So I'm in Liverpool. Having explored the Walker museum and taken a few pictures at the docks, I decide I might indulge in some 'bashing' if you can call it that. I've had every line in the North just about (and every part of almost every line served by Northern) except the Barton branch and anything served just by Merseyrail. So never having been on a Merseyrail train, may as well give it a go.
It's getting a bit late, but should be time to get at least one line in before dark. I walk to James Street station, ask if they issue smartcards for a saveaway. I'm asked do I just want trains or trains and buses and where I'm going. I'm honest and say I'd just like to have a bash exploring the network. In the end I opt for a Merseyrail Day Saver all zones. At £5.50 it's not bad but it's the same price as the saveaway, which leaves you with the bizarre feeling of having a good value ticket and having been done at the same time. Oh well, I didn't have to get a smartcard.
I board a class 507 to Chester, so far so... tunnelly. The guard gives two on the buz.... er, bell. Have to say this is the only 'modern' rolling stock where it seems to be bells rather than buzzers I've experienced in recent years. After a while, forget which stop, we emerge from some tunnels. The first stops are a bit drab, up to about Port Sunlight, but onwards to Spital and it looks quite nice. I decide to get off and wander briefly, before catching the next train to Ellesmere Port. First impressions suggest this is a nice area. Then some chav drives past and bellows 'Wanker!' at me. Quite what he gained from it may never be known. Ah, maybe not so nice, that said even leafy North Yorkshire where I'm from has such idiots.
Onwards to Ellesmere Port on another 507, the scenery has a definite forest vibe to it and is quite pleasant. Pleasant in a way that I appreciate, not in an endless fields way, which being an ECML native tends to get me a bit bored nowadays. Coming past Hooton, there is a notable flash of an electrical arc from the side of the train. It's still pretty light but was definitely visible. Alight at Ellesmere Port, wander round for 10 mintues before getting back on the same train. At the first stop past Ellesmere Port - Overpool, a local ruffian gets on, no face covering and playing music out loud on his 'phone. Where are the infamous byelaw enforcement officers when you want them? I alighted at Hooton, along with the ruffian, in order to do the bit to Chester. It's getting a little darker, maybe bordering on what may be called twilight. Departing Hooton there is the same 'flash' on the side of the train, do 507s always arc when they go over junctions? I have to say it's quite impressive.
Chester has a weird feel to it I always find. I don't exit the station ,rather take it in briefly. Is it just me or is there more pigeon poo than on your typical station? It has a decayed concrete feel, but in a bizarrely pleasant way. Coming back, there is the definite odd bright flash of aricing which lights up everything to the side of the train. It's pretty much properly dark now, which I suppose in basher mythology means everything from now on doesn't count? If it does mean that I don't really care. Two byelaw enforcement officers, one male and one female get on. Check tickets, all is good until the very rear of the train. They're talking to a woman, though I can't hear what they're saying I can see she is visibly upset. After they've gone and before she alights at Moorfields (where I'm changing trains anyway), I ask if she's ok. "Thanks" she says. She actually waves at one of the byelaw enforcement officers. Whatever it was she seems to have solved amicably in the end. I advise her if she's had any trouble to come on the disputes section here. Something about bikes she says. "Huh? " I say. I then notice the large powered scooter type thing she has with her. She gets off and scoots along the station, something the byelaw enforcement officers would definitley have something to say about had they not remained on the train! She also appeared slightly tipsy. Hmmm...
Onwards to Southport. Honestley can't say much about the scenery now it's so dark (ah so *that's* why it doesn't count!), just that it's quite an interesting network, with a distinct feel, yet still ultimately the railway. Oh and the arcs. Saw a couple more of those. I have to say, I've never seen it to the extent it lights up everything opposite half of the carriage. But I don't do much travel in third rail land. Certainly never seen it to that extent on the tube, which I have used a bit in my time. Head back to Liverpool, alight Moorfields, back to the hotel for 30mins to charge 'phone and research places to eat. That's it I'm afraid. Next time I'm in Liverpool will make a day of the public transport. As it happens I'm only here for two nights and have the other days booked out with museums.
