#LSGsCapitalGains

47403 · 14 Oct 2017

#LSGsCapitalGains - Day 1 continued

After a quick scour of the platforms on the Cross, clicking a 387 and another 365 on the way, I made outside for a ciggy in Kings Cross Square. I couldn't check in to my digs till 2pm, so I had about 5 hours to kill, unfortunately that meant the mobile house had to come with me too. After purchasing my Travelcard, from the ticket machine, I doff my cap to Sir Nigel and wander out of Kings Cross and sit down in Kings Cross square, with a coffee from my flask and a ham n pease pudding stottie.

Suitably replenished, I make over St Pianos(my nickname for St Pancras due to the talented folk occupying the pianos) and made for the Thameslink but not before I'd nipped upstairs, tipping my hat to Mr Betjamen, before staring through the window, like a kid outside a sweet shop, at the Eurostar platforms, adding 4011 to the book of sights.

Suitably pleased, I made downstairs and onto the Thameslink platforms, I was only there at matter of minutes before AR(All Round) winner 700008 took me off to Farringdon, for my maiden voyage on one, there mot too bad, however they do look like, the result of a drunken one night stand between a 70 and a 378, where the 700 got it's looks from daddy 70. Anyway I digress, another 700 added itself to the book of sights. Before another AR winner 700014 took me onwards to Denmark Hill, where I'd have an hour, watching the units come and go, along with a bit freight. A fair few units were more obliging to join the book of sights, the freights were being more stubborn but a Sandite track machine, kindly offered its services. Shortly after, I was getting itchy feet, so I crossed over the bridge and awaited an Overground service to Clapham Junction, about 10mins later, another AR winner, this time 378151 whisks me off to Wandsworth Road.

Another maiden voyage, I have to say I'm not overly impressed but they do what it says on the tin, the journey seemed to take an eternity, so it was a relief, when we actually arrived. Having only arrived about 5mins previous, I'd set up camp by the bridge, to watch the units go past the station, when an elderly gentleman asked, Are you a Rail Enthusiast? When I said, yes, he proceeded to tell me about, 2 Colas workings due through, one east, one west and a few others due too. I thanked him kindly for the info. Sure as eggs is eggs, 70806 duly went West and 66849, went East. Within half an hour 4 freights passed and countless units on the other side of the fence, added themselves to the book of sights. An hour passed as quickly as it came, with another 4 freights listed down and a few more units added to the ever growing cop list.

66018 ambles through Wandsworth Road by Michael Barrass, on Flickr

I decided to go off the platform and get a ciggy before moving onto Clapham, a guy on the opposite platform, who was taking photos had already taken his leave, so my mind was made up to move on too. Even more so, when another AR winner 387139 pulled in the platform to take me to Clapham Junction.

I've been to Clapham many a time, even in the days when 33s, 50s and 73s were the norm there and freight used to pass through on a regular basis, a few times I've went through with my head out the window, on a 50 Woking bound, even had a pair of 73s off there to Victoria. Now its just units but even I was staggered at how many SWT units were parked up in the yard, as I crossed over the bridge. I was also in luck parked among the 444's, 450's etc was none other than 707003, which pleased me no end, my first one for sight. 707003 wasn't the only winner for the book of sight, by any stretch of the imagination, they were racking up very nicely indeed. However after about 45mins to an hour, I decided its time to make my way towards base camp and dump tis mobile house.

London Overground produced another AR winner, this time in the form of 378204 which was taken to Wilesden Jumction, I was getting sick of the 378s by now but after a quick change of platform, I was soon enough on another AR winner 378231 towards Stratford. With the train filling up a female cyclist got on the train, at Kenny O, I was sat in a seat near the doors with the mobile house horizontally at my feet, she rammed her bike on the train and in doing so, almost sent her front wheel over the mobile house (an impressive feat given its size)to the point, she nearly went over the handle bars, a young lass opposite me, had stifled a laugh at her doing so, the woman shouted, can you move your bloody bag, I've nearly fell over there, I said, well you should've bloody ridden home on the stupid bike then, the lass opposite spat one of them laughs out loud, bike woman, just glowered at me, I said, there's no luggage rack and its too big to put on the seats or my knees. She just skulked off in a huff towards the next door with her bike, daft woman and the lass opposite was giggling away to herself, when bike woman got off, I looked at the lass opposite and said, I think she's having a bad day, I bet she's squashed me sandwiches, as well, she, the guy sitting next to me and I all laughed.

