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Back on the platform

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xotGD

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Hope you had a good day.
Oh, yes - definitely. A great variety of traction, intensive timetable and decent weather. And I did manage to avoid the duff!

Hopefully Mr Train had a good day too. And a long list of new sightings for his book...
 
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xotGD

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So here's what I went for shortly after it stopped being required...

37714.jpg

And this is the funniest looking Class 47 I've ever seen!

47406.jpg

Appears to have lost the "Rail Riders" nameplates!
 

The_Train

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Oh, yes - definitely. A great variety of traction, intensive timetable and decent weather. And I did manage to avoid the duff!

Hopefully Mr Train had a good day too. And a long list of new sightings for his book...

I certainly did have a good day. The GCR is such a fantastic place and the experience is equally fantastic. Would recommend to anyone to visit at some point, especially for a gala.

I have a few more things to sort out regarding my pics and vids of the day and then I will get cracking on a report. Hoping to have this done tomorrow as I'm back out on Tuesday....this time it's heritage stock on the mainline in the shape of Northern's DMUs :lol:
 

The_Train

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Just a small update from the local dating back to the 3rd September when I visited to see what was at the helm of a rake of West Coast Railway Company ECS being hauled to Carnforth. Was wise to check this out as it turned out to be 47245 and 37516, both winners, along with a full rake of required coaching stock
47245 & 37516 by The_Train

There was nothing else to shout about unfortunately but it left me with the following figures for this short visit:

For Sight

Winners: 2
Coaching Stock Winners: 6
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A
TOCs completed: N/A
TOC sub classes completed: N/A
 

xotGD

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You must have moved quick to get that great shot of the 37 before it was uncoupled. They didn't hang around when it came to attaching or detaching locos
Thanks. Yes, you need to be quite nimble at times. Especially when about 20 people are about to walk into the shot!

The picture of the kettle was taken out of the train window, so was more good luck than judgement.

I eagerly await your report...
 

The_Train

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September Diesel Gala @ Great Central Railway - Saturday 7th September 2019

*This may be photo heavy* (as most of my reports are :lol:)

I'd not ventured out on a Saturday since the July Open Day at Crewe TMD but having enjoyed the ELR Diesel Gala previously, I couldn't resist a venture to Leicestershire for the GCR September Diesel Gala once @xotGD had put the idea into my head. So it was a 5am alarm call to give me enough time to ready myself for the short hop to Stafford for my opening jaunt of the day. On arrival at Stafford I hovered around the coffee stand in the hope it would open before my 0635 train arrived but no such luck so I headed towards coach C as 390135 arrived to become my first winning haulage of the day. As we pulled out of Stafford I did notice that the coffee stand was now open but I was left lacking caffeine and despite being in the shop coach, I decided against a VTWC coffee instead deciding I would wait for arrival at Nuneaton to top up my caffeine levels. It was a slow crawl down the Trent Valley and it was only when we ground to a halt outside of Lichfield that I realised we were pathed on the slow lines for some reason. Traksy wasn't showing any possessions on the fasts so not sure what was happening there but we did eventually make it onto the fasts after heading through Tamworth and a clear run was had through to Nuneaton where we arrived around 10 down. It was a bit more of a rush to get across to the shop on P1, grab my coffee and get back across to P7 but I managed it in good time before XC 170518 became haulage winner number 2. Unsurprisingly it was lightly loaded so I was able to grab a table seat at the front where I could enjoy the 170 thrash to Leicester. I had a couple of options here but I decided to just continue my journey to Loughborough so just 5 minutes later it was winner number 3 as I got to experience my first run on a Meridian 222 with 222010 taking me on the short run to Loughborough. We headed past Leicester L.I.P which was awash with locos and I got my first sighting of GB liveried 47739. I also noticed that some of the 56s that have been sat next to the running lines for a long time had been moved more into the depot - a sign that progress is being made with them?

