West Midlands advice

[47403]

I understand the 60093 thing, I'm getting that with 66953. My last Freightliner 66 for sight, one day I'll get it!

Going to London with a plan and it flying out of the window, I do that almost every time I do London! I now go with some ideas but always go with the flow and see what's happening first, see what's going belly up!

Aint seen 66953 for nearly a year mate, was in Carlisle when I last saw it but with work, Im usually only out once a week looking at trains, however I moved to a new flat that is 50yds away from the ECML, so sightings have been upped a fair old wack.
Been looking at Real Time Trains there seems to be a fair bit going through Herford? So a visit on the Wednesday seems a very likely event Tech. If there's a chance of the WAG on offer to get there even better? Let's see what May's timetable brings.

 

[Techniquest]

I rarely see freight in Hereford, never there at the right time or on the right day it seems. Months ago I saw a Grid roll in on a crew change with northbound logs, and even though it was only drawing forward slowly the noise was still enjoyable!

Less than 2 months to go!

 

[47403]

I rarely see freight in Hereford, never there at the right time or on the right day it seems. Months ago I saw a Grid roll in on a crew change with northbound logs, and even though it was only drawing forward slowly the noise was still enjoyable!

Less than 2 months to go!

I'm sure whatever's there unit wise, there's a 95% chance it will be needed for sight, the FGW HST stock will be valuable additions too, when they ran free on the BR network, I declined doing coaching stock of any sort, I could've probably cracked the lot by now:roll::roll:, then again, knowing my luck, the HST stock will be the few sets I got at Paddington a fair few years back.
Cant wait, to be totally honest, the week off work is well needed too. Shame its voyager there and back but the benefit between certainly outweighs that small matter.

 

[FQ]

I rarely see freight in Hereford, never there at the right time or on the right day it seems. Months ago I saw a Grid roll in on a crew change with northbound logs, and even though it was only drawing forward slowly the noise was still enjoyable!

Less than 2 months to go!

I was there for an hour and a half and saw 1 with 66593. It did stop in the centre roads for about an hour though.

Vote grid!

 

[Techniquest]

Oh absolutely! I've had a hard going week too in the recent heatwave, so tomorrow's adventure is more than earned!

I'm rather hoping to get up to your way again at some point this year, even if it's just doing the Tyne Valley shacks and hunting down my required GC HST power cars at the same time!

 

[47403]

Oh absolutely! I've had a hard going week too in the recent heatwave, so tomorrow's adventure is more than earned!

I'm rather hoping to get up to your way again at some point this year, even if it's just doing the Tyne Valley shacks and hunting down my required GC HST power cars at the same time!

Great little line the Tyne Valley, love riding the line, albeit by 156 than a bouncey castle, aka 142. Be a bit bleak, doing your shack attack on the Tyne Valley, it's cold in them thar hills, in fact when its cold, it's bloody baltic not many waiting rooms either, majority are bus shelters.
Sure you know this but York and anywhere South of York, will stand you more chance of getting your last GC HST for haulage.

 

[Kite159]

I would have imagined north of York would be better to search for the GC power car, considering they run non stop between kings cross & York.

 

[Techniquest]

The Tyne Valley is indeed a good run, done it a fair few times in the past but only on diverted HSTs.

Aye north of York is almost my only chance to do GC HSTs really, as they don't do Bradford and there's nowhere south of York to travel to with GC to do them. It will all fall into place eventually though!

Only just over a month until your visit to the Midlands now isn't it?

 

[47403]

The Tyne Valley is indeed a good run, done it a fair few times in the past but only on diverted HSTs.

Aye north of York is almost my only chance to do GC HSTs really, as they don't do Bradford and there's nowhere south of York to travel to with GC to do them. It will all fall into place eventually though!

Only just over a month until your visit to the Midlands now isn't it?

Yeah your right gents, re GC HST's, mistake on my part, I was thinking your needing to see them for sight, then realised you need them for haulage, halfway through typing, then forgot to edit.
It certainly is tech, 38 days, not that I'm counting or anything I'm going for the H o E Rover, when I'm off work, Thursday morning, should raise a few eyebrows in Newcastle's ticket office.
The planning for the 1st day, has been centred on looking at bus timetables and maps to and from Sandiacre from Derby or Nottingham to get to Toton. Probably Nottingham, a 99% chance of a required dogbox or 156 into the mix straight away too. Then off to Brum, check in and get back out ASAP, get the space cadet uniform on and see what the fuss is about these starships and see whats floating round, then a mosey on over to Moor Street and Snow Hill and see whats flying round that side or a move to Shrewsbury to tie up with the 67 on the Cardiff to Holyhead, up to Chester. However things could change, I might do the Toton thing Thursday morning. Wednesday I'll certainly be out looking for a Cat in the morning, the chance to ride behind one, is certainly an exciting prospect. out to Leamington Spa, 1 either way would be nice. but I wont be disappointed if ones a 68 and ones a 67, Then over to Stafford and Crewe, 350 hunting, then a breeze down your neck off the woods, see whats on offer there and if the offer still stands and your not too busy tech, for a couple of swift ones at the nearest Spoons.
Depending on Tuesday's move for Toton, determines Thursdays moves, a Banbury and Oxford spin could be on the cards or Leicester and Rugby, the Banbury move, would connect me up with my train home, however I've changed my mind a million times over Wednesday and Thursday, I may just formulate a plan on the day.
Regardless of what I choose to do, I'm expecting a major haul of requirements

