Palmersears' Jaunts

[Techniquest]

Not a bad haul for an area you don't need much in!

 

[palmersears]

As I sit by the pool in Bali I thought it a good time to give a quick update as to how the quest is going. Since last we spoke I've not really had a full day of spotting that's been overly successful, and most of the winners I've had have come during the usual forays around Manchester. In summary they've consisted of the following:

1x31 (31233, which I'm reliably informed is being retired next week)
6x66
1x142 (taking me down to just three Northern 142s and six overall)
1x150
1x153 (just one Northern dogbox left now)
1xDBSO
950001

I did also have a day out to Tamworth on 29 March, mainly for a bit of laid back freight watching, but I also reasoned I could pop across to New Street should any of my last few requirements pop up. This did indeed happen at lunchtime, so off I trundled across aboard a 170. Sadly we were held for 6 minutes whilst the oil tanks entered Lynsbury, so I missed the LM 170 I need, but I did get 158818 not long afterwards, meaning the ATW 158s are now done.

Tamworth itself was a mixed bag, with just the 7 winners in amongst a full day of workings:

56094
60063
66063
66953
67023
68024
325016

Highlights from the above include getting the second of Colas' 67s (Got the first when it was still with DB Cargo) and getting another 325 in the book, meaning I just need 006 for the full set.

Two likely trips coming up when I've finished sunning myself (although the urge to stay here forever is very strong!). Firstly Leeds in a couple of weeks, on the proviso that 155346 has finally returned from Kilmarnock and is in service, as it is rumoured to be soon. That, a couple of 142s, a handful of 158s and two 333s mean that's a worthwhile trip.

After that I have a day booked in for London again at the beginning of May. There from 0843 until 2100, which gives me a good few hours at each location. Will probably do a circuit of London Bridge > East Croydon > Clapham Junction > Ealing Broadway > Marleybone > Kings Cross/St Pancras (depending upon where the handful of GN/VTEC requirements are at this point) > Bethnal Green.

What I want to then do is stay in Norwich that night and then spend the Saturday attacking the Greater Anglia DMUs. I figure a few hours at both Norwich and Ipswich will get the job done? Or is there somewhere else I will need to visit? Would love to get them all ticked off in one go if at all possible.

 

[Kite159]

A few hours at Norwich would capture a few, so will Ipswich. Just remember you will need to take a trip to Marks Tey for the 156 on the branch there

Enjoy your holiday

 

[Techniquest]

Hope you're having a fantastic trip!

Jammy so and so with 66953, my last Freightliner 66 to get for sight! You're making some excellent progress it must be said.

As for Anglia, I'll have a think on my recommendations while I wait to see a dentist on an urgent basis. Hopefully I'll get back to you later today

 

[palmersears]

A few hours at Norwich would capture a few, so will Ipswich. Just remember you will need to take a trip to Marks Tey for the 156 on the branch there

Enjoy your holiday

Excellent, I'll make sure I pop down there from Ipswich at some point then. Thank you, Kite.

Hope you're having a fantastic trip!

Jammy so and so with 66953, my last Freightliner 66 to get for sight! You're making some excellent progress it must be said.

As for Anglia, I'll have a think on my recommendations while I wait to see a dentist on an urgent basis. Hopefully I'll get back to you later today

It's absolute heaven, Tech! Cost a pretty penny, but then you only have one honeymoon (hopefully!).

Very few Freightliner 66s left for me now as well, down to just 21. Pretty good going in just over a year. Looking through what I need in London, there's not all that much left for some TOCs:

c2c: 19
Chiltern: 21 (Not including the bubbles which I doubt I'll get before they retire now)
Gatwick Express: 3
Grand Central: 2
Greater Anglia: 101(does include all the DMUs)
Great Northern: 8
GWR: 70 (not counting the DMUs)
Heathrow Express: 1 (hopefully its in a more easily viewable part of Old Oak Common now)
London Overground: 28
South West Trains: 110 (minus the IoW stuff but plus the yet to be delivered 707s)
Southeastern: 150
Southern: 49 (not including the 313s)
TfL Rail: 9
Thameslink: 53
VTEC: 2

I'm hopeful of getting down to less than 20/30 across each TOC at the very least (maybe not SE!), and maybe clearing Gatwick Express, Grand Central, Great Northern, TfL Rail and VTEC if the stars align.

