#LSGsLuckySevern

[47403]

That makes 2 73/9s gone bang in 24hrs, Down Aberdeen sleaper failed at Arbroath ThursdayAM.

Bless their cotton socks but as I was only saying to tech yesterday, the 73s reliability issues seem to be coming to the fore, the old locos seem to be struggling at the minute, alas they're not alone, apparently the 2 loco hauled Cumbrian Coast 37s went pop yesterday too. They seem to be experiencing some real issues of late.

 

[DarloRich]

oh no the 88 and the 73/9 have dropped out. Oh well only the 17/20's/31/33's/45's/50's/55/60/66/73 left to enjoy. Oh and the SVR based fleet. How will i manage

 

[47403]

oh no the 88 and the 73/9 have dropped out. Oh well only the 17/20's/31/33's/45's/50's/55/60/66/73 left to enjoy. Oh and the SVR based fleet. How will i manage

forgot the western too

 

[DarloRich]

forgot the western too

had that before - nowt special

 

[Techniquest]

had that before - nowt special

That's a bit dangerous saying that around here, especially with bashers from the Western Region reading and posting on this forum! I could well say the same about 55022 and it's toxic fumes...

Looking forward to the trip report LSG, enjoyed the updates on Twitter too. It was a beast of a gala, and I didn't realise until the Friday morning just how much I needed out of the line-up!

Didn't hear any of the 88 hauling a load as I was multiple coaches back but I didn't think much of it of what I did hear. However, as you say LSG, credit to the SVR for getting something very different in and to DRS for providing it. I wonder how many more years it will be before another loco works the Valley with a pantograph!

 

[DarloRich]

That's a bit dangerous saying that around here, especially with bashers from the Western Region reading and posting on this forum! I could well say the same about 55022 and it's toxic fumes...

careful now.

Didn't hear any of the 88 hauling a load as I was multiple coaches back but I didn't think much of it of what I did hear. However, as you say LSG, credit to the SVR for getting something very different in and to DRS for providing it. I wonder how many more years it will be before another loco works the Valley with a pantograph!

The 88 was U/S yesterday due to driver issues. The 73/9 was kicked back into life however a signal failure at the Kidderminster end meant that the timetable went by the board.

I covered almost everything ( except the intercity liveried 47 & 73/9) but was stuck at the top end of the line for a long time. I ended up doing Bridgenorth -Arley/Hampton Loade shuttles.

Really good day out though.

 

[Blindtraveler]

And the boys at Kingmoor fettled the 37s nicely again too in time for me to get over 7hrs of 37 thrash on Saturday!

LSG your report will doubtless be good

 

[47403]

And the boys at Kingmoor fettled the 37s nicely again too in time for me to get over 7hrs of 37 thrash on Saturday!

LSG your report will doubtless be good

Glad they sorted the 37s out for you Dan, sounds like heaven 7hrs of 37 thrash.

Oh the pressures on now

 

[47403]

#LSGsLuckySevern
Day 1​

Why is it, when you have to get up for work, you hit the snooze button on the alarm clock and have an extra 10mins? Yet today the alarm clock goes off at 0430 and I'm bolt upright and out of my scratcher almost immediately. A trip on the rails, always seems to ignore the bodies claim, to stay put. The prospect of no sight of work till May 22nd also helped and to get sometime to myself was also desperately needed.

After the ablutions are done and after a quick double check of the bag, I make some sausage sarnies and a cuppa and despite it being 0530, its warm enough to sit in the garden and have my breakfast al fresco.

At 0600 I leave the house for Central and quarter of an hour later, I'm browsing in WH Smiths, nowt takes my fancy, so I make for the barriers, I've got an M ticket(I ordered it by mistake) for the first part of todays journey over to Carlisle, on the 0646. So I get out the mobile, when I realise something's up, the GWR App, has automatically updated itself overnight, I had to Login, no worries, until after 3 attempts, it wouldn't accept my password, I try and reset the password, however, everytime I used the temporary one, it refused me entry to do so, 3 times I tried, by this time I'd spent 20mins faffing on, my train was in 11mins, miss that and all connections are screwed. I tried one last time and it kindly told me, to re-register, I swore at it. I ran to the ticket office, purchased another single to Carlisle and hoofed it through the barriers and over the bridge. Unfortunately the 06,46 leaves off Platform 7, ironically the furthest away platform from the bloody barriers. With a minute to spare, I made it onto winner 156512 and literally slumped into a free table seat.

