Richard's Trip Reports

[Kite159]

A busy day in West Yorkshire there Richard

 

[Techniquest]

I'm not counting Kirkstall Forge or Low Moor yet, not until they open. Much like I've not counted Edinburgh Gateway yet, or Ilkeston (is the latter actually on the way yet?) for the time being.

Rather romantic of you to surprise your girlfriend like that, I'd imagine she was happy to see you too. 3 weeks apart that early in a relationship must be tough going!

Nice to get the luxury of a full service on your move to York in the morning, maybe East Coast are learning lessons finally from their West Coast brethen, and sisteren, about how to look after their passengers?

Glasshoughton is so dud, think that one's been dud since 2005! It was the same day I had a North of London Eurostar set from Leeds to Wakefield and the same day I did the Harrogate Loop after an HST to York from Leeds. If I had my notes from that trip, it would make an interesting nostalgia trip report!

The peak restriction on a West Yorkshire rover is one of several reasons why I haven't done one on a weekday in a long time. I do need to get up there though, the number of shacks I need in West Yorkshire alone is crazy. Not to mention too many winners for my liking being up there!

Another enjoyable read, which helped make an otherwise dull commute much more interesting. No earphones with me for it today, so I was glad to have your trip report to fill 20 minutes of the 55 minute journey!

 

[Segedunum]

Glasshoughton is a faff, in the off peak the trains cross over there so a bus move seemed most appropriate

And yeah it wasn't the easiest, thankfully I'm with her tomorrow and the following Saturday before a careers event at London Overground on the 25th!

Glad I could keep you entertained

 

[Techniquest]

Ooh, the LO careers event could be interesting! I'd like to hear how that goes, whether within the trip report or by PM

Agreed on Glasshoughton being awkward, I went to the centre next door and had a drink according to memory. Also had the unusual event of a pair of 153s back then out of there!

 

[Segedunum]

I shall make sure the report covers it in detail and if there's anything else you want to know I shall message you it in due course.

On another subject, summer is now taking shape as I'm booking all the extra tickets required for the ALR (with my girlfriend joining on two weekends) which means it's all set in stone. August 21 to September 3! First Class on 2 services booked extra (1003 York-Kings X on the 2nd of September and the 1205 Bradford Int-Kings X on the 28th of August)

 

[FQ]

Sounds like a fun time in West Yorks! It won't take long for you to get your last 8!

The ALR sounds like a great time too!

 

[Techniquest]

So jealous of the ALR!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

The lack of a decent West Yorkshire rover that is valid in the peaks (or even just the evening peak) is a right PITA. At least in Manchester, there's the option of shelling out a few extra (well several extra) quid to get the Wayfarer which has the advantage of greater validity.

But a good day out for you with plenty of new-shackerage.

 

[47403]

Welcome back to blighty Richard, two great reads there. Better hoz up and finish them shacks off, sounds like the forum lads, might need a new suit soon Still I'm sure Mrs J and Mrs 13 will enjoy shopping for a new frock n hat.

Nice move surprising the girlfriend. That will have scored you some major browney points. Trust me its always nice to have them in the bank, however one FALSE move and they'll be rendered as useless

Cracking right on with these shacks, keep up the good work mate, more importantly dint forget to tell us the days for the big day. Joking aside, keep blazing a trail bonny lad.

 

[Segedunum]

Cheers lads, indeed it did get me a couple of brownie points, or I'd like to think so anyway [emoji14]

Amazingly I scored more units for haulage yesterday on a day out with her. First was 158907, one of my last Northern 158s, on the 0818 York to Blackpool North, then when I was waiting for her train to arrive from Bradford, I saw one of my last 3 185s going off to York. Fast forward an hour after breakfast and 185143 is taking us to Piccadilly!