There was a heritage bus parked outside of Loughborough which was offering free trips to the GCR but I opted to walk it instead of waiting the 25 mins or so for the bus to depart. A brisk 15 minute walk certainly warmed me up and being a typical Brit I saw a queue outside the GCR entrance and joined it without actually knowing what it was for. Fortunately I decided to find out what I was queuing for and found out it was for tickets and as I'd pre-brought mine I dived out of the queue and onto the platform of Loughborough Central.

I was instantly impressed with the look of the station and with half hour or so before the opening service of the day, I had plenty of time to freshen myself up in the toilets before having a roam around the station. Doing this allowed me to sight D8098 which was at the head of a rake of coaching stock and also the lovely Sparrowhawk 1705 and D123 which were both sat in the station sidings. The viewing areas created off platform are a great idea of the GCR by the way
1705 at Loughborough by The_Train
D123 parked at Loughborough by The_Train

I wandered back up to the other end in time to see the majestic looking 37714 as it made its first appearance of the day. It has been a loco I'd wanted to see since meeting one of the guys involved with Heavy Traction Group, who maintain the loco, last summer. I certainly wasn't disappointed
37714 at Loughborough by The_Train

Not so long after my first sighting, I was climbing aboard my first working of the day headed by 37714 and she didn't disappoint as she powered us towards Leicester. I was around half way down the train but could still hear the beastly noise up front. This opening run allowed me to sight some of the stuff parked up in the sidings including shunters D3690 and 08694 (here is a pic of them taken later in the day)
Shunters by The_Train

As well as the amazing 101 DMU cars the GCR have. I remember the excitement at one of these pulling into a station as a kid because (providing the driver had the blinds down) it meant I could watch him drive and feel as though I was in the cab with him. It certainly brought a smile to my face as we went past cars 50203, 50266, 50321 & 51427......

We were soon in Leicester where I got to meet more of the great staff who work on the GCR. There was quite the scramble for people to grab pics of the 37 as it was uncoupled and worked itself around the train ready for the journey back
37714 at Leicester North by The_Train

I was able to beat the hoards and get a spot nearer the front for the journey back and yet again the tractor gave us plenty to listen to. I bailed at Quorn and Woodhouse for my first experience of this amazing little station. I decided to grab a coffee and was truly stunned when I walked into a bomb shelter with plenty of war relics on show.....never in a million years did I expect to see that. A very hot coffee in hand and I was back on the platform chatting to one of the platform staff and it was quite apparent how enthusiastic these people are about the job they do and the experience they offer to their customers. Little touches like the shouting of the station name as trains arrive really create that authentic old atmosphere of railway travel when it was fun. A short time later and it was chopper time as D8098 arrived to take me back to Loughborough
D8098 at Quorn by The_Train

I decided to enjoy the comfort of a seat for this short hop so I could drink my coffee and every time I sit on a Mk1 or Mk2 coach it makes me wonder how we've managed to go so far backwards when it comes to seat comfort. I had a 20 minute break at Loughborough so I had a wander around the different stalls and had to show great restraint to avoid making purchases of anything and everything. It was soon back to the trains though, and it was back aboard D8098 for a proper run out behind it and this time it was a window space to enjoy that whine of the 20 as we headed to Rothley Brook where there would be an engine swap. The 20 was uncoupled whilst D123 was added to the other end and it would be this that tool us back to Loughborough via a stop off in the loop at Swithland Sidings. Whilst we were sat in the loop I got my first sighting of the DMU on the move as it paused in the opposite loop for a reversal up the Mountsorrel branch
Class 101 DMU at Swithland by The_Train

And then it was over to one of the 25s in action as visiting D7535 came roaring by
D7535 powering past by The_Train

And that wouldn't be the only special guest we got to see as we sat in the loop because shortly before we got on the move again a Warship came past as D821 "Greyhound" powered towards Leicester
D821 passes Swithland by The_Train