After a tweet to GWR, I settled back and let the 156 take the strain, whilst I entertained myself with some New Model Army tunes, Here Comes the War, Vagabonds and No Rest, had the pulse racing and me wanting to stand on the table and sing, Here comes the Waaaaarr.( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVbJjBoJaaI ) I kept my composure though, after all I didn't want kicking off, this part of the journey, had cost me a staggering £32.40 for an F'ing SINGLE to Carlisle, till GWR tip up the extra £16.20, I had to shell out this morning ofcourse.

The journey was its usual pleasurable experience, just out of Wetheral, I was greeted by the scream of a West Coast body snatcher on a Dumfries to Scarborough Charter, with a mate at the other end. On arrival I found a fellow crank, who informed me they were 57313 and 57316. 57311 was also sitting round the back when I heard a familiar rumble and turned to be met by this beast, even better I got my first cops of the trip, bagging 2 coaches.

402 Carlisle by Michael Barrass, on Flickr​

I watched 37402 go and then wandered off the station for a ciggy, returning in time to see 66063 on the Citheroe Cement. Not long after winner390016 arrived to take me forward to the Bat Cave, I quickly found my seat in coach D, only it was a backwards facing seat but at least I could see out the window, instead of looking at a plastic pillar. Small mercies eh.

Just after Lancaster an unknown 37/4 roared past on the 10.04 Preston-Barrow turn. Things started turning for the better at Warrington, where 319381 and 319450 were gleefully copped and at Crewe 153326 and 323239 also joined the "Book Of Sights, Which was nice.

I retuned to my tunes, this time the Wedding Presents, Brassneck, Various Neds Atomic Dustbin and Carter USM tunes, kept me more than entertained through Wolves and onto the Caped Crusaders newly decorated secret hideaway. Obviously its still dark on the platforms and I still half expect Alfred the butler, will emerge with a complimentary Sherry from a lift. Upstairs is a damn sight more pleasing on the eye, although not as pleasing on the eye, as the young woman wearing very tight leggings and knee high boots, I followed her out the exit, Like a Love sick schoolboy.

Outside I take the chance to have a ciggy and text young Fishquinn, to see whereabouts to meet up. He said he'd meet me by the Bat Cave tram stop, after he'd raided the first class lounge. After a short while Quinn turned up and we set off to Moor Street for the 12.55 Cat, I'd leave at Leamington Spa, to check into base camp, before returning to the station to meet Quinn coming back from Banbury and go back to Moor Street. After clicking a couple of 172's we jumped aboard dud Cat 68014, dud or not, we're both sat in the coach directly behind the loco, enjoying the Cats thrash. At Tyseley, I was over the moon, as young Quinn rattled off the numbers of the closest units stabled within for me, with my eyesight I'd never have got them. Quinn had given me the Gen on what Cats were out earlier, there was only one, that was required and so it was that one, we'd agreed to meet back up on.

I left at Leamington Spa and tottled round to my base camp for the evening, to check in, an 8 minute walk away, was still enough time for the heavens to open and get totally drenched. Check in was, damp but quick and easy and I certainly made the most of my brief time in the room, by getting a towel out the bathroom and drying myself down a bit.

I high tailed it back to the Station, I had about 10mins before Quinn arrived on my forthcoming winning Cat. I got talking to a fellow crank, who told me, there's no freight due for a while now, I told him, I was leaving on the next cat out anyway, obviously noticing my charming Geordie accent, he asked, what I was doing in this neck of the woods. Told him I was down for the SVR Gala. Oh the 88's coming through Bushferry Junction at 10am tomorrow, I'm reliably informed, before we said our farewell's as winner 68012 rolled in to take us back to Moo Street.

