HMS Ark Royal
Established Member
Big Joan's Big Day Out Days 2 and 3
Day 2
After the success of her first day out on the vouchers, and after having stocked up on quite a few this time around, another Big Day Out was planned - this time to Carlisle. A few days of planning, careful examination of timetables, dummy runs using RTT and tweets to Northern gave me a plan of attack.
After getting up at 3:30 am so we were ready for the first train, me and Grandmother got into the pre-ordered taxi and got to the station for 5am ready for the 05:20 to Sheffield which we took as far as Doncaster - 158851 taking charge of this segment. Strangely, this entered Platform 4 when it normally takes either Platforms 1 or 3.
158851 at Doncaster by N7242C
We then sat in the waiting room for our train to Leeds which was expected to be either a 321 or a 322 but which turned out to be 142019! This was not expected and, despite it being summer, was a cold morning so there was a chill in the air and inside the unit which had had its heating systems isolated before entering service... This did not please either myself or Grandmother!
142019 at Leeds by N7242C
After getting off at Leeds, it was clear that Grandmother was suffering and some discussion was made regarding her ability to carry on. However, Big Joan was not to be put off - she'd been machine gunned and bombed by ME109s before and was annoyed because she'd chipped a nail when diving for cover before returning to her AckAck battery and blowing them out the sky! - and so we went into McDonalds where we split a breakfast bagel/muffin thing with an extra coffee for her. After that, and the hash brown she cheekily stole when my back was turned, Grandmother returned to readiness and so we caught 150277 up to Carnforth.
150277 at Carnforth by N7242C
We crossed over to the other platform where our train to Barrow in Furness was listed but with no platform assigned to it - it also showed that it was running a few minutes late. After a while, the subleased 185135 rolled in and we boarded. The train was fairly full, but Big Joan got a seat when the young lady sitting in the designated Elderly and Disabled People seats realised there was someone in greater need and stood to allow her to sit down. After a quite amazing ride where the 185 was giving it all she got on station departures, we arrived into Barrow in Furness three minutes early
185135 at Barrow in Furness by N7242C
Whilst deciding what to do, Big Joan demanded a picture next to the 185
My Grandmother and 185135 at Barrow in Furness by N7242C
With some time to kill, it was time to grab some shots
Barrow in Furness station sign by N7242C
Barrow in Furness signals 1 by N7242C
Then there was a demand for another picture
Granny bags a station sign by N7242C
And then a selfie which went well until Granny decided to be distracted by the approaching 37 and stock!
Me and Gran at Barrow in Furness by N7242C
Luckily, I managed to keep her attention somewhat on course
Me at Barrow in Furness by N7242C
Me and Big Joan boarded her first mainline locomotive hauled train in over 25 years - she knows that 43s and 91s are locomotives in their own right, but she does not count them.
Big Joan on a "Big" Train by N7242C
Big Joan on a "Big" Train - RETRO by N7242C
News was passed around the leading coach that the large logo 37 was not out - seconds later, and in accordance with the laws of Sod and Murphy, the blooming thing went by us!
After arriving at Carlisle, a coffee was obtained in the rather splendid and old fashioned refreshment room - where another selfie was demanded
Coffee Shop Selfie at Carlisle by N7242C
After that, it was over the footbridge to our replacement bus, another first for my grandmother, which sped us on our way to Appleby.
Appleby Station 1 by N7242C
Appleby Station 2 by N7242C
It is interesting to note that if we had gone the week after, we could have got closer to Carlisle as the line was reopened as far as Lazonby!
We then boarded a Class 158 which took us to Leeds upon which my Grandmother did her famous impression of Ken Dodd if he had been female
The Happiest Pensioner by N7242C
Arrival back into Hull was around 23:04 and I did not get home back to mine until nearer 1am because I got Big Joan home, given tea, got her a late supper/early breakfast and then went round the house to secure it for the night before heading off.
#
Day 3
Two weeks later and a slightly later start for us as me and Big Joan got up, got ready, got in the taxi and got to the station in time for the 06:00 to Doncaster which we took to Goole
Another Day - Another Trip by N7242C
The unit in command for this segment was that reliable unit, 158816
158816 at Hull by N7242C
After sitting at Goole for a while, the empty stock came in for the run to Leeds which was one of the main reasons we had planned the trip - 142005 in charge. After a toilet visit for Granny at Leeds, we realised that the same stock that had worked the morning Parly from Goole to Leeds was now going to work a train to Manchester Victoria. Naturally, this unit was reboarded and taken all the way
142005 at Manchester Victoria by N7242C.
A quick hop between Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly on tram 3075 put us in position for a coffee. Big Joan could not manage the cup entirely, she found it a little too big to handle, so she came up with an ingenious solution - note whats near her right arm
An unusual way to drink coffee by N7242C
With nothing else to do, and a quick examination of the timetables, we elected to do a movement to Crewe with 323233 in charge.
