Rambling Roebuck... (Trip Reports)

[D841 Roebuck]

"Out of Concealment" (Cardiff Day 2)

The day began well. An excellent breakfast (not quite as good as Bewdley trip reports passim, however), cooked and served by a cheerful and efficient young lass from the Tropic of Riga, a pleasant stroll along the banks of the Taff down to Central, and remembering to get my free bottle of water at WHSmiths (comes with the Telegraph crossword, and lots of wastepaper) and then up to the "valleys" platforms (6/7) to see what transpired.

This turned out to be 143602, on a City Line service, which was taken up the hill to Queen Street. Following behind was 150250, on a Merthyr service, which was taken to limited service shack Treforest Estate, which I thought to dispose of ASAP. Funny place, this - a grudgingly narrow island platform that belongs by rights at the bottom end of the Northern Line, nothing much in the vicinity and yet the best mobile signal in the Valleys.

My decision to hit the shack was, however, vindicated by winning pair 143623 + 143625 turning up to trundle me back to Taffs Well. Now for some serious nutrax, as 150241 turned up on the Treherbert service. Like John Hunt on Everest in 1953, I approached the Upper Rhondda with caution, treating Ynyswen as the south summit and returning on the same unit to Ton Pentre before 150237 took me through to the terminus at Treherbert.

My mental picture of this station was way out. I expected a left hand curve to a tunnel mouth (disused) heading down towards Neath; however this had long gone, so I retraced my steps to Pontypridd for a go at another branch.

To anyone who wishes to change direction here - DON'T. Years ago, this must have been a lovely station, with a massive island platform (think Dundee), and level access to all routes. Now, it has a distant and awkward footbridge. Relief was provided by 143604 + 150252, which took me up to Merthyr Tydfil. On arrival, I walked briskly to the bus station, in search of something different.

This turned out to be 43007, a stagecoach bus masquerading as a Class 253. Via a circular route, I was duly deposited at the gates of Pant Cemetery. Ignoring the hint, I walked up the lane to the Southern terminus of the Brecon Mountain Railway. And hit a snag, arriving at the same time as a coach party booked on the 2pm train, which a notice at the ticket office described as "full", but sadly without the Welsh equivalent "Yr Wedgedd" printed below. However, good smells were coming from the cafe, so I bought a ticket for the 3:45 and headed off for a late lunch.

Corned beef pie, chips, peas, gravy and a thorough wander about later, I boarded the train, which had open balconies at the coach ends, where one is permitted to stand. So heads were out, and not just mine - a lovely British Indian family, (three generations) commandeered the first balcony behind the loco, much to the disgust of a young lad of about two, for whom the second balcony was unacceptable, leading to loud tears and a jutting lower lip - clearly a 37,-basher of the future...

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good day in the valleys with some required units and new track covered

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Motive power here was a nice American kettle, BMR No. 2/Baldwin #21269. This took me from Pant to the wilds of Torpantau, returning via a compulsory refreshment stop (the engine needed water, the passengers were welcome to buy tea/coffee/ice cream) at Pontsticill, which had a lovely lake side view.

The BMR is more a tourist railway, like Snowdon, than a heritage operation. still charming and well worth a visit, though I imagine it can be very bleak if its raining. I recommend it to those who want a change from the main line.

The weather was beautiful, and I was originally due to return home the next day. Boarding my bus back down to Merthyr (amusingly, #47817 - another one dud as a loco) I decided to do something about this.
So I hit the atm at Tescos there, bought some yoghurts for a healthy supper, then set off homeward on150250. I changed at Radyr, hoping for a winner on the City Line, but 142074 was in charge back round to Central the long way. Returning to my B&B, I successfully negotiated an extra night's stay!

 

[PHILIPE]

Sounded a successful day in the valleys, I assume ATW was running a Saturday timetable for the bank holiday rather than the 'joke' of a Sunday timetable)

ATW run the normal Timetable on a Bank Holiday Monday.

 

[Techniquest]

Ooh, I keep forgetting that new shack is open these days on the BMR, I must get it done one day!

