Richard's Trip Reports

[Kite159]

A couple busy days there

 

[Segedunum]

Just planned myself a Central Scotland Rover for October as a final big bash of the year.

October 26/27 and the 30th with the following timings:

26/10

0735 Newcastle-Edinburgh 0900 (Standard XC)
2002 Edinburgh-Newcastle 2134 (First Class XC)

27 and 30/10

0622 Newcastle-Edinburgh 0807 (Standard 27th, First 30th VTEC)
2002 Edinburgh-Newcastle 2134 (Standard XC)

On the 27th i've bought a Plusbus to tram bash until 0915 with the time restriction, and i'll be making use of the FC Lounge on the 30th

The plan? Units and shacks with a sprinkle of 68s. Perhaps a Daytripper tacked on to get me some new track too

 

[Kite159]

Very nice

I'm hoping to do a central scotland rover next year, booking a hotel room in the Edinburgh area to shack attack and maybe doing the north curve at Thornton

 

[Techniquest]

Nice, I was going to do a Central Scotland this year but it's been delayed until 2016 as funds just didn't become available. Overtime didn't materialise during the summer as usual, so all the big trips are now postponed!

 

[Segedunum]

Tyne Tees Ranger- 19/9/15

Having saved the money allocated to food and travel with school this week, I decided to have a cheap day out on Saturday with a good old Tyne Tees Day Ranger. My only requirements were really 91107, 91114, a handful of HST Power Cars and a pile of Voyagers along with a couple of 185s but my main focus was shacks, quite a few required considering my proximity to them! Just a note, everything is dud for haulage unless I specifically mention it here.

It was out early as I handed my £14.20 over to the woman in the ticket office and boarded a very quiet 220029 working the 0623 to Reading. I plugged in my phone and got out some maths homework to finish up as we awaited departure, and headed south through the darkness. I finished up said work as we approaching Darlington, where I bailed for my first shack attacking move of the day, the 0658 to Saltburn which was taken as far as Dinsdale, being worked by a nearly empty 142015. We left bang on time, although the train was freezing! The sun was also just starting to rise as we approached Dinsdale, where a hasty crossing was made for 142017 working the 0706 to Newcastle which I took back to Darlington, arriving in 6 minutes early at 0713 thanks to the generous padding in the timetable.

The 0730 to Saltburn, being worked by 142078, was already at platform so I joined it and awaited departure for one of the trickier shacks, second only to British Steel Redcar in that respect, South Bank. I only had a +15 at South Bank as opposed to the usual +30 or more so this is why I picked such an early service to scratch it on! That, and bashing early in the morning has quite a nice feel about it, as proven by the nice peaceful bounce through Teesside as the sun rose. We even had an RPI on board in addition to the guard. Arrival at South Bank was bang on time at 0800 and I took a look around the very industrialised landscape in complete solitude on the little staggered platform station. It was pretty peaceful considering its location! The PA then crackled into life to announce the 0815 to Darlington, being worked by 142015 returning from Saltburn, which was taken to my third shack of Eaglescliffe.

I could have changed here, gone back to Thornaby, then out to Allens West to scratch it, back to Eaglescliffe then subsequently Darlington, but that would have resulted in hefty waits at various points so I did slightly more daring option considering I didn’t know the area: I walked the mile to Allens West. Google Maps guided me down a rather affluent looking road before I twisted and turned through a variety of cul-de-sacs and eventually arriving at Allens West within about 16-17 minutes, 5 less than Google Maps quoted. The station was again completely empty, and pretty quiet until 142025 screeched in, working the 0857 to Darlington which was taken to the terminus where I legged it for the slightly late running 0910 to Edinburgh which had 91129 hauling it north. It was an incredibly busy service, but I found a free pair of seats in Coach D for the journey north. I also now had no solid plan until this evening, so I sort of just spent my time weaving around on different lines for a bit.