Hope the dentist went to plan, having had a wisdom tooth out this time last year I know how problematic teeth can be! Any help with formulating an Anglian plan will be most welcome.

 

[Techniquest]

Not a bad list whatsoever there, for such a short time you've been on the scene you've done amazingly well.

As for Anglia, I did nothing train related apart from a forum catchup last night, so I don't have an exhaustive list of good spots etc. I'm trying to figure out how long you'll need at Norwich, but that should be at most 2.5 hours to allow something to go to Sheringham and back (xx45 from Norwich). That should see you get everything on Lowestoft/Great Yarmouth turns too. Cambridge to Norwich is only 3 diagrams so that should be easy enough.

Ipswich, I'd allow 2.5 hours here as well for similar reasons as Norwich, to allow whatever's gone to Lowestoft to come back. Ipswich to Cambridge I think is only 4 diagrams so you should be pretty much sorted by then. There's the 2-hourly Peterborough to Ipswich services to contend with of course, and Felixstowe is the same 153 all day so unless something goes belly up you won't need to worry about that one much.

Unless you want the 90s or to take photos, at Norwich you could easily just camp out in Pumpkin with a nice hot drink and get up occasionally to note stuff coming in. Although the 37s and 68s may need you to platform end a bit. Ipswich, especially if it's a nice day, you'll get most stuff from a good spot at the north end. Exception being the Ipswich to London EMUs. Don't forget though that container trains to/from the Midlands generally don't come into Ipswich Yard now, they tend to use the Bacon Factory Curve to head more directly towards Stowmarket and beyond. Some Freightliner trains still come through Ipswich of course.

Cambridge would probably do you well too, and depending on what you need and when you go will give you different results. I'm informed the 365s are to hand the torch to the 387s on Cambridge/Kings Lynn fast trains from May, so that will change things dramatically. The EMUs in general is what will make it worthwhile going to Cambridge, as the DMUs will just be XC 170s and GA 170s to Cambridge and Ipswich.

Hope that helps! As for the dentist, filling was reattached yesterday by a different dentist to my usual, and I'm having to try so hard to be ultra careful with what I eat. No more chocolate bars, which could be seen as a good thing...

 

[palmersears]

Very detailed, Tech, many thanks!

Think the rough plan will be Norwich for 3 hours, then likewise at Ipswich, before a quick stop at Marks Tey for the Sudbury 156 on the way back to London. Probably then spend the remainder of the day there before heading home.

I'm right in thinking the 37s and 68s don't do weekends?

 

[Techniquest]

Very detailed, Tech, many thanks!

Think the rough plan will be Norwich for 3 hours, then likewise at Ipswich, before a quick stop at Marks Tey for the Sudbury 156 on the way back to London. Probably then spend the remainder of the day there before heading home.

I'm right in thinking the 37s and 68s don't do weekends?

Gotta share the knowledge! Genuine question, once you finish everything (if you ever do!) will you be leaving us all or has the hobby grabbed hold of you more than expected?

Depending on the time of your train, and its calling pattern, you may make it to Marks Tey to see it in the branch platform without having to leave the train. I have no timetables here to check that mind.

Personally speaking, I don't think much of the station at Marks Tey. I would suggest Chelmsford for a fester, although I forget how good it is exactly for facilities etc, I do recall trains pass non-stop slower than Marks Tey which is probably more useful for you. Witham sees stuff fly through at a fair rate of knots so probably not ideal for 321s. Shenfield is also passed at a fair rate, but you get the bonus of stuff to/from Southend too. Quite, depending when you go on this trip, Shenfield would get you the beginning of the 345s as well. Those are starting in the next month or so I believe, almost the end of an era with 315s serving the slow lines. You know, now I mention that, I do have a shack I've always wanted to get done, Brentwood, and I might have to go get that next week...Anyway, back to the GEML, everything (bar one or two super express loco-hauled sets on weekdays) stops at Colchester so that might be worth looking at for a bit. Don't forget you'll also have the stoppers from the coast terminating at the north end of Colchester, as well as the short workings to/from Colchester Town.