68014 by Michael Barrass, on Flickr 68012 moorst by Michael Barrass, on Flickr

to be continued............................

 

[Cowley]

Your reports are the business and so is your music taste.
looking forward to reading the rest of it LSG.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Make sure GWR cough lustily, that is a shocking state of affares *insert usual rant about E/M/Print at home tickets, Railway de staffing, TVMs and booking offices here*
where did you stay overnight this time? I can't share your taist in music but I do fully appreciate the importance of good quality traction over the Tyne valley, in my case anything that
Isnt
a Scotrail unit is fare game and a 142 welcomed like a long lost brother but I have nout against Northern 156s

Also welcome to the growwing number of us voting with our wallets against the ever higher prices wanted by the various ECMl TOCs and for the sake of a an extra hour or so saving money on the west. Obvious side benifit is the all to regular need to split tickets, often involving a change of route or train at the Norths very own temple of bashing, Carlisle.

 

[noddy1878]

Look forward to the rest of this report. I good first day there for positioning to base camp.

 

[Techniquest]

I've finally had chance to read this!

Extremely awkward start with the GWR app messing you up. I don't know what the update was about yet, as I've now got to get all my apps back again and I've not yet got my bashing-related apps downloaded. It was apparently a significant enough update for me to have got an email from GWR telling me to update the app though. I really hope they get you reimbursed asap!

Other than that that was a good start to the trip, a good bit of 156 thrash is always a good way to get started, especially when it's a winner.

You'll already know your choice of music doesn't match my tastes, purely because I like my bouncy stuff. I like tunes a bit like this one, Nightcore - I Want You To Hold Me https://youtu.be/Wwz97VC3Qww for just one example. However I do recognise the desire to get up and starting singing loudly, I've got a few tunes like that. Best not for me otherwise we may start seeing the end of the current heatwave

Couldn't help giggling at the comment on the butler with a glass of sherry, I could quite easily picture that. I'd best not comment on the lass you followed out of the Bat Cave

Certainly you've done well there in the Midlands and clearly you'll have felt a lot better for it.

 

[Kite159]

After a bad start with the mobile app being useless, a good string of winners into your book

 

[FQ]

An excellent first part - I'll look forward to the rest even though the next photo will make me hungry

 

[47403]

#LSGsLuckySevern
Day 1 continued....​

I found Quinn in the front coach, where else, I clambered into a seat opposite, into the bay of 4, Quinn was sat at. Quinn told me 68012 had made a right racket leaving Banbury, from where we sitting, it was making sweet music now.

Conversation turned to what I had planned for later, I was undecided to go over to the SVR and get my Rover for tomorrows Gala or not. I said, I fully intended to go over to Bescot, to see if there was any Colas 70's kicking round. Quinn said, I think your in luck, he rang his Dad and there was indeed, even more so, a one that's required for sight too. So that's part of a plan for tonight. I also said, probably go on the hunt, for units, required for sight and winners for haulage, which I'll openly admit, shouldn't be too hard in this neck of the woods. Just before Tyseley, we got talking to a guy, who was a veteran of bashing, he too was off to the SVR Gala, he said, 60100 and the 88, were high on his red pen agenda. I said, well there's plenty for me to go for but with 47828's paint, not dry enough to add the decals, it's out of tomorrow, much to my dismay, I wasn't going to let it spoil my day though, there's plenty other stuff, particularly, the Western, 60100 and the 88, were high on my agenda. I told him, I'd never had a western before, he said, fortunately or unfortunately, depends which way you look at it from, I'm old enough, to have them out of Paddington, down to Exeter and between. There's not a great deal to chase these days, apart from these, I said, well there's the Anglia and Cumbria turns, adding I'd saw 37402 at Carlisle on the Barrow turn. Ah that's a loco, my favourite 37 and my last 37/4 I needed for haulage, it'll always remain "Oor Wullie", in my book. I agreed wholeheartedly, I had the same sentiments, in the case of GD's named gennies, 47401-409. As we got back to Moor Street, we said our farewells and went our separate ways.

