sleepy_hollow
Member
- Joined
- 9 Jan 2018
- Messages
- 155
Conveyances:
2K10 0804 SML to SVB: 166-208
2O84 1710 GCR to BRI: 166-208
2K50 1746 BRI to SML: 165-124 - Cancelled from BRI, 'fault' (onboard) - unknown cause (RTT)
2K52 1812 BRI to SML 158-767
SML-SVB: Success
Smooth journey from SML to SVB, although I noted that the train had been cancelled from Taunton to Weston. Waited in the house as long as seemed prudent to check that it was continuing smoothly through south Bristol. Unfortunately Temple Meads is where cancellations usually occur. Smooth journey on time at SVB.
Cycle to Gloucester
Cycled to Gloucester, walked round the outside of the cathedral in bright sunshine to dissipate the urge to leave at once that tends to arrive after cycling into Gloucester, consumed a cup of tea and cheese scone in the cafe, then found my way relatively easily to the station, which was surrounded by Heras fencing leading defining a corridor leading back from the far end of the newly repainted car park. As so often with public works nothing was happening and it was difficult to see what prevented the newly painted direct zebra across the car park from being brought back into use.
Walking towards Bristol
Despite knowing that Gloucester is a long platform I have only set foot on it once before so the sight of the train almost out of sight in the distance was quite startling. I supposed the platform joining Manchester Victoria to Exchange must have been similar, but I have not been there since the sixties.
Turbo left on time and rattled happily along with the windows open. Surmised that the unusually noticeable diesel fume in the cabin was due to the west wind blowing the exhaust across and down the east side so closed the window above me, which seemed to improve things. Irrevocable move as the window snapped shut. Must remember that without a T-key shutting windows is final.
Suspended Animation
Passed the apparently complete new station at Ashley Down. Seems like Portway Park & Ride, still in suspended animation, perhaps someone forgot to arrange the electricity supply here too.
Success ... & then...
Early at Parkway and on time at Temple Meads. Went to Platform 5 for the 1812 to SVB, found a crowded platform and a train marked SVB, noted that it was now on the screen as the delayed 1746, so boarded it, checking with passengers aboard that it really was for Severn Beach.
Cancellation Backwash
A 2-car 165 so had just finished putting my bicycle in the bike space when an onboard announcement told us that the train was cancelled due to a fault and that another train for Severn Beach would shortly leave from the same platform. Disembarked, saw a screen now flashing 1 for a platform change for the 1812. Arriving on 1 found a 2-car 158, not what you really want for a double load on a stopping train. Second into the bike space.
Success?
Train left 4 min late, after announcements informing passengers for Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road of the departure 10 min later of a train on platform 3. Did not notice anyone getting off. About 50 % overloaded crawled slower than I have ever known past Dr Days junction and very slightly faster to Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road. Probably began to drop more people than boarded at the latter. Surprisingly only 10 min late at Sea Mills and the train departure thence sounded fairly normal.
I assume the appearance of a 158 on a nominally all turbo service implies problems with the turbo fleet. 158-767 seems to be a common substitute. Overload, flawed unit or pathing presumably being the available reasons for crawling along I begin to wonder if it is a black sheep that is only brought out as a last resort.
GCR Platform 1: Train starts half way to Bristol.
2K10 0804 SML to SVB: 166-208
2O84 1710 GCR to BRI: 166-208
2K50 1746 BRI to SML: 165-124 - Cancelled from BRI, 'fault' (onboard) - unknown cause (RTT)
2K52 1812 BRI to SML 158-767
SML-SVB: Success
Smooth journey from SML to SVB, although I noted that the train had been cancelled from Taunton to Weston. Waited in the house as long as seemed prudent to check that it was continuing smoothly through south Bristol. Unfortunately Temple Meads is where cancellations usually occur. Smooth journey on time at SVB.
Cycle to Gloucester
Cycled to Gloucester, walked round the outside of the cathedral in bright sunshine to dissipate the urge to leave at once that tends to arrive after cycling into Gloucester, consumed a cup of tea and cheese scone in the cafe, then found my way relatively easily to the station, which was surrounded by Heras fencing leading defining a corridor leading back from the far end of the newly repainted car park. As so often with public works nothing was happening and it was difficult to see what prevented the newly painted direct zebra across the car park from being brought back into use.
Walking towards Bristol
Despite knowing that Gloucester is a long platform I have only set foot on it once before so the sight of the train almost out of sight in the distance was quite startling. I supposed the platform joining Manchester Victoria to Exchange must have been similar, but I have not been there since the sixties.
Turbo left on time and rattled happily along with the windows open. Surmised that the unusually noticeable diesel fume in the cabin was due to the west wind blowing the exhaust across and down the east side so closed the window above me, which seemed to improve things. Irrevocable move as the window snapped shut. Must remember that without a T-key shutting windows is final.
Suspended Animation
Passed the apparently complete new station at Ashley Down. Seems like Portway Park & Ride, still in suspended animation, perhaps someone forgot to arrange the electricity supply here too.
Success ... & then...
Early at Parkway and on time at Temple Meads. Went to Platform 5 for the 1812 to SVB, found a crowded platform and a train marked SVB, noted that it was now on the screen as the delayed 1746, so boarded it, checking with passengers aboard that it really was for Severn Beach.
Cancellation Backwash
A 2-car 165 so had just finished putting my bicycle in the bike space when an onboard announcement told us that the train was cancelled due to a fault and that another train for Severn Beach would shortly leave from the same platform. Disembarked, saw a screen now flashing 1 for a platform change for the 1812. Arriving on 1 found a 2-car 158, not what you really want for a double load on a stopping train. Second into the bike space.
Success?
Train left 4 min late, after announcements informing passengers for Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road of the departure 10 min later of a train on platform 3. Did not notice anyone getting off. About 50 % overloaded crawled slower than I have ever known past Dr Days junction and very slightly faster to Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road. Probably began to drop more people than boarded at the latter. Surprisingly only 10 min late at Sea Mills and the train departure thence sounded fairly normal.
I assume the appearance of a 158 on a nominally all turbo service implies problems with the turbo fleet. 158-767 seems to be a common substitute. Overload, flawed unit or pathing presumably being the available reasons for crawling along I begin to wonder if it is a black sheep that is only brought out as a last resort.
GCR Platform 1: Train starts half way to Bristol.