Asia & Australasia Jaunt 2017 (26th Feb - Mar 19th)
Quite a big jaunt this one coming in at 22 days with visits to Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand & Australia.
Interspersed with work related stuff.
February
Sunday 26th
Couple of 365 Units (539/503) take me to King's Cross where i transferred onto the Piccadilly Line to Heathrow. Only managed one required tube set for haulage to Terminal 3 but it all helped bringing the numbers down.
The 11 and half hours flight to Hong Kong was on a Cathay Pacific Boeing 777 300ER. Planes don't interest me at all but i made a note of this type as it was just fantastic all round. Great leg room, wide seats, great tv screen monitor and just all round good ambience. It was that spacious that it didn't seem like a plane cabin at all. Even the flight food was bearable. I'm usually disgusted by the slop that most airlines turn out, preferring to eat somewhere of my choice before boarding.
Movie selection was awesome. First time i have ever seen my all time favourite film The Exorcist at 38,000 ft. So a great relaxing flight and landed around 1pm on the Monday.
Monday 27th
Through customs pretty quickly and headed for the Airport Express Train. 11 8-car sets work the line to Hong Kong and i took Set 9 to Kowloon. Hotel Icon was my base for 2 days. And what a stunning 5 star as well.
Easily the best i have ever encountered in my life. You've seen the Alan Partridge series where he stays 6 months in a Travel Tavern? I could see myself living here for a few months. It was more of an apartment than a room and overlooked the the Bay with an impressive view of Hong Kong Island. I wined and dined with friends at the hotel and enjoyed myself immensely before crashing out at midnight.
Tuesday 28th
Got myself an Octopus Card and loaded it up with 250 HK Dollars and set off to go bash the Ding Ding. Took the MTR (Mass Transit Railway) from Tsim Sha Tsui to Admiralty and immediately hit my first Tram.
There are around 175 working the network and my aim was to score 50 of them. Luckily i had missed the morning peak although i was sardined on the MTR just like the famous Japanese peak squeezes. On most Trams i had the top deck to myself and with windows down it allowed for some great photos while hanging out. Fabulous sunny day as well. Stats tell me i saw 123 and rode 51 in my time. Result.
Tram 72
Hong Kong line up
Tram 123
Tram 150
March
Wednesday 1st
Flew to Osaka, Kansai airport. 3 and half hour flight on a cramped Hong Kong Express Airways A320. Wasn't impressed. Checked into the Courtyard Marriott Hotel which was right next door to Shin Osaka station.
My view outside of my room was of the Shinkansen bullet trains coming into the station and using my telephoto lens i was able to get some super shots.
View from hotel
Went down to Shin Osaka station and decided to spend a couple of hours taking some night pics of the local line trains. Lots of variety of stock although it was now thinning out at this time of night (10pm).
FA01 287 Series EMU
Thursday 2nd
Today was all about photographing and noting down the Shinkansen Sets at Shin Osaka. Cost 140 Yen (a quid) for a 2 hr platform ticket. YES a proper good old fashioned platform ticket. As long as you don't stand too near the platform edges no-one bothers you at all. It's obvious they are proud of their trains and welcome everyone to enjoy them. Even the food kiosks sell model Shinkansens. Worlds apart from the dreary UK attitudes and suspicious paranoia.
Stock was coming in every 5 minutes or so it seemed and kept my notepad and shutter busy. One thing i did notice was my camera angles and the aerodynamic noses. Depending on my position just changed the whole shot.
Long shots compressed the noses while a 28mm shot exaggerated the nose length. And with plenty of platforms to choose from i soon racked up a few hundred shots.
X64 (N700-2000 Series) and K2 (N700-5000 Series)
X26 at Shin Osaka
The anime livery on V2
Friday 3rd
I did a few hours again on Shin Osaka station in the morning. I didn't manage to see the "Doctor Yellow" Shinkansen although an acquaintance of mine did. Basically it's Japan's equivalent of our NMT for testing track and wires, but obviously much faster. I did see the Anime livery set though. It's one of the nine Series 500 trainsets that's been wrapped in a stylised livery to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Neon Genesis Evangelion anime television series and manga comic books. Well i was impressed.
