Techniquest
Veteran Member
Certainly a nicely varied day out, including HST action out of Derby which is always fun. Tutbury and Hatton certainly would have been duller than dull!
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Rambling Roebuck... (Trip Reports)
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D841 Roebuck
Established Member
27/03/19 - New Trackery in the Near East
Wednesday started the same way as Tuesday, with sausage cob and coffee at Beeston Hauptbahnhof. 170521 then appeared for a run into Nottingham, before 156408 turned up on the Lincoln train. Then followed some semi-new track, as I'd never previously travelled eastbound from Carlton to Newark Castle, and indeed my only westbound trip had been about 40 years earlier (April 1979, on a first generation bogcart).
Arriving at Lincoln, it was time for today's new track proper matinee performance, with dudbox 153326 taking me on the Trans-Wolds-Express through Market Rasen to Barnetby. A pleasant enough ride, but not scenically magnificent.
Barnetby had changed since my previous visit. Sadly, the magnificent semaphore signals had gone; equally sadly, the hideous footbridge was still there; surprisingly, the undergrowth in the sidings west of the station had sprouted 56090 and 56113. There was still some freight - 66548, 66784 and 66788 all passed through whilst I was waiting for the dogbox to return from Grimsby.
The trip back to Lincoln seemed quicker, but there was a distinct lack of food handy, so a fast escape was made back to Nottingham, courtesy of 158854. By now I was rather hungry, so a tram trip up to Old Market Square was made on 209, lunch was ordered at Spoons and consumed and a weather eye was kept out for my last required Nottingham tram, the elusive 232. It didn’t appear, so I returned to the station on 202 for the second part of the day’s track bash.
And a winner was acquired, with dud 43049 and winner 43045 taking me down to a new shack at East Midlands Parkway. This was a soporific place, with the soothing sound of the water coolers at the power station interrupted briefly by 66605 disturbing the tumbleweed as it passed through heading for Hope.
Release eventually came in the form of dud 220010, which trundled me south, passing 66003 at Mountsorrel, crossing to the slow lines at the Tropic of Sileby, staggering round the curve (psul but dud), noting Frisby-on-the-Wreake (Leicestershire has the best village names), stopping at Melton Mowbray and Oakham and then finally diverging south at Manton Junction onto new track.
The line south hence to Kettering seems to be a mixture of tunnels and viaducts, with the view from Harringworth being rather good. Electrification looms south of Corby, although hopefully the rather nice roofs at Kettering (a new shack for me) won't be affected.
As I arrived at Kettering, 66604 departed Northwards, and a pleasant 15 minute wait saw a repeat HST score as dud 43089 led winning 43052 on my train back to Nottingham. A large variety of locos were stabled at Leicester, those identified in the twilight being 47727/813, 50008, 56060/065/077/104, 57305, before a speedy run to Nottingham, with me waving au revoir to Beeston en route.
Now for the trip home, and I was slightly concerned that my chariot to Manchester was to be 156404, vice the usual 158. I needn't have been - a competent, on-time run to Sheffield was followed by an absolutely storming run over (and under) the Pennines, until progress was halted by catching up the local from Buxton at Hazel Grove. From here into Piccadilly was a bit of a trundle, but an on-time arrival was still achieved. (Incidentally, having had 404 on the same trip previously, and also sampling it on the previous day, I thought it might achieve top spot in my “recorded 156 mileage league table”. However the trip to Carlton on the 25th just kept 156497 in front - by about half a mile - thanks to its previous service in the Manchester area!)
Getting home was straightforward now - trams 3098 and 3056 to Victoria and 150274 home.
28th February 2019 - Ponte Carlo or Bust
The rest of my week off was mostly devoted to Quizzing, stopping for two nights in a friend's garden shed in Pontefract. However the positioning move to get there involved a bit of cranking. The gory details are as follows:
142091 from Rochdale to Todmorden
156461/153304 thence to Halifax
155347 through to Leeds
144023 to Normanton for the shack score, passing 66708 at Holbeck, 66420/522/524/541/546 and the Dead Fugly Society's usual suspects at Midland Road
144003/010 back to Cas Vegas
155341 to Glasshoughton, for a dual shack and spoons score, and a bus to my Glamping appointment…
《Non Train Bit》
Thursday evening involved a pub quiz at Rothwell.
Friday involved too much beer at South Milford, Sherburn-Tin-Helmet and Towton, with a buzzer quiz at the latter to celebrate (?) the 558th anniversary of the Battle.
Saturday was Quiz in The North at Stockton, and also involved a lift in a Tesla (definite car marque scratch)
《Train bit continues》
185125 eventually took me back to Manchester from Thornaby on Saturday evening, for a late bus home.
And for the future - on Thursday 4th I've got a coach trip to London (Nat Ex, as opposed to Megabus) for another spot of line clearance.
The plan is (once arrived) Victoria - Bognor - Littlehampton - Brighton - St Leonards - Haywards Heath - Gatwick - Victoria (Southern Daysave already acquired), then overnight coach to Oxford, 68 on the commuter to Bicester, then Prince’s Risborough, the Chinnor Gala, up to Aylesbury Vale Parkway then back to Victoria for the coach home…
...write up to follow, eventually!
Wednesday started the same way as Tuesday, with sausage cob and coffee at Beeston Hauptbahnhof. 170521 then appeared for a run into Nottingham, before 156408 turned up on the Lincoln train. Then followed some semi-new track, as I'd never previously travelled eastbound from Carlton to Newark Castle, and indeed my only westbound trip had been about 40 years earlier (April 1979, on a first generation bogcart).
Arriving at Lincoln, it was time for today's new track proper matinee performance, with dudbox 153326 taking me on the Trans-Wolds-Express through Market Rasen to Barnetby. A pleasant enough ride, but not scenically magnificent.
