Cactus' UK & European rail travels

[cactustwirly]

I'm planning an inter rail trip to Austria in July, I've picked Innsbruck because of the cheap flights and scenic railway lines. Is an Austria Inter rail ticket valid on OEBB trains to Munich?

Thanks

 

[Techniquest]

You didn't find anything from Gatwick to Vienna with easyjet or BA?

I can't advise on the Munich bit, but InterRails are significantly cheaper to under 26s so enjoy them while you can for reasonable money!

 

[cactustwirly]

You didn't find anything from Gatwick to Vienna with easyjet or BA?

I can't advise on the Munich bit, but InterRails are significantly cheaper to under 26s so enjoy them while you can for reasonable money!

I'm umming and arring whether to go with Innsbruck or Vienna.
Only BA fly to Salzburg and they're expensive.

I thought the lines around Innsbruck were more scenic and there was more variety

 

[Techniquest]

Fair enough, I've not looked at trains outside Vienna to be honest. I like the U-Bahn there though.

Skyscanner may be your friend here, ask it to search London (Any) to either Innsbruck or Vienna and it will list by price your options on the dates you give it.

 

[cactustwirly]

I know I've been a bit quiet lately on the trip report front, but do not fear I have 1, possibly 2 trips planned at the end of the month. (I have to fit my trips around my college work )

Anyway I'll put a trip report from December 2014 up soon.

 

[Techniquest]

Excellent, I shall look forward to it!

 

[cactustwirly]

West Yorkshire Day Ranger: 30th December 2014

My family were in Bradford, so that my brother could look round the Uni there. I headed off to Forster Square to begin my adventure (looking round Uni's is quite boring)

After purchasing my ticket, I headed to platform 2 for my first 333 which took me to Ilkley, which I then caught back to Leeds.

I went to Boots for lunch, before heading to starbucks for a coffee, where I took a few photos from the footbridge.

Leeds by litecactus, on Flickr

Leeds by litecactus, on Flickr

I then caught a Northern 158 to Keighley (train bound for Carlisle) I found the seats really comfortable, but the interior was quite tatty.

Onboard 158 @ Leeds by litecactus, on Flickr

Onboard 158 @ Leeds by litecactus, on Flickr

158 @ Keighley by litecactus, on Flickr

At Keighley I walked around the ASDA (for a PNB) and watched several 333 roll by, before catching a delayed 158 back to Leeds.

I then caught the last off peak train to Knottingley on a 3 car 144, I met up with my Grandparents and my family here.

West Yorkshire probably has the best scenery in England, and the trains were quite cheap.

 

[cactustwirly]

Basingstoke....again! 16/12/16

So my college finished at 11am today, and I had a few bits of Xmas shopping to do, so I took myself off to Basingstoke in the hope of getting 150001 (my last 150/0)

I checked in the morning if 150001 was actually out, (I would have gone to Guildford instead if it wasn't)

I set off from my house at 11:55 and walked to Twyford station, I had to use my card, the machines still don't accept £20 notes or the polymer £5 notes (I didn't have any other change, and the ticket window had a large queue outside it)

The 12:01 was delayed so I didn't have long to wait, 166204 was doing the honours today.

After an uneventful run to Reading, I headed to platform 2.
While I was waiting I saw 43003 IKB which I had in the summer from Paddington to Twyford.

150001 arrived at 12:30 bang on time and I took up my seat in the front coach (although the engine wasn't sounding too healthy)

150001 at Reading by litecactus, on Flickr

150001 interior by litecactus, on Flickr

I had a nice enjoyable ride to Basingstoke, where I bought some Christmas presents, lunch from Sainsbury's and a latte with cream from Costa. I then headed back to the station at around 13:45, I avoided the 220 and photographed a few trains.

IMG_20161216_135255 by litecactus, on Flickr

Basingstoke by litecactus, on Flickr

Including fishquinn's favourite train:

159 at Basingstoke by litecactus, on Flickr

Unfortunately I didn't have chance to take a picture of his other favourite

150001 arrived back in basingstoke forming the 14:06 back to Reading

IMG_20161216_140317 by litecactus, on Flickr

IMG_20161216_140321 by litecactus, on Flickr

At Reading I caught the 14:48 back to Twyford formed of 165117.

