Richard's Trip Reports

[Blindtraveler]

Victoria has a lot of Character for sure.

 

[Segedunum]

Two full days to go and suffice to say I'm just about ready for a lie in!

I have essentially one more very early start (05:55 off Liverpool St tomorrow to tackle the treble 321s every 10 minutes from Southend) and then I'm having a relaxed morning on Saturday for a day as yet unplanned.

Brussels was massively successful and will almost certainly have a report incoming very soon, though the 04:21 off Wembley Central isn't a service I wish to have to get up for again!

Sent from my F3111 using Tapatalk

 

[Kite159]

Good luck with your 321 hunt

 

[Segedunum]

It's been a mix, had 5 so far (plus 2 I snagged on a Braintree) with every service except 1 having something required in the formation.

Just hoping the 08:30 off Southend comes back as a 12 car as I noted I required all 3 when it went up...

*edit* 1x required 321 (only a single 321 anyway) on the 08:47 off Wickford, 3x required 321 on the 08:58 off Billericay and 2x required 360 on the 09:09 off Shenfield, arriving 09:23. That's how peak time bashing is done!

Also BT- I loved my room (314) at Earls Court. Up some very narrow and winding stairs but it did the job, staff fantastic as always and didn't bat an eyelid at me accidentally losing my key somewhere in the room, just telling me to relax and enjoy my day! Quite: "that's one of the things we don't charge for!" [emoji38]

 

[Segedunum]

Time for some scores on the doors!

Mainline Winners

43009 43012 43016 43025 43027 43034 43036 43040 43041 43088 43097 43098 43122 43125 43127 43130 43137 43138 43140 43142 43143 43145 43149 43150 43151 43152 43160 43162 43165 43169 43171 43175 43187 43191 43194 43198
57602
90003 90010 90029
142002 142073 ATW 142s cleared provided 072 never returns
143604 143611 143620
150123 150216 150221 150230 150231 150235 150236 150238 150241 150245 150251 150253 150254 150255 150264 150267 150278 150279 150282 150285
153303 153320
158819
165010 165019 165029 165037 165107 165117 165120 165121 165130 165131 165133
166206 166209 166210 166213 166219
168214
170203
171722 171801
175001 175009 175102
221118
313038
315806 315831 315839 315861 LO 315s cleared
317337 317339 317340 317341 317347 317348 317502 317505 317506 317509 317661 317668 317670
319216 319457
321301 321315 321318 321322 321323 321325 321326 321332 321339 321340 321347 321350 321353 321360 321361 321366 321424 321427 321429 321431 321436 321438 321441 321444
350247 350257 350258
360102 360106 360115 360116 360117 360119
365501 365502 365512 365518 365528 365534 365537 365538
373015 373016
374015 374016
375303 375601 375607 375614 375615 375616 375624 375702 375712 375805 375816 375818 375820 375822 375823 375826 375903 375904 375905 375909 375913 375918 375926 375927
377104 377115 377116 377156 377302 377304 377412 377416 377425 377446 377462 377467 377703
378150 378209 378225
379004 379009 379022 379023
387133 387202 387214 387220
395005 395013 395014 395015 395016 395021 395023 395025 395026 395027
450015 450019 450030 450031 450072 450074 450087 450096 450124 450127 450543 450554 450559 450568
455701 455729 455731 455820 455829 455832 455843 455847 455851 455855 455858 455863 455901 455904 455919
458504 458511 458518 458519 458521 458523 458530
456005 456012 456013
465014 465025 465037 465241 465919 465927 465929 465930 465934
466008 466009 466023 466026 466040 466041
700013 700026

TOTAL- 275

London Underground

124 126 135 143 165 167 187 200 211 218 224 227 239 243 246 252 264 870 882
3237 3248 3250 3254 3540 3547 3554 3557 3565
11003 11004 11005 11006 11015 11016 11023 11024 11035 11036 11039 11040 11043 11044 11049 11050 11059 11060
21063 21064 21075 21076 21097 21098
21375 21376 21381 21382 21391 21392 21393 21394 21433 21434 21441 21442 21443 21444 21447 21448 21467 21468 21493 21494 21499 21500 21511 21512 21513 21514 21527 21528 21531 21532
51524 51526 51527 51530 51535 51536 51540 51541 51542 51543 51553 51557 51560 51574 51577 51581 51591 51592 51616 51630 51637 51640 51641 51653 51656 51657 51668 51669 51681 51682 51709 51710 51712 51713 51718 51720 51721
96020 96075 96109 96119 96120

Tramlink

2536 2543 2548 2557 2560 2564

DLR

23 43 47 51 52 67 77 90 91 98 105 130 137

TOTAL- 150
---

Belgian Mainline

Locomotives

1359
1804 1810 1813 1820 1836 1840 1870 1877 1885 1888
2160
2707 2714 2717 2737 2739
2808 (or 186-200 based on German classification)

EMUs

309 338 351 352 368 411 405 429 (AM80)
477 517 549 (AM96)
927 935 (AM86)
8003 8015 8018 8035 8059 8093 8125 8145 8162 8169 8194 (AM-RER)

Brussels Metro and Tram

109 110 137 138 143 144 147 148 167 177 178 217 218 223 224 249 250 257 258
6251 6261
-
3023
4001 4012 4016 4018 4032 4052 4053 4059 4069
7748 7901 7902

TOTAL- 79

ALL WINNERS- 504

 

[Andy Pacer]

Looks great! Congratulations on all those locos/units. Looking forward to reading more on your adventure!

 

[Techniquest]

WOAH that was a lot of winners! Ultra jealous of the Belgian stuff, I need my SNCB fix! Looking forward hugely to the Brussels trip report, unsurprisingly.

Hope you enjoy the post-ALR rest!

 

[55013]

Wow, winners a-plenty there, you'll need a box of red pens

 

[Segedunum]

Day -1/0/1- Let the Flames Begin

The alarm for 0700 went off and was a little unwelcome, as I rose a tad bleary eyed. It was August 27, day three of my mega-adventure but day one of the All Line Rover. So here’s a little prelude as to how I ended up starting the rover in not quite the most human state. I’d spent the previous two days doing a combination of bashing and socialising, though it wouldn’t make for the best reading as I ticked off the top end of the Northern Line and all the branches of the District Line as well as Tramlink and DLR in a load of linear moves, but we shall start at around 19:30hrs on Day 0, as I shall call it, and we shall set the scene on a bench at North Ealing tube station.

