Newark October 2016

[ash39]

Wouldn't usually post a report for a couple of hours after work, but this one turned out to be quite eventful so could be of interest!

Started at Adwick by catching the 1356 to Doncaster, which was winner 322483, leaving only 482 to get from the bunch to clear my first class. OK there are five of them and they are pretty much a 321, but it counts!

I usually take a trip to Doncaster two or three times a year on Friday after work for photos, but today I was considering extending to Newark to catch 90036 on it's second day working for Virgin. It had done a Leeds run earlier in the day but I was unable to see it. The chance to knock a couple of 91's off my list would possibly sway my decision, but obviously I'd have no way of knowing what I'd get coming back.

In the end I decided to go for it, went to buy a ticket, but the machine wasn't having it. Tried a different machine, but it wouldn't read my card even though I'd used it earlier. This was 1424 and there was a service leaving at 1425! I pretty much gave up and went back up the steps to platform 3, but as I did I saw my favourite 91 and very much required 91130, so I threw myself into coach B just as the doors were about to go. Purchased a ticket from the guard, who I was expecting to have to offer an explanation to but he was fine. This service would get to Newark about 20 minutes before 90036 pulled in, everything seemed to be going to plan, not to mention 2 winners from 2 already!

It all started to unravel a bit as we came to a very abrupt stop a few miles from Newark. Smell of burning brakes filled the coach, which I strangely quite like the smell of (I'm odd like that). The announcement then came out that there was a problem with the signal and nothing was currently running in either direction. To cut a (very) long story short, it was a 30 minute stand, with no data signal, and things were stuffed up pretty badly in both directions. We finally arrived at Newark Northgate 38 minutes down, after a Network Rail team had travelled from Grantham to fix it.

Winner

91130 Newark North Gate 14/10/2016 by Flash 3939, on Flickr

The bad news was 1B86, the inbound service from Kings Cross with 90036 on, had been terminated at Grantham due to the issues at Newark, so I wouldn't be getting my shot of that today! I at least saw a filthy 66718 hauling some RHTT wagons to Doncaster, scant consolation!


66718 Newark North Gate 14/10/2016 by Flash 3939, on Flickr

I had a couple of options to get back to Doncaster, due to the backlog of services, but in the end I took the first one that came, 91124 was sat on 80 miles from a York to Newcastle run on a North Country rover last summer. This run would take it over 100, and I had a sudden realisation that I was starving, so it was taken.

A decision vindicated back at Doncaster, when I saw the next service come in with 91113 at the helm, which is already way over that. I got myself some food, and then the usual photos...

Double thunderbirds

67015 & 67008 Doncaster 14/10/2016 by Flash 3939, on Flickr

FGW on tour (heading back to Bristol)

153372 Doncaster 14/10/2016 by Flash 3939, on Flickr


43081 Doncaster 14/10/2016 by Flash 3939, on Flickr

I'd bought an off-peak return at Adwick by mistake, saving myself about 20 pence, but it meant I couldn't catch the 1822 return, so I had to kill another hour. I got a coffee and watched the comings and goings, before my unit arrived to form the 1922 back to Adwick. Was pleased to see 322482 roll into the platform, completing my 322's! Also the combination of heat and open window in the motor coach made for an enjoyable short hop back to my car.

Class cleared...

322482 Doncaster 14/10/2016 by Flash 3939, on Flickr

So 75% winners, down to 8 91's left to get, but no 90036. Hopefully it will turn up on a Leeds or York run soon. Can see a WYDR happening if it makes it to Leeds, although my chances of clearing the 90's are quite slim seeing as I need 90050

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Sounds like a fun trip.
Great pictures.

 

[FQ]

Shame about the issues at Newark and not seeing 90036 but at least you cleared your 322s!

 

[Kite159]

Congrats on clearing the 322s

 

[dave87016]

90050 is a long term absentee and I very much doubt it will return to mainline service again however I may be wrong, sounds like a fun day especially copping your last 322 and 90036 is currently out of service at Bounds Green awaiting transfer to Crewe with 90029 taking over for 90036

 

[Kite159]

90050 is a long term absentee and I very much doubt it will return to mainline service again however I may be wrong, sounds like a fun day especially copping your last 322 and 90036 is currently out of service at Bounds Green awaiting transfer to Crewe with 90029 taking over for 90036

Didn't 90050 catch fire years ago and has been stored in Crewe electric depot alongside other 90s which have been stored?

(sorry for my lack of history)

 

[dave87016]

Didn't 90050 catch fire years ago and has been stored in Crewe electric depot alongside other 90s which have been stored?

(sorry for my lack of history)

It did indeed that's why I said it's unlikely to return to mainline service again

 

[ash39]

Yes my 90050 comment was a bit silly. This is what it looked like when I did a tour of Basford Hall in March this year


90050 Crewe Basford Hall 05/03/2016 by Flash 3939, on Flickr

In fact, there were a lot of rumours around earlier in the year that it would be finally 'put out of its misery' by the end of this year, but it's still clinging onto existence for now. I suspect the majority of the other stored DB ones are done for as well, with perhaps the odd exception. They've dug a couple out in recent years after some lengthy spells in store.

 

[Techniquest]

I don't know why they don't just scrap 90050!

Nice little adventure out for you there and thanks for sharing the trip report! 91130 is at least 268 miles (Kings Cross to Newcastle) from last year, but I'd had it before on a journey not in the memory banks. Shame about the farce, I hope you put in a Delay Repay claim! I need 90036 and it's been taunting me for well over 12 years. Saw it on a double headed 90 tour at Crewe in early 2004, I believe with 90026, and seen it since at Liverpool Street in 2006 when I couldn't get it. Ever since then, along with that other annoying 90, 90034, it's been on my hit list!

Well done on clearing the 322s, one of the many classes I just haven't finished for some reason. I was meant to do it this year, but for reasons unknown I still haven't done my planned South Yorkshire Travelmaster bash!

 

[ash39]

Yep done a delay repay so at least 91130 will have been fairly reasonably priced!

Strangely, I had to nip into Leeds after work today so I drove to Outwood - a station score but done it before unrecorded. I got 322483 in, 322482 back. What are the chances?!