Rambling Roebuck... (Trip Reports)

[Kite159]

A very productive day with your red pen, although strange to see 21327 + 21328 out on the Met (I don't think they are one of those S7+1 sets)

 

[Techniquest]

Another very impressive haul D841, including several shacks I have yet to do. 21327+21328 have been on the Met for a long time, Hassaan Kite and I did that pair from Rayners Lane many moons ago.

Gotta admit I have Moves Envy and want to get back to London sharpish!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

4/8/16 - London Day 3. Going Underground (again)

My last day of the trip started early. It needed to, with me booked on the 14:20 from Euston! One last underground branch remained as new track for me, the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow. So I started off by clearing this out. A couple of stray shacks were culled enroute, as well. Details are:

207 + 134 to Park Royal
232 + 233 to North Ealing
210 + 209 to Acton Town, where I reversed direction and headed off down my last bit of required LU track;
221 + 116 to the palatial four tracked Northfields
149 + 236 to Osterley
126 + 179 to Hounslow Central
175 + 174 to Hatton Cross
106 + 177 to Heathrow T4
100 + 191 to Heathrow T123
127 + 148 to Heathrow T5, completing the LU network

Obviously, I reversed direction again here, and headed for Central London:
219 + 132 to Hounslow West
115 + 112 to Hounslow East
118 + 199 to Boston Manor
123 + 120 to South Ealing.

I now decided to head for NR territory, before going home. So a last pair of Piccadilly winners, 117 + 238, were taken to Earls Court. Here, I headed South. It would have been rude not to pick up my last three Wimbledon line shacks enroute, so I did. Duds 21303 + 21304 were first up, to Fulham Broadway, 21475 + 21476 following up to Putney Bridge, which is being refurbished, then duds 21463 + 21464 to Southfields. I had been slightly disappointed at the lack of D Stock, but was redeemed at last by 7046 + 7502 which took me to Wimbledon.

Time for a smoke break and a decision here. The choice was basically South West Trains or Thameslink, and I chose the latter. 319451 + 319001 soon appeared, to take me to Blackfriars and a spot of (hopefully) red pennery on the core. 387118 + 378122 were first up, taken to City Thameslink on a West Hampstead terminator. Next up were sisters 387113 + 387126 as far as Farringdon, on a Bedford service. Five minutes behind was a local, and I decided on one last shack scratch.

So 319003 was taken through to Cricklewood, for a relaxing 15 minute fester. 319458 + dud 319434 then appeared, apparently running in via the carriage sidings, to take me to St Pancras International, then 319422 onwards to Farringdon. Back to LU now, and dud pair 21063 + 21064 took me to Kings Cross, before a final winning pair in 21313 + 21314 took me to Euston Square.

A brisk walk, via Upper Crust (I have a thing for their cheese and tomato batons), and I discovered that the random pendo generator had produced dud 390157 today. A fast and peaceful run back to Manchester, then dud trams 3047 (to Shaw and Crompton) and 3075 home.

Today's score was 39 winners, and 17 new shacks. This made the total for the trip 188 winners, and 95 new shacks. The LU network was cleared for track, and the Hertford East Branch and the Mitre Bridge Junction to Willesden High Level link were nice bonuses.

Yes, it was a worthwhile trip...

 

[Kite159]

Another productive day on LU

 

[Techniquest]

Congratulations on clearing LU for track, and welcome to the club

Quick question, do you count the S stock half sets as pairs of winners (as I do, as they are half sets and will possibly end up as mixed pairs one day) or as one unit, as per Kite? I think you count them as two wins, judging by the read, but needing clarification.

188 winners and 95 shack scores is very impressive indeed, no doubt your books/spreadsheets look far better now!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Congratulations on clearing LU for track, and welcome to the club

Quick question, do you count the S stock half sets as pairs of winners (as I do, as they are half sets and will possibly end up as mixed pairs one day) or as one unit, as per Kite? I think you count them as two wins, judging by the read, but needing clarification.

188 winners and 95 shack scores is very impressive indeed, no doubt your books/spreadsheets look far better now!