I joined 142092 on arrival at Newcastle which was taken to Blaydon, enabling me to cross onto 156481, which was taken all the way through on the 53 mile journey to Middlesbrough. I intended to bail at Stockton, but passed on the basis that it involved a +23 at Seaton Carew, a station I’d be doing later. It was a pretty pleasant journey and made a nice change from the previous streak of Pacers . My next intention was to scratch Redcar East and Longbeck, both quite problematic stations as Longbeck had a nice connection but only from the Saltburn direction and it was only possible from one of the trains per hour (the frequency is uneven, with trains leaving Darlington and 30 or 31 and 53 mins past), and the other time Redcar East benefitted instead. In other words, there was gonna be a fester somewhere. I nominated Longbeck as it was a short walk from Marske station, and as this was only possible on the service after the one due, I filled in some time by catching 142068 to Thornaby. This also worked out as 142025 had broken, which meant that the service I’d flagged was cancelled anyway! 185122 was pulling in on the other platform at Thornaby, so I dived on back to Middlesbrough and awaited a busy 142087 to Marske.

It was a supposedly short walk down a public ‘footpath’ back to Longbeck but ‘footpath’ was a bit of a lie. It was short, but not much of a path! I took a few right turns out of the stations and fought my way up some rather overgrown stairs and onto a pathway flanked by a lot of stinging nettles and other such greenery that were thankfully avoided before ending up walking through a field for a bit. The views were nice though. A second dose of the ‘path’ was had before I emerged next to the signalbox at Longbeck and awaited the return of 142087 for the short hop to Redcar East. Here, I bailed for the third go of 142015 to Saltburn, before heading through to Thornaby for a leap back over to Middlesbrough on 185129. The guard on here was excellent, and cheekily blasted the horn as I grabbed a shot of the train after we’d arrived at Middlesbrough

It was then a case of 142068 back to Darlington as I aimed to position myself for my next series of moves. This was now my umpteenth run on the line between Middlesbrough and Darlington where I arrived in time to join 91127 up to Newcastle. This gave me so much time for the 1554 to Hexham that I joined 142021 to the Metrocentre, before joining the slightly late running 142065 to Prudhoe, another shack successfully scratched! I do like the feature of the station having a footbridge allowing you to cross the line should the level crossing barriers be down, very useful for bashers and locals alike! A similar bridge was in place at Wylam, too. 156475 appeared on the 1627 to Middlesbrough, which was essentially a peak time extra, chasing another Nunthorpe service only 20 minutes ahead. As this wasn’t at all peak time, being a Saturday, it was a very quiet run indeed through to Billingham, a shack that normally has a chunky fester involved. But, with this extra service, it was a mere +10.

156481 appeared for the 4 mile hop to Seaton Carew where I popped into Sainsbury’s for a couple of supplies. I was on the cheap, so a reduced tray of Blueberries, a bag of cookies and a bottle of water for £1.55 sufficed! The 1824 to Nunthorpe was also delayed for some reason, as well as completely heaving. As a result, I was standing until Stockton when some seats were freed. I also missed my preferred connection at Thornaby onto 2N99, which runs non-stop to Darlington, so I had to make do with the 1900 to Darlington, which for the fourth time had 142015 working. There was only one possible connection off this to make the 2016 from Newcastle to Wylam, or so I thought…

Everything was quite delayed and as a result I was rather excited to see that the next service due was the delayed 1901 to Glasgow Central, the only northbound XC HST working on a Saturday to reach Newcastle. Winner 43285 was leading dud 43357, making it the only, albeit most unlikely winner of the day. I secured a table in the empty Coach G for the peaceful run north, arriving into Newcastle at around 2000. It was one last shack scratching move of the day as it felt too early to head home, so I joined 142079 on the 2016 to Hexham. This was taken to a very dark Wylam where I had a +16 for the 2050 back to Newcastle, being worked by a quiet 156463 where I arrived in at 2109. This then formed the notorious 2118 to Carlisle, and unsurprisingly most of the clientele had been drinking, there were a few people throwing up on the platform, and one of the prospective passengers even eloquently called me a ‘f£$%ing little b!%llend’ as I walked past him. It was a pretty shameful sight to say the least.

A successful little day nonetheless!

Total Mileage: 411mi 19ch
Total Winners: 1
Total Shacks: 10 (Dinsdale, Allens West, Eaglescliffe, South Bank, Redcar East, Longbeck, Billingham, Seaton Carew, Wylam, Prudhoe)
Total Cost: £16.43

 

[Techniquest]

A very productive time indeed there, and unexpected winners are always welcome!

Can't be many left to get now in terms of shacks in the area surely?

 

[Segedunum]

In terms of the Tyne Tees Ranger area, it's a case of Stocksfield, Riding Mill, James Cook, Marton, Gypsy Lane, Stockton and Cramlington which come under the relatively easy to do list. I could sweep them all in a day.