 

[47403]

Cheers lads, indeed it did get me a couple of brownie points, or I'd like to think so anyway [emoji14]

Amazingly I scored more units for haulage yesterday on a day out with her. First was 158907, one of my last Northern 158s, on the 0818 York to Blackpool North, then when I was waiting for her train to arrive from Bradford, I saw one of my last 3 185s going off to York. Fast forward an hour after breakfast and 185143 is taking us to Piccadilly!

185143 was on Central about a week n a half ago, was working one of the late trans pennines. Was my last one needed for sight and the first time I'd seen it at the Central. Had it for haulage from Preston-Manchester Airport and when I actually got it for sight it was at Donnie working Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes, so its an elusive swine.

Nice to read your falling onto winners though. Have a good day.

 

[Segedunum]

It is indeed, just need 134 and 138 to complete the lot!

 

[Techniquest]

Very nicely done falling onto winners when on Mandatory Moves, would love to need only 2 185s!

 

[TC60054]

would love to need only 2 185s!

I need 0

185138 was running around on Middlesbrough runs yesterday Richard. Nice to see that 185143 has finally left South TPE.

 

[Segedunum]

Ah well there's another four chances to bag it on Saturday then

And indeed, 143 was firmly on Airport to York workings yesterday.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Right, well this ALR is starting to take shape.

21/08/16- Norfolk (Specifically for Berney Arms and a few other shacks)
22/08/16- Anglia Branches, using the 2116 Euston-Inverness thereafter
23/08/16- Most likely Inverness-Kyle-Duirnish-Plockton-Dingwall-Conon Bridge-Beauly then some time to fill before the PSUL move via Rose Street Curve. 2044 to Euston afterwards.
24/08/16- Valley Lines Bash after 0747 arrival at Euston
25/08/16- Undecided but using the 2350 Euston-Glasgow Ctl thereafter
26/08/16- Shack scratches on the tricky more expensive bits of Scotland, ie stations from Dundee to Inverurie.
27/08/16- Undecided.
28/08/16- Meeting up with girlfriend, taking the GC down to London and staying in an apartment down that way.
29/08/16- Brighton w/girlfriend
30/08/16- Heart of Wales bash or another stab at the Valleys. Might consider Oban to be my limit for long sprinter runs
31/08/16- Bash to Oban, shacks from Dalmally to Oban most likely too. 2340 to Euston thereafter
01/09/16- Undecided but likely to be South West Trains orientated
02/09/16- Meeting up with girlfriend, down to London for the day then 2345 to St Erth
03/09/16- Mosey around St Ives, then 1233 to St Erth, Par and subsequently Paddington. Think I get back to Newcastle at 0003

FYI all Cally Sleeper moves are seated moves, Riviera one is in a berth. I can deal with 4 nights in 14 being on seats nicely spread out across the 2 weeks, i'm a fairly heavy sleeper

 

[alexf380]

Have a fantastic time Mr. Richard. Envious isn't even the word but I wish you all the best!

 

[47403]

Jesus h Christ, That's one helluva trip. Your gonna be dead on your feet at times on that.

 

[Techniquest]

You are crazy doing all those Cally Insomnie moves on the seats, be prepared to get more than fed up of MK2 brake noise. That much I am very much *not* jealous of!

That will be an incredibly tiring trip, be warned. You'll probably end up being glad to see the missus by the time you meet up with her! Gotta be said, your ALR plan is the first time I've ever seen it mentioned that the poster plans to meet up with their partner for part of the trip! Play safe now young man

 

[Segedunum]

Well to be honest I thought it just to be a good chance on cost grounds to have some time away with her seeing as only one of us needs tickets And as for playing safe, we're 17 and 20 and both very mature individuals so I think we'll do okay [emoji14]

I find that it's not sleep that gets me through a mammoth trip, it's morale. Provided I'm in decent spirits then I shouldn't see too much issue. The Cally moves are thinly spread for reasons of that just in case they're complete hell, as with the exception of the double move to and from Inverness I'm guaranteed my own bed the nights either side.