I'd no sooner got off 378231, when a 315 rolled in but my ears were alerted to a familiar growl of EE engines, a colas 37 went through on a test train but I had been bowled by the 315 and only managed to see it, through said 315s window. I was thoughj in a position to see the green 37057, rumble away on the rear, So after a quick scan of the platforms I made my way to base camp, according to the maps its a 10 minute walk from Stratford Station, it was, unfortunately I took a wrong turn and it took me nearly half an hour to find the place, so I stopped and used google maps. With mobile house I was sweating like a glass blowers butt by the time I got there. I checked in, got in the room made a cuppa and ate me squashed sarnies, had a quick shower, got changed and went back out for an evening on the rails.
still to be continued............

RailUK Forums

Kite159 · 14 Oct 2017

If you think Clapham yard is impressive for units during the day, you need to pass Grove Park sidings as that area normally has lots of units which only come out to play during the peaks.

I bet you were glad to drop off the mobile house to lighten your load

Techniquest · 14 Oct 2017

That incident on the 378 made me smile, it must be said!

Very productive time and I know only too well how dull 378s are!

55013 · 15 Oct 2017

I'm sure you found that quite taxing (capital gains? tax? OK, I'll shut up).
Glad you had great time, it's been too long since I did London and I'm a wee bit jealous.

47403 · 15 Oct 2017

Kite159 said:
If you think Clapham yard is impressive for units during the day, you need to pass Grove Park sidings as that area normally has lots of units which only come out to play during the peaks.

I bet you were glad to drop off the mobile house to lighten your load

I was delighted to drop the mobile house off. I felt much better getting a shower too.

Cheers 55013. I was waiting for a 'very taxing' quip from someone, glad to hear, someone didn't disappoint. 55013, Well if your jealous imagine how I felt, reading everyone going round the place knowing full well, i was planning to and reading what they were getting, the need to get just grew.

55013 · 15 Oct 2017

I was surprise the tax gag hadn't come up earlier. I'm happy to oblige

I get moves envy with just about every trip report I read.
I'm just greedy.

Blindtraveler · 15 Oct 2017

Right that's me caught up with this now
Sounds like a typical tumbleweed morning on the ecml which I do not envy you
Give me a 378 over a 700 any day, your one night stand comment had me roaring with laughter as did the cycle incident

Giving Matt making me laugh is nigh on Impossible just now thank you very much indeed from the bottom of my heart
Good spotting and feeling of the book of sight and some nice nostalgic reminiscing to
Looking forward to the next bit

Cowley · 15 Oct 2017

A great read as usual sir.
That woman with the bike sounded ridiculous. People like that must struggle in life don't you think?

47403 · 15 Oct 2017

Cowley said:
A great read as usual sir.
That woman with the bike sounded ridiculous. People like that must struggle in life don't you think?

Cheers Cowley, much appreciated
That woman on the bike, must've had a bad day, think she was more embarrassed because the young lass opposite laughed at her. Thing is she only went a couple of stops, surely she could've ridden that far anyway, it wasn't the only time I saw bike lady either but I'll leave you in suspenders about that for now.

Tech the 378's are dull but they serve their purpose I suppose, I think it safe to say of all the EMU's down there, they're probably the least outstanding but as there's lot of them were needed for the book of sights, it kinda softens the blow, when you need them for everything.

Ah BT, I have to admit I quite like the 700's, maybe I'm just new fangled.
Glad I made you laugh, I had a silly little chortle to myself too, folk are nicknaming the 700's Darth Vaders, if that's the case, I wonder if a 70's ever passed one and said, I am your father

The book of sights, is looking a bit healthier, even though it's took me till tonight to mark up day 1.

Techniquest · 16 Oct 2017

I wonder if you hit the target of new sights you were after.

Interesting re-use of the nickname Darth Vaders for the 700s, bearing in mind the 460s were also nicknamed Vaders due to the nosecone. Your comment about a 70 going past a 700 made me burst out laughing though!

47403 · 17 Oct 2017

Techniquest said:
I wonder if you hit the target of new sights you were after.

