Wick/ Thurso to Penzance, by Sprinter

[DiscoStu]

Well here is a reason.

I will donate to the Railway Children £25 if you do it in 3 days, £20 in 4 days, £15 in 5 days etc. Plus £5 for each different class.

So when are you planning it?

Best regards

You should've sponsored me when I skydived over the Palm in Dubai, did the second highest bungy in the world or drove from London to Sydney. Doing Sprinters from north to south doesn't really cut it for me, sorry.

I'm quite happy to feel like I'm going to die in the name of charity, but I don't want to be bored to death

 

[junglejames]

You should've sponsored me when I skydived over the Palm in Dubai, did the second highest bungy in the world or drove from London to Sydney. Doing Sprinters from north to south doesn't really cut it for me, sorry.

I'm quite happy to feel like I'm going to die in the name of charity, but I don't want to be bored to death

You went to Dubai? and im mad?

 

[Bevan Price]

There's only a very small number of ATW services from Birmingham worked by 175s. In fact, I don't know that there are any services other than the 05:20 Shrewsbury - Birmingham International and the 07:09 Birmingham International - Holyhead that are booked for 175s. Obviously only 158s are used on the Cambrian line trains.

A couple of years ago, there used to be an ATW service that passed through Birmingham just after 5pm (So the 13:28 Holyhead - Birmingham International) that utilised one class 158 and one class 150 if a second 158 was not available. I saw this formation a few times, and I believe that this arrangement has continued sporadically until quite recently.

Whilst photographing at Flint recently (9 October), 150.257 passed me on the 11:27 Holyhead - Birmingham International. I think this is the return working of the Holyhead portion of the 08:50 Manchester to Holyhead / Llandudno, booked for a 158 but sometimes a 150.

 

[DarloRich]

If you are serious about doing this it might be worth contacting the TOCs involved to gain a bit more publicity and sponsorship. it is just the kind of thing staff magazines feed on!

You never know they might help out a little but................

 

[PHILIPE]

Does anyone know which train is booked 158 on this route? Ive never seen anything but a 175 on this run, so the chances are, unless I turn up for the train actually booked 158, then its never going to happen.

None of them Monday to Friday.

 

[Goatboy]

You should've sponsored me when I skydived over the Palm in Dubai, did the second highest bungy in the world or drove from London to Sydney. Doing Sprinters from north to south doesn't really cut it for me, sorry.

Doing something naff for charity is the point. Travelling round the world and doing bunjee jumps in fantastic world destinations is something you do because it's damn good fun not because people are paying a charity for you to do it.

 

[DiscoStu]

Doing something naff for charity is the point. Travelling round the world and doing bunjee jumps in fantastic world destinations is something you do because it's damn good fun not because people are paying a charity for you to do it.

I don't think "naff" is the right word.

I think it has to challenge you, and put you to the test. Travelling from J O'G to Lands End isn't a challenge, or testing. Okay, you might get bowled by a pacer or something, but what's the worst that can happen? You wait for the next one or change your route.

I suppose it could be classed as embarrasing. I'd be embarrased asking people to sponsor me for travelling on a particular type of train for a few days
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You went to Dubai? and im mad?

Dubai is awesome

 

[Goatboy]

I don't think "naff" is the right word.

I think it has to challenge you, and put you to the test. Travelling from J O'G to Lands End isn't a challenge, or testing.

Neither is sitting in a bath of beans or many of the other daft things people do in the name of charity.

 

[DiscoStu]

Neither is sitting in a bath of beans or many of the other daft things people do in the name of charity.

I'd do that ... I like beans

 

[ATW Alex 101]

But you wouldn't try end to end on the NR system on sprinter?

 

[junglejames]

I don't think "naff" is the right word.

I think it has to challenge you, and put you to the test. Travelling from J O'G to Lands End isn't a challenge, or testing. Okay, you might get bowled by a pacer or something, but what's the worst that can happen? You wait for the next one or change your route.

