A great read there! It's lucky that you made the connection at Crosskeys - I doubt an hour's fester would be good fun there. Finally, a huge congrats on clearing ATW. 153323 is required for me (along with all but three of ATW's 153s, I think).
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Noddy's Trip Reports
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Starting to sound like we should have organised Operation Beer Bash in Cardiff!
Some very good fortune on GN there Noddy, Sandy is one of those shacks that sticks out in my atlas as being required. One day I will clear that part of the GN empire! Very nicely done on the 90 as well, must have spent a fair whack on fares there, which I understand the feeling of from last month's impulsive moves!
March on the MML by the sounds of it for you, should be an interesting read! Another line there that I need to hurry up and finishing conquering, but for some reason I always find something better to do.
Congratulations on clearing the Valleys for shacks, and indeed for clearing the ATW fleet! Welcome to the club on both counts, been a bit lonely in these clubs waiting for other bashers to get here!Mind you, it'll be a long time before any of us get to the hallowed status of ATW 100% Cleared! I looked at your Untappd logs from the other day, got to be said there's some nice sounding stuff you had!
I've not cleared all the Valley shacks. Just Ebbw Branch. Plenty to do on the others.
An hour probably would have got a bit boring. Not sure whats there because I didn't really get a chance to see! Not going to find out now either!
Kite159
Veteran Member
Strange enough I'm also in the 153323 being my last ATW 153 to be cleared club (and like Noddy I had it on the Ebbw Vale line, although sandwiched between 303 & 353)
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Anyhow sounded like a good trip to the Ebbw Vale line congrats on clearing another tiny part of Wales. At least you can probably leave your red pen at home for the next time you visit Wales to carry on up the valleys
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Well at least it's one line cleared! I've got the bug to go ATW shack hunting again, although due to workmen coming on Tuesday I won't have the chance for a while!
As always seems to be the way when I get ill, it's literally when I'm about to have booked time off work! I returned to work on Friday after my Valley's excursion. By the end of the day I was not feeling 100%. Saturday got worse and Sunday was hell! A cough, headache, achy body and stinging eyes saw me plough through the day. I don't do sick (partly cos it 'messes everything up' at work, is the polite way of putting it!) and it was my duty weekend in!
I clocked out at 1630 and made my way home to pack for the one night I would be away! By the time I was sorted, I had half an hour to get a cuppa and then headed to the station. My missus walked half the way with me as she needed to get some milk.
I'd already got the tickets required for this evening's exploits. An evening Devon Ranger (with Devon & Cornwall Railcard), then another day on my FOSS plus a single advance Cheltenham to Rugby. Broken down that meant today's trip cost a total of £38.50. In my book that's a relatively cheap trip considering I can't use a railcard when I'm on my own unless I don't go further east than Tiverton or Axminster!
I boarded the 1825 XC train (220034) already waiting on platform 8. Seats were found with ease and no chance of being kicked out later as all reservations were paper based and nothing was on this seat!
I decided to crack open a can of Bibble (lovely Pale Ale) to soothe my throat (may not help the headache!) and settled down to watch some stuff I had copied to my phone from the old Sky Q box!
This meant the journey passed fairly quickly, even with the Severn Tunnel diversion. I got into New Street earlier than planned cos the XC guard kindly let me stay on the train I was on, as the one behind (which my ticket was booked for from Cheltenham was a XC train anyway). This meant I could try and go for the earlier (really feeling rough and wanted sleep!) Virgin train for the next part of my journey. We had a delay for the doors to open though. We were only just platformed and they didn't open the doors (I was at the back) until platform staff got to the back of the train to make sure we got off safely! It was safe enough but I can see why they did it as we were beyond the sign telling people not to go beyond it!
So it was over to platform 1 for the hopefully next Virgin train. I was a bit annoyed with what happened next to be honest. The guard wouldn't let me travel. 'Not on this ticket' he said. Now I get advance tickets and why in normal circumstances the train that's stated should be the one you get, especially if it is busy. But my ticket stated 'Virgin trains' at 2300. It was 2230 and the train wasn't even 30% loaded! Others may disagree with my thoughts on the subject. The turn up for the book was XC had a common sense approach and Virgin didn't. I'm normally critical of XC but thumbs up for them today.
So 2300 came and in rolled 390005 and my annoyances were wiped out (we'll sort of! I was still feeling grotty and just wanted to be in bed!) I needed it!
It was another half hour and then I would be at my final destination, Rugby. A 262 mile journey on two trains with one winner! Not a bad evening I guess but bed will be very welcome and hopefully that will set me up for Monday!!
