185143
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- 3 Mar 2013
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- 4,538
London Midland shack clearout (04/02)
First serious trip report , so feel free to give feedback. Not sure if Im planning to make this a regular thing, and Id be lying if I said I was doing this one to make Southport-Liverpool South Parkway feel a bit quicker!
Here goes:
I was awake at 04:30, that alarm was not welcome by any means! I had breakfast and made sure I was fully prepared and had everything Id need for the bash (except, unhelpfully, my Oyster Card). I was ready to leave around 05:20 and I set off driving to Runcorn station, with my Dad supervising due to a)I was driving his car, which he needed at home as I wasnt returning to Runcorn, and b)only holding a provisional licence.
The journey to Runcorn itself was largely uneventful, however the town centre was a maze with roadworks. Dad took over driving so that I wouldnt miss my train, and I arrived at the station with adequate time to get an additional ticket and catch my train.
Dud 390134 took me to Stafford on the 06:03 service, which was an alright journey despite being reserved in Kite159s hated seat, Coach C Seat 03. The seat is ok if you dont have anyone next to you, which I didnt. Wouldnt fancy being wedged in all the way to Euston though!
The Virgin service didnt call at Milton Keynes, and the LM 350 is always much cheaper and more likely to produce a winner, which was why I bailed at Stafford vice Nuneaton. (Are advances available between Nuneaton and the Keynes anyway?). I settled in nicely onto dud 350101 for the 80 minute journey to Milton Keynes. The rear coach was largely empty for most of the journey, which was passed quite nicely by watching episode 4 of The Grand Tour on my tablet, which was quite entertaining. Milton Keynes was reached a few minutes down, which meant I only had a couple of minutes to make my connection. Thankfully it was just across the island platform! The rare sight of a GTR Southern 377(702) was duly noted in the short time I waited.
I boarded double winner 350124+350248 for the bus stop leap to Wolverton, after speaking to the guard on the platform at MK to explain why I needed a ticket (I certainly didnt have time to go up to the ticket office!) and I hadnt thought of getting Wolverton until I boarded 350101 at Stafford. A ticket was sold without issue and I soon alighted at winner shack Wolverton.
Around 25 minutes later, after a quick supply raid in one of the local supermarkets, I boarded the slightly delayed 08:37 Euston service, formed of double duds 350373 and 350368. I was quite amused by the small group of people who boarded at Milton Keynes and said it was disgusting that people travelling on their own sat at tables. They even acknowledged that there were empty tables in the 7 coaches behind, but clearly being at the front was more important! Southerners eh?
I alighted at winner shack Leighton Buzzard for a short wait for the Euston stopper, during which time I utilised the cash machine outside the station, which was working quite slowly, and nearly missed the train (winner 350114) as a result! Thankfully I didnt as I was catching the 1 train per hour to winner shack Cheddington.
I spent the next hour spotting, not something I usually do, but theres little else to do during long (ish) festers in the middle of nowhere when one is under 18! To put it differently, Id never go out spotting, but Id spot while Im out. (If that makes sense?) Lots of pendos, a couple required, and two of my last 4 VT 221s were spotted. Kite159s last 350 was spotted quite quickly, on a Crewe service that was curtailed at Rugby. I did the responsible thing and passed on the gen, whilst knowing it would be no use . A couple of GTR 377s were noted ,along with 57311, 68011 and 68008 all lashed together. (The 377s werent lashed to the locos before someone has ideas ). Dud 350118 arrived after an hour to take me one stop down the line to Berkhampstead. Thankfully Berkhampstead had a warm waiting room, which was gratefully recieved! I was considering getting a hot chocolate but decided against it when winner 350123 arrived to cart me one stop down the line to Apsley.
Anyone who follows me on twitter will have seen how I spent my 30 minutes at Apsley-sat in the waiting room with a big bottle of Pepsi Max, crisps and a film on my tablet! I barely noticed winner 350369+350129 roll in. After a mad dash, I got onboard to winner shack Kings Langley. Another 30 minute fester was due here, as was a PNB. The fester was spent opposite the ticket office charging my phone and watching some more of my film. Returning to the platform I noticed that the very warm waiting room had a plug in it, which wasnt a welcome sight! As I boarded a full and standing 350246 I noticed both the onboard facilities were out of use. I also spotted a facility on the platform. GRR!
