Part Time Spotters Trips

[palmersears]

Manchester Picc sounds like a good site - whats the volume of traffic per hour would you say and is there much freight?

This is 1100-1200 on a Wednesday (peak time clearly will have more): http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/MAN/2018/12/12/1100-1200?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt

Freight is roughly one an hour, plus the 67 on the TfW service to Holyhead.

 

[03_179]

Not much freight wise.
Good for units.
On a bus at the moment but if you use RTT and do a hour should be about 10/15 hour.

 

[The_Train]

A good outing to the north west there @03_179. Plenty of 'cops' gained.....how many pacers do you have left to find now?

 

[03_179]

Cl. 142 = 20
Cl. 143 = 7
Cl. 144 = 10

And down to 10 Cl. 390s

Was a good day out. 88 'cops' is quite a haul now for me.

 

[The_Train]

Cl. 142 = 20
Cl. 143 = 7
Cl. 144 = 10

And down to 10 Cl. 390s

Was a good day out. 88 'cops' is quite a haul now for me.

I'm down to just 6 of the 144s but need 72 of the 142s and all of the 143s don't even know if they are all still operational but may have to prioritise the hunt for these in the first part of next year

 

[palmersears]

I'm down to just 6 of the 144s but need 72 of the 142s and all of the 143s don't even know if they are all still operational but may have to prioritise the hunt for these in the first part of next year

142s will be around until the end of next year and will then begin to disappear pretty quickly all being well. Problem is they can be found all the way from Cardiff up to Newcastle, so they're probably the hardest class to clear.

143s are Wales and Devon. Not quite such a challenge, but will probably need a couple of goes. Again they're likely to be gone in just over a year's time if all goes to plan.

 

[The_Train]

142s will be around until the end of next year and will then begin to disappear pretty quickly all being well. Problem is they can be found all the way from Cardiff up to Newcastle, so they're probably the hardest class to clear.

143s are Wales and Devon. Not quite such a challenge, but will probably need a couple of goes. Again they're likely to be gone in just over a year's time if all goes to plan.

At least I know I've got time, even if it is only 12 months. I think these need to be a target for early next year. I have a plan for Cardiff/Bristol so hopefully that will help but more trips to Manchester will have to be on the cards me thinks.

Going back to @03_179 and the Pendos, there can't be many diagrams involving these that don't involve Euston so can't imagine them evading you for long down your way

 

[Kite159]

@The_Train
A good couple hours at Cardiff Central will clear a good number of the welsh pacers, with maybe a trip to Grangetown passing the depot at any units there.

 

[The_Train]

@The_Train
A good couple hours at Cardiff Central will clear a good number of the welsh pacers, with maybe a trip to Grangetown passing the depot at any units there.

Thanks @Kite159. My early 2019 plan was a Cheshire Day Ranger in January and a trip to the South West in February so that should give me plenty of Pacer sightings

 

[03_179]

Morning all,

So over the past couple of days I have rediscovered my old 8mm video tapes. I've posted a retro video and info on the blog. Link in signature.

Merry Christmas one and all and hope you all have a good one.

 

[47403]

Just caught up with this thread, my apologies for not doing so earlier. A good read it was too.
You certainly roped a fair bit of stuff there mind. A very profitable day indeed. Good luck getting the bouncing bombs(142,143 and 144s) cleared. Took me a dogs age and even when I did, it took me months to realise the last one I'd needed, I'd actually seen yonks ago
As someone has said, theyre scattered all over, I've seen a Heaton 142 in just about every corner of the Northern territory. If you come hunting for them in the North East, a Tyne and Tees Day Ranger, will help rattle a fair few them off. Theres usually at least 2, sometimes 4, parked up in the bays on an evening at Darlington and you can collar a fair few in Newcastle, most days.
It took 2 fairly lengthy sessions at Cardiff just to rope in the welsh 142s, fortunately all the 143s used to reside in my neck of the woods at one point and Heaton kindly renumbered them, before deciding they'd had enough of them and got rid. Meaning I don't need to go looking for them, talk about dodging a bullet. A Freedom of the South West Rover may just be the ticket to hunt out those 143s though.

 

[CHAPS2034]

Good to know the loos at Piccadilly are now free, were they the ones in the main concourse or in the little waiting area near P13-14?