Once we finally got moving, the journey back to Loughborough took me past the 127 DMU comprising of 51622 and 51616 "Alf Benney". There was no time for admiring Loughborough though as it was straight aboard the 1200 departure which saw me back behind 37714 for a run all the way to Leicester where there was something special waiting for us. Having rejected the visitor to the ELR gala, it was time for me to experience my first run behind a Warship as D821 was attached to the front of the train for a run back to Loughborough. As I said to @47403 at the ELR these things have just never done anything for me as I never really came across them as a kid but I have to say that I was suitably impressed at the amount of noise it made as we headed away from Leicester. The run took us past D7535 sat in the sidings at Rothley and even the driver of this wanted some of the D821 action as shown in this pic....
D7535 at Rothley by The_Train, on Flickr

My initial plan had been to ride this all the way to Loughborough before having a first run behind D5185 but this had changed as I couldn't resist what was on offer next. So it was a bail at Rothley for a first visit onto the platform here and as with everywhere else along the line, I enjoyed the 10 mins or so I had there. My next traction came in the form of a classic machine in a classic livery as 50017 rolled in sporting it's Network SouthEast livery to take me back to Leicester. Now this was already a busy service by the time it arrived into Rothley so, having learnt this trick from Mr 403 at the ELR gala, I decided to head to the back of the formation in readiness for what was to come. It's only a short run from Rothley to Leicester and we were soon arriving to the sight of 37714 sat in the loop. Once 50017 had been uncoupled, it headed into the loop to be coupled to the 37 to form a dream team that was soon attached to us ready for some serious haulage back to Loughborough. The 2 locos did not disappoint as we were treated to a diesel-fest all the way back to Loughborough with a surprise sight on route as we headed into Quorn where steamer 47406 was sat
Steam at a Diesel Gala by The_Train

37714 and 50017 at Loughborough by The_Train

Because of the re-jigging of my plans, I now had a 50 minute break at Loughborough so I had a wander around the platforms to find anything of interest but could only find these....
1705 and D7535 at Loughborough by The_Train

I found my way to the BBQ for a lovely burger before deciding to enjoy a cider in the refreshment bar. Here I realised that my phone battery was already well drained so I chanced my arm by asking the lady behind the bar if I could pinch some electricity and she kindly obliged so I ordered a sausage roll as a way of thanks :E Cider gone, sausage roll gone and phone juiced up I threw some money in the top bowl as an actual thanks for the use of their electric and was away back to the platform for the 1300 service which happened to be yet another run behind 37714 which took me off to Rothley Brook once again where this time D7535 became my haulage for the first time. Yet again we were looped at Swithland for D6535 and D123 to head past as a pair
D6535 and D123 by The_Train

And then D8098 headed by in the opposite direction.....
D8098 at Swithland by The_Train

We were eventually back on the move and were soon heading past the massive reservoir at Rothley and I have to say it's pretty awe inspiring to see. My time behind D7535 came to an end at Quorn because it was time for some lineside viewing as D821 hauled a rake of TPOs past on a demo of how the old grab and drop postal system worked

This also took me down to where Test Car 2 is kept and we were given a demonstration of how the coupling system works but unfortunately I didn't have the time to go aboard - something that gives me a reason to revisit the GCR
Test car 2 by The_Train

I know that if Mr 403 has reached this point of my report, he will be panicking over the lack of duff action so far but worry not my friend. I was back onto the Quorn platform in time to jump aboard 1705 for a short jaunt to Rothley from where I was able to enjoy the delights of the 101 DMU for the journey courtesy of cars 50266 and 50203. Although I wasn't able to get the seats behind the cab it was still a thrill to be aboard a unit that I've not been on for well over 20 years and I loved every second of the journey back to Loughborough. There wasn't much time to dwell on this though as my next working was waiting at Loughborough and as we were now into the evening workings we were to be treated to 3 locos working 2 coaching sets. At the helm were D5185 and D7535 and D6535 was sat at the rear and as we were late onto the train there was never going to be any space at the front so I went to the rear once again. The locos were certainly made to work with the extended coaching formation and the 2 up front were putting a a lot of effort in which could be still heard from way back at the rear and it made an impressive sight to see the locos clagging heavily. The rear of the train fell well short of being in the platforms but that did allow me to see 1705 making a noisy departure from Quorn....
1705 smokes away from Quorn by The_Train