Interesting re-use of the nickname Darth Vaders for the 700s, bearing in mind the 460s were also nicknamed Vaders due to the nosecone. Your comment about a 70 going past a 700 made me burst out laughing though!

Yeah its classed as sad to laugh at your own jokes but I had a bit of a giggle myself too

#LSGsCapitalGains
Day 1 continued again

Feeling a lot more alive, after a cuppa, some munch and a shower, I left base camp, not really knowing what was on the agenda. One things for sure, I made sure I took note of which was I was going, As it said, when I booked up Base Camp, Stratford Station was only 10mins away and there's plenty around too, couple of pubs, restraunts and fast food outlets. Good Location in honest truth.

I had a bit time in Stratford, before winner 360114, brought double AR winners 360109 & 360112 for a nice triple down to Liverpool Street. Where after scouring the platforms made for the mole over to Paddington. No prizes for guessing for what I was going for, however I went to see where 165113 was going, as I fancied a spin on a turbo, however my luck was out, first stop Slough. I went and got the numbers from some HST stock, clicking one coach, from the 2 rakes that were in, suppose 1's better than none, I then saw and copped 387130 disappear somewhere and scored then an incoming turbo. Not long after I got my eyes on a pair of GWR liveried 387's, needless to say I boarded the back one of AR winners 387149 & 387146 for a spin out to Ealing Broadway. They're quite nice too are those GWR 387's and I took advantage of a power socket. I quickly bailed at Ealing Broadway and hot footed up the stairs and over onto the other platform, a few minutes later, more double AR winners arrive in the form of 387155 & 387154 to take me back from whence I came, taking a seat in the latter, again taking advantage of some much needed charge for the phone.

Arriving back at Paddington, I went off the station for a ciggy, returning to the platforms and scoring 8 coaches from 2 rakes of HST stock, I was quite happy with the haul here, to say the least and even more so when 165207 and 180102 rolled in. The 180 was especially welcome to the book of sights, that thing, along with its 2 bloody mates, 104 and 106, have been avoiding me for years and I mean years. By now, I'm flagging big time, I'm also starving, I'd had a bag of crisps and a pork pie, since I'd left base camp, where I'd finished my ham n pease pudding stotties and also having been up since 02.30, my eyes were rapidly retreating into my head, my ankle was aching, as were my knees, so at 21.15, I decided it's time to make back for base camp. I made down onto the mole, back to Liverpool Street.

At Liverpool Street, I clicked 2 more units, as I passed by the gateline towards whatever platform my train back to Stratford was leaving from, there was a 90 on one of the platforms but if truth be told, I couldn't really be ringed, to go and see if the stock was required or not. I just went to the platform and jumped aboard more double AR winners 321435 & 321423 taking a seat in the rear unit, basically cos it was closer. On the way back to the digs I called into McDonalds and got a Big Mac Meal, with a coffee. I threw the meal in the haversack and drank my coffee as I ambled back.

In the room I flopped on the bed and transferred everything off the Dictaphone into my notebook and then checked to see how many cops I had scored today. I made a cuppa and went outside for a smoke, shortly after I hit the sack and promptly zonked out.

47403 · 17 Oct 2017

#LSGsCapitalGains
Day 2

I was up and ready to roll by 9am, I'd slept like a log and was ready for a full day, I marched towards Stratford Station, cutting through the shopping centre, where I took an about turn into Greggs, 2 Sausage and Bacon sarnies, a coffee, 2 doughnuts and a sausage roll later, I was off and about 5 mins later, devouring one sarnie en route, I'm stood at the ticket machine outside the station, getting my travelcard.

I stood in the square, having a smoke, watching the DLR, getting a couple more for the book of sights, before going up onto the platforms, I was stood on platform 9, watching things coming and going, there was a lot of stuff, whizzing in and out, I was getting the numbers off a trio of 321s, when 59202 came through, not something I need but anyone who's read my ramblings long enough, may recall, it was one of these, albeit in the N-Power livery, that I stumbled upon whilst out walking with my dog near Tyne Yard. 59204 rekindled the Rail Enthusiast in me, more out of curiosity than anything else and I made more frequent walks to see this working, eventually taking a small note book with me, writing down various 60's, knocking round at the time too, making a small note to myself, I should really go and get a new Platform 5 too. For the record, I never did get that Platform 5. Anyhow I digress.

