Fascinating read. Thank you.
Just out of interest, what time did you get into Leeds by going direct with no engineering diversions?
Glad you've enjoyed it, hopefully I'll find time to fit in day 6 later.
It'll be mentioned in day 6's write up, but we reached Leeds' platform 8 at 0148. I've no idea which way via Askern is, if anyone has the gen I'd be glad to hear from you.
eastwestdivide: Nope, my diet's not brilliant during an average week, but it's not as bad as it was during the ALR!
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Well without further ado, I bring you days 6 and 7 of my ALR trip report. Today's been my only day off since Monday and is my only one until next Sunday. I finally got a laptop out and went outside to enjoy the sunshine and hammer away on the keyboard. Hope you enjoy!
6th August 2011 - Day 6
After we eventually arrived in Leeds platform 8 at 0148, its time for the TPX part of the overnight series of moves. 185135 on the 0216 to York is flagged due to being dud, so all eyes on the 0220 now, and its 185128. Also dud, but Im not waiting, with nowt open, until 0320 for the next move, which was assumed to be 185135 again anyway. We leave 5 minutes late due to some BTP/troublemaker issue, and were diverted via Woodlesford and Wakefield Kirkgate to get to Huddersfield. My next move, after the nights, is confirmed as 0610 from Huddersfield to Sheffield. Now the key decision to make, where will I get some food and drink? For a change, the overnight isnt via Manchester Victoria, as we reverse at the east end of platform 13 at Piccadilly. Normally we always go via Victoria and reverse at Salford Crescent, so not going that way makes a nice change. 90045 is seen heading west towards Trafford just before we left at 0344. At the airport, we use the new platform 3, required micro-grice! All of us normal people as the guard put it were requested to sit in coach A on the 0415 to York, reason given was to keep us normal people away from the drunks. An excellent and sensible decision, and as can only be expected, First Class was filled very quickly! Time for a de-rancification and change of clothes again, after which I decide to doss to Huddersfield. Oh, and we went our usual way via Salford and Manchester Victoria this time, it was even mentioned by the TM on board.
The doss turned out to be a bad idea, because although the doss was most required, I ended up waking up just as the doors locked on departure from Huddersfield! Doh! Thats this mornings required track and moves thrown out of the window! I already knew Id not be able to make it to Leeds to get back in time for the 0610 from Huddersfield, so all sorts of random and crazy plans came to mind. EMT to Nottingham, East Coast to Doncaster, all sorts. In the end, I get off at Leeds for food and drink, which had been vitally needed for quite some time now. McDonalds to the rescue with a bacon roll breakfast deal for £2.99 or something like that, hardly a massive breakfast but dang it was good stuff! I toy, several times, of getting over to Bradford for the first Grand Central south as theres quite a bit of track it does that I need. No matter how many times I went back to the timetable to check my moves, I settle on the 0600 AXC south to Paignton, although even before we left that track was bugging me! 43366 is on the front, and I forgot to get the rear power cars ID before it left Sheffield, where I got off. After much deciding and panic-searching through timetables, I finally find a way to get the track through Rotherham Central done, which was required, before the 0803 from Sheffield to Cleethorpes. That was by far
the main train to get today, in the meantime I jump on board 142025, required haulage, to Swinton on the 0652 to Adwick. So many lines in the Rotherham area, I found it hard to track exactly where we were going. A Voyager is waiting for us to clear the single line at Rotherham Central, and I cant help thinking I had the better motive power out of the two. Back straight away from Swinton to Sheffield on 144011, sadly dud.
