TOC Challenge.

[ShwervinMervin]

Hiya!
Soon, I am going to be trying to do every operator in the UK in the space of 2 days.
I’ve got a not much of a clue, but as an idea, I thought I’d let you choose where I go.
So I’m not sure if this is in the right section, and it should be in the games/challenges section, but this seems the most applicable to me.
I’m wondering if you could give me a few heads up in where to go.

Starting in BTN and Ending in BTN, and I can go on the same operator again, If need be.



As an example we could do something like this:

Me: Brighton-Portsmouth Harbour (Southern)
Someone Else who isn’t me: Portsmouth Harbour-Ryde Pier head (Ferry)
Ryde Pier head-Smallbrook Junction (Island Line)

And so on.
Moderators, if this is in the wrong section, I apologise.

 

[Steddenm]

Brighton - Portsmouth Hbr (Southern)
Portsmouth Hbr - Ryde Pier Head (Wightkink)
Ryde Pier Head - Ryde St Johns (Islsnd Line) REVERSE BACK TO PMH
Portsmouth Hbr - Southampton Cen (GWR)
Southampton Cen - Reading (GWR)
Reading - Waterloo (SWT)
Euston - Watford Jn (LO)
Watford Jn - St Albans Abbey (LNW)
St Albans - Bedford (TL)
Bedford - Sheffield (EMT)
Sheffield - Manchester Picc (NR)
Manchester Picc- Warrington BQ (ATW)
Warrington BQ - Carlisle (VT)
Carlisle - Edinburgh (TPE)
Edinburgh - Fife Circle (SR)
Edinburgh - York (VTEC)
York - Doncaster (GC)
Doncaster - Kings Cross (HT)
St Pancras - Stratford (SET HS)
Stratford - Liverpool St (XR)
Liveroool St - Stratford (GA)
Stratford - Limehouse (DLR)
Limehouse - Fenchurch St (c2c)
Victoria - Clapham Jn (SR)
Clapham Jn - Waterloo (SWR)
Waterloo - St Pancras (TFL)
St Pancras - Gatwick Airport (TLGN)
Gatwick - Brighton (GATX)

 

[DanTrain]

Sounds interesting!

What about:

• Brighton - Ashford ITL (Southern)
  
• Ashford - Ebbsfleet (Eurostar)
• Ebbsfleet Ashford - St Pancras (SE)
• Kings Cross to Cambridge (GN)
• Cambridge to Ely (GA)
• Ely to Peterborough (EMT)
• Peterborough to Grantham (VTEC)
• Grantham to Doncaster (HT)
• Doncaster to York (GC)
• York to Darlington (TPE)
• Darlington to Edinburgh (XC)
• Edinburgh to Haymarket and back (SR)
• Edinburgh to Crewe (CS - overnight)
• Crewe to Liverpool South Parkway (LNWR)
• LSP to Hunts Cross (Merseyrail)
• Hunts Cross to Warrington Central (Northern)
• Warrington Bank Quay to Chester (ATW)
• Chester to Crewe (VTWC)
• Crewe to Smethwick Galton Bridge (whichever)
• SGB - The Hawthorns (Chiltern)
• The Hawthorns - Birmingham Moor Street (WMR)
• Birmingham New Street - Bristol Temple Meads (XC)
• BTM - Paddington (GWR)
• Paddington - Heathrow 2&3 (Heathrow Connect)
• Heathrow 2&3 - Paddington (Heathrow Express)
  
• [Note: Crossrail would speed this bit up]
  
• Paddington - Liverpool Street (Central Line)
• LS - Stratford (TFL)
• Stratford - West Ham (DLR/Jubilee)
• West Ham - Barking (C2C)
• Barking - Blackhorse Road (LO)
• Blackhorse Road - Tottenham Hale (Victoria Line)
• Tottenham Hale - Liverpool Street (Stanstead Exp)
• LS - Whitechapel (H&C Line)
• Whitechapel - Clapham Jct (LO)
• Clapham Jct - London Victoria (SWT)
• Victoria - Gatwick (Gat Ex)
• Gatwick - Brighton (TL)

I have no idea if this fits into 2 days or not - it might be better to move the East London adventures to day 1 to line up better. Either way, CS has to be done overnight and provides the connection one way up to Scot Rail.

I'm sure this can be impoved however!

PS: Isn't the Island line part of SWR now. That saves some time!

