Well done at getting some of the harder stations!
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crehld's travels
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Techniquest
Veteran Member
You poor soul having to endure the long run to Pembroke, that is a right proper boring ride!
Aye the weather was gorgeous for a fester on the HoW today! When it comes to it, do feel free to PM me on which ones you're doing and I'll pass on any useful advice!
Aye the weather was gorgeous for a fester on the HoW today! When it comes to it, do feel free to PM me on which ones you're doing and I'll pass on any useful advice!
28 July 2016: crehld's Welsh adventure day 3
Today's plan is to explore take a ride up some of the Welsh Valleys before heading back to Crewe on ATW's 'premier service' with a few other forum members.
The day begins at Cardiff Central, where I'm straight onto 150231 to Penarth. I have a little bit of an explore and do a bit of window shopping here before I make my way to Dingle Road.
The first train to show up is 143606 + 143610 heading back to Penarth. I stay on as we head back towards Cardiff and then up the Valleys to Bargoed. There's a little shop in the old ticket office and I go to see if they have coffee available. It does, but there's an extra charge for making a payment by card so I decide to leave it. It's then onto 150250 up the remainder of the line to Rhymney.
It's then back onto 150250 down to Heath High Level. It's then a really quick walk to the nearby Heath Low Level station.
142075 then shows up and I stay on board all the way to Coryton. I would have walked the short distance between the stations here, but it's raining again, so I get back on board 142075 and make my way to Cardiff Central. It's chaos here as someone has been hit by a train. When we get off we're ushered out of the station. Everything is cancelled so I decided to let things calm down and go into Cardiff City Centre for some lunch and a bit of an explore.
This are still delayed by the time I make it back to the station, so I just hop on the first available train, 150258 to Radyr. Here's there's a quick transfer onto 150235 all the way up to Treherbert.
There's no much to see here and I really need to be heading back into Cardiff, so it's straight back onto 150235. We get stopped at one of the passing loop sections and are at a stand still for 40 minutes, three other trains pass us going the other way. Eventually we're on the move again, and the announcement comes over that as we're running late the train will be going non stop from Pontypridd to Cardiff. Back at Central station I decide there's time for a quick hop to Grangetown, with 143601 there and 143605 back.
I meet the other forum members in the first class lounge before boarding the train with 67002 on the front. It looks like the forum has the whole business class carriage booked out! As we set off we're treated to a tasty three course meal - all for an extra £20. Not bad! I was intending on staying on as far as Chester, but realise if I bail at Shrewsbury I can get an earlier bus home. So off at Shrewsbury it is! It's then onto 175110 for the run back to Crewe.
Overall an excellent three days in Wales. I still have one day left on the rover, but decide to take days away from the rails before using it.
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2 August 2016: crehld's Welsh adventure day 4
With three days of intensive Welsh action I decide to take it easy today. I'm also keen to get back home at a reasonable time, partly as I have to be at work the next day, but also because leaving Mrs crehld to sort out baby crehld's bedtime routine on her own for four nights in a week is taking the mick a bit!
Anyway things start to go wrong before I even make it to the station. Thanks to Cheshire East closing the only road into Crewe coming from the south, the bus is stuck in traffic jams. It takes 40 minutes to move a mile, and realising I can walk about three time quicker than that I bail three miles away from the station and walk the rest of the way. This means I miss the first planned train of the day, but still make it to the station way ahead of the bus.
The first train is 221105, and I stay on for the run to Holyhead, enjoying the excellent views across the sea at times. There's half an hour before the next train back, so I head into the town for a coffee and an explore. Back at the station it's onto 175110 for the run down to Llandudno Junction.
There's a bit of a wait here (had I thought about it a bit more I could have bailed at Conwy and then walked for an additional shack), but eventually a rake of Mk3s shows up, being pushed by 67008. I hop on an enjoy the short journey to Colwyn Bay. Next up it's 175001 back to Llandudno Junction, and then 158829 down to Rhyl.
There's a short wait here before 221114 + 221143 arrive and take me back to Crewe. Thankfully Cheshire East Council seem to have realised the chaos they caused earlier in the day and have lifted the road closure, and I make it home in time for tea!
Today's plan is to explore take a ride up some of the Welsh Valleys before heading back to Crewe on ATW's 'premier service' with a few other forum members.
The day begins at Cardiff Central, where I'm straight onto 150231 to Penarth. I have a little bit of an explore and do a bit of window shopping here before I make my way to Dingle Road.
The first train to show up is 143606 + 143610 heading back to Penarth. I stay on as we head back towards Cardiff and then up the Valleys to Bargoed. There's a little shop in the old ticket office and I go to see if they have coffee available. It does, but there's an extra charge for making a payment by card so I decide to leave it. It's then onto 150250 up the remainder of the line to Rhymney.