After the turnaround at Leicester we were soon heading back to Loughborough with D6535 doing much of the work by itself at the front and it certainly made some good noise along the way. The driver certainly got a word of thanks as he came to assist with the uncoupling of the loco back at Loughborough. And this uncoupling happened because it was time for my last run to Leicester and back and the GCR was treating me to an extended run involving 1705. It seemed like an appropriate way to end the trip so I watched the 47 rolling up and attaching from my vantage point at the rear of the train before a long wait ensued for some reason. I think it was the only train I'd been on to leave late but 10 mins behind schedule the pair of 25s at the front were soon growling their way out of Loughborough and continued to make a good noise all the way to Leicester where it was time for my final run and for the 47 to take over. We certainly weren't let down as the 47 gave out its traditional musical sounds. Unfortunately some of the 'old school' bashers had also found their way to the front and having undoubtedly enjoyed the refreshments on offer all day decided to try and drown out the good work of the 47 with their shouts of 'power' amongst other things. Not my cup of tea to be honest, I'd much prefer to listen to the loco but each to their own I suppose. And with that I had a stroll down the train after we departed Quorn so I would have some platform to step out onto and had hoped for a pic of the pair of 25s but due to the length of the train they were on the other side of the road bridge. I wasn't going to let that stop me though and as u departed the station I was able to grab this shot from atop the bridge
25s Galore by The_Train

But it was time to head back to the national network and to Loughborough station. I had a 15 minute wait for my train to Leicester and during this time was able to see dud 66953 and 66176 pass through. A 3rd freight train passed by but tiredness was catching up with me and I was slumped in a seat and unable to see it as it went down the goods line. I was soon aboard 222020 for more Meridian haulage but it just felt slightly worse having been treated to all of the locos all day. I was going to hang around Leicester for a bit but once I'd seen a dud HST set (well dud barring one required coach) I decided I wanted to keep heading home so I jumped on 170106 which was dud for everything and by the time I'd reached Nuneaton had cleared 100 miles for haulage. I had a 50 minute wait at Nuneaton so I passed the time with a walk to KFC and then the devouring of said KFC before I got to see 68017 and 68005 hauling a rake of coaches, some required and some dud, on the return charter to Norwich running 60 late. 172004 was my final winner of the day before 350369 arrived for my final leg home. Unfortunately it was fully loaded with England fans returning from Wembley so it was standing room only until it started to empty along the Trent Valley.

A superb day out is quite simply all that I can say about it. Loved every minute but by the time I made it back home I was shattered so it was pretty much straight to bed. I did get a reminder of the day the next morning when I picked up my clothes to put into the laundry and got a solid whiff of the diesel fumes that had attached themselves to me....nothing better!

My summary is below:

For Sight

Winners: 20
Coaching Stock Winners: 39
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A
TOCs completed: N/A
TOC sub classes completed: N/A

For Haulage

Winners: 15
Total Mileage: 227 miles 49 chains
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A
 
Last edited:

xotGD

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Nice report!

I've spotted myself in the background of your shot of the duff and rat at Loughborough, and I think that is my arm poking out of the window in the phot of the rat at Rothley!

And we both pressed the shutter release simultaneously for the pictures of the kettle.
 

The_Train

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Nice report!

I've spotted myself in the background of your shot of the duff and rat at Loughborough, and I think that is my arm poking out of the window in the phot of the rat at Rothley!

And we both pressed the shutter release simultaneously for the pictures of the kettle.

Haha I'm sure our paths crossed on more than one occasion during the day. I guess it's pretty difficult to stay out of pics and videos at these events. I've only watched one YouTube video of the day and I make a special guest appearance a couple of times in it :lol:
 

xotGD

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Haha I'm sure our paths crossed on more than one occasion during the day. I guess it's pretty difficult to stay out of pics and videos at these events. I've only watched one YouTube video of the day and I make a special guest appearance a couple of times in it :lol:
I've just watched one video where I appear 4 times - including a close-up!
 