Winners 243/252 trundled me along to the umptennth shack of the day at North Ealing, clearing the whole lot of the Piccadilly Line at the western end (leaving the odd few shacks towards Cockfosters), and I slung myself onto a bench and found myself, oddly, completely alone. I took the opportunity to sort myself out, for I was actually meeting a female this evening (not for anything romance related [albeit we’d met on a dating app] , but we’d established that it’d be nice to meet up with each other for a few drinks and a chat) and chowed down on a sandwich i’d bought earlier. The solitude continued for the whole 10 minute fester before winners 124/211 came along to take me to...I wasn’t really sure. I had a peruse on Google Maps and the tube map before realising that I had more than enough time to get myself to Mortlake, an irritating shack between Waterloo and Feltham, indeed my last Windsor lines shack within the zones to get. Hammersmith became my destination as darkness was falling, jumping off and attempting to find the local bus stop S (or was it L, I can’t remember) for a route 219 towards Mortlake via Barnes Bridge. It was quite a speedy little run on the Enviro 200, as I bailed about 5 minutes from Mortlake station, popping into a local corner shop for some gum en route to mainline shack 4 of the day (others being South Greenford, Castle Bar Park and Emerson Park), Mortlake, and happy days as winners 455847/455904 took me along to Clapham Junction, where I made the calculated risk of aiming for a 10 car ex Woking (Waterloo works having become the bane of my life) which arrived on time with the much desired winner 456013 trailing duds 455705/455717 for the stagger through treacle to London Waterloo, which took THIRTY minutes.

The guard reassured us that there wasn’t actually anything wrong, the area was just hopelessly congested. I’d agreed to meet up with a pair of friends for an hour or so before my drinks so once I was off at Waterloo for around 21:10 I was sprinting to the tube on a move I failed to record properly onto Oxford Circus. We ended up having a stroll down to Trafalgar Square as it was an awfully humid night, admiring the lights and the busy nature of everything before I split off at about 22:20 and headed for Piccadilly Circus, though I was clearly a tad early as it wasn’t until 23:00 that my companion was able to show up, and we headed to a pub I can’t remember the name of and actually had a really nice chat for an hour or so. I only worked my way through two pints of cider but there was a slight issue. I hadn’t eaten an awful lot, and just after we parted ways at about 00:15 it suddenly hit me that I was just a little bit not quite sober I made my way onto the Piccadilly line perfectly fine however and onto winners 227/246, having been a little too drunk at first to notice that absolutely everything was terminating at Northfields when I wanted Hatton Cross! I consulted Google Maps which suggested a route via Richmond, a train to St Margaret's, a sprint to a bus stop, then the 490 bus to my hotel. A really silly option when you’re worse for wear but I went ahead anyway, doing the first-time thing of bailing off the Piccadilly Line at Turnham Green.

Winners 21443/21444 (yes I was still making a point of recording everything accurately!) took me along to Richmond where I started to realise how tired I also was, having been awake since around 6, so I was both intoxicated and tired yet still managed to dive off and barrel up the stairs to await the 00:45 to Strawberry Hill, formed of duds 455713/455905 (not that I cared, it was a train and it was on time!) for the surprisingly sedate hop to St Margaret’s (London) where I faced the challenge of running for the 00:53 bus from the main road. Surprisingly I noted that I was more convincingly sober when running, and not having much in my bag to weigh me down, I belted my way to the bus stop with a minute to spare and made the bus successfully, arriving at around 01:25, in good time to fall into bed and have the best night’s sleep i’d had in awhile!

---

Welcome back to the present. I took a few good gulps of water before getting myself ready the next morning, and took the 490 for the short free hop to Hatton Cross, where I stuck some cash on my Oyster and joined winners 187/200 Baron’s Court. Indeed, despite being headed for King’s Cross, I absolutely could not face sitting on this all the way! Duds 21553/21554 then followed to Victoria, where I’m sure I ended up getting a McDonald’s breakfast as I had quite a while to wait for my 395, followed by winners 11003/11004 to Kings Cross St Pancras. Upstairs to the premium HS1 platforms, ticket in gate, and...it didn’t work. Great, two weeks of asking to be let through! Though the bloke here was most competent, declaring ‘All Line Rover, issued at Newcastle, two weeks, superb sir, come on through’, before I joined winner 395014 leading dud 395017 for the blast through to Ebbsfleet International. This was a mere time killing move as I swapped to the other side of the station and onto dud 395009 for the run down the fun part of HS1 to Ashford, subsequently into shack 1, Dover Priory, which was new track once we peeled off the High Speed lines! Not long to wait as I watched the 395s swap and I jumped on winner 395005 back to shack 2, Folkestone Central. Short wait on the island platform here then saw winner 375826 file in behind for the hop to shack 3, Folkestone West. Dud 375802 was then taken back to Central, where some more new track was in order as winner 395025 came along for the journey to shack 4, Broadstairs, via Sandwich and Ramsgate.

It was a very nice run (I do like the 395s, particularly for their sockets) up to Broadstairs where I nipped down to a shop for some snacks to tide me over before winner 395016 leading dud 395029 was taken up to shack 5, Margate, and then back to Broadstairs. That concluded my visit to Margate It acted as a good filler move as I basked in the sunshine for about 15 minutes until dud 375625 (sans winner 375913 which it had gone down to Ramsgate with, drat) took me north to shack 6, Birchington-on-Sea. I had about 20 minutes here, and in that time a man came up to me with his girlfriend and, having left the Ramsgate bound 395, asked for the next train to Faversham, followed by how to get to Canterbury West. Surely staying on the 395 and heading for Ramsgate then changing to go via Sturry would be easier? I directed them to winner 395015 which I also joined, telling them they had a 3 minute connection at Faversham for Canterbury East, but me, I was bailing at shack 7, Whitstable. 20 minutes here passed relatively quickly, and winner 375918 was taken along to shack 8, Herne Bay, before winner 375903 plonked me back at Whitstable, as my next target was up north beyond Faversham. Dud 395005 was in charge for the run to Strood via Chatham, a good chance to give the phone some juice before I jumped off and banked on a dodgy +2 at Higham. Treble winners (excellent!) 465929/466009/466023 took me along for the hop to the aforementioned shack 9 of Higham. Duds 465011/465162 then took me back as far as Rochester to kill some time, though it was dud 395004 taking me back to Strood for the next 465 move, this time on winners 465014/465241 to shack 10, Dartford, where a swift platform change was made onto winner 465037 leading dud 465191 to shack 11, Northfleet.

Walk time now as I had 20 minutes or so to head back over on myself, enjoying the sunshine (but not the random hilly streets and piles of traffic) on my way over the bridge and eventually onto the platforms at shack 12, Swanscombe. It was 037 and 191 returning again, and they took me along to shack 13, Greenhithe, where the only logical option was to wait 15 minutes for the ex Gillingham to come in. Sadly this was duds 465043/465036, and they were taken all the way through to London Victoria for what was meant to be a last 319 ever on TL intercepting move, but I completely misread the timings and missed it, not that I was aware yet. Though, I wasn’t too bitter as i’d had a storming run the previous week on 319440 and 319449 from Three Bridges to Haywards Heath which was an appropriate enough sendoff for me. That, and i’ll have 319s on AC on my doorstep fairly soon! A super duper premium (stop laughing!) Gatwick Express Fast Swish Vroom Vroom *cough* slower service was taken next, formed of treble winners 387202/387214/387220 down to Gatwick, but not without argument at the gateline, as the GatwickGestapo snatched my ticket and asked what it was and where I thought I was trying to get with it. ‘Well this is the Gatwick Express, so Gatwick, and it’s an All Line Rover which means it’s valid on everything including your service so may I politely suggest you give it back and let me through before the train leaves and there’s trouble!’ quickly passed from my lips which saw the ticket handed back and me heading all the way to the completely empty Coach 1 (Coach 11 was F&S, sigh sheeple).

