#LSGsLuckySevern

[47403]

Now I know the more observerant of you will have noticed my visits to this forum have been practically non exsistent and I apologise to all for not reading, what are probably excellent trip reports. I however have had a rather busy work load and eventually a very stressful time at work, to the point, I have now moved to a new job elsewhere, starting on May 22nd and ended 6months short of 25yrs service at said place.

I haven't been totally out the game but I've had a few days out but they were barely worthy of a trip report. Scratching off those required 333's needed for the book of sights, getting winner 90019 from Donny to Leeds and scratching off a few required winners in the form of 185s and a couple of VTEC zings and blunts, has kept my hand in, so to speak. The book of sights has also garnered 1 GB shed, 9 coaching stock from a tour Tornado done. I was out walking near Norwood Junction, one glorious spring afternoon, when I heard the thrash of a cat engine and thought to myself, maybe the flasks from Seaton to Kingmoor has changed days again and is running late, the week previous Cats 1 and 17 had worked this, however I missed it with work, so maybe I might be lucky this week. I stood and gasped as 68027 thundered West on the Mountsorrel to Carlisle. Talk about a welcome addition to the book of sights.

Anyway I digress, I hadn't planned anything else for this part of the year, due to a holiday abroad in August but in the midst of all the crap at work, I saw a small window to get out and scratch off another one of my goals for the year, to get to at least, one of the Diesel Galas and seeing that the Severn Valley one kicked off in a Thursday, I thought oh sod it, I'm booking up for the first day, if I don't this place will kill me first.

I always book Base camp first and then build travel round that. With that done it was try and find some reasonably priced tickets. As usual Cross Country, the most viable way of getting to the Midlands from the North East, are on a different planet when it comes to a direct ticket to Brum. £139 return, your having a laugh. Instead I book on the 06.46 to Carlisle, for the 09.10 Carlisle to Crewe, a WMDR and with a XC, Brum to Newcastle all for £35 cheaper, than the fare originally quoted. I'm sure there'd be an even cheaper way but at the time, I just was plainly thinking, save a few quid and get away. The money saved will pay for my day rover to get behind some classic traction, for the first time in a dog's age, even though both peaks will get a body swerve, there both duds anyway. The day before I plan to get some Chiltern cat thrash in and go hunting some Midland units for the book of sights and winners for haulage. So with a bonus move I'm hoping to get a bit lucky. Hence the hashtag, which will probably go live around 6.30am Wednesday morning.

Can't wait to roll.

 

[Techniquest]

It's going to be a monster of a gala I reckon, so I think you chose well It'll be my only gala of the year realistically too, and I have yet to decide upon the tour of choice for 2017.

Only a matter of hours until your escape for a couple of days, a shame I'll not be around when you're in my neck of the woods (well, ish) though.

 

[Cowley]

Thought you'd been a bit on the quiet side recently. That's a big change moving jobs after being somewhere for 25 years, hope the new one works out better.

 

[AnthonyRail]

I decided not to go SVR diesel gala late last right, now you're all making want to go lol. Is it worth just going for a day?

 

[Cowley]

I decided not to go SVR diesel gala late last right, now you're all making want to go lol. Is it worth just going for a day?

Definitely. I've always gone for the day, it's just that it's fallen on my birthday this last two years so I'm making the most of it. The thing is there's trains running for (without looking it up now) nearly 12 hours on the Friday and Saturday so you can always have a snooze along the full length on a train and then carry on doing moves later.
I tend to go for the noise more than the red pen, I may however find myself on the 88 if I get a chance...

 

[Blindtraveler]

Sorry to hear works been tough, shout if you want a chat or just a tyne tees dayranger and some company lol

 

[47403]

I decided not to go SVR diesel gala late last right, now you're all making want to go lol. Is it worth just going for a day?

Yeah Anth it is mate,it's 2 days technically. I'd have liked to do an HoE Rover but I need money for my holiday too. I have to be back on Friday also, as its my leaving do.

Cowley, it's a necessity mate, unless I'll be in a straight jacket before Xmas, only so many times you can bang your head on brick walls and get caned before it starts to hurt.. I know the Gaffers at the new place and they're delighted I'm going there. So it all ends well.

Whatever I get in this trip is a HUGE bonus because I hadn't planned for it. Gotta say tech, I'm really looking forward to it. First visit to the Severn Valley Railway too. Just itching to get a course done Tuesday and then it's all guns blazing on Wednesday morning. Let's hope it's a winner jock rail 156 over the Tyne Valley too.