Were back there around 0747, so enough time to find out when EMT run via Market Rasen, grab a coffee - youve guessed it, large Americano with plenty of sugar from Pumpkin - and board 153359 on its own (!) to Barnetby via Brigg. Most people reading this will probably be aware that the line from Gainsborough to Barnetby via Brigg only runs on Saturdays, and even then only three times a day in each direction, hence the desperation to make it onto this train this morning. Absolutely loads of HTAs, 66024, 66160 and 66200, as well as 75405, were noted at Worksop. Didnt realise just how busy the place was! The rest of the journey passes through a considerable amount of both rural-ness and industry, and I have the pleasure of scooping 66718 for sight head west as we arrived at Brigg! Another one bites the dust, although with the seemingly never-ending re-numbering of 66s, theres still plenty to go! Were at Barnetby at 0930, with only a few minutes to wait for the EMT service to Newark North Gate at 0939. 153355s rather busy as it rolls in, after we leave its pretty full and I managed to secure a seat fortunately, after Market Rasen it was very full. Lincoln Central and it empties out quite significantly, leaving much less work for the 153 to do. At least this time it can manage to move without too much difficulty, last time I had it on a West Midlands Day Ranger it struggled like nobodys business! Im surprised at the fact Ive only had one new haulage today, even Thursday was better than that! Time to plan the next move, but neither option on East Coast inspires me.
No winning 91s lure me onto anything else, nor does 153355 back to Lincoln for a +20 onto the next Nottingham-bound train. Some videoing is done at Newark before getting dud 91126 to Doncaster, where Ill hopefully find out what time the GC runs to Bradford are at. Coffee is deemed essential by now and this time its a small one from Pumpkin as Ive not been to the ATM for some strange reason. Dud 91111 is taken over the GC to Bradford, the GC bash being declared an option for a future trip. The plan was to bail at York for the next service behind us (which didnt call at Doncaster) to Darlington for a quick pop to Thornaby for the curve onto the line to Sunderland. It wasnt to be for now, as a signalling difficulty was halting all going north and seriously delaying southbound stuff. I take that as my cue to get out of York, and join required 158907 on the 1247 to Selby, the plan now being to get that curve near Sherburn-in-Elmet done. I have to hang around in Selby until 1345 (or was it 1355?) for that, an enquiry into the timetable, reveals. So much time getting wasted today
I go in search of an ATM and end up in Morrisons, where I stock up on some supplies. The return to York is in the hands of required haulage again, 158791. Required track beyond Hambleton East Junction to Sherburn-in-Elmet (or wherever the curve ends), certainly hadnt planned to do that this week. Were held outside of York as the problems from earlier were still continuing. 1429 and Im off, sadly the next Middlesbrough train was just leaving. Over to platform 11 for the 1435 to Edinburgh, which seemed to take forever and a few years on top to actually arrive, but I was rewarded eventually with required 91130. Were 10 down now, and passengers for Middlesbrough were advised to instead change at Darlington. I assume that the connection would have been onto the 185, but this way means a chance of a required bit of haulage in the form of a 142. Tiredness strikes, as does a general annoyance at how lousy the afternoons gone. I could do with an overnights stay somewhere, but settling on that is proving troublesome, as is the desire to just keep going and get more and more haulage and mileage.
I start feeling better after I alight, probably helped by the fact I was out of the very warm coach. The afternoon continues to bowl me out, as the rather lousy weather has caused a problem with the 142. Couldnt quite tell what it was from the bit of the crews conversation I could hear, it sounded like some sort of leak in the front cab. Thankfully the 1553 loads up with passengers and staff, indeed it turned out this move was the better one as it didnt have such a long wait at Thornaby. We leave from platform 3 in the capable hands of 142070, required haulage. Of note this afternoon was noting 66585 north of York, another tick in the NREA. At least there werent any number-blocking wagons in the way this time, unlike at Doncaster where all of the GBRf 66s were un-identifiable due to loads of wagons in the way. Weve stopped in the middle of nowhere, not liking this. Thankfully were soon moving, with the driver sounding a long blast on the horn before we continue at vastly reduced speeds. I can see that connection disappearing
I spy a DBS coal train heading west before we come to another halt in the middle of nowhere. Got to be a TCF or signal failure, surely. Another blast on the horn and more slow running, with no explanation offered for the delay. Normal service finally resumed, and we pass a quadruple light engine 66 move just before Allens West. I wonder what DBS have been up to today then. Passing the site of the old Thornaby depot, there appears to be two new tunnel bores, some new track laying on top of fresh ballast and another new looking bridge, all alongside some new housing developments.