As for the 37s and 68s, as a general rule of thumb they do tend to stay at home on weekends. Especially with the 68s, although the 37s have been dragged out before. If there's a significant sporting event on, it's almost guaranteed they'll make an appearance.

 

[palmersears]

Not sure I'll be finished any time soon, the analogy of painting the Forth Bridge springs to mind! I'll have to see what life has in store if/when I reach the end. I've always loved the railways since I was a wee lad, I get it from my grandad who worked on them for 55 years, so I'll never just forget about it all.

Regarding Marks Tey, timings on Saturdays suggest I'll need to spend half an hour there waiting for the Sudbury terminator, which I can live with. Colchester is a possible, but I'll likely have got most of the 321s the day before when in London (the 360s I cleared back in February). Indeed any remaining time I have on the Sunday will be spent back in London before heading back home from Euston.

I'm going down on 5/6 May, which I fear is slightly before the 345s come out to play

 

[Kite159]

Beware as some of the Lowestoft services tend to interwork so you might not get everything.

 

[Techniquest]

Not sure I'll be finished any time soon, the analogy of painting the Forth Bridge springs to mind! I'll have to see what life has in store if/when I reach the end. I've always loved the railways since I was a wee lad, I get it from my grandad who worked on them for 55 years, so I'll never just forget about it all.

Regarding Marks Tey, timings on Saturdays suggest I'll need to spend half an hour there waiting for the Sudbury terminator, which I can live with. Colchester is a possible, but I'll likely have got most of the 321s the day before when in London (the 360s I cleared back in February). Indeed any remaining time I have on the Sunday will be spent back in London before heading back home from Euston.

I'm going down on 5/6 May, which I fear is slightly before the 345s come out to play

The railway is rather infectious and addictive, certainly will be interesting to see what happens when you get to the day it's all done!

30 minutes at Marks Tey isn't too bad, nice and short compared to some of the mammoth visits I made to rural places last year!

I forget when the 345s are due to start in passenger service, someone else will have to confirm that but it is due to sometime in May. I think you'll miss the start by a week or two. Once I get some gen on their entry into service, I'll add them to my lists and book a mini London visit. Must make an effort to do some 315s while I'm down next week...

Either way, good luck!

Kite makes a good point, some services do interwork but that's mostly just between Yarmouth and Lowestoft to Norwich. Think a couple of Lowestoft to Ipswich and Lowestoft to Norwich services do interwork but it's not many.

 

[Kite159]

If you time Marks Tey right you should be able to alight from a London bound service, grab the ID of the unit on the branch and board the next Ipswich bound service.

Or go for a little trip up a delightful little rural branch line

 

[Techniquest]

End of May for Shenfield coming back to normal use, apparently 345s begin before then though.

 

[Dhassell]

I have only just read this thread and picked up what you are aiming for recently, But I have to say, you have made great progress!

 

[palmersears]

I have only just read this thread and picked up what you are aiming for recently, But I have to say, you have made great progress!

Thank you, Dhassell! There's been a fair slice of luck in the amount of prgress made, the work trips to London last year certainly helped, but I too have been amazed at the progress I've made.

Plans for Leeds next week have been thrown into slight disarray as Northern are probably going to be on strike That said the required 155 hasn't come back from Kilmarnock, and the 156 is bumbling about on the Durham coast, so it'd be a less fruitful trip anyway. I might see about going to Acton Bridge for a relaxed day of freight, or maybe Nuneaton.

 

[palmersears]

Another milestone reached last week, with the final Northern 153 now safely tucked away in the book. 153316 did the honours at Salford Central, which takes requirements in Northern land down to 15 (2 of which are 319s that will probably never see the light of day again).

Nothing doing today, sadly, as many an errand needed running, including the fitting of a new DAB radio booster on the car, which took most of the morning. I did briefly contemplate then dashing across to Crewe for the afternoon as the weather was decent enough, but decided to keep my powder dry for next week.