Quinn suggested a quick reccy of the Bat Cave platforms, I agreed and said, shall we do a Snow Hill leap, so we leapt on the 1st unit that arrived and went the 50chains to Snow Hill and of all the LM units I need for haulage, I'd somehow managed to get double duds 172220 and 172337. I needed to visit a cashpoint and a poundland, if possible to get some AAA batteries, for my Dictaphone, as this total gonk, had left them on the kitchen table, when checking my bag this morning.

On the walk from Snow Hill to the Bat Cave, I managed to snaffle a couple more trams for sight and was staggered to hear, the bell that rings whilst they're weaving through the streets of Brum, isn't an actual bell but a recording of one Shame they couldn't adopt that with a voyager, give it a 37 or 47 horn. Least then, they might get a 2nd look from folk.

Cashpoint and batteries found, Quinn, showed me the shortcuts round the platforms of the Bat Cave, I'd have said the quickest routes but with Quinn, he's like a whippet, so they were all bloody quick, I struggled to keep up at times but we got them all done in record time and only158835 got added to that infamous book, named by kite. With Quinn meeting his Dad at Moor Street, we decided to make our way there, albeit I was going for a ciggy first and Quinn was off to visit the 1st Class lounge again. We agreed to meet outside. A few minutes later Quinn arrived, handing me a couple of chocolate cookies, called Uglies, mint choc chip cookies covered in Chocolate and boy are they good.

After a brief wait, Quinn's Dad turned up and we boarded 68012 again, for a trip up Leamington. We had a real good natter, Quinn emptying his bag of First Class Lounge Quarry, had me in kinks, I said all you need is a trolley n a couple of big pots for tea n coffee and you'd make a fortune.

fishquinns 1st class bounty by Michael Barrass, on Flickr​

wether Quinn and his brother slept at all that night, I have my reservations, all that sugar, would've seen Jamie Oliver have a pink fit. All too soon the journey on the Chiltern Cat was over, god knows when I'll get back this way but it was nice to be reunited with them again. After watching the Cat thrash away, I left the platform with Quinn and his Dad, I had a smoke and a bit more natter with them. After a while I thought I better let them go, after all Quinn's Dad had been to graft all day and no doubt wanted to get home. I cant thank them enough for their company, Quinn for all the help, getting here there n everywhere and getting units, bits of advice, making sure I missed nowt and also to his Dad, for the gen on the 70 too. Very Much Appreciated Guys.

I went back up to the platform and awaited the next train back to Brum, unfortunately it was a voyager, so I flagged it away, with a million curses under my breath. I didn't have long to wait for a Chiltern turn back to Moor Street, however when it arrived, I was greeted by another dud, 168108. Can't win them all. I found a seat and put some tunes on, eased back and let the 168 take the strain.

I made a quick shufty over to the Bat Cave, after checking the platform for the next Walsall bound service, I went over to Costa and got a Coffee and wandered to whatever Platform it was(I cant remember if truth be told) I'm rewarded wit all round winner 323211 for a bit starship action, however as I was in the back coach, no motor coach thrash but the starships still sound as funky as I remember. I settled back and drank my coffee, with a couple of uglies and a chocolate croissant, that Quinn had given me, they went down a treat.

After Tame Bridge Parkway, I was all eyes, sure enough the gen was spot on and fortunately cop 70813 hadn't left, also present was 66070, 66001 and 66156, there was a DB liveried gronk but that remained UID, as it was stuck behind the containers 66156 was parked at the head of. So onwards to Walsall, happy that I'd scratched another Colas 70 off the list. At Walsall I'd have a ciggy break and jump back onto the same unit back to the Bat Cave. I had roughly quarter of an hour. So I bailed quickly off and made for the exit, through the mini shopping centre and into the fresh air. I lit up and was entertained by the Burberry clad, Chav's and Chavettes, outside McDonalds, tonight in Walsall, loves young dream, seemed to be blossoming, two chavettes walked away from the throng, talking, then walked back, then 2 chav's stood not 10yards away from me, offering his advice, on one of chavettes, it seemed like a bit of Chav match making was in evidence. I couldn't hear what was being said but when the 2 Chav's were talking, it reminded me of a scene from Auf Weidersen Pet, I secretly hoped he was giving similar advice and it got the same outcome. I walked back down to the platform, chuckling to myself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCKkeu2pwpw