They ain't free ... they were left open and everyone used them for free LOL

The ones by platform 12

Just catching up on this - glad you can say you came to Manchester and it rained. . Don't want visitors to get the wrong impression.

Next time you come up make sure you get some pacer haulage to see what people enjoy oop North.

As far as the bogs are concerned they are now free but the equipment has yet to be removed. I seem to remember that the pay bogs at Lime St and Leeds are also now free. This is Grayling's biggest investment in the Northern Hub this year.

 

[03_179]

Hi Chaps,

I've had the luxury of Pacer haulage ... Whitby to Middlesbrough ... it was ok managed to get feeling in my rear end by the time I got to York on a HST LOL. Pop down this way and get a 700 between St Pancras and East Croydon ... you'll be begging for a Pacer ! ! ! ! LOL

To be fair the rain only started when I was about to leave ... Still at least I can say Mancunian rain is legendary.

The Bogs at London Victoria have been free for quite a while now .. I suppose due to being close to the houses or liars I mean parliament and the MPs not being able to claim the cost back.

 

[03_179]

Just caught up with this thread, my apologies for not doing so earlier. A good read it was too.
You certainly roped a fair bit of stuff there mind. A very profitable day indeed. Good luck getting the bouncing bombs(142,143 and 144s) cleared. Took me a dogs age and even when I did, it took me months to realise the last one I'd needed, I'd actually seen yonks ago
As someone has said, theyre scattered all over, I've seen a Heaton 142 in just about every corner of the Northern territory. If you come hunting for them in the North East, a Tyne and Tees Day Ranger, will help rattle a fair few them off. Theres usually at least 2, sometimes 4, parked up in the bays on an evening at Darlington and you can collar a fair few in Newcastle, most days.
It took 2 fairly lengthy sessions at Cardiff just to rope in the welsh 142s, fortunately all the 143s used to reside in my neck of the woods at one point and Heaton kindly renumbered them, before deciding they'd had enough of them and got rid. Meaning I don't need to go looking for them, talk about dodging a bullet. A Freedom of the South West Rover may just be the ticket to hunt out those 143s though.

I think some of the 142/143/144 may pass in to legend before I get a chance to see them as will the 314s in Scotland


Tickets aren't a problem for me luckily - 30+ on the Railways.

 

[03_179]

Been out and about today .. Croydon - Eastbourne - Ashford - Tonbright - Strood - St Pancras - Croydon.

Nice trip including "travelling with Style"

https://partimespotter.wordpress.com

 

[The_Train]

Good outing by the sounds of it @03_179. Did you not venture to Tonbridge Yard in the end?

 

[ANDYS]

03 179

Good to see your reports. You certainly get around. I assume you have an employee pass? Anyway, seeing your talk of toilets, I read recently that all Network Rail stations will now be free which is they way they should be.

Good travelling and Happy New Year, Andy S

 

[03_179]

Thanks chaps ...

I did indeed make it to Tonbridge West Yard Gbrf @The_Train ... and 15 locos

I'm going to try and get a full list up tomorrow ... Let me say a 2 Network Rail EDLs and a test train ... only one coach missing.

@ANDYS do indeed have a staff pass .. been on the Railway since 1986. Yep I'm old.

Toilets should be free at ALL stations ... and prices of snacks and drinks regulated

 

[03_179]

Two Trips pencilled in for next week.

Trip 1 - 30th Jan 2019
To finally complete the Epsom Downs Line and try getting photos at each station ... Leaving work at 12:00 and have to be in Carshalton Beeches at 15:00. All very tight and subject to ditching plans last minute LOL

Trip 2 31st Jan 2019
Meeting a friend either in Stratford or Rainham.

Plan A
2J06 06:56 to London Bridge (More than likely a Class 455).
Walk to Fenchurch Street.
1P24 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness (Class 387/3 trio).
2B87 Shoeburyness to Pitsea (Class 357).
2D35 Pitsea to Grays (Class 357).
2R89 Grays To Rainham (Class 357).

Meet up with a mate there.

Train to West Ham then to Stratford (London) then a spot of lunch.

Not sure about after this but could involve a bit of time on platform 10a at Stratford or a trip to somewhere else.

Plan B
If I miss the 06:56 to London Bridge I'll just go via London Bridge for about an hour or so there before moving on to Stratford.