Speaking of which, my rough outline for London and East Anglia is now formed. Arriving in the capital at 0840 it'll be London Bridge first, then Bethnal Green, Marylebone, Ealing Broadway, Clapham Junction, East Croydon, St Pancras (with diversions to Kings Cross as necessary if the final GC and VTEC 43s show up). Time spent at each will vary depending on success rates, but I'll look to wind things down about midnight, probably having revisited a couple of locations, or chucked in West Ham or Stratford International as well. You may have seen elsewhere on the forum that I was planning an all-nighter around the capital, but I've bailed on that for now given I've got to drive up to the Lakes on Saturday night and don't want the body clock buggered. Instead I'm in the easyhotel in Croydon.

Saturday begins with the 0700 from Liverpool Street to Norwich, and I'll spend the day working my way back towards Marks Tey via Ipswich. I need to be back at Euston for the 1840 to Stockport.

Looking forward to chipping away further at the London requirements (particular focus on Southeastern and SWT), and finally making a start on the AGA DMUs. I'm half wondering if I might be able to clear them, but that might be slightly fanciful.

 

[Techniquest]

You've certainly got a fair bit of fun coming up! Nice work on clearing the Northern 153s

 

[palmersears]

5/5/17 - What's your favourite type of potato?

Firstly, I know what you're thinking. Rest assured it'll be revealed in good time!

With the wife off on a hen do in Cheltenham I had to get a taxi to Stockport in time for the 0643 on Friday, arriving in good time to grab a tea from Starbucks. I was briefly startled by 57305+306 top and tail the Northern Belle stock, which rumbled through towards Victoria, but the remaining 20 minutes passed slowly as I waited for 390127 to take me to Euston. I opted for coach U, bagging a priority table to myself (at least until Rugby) and then nodded off until the approach to Nuneaton. First into the book for the day arrived here, with 66710 heading towards Trafford Park with 4M21. Nothing of note on Wembley, so I popped for a quick PNB before we arrived at Euston 5 late.

Down to the underground, and with the ticket machine finally accepting my card after 7 goes I was armed with my 1-6 travelcard, and set off for the Northern line; destination London Bridge. Going against the flow made things a bit easier, and I arrived at the National Rail platforms to, well, not much. A sweep of the Southern side did throw up 377102, but nothing else, so I headed up to the island of platforms 6/7, which I figured would give the best views of the Southeastern stuff that currently passes non-stop through what will be platforms 1/2, as well as workings through the higher-numbered platforms.

I'd not long started when I was approached by a Network Rail station supervisor and asked what I was writing in my book, but when I explained he seemed happy enough to leave me to my own devices. I did so for the next hour or so, racking up a good number of winners, particularly 465s:

Binoculars needed for a good number of the above, and translating carriage numbers for the SE stuff that went 'round the back,' as it was impossible to get views of front-ends.

From here it was to Moorgate, then across to Liverpool Street, before taking 315803 to Bethnal Green. The weather picked up a bit as I arrived, and I headed back under the platforms to the opposite side, settling down to pick off everything heading out towards Stratford and Hackney Downs. It was here that, after about 30 minutes, two old ladies came and sat next to me, and their conversation somehow turned to their favourite method of cooking a potato. Things became rather heated (baked versus roasted, since you ask), and I was invited to step in and mediate. Eventually, it was decided, with some resistance from the loser, that roasted was best, and things concluded just as their 315 rolled in to take them into the city. Thankfully things concluded just as 345006 rolled passed, also towards Liverpool Street. First 345 sighting and initial impressions from a distance are that they look pretty good. Odd with no yellow front end, but certainly different. It came back passed some 15 minutes later and was then followed by 345005 on the same route some 30 minutes after.

Time up, it was aboard 315812+808 back into Liverpool Street, and across to Baker Street. Here it was a short walk to Marleybone, interrupted briefly by the wife ringing to ask how to open the fuel cap on the car, and a quick 50-minute stint, mainly in order to get 172102/103/104 in the book, and in the process clear the remainder of the 172 class. Nothing else appeared that was required, so it was via Boots for a meal deal and then across to Paddington.