 

[Segedunum]

I'm glad to hear you're shifting jobs if it's better in the long run, having watched my Dad stress himself over and over because of one of his previous jobs. Thankfully, in a similar situation to you, he knew someone who worked for a company in Byker and he's now in a much better place because of it.

Enjoy your trip, haven't been to the Severn Valley in yonks.

 

[AnthonyRail]

Definitely. I've always gone for the day, it's just that it's fallen on my birthday this last two years so I'm making the most of it. The thing is there's trains running for (without looking it up now) nearly 12 hours on the Friday and Saturday so you can always have a snooze along the full length on a train and then carry on doing moves later.
I tend to go for the noise more than the red pen, I may however find myself on the 88 if I get a chance...

Heard a few talking about going for the 88 this morning, I don't get what the fuss is, isn't it just a 68

 

[Techniquest]

88s are a brand new class for the UK, and are essentially electric locos with small diesel engines.

They promise to be rather worth waiting for a ride with!

 

[alexf380]

Sorry to hear works been tough, shout if you want a chat or just a tyne tees dayranger and some company lol

Ditto! Do enjoy the gala, it's guaranteed to make a world of difference to your mood.

 

[47403]

Cheers for all the kind words folks.

Dan I don't think having a spin on a 142 would've helped but I know what you meant, so cheers.

Richard your right mate, I'm less stressed already. The move has worked wonders already and I ain't started yet but having been up a couple of times, it just feels right.

I fully intend to enjoy these 2 days on the rails Alex. Just what the Dr ordered.

I'm certainly hoping to get a ride behind the Clockwork Cat (88, pantograph = key) I can understand both sides of the argument about them, yeah, they'll be here a good while but I can see the draw too. We lot, in this hobby are keen to have a go behind them, as soon as, for me it's the classics, I can't wait to sample again, the 47s obviously but I'm hoping the whizzo is healthy, I ain't had one before and I'm desperate to try one for haulage and get it off my Railway bucket list. In a strange sadistic way, I'm also looking forward to cursing the Peaks under my breath too, not too much, the lads, who do an excellent job maintaining them and make sure they're in good nick, may kick my head in, if I curse them too loudly. They'll certainly stir up the memories a bit of my old pal of moons ago Cal and I arguing the toss about them and I can still hear Cal shouting, well get on a f@!$#&g tram then . Think it's fair to say, I'm.quite excited about the Gala.

Im more than keen to hopefully rope in the 2 Chiltern cats I'm after if possible. If not, I'll still enjoy riding behind them, winners or duds. I also love Moor Street, I could sit there all day and I'm eager to check out how well Batman and Robin have re-decorated the Bat Cave, since my last visit too.

I think I'll bag a bit for the book of sights too. I done well last time but I aint been back since my HoE Rover, a couple of years back, so theres a few gaps in my platform 5 that I need sorting. Have a feeling Wednesday's gonna be a loooonnnng day out hunting.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Dont get excited about the Bat Cave, its basically a ponsy shoppin pallace for the ritch that just happens to have some railway platforms running under it.

I hope all goes well, particularly your 156 trip, you want a certain one I think? Give me a pacer over one of those any day.

 

[47403]

Yeah Dan 156457, my only jock rail 156 needed for sight, would be lovely but it hides in the Highlands. However any winning one will do but any 156 over the Tyne Valley will do. I'd sooner it was loco hauled, like the ole days, when the 143s went pop but if it's a unit, then a 156 over that line is one of my guilty pleasures in modern railway terms.

Was up to me Dan, you could have all the Heaton Bouncing Bombs in one foul swoop tomorrow. Only fit for razor blades in my opinion squire.

As for the Bat Cave, I just wanna see how they've done the place out.

 

[DarloRich]

Good luck in your new job - don' t let thew bar stewards grind you down! I think i might pop along to the SVR now. I am really Keith Flint ( houses ain't cheap!) but will try and make something work.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Assume your home improvements are ongoing Darlo?
If so good luck with it all, it will be worth it in the end as you will get the home you want eventually.

47403, yes loco action on the valley is fun and whilst you have doubtless done it behind much more interesting things than a 67 the latter is one of my little pleasures during ECML divert weekends, often not to pricy iether as generally buy standard AP's and do the odd weekend first if miney allows.