 

[Techniquest]

I loved the comment there about putting on the space cadet uniform, until I finished reading that sentence I was wondering what it was about! Yes sampling some Spaceship action (looks like the nickname is actually coming popular now) is a must, make sure you sit in a motor coach (either end of the train) to get the full experience. Hopefully you'll get a keen driver and a clear path!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you arrive in the Midlands on Tuesday 2nd June? I'll be free in the evenings, albeit for not a long time (unless the buses do make their evening return as rumoured) as I won't finish work until 1700 and getting a bus home at 1815. Yes the offer still stands to have a couple of swift ones, been looking forward to it for some time now

Planning the moves on the day is not a bad idea to be fair, after all you might find one of your planned moves is a dud but an alternative is a pair of winners!

 

[47403]

I loved the comment there about putting on the space cadet uniform, until I finished reading that sentence I was wondering what it was about! Yes sampling some Spaceship action (looks like the nickname is actually coming popular now) is a must, make sure you sit in a motor coach (either end of the train) to get the full experience. Hopefully you'll get a keen driver and a clear path!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you arrive in the Midlands on Tuesday 2nd June? I'll be free in the evenings, albeit for not a long time (unless the buses do make their evening return as rumoured) as I won't finish work until 1700 and getting a bus home at 1815. Yes the offer still stands to have a couple of swift ones, been looking forward to it for some time now

Planning the moves on the day is not a bad idea to be fair, after all you might find one of your planned moves is a dud but an alternative is a pair of winners!

Cheers I'm here all week
Yes I arrive in the midlands on June 2nd, whats the name of the spoons in Hereford tech?. Definitely be Wednesday the 3rd.

 

[Techniquest]

Please refer to my PM regarding the Spoons Bring it on I say!

 

[47403]

Please refer to my PM regarding the Spoons Bring it on I say!

yeah cheers, read it tech.

 

[47403]

Well a big thanks to all for you help and advice, very much appreciated and to Network Rail, thank the lord, common sense prevailed. I was sweating it big style, the strikes off and as its the eve of my Midlands trip, I'm a tad like a kid on Xmas Eve.
As I've said before it's not about shacks or milage for me (massive respect to those of you who who do though) it's about getting lines filled in my NREA and boy is there some gaps from the Midland region, The aim is to stay well away from the Voyagers, bar the ones I'm going there and back to Derby with, I'm hoping to vary the traction on the bashing front and have a bit fester here and there. The plans done, just need the clock to tick round, so I can put the plan into action.
Again many thanks to all who've shared your pearls of wisdom, I can't thank you enough.

 

[Techniquest]

More than welcome good sir, you gave me local advice when I was up your way in February, so the least I could do was repay the favour!

 

[47403]

More than welcome good sir, you gave me local advice when I was up your way in February, so the least I could do was repay the favour!

is the WAG still 67023 or has it changed?, not that I'm fussed, they're all needed for haulage. I should refer to the TOPS thread but if anyone is any the wiser, please share

 

[PHILIPE]

is the WAG still 67023 or has it changed?, not that I'm fussed, they're all needed for haulage. I should refer to the TOPS thread but if anyone is any the wiser, please share

Still working it. If it changes would probably ne 67022 which came to Canton last week to change with 67002 which had been alternating with 67023 until it had to go to Crewe for B Exam.

 

[Techniquest]

More than welcome good sir, you gave me local advice when I was up your way in February, so the least I could do was repay the favour!

is the WAG still 67023 or has it changed?, not that I'm fussed, they're all needed for haulage. I should refer to the TOPS thread but if anyone is any the wiser, please share

I would have told you, but I was the wrong side to see it leave Hereford earlier. 67023 does seem to love ATW!

 

[FQ]

Have a great few days!

67023 does seem to love ATW!

The same way it loved the Banbury set in my area!