With the customary sweep of the platforms done (43147, 43180 & 166214 the winners), it was aboard 165102 for the planned run out to Ealing Broadway. A proper treat was forthcoming not long after setting off, as 800002+001 were seen arriving into Paddington on test, heading into subsequently reverse into North Pole. Must say I love the look of them, a fitting successor to the 43s in my eyes. Not sure that'll go down well with some on here, but I struggle to get misty-eyed over the older traction.

Ealing Broadway arrived, not before I finally saw 332014 on Old Oak Common, to clear the second class of the day. The Crossrail-related building works are progressing nicely now and mean that the shelter I use to spot from now has far better sightlines, particularly with regards the fast lines. I got chatting to a lovely old couple after 10 minutes or so, who were thrilled when I provided them with the numbers for the aforementioned 800s (which they’d just missed seeing fully), and I helped them with a number of the 43s that flew passed slightly too quickly for them to ID. They ambled back to Didcot, via Oxford, after 15 minutes or so, and I was left to my own devices to pick up a good deal of winners, including 66023 working 7V69 from Crawley to Acton.

With 3pm now arriving I was eager to get across to East Croydon and drop my bag off at the EasyHotel, so it was the Central line to Shepherd’s Bush, 387257 to the Junction (picking up 47848 in the yard in disgrace as I walked along the overbridge), then a cosy pairing of 377429+119 to East Croydon. Bag lightened I was quickly back out into the early evening, with 377126+455 back to Clapham to take up my usual spot at the London end of 9/10. As always with Clapham I had to switch on very quickly as units flew through, but it was a roaring success all told. Highlights were the third different pair of 707s in the book, this time 007+008 returning off test for a trip through the washers. Slightly disappointed I only managed one of the three remaining GatEx requirements, 387217, but such is life.

I decided to call it quits about half six, just in time to witness a fight break out on platform 8. We’re talking a full-blown commuter punch-up, which almost resulted in both men on the tracks. Most odd. 5869 arrived to take me to Waterloo, before the Northern line to Elephant & Castle. A mildly confusing walk via the shopping centre to the National Rail platforms then followed, arriving just in time to get 700044 to St Pancras. I was contemplating a stint at West Hampstead, but, in need of a feed and water I instead hopped off at Blackfriars (picking up 319002 as I alighted), and went to a delightful little pizzeria hidden away down the back streets. Indeed by the time I’d finished chatting to the owner and left it was 2100, so I decided to head back to base. A walk down the river to burn off the pizza saw me reach Victoria 25 minutes later, and 377110 was taken to East Croydon. The final spots of the day were 377103 & 377511 and, with that, it was off back to the EasyHotel, and a 0515 alarm set for Saturday’s venture into new territory...

6/5/17 – To Ilford, and Beyond!

After an ok(ish) night’s sleep, disturbed by a half-naked women mistakenly banging on my door instead of her’s round the corner at 0330, it was a quick shower and out into the early morning air, with the 0547 Thameslink service to Bedford, formed of 700101,taking me to Farringdon at an achingly slow pace. We went via Norwood Junction, where as I swear last time I went via Streatham, which might have added to things, but the slow pace did allow me to pickup 700010 and 700021 en-route. From here it was a short wait for a Met line service to Liverpool Street. After grabbing a tea and croissant it was onto 90009 pushing 82114 along, and we departed bang on 0700, quickly emerging into the spring sunshine. Spotify fired up I settled back to see if anything required was already up and out. Sadly nothing doing, but plenty to keep an eye on, including the Crossrail works nearing completion at Shenfield, and the Lizzy line 345s from yesterday sitting at Ilford depot.

As we ventured passed Shenfield, and into new territory, we slowed noticeably as we caught up with a 360 in front on a stopper, and things became very stop-start all the way along as a result. It did, however, mean that we passed through Marks Tey some seven late, and as such arrived just after 153314 working the Sudbury branch. Not only was this the first AGA DMU in my book, but also meant I no longer had to add in a 20 minute stop at Marks Tey on the way back later in the day. Every cloud has a silver lining, as they say. Further bonuses as we progressed towards Norwich included 321313 at Manningtree, and 90003 at Witham.