Whatever I managed to get to do I'll post up a full listing on the blog as always.

 

[xotGD]

Two Trips pencilled in for next week.

Trip 1 - 30th Jan 2019
To finally complete the Epsom Downs Line and try getting photos at each station ... Leaving work at 12:00 and have to be in Carshalton Beeches at 15:00. All very tight and subject to ditching plans last minute LOL

Trip 2 31st Jan 2019
Meeting a friend either in Stratford or Rainham.

Plan A
2J06 06:56 to London Bridge (More than likely a Class 455).
Walk to Fenchurch Street.
1P24 Fenchurch Street to Shoeburyness (Class 387/3 trio).
2B87 Shoeburyness to Pitsea (Class 357).
2D35 Pitsea to Grays (Class 357).
2R89 Grays To Rainham (Class 357).

Meet up with a mate there.

Train to West Ham then to Stratford (London) then a spot of lunch.

Not sure about after this but could involve a bit of time on platform 10a at Stratford or a trip to somewhere else.

Plan B
If I miss the 06:56 to London Bridge I'll just go via London Bridge for about an hour or so there before moving on to Stratford.

Whatever I managed to get to do I'll post up a full listing on the blog as always.

Check for Tower Bridge openings for your walk to Fenchurch St - you could get stuck for 15 minutes if the bridge is lifting!

Gen available at:

https://www.towerbridge.org.uk/lift-times/

 

[03_179]

Day Date Time Vessel Direction
Wed 30 Jan 2019 09:30 Royal Mail Ship St Helena Up river
Wed 30 Jan 2019 10:15 Tugs Down river
Fri 01 Feb 2019 09:30 Tugs Up river
Fri 01 Feb 2019 10:00 Royal Mail Ship St Helena Down river


Looks like I miss them

 

[vlad]

Day Date Time Vessel Direction
Wed 30 Jan 2019 09:30 Royal Mail Ship St Helena Up river
Wed 30 Jan 2019 10:15 Tugs Down river
Fri 01 Feb 2019 09:30 Tugs Up river
Fri 01 Feb 2019 10:00 Royal Mail Ship St Helena Down river

RMS St Helena?

Grrr I won't be able to get time off work to see it.

 

[03_179]

Successful day

More to follow

 

[03_179]

Evening all,

Finally managed to get the Thursday trip typed up. The wife returned from her trip on Thursday and has been somewhat distracting ever since.

Hope you enjoy the read.
https://partimespotter.wordpress.com

Oh and now I have Photoshop added to the new laptop I'll be able to edit the photos from the trip and add them in due course.

 

[03_179]

Finally posted up Saturday's Warrington Wife Collector trip report.

A good day out (apart from the wind blowing a gale across Warrington Station).

And my first Class 88.

https://partimespotter.wordpress.com

Hope you like

 

[The_Train]

Enjoyed that mate. Lots going on, particularly in the yards at Crewe. Never seems that busy when I venture past.

 

[03_179]

Thanks.
I remember Crewe being a hive of activity. The yards and Diesel depot look like a Ghost town in comparison now. Very Sad. They're killing the rail industry here now, but we'll still go look at the trains

 

[The_Train]

Thanks.
I remember Crewe being a hive of activity. The yards and Diesel depot look like a Ghost town in comparison now. Very Sad. They're killing the rail industry here now, but we'll still go look at the trains

Yep, used to love sitting at the end of the platforms watching all the shunting moves in the yards but barring the rusting old carriages there is very little there now.

 

[03_179]

Planning for 21st March 2019.

Hoping that someone will be "In The Know" on TOPS for 387302, 304, 306 on the day. I am hoping to get these three on the day to Shoeburyness from Fenchurch Street (1P24 08:08 Fenchurch Street - Shoeburyness 09:14) as haulage.

Also be looking out for a couple of 357s: 014, 034, 218, 219, 313, 314, 315 for sight. Limited time to do them in the morning as Stopping off about 11 am to see a mate.

Anyone able to help with the allocations ?

 

[Kite159]

Probably ask on the day for the 387/3s. As for the 357s for sight I would say West Ham might be a good place to try and ID the units passing/stopping, it's an island platform so you won't get bowled out like you would do at Limehouse.