Fully agree! Wow...That must have cost a pretty penny on a last minute journey to Rochester!hock:
I really didn't expect you to head for Kent after reading that you didn't want to go home at that point. Wow!
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Rambling Roebuck... (Trip Reports)
- Thread starter D841 Roebuck
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I really didn't expect you to head for Kent after reading that you didn't want to go home at that point. Wow!
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D841 Roebuck
Established Member
2 July (continued)
Quiz completed (with the usual midtable finish), it was time to return home. With a bit of scratching enroute.
First up were winner 465022 and dud 465033, taken to a winning shack at Bexleyheath and clearing the last bit of required track at the Crayford triangles. Then, double winners 465008 + 466004 were taken to Denmark Hill, for a shack scratch, followed by a linear leap on the Overground, with winner 378140 to winning shack Wandsworth Road, for winner 378147 through to Clapham Junction.
Now it was time to clear my last bit of non-PSUL NR track within the travelcard zones. 455832 was comfortable, as well as a winner, as I slept my way out to Epsom Downs. With absolutely nothing there of interest, the same unit returned me to Sutton.
By now it was time to head for Euston and home. First up, winner 455822 to winner shack Mitcham Eastfields. Then winner 319450 to winner shack Elephant and Castle.
Then the most appalling NR to Underground interchange imaginable. The reason being that I'd never done the Bakerloo line south of Waterloo before!
Then double winners 3567+3242 to Lambeth North for a shack scratch, dud 3561 and winner 3241 onwards to Oxford Circus, and a rapid and civilized change to winners 11053/054 on the Victoria Line to Euston. Moving briskly now, I managed to leap on a Manchester bound pendo, which turned out to be winner 390126. And caught up on a couple of hours sleep!
The usual tramfarce in Manchester resulted in 3039 and 3098 taking almost as long to get me to Rochdale as the pendo had for Euston to Manchester, the journey being made more unpleasant by taking what appeared to be the cast of the Jeremy Kyle Show back to Oldham on the way...
Thus ended a fairly stupid, somewhat expense but rather productive day...
Quiz completed (with the usual midtable finish), it was time to return home. With a bit of scratching enroute.
First up were winner 465022 and dud 465033, taken to a winning shack at Bexleyheath and clearing the last bit of required track at the Crayford triangles. Then, double winners 465008 + 466004 were taken to Denmark Hill, for a shack scratch, followed by a linear leap on the Overground, with winner 378140 to winning shack Wandsworth Road, for winner 378147 through to Clapham Junction.
Now it was time to clear my last bit of non-PSUL NR track within the travelcard zones. 455832 was comfortable, as well as a winner, as I slept my way out to Epsom Downs. With absolutely nothing there of interest, the same unit returned me to Sutton.
By now it was time to head for Euston and home. First up, winner 455822 to winner shack Mitcham Eastfields. Then winner 319450 to winner shack Elephant and Castle.
Then the most appalling NR to Underground interchange imaginable. The reason being that I'd never done the Bakerloo line south of Waterloo before!
Then double winners 3567+3242 to Lambeth North for a shack scratch, dud 3561 and winner 3241 onwards to Oxford Circus, and a rapid and civilized change to winners 11053/054 on the Victoria Line to Euston. Moving briskly now, I managed to leap on a Manchester bound pendo, which turned out to be winner 390126. And caught up on a couple of hours sleep!
The usual tramfarce in Manchester resulted in 3039 and 3098 taking almost as long to get me to Rochdale as the pendo had for Euston to Manchester, the journey being made more unpleasant by taking what appeared to be the cast of the Jeremy Kyle Show back to Oldham on the way...
Thus ended a fairly stupid, somewhat expense but rather productive day...
Kite159
Veteran Member
Good thing you got Lambeth North into your book as I believe it is due to close for several months for works
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
Yes, I noticed the notices during my brief fester there
Back down in about 3.weeks.for. couple of.days., taking advantage of Virgins £10 seat sale advances each way.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
You're going to need a new red pen next time you're down then!
Ah yes, the chavs on the Oldham to Manchester section, I have first hand experience of them and I was dismayed at the new generation. To think my own generation created these monstrosities...
Ah yes, the chavs on the Oldham to Manchester section, I have first hand experience of them and I was dismayed at the new generation. To think my own generation created these monstrosities...
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
7/7/16. A more sensible trip
Hurrah for gen and internet fora. Browsing the net on the previous evening, I noticed the prospect of four winning locos within reasonable striking distance, which could be combined with the prospect of some shack scoring to make a decent day out.
First up was dud tram 3080 up the hill to Rochdale Railway Station. Ticket of choice for the day was a South Pennine Day Ranger; with this acquired, 153301 + 155341 rolled in for the familiar trip to Hebden Bridge. Acquiring a coffee, I awaited my first winner. Soon it rolled in. Dud-from-last-month 37668 was leading very much required 37516 on WCRC's Scarborough Spa Express, which was joined for a short leap to Wakefield Kirkgate (a very reasonable imho £10 part fare being charged for the privilege).
