It had been planned for a long time that I would visit friends in London (Motspur Park to be exact) this weekend, so it made sense to tag a bash on either end. I was asked to arrive for tea, but that still left plenty of time.
Saturday 18th August
Having set my alarm unnecessarily early, I arrived at Exeter St. David's at 0548. Most platforms were occupied by units at this time; I watched them start up and depart on their first services one by one.
Eventually my train, the 0641 to Paddington, arrived with 43134 at the head. The journey passed uneventfully until just after Reading, where a points failure caused us to be diverted via the slow (sorry, relief) lines. Shortly afterwards, we passed a stone train hauled by 59203.
We arrived slightly late at 0930, and I headed straight to the ticket office to purchase my Travelcard. The next Turbo out was 166217 on the 0942 to Reading, so I boarded this for the leap to Ealing Broadway. While I was waiting here, a freight train passed - the same one I'd seen earlier with 59203.
165135 was on the next service back to Paddington at 0959. When I arrived, I checked the departure boards and the next useful service wasn't until 1033. Instead of waiting, I went to the Underground platforms and boarded the next Hammersmith and City Line service as far as King's Cross St. Pancras. Here I got lost following the signs and ended up in the main road.
From King's Cross the next suburban service was at 1041, formed of 313018 and a classmate (you can probably tell by now that I'm not very good at getting the second number in a pair). I boarded in the second carriage and it was almost empty.
I bailed at Finsbury Park and caught the delayed 1040 back (not a bad connection to make
) with 365520. Back Underground, this time via the proper route, and it was a nearly empty Metropolitan Line train that took me round to Liverpool Street. From there I took a comparatively full 1118 Clacton service, in the hands of 321330+321338.
Views of the Olympic Park were had as we arrived at Stratford, where I changed for 315820+315833 into the centre once more at 1129. My next move was on the 1148 Chingford service with 317885, and this time I actually went the whole way! By now I was hungry, so I took the opportunity for an early lunch (cheese sandwiches, if you're wondering). With the branch complete, I don't think I'll hurry back.
I returned as far as Walthamstow Central, where I changed to take the Victoria Line one stop to Blackhorse road. I was surprised by how full the service was at the extremity of the route. I continued with a similarly full 172007 on the 1250 to Gospel Oak. Around South Tottenham we were passed by a freight train, hauled by none other than 59203. I'm being stalked!
At Gospel Oak, I joined a wedged 378228 for the 1310 to Richmond. Thankfully, the overcrowding didn't last long as about half the passengers left at Hampstead Heath, but it was still standing room only.
I bailed at West Hampstead and followed signs left over from the Olympics for "West Hampstead Station". They said would take 5 minutes. No more than 20 seconds later I passed a sign telling me I was now 3 minutes away. This was obviously designed for slow walkers! The station was clearly in view anyway, but there were similar signs at the supposed 2 and 1 minute intervals. It turned out that this was the Underground station, not Thameslink as I had hoped. A quick glance showed that it was in the opposite direction. By now the weather was very hot, so I had a much needed drink upon arrival at Thameslink station. Safety announcements here were played from three different locations, all out of sync with each other.
319385 eventually showed up on the 1339 Sutton service, which I took as far as Blackfriars. The same three announcement system was in place here. Has no-one realised it doesn't work?
Next, I took 319454 on the 1405 Brighton service for a one stop leap to London Bridge. Here I caught the 1417 Gillingham via Lewisham and Charlton service, formed of 466041+465171.
At Woolwich Arsenal I changed for a virtually empty 465161 on the 1443 loop service via Crayford to Cannon Street. More fluid was consumed on this service, and I found myself dropping off at points. Whenever this happened, I hit my head on the side of the carriage and was sharply woken up again. It probably would've looked quite strange if anyone had been there to see it. The service remained empty until Hither Green.
Back at London Bridge, I headed over to the terminus section and boarded 455823 on the 1552 to Victoria via Crystal Palace. I took this as far as Clapham Junction, where I decide to do a leap to Putney. 450556 was on the 1638 out, and 455917 on the 1644 return.
My next idea was to go to Sutton and then via the loop to Wimbledon. The drink supplies were drained completely as I waited for the 1654 Epsom service, which turned out to be 455823 again. No thanks. Instead I continued to wait for the 1700 service, but this was delayed by an earlier bridge strike. Still there was no problem, as the 1708 Dorking service came in next instead, in the form of 455809.
At Sutton, a quick check of the departure boards showed the effects of the bridge strike, but the Thameslink route and thus the 1737 to Luton were unaffected. 319437 was on the service, which I took to Wimbledon as planned.
I decided there was time to return to Clapham Junction before finishing off, and so I did with 455713 doing the honours on the 1758 Waterloo service. At Clapham Junction for the third time that day, I waited on p11 for my final service, the 1818 to Guildford with 455714 as far as Motspur Park.
It was certainly an enjoyable day, with much new track and every train being required.
Sunday 19th August
My friends decided to go for a walk at Bookham, which meant an extra train journey. It started as I left off the previous day with 455714 on a Guildford service at 1155. The return leg was at 1439 with 455904+455703, the latter being required.