Straight back onto 323211 and off back to the Bat Cave, at Bescot 70813 was on the move shunting some ballast wagons, I was glad it was too because previously hidden behind the 70, was none other than another cop, this time 66756 talk about jammy. I was now starting to flag a bit, so thought a couple more moves and I'll call it quits for the evening.

However on arrival back at the Bat Cave, I walked down the platform and there in the bay, was none other than an all round winner 170630, I thought oh well, where you off to, I think it may have been Shrewsbury, wherever it was going, I took it to Wolves, where I quickly bailed and over the bridge, where after a few minutes, I was met with all round winner 170512 and winner 170510 back to the Bat Cave, taking a seat on 170512. I was consulting RTT on the way back and saw a chance to rope in an ATW 158, so I hatched a plan to take that to Smethwick Galton Bridge and ni upstairs and get one up to Moor Street and then back to Base Camp in Leamington.

I made over to Platform 6 or 6a, to await hopefully a winner 158, if not an all round winner, seeing that I need more of the ATW's 158's for sight, than any other TOC's 158's. After a while winner 158836 arrived, so I jumped aboard, for the relatively short spin out to Smethwick Galton Bridge. I bailed off and made my way up onto the High Level platforms to be greeted by the wonderful tones of, those waiting for the 20.49 to Dorridge, we're sorry to announce, this service has been cancelled, due to no driver being available. Great! an extended fester it is, so I found my way off the platforms, eventually and went for a ciggy.

I wandered back down and after a few minutes, winner 350122 arrived to take me back to the Bat Cave. I had a quick scour of the platforms and got a couple for the book of sights but any enthusiasm for seeking out another winner to somewhere else, had totally waned, my thoughts were of getting to base camp and a shower. So I trudged down to Moor Street, more than happy with todays haul but totally shattered.

I walked onto Moor Street and went to the loo, passing 168326 and 168328, oh nice, 2 more for the book of sights, no sooner had I left the said toilet, when another pair of Chiltern units arrived, lo and behold 168217 and 168110 also added themselves to the cops list. Someone's smiling on me. However the unit back to Leamington, was dud 168108 again. However I didn't dare complain, I'd had a good day all round regardless. I dozed off a bit, soon after leaving Moor Street but woke at Warwick, I put some tunes on to keep me awake. AC/DC'S Live Wire, High Voltage and Long Way to The Top, soon had me a bit more alert.

Arriving in Leamington Spa, I managed to snare in 172342 parked round the back of the station, another entry to that book, talk about a roll, the last 6 units I've spied, I've clicked 5 off them. I was just about to leave, when I noticed a Green for the middle road, so I hung back for a few minutes, 66001 and 66070, which I'd seen at Bescot, duly whizzed through on an engineers train. With that I called it a night and wandered off to base camp, a mere 6 or 7mins way. After a well needed cup of coffee and a shower, I transferred my day from Dictaphone to my note book, copping 50 for sight over the course of the day, pleased me no end. My target had only been 30, over the 2 days and with a few of the SVR fleet needed for sight, plus 3 mainline loco's attending that I also needed for sight too. I my just have underestimated myself. However, after another cuppa and a stroll outside for a ciggy, I returned to the room climbed into bed and that was it zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

 

[Techniquest]

Wow that was a top day! Good to hear those cookies are nice as I have some to try myself from a recent Virgin FC trip. I think Quinn was a bit greedy there!

70813 was a score for me yesterday, something you got before me!