 

[Agent_Squash]

Sounds interesting!

What about:

• Brighton - Ashford ITL (Southern)
  
• Ashford - Ebbsfleet (Eurostar)
• Ebbsfleet - St Pancras (SE)
• Kings Cross to Cambridge (GN)
• Cambridge to Ely (GA)
• Ely to Peterborough (EMT)
• Peterborough to Grantham (VTEC)
• Grantham to Doncaster (HT)
• Doncaster to York (GC)
• York to Darlington (TPE)
• Darlington to Edinburgh (XC)
• Edinburgh to Haymarket and back (SR)
• Edinburgh to Crewe (CS - overnight)
• Crewe to Liverpool South Parkway (LNWR)
• LSP to Hunts Cross (Merseyrail)
• Hunts Cross to Warrington Central (Northern)
• Warrington Bank Quay to Chester (ATW)
• Chester to Crewe (VTWC)
• Crewe to Smethwick Galton Bridge (whichever)
• SGB - The Hawthorns (Chiltern)
• The Hawthorns - Birmingham Moor Street (WMR)
• Birmingham New Street - Bristol Temple Meads (XC)
• BTM - Paddington (GWR)
• Paddington - Heathrow 2&3 (Heathrow Connect)
• Heathrow 2&3 - Paddington (Heathrow Express)
  
• [Note: Crossrail would speed this bit up]
  
• Paddington - Liverpool Street (Central Line)
• LS - Stratford (TFL)
• Stratford - West Ham (DLR/Jubilee)
• West Ham - Barking (C2C)
• Barking - Blackhorse Road (LO)
• Blackhorse Road - Tottenham Hale (Victoria Line)
• Tottenham Hale - Liverpool Street (Stanstead Exp)
• LS - Whitechapel (H&C Line)
• Whitechapel - Clapham Jct (LO)
• Clapham Jct - London Victoria (SWT)
• Victoria - Gatwick (Gat Ex)
• Gatwick - Brighton (TL)

I have no idea if this fits into 2 days or not - it might be better to move the East London adventures to day 1 to line up better. Either way, CS has to be done overnight and provides the connection one way up to Scot Rail.

I'm sure this can be impoved however!

Eurostar cannot be used for domestic travel. It would have to be Southeastern.

 

[DanTrain]

Eurostar cannot be used for domestic travel. It would have to be Southeastern.

Ah ok thanks, that saves a TOC (unless we're forced to go to Paris and back!)

 

[Agent_Squash]

Ah ok thanks, that saves a TOC (unless we're forced to go to Paris and back!)

Don't they stop at Lille?

 

[DanTrain]

In fact thinking about it, that also saves the diversion into SE land, as SE can be picked up on the connection from Liverpool Street to Clapham Junction/Victoria

 

[DanTrain]

Don't they stop at Lille?

Either way it's a long way out of the way!

 

[DanTrain]

Brighton - Portsmouth Hbr (Southern)
Portsmouth Hbr - Ryde Pier Head (Wightkink)
Ryde Pier Head - Ryde St Johns (Islsnd Line) REVERSE BACK TO PMH
Portsmouth Hbr - Southampton Cen (GWR)
Southampton Cen - Reading (GWR)
Reading - Waterloo (SWT)
Euston - Watford Jn (LO)
Watford Jn - St Albans Abbey (LNW)
St Albans - Bedford (TL)
Bedford - Sheffield (EMT)
Sheffield - Manchester Picc (NR)
Manchester Picc- Warrington BQ (ATW)
Warrington BQ - Carlisle (VT)
Carlisle - Edinburgh (TPE)
Edinburgh - Fife Circle (SR)
Edinburgh - York (VTEC)
York - Doncaster (GC)
Doncaster - Kings Cross (HT)
St Pancras - Stratford (SET HS)
Stratford - Liverpool St (XR)
Liveroool St - Stratford (GA)
Stratford - Limehouse (DLR)
Limehouse - Fenchurch St (c2c)
Victoria - Clapham Jn (SR)
Clapham Jn - Waterloo (SWR)
Waterloo - St Pancras (TFL)
St Pancras - Gatwick Airport (TLGN)
Gatwick - Brighton (GATX)

You’ve missed the Caledonian Sleeper, Cross Country and Great Northern in there

Edit: And the WMR tocs and Chiltern. I thought your list seemed more succinct than mine!