I'll do the 20th tomorrow.
Saturday 18th August
Having set my alarm unnecessarily early, I arrived at Exeter St. David's at 0548. Most platforms were occupied by units at this time; I watched them start up and depart on their first services one by one.
Eventually my train, the 0641 to Paddington, arrived with 43134 at the head. The journey passed uneventfully until just after Reading, where a points failure caused us to be diverted via the slow (sorry, relief) lines. Shortly afterwards, we passed a stone train hauled by 59203.
We arrived slightly late at 0930, and I headed straight to the ticket office to purchase my Travelcard. The next Turbo out was 166217 on the 0942 to Reading, so I boarded this for the leap to Ealing Broadway. While I was waiting here, a freight train passed - the same one I'd seen earlier with 59203.
165135 was on the next service back to Paddington at 0959. When I arrived, I checked the departure boards and the next useful service wasn't until 1033. Instead of waiting, I went to the Underground platforms and boarded the next Hammersmith and City Line service as far as King's Cross St. Pancras. Here I got lost following the signs and ended up in the main road.
From King's Cross the next suburban service was at 1041, formed of 313018 and a classmate (you can probably tell by now that I'm not very good at getting the second number in a pair). I boarded in the second carriage and it was almost empty.
I bailed at Finsbury Park and caught the delayed 1040 back (not a bad connection to make
) with 365520. Back Underground, this time via the proper route, and it was a nearly empty Metropolitan Line train that took me round to Liverpool Street. From there I took a comparatively full 1118 Clacton service, in the hands of 321330+321338.Views of the Olympic Park were had as we arrived at Stratford, where I changed for 315820+315833 into the centre once more at 1129. My next move was on the 1148 Chingford service with 317885, and this time I actually went the whole way! By now I was hungry, so I took the opportunity for an early lunch (cheese sandwiches, if you're wondering). With the branch complete, I don't think I'll hurry back.
I returned as far as Walthamstow Central, where I changed to take the Victoria Line one stop to Blackhorse road. I was surprised by how full the service was at the extremity of the route. I continued with a similarly full 172007 on the 1250 to Gospel Oak. Around South Tottenham we were passed by a freight train, hauled by none other than 59203. I'm being stalked!
At Gospel Oak, I joined a wedged 378228 for the 1310 to Richmond. Thankfully, the overcrowding didn't last long as about half the passengers left at Hampstead Heath, but it was still standing room only.
I bailed at West Hampstead and followed signs left over from the Olympics for "West Hampstead Station". They said would take 5 minutes. No more than 20 seconds later I passed a sign telling me I was now 3 minutes away. This was obviously designed for slow walkers! The station was clearly in view anyway, but there were similar signs at the supposed 2 and 1 minute intervals. It turned out that this was the Underground station, not Thameslink as I had hoped. A quick glance showed that it was in the opposite direction. By now the weather was very hot, so I had a much needed drink upon arrival at Thameslink station. Safety announcements here were played from three different locations, all out of sync with each other.
319385 eventually showed up on the 1339 Sutton service, which I took as far as Blackfriars. The same three announcement system was in place here. Has no-one realised it doesn't work?
Next, I took 319454 on the 1405 Brighton service for a one stop leap to London Bridge. Here I caught the 1417 Gillingham via Lewisham and Charlton service, formed of 466041+465171.
At Woolwich Arsenal I changed for a virtually empty 465161 on the 1443 loop service via Crayford to Cannon Street. More fluid was consumed on this service, and I found myself dropping off at points. Whenever this happened, I hit my head on the side of the carriage and was sharply woken up again. It probably would've looked quite strange if anyone had been there to see it. The service remained empty until Hither Green.
Back at London Bridge, I headed over to the terminus section and boarded 455823 on the 1552 to Victoria via Crystal Palace. I took this as far as Clapham Junction, where I decide to do a leap to Putney. 450556 was on the 1638 out, and 455917 on the 1644 return.
My next idea was to go to Sutton and then via the loop to Wimbledon. The drink supplies were drained completely as I waited for the 1654 Epsom service, which turned out to be 455823 again. No thanks. Instead I continued to wait for the 1700 service, but this was delayed by an earlier bridge strike. Still there was no problem, as the 1708 Dorking service came in next instead, in the form of 455809.
At Sutton, a quick check of the departure boards showed the effects of the bridge strike, but the Thameslink route and thus the 1737 to Luton were unaffected. 319437 was on the service, which I took to Wimbledon as planned.
I decided there was time to return to Clapham Junction before finishing off, and so I did with 455713 doing the honours on the 1758 Waterloo service. At Clapham Junction for the third time that day, I waited on p11 for my final service, the 1818 to Guildford with 455714 as far as Motspur Park.
It was certainly an enjoyable day, with much new track and every train being required.
Sunday 19th August
My friends decided to go for a walk at Bookham, which meant an extra train journey. It started as I left off the previous day with 455714 on a Guildford service at 1155. The return leg was at 1439 with 455904+455703, the latter being required.
I'll do the 20th tomorrow.