British Steel Redcar and the shacks to Whitby however... Branch out further too and you've got the likes of Pegswood, Widdrington and Acklington.

 

[Techniquest]

Not too bad then really, after all rhere's quite a few to go after up there!

 

[Kite159]

Sounds like a very good day clearing shacks

 

[Segedunum]

I also plan on doing a combination of the Cumbrian Coast 37s and shacks along that line in October, including Nethertown which I'm sure is just on the side of a cliff!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Remember this series of trips? I’ve decided to revisit what was likely to be the best day of the trip, going on until 11pm and involving a wide variety of moves, as well as some 350 bashing which I’d wanted to do for quite a while on the southern WCML! This was also my highest mileage outing to date.
So here it is…

East Midlands Rover- Day 6/7

It was another leisurely start as I rocked up to Newcastle Central Station for the 0835 to Reading, which had a winning 220015 working. An unreserved seat for the 131 mile run to Sheffield was sourced, by now a familiar move as I’d done this the past 3 days running. Remaining relatively on time throughout, we powered south with a relatively healthy load, arriving into Sheffield at 1020 where I transferred onto a winning 222004 for a long mileage move again, this time through to Leicester. The Meridians were now turning into a second home as I’d done so many moves on them through the week! A peaceful run south was had, passing Etches Park on the way where not a lot had changed through the past few days, although it was a nice sight seeing a handful of 37s dotted around the adjacent depot, too. It was then onto Nuneaton on another winner in the form of 170114, a relatively busy service having originated at Stansted Airport, however a seat was quite easily sourced for the 18 mile non stop jaunt.

The fun could now begin at Nuneaton as I had my first new track, the line to Coventry, in the hands of a winning 153356. This was quite a busy service, and the guard even had an interested pair of little kids helping out with ticket inspections! A few more folk were picked up at Bedworth, and I noted that progress at Coventry Arena station was at a pretty advanced stage before we curved into the very Sixties styled station at Coventry. Next on my radar was the small section of track outside of the Rover area, Coventry to Birmingham International. A return was purchased for something like £1.90, and I joined a winning 221106 for the 10 mile jaunt up to the International station. That was the Birmingham ‘branch’ of the WCML technically complete now as I was to turn back and complete the other direction to Rugby. All that was required now was Wolverhampton-Stafford and I’d have the whole route via Birmingham!

A winning 350251 arrived with a service to London Euston which was taken through to Rugby. This was a very quiet service indeed, with a bay of six being very easily sourced for the smooth 22 mile run. On arrival at Rugby, I noted that the lifts had broken so some platforms were out of action, delaying things and allowed for a sprint onto a late running winner 350374 back to Coventry. I took this chance to charge my phone, and actually take a look around the new units, as the last time I had one of these I was in a panic about being stranded in Manchester! This train was significantly busier, but again a table was easily sourced as I planned my subsequent moves. The next focus was to clear the two shacks further south: Wolverton and Long Buckby. Wolverton was first so I joined a winning 350377 for the run through to Milton Keynes Central via Northampton. 350 bashing was quite a pleasure to be honest, none of the trains were particularly overloaded and the ride quality was pretty decent!

I crossed over the bridge at Milton Keynes onto a winning (lots of these today!) 350246 for the short hop to Wolverton. Despite only having a few minutes here before the Birmingham service followed, I got a nice view of a tilting Super Voyager heading south, and a Pendo heading north. A winning 350115 produced for the run all the way back through to Coventry, the seats looking very grubby indeed! A refurb was definitely required. However, it was back to the more modern Desiros as winner 350368 produced for the run to another winning shack of Long Buckby. This became a rather problematic shack as we lost time en route resulting in me having to dive across to the other platform. It wasn’t required as the sod hadn’t even left Northampton yet! The following London bound service was also cancelled, resulting in a bloke running up the platform screaming expletives before leaving again, quite an odd sight! Fresh dud 350115 then arrived on the service to Birmingham, having now completely ruined my connection onwards to Nuneaton, Peterborough then Newcastle.
A new plan was in order and I joined a winning 350128 south to Milton Keynes Central where I ran across the bridge onto double winners 350376 and 350102 for the dash all the way through to Tamworth. A double unit was most certainly required as I plonked myself in the 350/3 in the tip up seat area by the toilet until Nuneaton where a proper seat was sourced. We then arrived into Tamworth where I made my way to the high level platforms to find that the service to Edinburgh was terminating at Derby. Dud 220005 produced and it turns out that it was simply a unit swap at Derby. We transferred to dud 220009 at Derby which I took to Chesterfield, where I had a scan over the board to see what was leaving soon.