A most welcome sight produces on the 1637 from Thornaby, 142079. Welcome because its my penultimate 142 for sight, which leaves just 142003 to see before I finish the class. Fantastic, and I get to clear 142079 for some fairly decent mileage too. Off we go around the curve Ive spent all day getting to, and I celebrate with the cheese and bacon pasties I got from Morrisons earlier. Quite tasty, although theyd have been far better hot. Since my last visit, Hartlepools come on a long way and looks much, much tidier. I consider alighting at Sunderland for the 1729 to Kings Cross, although the tight connection became non-existent, with the HST leaving with 43465 leading just as we arrived. Ah well, just as well Im off to Newcastle anyway, where we reach at 1751 into platform 6. East Coast services are still delayed from earliers incidents, and I find a phone box, eventually, to ring home. Mum doesnt like my plans (down to the Cross, GatEx overnight moves and required track in the South East after) and insists on me finding accommodation. I managed this at Darlington, having arrived there on 91123 on the 1758 from Newcastle, which had been 36 down. £30 including breakfast at Arcadia House, 3 minutes walking time from the station. Gricers Tip: If hungry in Darlington, leave the station via the exit by platform 4, theres loads of takeaways there, all within 3 minutes of the station. After booking into my overnight stay, I go back to the station and check for any alterations for tomorrow. None thankfully, so I do a filler on 185122 to Durham, bumping into a TM friend of mine. I have to suffer a Voyager back to Darlington, but it was that or go to Newcastle and have a rather long wait for an East Coast service back. I get on the blower again to Mum and let her know where I am, before doing most of the days paperwork, followed by a massively rateable sleep. The days review then: Turned out to be quite good in the morning, then it all went a bit wrong. Made up for it by getting some unplanned coverage and that Pacer for sight. Less mileage and haulages had of course, but that was good as I needed proper sleep! Days rating, 8/10. Mileage was
569 miles and 53 chains.
Hopefully this doesn't become too long!
7th August 2011 - Day 7
Having no alarm clock, I end up waking later than planned all of a sudden. Instantly I regret tipping my bag out to deal with the rubbish in it, as I didnt do it last night after all. Ill do it in the morning I recall telling myself, oops. After a monstrously rateable shower, the first proper de-rancification all week, everything gets sorted and Im downstairs for breakfast at 0840. About an hour later than planned, but an excellent breakfast of bacon, sausages, beans and coast is cooked up whilst I devour some Frosties. The coffee is also most rateable, and I definitely didnt regret paying the extra fiver for the breakfast, as it set me up quite well for the rest of the day. Off to the station where I just see 156473 on the 0911 to Whitby. Eventually, 91132 rolls in with the 0850 from Newcastle to Kings Cross, and we leave at 0928, 3 down. Gutted its not required, but merr. Connections planning now, and after checking with the TM, theres a nice +8 at Peterborough to get to Cambridge. Now I need to decide whether to get Kings Lynn finished, thus completing the FCC network, or getting Coldham Lane Junction to Chippenham Junction done, whichll make my map look quite a bit better. Consulting timetables, I go with the latter option as the connection appears tight at Ely for Kings Lynn. It means Ive got just short of an hour in Cambridge, but itll go by fast Im sure. Wonder whatll be on the 1312 to Ipswich today
We arrive into Peterborough just before 1103, and I rush towards platform 4 to make sure I get a seat on 158846 on the 1109 to Norwich. Id got a lot more 66s than I expected as we had approached Peterborough, they being 66033, 708, 729, 704, 718, 728, 740, 724, 746 and 743. Since theyre in a wagon book Ive got, snowploughs 965232+233 were also noted. Five of the 66s were required out of that lot, which was a nice surprise. First EWS 66 back from France that Id seen too, also a nice surprise. Going past the FCC sidings, 321402 couldnt be seen sadly, one day Ill find it. Time for some music, which has been seriously lacking this week!