I suppose it could be classed as embarrasing. I'd be embarrased asking people to sponsor me for travelling on a particular type of train for a few days

1- I never saw this as something for charity. I dont intend asking people to sponsor me. I have no wish to drum up publicity. However, if people are going to give money to a charity on the back of me doing it, then thats brilliant.

2- Doing things for charity can come in many shapes and sizes. Be it challenging, embarassing or just 'different'. This trip comes under the 'different' category.
Also remember that the term 'challenging' can mean different things to different people. Sitting in a car driving to me isnt challenging. Jumping head first with a bungee rope tied to my ankles isnt challenging to me (its just plain scary and dangerous).
I once walked 8 miles across Morecambe Bay for charity. Yes it was tiring (I was only young), but it wasnt really challenging. Walking is easy. Challenging is something like running a marathon.


Now to try and address this charity idea. This is not meant to be for charity, and im not going to go round advertising the fact im doing it (well apart from on here), because i really dont see that it will interest anybody else except for me. Im going to need an awful lot of convincing otherwise to make me change my mind on that one.
As much as 1 person offering to give money to charity off the back of it is extremely satisfying, I'm going to need more than 1 person thinking the same way for me to even consider setting up a 'justgiving' page or something similar.
However if people want to give to a charity of their choice or my choice, off the back of this little trip, then thats brilliant, and I shall let them know when I do it, and provide any pictures i take to try and prove I did it.

For now though. Im yet to be convinced this is a decent charity idea, and Im not going round asking for sponsorship.
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I'd be embarrased asking people to sponsor me for travelling on a particular type of train for a few days

Dubai is awesome

Id be embarassed to admit Dubai was awesome.
If it wasnt for the QE2 it'd be a nothing.
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None of them Monday to Friday.

Is there on a Saturday or Sunday then?

 

[Class172]

Well i will hope for a 155, but if it doesnt happen, its not the end of the world. I have to think of the Chester leg as well, because the chances are, I wont be able to catch the first train available, if a pacer is on it. Any later than the 1317 from Manchester to Chester then i'd have to spend the night in Brum, and if i do that, I really am relying on that single LM 150 diagram. All I need is for that to be a 172 on the day in question, and id have to extend the trip into a 4th day at the last minute. Not the end of the world i suppose.

Is this LM diagram you are referring to the BHM-HFD diagram, because that won't be substituted with a 172 but a 170 if anything. Currently, 150109 is running on the line in its new livery and even if you miss this there is a selection of 170+153 combinations on the line (and also between BMO and Worcester).

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Which livery has 150 109 got? has it got the current London Midland livery? I have searched on the internet and cannot find any pictures of it

Edit: Found it, looks great

 

[sprinterguy]

Which livery has 150 109 got? has it got the current London Midland livery? I have searched on the internet and cannot find any pictures of it

Yes, 150109 carries the current London Midland livery:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/41696450@N03/8170360404/

All three of London Midland's 150s are presently in the process of receiving London Midland livery, 150109 has been the first.

 

[junglejames]

Is this LM diagram you are referring to the BHM-HFD diagram, because that won't be substituted with a 172 but a 170 if anything. Currently, 150109 is running on the line in its new livery and even if you miss this there is a selection of 170+153 combinations on the line (and also between BMO and Worcester).

Yep, the 150 diagram between New St and Worcester/ G Malvern/ Hereford.

 

[tbtc]

That makes it look a lot younger (or do I just associate the livery with 350s and not 150s?)

 

[Eagle]

All three of London Midland's 150s are presently in the process of receiving London Midland livery, 150109 has been the first.

They're all done now.

 

[sprinterguy]

They're all done now.

Oh. That was quick!

 

[junglejames]

Anotother quick question. The Exmouth to Paignton trains all seem to be pacers, according to Opentraintimes. Pretty sure thats all ive seen as well when ive been on them. Is this the case? Or is it another case of 'Pot Luck'?
Im guessing Id be best not planning on using them between Exeter and Newton Abbot if Pacers are the norm.

