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TC60054's Random Trips Out

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TC60054

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3 Mar 2016
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586
Location
South Sheffield
Been reading through the trip reports here and I think it maybe time for me to start posting proper reports. I mean, it's not as if there's any harm in doing so is there? ;)

So, to start with...

11/06/16
Yesterday I decided it was time to take a trip out on another £10 Northern Rail ranger. We start off on the 0855 tram towards Sheffield Station, formed of Duewag 122 for the four mile trip there, arriving a couple of minutes early at 0910. After a quick natter with the driver, it was time to make my way into the station to purchase the ranger.

Platform 3A was the location of my chosen train to Doncaster to join the electric network for the day. I was rather surprised when the unit rolled in at 0932, until I remembered that this was the unusual working which didn't actually work in just behind the Manchester TransPennine. Settling down for the journey to Doncaster on 158851, we had a pretty clear run to Doncaster, until being held at the notorious D277 signal - it shows how long it's been since I last traversed the line on a Northern, having forgotten about the 10 minute wait for a path into the station! Upon arrival at Doncaster, a quick walk under the underpass to platform 6 to join winner 322482 to Leeds on the 1026. We settled down under the pantograph in the third carriage for the 40 minute trip to Leeds, whilst the Scarborough and Newcastle units followed each other out of Doncaster for the north.

The journey up to Leeds on the Northern stopper is one of my favourite local-stopping journeys, and with a slightly delayed arrival into Leeds, it was dinner time, with a quick meal in McDonalds with my one remaining voucher being used. No more cheap dinner for me now !

After, it was time to join the 1156 service to Skipton, formed of winner 333015. Great, two consecutive winners after none for weeks, I was enjoying this. This was the first time I had taken a trip to Skipton, and it was the first time that I had passed Keighley on a 333 as well. At 1237, we arrived into Skipton a couple of minutes early, and with a +23 looming onto the Bradford service, it was a quick look around the station before dud 333008 rolled up.

The driver on 333008 was being very conservative in his driving compared to drivers on other 333s, who seem to like the "full power, full brake" approach to working these services, although sure enough a right time arrival to Bradford Forster Square ensued at 1337. A quick look in on the KWVR from the 333 didn't come up with anything remotely interesting, and a kettle was just departing as we rolled in. At Bradford, it was a quick trip to the shop before joining the 1246 to Ilkley...formed again of 333008. Fortunately, this was to be the only repeat of the day, and the conservative driving continued to Ilkley, including over the third side of the triangle which has now reopened after the flooding earlier in the week, albeit with a lovely TSR.

With Ilkley being my favourite point on the Airedale and Wharfedale lines, it only made sense for a quick walk around the town centre before joining the 1438 Leeds. Rolling in as 333014, and a right time departure, it seemed that the position made the whine of the motors extremely loud compared to normal with the other 333s - although I wasn't complaining at the time. We continued down the line, this driver no longer being eco friendly with his driving of the electrics, before a fortunate right time arrival into Leeds at 1507 and a short run onto winner 333011 working the 1510 to Bradford. We decided to take this to Apperley Bridge, and with a right time arrival of the unit there, a look at the station and its "new" features (although I'm rather annoyed that they did decide to tape over the Northern branding on a brand new station!), it was time for 333013 back to Leeds on the slightly delayed 1543 service.

At Leeds, it was time to head back to South Yorkshire having covered the entire electric network, and dud 322484 was the chariot for this on the 1621 service to Doncaster. Settling down again under near the pan, a quick phone charge was called for on the trip down, and an on time arrival into Doncaster. The next port of call was platform 5, where winner 142005 was waiting to work the 1724 to Sheffield via all stations. I wouldn't usually voluntarily use a stopping service between the two, but the winning Pacer combined with a desire to check out the progress of the tram-train preparation works around Rotherham was too hard to pass. I'm not sure that the unit was actually a Pacer though, as a 5 minute early arrival into Conisbrough and a further two waits to catch up with time at other intermediate stations was worrying, however it's impressive to see the amount of work that has already gone in with piling for electrification and clearance for the new Parkgate station - not to mention all the OHLE supports up on the Tinsley line! A two minute delayed arrival into Meadowhall for a quick connection to the 1810 to Sheffield, via the shop in the bus station, threw up 158796. Then it was decided to shuttle between the two, trying to win some units.