 

[noddy1878]

That was a good day for sights! I still need to spot 70813.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I couldnt help notice that before this post goes live there were
47
posts in this thread.

Cracking report LSG, your matter of fact observations on life around you, how your feeling/doing and general down to earthness not to mention the style you write it in make your reports some of y favourites.

Top day, bring on day 2

 

[47403]

I'd like to thank you all for the kind words on proceedings so far.I'm glad your enjoying the read, makes the effort all the more worthwhile. In fact I apologise it's taken as long to get up, would've been up Sunday, had the internet not gone off for an hour, resulting me a) losing the lot and b) meaning I had to re-type the whole bloody thing again.

That first day was full of cops, as the day wore on, I began to realise I may have more than 30 but I certainly didnt expect 50. However Noddy, I expect you to see 70813 and it's mates, sooner rather than later.The Colas 70s tend to stay South of Doncaster, the 37s, 56s, 60s and 67s are pretty much common place in the North East on various workings, a Colas 70, would send our pulses through the roof. I dare say a sojourn from Cornwall to Westbury at a weekend, would probably ream in more of them, in one go, than I'll probably see again this year.

As regards Quinn's haul out of the 1st class lounges Tech, I can see your point, ok it's slightly, stretching the boundaries of the words complimentary a bit but how much profit will they make, over both E & WCML, at the end of the financial year. That lot will barely scratch the surface and when those at the top, them greedy gits will not give a monkeys, as long as they make a profit on their investments. By the way enjoy the uglies, they're lush.

Lastly to Dan, aka blindtraveller, how ironic there was 47 posts, I love that stat. I sincerely hope you gave that link a listen too because that's how I imagined them two Chavs talking about the chavette

 

[Blindtraveler]

I did mate thanks.

Shame to hear you lost all your efforts, hoping for a speedy retype so we can all carry on the enjoyment.

 

[FQ]

A great second part! I could really go for a few uglies at the moment...

Tech: I did pay for all the stuff I got and it wasn't like I just went to one lounge and grabbed loads - that was from 3 different lounges. My brother would've been annoyed if I hadn't taken anything back for him and it would've been rude not to take stuff back for mum too. I then obviously needed to get the things for afternoon tea and I like snacking during the day too, so I didn't take more than I needed for my purposes . Besides - we're talking about a TOC that charges £243 for a 1st anytime return from New Street to Euston (it's a fair comparison because I had the same ticket, but from New Street to Cov).

 

[Cowley]

I'll have a listen to that clip later, but as always it's a very enjoyable journey imagining being out and about with you. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[Kristofferson]

Excellent read, LSG! Type your reports in Word then paste them into the forum - or copy the whole lot to the clipboard before posting


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[55013]

Excellent reading so far, I'm looking forward to your adventures at the SVR.
Some good music there as well.
Especially Carter, I saw them live in the early 90s - they were brilliant.

 

[37038]

The Colas 70s tend to stay South of Doncaster, the 37s, 56s, 60s and 67s are pretty much common place in the North East on various workings, a Colas 70, would send our pulses through the roof.

You'll be pleased to learn that the Colas 70s are to start migrating north with the 60s going the other way.
70816 was route learning out of Barnetby straight from coming off the ship whilst 70802 has started working the oil trains out of Grangemouth. 70s should start on the Oxwellmains cements soon which will see them visiting Seaham.

 

[47403]

You'll be pleased to learn that the Colas 70s are to start migrating north with the 60s going the other way.
70816 was route learning out of Barnetby straight from coming off the ship whilst 70802 has started working the oil trains out of Grangemouth. 70s should start on the Oxwellmains cements soon which will see them visiting Seaham.

Really bloody hell

 

[DarloRich]

Really bloody hell

yes Colas seem to be swapping the loco fleets over with the 70's heading north and the BR stuff coming south. You can have them

 

[47403]

#LSGsLuckySevern​

Day 2 - The Main Event​

After a cracking nights sleep, I'm woken by my 06.30 alarm, I trudge out of bed and flick the kettle on and make for the ablutions. I throw on a t-shirt n shorts, make a coffee and take it with me as I head outside for a ciggy.