 

[ainsworth74]

It must be pot luck as I've done Paignton - Exmouth on a 150. That being said I'm pleased it was a 150 because I also did Exmouth - Barnstaple - Exeter on that very same unit. Doing that on a 143 would have been, painful.

 

[richw]

Barnstaple, Exmouth and Paignton services are predominantly class 143.

 

[LexyBoy]

Anotother quick question. The Exmouth to Paignton trains all seem to be pacers, according to Opentraintimes. Pretty sure thats all ive seen as well when ive been on them. Is this the case? Or is it another case of 'Pot Luck'?
Im guessing Id be best not planning on using them between Exeter and Newton Abbot if Pacers are the norm.

Usually Pacers in my experience too, but surely it would be a bit of a long shot hoping that a service booked for Pacer would turn out to be Sprinter?

BTW I've done Penzance-Stroud on Sprinters; wasn't actually too bad! And on a dead cheap VT & Connections Advance ticket too.

 

[Goatboy]

Usually Pacers in my experience too, but surely it would be a bit of a long shot hoping that a service booked for Pacer would turn out to be Sprinter?

They are often both - a Pacer and a 153 to form a 3 car unit.

 

[junglejames]

Usually Pacers in my experience too, but surely it would be a bit of a long shot hoping that a service booked for Pacer would turn out to be Sprinter?
.

I was just checking that Opentraintimes was right. Just so I knew whether it was wise to plan using them or not.

Its actually not easy getting through from Exeter to Penzance purely on Sprinters. Not many options.

 

[CC 72100]

I was just checking that Opentraintimes was right. Just so I knew whether it was wise to plan using them or not.

Its actually not easy getting through from Exeter to Penzance purely on Sprinters. Not many options.

Mixture of Pacers, 153s, 150s (both types) and a daily 158 on Exeter - Newton Abbot. About the only place you can go from Exeter by train at the moment!

 

[D6975]

Its actually not easy getting through from Exeter to Penzance purely on Sprinters. Not many options.

There's a 05:24 TM - PZ
and a 06:24 Bristol PW - PZ
in the new timetable.
Both showing as FGW, no first class.
The first stops almost everywhere, the second the same apart from St David's - Newton A non stop.
Not going to be a 143 on one of those I would suggest.

There's also a 09:00 Cardiff - Plymouth FGW, no First class, so that's another option. Has a connection of just over an hour into a stopper to PZ.

 

[CC 72100]

Not going to be a 143 on one of those I would suggest.

Nope, 143s are kept on Exmouth - Barnstaple/Paignton triangle workings these days. Some visit St Phillips Marsh for stuff that can't be done at Exeter depot, but no passenger workings booked for them outside of Devon.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

I was just checking that Opentraintimes was right. Just so I knew whether it was wise to plan using them or not.

Its actually not easy getting through from Exeter to Penzance purely on Sprinters. Not many options.

There are, there are the ones I provided you with a few pages back!

 

[junglejames]

There are, there are the ones I provided you with a few pages back!

My point entirely. There arent many options. You have 2 or 3 in the morning direct from Bristol to places like Plymouth, but then its very scarce.
Arrive in Exeter after 1135 (the service from Bristol), and you are stuck until 1605, and i believe that is also your last chance of making it to Penzance.

Thankfully the 1605 suits me nicely no matter what.

I was also looking at heading back (the stupid idea of doing a return trip crossed my mind), but after realising I would be lucky to make it to Bristol on the first day, I soon scrapped that idea.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

For returning back, how about a lovely sprinter on the daily train to Cardiff Central then catch the daily Heart of Wales Line onto Shrewsbury then up to Crewe and the way you came in going out from Crewe? With this though, you might have to stay the night in Cardiff

The timings for the Penzance to Shrewsbury are:

6:00 Penzance-Cardiff central arr 12:18
stay the night
08:11 Cardiff Central-Shrewsbury arr 13:08