I clocked out at 1630 and made my way home to pack for the one night I would be away! By the time I was sorted, I had half an hour to get a cuppa and then headed to the station. My missus walked half the way with me as she needed to get some milk.
I'd already got the tickets required for this evening's exploits. An evening Devon Ranger (with Devon & Cornwall Railcard), then another day on my FOSS plus a single advance Cheltenham to Rugby. Broken down that meant today's trip cost a total of £38.50. In my book that's a relatively cheap trip considering I can't use a railcard when I'm on my own unless I don't go further east than Tiverton or Axminster!
I boarded the 1825 XC train (220034) already waiting on platform 8. Seats were found with ease and no chance of being kicked out later as all reservations were paper based and nothing was on this seat!
I decided to crack open a can of Bibble (lovely Pale Ale) to soothe my throat (may not help the headache!) and settled down to watch some stuff I had copied to my phone from the old Sky Q box!
This meant the journey passed fairly quickly, even with the Severn Tunnel diversion. I got into New Street earlier than planned cos the XC guard kindly let me stay on the train I was on, as the one behind (which my ticket was booked for from Cheltenham was a XC train anyway). This meant I could try and go for the earlier (really feeling rough and wanted sleep!) Virgin train for the next part of my journey. We had a delay for the doors to open though. We were only just platformed and they didn't open the doors (I was at the back) until platform staff got to the back of the train to make sure we got off safely! It was safe enough but I can see why they did it as we were beyond the sign telling people not to go beyond it!
So it was over to platform 1 for the hopefully next Virgin train. I was a bit annoyed with what happened next to be honest. The guard wouldn't let me travel. 'Not on this ticket' he said. Now I get advance tickets and why in normal circumstances the train that's stated should be the one you get, especially if it is busy. But my ticket stated 'Virgin trains' at 2300. It was 2230 and the train wasn't even 30% loaded! Others may disagree with my thoughts on the subject. The turn up for the book was XC had a common sense approach and Virgin didn't. I'm normally critical of XC but thumbs up for them today.
So 2300 came and in rolled 390005 and my annoyances were wiped out (we'll sort of! I was still feeling grotty and just wanted to be in bed!) I needed it!
It was another half hour and then I would be at my final destination, Rugby. A 262 mile journey on two trains with one winner! Not a bad evening I guess but bed will be very welcome and hopefully that will set me up for Monday!!
Strange enough I'm also in the 153323 being my last ATW 153 to be cleared club (and like Noddy I had it on the Ebbw Vale line, although sandwiched between 303 & 353)
----
Anyhow sounded like a good trip to the Ebbw Vale line congrats on clearing another tiny part of Wales. At least you can probably leave your red pen at home for the next time you visit Wales to carry on up the valleys
Yes, next time I can just go and worry about shacks and that will be it!
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Kite159
Veteran Member
I have a feeling I know where you visited this morning.
Good news on the XC guard allowing you to remain on board, bad on the Virgin guard (makes sense if it was 10:30 vice 11:00 but I would imagine both services would have been quiet)
Good news on the XC guard allowing you to remain on board, bad on the Virgin guard (makes sense if it was 10:30 vice 11:00 but I would imagine both services would have been quiet)
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Having seen Noddy's tweet from this morning, so do I!
Ouch to the Virgin guy being awkward, I assume both the relevant trains were calling at Rugby? Sorry to hear you're feeling ill!
Ouch to the Virgin guy being awkward, I assume both the relevant trains were calling at Rugby? Sorry to hear you're feeling ill!
I woke well before my alarm, mainly due to struggling to breathe! I felt no better! I had no choice but to carry on. I made a cuppa and had a shower. I did feel better after that thank goodness. It was then to the station via Tescos for some medication! Medication is pretty much the only reason I would go to Tesco! I hate them!
At the station I went and got my ticket for the next journey. You've probably all guessed from last nights report what it was. A single to Polesworth!
350259 arrived on time and we were off. 24 minutes later I was at Polesworth.
20170220-Polesworth-350259 by Steven Booth, on Flickr
I was surprised to see someone get on. It was now to the bus stop. Apple maps suggested (and got it correct) the stop was 0.4 miles away. I looked at the timetable and I had ages. So walked further to kill time (ended up walking well over a mile and half).
It was on my way I realised I may have found another reason to curse buses! The next bus apple maps suggested to catch (and google cos I checked!), according to the timetable ran only in the school holidays. Great! Was it the school holidays? It was back home the previous two weeks (I think!). Don't really pay attention to it!
