Shack Attack 2025

[Andy Pacer]

I'm not very fit, it was a hot day and quite boring! Thankfully it was dry and flat. I should have borrowed a friends' bike TBH.
Also I stuck to roads and the Google Maps route. Openstreetmap shows shorter routes along tracks, so that may be useful to investigate.

Were there footpaths?

 

[mm333]

Ok - I can cope with those - it’s the dicing with death on busy A roads I can’t stand (a hazard of the central Wales line and vanishing footpaths).

This was my route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/po6VDc2Xmsjz2MC58

For the half a mile you walk along the B1230, there was a pavement on the north side of the road. Walking along the country lanes didn't feel unsafe. Cars either got out of your way or when there were cars in both directions, I just stepped on the verge and waited.

Were there footpaths?

The only other pavements were at the end of the walk as you come through Laxton towards Saltmarshe station.

This is the shortest walking route on OpenStreetMap. From the looks of Google satellite images, at least 60% of that route is along what looks like grass tracks. I find walking on uneven ground much harder, so I'm pleased I took the road route even though it was longer.

For the record, I got off the 0820 arrival from Selby and made the 1120 Saltmarshe-Doncaster, but if I'd got any slower, I would have had the 1137 to Hull to fall back on.

 

[The exile]

9 October 2025

Whittlesford Parkway
Great Chesterford

UK Total: 2698

 

[Andy Pacer]

09/10/25

Breich
Cleland
Curriehill
Falkirk High
Kirknewton
Livingston South
Robroyston
Shotts
Wester Hailes

 

[Andy Pacer]

10/10/25

Bathgate
Carntyne
Drumgelloch
Lanark
Wishaw

 

[ccityplanner12]

Deansgate-Castlefield – Imperial War Museum
MediaCityUK – New Islington – Ashton-under-Lyne (Oldham Road)
Ashton-under-Lyne (Charlestown) – Manchester Victoria

Ealing Broadway – Taplow
Burnham – Bond Street

 

[TheLancsNinja]

Saturday 11 Oct

Bradford Forster Square
Bingley
Crossflatts
Frizinghall
Saltaire

 

[sh24]

Saturday 11 October

Knebworth
Welwyn North
Hertford North
Watton at Stone
Cuffley
Bayford

 

[DaventryRabbit]

Sunday 12/10
Cardonald

 

[TheLancsNinja]

Sunday 12 Oct

Ambergate
Belper
Cromford
Duffield
Ilkeston
Matlock
Matlock Bath
Tutbury & Hatton
Whatstandwell

 

[gabrielhj07]

10 October

Portlethen

 

[DiddyKongRacin]

First entry to this - but have been trying to tick off a lot of stations around the NW at a slow pace. Is it acceptable to put everything I've done this year to catch up?

10 October
Huyton
Roby

11 October
Stalybridge
Reddish South
Denton
Guide Bridge
Fairfield
Gorton
Woodley
Bredbury
Brinnington
Reddish North
Mauldeth Road
Burnage
Gatley
Patricroft
Eccles

12 October
Clitheroe
Church & Oswaldtwistle

Total NR: 144 [240 outstanding to do in the Northwest of England!]

 

[KT550]

Wed 15 Oct 2025

Langbank
Woodhall
Port Glasgow
Bogston
Greenock Central
Greenock West
Fort Matilda
Gourock
Cartsdyke

Thu 16 Oct 2025

Whinhill
Drumfrochar
Branchton
Inverkip
Wemyss Bay
Renton
Alexandria
Balloch
Helensburgh Upper
Helensburgh Central
Cardross
Craigendoran

Fri 17 Oct 2025

Robroyston
Stepps
Gartcosh
Lanark
Carluke
Wishaw
Shieldmuir

 

[Andy Pacer]

Wed 15 Oct 2025

Langbank
Woodhall
Port Glasgow
Bogston
Greenock Central
Greenock West
Fort Matilda
Gourock
Cartsdyke

Thu 16 Oct 2025

Whinhill
Drumfrochar
Branchton
Inverkip
Wemyss Bay
Renton
Alexandria
Balloch
Helensburgh Upper
Helensburgh Central
Cardross
Craigendoran