Certainly a good day had there, and well done on securing the additional night!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

1 June 2016. South Wales Day 3

After another excellent breakfast, I made the usual walk down to Cardiff Central, acquired newspaper and water, then boarded 150255, for the long trip to Garth. I alighted here, then waited for the same unit to return me to Sarn. Now time for a walk, just under a mile back up the line to Tondu, from where 143622 took me to the end of the line at Maesteg.

I decided to clear all the shacks on this branch in one visit, so returned to Wildmill, where 150255 reappeared to take me to Ewenny Road, then return me to Bridgend. A trot over the bridge here, then I joined 150252 down to Rhoose, then 150250 to Llantwit Major, where a 30 minute fester enabled me to pick up a meal.deal at the local Co-op. Then it was back to the shacks, with 150250 taking me to Cadoxton, then 150230 + 143623 back to Barry Docks.

The eagle eyed reader will have noted a distinct lack of red in this report so far, but the first tinges appeared here. Not in train form, however, but in the form of a rather pretty little Cinnabar Moth, which was flittering round the entrance. Cheered by this, I boarded 143604 + 142002, which I took to Grangetown, planning to wait on the handy island platform for a winner.

I still needed one shack on each of the lines South of here, so it was perhaps inevitable that 143601 + 143608 turned up immediately, heading North. Ah well, time to score a shack on the Bargoed line instead. As I spotted something of interest on passing Central, the chosen shack wasHeath High Level, so I could make a quick return! 150282 obliged for the trip back down the hill.

The object of interest was winning 150258, on an Ebbw Vale service. So I joined the Monmouthshire Masonic Society, who appeared to be returning from a shindig in Cardiff, for a run to Rogerstone. My luck was in here as well, with 153362 leading 150241 for the run back to Cardiff.

I had become aware from observing passing trains that the City Line had a couple of winners out. However, a Bargoed/Rhymney service was up first, producing very dud Mancunian exile 142006 in partnership with winner 143614. These were taken to Heath High Level, from where I did my second inter shack walk of the day, taking all of two minutes to reach Heath Low Level. As I hoped, winner 143624 appeared for a run to Whitchurch, then took me back to Ninian Park, where I hoped to intercept the reverse working.

Alas, this had been cancelled due to the train being vandalised enroute to Radyr. So I had a half hour fester, during which I spotted an interesting looking single track line and formulated a plan for the evening. And was eventually rescued by winner 153353 on the third City Line diagram., which I took to Radyr. I'd also noticed earlier, in passing, that the Cardiff Bay shuttle was a winner, so 142080 + 142083 were taken to Queen Street, for a shuttle run on 153323. Time for one last throw of the dice before my planned evening moves, so 142073+142077 were taken to Grangetown's handy island platform for winner143609 and Mancunian reject 142069 back to Central.

Time to head west now, with 175116 taking me to Bridgend, where I fell back on the following HST, with duds 43122 + 43022 to Neath. Winners 34015 + 43139 then returned me to Port Talbot, before 175103 took me back to Cardiff, taking the Leckwith Loop PSUL route and calling at Ninian Park.

By now it was 10pm and I was ravenous. So I treated myself to a very nice curry at the Spice Quarter restaurant before heading back to my B&B at the end of a long and productive day.

 

[47403]

Brilliant read so far Roebuck, your certainly a busy lad at the minute, definitely keeping an eye on those ATW units that are kicking round Cardiff, as that's on my agenda, very soon, if I can kick out some of those 142s for sight, I'll be a very happy man indeed. Congrats on clearing the 142s for haulage, they'll be in Booths before I get another 5 for haulage, if I can help it anyway.

Think I'd get stuck reading the clues in the Telegraph crossword nevermind fill it in, I'm not very cryptical, so hopeless at crosswords.

Many thanks for sharing, look forward to more.

 

[Techniquest]

Nicely done on the PSUL move and the rather good clearout of shacks and winners, certainly you've had an excellent time!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

2 June 2016

Having had a late meal the night before, I didn't fancy the cooked breakfasr, so stuck to toast this morning. I then checked out of the B&B, and walked down to Central for paper and water, then up to the valleys platform. I was slightly early, and inevitably saw a couple of winners depart before 09:15, when my rover became valid. Fortunately, they both went South, so would be back fairly quickly.

