potential red penners despite last year's herculean efforts
Keith Jarrett
Member
Wednesday the 7th dawns and again 1O10 is dud. This time 700018 is performing and while I identify 1V83 as producing a winner, again it’s not possible to access it. Instead, I make plans to incorporate 2O93 into my moves after a day’s toil in the “factory”. Instead, buoyed by the success of recent days in extracting winners on the Southeastern side of the house with my Herne Hill-Victoria leaps, I try this move for a third time. And I am not let down as I after just a few minutes wait at Herne Hill, I am able to eradicate 465011 from my wants list. Scribbling 465011+465197 in my notebook, the red pen sees action yet again. From Victoria, it’s a bus part the way to work as I have parcels to drop at the Post Office first.
After a day’s work, I first check that my 700 requirement has stuck to diagram all day. Good news is that it has so I make for the District Line to take me on to Blackfriars. Picking up some refreshment on the way, I arrive with around 10 minutes to spare. Bang on time, 700003 rolls in and again, I’m lucky in being able to secure a seat – it’s so much easier to wield the red pen when you are seated. I have some time to waste so I try to work out a move which will not only see 700003 cleared for 10 miles but also get me to the next stage of my planned outing. Slight problem is that Southern are running late [Ed: What’s new there?]. The best option is actually to stay with 700003 on 2O93 all the way to Sutton and continue around the loop with it on 2O94 to Wimbledon so getting well over 10 miles in the book.
Alighting at Wimbledon, I make for the District Line but find my path to the platforms blocked on account of a medical emergency. Thankfully a back-up plan exists and I make for the National Rail platforms where 5855+5903 are rolling in bound for Waterloo. I scramble aboard and pray that there’s no further delays. Around 12 minutes later, I’m off at Vauxhall and dashing down to the Victoria Line where it’s a micro wait for 11043+11044 to whisk me to Oxford Circus. Crossing swiftly over to the Bakerloo Line, 3248+friend do a good job of carting me to Paddington where arrival is around 19:06. Perfect!
I head to the main line platforms with some degree of haste and am greeted by the sight of two green monsters. Treading in the footsteps of many who have doubtlessly gone before me at this hour, I board 387132+387133 and again the red pen is called into action (I know Kite of this parish has executed this move and no doubt others as well). The train is lightly loaded and all too soon, my first experience of a Great Western 387 is over and I am bailing at Ealing Broadway. I have sufficient time to wander over the footbridge, check the 1992ts lest any of my handful of needs are around before the platform public address system burbles into life and forewarns the arrival of the next Paddington service which has 8 cars. Within seconds, another green monster appears and I am soon enjoying the warmth of 387130+387131 with the well-worn red pen making two further strokes and thus the day’s tally is six winners and December’s total is now up to 14 with the month being only seven days old.
The run to Paddington is swift and all too soon, my short dalliance with green 387s is over. I make for the Bakerloo Line again and it’s a micro-wait for 3465 and friend to take me on the first leg of the homeward journey. Alighting at Oxford Circus, I elect to wait for something useful on the Victoria Line – basically a sub-ten mile unit and I have to let about six trains go before I have a match with my books. Thank you to 11027+11028 and the trip down to Stockwell is brief but allows 11027 to get enough mileage on the clock to join the Ten Mile Club. 51681+51682 roll in on the other side and I make for 51682 as that’s still under 100 miles and trundle down to Morden and on to home.
Thursday morning and yet another commute and again jinx unit 700002 appears on 1O10. Will the doors function correctly this time for the entire duration of my journey is the burning question of the day? So with some trepidation, I board and find another carriage that is required and settle down for the journey up to town. Having had some luck with the Herne Hill bail, I decide to give it another go. After all so many 465s are mileage requirements if not full red penners …
With only a couple of minutes to wait at Herne Hill, the requirements book comes out of the bag as I see a 465 approaching. “Bingo” I think to myself as the leading unit corresponds with my lists followed by “Yippee” as the friend in tow shows up as a mileage requirement. 700002 may be a jinx unit but is sure does have a knack of attracting good stuff at Herne Hill. I climb aboard 465045+465190, taking a seat in 465045 on account of it being somewhat less crowded than winning 465190. A few minutes later, I am deposited at Victoria. The homeward journey is of note in that I encounter my only SWT 455 required for 100 miles with original traction equipment. 5913 (+5740) at last tips 100 miles since its altercation with a cement mixer several years back that required a brand new power car to be fabricated from a class 210 vehicle. But December is only eight days old and already I have 15 winners on the board.