Barnetby had changed since my previous visit. Sadly, the magnificent semaphore signals had gone; equally sadly, the hideous footbridge was still there; surprisingly, the undergrowth in the sidings west of the station had sprouted 56090 and 56113. There was still some freight - 66548, 66784 and 66788 all passed through whilst I was waiting for the dogbox to return from Grimsby.
The trip back to Lincoln seemed quicker, but there was a distinct lack of food handy, so a fast escape was made back to Nottingham, courtesy of 158854. By now I was rather hungry, so a tram trip up to Old Market Square was made on 209, lunch was ordered at Spoons and consumed and a weather eye was kept out for my last required Nottingham tram, the elusive 232. It didn’t appear, so I returned to the station on 202 for the second part of the day’s track bash.
And a winner was acquired, with dud 43049 and winner 43045 taking me down to a new shack at East Midlands Parkway. This was a soporific place, with the soothing sound of the water coolers at the power station interrupted briefly by 66605 disturbing the tumbleweed as it passed through heading for Hope.
Release eventually came in the form of dud 220010, which trundled me south, passing 66003 at Mountsorrel, crossing to the slow lines at the Tropic of Sileby, staggering round the curve (psul but dud), noting Frisby-on-the-Wreake (Leicestershire has the best village names), stopping at Melton Mowbray and Oakham and then finally diverging south at Manton Junction onto new track.
The line south hence to Kettering seems to be a mixture of tunnels and viaducts, with the view from Harringworth being rather good. Electrification looms south of Corby, although hopefully the rather nice roofs at Kettering (a new shack for me) won't be affected.
As I arrived at Kettering, 66604 departed Northwards, and a pleasant 15 minute wait saw a repeat HST score as dud 43089 led winning 43052 on my train back to Nottingham. A large variety of locos were stabled at Leicester, those identified in the twilight being 47727/813, 50008, 56060/065/077/104, 57305, before a speedy run to Nottingham, with me waving au revoir to Beeston en route.
Now for the trip home, and I was slightly concerned that my chariot to Manchester was to be 156404, vice the usual 158. I needn't have been - a competent, on-time run to Sheffield was followed by an absolutely storming run over (and under) the Pennines, until progress was halted by catching up the local from Buxton at Hazel Grove. From here into Piccadilly was a bit of a trundle, but an on-time arrival was still achieved. (Incidentally, having had 404 on the same trip previously, and also sampling it on the previous day, I thought it might achieve top spot in my “recorded 156 mileage league table”. However the trip to Carlton on the 25th just kept 156497 in front - by about half a mile - thanks to its previous service in the Manchester area!)
Getting home was straightforward now - trams 3098 and 3056 to Victoria and 150274 home.
28th February 2019 - Ponte Carlo or Bust
The rest of my week off was mostly devoted to Quizzing, stopping for two nights in a friend's garden shed in Pontefract. However the positioning move to get there involved a bit of cranking. The gory details are as follows:
142091 from Rochdale to Todmorden
156461/153304 thence to Halifax
155347 through to Leeds
144023 to Normanton for the shack score, passing 66708 at Holbeck, 66420/522/524/541/546 and the Dead Fugly Society's usual suspects at Midland Road
144003/010 back to Cas Vegas
155341 to Glasshoughton, for a dual shack and spoons score, and a bus to my Glamping appointment…
《Non Train Bit》
Thursday evening involved a pub quiz at Rothwell.
Friday involved too much beer at South Milford, Sherburn-Tin-Helmet and Towton, with a buzzer quiz at the latter to celebrate (?) the 558th anniversary of the Battle.
Saturday was Quiz in The North at Stockton, and also involved a lift in a Tesla (definite car marque scratch)
《Train bit continues》
185125 eventually took me back to Manchester from Thornaby on Saturday evening, for a late bus home.
And for the future - on Thursday 4th I've got a coach trip to London (Nat Ex, as opposed to Megabus) for another spot of line clearance.
The plan is (once arrived) Victoria - Bognor - Littlehampton - Brighton - St Leonards - Haywards Heath - Gatwick - Victoria (Southern Daysave already acquired), then overnight coach to Oxford, 68 on the commuter to Bicester, then Prince’s Risborough, the Chinnor Gala, up to Aylesbury Vale Parkway then back to Victoria for the coach home…
...write up to follow, eventually!
shredder1
Established Member
Sounds a nice little run round, the Southern Daysaves are great tickets, I`ve used a few now. The Chinnor gala should be good now its running back into Princes Rishborough, I fancied that one, but these things always clash, the South Devon Event is on that weekend, so I`ll be down there.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
A rather busy time there, and I did smile at the thought of Beeston Hbf, with a vague memory of Wien Hbf 
Certainly sounds like an interesting trip ahead, and I must confess to not knowing coaches ran through the night to Oxford. Oxford to the Chiltern mainline is required for 68 haulage here, so I'm a tad jealous. Not done the uphill climb from Moor Street to Snow Hill on a 68, done it the other way on a 68 though.
I do wonder, does that MK2 set still run? Nothing quite like an open droplight behind a 68 on the Chilterns...
Certainly sounds like an interesting trip ahead, and I must confess to not knowing coaches ran through the night to Oxford. Oxford to the Chiltern mainline is required for 68 haulage here, so I'm a tad jealous. Not done the uphill climb from Moor Street to Snow Hill on a 68, done it the other way on a 68 though.
I do wonder, does that MK2 set still run? Nothing quite like an open droplight behind a 68 on the Chilterns...