47403

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Sounded like a cracking day Mr Train.
Some cracking locos in that list there too. Obviously I'm gonna say 47117 is looking the nuts and sounded like it was too but it could be said of the whole fleet on the day. However the 37+50 combo, sounded like a lot of EE fun.

I'm glad you got to experience a Warship, whilst i'll always fly the 47s flag, I've become a huge fan of the Hydraulics, even though I never saw them on the mainline myself either. I absolutely loved my trip behind 'ole beefy' at the ELR and glad to hear, you were suitably impressed with Greyhound's performance too.
Talking of impressive performances D5185(25035 in old money) was a right ole thrashy minx on the ELR a couple of years back, she certainly looks the part too.
IMG_20180706_142515.jpg
If it was as thrashy with D7535, as it was with D7629, then that'll have been a fine ride.

I've never had a lone 20 for haulage before, so I can only assume that was a bit of a thrash fest too, bonnet first too, always looks s bit weird but somehow more fun and no doubt quite weird to drive one like that too.

Riding the first gen DMU's certainly brought back memories for me too, especially the 101s. I'll never forget my first ever ride on one, the late 70's from Seaburn to Newcastle I was maybe 6 or 7, my Dad had been given the task of taking my cousins and I to Newcastle trainspotting, my abiding memory of the 101's was how bouncy the seats were. Later on into the hobby, as they came into view, the shout of, oh it's just a scabby multi. I haven't ridden in a 101 for must be close to or over 30yrs. Even the last first gen DMU i had for haulage at Newcastle, was a Welsh one and I think that was a Class 116, complete with a red stripe and Welsh dragon sticker on its nose, they were brought in on hire to HT when the infamous 143s pop.

Great read there Mr Train.
 

xotGD

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The best journeys I've had on Class 101s were when they had failed and had a loco on the front!

Such as the above pictured 25035 into Newcastle...

Happy days!
 

47403

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The best journeys I've had on Class 101s were when they had failed and had a loco on the front!

Such as the above pictured 25035 into Newcastle...

Happy days!

I agree, had a few 25's dragging 101s over the Tyne Valley. A few mad dashes made to stations between Blaydon n Hexham to intercept a few too. Fell on a few at Carlisle too.
 

The_Train

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Sounded like a cracking day Mr Train.
Some cracking locos in that list there too. Obviously I'm gonna say 47117 is looking the nuts and sounded like it was too but it could be said of the whole fleet on the day. However the 37+50 combo, sounded like a lot of EE fun.

I'm glad you got to experience a Warship, whilst i'll always fly the 47s flag, I've become a huge fan of the Hydraulics, even though I never saw them on the mainline myself either. I absolutely loved my trip behind 'ole beefy' at the ELR and glad to hear, you were suitably impressed with Greyhound's performance too.
Talking of impressive performances D5185(25035 in old money) was a right ole thrashy minx on the ELR a couple of years back, she certainly looks the part too.
View attachment 68369
If it was as thrashy with D7535, as it was with D7629, then that'll have been a fine ride.

I've never had a lone 20 for haulage before, so I can only assume that was a bit of a thrash fest too, bonnet first too, always looks s bit weird but somehow more fun and no doubt quite weird to drive one like that too.

Riding the first gen DMU's certainly brought back memories for me too, especially the 101s. I'll never forget my first ever ride on one, the late 70's from Seaburn to Newcastle I was maybe 6 or 7, my Dad had been given the task of taking my cousins and I to Newcastle trainspotting, my abiding memory of the 101's was how bouncy the seats were. Later on into the hobby, as they came into view, the shout of, oh it's just a scabby multi. I haven't ridden in a 101 for must be close to or over 30yrs. Even the last first gen DMU i had for haulage at Newcastle, was a Welsh one and I think that was a Class 116, complete with a red stripe and Welsh dragon sticker on its nose, they were brought in on hire to HT when the infamous 143s pop.

Great read there Mr Train.