Winner 700013 took me back over to East Croydon instead of the desired 319s due to my idiocy, though the 319s themselves weren’t required so I hadn’t missed masses. Off at East Croydon I was, and subsequently onto winner 377416 trailing dud 377413 to Victoria. Bit of a wasted move in the end for those 319s, though i’d still scooped up 5 winners for haulage so not completely. Down to the tube it was after a McDonald’s £1.99 voucher move, seeing me leap onto winners 11035/11036 to Oxford Circus followed by dud 3238 and winner 3554 to Paddington, where a Sainsbury’s move ensued for some supplies for the train and a cheeky vodka and lemon I had sufficient time for a bonus move to Reading, so winner 43034 leading dud 43168 was my traction of choice on the 20:30 Swansea, fairly lightly loaded for the half hour hop before winners 43009/43027 filed in behind on the 21: something to Exeter. Wow, this service was absolutely dead! I counted about 30 on the entire train, and easily nabbed a table for 4 in Coach B. Slight issue though, we were about 10 late and I had my eye on a tight connection at Exeter onto an Exmouth service (yes, this is still the same day as when I was in Dover!) and the guard did indeed come around to ask how many people wanted it, him counting about eight and saying we’d get a taxi if it wasn’t held. I called him back and said if it’s missed, don’t bother with a taxi as I was on a Rover. He commented to me that he hadn’t done one of those since about 1993 and had a wee chat before heading off on his usual guard related duties as we blasted our way fast to Taunton.

He was damn good as dispatching us efficiently (we spent about 10 seconds at a stand at Tiverton) which saw us reach Exeter bang on time, meaning that I made winners 143611/150216 easily, and I sat in the 143 for the sole reason that it was completely empty while the 150 was bizarrely full. These were taken to shack 14, Newcourt, the new build station, and it was a decent enough 5 minute wait watching a few cats fight with each other on the platform before winner 143620 leading dud 143617 was taken one stop down to shack 15, Polsloe Bridge. I now had half an hour, so I went full idiot again and walked to shack 16, St James’ Park. It wasn’t a bad walk, albeit it was getting on for about midnight! It was a relief to reach the eerily silent platforms, and to jump back onto 143611/150216 for the run back to Exeter St Davids for around 0035. Oh dear, the Sleeper is delayed. Indeed, it had lost around 45 minutes in Cornwall, though it was booked to sit at Exeter from 0023 to 0059, so it didn’t leave all that late (around 0105). Happily, it was winner 57602 hauling this evening (morning), with a choice of either new or old seats. I initially went for the new seats (charging sockets were needed!) then realised that I absolutely couldn’t get comfortable so I curled up in an old seat and had a couple of hours sleep (very broken and not the best) before ending up at Paddington for 0504.

What now?

 

[alexf380]

Ah good, the Geordie returns with a bang! Smashin' start to the all liner, Rich. Those numbers a few posts back were really quite out of this world.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Sounds a great (and very full) day 1, really looking forward already to reading day 2

 

[Segedunum]

Cheers fellas, here's the obligatory shack score list...

Aberdare
Addlestone
Adisham
Aldermaston
Alresford Essex
Althorne
Angel Road
Apsley
Arlesey
Ascot
Ash Vale
Ashford (Surrey)
Ashwell & Morden
Avoncliff
Aylesbury Vale Parkway
Aylsham
Bagshot
Baldock
Bargoed
Battlesbridge
Bayford
Bearsted
Bekesbourne
Berkhamsted
Berwick Sussex
Bexhill
Birchington on Sea
Bishops Stortford
Bookham
Bracknell
Bridgend
Brithdir
Broadstairs
Broxbourne
Burnham
Burnham on Crouch
Caldicot
Camberley
Cambridge North
Canterbury East
Canterbury West
Carmarthen
Castle Bar Park
Charing
Chartham
Cheddington
Chelsfield
Chertsey
Chipstead
Clarbeston Road
Claygate
Colchester Town
Collington
Cuffley
Dartford
Datchet
Deal
Dinas
Dover Priory
Dovercourt
Dumpton Park
Dunton Green
Earley
Ebbw Vale Town
Edenbridge
Edenbridge Town
Effingham Junction
Egham
Emerson Park
Ferryside
Fishguard Harbour
Folkestone Central
Folkestone West
Foxton
Frimley
Frome
Fulwell
Goring & Streatley
Great Missenden
Greenhithe for Bluewater
Hampton
Harlow Mill
Harwich Intl
Harlow Town
Harwich Town
Headcorn
Hemel Hempstead
Herne Bay
Hertford East
Hertford North
Hever
Higham
Hinchley Wood
Horsley
How Wood
Hythe
Imperial Wharf
Ingatestone
Johnston
Kelvedon
Kemble
Kempton Park
Kemsley
Kenley
Keynsham
Kidwelly
Kingswood
Knockholt
Lamphey
Letchworth Garden City
Llanelli
Llantwit Major
London Road Guildford
Lydney
Maesteg
Manningtree
Marden
Margate
Martin Mill
Meldreth
Merthyr Tydfil
Midgham
Milford Haven
Mistley
Mortlake
Neath
Newbury Racecourse
Newcourt
Newport Essex
North Fambridge
Northfleet
Ore
Pangbourne
Park Street
Pembrey & Burry Port
Pembroke
Pembroke Dock
Penally
Pentre-Bach
Pewsey
Pluckley
Polsloe Bridge
Pontlottyn
Pontypridd
Port Talbot Parkway
Porth
Pye Corner
Ramsgate
Rayleigh
Reading West
Reedham
Rhiwbina
Rhymney
Roydon
Royston
Saunderton
Sawbridgeworth
Selling
Severn Tunnel Junction
Shepherds Well
Shepreth
Snowdown
South Greenford
South Woodham Ferrers
Southminster
St James Park (Exeter)
St Margarets Herts
Staines
Stansted Airport
Stansted Mountfitchet
Staplehurst
Stoke Mandeville
Stonehouse
Sunbury
Sunningdale
Sunnymeads
Swanscombe
Swansea
Tadworth
Taffs Well
Taplow
Teynham
Thatcham
Theale
Tilehurst
Tir-phil
Tonypandy
Treforest
Treforest Estate
Treherbert
Tring
Troed-y-Rhiw
Upper Halliford
Virginia Water
Walmer
Ware
Waterbeach
Watford North
Westgate on Sea
Whitchurch (Cardiff)
Whitstable
Whittlesford Parkway
Wildmill
Windsor and Eton Riverside
Winnersh
Winnersh Triangle
Woodmansterne
Wrabness
Wraysbury