I was busy taking the stock of a Norwich bound 90 on platform 10 and span on my heels to get a pair of 315s, them numbers in the middle of coaches helps a lot, the 315 went onwards to Liverpool street, when I came face to face with cop 345010, I assume going to Shenfield, as it left I thought to myself, ok, maybe a spin out to Romford is in order here, however something distracted me, looking at my notes I cant see what, maybe just the thought of filling the book of sights because trust me, it was doing just that. Another pair of dusty bins, were copped and as they cleared the platform, over on Platform 8, another 345 had appeared, this time 345005, that was going to Liverpool St. Ok I know where I'm heading now. I watched it go and next Liverpool St bound service, I'm hopping on irrespective of what it is. In this case, it was a Skoda, unfortunately a dud one but 90006 was given the honours, the chase was on and the chance of using the loo was utilised too. I had my head out the window, trying to reel in some more units and making sure the 345, hadn't buggered off, fortunately it hadn't, so I bailed off 90006 and made for the platform where my target was sat.

With a few minutes to spare I was sat in the rear coach of winner 345005 for the spin back to Stratford and my intended spin out to Romford in hope of roping in 345010.

345005 at Stratford on the 10.18 to Shenfield by Michael Barrass, on Flickr

however all bets went out the window, when on returning back to my favoured Platform 9, winner 90011, pulled in. I couldn't let a winner loco go without me, so I clambered on board and span back down to Liverpool St, approaching into the gloom, again I'm at the window, my eyes go like saucers, there's another 345, had 010 passed, without me knowing. I darted off the 90 and over to the platform the 345 was sat, it was sat at the top end of the platform, with a 321 behind it, as I walked the platform the driver of the 321 opened his window and shouted, this train here for Ipswich mate, I said, cheers but I'm after that, pointing at the 345, Its going back to the depot mate, ah bollocks I said in my head but turned and said, ah cheers bud, I'll just get it's number then. Still 345006, entered the book of sights, so I was pleased. In half an hour I'd made my maiden voyage on a 345, scored a winner 90 for haulage and got another 345 into the book of sights.

2017-10-17_12-29-54 by Michael Barrass, on Flickr
With that I decided a celebratory coffee n ciggy were in order. Whilst outside, I pondered my next move, I was gonna go over to Marleybone, a couple of Chiltern Cats were on my radar, namely 68013 and 68015, both still required for sight but there was also a visit to Stratford International, I'd seen a few javelines but never been able to ID one, to say it irked me was a slight understatement. A bit natter with a fellow crank via twitter provided me with a bit of info and the idea of running past Temple Mills, sounded a good idea to me. I needed to get to Tottenham Hale.

I made my way back onto the concourse and found a train to Tottenham Hale, winner 379006 was my steed and off we went, albeit with a bit of a crawl. I bailed off and saw there was a train due in back to Liverpool St, I hot footed over the bridge and with about a minute in rolled AR winner 317507. Off we went and sure enough, we passed Temple Mills, unfortunately 90008 was sat with a rake of coaches blocking the units but I did click 4023 & 4024. I almost missed the gronk but a look round twitter, to ask of its identity, the mystery was errm, solved. I'm told it's the one with the funny coupling, I laughed and tweeted back, that's nee good to me lol,, its 08948. It got sorted anyway

Im now back at Stratford, so I decided to get that monkey off my back, Stratford International it is, everything I see of the 395 type, will go into the book of sights. I made for outside and had a ciggy before walking onto the DLR platforms, scoring a couple going in the opposite direction to me before AR winners 137 & 152 rolled in to take me to Stratford International. The plan was to stay about an hour, I had thought of taking one through to St Pianos, I'd read it was about £6, however I'm of that opinion, if I'm gonna ride it, I'm gonna go to Ashford on one and experience the full blown speed. I'm also told a return to St Pianos is about £9.30, I said your joking, its only about 4 inches away, well on one of them it is and just reinforced my opinion. So after I'd got permission to go on the station, I couldn't get a platform ticket, as the guy in the ticket office was on his break, so I was allowed down onto the platforms with the promise, I'd come back and purchase one in 20mins. Soon after 395009 became the first 395, I'd been able to ID

395009 at Stratford Internation to Ramsgate by Michael Barrass, on Flickr
and a further 5 went into the book of sights, before I wandered off and back onto the DLR

Cowley · 17 Oct 2017

Looks like you're having a great time. Loads and loads of new sights for you.
London is such an interesting place for railways even now. I suppose I've realised just how interesting it is since I've been on here and reading people's reports.

