Another Alex, this time in anywhere he feels!

[Alex 2901]

I think this is my first post on here, so hi!

I'm Alex and I do a few train bashes every month or so, the general idea being: Get a day ticket (rover/Ranger etc...) and go off looking for stuff...
If anyone spots a ginger kid running like a mad man at any stations in the West Midlands or East Midlands, then there's a chance it's me!

Ok, onto a few ideas for trips I'm planning during 2016 (the rest are all either written down on paper, or would make this way too long!)

Plan 1 (East Midlands 3 in 7 days Rover & an nNetwork pass)

WN 529| 0629>0645
Willenhall to Wolverhampton Bus Stn
VT| 0705>0725
*Wolverhampton to Birmingham New St
XC| 0749>0805
*Birmingham New St to Tamworth (TAM)
XC| 0819>0917
*Tamworth to Sheffield (SHF)
NTR| 0924>1005
*Sheffield to Doncaster (DON)
VTEC| 1025>1105
*Doncaster to Grantham (GRA)
EMT| 1145>1222
*Grantham to Nottingham (NOT)
EMT| 1232>1259
*Nottingham to Leicester (LEI)
XC| 1318>1342
*Leicester to Nuneaton (NUN)
LM| 1414>1436
*Nuneaton to Coventry (COV)
VTWC| 1442>1537
*Coventry to Wolverhampton (WVH)
WA 40| 1545>1607
*Wton Bus Stn to Ashmore Lake Way*

Plan 2 (West Midlands Day Ranger)

WN 529|
*Willenhall to Wolverhampton Bus Stn
LM| 0820>0835
*Wolverhampton to Stafford (STA)
LM| 0854>0919
*Stafford to Stoke-on-Trent (SOT)
EMT| 0934>1001
*Stoke-on-Trent to Crewe (CRE)
LM | 1019>1038
*Crewe to Stafford (STA)
LM| 1055>1151
*Stafford to Rugby (RUG)
LM | 1214>1229
*Rugby to Coventry (COV)

Just a few ideas at the moment, one being a bit unfinished, if anyone could give me suggestions to add to them, that would be appreciated

 

[185143]

I assume you're aware of the Wolverhampton-Walsall direct service? 06:38 on a saturday morning, so it's early mind! Also, over easter weekend, the line between Wolves and Brum is closed, with trains diverting via Bescot.

If you're into photography, thats something nice and local for you!

 

[fishquinn]

Sounds like a good couple of plans! To extend on the WMDR one, you could do something like this.

12:42 Coventry-Nuneaton 13:04 (LM 153)
13:43 Nuneaton-The Bat Cave (New Street) 14:14 (XC 170)
14:25 Bat Cave-Smethwick Galton Bridge 14:31 (ATW 158)
14:42 Smethwick Galton Bridge-Stourbridge Junction 14:58 (LM 172)
15:09 Stourbridge Jcn-Worcester Shrub Hill 15:38 (LM 172)
15:42 Worcester Shrub Hill-Great Malvern 15:57 (GWR 165/166)
16:10 Great Malvern-Birmingham New Street 17:06 (LM 170)
Walk to Moor Street
17:20 Moor Street-Solihull 17:32 (LM172)
17:43 Solihull-Leamington Spa 18:17 (CR 165)
18:26 Leamington Spa-Birmingham Snow Hill 19:02 (CR 68. I'm sure most members would agree with me that you can't miss this class!)
Walk to the bat cave
19:15 Bat Cave-Wolverhampton 19:37 (VT 390)

 

[185143]

Sounds like a good couple of plans! To extend on the WMDR one, you could do something like this.

12:42 Coventry-Nuneaton 13:04 (LM 153)
13:43 Nuneaton-The Bat Cave (New Street) 14:14 (XC 170)
14:25 Bat Cave-Smethwick Galton Bridge 14:31 (ATW 158)
14:42 Smethwick Galton Bridge-Stourbridge Junction 14:58 (LM 172)
15:09 Stourbridge Jcn-Worcester Shrub Hill 15:38 (LM 172)
15:42 Worcester Shrub Hill-Great Malvern 15:57 (GWR 165/166)
16:10 Great Malvern-Birmingham New Street 17:06 (LM 170)
Walk to Moor Street
17:20 Moor Street-Solihull 17:32 (LM172)
17:43 Solihull-Leamington Spa 18:17 (CR 165)
18:26 Leamington Spa-Birmingham Snow Hill 19:02 (CR 68. I'm sure most members would agree with me that you can't miss this class!)
Walk to the bat cave
19:15 Bat Cave-Wolverhampton 19:37 (VT 390)

40 minute wait in Nuneaton aren't you cruel!