I count them as two sets. As you say, pairs seem to join and split on a regular basis.

Just booked a budget trip. Megabus to London overnight, setting off in the small hours of Sunday 28th. Mangapps farm gala that day, overnight spent on the rails (Blackfriars/Croydon leaps looking favourite), then a Thames Branches Ranger and the Cholsey gala on the Monday, before another Megabus home that evening...

 

[Techniquest]

Sounds a beast of a trip, I'd love to do the Cholsey gala in particular as it's been annoying me for years. Sadly I'm working this Bank Holiday Frothday

 

[47403]

As usual some cracking reads there Roebuck, with your usual dry whit thrown in for good measure. The sheep reference had me giggling.

You've certainly put the pedal to the metal lately and knocked down the requirements of late. My cap firmly doffed in your direction.at clearing the track on the underground and finishing a highly respectable 3rd place in the quiz meet.

Got the Crow Road reference too, love Iain Banks books, not as much as Irvine Welsh or Martin Millar's but if you aint already read them, I would reccommend both Iain Banks books, Espedair Street and Complicity or Charles Bukowski's Post Office is a great read too.

Many thanks for sharing.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

11/08/16. Childhood Games

Surfing the interweb, I noticed that a required 67 was out on the Pauper's WAG (Manchester/Llandudno) circuit. So a Manchester Wayfarer seemed appropriate (to ensure evening peak validity).. It turned out to be fun, reminiscent of a childhood before PlayStations.

1. Leap Frog
I acquired my ticket at Rochdale bus station, then just missed a winning tram up to the station. Not to worry, 3098 took me to the station, then Gentrified Geordie pacer 142021 took me into Manchester Victoria, not quite leapfrogging the winner (we arrived alongside it) but putting me in pole position to intercept it on the way back from Exchange Square.


2. Tram Hopscotch (Part 1)
3099 duly rolled in on its way back to Rochdale, and was taken to Monsall. Ten minutes or so later, 3073 rolled in for a trip to Shude Hill. 20 minutes or so here, and 3040 (+ dud 3026 rolled me down the hill to Victoria.

3. Refreshment Break.
Bored of the trams, I decided to go to Piccadilly the civilized way. This involved 156455 up to Stalybridge, a pint of something called Deeply Vale, chosen because it reminded me of the 1970s Music Festival (which I wasn't allowed to go to, as I was about 11 at the time), then 185136 into Piccadilly.

4. Hyde and Seek
Crossing the platform here, I jumped on 150201 on the Rose Hill service, taken for a shack scratch at Hyde Central which was bare, windswept and had a subway. Scabrous Scouse pacer 142053 then took me back to Hyde North (bare, windswept, footbridge), then Mediocre Manc pacer 142062 took me to Woodley, which was actually quite pleasant (old buildings intact, and looked after). 150201 then returned me to Guide Bridge, which has gained a swanky new booking office since my last visit, but still misses a line of 76s on the old stabling point. 323224 soon arrived, to take me out to Broadbottom, which is a pleasant old station, as is Newton for Hyde, to which 323231 soon returned me. Fishquinn favourite 323232 then appeared to take me to the absolute dump which is Hattersley (manky plastic enclosed footbridge to nowhere). Fortunately, 323224 soon turned up to return me to Piccadilly.

5. Skipping
I had 40 minutes or so before the skip was due out, so had kept my eyes open for a potential fill in move when arriving. The 16:15 Euston obliged, with winner 390131 taken to Stockport. 158770 + 158806 brought me back again, before 67015 rolled in for the run to Newton-le-Willows. I had planned covering some 319 diagrams here, but one cancelled train and another reported as being formed of 2 cars led me to abandon this idea, instead heading straight back to Victoria on 319364.

6. Hopscotch Part Deux
I had noticed and missed a winning tram on the Shaw/Piccadilly route earlier, so decided to track it down. 3029 + 3043 took me up to Shude Hill, where I just missed a second winner going out to Shaw. So I had a think, then followed as far as Newton Heath on dud 3087. This inevitably passed the first winner I was after just outside Victoria. So I tried to position myself to cover both, as I wasn't absolutely certain which would be back first, taking new dud 3073 to Monsall, then 3058 back to Central Park. 3037 was two behind this, and was taken to Newton Heath, which slotted in nicely for 3113 back to Shude Hill for a much needed PNB.