150001 is now cleared for 30 miles, and '002 is only cleared for 15

 

[fishquinn]

Congrats on getting 150001! 159s my favourite???!!!???!!! *screams* . Shame you had to ruin the report with the 159 pic - at least you didn't get a photo of the other...

 

[djpontrack]

Well done getting 150001 for 30 miles. I've only had it for just over 2 miles and that was about 10 years ago in the West Midlands. I've got nearly 70 miles on 150002 including a trip from Derby to Sinfin Central and back in 1985.

 

[Kite159]

Congrats on getting 150001, I was hoping for a trip on it yesterday as a "Quinn Approved Voyager Avoider Move" but hit 165114 twice

 

[cactustwirly]

Congrats on getting 150001, I was hoping for a trip on it yesterday as a "Quinn Approved Voyager Avoider Move" but hit 165114 twice

Yeah, they are hard to get, at my first attempt I had a 165 and a 166 (the other Basingstoke unit was also a 166 today). I made sure to check if it was actually out before starting my trip.

The 165/6s are so much more refined than the 150s in pretty much every way!

 

[cactustwirly]

I had booked this trip a while back (October I think?), GWR had a special offer where you could get 50% off with a 16-25 railcard, I got some bargain advances for £15.80 (£7.90 each). This is how it went.....

Barnstaple 20/12/16

I got up at 8:30 am, I had a shower and got to Twyford station at 9am, I caught the 0901 service to Reading formed of 165114

When I got to Reading I headed for platform 7, whilst I was waiting for the 0935, I took some pictures.

450 & 166 at Reading by litecactus, on Flickr

Bristol HST at Reading by litecactus, on Flickr

soon 43146 + 43079 rolled into the station, on the 0935 to Plymouth, I took this as far as Exeter St Davids

43146 + 43079 at Reading Heading for Plymouth by litecactus, on Flickr

43146 + 43079 at Reading Heading for Plymouth by litecactus, on Flickr

The train arrived into Exeter St Davids just in time for me to photograph the arrival of 143612 + 143621 from Exmouth

143612 + 143621 arrive at Exeter from Exmouth by litecactus, on Flickr

I also took a picture of the HST I just alighted from

43146 + 43079 at Exeter by litecactus, on Flickr

The 143s split and I joined the front unit, which formed the 1127 service to Barnstaple.

We departed on time, and the journey went smoothly (except for the harsh ride quality of the 143)

Yeoford station by litecactus, on Flickr

Eggesford Station by litecactus, on Flickr


150128 at Eggesford Station by litecactus, on Flickr

143612 at Barnstaple by litecactus, on Flickr

We arrived into Barnstaple on time, I headed into town for a pasty, and some bits from M&S. I was back at the station at 1320.
143618 + 143620 arrived into the station at 1331, I boarded the 1343 back to Exeter

143618 + 142620 at Barnstaple, arriving from Exmouth by litecactus, on Flickr
I noted that another train enthusiast sat opposite me with a Western Region track diagram book.

We were delayed at Crediton, because of a late running service that occupied the single track section ahead of us, so it gave ample opportunity to take another picture.

143618 + 142620 at Crediton by litecactus, on Flickr

However the delay mean't that I only had a +5 connection at Exeter

IMG_20161220_145727 by litecactus, on Flickr

43130 + 43005 arrived on my Reading train, to my horror it was a HD set with a micro-buffet!

tbh the HD sets have a better window alignment than the LD sets.

I took some pictures of the sunset just after Cogload Jct

IMG_20161220_153802 by litecactus, on Flickr

After Castle Cary I got a latte from the so called "Express Cafe", it's a much better name than the "Larder" which is being rolled out.

The journey went smoothly until Newbury where we trundled along at 10mph because we were caugtht behind a stopping service, as a result we arrived 12 minutes late at Reading and I missed the 1703.

IMG_20161220_170538 by litecactus, on Flickr

IMG_20161220_170917_01 by litecactus, on Flickr

I ended up getting the 1714 formed of 165102 back to Twyford

The Tarka line is a nice little branch line with quite a few sections of jointed track!

