Robinson's Merseyside Challenge

[Robinson]

This was my first challenge attempt in over 3 years, so I wasn't exactly expecting great things of myself when I headed south (on a 185 )

Allow me to fast forward to Saturday morning, after arriving on the Northern Electrics from Manchester Piccadilly, when I arrived with some rough ideas of where to go and what trains to start on, when we got to introductions. I believe this was my first time meeting everyone who was there except bb21, MoJo and yorkie. At some point in the initial discussions I ended up forming a team with Y961 XBU. He told me he had several different plans for the day, however when we drew the 3 bonus stations we were forced into an early rethink.

11:30 came and cue the various mad dashes from the teams - except us. I was assured that we could catch the 11:38 from Lime St low level without suffering; however we ended up getting to the platform in time for the 11:33 anyway. 4 minutes later, James St provided an unexpected difficulty in the shape of rogue lift doors opening on the wrong side As none of the other teams were still going the same way as us, I can remember commenting that "we're either geniuses or total fools"...

It had been Y961 XBU's suggestion to go for the 10-point bonus offered by the Mersey Ferry, which left about 12:02, 2 minutes late. At this point we started racking our brains as to how to rework the plan so we would include our bonus stations (2 of which were on the Southport line). Eventually we had to abandon the Wirral lines completely to avoid running out of time. Still, there was some good news - the northbound Northern line platform at Moorfields was open, making the connection a hell of a lot easier!

We arrived at Woodside pier a few minutes late, so we had to be quite quick to get to Hamilton Square - where we nearly got caught up in another lift incident - in time for the 12:41 back across to Moorfields, and then onto the 12:56 up to Southport (formed of 6 coaches). This train was also 2 minutes late right up until the final arrival at Southport (when we suddenly found ourselves bang on schedule). We were accompanied by a guy with a clipboard for most of the way, I presume he was a stats guy counting how many were boarding at each station or something like that. Some amusement was offered up by some slow-boarding passengers along the way...

Then we got to my suggestion. After the first bus stop we tried was wrong, and then after a mad dash down a pedestrianised street - during which the bus we intended to catch passed our line of sight heading into the correct stop - we were on the 385 towards Ormskirk. We were a couple of minutes late leaving after the engine shut down just before we were due to set off, and our driver's driving style did not seem to go down too well with my team mate. We trundled along the road at what might politely be called a relaxed speed, possibly due to the driver's knowledge that he had 7 minutes to wait at Ormskirk. Nevertheless, we were still in with a shout when we got near the bus station - and so, we belatedly discovered, did Lampshade who we hadn't seen at first when we'd got on...

Lampshade was first off the bus and began the headlong pelt down the ramp to Ormskirk station, bellowing "COMING THROUGH!!!" at all and sundry who stood in his way. I was next through, hoping Y961 XBU was close enough behind that I wouldn't have to hold the train doors open to help him out. Fortunately such drastic action was not required

Onto the 14:20 train to Liverpool we all piled. Off we went, losing a minute or 2 along the way. On this leg we did some plan comparisons between ourselves; as it turned out, Lampshade had begun the way we may well have done in another version of our itinerary. I may have also done him a favour, as none of us had taken a note of the unit number before getting on. At Sandhills, I jumped off at the back set of doors, got the number and jumped back on again and relayed the information to both my fellow participants - team mate and rival (and my former nemesis on The next station is...!

We parted ways again at Moorfields as we headed down to the Wirral line for the short hop to Lime St. One panic attack later after we'd just missed a late-running earlier train than the one we needed, and then another short connection at Lime St later, we were back underway on the 15:00 towards Wigan North Western, which we were on as far as St Helens Central (our 3rd bonus station). I wondered out loud if the **** sitting across the aisle from us was laughing at me. At least we didn't have anything more to worry about at this point. We had 11 minutes between arriving at St Helens Central and getting the bus to St Helens Junction - and the bus was on time and possibly even slightly early. By this point we were feeling very confident; all we needed was the 16:06 back to Lime St to run on time, or nearly on time. This train was formed of a Pacer and a 156; we later found out that another challenge participant had got on in the Pacer, while we were on the 156 at the back. Mind you, we didn't get quite such a good deal thanks to some weirdly dressed rowdy passengers. Fortunately there was no incident, though, and we arrived back at the meeting point on time.