323233 at Crewe by N7242C
And time for a selfie
Me and Grandma at Crewe by N7242C
Returning via the airport, we examined RTT and decided to do a movement to Liverpool with 319375 where Grandma asked for one of her next to the unit and then one under a station sign
319375 at Liverpool Lime Street by N7242C
Grandmother at Liverpool Lime Street by N7242C.
Please note that you can not get a 1/3 off my Gran!
After wondering just what the hell to do next, we decided to clock up a little bit of mileage on the Merseyrail network with an impressive 1 mile, 78 chains between Lime Street and James Street - 507028 in charge of the outward trip and 508131 for the inbound one
Hmm... It's not as good as London by N7242C
During which time, I had enough time to briefly step aboard HMS Pembroke - doffing my cap to the flag and the quarterdeck
HMS Pembroke Name Plate by N7242C
After coming back out, Big Joan suddenly had a stumble and a little trip. My reflexes served me well as I grabbed her back the shoulder and shoved her into the nearest seat at Lime Street. After some questions and checking on her, I decided to abort the mission and return her home as quickly as possible. With that in mind, we jumped aboard 319363 to Manchester Piccadilly before taking a slow walk over to the main platforms where I paid out extra money to get us to Huddersfield, mainly as that was all I had in cash on me - with 185129 in charge of this vital segment. We then transferred to 158817 where the rear passenger doors attempted to close on Grandmother's head. The open button appeared to not be working fully, so I was forced to rip them open with my bare hands! Clearly, i am stronger then automatic doors...!
After arrival at Leeds and with an hour to wait for the train to Leeds, I took Big Joan to the McDonalds there and brought her a cheese burger and fries which was her first time at the age of 91!
Gran's First McDonalds Burger by N7242C
Waiting for our train and Granny to visit the ladies, we both spotted this mystery on Platform 15 - see if you can work it out
The Case of the Lying Fanta by N7242C
We then strapped in for the ride to Doncaster with 322485
Onwards - to Doncaster by N7242C
322485 at Doncaster by N7242C
After waiting an hour and visiting the nearby bus station for a coffee for Granny, we boarded 158904 which took us back home to Hull - during which, Big Joan looked at the moves we had made that day and was suitably impressed
Checking the scores by N7242C
Well, there it is, ladies and gentlemen...
Your thoughts and comments, please
Day 2
After the success of her first day out on the vouchers, and after having stocked up on quite a few this time around, another Big Day Out was planned - this time to Carlisle. A few days of planning, careful examination of timetables, dummy runs using RTT and tweets to Northern gave me a plan of attack.
After getting up at 3:30 am so we were ready for the first train, me and Grandmother got into the pre-ordered taxi and got to the station for 5am ready for the 05:20 to Sheffield which we took as far as Doncaster - 158851 taking charge of this segment. Strangely, this entered Platform 4 when it normally takes either Platforms 1 or 3.
158851 at Doncaster by N7242CWe then sat in the waiting room for our train to Leeds which was expected to be either a 321 or a 322 but which turned out to be 142019! This was not expected and, despite it being summer, was a cold morning so there was a chill in the air and inside the unit which had had its heating systems isolated before entering service... This did not please either myself or Grandmother!
142019 at Leeds by N7242CAfter getting off at Leeds, it was clear that Grandmother was suffering and some discussion was made regarding her ability to carry on. However, Big Joan was not to be put off - she'd been machine gunned and bombed by ME109s before and was annoyed because she'd chipped a nail when diving for cover before returning to her AckAck battery and blowing them out the sky! - and so we went into McDonalds where we split a breakfast bagel/muffin thing with an extra coffee for her. After that, and the hash brown she cheekily stole when my back was turned, Grandmother returned to readiness and so we caught 150277 up to Carnforth.
150277 at Carnforth by N7242CWe crossed over to the other platform where our train to Barrow in Furness was listed but with no platform assigned to it - it also showed that it was running a few minutes late. After a while, the subleased 185135 rolled in and we boarded. The train was fairly full, but Big Joan got a seat when the young lady sitting in the designated Elderly and Disabled People seats realised there was someone in greater need and stood to allow her to sit down. After a quite amazing ride where the 185 was giving it all she got on station departures, we arrived into Barrow in Furness three minutes early
185135 at Barrow in Furness by N7242CWhilst deciding what to do, Big Joan demanded a picture next to the 185
My Grandmother and 185135 at Barrow in Furness by N7242CWith some time to kill, it was time to grab some shots
Barrow in Furness station sign by N7242C
Barrow in Furness signals 1 by N7242CThen there was a demand for another picture
Granny bags a station sign by N7242CAnd then a selfie which went well until Granny decided to be distracted by the approaching 37 and stock!