Other than that, bring it on really. I think I'm young enough to plough through it without being too exhausted. Today was a 0530-2230 day on the rails to meet the lass and I feel rather awake after the drunk express service from York [emoji14]

 

[Techniquest]

Well to be honest I thought it just to be a good chance on cost grounds to have some time away with her seeing as only one of us needs tickets And as for playing safe, we're 17 and 20 and both very mature individuals so I think we'll do okay [emoji14]

Is emoji14 this emote: Looks like Tapatalk is being a pain again with not showing them properly. Either that or it's a wink that's gone wrong

Clearly you're rather mature for a 17 year old if your parents are happy to let you go gallivanting on a regular basis! Without a doubt the time away together away from home ground will do you both good, and I daresay you've noticed I was bantering with you about playing safe

I find that it's not sleep that gets me through a mammoth trip, it's morale. Provided I'm in decent spirits then I shouldn't see too much issue.

I think it will help that you're used to getting some doss on your early morning moves. I don't have such familiarity, once I'm up and about that's it, no sleeping until I get home. I have eyes that get heavy of course sometimes. You've also got natural energy from being a youngster yet too,

Keeping the spirits up will be challenging at points, you wait and see what you're like when you get back to Euston after two nights on the Cally Insomnie in a row. My 2011 7 day ALR trip report is here if you want to see how I got on http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=50325&highlight=2011+ALR I link to it so you can see what doing sleeper moves can be like!

The Cally moves are thinly spread for reasons of that just in case they're complete hell, as with the exception of the double move to and from Inverness I'm guaranteed my own bed the nights either side.

You might be OK, depending how busy the seated sleeper coaches are. I think it's the Aberdeen sleeper that takes the Fort William seated passengers now, certainly we picked up some when I last did the sleeper. Not 100% on that but it's worth bearing in mind it may happen on the Inverness portion too. Good luck with it I say!

Other than that, bring it on really. I think I'm young enough to plough through it without being too exhausted. Today was a 0530-2230 day on the rails to meet the lass and I feel rather awake after the drunk express service from York [emoji14]

Young enough or not, you will probably find a love of coffee developing. If so I do recommend the coffee the machines in WHSmith do now, for 99p and £1 (depending whether it's a Coffee House or Nescafe machine) it's decent stuff. I believe there's still a free fruit or pastry offer with hot drinks at WHSmith, the chocolate swirl one I tried was really nice and worth having. A pastry and a hot drink for 99p was an incredible bargain!

 

[FQ]

Sounds like a monster plan! I certainly wouldn't take any days out (even Sundays) to spend time with anyone though!

 

[Techniquest]

Sounds like a monster plan! I certainly wouldn't take any days out (even Sundays) to spend time with anyone though!

You've not reached that point of your life yet then

 

[Kristofferson]

Nice job on those shacks - have a fantastic time on the ALR and I look forward to the write up!

Glad it's going well with the other half too - always good to find someone who tolerates (and occasionally joins in with) your rail travels


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Segedunum]

Honestly, she just loves being out, travelling and seeing new places. So hey, if it involves a few hours on a train, then so be it And she sees the Sleeper as a pretty cool little adventure so we're all good with that too

Anyway, on Saturday, a hotel i'd booked for us decided to help itself to the final payment for the room, instead of letting me pay on the day. I was horrified to find that my balance had suddenly dropped to £10.72! But, as I have cash set aside for the summer (hence why I never bothered to top up the plastic to any higher value) I set myself a challenge: With £10.72, how far can I really get?

This doesn't include travel on the day, with will no doubt cost around the £10-£15 mark as you'll see, but I wanted to see just how far I could go.