 

[53703]

Would Sheffield Supertram and Tyne Wear Metro count as TOCs??

 

[BlueFox]

Would Sheffield Supertram and Tyne Wear Metro count as TOCs??

If you're going to count trams surely you'd have to include the ones in London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, Blackpool and Edinburgh (and any others I've missed from that list...)

 

[Agent_Squash]

Here's my attempt, counting the WMT brands as separate:

• Brighton - London Victoria (GX)
• London Victoria - Clapham Junction (SN)
• Clapham Junction - Reading (SWR)
• Reading - Hayes and Harlington (GWR)
• Hayes and Harlington - Heathrow 2&3 (HC)
• Heathrow 2&3 - Paddington (HX)
• Marylebone - Leamington Spa (Chiltern)
• Leamington Spa - Coventry (WMT)
• Coventry - Stoke (XC)
• Stoke - Stockport (VTWC)
• Stockport - Crewe (ATW)
• Crewe - Liverpool Lime Street (LNWR)
• Liverpool Lime Street - Ormskirk via Liverpool Central (Merseyrail)
• Ormskirk - Preston (Northern)
• Preston - Glasgow Central (TPE)
• Glasgow Queen Street - Edinburgh Waverley (ScotRail)
• Edinburgh Waverley - Euston (CS)
• Kings Cross - York (Grand Central)
• York - Doncaster (VTEC)
• Doncaster - Kings Cross (HT)
• Kings Cross - Ely (GN)
• Ely - Norwich (EMT)
• Norwich - Stratford (GA)
• Stratford - Forest Gate (XR)
• Wanstead Park - Barking (LO)
• Barking - Fenchurch Street (c2c)
• Cannon Street - London Bridge (SE)
• London Bridge - Brighton (TL)

Somehow, I've avoided going on anyone TOC more than once apart from changing at Liverpool Central. Looks an interesting trip though!

 

[stephens]

Here's my attempt, counting the WMT brands as separate:

• Brighton - London Victoria (GX)
• London Victoria - Clapham Junction (SN)
• Clapham Junction - Reading (SWR)
• Reading - Hayes and Harlington (GWR)
• Hayes and Harlington - Heathrow 2&3 (HC)
• Heathrow 2&3 - Paddington (HX)
• Marylebone - Leamington Spa (Chiltern)
• Leamington Spa - Coventry (WMT)
• Coventry - Stoke (XC)
• Stoke - Stockport (VTWC)
• Stockport - Crewe (ATW)
• Crewe - Liverpool Lime Street (LNWR)
• Liverpool Lime Street - Ormskirk via Liverpool Central (Merseyrail)
• Ormskirk - Preston (Northern)
• Preston - Glasgow Central (TPE)
• Glasgow Queen Street - Edinburgh Waverley (ScotRail)
• Edinburgh Waverley - Euston (CS)
• Kings Cross - York (Grand Central)
• York - Doncaster (VTEC)
• Doncaster - Kings Cross (HT)
• Kings Cross - Ely (GN)
• Ely - Norwich (EMT)
• Norwich - Stratford (GA)
• Stratford - Forest Gate (XR)
• Wanstead Park - Barking (LO)
• Barking - Fenchurch Street (c2c)
• Cannon Street - London Bridge (SE)
• London Bridge - Brighton (TL)

Somehow, I've avoided going on anyone TOC more than once apart from changing at Liverpool Central. Looks an interesting trip though!

Good luck for Preston-Ormskirk.
With Northern's current problems in Lancashire you could spend your entire time waiting for a train to turn up!

 

[DanTrain]

Good luck for Preston-Ormskirk.
With Northern's current problems in Lancashire you could spend your entire time waiting for a train to turn up!

I think LNWR to South Parkway, Merseyrail to Hunts Cross and the Northern to Manchester Oxford Rd would be quicker to be honest, and more reliable!

 

[Agent_Squash]

I think LNWR to South Parkway, Merseyrail to Hunts Cross and the Northern to Manchester Oxford Rd would be quicker to be honest, and more reliable!

Certainly might be, except it would have to be to Piccadilly to catch the TPE as they no longer stop at Oxford Road on the Scottish services.

 

[A Challenge]

You'd probably walk Lime Street to Liverpool Central so it would be each TOC once.

 

[PeterY]

On a recent ALR the only TOC's 's I didn't use were C2C, Great Northern, South Eastern, Greater Anglia, the two sleepers and Hull trains.