Kite159
Veteran Member
A rather busy time there, and I did smile at the thought of Beeston Hbf, with a vague memory of Wien Hbf
Certainly sounds like an interesting trip ahead, and I must confess to not knowing coaches ran through the night to Oxford. Oxford to the Chiltern mainline is required for 68 haulage here, so I'm a tad jealous. Not done the uphill climb from Moor Street to Snow Hill on a 68, done it the other way on a 68 though.
I do wonder, does that MK2 set still run? Nothing quite like an open droplight behind a 68 on the Chilterns...
The Bicester/Banbury Mk3 commuter set still runs, 17:21 from Marylebone to Bicester North Monday-Thursday, Banbury on Friday.
Probably you can get to Oxford afterwards for the 20:00 Oxford - Marylebone which is the 68 hauled set going back towards London
The weekday Kidderminster extensions which run fast from Snow Hill to Rowley [I think] are good fun for the novelty of going nonstop past Galton Bridge
Last edited:
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Kite the weekday extension to Kiddy I did stopped at Stourbridge. I think you mean Smethwick Galton Bridge 
I didn't even notice to be honest, but that was before I re-discovered the joy of chasing haulage and after a busy day spotting. One day I'll find a convenient move to do the 68 to/from Oxford, not yet sure how it'll work out but plenty of time yet.
I didn't even notice to be honest, but that was before I re-discovered the joy of chasing haulage and after a busy day spotting. One day I'll find a convenient move to do the 68 to/from Oxford, not yet sure how it'll work out but plenty of time yet.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Kite the weekday extension to Kiddy I did stopped at Stourbridge. I think you mean Smethwick Galton Bridge
I did, got my stations mixed up.
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
My Lords! Southern 313s have wifi!
All on track so far, with new track from Three Bridges to Horsham and Barnham to Bognor scored. The curve from Ford Jc to Littlehampton Jc will follow in a couple of minutes...
All on track so far, with new track from Three Bridges to Horsham and Barnham to Bognor scored. The curve from Ford Jc to Littlehampton Jc will follow in a couple of minutes...
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
And further odd bits of track highlighted now include Hove to Brighton, Normans Bay to Bo Peep Jc and Lewes to Haywards Heath. One more bit to go before midnight...
Kite159
Veteran Member
It's been too long since my last decent run on a green 313
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
Been on a rather spanking blue and grey one today!
Last bit of new track was sneaked in at 23:50. St Pancras to Finsbury Park, which sounds totally wrong to a traditionalit like me...
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
And the trip was successfully completed today, with the new track being from Oxford to Bicester and Aylesbury to its Vale Parkway.
7 new shacks were visited and 25 winners picked up (plus 4 tube winners). And classes 313 and 165 were cleared for sight (only took 40 years for the former - I recall 313010 being dragged from repair at Horwich Works through Manchester in 1979!)
Full report will follow...
7 new shacks were visited and 25 winners picked up (plus 4 tube winners). And classes 313 and 165 were cleared for sight (only took 40 years for the former - I recall 313010 being dragged from repair at Horwich Works through Manchester in 1979!)
Full report will follow...
Techniquest
Veteran Member
A very successful trip there, clearly.
Finsbury Park to St Pancras sounds wrong to me too, not done that new bit of route yet. Going to feel mighty odd when I do!
Finsbury Park to St Pancras sounds wrong to me too, not done that new bit of route yet. Going to feel mighty odd when I do!
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
4/4/19. A Southland Raid, Day 1
It's dangerous when payday occurs when you're out on the rails. Particularly when you have done a decent amount of overtime, and you are sitting in the wifi-connected Spoons in Nottingham, replete with steak and kidney pudding, and getting slightly bored with looking out for your last NET tram (does 232 exist?). So some surfing was done, coach and train tickets booked and a gala PDF downloaded.
Fast forward to the morning of Thursday 4th, and Tram 3002 took me through to St Peters Square from Rochdale, with 3019/3024 pairing up for the short back flip thence to Piccadilly Gardens. A small supply raid was made, and the 0930 National Express charabanc was boarded for the long trip to London, on which I caught up on my sleep, waking briefly to note 66081 at Bescot.
An on time arrival at Victoria meant I was on the Widdershins option for the rest of the day's entertainment (or should that be entertrainment) so I collected my pre-booked Southern Daysave ticket from the the machine, and boarded winner 377424 on the 15:06 service to the Sussex coast. Trundling through suburbia, we picked up speed after East Croydon, then turned right at Three Bridges onto my first chunk of new track for the day, as far as Horsham.
Here, we dumped dud 377137, which had tagged along to form the stopping service, then headed off to the seaside. New track was again entered after Barnham, for the short run down to King George the Fifth’s favourite resort, and my first new shack of the trip, Bognor Regis.
This might have been quite a decent place - the station was certainly pleasant enough - but my mission ensured a speedy departure was made, round a half circle to Littlehampton on winner 313214. Littlehampton wasn't a new shack. I'd visited in approximately 1972, from Worthing, which meant that Ford to Littlehampton Junctions was a bit of new track.
Littlehampton also looked a decent sort of place, and I found a supermarket for more supplies, then boarded the London-via-Hove train (winner 377155) for my next move. I had the chance of a shack score at any number of places to change to the following Brighton stopper, but eventually selected Portslade, on the grounds that an anagram is probably the nearest I'm going to get to stopping at Adlestrop! West Worthing was passed, with two new 717 emus in the sidings, then on arrival I was pleased to note 313220, my penultimate one for sight and the last of the Southern ones needed.
Dropping back to the local, I knew what the traction would be as a sparkling blue and grey winner in 313201 appeared on time for the short run to Brighton (new track for me beyond Hove). And it was a stride across the concourse here to join winner 313205, again on a local as far as new shack Falmer. Here, I stepped back from the local to join winner 377153, which should have been my steed all the way to St Leonards. However the reversal at Eastbourne involved a crew change, and “One of Our Railmen Was Missing”. So I had to hop across the platform and join winner 171725 on the Ashford service.