Eventually, Norwich arrived, sadly minus the sun, which departed just after the sprawling plains disappeared near Ipswich. Alighting I was struck by the subtle charm of the station, clearly once a thriving hub that is now slightly quieter. There was nothing occupying any of the other platforms, save for a dud EMT 158. Checking RTT there was little of interest coming within the next 30 minutes, so I wandered to the nearby Morrisons for supplies, before returning to the London end of platforms 3/4 to observe the comings and goings for another couple of hours. Not much, truth be told, but when your hunting just 26 DMUs it’s to be expected.

1130 arrived and it was thus aboard 82127, dragged along by 90008, for the 35 minute trip to Ipswich. I bagged a table of four but had to turn the tunes up pretty loud in the headphones to drown out a hen party opposite. A major bonus was seeing 90001 being shunted into the sheds on Crown Point, which means the AGA 90s are now cleared

Ipswich arrived, with the sun trying manfully to come out as I alighted. Mildly shocked to see Giles Brandreth wandering around the station, I took up residence at the country end of platform 2, watching the shunts occurring around the Freightliner depot opposite in between a smattering of winners. I feel sorry for the residents directly behind the depot, the almost constant ‘yinging’ of the 66s must get quite wearing, particularly in the wee small hours.

I picked up a strawberry and banana smoothie at around 1445, and then took a seat in the deserted pairing of 360104+103 for the stopper back to Stratford. Having originally planned to visit Marks Tey I had split tickets for the way back, which did mean I had to turn down the 90 that leaves 10 minutes earlier, but I was in no real rush. Again I got to have a good look at everything on the opposite side of the tracks, including 321442 at Colchester, 315823 at Shenfield, and 08573 and 321448 on Ilford depot.

Eventually, Stratford arrived, and with 3 hours to kill before my 390 from Euston I settled in the intermittent sunshine to see if I could whittle the AGA stuff down any further. Not much doing really, mainly 317s, but there was the added bonus of a C2C 357 on one of the Saturday Liverpool Street workings. In hindsight, I should perhaps have gone to West Ham for a bit of 357 hunting, but it slipped my mind.

1745 approached, so I wandered across to the Central line platforms, grabbing a seat for the run to Oxford Circus, then a quick squirt up to Euston. Sadly throngs of folk joined me aboard 390043, but I still managed to get two priority airline seats to myself. Sleep grabbed hold as soon as we passed Wembley, and I awoke again as we sped through Weedon. 57302 became the final ‘Thunderbird’ in the book, clearing them some 14 months after the first, and the final winner was 66154 on Basford Hall.

All in all, a very good trip. Nice to make serious inroads into the Anglian DMU fleet, with 20 of the 26 snaffled, and to get the 172s, 332s and Anglia 90s cleared. Disappointed I couldn’t get hold of the gen to clear GC, GN and VTEC, but that can wait for another day.

All told I managed 192 new sightings, which takes the relevant TOCs down to the following outstanding:

AGA: 47
c2c: 18
Chiltern: 22
GatEx: 2
Grand Central: 2
Great Northern: 7
GWR: 100
London Overground: 22
SWT: 85
Southeastern: 113
Southern: 52
Tfl Rail: 3
Thameslink: 48
VTEC: 2

A note as well that I managed to get 319448 yesterday, which reclears the Northern 319s that are in service.

Not sure where I’ll be going next, or when. I’m in Nottingham for a conference for a couple of day in June, so may hopefully get EMT finished off (I need 4x43s, 2x153s, 1x156 and 1x222), and then immediately afterwards I’ve a day off which I might use to visit Leeds for the Northern stuff, particularly now 155346 is back in business. July may well see a day in Cardiff and Bristol again, as I can currently get them both for under £50, which is a bonus.

 

[Cowley]

What an interesting trip. Potato arguments, half naked women (which half?), fighting commuters and Giles Brandreth. Can't be bad. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[Kite159]

Potato!

Sounded like a productive trip to the south, your book of sights is slowly coming along.