We thought we'd won. Everyone else we spoke to had scored lower than we had (our score was 62 including bonuses). This lasted at least 15 minutes, and it wasn't until we were sat down upstairs in the Crown that we were told - someone else had got 69. I was absolutely flabbergasted hock: I still haven't worked out what trick move we missed...

Still, I did meet some more forum members which was great - and 2nd place is still a massive improvement on my last Challenge performance

So, thanks everyone for a great weekend away, I had a good day and thanks to Y961 XBU for being a great team mate - neither of us would have done nearly as well without the other!

Hope there will be another challenge before too long. And, at my current rate of progress, surely I'll be due a win then?

 

[Lampshade]

It had been 3 years since my last challenge, so I had intended to make an impact.

11:30 came and a number of us moved for the 1132 to Wigan North Western. For a brief moment I thought we all might be on the same plan, mine was loosely based on Ivo and gnolife's winning plan from 2012, but since I left the train at Roby rather than continuing to St Helens Central, this was obviously not the case.

Back to Edge Hill, and a fairly easy connection to Hunts Cross - stopping at Mossley Hill and West Allerton stations (West Allerton station is an absolute dive btw) and another easy connection onto the Southport service. I was on this for the duration, so I got my lunch out, set up my tablet and watched Netflix all the way (bang goes my mobile data allowance, 3 days into the month). The weather was getting worse as we pulled into Southport, so I put my jacket on and went to find the bus stop for the bus to Ormskirk.

I found the bus stop fairly easily, though there as a driver change and heavy traffic leaving Southport, so I thought the connection was gone. However, once we left Southport the bus didn't stop once and every light was green, so hope was there.

I was tracking the bus on GPS to see how much of a run was required at Ormskirk. As we arrived in Ormskirk I contemplated bailing and running to the station, since every red light once in the centre was against us. I moved from the back seat to near the doors, knowing a run was needed - then Robinson and Y961 XBU came down the stairs, having had the same idea. Finally at 1418 the bus pulled into the bus station - with the train due out at 1420. The doors opened - cue a mad dash down the path to the station, with me shouting "COMING THROUGH!!!" at anyone in front (or "EXCUSE ME!!!" if they were elderly), finally getting on the train with literally seconds to spare.

After a discussion with Robinson and Y961 XBU, I had found out that their potential total was higher than mine. I wasn't having this, not on my final challenge, so after convincing them to use the Wirral line from Moorfields to Lime Street (knowing we were running late and that a change at MRF might scupper their plan ), I bailed at Central and made my way down to the Wirral Line.

I was due out on the 1455 to West Kirby, however the 1452 to Ellesmere Port was just pulling in 2 down. If I was going to win this challenge I needed to take a risk, a good connection at Hooton off this train could give me an extra few stations later on, so I jumped on this train. Unfortunately, whereas we were 2 late out of Central, the return was on time from Ellesmere Port, the doors opened at Hooton just as the return working pulled out

So now I had to wait for the return working from Chester to get back to Hamilton Square. I knew at this point the challenge was lost, the connection for the West Kirby is only favourable going one way - the way I wasn't going. I could still end up with 60 stations, but would arrive 8 minutes late.

Back at Hamilton Square I encountered AntoniC and co and we made our way out towards West Kirby, them leaving the train at Leasowe, and me continuing to Hoylake, where I knew the connection was doable having done it on the last Merseyside Challenge. Connection done, back into Liverpool, arriving 1 down into Lime Street Low Level. I had 90 seconds to make it to the surface or be docked 3 stations rather than 2, legged it through the station and up the escalator, which went on for eternity, and up into the station with my legs on fire.

At the meal I found out I wasn't even close

For those unaware, I am taking this opportunity to announce my retirement from these challenges (well, unless a GM one crops up any time soon!).

 

[507021]

I really enjoyed reading those two reports, sounds like you both (and Y961 XBU) had an enjoyable day!

 

[FQ]

Two great reads there! I had a great day too - who won in the end?

 

[gnolife]

For those unaware, I am taking this opportunity to announce my retirement from these challenges (well, unless a GM one crops up any time soon!).

WHAT!? We can't be having you retiring without giving me one more chance to run you into the ground!

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a very busy challenge in Merseyside

 

[me123]

Thanks for the reports guys, interesting to see what everyone else was up to. It was a good day, and great to meet some other members. I'll try and post mine when I've got time.