Its brisk but not cold, the fresh air livens me up and thoughts immediately turn to today. When I heard 47828 was out of the gala for today, I was hoping 47192 would fill in, however I find 50007 will fill in, oh well. During a 2nd ciggy, my thoughts turn to breakfast and getting my arse into gear, thinking, I'll achieve nowt standing here. So I make my way back to the room for a shower n stuff, re-pack the bag, make the bed, double check I've left nothing and head downstairs for breakfast.

I'm greeted by a cheery, Morning! I reply nearly as cheerily back and order a mug of coffee and a full English, with 2 slices of buttered brown toast. I guzzle a large glass of apple juice before I devour my coffee. The breakfast hit the the spot, cracking fare indeed. I cleared my dishes and handed them to the waitress, before handing the key in and high tailing outta there.

10mins later, I'm stood on the platform at Lamington Spa, the next train to Brum is a voayager but I aint getting on that wreck, I walk through the underpass to the south bound platform and down to platform 4, I think, where a stopper to Worcester or Kidderminster is leaving from. A pair of winners starts the day nicely 172342 & 172345, I plonk myself in an all ready filling 172345, by the window and due to looking in my bag, I miss the DVT and a couple of coaches arrive, on a Chiltern 68 turn, 68011, thrashes away nicely, as we get the off too.

I'm undecided wether I'm going all the way with these units, I fancy seeing if I can hit lucky on the unit front at Moor Street, as I don't know when I'll be in this neck of the woods again, so do I make hay, while the sun shines or straight to the Gala. By Warwick my minds made up, this trains wedged, I know it'll empty out by both Moor Street and Snow Hill but it was doing my head in. I reached for my headphones, as I was sick of hearing the 2 women in the seat in front of me bitching on about their work colleagues. I amused myself, with Placebo, much to the annoyance of a woman, who came and sat beside me at Solihull, she kept shaking her head, I just ignored her.

I bailed at Moor Street, the fresh air was a blessing indeed. No sooner had 172342 and 345 disappeared towards Snow Hill, when double cops 170634 and 170631 trundled through. I had a wander off the platform to the shop and bought a couple of bottles of pop, I was parched. I came back and noticed the next train to Kiddy was 10 down, then within 2mins went from 15 to 22 down. Cheers. I decided I'd do a Snow Hill leap, on the next winners. I was in luck, winner168328 rolled in with all round winner 168214, 168214, clearing that sub class for sight, I know it probably means little to you folk, who've probably got them all for haulage but its a little gain that pleased me, plus I'd also got 1 of the converted 170's in, which I'd actually hoped I'd manage to do before I set off on Wednesday, so another little gain for me, however 50chains isn't exactly huge mileage.

At Snow Hill, I'm watching a lot come and go, I see 172341, I say it's number into the Dictaphone but lights are flashing in my head, I'm thinking, had on a minute, do I need that? I've seen so many 172's I'm losing track. I root through my bag and flick through my NREA, then my notebook. There's a reason why the lights are flashing, 172341 is a cop but not just any cop. It's actually my last LM 172 required for sight. I'd unknowingly cleared the 172/2's yesterday, when I wandered onto Moor Street and clicked 172221, however I didn't realise, till I wrote down my notes and was checking what was and wasn't required, so after looking through my notebook, I'd now cleared them too, happy wasn't the word.

Eventually winner 172335 arrived to take me to Kiddy and I boarded with a bit of a spring in my step. The delay, had made me more than eager to get to the SVR now. Still, so far the morning had been relatively good to me and there was 1 more hope, Stourbridge Junction, could I get 1 more cop in. I'd read on twitter the night afore, 139001 had collapsed, so 139002 was playing out, a check of RTT, showed it should be in the station, when we get there, so hope sprang eternal. The journey from Snow Hill to Kiddy seemed to take a bloody eternity but as hoped, 139002 was indeed at Stourbridge Junction, weird looking thing isn't it.