At Sheffield, the 1836 to Huddersfield was the next choice for the shuttle to Meadowhall, formed of 144015. A delayed arrival into Meadowhall meant a quick barge through the customers, and onto 142066 back to Sheffield working the 1848. A right time arrival into Sheffield meant that the +5 onto the 1900 Doncaster was extremely likely - even more so by the fact it was delayed by 10 minutes, before winner 142035 pulled in. A 10 minute late arrival to Meadowhall meant that the next journey would be the 1921 back to Sheffield, which was 144002. One last hop now, using the 1944 to Beverley, which to my surprise had a winning Dogbox on the rear. With 158843 / 153358 providing the power, and the 153 providing some winning Dogbox thrash, another RT arrival at Meadowhall, along with a bit of annoyance that the 1948 Sheffield was actually booked to use the winning Brightside slow line in the reverse direction, and it was a quick check of the unit on the 1954 to Nottingham.

This was 158845, so as not to annoy myself any further, the 2008 tram to Cathedral was chosen, the tram providing the power here being 105. It felt weird that this wasn't my highest mileage tram for once! With an on time arrival into Cathedral, the booked 5 minute wait happened...and then continued to happen for another five minutes before my new highest mileage tram 123 arrived, explaining the lengthy delay for the time of day. Seated underneath a very loud speaker to listen to the broken announcements, an arrival at 2055 at White Lane meant that the tram had managed to make some time back - and with that the short walk home finished the day.
 
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Techniquest

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Welcome to the Trip Reporters' Club! Always like to see new members of it :D

Looks like you had a quite productive day out there. The 333 thrash after all the conservative driving must have been a relief, same for the 322 racket. I also am glad to hear of the update to the Parkgate extension, something to head up for in 2017 then!

An enjoyable read and I look forward to more as time goes on!
 

TC60054

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3 Mar 2016
Messages
586
Location
South Sheffield
Welcome to the Trip Reporters' Club! Always like to see new members of it :D

Looks like you had a quite productive day out there. The 333 thrash after all the conservative driving must have been a relief, same for the 322 racket. I also am glad to hear of the update to the Parkgate extension, something to head up for in 2017 then!

An enjoyable read and I look forward to more as time goes on!

The 333s whining was well needed after the conservative driving yes!

Sadly the Parkgate extension has been delayed again by Network Rail, no-one is sure why even though it's finally starting to come on well - the sleepers for the Tinsley chord have been laid and preparations to extend the platforms at Rotherham Central have started with some slabs being removed and the starting signal towards Sheffield having being moved by approx. 35-40m - which as I keep making a joke of "The exact same length of a 399, that's interesting ;)"

Hopefully I'll be able to update with more tram-related jaunts in the coming weeks, my life is so exciting!
 

fishquinn

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Welcome to the group of trip reporters!

Sounds like a good day there! I would've liked to get those 333s! Only 333015 was dud!
 

D841 Roebuck

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Rochdale
Nice report. A good, varied day out. Those return trips to Meadowhell were above and beyond the call of duty.

Must have a trip to Sheffield soon. Done the entire tram network, but never bothered with any of the tram numbers.:oops:

In the tradition of "green eyed" comments from fellow reviewers, I envy you 322484, which has so far proved elusive!<(:D
 

Kite159

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Welcome to the club, sounded like a good little day in the West/North Yorkshire Electrics land.

Although I'm jealous as you had both my last 2 remaining 333s (008 & 015)
 

Kristofferson

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1,132
Welcome to the club, as Tech's favourite dance group would say!

A great read and insight into an area I'm not too familiar with, please keep posting your trips :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

TC60054

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Joined
3 Mar 2016
Messages
586
Location
South Sheffield
Had a "quick" trip out after college today, to try and win Brightside East-West loop. So...

Starting off with the 1228 tram to college this morning, which turned up at 1232, it was Duewag 104 doing the honours of the college run to Moss Way, arriving a few minutes late at 1240. Following this, a large period of boredom occurred before boarding the 1712 tram back home. This was Duewag 122, complete with random coloured flooring and original internal PIS displays.