Like fishquinn, I too would like to know who won (I do know they amassed an impressive 69 points).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Hope you don't mind me appending my report to yours Robinson.

I was participating in the challenge coming from a rather weak position. I had never set foot on the Merseyrail network and, beyond having a look at a few trains just after the start time, I had absolutely no plan! So I don't exactly have high hopes. In spite of this, I went it alone.

My journey started at my local station in Prestatyn on board a 175 - I've only recently been able to travel on them, but I'm certainly impressed by what they offer; brilliant DMUs. At Chester, I alighted for a same platform transfer to my first 507/8 (number not noted I'm afraid). I noted the mere four minute turnaround time in Chester - thinking that this would prove useful as the day progressed (although in the end I didn't return to Chester until I was going home).

I was at Lime Street with plenty of time to spare and had a wander in the surrounding area, becoming friends with a charming local I have decided to dub "Pishy the Tramp". I joined the group and drew my three stations (St Helen's Central, Old Roan and Seaforth and Liverland (sic)). Off we went at 11:30.

I followed 507021 (the member, not the unit!) down to the low level. My first and only planned move was to catch the 11:33 to New Brighton; 507007. Once we were out in daylight, I did a bit more searching on my phone and found that a good connection was available on the return journey from New Brighton onto the West Kirby branch. So it was all the way to New Brighton, back to Birkenhead North and quickly over the bridge for a short transfer onto the 12:22 to West Kirby (508125), which took me to the end of the branch and back again. Lots of points, as well as the four bonus points for the North Wirral termini.

On my way back, I decided (in hindsight, rather foolishly) to attempt a one minute transfer at Moorfields (I must remind you that I'd never set foot on the Merseyrail network before!). This obviously failed rather spectacularly, but my backup move was onto 13:26 service towards Southport (507004) - onboard I met up with Polarbear, AntoniC and Smellydiesel. I followed them out to Seaforth and Litherland, and back to Sandhills from there (on 507002 I think). On the way, I realised my original plan would still work. So I parted company with the three gents at Sandhills, letting them catch the next train to Kirkby whilst I awaited the Ormskirk train.

508138 took me down the Ormskirk branch to Old Roan, and an UID unit took me back to Kirkdale, where I encountered Mojo, Yorkie and (I think?) JakeF running for a tight connection. I assumed they had the same plan as I had, but they instead ran out of the station (I would later learn heading for Bank Hall) whilst I ran for the tight connection on the other platform out to Kirkby, where 508117 did the honours.

Here, I decided to go for some bonus points and ran under the bridge to meet 150271, which formed the front two carriages of four on a Northern service to Blackburn. I was going to Rainford, which gained me five points. My plan was to meet with a local bus at the station - it was a -2 connection, but given that I've never known a bus to run to time I was quite confident I'd make it. Alas, that wasn't to be, leaving me with a 28 minute connection in the rain in the middle of nowhere.

Thankfully, the next Arriva 38 bus was also as prompt as its predecessor, and we had a good run into St Helen's bus station, allowing me to make a comfortable transfer to St Helen's Central (thus securing all three random stations) in time for the Northern Electrics local train (319387) to take me on all stops back to Lime Street. Having mistakenly thought the challenge ended at 16:30 ( ) I was back quite early, but since there were no further useful moves available to me it made little difference. My score of 59 was not a winning score, but I'm quite proud of it considering I had no plan before I left the house

Had a good time meeting some more members at the pub afterwards, then headed back to Chester on my last Merseyrail unit of the day, making another quick transfer back onto the waiting 175 towards Prestatyn.

Great day all in all - pretty much all new track for me, and certainly all "winners" for units too (I don't keep track of units, but since I've never been on any Merseyrail units that's a certainty). I enjoyed the challenge much more than I thought I would - I was a bit wary that I'd end up shuttling back and forth down branch lines, but there's lots of good options in the network to make it more interesting than that. I think my Rainford move was unique and I think it worked quite well (even if I did have 28 minutes of down time).

Look forward to the next challenge

 

[FQ]

Another cracking report! Pretty ironic that it was raining at Rainford too!

 

[Robinson]

I'm afraid I didn't get a chance to speak to the winning team, and I don't know who they are on the forum...