 

[Techniquest]

Roast potatoes rule their respective universe, definitely. As long as it's not one of those frozen pre-packed potatoes...

Congratulations on clearing so very much in one trip, and 20 out of 26 GA DMUs in one day is pretty good luck fair game. You'd have only managed a maximum of 5 more anyway, as 170204 is still away for works and *may* be coming back as 170274 yet. Which will mean I need to get back over there for it!

That fight at Clapham Junction is not something I've ever seen anywhere, not even with drunken frothball fans! Nice work with the 345s too, I've seen a few photos of them but I will still struggle to get used to them not having yellow fronts. From the video I watched a while back they sound OK too, I really can't wait to give them a go. Quite, I can't wait for CrossRail to open!

Ipswich Yard I think is like the yard Freightliner use just south of Crewe (the one where the ballast wagons etc are, I can't remember the name but it's just before the DRS depot coming from Shrewsbury), where engines are shut down after a fixed amount of time. I've no idea how long that is, but it would certainly be intrusive on the houses nearby. I would imagine they have very good double or triple glazing mind!

 

[FQ]

Sounds like a very productive trip there! Shame you couldn't clear all the AGA DMUs in on hit though, but it still sounds like a worthwhile time.

Tech - Roast potatoes are most certainly better than baked potatoes, but when chips are done properly (nice and crunchy), they are rulers of the potato world.

 

[Techniquest]

Ah but you've never had roast potatoes like I've had before. They'd kick the derriere of your chips!

Mind you, it's fair to say properly decent home-cut chips are insanely good and a close second to the rulers of the potato universe, the roasters.

Baked potatoes are too healthy for my appetite!

 

[palmersears]

For what it's worth, I rank thus:

Roasted
Chipped
Baked
New









Mashed

 

[Techniquest]

Looks like a good order there, mashed potatoes would definitely be bottom of my list too!

 

[palmersears]

Fear not, lads and lasses, I'm still alive and well! Things have been very quiet for myself recently, with life getting in the way of my spotting quest in May really. I do like to have a month off every now and then, to be honest, keeps things fresh and stops the quest turning into a chore.

To pass the time I have started on the Metrolink cohort now. I know it was suggested (by Tech, I think) when I first started documenting my quest, but I shunned it at the time, however with my Manchester requirements on the heavy rails pitiful these days, I figured it'd help pass the time. Indeed I've had a couple of spells at Deansgate, one during lunch and one whilst waiting for the ride out to MediaCity to play football, and chalked off 70 of the 128 units (which included some of the withdrawn units at Trafford), so good progress made already.

Looking forwards, the next month or so is actually quite busy. I'm in Nottingham for two days for a conference in just under three weeks, so hopefully might get down there for the remaining EMT requirements at some point. I was thinking of heading somewhere on the Friday directly from Nottingham, but nothing really grabbed my attention at a reasonable price, save for Peterborough, but instead, I'm heading out from home back down to Cardiff and Bristol for the day. I'm very hopeful I can clear ATW (providing the 150s play ball), and depending upon how quickly that occurs I'll then head over to Bristol for some GWR action.

3/4 July I am in London with work, so in the 7 hours or so I have down there on the night of the 3rd I think I'll focus upon the remaining 315s and 317s, which will be gone the soonest, as well as the 321s. An evening at Bethnal Green looks to be in order!

14 July will be Leeds via Sheffield (I've got a Northern delay repay complimentary ticket to use), for the last few Northern units outstanding. If things fall right I might extend this to York to get the last couple of VTEC and GC 43s, but we shall see.

 

[Techniquest]

A busy month indeed, and you've reminded me my Rolling Review for May still needs to be posted. A job for later on!

You've done exceptionally well with Metrolink so far, although I'm not sure where you got 128 from. 120 in active service, but I was of the impression only 4 were stored on Trafford depot? I think 1017 is now in preservation, but I could be wrong.