The GCR really nailed it with the locos. I initially questioned why they'd brought in a 25 as a special guest when they had 2 from their own fleet but that run with 7535 and 5185 leading together was something else. And yes they were both unleashing hell up front but 5185 was also offering lots of clag which just added to the noise. I must admit that rats had never been high up my list of classes to ride behind but after last weekend, they are right up there now.

The 20 running bonnet first was certainly a sight to behold and as you say it offered a good run with it being alone. Probably the first time I've seen a 20 working alone, certainly since coming back into the hobby.

The 101s will never be just a multi to me. Absolutely love them I do.

Anyway, glad you enjoyed the report mate. The GCR is definitely one to go on the must do list for you - I will definitely be revisiting!
 

xotGD

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The 20 running bonnet first was certainly a sight to behold and as you say it offered a good run with it being alone. Probably the first time I've seen a 20 working alone, certainly since coming back into the hobby.
If you fancy some more single-20 haulage, the Keighley & Worth Valley is a good bet. There is a "Diesel & Ale" day on 12th October but the traction has not been announced yet. Could be the 20, 25 or 37. All very entertaining thrashing up the valley.

Link to gen:

https://kwvr.co.uk/diesel-ale-saturdays/

Here was 20031 two years ago...

20031 2.jpg

20031 1.jpg
 

pieguyrob

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Nice day out.
I bagged quite a few 101's out of Blackpool North in the late nineties, even in Scotrail Strathclyde orange and black. I think when First North Western were leasing them for a pound a day!
 

The_Train

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Heading North for 10p - Tuesday 10th September 2019

Ok so it wasn't quite 10p but the fantastic Northern 10p flash sale did allow me to bag some tickets that took me Crewe-Manchester-Sheffield-Manchester-Crewe for 50p which can't be sniffed at. Being outside of the Northern area, I did have to buy a ticket to Crewe but it was still less than £15 for the entire journey. So just a few days after the amazing day at the GCR September Diesel Gala I was back out on the hunt for more heritage traction, this time in the form of 142s and 144s.

Obviously the 10p tickets were all for off peak trains so it wasn't too much of an early start for me. I grabbed my ticket to Crewe, a coffee and headed over to platform 3 with the intention being to catch the 0821 VTWC service. However the previous running LNWR service was still to arrive by the time I'd made it to the platform but when it pulled in it was rammed so I took my seat again. It was only a cursory glance upwards that made me realise that the train, dud for all 350117, had emptied at Stafford so just before the doors closed I jumped aboard and found myself a table seat. I spent much of the journey to Crewe lining my notepad but was alert as we passed by Basford Hall where a couple of dud FLR 66s sat and it was more duds at the Arriva Traincare depot with 397004 and 397003. London Overground 710107 did, however, become my opening winner of the day
LNWR 350117 by The_Train

I had a quick roam around Crewe but there wasn't much going on. 57309 was sat in the thunderbird position but there were no TPE 68s knocking about so I ventured across to P5 where I spied the arrival of dud 153381 before winner 175116 rolled into P6
153381 by The_Train

Soon after and it was aboard 323225 for my first haulage on it as I made my way to Manchester Airport
Northern 323225 by The_Train

The 323s were a regular unit for me to be catching as a youngster so a run on one always takes me back to the good old days. We went past a couple of dud units on the run to the Airport but the arrival into the station yielded far better results as 350406 and 195001 were both sat awaiting departure. There were a few dud 185s knocking about but amongst them was 319377 which was another winner. Knowing my next trip was nearly due, I decided to head for a PNB and as I came out realised that my next haulage had arrived and was pleasantly surprised to see 195007 which would be my first run on these new units
The new kid on the block by The_Train