Watching the ritual of the changing of crew/drivers fascinated me. They salute and bow, swap quick notes and then hand gestures are made to what i presume are the gods to ensure safe journey for all involved. The previous crew wait on the platform and salute the train on its departure and do not move until it has left.
I was booked on the 12:30 bullet train to Shinagawa and set X52 had the honours of transporting me in just under 2 and half hours. On time as well. Travelling at 300kmh is so comfortable. I could even write my notes up without fear of illegibility. Something impossible with a Class 91 and Mk4s on the ECML.
Loco EF64 1027 photographed from my Shinkansen
Checked into the Excel Hotel in Shibuya. Darn good as well, stayed here before. Glass elevators on the outside looking down on the famous Shibuya scramble crossing. There's even a five a side football pitch on top of the roof of the building opposite as well. Space in Japan is at a premium so they build upwards (obviously) with shops built on top of shops. Roads built above roads, etc...........
Saturday 4th
The panoramic view at breakfast on the 25th floor overlooking Tokyo was stunning.
Bought a 24 hour subway pass for 600 yen (£4) and headed for Tokyo station. Changed lines a couple of times to get there and then bought a platform ticket for the Shinkansen platforms. Yep, more Shinkansen photography but this time involving many different classes and styles. It's a terminus for these as well, unlike the local stock. I certainly filled my boots as you can see by my pics. Time soon passed and i had to make my way to Yokohama to visit friends.
W3 (W7 Series) and U26 (E Series) at Tokyo
U16 (E Series) and F13 (E7 Series) at Tokyo
U and P sets at Tokyo
Sunday 5th
After a really lazy start to the day i realised i didn't leave enough time to go travel on the Monorail which was a shame. I did view it from afar yesterday but alas no photos. Always leave something for the next time. Although saying that i left the Sydney Monorail 5 years ago and now i see it has been demolished. Do it while it's there should be the mantra. I ventured on the subway for a few hours travelling here and there noting the stock in my book. I did pop in again to Tokyo station but being a Sunday there weren't as many services running as the Saturday.
Z6 (E6 Series) at Tokyo
P15 (E4 Series) at Tokyo
L61 (E3-2000 Series) at Tokyo
J52 (E2-1000 Series) at Tokyo
Then it was off to the airport to catch the flight to Auckland. Nice relaxing/snoozing 10 hour flight on one of those Dreamliner 787s.
Monday 6th
Landed at Auckland at 11:30am and picked up by a good friend of mine. I'd decided on 3 days in New Zealand and checked into the Amora Hotel. Bizarrely the room had everything from a Jacuzzi to a washing machine but no safe. My habit is to always put my valuables in the safe on arrival. There was a recent article online somewhere that went into detail of what nosy "housekeeping staff" get up to. True or not, i have had money go missing from inside my suitcase in the past. Trust no one.
Quickly utilised the washing machine for my laundry then made a beeline for Britomart station which was about a 15 min walk.
Sourced the AT HOP card and loaded it up with the $18 day pass. I soon got that sinking feeling when going down the escalator to the platforms that there were no loco hauleds in view..................only units. 5 years ago it was all locos using ex BR Mk2 stock. I knew electrification was coming in but i thought some locos would still be around. Quickly googled the situation and indeed the stock now used on the lines was 57 EMUs. Even being a unit basher i was knocked sideways for a bit. So now the mission was bash all 57. Jumped on the first one and went out to Westfield where the loco depot
was situated. Only a handful kicking around and hardly any freight passed through so i surmised there had been a downturn in traffic. A gorgeous sunny day and i travelled on all 4 lines of the system (Eastern, Southern, Western, Onehunga) stopping off at various stations to go exploring as well.
I remember last time i was out here i had a cab ride from an ex Waterloo driver.
Loco 2839 was derailed and leaning at 30 degrees near Sylvia Park but the next day it was on the depot trundling up and down. Pretty decent day and finished up by 8pm and went on the hunt for bottles of stout. And succeeded as well.