Megabus sprang to mind straight away, and I soon found myself a nice day out for a very reasonable £8.60! I went for Manchester, as it was a decent enough distance (And not too much slower than the train, 0530 arriving 0915 is only an hour slower) and the fares were reasonable. But, I struck an issue. There was a gap between 1430 and 2225 on return journeys! So, I ended up finding a fare from Leeds and plugging the gap with a TPE advance from Manchester to Leeds. Sadly, another issue was that the website was being awkward, so I spent an extra 50p booking the journeys one after the other. This is how the £8.60 is broken down:

Newcastle John Dobson St-Manchester Shudehill, 0530 to 0915- £3+£0.50 fee
Manchester Picc-Leeds, 1841 to 1937- £3.60
Leeds Bus Stn-Newcastle John Dobson St, 2100 to 2305- £1+0.50 fee

Not bad at all and i'm off both days either side Likely a GM Wayfarer or a Lancs Ranger i'd say

 

[jayalongtheway]

Good economics there Richard! Look forward to reading about the results of your trip.

 

[Techniquest]

Very nice of the hotel that! I'd be making a complaint to them personally!

Your trip for £8.60 is an incredible bargain!

 

[Segedunum]

I sadly can't complain, as in the terms and conditions it says "Pay at the hotel except where restrictions apply"

Clicking that link produces a short paragraph that basically says they can withdraw the money whenever they like. Something I didn't notice as "pay at the hotel" was plastered all over my booking confirmation!

 

[Kite159]

I sadly can't complain, as in the terms and conditions it says "Pay at the hotel except where restrictions apply"

Clicking that link produces a short paragraph that basically says they can withdraw the money whenever they like. Something I didn't notice as "pay at the hotel" was plastered all over my booking confirmation!

Make sure you mention it in the review, to caution other users that even through it plasters pay at the hotel, the hotel takes the money early.

 

[Segedunum]

I will do, shame as it's a luxury hotel chain that's well respected! My own hotel is 5* (though I paid a more respectable £152 versus the usual £361 which to be honest is getting a bit daft, even for London prices)

 

[Segedunum]

Explorer North East and beyond- 02/07/16

I'm aware I have a backlog of trip reports and I think I'll be seeing to them after next week. Basically from the UK I owe you all 4 reports! Anyway for now here's a short one on the move.

Basically, there's a ticket called the Explorer North East available where I am, and for the princely sum of £9.70 one can travel by bus as far north as Berwick and Holy Island, as far south as Scarborough and to outer extremities such as Carlisle, Catterick and Richmond. It's also valid from Newcastle to Sunderland on Northern, the Metro, and on the Ferry. Today, having got up a little later, I decided to purchase one of these and have some time out on the buses.

Buying my ticket from the driver, I took the 0954 310 service from my house to Newcastle Haymarket bus station. I should also mention that so far, all I've had are B9TL Geminis [emoji14] This was a fairly nondescript journey and about 20 minutes later I was wandering over to Eldon Square bus station ready for the first proper express run, which was the 1030 X9 to Middlesbrough, being worked by the spare Gemini, 6084. Bonus for me as this one had sockets and WiFi! We were slightly late departing but soon found ourselves heading out over the River Tyne and making a stop at Heworth before the driver really put her foot down and we blasted our way down the A19, next stop being Peterlee. Must admit, in the high winds, it was just a tad scary! However, even going full pelt we somehow managed to lose a few minutes arriving into the incredibly grim town of Peterlee, where we didn't hang around, rejoining the A19 to Billingham then rising up and over the industrial landscape of Teesside. We arrived then subsequently into Middlesbrough at 1156, 4 minutes late, and I set about making my way to Tesco for a Sandwich and making use of the facilities in the bus station before ambling back to Stand 9 and boarding the 1220 X93 to Scarborough. In the days of yore this would have been a coach but instead we had Arriva B9TL 7401 for the busy run out through East Middlesbrough and Ormesby before we went for the A171 and the pretty market town of Guisborough. For some reason the bus kept stopping for ages every time someone got off, and twice the engine just gave up, leaving me rather unnerved that we weren't going to make it! Thankfully we plodded on and hit the open road over the moors. What a hell of a ride it was too! Could see for miles and it was lovely seeing the approach to Whitby and the coast where we dumped 90% of our passengers. After a short dwell we continued on and this is where the fun began! It felt most weird being on a double decker bus threading our way down narrow roads that had 1 in 5 gradients! A few sharp turns later we were looking over the very pretty Robin Hoods Bay and subsequently threading our way back up again! These roads were definitely not built for buses as we found ourselves at odds with a few locals, and we caused a traffic jam when we stopped to pick up passengers in Fylingthorpe. After here however the roads tamed again, turning back into a fast straight over the moors and allowing the bus to make light work of the last 10 miles into Scarborough for 1440, 2hrs 20mins after leaving Middlesbrough.