I gladly bailed at Watford Junction for a PNB and to transfer to 378234 for the winner track to Watford High Street. While I was waiting for the next service, one of my friends messaged me asking for cheap tickets to London as he could only find walk up fares. 378256 rolled up after 20 minutes to take me a few chains down the line to Bushey. While I was here, I found out that my friend could only see walk up tickets as the return date was beyond the booking horizon. Took a long time to realise that! A fellow passenger kept asking what time the train was due-despite being sat right infront of the screen, which went from amusing to quite irritating! 378228 soon (ish) rolled up to take me to Carpenders Park. A PNB was again required, but no facility was spotted at or near the station so it was a slightly uncomfortable 20 minute wait for the 13:09 to Hatch End, formed of 378223. A PNB and a small supply raid was much appreciated in the Morrisons near the station before taking 378214 to Headstone Lane. I watched the WCML for 20 minutes before joining 378208 to Harrow & Wealdstone.
After a lengthy 13 minute wait, it was 72 stock time! 3245+3366 rattle into the station to take me to Kenton. Noting an open LU ticket office and getting the compulsory shack sign phot, it was time for 378234 (again) to South Kenton. I always seem to have shocking luck with winner when on London Overground for some reason! After a short wait, 3261+3248 take me to Wembley Central, where I take advantage of a slight gap in the service for a PNB before 3342+3351 to Harlesden. It is here when I realise that gap in service has cost me Kensal Green, as I needed to be on the next 378 to Euston. Ah well. 378256 takes me to South Hampstead, where I note activity on the opposite platform-a passenger and LO staff member stood infront of a bloke passed out across the platform. He appeared to be ok though, as they both boarded the next service. 378234 arrived shortly after to take me to Euston. The (LO) station announcements refer to Euston, yet the onboard PIS mentions London Euston. To confuse things further, VT Voyagers on the front and sides simply say Euston!
I headed onto the Victoria Line with the intention of clearing some circle line shacks. Ive never really taken the tube seriously for shacks and units, so I need loads of both! I was intending to head over to Euston Square but couldnt be bothered, so it was onto the Victoria Line for the one stop bash to Kings Cross St Pancakes, the traction being 11035+11036. Id planned to make my way round to Victoria on the circle line however Id learnt at a shack earlier of a closure between Aldgate and Edgware Road. The sub-surface lines out of Kings Cross St Pancakes were also suspended due to a points failure, so it was to the Piccadilly line, along with all the other intending circle passengers. I boarded a very busy 329+154 to Russell Square, for a short wait for 190+391 to Holborn. 60+72 take nearly 5 minutes to arrive to take me to Covent Garden. Another short fester was taken before 192+395 take me the very short distance to Leicester Square. I knew that was a short journey, but I didnt know it was *that* short! I didnt manage to identify the next train due to a rammed platform, but it took me to Hyde Park Corner. Deciding that a 5 minute fester was effort, I boarded 138+305 back to Piccadilly Circus, for the Bakerloo line. 3557+3355 took me up the line to required Regents Park. 3 minute fester had achieved winners 3262+3334 up to Baker Street, where I would head for the sub surface lines.
Or not...
Kings Cross-Aldgate was still suspended and the next train wasnt for 10 minutes, which I flagged, in favour of the Jubilee line to Bond Street, with 96043 at the helm (didnt manage to identify the rear train as the platform was rammed). Here it was time for the Central line, to winner shack Queensway with quadruple winners 91067+92170+92096+91275 providing the traction. This felt like a much longer journey that it actually was for some reason. I decided to start heading back back towards Central London at this point. 91335+92100 (plus two others I didnt identify) took me back to Oxford Circus, after a short delay due to a passcom activation on a train in front. At Oxford Circus, I took duds 11075+11076 to Victoria, noting the PIS screen claiming that the third train was only 2 minutes away.
My time on the rails had now come to an end, and after eventually finding the coach station, it was onto Megabus to come back home with winner 50223, coincidentally the same bus a few friends had to London a couple of weeks ago! At least I boarded with the gen that plugs and wifi worked
The journey was... meh. The coach joined the M1 in Brent Cross after a 50 minute slog up Edgware Road, doss was achieved soon after joining the motorway for half an hour or so. I got talking to the passenger opposite after shed asked to borrow my phone charger for a while, and managed to do a plug for Trainsplit.com when she mentioned a journey she would have to make and didnt want to endure a coach for it, and the normal walk up train fare was too expensive. She seemed quite a nice lady, and we bade farewell in Birmingham running a few minutes late. The lower deck of the coach was less than half full after Brum, which was nice! We hit roadworks on the M6, which slowed us down a bit, and soon after we had to stop for fuel. We eventually arrived into Manchester at around 23:25, around 20 minutes late. I could have gone on a non stop coach 30 minutes later, but decided against it due to the later coach costing £3 as a £1 fare was available on the 18:00! It was an endurance fest though!
If I do decide to make these trip reports a regular thing, itll only be from bigger trips-so there wont be one from my Saveaway today, however next Saturdays London bash, which starts and ends much the same (also a Megabus £1 special!) may feature.