Night fell as we rumbled across the marshes, and old track was replaced by new after Normans Bay, and as far as Bo Peep Junction, before we rolled into new shack St Leonards Warrior Square, where I had time for a rapid smoke before joining winning pair 377466 & 377159 on the London train.
Steps were now replaced as far as Lewes, then the penultimate bit of new track for the day was entered on the route past Plumpton to a shack score for me at Haywards Heath. From here, I had a treat, with 387202 & 387217 skiving off from Gatwick duties and becoming the first of the subclass scored, with a fast and power-charging run to East Croydon, where I bailed to refuel my Oyster.
Annoyingly, I just missed the DMU on the Uckfield to London train; however winning pair 377601 & 377617 were consolation for the run into London Bridge, where a much needed PNB took place. Then it was upstairs to score 700011 through to St Pancras, where I stepped back to winner (and first of subclass for me) 700103 for a sneaky, just before midnight, bit of new track wiggling over to Copenhagen Junction, before arriving at Finsbury Park at 23:55.
A good day, all objectives secured, and 100% winners apart from the Manchester trams and one 377. What would the morrow bring? An early start - 00:02 from Finsbury Park…
It's dangerous when payday occurs when you're out on the rails. Particularly when you have done a decent amount of overtime, and you are sitting in the wifi-connected Spoons in Nottingham, replete with steak and kidney pudding, and getting slightly bored with looking out for your last NET tram (does 232 exist?). So some surfing was done, coach and train tickets booked and a gala PDF downloaded.
Fast forward to the morning of Thursday 4th, and Tram 3002 took me through to St Peters Square from Rochdale, with 3019/3024 pairing up for the short back flip thence to Piccadilly Gardens. A small supply raid was made, and the 0930 National Express charabanc was boarded for the long trip to London, on which I caught up on my sleep, waking briefly to note 66081 at Bescot.
An on time arrival at Victoria meant I was on the Widdershins option for the rest of the day's entertainment (or should that be entertrainment) so I collected my pre-booked Southern Daysave ticket from the the machine, and boarded winner 377424 on the 15:06 service to the Sussex coast. Trundling through suburbia, we picked up speed after East Croydon, then turned right at Three Bridges onto my first chunk of new track for the day, as far as Horsham.
Here, we dumped dud 377137, which had tagged along to form the stopping service, then headed off to the seaside. New track was again entered after Barnham, for the short run down to King George the Fifth’s favourite resort, and my first new shack of the trip, Bognor Regis.
This might have been quite a decent place - the station was certainly pleasant enough - but my mission ensured a speedy departure was made, round a half circle to Littlehampton on winner 313214. Littlehampton wasn't a new shack. I'd visited in approximately 1972, from Worthing, which meant that Ford to Littlehampton Junctions was a bit of new track.
Littlehampton also looked a decent sort of place, and I found a supermarket for more supplies, then boarded the London-via-Hove train (winner 377155) for my next move. I had the chance of a shack score at any number of places to change to the following Brighton stopper, but eventually selected Portslade, on the grounds that an anagram is probably the nearest I'm going to get to stopping at Adlestrop! West Worthing was passed, with two new 717 emus in the sidings, then on arrival I was pleased to note 313220, my penultimate one for sight and the last of the Southern ones needed.
Dropping back to the local, I knew what the traction would be as a sparkling blue and grey winner in 313201 appeared on time for the short run to Brighton (new track for me beyond Hove). And it was a stride across the concourse here to join winner 313205, again on a local as far as new shack Falmer. Here, I stepped back from the local to join winner 377153, which should have been my steed all the way to St Leonards. However the reversal at Eastbourne involved a crew change, and “One of Our Railmen Was Missing”. So I had to hop across the platform and join winner 171725 on the Ashford service.
Night fell as we rumbled across the marshes, and old track was replaced by new after Normans Bay, and as far as Bo Peep Junction, before we rolled into new shack St Leonards Warrior Square, where I had time for a rapid smoke before joining winning pair 377466 & 377159 on the London train.
Steps were now replaced as far as Lewes, then the penultimate bit of new track for the day was entered on the route past Plumpton to a shack score for me at Haywards Heath. From here, I had a treat, with 387202 & 387217 skiving off from Gatwick duties and becoming the first of the subclass scored, with a fast and power-charging run to East Croydon, where I bailed to refuel my Oyster.
Annoyingly, I just missed the DMU on the Uckfield to London train; however winning pair 377601 & 377617 were consolation for the run into London Bridge, where a much needed PNB took place. Then it was upstairs to score 700011 through to St Pancras, where I stepped back to winner (and first of subclass for me) 700103 for a sneaky, just before midnight, bit of new track wiggling over to Copenhagen Junction, before arriving at Finsbury Park at 23:55.
A good day, all objectives secured, and 100% winners apart from the Manchester trams and one 377. What would the morrow bring? An early start - 00:02 from Finsbury Park…
Kite159
Veteran Member
A good day in Southern land
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
5/4/19. A Southland Raid, Day 2
The clocks had chimed midnight at the Park of Finsbury. Next up was a gratuitous attempt to be lucky with my last 11 GNR 313s, with a quick leap to Drayton Park and back. First up was double disappointing duddery, with 027 leading 051. However the return was better, with dud 313028 and winner 313058. Now to get back to Central London, and winner 700050 obliged with a trip down to Kings Cross.
A fester with a coffee followed at St Pancras, before a time-filling ride down to East Croydon on winner 700152, via the highlands of Tulse and Herne, then another cig and brew fester before winner 700127 returned me north by the same route to Blackfriars.