Westfield Depot in Auckland
Every one a winner for taste
Tuesday 7th
More of the same as yesterday although i didn't start until gone midday. Plenty of unit bashing and stats revealed i was up to 45 by the end of the day. Weather was atrocious as rain hurled down all day. Big hotel umbrellas sure are handy.
AM series EMUs at Britomart
Wednesday 8th
Weather still bucketed down. I didn't go to Auckland for the wet stuff. When it did subside i walked down to the sidings around the docks/ports/wharfs to photo the 3 rusty South African steam engines that i believe are waiting onward movement for more secure storage. They were ejected from the old Parnell depot site as the Mainline Steam Heritage Trust had its lease on the depot terminated by KiwiRail in 2015.
Finished up my EMU haulage bash and i secured 51 out of the 57.
Thursday 9th
2pm flight to Sydney on Qantas whose planes and service are not rateable at all. The hour and half flight whizzed by compared with all the recent long hauls i've done. Hotel Vibe on Goulburn St meant i was only a 5 min walk away from the main station.
This part of the trip was be the highlight for me. The XPTs. To do a couple of long journeys on them and to photograph them all. It was also announced this month that plans are afoot to replace them all in the near future.
Specifically went to Sydney station from 7pm onwards to take nightshots. XPT diagrams in hand i knew what was coming in and where. Great stuff.
XP2004
XP2013
Friday 10th
Sydney's trams had also undergone a change as the Variotrams had been retired and a new fleet of 12 CAF Urbos 3 similar to Edinburgh/Birmingham entered service in 2014. Purchased the Opal Card and loaded it up with $20 and easily bashed 11 trams in no time. The spare, 2115, was noted on LRV depot getting its vinyls removed and new ones added and never came out
to play. Plenty more time spent on the main station with the XPTs.
2120 outside the Paddy's Markets complex
XP2000 & XP2012 departing Sydney for Brisbane
XP2004
XP2012
XP2005 & XP2007
Saturday 11th
Got up mega early (for me anyway) to see the XPTs at 7am and 5 sets hogged the platforms. Great sight.
The 5th set was obscured by the far right Unit
Then it was off to the airport for the short flight to Melbourne.
Checked into the Bella Apartments Hotel. Impressive view from my 27th floor room which had a small chest high balcony that was quite unnerving. Once my vertigo calmed down i took some decent pics of the Melbourne Trams from above.
Tram 2080
Sunday 12th
Major part of the day spent bashing the 500 or so trams. Trams are free in the city zone so i didn't bother buying the MYKI card.
With that many trams on the system i gave myself a target of 70 and then go out and dine with friends. Plenty of tourists about and it was nigh on impossible to hop on to the Route 35 City Circle trams. The restaurant trams look cool and one for next time i go visit. Reminded me of the Berlin cocktail tram you can hire out. A most enjoyable sunny humid day.
Tram 856 in Melbourne
Tram 181
Tram 2124 disappearing down to the waterfront
Restaurant Trams
Monday 13th
Melbourne was going to be called Batman after John Batman who was involved in the founding. It's noted he called it "Batmania".
Progressed on the trams and ended up with 72 so target was reached eventually. The 8 metres high tram sculpture of a W Class by David Michael Bell is funky. On inspection around the base there were a few handbags and purses, obviously down to muggers.
W Tram sculpture
Took photos from the bridge overlooking Southern Cross station then walked down to the Bombardier depot for the locos.
N470 departing Southern Cross
N460 & N465 at Bombardier West Melbourne depot
So up next was my XPT move back to Sydney. Unfortunately engineering work meant a couple of hours bustitution to Albury and then onward by train at 23:05. Power Cars XP2011 (front) & XP2009 (rear) did the honours. They have the VP185 engines just like theMidland HSTs.
An overnight sleeper but i neglected choosing a berth for 2 reasons, i don't like sharing and i wanted a 1st Class reclining seat with a window view. I can easily snooze travelling that kind of way. Seeing the Southern Cross constellation and full moon in the clear night sky was a big deal.