7. A last red pen attempt
Greatly relieved, I headed for Piccadilly on 3026 + 3040 (again), in the hope of one last winner. A Buxton service was about to depart, formed of 156426 at the rear, headed by an unknown but possibly winning 150. At Stockport, I found out that I.was one number out, with 150116 being the leading unit. So I crossed over in the hope of a winner, but after two duds took 390127 back to Piccadilly. The only winer here was about to head off to Longsight for the night, so I decided to call it a day. 3007 took me back to Victoria, in plenty of time for the 20:55 to Castleton.

Part 8. Fairytale Ending
I was catching this train whatever happened, so when the tram turned the corner and I saw a 142 I thought the lid had gone firmly back on the red pen for the day. But it was coupled behind a 150. And a very nice 150 indeed! So I boarded at the front, then tootled smugly off to Castleton on 150204 + 142011...


Eight winners and six new shacks, not bad for a local trip.!

 

[FQ]

I love the way that this report is laid out! The way you do the pacer area bits was also excellent! Glad to see that 323232323232 is getting good use too.

Sounds like an excellent time was had in Mancc with quite a few new trams too! A great score on that last 150 as well.

 

[Techniquest]

Not a bad haul on local stomping grounds, nicely finished at the end with 150204!

 

[Kristofferson]

LU cleared for track? Madness! But very well done


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[45135]

Good to see some variety on the former Irish Mancunian. As a Chiltern loco 67015 was rumoured to have been put in the naughty siding due to reliability issues so it looks like its behaviour has improved!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Just read Techs latest TPP thoughts, and it got me thinking.

Provided I.get back to Shenfield from Mangapps Farm by 6pm on the Sunday evening (28/08), I can have a trip out to Clacton, returning via Sudbury and Braintree. Clears three annoying red bits from my route requirements (in case you're wondering, I've already been to Walton) and saves a special trip.

Bears thinking about, anyway!

 

[Techniquest]

Glad to hear I've inspired you good sir!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Love the childhood games - that "last knockings" 150 winner must have been the icing on the cake.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Bank Holiday Festival Fayre

Day 0 (27/08/2016

This day was a positioning move for the weekend, and started with a Spoons breakfast. Dud tram 3112 up to the station and 158752 over to Halifax for a day's quizzing and socialising. And so.enjoyable was this that I eventually caught the last westbound train from 'fax, with 150112 running me all the way through to Manchester Victoria. I still had a three hour fester here, so sourced pie and chips, then nursed a couple of cokes in one of the local bars, before joining the 0315 Megabus down to Victoria coach station.

The megabuses used on this service are more comfortable than the ones I've used previously, and I had no trouble sleeping my way down to London, waking up as we went down Kilburn Road, passing Ellie's Cafe, which I had breakfasted at a few weeks ago.

Even though it took ten minutes to get into the coach station , which appears to have been designed for horsedrawn traffic, we still arrived 30 minutes early. So I walked through the early morning to Victoria station, where I acquired a travelcard (full-fat, including Shenfield, version), then descended underground.

(TBC)

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Bank Holiday Festival Fayre

Day 0 (27/08/2016

This day was a positioning move for the weekend, and started with a Spoons breakfast. Dud tram 3112 up to the station and 158752 over to Halifax for a day's quizzing and socialising. And so.enjoyable was this that I eventually caught the last westbound train from 'fax, with 150112 running me all the way through to Manchester Victoria. I still had a three hour fester here, so sourced pie and chips, then nursed a couple of cokes in one of the local bars, before joining the 0315 Megabus down to Victoria coach station.

The megabuses used on this service are more comfortable than the ones I've used previously, and I had no trouble sleeping my way down to London, waking up as we went down Kilburn Road, passing Ellie's Cafe, which I had breakfasted at a few weeks ago.