I also bagged tram 3115 as I took the photo of the 195 before I stepped aboard for my first feel of this CAF unit. I have to say that I was impressed with it as well. A good layout, seats are comfy enough and they have sockets. As we departed, 195116 had just arrived so was another of the new fleet into the book but it was the ride quality of the new unit that caught my attention more. A very smooth and quiet ride was had and I have to say that the information screens are fantastic. It was a shame that I was only heading to Piccadilly as the journey was over all too soon but it did take us past Longsight where I nabbed 397006 which was parked up. Having arrived into P14, I quickly made my way away from that hellish environment and headed into the train shed to see what was around. There were plenty of duds which is to be expected as I'd already eaten into the Northern fleet but 319374 did find it's way into the book. I had around an hour at Piccadilly before I was on the move again so I decided to spend it getting my daily steps in with a roam around the platforms and whilst winning sightings weren't easy to come by, I did take the opportunity to grab as many pics of pacers as possible
142001 and 142029 at Manchester Piccadilly by The_Train

Amongst the lovely pacers was winner 150271 and a quick wander to platforms 9 and 10 allowed me to sight another new unit as 195124 also went into the book
195124 by The_Train

After seeing 66703 through P14 I headed back into the depths of the shed and was almost bouncing as much as the units themselves as I bagged some pacer winners. 142058 and 142048 were working in tandem and both were required so was a perfect sight for me
142048 by The_Train

After this excitement, it was back over to P10 to check out the latest activity on the through platforms. It was a wise move as 350408 took my tally of needs on this class down to just 3 but unfortunately 350410, working in the opposite direction, failed to assist any further. As my trip to Sheffield was nearing, I'd been keeping an eye on the arrivals into P1 as I'd been hoping for a nice Pacer run across the Pennines. I was to be left partly disappointed as a 150/2 rolled in but before this became my next haulage there was still time for one last sweep of the platforms. Unfortunately this only generated more duds but I did add to my TfW collection thanks to 175114. That was it for Piccadilly in the AM as it was time to head back to P1 to join 150205 for the journey across the Pennines. It was fairly lightly loaded so I took my place in an empty 3+2 bay (it would literally be impossible for people to sit opposite each other in these seats) and opened the window to enjoy some of that 150 noise. Not so far outside of Piccadilly we went past 66104 which was another DB shed chalked off and then as we paused at Marple, I nailed another pacer as 142004 was added to the list of winners. The journey past Hope Sidings did turn up a couple of locos but both were dud sheds so I decided to try and fail at the Metro crossword whilst grabbing a sandwich for the remainder of the journey into Sheffield. There was a chap who got off the train with me at Sheffield who wanted to get to Meadowhall so after directing him to the next available train, I headed to the north end of P5 as not only does this cover much of the station (except the north bays) it also allows sight of the passing trams and it was tram 109 which was first into the book in the S postcode area. The first heavy rail winner in Sheffield was soon into the book as well as 170474 was sat waiting for departure to Bridlington
170474 by The_Train

The duds were flowing on the heavy rail scene but trams 117 and 114 at least kept the winners coming in some form (I, of course, don't chase trams ;)). There were plenty of opportunities for photos of the pacers so even though the book of sights wasn't being hit too regularly, I was at least bagging pics of units that are slowly disappearing. There was soon better news for the book though as tram 104 was sighted before 144022 was chalked off and tram 106 made it a quickfire hat-trick. I decided to enjoy a roam around the station to check out the north bays but it wasn't these bays that caught my attention, it was the HST set that had appeared in platform 8. I decided to make a dash over to P8 to get a close up view of such a beast and was rewarded with the sight of winner 43468 and this was partnered by 43467 which made it an ideal double
43468 by The_Train

As it's now 3pm on a Saturday I shall leave this tale there and turn my attention to the football. So with 27 winners (alongside 3 coaching stock winners) it had been a decent start - I will post the 2nd part of my outing either later today or tomorrow
 

433N

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Interesting. I was in Manchester that day but saw 66703 through Oxford Road. I also rode 323225. Don't know if you walked to find out (i.e. which side of the barriers you were) but 142061 was working at the back of 142001.
 

The_Train

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Looks like we both was at Sheffield around 3-00pm me coming back from Stockport area and you going back
Neil

Interesting. I was in Manchester that day but saw 66703 through Oxford Road. I also rode 323225. Don't know if you walked to find out (i.e. which side of the barriers you were) but 142061 was working at the back of 142001.

