Southern
Member
I'd been putting off this trip for ages but being the last weekend of the Eastbourne Summer Special, I decided to get one of these Southern Daysave tickets. Apologies in advance for the gaps in traction, think tiredness was to blame for the most part.
My day started quite early, was out of the house just after half 7 and at the station by quarter to. Got my Travelcard and went to wait for the 0756 to St Pancras, during which time 375628 arrived working the 0600 Charing X - Ramsgate. An unidentified 395 turned up, busy for a Saturday morning; even more so as we got nearer to London, the guard urging people to "move down the train as there was space at the front"...why people can't spread along the platform, I'll never know. Guess it would require the possession of actual common sense
Anyway, arrived at St Pancras slightly late but had time to go to M&S before my train to East Croydon. Hoping for a 319 (preferably at /2), 2 377/5's turned up for the 0909. Fairly quiet until London Bridge, where we filled up a bit. Got off at East Croydon and headed down the underpass to wait for the 0953 to Victoria. 460002 passed through with the 0930 Victoria - Gatwick; front completely empty; rear well loaded. 442412+411 turned up for the 0953. We arrived on time at 1010 and I noted a 460 waiting to depart for Gatwick; unit was 007 I'm led to believe. I then went over to Platform 19 to join 442423+402 for the 1021 non - stop run to Brighton. This would normally be an ECS move, run during the summer months, but became an extra service to cater for those heading to the Pride Festival in Brighton. We left 1 minute down, preceding with caution as the 1017 Haywards Heath splitter was just ahead. Gatwick was reached in 30 mins and soon we were overtaking the 1017, stopped in Haywards Heath P1. 442423 appeared to have had a door malfunction as the front was stuck shut; later on in the day when I saw it, I noticed it had been jammed open. We had an on time arrival at Brighton at 1122, where I had a few things to do before I continued my journey. Part two coming shortly!
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I was back at Brighton just before 11:50, just in time for the 1152 to Lewes. 377411 was on this service, in a bit of state internally thanks to the festival crowds. Next was 377153 for the 1220 to Clapham Junction. Unfortunately, we were held at Keymer Junction and ended up leaving Haywards Heath 5 mins down. I'd originally planned to get the 1324 from Clapham - Epsom but this connection would be missed so I decided to bail at East Croydon. Luckily, I had a back up plan and thanks to the efforts of the driver at making up time, I was able to catch 455825 on the 1317 to Selhurst. We were held outside the station as 456021+024 took the line down to West Croydon and eventually arrived around 2 mins late. 455843 was my next train, the 1329 to Sutton. This was slightly late but had an on time arrival at Sutton at 1346, just in time to pick up the Epsom service at 1349. 456016+019 formed this working and I was finally back on track, if you'll pardon the pun
Now it was on to one of my favourite journeys, the Mole Valley line. I hadn't travelled all the way down to Horsham since January on the diverted Bognor's so it was nice to be back after so long. 377469 was working the 1409 and we arrived at Horsham just as my next service (1450 to Three Bridges) was attaching. This was 377117+421. Noted in the DCS were 377112 and 456017. The latter, together with a 455, will work the 0620 to Victoria via Dorking on Monday morning. This is one of only two scheduled 456 workings to the capital, the other being the 2006, with 2x456 leading a 455. To compliment these workings, two down services are also provided from Victoria at 1820 (works the 2006) and 1920 (stables for 0620). Part 3 coming shortly!
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Part 3
From Three Bridges, I took the 400 Metrobus to East Grinstead and walked a short way to the station. Like everywhere I went (except on re-entering Brighton station to get the 1152), the barrier rejected my ticket. I had a short wait as they were unmanned at the time and went on to have a short argument with a member of station staff, who claimed the ticket wasn't valid and that I needed an extension. Luckily, the guard about to work the 1607 was nearby and advised that he should "probably just let me travel." The staff member let me through, mumbling something about "always needing to check first." Seeing as the ticket is exclusive to the company he works for, surely he should be aware of it. Company training can only go so far and sometimes employees need to do things off of their own backs...it's all there on the Southern website and doesn't take me a minute to find out all the information. I expected better from Southern, who I've rarely had any problems with, certainly not ticketing ones so this was a little disappointing. Sorry about the mini rant, now to get on with the story.