At March, I swap to the right hand side of the train in case anything was in the depot there. A wise choice, as 66720 in all its amazing spree of colour was there and a required sight. A good morning this was for required sightings, indeed this week Ive seen so many required 66s its unbelievable! Its been ages since I last came down here, February 2009 my memory suggests on 43068+43080. Writing that on paper, it looks bizarre! Platform 3b at Ely, required micro-gricing! [
Now if only all these micro-grices were recorded in the Quails, nearly a month later theyre still not done! - Ed] Not sure where I got the tight connection to Kings Lynn from, its not until 1220! Maybe I was looking at Cambridge, not sure. Off I pop to the nearby Tesco for supplies, although I still have some Skips amd Hula Hoops left from the other days, as well as some Milka chocolate, so end up leaving with just a 1 litre bottle of Mountain Dew for £1. Never tried it before, so I hope its nice! Another benefit of my staying in Darlington last night was that I got to chill my cola, which made it so much nicer. I had found a portable phone charger in Tesco, £6.47, I wish Id got that the other day! Oh well, back to the station to film 158846 and 365515 leave for Norwich and Kings Cross respectively. 170204 provides the first required haulage of the day to Cambridge, a welcome new line in the book. As we leave Ely, I note 73943 and 73925 (tampers), having seen 156418 still in CT colours leave on the 1207 to Norwich. I bet that was a fun trip! 379014, 028, 018 and 019 were all observed on the way into Cambridge, with only 018 being dud. Thats made the NREA look much better!
66115 is filmed arriving on a train of sleepers, no doubt in connection with the new island platform being built at Cambridge. More required haulage and another dent into the massive amount of 170s required for haulage next, with 170271 on the 1312 to Ipswich. Really wanted 170270, as its my last 170 for sight, maybe Ill find it on my next trip to Anglia. Started the Mountain Dew before we left, quite nice stuff! I finally eat my last packet of Skips, which have been carted around from Southend on Wednesday afternoon! It would be silly not to comment on the weather, which was really nice and sunny. A vast contrast to yesterdays rancid weather! We use the westbound platform, number 2, to my surprise at Dullingham, which means some more complicated micro-gricing in the future. At Chippenham Junction, were back onto dud track, and its been a long time since I last went down this way. October 2006 to be more precise, on Pathfinders The Sandblower, on which Id fallen asleep by now so at least now I can finally see the line! A lonesome ex-National Power wagon is seen dumped at Bury St Edmunds, for those curious 300603 is the number. Thankfully, thats where the really noisy people got off and the ensuing silence really was golden. It was also a time I was glad to have got some Nurofen stocked up before the trip, my head was pounding from their racket! Familiar track returns at Stowmarket, although Im looking forward to Ipswich for a 90 to Norwich. We arrive 2 minutes early at 1433, and the following was noted: 66564, 594, 535, 563, 587, 571, 504; 70008, 009; 90049, 047. I have finally got a reasonably decent shot of a 70, taken forever to get that! Both of the 70s were required sights, which was most pleasing. 90004 was noted atop the 1400 to London, and 90007 presents itself on the 1330 from London. Dud, but more mileage on it at least.