A quick google suggested it was. Time would tell. Where I ended up waiting I could see all the way down the hill. About a minute after the bus was due I saw it! Thank goodness for that! It would have been 0909 until the next one. So at 0758 the bus did turn up and I was off to Atherstone!
I had plenty of time here. I made my way to the station and stopped at the co op next door for a cuppa. The ranger would kick in at 0900 which was the time the train was! Handy!
370371 arrived and off I went.
20170220-Kidsgrove-350371 by Steven Booth, on Flickr
My original plan was to get off at Alsager. I realised that I wouldn't make this so bailed at Kidsgrove which is where the madness began! I got on 370377 which was next stop Stoke! Noooooo! Why did I do that? I meant to wait for the EMT train behind! So I got off at stoke and went and got a plus bus for what I needed to do here, two of the Spoons!
I decided to hit the one furthest away first and this is when I got on the wrong bus! Looking at the map I assumed I was heading in the right direction! I wasn't! I bailed and crossed the road for the right direction! Whatever I have got has really got to me!!!
90 minutes later I was back at the station! I didn't go on this but here was a starship in the bay.
20170220-Stoke-on-Trent-323235 by Steven Booth, on Flickr
Now to repeat the shack attempts from earlier! 350102 was boarded and taken to a now dud Kidsgrove. This time I let the approaching 350 go and waited for the EMT behind. It was 153381 (although at the time had me put it down as 361 which is a GWR unit! I'm loosing the plot but thanks to 37078xotTE on the forums I got the correct number!). This was taken to Longport where I took a wonder from the station.
I had spotted 08220, 66217 and the bodyshell of 66048. The first two were winners for sight (not had one of them for a while!) and I wondered if I could get a photo. I walked round to the back and through the fence got wide angle shot of all three. Not the best photo in the world but I couldn't get any closer!
It was back to the station for 153 to Alsager where I crossed over and waited for the next Euston bound train. I got off this at Stone for the 6th winning shack of the day so far. I had an hour here so lunch was had in the spoons. Made use of the new app to order your food and drink! Worked a treat!! There was a massive queue and I didn't even move, much to the amusement to the guy sat near me when he saw me arrive, not move and then saw my drink bought over to me! He laughed and said 'It worked then?'! I just laughed and said I saw he queue and thought I'd give it a go!
After lunch I nipped into a card shop to get an anniversary card for the missus (better not forget that as it's tomorrow!) before heading back to the station for 350375 heading south. What next?
I decided to bail at Stafford for a the XC Paignton train (220019) to Wolverhampton and looked at clearing the shacks to Birmingham New Street. Whilst at Stafford I spotted another three 220s and made me wonder (stupidly I know!), if XC had got rid of their 221s! I kept seeing 220s including 029 which I had had the other day!
At Wolverhampton I made my way over to the far bay platform for the Walsall train. 350249 would be had ultimate Dudley Port where to reduce my wait, I walked to Tipton. The walking actually made me feel better I noticed. Maybe it was the fresh air I don't know.
At Tipton I got 323209 and this was had to Smethwick Rolfe Street. This meant all the shacks we cleared between Wolverhampton and New Street.
Now not in the plan at all, but had been a brewing thought, the red pen wanted to play! The easiest way for this was the trams! I walked from Rolfe Street to The Hawthorns and made the following moves.
20 The Hawthorns - Winson Green
35 Winson Green - Handsworth Booth Street
31 Handsworth Booth Street - Soho Benson Road
28 Soho Benson Road - St Paul's
21 St. Paul's - Soho Benson Road
27 Soho benson road - St Chads
29 St Chads - Bull Street
37 Bull Street - Corporation Street
36 Corporation Street - Grand Central
This got me six winners so not a bad little haul in just over an hour and I also managed to clear the Metrolink tram shacks.
20170220-St Paul's-28 by Steven Booth, on Flickr
20170220-Soho Benson Road-21 by Steven Booth, on Flickr
It was now time to start heading home. The 1759 to Worcester was the latest train I could catch and that's what I went for. Should have and could have made the 1749 for Worcester. In fact could have gone on to Malvern Link with that one and scored a new shack! Ah well. 170501 did the honours and it was onto Worcester Foregate Street we went.
From here I caught recently refurbished 150002. First time I've been on a refurbished GWR 150. Quite like the seat colours! I did a mileage move on the 150 to lessen my wait for the XC back to Plymouth. I bailed at Bristol Parkway though so I didn't have to cross platforms.
20170220-Bristol Parkway-150002 by Steven Booth, on Flickr
221121 (first super voyager I'd seen for XC in the Last week!) was the final train of the day to take me home! All I had to do now was walk to my house!