It was now 3am, and I was booked on the 4:30 Oxford Tube charabanc from Victoria. Time for a walk, via the Embankment, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Birdcage Walk and Buckingham Palace Road to the coach station, for sausage butty and brew before boarding the coach.
I got to sleep at Hangar Lane, waking again on Magdalen Bridge as we rolled into Oxford. A short walk from Gloucester Green bus station, admiring the canal, and I arrived at an Oxford Station just starting a busy day’s work.
I had plenty of time for another coffee, then joined the dud, but appropriately named, 68010 “Oxford Flyer” for a trip over new track to a new shack at Bicester Village. This has to be the poshest and tidiest station on the network, and I enjoyed a warm waiting room before winner 168005 and dud colleague 168003 took me on the remains of the new branch round to Princes Risborough.
It was now time for a bit of heritage claggery at the Chinnor and Princess Risborough gala. First, though, it was time for a coffee and sausage butty from the excellent cafe at the station. These were consumed at a table outside, while various trains called or stormed through, and various ancient diesels were sparked into life, with Clayton D8568 producing a veritable fogbank.
Bubble 55024 soon arrived on the first train from Chinnor, clearing the track for a bit of action. D8568 was first up, taking me to Chinnor with rodent 25262 bringing me back again. Then gaudy winner 31163 took me out, with winner 37227 bringing me back. Finally, a loud 37409 up to Chinnor and 31163 back.
Now for some more new track. And a nice bonus when 165034 - my last one for sight - rolled in to trundle me to Aylesbury. Less welcome was dud 165037, although it scored me track and shack with a trip to Aylesbury Vale Parkway and back to Harrow-on-the-Hill. Now for one last whirl before the coach home.
Dud 21073/074 were the first Met service to appear, taken to Finchley Road on a Baker St terminator, where I dropped back to winners 21113/114 through to Kings Cross. Upstairs, winner 700004 was waiting to whisk me to Finsbury Park. Yes, I was 313 hunting again.
And I struck lucky first go, with winner 313025 leading dud 313051 on the Drayton Park leap. I should have had a choice of north or south here, but the northbound was cancelled, leaving me faced with only the move to Highbury and Islington (for the tube) available.
Superstitiously, I boarded dud 313039 without checking what its partner was. I had no choice but to catch the train. I alighted at Highbury and Islington and stood in the passageway entrance to the Victoria line to clock the second unit.
And got both a Firework Display and a Lancashire Clog Dance (metaphorically). Not only was 313064 a winner, it was my last one for sight. Splendid.
Now for the rest. Winners 11021/022 took me to Victoria, a wedged charabanc took me back to Manchester, and trams 3113 and 3119 reversed my move of the previous morning. Then to bed, anticipating the joys of working in a bookies on Grand National Day…
A great trip overall, some gaps in the Atlas filled, plenty of winners, Chinnor Railway has got a lot better organised since my previous visit, 313s and 165s cleared for sight. And Oxford is reconnoitered - guess where I am next Friday/Saturday…
The clocks had chimed midnight at the Park of Finsbury. Next up was a gratuitous attempt to be lucky with my last 11 GNR 313s, with a quick leap to Drayton Park and back. First up was double disappointing duddery, with 027 leading 051. However the return was better, with dud 313028 and winner 313058. Now to get back to Central London, and winner 700050 obliged with a trip down to Kings Cross.
A fester with a coffee followed at St Pancras, before a time-filling ride down to East Croydon on winner 700152, via the highlands of Tulse and Herne, then another cig and brew fester before winner 700127 returned me north by the same route to Blackfriars.
It was now 3am, and I was booked on the 4:30 Oxford Tube charabanc from Victoria. Time for a walk, via the Embankment, Trafalgar Square, Whitehall, Birdcage Walk and Buckingham Palace Road to the coach station, for sausage butty and brew before boarding the coach.
I got to sleep at Hangar Lane, waking again on Magdalen Bridge as we rolled into Oxford. A short walk from Gloucester Green bus station, admiring the canal, and I arrived at an Oxford Station just starting a busy day’s work.
I had plenty of time for another coffee, then joined the dud, but appropriately named, 68010 “Oxford Flyer” for a trip over new track to a new shack at Bicester Village. This has to be the poshest and tidiest station on the network, and I enjoyed a warm waiting room before winner 168005 and dud colleague 168003 took me on the remains of the new branch round to Princes Risborough.
It was now time for a bit of heritage claggery at the Chinnor and Princess Risborough gala. First, though, it was time for a coffee and sausage butty from the excellent cafe at the station. These were consumed at a table outside, while various trains called or stormed through, and various ancient diesels were sparked into life, with Clayton D8568 producing a veritable fogbank.
Bubble 55024 soon arrived on the first train from Chinnor, clearing the track for a bit of action. D8568 was first up, taking me to Chinnor with rodent 25262 bringing me back again. Then gaudy winner 31163 took me out, with winner 37227 bringing me back. Finally, a loud 37409 up to Chinnor and 31163 back.
Now for some more new track. And a nice bonus when 165034 - my last one for sight - rolled in to trundle me to Aylesbury. Less welcome was dud 165037, although it scored me track and shack with a trip to Aylesbury Vale Parkway and back to Harrow-on-the-Hill. Now for one last whirl before the coach home.
Dud 21073/074 were the first Met service to appear, taken to Finchley Road on a Baker St terminator, where I dropped back to winners 21113/114 through to Kings Cross. Upstairs, winner 700004 was waiting to whisk me to Finsbury Park. Yes, I was 313 hunting again.
And I struck lucky first go, with winner 313025 leading dud 313051 on the Drayton Park leap. I should have had a choice of north or south here, but the northbound was cancelled, leaving me faced with only the move to Highbury and Islington (for the tube) available.