Time for a quick smoke outside this rapidly gentrifying station, then 158817 took me to Barnsley, for a sausage roll, then 144017 to my first shack scratch of the day - Denby Dale, with its nice viaduct. A shortish fester here, then 144023 arrived to take me back to Dodworth, a shack score without a viaduct. Next shack up was Penistone and the unit taking me there was 144016. 20 odd minutes in the drizzle reading the guide to the Trans Pennine train amidst the ghosts of EM1s and EM2s before 144017 returned to take me down to Chapeltown for shack 4. Quite an awkward platform.change here, being a long way down and back up, then yet another 3 car pacer in 144020 took me to the hourly served Elsecar.
An all-too-familiar shape and length of train 144015 soon approached from the North. And I rebelled! I was thoroughly sick of 144s, so decided to go to Meadowhall for a redpenfest on the trams.
Now I'd covered the entire Supertram network (including the PSUL bit) in about 2003, but hadn't bothered recording my tram haulages. Time for some clawback, and also some shacks.
In the honourable tradition of this section of the forum, tedious tram leaps are recorded in tabular style...
First, 113 was taken to Valley Centertainment (naff name)
Next, 125 back to Tinsley Meadowhall South
125 returned from the terminus, and took me to Cricket Inn Road
115 was the chariot back to Woodbourn Road
102 took me into town to Cathedral
117 took me on the archetypal tram stop leap to Castle Square and the spoons.
Some time, and a steak and kidney pudding, peas and chips later, I carried on with the trams. I had about an hour until the train I wanted, and managed the following:
121 to.Arbourthorne Road
116 to Hollinsend
110 to Leighton Road, for a.fester
110 back to Park Grange
121 to Sheffield Station.
I now needed to head south, so bought a day return and joined nice winner 222001 for a run to Chesterfield, where I headed up into town to find the Barrow Hill bus. A winding and tedious journey later, I arrived at the Roundhouse, and joined the usual collection of desperadoes on the waiting rake of stock.
The reason? 08934 was out to play, and with brake translator 03066 soon trundled us down the headshunt, before the much more hellfire and rateable02003 trundled us back again.
Now it was home time, so I retraced my steps. I need enough meridians that dud 222021 was slightly annoying for the run back to Sheffield. It was about 10,-1 against scoring on tippex, and dud 185143 didn't defy the odds for the pleasant run through the Hope Valley Sunset, back to Manchester. Tram 3015 was equally dud across to Victoria, but then the gods smiled, with brand new winner 3116 appearing for the run home (without the biffo chavs, this time). And I got back for last orders
Hurrah for gen and internet fora. Browsing the net on the previous evening, I noticed the prospect of four winning locos within reasonable striking distance, which could be combined with the prospect of some shack scoring to make a decent day out.
First up was dud tram 3080 up the hill to Rochdale Railway Station. Ticket of choice for the day was a South Pennine Day Ranger; with this acquired, 153301 + 155341 rolled in for the familiar trip to Hebden Bridge. Acquiring a coffee, I awaited my first winner. Soon it rolled in. Dud-from-last-month 37668 was leading very much required 37516 on WCRC's Scarborough Spa Express, which was joined for a short leap to Wakefield Kirkgate (a very reasonable imho £10 part fare being charged for the privilege).
Time for a quick smoke outside this rapidly gentrifying station, then 158817 took me to Barnsley, for a sausage roll, then 144017 to my first shack scratch of the day - Denby Dale, with its nice viaduct. A shortish fester here, then 144023 arrived to take me back to Dodworth, a shack score without a viaduct. Next shack up was Penistone and the unit taking me there was 144016. 20 odd minutes in the drizzle reading the guide to the Trans Pennine train amidst the ghosts of EM1s and EM2s before 144017 returned to take me down to Chapeltown for shack 4. Quite an awkward platform.change here, being a long way down and back up, then yet another 3 car pacer in 144020 took me to the hourly served Elsecar.
An all-too-familiar shape and length of train 144015 soon approached from the North. And I rebelled! I was thoroughly sick of 144s, so decided to go to Meadowhall for a redpenfest on the trams.
Now I'd covered the entire Supertram network (including the PSUL bit) in about 2003, but hadn't bothered recording my tram haulages. Time for some clawback, and also some shacks.
In the honourable tradition of this section of the forum, tedious tram leaps are recorded in tabular style...
First, 113 was taken to Valley Centertainment (naff name)
Next, 125 back to Tinsley Meadowhall South
125 returned from the terminus, and took me to Cricket Inn Road
115 was the chariot back to Woodbourn Road
102 took me into town to Cathedral
117 took me on the archetypal tram stop leap to Castle Square and the spoons.
