London Easter Sunday

[ash39]

My first go at a trip report, inspired by the recent thread asking for contributions to this forum. I've enjoyed reading other peoples reports so thought I'd chip in...

I'm more into photography than track bashing/haulage etc, so my report will be mostly picture based. I'll keep the linked photos small but if anyone wants to see full size shots or other shots from the day I haven't included then you can get on my FlickR photostream here

I started out from York at 0800 Sunday morning, 91105 was already in the station waiting for me when I got there around 15 minutes before departure.


91105 York by Flash_3939, on Flickr

I took up my seat in Coach E - by the 'window'. Annoyingly I ended up with about the only seat in a mk4 that doesn't properly line up with a window. Never mind, I fell asleep from Doncaster to Peterborough anyway...

An interesting shunting move occurred at New Barnet. We entered one platform, reversed back out of the station and then went forward on the wrong line, due to engineering works.

Arrived at London Kings Cross at round 10:45. I wanted to stretch my legs after sitting for three hours so I walked to Euston and got my day travelcard from there. I went down to the platforms to see what was going on, not very much is the answer. You can't really get around the platforms at Euston without leaving a platform through the barriers and then entering another. As there wasn't much in the way of interest so I took a shot of a resting 350/2 and moved on.


350262 London Euston by Flash_3939, on Flickr

I took a central line tube to Liverpool St with the hope of capturing some Anglia Class 90's. Unfortunately due to engineering work between Ipswich-Norwich a limited loco-hauled service was in operation. I had a coffee and a croissant at Starbucks (nice little outlet tucked away in the corner of the station), and decided my next move would be Stratford to check out the olympic stadium.

I took a double-Class 360 on an Ipswich stopper. I sat in 360119. I was ready to dislike these units as I generally don't like 3+2 commuter stock and I think they are pretty ugly looking things. Actually found it to be pretty smooth quiet and comfortable on the short hop to Stratford.

Spent an hour or so at Stratford having lunch and checking out the Westfield shopping centre (even though the shops were shut!). I did see 90013 passing through but didn't have the camera ready, the only GA 90 I saw in the end. I walked over to Stratford International hoping to catch a 395 back to St Pancras but was told my ticket wasn't valid. Hadn't realised travelcards weren't valid on HS1...


Westfield Stratford City by Flash_3939, on Flickr


Stratford Olympic Park by Flash_3939, on Flickr

I caught 315856 back to Liverpool St. What a horrible train. Not much else to say about that really! Very uninspiring and dirty inside and out.

I went from Liverpool St to Paddington on the circle line. I hadn't realised what a nice station Paddington is, lovely for photos and definitely enthusiast friendly. I was here mainly for the Heathrow Express 332's, as I'm a big fan of the 333's we have up in Yorkshire.


332005 Paddington by Flash_3939, on Flickr


332013 & 332001 Paddington by Flash_3939, on Flickr

I was pleased that although I only stuck around to see 2 trains (two double units) I managed to see 001. I have a strange thing about the first and last numbers of a class!

Also saw a few FGW HST's, although I wasn't as bothered for these as I saw a couple at York last year on specials and at Railfest


43143 & 43141 Paddington by Flash_3939, on Flickr

After Paddington I decided to go up to Wembley (Bakerloo line). I wasn't expecting much in terms of photos but I wanted to see the stadium close up and also the depots around Willesden and Wembley. Was happy to see the three stored 86's at Willesden, a shame to hear they are threatened with the scrap man as the Intercity one in particular looks in good shape externally. Wembley was less attractive than I expected so decided to head straight back on the first overground train, back to Euston again.

From here I went to Oxford Circus and walked to Tottenham Court Road. Oxford St was quite busy considering it was Easter Sunday (I've never seen it quiet so I don't know why I was surprised). I then moved to Embankment and decided to walk over the bridge and down to The Shard. This took ahout 45 minutes - didn't realise how far it was but was happy to stretch the legs again after sitting on trains for a lot of the day. The Shard is an impressive structure and has a lot more detail than you realise from a distance


The Shard by Flash_3939, on Flickr

I then considered where to go next from London Bridge. No mainline trains went anywhere useful so I got on the nothern line tube back to Kings Cross. I went into St Pancras to see what I could get.