Superstitiously, I boarded dud 313039 without checking what its partner was. I had no choice but to catch the train. I alighted at Highbury and Islington and stood in the passageway entrance to the Victoria line to clock the second unit.
And got both a Firework Display and a Lancashire Clog Dance (metaphorically). Not only was 313064 a winner, it was my last one for sight. Splendid.
Now for the rest. Winners 11021/022 took me to Victoria, a wedged charabanc took me back to Manchester, and trams 3113 and 3119 reversed my move of the previous morning. Then to bed, anticipating the joys of working in a bookies on Grand National Day…
A great trip overall, some gaps in the Atlas filled, plenty of winners, Chinnor Railway has got a lot better organised since my previous visit, 313s and 165s cleared for sight. And Oxford is reconnoitered - guess where I am next Friday/Saturday…
Kite159
Veteran Member
Another good little trip, congrats on clearing the 165s & 313s for sight
The_Train
Established Member
- Joined
- 2 Jun 2018
- Messages
- 4,347
Some good trips there Roebuck, particularly the action you got at Chinnor. Some clearance klaxons thrown in for good measure as well. Congrats on those
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
Thanks for the feedback.
Got next week off (Monday to Sunday). Will involve a 3 in 7 Heart of England Rover, the odd Day Ranger, at least two quizzes, maybe a football match (with a new ground scored), various random new shacks, more mopping up of new track and (hopefully) lashings of red ink.
Got next week off (Monday to Sunday). Will involve a 3 in 7 Heart of England Rover, the odd Day Ranger, at least two quizzes, maybe a football match (with a new ground scored), various random new shacks, more mopping up of new track and (hopefully) lashings of red ink.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Certainly a varied couple of days had there! Nice work on clearing the 313s, just in time before they get withdrawn!
Your week off sounds like it'll be a busy one too!
Your week off sounds like it'll be a busy one too!
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
22/04/19 - Week off day 1
Totally knackered after two long days at work. Duvet day, with Bristol Rovers v Rochdale watched on teletext rather than live.
23/4/19 - Week off Day 2 - Wayfaring
Got up late and much refreshed - decided on a gentle day locally. Wayfarer bought, then spent 30 minutes going from Rochdale to Manchester (153359/156471) due to a dodgy signal at Castleton.
Got a tram across to Piccadilly to see what was about. Winner 150131 was on the 1249 to Sheffield, so I thought I would grab the odd shack. Went as far as Hathersage, pootled into the village for a butty and a paper (looks quite a nice place, probably worth revisiting).
150131 returned from Sheffield and took me on to my second shack at Chinley, with a 20 minute fester before comfy pacer 142093 took me to shack 3 at Hope (which is about all there is to do there). 20 minutes again, and 150144 took me to the awkwardly timetabled Strines. Apparently the Railway Children once lived here, but 10 minutes was enough for me, with uncomfy pacers 049/060 trundling me back to New Mills.
Homeward bound now, the well-sprung seats of 142093 reappeared for a run to Romiley, then a battered looking 142036 as far as Guide Bridge.
Final action of the day was electric powered, with 323235 taking me to Dinting for a shack score (last there in, I think, 1975 when I visited the old Railway Centre). 323226 then appeared on the curve direct from Hadfield and returned me to Piccadilly. No obvious winners here, so I went home on the tram, stopping at Newbold for a Morrisons supply raid enroute.
1 winner, 5 shacks - a pleasantly undemanding day.
Totally knackered after two long days at work. Duvet day, with Bristol Rovers v Rochdale watched on teletext rather than live.
23/4/19 - Week off Day 2 - Wayfaring
Got up late and much refreshed - decided on a gentle day locally. Wayfarer bought, then spent 30 minutes going from Rochdale to Manchester (153359/156471) due to a dodgy signal at Castleton.
Got a tram across to Piccadilly to see what was about. Winner 150131 was on the 1249 to Sheffield, so I thought I would grab the odd shack. Went as far as Hathersage, pootled into the village for a butty and a paper (looks quite a nice place, probably worth revisiting).
150131 returned from Sheffield and took me on to my second shack at Chinley, with a 20 minute fester before comfy pacer 142093 took me to shack 3 at Hope (which is about all there is to do there). 20 minutes again, and 150144 took me to the awkwardly timetabled Strines. Apparently the Railway Children once lived here, but 10 minutes was enough for me, with uncomfy pacers 049/060 trundling me back to New Mills.
Homeward bound now, the well-sprung seats of 142093 reappeared for a run to Romiley, then a battered looking 142036 as far as Guide Bridge.
Final action of the day was electric powered, with 323235 taking me to Dinting for a shack score (last there in, I think, 1975 when I visited the old Railway Centre). 323226 then appeared on the curve direct from Hadfield and returned me to Piccadilly. No obvious winners here, so I went home on the tram, stopping at Newbold for a Morrisons supply raid enroute.
1 winner, 5 shacks - a pleasantly undemanding day.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
A nice easy day, that's for sure.
Teletext is not something I thought was still going!
Teletext is not something I thought was still going!
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
It's no longer called Ceefax, though!
With having Monday and today off (from haring round on trains rather than work), there's no point in a Heart of England Rover. Therefore the revised plan is tram to Manchester, single to Stoke, WMDR (cover the Cat diagrams, then head down Worcestershire way), outward half of cheapo evening return to Moreton in Marsh and Oxfordshire Ranger. Gets me to Reading for about the same price as a single, and enables interesting routing! Might even call at Hereford...
Return will now probably be via London, with a super off-peak single from Kings Cross to Nottingham and similar from there to Rochdale being employed.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
That's definitely sounding like a beast of a journey! Hope it's been a cracking one so far!
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a nice little Wayfarer, other than the delays getting into Manchester
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
Like glaciation, my trip reports eventually return...