Some time, and a steak and kidney pudding, peas and chips later, I carried on with the trams. I had about an hour until the train I wanted, and managed the following:
121 to.Arbourthorne Road
116 to Hollinsend
110 to Leighton Road, for a.fester
110 back to Park Grange
121 to Sheffield Station.
I now needed to head south, so bought a day return and joined nice winner 222001 for a run to Chesterfield, where I headed up into town to find the Barrow Hill bus. A winding and tedious journey later, I arrived at the Roundhouse, and joined the usual collection of desperadoes on the waiting rake of stock.
The reason? 08934 was out to play, and with brake translator 03066 soon trundled us down the headshunt, before the much more hellfire and rateable02003 trundled us back again.
Now it was home time, so I retraced my steps. I need enough meridians that dud 222021 was slightly annoying for the run back to Sheffield. It was about 10,-1 against scoring on tippex, and dud 185143 didn't defy the odds for the pleasant run through the Hope Valley Sunset, back to Manchester. Tram 3015 was equally dud across to Victoria, but then the gods smiled, with brand new winner 3116 appearing for the run home (without the biffo chavs, this time). And I got back for last orders
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a good day with some required locos going into your book
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Quite a decent day out there, plenty of scores across the day and no doubt those shunters are a rare sight in Redd Pen threads!
Keith Jarrett
Member
After that crazy trip at the beginning of the month, the sensible trip seemed to be anything but. Although good to see you raking in the "rods" @ Barrow Hill. Four loco winners in a day is certainly something not to be sneezed at. A day then to jam a winning Metrolink on the way back home......
Those West Coast 37s across the Pennines must have been extremely rateable. I can just imagine the cacophony growling away from Hebden Bridge (unless of course you had a gnome of a driver). And to cap it all, 37668 is one of my few required 37s!
Those West Coast 37s across the Pennines must have been extremely rateable. I can just imagine the cacophony growling away from Hebden Bridge (unless of course you had a gnome of a driver). And to cap it all, 37668 is one of my few required 37s!
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Crikey you are doing well to get something Keith hasn't got D841! 37 thrash anywhere right now would be nice, I should imagine the NB 37s sound rather splendid!
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
And me. Shipley or Keighley to Leeds in the morning, I think...
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
21/22 July 2016. The Land of Lorne, Days 0 and 1
Advance tickets for this trip (Preston to Aviemore on the sleeper, Glasgow to Rochdale on Tuesday evening) had been boked some time ago. The original idea was to hit the galas at Boness and Strathspey, and clear the track to Wick. As will be seen, plans can change....
It all started in the pub. A friend's birthday was celebrated with a couple of beers, then I astounded the other regulars by sloping off to the station with my rucksack. Truly vile pair, 142053 + 142045 soon appeared to trundle me down to Manchester Victoria, then 150205 + 153317 took me to Preston, running non-stop after Salford Crescent via Atherton and Wigan, due to electrification works in the Tropic of Chorley.
Here, I awaited the main event of the night. Winner 90044 appeared promptly on its long train, and I found my seat in Coach A. Which was occupied. So I adjourned to the buffet, informed the steward and waited calmly for the interloper to be removed back to his own seat. This done, I acquired a coffee and settled down for the long run North.
This is the Night Train crossing the border
Bearing the letter and postal.order
Except it doesn't anymore
Anyway, the Skoda performed admirably, and we arrived promptly at Edinburgh. Here I checked out our onward motive power, which was double winners 66737 + 73969. Now at the front, we set off through the dawn, to Stirling and Beyond.
My original plan had been to bail out at Perth, get a return to Linlithgow, do the Bo'ness gala and then head North, doing a four day Highland Rover from Saturday to Tuesday before heading home. However, several factors caused a change of plan. The gala had only one winner for me, Sunday was a strike day, I fancied doing a.couple of cats and I could scratch some required track. So I stayed on the train through to Aviemore.
Here, I adjourned to the cafe, for a Scottish Breakfast, which was tasty but pricy (as befits a tourist hotspot), then returned to the station and bought a four-in-eight Spirit of Scotland ticket ("Freedom" obviously being an outdated concept), then headed South again, on winner 170459 to the first shack score of the trip at Dunblane.
First target was one of the Glasgow diversions, so the next move was another winner,158733 down to Stirling, where I fell back on the following Aberdeen to Glasgow service, with winner 170403. This took me into Glasgow Central, via Coatbridge and the rare curve to Langloan Junction.
Next up was an annoying bit of track, which was closed for engineering work when I cleared most of the track.hereabouts in 2006. First move was on winner 380007 to a shack score atBishopton. Seven minutes behind was sister winner 380017, which took me to the end.of the new line at Wemyss Bay, then back to another new shack at Port Glasgow. Having only had five 380s, dud 380003 was irritating to Paisley Gilmour Street, but winner 380104 restored my sense of humour for the run to Glasgow Central.