Techniquest · 17 Oct 2017

Excellent reads bud, nice work on the 345s and the winning 90. Some fantastic hauls all round mind, do let me know which base camp you had as I might need it sometime. I've got a place in Ilford next week, can't be any worse than the place I used last time!

Kite159 · 17 Oct 2017

You should be careful at randomly jumping on 321s at Liverpool Street as not everything calls at Stratford

(Why do I get a feeling I will be getting a text from someone when they read that saying "Git" :lol:

)

Sounded like another couple good days in London

Dhassell · 17 Oct 2017

Kite159 said:
You should be careful at randomly jumping on 321s at Liverpool Street as not everything calls at Stratford

The user two posts above me learnt that the hard way didn't he o_O

Techniquest · 18 Oct 2017

Since you asked so nicely Mr. Kite, such a text will be on the way shortly!

Git!

47403 · 18 Oct 2017

Techniquest said:
Since you asked so nicely Mr. Kite, such a text will be on the way shortly!

Git!

I did check to see where they were going. Seems our esteemed friend did not.

Kite159 · 18 Oct 2017

47403 said:
I did check to see where they were going. Seems our esteemed friend did not.

Good

Didn't want to see a twitter entry saying "Damn, misread the boards and now I'm off to Chelmsford, epic motor noise though"

47403 · 18 Oct 2017

#LSGsCapitalGains
Day 2 continued

I wandered down the stairs and straight onto awaiting AR winners 112 & 120. Back at Stratford, I had a quick butchers of what was kicking around before I jumped on winner 315823 with AR winner 315849, back to Liverpool Street, where after a quick reccy of the platforms and sourcing a cold drink, I set off downstairs onto the mole. Sorry for those wanting the numbers, of the tube stock, I saw them but didn't write them down, I've got enough to chase down here, without complicating matters anymore.

I bailed the mole at Farringdon and crossed over onto the Thameslink platform, I was heading over to Elephant and Castle because a mate of mine at work had highly recommended visiting somewhere and seen as it was way past lunch time, I thought, well, if you don't do it today, you'll have to wait for ages, to get another chance. After a short while in rolled AR winner 700025, to take me onwards to said destination, we stood for 10minutes, apparently a fault on a train at Blackfriars, meant they were taking it out of service and clearing it from the platform. It was no major hardship, just meant I got a bit longer to rest my legs. Bailing at the Elephants Castle, I went up stairs, through the shopping precinct and via the escalators, downstairs and out the bottom doors into a little market, where there's a few little takeaway vans, I was after the Caribbean one, I walked over and ordered the Curried Goat and was met with, I'm sorry, the curried goats only on a Monday, there's Jerk Chicken today. I didn't fancy Jerk Chicken, even though I love it, in truth I was gutted, there was other vans too, a Chinese, an Indian and an American Burger van but I'd set my heart on curried goat but if you get the chance, give it a look over, you might just find something you fancy.

I defied hunger for now and went back to the platform, I thought I'll have a spin out on the next winner, which to be brutally honest wasn't gonna take long. So when AR winner(I know I've said that a lot too!) 700035 on it's way to Sutton, had me for company, well at least to Herne Hill, just outside Elephant and Castle 700020 was copped, sitting in the naughty siding, obviously the one who had packed in earlier. I bailed at Herne Hill for a train to Victoria, hoping to get something a bit different too.

2017-10-18_01-33-14 by Michael Barrass, on Flickr

At Herne Hill I copped a couple more 700s and a passing 375, before double winners arrived to take me to Victoria, 465908 was up front and AR winner 465925, on the rear, so I made for 925, I was the only one in the rear most coach, so I settled back and just relaxed as we went through Brixton onwards to Victoria. My hunger pains. were distracting me now, should've got the bloody jerk chicken my belly was telling me. A guy passing with a Burger King didn't help neither. Even though a burger wasn't on my wish list I went and got one and put it in my haversack and drank my coffee, whilst looking for something to Clapham Jct, I went to get AR winner 455836 but couldn't find my ticket wallet and as I found it in the inside pocket of my jacket and eventually got through the barrier, the doors had locked and it got away. on the next platform was winner 455838, so that had the dubious honour instead. Its a good while since I had a 455 for haulage, so it was nice to be reacquainted. On the way to Clapham I demolished the burger. I must've looked a right oink, cos I was shoving it in my face like there was nee tomorrow.