A shack scratch at Alfreton seemed like a nice idea, so I joined a winning 158901 for the run down to there. It was turning into a beautiful sunny evening as I alighted the nearly empty train at a similarly empty Alfreton in order to join another winner in the form of 158855 back to Chesterfield. It was now also getting very very late with 8pm approaching so I joined a winning 220013 for the run to Sheffield where I had a fester for the 2053 to Newcastle in the hands of dud 220007. This service, 1E64, ambled via Rotherham Central which took me by surprise before we seemed to crawl to Doncaster and onwards to York. I bailed here in hope of a winning 91 working the 2153 to Newcastle, and to my absolute delight a winning 91110 appeared! This was a very busy train but a seat was found, and I arrived into Newcastle at 2254, suitably exhausted!

Total Mileage: 714mi 57ch
Total Shacks: Coventry, Birmingham Intl, Rugby, Long Buckby, Wolverton, Alfreton. (6)
Total Winners: 18

 

[FQ]

Both of those sound like fun days (minus the pacers, 220s and 222s). That was a very long day though!

 

[Segedunum]

Yeah my trips are getting gradually longer! I have the energy for it now versus a year ago, so why not?
After said 2330ish arrival home, it was off to bed and doing it all again at 0700 the next morning!

 

[Techniquest]

Wow, that was a good day! It must have been exhausting, I'd have been on some serious amounts of coffee during that day if it had been me.

Aye the 350/1s do need a refurb, they have been in the same covers for 10 years now so it won't be long I suspect until they get tidied up. I'll miss the current design, as it still invokes memories from when the 350s were new, of Central Trains and Silverlink days. Nostalgia alert!

Tons of winners there for you fair games and quite the variety, both in routes and motive power!

 

[47403]

Cracking day and a canny read indeed Richard, when I came back from my Heart of England Rover, the voyager back from Derby, the 21.00, if I remember rightly, went via Rotherham too, had roughly a 20min layover in Sheffield too.
You've certainly done some miles these last few months, look forward to thwe next installments.

 

[FQ]

Aye the 350/1s do need a refurb, they have been in the same covers for 10 years now so it won't be long I suspect until they get tidied up.

It's LM remember! Like XC, they are a 'do the bare minimum that you can get away with' company.

 

[Segedunum]

Cracking day and a canny read indeed Richard, when I came back from my Heart of England Rover, the voyager back from Derby, the 21.00, if I remember rightly, went via Rotherham too, had roughly a 20min layover in Sheffield too.
You've certainly done some miles these last few months, look forward to thwe next installments.

Cheers! Aye, keeping myself busy

Manchester Saturday

 

[47403]

Cheers! Aye, keeping myself busy

Manchester Saturday

Mackems(sunderland fans for those wondering what mackems are) playing Man United Saturday, unless that's the reason your going ofcourse, so expect a train load of them accompanying you there and back. Sorry if i've ruined the trip.

 

[Segedunum]

Mackems(sunderland fans for those wondering what mackems are) playing Man United Saturday, unless that's the reason your going ofcourse, so expect a train load of them accompanying you there and back. Sorry if i've ruined the trip.

I'm travelling on the 0559 to York then the 0715 to Manchester so hopefully nice and early, then the 1841 to Hull as far as Leeds (I have a York-Stalybridge return), the 1943 or 1949 to York (fans on here perhaps) then the 2035 to Newcastle in First. In other words, it'll be minimal travel with them

I'll make a note to avoid Piccadilly in the afternoon though as it'll be busy, i'll probably do the shacks via Atherton then.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Here we go then...

GM Ranger- 26/9/15

It was time for a bash over Manchester’s way again, having not done a GM Rail Ranger since the first trip report on here! The cost came to around £35 having only been booked the previous day, with a Standard advance to York being £4.70, a 1st advance back being £8.70 (Standard was £10.15!), and a York-Stalybridge return being £16.90. The GM Ranger is outstanding value at £5.20 considering the area covered, and I was going to use it to its full extent today.