25/4/19 - Oxford Quiz Trip Day 1
The best laid plans do not account for oversleeping. Therefore a late start saw me tramping it to Victoria on 3076, with 3076 following up to deposit me at Piccadilly. Tickets bought, Pendo 124 was dull and dud down to Crewe.
The random Class 350 winner generator then came into play, with required 350256 scooped in for a run down to Galton Bridge. Less luck upstairs here, with doubly dud 172217/220 taking me down to Stourbridge Junction. 25 minutes to wait here, so 139001 was taken on a spin down to Stourbridge Town and back, becoming my highest mileage hamsterwheel device in the process.
Back to sensible trains, and the urge to score a shack came upon me. Also a nice winner, with 172338 taking me down to Droitwich Spa. Another fester in the sun here, then wedged and dud 170515 took me through to another new shack at Great Malvern, for a coffee and bun from the pleasant shop on the platform. However more substantial fare was needed, so duds 170508/630 were taken to Worcester Foregate St for a Spoons meal.
My final train of the day was a guaranteed winner, with 800007 being my first experience of these things. And it was smart, tidy and the plugs and wifi both worked well as we trundled through the Cotswold sunset and then down to Reading, where a cheap Travelodge awaited.
A nice, relaxing day.
25/4/19 - Oxford Quiz Trip Day 1
The best laid plans do not account for oversleeping. Therefore a late start saw me tramping it to Victoria on 3076, with 3076 following up to deposit me at Piccadilly. Tickets bought, Pendo 124 was dull and dud down to Crewe.
The random Class 350 winner generator then came into play, with required 350256 scooped in for a run down to Galton Bridge. Less luck upstairs here, with doubly dud 172217/220 taking me down to Stourbridge Junction. 25 minutes to wait here, so 139001 was taken on a spin down to Stourbridge Town and back, becoming my highest mileage hamsterwheel device in the process.
Back to sensible trains, and the urge to score a shack came upon me. Also a nice winner, with 172338 taking me down to Droitwich Spa. Another fester in the sun here, then wedged and dud 170515 took me through to another new shack at Great Malvern, for a coffee and bun from the pleasant shop on the platform. However more substantial fare was needed, so duds 170508/630 were taken to Worcester Foregate St for a Spoons meal.
My final train of the day was a guaranteed winner, with 800007 being my first experience of these things. And it was smart, tidy and the plugs and wifi both worked well as we trundled through the Cotswold sunset and then down to Reading, where a cheap Travelodge awaited.
A nice, relaxing day.
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
...and like Northern Rail, they are late!
26/4/19 - Reading to Oxford, the tortuous way (aka trains and boats and flying machines)
A good night's sleep at Reading Travelodge, then a walk back through the town centre to pick up nice winner 166204 on the local to Basingstoke. This was, amazingly, a required shack. Over to Spoons for breakfast,then back to be somewhat annoyed that only 33.33% of my next service was winning, with 450033 being the filling in a dud sandwich of 450089/016. Still, not too long before arriving at another winning shack - Eastleigh.
I had time here to note both Lodge and Spoons opposite the station (potential future overnight), then winner 444027 appeared to trundle me onwards to Portsmouth Harbour, where a fester was borne with a rather nice pint at the pub across the road.
My next conveyance chugged up to "Platform 0" at the station, so, humming the "Captain Pugwash" theme tune under my breath, I boarded "Widget Flyer II" for a slow voyage back to the 1950s.
Landing half an hour later at Ryde Pier Head, I joined winner (the stock was actually new to the route since my last visit) 483008, which took me along the pier and then ducked through the tunnel to what turned out to be a compulsory shack score at Ryde St John's Road - the compulsion being that 008 was going out of service, so 483006 was joined, for a run to Sandown, then as the timetable is not evenly spaced, 483004 followed up on a trip to the end of the line at Shanklin.
Not much to see here in the 10 minutes or so before the unit returned north, depositing me this time at the remote and windswept Brading, where there used to be a swamp. I switched back to 483006 here, for a trip to Lake, then back through to Ryde Esplanade.
Here I bailed, and disappointed by the lack of Ford Anglias, Austin 1100s and VW Beetles on the roads, and by the lack of tackiness in the souvenir shops, I decided to bale out by the fast route. So I chinged out for a single back to Southsea, and joined hovercraft GH-2160 for a spot of skimmage. Which was fun.
Dumped unceremoniously at the back of the amusement arcade at Southsea, I waited for a bus back to civilization. 10 minutes later, one turned up, so back I trundled. I was aiming for a shack score at Portsmouth and Southsea, but as the bus passed Harbour station I decided to bale there instead.
Better luck from here with a class 450 trio, with 450546/450564/450078 all being winners. Winchester was an obvious and easy shack score, so I dropped back here to following winner 444023 as far as Basingstoke, with a moderately wedged 221141 returning me to Reading.
Where my planned 8xx service to Oxford was cancelled. Ne'er mind, winning pair 387146/387134 were going to Didcot, and connected nicely with winner 165103 on the Oxford local.
Then it was a walk through the city of dreaming spires (probably dreaming of less traffic), along to Magdalen Bridge to get a bus to Headington, and the first quiz of the weekend...
26/4/19 - Reading to Oxford, the tortuous way (aka trains and boats and flying machines)
A good night's sleep at Reading Travelodge, then a walk back through the town centre to pick up nice winner 166204 on the local to Basingstoke. This was, amazingly, a required shack. Over to Spoons for breakfast,then back to be somewhat annoyed that only 33.33% of my next service was winning, with 450033 being the filling in a dud sandwich of 450089/016. Still, not too long before arriving at another winning shack - Eastleigh.
I had time here to note both Lodge and Spoons opposite the station (potential future overnight), then winner 444027 appeared to trundle me onwards to Portsmouth Harbour, where a fester was borne with a rather nice pint at the pub across the road.