The FGW 143s aren't too bad, a lot nicer than any Northern unit, just that the heater emit the most disgusting smell!

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good little day trip to Barnstaple

 

[djpontrack]

That was a good trip out to Barnstaple mate. I've not been on that branch for about 10 years when I did the local rail ale trail.

 

[fishquinn]

You should have stayed in Exeter instead of getting the 143s . Sounds like a good trip though!

 

[cactustwirly]

You should have stayed in Exeter instead of getting the 143s . Sounds like a god trip though!

But the 143s make the jointed track much more fun

I had to move seats (into an airline seat in coach E) on the outward journey since my table seat had nice view of a pillar. Since my return was a HD set the windows aligned perfectly.

 

[Techniquest]

That was a short trip to Devon! hock:

 

[cactustwirly]

That was a short trip to Devon! hock:

It was a prequel to a Devon Day Ranger, I think I'll have enough time to do the other lines in the summer

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

 

[Techniquest]

It was a prequel to a Devon Day Ranger, I think I'll have enough time to do the other lines in the summer

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

Fair enough, I look forward to hearing about your next visit!

 

[Cowley]

There's a good bit of jointed track on the last couple of miles into Barnstaple, which at speed in a 143 is quite exciting... Nice to see a report from my neck of the woods.
Crediton station is a bit of a gem too, painted in LSWR colours with a nice cafe.
Right, that's enough late night trip report reading. Happy Christmas Cactuswirly.

 

[cactustwirly]

There's a good bit of jointed track on the last couple of miles into Barnstaple, which at speed in a 143 is quite exciting... Nice to see a report from my neck of the woods.
Crediton station is a bit of a gem too, painted in LSWR colours with a nice cafe.
Right, that's enough late night trip report reading. Happy Christmas Cactuswirly.

Thanks, merry Christmas!

Sent from my ONE A2003 using Tapatalk

 

[cactustwirly]

London 31st December

So this is yet another trip to London, I'd arranged to meet up with fishquinn at Marylebone at 0945.
I caught the 0839 from Twyford as far as Slough, with 166210 doing the honours attached to a 2 car 165.
I had around 10 minutes to wait at Slough before getting the (slightly delayed) 0911 non stop to Paddington formed of 43022 + 43004.
It was a slow trundle reaching no more than 50mph, we arrived into Paddington at 0937.

IMG_20161231_093748 by litecactus, on Flickr

I headed to the Bakerloo line and met up with fishquinn and Nat at Marylebone, and we headed to Waterloo via the Jubilee line.
We caught a pair of 450s to Surbiton, before catching another pair back to Clapham Junction. Where 707003 + 004 could be seen.

IMG_20161231_104902 by litecactus, on Flickr

IMG_20161231_104906 by litecactus, on Flickr

Nat stayed to do some spotting whilst me and FQ went to Earlsfield and return to kill time, we did have a 455/7 with some new motors - they don't ssound too bad (they sound a bit like a 321 IMO)

We headed back to Clapham Junction in time to get a 444 (my first one!) to Waterloo.

We headed to Blackfriars via Waterloo East to try and get some class 700s, after I missed the 319 to Luton the next train was a Bedford one, but it turned out to be a 387 . I caught it anyway to City Thameslink, before getting a 319 back to Blackfriars.

This time 700103 turned up which we got to Farringdon.

IMG_20161231_122145 by litecactus, on Flickr

IMG_20161231_122314 by litecactus, on Flickr

I then saw a 319/2 which we caught to St Pancras.
We walked to Kings X so Nat and FQ could ID some VTEC stuff, before catching a 387 to Finsbury Park.

I wanted to get some more 313s so I decided to race them to Victoria (they got a 317 back to Kings X) I took 313051 + 313028 to Highbury & Islington before changing onto the Victoria line

IMG_20161231_132234 by litecactus, on Flickr

IMG_20161231_132238 by litecactus, on Flickr

IMG_20161231_132855 by litecactus, on Flickr

I won the race because they went for a detour via Pimlico, but we agreed that there was no real time difference in it (even though I had to wait an extra 6 minutes for my train!)