Friday doesn’t turn up anything on the daily commute and most of Saturday is spent doing bits and pieces at home. But I knew that an old friend from South Wales was up in town and we do from time to time meet up for some adult beverage. But tonight’s meet was to be slightly different. He was chasing down loads of 1992ts and if we were to meet, then I would have to have the pleasure of riding around on 1992ts with him. I certainly did not object as there’s still loads I need for mileage along with three rather shy units that could do with the odd stroke of the red pen.
51619+51620 were the traction out of Morden and the usual cross platform interchange at Stockwell to the Victoria line was the preferred solution still had plenty of time to get to Oxford Circus for the arranged meet so I had time to wait for a mileage need. After about six trains, 11069+11070 appeared and with both “halves” of the set being below 10 miles, it did not matter where I sat. As it was 11069 which drew up in from of me, that’s the bit that I sat in and by the time we had parted company at Oxford Circus, 11069 was eligible to join that most hallowed of institutions, The Ten Mile Club.
My friend was already on the platforms at Oxford Circus – I had visions of having to wait and seeing one of my three needs pass by – but no, we were on the move within a minute so here’s what I logged:
92323+92048+92216+92239 Oxford Circus to East Acton (92323, 92216+92239 all cleared for 10 miles)
92347+92456+92422+92093 East Acton to North Acton
92133+92076+92068+92073 North Acton to Shepherds Bush (92133 cleared for 10 miles)
92163+92192+92102+92055 Shepherds Bush to Holborn (92192 cleared for 10 miles)
92345+92040+92060+92155 Holborn to Mile End (92345+92060 cleared for 10 miles)
92127+92126+92032+92065 Mile End to Oxford Circus
Here my fiend left me to head for his train from Paddington. There were loads of mileage needs about but I thought that I’d try and see in that itchy red pen could be exercised. After about 10 minutes, the red pen was called into action.
92099+92082+92022+92197 Oxford Circus to Wanstead (Winning 92022 along with 92082 cleared for 10 miles)
92315+92014+92052+92019 Wanstead to Liverpool Street (92315, 92014 & 92052 all cleared for 10 miles)
92115+92402+92028+92129 Liverpool Street to Oxford Circus. (92115 & 92402 both low mileage but not cleared for 10 miles)
It was now time to head for home so as with the northbound journey, I set myself up for a wait at Oxford Circus which lasted all of five minutes before 11003+11004 rolled in. Both halves were ultra-low mileage but it was 11003 that got my vote for the trip to Stockwell. 51654+51655 completed the evening’s moves and 51655 was the selected unit to travel in as it would add to the pile of 1995ts cleared for 100 miles.
Another successful evening with one third of my 1992ts requirements eliminated and a grand total of 16 December winners now on the board makes that target of 31 winners sound easy to achieve. However, with Southern Strikes looming and a hectic pre-Christmas calendar, bashing opportunities look as though they are going to be restricted over the coming couple of weeks. Stayed tuned to see how I get on.
After a day’s work, I first check that my 700 requirement has stuck to diagram all day. Good news is that it has so I make for the District Line to take me on to Blackfriars. Picking up some refreshment on the way, I arrive with around 10 minutes to spare. Bang on time, 700003 rolls in and again, I’m lucky in being able to secure a seat – it’s so much easier to wield the red pen when you are seated. I have some time to waste so I try to work out a move which will not only see 700003 cleared for 10 miles but also get me to the next stage of my planned outing. Slight problem is that Southern are running late [Ed: What’s new there?]. The best option is actually to stay with 700003 on 2O93 all the way to Sutton and continue around the loop with it on 2O94 to Wimbledon so getting well over 10 miles in the book.
Alighting at Wimbledon, I make for the District Line but find my path to the platforms blocked on account of a medical emergency. Thankfully a back-up plan exists and I make for the National Rail platforms where 5855+5903 are rolling in bound for Waterloo. I scramble aboard and pray that there’s no further delays. Around 12 minutes later, I’m off at Vauxhall and dashing down to the Victoria Line where it’s a micro wait for 11043+11044 to whisk me to Oxford Circus. Crossing swiftly over to the Bakerloo Line, 3248+friend do a good job of carting me to Paddington where arrival is around 19:06. Perfect!