My next conveyance chugged up to "Platform 0" at the station, so, humming the "Captain Pugwash" theme tune under my breath, I boarded "Widget Flyer II" for a slow voyage back to the 1950s.
Landing half an hour later at Ryde Pier Head, I joined winner (the stock was actually new to the route since my last visit) 483008, which took me along the pier and then ducked through the tunnel to what turned out to be a compulsory shack score at Ryde St John's Road - the compulsion being that 008 was going out of service, so 483006 was joined, for a run to Sandown, then as the timetable is not evenly spaced, 483004 followed up on a trip to the end of the line at Shanklin.
Not much to see here in the 10 minutes or so before the unit returned north, depositing me this time at the remote and windswept Brading, where there used to be a swamp. I switched back to 483006 here, for a trip to Lake, then back through to Ryde Esplanade.
Here I bailed, and disappointed by the lack of Ford Anglias, Austin 1100s and VW Beetles on the roads, and by the lack of tackiness in the souvenir shops, I decided to bale out by the fast route. So I chinged out for a single back to Southsea, and joined hovercraft GH-2160 for a spot of skimmage. Which was fun.
Dumped unceremoniously at the back of the amusement arcade at Southsea, I waited for a bus back to civilization. 10 minutes later, one turned up, so back I trundled. I was aiming for a shack score at Portsmouth and Southsea, but as the bus passed Harbour station I decided to bale there instead.
Better luck from here with a class 450 trio, with 450546/450564/450078 all being winners. Winchester was an obvious and easy shack score, so I dropped back here to following winner 444023 as far as Basingstoke, with a moderately wedged 221141 returning me to Reading.
Where my planned 8xx service to Oxford was cancelled. Ne'er mind, winning pair 387146/387134 were going to Didcot, and connected nicely with winner 165103 on the Oxford local.
Then it was a walk through the city of dreaming spires (probably dreaming of less traffic), along to Magdalen Bridge to get a bus to Headington, and the first quiz of the weekend...
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a nice little trip to the island, hope the quiz in Headington went well
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
The quizzing, both Friday in Headington and Saturday in Bletchingdon went well. Good fun and great company.Sounded like a nice little trip to the island, hope the quiz in Headington went well
Anyway, back to the trains...
28/4/19 - A Leisurely Trundle Norrard.
First move of the day was a kind lift to Banbury. Then 168327 and 168321 appeared, the former dud from its time as a 170, the latter a definite winner, to take me North, or at least as far as Solihull. Reversing myself here, dud 165217 took me back to Leamington, then equally dud 165023 took me through to Wilmcote, for a random shack score.
Twas easier here to go to Birmingham via a reversal at Shakespeare-on-Avon, so I did, courtesy of winning pair 172212/172217. Finally reaching Brum, I went through to Snow Hill, then went for a walk in search of new track. I found this at St Chads tramshack, and travelled south thence on the new bit for me to the pretentiously named Grand Central, with tram 21 being a winner.
Into New Street, and the timetables suggested a shackbash on the rather dull Chase Line might be useful. So 323220 was taken to Warsaw, a run was enjoyed on 170506 up to Rugeley Town and then back to Cannock (finally scoring my birthplace), before 170510/516 paired up to take me to Rugeley Trent Valley.
A fester here in a chilly wind, watching leaning Pendolini and snorting Voyagers speed through. Dud 350252 rescued me as far as Stafford, then 220022 to Stoke and 390151 thence to Manchester completed the day's trains, with trams 3015 and 3092 splitting my trip home at Victoria.
D841 Roebuck
Established Member
19/06/19 South Pennines Day Ranger
The gory details below:
3088 Rochdale Town Centre Rochdale Railway Station
150116 Rochdale Manchester Victoria
185101 Manchester Victoria Huddersfield
144018 Huddersfield Silkstone Common
144016 Silkstone Common Meadowhall
117 Meadowhall Carbrook
399201 Carbrook Rotherham Parkgate
399203 Rotherham Parkgate Rotherham Central
144002 Rotherham Central Conisbrough
144006 Conisbrough Mexborough
144008 Mexborough Thorne North
142024 Thorne North Hatfield & Stainforth
142086 Hatfield & Stainforth Thorne South
144004 Thorne South Doncaster
185115 Doncaster Manchester Piccadilly
To be noted:
There's a nice pub at Silkstone Common.
Presumably the odd numbered 144s appear on odd numbered days.
66148 - the last of the original 250 EWS ones for me to see, was noted at Stainforth and Hatfield.
This was probably the most interesting thing to happen there this century.
Update posted courtesy of LNER wifi. Why does the weather always go peculiar when I go to London...
The gory details below:
3088 Rochdale Town Centre Rochdale Railway Station
150116 Rochdale Manchester Victoria
185101 Manchester Victoria Huddersfield
144018 Huddersfield Silkstone Common
144016 Silkstone Common Meadowhall
117 Meadowhall Carbrook
399201 Carbrook Rotherham Parkgate
399203 Rotherham Parkgate Rotherham Central
144002 Rotherham Central Conisbrough
144006 Conisbrough Mexborough
144008 Mexborough Thorne North
142024 Thorne North Hatfield & Stainforth
142086 Hatfield & Stainforth Thorne South
144004 Thorne South Doncaster
185115 Doncaster Manchester Piccadilly
To be noted:
There's a nice pub at Silkstone Common.
Presumably the odd numbered 144s appear on odd numbered days.
66148 - the last of the original 250 EWS ones for me to see, was noted at Stainforth and Hatfield.
This was probably the most interesting thing to happen there this century.
Update posted courtesy of LNER wifi. Why does the weather always go peculiar when I go to London...