Just realised I forgot about Oban. I wonder if it's possible to do both Oban and Kyle in one trip, via the Western Isles and a couple of ferries. I'd enjoy that one, and might be able to justify it as part of my marine biology research project.
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Which lines are you hoping to do in 2012?
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Matt Taylor
Established Member
I have some enthusiasm for track bashing again having covered the Marston Vale a couple of months ago so I think I really need to get up to Scotland and do either the West Highland or the Stranraer line (preferably both). Also really should get down to the south west and cross off some of those branch lines.
ACE1888
Member
Safe as houses down in Ol' Kernow
Jordy
Established Member
I wouldn't be so sure...I think I've done the majority but I'm not massively bothered about curves - though I'll do them if I get chance! Not entirely sure what the Newton Connecting Line is...
A couple of bits I certainly need (and intend to get soon) are the curve between Ramsgate and Minster and the connection to the "classic" lines from Ebbsfleet Intl (Faversham platforms)
MidnightFlyer
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It's the south chord from Newton (Lanarkshire) onto the WCML.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Ah, then I might catch up with you yet!
As I play for the umpteenth time this week the one tune that gets me pumped for track bashing, This Is Sparta (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLL08EMD100 in case anyone's wondering. Why it's become my favourite tune for track bashing I have no idea!), I can't wait to get some more new track in the Baker!Out of curiousity, what map are you using to count finishing the network? I'll be finished when I've finished the passenger lines in the Baker, with all preserved railways and non-passenger lines a massive bonus and something I'll be working towards for a long time.
The Newton Connecting Line, not sure 100% if that's the correct name for it but it's the bit between Newton station and Newton East Junction. It only has a limited number of passenger workings and I've only ever been on one of them thus far, but we went straight on and not via that line. With no apparent ScotRail service over it, I've not counted it as part of the ScotRail network and it looks like it'll be a bit of track I'll need until I'm on my deathbed!
Still need that curve in the southbound direction (yes, I do have a collection of Quails as well as the Baker, although I have no idea how much of those I'll ever manage) for the crossover at the Sandwich end of it, but I assure you that you've not missed much thus far!
Anyway, this thread has really got me wanting to go on a track bash again. Time to start planning one me thinks...
To all those planning to do the HoWL - Let me know when you're doing it, I'll make sure I'm working it that day. Depending on your starting location of course; but I recommend doing it North-South as you travel on a few "wrong way" roads - notably the up platform at Craven Arms which becomes your last stop on the Marches Line before you dive off south-west. Invariably the southbound train arrives first at Llanwrtyd Wells so you get a pleasant 10-minute leg-stretch half way through your journey.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
It is possibly the best time of year to do it, as most of the trees will be bare so views should be good now. Definitely one you need a whole day to do though, but one of the highlights of track bashing in the UK.
*Makes mental note to use the line again in the near future*
*Makes mental note to use the line again in the near future*
Thanks for this, I have always been planning to do it South - North but will plan differently now.
Thanks for this, I have always been planning to do it South - North but will plan differently now.
There are good connections when you get to Swansea too if you take the 0900 off Salop - you arrive at 1304 in time to get on a 1310 Class 150 bash to CDF or a 1320ish FGW HST to PAD.
Other highlights include a turn around at Llanelli, several viaducts, and of course, Sugar Loaf Halt, officially (I believe) one of the NR network's most remote stations.
As a steward, the HoWL is a mixed blessing -- a relaxed, extremely pleasant 4-hour wander through your native homeland's beautiful back yard... yet you rarely get good enough pax numbers to take a decent amount of money on your trolley.
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Blindtraveler
Established Member
that must be hard for you if your rostered it more than once a week? Take it you guys work on commission?
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yes this is doable and if you dont need the track between FW and chreanlarach then there is a good direct bus service from FW to Oban when you get over to that side. Good PI in FW as wel if you can make it there for a night stop. I cant remember off hand what see crossings you need but put Kyle to Oban into traveline and it wil spit out a cupple of options, from memory via Malaig.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
yes this is doable and if you dont need the track between FW and chreanlarach then there is a good direct bus service from FW to Oban when you get over to that side. Good PI in FW as wel if you can make it there for a night stop. I cant remember off hand what see crossings you need but put Kyle to Oban into traveline and it wil spit out a cupple of options, from memory via Malaig.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
yes this is doable and if you dont need the track between FW and chreanlarach then there is a good direct bus service from FW to Oban when you get over to that side. Good PI in FW as wel if you can make it there for a night stop. I cant remember off hand what see crossings you need but put Kyle to Oban into traveline and it wil spit out a cupple of options, from memory via Malaig.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
yes this is doable and if you dont need the track between FW and chreanlarach then there is a good direct bus service from FW to Oban when you get over to that side. Good PI in FW as wel if you can make it there for a night stop. I cant remember off hand what see crossings you need but put Kyle to Oban into traveline and it wil spit out a cupple of options, from memory via Malaig.