Time to head to Queen Street now, which of course meant heading downstairs to the low level platforms.318259 + 32317 were about to depart southbound, so I jumped on for the ned leap to Argyle Street, finding out that both were dud enroute! 318267 + 320314 were much better as I sharply reversed to Anderston, whilst 320310 + 318262 were a half-filled glass up to Hyndland.
Now for a longer run, and the last bit of new track for the day. I was pleased with winning pair 334009 + 334007 which took me all the way through to Haymarket, all stations via new track from Drumgelloch to Bathgate. Here, I entered the chaos of lateness and cancellations known as the Edinburgh rush hour...
Somewhat bizarrely (and luckily), the loco hauled services seemed largely unaffected. 68006 gave me a good, fast run to Inverkeithing, and sister 68007 promised the same with a spirited run through Dunfirmline and beyond. However, the poo missed the litter tray at Cowdenbeath, where a brake failure on the cat caused us to sit for 20 minutes halfway into the platform. And Elf'n'Safety (including an exchange of words between the Scotrail guard and the DRS driver) meant that nobody was allowed off, even though the front three coaches were en-platforme.
Eventually, a catnip-stuffed mouse toy, with jingly bell, was waved in front of the errant moggie, and persuaded it to retract its claws, so we set off for the delightful spa resort of Cardenden, my final shack score of the day. This is a.bleakish spot, not helped by further delays, caused this time by trespassers. Eventually, winner 170407 arrived to rescue me and trundle me round the corner to Kirkcaldy.
Totally out of kilter, and virtually out of phone battery, I ended up festering here for over an hour, until final winner 170425 mercifully arrived and took me smoothly all the way through to Inverness. Arriving at 23:20, I sought my digs for the night. Fortunately, the Waverley Guest House was no more than five minutes walk away. So I hit the pit, ignoring the temptation of the karaoke bar opposite.
18 winners, five new shacks and three bits of nutrax. A good start to the trip...
Advance tickets for this trip (Preston to Aviemore on the sleeper, Glasgow to Rochdale on Tuesday evening) had been boked some time ago. The original idea was to hit the galas at Boness and Strathspey, and clear the track to Wick. As will be seen, plans can change....
It all started in the pub. A friend's birthday was celebrated with a couple of beers, then I astounded the other regulars by sloping off to the station with my rucksack. Truly vile pair, 142053 + 142045 soon appeared to trundle me down to Manchester Victoria, then 150205 + 153317 took me to Preston, running non-stop after Salford Crescent via Atherton and Wigan, due to electrification works in the Tropic of Chorley.
Here, I awaited the main event of the night. Winner 90044 appeared promptly on its long train, and I found my seat in Coach A. Which was occupied. So I adjourned to the buffet, informed the steward and waited calmly for the interloper to be removed back to his own seat. This done, I acquired a coffee and settled down for the long run North.
This is the Night Train crossing the border
Bearing the letter and postal.order
Except it doesn't anymore
Anyway, the Skoda performed admirably, and we arrived promptly at Edinburgh. Here I checked out our onward motive power, which was double winners 66737 + 73969. Now at the front, we set off through the dawn, to Stirling and Beyond.
My original plan had been to bail out at Perth, get a return to Linlithgow, do the Bo'ness gala and then head North, doing a four day Highland Rover from Saturday to Tuesday before heading home. However, several factors caused a change of plan. The gala had only one winner for me, Sunday was a strike day, I fancied doing a.couple of cats and I could scratch some required track. So I stayed on the train through to Aviemore.
Here, I adjourned to the cafe, for a Scottish Breakfast, which was tasty but pricy (as befits a tourist hotspot), then returned to the station and bought a four-in-eight Spirit of Scotland ticket ("Freedom" obviously being an outdated concept), then headed South again, on winner 170459 to the first shack score of the trip at Dunblane.
First target was one of the Glasgow diversions, so the next move was another winner,158733 down to Stirling, where I fell back on the following Aberdeen to Glasgow service, with winner 170403. This took me into Glasgow Central, via Coatbridge and the rare curve to Langloan Junction.
Next up was an annoying bit of track, which was closed for engineering work when I cleared most of the track.hereabouts in 2006. First move was on winner 380007 to a shack score atBishopton. Seven minutes behind was sister winner 380017, which took me to the end.of the new line at Wemyss Bay, then back to another new shack at Port Glasgow. Having only had five 380s, dud 380003 was irritating to Paisley Gilmour Street, but winner 380104 restored my sense of humour for the run to Glasgow Central.