43048 'T C B Miller MBE' St Pancras by Flash_3939, on Flickr


Eurostar 3015 St Pancras by Flash_3939, on Flickr


395 at St Pancras by Flash_3939, on Flickr

I grabbed some tea from Kings Cross. Unthinkable a year or so ago that it would be quite pleasant to sit and eat food in the waiting area at Kings Cross but the new redeveloped concourse is stunning with ample seating.


Kings Cross new concourse by Flash_3939, on Flickr

I walked back to Euston as the sleeper would be in the station by now (around 1900 by this point). I found 90024 at the buffer stops and took a few shots. More on this later!


90024 Euston by Flash_3939, on Flickr

I wanted to get some night skyline shots by the river so I did Euston-Victoria on the Victoria line and then Victoria-Blackfriars on the circle line. This is where my local knowledge let me down as the area around Blackfriars is not really suitable for photography, The Shard was pretty much hidden behind other buildings and cranes! The redeveloped Blackfriars station is however very nice, as you'd expect. I jumped back on the circle line for a couple of stops to Tower Hill, which was much more fruitful


The Shard by Flash_3939, on Flickr


Tower Hill tube station/London skyline by Flash_3939, on Flickr

That was more or less time up, as my train back to York left Kings Cross at 2200. I got the circle line (again) back to Kings Cross, where a EC HST waited to transport me home. Just time for a quick shot of 91120.


91120 Kings Cross by Flash_3939, on Flickr

I realised halfway home that the HST I was on was due to be diverted via Knottingley - presumably for route knowledge retention as the diverted Caledoinan sleeper was booked via the ECML from Doncaster-York. I took up a spot in the corridor and opened the window to enjoy the ride as the line speed was a lot lower on the diversion. Nice highlight was slowing to change tracks over a junction and then a brisk and purposeful acceleration back up to line speed with a nice oily diesel smell in the slipstream !

At York I decided to wait for the diverted sleeper which was running 10 minutes behind my train (booked through at 0040). Thanks to realtime trains I noted it was due through platform 11, confirmed by the signaller showing a double yellow at around 0037 so I got ready for the shot. I knew that a 90 would drag the sleeper out of London Euston as 90024 was 'trapped' at the buffers, but I had it in my head that 024 would be detached and the other 90 would take the train forward to Edinburgh, but I forgot that because of the diversion it would go forward over the north london line, so it was good old 90024 which followed me home after all!


90024 York by Flash_3939, on Flickr

I'm going to Glasgow/Edinburgh next Monday, via WCML and then back down the ECML - so if this is well received I may do another write up. Maybe I'll even pay more attention to numbers next time!

 

[telstarbox]

An enjoyable report, well done

 

[Condor7]

Yes well done Ash, I enjoyed it very much as well, and look forward to your Scottish trip.

 

[GatwickDepress]

An excellent travel report. I also didn't realise Travelcards weren't valid on HS1 services, glad to know I'm not the only one!

The shot of Tower Hill's sign against the skyline is quite magnificent, thank you for sharing.

 

[High Dyke]

Informative. Well done matey; info about things like HS1 can help others. I know what you mean about night skyline shots along the River Thames...tried a few last year whilst there - mainly around Embankment station, but inclement weather meant that results were disappointing.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Nice one with the photos, especially like the nose-to-nose Heathrow units at Paddington.

 

[ash39]

That's one of my favourites as well.

Thanks for all the feedback!

 

[Trainfan344]

ash, having been to wembley, it is great inside, but really bad on the outside.

 

[Bedpan]

I enjoyed reading the account of your day and looking at your photos, without wanting to upset others I particularly liked the fact that neither the narrative nor the photographs were 100% railway orientated.

Did you go up to the National Rail platforms at Blackfriars and if so, have they been finished yet, or are there still hoardings which prevent you looking out onto the river?

As for your Wembley visit, I went to see a match at Arsenal for the first time a couple of months ago and I thought that the Emirates was far more evocative than Wembley, so you might like to try that on your next visit if football stadiums are your thing. You can get there by travelling on a 313 from Moorgate to Drayton Park on what was once part of the Northern Line - the ground is just across the road from Drayton Park station - then if you want walk go back into London via Finsbury Park.

 

[ash39]

Did you go up to the National Rail platforms at Blackfriars and if so, have they been finished yet, or are there still hoardings which prevent you looking out onto the river?

I didn't, but from the riverside you can see the hoardings up on the bridge over the river. Do the platforms extend out onto the bridge like at Charing Cross? I'm not too familiar with the station but yes it sounds like it's still unfinished.