After dropping my college stuff off at home, it was the 1733 tram to Fitzalan Square, formed of East Midlands Trains advertising livery tram 116. Excellent, getting close to 100 miles now. Arriving at Fitzalan Square, the 1754 tram to Meadowhall was the next move, arriving a couple of minutes late as Sheffield Corporation liveried tram 120. An on time arrival to Meadowhall, and the next move was the 1829 train to Sheffield, departing from platform 4 to traverse the loop and then continue on the mainline.

This turned up as 158795...on platform 3. With some annoyance of shelling out a whole £1.25 for this, the service was reluctantly boarded back to Sheffield, to have another stab at this on the 1948 departure.

The next move was the 1909 tram on a city hop, which was tram 108, still minus announcements. Probably for the best, the speakers on this one are stupidly loud. After missing the stop at Fitzalan Square through a distraction, a quick connection at Castle Square landed...tram 120 again. Fortunately this meant I didn't have to faff around finding my pass again, and with an on time arrival to Meadowhall at 1931, the waiting game began.

The 1948 to Sheffield, also from platform 4 was the next move. At 1944, 144020 rolls in...again on platform 3. This time it's 1953 before the train gets moving, and as the guard politely announced over the PA upon arrival into Sheffield, this was because the signaller "had forgotten the train was in the platform" - never mess with ARS ey?!

What to do next? The 2018 tram was chosen, working one of the few Halfway - Cricket Inn Road services, sadly via Cathedral. This was tram 115 - fun, the announcements are broken on this one, however sadly I didn't realise HOW badly! "The next stop by request will be" was the sole announcement on the trip before changing ends at Cathedral, and from Cathedral....The next stop bybe Castle Square...then Hillsborough...somehow I think this tram was lost. An early arrival at Cricket Inn Road ensued before a connection onto a Meadowhall to go and look at trams in the depot.

As the yellow rolled in...I cringed. Tram 120 again, fortunately not for a long period, although the conductor looked bewildered to see me yet again.

After spending an hour watching trams through the fence, it was time to start heading home, and with a lift waiting at Meadowhall, the 2131 tram was the next choice, although I'm not sure the Information Displays on the platform quite knew where the tram was. Tram 107 turned up for the final journey of the day, and again arrived at Meadowhall bang on time, before my lift home.
 

TC60054

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586
Location
South Sheffield
So today I had a friend come visit me to come and do some trams.

The day started out on the 0934 departure to Malin Bridge. This rocked up a couple of minutes late at 0936, formed of Duewag 116. Whilst I had hoped for a tram which I still needed for 100 miles, my favourite one of the lot was more than adequate. I took this tram to Cathedral, before having a wander through the city centre, photographing some buses in different locations.

Next up was tram 101, which I took from Cathedral to Hillsborough again to get some more photos. To my amazement at Hillsborough, tram 103 went past working a Meadowhall service with both end blinds working - the blind on the number 1 end had been out for the past three months so was quite something to see it working again!

After this, it was time to take 120 to Netherthorpe Road, this time for photos of the trams on the incline from the tram stop. With 120, 104 and 115 successfully photographed, I took 104 back to Cathedral, for a quick stop into Tesco for a drink...which ended up being two drinks and five doughnuts. Still, could be worse...tram 114 was the chariot around to Sheffield Station, to meet my friend off of the train at 1120.

That wasn't the case, so I hung around watching the chaos unfold as the signaller tried to get a full timetable out of one end of the station and across the mainline, delaying everything in the process. By the time his train had arrived, we chose to do the 1231 X5 bus to Handsworth, to visit an Asda. This would become a key part of the day. The bus for this was First South Yorkshire's 37472 YN08NLL, which made easy work of the Parkway, and the return journey was on TM Travel's 834 YD63VDX.

From alighting the TM Versa at Fitzalan Square, tram 117 turned up on the next move of the day, to Leppings Lane. This would become the 19th Duewag to have been cleared for 100 miles, and was successfully done before even leaving the Supertram city zone. At Leppings Lane, another Asda trip was successfully made before tram 113 showed us to take us back towards the City. This easily pushed this tram up a further four miles towards the 100 mark. Alighting at City Hall, and a short wait later, and East Midlands Trains liveried 116 showed up to whisk us to Manor Top.