I set out for the 0559 to London Kings Cross, with double duds 43257 and 43317 working the service this morning. I located an unreserved table seat in Coach B and made myself comfortable, nodding off for most of the journey as the sun started to rise over the fields as we powered south, with few passengers joining a very quiet carriage by the time we’d arrived at York, on time at 0658. The sunrise over York caught my eye as I took advantage of my +17 by taking a stroll onto the City wall as the sky was looking very purple over the Minster! It was however also very cold as I made brisk work of the walk back to the station in order to join the 0715 to Manchester Piccadilly which had a winning 185107 working. This was a strangely loaded service, with coaches A and B being jammed up, but C was completely empty! Not complaining though as I enjoyed a peaceful, punctual run through to Manchester where we arrived in at 0840.

As soon as we arrived, a winner had caught my eye and I made a beeline for it. This was 142009 working the 0849 to Sheffield. A very busy train, but I found a seat for the run through to winning shack 1, Bredbury. The slightly different station signage has always caught my eye here! I then decided to scratch the rather unsavoury Brinnington at a quieter hour while the local scrotes were still sleeping, my previous experience of the station being passing through and having two smoking kids on the platform giving me the finger! It was onto dud 142046 for the short run to shack 2 at Brinnington, which was a strange anti-climax, being only 9am. The birds were quietly singing in the background as I crossed platforms for the 0928 to Marple, which had a winning 142057 working. The books were starting to fill up nicely as I bailed at Romiley to join another winner in the form of 142058 as far as shack 3, Ashburys. This was a good move as the Hadfield service is only a few minutes behind, meaning that I only had a 4 minute wait for a winning 323239 to take me through to Manchester Piccadilly for 1010.

Next port of call was the Stockport area and the shacks to Hazel Grove (which wasn’t on my radar despite being required!). My intended service was the 1021 to Hazel Grove, but on seeing a double winning combination of 142061 and 142047 working the 1017 to Chester, I made a beeline for them and took them to Stockport so that I could join the Hazel Grove. A large crowd descended on the Pacers as I had my first experience of the Stockport gates, due to my connection being on Platform 0. No real issue, despite my ticket being inevitably rejected! It was then up onto the platform for a winning 150204 to shack 4, Davenport. This was a tidy looking little station as I leapt off and now had 23 minutes to walk to Woodsmoor. Google Maps was fired up as I followed the twisting route around some pretty desirable looking streets to shack 5, the aforementioned Woodsmoor. I made it with 5 minutes to spare in order to join a packed albeit winning 156486 for the run back over to Stockport, the intermediate stations to Manchester now being in my sights.

I joined a dud 150116 and winner 150147 to shack 6, Levenshulme. This was a pretty tight connection between platforms but it was easily made as I joined a winning 150150 to shack 7, Heaton Chapel. This was an even more difficult change considering the +2 just to kill time until the Alderley Edge service, but I made winner 323227 easily back to Levenshulme for a dud 323236 to shack 8, Cheadle Hulme. This was a nicely timed move with dud 323232 taking me back to Stockport. I could have gone through to Manchester, but seeing as I had a while until my intended short run out to Gorton and back, I changed for double duds 150148 and 150274, the latter being in an absolutely disgusting state with one of the intercarriage doors missing, and the other not really closing, amongst many things! The run of duds continued as I then joined dud 142041 for the run out to shack 9, Gorton. A nice +7 here and a shot of 66009 later, fresh dud 142058 arrived to bounce me back to Manchester.

My focus then turned, albeit with a long 45 minutes to wait, onto the Atherton line. I picked up some lunch and joined double winning trams 3012 and 3057 for the short hop to Piccadilly Gardens, and walked to Market Street for another double winning dose in the form of 3001 and 3024 to Victoria. As it turns out, the Kirkby train had been cancelled, so my Southport train, in the form of dud 150118, had to pick up the Moorside and Hag Fold calls. I took advantage of this as I put myself ahead of schedule by bailing at shack 10, Hag Fold. Reason being was the nice +10 vice the usual +20 or +40, and soon enough dud 150138 was arriving to take me to the other difficult shack, number 11, Moorside. This had a +3 from the other direction, but instead I walked to shack 12, Swinton. It was a short, straightforward walk once I put myself on the right street, and I had plenty of time to spare before dud (groan) 156428 took me to shack 12, Daisy Hill. The advantage of all of these stations (bar Hag Fold, a 1980s addition to the line) was that they were island platforms, so tight connections were very easy, like this +3 onto a winning 142037 back south to shack 13, Walkden. This was an exceptionally busy train, as I stood by the door for the 5 mile bounce.