Before you know it you'll find yourself on missions to Sheffield, Blackpool and Newcastle, not to mention Edinburgh, for the various light rail systems

Don't forget with the ATW 150s they work over a number of routes. The Heart of Wales, Swansea to Pembroke Dock, Wrexham to Bidston, Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog, Crewe to Chester shuttles, filling in for 158s here there and everywhere (except west of Shrewsbury on the Cambrian), Cheltenham to Cardiff/Maesteg and of course the Cardiff Valleys. So you will need some good luck on your side to get your last ones!

 

[palmersears]

Ahh yes, having checked trainlogger on my desktop it shows four of that 128 at Long Marston, which I couldn't see on my mobile. Three are at Trafford Depot, whilst 1007 is at Heaton Tramway usually, but appears to be at Trafford as well currently.

You're right also in that I need the stars to align to get all the remaining 150s, but I'm due some luck after the near misses on previous trips. I half wish I'd gone down for the Champions League final last night, there were some utterly ridiculous formations out and about after the game, including 3x150s, 158+153+150 and 2x175s, might have got all I needed!

 

[Techniquest]

But you probably wouldn't have been allowed on the station and made to go through the queuing system, so you'd have missed the lot!

 

[palmersears]

20/06/17 - I'm a Lucky Man

Both the title of one of my favourite Verve tracks, and also a nod to the fortuitous nature of this mini trip!

With the sun cracking the flags it was a short walk to New Mills Central for the 1316 Hope Valley stopper to Sheffield, formed of my favourite Pacer (an oxymoron if ever there was one!), 142001. Favourite due to the fact it's an utter shambles, which makes the thrash between Edale and Hope all the more awesome.

An on time arrival at Sheffield meant a 35 minute wait, utilised to get a few snacks from M&S. I'd just missed my last required 144, so with nowt doing I wandered over to 8A for 158810, missing a partner, to take me to Nottingham. The guard brought round free water just as we set off, for reasons not entirely clear. Wasn't overly toasty on board that's for sure. Aside from hitting a pigeon at Alfreton, the remnants of which ended up on my window, it was a trouble free journey to Nottingham.

After ubering it to the hotel and back I returned 45 minutes later and formulated a plan. With gen for some of my last EMT requirements, as well as news that the ECML was also potentially fruitful, I quickly got hold of my off-peak return to Peterborough, and made it down to platform level just as 43052 rolled in to become the first winner of the day. With that I hopped aboard 158856 and into new territory towards Peterborough. The journey was a pleasant one, with a decent bit of thrash as we swung onto the ECML-proper, and I added 66704, 66731 and 66774 as they basked in the early evening sun at the GBRf yard.

I had to have my wits about me as I arrived, with 43299 blasting through not 45 seconds later. I added a bonus Greater Anglia DMU, 170271, as it set off towards Ipswich. After that I settled in at the country end of platforms 4/5, enjoying the combination of strong evening sunshine and mix of freight that trundled through over the next three hours. Sandwiched either side of 66704 were two bonus Freightliner 66s, 66562 and 66598, to take my green and yellow shed requirements down to 20.

I broke up my sun basking intermittently to wander over to platform 2 a couple of times to gather two 365s, 365511 and 365537. A key couple of sightings, which clears the class at last. Not long after this I also reached another milestone, with the arrival of 43311 sparking wild celebrations (I opened my bag of Haribo) as it cleared Virgin East Coast, the sixth TOC to fall.

The lucky streak continued yet further when 170636, which I thought I'd missed, popped up at half eight, a diagram behind what I assumed it was on. Tantalizingly close to clearing Cross Country now, with just one 43 to go.

With that it was 2131, and so it was time for some serious dogbox thrash aboard a deserted 153302. With darkness upon us I missed anything of note at Mountsorrel, but did round the night off with 153308 arriving from Skegness moments after i too had arrived back at Nottingham.

All in all, an excellent nights work. One class cleared, a TOC cleared, and the last XC 170 ticked off. Shame I couldn't get any further EMT cops, but that'll come in time.

Assuming I see nothing on the way home tomorrow, which is highly likely, the next jaunt is Friday's trip to Cardiff. 1000 until 1820 in the Welsh capital to hopefully whittle down the ATW numbers to less than 5, I might even pop across to Bristol if I make suitable headway early doors.