Shacks:12
LUL Shacks:15
Winners:8
LUL Winners:28
First serious trip report , so feel free to give feedback. Not sure if Im planning to make this a regular thing, and Id be lying if I said I was doing this one to make Southport-Liverpool South Parkway feel a bit quicker!
Here goes:
I was awake at 04:30, that alarm was not welcome by any means! I had breakfast and made sure I was fully prepared and had everything Id need for the bash (except, unhelpfully, my Oyster Card). I was ready to leave around 05:20 and I set off driving to Runcorn station, with my Dad supervising due to a)I was driving his car, which he needed at home as I wasnt returning to Runcorn, and b)only holding a provisional licence.
The journey to Runcorn itself was largely uneventful, however the town centre was a maze with roadworks. Dad took over driving so that I wouldnt miss my train, and I arrived at the station with adequate time to get an additional ticket and catch my train.
Dud 390134 took me to Stafford on the 06:03 service, which was an alright journey despite being reserved in Kite159s hated seat, Coach C Seat 03. The seat is ok if you dont have anyone next to you, which I didnt. Wouldnt fancy being wedged in all the way to Euston though!
The Virgin service didnt call at Milton Keynes, and the LM 350 is always much cheaper and more likely to produce a winner, which was why I bailed at Stafford vice Nuneaton. (Are advances available between Nuneaton and the Keynes anyway?). I settled in nicely onto dud 350101 for the 80 minute journey to Milton Keynes. The rear coach was largely empty for most of the journey, which was passed quite nicely by watching episode 4 of The Grand Tour on my tablet, which was quite entertaining. Milton Keynes was reached a few minutes down, which meant I only had a couple of minutes to make my connection. Thankfully it was just across the island platform! The rare sight of a GTR Southern 377(702) was duly noted in the short time I waited.
I boarded double winner 350124+350248 for the bus stop leap to Wolverton, after speaking to the guard on the platform at MK to explain why I needed a ticket (I certainly didnt have time to go up to the ticket office!) and I hadnt thought of getting Wolverton until I boarded 350101 at Stafford. A ticket was sold without issue and I soon alighted at winner shack Wolverton.
Around 25 minutes later, after a quick supply raid in one of the local supermarkets, I boarded the slightly delayed 08:37 Euston service, formed of double duds 350373 and 350368. I was quite amused by the small group of people who boarded at Milton Keynes and said it was disgusting that people travelling on their own sat at tables. They even acknowledged that there were empty tables in the 7 coaches behind, but clearly being at the front was more important! Southerners eh?
I alighted at winner shack Leighton Buzzard for a short wait for the Euston stopper, during which time I utilised the cash machine outside the station, which was working quite slowly, and nearly missed the train (winner 350114) as a result! Thankfully I didnt as I was catching the 1 train per hour to winner shack Cheddington.
I spent the next hour spotting, not something I usually do, but theres little else to do during long (ish) festers in the middle of nowhere when one is under 18! To put it differently, Id never go out spotting, but Id spot while Im out. (If that makes sense?) Lots of pendos, a couple required, and two of my last 4 VT 221s were spotted. Kite159s last 350 was spotted quite quickly, on a Crewe service that was curtailed at Rugby. I did the responsible thing and passed on the gen, whilst knowing it would be no use . A couple of GTR 377s were noted ,along with 57311, 68011 and 68008 all lashed together. (The 377s werent lashed to the locos before someone has ideas ). Dud 350118 arrived after an hour to take me one stop down the line to Berkhampstead. Thankfully Berkhampstead had a warm waiting room, which was gratefully recieved! I was considering getting a hot chocolate but decided against it when winner 350123 arrived to cart me one stop down the line to Apsley.
Anyone who follows me on twitter will have seen how I spent my 30 minutes at Apsley-sat in the waiting room with a big bottle of Pepsi Max, crisps and a film on my tablet! I barely noticed winner 350369+350129 roll in. After a mad dash, I got onboard to winner shack Kings Langley. Another 30 minute fester was due here, as was a PNB. The fester was spent opposite the ticket office charging my phone and watching some more of my film. Returning to the platform I noticed that the very warm waiting room had a plug in it, which wasnt a welcome sight! As I boarded a full and standing 350246 I noticed both the onboard facilities were out of use. I also spotted a facility on the platform. GRR!