At Manor Top, and another Asda trip later, although not for me needing nothing this time around, it was time to go and visit my favourite section of the Supertram network, and it was tram 109 doing the honours. A new one for the stretch of line, and sure enough this was now the 20th Duewag to reach the 100 mark. After leaving Herdings, it was time to bail at Gleadless Townend to board a tram to the fourth and final Asda of the day, at Moss Way. A quick journey across platforms lead to 104 again on this trip, and with a walk through college to get to the Asda to use the bogs and to purchase some hand sanitizer, it was back to the tram stop. Here showed up my second least mileage tram (counting the very dead 118), as 115 was the chariot back to Castle Square. This brought the abandoned looking mileage up to a healthier number, and it now looks doable to be part of the 24 cleared for 100 miles.

A trip to Nunnery now to look at some 399s - I couldn't resist. Tram 112 was the chariot for this, and I'd now had all four trams that I still needed 100 miles on in a day - excellent. At Nunnery, tram 118 was still visible through the doors of 9 road, whilst 399201 was showing its bodged up end in 8 road and 399202 was sat silently as usual on 3 road. With that, tram 120 took us back into the City Centre, and 115 once more around to the station.

Waving my friend off, and meeting another for a quick natter, I took 101 to Park Grange to get some more photos - however the spot I wanted to take looked far too overgrown, so 125 was the chariot to the next stop - Park Grange Croft. Here, a couple of photos by the viaduct, and 122 was the tram back to Sheffield Station. With having nothing better to do, a quick wonder around the city and some photographs, before rejoining tram 122 back home, arriving back at White Lane at 1938, some 10 hours and 2 minutes after departure this morning, and with a quick walk home and a collapse into the chair.
 

Techniquest

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So what's happened to 118? Obviously I'm a long way behind in terms of what's happening around the country lately, I still haven't quite grasped what's going and when to the GWML with the 387s! :oops:

Couldn't help but smile when I saw how many Asda stores you went to in one day, trying to visit all of them or something? If so you'll almost certainly need my local one ;):lol:

Also, why the name of 'Duewag' that I see you use now and again?

I do know how you feel with that tram you've got little mileage off, 175106 is like that for me. Still on 86 miles, it just never produces for me. It's going to take a very long time to clear that one for 1,000 miles...
 

fishquinn

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So what's happened to 118?
My question exactly!

Sounds like a good time there! Your mileage on the trams puts mine to shame! I've had whatever the mileage is from Meadowhall to Halfway to Gleadless Townsend to Herdings Park to Sheffield station. I'm pretty sure that my 68 mileage is going to be better than yours though (and probably most if not all of the regular trip reporters)! I'm on the laptop at the moment but will post what my cat mileage is when I get to the computer. I can say that my lowest mileage is on 379 though (68015)!
 

TC60054

Member
Joined
3 Mar 2016
Messages
586
Location
South Sheffield
So today I had a friend come visit me to come and do some trams.

The day started out on the 0934 departure to Malin Bridge. This rocked up a couple of minutes late at 0936, formed of Duewag 116. Whilst I had hoped for a tram which I still needed for 100 miles, my favourite one of the lot was more than adequate. I took this tram to Cathedral, before having a wander through the city centre, photographing some buses in different locations.

Next up was tram 101, which I took from Cathedral to Hillsborough again to get some more photos. To my amazement at Hillsborough, tram 103 went past working a Meadowhall service with both end blinds working - the blind on the number 1 end had been out for the past three months so was quite something to see it working again!

After this, it was time to take 120 to Netherthorpe Road, this time for photos of the trams on the incline from the tram stop. With 120, 104 and 115 successfully photographed, I took 104 back to Cathedral, for a quick stop into Tesco for a drink...which ended up being two drinks and five doughnuts. Still, could be worse...tram 114 was the chariot around to Sheffield Station, to meet my friend off of the train at 1120.