Around 0945, I eventually arrived at the SVR, I stood outside having a ciggy before going into the ticket office, there was queue but nowt drastic, 5mins later, I had my Rover for the day.

20170518_103942 by Michael Barrass, on Flickr​

After a quick butchers round the stalls, I walk onto the Platform itself and come face to face with a loco I haven't seen for a few years, 50049, still looks resplendent, in the large logo livery, last time I saw it, she was whizzing through Chester Le Street, with 50044 on a charter to Edinburgh, if I remember rightly anyway.

I walked up the platform to see a rake of coaches reversing into the platform, when it eventually stopped, it was 55018, we all know it's real identity but I can appreciate what Mr Walkers trying to do. One thing for certain, like hell if I could get anywhere near to get a photo, nevermind a decent one, I'm afraid, in photography, that's as good as it'll get too, decent. So I thought, sod it, get a decent window, at least. I had to make do with the end window of the front coach.

As we're waiting to leave in came 50031, in the InterCity livery, I have to admit, it looks really smart, the loco suits the livery, no doubt 50 bashers everywhere, would've got a losing Bullseye finalist moment, c'mon lads, come and have a look, what you could've had. Not long after, we got the go, that raw thudding Napier growl, took me back to standing on the Bridge at Tyne Yard, in the late 70's, hearing them in the distance, as they approached Ouston Junction, before seeing the big nose in the distance and roar as the bombed past, unfortunately not too long after, they were being replaced by this blue n yellow plague, as BR advertised at the time, this is the age of the train, the Inter City 125, By god it took me some time to at lest, have a begrudging respect for them.

Anyhow I digress, winner55018/55022 thundered off in a fit of clag, to the point, whatever crap was being thrown out remained in what hair I have, for the majority of the day, as we thundered through the tunnel, those napiers roared, so much so, as we came out the tunnel and into the light, a blue hue was evidently visible in the front coach. I just said, Jesus and laughed.

As we pulled into Bewdley, I bailed off and crossed over the platform and jumped onto winner60100, it was absolutely heaving, my first ever tug for haulage and I never heard a thing from it, no windows available, all I can say about it, is well I've had it for haulage. Back at Kiddy, I swapped straight over to the opposite platform. All round winner(well I say all round, I don't have any evidence of knowing wether I'd seen it or not, so it gets the all round winner treatment) 33035 and winner 73107were next out. My first 33/0 for haulage and only my 2nd in total, although it was only my 3rd ED for haulage too and ironically my previous haulages on both classes, came on the same day in London too. I decided I'd sit in on this one, my ankle was giving me some gip, so I was the front coach, with the window wide open, I could quite clearly hear the Crompton, thrash away, in fact it seemed to be doing the donkey work for a thoroughly enjoyable ride back to Bewdley, where I'd meet up with another Crompton, well according to the booklet, I was given on the way in I would.

As we approached Bewdley, sure enough, there was 33108, patiently waiting for us, I jumped across the platform and walked down the stock, till I got nearer the loco. I got down to the front coach, an old Mark I compartment coach, I managed to be just tall enough, to get my head out the 4th window as we left, with winner 33108, what a little monster that was, the driver thrashed it all the way home and 33108 responded in kind. Only my 3rd Crompton now for haulage but no doubting the best one so far.

33108 by Michael Barrass, on Flickr​

Arrival into Kidderminster, I wandered off to get a drink and a ciggy, as I came back I saw 73965 leave on the Bewdley shuttle, nevermind I thought, hopefully I'll get a chance to catch it later, if time permits. As I walked up the platform, I see 2 DRS body snatchers, 57306 and 57307, No sign of the 88 though and an empty rake of coaches, it was that time, this next move, I had decided last night, was the one, I'd take to Bridgnorth. What time was it? Its Wizzo time and doesn't it look good in BR Blue.

D1062 by Michael Barrass, on Flickr​

to be continued.......................................

 

[Blindtraveler]

Looking grand so far, there have been a number of reports from the SVR and each one has been different. Thanks again