LU/DLR/TL

Alperton LU
Becontree LU
Belsize Park LU
Brent Cross LU
Burnt Oak LU
Chalk Farm LU
Colindale LU
Dagenham East LU
Dagenham Heathway LU
East Finchley LU
East Putney LU
Edgware LU
Elm Park LU
Finchley Central LU
Fulham Broadway LU
Golders Green LU
Hampstead LU
Hendon Central LU
High Barnet LU
Highgate LU
Hornchurch LU
Mill Hill East LU
North Ealing LU
Park Royal LU
Parsons Green LU
Putney Bridge LU
Southfields LU
Sudbury Town LU
Totteridge and Whetstone LU
Tufnell Park LU
Upminster Bridge LU
Upney LU
West Finchley LU
Wimbledon Park LU
Woodside Park LU

Addiscombe TL
All Saints DLR
Avenue Road TL
Beckenham Road TL
Beckton DLR
Beckton Park DLR
Blackhorse Lane TL
Cyprus DLR
Devons Road DLR
Gallions Reach DLR
Harrington Road TL
King George V DLR
Langdon Park DLR
Pudding Mill Lane DLR
Reeves Corner TL
Royal Albert DLR
West Silvertown DLR
Woodside TL

TOTAL: 209+35+18= 262

 

[Kite159]

That is one long list of shack scores and a productive first day on your ALR

 

[Cowley]

Looks like you had an excellent time. A massive list of winners too.

 

[Segedunum]

Day 2- No Mercy

I was off the 57 for about 0510, having gathered my things together and concluded that I wasn’t doing that again, how the hell I managed six nights of it last year I’ll never know! (Turned out to a bullet dodged as on my intended day 10 sleeper move, the 57 failed, then another 57 failed, then the rescue 59 had a struggle and it made it to Taunton about 300L!) A McDonald’s move was had before a breakfast wrap, and I decided I didn’t feel like a tube move so I hopped on dud 165111 which was working the 0517 to Oxford, which was taken along to Slough merely so I could be sat somewhere warm until I joined the HST behind us, formed of winner 43169 leading dud 43190 to Reading, in time for the 0612 to London Waterloo, unamusingly formed of duds 450118/450567, mumbling a few expletives to myself as I need reems and reems of these. These were taken to shack 1, Bracknell, where I banked on a tight connection heading back and joined winners 450096/450124 to shack 2, Winnersh. Indeed, a very tight connection here as I dived over the bridge and down the ramp, just as the doors were releasing on winners 458521/458523 indeed the 458s were making a temporary appearance on the Reading line at this time due to the Waterloo works, albeit a tad unwelcome as I need a lot less of these! (Though I had decent fortune on this day and cleared all except about two from the whole class)

These were taken to shack 3, Sunningdale, which was awfully quiet due to the Bank Holiday, and so it was an awfully dull fester until winner 458530 leading dud 458508 turned up for the hop to shack 4, Ascot, where I decided that I may as well try and finish Ascot to Aldershot and do some intensive scratching on non-Rover SWT metals seeing as again, it was a Bank Holiday and i’d left this as a free day to do whatever with no real aims. Happily, it was down to winner 450554 to take me to shack 5, Camberley, which looked awfully 70s with its ugly station building which I had a glance at before hitting a slight blip with winners in my quest to clear off the line in terms of shacks, as dud 450552 trundled me up to shack 6, Bagshot, followed by dud 450566 to shack 7, Ash Vale. The timetable also started to go very bizarre here as we deliberately delayed ourselves (apparently due to platform works at Aldershot) making my connection onto dud 450016 very dicey back towards shack 8, Frimley. At least that was the line done, and with that I was joining dud 450552 once more to Guildford, where we again attempted to deviate off timetable with the guard trying to dispatch us 5E but the signaller was having none of it, letting us leave right time according to the original timetable.

A swift change was made onto winners 455701/455919 with dud 456018 tacked on the back for the run to shack 9, Horsley. I’d never really attempted to score any shacks on this line so now was an apt time with 10 car services operating! Though, the Cobham service was a 4 car Surbiton shuttle, as seen with a quick cross of the footbridge onto winner 455855 back down to shack 10, London Road Guildford. Good timing here as winners 455901/456012 with dud 455710 sandwiched in between took me to shack 11, Bookham, which was oddly serene. In that, I wandered to the exit only to find a small fawn chomping on grass at the end of the path, staring at the few of us who’d gathered to watch! It eventually scampered off however, and I was grinning at the sight of treble winners 455851/455858/456005 to take me back down to shack 12, Effingham Junction. Bit of a naff connection here made worse by the trio being 1 late, though I managed to make dud 455855 just in time for the run to shack 13, Hinchley Wood, where I went in search of food. My this is a very pleasant area! Spotless and civilised though clearly stupidly expensive too. I nipped into Budgens for a pasty and a drink before returning to jump on 855 for the third time, this time to a very warm shack 14, Claygate. 5 minutes here then saw me join dud 455718 to Surbiton, completing the line for track and seeing me shift my focus back to the Windsor lines.

Winners 450015/450031 with dud 450568 tacked on trundled me down to Weybridge where I ended up on winner 458518 trailing dud 458516 down to shack 15, Chertsey. I had around 20 minutes here, so went for a short walk before running for winner 458519 leading dud 458522 for a bit of a naff connection to shack 16, Addlestone. I had to absolutely belt my way along the platform, over the bridge and back down into the only just opening doors of duds 458509/458522 which were taken to Feltham, just so I could consider the line completed and so I could leave via any means I wished rather than having to go via Richmond into Waterloo. A short wait ensued before winner 458511 leading dud 458506 was taken to shack 17, Ashford (Surrey), where duds 455714/455860 filed in behind to shack 18, Staines, followed by duds 450096/450124 another few minutes behind to shack 19, Egham.

It all gets a bit dull for a bit as duds 458528/458535 took me back to Staines, followed by duds 458503/458517 to shack 20, Virginia Water, then duds 458529/458536 to Sunningdale to consider the line completed, followed by duds 458521/458523 to Staines once more. Duds 458526/458533 didn’t exactly help my mood either, as they were taken to shack 21, Sunnymeads. This was a fairly pleasant island platform, and it wasn’t too long a wait until a winner broke through in the form of 458504 with dud 458524 tacked on for the hop back to shack 22, Wraysbury. Not a lot around here, and I ended up resigning myself to the station bench for 20 minutes until winner 455729 trailing dud 455705 along to the very pleasant shack 23, Datchet. Thing was though, there was no easy way to scratch this shack other than wait for the service behind, so that’s what I did. I went for a wander before pacing around the platform a bit until winners 450087/450559 took me to the end of the line, shack 24, Windsor and Eton Riverside. I had a little wander (and told some kids asking me to buy them ciggies to naff off) and took a few shots of the river before walking up to Central and taking winner 165130 around to Slough.