Time to head to Queen Street now, which of course meant heading downstairs to the low level platforms.318259 + 32317 were about to depart southbound, so I jumped on for the ned leap to Argyle Street, finding out that both were dud enroute! 318267 + 320314 were much better as I sharply reversed to Anderston, whilst 320310 + 318262 were a half-filled glass up to Hyndland.
Now for a longer run, and the last bit of new track for the day. I was pleased with winning pair 334009 + 334007 which took me all the way through to Haymarket, all stations via new track from Drumgelloch to Bathgate. Here, I entered the chaos of lateness and cancellations known as the Edinburgh rush hour...
Somewhat bizarrely (and luckily), the loco hauled services seemed largely unaffected. 68006 gave me a good, fast run to Inverkeithing, and sister 68007 promised the same with a spirited run through Dunfirmline and beyond. However, the poo missed the litter tray at Cowdenbeath, where a brake failure on the cat caused us to sit for 20 minutes halfway into the platform. And Elf'n'Safety (including an exchange of words between the Scotrail guard and the DRS driver) meant that nobody was allowed off, even though the front three coaches were en-platforme.
Eventually, a catnip-stuffed mouse toy, with jingly bell, was waved in front of the errant moggie, and persuaded it to retract its claws, so we set off for the delightful spa resort of Cardenden, my final shack score of the day. This is a.bleakish spot, not helped by further delays, caused this time by trespassers. Eventually, winner 170407 arrived to rescue me and trundle me round the corner to Kirkcaldy.
Totally out of kilter, and virtually out of phone battery, I ended up festering here for over an hour, until final winner 170425 mercifully arrived and took me smoothly all the way through to Inverness. Arriving at 23:20, I sought my digs for the night. Fortunately, the Waverley Guest House was no more than five minutes walk away. So I hit the pit, ignoring the temptation of the karaoke bar opposite.
18 winners, five new shacks and three bits of nutrax. A good start to the trip...
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a good day in Scotland, with some new track and winners
BTW what was the Waverley Guest House like?
BTW what was the Waverley Guest House like?
87electric
Established Member
- Joined
- 27 Jan 2010
- Messages
- 1,243
"Poo missed the litter tray"
Had me howling.
Great trip report.
Had me howling.
Great trip report.
Keith Jarrett
Member
D841, a great read and all the cat references had me chuckling while reading your report in my way into the "factory". Glad to see that the fragmented railway was performing at its best at Cardenden but hopefully it did not put your plans out of kilter. What was the sole winner that you flagged at Bo'ness?
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
Thanks, folks, for the kind words regarding the first part of my report. Much appreciated!
To answer a couple of specific queries:
Kite159 - the Waverley Guest House was decent, but basic. If going again, and no reason why I wouldn't, I'd take a loo roll with me (not very much left in my room) and my own shampoo. Don't bother with breakfast (I didn't) as the local Spoons is a good one and just round the corner. Also, its bang in the middle of a busy street, so better for singles/couples rather than families...
Keith - the flagged winner at Bo'ness was 37703. Might have gone for it anyway, but its rostered runs on Friday were late enough that I'd miss out on the cats...
Now for the next day...
23/07/2016 - The Land Of Lorne Day 2
I made a reasonably early start to a day which was planned to be a bit more relaxing. So I strolled down to Inverness station, acquired a coffee and bun, then joined duds 43295 + 43302 for the run to Aviemore (again).
Here, it was the family fun day at the Strathspey Railway, which meant live music, face painting and a rare chance for the local diesels to have a run out. Sadly, the shunter shuttles with D2774/08490 couldn't run, although the latter was available for cab rides.
First trip for me was on the Railway's Class 117 bogcart, 51367 + 51402, which gave a pleasant run to Boat of Garten, which was a new shack for me. Here, I crossed the footbridge and intercepted the train back. While the loco on the front bore both D5394 and 27050, I tend to go by original TOPS numbers so it was 27106 which got the red pen treatment. (Only one extant 27 now required, 007 at the Mid-Hants.)
The tip-top rreturned me efficiently to Aviemore, then 31327 backed on to the other end of the stock, for a run all the way through to the new limit of working at Dulnain Bridge (new track for me beyond Broomhill). During this journey I acquired and consumed the Strathspey equivalent of a meal.deal in the buffet (corned beef and pickle butty, crisps and bottle of Kopparberg mixed fruit cider), which was enjoyed on the scenic run to the bridge. 27106 then returned me to a crowded Aviemore, where I left the station for a smoke, and pondered my options.
I didn't really fancy hanging round waiting for a cab ride on the 08, so plan B, in the shape of Stagecoach bus #27588 was taken into the hills. This vehicle was the first bus I'd ever sampled with 3+2 seating, but there was still plenty of room for the ride up to Cairngorm.