 

[DarloRich]

Assume your home improvements are ongoing Darlo?
If so good luck with it all, it will be worth it in the end as you will get the home you want eventually.

47403, yes loco action on the valley is fun and whilst you have doubtless done it behind much more interesting things than a 67 the latter is one of my little pleasures during ECML divert weekends, often not to pricy iether as generally buy standard AP's and do the odd weekend first if miney allows.

An ongoing drain on my resources! Building work finished. We have done most of the painting. Now I need carpet. Carpet is expensive.

 

[47403]

Unfortunately loco hauled over the Tyne Valley is normally reserved for Rail Tours or the aforementioned skips doing the drags.

Nothing better than an NB 25, 31, 37 or 47 over the Tyne Valey, I even had a couple of peaks over it, Cal screaming like a tart at the droplight, whilst i was sat in the front coach with my walkman on, reading some Rail Magazine.

Good luck with the house Rich. Sounds like you've had a job n a half on. Thanks for the well wishes too, Fortunately the bar stewards didn't win. New chapter and all that.

 

[DarloRich]

Unfortunately loco hauled over the Tyne Valley is normally reserved for Rail Tours or the aforementioned skips doing the drags.

Nothing better than an NB 25, 31, 37 or 47 over the Tyne Valey, I even had a couple of peaks over it, Cal screaming like a tart at the stoplight, whilst i was sat in the front coach with my walkman on, reading some Rail Magazine.

Good luck with the house Rich. Sounds like you've had a job n a half on. Thanks for the well wishes too, Fortunately the bar stewards didn't win. New chapter and all that.

It has been a big job but it is nearly done. I am exhausted and so are my finances ( nearly!) I will post some pictures on Flickr at some point but i have a vast back log. I still haven't done my pics from the GCR diesel gala to shew the level of delay!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Sure it will all be great Darlo. Just let us know when the housewarming is and we'll bring drinks.

My mate bought all his carpet etc online from a warehouse type place and payed his own fitter, saved him well over a grand

 

[noddy1878]

47403, good luck on your new job! Sounds like you've made the right decision! Enjoy the two days away. The svr gala last year really was epic with a huge amount of locos visiting. This year promises to be much the same! 88003 is quoted and for me 60100 and 73965 also looking like big winners for me!

 

[47403]

Cheers Noddy much appreciated.
Rumour mill says 88 will arrive at 10am tomorrow, others saying the 88s not coming.

 

[FQ]

Cheers Noddy much appreciated.
Rumour mill says 88 will arrive at 10am tomorrow, others saying the 88s not coming.

It's now on RTT: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U62646/2017/05/18/advanced

Bushbury Jcn at 10:02

 

[AnthonyRail]

It's now on RTT: http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U62646/2017/05/18/advanced

Bushbury Jcn at 10:02

Is the 88 meant to be working thurs timetable, leaving bit late aren't they.

 

[noddy1878]

Is the 88 meant to be working thurs timetable, leaving bit late aren't they.

Supposed to be working the 1347 off Kiddy on Thursday.

 

[Kristofferson]

Congrats on the job LSG! I'll be following on twitter - have a cracking day


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[DarloRich]

Is the 88 meant to be working thurs timetable, leaving bit late aren't they.

loads of time. Pull up, hook on, refill coffee, pull off. Easy S long a sit works on Saturday!

 

[noddy1878]

loads of time. Pull up, hook on, refill coffee, pull off. Easy S long a sit works on Saturday!

Its not now Something beyond their control apparently and 73965 is also unlikely to work.

 

[47403]

All sorts of rumours going round about 88003, firstly was will it, won't it turn up, then amidst a lot of folk, not so complimentary about it, it gets pulled from Saturday, firstly no crew for it, then it's not working properly.
73965 died before I had a chance to find out what diagram it was on, nevermind going to meet it. Any idea what's happened to it?, all I've heard, it had failed and would be pulled from the Gala.

Mind you, the Gala was brilliant, the organisers and staff at the SVR, done a grand job and deserve applauding. Also whatever is said about the merits of 88003, well done to the organisers for asking and DRS for obliging,

Kris said

Congrats on the job LSG! I'll be following on twitter - have a cracking day

Cheers Kris much appreciated, I did have a cracking day indeed. A trip report will arrive within the next couple of days.

 

[Blindtraveler]

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