Off at Walkden, and I joined dud 156420 to shack 13, Atherton. From here, my only real option was a filler move of heading south to Walkden again and subsequently north, and so, dud 156441 limped in 10 minutes late, basically reducing my +15 at Walkden by a sizeable amount. Turns out that the poor sod was running on one engine! It wasn’t a very healthy run at all and as it turns out, it was taken out of service at Victoria, royally screwing things up as you’ll soon find out. That was unknown now though as I took winner 150224 and dud 150201 to Ince, shack number 14. This station was bleak, being very run down looking as I waited out the +12 for dud 142014 and winner 156459 back across to Daisy Hill. This was just intended to avoid a long fester at Hindley, the intended, but never materialising, 15th shack. This was because the Kirkby train I meant to connect with was running 26 late! I opted against doing Hindley today due to the tightness of connection in doing it (1812 back at Vic for the 1841 from Pic was a bit tight for my liking) and continued to Walkden instead. I picked up winner 150207 working the late Kirkby back up to Daisy Hill, for dud 156420 all the way through to Manchester Victoria where I called it a day and joined winner 3102 to Piccadilly.

I checked up on RTT on the running of my service back to Huddersfield (My Stalybridge split limited me to the Hull and Scarborough trains, you see) and panicked. The inbound was due in at 1848 and the service to Hull was due out at 1841. I had visions of my connection at Huddersfield being screwed and my AP ticket to Newcastle being in turmoil as a result. And so, I ran for the 1811 to Scarborough, making it with a minute to spare. And, as it turns out, my intended train was cancelled at Stalybridge so I would have been very screwed! Dud 185137 was working as I clambered on board. It was packed! I ended up standing in First Class (Sorry folks, but it was physically impossible to get into standard, the aisles were so clogged!) and leaned up against the connecting door until Dewsbury where a seat was sourced through to York where I had an hour or so. I picked up dinner at Sainsbury’s on Micklegate, and returned for the 2035 to Newcastle which had dud 91119 working.

Wanting to ensure that I at least got some sort of service, I boarded between coaches H and K and said hello to the catering staff, which was met with an almost disgusted look. Bizarre. I sourced my reserved seat, K19, to notice that the crockery was all missing too. Clearly they weren’t bothering, despite the journey being 65 minutes so technically a full weekend service was to be expected. Eventually, a single cup of tea was offered before the crew retreated once more for some very loud conversation at the end of the Quiet Coach, before pushing in front of me to get off the train and out of the station as fast as they could at Newcastle. Definitely the worst service I’ve had in First! I mean, the ambience was great and I took advantage of the WiFi too, but if a service is advertised then it’s surely not unreasonable to at least expect a smile from one of the crew?

A great day nonetheless, despite the subpar (well £1.45 cheaper than standard ) first class experience. A return to Manchester is most certainly required to scoop Hindley, Hazel Grove, and then onwards for the shacks via Hyde and to Hadfield amongst many requirements! Manchester is also always great for the books too.

Total Mileage: 425mi 10ch
Total Winners: 20
Total Shacks: 14
Total Cost: £40.84

 

[Techniquest]

Bit of a nightmare with cancellations there, but you sure did well all in. Some serious shack scoring there and a decent number of winners!

Sounds like East Coast has gone downhill since Virgin took over, I don't remember it being that bad before. Not that I've ever done First Class on East Coast mind, too expensive in general for my liking.

I need to do Manchester again myself, it's been way too long since my last proper session up there!

 

[Kristofferson]

Great reads there starting early in the morning is always a better experience - peace, quiet and sunrise!

Not really sure what to make of your VTEC experience, I've always found it preferable to VTWC in First. Having said that, the staff on VTWC do a pretty good job of providing a "beer jacket" on a cold evening!

 

[Segedunum]

Such an experience has been rare on the East Coast, with my experience on the whole being excellent. However, it seems like a Saturday night doesn't leave a passenger with the best impression!

October half term is my next trip, Cumbrian 37s on the 24th, Scotland 26th/27th, Merseyside on the 29th and Scotland again on the 30th

 

[Kite159]

Did I give you ideas on how to get close shacks done quicker by walking between them?