I ideally wanted to tick off Burnham and Taplow, and made a good start on that with winner 166206 taking me to shack 25, Taplow, but then a warning came on the screens that we had signalling problems at Paddington so I decided to leave Burnham alone as I did actually need to get home tonight on the 19:00 service. As a result, duds 165134/165136 were taken right through to Paddington via a very bizarre routing, with us getting placed on the fasts (essentially clogging up the line) and stopping at the fast line platforms (not the first time this was to happen this week, with me later having to climb onto a 360 at Southall on the fasts, what a step up that is!) though we managed to not lose an awful lot of time and I was able to head for the tube quite easily. Winners 21391/21392 took me along to Kings Cross St Pancras, where it was 91109 taking me north tonight. Arrival was spot on at 2149, and I was ready for bed and a refresh before the real bashing started the next day.

1Y08, i’m coming for you.

 

[Techniquest]

Wahey the reports are back!

Thoroughly enjoyed Days 1 and 2, my gosh you were busy! Your shack score list is insanely impressive too, putting the likes of myself to shame! Didn't envy your sleeper move it must be said, I think my Megabus journey next month will be more pleasant than that

Should imagine you were sick of the sight of SWT stuff after all that on Day 2 mind. I know how you felt with all those duds, it does grate on your nerves when in an area that a lot is needed in. I couldn't help noting you had one of my last two 166s there, one day I might actually clear the lot!

Bring on the next instalment!

 

[Segedunum]

Wahey the reports are back!

Thoroughly enjoyed Days 1 and 2, my gosh you were busy! Your shack score list is insanely impressive too, putting the likes of myself to shame! Didn't envy your sleeper move it must be said, I think my Megabus journey next month will be more pleasant than that

Should imagine you were sick of the sight of SWT stuff after all that on Day 2 mind. I know how you felt with all those duds, it does grate on your nerves when in an area that a lot is needed in. I couldn't help noting you had one of my last two 166s there, one day I might actually clear the lot!

Bring on the next instalment!

I didn't really return to SWT {well I went full idiot again and went to clear off Shepperton at circa 10pm one night) for that very reason really.

Glad you enjoyed the read, waiting to see if I capture your other 166

 

[Kite159]

I guess you managed to get the Cross of Long on a previous day?

A very productive day for shacks and SWT/SWR units

 

[Segedunum]

I guess you managed to get the Cross of Long on a previous day?

A very productive day for shacks and SWT/SWR units

Longcross and Martins Heron remain required.

The former had no service on BH Mon as far as I could tell and the latter was a passing point I couldn't be bothered faffing around with.

 

[Segedunum]

Day 3- Unbreakable

The alarm went off at 0500, with me feeling oddly refreshed. I think it was the fact that i’d had 6 hours sleep in an actual bed rather than 2 and a half on a collapsed MK3 seat! Quick breakfast wolfed down, then it was in the car and off to the station for the 0559 to London, going via Sainsbury’s for some extra breakfast supplies before joining 43208/43272 down to Peterborough, non-stop after York. I ticked off some suited bloke as I bagged seat B63, the single seat at the very back, meaning that I could have some peace on what was a very busy peak time service south, especially as it was the first day of the working week! I had myself the pastry and juice i’d bought before having a doze on the fast-ish run south before bailing at Peterborough at a time of 0809. This gave ample time to join...oh...you. Again. Stalker dud 170398 was putting in yet another appearance, having a bizarre obsession with turning up on long distance ALR moves (University to Gloucester last year), and this time it was taken to Cambridge. It wasn’t a smooth run though, as we limped our way through after March due to a level crossing fault, only for me to fall asleep until Ely and realise we were about 9 late, making my connection with the Liverpool Street stopper a little dicey, though in the end there was nothing to worry about as of course my 170 was let out first at Cambridge.

I still made a dash for winner 317661 leading dud 317652 taking a seat below the pantograph for a nice noisy run down to shack 1, Whittlesford Parkway, where there didn’t seem to be masses going on in the vicinity, so I stayed put for the Stansted stopper, surprisingly formed of winner 379023 (I was really expecting a 317) which was taken all the way through to its destination of shack 2, Stansted Airport, completing the first side of the triangle for me, and leaving me to fight my way through the crowds off the empty 379 and investigate what was taking me forwards on my next move. Winner 317339 trailing dud 317666 wasn’t what I was expecting on the Express but I remembered that there was a 317 diagram around so it was fair dos! I sat myself in the /3 for the short but sweet blast to shack 3, Stansted Mountfitchet, deciding to scoop up another hourly served shack by means of dud 317511 to shack 4, Newport Essex. I had around 20 minutes here due to late running of the inbound service so I went in search of supplies, only just making it to a corner shop in time and belting my way back (it’s a bit of a hike to the centre) for winner 317505 leading dud 317650 down to shack 5, Sawbridgeworth. This was another naff connection so I had to absolutely belt my way over the bridge and straight onto winner 317340 leading dud 317514 to shack 6, Bishops Stortford, where I stupidly banked on a +1 and dived over the bridge and into the closing doors of dud 317507. Next stop, shack 7, Broxbourne.

Getting my breath back, I planned my next moves and had a short wait until dud 317663 with winner 317668 took me along to shack 8, Ware. Where? Ware. I awaited their return with a pleasant enough 15 minute wait back down to shack 9, St Margarets Herts, where winner 317670 and dud 317655 were pulling in for the run right to the end of the line to shack 10, Hertford East. This left a very irritating gap between Cheshunt and Broxbourne, though fear not as in day 13, this was duly plugged up. I worked out that I now had just about 15-20 minutes to get across to the other Hertford station, slightly short of what was really needed so I kept the pace up and jogged to shack 11, Hertford North. I decided I may as well finish the shacks outside the zones (exc. Watton) so it was a case of jumping on winner 313038 down to shack 12, Cuffley. A nice wander through the subway saw me then jumping on dud 313134 to shack 13, Bayford. This was a weird one as it actually received a worse service in the peaks (every 30ish minutes) than off peak, so as to allow for extra services calling only at Winchmore, Enfield, Gordon Hill and Cuffley en route to Hertford. It was however awfully quiet so it was easy to see why before dud 313046 was taken back to Cuffley just to kill time until dud (I don’t seem to need a lot more of these) 313050 was taken up to Hitchin. I was now hungry for some 365 action, and also wishing i’d done this area last year as instead of 317s and 321s I was going to be groaning at 387s

Double winners 365518/365528 duly obliged for the fast run down to Stevenage, where the groaning began as dud 387120 was taken back to Hitchin, with winner 387114 leading dud 387129 taking me to shack 14, Letchworth. ‘Oh good!’ I think, as a 365 pulls into view to take me through to Stevenage again. Nope, dud 365513. Load of naffness when I need so many of these things! I gritted my teeth too as dud 365521 took me back north to Hitchin, wondering whether to just give up, and indeed I was ready to head back through to London when I noted double winners 365502/365512 heading north from Hitchin, seeing me belt my way back under the subway and working out that I could knock off the usually awkward Arlesey as the southbound service was running late. Indeed, this was shack 15 and I still had to keep up a reasonable pace over the footbridge before it was happy days as winners 365501/365537 took me, in the motor coach, all the way through on a slow stopper to London King’s Cross. A McDonald’s (and Boots) move ensued next before a stroll up Euston Road, where some delightful bloke decided to full on shoulder barge me as he went past, as I looked back to see him seemingly oblivious to him nearly taking my arm off! ‘Charming!’ I yell back as I wander into Euston and source a seat on winner 350258 with dud 350125 to shack 16, Berkhamsted. This was a well calculated move as it saw me intercept a 12 car ex Tring in the form of winners 350247/350257 and dud 350128 down to shack 17, Apsley.