The attraction here was a bit of broad gauge track bashing on the funicular. Being summer, the cost was reduced from the extortionate to the merely pricy, so I bought a ticket for the round trip and enjoyed cable power from Cairn Gorm Base Camp to Ptarmigan Plateau (I may have invented new names for the shacks, here in the palatial surroundings of CMR #2. The upper station here is a sort of high altitude Lympstone Commando, with passengers not being allowed to wander off up to the summit/elsewhere to preserve the natural habitat. This didn't bother me, as I'd already been up on the old chairlift in 1976, and bagged the Munro then. So I had a high altitude smoke on the viewing terrace (identifying Ben Nevis and various other mountains in the distance), then boarded CMR #1 for the return trip downhill (stood at the front to get the maximum roller coaster effect).
Unfortunately I arrived back at 14:06, and the bus leaves promptly at 5 past. , ho - coHeihoffee and bun time.again while.I.sat outside topping my tan up and reading my book (The Drifters by James Michener - highly recommended). The same bus as before appeared for the nice ride back to Aviemore.
On arrival, it had started to rain. The shunter had finished for the day, so with 50 minutes to wait until the next Inverness train I adjourned to the pub and watched the Tour De France. The train was indicated as full and standing on the station PIS, but as plenty got off I had no trouble finding a seat on dud 170473. A swift change at Inverness, and winner 158721 took me through to my base for the next three nights at Dingwall. I walked the five minutes to my digs at The Royal Guest House (very similar to the Waverley), then chilled out for an hour.
The trains weren't over for the day, though. I returned to the station in time for the Kyle to Elgin through service, with winner 158720, which duly took me back to Inverness via the Rose Street curve (required PSUL bit) and reversal. With an hour to kill here, I found myself a meat pie supper at the chippy, then returned to Dingwall on newly dud 158721.
This was a peaceful, different and enjoyable day - much more relaxing than the first.
To answer a couple of specific queries:
Kite159 - the Waverley Guest House was decent, but basic. If going again, and no reason why I wouldn't, I'd take a loo roll with me (not very much left in my room) and my own shampoo. Don't bother with breakfast (I didn't) as the local Spoons is a good one and just round the corner. Also, its bang in the middle of a busy street, so better for singles/couples rather than families...
Keith - the flagged winner at Bo'ness was 37703. Might have gone for it anyway, but its rostered runs on Friday were late enough that I'd miss out on the cats...
Now for the next day...
23/07/2016 - The Land Of Lorne Day 2
I made a reasonably early start to a day which was planned to be a bit more relaxing. So I strolled down to Inverness station, acquired a coffee and bun, then joined duds 43295 + 43302 for the run to Aviemore (again).
Here, it was the family fun day at the Strathspey Railway, which meant live music, face painting and a rare chance for the local diesels to have a run out. Sadly, the shunter shuttles with D2774/08490 couldn't run, although the latter was available for cab rides.
First trip for me was on the Railway's Class 117 bogcart, 51367 + 51402, which gave a pleasant run to Boat of Garten, which was a new shack for me. Here, I crossed the footbridge and intercepted the train back. While the loco on the front bore both D5394 and 27050, I tend to go by original TOPS numbers so it was 27106 which got the red pen treatment. (Only one extant 27 now required, 007 at the Mid-Hants.)
The tip-top rreturned me efficiently to Aviemore, then 31327 backed on to the other end of the stock, for a run all the way through to the new limit of working at Dulnain Bridge (new track for me beyond Broomhill). During this journey I acquired and consumed the Strathspey equivalent of a meal.deal in the buffet (corned beef and pickle butty, crisps and bottle of Kopparberg mixed fruit cider), which was enjoyed on the scenic run to the bridge. 27106 then returned me to a crowded Aviemore, where I left the station for a smoke, and pondered my options.
I didn't really fancy hanging round waiting for a cab ride on the 08, so plan B, in the shape of Stagecoach bus #27588 was taken into the hills. This vehicle was the first bus I'd ever sampled with 3+2 seating, but there was still plenty of room for the ride up to Cairngorm.
The attraction here was a bit of broad gauge track bashing on the funicular. Being summer, the cost was reduced from the extortionate to the merely pricy, so I bought a ticket for the round trip and enjoyed cable power from Cairn Gorm Base Camp to Ptarmigan Plateau (I may have invented new names for the shacks, here
in the palatial surroundings of CMR #2. The upper station here is a sort of high altitude Lympstone Commando, with passengers not being allowed to wander off up to the summit/elsewhere to preserve the natural habitat. This didn't bother me, as I'd already been up on the old chairlift in 1976, and bagged the Munro then. So I had a high altitude smoke on the viewing terrace (identifying Ben Nevis and various other mountains in the distance), then boarded CMR #1 for the return trip downhill (stood at the front to get the maximum roller coaster effect).Unfortunately I arrived back at 14:06, and the bus leaves promptly at 5 past. , ho - coHeihoffee and bun time.again while.I.sat outside topping my tan up and reading my book (The Drifters by James Michener - highly recommended). The same bus as before appeared for the nice ride back to Aviemore.