Despite feeling rough as hell I'm glad I did what I did! When I'm better I'll look back on it and be grateful I've cleared another tiny part of the network off! 7 winners over the two days, quite a few new shacks and metro cleared for shacks was a good haul. As I'm posting this before I get home, by the time I get home two days will have seen me travel 636 miles excluding trams. But as of now all I want is my own bed!
At the station I went and got my ticket for the next journey. You've probably all guessed from last nights report what it was. A single to Polesworth!
350259 arrived on time and we were off. 24 minutes later I was at Polesworth.
20170220-Polesworth-350259 by Steven Booth, on FlickrI was surprised to see someone get on. It was now to the bus stop. Apple maps suggested (and got it correct) the stop was 0.4 miles away. I looked at the timetable and I had ages. So walked further to kill time (ended up walking well over a mile and half).
It was on my way I realised I may have found another reason to curse buses! The next bus apple maps suggested to catch (and google cos I checked!), according to the timetable ran only in the school holidays. Great! Was it the school holidays? It was back home the previous two weeks (I think!). Don't really pay attention to it!
A quick google suggested it was. Time would tell. Where I ended up waiting I could see all the way down the hill. About a minute after the bus was due I saw it! Thank goodness for that! It would have been 0909 until the next one. So at 0758 the bus did turn up and I was off to Atherstone!
I had plenty of time here. I made my way to the station and stopped at the co op next door for a cuppa. The ranger would kick in at 0900 which was the time the train was! Handy!
370371 arrived and off I went.
20170220-Kidsgrove-350371 by Steven Booth, on FlickrMy original plan was to get off at Alsager. I realised that I wouldn't make this so bailed at Kidsgrove which is where the madness began! I got on 370377 which was next stop Stoke! Noooooo! Why did I do that? I meant to wait for the EMT train behind! So I got off at stoke and went and got a plus bus for what I needed to do here, two of the Spoons!
I decided to hit the one furthest away first and this is when I got on the wrong bus! Looking at the map I assumed I was heading in the right direction! I wasn't! I bailed and crossed the road for the right direction! Whatever I have got has really got to me!!!
90 minutes later I was back at the station! I didn't go on this but here was a starship in the bay.
20170220-Stoke-on-Trent-323235 by Steven Booth, on FlickrNow to repeat the shack attempts from earlier! 350102 was boarded and taken to a now dud Kidsgrove. This time I let the approaching 350 go and waited for the EMT behind. It was 153381 (although at the time had me put it down as 361 which is a GWR unit! I'm loosing the plot but thanks to 37078xotTE on the forums I got the correct number!). This was taken to Longport where I took a wonder from the station.
I had spotted 08220, 66217 and the bodyshell of 66048. The first two were winners for sight (not had one of them for a while!) and I wondered if I could get a photo. I walked round to the back and through the fence got wide angle shot of all three. Not the best photo in the world but I couldn't get any closer!
It was back to the station for 153 to Alsager where I crossed over and waited for the next Euston bound train. I got off this at Stone for the 6th winning shack of the day so far. I had an hour here so lunch was had in the spoons. Made use of the new app to order your food and drink! Worked a treat!! There was a massive queue and I didn't even move, much to the amusement to the guy sat near me when he saw me arrive, not move and then saw my drink bought over to me! He laughed and said 'It worked then?'! I just laughed and said I saw he queue and thought I'd give it a go!
After lunch I nipped into a card shop to get an anniversary card for the missus (better not forget that as it's tomorrow!) before heading back to the station for 350375 heading south. What next?
I decided to bail at Stafford for a the XC Paignton train (220019) to Wolverhampton and looked at clearing the shacks to Birmingham New Street. Whilst at Stafford I spotted another three 220s and made me wonder (stupidly I know!), if XC had got rid of their 221s! I kept seeing 220s including 029 which I had had the other day!
At Wolverhampton I made my way over to the far bay platform for the Walsall train. 350249 would be had ultimate Dudley Port where to reduce my wait, I walked to Tipton. The walking actually made me feel better I noticed. Maybe it was the fresh air I don't know.
At Tipton I got 323209 and this was had to Smethwick Rolfe Street. This meant all the shacks we cleared between Wolverhampton and New Street.
Now not in the plan at all, but had been a brewing thought, the red pen wanted to play! The easiest way for this was the trams! I walked from Rolfe Street to The Hawthorns and made the following moves.