First move of the day was on 150256, down to Dingle Road for a shack scratch. The same unit then returned me to Central, where I picked up 153327 for the trip up the hill to Queen Street. 143614 + 142076 then took me to a new shack at Trefforest, where I dropped back one service to pick up 150208, which I took through to Aberdare, clearing the nutrax from Abercynon.

I'd spotted another winner to intercept, so only had time to do a couple of shacks on this branch. The 150 returned me to Rowan, where I had time to make a supply raid, which turned out to be bananas from Iceland. (Isn't it amazing what can be grown in geothermally powered hothouses...) Then 142082 arrived, to take me up to Cwmbach and then a few minutes later return me downhill.

There was a minor signalling farce going on at the Tropic of Grangetown, so trains were running late. Keeping an eye on RTT, I ended up baling at Radyr, to intercept 150257 which I took back one stop to Taffs Well. Then it turned out to be a run of old friends from Manchester which took me South, with 142002 + 142010 to Queen and 142006 on the City Line down the hill to Central.

One last bit of nutrax to do now, so I acquired my favorite ham and mustard butty from M&S, then struck lucky with 150278 + 153353 for the long run up to Ebbw Vale Town and back. No other winners were about, so I decided to call it a day, bought a cheese and tomato baton from Upper Crust for Ron, then drew a good starting position in the scrum to board Von Ieuan's Express, getting a window seat despite a coach being locked out of use.

So it was 67001 which rumbled me North through the evening sunshine, along the scenic Marches line. At Hereford, I raised a mental toast to Techniquest, then settled back on the now-much-emptier train to eat my tea on the way to Shrewsbury. 45 minutes here allowed time for a coke at the pub across the road, then 175112 rolled in for a comfortable run back to Manchester Piccadilly. One last chance of a winner, but the Rochdale tram was up first, and was dud 3094.

That was a thoroughly enjoyable trip, which enabled me to clear all non-PSUL track in South Wales (I still need DoveyJc to Aberystwyth, otherwise it would be the whole of Wales). Red pen wise, the trip was also a success, with 4 x 142, 10 x 143, 9 x 150 and 5 x 153 from ATW's fleet, a couple of GWR 43s and a rather sweet yankee kettle falling in the four days. 41 new shacks were scored, plus the three at the Brecon Mountain Railway (which, as it was my first visit, was also of course required track!)

Would I go back? Definitely! The Welsh have a word, hiraeth, for the racial longing to return home. Obviously the blood of my distant Welsh ancestors runs strongly in me, as I'm feeling like this when compiling this report...

 

[FQ]

Sounds like you had a brilliant time in Wales! You'll need to choose a day to get Dovey Junction to Aberystwyth from Mancc because it should be easy enough. I saw both of the HST sets you had on the 1st at Temple Meads earlier in the day so they both must have gone on to work South Wales services!

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a rather excellent couple days in the south of Wales

 

[Keith Jarrett]

That sounds like a few fab days in Wales - you did well on caning in the winners , particularly those AW 153s where 5 out of eight fell by the wayside. That switch between platforms at Pontypool (or even Pontypridd - one Ponty whatsit is the same as another to me) ought to come with a health warning, especially when there's a group of the local lowlife their taking lumps out of one another (literally) with the local constabulary just looking on as if it were the local spectator sport! Even without such distractions, agree that i's a serious hike from one platform to another - deffo puts the hike at Bolton into a minor league.

Like your comment about Bananas & Iceland. Trouble is, Iceland (the country not the tin-pot lower league supermarket) is Europe's only country that is self sufficient in 'nanas.

And there's a typo in your Day 3 write up - I don't think that 34015 Exmouth would have been performing although it might be a novelty to see a West Country tagged onto a Mark 3 set with Stan Martin flailing away on the other end!

 

[Techniquest]

Loved the toast to Techniquest comment, at the time you passed through my local shack I had departed about 5 minutes prior on a trip over to a mate's for Vienna planning. Not that we did much of it in the end!