We decided to head to Bromley South on a class 375/9, before coming back on a 465/9.

IMG_20161231_144121 by litecactus, on Flickr

We caught a 377/4 to Clapham Junction, then we caught a pair of 450s to Richmond and return. We then decide to get the WLL to Sheperds Bush and Central and District lines to Paddington to catch a 360 to Hayes. We missed it and got the 1610 to Ealing Broadway formed of 165113.
360203 took us back to PAddington, the train was apparently 'on tim'

IMG_20161231_162211 by litecactus, on Flickr

We parted ways back at Marylebone, I headed back to Paddington to get the 1721 service as far as Slough formed of 43135 + 162

IMG_20161231_171001 by litecactus, on Flickr

IMG_20161231_173658 by litecactus, on Flickr

IMG_20161231_173806 by litecactus, on Flickr

IMG_20161231_173910_01 by litecactus, on Flickr

I caught the same 166 as this morning back to Twyford arriving home just after 6pm.

 

[Kite159]

London 31st December

Ouch at that monster delay caused by a pink hippo escaping onto the Central Line

----

Now you have edited your post, sounded like a good varied day in London

 

[cactustwirly]

So this year I have had the following winner powercars in reverse chronological order:

43135 + 43162
43022 + 43004
43146 + 43079
43130 + 43005
43090
43003
43206
43165 + 43059
43012 + 43031

180106

All of the 150/0s
Quite a number of other units.
All of the 165/s and 166s (apart from 204)

And approximately 2100 miles.

 

[fishquinn]

Thanks for a good day! Just so you know, it was 700103 that we had, not 013 . Looking at the photo, it looks like your service to Highbury also had a platform alteration then.

 

[cactustwirly]

Thanks for a good day! Just so you know, it was 700103 that we had, not 013 . Looking at the photo, it looks like your service to Highbury also had a platform alteration then.

Yes, but luckily I didn't have far to walk!
The quickest way from Finsbury Park is probably the Victoria line straight through!

 

[cactustwirly]

Just been on my first trip of 2017, and I've taken about 40 photos! (I'll only use a selection for the trip report)

All I'm going to say is that it was a travelcard bash with a twist!

I'll write my trip report tomorrow.

 

[cactustwirly]

To London….and Beyond! 18/02/17

The day started at 7:30 am, I had a shower and made myself breakfast and a coffee. I picked up my railcard and some tickets which I bought earlier (all will be revealed later on) and walked to the station.
I arrived at Twyford with 10 minutes to spare, I bought a travelcard and waited for the 0824 to London Paddington.
Today it was formed of 165112 one of my lower mileage turbos. I sat in a bay of 6 in the front coach.
The journey went smoothly until after Hayes & Harlington where we slowly crawled to Ealing Broadway, we were delayed by a late running 387 in front of us so we arrived into Paddington 3 minutes late! Into my favourite platform
I walked to the Bakerloo line and headed to Marylebone to meet Nat and Quinn. I had a bit of time to kill before their train arrived so I grabbed my lunch from M&S.
Eventually their train arrived and we headed to Liverpool Street changing onto the Met at Baker Street.
We only had a few minutes here before our 379 left, but we made it.
I was quite impressed by the interior, it reminds me of a 387 but with nicer seats.
We caught the train as far as Tottenham Hale, where we crossed platforms and caught 317514 to Stratford. As there was a blockade on the GEML this weekend, there was a lot of stock in Temple Mills sidings.
317514 at Stratford by litecactus, on Flickr

We headed for the Overground platforms and caught 378214 to Canonbury before changing onto a 378/2 to Hoxton (Quinn wanted to score a shack and another Overground unit)

378214 at Stratford by litecactus, on Flickr

Hoxton by litecactus, on Flickr

The next train was a 378/1 and we took it to Shadwell, where we changed for the DLR to Tower Gateway.

We walked to Fenchurch Street and noticed that there was a double set on a Shoeburyness service, so we caught it to West Ham. Quinn went to look for a ticket office so I took some pictures of the S stock on the opposite platforms

West Ham by litecactus, on Flickr

It appears that West Ham only has LU ticket machines, so we caught a Grays service to Barking where Quinn & Nat were able to get their tickets.