En-route to Norwich, I realise its one of the last 4 trains of the whole trip, which is not a welcome thought. The whole weeks gone by so fast, it only feels like yesterday when I left for the trip of a lifetime! Another ALR would be done starting tomorrow if I could, its been so much fun bar yesterdays farce and theres just so much still to do! If I did, and Im already wondering how Ill find the money for next years ALR, Id still do things as they went but with some changes. I think Ive proved, during the week, that following a set plan would have really gone to pot. What would I change? Three things, the first being to take a flipping phone charger (why I didnt think it would be needed I dont know). The second, either book berths on the sleepers and take something to assist sleep (because sleeping on the cushions is harder than I remember) or spend more money on accommodations. The third thing? Take a laptop to write things up as I go along [
that would be a good idea, judging by how long this has taken to do! - Ed], go on forums, etc for gen and so on. It all means next years trip will be very expensive since Ill have no railcard, but I also want to do a First Class one, so more ching! All this musing has taken a while, were not far off Crown Point! Ill be damned if I miss my last chance to see 170270 this week, and I realise that this working is the same one Id have been on if Id gone via London. Ive gained a lot more from going via Ely, rather glad how things have worked out! Sadly, although I spy 08874 in ex-Silverlink colours (somehow required for sight!) on Crown Point, no sign of any viewable 170s. 90012 is photted as we arrive at Norwich, it assumed to be on the 1600 to London. Thankfully Ive missed the worst of the weather over here, the lovely sunny weather of West Anglia replaced by rain and overcast skies in the east.
Its soon time to head west, to Peterborough to be more exact, on required haulage with 158780 with required track between Wymondham and Ely North Junction. Unless AXC or LM throw out something unusual, this is the last new haulage of the week, which upon realisation of this fact I crunch some data from the week. New haulages this week by day then. Day 1, 20. Day 2, 22. Day 3, 21 with Tube, 19 without. Day 4, 7 (only 7?!). Day 5, 22 with Tube, 20 without. Day 6, just 6 (?!?!?!?) and just 3 today. Day 2 wins the best result for the week, although that was helped hugely by pairings. For the week, 102 new haulages with the Tube, 98 without it. Not bad in general, considering that a lot of day 4 was spent on long distance moves, same sort of story yesterday and today. Ive done quite well there I think, and some of these days Ive had a lot of new haulages on Ive beaten an average day out for me anyway. As for Move of the Day, that I really have to stop and think about. As booked, we go around the so-called balloon curve at Ely North Junction to avoid the need to reverse. This was the highlight of the day, especially since this is the only train booked to do that bit of track all week long. Anglia is now mostly done, with obvious exception to preserved lines, so should be complete-able on just one more Anglia Plus bash. A good excuse to get over to Anglia in the future, plus I need plenty more new haulages over here yet. Time now to get the Baker out and colour in all the new track for the day, after which the atlas looks far better. No sign of 321402 still, and I head into town. Originally I was off to Asda to stock up on supplies, but I venture off to the Wetherspoons instead for a coffee. The next train to Hereford from Birmingham isnt until 2100, as I feared from my memory of the timetable, but I still get the 1752 to Birmingham in case something goes belly up on or before the 1852. I could have scooped 170202 to March in the meantime, but merr. Off we go then on 170108, and the only thing different I saw 66s wise in Peterborough was 66738, an ex-Freightliner one. Just how many 66s do GBRf need?!
Were soon at Stamford, which completes the AXC network for coverage. Three more TOCs added to my list of networks done now, not a bad result at all. Plenty of progress made with the rest of those not already done, although Id have liked to have done more this week. Were back on familiar territory now, so its time for Move of the Day. Day 1 was a tough choice, settled eventually with 375205 to Ramsgate and getting that annoying curve out of the way. The 90 to Glasgow was a close second. Day 2, another hard choice between 320302, the 334s over the new Airdrie to Bathgate line and the 158s to Alloa, but I settled with 221120 to Edinburgh for the rare track at Slateford. Day 3, Ive gone with 90026 on the sleeper. Day 4, an easy choice, 90043 on the Pretendalino! Day 5, both as rateable as each other really, but from the 317s from Cambridge and the 156 on the Sudbury line, 156422 won with the rather rateable thrash. Day 6, close between 153359 to Barnetby and 142079 from Thornaby, but for the track and dog box thrash, my vote went with the 153. Day 7, well unless LM chuck out something special, then its by some way 158780 on the 1553 from Norwich, for the ridiculously under-used route. I heard earlier it was just as well I didnt go to London last night, there were major riots in Tottenham. 