377312+321 were working the 1607 today. I thought this working was a 10 - car on a Saturday but this must have changed at some point. The 1637 was showing as cancelled so possibly had some connection. On I got for the ride to Victoria and I must say, it was quite a nice ride, more interesting that I remembered although I've only used the line a couple of times. We were routed into Platform 12, which was unusual and arrived 1 minute down at 1703. I went to Boots for a bottle of water and a pack of gum, before once again joining 442423+402 for the 1721 non - stop run to Eastbourne, the last until next summer. We set off on time but faced a crawl though Selhurst/Windmill Bridge up to East Croydon. We were routed very slowly through Platform 2 and I thought I caught sight of the 1717 (which we were following) in the distance. We soon gained speed, slowing to pass Horley and shortly after, Gatwick. I noted the 1750 to Victoria running on the up slow, as had the 1050 and wondered if they would continue via Redhill or use the crossovers to the south of Earlswood. Gatwick passed, in no time at all we were were overtaking the 1717 at Haywards Heath, Littlehampton portion looked rammed with a ton of people stood in the doorways. Slowing for Wivelsfield and a 20mph TSR, it was then onto Keymer Junction. It's a pleasant ride down to Eastbourne through the downs; chalk cliffs looming as you pass out through Lewes; the rolling fields and valleys; hills in the distance with the sea hidden behind. Despite the earlier delay, we arrived on-time at Eastbourne and I was able to transfer on the 1847 Brighton service. Part 4 to come shortly!
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Part 4
An uid 171 took me to Brighton, stopping at just Polegate and Lewes on it's journey. Brighton was reached at 1920 and next came 377441 on the 1929 to Ford. This was quite busy, with people heading back from Pride and seemed to take forever, stopping at every single halt on the line. Not many people (from what I could see) actually got off at any of these stations and I was quite surprised at the numbers going beyond Ford. Next was the 2019 to East Croydon and the end of my plan. First, the LBD changed to 2021 and when it got to this time, the familiar pair of lights appeared in the distance, announcing 377157's imminent arrival. We departed at 2022, 3 minutes late, loosing more time by Redhill due to the usual round of suitcases boarding at Gatwick. We left Redhill 4 - 5 mins down and were subsequently put behind a FCC Northbound service instead of in front and arrived at about 2135. Unfortunately, I had planned to go to London Bridge so with both the 2132/2133 services gone and feeling a bit knackered, I decided to make a start for home. I chose to wait for the 2153, thinking it would 442's but, alas, it wasn't and I must have glanced at the wrong entry on the departure board when I took in "Service formed of 10 Coaches." 377303 led in another three class mates (the trailing unit 326 I think) and I settled in for the journey to Victoria. As we left East Croydon, it dawned on me that the unit had the same seating as the other 377 variants, and being tired, I wondered if I'd imagined it was a /3. It soon came to me, and a quick check confirmed that they are being refitted, which is a shame as the Connex style seats were quite nice. Approaching Clapham, I remembered I held a Travelcard so decided to bail there for an SWT service to Vauxhall.
A pair of UID 450's passed through with the 2200 Waterloo - Portsmouth and I was surprised to see the front quite empty...until the rear passed :roll: Sometimes, I think the travelling public should be made to go on a course, with the core unit labelled "how to spread down the train and not board at the first doors you see"...anyway, an UID 455 soon came in with the 2205 and I boarded. I have a fondness for these units, perhaps because they still retain their route codes and didn't receive "that front end" their Southern counterparts did. This unit was from Chessington South so held the code "18" and in a few minutes, I was off at Vauxhall and heading for the Victoria Line. I took this back to St Pancras, with just enough time to grab something to eat from M&S before my train at 2242. With 4 minutes until departure, 395008+026 were a bit quiet so I imagine there weren't many night time events going on at Stratford. The crowds were certainly waiting at this station, though, swarming along the length of the platform, probably down to the many platform assistants there to guide them. We emptied out at Ebbsfleet and finally Ashford, where I left the train, which departed for Canterbury and Ramsgate partially empty. Lastly, an UID 375/9 delivered me back to Folkestone as the late running 2331. All in all, an enjoyable but tiring day, despite the business at East Grinstead...in fact, I plan to do another one soon! 
My day started quite early, was out of the house just after half 7 and at the station by quarter to. Got my Travelcard and went to wait for the 0756 to St Pancras, during which time 375628 arrived working the 0600 Charing X - Ramsgate. An unidentified 395 turned up, busy for a Saturday morning; even more so as we got nearer to London, the guard urging people to "move down the train as there was space at the front"...why people can't spread along the platform, I'll never know. Guess it would require the possession of actual common sense
Anyway, arrived at St Pancras slightly late but had time to go to M&S before my train to East Croydon. Hoping for a 319 (preferably at /2), 2 377/5's turned up for the 0909. Fairly quiet until London Bridge, where we filled up a bit. Got off at East Croydon and headed down the underpass to wait for the 0953 to Victoria. 460002 passed through with the 0930 Victoria - Gatwick; front completely empty; rear well loaded. 442412+411 turned up for the 0953. We arrived on time at 1010 and I noted a 460 waiting to depart for Gatwick; unit was 007 I'm led to believe. I then went over to Platform 19 to join 442423+402 for the 1021 non - stop run to Brighton. This would normally be an ECS move, run during the summer months, but became an extra service to cater for those heading to the Pride Festival in Brighton. We left 1 minute down, preceding with caution as the 1017 Haywards Heath splitter was just ahead. Gatwick was reached in 30 mins and soon we were overtaking the 1017, stopped in Haywards Heath P1. 442423 appeared to have had a door malfunction as the front was stuck shut; later on in the day when I saw it, I noticed it had been jammed open. We had an on time arrival at Brighton at 1122, where I had a few things to do before I continued my journey. Part two coming shortly!
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I was back at Brighton just before 11:50, just in time for the 1152 to Lewes. 377411 was on this service, in a bit of state internally thanks to the festival crowds. Next was 377153 for the 1220 to Clapham Junction. Unfortunately, we were held at Keymer Junction and ended up leaving Haywards Heath 5 mins down. I'd originally planned to get the 1324 from Clapham - Epsom but this connection would be missed so I decided to bail at East Croydon. Luckily, I had a back up plan and thanks to the efforts of the driver at making up time, I was able to catch 455825 on the 1317 to Selhurst. We were held outside the station as 456021+024 took the line down to West Croydon and eventually arrived around 2 mins late. 455843 was my next train, the 1329 to Sutton. This was slightly late but had an on time arrival at Sutton at 1346, just in time to pick up the Epsom service at 1349. 456016+019 formed this working and I was finally back on track, if you'll pardon the pun
Now it was on to one of my favourite journeys, the Mole Valley line. I hadn't travelled all the way down to Horsham since January on the diverted Bognor's so it was nice to be back after so long. 377469 was working the 1409 and we arrived at Horsham just as my next service (1450 to Three Bridges) was attaching. This was 377117+421. Noted in the DCS were 377112 and 456017. The latter, together with a 455, will work the 0620 to Victoria via Dorking on Monday morning. This is one of only two scheduled 456 workings to the capital, the other being the 2006, with 2x456 leading a 455. To compliment these workings, two down services are also provided from Victoria at 1820 (works the 2006) and 1920 (stables for 0620). Part 3 coming shortly!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Part 3
From Three Bridges, I took the 400 Metrobus to East Grinstead and walked a short way to the station. Like everywhere I went (except on re-entering Brighton station to get the 1152), the barrier rejected my ticket. I had a short wait as they were unmanned at the time and went on to have a short argument with a member of station staff, who claimed the ticket wasn't valid and that I needed an extension. Luckily, the guard about to work the 1607 was nearby and advised that he should "probably just let me travel." The staff member let me through, mumbling something about "always needing to check first." Seeing as the ticket is exclusive to the company he works for, surely he should be aware of it. Company training can only go so far and sometimes employees need to do things off of their own backs...it's all there on the Southern website and doesn't take me a minute to find out all the information. I expected better from Southern, who I've rarely had any problems with, certainly not ticketing ones so this was a little disappointing. Sorry about the mini rant, now to get on with the story.
377312+321 were working the 1607 today. I thought this working was a 10 - car on a Saturday but this must have changed at some point. The 1637 was showing as cancelled so possibly had some connection. On I got for the ride to Victoria and I must say, it was quite a nice ride, more interesting that I remembered although I've only used the line a couple of times. We were routed into Platform 12, which was unusual and arrived 1 minute down at 1703. I went to Boots for a bottle of water and a pack of gum, before once again joining 442423+402 for the 1721 non - stop run to Eastbourne, the last until next summer. We set off on time but faced a crawl though Selhurst/Windmill Bridge up to East Croydon. We were routed very slowly through Platform 2 and I thought I caught sight of the 1717 (which we were following) in the distance. We soon gained speed, slowing to pass Horley and shortly after, Gatwick. I noted the 1750 to Victoria running on the up slow, as had the 1050 and wondered if they would continue via Redhill or use the crossovers to the south of Earlswood. Gatwick passed, in no time at all we were were overtaking the 1717 at Haywards Heath, Littlehampton portion looked rammed with a ton of people stood in the doorways. Slowing for Wivelsfield and a 20mph TSR, it was then onto Keymer Junction. It's a pleasant ride down to Eastbourne through the downs; chalk cliffs looming as you pass out through Lewes; the rolling fields and valleys; hills in the distance with the sea hidden behind. Despite the earlier delay, we arrived on-time at Eastbourne and I was able to transfer on the 1847 Brighton service. Part 4 to come shortly!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Part 4
An uid 171 took me to Brighton, stopping at just Polegate and Lewes on it's journey. Brighton was reached at 1920 and next came 377441 on the 1929 to Ford. This was quite busy, with people heading back from Pride and seemed to take forever, stopping at every single halt on the line. Not many people (from what I could see) actually got off at any of these stations and I was quite surprised at the numbers going beyond Ford. Next was the 2019 to East Croydon and the end of my plan. First, the LBD changed to 2021 and when it got to this time, the familiar pair of lights appeared in the distance, announcing 377157's imminent arrival. We departed at 2022, 3 minutes late, loosing more time by Redhill due to the usual round of suitcases boarding at Gatwick. We left Redhill 4 - 5 mins down and were subsequently put behind a FCC Northbound service instead of in front and arrived at about 2135. Unfortunately, I had planned to go to London Bridge so with both the 2132/2133 services gone and feeling a bit knackered, I decided to make a start for home. I chose to wait for the 2153, thinking it would 442's but, alas, it wasn't and I must have glanced at the wrong entry on the departure board when I took in "Service formed of 10 Coaches." 377303 led in another three class mates (the trailing unit 326 I think) and I settled in for the journey to Victoria. As we left East Croydon, it dawned on me that the unit had the same seating as the other 377 variants, and being tired, I wondered if I'd imagined it was a /3. It soon came to me, and a quick check confirmed that they are being refitted, which is a shame as the Connex style seats were quite nice. Approaching Clapham, I remembered I held a Travelcard so decided to bail there for an SWT service to Vauxhall.
A pair of UID 450's passed through with the 2200 Waterloo - Portsmouth and I was surprised to see the front quite empty...until the rear passed :roll: Sometimes, I think the travelling public should be made to go on a course, with the core unit labelled "how to spread down the train and not board at the first doors you see"
...anyway, an UID 455 soon came in with the 2205 and I boarded. I have a fondness for these units, perhaps because they still retain their route codes and didn't receive "that front end" their Southern counterparts did. This unit was from Chessington South so held the code "18" and in a few minutes, I was off at Vauxhall and heading for the Victoria Line. I took this back to St Pancras, with just enough time to grab something to eat from M&S before my train at 2242. With 4 minutes until departure, 395008+026 were a bit quiet so I imagine there weren't many night time events going on at Stratford. The crowds were certainly waiting at this station, though, swarming along the length of the platform, probably down to the many platform assistants there to guide them. We emptied out at Ebbsfleet and finally Ashford, where I left the train, which departed for Canterbury and Ramsgate partially empty. Lastly, an UID 375/9 delivered me back to Folkestone as the late running 2331. All in all, an enjoyable but tiring day, despite the business at East Grinstead...in fact, I plan to do another one soon!