Hello all, now I know some have questioned my sanity with this trip, but it was planned as a birthday day out for my Dad. In the event, as a reward for good behaviour, my eldest son also joined us and at 4 years old only increased the food and drink costs.
I'd purchased all tickets that were available as advance some time ago, and the day tickets/upgrades on the day. Just to clarify, when I say on time, I will be referring to actual time keeping, not being within PPM.
We started with a sedate but swift trip on the X-City south, 06:57 Redditch-Lichfield TV service. alighting at New Street. It was as uneventful as it was efficient, on time departing and on time at New Street. This gave us 30 minute connection for the 08:03 XC New Street-Glasgow train. We popped to the concourse to buy Railways Illustrated, as it had one of my shots published. With the magazine in hand we went to platform 7a for our train.
We had a 5-car 221 unit for this journey, and sat in First ready to purchase an upgrade. The journey itself was quick, pleasant and quiet, although vibration from the engine was notably poorer than usual in certain situations. On this leg we travelled as far as Leeds where we were able to indulge in spotting all manner of demised depots, locos and list infrastructure along the way. Our arrival into Leeds was heralded with much excitement for Joshua, amazed at the sheer volume of traffic. We got in at 10:01 (1 early).
Our next planned leg was to do the 10:49 NR Leeds-Carlisle service, for which we saw a 158 waiting. So after a water stop, we purchased SDS tickets from the booking office. This was where our first deviation from plan occurred. We had plenty of time still left. and decided that as all 3 of us had yet to travel by Class 333, today would be the perfect chance on the 10:26 NR Skipton service.
We were greeted most warmly by the onboard staff, who were always in the train doing their rdvenue. The train felt spacious, the large windows afforded good views, and the speed of progress was good. The train arrived at Skipton bang on time, having been surprised to learn just how many intermediate stops there were. We were surprised to see a double 158 arrive on time for the Carlisle service, although as time went by it became obvius the capacity wasnt wasted. Despite the weather not being at best, with exception to the top of Penyghent and Mallerstang edge were wonderful, Joshua truly staggered by the rugged terrain and engineering employed to pass a railway line through it. The journey was enlivened by a coach party joining at Settle, and two volunteers from the Settle and Carlisle development company. I have reasonable knowledge of the line, but it was vastly increased with a good guide being both informative and receptive in equal measure. One particularly touching story was that of Ruswarp, a dog who's statue adorns the southbound platform at Garsdale. At Appleby the trolley gave way for a coolbag of ice-cream tubs of varying flavours, locally produced, all bar 2 of around 60 were sold, 3 to our table. Arrival at Carlisle seemed to arrive much quicker, thanks in no small part to our travelling group having been so well entertained. Firm handshakes were exchanged with both gentleman for a wonderful trip (and to think this could all have been taken off us by the Tories). The 158s had got us to Carlisle on time for our 20 minute connection.
Next up, and the driving purpose for our trip, was for my Dad to experience the 21st century travel offered by the WCML on the 13:49 VT Carlisle-Euston service. The train was delayed arriving having caught a late Saltire liveried Class 156. The first thing noticed, and by Joshua from an incredible distance, was the Alstom sticker adorning the nose of 390052. He was now expecting the Alstom liveried set, but this was just the nose sticker and name Alison Waters, after an athlete. We departed Carlisle 4 mins down and were soon hitting well into three figure speeds. Zooming through the greenery, it was easy to wish for larger windows, but it didn't spoil the journey - nor did being in coach C with easy reach to the shop. As we passed through the Lune gorge me and my Dad indulged in our favourite pass time when there - Looking out for the viaduct on the former Ingleburn line, as famously featured in the title sequence of TV series 'The train now departing'. The 5 intermediate stops came and went very swiftly, and then it was non stop Warrington-Euston. We reached Euston 4 early, the only sullying point of the trip not provided by the odour of toilets, but a gentleman doing nothing to dispelled stereotypes of his Scottish countrymen via a bottle if Whiskey. Come Rugby he was insufferable and a nuisance to all and I believe he wad greeted at London for his troubles.
The weary travellers now had ample time to grab some warm food at tea time, even if it wasn't as wholesome as a doctor may like. When finished we made our way to platform 4 for the 18:03 VT Euston-Wolverhampton service, where we found ourselves reserved in the exact same seats. Another good journey was experienced, the train was very busy, but it flew past as we got to New Street on time.