Even though it took ten minutes to get into the coach station , which appears to have been designed for horsedrawn traffic, we still arrived 30 minutes early. So I walked through the early morning to Victoria station, where I acquired a travelcard (full-fat, including Shenfield, version), then descended underground.

(TBC)

Sounds good already... I often use Megabus overnights as a positioning move to get to places as they take longer so you can get some sleep and cost less

 

[FQ]

Ouch to the megabus all the way to London but I'm looking forward to reading the rest!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Bank Holiday Festival Fayre

Day 1 - "And on that farm he had some rods, E I E I O"

Heading downstairs at Victoria, I joined winners 21453/454, heading East on the District Line. With being early, I changed plans slightly as opportunities had opened up for a bonus bash. I therefore bailed at Westminster, for 96001/126 on the Jubilee line out to Stratford. A smoke break later, I headed upstairs to see what was what.

First up was 321328, taken toBrentwood for the day's first shack scratch. Crossing over here, I reversed my steps to Harold Wood on 321437, then joined double winners 315840 + 315834 out to Brentwood again. I was now back on plan, and 321329 soon arrived to take me to Wickford (sounds like a hybridized Irish county), where 321345 was waiting patiently to take me through to my destination at Burnham on Crouch.

Exiting the station here, I cranked up the gps on my phone and set off walking. A dullish main road, then a footpath between rows of trees, and 20 minutes later I arrived at Mangapps Farm. Which was shut!

It was only shut, though, because I'd arrived early. A small doze in the sun later, I gained entry, sourced a coffee (very nice, too) and had a look around. And was impressed, particularly by the collections of station furniture, signals and other smaller railway items. Obviously a labour of love, and most interesting.

Soon, though, it was time for a train ride. First up was the teapot, Barclay #2157 of 1943, which is a rather feisty little tank engine and which pushed me purposefully to the end of the line, through pleasant rolling farmland and passing a variety of shunters, wagons and the occasional coach. Reversing direction, we paused briefly at Old Heath halt, before trundling back to Mangapps station.

Operation on the line seemed to be engine at the East end, propelling out then pulling back. I wondered how locos were going to be changed, then realised that they weren't in the normal sense (or at least not yet). Whilst the Barclay and its two coaches (a BR mark 1 suburban and an old coach fitted with rudimentary driving cab and DMU style seats, and therefore possibly becoming a sort of DBSO) set off on another round trip, and while I sourced another coffee, the next train out shunted from siding to headshunt, then the rake swapped with the first train.

The new train consisted of three brake vans, pushed by 03081. So I wedged myself and my coffee in a corner of one of the vans, and repeated the round trip. On arrival back, I noticed a notice for a caboose ride, so went to investigate. There was a separate line leading off east, occupied by a huge Canadian caboose (yankspeak for brakevan, but about eight times the size of its British cousin). 03089 was attached to this magnificent edifice, and in due course trundled me up and down the "other" line. It was then let out on the "main" line, but I didn't join it, as the coffee had made a pnb imperative!

This dealt with, I returned to the platform. A few families and kids had arrived so, sensibly, the little kettle was sent out to play again. I had another run, but this time bailed at Old Heath for the shack scratch, catching the next train 15 minutes later (still the kettle).

Back at Mangapps Central, it was time for another stock change. Next up was a class 302 EMU (or at least the end cars thereof). Electrification not having reached rural Essex, 03197 was provided as the shover. This unit was comfortable, so I had two round trips.

Next up, the kettle had another run, whilst I watched some complicated shunting take place. This was to enable the big boys to come out to play! After very careful use was made of the limits of the headshunt, the 302 was positioned in the platform with main line traction at either end. 31430 made a rather loud run outwards, whilst 47579 was just as competent on the return. Definitely worth a second round trip, so I made one.

 

[FQ]

Vote 47579! Sounds like a fun little line that I didn't know about until now.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

It was now time to leave this quirky, splendid and thoroughly enjoyable railway - a refreshing change from one or two or the larger heritage lines, where the atmosphere can be spoiled by beuniformed whistling jobsworths. So I walked back through the heat haze to network rail land.

