Back on the platform

[The_Train]

Looks like you had an enjoyable day at Leicester, but what news of the mystery 37???

Good shout, forgot to add that in. I've detailed this in my post above just below the pic of 43054.

And I see you're a member of the 'count both units even though I've only travelled on one of them' club. Not too late to change your mind and become a 'purist'! (Actually, the true purist would only count the individual vehicle they are in, but this requires even more jumping about at intermediate stations to scratch everything!) (Actually, actually, the even truer purist wouldn't bother with units at all and only do locos.)

Haulage isn't a big thing for me at the moment. I'm logging it purely because I'll regret it in the future if I don't do so now. I have considered whether the way I'm doing it is the correct way, but I've just gone with what I've seen others doing on here

 

[433N]

And I see you're a member of the 'count both units even though I've only travelled on one of them' club. Not too late to change your mind and become a 'purist'! (Actually, the true purist would only count the individual vehicle they are in, but this requires even more jumping about at intermediate stations to scratch everything!) (Actually, actually, the even truer purist wouldn't bother with units at all and only do locos.)

These 'purists' must have an interesting philosophy. If a locomotive is providing the motive power then it counts as haulage. If I am sat in the back unit of a 2 unit formation and the lead unit is providing motive power then I cannot.

It all seems a bit too complicated to me.

 

[Techniquest]

Each to their own with their rules eh? For a long time I only counted the front power car on journeys, before someone on WNXX gave me sound logic for counting them both. Good chance I had 43019, but it will forever remain unlogged. I nearly had it at the head of an HST once out of Swansea, but I was on an off-peak ticket and was 30 minutes off. Gutted...

Similar with the DMU thing, although that took me until 2010 (I think!) to count all MUs in formation. I must have missed loads...

A very productive January, all things considered, and well done on clearing the 222s. That took me a LONG time to do!

 

[xotGD]

Each to their own with their rules eh? For a long time I only counted the front power car on journeys, before someone on WNXX gave me sound logic for counting them both. Good chance I had 43019, but it will forever remain unlogged. I nearly had it at the head of an HST once out of Swansea, but I was on an off-peak ticket and was 30 minutes off. Gutted...

Similar with the DMU thing, although that took me until 2010 (I think!) to count all MUs in formation. I must have missed loads...

A very productive January, all things considered, and well done on clearing the 222s. That took me a LONG time to do!

Surely you can only count the front power car if you are sat in the front half of the train (which is being pulled) and the rear power car if you are in the back half (which is being pushed)?

 

[DavidGrain]

Surely you can only count the front power car if you are sat in the front half of the train (which is being pulled) and the rear power car if you are in the back half (which is being pushed)?

An HST is a single train with 2 power cars both of which are powering the train. You cannot say the the front power car is powering the front half of the train and the rear power car is powering the rear half of the train. Both power cars should be producing the same amount of power otherwise one will be pushing or dragging the other. Therefore it is legitimate to record both as haulage.

 

[Far north 37]

Surely you can only count the front power car if you are sat in the front half of the train (which is being pulled) and the rear power car if you are in the back half (which is being pushed)?

You should really count both power cars as there both providing power how do you differentiate whats the front and back end of the train when theres nine carriages for starters.

 

[Kite159]

A good few trips Mr T, well done on clearing those 222s

 

[Techniquest]

Surely you can only count the front power car if you are sat in the front half of the train (which is being pulled) and the rear power car if you are in the back half (which is being pushed)?

That's kinda like saying you can only count the left side of a plane for flyage if you're sat that side or something!

As I said in my reply, each to their own with rules. I know some people do track coverage in both directions and mark it off as such per direction. That's just crazy to me, but fair game to them if that's their rule.

Good thing there's no actual rules to this hobby eh?

 

[xotGD]

That's kinda like saying you can only count the left side of a plane for flyage if you're sat that side or something!

As I said in my reply, each to their own with rules. I know some people do track coverage in both directions and mark it off as such per direction. That's just crazy to me, but fair game to them if that's their rule.

Good thing there's no actual rules to this hobby eh?

Exactly. As long as you enjoy what you're doing, just follow your own rules.

 

[Strat-tastic]

Good thing there's no actual rules to this hobby eh?