Something was clearly going a bit wrong as the WCML had around three disruptions and everything headed north was being a tad sluggish, as I joined duds (yay) 319433/319460 to shack 18, Hemel Hempstead, where by some miracle, the only on time service was a Southern service, even conveying a rare winning 377/7 in the form of 377703! These were taken up to shack 19, Tring, where I watched the 319s i’d just used do their ECS movements before whining away back south to form their next service. I was also to join some 319s, this time in the form of winners 319216/319457 to shack 20, Cheddington. This was another right pain to do usually as the services cross here during the day, so it was nice to not have a huge wait in an otherwise dull (plus permanently shut ticket office) station, though there were plenty fast services around! Duds 350125/350258 soon made a return, and these were duly taken to Watford Junction, where I decided to do something different and had a 20 minute stroll over to shack 21, Watford North. The Abbey line is indeed rather ramshackle, the screens being bust here and the platform surface looking like a right mess as dud 319429 took me along to shack 22, Park Street. Another walk followed to shack 23, How Wood, which was made in sufficient time to join the 319 back to Watford Junction, and evaluate onward options.


I ended up deciding to tackle Reigate before I went to stay with a friend in Sussex this evening, so I sought out the guard on a set down only winning 221118 seeing as my ticket was valid from Coventry and stations prior. Happily he said yes so I took a seat for the 15 minute blast to just outside Euston, where we gracefully came to a stand for the next NINETY minutes. Indeed, someone’s E-Cig decided to burst into flames so it was an assumed bomb threat. I took the opportunity to eat my reduced price sandwich and decided it was a good time to juice my phone up before we eventually pulled forward, arriving into Euston for 21:30, making it almost possible for me to make the 21:47 from Victoria, the last possible connection to Hailsham from Polegate. Arrival was however awfully sedate with all other passengers seeming very nervous as I took the lead, walking off the empty platform and onto the concourse just as everyone stormed in off the streets. Straight down to the completely deserted tube station it was, and I joined winners 11005/11006 to Victoria, arriving 21:44, just in time to see that my train to Polegate was a tad late, meaning that I made winner 377156 and dud 377109 easily, an arrival time at Polegate being 23:06, in time for the 23:24 Enviro 400 to take me along to Hailsham and see me collapse in my friend’s flat for the evening.

Tomorrow: More Leccystars.

 

[Kite159]

Another varied day

 

[Techniquest]

That was quite the variety in motive power and areas covered! I can only imagine how exhausted you must have been after all that!

 

[Blindtraveler]

A bit late in catching up with these but as Im trundling homewards most of today on split odd route APS Iv now up to date and enjoying it muchly. Thanks for sharing, those shacks are sure falling fast my friend.

 

[Segedunum]

Day 11- Tout ce que je voulais.

I’ve skipped forwards for now on the basis that i’m never going to get everything written before my university course starts on Saturday, so i’m going to do Brussels now, being the main highlight, then go back to day 4 and work forwards as and when time permits (i’m still going to have notes on me, and my laptop).

Anyways, I was staying at the Best Western Plus in Wembley on this night, and had the alarm set for 03:50, having gone to sleep at around 23:00. So, not the longest sleep, but I was up easily due to excitement though was a tad late out and suddenly it was 04:16! Not good when your train is 04:21! I checked out swiftly and ran to Wembley Central for 04:19:30, finding the ticket gates shut and unmanned, cue me yelling at the office door until someone emerged, at which point I could hear the Desiro approaching. ‘All Line Rover mate, I want the 04:21 and i’m about to miss it, let me through please!’ I said, belting down the stairs as the doors on dud 350116 were being released, and I was surprised to see that this service (03:30 Milton Keynes-Euston) had actual passengers! A bay of 4 was however sourced easily for the trundle into London Euston, arriving at 04:32 into a station surprisingly filled with passengers ready for the first service at 05:27! Out of Euston I went, taking a stroll down Euston Road and having to pause until 05:00 for a McDonald’s breakfast move, taking a look at the line of MK4 sets all stabled in Kings Cross along with the pair of 313s ready to operate an early service to Hertford North. After that, I had a swift check-in and made use of the WiFi for an hour or so before boarding what turned out to be winners 373015/373016 on the 06:52 to Bruxelles Midi, calling at Ebbsfleet, Ashford, Calais and Lille en route. This was a well refurbished E300 set, making for a very nice journey south through Kent before blasting its way through to Lille, giving me a brief chance to observe some French comings and goings before the dash to Brussels, arriving a shade after 10am local time, leaving me to find the Metro station (found eventually) and purchase my Jump Card for 7,50EUR.

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

A wander was then had down to the pre-Metro line and I was able to join winner 4053 to shack 2, Lemonnier, as means of a filler move as I required a Nord bound service. Soon after, winner 4018 was taking me to shack 3, Brussels-Nord, and I was left with a wander to try and find my way to the mainline station. It did take me about 10 minutes, but eventually I was on the platforms and ready to play with the big trains! The sight of so many EMU services on the S-Bahn side didn’t exactly fill me with faith as to what I was about to get myself in for, so the sight of an ancient looking winner 2160 bringing up the rear of some absolutely wrecked looking coaching stock (leathery-plastic benches that stank of a hospital waiting room) had me grinning as I managed a carriage to myself for the run around to shack 4, Brussels-Central. Then, as I jumped off, we had winner 1840 approaching hauling another set. I was suddenly hooked, and took that back along to Nord.

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

As I stepped off the loco hauled set, winners 309/338, members of the AM82 class, came groaning around the corner. A pair of ancient EMUs? Tick. I dived on board back to Central where I decided that I should really go experience everything on the system and explore the city a bit before turning into a tunnel rat. Then winner 1813 came in across the platform at Central, followed by winners 1810/1877 topping and tailing back to Central, and, and...I needed to prise myself away. Winners 405/429, another AM82 pair, were taken to Midi where I joined the Metro once again, this time the real deep level stuff. Winners 109/110/249/250 were taken to shack 5, Clemenceau, where a swift change was made onto winners 167/168/223/224 to shack 6, Arts Loi. This was done in order to sample the other type of rolling stock on the Metro, the newer winners 6251/6261 being taken to shack 7, Schuman.