Me and Gran at Barrow in Furness by N7242CLuckily, I managed to keep her attention somewhat on course
Me at Barrow in Furness by N7242CMe and Big Joan boarded her first mainline locomotive hauled train in over 25 years - she knows that 43s and 91s are locomotives in their own right, but she does not count them.
Big Joan on a "Big" Train by N7242C
Big Joan on a "Big" Train - RETRO by N7242CNews was passed around the leading coach that the large logo 37 was not out - seconds later, and in accordance with the laws of Sod and Murphy, the blooming thing went by us!
After arriving at Carlisle, a coffee was obtained in the rather splendid and old fashioned refreshment room - where another selfie was demanded
Coffee Shop Selfie at Carlisle by N7242CAfter that, it was over the footbridge to our replacement bus, another first for my grandmother, which sped us on our way to Appleby.
Appleby Station 1 by N7242C
Appleby Station 2 by N7242CIt is interesting to note that if we had gone the week after, we could have got closer to Carlisle as the line was reopened as far as Lazonby!
We then boarded a Class 158 which took us to Leeds upon which my Grandmother did her famous impression of Ken Dodd if he had been female
The Happiest Pensioner by N7242CArrival back into Hull was around 23:04 and I did not get home back to mine until nearer 1am because I got Big Joan home, given tea, got her a late supper/early breakfast and then went round the house to secure it for the night before heading off.
#
Day 3
Two weeks later and a slightly later start for us as me and Big Joan got up, got ready, got in the taxi and got to the station in time for the 06:00 to Doncaster which we took to Goole
Another Day - Another Trip by N7242CThe unit in command for this segment was that reliable unit, 158816
158816 at Hull by N7242CAfter sitting at Goole for a while, the empty stock came in for the run to Leeds which was one of the main reasons we had planned the trip - 142005 in charge. After a toilet visit for Granny at Leeds, we realised that the same stock that had worked the morning Parly from Goole to Leeds was now going to work a train to Manchester Victoria. Naturally, this unit was reboarded and taken all the way
142005 at Manchester Victoria by N7242C.A quick hop between Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly on tram 3075 put us in position for a coffee. Big Joan could not manage the cup entirely, she found it a little too big to handle, so she came up with an ingenious solution - note whats near her right arm
An unusual way to drink coffee by N7242CWith nothing else to do, and a quick examination of the timetables, we elected to do a movement to Crewe with 323233 in charge.
323233 at Crewe by N7242CAnd time for a selfie
Me and Grandma at Crewe by N7242CReturning via the airport, we examined RTT and decided to do a movement to Liverpool with 319375 where Grandma asked for one of her next to the unit and then one under a station sign
319375 at Liverpool Lime Street by N7242C
Grandmother at Liverpool Lime Street by N7242C.Please note that you can not get a 1/3 off my Gran!
After wondering just what the hell to do next, we decided to clock up a little bit of mileage on the Merseyrail network with an impressive 1 mile, 78 chains between Lime Street and James Street - 507028 in charge of the outward trip and 508131 for the inbound one
Hmm... It's not as good as London by N7242CDuring which time, I had enough time to briefly step aboard HMS Pembroke - doffing my cap to the flag and the quarterdeck
HMS Pembroke Name Plate by N7242CAfter coming back out, Big Joan suddenly had a stumble and a little trip. My reflexes served me well as I grabbed her back the shoulder and shoved her into the nearest seat at Lime Street. After some questions and checking on her, I decided to abort the mission and return her home as quickly as possible. With that in mind, we jumped aboard 319363 to Manchester Piccadilly before taking a slow walk over to the main platforms where I paid out extra money to get us to Huddersfield, mainly as that was all I had in cash on me - with 185129 in charge of this vital segment. We then transferred to 158817 where the rear passenger doors attempted to close on Grandmother's head. The open button appeared to not be working fully, so I was forced to rip them open with my bare hands! Clearly, i am stronger then automatic doors...!
After arrival at Leeds and with an hour to wait for the train to Leeds, I took Big Joan to the McDonalds there and brought her a cheese burger and fries which was her first time at the age of 91!
Gran's First McDonalds Burger by N7242CWaiting for our train and Granny to visit the ladies, we both spotted this mystery on Platform 15 - see if you can work it out
The Case of the Lying Fanta by N7242CWe then strapped in for the ride to Doncaster with 322485
Onwards - to Doncaster by N7242C
322485 at Doncaster by N7242CAfter waiting an hour and visiting the nearby bus station for a coffee for Granny, we boarded 158904 which took us back home to Hull - during which, Big Joan looked at the moves we had made that day and was suitably impressed
Checking the scores by N7242CWell, there it is, ladies and gentlemen...
Your thoughts and comments, please