I head to the main line platforms with some degree of haste and am greeted by the sight of two green monsters. Treading in the footsteps of many who have doubtlessly gone before me at this hour, I board 387132+387133 and again the red pen is called into action (I know Kite of this parish has executed this move and no doubt others as well). The train is lightly loaded and all too soon, my first experience of a Great Western 387 is over and I am bailing at Ealing Broadway. I have sufficient time to wander over the footbridge, check the 1992ts lest any of my handful of needs are around before the platform public address system burbles into life and forewarns the arrival of the next Paddington service which has 8 cars. Within seconds, another green monster appears and I am soon enjoying the warmth of 387130+387131 with the well-worn red pen making two further strokes and thus the day’s tally is six winners and December’s total is now up to 14 with the month being only seven days old.
The run to Paddington is swift and all too soon, my short dalliance with green 387s is over. I make for the Bakerloo Line again and it’s a micro-wait for 3465 and friend to take me on the first leg of the homeward journey. Alighting at Oxford Circus, I elect to wait for something useful on the Victoria Line – basically a sub-ten mile unit and I have to let about six trains go before I have a match with my books. Thank you to 11027+11028 and the trip down to Stockwell is brief but allows 11027 to get enough mileage on the clock to join the Ten Mile Club. 51681+51682 roll in on the other side and I make for 51682 as that’s still under 100 miles and trundle down to Morden and on to home.
Thursday morning and yet another commute and again jinx unit 700002 appears on 1O10. Will the doors function correctly this time for the entire duration of my journey is the burning question of the day? So with some trepidation, I board and find another carriage that is required and settle down for the journey up to town. Having had some luck with the Herne Hill bail, I decide to give it another go. After all so many 465s are mileage requirements if not full red penners …
With only a couple of minutes to wait at Herne Hill, the requirements book comes out of the bag as I see a 465 approaching. “Bingo” I think to myself as the leading unit corresponds with my lists followed by “Yippee” as the friend in tow shows up as a mileage requirement. 700002 may be a jinx unit but is sure does have a knack of attracting good stuff at Herne Hill. I climb aboard 465045+465190, taking a seat in 465045 on account of it being somewhat less crowded than winning 465190. A few minutes later, I am deposited at Victoria. The homeward journey is of note in that I encounter my only SWT 455 required for 100 miles with original traction equipment. 5913 (+5740) at last tips 100 miles since its altercation with a cement mixer several years back that required a brand new power car to be fabricated from a class 210 vehicle. But December is only eight days old and already I have 15 winners on the board.
Friday doesn’t turn up anything on the daily commute and most of Saturday is spent doing bits and pieces at home. But I knew that an old friend from South Wales was up in town and we do from time to time meet up for some adult beverage. But tonight’s meet was to be slightly different. He was chasing down loads of 1992ts and if we were to meet, then I would have to have the pleasure of riding around on 1992ts with him. I certainly did not object as there’s still loads I need for mileage along with three rather shy units that could do with the odd stroke of the red pen.
51619+51620 were the traction out of Morden and the usual cross platform interchange at Stockwell to the Victoria line was the preferred solution still had plenty of time to get to Oxford Circus for the arranged meet so I had time to wait for a mileage need. After about six trains, 11069+11070 appeared and with both “halves” of the set being below 10 miles, it did not matter where I sat. As it was 11069 which drew up in from of me, that’s the bit that I sat in and by the time we had parted company at Oxford Circus, 11069 was eligible to join that most hallowed of institutions, The Ten Mile Club.
My friend was already on the platforms at Oxford Circus – I had visions of having to wait and seeing one of my three needs pass by – but no, we were on the move within a minute so here’s what I logged:
92323+92048+92216+92239 Oxford Circus to East Acton (92323, 92216+92239 all cleared for 10 miles)
92347+92456+92422+92093 East Acton to North Acton
92133+92076+92068+92073 North Acton to Shepherds Bush (92133 cleared for 10 miles)
92163+92192+92102+92055 Shepherds Bush to Holborn (92192 cleared for 10 miles)
92345+92040+92060+92155 Holborn to Mile End (92345+92060 cleared for 10 miles)
92127+92126+92032+92065 Mile End to Oxford Circus
Here my fiend left me to head for his train from Paddington. There were loads of mileage needs about but I thought that I’d try and see in that itchy red pen could be exercised. After about 10 minutes, the red pen was called into action.