Rather decent time in the Valleys for you, quite the decent haul Last time I had 67001 was probably when it was working summer Saturday extras for FGW!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

That sounds like a few fab days in Wales - you did well on caning in the winners , particularly those AW 153s where 5 out of eight fell by the wayside. That switch between platforms at Pontypool ought to come with a health warning, especially when there's a group of the local lowlife their taking lumps out of one another (literally) with the local constabulary just looking on as if it were the local spectator sport! Even without such distractions, agree that i's a serious hike from one platform to another - deffo puts the hike at Bolton into a minor league.

Like your comment about Bananas & Iceland. Trouble is, Iceland (the country not the tin-pot lower league supermarket) is Europe's only country that is self sufficient in 'nanas.

And there's a typo in your Day 3 write up - I don't think that 34015 Exmouth would have been performing although it might be a novelty to see a West Country tagged onto a Mark 3 set with Stan Martin flailing away on the other end!

That's interesting about Iceland and Bananas. Perhaps not so surprising, when they're persistently classed as fish in Terry Pratchett's Discworld books.

As for the 153s, it was actually five of the six required ones scored. 367 is another refugee from Manchester, had three times for a total of 3.5 miles(!), whilst 303 took me from Tenby to Whitland and Llanelli to Shrewsbury in 2010. So its just 320 required to complete the set.

I think I'll leave Exmouth as written, spamcans are far more rateable than HSTs! After all, the cage-fighting Ponty locals seem to have moved from Pridd to Pool in your reply...
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Sounds like you had a brilliant time in Wales! You'll need to choose a day to get Dovey Junction to Aberystwyth from Mancc because it should be easy enough. I saw both of the HST sets you had on the 1st at Temple Meads earlier in the day so they both must have gone on to work South Wales services!

Aberystwyth is on the radar. Going to wait until the high season timetable is on at the Vale of Rheidol, though - two kettles for the price of one!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Loved the toast to Techniquest comment, at the time you passed through my local shack I had departed about 5 minutes prior on a trip over to a mate's for Vienna planning. Not that we did much of it in the end!

Rather decent time in the Valleys for you, quite the decent haul Last time I had 67001 was probably when it was working summer Saturday extras for FGW!

Vienna? It means nothing to me...

 

[Keith Jarrett]

I think I'll leave Exmouth as written, spamcans are far more rateable than HSTs! After all, the cage-fighting Ponty locals seem to have moved from Pridd to Pool in your reply...

Wretched auto-corrupt!

 

[FQ]

spamcans are far more rateable than HSTs!

Wrong!

 

[D841 Roebuck]

8/6/2016. Skipping to Scouseland (Lancashire day ranger)

Keeping an eye on t'nterweb, I had noticed at the beginning of the week that 67008 had been lent to ATW, and was due to appear on the pauper's WAG (Manchester to North Wales circuit). This is due to depart Manchester Piccadilly at 0950, leaving a reasonable margin to get there from Rochdale on a Lancashire Ranger (valid from 0845).

On Wednesday I received confirmation that the skip was out. As the local spoons opens at 8am, the first call of the day was there for a sausage bap and coffee, then dud 3107 was taken up the hill to the station, the Ranger was bought and 158759 soon appeared for a speedy and comfortable run to Manchester Victoria. First trams up here were a pair on an East Didsbury service, and I was rewarded by winner 3022 + dud 3025 up to Market Street. No such luck on the following service, with 3016 taking me on to Piccadilly.

Heading upstairs, I made for Platform 14. Sure enough, the skip was on diagram, and 67008 rumbled me across the mossland to Newton-le-Willows. Now, what to do for the rest of the day?

The immediate answer was provided by another winner. 319366 was following five minutes behind on an Airport to Lime Street service, so was taken to St Helens Junction. Now for a couple of new.shacks, in fact my last two on the old Liverpool and Manchester Railway. 319368 took me on to Roby, then 319371 back to Whiston. And more good luck here when winner 319386 rolled in from Warrington to finally take me to Lime Street.

I'd made plans by now. I still needed 33 Mersey EMUs, and oodles of shacks, so decided to hit the Southport line. I went downstairs and let two duds go before 507008 took me the short hop to Liverpool Central for a PNB. I don't like hanging round tunnels on sunny days, so dud 508134 was taken out to Sandhills, where the shack scratching would commence with the following Southport train. And the orgy began:

508108 to Bank Hall, which has a handy island platform and a pair of young rabbits playing in the trackside weeds.