73940 noted at Leicester, plenty of tampers seen this week! Oh, what about Move of the Week? Incredibly difficult to decide that one, but since I normally work Saturdays so cant do it, 153359...came a close second to 90043 on the Pretendalino, for it being my first Freightliner 90 and the good time had with the TMR forum members. As I look out of the window near Nuneaton, the rains really coming down now! Forget alighting there for some spotting then. Time now for some celebratory cola, as I wonder what to have for tea when I get to Birmingham. I can see it being Burger King somehow
At Coleshill Parkway I realise were almost at journeys end and I start looking forward to alighting. When I discover Ive only two minutes of tape left, I was shocked, as it means Ive about 90 minutes of footage recorded over the week. Thatll take ages to go through for sure, whenever I get a chance to do that. All eyes are on Lawley Street now, sadly none of 66570, 534, 556, 516 or 590 were required. We roll into platform 10b, all the way to the end of it. No idea why we went almost right to the signal, but hey. Tea falls to a chicken and bacon sandwich from Tesco Express in The Pallsades. Got to get back to being sensible with my money! As I sit in the waiting area, Im already thinking about my next bash. So many places I want to go, so many places I want to see, but a South Pennines Day Ranger, an Isle of Wight bash or Cheshire Day Ranger bash all appear to be the most tempting. I had secretly hoped for it, and LM did what I hoped for, put a 150 on the 2100 to Hereford. On then with the last train of the day and the week with 150013 for the final thrash of the bash. What a welcome back to home territory, on the traction Ive been doing a lot this summer. The only 150 Ive been on all week too! A count of my required 66s takes place, but is subject to change when my NREA is updated with the new numbers, but at the moment I need just 13 more. Some 66s are not included in the counts, such as 66842, 844 as I dont know for sure whats going on there. Same sort of thing for 66582 - 584, as theyre supposedly in Poland. Not a bad result I reckon with the 66s, hopefully one day the renumbering thing will cease and there will be a chance to finally get the lot finished! I make a new list of required mainline passenger track in the UK I still need, which took ages. Until Malvern Link to be more precise. 172338 was observed on Worcester depot, cant be long until theyre in passenger service now then [
Indeed, theyre entering service properly tomorrow I believe, so long this report has taken to write! - Ed]. Keanes This Is The Last Time is on for the last bit to Hereford, as its the last time I get a train to somewhere on this bash. If only it didnt have to end! One shot is got at Hereford then were off home, thanks to Mum picking me up. Some doss tonight before going back to work on the bus to Hereford. Boy isnt that going to be weird
So then, the final days review. Despite a later than planned start, which as it turned out Ive found no trains before EMTs one I did today from Peterborough that I could have made, today went well. All the track I went for today happened, and Ive got a few new sights to boot, as well as a few new haulages. Top stuff. Days rating, 9/10 and the mileage was
532 miles and 61 chains. Now for the weeks review:
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT! Im beyond glad I did this now, Ive done so much and seen so much its unreal. Yes we had a farce yesterday, and if Id had not had that good nights sleep I doubt Id be this happy now. I must have looked odd at Birmingham with that big grin on my face as I wrote this up! Considering Ive got over 8 hours at work tomorrow, Im really bouncy. In short, Ive loved this week and Id start another one tomorrow if I could! So, a score for the week? 9/10, and Id highly recommend an ALR to anyone. Mileage for the week was a whopping
5,151 miles and 46 chains.
I miss the dead connection at Shenfield, so I pop outside the station and find a Tesco Express where I get some Diet Coke and a chicken and bacon sandwich for a rather late lunch. Yep, no Dr Pepper this time! I land 321334 to Southend Victoria, more required haulage, with the 1359 to Southend.........................................Victoria. If you ever spotted at Stratford in the mid 2000s, you'll understand that one. Sadly, Wickford to Southminster is shut this week to allow Network Rail to extend the loop at Fambridge to take 12 car trains. Never would have imagined that much capacity being needed down there! A good excuse to come back down this way another time though, preferably before my Y-P expires though!