At Clapham I scanned the platforms for a)more cops and b)another move, there was plenty all round winners on show but I was after a 444, 450, 456 or 458. After about 15mins, I saw a trio, that fitted the bill. It was Double AR winners 456005, 456007 and winner 455908, I jumped aboard 456007 and positioned myself on the right hand side, so I could hopefully garner a few more cops out of Wimbledon Depot. A maiden voyage on a 456, I can't say it was a memorable experience but its a line in the book.

At the home of the Wombles, 2 trams were wandering free, just as well because they entered themselves into the book of sights, sadly no sign of Uncle Bulgaria or Madam Cholet, though I do think their names should be carried by the trams. I did wander off the station for a ciggy for a short while, I returned and decided I'd take the first one back to Clapham. Double winners arrived in the form of 455870 and 455715, I jumped aboard and positioned myself again for Wimbledon Depot, I managed to get 2 cops off the depot and noticed a 707 hiding right over the back of the depot. Approaching Clapham we sped up and went straight through, a guy opposite said, aren't we supposed to stop at Clapham, I said, I thought so. Obviously not and on we went to Waterloo. As we were stood awaiting a platform, the guard came on the tannoy, We're sorry to those passengers expecting to stop at Clapham Junction, due to the late running of this train, we have been given permission to go forward to Waterloo, for those wanting to go to Clapham the train directly opposite will go to Clapham and will be held until you get on. I thought jesus, can they actually do that? It was fine by me, I had a bit wander round and hunted out more cops.

450036 & 455715 catch up on the gossip at Waterloo. by Michael Barrass, on Flickr

Obviously Waterloo has been getting upgraded but I took the photo above because the very first time I visited here, class 50's were leaving from those very platforms AND my first 50 for haulage 50027 was out of here too. Unfortunately that's progress, at least I managed to get a 50 of sorts, albeit a 450. After a while, I went off the platforms to get a drink and a smoke, on returning I noticed I had a few minutes to get round to Platform 20 for the next train back to Clapham, not realising its a canny hike, I just managed to make it onto double AR winners 458525 & 458528, another new class for haulage, they're not too bad either.

Bailing the 458's at Clapham, I made for the Southern Platforms, unfortunately crush hour had hit, great for scoring units but not if your waiting or trying to get on the 17.38 Southern Service to Milton Keynes, for a spin past Wembley Yard. I hold my hands up and admit, it's not the most sensible decision to do it at crush hour at least it was double winners 377206 & 377203 I had a decent spot by the door on the right hand side but by the time folk got on and off, I somehow ended up on the left, the majority of the journey was a complete crawl too in conditions akin to a Japanese Prisoner of War Camp, however my mood was somewhat altered because after seeing 66556 on the Freightliner Sidings near Wembley Yard, I was face to face with 56301 and 56081, I was delighted to see 56301 because since it has been renumbered, its been the elusive missing piece of the 56 jigsaw. So after clearing my last one, 56069 at Margam, roughly 29yrs ago, with 56301 entering the book of sights, meant I'd actually cleared the 56's again, it also became the first loco cop of the trip, much to my delight.

Bailing at Wembley Central, I managed to find the platforms to back South, where after a short wait AR winner 378230, arrived to take me to Euston, if I thought the journey here was bad, this journey was ridiculous. I know its rush hour etc and folk from down there your used to it, to me its downright dangerous to have people crammed on a train like that, god knows what it must be like in the height of summer. By Stonebridge Park, the load had lightened but by the time I got to Euston, I felt like bloody Fillias Fogg. Mind you, the West Coast was in tatters, flooding in Wolverhampton apparently and two fatalities, I scoured the platforms and managed to score 3 350s before leaving the mass crowds and over worked Virgin Trains staff, trying to appease many irate folk.
.....................to be continued................................................................