Lampshade
Established Member
I'd like to do the Blackpool branches, Heysham and Colne to finish off Lancashire.
Blindtraveler
Established Member
oops dubble post sorry
this can sometimes be got during engineering works when its 1 possible diversion for WCML services. I got it by accident and wasnt even looking for it and wasnt specifically out bashing iether so nice surprise when TM announced we were using it!
this can sometimes be got during engineering works when its 1 possible diversion for WCML services. I got it by accident and wasnt even looking for it and wasnt specifically out bashing iether so nice surprise when TM announced we were using it!
anthony263
Established Member
I suspect you could get more people using the train if the service frequency was better for example a service every 2-3 hours with some trains running beyond Shrewsbury to Crewe.
I did do the Heart of wales line back in 2010 funilly enough on a thursday when I had a crazy idea of a day trip to the isle of wight on the following monday to get get the Lymington slammers.
I must say I the class 153's are not really comfortable for doing the 3 hour's 50 minutes from Swansea to Shrewsbury.
Ivo
Established Member
I'm looking into doing the HoW from Shrewsbury to Swansea on the 4th of January (14:04 from SHR), but could not say for certain as yet. It's dependent on snow, finances, and some clarification I am awaiting from another party.
Don't think the 1404 is stewarded, not by us at NWP anyways.
It can be tough making bonus on weeks when you work HoWL.... You very rarely work it twice in one week... However when you do, your other three shifts are usually Holyhead boat trains to compensate.
It can be tough making bonus on weeks when you work HoWL.... You very rarely work it twice in one week... However when you do, your other three shifts are usually Holyhead boat trains to compensate.
Minilad
Established Member
Am I the only person on here to whom the thought of doing the HoWL would make me wonder if sticking pins in my eyes would be preferable !!
That length of journey on a 153 puts me off. So, the question is - is it worth it?
Blindtraveler
Established Member
and correct me but thought ATWs units had been refurbished with X158 high back seating? a plus I'd say
Blindtraveler
Established Member
ideal for route then although the 153 would be better suited id say!
anthony263
Established Member
One bad point is that trains can get very overcrowded particulary Between Llandrindod & Shrewsbury & South of Llandeilo ideally a train every 2 hours on these parts of the line would be good.
As for the seating, the class 158 seats are good however legroom is poor particulary if you are over 5 foot 9 like myself.
A class 158 would be ideal for the heart for wales line especiallly during the summer although some work will have to be done to clear the units to work the route.
scotsman
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Need to clear Plockton to Kyle, Crianlarich - Fort William plus Ayr-Stranraer. Can see both of these being done while Stewarding. Tyne Valley would be good, too
Drsatan
Established Member
This summer using an All Network Downlander (for which Southern have illegally decided isn't valid on Gatwick Express services, and so when I traveled on one using the ticket I was charged an SOS from Gatwick to Victoria 
) I covered a fair chunk of the network, although I've still yet to cover:
) I covered a fair chunk of the network, although I've still yet to cover:- The Epsom Downs branch
- The Caterham Branch
- The Bognor Regis, Littlehampton and Newhaven branches
- The East Grinstead line and Oxted - Uckfield
londonmidland
Established Member
This Winter I have planned:
- Bedford - Brighton
- Birmingham New Street - Edinburgh
- Edinburgh - Glasgow Central
- Glasgow Central - Aberdeen
Blindtraveler
Established Member
a few tips..for a start, BHM - EDB do it on a pendo if WCML or HST if with XC. Take it you mean GLQ - ABD as no services from GLC exist. Depending on what bits of the track you want or need Id suggest doing ABD from EDB on a nice cumfy HST as the Glasgow trains are often horribly packed.
londonmidland
Established Member
33056
Established Member
Not planned anything specific yet (other than a tour of Latvia ) but really ought to get round to attempting to finish off the passenger track in Switzerland (still need quite a bit) and finally finishing Austria which, annoyingly, includes the last 2km of a hard to get to branch line.
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