Dud 321345 was no surprise for the run back to Wickford (I can work out a diagram as well as the next man); however the pairing of 321328 + 321329 to Shenfield was less amusing, so I bailed here looking for a winner. 360118 + 360106 soon obliged, on a non-stop run to Stratford.

Lack of sleep was becoming a factor now, so I decided to head for my temporary base camp at the Smart Hyde Park View hostel (£20 isn't bad for a last minute booking). One or two shack scratches could be done conveniently enroute, clearing out the Central Line west of Leytonstone. Inevitably, red ink would also be spilt in the process! Details are as follows:
92117/050/086/285 to St Paul's
92167/266/246/281 to Lancaster Gate
92011/327/212/015 to the newly reopened Holland Park
92301/066/176/185 to Queensway and the hostel.

Not much to say about the accomodation, except that its friendly, you get what you pay for and I'm far too old (and fat) for bunk beds.

Day 2 will follow...

 

[Techniquest]

Quite a beast of a day on the Mangapps line, I need to get over for a visit!

31 haulage, I haven't had that for years!

 

[45135]

Mangapps Farm sounds like a great little railway (and one on my to do list as well) with an interesting mix of stock in use. How long's the branch line?

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Mangapps Farm sounds like a great little railway (and one on my to do list as well) with an interesting mix of stock in use. How long's the branch line?

Dont do accurate mileage, but its about as long as one of the lengthier platforms at Crewe.

Mangapps is well worth a visit, and for friendliness and interest ****s all over certain of the more established heritage railways.
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Bank Holiday Festival Fayre

Day 3 - 29/8/2016. Tales of the Riverbank

The day started very early, a 4:30 alarm and a walk through the pre-dawn to Paddington. A ranger was bought, a coffee acquired and then the first Worcester service joined. Winners 43148 + 43151 sped me through the half light to Reading, although the plug sockets didn't work, leaving my phone somewhat dead.

Changing here, I joined 165120 + 166219 for the short run back to the first winning shack of the day at Maidenhead. Here, I made the acquaintance of165122, my home for much of the next three hours.

Branch 1

First up was a trundle up to Bourne End, with its peculiar short platform. Then, after a wait, back to the very dull Furze Platt. Reversing again, I then headed off to the terminus at Marlow, before returning as far as Cookham. On my previous passes of this shack I had noticed a Costa coffee place, so spent a pleasant hour here with a cheese and ham toastie and the Daily Telegraph crossword. Thoroughly recommended, if anyone else is in the area. Finally, the faithful 165120 returned me to Maidenhead.

A short wait, and 165106 took me the one stop up to Twyford. Here, 165126 became my second temporary residence of the day.

Branch 2

For a change here, I did the full branch first, going all the way to Henley for a smoke break, before returning to Wargrave. A doze in the sun and I backtracked to Shiplake for another snooze, before fighting my way through a horde of bicycles in the vestibule and returning to Twyford.
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Next up was a trip up the mainline. 165109 appeared on the Oxford slow train, and took me through to Cholsey. This was the junction for...

Branch 3

..although of the heritage variety, rather than Network Rail. Services today were in the capable, if stately, hands of a pair of 08s, two of the three that ended up here after their industrial service with Guinness. Former Tinsley habituee 08022 trundled me down to the terminus at Wallingford, then former Crewe resident 08123 dropped onto the stock and trundled me back to the junction. A pleasant ride, with.the highlight being stopping a queue of Bank Holiday traffic at a level.crossing.

While.I had my return trip to Wallingford, 165109 had made it to Oxford and back, and returned me smoothly to Reading. I could have done some more shack scratching for a couple of hours, but decided instead on a tram session, with phone recharging. So 43010 + 43194 were taken to Paddington, 43032 + 43170 back out to biscuit town and finally 43126 + 43186 back to Paddington again.

It was now time to head for Victoria and my coach home, so 21303 + 21304 were taken to High Street Kensington, then 21519 + 21520 through to Victoria. Going upstairs to the mainline station, I had just enough time for a cheeky shack scratch, so took dud 455823 out to Battersea Park, swiftly returning on 377320 + 377328. I then walked down to the coach station, and caught the Megabus back, via Coventry and Birmingham this time. Slow, but peaceful, cheap and comfortable.