 

[Techniquest]

Welcome to the forum! Nice to have another local-ish member about!

I look forward to hearing more about your travels!

 

[fishquinn]

40 minute wait in Nuneaton aren't you cruel!

Very good for freight there though! It's that or a +3, which I wasn't going to put in because it isn't my plan.

 

[Bevan Price]

Always have a back-up plan. Some trains may be late, and you have some tight connections - you might miss one or two of these.

 

[Techniquest]

Indeed, I can't remember how many times I've been bowled out by late running trains! Granted I've also been saved by late running trains a few times, which really got me out of the danger zone on a Merseyside bash some time ago.

The plan Fishquinn has made is tight at Shrub Hill, 4 minutes may seem enough there but it very much can be tight even then. Again, from experience I speak! I was waiting for my HST home to Hereford once at Worcester Foregate Street (this was when they sounded like HSTs...) but a potential move came up to do a 170 as a filler move to Shrub Hill for it. Yeah that was all fine and good, but then we were late (possibly held for a signal too, the memory's not amazing on this one!) and a delay in door opening meant I was halfway across the Shrub Hill footbridge and the whistle went. Get to the steps down to the Hereford-bound platform and the doors are locked. It was a pair of Valenta-fitted power cars too, so I really kicked myself for the stupid move! I had another 170/1 instead home, not as enjoyable as an HST for sure.

So my point is that tight connections can easily go out of the window just like that, thankfully I had a backup plan but that's not always the case. So plan carefully and be ready to change plans on the go and on the spot!

 

[Alex 2901]

Cheers for all the ideas, and another idea I've been considering is trying to get a Southeastern 395 (Novelty value compared to 170's/323's/350's/390's/220's/221's etc), but I was going to try to go via Derby, but I'm not sure where the HS1 terminus actually is! I know it's in the South East somewhere (my geography is awful sometimes!), so a few pointers on that wouldn't go amiss!

 

[185143]

Cheers for all the ideas, and another idea I've been considering is trying to get a Southeastern 395 (Novelty value compared to 170's/323's/350's/390's/220's/221's etc), but I was going to try to go via Derby, but I'm not sure where the HS1 terminus actually is! I know it's in the South East somewhere (my geography is awful sometimes!), so a few pointers on that wouldn't go amiss!

I don't really think there is one to be honest, there are circular services, however these dont appear to be running at the moment as the sea wall has been destroyed between Dover and Folkstone

Shame as I know a loophole for the circular services.....

 

[rg177]

HS1 proper is St Pancras-Ashford, although trains generally run to Faversham, Ramsgate, Canterbury and Margate. The circular run around Dover has been severed at present.

 

[fishquinn]

I'd say the HS1 terminus is London St Pancras.

Agreed with tight connections, I've been bowled out a few times with them too. Ouch on the tram story though!

 

[185143]

I'd say the HS1 terminus is London St Pancras.

Agreed with tight connections, I've been bowled out a few times with them too. Ouch on the tram story though!

Agreed, agreed and definately agreed!

 

[backontrack]

The line is closed right now between Folkestone and Dover.

 

[Alex 2901]

Yesterday, I set out to get a Class 68 to Leamington Spa, and bash a few trains from there. As always, what I set out do, and what I did were completely different!

I started out on NXWM 4151 (Y746 TOH) on my local 25 to Bilston Bus Station, to get the Midland Metro to The Hawthorns, which I succeded in doing, reaching The Hawthorns by 0929, with 13 minutes to spare before the Chiltern service at 0942, which I got on, only to realise that I had been using an older plan (where I hadn't factored in time to get a ticket to Leamington Spa

 

[Techniquest]

Jealous of 68009, need that one!

Looks like you had a good day, even though the plan rather well apart fast!

 

[Alex 2901]

Jealous of 68009, need that one!

Looks like you had a good day, even though the plan rather well apart fast!

I think I got lucky with the 68 tbf, I've got a week off now so I may use the few quid I've got spate to actually do something a bit spontaneous, and not get lost! Might do London, get a Virgin service to Euston, then try to get a Gatwick Express before the 442s go, and get a 377 while I'm there!