On arrival, it had started to rain. The shunter had finished for the day, so with 50 minutes to wait until the next Inverness train I adjourned to the pub and watched the Tour De France. The train was indicated as full and standing on the station PIS, but as plenty got off I had no trouble finding a seat on dud 170473. A swift change at Inverness, and winner 158721 took me through to my base for the next three nights at Dingwall. I walked the five minutes to my digs at The Royal Guest House (very similar to the Waverley), then chilled out for an hour.
The trains weren't over for the day, though. I returned to the station in time for the Kyle to Elgin through service, with winner 158720, which duly took me back to Inverness via the Rose Street curve (required PSUL bit) and reversal. With an hour to kill here, I found myself a meat pie supper at the chippy, then returned to Dingwall on newly dud 158721.
This was a peaceful, different and enjoyable day - much more relaxing than the first.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Some very contrasting days there! Taken me a while to get back onto the forum this week as a lot has been going on. Still is but taking a break from it all to refresh the train freak in me!
Very much fun days there, except for the Cat failure. The metaphors were excellent, and as always I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Keep 'em coming!
Very much fun days there, except for the Cat failure. The metaphors were excellent, and as always I thoroughly enjoyed the read. Keep 'em coming!
Kite159
Veteran Member
That be good reference the guest house, although I think on all the days I'm staying there I'm away on the first Wick train
Sounded like a good little gala
Sounded like a good little gala
The Strathspey is a line I haven't yet done, I must get my finger out.
45135 was up there on the Saturday and covered the 68s on Friday as well, I'm sure he'll give us his version of events at some point
Looks like an excellent day, if a little too frantic for my tastes (I would have stayed at the Strathspey all day)
45135 was up there on the Saturday and covered the 68s on Friday as well, I'm sure he'll give us his version of events at some point
Looks like an excellent day, if a little too frantic for my tastes (I would have stayed at the Strathspey all day)
Kristofferson
Member
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So far I'm up to the end of your Welsh bashing...
Many congratulations on the 142s, the track clearance and your progress towards the other classes!
I'd imagine it was a fairly scenic few days as well your understanding of the Welsh language is... Entertaining 
Thoroughly enjoyed the read! Now to catch up on the others...
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Many congratulations on the 142s, the track clearance and your progress towards the other classes!
I'd imagine it was a fairly scenic few days as well
your understanding of the Welsh language is... Entertaining Thoroughly enjoyed the read! Now to catch up on the others...
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D841 Roebuck
Established Member
So far I'm up to the end of your Welsh bashing...
Many congratulations on the 142s, the track clearance and your progress towards the other classes!
I'd imagine it was a fairly scenic few days as well
Thoroughly enjoyed the read! Now to catch up on the others...
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Thanks. Glad you're enjoying things.
Here's the next instalment, from the minimalist school of trip reporting....
24/7/16 - The Land of Lorne, Day 3
Scotrail's guards were on strike this day. So I stayed in Inverpfeffer.
The basic.details were as follows:
1. Woke early, went to newsagents for paper, picked up copy of Railway Magazine, belated birthday card for my friend and butty for lunch, then returned to my temporary home.
2. Watched the excellent Ferris Bueller's Day Off
3. Wandered downstairs to the adjacent pub, and beat William (Hebridean chap working locally) 5-4
4. Had an absolutely superb Indian meal for supper.
Trains will reappear in the next episode....
Shame you could be out on the rails but it sounds like a good time anyway.
Hellfire!
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Ooh it's been ages since I last watched that film! It's also been a long time since I last had a meal in my favourite Indian, high time I returned and generated new and better memories at The Glass Tandoori...
Nice and easy day for you there, but imagine if all trip reports were like that, it would be a very quiet section of the forum!
Nice and easy day for you there, but imagine if all trip reports were like that, it would be a very quiet section of the forum!
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
25/07/2016 - The Land of Lorne Day 4. Our Friends in the North
Tobay was the day to finally clear the largest red bit on my route coverage map, north of Dingwall. It started on my stalker, the thoroughly dud 158723 with a short ride to Conon Bridge for a shack score, and hopefully a ten minute wait for the first Wick train. Some hope. The next arrival was for Inverness, and took all the other waiting passengers bar myself and one other. The other was a lady with a bicycle, who was going up to Helmsdale to work for a couple of days.
No sign of the train, and nothing on PIS. I consulted the station timetable to work out alternate strategies (shack scratching on the Kyle line), while the bicyclist rang the help point and discovered the train had broken at Muir of Ord, and they would try and organise a taxi for her. She kindly checked with me to see if I was wanting a taxi (I wasn't) then declined herself, wished me a pleasant day and set off home to reluctantly drive to work.