Overall, a fun trip, with a nice balance of winners, new shacks and new track (all three Thames branches, plus Mangapps). Will certainly do the Megabus again, although perhaps not the hostel!

 

[Kite159]

A very productive day, well done on clearing those branches for shacks

 

[Techniquest]

Ah yes I am familiar with that Costa, visited it myself on my visit to the area. I was researching stuff on my phone at the time, so I spent a while festering on the platform with my coffee rather than inside!

The pres line at Cholsey has been on my list for years to do, one day it will be done and no longer irritate me. Maybe in 2017 now!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

8/9/2016 - Another Spot of Wayfaring

The day out began with breakfast, as usual. Spoons at Rochdale obliged, then I wandered across to the bus station and acquired my Wayfarer. No real plans were made for the day, just a local bash hoping to pick up a few.winners, and scoop in the odd shack.

Dud 3087 trundled me up the hill to the station, then 158787 took me down to Manchester Victoria. Transferring back to the trams here, the first one up was 3105, heading for the Didsbury line. As I still needed four shacks down that way, I joined it for a ride to West Didsbury then crossed over to pick up3102 for the short run back to Withington. I reversed again here, and was rewarded by winner 3117 to Didsbury Village. One more shack to go on this line, and 3053 was my steed as far as Burton Road.

On my travels, I'd noticed a couple of winning.trams were about, so decided to chase these for an hour or so. I therefore headed back to Cornbrook on 3117, and waited for a.winner. This wasn't long in appearing, as 3076 came in on the airport shuttle, taken to Firswood for dud 3050 back. A few minutes later, and 3055 + 3004 appeared, for a run to Old Trafford, with 3037 + 3022 returning me. Next winner was 3051, on a Didsbury run. I took this to Trafford Bar, as I had a premonition about the following Altrincham service...

And I was correct , with 3049 + 3024 shortly arriving for a run to Old Trafford. Crossing over here, I decided to head for Network Rail land (and a pnb), so boarded 3044. I was going to go straight back to Piccadilly, but spotting 3057 following close behind, it would have been rude not to dive off at Piccadilly Gardens and pick up the winner for the last few chains.

Upstairs, now, and I decided to shack attack the CLC route. It's easier to do this from the west, so first move was a fast leap to Warrington Central on 158854 + 158812. Next, I reversed direction as far asPadgate on 156468, with 156487 returning me to Warrington. Then came a linear leap, with 185148 taking me to Birchwood, and 142033 on to Chassen Road, before 142027 returned me for my third visit to Warrington Central. A fourth different type of unit then appeared, with 150272 taking me to Humphrey Park. Finally, back to civilization via 156487 (again) out to Irlam, and 156491 in to Deansgate.

After all this shack scratchery, my red pen was feeling neglected, so I headed back to the trams. 3085 took me out to Cornbrook for 3071 back to Piccadilly. Upstairs, but no NR winners in view, so I jumped on 142044, which might be a vile object, but did have the virtue of stopping atArdwick. Enroute, I noticed a winner on its way into Piccadilly...

Extracting myself from Ardwick (difficult, and not recommended in the dark), I found the main road and took Stagecoach doubledecker 12122 the couple of stops back to Piccadilly. Cross the road, up the lift, along the footbridge and my winner was there as expected, so 390104.was scooped in down to Stockport. No winners about, so time for a shack again. 150276 + 156459 took me out to Disley, and 150228 + 150146 brought me back again.

A fester here produced no more winners, so 158846 + 158799 took me to Piccadilly. Downstairs for a tram, and I fell onto winner 3048 which was taken to Shude Hill, then home on duds 3045 to Manchester Victoria, 3088 to Oldham Central (supply raid on the adjacent Sainsburys) and 3090 home.

A good day, ten winners and ten shacks was.the target, and was hit.exactly.

Aiming for something similar in a couple of days, but bus times at Clifton may need research!

 

[FQ]

A productive day on local turf there! Congrats on Ardwick too!

 

[Techniquest]

A very good local day there, well done on getting Ardwick, very much required for me!