This just left an uneventful 323 to Longbridge and another to Redditch to help us escape a busy New Street ASAP. The Redditch arrived 2 minutes early, and everybody had thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Summary: 757 miles (approx), 8 services, 5 arrived on time, 3 arrived early. Total ticket costs for two adults (bear in mind I have free XC and priv) was £84.65
I'd purchased all tickets that were available as advance some time ago, and the day tickets/upgrades on the day. Just to clarify, when I say on time, I will be referring to actual time keeping, not being within PPM.
We started with a sedate but swift trip on the X-City south, 06:57 Redditch-Lichfield TV service. alighting at New Street. It was as uneventful as it was efficient, on time departing and on time at New Street. This gave us 30 minute connection for the 08:03 XC New Street-Glasgow train. We popped to the concourse to buy Railways Illustrated, as it had one of my shots published. With the magazine in hand we went to platform 7a for our train.
We had a 5-car 221 unit for this journey, and sat in First ready to purchase an upgrade. The journey itself was quick, pleasant and quiet, although vibration from the engine was notably poorer than usual in certain situations. On this leg we travelled as far as Leeds where we were able to indulge in spotting all manner of demised depots, locos and list infrastructure along the way. Our arrival into Leeds was heralded with much excitement for Joshua, amazed at the sheer volume of traffic. We got in at 10:01 (1 early).
Our next planned leg was to do the 10:49 NR Leeds-Carlisle service, for which we saw a 158 waiting. So after a water stop, we purchased SDS tickets from the booking office. This was where our first deviation from plan occurred. We had plenty of time still left. and decided that as all 3 of us had yet to travel by Class 333, today would be the perfect chance on the 10:26 NR Skipton service.
We were greeted most warmly by the onboard staff, who were always in the train doing their rdvenue. The train felt spacious, the large windows afforded good views, and the speed of progress was good. The train arrived at Skipton bang on time, having been surprised to learn just how many intermediate stops there were. We were surprised to see a double 158 arrive on time for the Carlisle service, although as time went by it became obvius the capacity wasnt wasted. Despite the weather not being at best, with exception to the top of Penyghent and Mallerstang edge were wonderful, Joshua truly staggered by the rugged terrain and engineering employed to pass a railway line through it. The journey was enlivened by a coach party joining at Settle, and two volunteers from the Settle and Carlisle development company. I have reasonable knowledge of the line, but it was vastly increased with a good guide being both informative and receptive in equal measure. One particularly touching story was that of Ruswarp, a dog who's statue adorns the southbound platform at Garsdale. At Appleby the trolley gave way for a coolbag of ice-cream tubs of varying flavours, locally produced, all bar 2 of around 60 were sold, 3 to our table. Arrival at Carlisle seemed to arrive much quicker, thanks in no small part to our travelling group having been so well entertained. Firm handshakes were exchanged with both gentleman for a wonderful trip (and to think this could all have been taken off us by the Tories). The 158s had got us to Carlisle on time for our 20 minute connection.
Next up, and the driving purpose for our trip, was for my Dad to experience the 21st century travel offered by the WCML on the 13:49 VT Carlisle-Euston service. The train was delayed arriving having caught a late Saltire liveried Class 156. The first thing noticed, and by Joshua from an incredible distance, was the Alstom sticker adorning the nose of 390052. He was now expecting the Alstom liveried set, but this was just the nose sticker and name Alison Waters, after an athlete. We departed Carlisle 4 mins down and were soon hitting well into three figure speeds. Zooming through the greenery, it was easy to wish for larger windows, but it didn't spoil the journey - nor did being in coach C with easy reach to the shop. As we passed through the Lune gorge me and my Dad indulged in our favourite pass time when there - Looking out for the viaduct on the former Ingleburn line, as famously featured in the title sequence of TV series 'The train now departing'. The 5 intermediate stops came and went very swiftly, and then it was non stop Warrington-Euston. We reached Euston 4 early, the only sullying point of the trip not provided by the odour of toilets, but a gentleman doing nothing to dispelled stereotypes of his Scottish countrymen via a bottle if Whiskey. Come Rugby he was insufferable and a nuisance to all and I believe he wad greeted at London for his troubles.
The weary travellers now had ample time to grab some warm food at tea time, even if it wasn't as wholesome as a doctor may like. When finished we made our way to platform 4 for the 18:03 VT Euston-Wolverhampton service, where we found ourselves reserved in the exact same seats. Another good journey was experienced, the train was very busy, but it flew past as we got to New Street on time.
This just left an uneventful 323 to Longbridge and another to Redditch to help us escape a busy New Street ASAP. The Redditch arrived 2 minutes early, and everybody had thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
Summary: 757 miles (approx), 8 services, 5 arrived on time, 3 arrived early. Total ticket costs for two adults (bear in mind I have free XC and priv) was £84.65