Fri 17 Oct 2025

Robroyston
Stepps
Gartcosh
Lanark
Carluke
Wishaw
Shieldmuir

Some memories there of shacks i scratched the previous week

 

[DaventryRabbit]

Saturday 18/10
Radlett
Midland Main Line between St Pancras and Sheffield now complete

 

[birchesgreen]

17/10

Southend Airport
Rochford

 

[bigmanaiq]

18/10/2025

Dore & Totley
Reddish South
Denton
Rose Hill Marple
Romiley
New Mills Central
Glossop
Hadfield
Manchester Airport
Wilmslow

 

[All platforms]

Just spotted this - since these are the only two in the area I require - in what way is the walk inadvisable?

There is the post 8am 9 minute weekday connection to consider as well - 8.11 from Hull and 8.20 to Hull, which is how i did it a few years ago. Its a Level Crossing only station so no dawdling! Edit: i hadn't realised the two stations were as close together as they are so perhaps the walk may be better - if the weather is kind.

 

[sh24]

Thursday 23 October

Billericay
Burnham on Crouch
Althorne - Station 1500

As we have reached the shivering on a freezing cold windy station time of year, will be reducing shack bashing until the sun comes back.

 

[The exile]

Thursday 23 October

Billericay
Burnham on Crouch
Althorne - Station 1500

As we have reached the shivering on a freezing cold windy station time of year, will be reducing shack bashing until the sun comes back.

That’s half the fun (said not entirely facetiously!)

 

[sh24]

That’s half the fun (said not entirely facetiously!)

You are made of sterner stuff than me! After a couple of especially freezing days last winter I am happy to be a fair weather shack basher.

 

[The exile]

You are made of sterner stuff than me! After a couple of especially freezing days last winter I am happy to be a fair weather shack basher.

I draw the line at extremity-freezing as well but waiting in the dark early evening at this sort of time of year with the wind howling in the treetops /signal wires has a certain something (as long as the train does actually turn up!).

 

[DiddyKongRacin]

Friday 24 October
Liverpool James Street (I think I've been here before but could not pin it down, so I'll count it!)
Bidston
Birkenhead North
Birkenhead Park
Conway Park
Birkenhead Central
Rock Ferry
Green Lane
Hamilton Square

Today was hoping to bash out the rest of the North Wirral stations on Merseyrail but the weather is a bit tumultious. Slow and steady for completing NW England!

 

[DaventryRabbit]

Saturday 25th October
Llanbradach

 

[TheLancsNinja]

Saturday 25 October

Alfreton
Bulwell
Creswell
Hucknall
Kirkby In Ashfield
Langley Mill
Langwith-Whaley Thorns
Mansfield Town
Mansfield Woodhouse
Newstead
Shirebrook
Sutton Parkway
Whitwell

 

[DaventryRabbit]

Sunday 26th October

Energlyn and Churchill Park
Maesteg Ewenny Road
Wildmill
Pencoed
Cathays
Llandaf
Pentre Bach

 

[TheLancsNinja]

Sunday 26th October

Adwick
Bentley (South Yorkshire)
Bolton-upon-Dearne
Conisbrough
Goldthorpe
Hatfield and Stainforth
Kirk Sandall
Mexborough
Moorthorpe
South Elmsall
Swinton (South Yorkshire)
Thorne North
Thurnscoe

Leaves me at 403 total now, was nice to crack the 400 mark!

 

[bigmanaiq]

28/10/2025

Sherburn in Elmet
Howden
Brough
Gilberdyke
Selby
Outwood

 

[Kite159]

28/10:
Beaulieu Park

 

[The Mercian]

21/10

Shotton
Upton
Heswall
Leasowe
Moreton
Meols
Manor Road
Hoylake
West Kirby
New Brighton
Wallasey Grove Road
Wallasey Village
Birkenhead North
Birkenhead Park
Conway Park
Birkenhead Central
Green Lane
Rock Ferry
Bebington
Port Sunlight
Spital
Bromborough Rake
Bromborough
Eastham Rake

A long day spent dodging the rain and wind all across the Wirral. It has to be said the 15 min service massively helps in knocking these off.