With a bit of planning I'm sure all TOC's could be covered within two days and 3 maximum. It's a case of someone sitting down with time on their hands and working out all the times.

 

[Mojo]

Me: Brighton-Portsmouth Harbour (Southern)
Someone Else who isn’t me: Portsmouth Harbour-Ryde Pier head (Ferry)
Ryde Pier head-Smallbrook Junction (Island Line)

lsland Line is no longer a separate operator, it is part of the franchise operated by SWR, so there is no need to travel over to the lsland.

 

[ShwervinMervin]

Would Sheffield Supertram and Tyne Wear Metro count as TOCs??

I think the Tyne and Wear metro is, not the supertram, in my opinion.

 

[ShwervinMervin]

lsland Line is no longer a separate operator, it is part of the franchise operated by SWR, so there is no need to travel over to the lsland.

Cool, still like to do it, I like the IOW

 

[ShwervinMervin]

On a recent ALR the only TOC's 's I didn't use were C2C, Great Northern, South Eastern, Greater Anglia, the two sleepers and Hull trains.

With a bit of planning I'm sure all TOC's could be covered within two days and 3 maximum. It's a case of someone sitting down with time on their hands and working out all the times.

Precisely what I was thinking.
Surprised so many people have responded, I’m sure their ideas will all fit into my final itinerary.

 

[ShwervinMervin]

You'd probably walk Lime Street to Liverpool Central so it would be each TOC once.

Valid point mate.

 

[ShwervinMervin]

Certainly might be, except it would have to be to Piccadilly to catch the TPE as they no longer stop at Oxford Road on the Scottish services.

Oke-Dokes

 

[ShwervinMervin]

Good luck for Preston-Ormskirk.
With Northern's current problems in Lancashire you could spend your entire time waiting for a train to turn up!

Very true.

 

[telstarbox]

Heathrow Connect disappears soon and becomes TfL Rail.

 

[ShwervinMervin]

Here's my attempt, counting the WMT brands as separate:

• Brighton - London Victoria (GX)
• London Victoria - Clapham Junction (SN)
• Clapham Junction - Reading (SWR)
• Reading - Hayes and Harlington (GWR)
• Hayes and Harlington - Heathrow 2&3 (HC)
• Heathrow 2&3 - Paddington (HX)
• Marylebone - Leamington Spa (Chiltern)
• Leamington Spa - Coventry (WMT)
• Coventry - Stoke (XC)
• Stoke - Stockport (VTWC)
• Stockport - Crewe (ATW)
• Crewe - Liverpool Lime Street (LNWR)
• Liverpool Lime Street - Ormskirk via Liverpool Central (Merseyrail)
• Ormskirk - Preston (Northern)
• Preston - Glasgow Central (TPE)
• Glasgow Queen Street - Edinburgh Waverley (ScotRail)
• Edinburgh Waverley - Euston (CS)
• Kings Cross - York (Grand Central)
• York - Doncaster (VTEC)
• Doncaster - Kings Cross (HT)
• Kings Cross - Ely (GN)
• Ely - Norwich (EMT)
• Norwich - Stratford (GA)
• Stratford - Forest Gate (XR)
• Wanstead Park - Barking (LO)
• Barking - Fenchurch Street (c2c)
• Cannon Street - London Bridge (SE)
• London Bridge - Brighton (TL)

Somehow, I've avoided going on anyone TOC more than once apart from changing at Liverpool Central. Looks an interesting trip though!

Wow.
That’s fab.
Cheers for doing this, definitely gonna play a part in my final plan.

 

[ShwervinMervin]

Heathrow Connect disappears soon and becomes TfL Rail.

*Sprints, packs bags and goes*

 

[ShwervinMervin]

If you're going to count trams surely you'd have to include the ones in London, Birmingham, Nottingham, Manchester, Blackpool and Edinburgh (and any others I've missed from that list...)

Funny you say that,
I done them in my list of operators. In case I wanted to do that too!
TYWM I reckon is more of an operator than Sheffield Supertram.

 

[ShwervinMervin]

Either way it's a long way out of the way!

LOOOOONG

 

[ShwervinMervin]

In fact thinking about it, that also saves the diversion into SE land, as SE can be picked up on the connection from Liverpool Street to Clapham Junction/Victoria

Very true. Although the more of SE/TSGN the better, due to staff travel.