508128 to Waterloo (Mersey), another island, no bunnies and a long walk down the subway for a smoke.

507019 to Seaforth and Litherland - can't remember much of interest here

508141 to Formby, where I found a local shop for a bottle of water.

507012 to Ainsdale. Neat, tidy and has a loo.

507006 to Hillside, which has a championship golf course. Plus fours here do not refer to train connections

507011 to Birkdale. Posh, and has a level crossing.

Here, I had a break. There are a wide variety of eateries here, and the one I chose did an excellent cheeseburger on ciabatta, with salad. I ate this quickly, both because it was nice and because the cafe was due to host a group of kids from Chernobyl, over in Merseyside for medical treatment better than that available at home. This generosity only confirmed my liking for Scousers - great people, shame about the football teams.

Returning to the station, and using the loo there, the shack scratching recommenced with my eighth successive winner ...

507015 to Hightown, which has access to the dunes.

Dud from earlier 150128, then took me to Freshfield, which has red squirrels.

508127 then appeared for the run to Blundellsands and Crosby, across the footbridge here.

507012 (also dud from.earlier) took me back to my final Southport line shack at Hall Road. The EMU depot here, where many years ago I copped 73006, is long gone.

507025 then took me to Sandhills. I was on a.definite plan now, and had time for some jiggery pokery on the Ormskirk line, before heading homewards. First up was 507031 to Rice Lane, for a brisk walk to new shack Walton. Here, I discovered the Ormskirk line was also going to be good to me. The rush hour pairs were appearing, and double winners 507017 + 507010 took me up to Town Green, for another winning pair 507003 + 508130 back to Maghull. One more electric to go, but dud 507007 was in charge for the trip to Ormskirk.

I like Ormskirk. It has a handy shop which sells slush puppies! 142032 soon rattled in to take me to Burscough Junction, then a walk through the busy town to Burscough Bridge. Hopes of a sneaky winner were raised when my train onwards produced a 150; sadly it was thoroughly dud 150147 which took me to Bolton.

Time for one last shack attack before calling it quits for the day. 156464 took me up the hill to Entwistle, a request stop where several people alighted for the pub. I remained on the platform, and was rescued 13 minutes later by flagging down 156441, which I took all the way through to Manchester Victoria.

Not much left to report now. 150144 + 142013 took me back to Rochdale, then, rather pleasing symmetry, 3107 reappeared to take me home down the hill.

A fine day out, and a very productive one as far as 507s and 508s go.

 

[FQ]

Sounds like a very fun time out! Shame a 142 appeared on the Omskirk-Preston though instead of a 153. Also, I think it was 508128 you had from Hightown to Freshfield, not 150128!

 

[Techniquest]

A GWR 150 up there would put it as a contender for Move of the Year!

What's the walk like time-wise at Burscough? I'm considering it when I get up there.

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good day out in merseyside

 

[D841 Roebuck]

A GWR 150 up there would put it a contender for Move of the Year!

What's the walk like time-wise at Burscough? I'm considering it when I get up there.

Shorter than Daisy Hill to Westhoughton.

Various pubs and foodshacks on the way...

 

[Kite159]

IIRC there is a Tesco pretty much next door to Burscough Bridge which could be useful for a supply raid/lunchtime snack.

 

[Techniquest]

Shorter than Daisy Hill to Westhoughton.

Various pubs and foodshacks on the way...

If it's shorter than that, and it didn't take us that long really, then happy days. Cheers for the gen, shall bear it in mind for a future Lancashire Day Ranger bash!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

I'm sure the good folk of Newton-le-Willows will be more than offended by the implication that they're part of Scouseland! They get annoyed as it is being part of Merseyside let alone called scousers. As far as they're concerned, NLW is well above its Warrington postcode and is still part of Cheshire.

Seriously, a good day out by the sounds of things with plenty of winners (and winning shacks) raked in including 507011 which is one of my last three 507s.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

I'm sure the good folk of Newton-le-Willows will be more than offended by the implication that they're part of Scouseland! They get annoyed as it is being part of Merseyside let alone called scousers. As far as they're concerned, NLW is well above its Warrington postcode and is still part of Cheshire.