But I decided to continue. Off I went to the station, bought myself a day return to Hunmanby, and took dud 185115 to shack 1, Seamer. This was a fairly quiet little island platform station protected by a level crossing, and soon enough dud 158861 was filing in behind. This was taken to, you guessed it, shack 2, Hunmanby, which was a bit blank. However, I discovered a co-op where I was able to pick up some dinner (£1.26 for 2 donuts, a sausage roll and a can of energy drink, not bad!) and made my way back to the station just in time for dud 158849 to take me back to Scarborough where it was absolutely pouring down! I ran straight out of the station and onto 7405 which was working the 1620 X93 to Whitby. Taking my prime seats upstairs at the front again it was time to enjoy the winding route back up the coast, all the while connected up to the free Wi-Fi. This was the quietest bus I'd used all day as we only had a few people on board as we approached Whitby, our arrival time being somewhat delayed by one hell of a traffic jam over the River Esk! A swift transfer was then made onto Streetlite 1563 which was operating the Sapphire Route 4/X4 to Redcar. This was taking the mick in terms of the brand! No functioning WiFi and the sockets didn't damn well work! I broke out the portable charger instead and put up with the practically zero phone signal as we took a very different route, clinging to the coast as we stopped at small villages like Sandsend. It was very pretty indeed but again we had some horrendous hills to negotiate and at one point the bus just stopped! Phone signal was regained after we crawled our way around the legendary Saltburn Bank (remember that video from a few years ago of an Arriva bus making its way around the bank in the snow?) having to force a car to go backwards in the process. It was then a fairly leisurely amble along the coast to Redcar Clock where we terminated at 1859, much to the bemusement of everyone else as every other X4 continues to Middlesbrough!

I myself was rather bemused as the only other service available was a stopping local Route 63, so I ran to the station instead, paying £2.50 to take dud 142071 to Middlesbrough, running fast the whole way. It was a most welcome addition after such long journeys on buses! We arrived in at 1921 and I took a stroll back to the bus station from there.

My options were fairly limited. The 1950 X10 to Newcastle and that was it! It was worked by 6035 and arrived in 25 late, at 1949, with the bus driver apologising to everyone getting off, mentioning "there's still a canny few more to git off, they've been on that lang!" We didn't hang around and absolutely hammered our way out of Middlesbrough, stopping at Norton and Billingham before hitting the A19. I recorded the bus as doing 64mph at one point! We absolutely flew all the way to Peterlee, where I noted a Wright Pulsar in front of us. May as well swap for some variety! I bailed at Peterlee Bus Station for 1440 which was working the 2034 to Sunderland via Dalton Park, and thankfully this Route 22, a Sapphire service, did have functioning sockets! We just ambled our way around, emptying out completely by Ryhope and seeing me dropped off at Park Lane Interchange at 2118. Time for another mode of transport as I went down onto the Metro platforms and awaited the 2130 to Newcastle Airport, worked by duds 4032/4052. First metro ride in a very long time Indeed since I don't get discounted travel anymore! Exactly how I remember it though, and it was most uneventful aside from a few chavs appearing. We rattled into Haymarket for 2202 and next up was the 2208 308 to Coast Road/Tyne Met College where it was time to end. This was a rather naff B5L Hybrid (7802) but it had me into there for 2225, and home for 2230.

An interesting day!

Total Cost- £18.21