I haven't really had time for any major bashing this year, only an East Midlands rover in January and the pines express in April, other than that it's just a few evenings out after work, so a big bash and a trip report are long overdue, so here goes.
Day 1 - Saturday 18th June
The original plan for my 2016 big bash was a 1 week all line rover stating on Saturday 4th June, however due to issues at work I needed to push my leave back by 2 weeks, but this meant I couldn't start until the Monday as I'd entered to run the City of London Mile on the Sunday.
However when it came to this weekend I suddenly found myself with an almost free Saturday, so I figured I might as well start off a bit early.
The original plan for the week was broadly to do plenty of loco hauled trains, the Queen Street diverts, the West Highland line, get as many 314's before they go, and a number of PSUL bits of track as well as plenty of mileage. Over the last couple of weeks there were a number of re-plans due to strikes and things, but I've now got a plan with contingencies built in if things go awry.
Part of the replanning meant that I would have to miss out on the Anglia 37's, as they're just too isolated from everywhere else, so with a free Saturday morning magically appearing, guess where I suddenly found myself heading. The alarm went off at 4.50, no time for a cup of tea - that will need to wait till Liverpool Street, and I made my way into London, crossing by foot between Cannon Street and Liverpool Street.
I had planned to get the 0700 off Liverpool Street, but as I'd arrived in plenty of time and already sourced a bacon roll and tea I still had time to get the 06.30 formed of DVT 82132 leading dud 90001. I got off at Ipswich to have a look at what was in the loco sidings, 66503, 66505, 66533, 66545 and 70011 were all present but nothing needed for sight there.
82143 pulled in leading winner 90014 for the remainder of the trip to Norwich, arriving right time to the dulcet tones of a pair of tractors ticking over.
Just enough time to grab a tea before jumping aboard the 0906 to Great Yarmouth behind 37422 which sounded mighty fine pulling away and roaring through the broads.
A quick PNB at Yarmouth and I board the second coach ( the BSO is locked out for some reason) although I'm a long way back so not so much engine noise from 37419 on the return.
90015 was atop the 1030 back to London which I take as far as Colchester. 66590 & 66596 are noted at Ipswich as we pass, both winners for sight, not a bad morning so far.
At Colchester I change onto winner 360112 as far as Stratford before crossing for winner 357205 on the 1250 Liverpool Street - Shoeburyness. All C2C are diverted via Woodgrange Park today ticking off the track from Forest Gate - Barking flyover, and the chord from platforms 7&8 onto the Upminster lines.
Winner 357025 takes me back on the 1325 into Liverpool Street and I stroll across to Cannon Street and onto 465239 for my next PSUL, the direct train from London onto the Bromley North Branch.
With a quick trip into town to meet the Mrs, that gives me a total of 334 miles, 6 winners for haulage, 2 winners for sight and a couple of fiddly bits of track ticked off.
That's the lot for today, tomorrow is race day then onto the northbound highland Caley Sleeper.
Day 1 - Saturday 18th June
The original plan for my 2016 big bash was a 1 week all line rover stating on Saturday 4th June, however due to issues at work I needed to push my leave back by 2 weeks, but this meant I couldn't start until the Monday as I'd entered to run the City of London Mile on the Sunday.
However when it came to this weekend I suddenly found myself with an almost free Saturday, so I figured I might as well start off a bit early.
The original plan for the week was broadly to do plenty of loco hauled trains, the Queen Street diverts, the West Highland line, get as many 314's before they go, and a number of PSUL bits of track as well as plenty of mileage. Over the last couple of weeks there were a number of re-plans due to strikes and things, but I've now got a plan with contingencies built in if things go awry.
Part of the replanning meant that I would have to miss out on the Anglia 37's, as they're just too isolated from everywhere else, so with a free Saturday morning magically appearing, guess where I suddenly found myself heading. The alarm went off at 4.50, no time for a cup of tea - that will need to wait till Liverpool Street, and I made my way into London, crossing by foot between Cannon Street and Liverpool Street.
I had planned to get the 0700 off Liverpool Street, but as I'd arrived in plenty of time and already sourced a bacon roll and tea I still had time to get the 06.30 formed of DVT 82132 leading dud 90001. I got off at Ipswich to have a look at what was in the loco sidings, 66503, 66505, 66533, 66545 and 70011 were all present but nothing needed for sight there.
82143 pulled in leading winner 90014 for the remainder of the trip to Norwich, arriving right time to the dulcet tones of a pair of tractors ticking over.
Just enough time to grab a tea before jumping aboard the 0906 to Great Yarmouth behind 37422 which sounded mighty fine pulling away and roaring through the broads.
A quick PNB at Yarmouth and I board the second coach ( the BSO is locked out for some reason) although I'm a long way back so not so much engine noise from 37419 on the return.
90015 was atop the 1030 back to London which I take as far as Colchester. 66590 & 66596 are noted at Ipswich as we pass, both winners for sight, not a bad morning so far.
At Colchester I change onto winner 360112 as far as Stratford before crossing for winner 357205 on the 1250 Liverpool Street - Shoeburyness. All C2C are diverted via Woodgrange Park today ticking off the track from Forest Gate - Barking flyover, and the chord from platforms 7&8 onto the Upminster lines.
Winner 357025 takes me back on the 1325 into Liverpool Street and I stroll across to Cannon Street and onto 465239 for my next PSUL, the direct train from London onto the Bromley North Branch.
With a quick trip into town to meet the Mrs, that gives me a total of 334 miles, 6 winners for haulage, 2 winners for sight and a couple of fiddly bits of track ticked off.
That's the lot for today, tomorrow is race day then onto the northbound highland Caley Sleeper.