It's getting a bit late, but should be time to get at least one line in before dark. I walk to James Street station, ask if they issue smartcards for a saveaway. I'm asked do I just want trains or trains and buses and where I'm going. I'm honest and say I'd just like to have a bash exploring the network. In the end I opt for a Merseyrail Day Saver all zones. At £5.50 it's not bad but it's the same price as the saveaway, which leaves you with the bizarre feeling of having a good value ticket and having been done at the same time. Oh well, I didn't have to get a smartcard.
I board a class 507 to Chester, so far so... tunnelly. The guard gives two on the buz.... er, bell. Have to say this is the only 'modern' rolling stock where it seems to be bells rather than buzzers I've experienced in recent years. After a while, forget which stop, we emerge from some tunnels. The first stops are a bit drab, up to about Port Sunlight, but onwards to Spital and it looks quite nice. I decide to get off and wander briefly, before catching the next train to Ellesmere Port. First impressions suggest this is a nice area. Then some chav drives past and bellows 'Wanker!' at me. Quite what he gained from it may never be known. Ah, maybe not so nice, that said even leafy North Yorkshire where I'm from has such idiots.
Onwards to Ellesmere Port on another 507, the scenery has a definite forest vibe to it and is quite pleasant. Pleasant in a way that I appreciate, not in an endless fields way, which being an ECML native tends to get me a bit bored nowadays. Coming past Hooton, there is a notable flash of an electrical arc from the side of the train. It's still pretty light but was definitely visible. Alight at Ellesmere Port, wander round for 10 mintues before getting back on the same train. At the first stop past Ellesmere Port - Overpool, a local ruffian gets on, no face covering and playing music out loud on his 'phone. Where are the infamous byelaw enforcement officers when you want them? I alighted at Hooton, along with the ruffian, in order to do the bit to Chester. It's getting a little darker, maybe bordering on what may be called twilight. Departing Hooton there is the same 'flash' on the side of the train, do 507s always arc when they go over junctions? I have to say it's quite impressive.
Chester has a weird feel to it I always find. I don't exit the station ,rather take it in briefly. Is it just me or is there more pigeon poo than on your typical station? It has a decayed concrete feel, but in a bizarrely pleasant way. Coming back, there is the definite odd bright flash of aricing which lights up everything to the side of the train. It's pretty much properly dark now, which I suppose in basher mythology means everything from now on doesn't count? If it does mean that I don't really care. Two byelaw enforcement officers, one male and one female get on. Check tickets, all is good until the very rear of the train. They're talking to a woman, though I can't hear what they're saying I can see she is visibly upset. After they've gone and before she alights at Moorfields (where I'm changing trains anyway), I ask if she's ok. "Thanks" she says. She actually waves at one of the byelaw enforcement officers. Whatever it was she seems to have solved amicably in the end. I advise her if she's had any trouble to come on the disputes section here. Something about bikes she says. "Huh? " I say. I then notice the large powered scooter type thing she has with her. She gets off and scoots along the station, something the byelaw enforcement officers would definitley have something to say about had they not remained on the train! She also appeared slightly tipsy. Hmmm...
Onwards to Southport. Honestley can't say much about the scenery now it's so dark (ah so *that's* why it doesn't count!), just that it's quite an interesting network, with a distinct feel, yet still ultimately the railway. Oh and the arcs. Saw a couple more of those. I have to say, I've never seen it to the extent it lights up everything opposite half of the carriage. But I don't do much travel in third rail land. Certainly never seen it to that extent on the tube, which I have used a bit in my time. Head back to Liverpool, alight Moorfields, back to the hotel for 30mins to charge 'phone and research places to eat. That's it I'm afraid. Next time I'm in Liverpool will make a day of the public transport. As it happens I'm only here for two nights and have the other days booked out with museums.