92099+92082+92022+92197 Oxford Circus to Wanstead (Winning 92022 along with 92082 cleared for 10 miles)
92315+92014+92052+92019 Wanstead to Liverpool Street (92315, 92014 & 92052 all cleared for 10 miles)
92115+92402+92028+92129 Liverpool Street to Oxford Circus. (92115 & 92402 both low mileage but not cleared for 10 miles)
It was now time to head for home so as with the northbound journey, I set myself up for a wait at Oxford Circus which lasted all of five minutes before 11003+11004 rolled in. Both halves were ultra-low mileage but it was 11003 that got my vote for the trip to Stockwell. 51654+51655 completed the evening’s moves and 51655 was the selected unit to travel in as it would add to the pile of 1995ts cleared for 100 miles.
Another successful evening with one third of my 1992ts requirements eliminated and a grand total of 16 December winners now on the board makes that target of 31 winners sound easy to achieve. However, with Southern Strikes looming and a hectic pre-Christmas calendar, bashing opportunities look as though they are going to be restricted over the coming couple of weeks. Stayed tuned to see how I get on.
Kite159
Veteran Member
I dread to think how busy Oxford Circus would have been that time of day, congrats on getting 4 green 387s into the book (all be it on an Ealing Broadway leap), plus another 1992 stock into your book.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Congratulations Keith on getting 92022 in, I'm only 165 sets behind you now then! I had some of your sets yesterday, I wonder if my mega collection (see my trip report) would have featured your last two?
Keith Jarrett
Member
Monday morning’s commute was a total disaster as both trains that I normally use went AWOL so there were not even any 700s for me to see, let alone decide whether they were worthy of the red pen treatment. [Ed: Those at the back who can’t keep up, it’s now Monday the 12th]. The evening commute was destined to be the usual diet of South West 455s to Wimbledon, hoping of course for a new retractioned unit, then a pair of 319s on 2V91 up the bank to St Helier. Yes I partook of 455s as far as Wimbledon and had every intention of catching 2V91 but that all went out of the window a few minutes before 2V91 arrived.
To cut a long story short, Tramplink managed to come up with the goods with a nice new shiny Stadler which had yet to receive any attention from my red pen. Sitting in the top bay (platform 10b) was 2564 which still smelled new. Just over a mile later, I was bailing at Morden Road, 2564 was in the book and the red pen had done its stuff on the 17th winner of December. All that was left was for me to find a bus home.
Tuesday dawns and both 1O10 and 1V83 are running today. Thank goodness for that as it’s a dead cert that some Southern refugees from Sutton will no doubt be discovering the joys of Thameslink today. Given that Sutton is normally crawling with green electrocarts, about the only chance you’ll get today of seeing one is if Thameslink send one of their green ‘carts round the loop. But green ‘carts do not really grab my attention in the same way that new traction might and can I expect anything decent today? My predictions are that 1O10 and 1V83 will turn up jinx 700002 and stalker 700014 so it’s no surprise when my jinx unit rolls into St Helier on 1O10 more heavily loaded than usual.
But as previously recorded, while 700002 is my jinx unit, it has a habit of attracting winners particularly when I bail off of it at Herne Hill so I immediately resolve to take 700002 no further than Herne Hill to see if its magical powers still worked. An unknown 700 is passed at Wimbledon Chase on 1V83 – humanity of some description stopping me identifying it. Instead I press on to Herne Hill where I bail (sorry barge/push/shove my way off). First unit I espy is 700014 but that’s heading the other way so at least I got that bit right in that I’d see both 700002 and 700014!
The first pair of Victoria-bound 465s are no good but there’s a procession of Victoria-bound trains at this time of day so I can hold out for something that matches my lists. But there’s no need to check my lists as 2O12 rolls in with a winning 700. While it’s packed to the gunnels, I find a space to squeeze on to 700010. Red pen activity will have to wait until I have a little more space. I know our learned friend Lord Tech would say that it’s required for everything on account of having never even seen it before but I’m unable to tick it off for having sat down in it or made use of the facilities mid-train! At Blackfriars driver announced that it’s “all change” because there’s a fault with 700010 that’s preventing it running on AC. No problem as I was bailing out anyway. It seems that a visit to Smithfield sidings is the order of the day for 700010 but at least the red pen was called into action yet again for winner number 18 of the month. Is this becoming all too easy?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Alas your mega collection of 1992ts did not feature either of my last two. My two requirements seem to rarely get mentioned in dispatches by our learned colleagues but a quick search shows that the ultra dedicated basher known as Lord Kite may have managed to snaffle both of them
So if you are only 165 sets behind me then I want less for 10 miles than you do for outright haulage.