That wasn't the case, so I hung around watching the chaos unfold as the signaller tried to get a full timetable out of one end of the station and across the mainline, delaying everything in the process. By the time his train had arrived, we chose to do the 1231 X5 bus to Handsworth, to visit an Asda. This would become a key part of the day. The bus for this was First South Yorkshire's 37472 YN08NLL, which made easy work of the Parkway, and the return journey was on TM Travel's 834 YD63VDX.

From alighting the TM Versa at Fitzalan Square, tram 117 turned up on the next move of the day, to Leppings Lane. This would become the 19th Duewag to have been cleared for 100 miles, and was successfully done before even leaving the Supertram city zone. At Leppings Lane, another Asda trip was successfully made before tram 113 showed us to take us back towards the City. This easily pushed this tram up a further four miles towards the 100 mark. Alighting at City Hall, and a short wait later, and East Midlands Trains liveried 116 showed up to whisk us to Manor Top.

At Manor Top, and another Asda trip later, although not for me needing nothing this time around, it was time to go and visit my favourite section of the Supertram network, and it was tram 109 doing the honours. A new one for the stretch of line, and sure enough this was now the 20th Duewag to reach the 100 mark. After leaving Herdings, it was time to bail at Gleadless Townend to board a tram to the fourth and final Asda of the day, at Moss Way. A quick journey across platforms lead to 104 again on this trip, and with a walk through college to get to the Asda to use the bogs and to purchase some hand sanitizer, it was back to the tram stop. Here showed up my second least mileage tram (counting the very dead 118), as 115 was the chariot back to Castle Square. This brought the abandoned looking mileage up to a healthier number, and it now looks doable to be part of the 24 cleared for 100 miles.

A trip to Nunnery now to look at some 399s - I couldn't resist. Tram 112 was the chariot for this, and I'd now had all four trams that I still needed 100 miles on in a day - excellent. At Nunnery, tram 118 was still visible through the doors of 9 road, whilst 399201 was showing its bodged up end in 8 road and 399202 was sat silently as usual on 3 road. With that, tram 120 took us back into the City Centre, and 115 once more around to the station.

Waving my friend off, and meeting another for a quick natter, I took 101 to Park Grange to get some more photos - however the spot I wanted to take looked far too overgrown, so 125 was the chariot to the next stop - Park Grange Croft. Here, a couple of photos by the viaduct, and 122 was the tram back to Sheffield Station. With having nothing better to do, a quick wonder around the city and some photographs, before rejoining tram 122 back home, arriving back at White Lane at 1938, some 10 hours and 2 minutes after departure this morning, and with a quick walk home and a collapse into the chair.

Firstly I'd just like to point out that somewhere along the line I've had a major messup with calculations, and now redoing it I need five for 100 miles again, whilst I now need 114 for 200 miles again - oh well.

So what's happened to 118? Obviously I'm a long way behind in terms of what's happening around the country lately, I still haven't quite grasped what's going and when to the GWML with the 387s! :oops:

Couldn't help but smile when I saw how many Asda stores you went to in one day, trying to visit all of them or something? If so you'll almost certainly need my local one ;):lol:

Also, why the name of 'Duewag' that I see you use now and again?

I do know how you feel with that tram you've got little mileage off, 175106 is like that for me. Still on 86 miles, it just never produces for me. It's going to take a very long time to clear that one for 1,000 miles...

My question exactly!

Sounds like a good time there! Your mileage on the trams puts mine to shame! I've had whatever the mileage is from Meadowhall to Halfway to Gleadless Townsend to Herdings Park to Sheffield station. I'm pretty sure that my 68 mileage is going to be better than yours though (and probably most if not all of the regular trip reporters)! I'm on the laptop at the moment but will post what my cat mileage is when I get to the computer. I can say that my lowest mileage is on 379 though (68015)!

Tram 118 was involved in the accident at Shalesmoor on October 22nd last year with tram 120 - sadly 118 came out of it with worse damage than 120 and has been in "repair" ever since - although now they seem to have fixed most of it!

I mention Duewag a lot - this is because the trams are Siemens-Duewag Supertrams - Duewag is just easier to say!

Wasn't me who wanted to visit every single Asda, that was my friend, unfortunately it was me who had to get dragged around them!
 