20 The Hawthorns - Winson Green
35 Winson Green - Handsworth Booth Street
31 Handsworth Booth Street - Soho Benson Road
28 Soho Benson Road - St Paul's
21 St. Paul's - Soho Benson Road
27 Soho benson road - St Chads
29 St Chads - Bull Street
37 Bull Street - Corporation Street
36 Corporation Street - Grand Central
This got me six winners so not a bad little haul in just over an hour and I also managed to clear the Metrolink tram shacks.
20170220-St Paul's-28 by Steven Booth, on Flickr
20170220-Soho Benson Road-21 by Steven Booth, on FlickrIt was now time to start heading home. The 1759 to Worcester was the latest train I could catch and that's what I went for. Should have and could have made the 1749 for Worcester. In fact could have gone on to Malvern Link with that one and scored a new shack! Ah well. 170501 did the honours and it was onto Worcester Foregate Street we went.
From here I caught recently refurbished 150002. First time I've been on a refurbished GWR 150. Quite like the seat colours! I did a mileage move on the 150 to lessen my wait for the XC back to Plymouth. I bailed at Bristol Parkway though so I didn't have to cross platforms.
20170220-Bristol Parkway-150002 by Steven Booth, on Flickr221121 (first super voyager I'd seen for XC in the Last week!) was the final train of the day to take me home! All I had to do now was walk to my house!
Despite feeling rough as hell I'm glad I did what I did! When I'm better I'll look back on it and be grateful I've cleared another tiny part of the network off! 7 winners over the two days, quite a few new shacks and metro cleared for shacks was a good haul. As I'm posting this before I get home, by the time I get home two days will have seen me travel 636 miles excluding trams. But as of now all I want is my own bed!
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Sorry to hear you're feeling awful - hopefully you'll get better soon. What's wrong with Tesco though - I think it rates quite high as far as supermarkets go. Shame you made a few wrong decisions, but it isn't fun bashing while feeling ill, so well done for managing to stay out instead of just flagging it mid way through the day and heading home.
Which 153 did you get from Longport to Alsager in the end?
Which 153 did you get from Longport to Alsager in the end?
alexf380
Established Member
Well done for staying out all day, not easy! An otherwise good day by the sounds of things 
Kite159
Veteran Member
Congrats on clearing Polesworth, the local shacks between New Street & World's End, plus the Midland Metro.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Considering you weren't on finest form, mistakes were bound to happen. The curse with you and buses continues!
Nice work with the shack clearing, you're catching up with me on a lot of stuff lately!
Nice work with the shack clearing, you're catching up with me on a lot of stuff lately!
I've updated the report to include the pictures I took on phone. I'm impressed with the photos I'm getting out of it too, especially the 150 at night!
Thanks. At times it was hard and then other times I felt like I was getting better!
Thanks. Very slowly getting there!
Yes. The bus situation in Polesworth could have (but thankfully didn't) really topped it though I'm a long way behind you and even further behind Kite!
Well done for staying out all day, not easy! An otherwise good day by the sounds of things
Thanks. At times it was hard and then other times I felt like I was getting better!
Thanks. Very slowly getting there!
Yes. The bus situation in Polesworth could have (but thankfully didn't) really topped it though
I'm a long way behind you and even further behind Kite!
Kite159
Veteran Member
I must be one of the few to have taken a bus to Polesworth
IIRC something happened when Techni did the station as well, he visited during school holidays where the bus he wanted to catch wasn't running
IIRC something happened when Techni did the station as well, he visited during school holidays where the bus he wanted to catch wasn't running
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It's nice that 150002 was working for you, it's definitely not the most reliable of units! I think it looks quite nice inside, far better than the HST refurbishment. The seats are a better colour, as the darker colour doesn't show staining anywhere near as much.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
I must be one of the few to have taken a bus to Polesworth
IIRC something happened when Techni did the station as well, he visited during school holidays where the bus he wanted to catch wasn't running
Yeah the bus I had intended to catch only ran on school days I believe, then after getting confused with whether the stop I was at was right or not I ended up missing my second choice! I did eventually escape Polesworth!
I think they've done a pretty good with the refurbishments. Anyway on to my last day of my FOSS ticket.
After a better nights sleep I was up at 0700. I could have easily stayed in bed but as I'd already bought my FOSS and wanted to maximise it's value, I was going out!
Nothing to strenuous today. I needed to back at a reasonable time but there was still plenty to do in the FOSS area shack wise, infact a lot more than I thought! A discussion with Tech the night before had me realising I had 12 GWR shacks left, 2 ATW shacks and 23 SWT shacks! So a total of 37 shacks left in a FOSS! Will have to do something about that!