 

[Techniquest]

If you got lost around the Midlands you'll get lost for sure in London!

On a more serious note, have a great time!

 

[fishquinn]

Agreed!

Jealous of 68009 - It's only on 315.75 miles! . Shame we didn't get that one today Tech but there's always next time! Just noticed, but it looks like that 150283 was on 5Z54 from New Street to Chester earlier (http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V11370/2016/02/15/advanced).

Have a nice time in London if you get there! What are your plans for this week?

 

[Techniquest]

Mr Quinn, I believe we briefly met Alex 2901 at New Street earlier, he was the chap who wanted to know what the 150 was doing. That would sense on 5Z54, as it had Chester on the blinds. My snaps of it came out OK in the end, one of which is now the background photo on my phone

 

[Kristofferson]

Good read there - 68s are great! Having done the 442s recently, they're good for the nostalgia factor but not all that interesting to ride.

 

[Alex 2901]

Having decided to go to see a mate in Derby on Friday, I'd been (all but) carefully planning it (around 20 minutes before the end if Thursday!) so as I would get the fast service from New Street, a decision I regret now!

I set off at 0815 from my house, for the 0825 529 to Wolverhampton, which was 4598 (BX54 DDA), not a score, but better than having 4603 or 4605 (shudders!). I got to Wolverhampton in time for the 0850 London Midland stopper (2A11) to Birmingham New St, then Walsall, which was 350239, a score. I reached New St with time to spare, and went to get my ticket for Derby (it's about this time when everything went to hell!). Ticket purchased, and off I went to get the 0930 CrossCountry service towards Newcastle, which was 220031, another score. I boarded for Derby, the next stop, and took a seat, ready for the half hour journey. I got to Derby for 1005, only to have a horrifying realisation when I stood up to get off "Where's my bus pass?!" "S***, it must be on the seat!" Nope. Of course not "Oh b****cks, I'll have to hope I can get it back later" Also, nope. After a few hours of Trent Barton bashing, I went to board the 1628 CrossCountry service (1V62) to Penzance via Birmingham New Street, which was 221125, not a score. After having to stand for the 40 minutes back to Birmingham, I went up to the travel shop to get a new bus pass, which set me back £18 for just a single week (not even that, 6 days!), and get a ticket to Wolverhampton (being cleverer than I had been, I brought a 1st class single to Wolverhampton (only £3.45, and it meant I got a seat!). After getting back to Wolverhampton on 220005, I felt knackered and definitely had enough for one day! So I went to go home on the 57, which was Arriva 2275 (FL52 MML), however NXWM 846 (SN64 ODY) came in on the 28 first so I caught that to New Cross Hospital, and then 4147 (Y742 TOH) to Stubby Lane, where I waited for 2275 to take me home.

On a slightly related note, has anyone seen a Network West Midlands Bus pass on board 220031 in the past 5 days? And if so, could you contact me?

 

[185143]

Rather than buying a new bus pass, why didnt you speak to CrossCountry or staff at New Street?

 

[Alex 2901]

Rather than buying a new bus pass, why didnt you speak to CrossCountry or staff at New Street?

In my awful mood at the time, I probably didn't think about it! I wouldn't have a clue if that train would've returned from Newcastle at that point, probably should have, but I wasn't definite. I'll try to ring up at CrossCountry at some point tomorrow or Friday.

 

[185143]

220031 was on the 15:53 DBY-BHM

 

[Alex 2901]

Decided I'd go over to Birmingham's poor relation earlier (Coventry) to go and get the 67s on rugby specials to Nuneaton, so here's how it went (well, for a change!):

I set off at 0905 for the 0915 529 to Walsall, hoping I could make the 0933 X51 to Birmingham, no, it went flying past as my 529 rolled in (which was 4605, BX54 DDO), so I went for the 0943 51 to Birmingham (which was 4861, BX61 LLD, a score!). The 51 got me into the city by 1025, in time for the 1030 16 to Grand Central, which was 4808, BX09 P something, another score, arriving 3 minutes later. I went inside to get the train to Coventry, which was the 1104 CrossCountry service to Oxford, via Coventry. After a while of waiting and purchasing a ticket and some food, a busy 220026 rolled in, another score, making 3 for 4! I reached Coventry on time at 1125, and proceeded to exit the station, only to get a surprise when 2165 (BX13 JTZ) rolled in on an 11 to Leamington Spa! A very rare working for a Sunday, so I got a photo and went away to wait for the 11 to Pool Meadow Bus Station with 4775 (BV57 XKW) providing my steed for this (god I miss these at Walsall!). Once I got there, I quickly got 4986 (SL14 LUD) back to the Rail Station, only to be greeted with the site of 67006 parked at the top of Platform 3, ready for the 1219 departure.