Seriously, a good day out by the sounds of things with plenty of winners (and winning shacks) raked in including 507011 which is one of my last three 507s.

Yes, I believe Liverpudlians refer to inhabitants of N-l-W, St Helens and various other outback places as Woollybacks.

The Wirral, by contrast, is occupied by Boat People...
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No trips to report, but a spot of planning has been done, accomodation booked and a couple of advances purchased.

This happened last night, when I noticed that the Strathspey Railway were having a gala of the everything goes variety the same weekend as the Bo'ness gala..Adding the two together made a trip to Scotland worthwhile. Also, Kite159's trip planning for the Far North reminded me that I need the track North of Dingwall, and that the Highland Rover is good value. So its expanded to a five day trip!

The plan is:
Fri 22/7. 01:00 sleeper from Preston to Perth; double back to Linlithgow, gala at Bo'ness, up to Inverness for the night
Sat 23: To for the Strathspey Gala, then up to Dingwall for the next 3 nights
Sun 24. I might as well do the Keith and Dufftown while I'm in the vicinity!
Mon 25. To Wick and back, then hopefully scratch the Rose Street curve in.
Tues 26. Early train to Inverness, bus to Fort William, then down to Glasgow, and home via advances on the 17:30

I've not planned any shack scratching, but there ought to be scope to pick up one or two...

 

[Techniquest]

Wow that's going to be an epic adventure!

All 3 of those preserved lines are required for coverage here, sounds like it'll be an awesome trip report when it's all done. Gotta admit I'm more than a little jealous!

 

[47403]

A great read Roebuck. must admit I had a chuckle at the plus 4s gag.

have to agree with Tech, that sounds like an epic 5 days out, 2 deisel galas in there too. That should be a fantastic read.

 

[55013]

I must get to Merseyrail soon, I must.
That Strathspey/Bo'ness double event sounds good, sadly for the time being I think I've reached Mrs 13's limit for overnight moves.

 

[D841 Roebuck]

1/2 July 2016.

An unexpected journey.

It all started with a social trip to see friends and comrades in Merseyside. 153301+155341 were unexceptional on the Rochdale to Manchester Victoria run, 185148 fast and crowded onwards to Liverpool, 508110 a nice fall on winner for the nened move to Central and 507019 a bit meh for the trip to the evening's destination, Bootle Oriel Road

Lots of lager, some darts, some karaoke, lots of Confusion to the Blairites style toasts, a taxi ride and a large Burger King meal later, I poured myself on to the 03:wibble service back to Manchester Piccadilly. The windows on 156461 were open, the engines sounded good, and I was feeling full of beans, and hence reluctant to go home when we arrived. I also realised that Manchester Piccadilly at 4:15am was quite a good place to be if I fancied a trip out.

And I did! Where to go though? Facebook provided a suggestion in the Rochester Quizzing Grand Prix. I'd thought of attending this, but couldn't make it from Rochdale in time without an overnight, so had decided against. However, I hadn't realised that I would be returning from Bootle in the small hours. And I could combine the trip with scoring some nutrax enroute. And, as a clincher, the pendo sitting smugly and silently on the 05:25 Euston was a winner. So tickets were bought, an email sent to the quiz organiser and a coffee sourced to keep me awake, then I joined 390130 for the long trip south.

Arriving at Euston just before 8, my first thoughts were of breakfast. However, what seemed to be a small regiment of Japanese tourists were sitting patiently outside the station, and making good use of the various food outlets whilst waiting for their trains. So I bailed out to the tube, with winners 51614/51615 taking me rapidly to Charing Cross, where the hot sausage purveyor was deserted.

Plenty of time in hand, I joined double winners 465037 + 465250 for a long, slow ride via Bexley (and new track beyond Crayford Spur Junction) to a shack score at Gravesend. Following ten minutes behind were double winners 465011 + 465009, which continued along new track via Strood, finally depositing me at the brand new station at Rochester.

to be continued...

 

[Techniquest]

That must have cost a pretty penny on a last minute journey to Rochester! hock: