SuperLuke2334's trip reports!

[SuperLuke2334]

Hi all!

Won't be doing these very often, however I have got some trips planned for the year!

Anyway, best start with my first trip!

4/2/23 - A trip to Liverpool, Merseyside, and Crewe (not planned)

The day started at Hereford, waiting for the 08.30 to Holyhead as far as Chester. Albeit delayed by 17 minutes and eventually 20 mins late when it did turn up! The delay repay claim has gone in...

This was formed of 150281, which was quite quiet when we got on. The train really started to fill up at Shrewsbury, and by Wrexham General you wouldn't have been able to fit another single person on! Turns out they were all heading to some football in Manchester...
Passing Shrewsbury we spotted 197018 in Abbey Foregate Sidings, which was nice!

Arrival at Chester was 10.38, where we headed straight for P7B, the aim of the day's trip. 197009, which had just arrived for Manchester Airport happily swallowed up all the football fans that had alighted from our 150! I dread to think how full it got further along the route....

Thanks to the lovely people in the TOPS Requests thread, I learnt that 508111 (Beatles Story) was on the 10.45 , which we headed straight for photos etc.. The ride up to Moorfields was very quick and it was an enjoyable trip. Not too busy which was useful, but also a pleasure to be able to enjoy the 507s/508s having not been on them before! We alighted at Moorfields and changed for the Northern line. We went one stop on 508138 to Sandhills and decided to find the 777 that I knew was out on Kirkby - Liverpool Central services. Just as we were about to film the 508 leaving, my friend said look there it is! We scrapped the filming and headed straight for the 777! They were really nice trains, and the acceleration is amazing! It must have been 0-30mph in 5-10 seconds! It was interesting to see the new Train Manager method of working, and the new features on the train were great, in particular level boarding!

After about 2 round trips on it, we alighted at Kirkdale to try and see the depot, then hopped on a 507 back to Moorfields and changed for Liverpool Lime Street, which happened to be 508111 again! At Lime St, we had a look round and took a few pictures, then bought tickets to have a run out on the TFW 197 from Lime St to Chester later on in the day. We then headed for Liverpool Central, where we changed to go to Hunts Cross. The station was very pleasant, although the unit that took us there was not very healthy at all! We saw a couple of Northern 195s, (110 and 129) and a TPE 185 (142). We headed back to Liverpool Central after about half an hour having consumed lunch, to change for James St to get a few pictures in the underground section.

At around 15.05 we left James St for Lime St, in time to pick up 197002 for the journey to Chester at 15.47. It pulled in bang on time from Chester, and we took a table seat directly behind the front driver's cab over the bogie. The acceleration was amazing! I was having to think hard about whether these or the 777 had better acceleration at one point! I did later find out that it must have been on the 'Super' Mode which gave the train 1000hp! The seats were really comfy, a massive upgrade over the standard Fainsa Sophia found on IETs. The ride wasn't actually too bad in my opinion, it was really smooth.

Now here comes the interesting bit. We had advance singles from Chester back to Hereford at 18.33. However this train was cancelled between Chester and Cardiff Central due to a shortage of train crew. (Hence why we'd decided to do the 197 for longer.) We decided to hop on the Crewe - Chester shuttle to Crewe at 16.54 (Thanks to the nice conductor who let us on) to go via Crewe on the way home. We had a while in Crewe as we were going to get the 1910 to Cardiff Central home. The visit to Crewe was highly enjoyable and we even chanced on seeing the Midland Pullman on the return from the Settle and Carlisle Pullman trip!

Thanks to the nice guard on the 1910, who cleared up plenty of confusion (that I don't need to go into) we arrived back in Hereford on 175001 at 20.47, 3 minutes early. Delay repay claim for this has also gone in having arrived back 25 minutes later than planned..

All in all a great day out! We may have to go back when the 777s are in full service as they really were great trains!

I don't know what the next trip will be... we'll have to see what we feel like! There's definitely plenty of things on the list...

Any comments and questions are welcome!

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like you had a good trip, other than overcrowding on that first 150 and needing to go via Crewe on the way back due to a train cancellation

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Sounded like you had a good trip, other than overcrowding on that first 150 and needing to go via Crewe on the way back due to a train cancellation

It was very enjoyable! We had seats on the 150 but everyone got off at Chester so it was only really bad for 1 stop. Having not been to Crewe before either I quite enjoyed it there so I wasn't that bothered!

 

[railfan99]

It was very enjoyable! We had seats on the 150 but everyone got off at Chester so it was only really bad for 1 stop. Having not been to Crewe before either I quite enjoyed it there so I wasn't that bothered!

How much did your day of travel cost, and what amount do you reckon you'll receive back per 'delay repay'?

 

[SuperLuke2334]

How much did your day of travel cost, and what amount do you reckon you'll receive back per 'delay repay'?

We had advance singles HFD - CTR which cost £6.30 each in the rail sale. Since we were delayed under 30 mins but above 15 mins on both legs, I believe it will be half the price of each ticket back? Therefore I should get £6.30 back.

 

[Techniquest]

Those were some incredibly cheap tickets!

It sure looks like a fun day out overall, despite the horrendous crowding on a 150. The 197 sounds like it will be good fun, I'm looking forward to sampling them in due course but for now I'm not going out of my way to try them. Given they'll be easy to do out of Hereford before too long, there's no major rush. The 777s, I definitely want to try them soon and have a good long ride on some 507s and 508s for one last time. Maybe my next trip to New Brighton will indeed be my last one on a 507/508, I've said that about so many visits though!

You have reminded me to put in for a claim for my non-provided First Class last week, something I should get done ASAP. So much on the to-do list!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Those were some incredibly cheap tickets!

It sure looks like a fun day out overall, despite the horrendous crowding on a 150. The 197 sounds like it will be good fun, I'm looking forward to sampling them in due course but for now I'm not going out of my way to try them. Given they'll be easy to do out of Hereford before too long, there's no major rush. The 777s, I definitely want to try them soon and have a good long ride on some 507s and 508s for one last time. Maybe my next trip to New Brighton will indeed be my last one on a 507/508, I've said that about so many visits though!

You have reminded me to put in for a claim for my non-provided First Class last week, something I should get done ASAP. So much on the to-do list!

Sounds like you've got plenty on the bucket list too! Thanks for the comments.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Actually I must point out I did have a 16-17 saver hence how they were so cheap.

 

[Techniquest]

Actually I must point out I did have a 16-17 saver hence how they were so cheap.

Ah I did wonder about that!

As for my bucket list, it is enormous. I ticked off a few bits in January, but I've added more since then and I keep remembering bits to do. If I actually wrote down all these things, it would take a while to just write the list, never mind actually doing it all!

My trip report thread will reveal which things are coming off my wishlist later in the year

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Forgot to write this quick journey up...

25/2/23

Just a quick jaunt from Hereford to Ludlow and back to try and hunt down one of the black Mk4 sets. Unfortunately luck did not play my way and I ended up with 67029 and HD01. This was another loco ticked off though, along with the last of the original 3 red sets ticked off, so I wasn't complaining! 175116 was my ride back home, very rattly unit and sounded like it could do with some TLC (like many of them)!

I was intending to go first class should I have got a black MK4 set, as it looks so much nicer than the LNER liveried sets. I'll have to save my money for easter hols when I've got a better chance at it!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Only just had time to write this trip report up!

11/4/23 - The long trip to Penrith!

This trip was incredibly interesting and definitely one of the longest I've been on.

Starting early, we had to catch a bus to get us to the station in time for our 0756 departure to Chester. Having checked the trains early, I groaned when I saw that it had left Cardiff 5 late.. as we only had 5 minutes to change at Chester (luckily only a cross the platform change). The train pulled into Hereford 3 late consisting of 67014 and HD05 (the remembrance day set), both of these being winners. These ex Grand Central Mk4 sets are incredibly nice, I still need to try first class at some point!!!

The journey went without mishap, arriving into Chester P4 a minute early, despite having trainee conductors! It really shows what these 67s can do when driven properly.

A quick cross-platform change to P7A to catch the 09.52 to Warrington Bank Quay, which was formed of 197017 (winner). The train was relatively busy but we all got seats for the 30 minute journey to Warrington. These 197s never fail to amaze me with how great they are. I found out on this one you could view exactly where you were when connected to the WiFi, which is an amazing feature.

Arrival into Warrington was around 3 minutes late, however that was not a problem as we had a booked 55 minute wait as it is.

Our pendolino 390043 turned up a couple of minutes late, however here we encountered a problem. The train was in reverse formation, which was not announced, and the seat reservations on the train were completely different to what we had on our tickets! The train was also full so we had to wait until Wigan before we found seats in the unreserved coach C. The rest of the journey went without mishap or anything interesting, and arrival was 8 minutes late.


14/3/23

Well what a return journey..... I made the stupid decision of booking onto a TPE train and guess what they did... cancelled it!!!! This company is in an abysmal state, it really is. Anyway we got on the 0949 to Manchester Piccadilly as opposed to the 0849 which was cancelled. This was winner 802213, and it was a lovely ride all the way to Manchester. The seats in these seem to be a mix of 197 style and GWR IET style fainsa sophias, which made for a relatively comfortable journey.

And coming into Manchester... isn't it just gutting when you can see your connection pulling away !!! (Yes we had a booked 1hr wait anyway due to min connection time).

I'm not complaining about this however, as the 1230 to Hereford was a 3 car 175 (175116) rather than the double 153 we would have had on the 1130, so pretty good a turnout considering! 116 seems to be attracted to me recently, I'm constantly on it!

So that concludes the trip all in all! Delay repay was claimed for the return trip, and as a family we got back £48.91 due to being 56 minutes late (darn it wasn't the hour) and having railcards and split tickets making the journey cheaper.

All in all a very enjoyable trip!

Final note - I have got a couple of trips lined up for May... Severn valley diesel gala on the 20th May (pending any further strike announcement) and having a trial on West Mids Railways new 196 units on the Hereford line in half term. You'll definitely hear from me when and if these happen!

Stay well everyone.

 

[Techniquest]

Overall a nice trip, but a shame about the issues on the way back! Nicely done though getting an 802 on the way south, I keep forgetting that option exists and I must remember to book that one eventually. With backup options in case of a cancellation, of course

Fingers crossed for you with getting to the SVR gala, I've recently seen the lineup and it looks good. A 58 attending has my interest peaked, although I'd only be able to attend on the Sunday due to work commitments. You'll like the 196s, they provide a nice ride on the Hereford-Worcester-Birmingham route

I'm guessing half-term is not too far away now?

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Overall a nice trip, but a shame about the issues on the way back! Nicely done though getting an 802 on the way south, I keep forgetting that option exists and I must remember to book that one eventually. With backup options in case of a cancellation, of course

Fingers crossed for you with getting to the SVR gala, I've recently seen the lineup and it looks good. A 58 attending has my interest peaked, although I'd only be able to attend on the Sunday due to work commitments. You'll like the 196s, they provide a nice ride on the Hereford-Worcester-Birmingham route

I'm guessing half-term is not too far away now?

Week of the 29th is half term.

I honestly didn't know it was the 802 diagram as all the services are pathed as 397 on RTT!

SVR is going to be a good day I hope providing the trains don't decide to go on strike!!

 

[Techniquest]

Good to know, in the job I do being prepared for half term is critical. The place can get like a slalom course when half term/other school holidays are in session!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Good to know, in the job I do being prepared for half term is critical. The place can get like a slalom course when half term/other school holidays are in session!

Fair enough!!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Hello! Another trip report from me, as promised, from the Severn Valley Railway Diesel Gala!

20/5/23

What a day! It was absolutely amazing!

For starters, I bagged myself two trips into one, as lo and behold the brand new 196s turned up to take me to Worcester for a train to Kidderminster. They're great trains really, the seats are comfortable and relatively spacious, the only thing I have to complain about is the lack of armrests ! But that's been done to death on here so let's move on to the fun part...

0839 Hereford to Worcester Foregate St went without hitch, and we were there bang on time thanks to the units' extremely good acceleration. 196004 and 005 were traction. I then had a 20 minute wait at WOF, for the next train to Kidderminster, which was a Dorridge service. However, it was very disappointing that it was only 2 coaches, 172101. We did at least get seats which was good enough I suppose. The ex-Chiltern units are indeed very comfortable and I'd happily travel on those a lot!

Arrival at Kidderminster was around 2 minutes late at 1003.

The queue into the SVR station had very much reduced by the time I got there, however from what I was told plus photos on Facebook, they were queuing back to the mainline station at 8am that morning!!

First up for traction was the 10.30 service, which was hauled by 37263. This loco really was powerful and it pulled the train no issue! What a great start to the day. I took this 1 stop to Bewdley, where I alighted in order to pick up the Castle Set HST after a short while. Having not been to the SVR for many many years, this was a wonderful experience and I love how they've done the stations recently with bunting and decorations!

Taking the HST back to Kidderminster, I managed to get a peek in the cab, like many others, before re-boarding it to Arley. By this time the timetable was already about 20 minutes down so I was having to make slight alterations to my plan!
At Arley, I only had a 2 minute change onto 50035 back to Kidderminster, however I did make it with a couple of minutes to spare. This loco was an absolute star and sounded fabulous.

Having intended to wait at Kidderminster once back for the 20s, I instead decided to make the 3 minute change onto the LSL Scotrail set with 56051 hauling and 47712 on the rear. Despite not getting a seat due to it being so busy, it was lovely to enjoy a premium train that usually is quite expensive to get a ride on! I rode this to Highley and back, and it was an excellent trip.
Returning to Kidderminster, I waited around for the 56 to be taken off and the 88 put onto the Scotrail set. Managed to get a little peek into the 88 cab too!

I originally intended to take the 88 to Highley, but the train was full and standing, and the aircon was very ineffective, so I took it as far as Bewdley. I completely understand that it is a primarily electric freight locomotive, but the diesel power was very very little for the set it was pulling. We must have gone at no more than 10mph all the way to Bewdley. But hey, that's all in the fun and it's haulage ticked off !

I returned to Kidderminster from Bewdley on the HST, and then did a bit of spotting and exploring around the station area for a bit. Due to the timetable being completely out the window at this point and nearly an hour late, I decided to bin any further trips, which would have been the 57 and 20s. Instead I headed to get some food, and slowly make my way home stopping off at a couple of places.

Catching the 1815 out of Kidderminster, I met with our old friend 172101 still solo again, and took this to Droitwich Spa. Here I had a wait of circa 40 minutes for the train, but it turned out that it was around 50 in the end due to the train getting stuck in congestion on SHL due to the Herefords being diverted to Snow Hill over the weekend.

196004 and 005 turned up once again to take me on the quiet trip back to Hereford, arriving around 10 minutes late at 2025.

All in all, it was an absolutely fabulous day, and I would happily go back again at some point for another gala, although maybe a quieter day next time .

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Actually I must point out I did have a 16-17 saver hence how they were so cheap.

Your postings are very mature. From your contributions on the TfW threads I assumed you to be older than me, certainly.

Great to hear reports of all the new stock, which I look forward to trying out when in the UK next month.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Your postings are very mature. From your contributions on the TfW threads I assumed you to be older than me, certainly.

Great to hear reports of all the new stock, which I look forward to trying out when in the UK next month.

Thank you for the kind comments. I hope you enjoy the new stock!

 

[Techniquest]

Clearly you had a great day! Good to hear you liked the 196s too, they are great trains!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Clearly you had a great day! Good to hear you liked the 196s too, they are great trains!

They're very futuristic and I can't wait to get more miles in on them!

It was a great day, and it's just a shame that the timetable just fell behind so much.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

24/6/23

A very good morning with lovely sunny weather at Hereford! The object of this trip was simply to try out the 197s along the Marches. We caught 67025 with HD06 (new set for haulage, yay!) to Ludlow, where we waited for just over an hour for the 197s to turn up. I do like the 197s, having travelled on them in North Wales, but it was interesting to see them working along this line. The acceleration was fantastic, and seats absolutely perfect as per my previous experiences. I was however, very glad it was a double set (018 and 019), as it was relatively busy, so if it was 2 car I may have been standing !

Next trip will be likely in a few weeks

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

24/6/23

A very good morning with lovely sunny weather at Hereford! The object of this trip was simply to try out the 197s along the Marches. We caught 67025 with HD06 (new set for haulage, yay!) to Ludlow, where we waited for just over an hour for the 197s to turn up. I do like the 197s, having travelled on them in North Wales, but it was interesting to see them working along this line. The acceleration was fantastic, and seats absolutely perfect as per my previous experiences. I was however, very glad it was a double set (018 and 019), as it was relatively busy, so if it was 2 car I may have been standing !

Next trip will be likely in a few weeks

You posted this exactly when I was on that very double set.

 

[Techniquest]

The sun keeps coming and going in The Ford, at one point it felt like it was going to rain! Good news that you got a double set though there, I had considered popping out for some 197 action myself today. Then I saw my limited funds, following a week away with the family, let's just say it's a good thing July is Tour de France month!

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

The sun keeps coming and going in The Ford, at one point it felt like it was going to rain! Good news that you got a double set though there, I had considered popping out for some 197 action myself today. Then I saw my limited funds, following a week away with the family, let's just say it's a good thing July is Tour de France month!

You’d have bumped into me! I’ve had four 197s into Cardiff today.

 

[Techniquest]

You’d have bumped into me! I’ve had four 197s into Cardiff today.

You have been busy playing catch-up then!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

You posted this exactly when I was on that very double set.

How ironic

The sun keeps coming and going in The Ford, at one point it felt like it was going to rain! Good news that you got a double set though there, I had considered popping out for some 197 action myself today. Then I saw my limited funds, following a week away with the family, let's just say it's a good thing July is Tour de France month!

Thats a shame that you couldn't do it, yes the weather is very changeable, however Ludlow was very nice.

 

[150249]

Should've come down to Taunton for the day. Plenty of action there!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Should've come down to Taunton for the day. Plenty of action there!

I only had a couple hours in the morning spare, so that wouldn't have been an option . That is of course assuming you are addressing me.

 

[150249]

I only had a couple hours in the morning spare, so that wouldn't have been an option . That is of course assuming you are addressing me.

Fair enough. Forgot the first railtour came at around 9.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

I know I know the silence on this thread is deafening!!

However... I will have 2 trip reports to write up after today... a return to the Merseyrail network, and a visit to the Cardiff Valleys today!

Don't know when they'll be out but I am sure it won't be long .