May 2023 ALR

[gabrielhj07]

I’ve started this thread to document my journeys over the course of a 7 day all line rover, which I’m doing to enjoy the railways here before I move to the USA in June.

The aim is simply to get as much travelling done as possible.

 

[Andy Pacer]

When are you starting this?

 

[gabrielhj07]

Yesterday!

 

[gabrielhj07]

18/05/2023 - Day 1

The day started in earnest as 2O01, the first train of the day out of Strawberry Hill. managed to stand perfectly still outside the station for just under half an hour, jeopardising activities further north.

Indeed, the delay was such that I missed 1S04, the 0615 from King’s Cross (albeit by 90 seconds or so). Not to worry, I could catch 1S05 and still make my connections. I got the red pen out for 801203 and settled in for the ride to Edinburgh.

Arriving on time, I strolled over to platform 17 to see 43015 bringing HA20 in, I presume from Haymarket depot. A trip to Aberdeen seemed a good idea, so I joined what must have been several stag groups for a lively trip.

Browsing RTT on the way up, I found that I could return from Aberdeen to Glasgow, and make a connection to Central for a Euston train. Bearing in mind the rather tight nature of the Glasgow connection (12 minutes between trains), I boarded the 1444 HST.

1444 came and went and I was just about to cross to the waiting LNER when the guard told us of a brake problem involving HA09, and that we should transfer to HA20 opposite. Having done all that, we left 12 minutes late, which caused some concern about my connection. Moreover, we had left after the London-bound ‘Azuma’, which had more stops than us.

Reaching Dundee 27 minutes late, I decided to cut my losses and wait for the stopper to Edinburgh, which arrived and departed on time in the form of 170401+158731. An uneventful journey ended on time in Edinburgh, where I had time to catch 801225 on 1E27 back to London. I would later be glad to have left HA20 where I did, as it terminated short at Stirling with a brake problem of its own!

Which was really the end of the day, Victoria Line + 707019 home again. Disappointed not to have ‘coloured in’ the track between Dundee & Glasgow, and what would have been 43034/43028 for haulage, but that can wait I suppose.

At least the next day would be marginally more exciting…

 

[gabrielhj07]

19MAY2023 - Day 2

A shorter but no less exciting day began with 91105, at a more reasonable time of 0833, to Leeds. I was feeling brave so off to platform 16 it was for a (short formed) TPE service to Manchester Victoria.

Other than a 5 minute delay, it was a very pleasant journey, and I’m always surprised at how comfortable 185s are.

It was then time for a quick hop across the city on the trams, my first journey on them, to Piccadilly.

I was hoping for a pleasant journey to Cardiff, however 150278 soon hoved into view. I made myself ‘comfortable’ next to a heater stuck on full. The journey was interrupted at Shrewsbury, when the guard invited us all to leave our present train and join 150236 instead. Needless to say it was cosy after that point!

I saw that the south wales mainline was getting a bit hectic, so I left the 150 at Newport, but hopped on an HST for Cardiff shortly thereafter. I had expected this to return from Cardiff towards Taunton as 2C85, but for reasons beyond my understanding it ran empty to Newport, its passengers directed to a CrossCountry turbostar, which was let out after the empty set. The HST was held at Newport to allow the connection to be made.

The net result of all this was that I missed the 1800 from Bristol by a few seconds which turned out to be no bad thing as the 1830 was quieter. I managed to tick off various 800s on the way back to Reading, 311, 321 & 308 before a pair of 458s trundled back home.

 

[gabrielhj07]

Bit late but Day 3 was to involve some criss-crossing of the East Midlands, on some bits of track I hadn't yet covered.

As such, I made my way to Nottingham aboard 222002, and spent the journey being thankful I don't have to use Meridians regularly - I tried no less than 6 seats before I found one that wasn't collapsed.

By contrast, I was impressed with probably my favourite regional train - the 158, from Nottingham to Peterboro. 801101+801112 then took me to Leeds, where I found 195019 on a Lincoln service. I was kept on my toes throughout the journey by the dubious connection at Lincoln, made worse by the eventual 6 minute delay.

Happily, a cross-platform interchange was provided for so across to 170512 it was for the short but pleasant trip to Newark. 20 minutes of watching the comings and goings at Northgate passed quickly, and 801205 arrived to take me to Peterboro again. It was then time for 170622 to ferry me to Leicester via melton Mowbray, which was rather nice, before 222104 arrived to wrap up the day, arriving no less than 18 minutes behind schedule.

 

[Techniquest]

A nice variety of routes there It still sounds weird to read familiar 170/5 numbers in use in the East Midlands!

 

[gabrielhj07]

It was odd seeing London Midland seats in the east, but given that I’ve not used 170s in the West Mids before it was alright.

 

[gabrielhj07]

Time to summarize day 4, which I spent moving up and down the West Country in a fairly linear fashion enjoying the 'Cattle Class' HSTs.

Before all that though, I began the day in the usual way by appreciating the collapsed seats of an Exeter-bound IET, 800308. This was taking the 'Great Way Round' so I left at Reading for a pair of required 802s, 007+017, to take me down the Berks & Hants. I was pleased to see 43093 'Legends of the Great Western' appear with 43004 on the rear, which took me past the gin-clear skies of the Exe & Teign estuaries, to Penzance.

Getting this far from London took long enough, so rather than twiddle my thumbs I returned to Hayle on the same train, where I could meet 43194+43098 on their way back to Penzance. 10 minutes there was long enough before taking the same set back through the scenic Cornish Main Line to Plymouth, where I spent an hour marvelling at the lack of trees in the city centre! The fun was curtailed by 802015 on 2C81, no doubt a victim of the re-diagramming of Castles.

An uneventful journey was followed by a short wait at Penzance for the sleeper to begin boarding, during which I appreciated 08645 wearing the Cornish flag, and 221123 departing (I believe empty to depot?) I noted the density of the seated accomodation, especially compared to its Scottish Counterpart, and found the seats of a decent shape, if a little too firm & upright. I slept intermittently between Truro & Reading, waking at most of the station calls. At Reading I woke up fully, and dropped a window (how novel!) for some fresh air and to watch the coupling of 57312 to the rear of our Mk I brake van. We left Reading on time and I managed a final nap before arriving at Paddington bang on 0500, where, unlike the berth passengers, I headed straight for the Bakerloo Line, but found it closed, so Circle Line to HS Kensington & District Line home it was.

 

[gabrielhj07]

Just like this post, I woke up rather late the following day, too late to cover any great distances. Finding myself at a loose end, I decided to potter over to King's Cross to see what I could do.

I arrived at 1700, just in time to see the 1648 GC to Sunderland lock its doors, so I hung around platform 5 and waited for the 'Hull Executive', which arrived at 18 past fresh from the depot, formed of 801105+801111. A quiet and uneventful journey followed, interrupted only by the provision of free snacks to make up for the lack of catering services in the front portion.

In the end, 1H10 was caped at Doncaster, so that's where I got off. It wasn't long then before 91111 appeared, maintaining its position as my highest mileage Electra, as 1A48 back to London, where I finished rather sedate day, heading home via Waterloo.

 

[Techniquest]

That was a relaxed day!

 

[gabrielhj07]

That was a relaxed day!

It was, but I wanted to stay within reasonable distance of London to get home.