To cut a long story short, Tramplink managed to come up with the goods with a nice new shiny Stadler which had yet to receive any attention from my red pen. Sitting in the top bay (platform 10b) was 2564 which still smelled new. Just over a mile later, I was bailing at Morden Road, 2564 was in the book and the red pen had done its stuff on the 17th winner of December. All that was left was for me to find a bus home.
Tuesday dawns and both 1O10 and 1V83 are running today. Thank goodness for that as it’s a dead cert that some Southern refugees from Sutton will no doubt be discovering the joys of Thameslink today. Given that Sutton is normally crawling with green electrocarts, about the only chance you’ll get today of seeing one is if Thameslink send one of their green ‘carts round the loop. But green ‘carts do not really grab my attention in the same way that new traction might and can I expect anything decent today? My predictions are that 1O10 and 1V83 will turn up jinx 700002 and stalker 700014 so it’s no surprise when my jinx unit rolls into St Helier on 1O10 more heavily loaded than usual.
But as previously recorded, while 700002 is my jinx unit, it has a habit of attracting winners particularly when I bail off of it at Herne Hill so I immediately resolve to take 700002 no further than Herne Hill to see if its magical powers still worked. An unknown 700 is passed at Wimbledon Chase on 1V83 – humanity of some description stopping me identifying it. Instead I press on to Herne Hill where I bail (sorry barge/push/shove my way off). First unit I espy is 700014 but that’s heading the other way so at least I got that bit right in that I’d see both 700002 and 700014!
The first pair of Victoria-bound 465s are no good but there’s a procession of Victoria-bound trains at this time of day so I can hold out for something that matches my lists. But there’s no need to check my lists as 2O12 rolls in with a winning 700. While it’s packed to the gunnels, I find a space to squeeze on to 700010. Red pen activity will have to wait until I have a little more space. I know our learned friend Lord Tech would say that it’s required for everything on account of having never even seen it before but I’m unable to tick it off for having sat down in it or made use of the facilities mid-train! At Blackfriars driver announced that it’s “all change” because there’s a fault with 700010 that’s preventing it running on AC. No problem as I was bailing out anyway. It seems that a visit to Smithfield sidings is the order of the day for 700010 but at least the red pen was called into action yet again for winner number 18 of the month. Is this becoming all too easy?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Alas your mega collection of 1992ts did not feature either of my last two. My two requirements seem to rarely get mentioned in dispatches by our learned colleagues but a quick search shows that the ultra dedicated basher known as Lord Kite may have managed to snaffle both of them
So if you are only 165 sets behind me then I want less for 10 miles than you do for outright haulage.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Congrats on 2564 and another 700 into your book
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Ooh, I managed to score 2564 (by less than 36 hours) before you Keith 
hock: I'm honoured that I got a mention in your trip report, sure made me smile and the highlight of my day!
18 winners already? The new 700s will probably dry up soon, which will make it challenging I'm sure! As for the 92 stock, you'd be mortified at my LU needs as a whole...
hock: I'm honoured that I got a mention in your trip report, sure made me smile and the highlight of my day!18 winners already? The new 700s will probably dry up soon, which will make it challenging I'm sure! As for the 92 stock, you'd be mortified at my LU needs as a whole...
Keith Jarrett
Member
It’s Wednesday and another day, another commute. I turn out for 1O10 again and this time it’s 700005 packed with far more Southern refugees than yesterday. This time though, I get a positive ID on 1V83 and that’s ruled out for travel today so on we press towards central London. Again, I go for the Herne Hill bail even though it means fighting through the masses to get out although a few folk have the common sense to step onto the platform to let others off. Those 700s seem to soak up far more punters than the 319s and electrocarts as there’s only a handful who get left behind.
The first Victoria train rolls in with 465907+465910. While 465/9s are common on southeastern metro services, you don’t get pairs too often. As nether are required in any sense of the word, I let them go lest anything better shows up later on. The next train to stop is is a Beckenham Junction starter from the downside bay so it must use the crossover to the west of the station on departure – one for a micro grice one day. It rolls in with 465012+465152 with the former a winner for Hitachi traction. Getting a seat immediately mean that the red pen, so itching to escape the dark depths of my bag, again sees daylight and more action. That’s the 19th stroke of the month. At this rate there’s going to be no ink left in it!
The run into Victoria was a fine stagger and from Stewarts Lane onwards, I have sight of empty Pullman carriages – that can only mean one thing, the Mega Ching Express is out to play for two hundred or so lucky punters. Silver/grey 67012 is performing the ECS duties but there’s no loco hanging on the back so I have no idea what the punters will score today. I cannot hang around as I need to get to the factory for another day’s graft.