Both Sheffield and Manchester was busy with spotters that day so not surprised a couple of you were about. Still not bumped into anyone from here yet on any outing though haha.

And yes @433N I did check out 142061 (but thanks for sharing the info none the less), in fact I think a picture of it is on my Flickr. Didn't want to just post a load of Pacer pics into my report though
 

The_Train

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Heading North for 10p - Tuesday 10th September 2019

Let's crack on with the 2nd part of my cheap outing over the Pennines. I left you on tenterhooks last time having watched the ex GC HST set depart and we will start this part with a random pic of a dud pacer.....
142004 by The_Train

It wasn't long after seeing this pacer that I was back on the winners as 158782 went into the book. Quickly following this was 185135 which took this class down to 2 required but there was a bit of a wait before I could chalk off 144023. We were also treated to a bit of loco action as dud 70007 passed through running light before dud 66593 also made an appearance. 158907 was the next into the book with 150109 instantaneously following and looking slightly out of place
150109 by The_Train

Another run of duds ensued before I was saved by 170455 and tram 112 - yes trams are becoming my saviour :E). It was soon back to some proper trains though as 142017 became the latest of its class to be chalked off but the only positive of the next half hour was my vanilla latte from the costa stall - which I must say was manned by the friendliest of friendly staff I've ever come across. I did manage to grab one final tram for the day as 115 was sighted shortly before my departure along with 158909 which became the final winner of my time in Yorkshire. It was down to haulage winner 150271 to take me back across the Pennines
150271 by The_Train

The train back to Manchester never really filled up too much so it was a quiet journey back and one I spent with my head in a book. My initial sweep of the Piccadilly platforms saw me bag my penultimate 185 as the all the 1s variety, 185111, was chalked off. I decided to position myself at the end of platform 7/8 this time around instead of roaming around and from this perch I spied 150107 and 150270. The Pacer winners were assisted nicely not so long after as 142032 and 142053 became the next quickfire combo into the book. More joy on the Desiro front as well as 350403 saw my needs fall to just 2 on this class before dud 142040 lead winner 150226 to me
142040 by The_Train

15 minutes of duds followed this before more newbies were marked off, this time 195118 doing the honours before 195122 followed suit. The winners remained sporadic but 175007 brought my TfW needs down slightly as it headed back off to its homeland before 150228 was also chalked off. After seeing a few dud 319s, including the plain looking 373....
319373 by The_Train

.....319380 broke the lull for this class, but this would be the last of my winners for nearly an hour. This did allow me chance to continue my quest of photographing pacers but it also allowed me to realise that the night was drawing in and the temperature had dropped. The best antidote to this is to head back under the shed and to breathe in some of those lovely diesel fumes so that's what I did. This didn't change my luck though and from then until I departed I was only blessed with 175101 as a winner
142036 & 150205 by The_Train

323236 was at the very least a haulage winner as I caught my penultimate train of the day back to Crewe. The darkness had set in by now so it was difficult to spot anything whilst we were on the move but fair play to Northern they finished my day with another good performance as we arrived into Crewe pretty much on time. As an added bonus as we pulled into P1 at Crewe I noticed a VTWC Voyager sat in P5 and it turned out to be the Glasgow-Birmingham train that was running 5 down meaning I had an instant connection to Stafford instead of the planned 20 minute wait. So it was aboard 221143 for the short hop down the West Coast Main Line and to home to bring a decent day to a close.

Summary of this outing is below:

For Sight

Winners: 42
Tram Winners: 8
Coaching Stock Winners: 3
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A
TOCs completed: N/A
TOC sub classes completed: N/A

For Haulage

Winners: 6
Total Mileage: 197 miles 48 chains
Classes completed: N/A
Sub classes completed: N/A

I'm back out on the Northern network this coming Tuesday with a journey that will take in Manchester and Leeds (amongst some other places) so hopefully there will be a report to write about this outing as well
 
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