I gladly bailed at Watford Junction for a PNB and to transfer to 378234 for the winner track to Watford High Street. While I was waiting for the next service, one of my friends messaged me asking for cheap tickets to London as he could only find walk up fares. 378256 rolled up after 20 minutes to take me a few chains down the line to Bushey. While I was here, I found out that my friend could only see walk up tickets as the return date was beyond the booking horizon. Took a long time to realise that! A fellow passenger kept asking what time the train was due-despite being sat right infront of the screen, which went from amusing to quite irritating! 378228 soon (ish) rolled up to take me to Carpenders Park. A PNB was again required, but no facility was spotted at or near the station so it was a slightly uncomfortable 20 minute wait for the 13:09 to Hatch End, formed of 378223. A PNB and a small supply raid was much appreciated in the Morrisons near the station before taking 378214 to Headstone Lane. I watched the WCML for 20 minutes before joining 378208 to Harrow & Wealdstone.
After a lengthy 13 minute wait, it was 72 stock time! 3245+3366 rattle into the station to take me to Kenton. Noting an open LU ticket office and getting the compulsory shack sign phot, it was time for 378234 (again) to South Kenton. I always seem to have shocking luck with winner when on London Overground for some reason! After a short wait, 3261+3248 take me to Wembley Central, where I take advantage of a slight gap in the service for a PNB before 3342+3351 to Harlesden. It is here when I realise that gap in service has cost me Kensal Green, as I needed to be on the next 378 to Euston. Ah well. 378256 takes me to South Hampstead, where I note activity on the opposite platform-a passenger and LO staff member stood infront of a bloke passed out across the platform. He appeared to be ok though, as they both boarded the next service. 378234 arrived shortly after to take me to Euston. The (LO) station announcements refer to Euston, yet the onboard PIS mentions London Euston. To confuse things further, VT Voyagers on the front and sides simply say Euston!
I headed onto the Victoria Line with the intention of clearing some circle line shacks. Ive never really taken the tube seriously for shacks and units, so I need loads of both! I was intending to head over to Euston Square but couldnt be bothered, so it was onto the Victoria Line for the one stop bash to Kings Cross St Pancakes, the traction being 11035+11036. Id planned to make my way round to Victoria on the circle line however Id learnt at a shack earlier of a closure between Aldgate and Edgware Road. The sub-surface lines out of Kings Cross St Pancakes were also suspended due to a points failure, so it was to the Piccadilly line, along with all the other intending circle passengers. I boarded a very busy 329+154 to Russell Square, for a short wait for 190+391 to Holborn. 60+72 take nearly 5 minutes to arrive to take me to Covent Garden. Another short fester was taken before 192+395 take me the very short distance to Leicester Square. I knew that was a short journey, but I didnt know it was *that* short! I didnt manage to identify the next train due to a rammed platform, but it took me to Hyde Park Corner. Deciding that a 5 minute fester was effort, I boarded 138+305 back to Piccadilly Circus, for the Bakerloo line. 3557+3355 took me up the line to required Regents Park. 3 minute fester had achieved winners 3262+3334 up to Baker Street, where I would head for the sub surface lines.
Or not...
Kings Cross-Aldgate was still suspended and the next train wasnt for 10 minutes, which I flagged, in favour of the Jubilee line to Bond Street, with 96043 at the helm (didnt manage to identify the rear train as the platform was rammed). Here it was time for the Central line, to winner shack Queensway with quadruple winners 91067+92170+92096+91275 providing the traction. This felt like a much longer journey that it actually was for some reason. I decided to start heading back back towards Central London at this point. 91335+92100 (plus two others I didnt identify) took me back to Oxford Circus, after a short delay due to a passcom activation on a train in front. At Oxford Circus, I took duds 11075+11076 to Victoria, noting the PIS screen claiming that the third train was only 2 minutes away.
My time on the rails had now come to an end, and after eventually finding the coach station, it was onto Megabus to come back home with winner 50223, coincidentally the same bus a few friends had to London a couple of weeks ago! At least I boarded with the gen that plugs and wifi worked
The journey was... meh. The coach joined the M1 in Brent Cross after a 50 minute slog up Edgware Road, doss was achieved soon after joining the motorway for half an hour or so. I got talking to the passenger opposite after shed asked to borrow my phone charger for a while, and managed to do a plug for Trainsplit.com when she mentioned a journey she would have to make and didnt want to endure a coach for it, and the normal walk up train fare was too expensive. She seemed quite a nice lady, and we bade farewell in Birmingham running a few minutes late. The lower deck of the coach was less than half full after Brum, which was nice! We hit roadworks on the M6, which slowed us down a bit, and soon after we had to stop for fuel. We eventually arrived into Manchester at around 23:25, around 20 minutes late. I could have gone on a non stop coach 30 minutes later, but decided against it due to the later coach costing £3 as a £1 fare was available on the 18:00! It was an endurance fest though!
If I do decide to make these trip reports a regular thing, itll only be from bigger trips-so there wont be one from my Saveaway today, however next Saturdays London bash, which starts and ends much the same (also a Megabus £1 special!) may feature.
Shacks:12
LUL Shacks:15
Winners:8
LUL Winners:28