Thursday’s commute into work doesn’t generate anything of interest on the winner front and Thursday afternoon along with a good proportion of Thursday evening is spent partaking in “end of term” celebrations. But finding myself at Victoria at about 20:30, I suddenly became focussed on matters related to transport! Realising that we are rapidly approaching the hour when red 387s are allowed to stop within the Travelcard zones. RTT suggests platform 16 for the 20:50 departure to Brighton and observation reveals that 387213+387215 are waiting there with no planned destination. “Looking good” I thought as a check of the lists revealed that both were winners.
However, within minutes, a twelve car 387 appears on the adjacent platform 15 and this is badged as the 20:50 Brighton. The outlook here is initially not looking good as the first unit espied is a dud 387219 but my spirits lift when I see 219’s pair of friends that had come along to the party – the red pen would get an outing after all. Climbing aboard the leading unit, I get the notebook out and record 387205+387212+387219. I’d initially thought about a Bus Stop bash to Clapham Junction but an inspection of RTT showed that I had more than one option to get me home if I stayed on to Easy Croydon. This would have the advantage of clearing the two winners for 10 miles. The run down to East Croydon was pretty average although it did seem that the world and his wife wanted to bail on at Clapham Junction! I had only a few minutes to wait at East Croydon for 377610 back to Balham and an equally short wait for 51563+51564 south to Morden on the Northern Line and onwards to home. So that’s winners 20 and 21 for December. I’m now starting to think not so much as to when I’ll achieve that 31 but when? Can I get 31 on the board before Christmas? If I do, then I’ll seriously have to consider resetting the month’s target to 45 which would represent approximately half of my London area winners.
The first Victoria train rolls in with 465907+465910. While 465/9s are common on southeastern metro services, you don’t get pairs too often. As nether are required in any sense of the word, I let them go lest anything better shows up later on. The next train to stop is is a Beckenham Junction starter from the downside bay so it must use the crossover to the west of the station on departure – one for a micro grice one day. It rolls in with 465012+465152 with the former a winner for Hitachi traction. Getting a seat immediately mean that the red pen, so itching to escape the dark depths of my bag, again sees daylight and more action. That’s the 19th stroke of the month. At this rate there’s going to be no ink left in it!
The run into Victoria was a fine stagger and from Stewarts Lane onwards, I have sight of empty Pullman carriages – that can only mean one thing, the Mega Ching Express is out to play for two hundred or so lucky punters. Silver/grey 67012 is performing the ECS duties but there’s no loco hanging on the back so I have no idea what the punters will score today. I cannot hang around as I need to get to the factory for another day’s graft.
Thursday’s commute into work doesn’t generate anything of interest on the winner front and Thursday afternoon along with a good proportion of Thursday evening is spent partaking in “end of term” celebrations. But finding myself at Victoria at about 20:30, I suddenly became focussed on matters related to transport! Realising that we are rapidly approaching the hour when red 387s are allowed to stop within the Travelcard zones. RTT suggests platform 16 for the 20:50 departure to Brighton and observation reveals that 387213+387215 are waiting there with no planned destination. “Looking good” I thought as a check of the lists revealed that both were winners.
However, within minutes, a twelve car 387 appears on the adjacent platform 15 and this is badged as the 20:50 Brighton. The outlook here is initially not looking good as the first unit espied is a dud 387219 but my spirits lift when I see 219’s pair of friends that had come along to the party – the red pen would get an outing after all. Climbing aboard the leading unit, I get the notebook out and record 387205+387212+387219. I’d initially thought about a Bus Stop bash to Clapham Junction but an inspection of RTT showed that I had more than one option to get me home if I stayed on to Easy Croydon. This would have the advantage of clearing the two winners for 10 miles. The run down to East Croydon was pretty average although it did seem that the world and his wife wanted to bail on at Clapham Junction! I had only a few minutes to wait at East Croydon for 377610 back to Balham and an equally short wait for 51563+51564 south to Morden on the Northern Line and onwards to home. So that’s winners 20 and 21 for December. I’m now starting to think not so much as to when I’ll achieve that 31 but when? Can I get 31 on the board before Christmas? If I do, then I’ll seriously have to consider resetting the month’s target to 45 which would represent approximately half of my London area winners.
Kite159
Veteran Member
You will have reached your target sooner than you think
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