I'd decided to be.sensible, and get the next Inverness train. So after 75 minutes at Conon Bridge (which is about 65 minutes too long) winner 158712 arrived to begin its long acquaintance with me by trundling me to Inverness. Here, I decamped to the Spoons for a large, excellent and cheering Large Full Scottish Breakfast, then returned to join 158712 again for the long trip north on the 1038.
All was now going well, and the miles of new track rolled past. Then a bang and an emergency stop. Some suicidal sheep near Rogart had got on to the line, and one had succeeded in its mission to achieve woolly nirvana. A twenty minute delay ensued, whilst the 158 was examined for damage and Clootie McMutton's Kebab'n'Haggis Emporium were contacted to pick up Shaun's remains. Then we headed off again, past the coastline of Brora and Helmsdale, then through the moors to Georgemas Junction, where I said "see you in 20 minutes" to the conductress/guard and bailed out for a smoke and a shaxk scratch.
If Conon Bridge isn't exactly a tourist hotspot, then the same could be said for Georgemas. Still, 712 returned, on schedule if not on time, and stormed me down to the end of the line at Wick. Here, I had a little walk (seems quite a pleasant, bustling place) then returned to the station and joined 712 again. Heading north to go south, I scored my last track of the day from Georgemas to Thurso, then settled back for the run south.
As the train was 10 minutes or so late departing (the driver had to have a statutory break), my proposed plan suddenly become more palatable, with less of a fester. No more time was lost, the other was in the platform and so I bailed at Ardgay for a 15 (vice 25) minute wait, before winning 158701 returned me to the fleshpots of Dingwall. Where I adjourned to the pub.
This is meant to be a railway, not drinking, forum, so I won't comment further except to say that those of us who left the pub at closing time some hours later were the most diverse and friendliest groups I've ever met: 10 Scots from Scotland, one Scot from Corby, four young Poles who were working locally, two German tourists, a Bangladeshi from the local restaurant and myself. So a day which started off farcically ended up being bloody good fun.
Tobay was the day to finally clear the largest red bit on my route coverage map, north of Dingwall. It started on my stalker, the thoroughly dud 158723 with a short ride to Conon Bridge for a shack score, and hopefully a ten minute wait for the first Wick train. Some hope. The next arrival was for Inverness, and took all the other waiting passengers bar myself and one other. The other was a lady with a bicycle, who was going up to Helmsdale to work for a couple of days.
No sign of the train, and nothing on PIS. I consulted the station timetable to work out alternate strategies (shack scratching on the Kyle line), while the bicyclist rang the help point and discovered the train had broken at Muir of Ord, and they would try and organise a taxi for her. She kindly checked with me to see if I was wanting a taxi (I wasn't) then declined herself, wished me a pleasant day and set off home to reluctantly drive to work.
I'd decided to be.sensible, and get the next Inverness train. So after 75 minutes at Conon Bridge (which is about 65 minutes too long) winner 158712 arrived to begin its long acquaintance with me by trundling me to Inverness. Here, I decamped to the Spoons for a large, excellent and cheering Large Full Scottish Breakfast, then returned to join 158712 again for the long trip north on the 1038.
All was now going well, and the miles of new track rolled past. Then a bang and an emergency stop. Some suicidal sheep near Rogart had got on to the line, and one had succeeded in its mission to achieve woolly nirvana. A twenty minute delay ensued, whilst the 158 was examined for damage and Clootie McMutton's Kebab'n'Haggis Emporium were contacted to pick up Shaun's remains. Then we headed off again, past the coastline of Brora and Helmsdale, then through the moors to Georgemas Junction, where I said "see you in 20 minutes" to the conductress/guard and bailed out for a smoke and a shaxk scratch.
If Conon Bridge isn't exactly a tourist hotspot, then the same could be said for Georgemas. Still, 712 returned, on schedule if not on time, and stormed me down to the end of the line at Wick. Here, I had a little walk (seems quite a pleasant, bustling place) then returned to the station and joined 712 again. Heading north to go south, I scored my last track of the day from Georgemas to Thurso, then settled back for the run south.
As the train was 10 minutes or so late departing (the driver had to have a statutory break), my proposed plan suddenly become more palatable, with less of a fester. No more time was lost, the other was in the platform and so I bailed at Ardgay for a 15 (vice 25) minute wait, before winning 158701 returned me to the fleshpots of Dingwall. Where I adjourned to the pub.
This is meant to be a railway, not drinking, forum, so I won't comment further except to say that those of us who left the pub at closing time some hours later were the most diverse and friendliest groups I've ever met: 10 Scots from Scotland, one Scot from Corby, four young Poles who were working locally, two German tourists, a Bangladeshi from the local restaurant and myself. So a day which started off farcically ended up being bloody good fun.
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