I got to the station with plenty of time. I had walked with the missus as she had some course with work that was the other side of the station. I went and got a cuppa from the pumpkin and then went over to platform 7 and waited for the 0853 to Paddington. Even though it was before 0900 my off peak return to Tiverton was valid and off we went on time with the set in reverse formation and 43134 leading us away and 098 behind. I then set about working out a plan.
37025 (really need a photo of this at some point!) was in the yard at Exeter Riverside. Fairwater contained 66552. Westbury was a little busier with 66069, 66065, 66849, 66850 and an unidentifiable 708xx.
At Westbury I got off and jumped into 150130 on the adjacent platform for a time killing move to Warminster. For some reason I got really hungry so decided to pop to the cafe to see what there was to eat.
I ended up having what was described as a Cornish Pasty. I always have my doubts about something a long way from home! I was right! It was not a great pasty and the great Cornish name shouldn't have been used to describe the savoury snack I had! Never try to fob off a Cornish Man over his Pasty! Never!
Arriving 6 minutes later than planned, 158798 was boarded and taken to winning shack Freshford.
20170221-Freshford-158798 by Steven Booth, on FlickrThe wait here was now shorter and soon enough 150244 arrived. I was on here for the next 54 miles all the way to Maiden Newton for my second new shack of the day. I crossed the bridge and boarded my second refurbished GWR 150 in two days that was ready and waiting which was 150233.
20170221-Maiden Newton-150233 by Steven Booth, on FlickrIt was onto Frome with a spirited run on this unit where I would have a short (but long enough wait to pop to Poundland opposite the station for some biscuits!). I got back to the station just as 150938 arrived. That's good as I had only had 1.6 miles off of it before.
20170221-Frome-150233 by Steven Booth, on Flickr
20170221-Frome-150938 by Steven Booth, on FlickrI sat in the back because it would then mean I was in the front for the next move, bailing at Dilton Marsh. A short wait here for 938 to return and another ten miles off it to Avoncliff, my fifth new shack of the day. I had over twenty minutes here and was going to pop to the pub opposite. I'd heard good things and even the guard mentioned it being good!
When I got to it though it didn't look very open! It wasn't! Closed until March!
Back to the station and 150233 had returned and I took this to Bradford-on-Avon. Whilst waiting for the late 158961 which I took all the way to Bristol 159102 brightened the dulling day!
20170221-Bradford-on-Avon-159102 by Steven Booth, on Flickr Once I got to Bristol I ws in two minds of what to do now. I was heading home but not sure how. I spotted a mate working 150926 on a Taunton service so squeezed onto that as we quickly exchanged a few words! It was wedged out but soon emptied after the next couple of stops.
We had a better chat once he'd checked tickets. Had been a few weeks since we'd seen each other so was good to have a quick chat. At Taunton we parted ways as he worked the train back and I continued heading home. March 9th would be our next meet up!
About 8 minutes I had to wait for my next and last train home. 221124 bucked the trend of me not seeing any super voyagers and we were in to Plymouth right time.
Over the course of the day I'd travelled 412 miles and knocked off five stations from the FOSS area I needed. I was even feeling a bit better so hopefully have got through the worst of whatever I have got!
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Excellent Noddy. I've not seen 37025 yet although I've heard it from the house a couple of times, keep seeing 37057 down here which looks really nice.
The 159102 looks good in the new livery and the green 150 at Frome is a great photo, that station is a real gem.
The 159102 looks good in the new livery and the green 150 at Frome is a great photo, that station is a real gem.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a good day, I guess 938 was working a Frome terminator before working back to Westbury then onto a Warminster short?
I haven't been to le Cross Guns for many a year, very much an oldie pub in terms of interior with a good garden overlooking the river. *brings back memories*
I haven't been to le Cross Guns for many a year, very much an oldie pub in terms of interior with a good garden overlooking the river. *brings back memories*
Techniquest
Veteran Member
A mighty fine day there that's for sure, very productive for sure. Still can't believe how many SWT shacks you still need in the FoSS area!
I thought you couldn't call a Cornish pasty Cornish unless it followed a specific receipe! Tut tut to the cafe owners...
I thought you couldn't call a Cornish pasty Cornish unless it followed a specific receipe! Tut tut to the cafe owners...
You were correct about 938. It did exactly what you said and I'm guessing for the school run based on the number kids that go off at Dilton Marsh upon its return.
The ingredients were correct but it was not nice! They should not be allowed to call it Cornish unless it's from there either!
I had a few days away with the missus in Manchester for the back end of my week off from work. We were staying at the Copthorne over in Salford Quays so inevitably we would use the tram and with the numbers I need (both trams and shacks I knew I should score some). Most of the time we were together and whatever I got was a bonus. Friday morning was different however, I had the morning to do what I wanted.