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

I went upstairs and joined the big trains again, this time winners 8015/8135 (being of the AM-RER class), just for the short hop to shack 8, Luxembourg. It was here that I noticed how daft and inefficient the dispatch procedure here was. The conductor would be given the ready to depart signal, then he’d blow his whistle, wait for the platform to clear, then go to the back of the platform, turn his key in a box, have the doors shut, then watch the platform from his (open) local door until the train picked up enough speed at which point it would close too. Imagine that happening here! It did lead to predictable instances also of passengers jumping at the still open door as the train started to move. I became a tourist here and had a glance at the European Parliament before having a wander through the Parc de Bruxelles and finding myself at the palace, which was an apt time to join a tram! Shack 9 was Palais, and it was awfully weird stepping into the road in order to join winner 3023 one stop to shack 10, Royale. At this point I decided I wanted to sample a high floored tram, and thankfully up next was a Line 93 service formed of winner 7748, so it was taken forwards to shack 11, Petit Sablon, where my legs were used again for a walk around to the Grand Place/Grote Markt, admiring the architecture and walking around to the Place de Bourse where there was a McDonald’s, and hunger was calling.

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

8,05EUR got me a bacon cheeseburger, chilli cheese fries and a beer, none of which were a UK thing so at least I was having different items I felt like i’d aged a decade all of a sudden, drinking beer and eating burgers, Eurocranking after eighties loco hauled trains on the continent After about half an hour, I decided now was as good a time as any to get myself going again, as I nipped down to shack 12, Bourse, in order to join winner 4069 to shack 13, De Brouckere, transferring onto winners 177/178/217/218 to Central. Time for some more mainline action as I joined an AM96 EMU, winner 517, up to Nord, before snaring winner 2739, a nice old Class 27, through to Midi, where there was sufficient time to run up and down the stairs onto winner 2717 back to Central. Another pair of old AM82s followed, winners 351/411 to Midi, where I noted a Class 28 on an Amsterdam service, though it wasn’t due to leave for a while so I figured i’d nip up to Central on something else in order to break up the wait. Winner 1359 added another class to the lists on a Luxembourg service, and insanely, there was a ticket check on departure. The conductor took one look at my ticket, and brashly declared ‘is not valid, only bus’. Oh dear, argument time. ‘Then why does the machine tell me it’s for the train when I buy it? Why does it work Metro gates if it’s only for the bus?’. This didn’t get me very far with ‘no, i right, not valid, not valid, but good for 1 journey’ being the response. This did however make me very nervous of ticket checks for the rest of the day and I managed to always jump in the opposite unit to the conductor when taking slightly longer journeys just to avoid hassle.

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

Off at Central, I was rather peeved, but thankfully it was only a 10 minute wait or so until winner 2808 took me up to Nord, or 186200 as it was under German classification. I decided now to branch further up and go sample some other mainline track, swapping onto winners 8003/8145 for the run around to shack 14, Etterbeek. This didn’t look like the greatest area, in all honesty, with wafts of weed blowing around, so I was sharp in joining winners 8093/8169 back to Luxembourg as there was a stack of services heading north. Winners 352/368 then added some character for a run to shack 15, Meiser, where I noted some AM86 units floating around that didn’t come close to Central or the core. I also wrongly assumed that the S Bahn was all new units, but indeed there were plenty AM82s and AM86s running on the S4, S5 and S7. There was a short wait at Meiser until winners 8018/8059 took me another to shack 16, Evere, where I decided to turn back and head for the centre via a slightly different route as I spotted winners 927/935 in the distance. A sprint was required up a steep flight of stairs and across the road just as the two AM86s approached, which seemed absolutely ancient inside. These were taken to shack 17, Merode, which was reminding more of the Paris RER, as it was dingy and gloomy and reeked of damp, seemingly less cared for due to the sparse service (2tph max), and there were a fair few passages to negotiate until winners 137/138/257/258 were taken to shack 18, Maelbeek, for a swift change onto DUDS 6251/6261 to shack 19, Park! I found it more funny than anything that i’d snared the same pair of units, being the only pair of their type i’d had.

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

One last leap as winners 143/144/147/148 were taken to Central, where I turned into a tunnel rat for an hour or so, taking advantage of these wonderful ‘P’ designated services, in essence rakes of carriages tacked onto an assortment of locomotives (mainly 18s, 21s and 27s, though there was a 19 in the mix) running every few minutes to a plethora of destination. Some seemed to have at least 11 carriages and I didn’t note a single person standing. Imagine that here! Moves as follows:

1836 Central-Nord
1888 Nord-Central
1820 Central-Nord
1804 Nord-Central
477/549 Central-Nord
2707 Nord-Central
2714 Central-Nord
2737 Nord-Central
1855 Central-Midi

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

I then decided that I wanted to cover a little more on the Metro, or in this case, the Pre-Metro and trams, and again, it’s just a straight list of moves as follows:

4052 Midi-Hallepoort
4012 Hallepoort-Parvis
7902 Parvis-Albert
4001 Albert-Horta
4032 Horta-Parvis
7901 Parvis-Midi
4016/ Midi-Anneessens
4059 Anneessens-Midi

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

A supply raid was now long overdue, and I headed to the Carrefour, grabbing myself a wrap, a waffle, two drinks, some Haribo, some Doritos ‘bits’, and likely some other things which came to 10,53EUR in total. A lot, but I was well in need of some nourishment! It was sadly now time to head for the check-in, and it was swift enough, albeit no wifi this time, until boarding for winners 374015/374016 was called. I had a less decent seat this time, the window view being a little obstructed, and had a bloke sat next to me who just absolutely HAD to have the socket as soon as he sat down, leaving me to rely on portable power. Not that I was too bothered, as once i’d eaten, I ended up having a nap as the light faded, waking up as we approached Ebbsfleet, being off pretty much on time at St Pancras for 21:03, ticking off Mr Luggage Truck who nearly knocked me onto the track as I walked next to the train, that for some reason being my fault and not his! I did ponder doing some extra moves, but in all honestly I was really flagging, having been awake since before 4am, so it was a simple move to Earls Court on dud 173 and winner 264, where I checked into my EasyHotel and flopped into bed for around 22:00.

Damn excellent day!

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

Untitled by Richard Green, on Flickr

 

[Segedunum]

That was quite the variety in motive power and areas covered! I can only imagine how exhausted you must have been after all that!

Just a little bit exhausted

A bit late in catching up with these but as Im trundling homewards most of today on split odd route APS Iv now up to date and enjoying it muchly. Thanks for sharing, those shacks are sure falling fast my friend.

They were indeed. Glad you're enjoying the reads.