Techniquest

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Is there a new craze going around then, Asda enthusiasts? :lol:

Fair game on 118, eventually it might make an appearance again. Thankfully it's dud here, but I do need 120.

Never knew that about the tram name, thanks for clarifying that.
 

TC60054

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Is there a new craze going around then, Asda enthusiasts? :lol:

Fair game on 118, eventually it might make an appearance again. Thankfully it's dud here, but I do need 120.

Never knew that about the tram name, thanks for clarifying that.

Apparently so :lol: 120 is still running about (obviously, had it twice yesterday...), with the number 2 end of 120 being tram 118's original number 2 end, to get the tram back into service quicker. With regards to 118, it's been painted and its got quite a lot of parts that were robbed back now, and it has been drawing power from the overheads for the last couple of days, so it could be quicker than expected.

You're most welcome.
 

Techniquest

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I must have missed that mention of 120 then :oops:

Asda scratching, whatever next! We'll have to start a new thread in General Discussion in 2017, Supermarket Scratching 2017 :lol::lol::lol: Who's going to be the first to put together an Excel file of all supermarkets in the UK I wonder...No, not me before you ask!
 

47403

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just caught up with this thread, my apologies for that, entertaining stuff.

Now come on, Asda scratching????? Wetherspoons i can understand but Asda, Is there not enough with aviation, trains, (coaches, wagons and track machines), trams, buses, ships and Eddie Stobart lorries? Each to their own I supppose
 

TC60054

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just caught up with this thread, my apologies for that, entertaining stuff.

Now come on, Asda scratching????? Wetherspoons i can understand but Asda, Is there not enough with aviation, trains, (coaches, wagons and track machines), trams, buses, ships and Eddie Stobart lorries? Each to their own I supppose

Chop Wetherspoons, all the guff to do with trains, ships and Stobarts off and you've got me to a tee ;)
 

Kite159

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just caught up with this thread, my apologies for that, entertaining stuff.

Now come on, Asda scratching????? Wetherspoons i can understand but Asda, Is there not enough with aviation, trains, (coaches, wagons and track machines), trams, buses, ships and Eddie Stobart lorries? Each to their own I supppose

You forgot sports ground scratching and premier inn scratching there ;)
 

TC60054

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South Sheffield
You forgot sports ground scratching and premier inn scratching there ;)

Both sound extremely tedious to me ;)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
You're probably going to get bored with my Supertram ramblings soon...!

So, yesterday was to meet a friend and do some trams with them during the day. Starting on the 1015 tram to the station, formed of 102, arriving right time at 1032 to meet up. After the meetup, it was next the job of tram 124 through to West Street for an early dinner at the Cavendish - extremely nice food I must say!

After letting the food settle down, tram 107 was the steed to Nunnery Square, once again to check the progress on 118, which seems to have slowed again, and the two tram trains, in the process of which finding out that the third is due tomorrow night (now tonight..!). From here, it was the job of tram 123 forwards to Tinsley, Meadowhall South, where a quick wander up onto the bridges showed the progress at this end of the tram-train project, which actually seems to have progressed quite a way at this end.

Now it was back to Halfway to pick up a friend's car, to check the progress at the other end of the extension in finer detail than from a Pacer, so tram 109 took us forwards to Meadowhall, and then back up to Cathedral, where after bumping into an old school friend, tram 120 took us forwards to Halfway.

From here, it was to Masbrough via a charge at Meadowhall, and upon arrival at Masbrough whilst walking down looking at the OHLE supports there was an encounter with the locals...which quickly abandoned trip, and we drove up to Parkgate to have a better check in the area. And then back to Meadowhall, again, and tram 110 was the chariot out, up to Cathedral for the reversal and then a trip up my favourite bit of track to Herdings Park, and subsequently back out to Sheffield Station for a toilet break.

Toilet break complete, and now it was time for a full round trip on 102 - because why not? Malin Bridge done, back down to Halfway and two hours later we successfully arrived back at Sheffield Station, where the group parted ways. Next up was tram 125 around to Fitzalan Square to pick up a Meadowhall tram - this was 101, which had only just swapped tram 123 off of the runs. Leaving the last of the group, I rejoined tram 101 back to Cathedral, before joining tram 110 down to Gleadless Townend, and from there tram 124 on the one-stop-hop home to White Lane.