I set off early and was on the first tram (3070) away from Exchange Quay. This went in the direction of Harbour City where I bailed for the tram (3084) coming the other way. I still hadnt really decided what I wanted to do (hence the really hap hazard trips I did!) and just got on whatever I saw. I wanted to pick off a few shacks and hopefully I needed the tram.
I bailed at Cornbrook and ran for tram 3008 that was waiting. I didnt even know where this was going! Once I knew, I bailed at Stretford which would minimise my wait. 3025 arrived and I took this into the City Centre. I was nearing my time ending on the trams and didnt want to stay too far from Piccadilly. At Piccadilly Gardens I bailed and waited for 3005 that was behind. This was taken to Etihad Campus (new route from Piccadilly for me) where 3109 arrived a few minutes later. I took this to Cemetery Road and then waited for a tram back to Piccadilly. I still had time but I really did not want to miss anything.
3084 from earlier, was now making its way back from Ashton so I jumped on and got off at Piccadilly. I went and got the required tickets for the rest of the day. I then went and sourced some breakfast. Ended up at Burger King. Burger King breakfasts are not a patch on McDonalds though, I was disappointed. The time soon came though for my train. I jumped on 142034 and 142044 and took this to new shack Brinnington.
20170224-Brinnington-142044 by Steven Booth, on Flickr
It was now a short walk through the Reddish Vale Country Park to Reddish South. It was freezing and my walk hadnt warmed me up. I had plenty of time and needed to warm up. Morrisons was next to the station and that was perfect! I popped in for a PNB and a cuppa. Went down a treat and I had thoroughly warmed up! It was then on to the station. I got there and on the platform were four people already! I was expecting three of them to be honest!
Earlier in the week I had told Tech of my plans and knew he was in the area. Having bizarrely ending up in the same pub as him (with AndyB2706) the night before he confirmed that they should be paying a visit to Reddish South. Also waiting with them was HMS Ark Royal. It was nice to meet you both, all be it very very brief!
142014 and 150201 arrived two down and we all got on. A few minutes later we got off at Denton.
20170224-Denton-150201 by Steven Booth, on Flickr
From here we said our goodbyes. I was making my way to Hyde Central (via the required Spoons) and well have to wait for their reports for what they did! At Hyde Central 142013 bounced in and a short journey to Woodley was had for the return of 142034 and 142044 back to Piccadilly. I still had a bit of time before meeting back up with the missus.
OK, next I made my way to Oxford Road on 150277 and 150138. It was then over to the waiting 142037 and 150132 to Urmston. I had enough time now to nip to the Spoons and back for 156486 back to the City Centre. I spotted 66230 (I seem to be following it round the country at the moment having seen it in London, Westbury and now Manchester in the space of two weeks) and 66702 and Trafford Park. I bailed at Deansgate for some Trams. I had a much higher chance of the red pen by doing this.
3056 duly arrived and I took this to St Peters Square. 3037 and 3019 then arrived and I took this to Market Street. 3017 was then had to Holt Town for a new stop and 3047 back to Piccadilly. This was where I would meet my wife.
That was the end of my morning and a successful one it was! The day didnt end there though! We were off for a walk along the Middlewood Way route. So 142052 took us to Marple where we started our walk. Once we had left the town of Marple behind we enjoyed the walk towards Macclesfield. We had the choice to continue to Macclesfield or cut in to Poynton. We did the later. 323223 took us back to Manchester where we set about finding a pub for a drink. The sit down was welcome but we were soon back at Piccadilly!
142027 and 142009 were boarded for the short run to Ardwick.
20170224-Ardwick-142009 by Steven Booth, on Flickr
That was pretty much it for the day! We then went to the Cloudwater Brewery which was about 10 minutes walk away and spent the next 2 and half hours drinking some fantastic beers! Absolutely fantastic! We then headed to the BrewDog from New Islington on 3106 to St Peters Square where we had dinner!
Overall the trip bought me 20 winning trams (not all listed above) and 19 new shacks.
I set off early and was on the first tram (3070) away from Exchange Quay. This went in the direction of Harbour City where I bailed for the tram (3084) coming the other way. I still hadnt really decided what I wanted to do (hence the really hap hazard trips I did!) and just got on whatever I saw. I wanted to pick off a few shacks and hopefully I needed the tram.