As for your Wembley visit, I went to see a match at Arsenal for the first time a couple of months ago and I thought that the Emirates was far more evocative than Wembley, so you might like to try that on your next visit if football stadiums are your thing.

I did a stadium tour at the Emirates a couple of years back, you're right it's a really nice ground. I've done quite a few stadium tours and I'd have to say St James Park is the nicest, really nice changing rooms and more character than a new ground. Sadly, Elland Road doesn't come close to either of them.. Also pains me to say Old Trafford is a really nice ground, for watching rugby league anyway

 

[ModernRailways]

Firstly, I just want to say that was a great read! Very well done and I look forward to seeing what you get up to in Scotland! I also liked how it wasn't all about trains and that you added in how you went for walks (I like to walk from Blackfriars to Westminster, a long but enjoyable walk along the Thames) instead of taking a train every where you went.
Also, thank you for letting me know about HS1 not allowing travelcards, according to this map they are. I would have thought they would be like the tramlink in a section covered out if you weren't allowed on!

I didn't, but from the riverside you can see the hoardings up on the bridge over the river. Do the platforms extend out onto the bridge like at Charing Cross? I'm not too familiar with the station but yes it sounds like it's still unfinished.

You may be surprised to know that Blackfriars National Rail station actually sits on the Thames, the platforms stretch all the way across! If you Google it, you may find some images of the actual platforms sitting on the Thames.

 

[Trainfan344]

It's not valid, according to the box on the side

Oyster pay as you go is valid at all stations and on all services shown on this map, except on Southeastern High Speed, Heathrow Express and Heathrow Connect between Hayes & Harlington and Heathrow Airport

 

[ModernRailways]

It's not valid, according to the box on the side

Just for the sake of being awkward, what if don't have an Oyster, and use a paper ticket? The Heathrow Connect/Express stations aren't actually inside the boundaries at Heathrow.
I do wonder how many people have thought they can use a paper ticket but not an Oyster?

 

[Lee_Again]

Excellent read. Looking forward to hearing about Scotland.

 

[Bedpan]

I didn't, but from the riverside you can see the hoardings up on the bridge over the river. Do the platforms extend out onto the bridge like at Charing Cross? I'm not too familiar with the station but yes it sounds like it's still unfinished.

There are entrances on both sides of the Thames and so you can, ticket permitting, cross the river by entering the station ant one end and leaving by the other.

Sorry to hear that the hoardings are still up. I thought that the new station was supposed to be finished in time for the Olympics! When its finished you will be able to look through the glass from the platform onto the river.

I've done quite a few stadium tours and I'd have to say St James Park is the nicest, really nice changing rooms and more character than a new ground.

For a dreadful moment I thought that you meant Exeter City!! (senior moment). Yes, when doing the Newcastle Metro we went to have a look at the outside and it was quite impressive.

 

[ash39]

Ah... I have nothing against Exeter as a club but I couldn't face that long on a Voyager to check out the 'other' St James' Park !!

 

[heart-of-wessex]

Very good Ash39! Very enjoyable read, I must say I do like the shots at Tower Hill!

Paper is not valid on HS1 unless you have a Travelcard +HS1 or something (been long since I read about it, I think it might be only if you have, say an Ashford to Z6 with a Travelcard bolted on route HS1)

Last time I did Stratford Int I got a single to St Pancras for a ride on a 395.

If you ever go there again, or anyone else for that matter, I found the staff incredibly helpful. Me and my other half went there to see the Eurostar's through the station, and was guided to the ticket office to purchase a platform ticket. Then on returning to the gateline we were told which lines the Eurostar's go through and the best place to stand! Most useful gen from station staff
The Euro's do make a cracking sound bombing through the station too, especially when they run through a 'concrete cutting' as the sound rebounds off the wall's


James.

 

[TheJRB]

Great report and fantastic photos to accompany it!

I must say I do like Paddington and I share your enthusiasm for the new concourse at King's Cross. Regarding the Javelins, if you want a ride on one, you really need to do the thirty eight minute trip to Ashford to experience them in full force.

 

[ash39]

Thanks JRB. Ive done the eurostar over HS1 before but you're right, I fancy a decent trip out on one at some point. Closest I've got to a journey on a 395 was taking my 2 year old in the cab of 395019 at railfest last year and her proceeding to pull and press every lever and button in sight!

Nice early start for me this morning, currently got 1st class compartment of 185143 to myself (get me) I'll do a trip report later this week hopefully.