We then caught the 1222 service to Shoeburyness which was formed of 357040 and another 357/0, the tickets were Super Off-Peak returns to Shoeburyness from Upminster. So we took this service right to the end.
The journey was pleasant (except for some of the clientele) with rolling hills and countryside to Laindon, turning to marshland after Pitsea, which gave way to the sea at Leigh-on-Sea (which looked quite nice)

Seaview near Chalkwell by litecactus, on Flickr

At Chalkwell the coastal running ended and we headed through the Southend suburbs before terminating at Shoeburyness.

357040 & 357024 at Shoeburyness by litecactus, on Flickr

We crossed over to 357024 which we took to Southend Central so Quinn could get his lunch, we walked to Greggs I had a coffee and a doughnut.
We walked back to Southend Central station.

We saw a Fenchurch St via Basildon service that was formed of 8 coaches so we took this to Chalkwell.
Chalkwell is a pleasant station which is right next to the seafront

Chalkwell station by litecactus, on Flickr

Seaview Chalkwell by litecactus, on Flickr

357001 arrived with a service to Fenchurch Street via Tilbury

357001 at Chalkwell by litecactus, on Flickr

We took this round the Tilbury Loop all the way to Fenchurch street
Tilbury really looked quite rough. After Chafford Hundred the train was standing room only until we got to West Ham where a mass exodus occured.

Anyway I spotted a D stock at Barking which we overtook in the East Ham area

Overtaking D stock near East Ham by litecactus, on Flickr

I took the 357 all the way to Fenchurch street and picked up the D Stock from Tower Hill (it was the first train to arrive from the east)

357001 at London Fenchurch Street by litecactus, on Flickr

D stock at Tower Hill by litecactus, on Flickr

We took the District line to Blackfriars, which is likely to be my last ever D stock. I was happy I actually managed to get one since there's only 6 left.

D stock at Blackfriars by litecactus, on Flickr

Where we took a Thameslink service to Farringdon, we took the second Bedford train since the first was a pair of 377/2s in the hope of a 700, but alas this was a pair of 377s as well. We boarded 377213

377213 at Blackfriars by litecactus, on Flickr

We then took a Hammersmith & City line train to Paddington, so we could get some 387s

387134 & 387136 were on the 1545 to Hayes, which we took as far as Acton Mainline

387134 & 387136 at Paddington by litecactus, on Flickr

387134 & 387136 at Paddington by litecactus, on Flickr

387134 & 387136 at Paddington by litecactus, on Flickr

The GW 387s have the nicest 387 interior, we sat in the "first class" area (the GW 387s have no first class, but they still have the partition doors where first class should be)

387134 & 387136 at Acton Main Line by litecactus, on Flickr

Acton Main Line by litecactus, on Flickr

387135 & 387137 took us back to Paddington.

387135 & 387137 at Acton Main Line by litecactus, on Flickr

Back at Paddington we caught the 1612 service to Ealing Broadway formed of 165126 & 166215, we then caught 165104 back to Paddington

165104 at Ealing Broadway by litecactus, on Flickr

It was time for Quinn and Nat to head back to Marylebon, so I suggested a route to kill some time.
We took the District line to Notting Hill Gate, Central Line to Bond Street and Jubilee to Baker Street and finally Bakerloo to Marylebone, I said goodbye and stayed on the train to Paddington.

I swang round to Sainsburys to get a drink, where the self servce machine decided to reject my £1 coins! So I had to ask for some 50p coins in exchange for a £1 coin.

I then had 10 minutes to catch my train, the 1721 to Worcester, which I would take as far as Slough.
It was departing from Platform 4, and was formed of 43042 and 43142, hauling a HD set with a micro buffet. I took up a window seat in coach E.

The journey to Slough was quick and only took 15 minutes. I walked over to Platform 4 and took 165103 to Twyford which was running 1 minute late.

I then walked home, and just as I put my key in the door Quinn texted me saying he had arrived at Banbury!

 

[Techniquest]

Looks like a fun first part, it just fuels the desire to get back to London even more!