Far north 37 · 18 Oct 2017

sounds a busy day i was surprised to see 56081 and 56301 there the other day welcome surprise

Techniquest · 19 Oct 2017

Understandable that your 377/2s and the 378 were crush loaded if the WCML had gone belly up, not appreciated of course for those of us not used to it. Imagine what it was like on Euston to Watford Junction stoppers when it was 3-car 313s and the odd 508/3!

Curried goat sounds incredibly odd, and I'm in two minds as to whether I'd like to try it or not. Jerked chicken also sounds strange to me!

458s are one of my favourite classes of EMU so it was good to hear you liked them too. Loved the Wombles comment though lol! The caption on your photo at Waterloo made me smile too, next time I see two trains at buffer stops like that I'll be thinking of that. You may have started another new regular trip report trend there good sir...

Fair enough with not doing LU stuff, I couldn't not do it these days. I do need to get some focus on the mainline stuff though as I always seem to do a lot of LU and DLR more than anything else.

As always squire, top read and I look forward to more when it's ready.

Kite159 · 19 Oct 2017

I suspect that LO service was busy from Watford with passengers using that one down to Euston if the WCML had fallen over. West London Line is like that during peak time, but good news on scoring your last 56s

An unexpected fast run on a 455, it's more to do with service recovery due to a limited turnaround time at Waterloo, to prevent a dominos effect (where one train is late, which delays the following service which in terms delays the following service etc).

455715 says to 450036, "have you been to Reading recently, how is the string coming along to allow our green cousins to run?"

Cowley · 19 Oct 2017

I think I had curried goat once.
I'm standing in the queue in Toolstation reading this and chuckling away.

alexf380 · 19 Oct 2017

Just getting caught up with this, and it's been a fantastic read so far. What do you think of the 345s?

47403 · 19 Oct 2017

Cowley said:
I think I had curried goat once.
I'm standing in the queue in Toolstation reading this and chuckling away.

Curried goat is very nice, as is jerk chicken. I had both at a friend's house. Primrose who's South African, had a party and one of her friends a Caribbean lad called rebel brought both. The lasses from work were there too, were like urgh curried goat, as soon as I walked in, they pointed at me and said, he'll try it. When I was told what it was, i said, oh I've always wanted to try that. It was gorgeous, it's like a mixture of pork n beef. Well worth trying honest.

Kite I can imagine if all.locos and units could talk like Thomas and his friends, they'll all be talking about the 800s

Tech, i daren't even consider what crush hour would be like with a 3 car unit. Regarding fave EMUs, the GA 321s are canny too but the Starships take some beating.

Far North I got a shock to see a pair of 56s, never thought I'd see one at all down there. I remember back in the day, walking onto Hither Green and there was more 58s on shed, than 33s and 73s.

Cheers to all for you kind words. Will do some more in a bit.

Kite159 · 19 Oct 2017

Crush Hour with a 3 car unit, get yourself down to Birmingham New Street for a Crosscity line service when its running a few minutes late

47403 · 19 Oct 2017

alexf380 said:
Just getting caught up with this, and it's been a fantastic read so far. What do you think of the 345s?

I thought they were similar to the 700s albeit they look like an iron. Thats my nickname for them, Irons.
Thanks for the kind words Alex.

Techniquest · 20 Oct 2017

Irons is the best (well, only!) nickname I've heard so far for the 345s but I love it. I can see the trip report title now...Tech Goes Ironing sounds strange lol.

Starships are still good fun, but I swear since the motor rewind they've gone a LOT quieter and the experience is not the same anymore. Either that or I'm going deaf! Even the Northern ones aren't as fun as they used to be.

Really can't wait to go and have some clearing out in London now, so much to go after and so little time...

47403 · 21 Oct 2017

#LSGsCapitalGains
Day 2 continued

I made for the mole and headed back to Waterloo, I can't seriously remember the route but I got there, I looked at the destination boards, at Waterloo looking for the next Clapham bound service, platform 19 in 5mins, ok, off we go then. Whilst on the way to platform 19, I managed to cop one of kites rides 159018 in one of the platforms, I got through the barrier and seen AR winner 450557 was my chariot to Clapham, I'll take that, I said to myself and climbed aboard. I was quite shocked, despite it being around half 7, it was still fairly full, I suppose it'll have been those, who avoid crush hour and go for a few drinks after work. Two women beside me clearly had and were wondering if they'd make their connection at Clapham, we've got 3minutes to get from 13 to platform 1, one of them said, the other replied, hmm I doubt it, sounds like we'll have to go for another glass of wine somewhere and get the next train. Can't say I blamed them neither.