Indeed. Imagine the insufferable fools who'd gather to judge

 

[The_Train]

Right guys, I'm settled on doing the Cheshire Day Ranger tomorrow. My initial plan is to get to Piccadilly in time to ride the LHCS to Chester before heading into the Liverpool area. Are there any particular stations in Merseyrail territory that I should be targeting?

 

[03_179]

Have a good one mate

 

[palmersears]

Right guys, I'm settled on doing the Cheshire Day Ranger tomorrow. My initial plan is to get to Piccadilly in time to ride the LHCS to Chester before heading into the Liverpool area. Are there any particular stations in Merseyrail territory that I should be targeting?

Sandhills for Northern Line stuff and Lime Street or Central for Wirral Line workings. Sandhills is an island platform in the open but, unfortunately, Lime Street/Central are festers underground. They will give you the maximum opportunity to wrack up the winners though.

EDIT: Sandhills isn't covered by the Cheshire Day Ranger, however, so you might want to get a Saveaway ticket, which is £5.

 

[The_Train]

Sandhills for Northern Line stuff and Lime Street or Central for Wirral Line workings. Sandhills is an island platform in the open but, unfortunately, Lime Street/Central are festers underground. They will give you the maximum opportunity to wrack up the winners though.

EDIT: Sandhills isn't covered by the Cheshire Day Ranger, however, so you might want to get a Saveaway ticket, which is £5.

Thanks for that mate. Will plan accordingly

 

[xotGD]

Right guys, I'm settled on doing the Cheshire Day Ranger tomorrow. My initial plan is to get to Piccadilly in time to ride the LHCS to Chester before heading into the Liverpool area. Are there any particular stations in Merseyrail territory that I should be targeting?

Some proper loco bashing! Enjoy!

 

[DavidGrain]

Had some thoughts of the discussion above as whether or not a rear power car on an HST counts as haulage. If I go to London as I often do and I go on a Chiltern 'silver' train, the loco will be at the back. Does that mean that the train had no haulage? That I should only count the DVT at the front where the driver sits. But then some people will say that a DVT does not count as a loco as it is not powered although is has a TOPS number in the loco series.

 

[xotGD]

Had some thoughts of the discussion above as whether or not a rear power car on an HST counts as haulage. If I go to London as I often do and I go on a Chiltern 'silver' train, the loco will be at the back. Does that mean that the train had no haulage? That I should only count the DVT at the front where the driver sits. But then some people will say that a DVT does not count as a loco as it is not powered although is has a TOPS number in the loco series.

You definitely should not be counting DVTs for anything. You are being propelled by the loco - there is no other source of traction on the train.

All in my humble opinion, of course.

 

[The_Train]

I left you previously having caught a winning shed sat in Bescot Yard and just 3 days later on 18th January I was off out again. Nuneaton was my next destination and it was down to 350126 to provide the traction South. I'd previously ridden this unit back in September but this jaunt saw my mileage up over 50 miles for it. Departure from Stafford took me past DR73932 which was sat in the sidings outside the station before arrival into Rugeley saw me chalk off 170507 as it awaited it's return trip to Birmingham New Street with dud 153375 in tow. I perched myself in my usual position at the country end of platform 4/5 and it was dud 66531 that went down as my first spot after arriving in Nuneaton before a loco convoy provided a bit of success as 90019 headed 90037, 67014 and 66206 on a trip from Crewe Electric to Wembley. The next 2 hours were littered with dud 66s, 70s, 170s and of course Pendolino's and Voyagers which I didn't even make any effort to see the numbers considering the line speed through the station. However, I wouldn't be left without further success thanks to 66736 which headed through to Hams Hall having worked North from London Gateway. This took me into a 1 hour lull of freight activity so I decided to head over to platform 1 to the little coffee shop for a latte and a warm. Feeling quenched and warm, I ventured back out into the cold just in time to nab 66606 which passed through on a Bow Depot to Tunstead Sidings working. However, that would be it for my winners for the day as another 2 hour period of duds including 92014 on the cars, the usual pairing of 90046 and 90049 heading up to Scotland and a plethora of sheds before 221142 arrived to take me home. I'd previously travelled on this Voyager heading home from Glasgow so this journey home took it over 300 miles for haulage.