(I think I did the walk between Hag Fold & Atherton, plus between Swinton & Moorside when I did the shacks out towards Wigan).

I agree the GM Rail Rover is great value for money for the area covered

 

[Segedunum]

Did I give you ideas on how to get close shacks done quicker by walking between them?

(I think I did the walk between Hag Fold & Atherton, plus between Swinton & Moorside when I did the shacks out towards Wigan).

I agree the GM Rail Rover is great value for money for the area covered

Your Manchester bash in the same area actually had me itching to do this trip!

And yeah, you did give me ideas. I would've done the walk from Atherton to Hag Fold, but alas, thanks to my Southport train having to call, it wasn't necessary.

 

[Techniquest]

You've got me wanting to go to Manchester myself, but I am probably going to go on an epic Metrolink shack scoring session again. One very quick way to get my YTD figures increased for shacks and Red Pen 2015

It was to be London, but there's rugby on at Twickenham so no point looking for hotels this weekend down there! If I do indeed go out this weekend, I'll confirm in my trip report thread

 

[47403]

You've got me wanting to go to Manchester myself, but I am probably going to go on an epic Metrolink shack scoring session again. One very quick way to get my YTD figures increased for shacks and Red Pen 2015

It was to be London, but there's rugby on at Twickenham so no point looking for hotels this weekend down there! If I do indeed go out this weekend, I'll confirm in my trip report thread

The North East's lovely this time of year mate #youdontneedacoat , think of the mileage, EC HST's and 91's, HT's 142 and 156's to get, the odd 185 and more importantly, some fine ales too.

 

[Techniquest]

You've got me wanting to go to Manchester myself, but I am probably going to go on an epic Metrolink shack scoring session again. One very quick way to get my YTD figures increased for shacks and Red Pen 2015

It was to be London, but there's rugby on at Twickenham so no point looking for hotels this weekend down there! If I do indeed go out this weekend, I'll confirm in my trip report thread

The North East's lovely this time of year mate #youdontneedacoat , think of the mileage, EC HST's and 91's, HT's 142 and 156's to get, the odd 185 and more importantly, some fine ales too.

T-shirt weather up there still ain't it?

Interesting idea, I'd love to come back up that way!

 

[Segedunum]

So I'm off on a lil jaunt at the moment, having been seeking to scratch Haydon Bridge and Bardon Mill, I've ended up with Riding Mill, Stocksfield and Bardon Mill! Allerton 156464 is currently making an odd appearance on the 1807 Bardon Mill-Newcastle.

 

[Kite159]

So I'm off on a lil jaunt at the moment, having been seeking to scratch Haydon Bridge and Bardon Mill, I've ended up with Riding Mill, Stocksfield and Bardon Mill! Allerton 156464 is currently making an odd appearance on the 1807 Bardon Mill-Newcastle.

Are those the ones which only see a few services a day?

 

[Segedunum]

Are those the ones which only see a few services a day?

Haydon Bridge and Bardon Mill only get 1tp2h max, yeah. The others are 1tph.

So anyway, today was as follows:

1554 Newcastle to Hexham was my first run of the day to Riding Mill, shack 1. We had 156448 to this very pretty little quiet station and I went for a short stroll to Broomhaugh, a little area full of flower adorned cottages before returning to 156480 for Bardon Mill, no. 2. Some spotters my age on the platform here, before I tried and failed to walk to Haydon Bridge. Gave up, chatted to the lads on the platform for a bit, then caught 156464 to no. 3, Stocksfield as a compromise. 20 minutes later, 142086 was rolling in back to Newcastle and that was me done at 1926

Little brief trip, 3 shacks scratched

Total Mileage: 67mi 50ch
Total Cost: £9.95

 

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So I'm off on a lil jaunt at the moment, having been seeking to scratch Haydon Bridge and Bardon Mill, I've ended up with Riding Mill, Stocksfield and Bardon Mill! Allerton 156464 is currently making an odd appearance on the 1807 Bardon Mill-Newcastle.

Really, thats 1 of the 2 AN 156's I'm after an all. Nice one!!

Tech said
T-shirt weather up there still ain't it?

Interesting idea, I'd love to come back up that way!

Its always t-shirt weather, more so on Fridays and Saturday's and thats just the lasses, though they do take a brolly if it's raining
You'll be more than welcome in the North East young sir