At Clapham, I let Cagney an Lacey get off before me, their need was greater than mine, wether or not they caught their train or found a bar, for another glass of vino, I'm not sure. I just hung round the platform until at train back to Waterloo pulled into either of these platforms I was stood at. 4 more cops were added during the wait, all 4 were going back onto the stabling point, so it was a bit spawny being in position to see them do so but I certainly wasn't complaining. Around 15 minutes later in rolled AR winner 458509 and winner 458507, climbing on 509, basically because that's where I was stood closest. I climbed aboard and found that there'd be lucky if there was a dozen of us in the whole unit. I sat down and had a butchers in my platform 5, aka the book of sights, trying to work out how I'd done today. Notes from today were still on the Dictaphone and the previous days cops, hadn't yet been marked in, so I just picked out the ones most likely to be cops and judging by so far, today had been as successful, if not slightly better than yesterday.

At Waterloo, I bailed off the 458s and platforms, a toilet break was needed, suitably relieved, I made off the station for a ciggy and got talking to an American guy and his missus, doing similarly so. Turns out they were on honeymoon and had been had been nearly half frozen on an open top bus ride taking in the sights earlier in the day, they'd been for a meal and a few drinks before heading back to their hotel. It killed a good 10mins and it was nice to have a bit conversation with someone. I retuned to the platform destination board, I was after the 20.59 Windsor turn, no platform for it yet, so I went and got a coffee, then checked real time trains, Platform 19 again, so I wandered round, where the guy on the barrier said, Your back again? I said, yeah I couldn't cope without seeing you one last time, we both laughed and he said, I'm flattered. Tak it, its the trains, he asked. When I said, aye, he said I thought so, I keep seeing you speak into something when they come and go. I said my goodbyes and wandered up platform 19, having a quick look on platform 20, there was nothing in there, at all. I take it these platforms are the ones that have recently been part of the new refurb. They certainly looked so.

I stood at the top of platform 19, taking down the comings and goings, a 450 came into platform 19 and then buggered off just as quickly, I stared into the darkness, awaiting the 20.59 arriving in, with about 5 mins to spare, I saw the lights coming towards the platform, Oh yes indeed, just as I was informed in rolled a pair of 707's, needless to say, at the very worst only one of them was gonna be a cop, seen as 707003 was the only one I've seen, however, no stressing, both were copped, so it was double AR winners 707007 & 707005, for the spin back to Clapham. I was as happy as a pig in the proverbial.

After bailing at Clapham, I watched the 707's disappear into the night and I made my way over to the Southern platforms and within minutes, I was onboard winner 377448 to Victoria. A quick reccy of the platforms, gained me 2 Gat Ex 387s and 4 377's, Thank You Victoria, that was damn nice of you. Afterwards I made for the mole and somehow managed to get myself to St Piano's at the first attempt, without going the wrong way, I'm not the greatest on the mole at all.

I couldn't resist a spin on Thameslink, despite time rolling on, I decided, if it keeps throwing up cops, there's no harm, having a little spin tonight. So I had a single leap on to Farringdon, it paid off too. AR winner 700045, took me Farringdon, where I jumped across onto the mole over to Liverpool Street. By now it was about 22.40, my ankle was done for, in fact I was done for. I found a train to Stratford, walking by the platforms, taking the units down as I went, there was a 90 on one of the platforms, normally I'd have went and got the stock but I just said sod it, found the platform and climbed aboard AR winner 321418 and as yet an UID 321 up front too. At Stratford I found it the other unit was also an AR winner 321447. A nice way to end the day, I walked through the shopping centre and McDonalds proved to be to tempting to walk past. I got a coffee and a Big Mac and walked back to base camp, where on arrival, I flung off the shoes and parked my butt, transferred my dictations into the notebook, had a shower, went out for a ciggy and contemplated, I'd had a long but very enjoyable day, I had a quick coffee, then climbed into bed and before my head hit the pillow, Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

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