The 21st January saw me head to the local as RTT had shown a mass of light engine movements through the day. Heading back home from town at lunchtime allowed me time to nip onto the station to see football supporting 66725 head past as it worked light from Hams Hall to Longport
Showing it's colours is 66725 at Stafford by The_Train, on Flickr

I didn't hang around as my lunch was calling but I decided to head back a few hours later. Unfortunately it was a dud, dud, dud kind of start but this did include the fantastic sight and sound of 68018 and 68034 working the flasks up to Crewe. It wasn't much longer before I was able to celebrate a rare local winner and it was another loco convoy that provided it as 67012 lead 66097 and 67004 towards Bescot
A convoy of locomotives by The_Train

Within half an hour of that convoy passing, I was chalking off yet another winner as 66018 was hauled into the goods line by 66014
DB 66018 & 66014 at Stafford by The_Train

They had come up from Bescot heading towards Crewe but plans seemed to be changing as the crew conducted a change of ends and were soon heading back South along the Trent Valley line. A bit of investigating allowed me to find out that 37800 had failed between Rugeley and Lichfield as it worked light from Leicester to Crewe and these 2 locos were sent on the mercy mission to rescue her. Not too long after dud Colas 70805 and dud DB 67002 passed by the 2 sheds returned with 37800 looking a bit forlorn at the rear
Sheds to the rescue by The_Train

A shunt into the sidings at the South end of Stafford station was then conducted before the sheds continued their journey to Crewe and I made my journey to the warmth of home.

My final outing of note for January was a short hop down to Tamworth on the 25th. The journey down was on dud for everything 350104 and this dud set the tone for the few hours I was there. I had hoped to nab my final XC 170 but I struggled to find anything of interest including a HST set that was arriving just as I did but transpired to consist of dud power cars and coaches. It was getting on for 2 hours of dud sheds and 170s before DR73909 allowed a little respite. It was only a short respite though as the duds returned with a vengeance, even the oil workings were dud sheds where I'd hoped for winning 60s. My planned train home was now imminent but the final freight I got to see proved to be worth the wait as 66135 passed through before 390016 at least provided a winner for haulage.

So that was my lot for January. Not quite what I'd planned but a few winners nonetheless

January Summary

For Sight

Winners: 38 (79 including coaching stock)
Classes completed: 222 Meridian
Sub classes completed: N/A

For Haulage

Winners: 8
Total Mileage: 277 miles 24 chains
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A

 

[Kite159]

Good news on more sheds in your book

 

[03_179]

You've been busy ....

Wait until you hit Clapham Junction LOL

 

[Techniquest]

Oh Clapham Junction, the memories of many hours there spotting and eventually hunting my last SWT 455, the joy of it finally getting ticked off was something else! I remember my notebook looking more like it was filled with doctor's handwriting lol!

 

[03_179]

It's a two pen station.

And need bins or long lens sometimes.

 

[The_Train]

Moving onto my February catch up now and there was very little in terms of trips out, just the one actually which was for an appointment in Birmingham. The rest of my time on the platform in February was at the local.

Everything noted down in the first couple of days of the month were duds, including 60009 Union of South Africa and 47815 but my trip to Birmingham on the 5th of the month did yield my first February winner in the form of 66137. My trip to the UK's second city didn't yield any rewards (I had to get back so couldn't spend time on the platforms unfortunately) except for 350233 and 350238 which went into the book of haulage. It was over a week before I got back onto the platform again but on the 13th February I ventured back to the local for a couple of hours and I was pleasantly surprised to find required DB shed 66109 working the Southampton to Halewood empties. I hung around until the Garston cars to see a few more dud sheds but was rewarded on the Garston to Dagenham empties as 66730 was at the helm.

2 days later I was back at the local for no particular reason but it was made worthwhile by 66526 working containers from Trafford Park to Southampton. A loco convoy consisting of 90018, 90028 and 92036 made for a good sight but didn't trouble the book of sights
90018/90028/92036 pass Stafford by The_Train
92036 passing Stafford by The_Train

My final reward for a 2 hour stint was to chalk off 90016 as it formed a pairing with dud 90047 on the afternoon Daventry to Coatbridge working. According to trainlogger this leaves me requiring the Anglia and ScotRail 90s along with 90024 (although this seems to have been stuck at Crewe Electric for all of 2019 thus far. All of the others I've not ticked off are all in storage at Crewe.