After getting to the platform, I boarded and met a friend in one of the forward carriages, and 67006+67028 departed from Coventry om time at 1219 for Nuneaton. After the trip to Nuneaton, I got off and quickly purchased a ticket for Wolverhampton, and a drink, and bolted it to get back on 67006+67028, which I managed. Arriving back in Coventry at 1315, I photoed 67028, along with 153354+153364, and went to get the 8 into the City Centre, which was 4893, another score. After arriving back at Pool Meadow, I took advantage of the opportunity and did some spotting, photographing 2165 on the 11, again! The 900 pulled in (6708, YX15 OYC, a score) and took me to International, and good god was I glad to be off it! The train I would get home to Wolverhampton was 221135 on the 1438 from International, a score. I got in, with time to spare for the 28E which would've been 2269 (SK52 MLF), had it not lost its front panel! The replacement for it was 2264 (Y264 YBC, another score) which took me home, and ended a pretty successful day, if I'm honest.

 

[Techniquest]

Nice little adventure there, it must be said!

 

[fishquinn]

Agreed! Dad, Nathan and I were going to head out on the 14:19 from Hell to Nuneaton for the 14:50 back (there were 3 shovels at Bescot on the 27th, all being winners) hoping that it'd be 005 and 006 or 006 and 016 or something like that. Then half an hour before we'd have to leave I got the gen that it was 028 and 006. Not worth the drive to Cov really! It sounds like you had a nice time though!

 

[Alex 2901]

Decided to have a day doing a mix of Trains and buses...

846 provided the 0917 28 into Wolverhampton, getting me there by 0953, which gave enough time (just) to bolt it for the 1000 LM service to Bham New St (1L79) which was a score, 350373 (also my first 350/3). Arriving at New Street by 1017, I went up to Smallbrook Queensway to get the 61/63/98/99 up to Carrs Lane, 4629 arriving on an inbound 61, which took my the single stop to Carrs Lane. So far, two scores (350373 & 4629) and a dud (846). After some food, I went spotting for a bit and then walked to Moor Street station to get the train to Solihull, which was the 1101 LM service for Dorridge (2D22) which was a rather busy 172343! 3 scores and a dud, not bad going so far! At Solihull, I decided to wait for the Diamond "Signature" S2 to Dorridge via Widney, which was 30135, a hybrid Versa (meh). After the 20 mins trip to Dorridge Rail Station, I went to wait for a train back to Solihull, rather than endure another Versa, or worse (a Streetlite or a Solo, possibly!). My train came in at 1203, and was 172215 (a dud), working 2K27 to Kidderminster via Birmingham. 10 minutes or so later, I was back in Solihull, and went to see what was parked up. A lot, but nothing amazingly interesting, so I jumped on 2250 on the AG 72 to Chelmsley Wood, E200MMCs are growing on me, not much though!

40 minutes later, I was in Chelmsley Wood, and saw a prime objective pull in, 4462 on the 97A (yes, Crimson Trident!! Finally!!) which took me to Birmingham Airport, where I alighted (forgetting it went to Intl Station!). 6706 pulled in on a 900 returning to the City Centre, having worked a 900E to the Airport, which I boarded to get to the Rail Station. Arriving at the station with a less than stellar amount of time to spare, I ran for the platform, making it in time for 220017 (a score) working 1M77 to Manchester Picadilly via Birmingham. I got back to the city and went to do more spotting, completing my other objective and photographing 4447 in Crimson. I decided to call it a day, and went get 6738 on the X51 back to Walsall, a score. Upon reaching Walsall, I went to wait for the 69, which was 4305 (a dud) which got me to my destination within 25 minutes. A short respite followed, and I went to get the 1750 41 home, which was 4292 (a dud) getting me home by 6.

If I'm honest, a successful day, if not fast paced at times! 5 duds and 8 scores!

 

[fishquinn]

Way to many buses for my liking but it sounds like you had a fun day out!