Today's tram ramblings will arrive at a thread near you soon...
 

fishquinn

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I don't mind the tram stuff - it gives something different to read. Sounds like a good time there too!
 

Techniquest

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Aye keep the tram stuff going, it's all different and trams, after all, have gained huge popularity on this forum recently!
 

TC60054

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Apparently I never posted about Monday's mini afternoon trip out...well, lets change that.

Starting the day by the usual five minute walk up to the tram stop, and the first tram of the day turns up as 121. I've not had this one in quite a while compared to some of the other trams, so made a welcome sight. I took this into town, alighting at Castle Square and taking a trip to Nunnery Square, to check on the progress of trams 118, 399201 and 399202, before the daily load increased to four to check on! Tram 102 was the tram for this, and standing at the original end of the tram leading to Nunnery wasn't most welcome - but hey, it is a Meadowhell, what else did I expect?!

After failing to sight 118 from Nunnery tram stop like normal, I took tram 124 back a couple of stops to Hyde Park to connect onto the Meadowhall service - the simple fact being I couldn't be bothered to walk down the trackside path, and fancied a bit of 50mph action. At Hyde Park, a quick run across to the other platform and tram 123 with its contravision people on the windows took me to Meadowhall. The car parks had been cleared out at Nunnery for the impending arrival of 399203, and both 201 and 202 were sat next to each other out of the shed - however this meant that 118 was now visible and actually now looks quite complete! At Meadowhell, I spent the most of the 10 minute connection by looking down on buses in the bus station, the occasional Pacer and...yeah, I'll not continue with that.

The next departure from Meadowhall was 112 - excellent, I needed this one for 100 miles still! To try and make a decent situation out of it - I took this tram to Middlewood - a whole 8 and a half miles away to the other side of Sheffield. Sadly, we were joined by plenty of rowdy primary school kids on their way back from Kelham Island at Shalesmoor - although it did lead to some interesting conversations being overheard. I never knew that we'd gone from seven potatoes and then more to twenty five potatoes! At Middlewood, the temptation to return to Meadowhall was overcome, and I navigated my way through to the shop just up the road to buy a drink or two, before returning to Bamforth Street on tram 105, the first one which I'd taken 100 miles out of.

At Bamforth Street, and across to the opposite platform, tram 120 took me to Malin Bridge, where with another 10 minute wait, tram 114 took me out of Malin Bridge back to Cathedral - this tram was the first one I cleared for 200 miles. In the hope of trying to get another "required" tram, I waited the five minutes for the half hourly Herdings service - which was tram 106, so no dice, however I still took the tram to Gleadless Townend to connect back onto tram 121 for the remaining 29 chains. Usually, I would've taken the Herdings the full route up the branch, however sadly it was the conductor I favour most in the entire world. Oh well, another day.

The day after wasn't much interesting, other than tram 109 into town, for tram 123 again to Nunnery, looking at 399203 before it was winched into the shed, and then trams 111 and 102 in reverse. Interestingly, I was sat in the original sections of both of these trams. Awkward - I could've said I'd had 102 and then 111 even though in reality it was the other way round! I'm so easily amused.
 

Techniquest

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I'm curious as to what you're not continuing the thought on at Meadowhall, although I could make an educated guess. If it is what I am thinking, then fair game for making the most of it!
 

fishquinn

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I'm curious as to what you're not continuing the thought on at Meadowhall, although I could make an educated guess. If it is what I am thinking, then fair game for making the most of it!
As am I. I'm guessing that as he mentions pacers and buses first then it is most likely 220s/221s. Why? All are rancid but they get worse as they go. Buses are the best of the mix followed by pacers. 220/221s will be the only thing worse than pacers you get at Meadowhall.

Am I correct?
 

Kite159

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As am I. I'm guessing that as he mentions pacers and buses first then it is most likely 220s/221s. Why? All are rancid but they get worse as they go. Buses are the best of the mix followed by pacers. 220/221s will be the only thing worse than pacers you get at Meadowhall.

Am I correct?

Apart from that XC doesn't serve Meadowhall and runs 'fast' through the platforms
 
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