 

[Blindtraveler]

Amd likewise this latest one, grand but long day.
Good luck at Uni

 

[Techniquest]

Wow now THAT was a good day out! I must confess to not having yet seen the sights you did, but now I want to. I may have to seek your expert advice before I go next time!

I'm glad you enjoyed the loco haulage over there, the 21 must have been hellfire! I've had a couple of them but not enough. They are hard to come by now, unless you do an evening peak bash like you did. I had similar problems, as discussed in my trip report in January, with the Jump and have yet to work out why. Something to ask the experts on the forum about that!

I've not done many of the shacks you did, although a couple of them sounded awful anyway. Definitely agree on the hospital waiting room feel on some of the SNCB coaching stock!

Not done a step-entrance tram over there yet, another objective to conquer one day. Ouch to such an early start and nearly missing your train out of Wembley though! Is that hotel you stayed at much cop?

Still need to try a 374 myself, although it doesn't sound like you enjoyed the experience all that much. Only need to try a 374 and a 707 to have sampled all the currently available classes in the UK, although it won't be long until the 385s and 800 Series get onto that list too!

If you want ancient EMUs you have to try the AM62 family, very old but still hellfire. My first ever SNCB train was one of those. Didn't think much of them on my leap to Nord but I've had them since then and found the experience similar to a 313. I don't believe they show up in Brussels much if at all now the AM08s are in squadron service.

Beer at McDonalds sounds ever so odd, and as a beerticker I must ask which beer it was!

Thoroughly enjoyable read, and as much as I love your UK reports the Brussels one I had really looked forward to. I reckon you'll be hooked and want to explore more of Europe now

 

[Segedunum]

Wow now THAT was a good day out! I must confess to not having yet seen the sights you did, but now I want to. I may have to seek your expert advice before I go next time!

feel free I was just keen to cram in a little bit of everything!

I'm glad you enjoyed the loco haulage over there, the 21 must have been hellfire! I've had a couple of them but not enough. They are hard to come by now, unless you do an evening peak bash like you did. I had similar problems, as discussed in my trip report in January, with the Jump and have yet to work out why. Something to ask the experts on the forum about that!

I've just had the one though I noted at least four on rush hour P designated workings. I''m yet to work out why either, as they are advertised as valid.

I've not done many of the shacks you did, although a couple of them sounded awful anyway. Definitely agree on the hospital waiting room feel on some of the SNCB coaching stock!

Not done a step-entrance tram over there yet, another objective to conquer one day. Ouch to such an early start and nearly missing your train out of Wembley though! Is that hotel you stayed at much cop?

Room was nice and the hotel was nice enough but service was shockingly bad, rudest staff members i'd encountered all week, except from the Novotel that booted me out at 1am because my card was £1 short and they refused my multiple offers of resolving the situation in the morning!

Still need to try a 374 myself, although it doesn't sound like you enjoyed the experience all that much. Only need to try a 374 and a 707 to have sampled all the currently available classes in the UK, although it won't be long until the 385s and 800 Series get onto that list too!

They're alright but a tad more cramped compared to a 373. I'd go for one over an original 373 set though, E300 being the superior!

If you want ancient EMUs you have to try the AM62 family, very old but still hellfire. My first ever SNCB train was one of those. Didn't think much of them on my leap to Nord but I've had them since then and found the experience similar to a 313. I don't believe they show up in Brussels much if at all now the AM08s are in squadron service.

I missed catching one by seconds and it then disappeared off diagram, replaced by treble AM08s.

Beer at McDonalds sounds ever so odd, and as a beerticker I must ask which beer it was!

Thoroughly enjoyable read, and as much as I love your UK reports the Brussels one I had really looked forward to. I reckon you'll be hooked and want to explore more of Europe now

The beer was a 330ml can of Jupiler. Was alright but obviously not quite so Artisan! Just wanted the novelty of having a can of beer in McDonald's

 

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feel free I was just keen to cram in a little bit of everything!

Sometimes you have to do things that way though, I did when I did Milan a few weeks ago (by gum it feels like months ago), due to arriving over 4 hours later than planned there wasn't much time to play with. Still, I achieved everything I wanted to do!

Room was nice and the hotel was nice enough but service was shockingly bad, rudest staff members i'd encountered all week, except from the Novotel that booted me out at 1am because my card was £1 short and they refused my multiple offers of resolving the situation in the morning!

Jesus that is poor! Won't be booking either of those then!

They're alright but a tad more cramped compared to a 373. I'd go for one over an original 373 set though, E300 being the superior!

Interesting viewpoint, my memory of the original 373 sets are a bit hazy now, but then this was 2006 so it's perhaps fair enough. I do like the refurb that they did, the WiFi working on my device was a pleasant surprise and being able to charge my phone was a miracle considering I hadn't taken my Euro plug adapter when I last went to Brussels. Even worse is that I have 3 of the things somewhere in the house!

I missed catching one by seconds and it then disappeared off diagram, replaced by treble AM08s.

Sounds like the AM62 will have been a depot kick-out to cover something. I'm not a big fan of the seats on the AM08s, but I do like the PIS on them.

The beer was a 330ml can of Jupiler. Was alright but obviously not quite so Artisan! Just wanted the novelty of having a can of beer in McDonald's

Mmmmmmmmmmmm, Jupiler *drools*

I love Jupiler, I'll never forget trying it at Charerloi (or however you spell it!) Airport and falling in love with it. So much so in January I brought an 8 pack of 500ml cans of it home with me! If I hadn't had to consider how heavy my case would have got, I'd have taken at least one more multipack home. Put it this way, I LOVE Butty Bach as well, and it remains my most logged beer ever on my Untappd, but Jupiler would be higher if I had the chance. If I could buy it easily in the UK it would be happily chosen on every night out, every after-work social and so on!

Oh my, resisting a spin to Brussels is getting very difficult...!

 

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Eventually caught up with your thread Richard, took a few bus journeys to and from work but got there in the end. Cracking read there.

You've certainly hammered your requirements on all fronts by the sound of it. Quite ironic your last Northern 156 should be on the Tyne Valley, when your in its home turf looking for it and congrats on clearing the Northern Starships too.

Congrats are also in order for your A Level results and getting into your Uni of choice. Very handy as the 399s are close to entering service, as I write 399202 has entered service, so no doubt, they'll be roped in quickly, as you fritter away your student loan on the way to the pub, gigs, women etc. Jammy swine, hope all goes well.

The list of winners from the ALR and other trips, made me swear to myself on the bus, it was, f*×k me, look at that lot, that and the list of shacks, was mighty impressive. The trip to Belgium was a great read too, seen some videos on YouTube of the railway scene over there and the loco hauled turns sound impressive locos too. The EMUs, not sure which class they are, I believe one class are nicknamed Kennys(517) and the other Minions or Goggles(935).

All in all a cracking read, I look forward to any more of the ALR reports. Thanks for sharing.