I bailed at Cornbrook and ran for tram 3008 that was waiting. I didnt even know where this was going! Once I knew, I bailed at Stretford which would minimise my wait. 3025 arrived and I took this into the City Centre. I was nearing my time ending on the trams and didnt want to stay too far from Piccadilly. At Piccadilly Gardens I bailed and waited for 3005 that was behind. This was taken to Etihad Campus (new route from Piccadilly for me) where 3109 arrived a few minutes later. I took this to Cemetery Road and then waited for a tram back to Piccadilly. I still had time but I really did not want to miss anything.
3084 from earlier, was now making its way back from Ashton so I jumped on and got off at Piccadilly. I went and got the required tickets for the rest of the day. I then went and sourced some breakfast. Ended up at Burger King. Burger King breakfasts are not a patch on McDonalds though, I was disappointed. The time soon came though for my train. I jumped on 142034 and 142044 and took this to new shack Brinnington.
20170224-Brinnington-142044 by Steven Booth, on FlickrIt was now a short walk through the Reddish Vale Country Park to Reddish South. It was freezing and my walk hadnt warmed me up. I had plenty of time and needed to warm up. Morrisons was next to the station and that was perfect! I popped in for a PNB and a cuppa. Went down a treat and I had thoroughly warmed up! It was then on to the station. I got there and on the platform were four people already! I was expecting three of them to be honest!
Earlier in the week I had told Tech of my plans and knew he was in the area. Having bizarrely ending up in the same pub as him (with AndyB2706) the night before he confirmed that they should be paying a visit to Reddish South. Also waiting with them was HMS Ark Royal. It was nice to meet you both, all be it very very brief!
142014 and 150201 arrived two down and we all got on. A few minutes later we got off at Denton.
20170224-Denton-150201 by Steven Booth, on FlickrFrom here we said our goodbyes. I was making my way to Hyde Central (via the required Spoons) and well have to wait for their reports for what they did! At Hyde Central 142013 bounced in and a short journey to Woodley was had for the return of 142034 and 142044 back to Piccadilly. I still had a bit of time before meeting back up with the missus.
OK, next I made my way to Oxford Road on 150277 and 150138. It was then over to the waiting 142037 and 150132 to Urmston. I had enough time now to nip to the Spoons and back for 156486 back to the City Centre. I spotted 66230 (I seem to be following it round the country at the moment having seen it in London, Westbury and now Manchester in the space of two weeks) and 66702 and Trafford Park. I bailed at Deansgate for some Trams. I had a much higher chance of the red pen by doing this.
3056 duly arrived and I took this to St Peters Square. 3037 and 3019 then arrived and I took this to Market Street. 3017 was then had to Holt Town for a new stop and 3047 back to Piccadilly. This was where I would meet my wife.
That was the end of my morning and a successful one it was! The day didnt end there though! We were off for a walk along the Middlewood Way route. So 142052 took us to Marple where we started our walk. Once we had left the town of Marple behind we enjoyed the walk towards Macclesfield. We had the choice to continue to Macclesfield or cut in to Poynton. We did the later. 323223 took us back to Manchester where we set about finding a pub for a drink. The sit down was welcome but we were soon back at Piccadilly!
142027 and 142009 were boarded for the short run to Ardwick.
20170224-Ardwick-142009 by Steven Booth, on FlickrThat was pretty much it for the day! We then went to the Cloudwater Brewery which was about 10 minutes walk away and spent the next 2 and half hours drinking some fantastic beers! Absolutely fantastic! We then headed to the BrewDog from New Islington on 3106 to St Peters Square where we had dinner!
Overall the trip bought me 20 winning trams (not all listed above) and 19 new shacks.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a productive trip to Manchester
Many more required Spoons in that area?
Many more required Spoons in that area?
Sounded like a productive trip to Manchester
Many more required Spoons in that area?
One. Macclesfield.
AnthonyRail
Established Member
- Joined
- 11 Jan 2015
- Messages
- 1,223
With the f.o.s.s rover do u have to use 3 running days like Monday to Wednesday or can you travel Mon then Thurs Fri?
AnthonyRail
Established Member
- Joined
- 11 Jan 2015
- Messages
- 1,223
The Foss rover sounds good value. Be able to board at taunton, is good. May have to do one soon.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Which should be easy enough to get on a GM Wayfarer with 3 trains an hour
FOSS is either 3 days in 7 (or 8 in 15), which allows you to pick the days you want to travel on [for example Saturday - Monday - Thursday].
I believe most multi-day rovers are like that apart from the Kent Rover which is 3 running days
Techniquest
Veteran Member
An excellent read as always! I didn't know there was an evening service at Ardwick as well!
I trust the walk from Marple was enjoyable, looked like it would be so from my brief visit to that area not too long ago.
I trust the walk from Marple was enjoyable, looked like it would be so from my brief visit to that area not too long ago.
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