On the 18th of the month a movement from Southall caught my eye on RTT so I ventured to the local once again. 4 dud 90s and 5 dud 66s later and the Southall move made it up to Staffordshire and it turned out to be the very dud 60009 Union of South Africa and a support coach as it headed towards Castleton Hopwood
Steam at Stafford by The_Train

A nice sight, but a nicer sight came half hour later as 66161 became the latest shed to fall as it worked the empty clay wagons from Cliffe Vale back to Bescot. This success tempted me to hang around a little bit and I was duly rewarded when FLR 66590 was also chalked off as it headed towards the South East. My luck was in and it continued soon after courtesy of the empty car wagons heading up to Halewood which were headed by 66198. I hung around just long enough to see 68017 and 68016 work the flask train towards Crewe but that was enough for today. The 20th day of February also brought a little luck as I stepped outside of my apartment block to be greeted by 66020 heading along the northern approach to the station as it worked southbound towards Southampton.

A Virgin Trains light engine working caught my eye on the penultimate day of February so I was back off to the local. However, this turned out to be dud 57309 working a light engine run around between Birmingham and Crewe (I assume it was either driver training or a test run after repairs). I hung around for a little bit but was only shown duds until the Southampton to Halewood working threw up a 3rd winner in February as 66095 did the honours. That was the only success for this little outing but I was back again the following day as more STPs were showing on RTT. The first one was a working from Old Dalby to Crewe which eventually ran very early meaning I just about caught it as I wandered to the station and was able to sight duds 37884 and 37601 hauling a new LO 710 unit, 710103 in this case, to Crewe. That's the first of this class to head into the book. 47853 (bearing number 47614) also made for a nice sight as it also headed for Crewe but alas was dud, as was everything else I saw for the next hour
47853 (47614) runs light through Stafford by The_Train

So that's it for a pretty barren February but here is the summary nonetheless

February Summary

For Sight

Winners: 11
Classes completed: None
Sub classes completed: None

For Haulage

Winners: 2
Total Mileage: 56 miles 30 chains
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A

 

[Kite159]

Scotrail 90s?

A good few days with Shed winners

 

[The_Train]

Scotrail 90s?

My bad. It's 90021 which is listed on trainlogger as having ScotRail livery but is actually another that has sat at Crewe Electric for a while now.

Is there actually any chance of any of the 90s at Crewe Electric coming out to play again or are they all destined for the scrap heap?

 

[Kite159]

My bad. It's 90021 which is listed on trainlogger as having ScotRail livery but is actually another that has sat at Crewe Electric for a while now.

Is there actually any chance of any of the 90s at Crewe Electric coming out to play again or are they all destined for the scrap heap?

I suspect they will sit there forever, maybe one or two might escape but like those 60s at Toton they will never turn a wheel in anger again

 

[The_Train]

I suspect they will sit there forever, maybe one or two might escape but like those 60s at Toton they will never turn a wheel in anger again

Such a shame.
Are they all visible as you pass Crewe Electric on the train?

 

[Kite159]

Such a shame.
Are they all visible as you pass Crewe Electric on the train?

You will probably have to ask @palmersears or another spotter. I think some are visible but for others you need to walk somewhere to overlook the area

 

[palmersears]

Proper shed-fest in February, train!

For Crewe Electric you can see some of the assorted variety of locos (60/67/90/92) from the Chester line, but you'll need to visit various road-vased viewpoints around the surrounding area to get anywhere close to grabbing everything that's there. I think @TimboM has pottered around there from time to time so may be able to advise. It's been 18 months since I last went.

 

[The_Train]

A good few days with Shed winners

Proper shed-fest in February, train!

I'm amazed they are still falling at regular intervals although I also know that as they do and as I get closer to clearing them, it will become like a wild goose chase

Thanks for the help re Crewe Electric. I will have to have a jaunt along the Chester line to head past and see what can be seen from the train