Tuesday 14th
Arrived into Sydney on time around 7am. My adrenaline was still flowing i must admit. Now i had an 8 hour layover before boarding the afternoon XPT to Brisbane. Got myself cleaned up and refreshed and had some breakfast.
My only gripe is i failed to see 1 of the 19 Power Cars, XP2010. Never saw it in 2012 either.
14:41 service had XP2014 leading & XP2016 on the rear. This was a long 13 hour journey and the first part in daylight. Kept my camera ready as we passed many locos and freight lines, also saw some oldschool railcars as we sauntered past the Paterson Rail Motor Society premises. I had both seats to myself in 1st Class as it was lightly loaded so plenty of room for a leg stretch and the buffet/cafe car was open the whole time. Never at any stage did i feel uncomfortable on such a long trip.
Wednesday 15th
Arrived into Brisbane at 4am. My lifelong ambition achieved since i saw pictures of the XPTs in Modern Railways magazines back in the 1980s.
My hotel the Urban was a short walk away and as soon as i checked in i crashed out straight away.
I did unbelievably make it down before breakfast finished. I had a laid back day and went to photograph the diesel tilt train and the loco service to Bundaberg. After that i chilled out for the day.
5408 Power Car on diesel tilt train at Brisbane
2411 on the Brisbane - Bundaberg service
Thursday 16th
After a good lay in it was off out to the airport to catch the flight to Perth. I slept on most of that 6 hour flight as well.
Hotel this time was Four Points by Sheraton. Right opposite the Perth Arena. No trams in Perth for me so i researched the local main lines and drew up a plan for the next day. Checked out a few pubs and had a couple of decent brews. Worth noting that it was very quiet and that was put down to tomorrow being St Paddy's Day. The calm before the storm.
Friday 17th
Perth station was a short walk from the hotel. I decided to bash the A Series EMUs which are configured of 2 cars of which there are 48.
A Series on its way to Armadale
Line up at Claisebrook depot
Super sunny day and a simple easy to understand system. The gauge is smaller as well at 3ft 6". I did sample the B Series stock but switched back to the A. The day pass was cheap at $12 (£7). My notes say i scraped 37 of the blighters in. They'll probably be succeeded by the incoming C stock the next time i get out to Western Australia.
Rubbish sleep as next doors occupants were at it like rabbits for hours on end. I thought the bed was coming through the wall at one point. At least they were having their fun.
Saturday 18th
A Scottish guy had told me the previous day about the Bassendean Rail Museum and it's large collection of locos both steam and diesel.
I was particularly interested in the X Class diesels as they were built in Stockton, UK and used Crossley engines. Just like the BR Class 28 types.
I had plenty of time before my flight home to go visit. Although open only on Wednesdays and Sundays i ventured out there as it was only a few stops by train. I tracked down a volunteer and struck up a conversation about my rail passion and after offering a donation he gave me a cracking
personal tour for a couple of hours. I exchanged my preserved knowledge of the UKs lines which fascinated him as he had never visited our shores.
A jolly good way to end my 2 week jaunt.
XA1405
X1001
X1001
Y1101
A1501
5499
RA1918
Railcar 762
Steamer P508
This is at East Perth Terminal. The station is set out like a museum
The journey home was to be on a couple of A380 beasts changing at Dubai. The Emirates A380 was spectacular and just as good as my Cathay
Pacific flight earlier. But i have to say the Qantas A380 was awful. It seemed more cramped, the legroom was poor, tv monitors were poor and even the
cabin service was well below par. Stuff Qantas. I now recall THAT airline trying to rip me off for extra baggage on my first journey years ago out to
Australia. They tried to hustle £1500 (yes, fifteen hundred) at check in. It was one of those British Airways/Qantas joint ventures. I hung around and when the BA ladies took over the shift i asked them if i have to pay and the resounding answer was NO. The Qantas lady at the back walked away.
What a scam. You are at their mercy.
Sunday 19th
After 19 hours of flying i landed at Heathrow and did some linear Piccadilly bashing to KX (with some winners) and straight onto a pair of 365s back to homebase. Tired but satisfied.