It's then back onto 150250 down to Heath High Level. It's then a really quick walk to the nearby Heath Low Level station.
142075 then shows up and I stay on board all the way to Coryton. I would have walked the short distance between the stations here, but it's raining again, so I get back on board 142075 and make my way to Cardiff Central. It's chaos here as someone has been hit by a train. When we get off we're ushered out of the station. Everything is cancelled so I decided to let things calm down and go into Cardiff City Centre for some lunch and a bit of an explore.
This are still delayed by the time I make it back to the station, so I just hop on the first available train, 150258 to Radyr. Here's there's a quick transfer onto 150235 all the way up to Treherbert.
There's no much to see here and I really need to be heading back into Cardiff, so it's straight back onto 150235. We get stopped at one of the passing loop sections and are at a stand still for 40 minutes, three other trains pass us going the other way. Eventually we're on the move again, and the announcement comes over that as we're running late the train will be going non stop from Pontypridd to Cardiff. Back at Central station I decide there's time for a quick hop to Grangetown, with 143601 there and 143605 back.
I meet the other forum members in the first class lounge before boarding the train with 67002 on the front. It looks like the forum has the whole business class carriage booked out! As we set off we're treated to a tasty three course meal - all for an extra £20. Not bad! I was intending on staying on as far as Chester, but realise if I bail at Shrewsbury I can get an earlier bus home. So off at Shrewsbury it is! It's then onto 175110 for the run back to Crewe.
Overall an excellent three days in Wales. I still have one day left on the rover, but decide to take days away from the rails before using it.
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2 August 2016: crehld's Welsh adventure day 4
With three days of intensive Welsh action I decide to take it easy today. I'm also keen to get back home at a reasonable time, partly as I have to be at work the next day, but also because leaving Mrs crehld to sort out baby crehld's bedtime routine on her own for four nights in a week is taking the mick a bit!
Anyway things start to go wrong before I even make it to the station. Thanks to Cheshire East closing the only road into Crewe coming from the south, the bus is stuck in traffic jams. It takes 40 minutes to move a mile, and realising I can walk about three time quicker than that I bail three miles away from the station and walk the rest of the way. This means I miss the first planned train of the day, but still make it to the station way ahead of the bus.
The first train is 221105, and I stay on for the run to Holyhead, enjoying the excellent views across the sea at times. There's half an hour before the next train back, so I head into the town for a coffee and an explore. Back at the station it's onto 175110 for the run down to Llandudno Junction.
There's a bit of a wait here (had I thought about it a bit more I could have bailed at Conwy and then walked for an additional shack), but eventually a rake of Mk3s shows up, being pushed by 67008. I hop on an enjoy the short journey to Colwyn Bay. Next up it's 175001 back to Llandudno Junction, and then 158829 down to Rhyl.
There's a short wait here before 221114 + 221143 arrive and take me back to Crewe. Thankfully Cheshire East Council seem to have realised the chaos they caused earlier in the day and have lifted the road closure, and I make it home in time for tea!
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Techniquest
Veteran Member
Quite a decent haul in the Valleys after all, despite the issues caused by the fatality. For £20 extra you sure did well on the First Class service, I do wonder what the ching would be between Cardiff and Hereford!
A nice and easy final day and still a few scores, so happy days
How is baby crehld?
A nice and easy final day and still a few scores, so happy days
How is baby crehld?
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a good couple days in Wales, bar the dispution on day 3
Apart from the farce on day 3 and the road closure on day 4, it sounds like a great day!
15 August 2016: a walk in the Dales
I'm currently based up in Yorkshire at the moment and as this seemed to be the first nice day in a while I was determined to make the most of it and head out for a walk. Knowing I needed to desperately do something about the remaining shacks on the Settle-Carlisle line I decided to kill two birds with one stone. So at Hellifield it was onto 158848 to enjoy the scenic run to Garsdale.
It was walking time now. I had 1 hour 15 mins to get to Dent in time for the next train home (and I didn't particularly want to miss it, given there is nothing much to do in the immediate area). A look at the OS map before I set off revealed the distance to be 3.7 miles. I can comfortably walk at 4mph, but that's on a flat surface and the there are a daunting amount of contour lines to overcome along the way. Fortunately it looks like it's going to be a hard surface the whole way so no boggy sections to contend with.
I set off. I turn left out of Garsdale station and it's a gruelling non-stop uphill slog for about 2 miles. I take a quick break at the summit for some water before heading down again. Thankfully for knees it's not too steep. I make it to Dent in just under an hour, which is pretty good going by my book.
There enough time to relax on the bench for bit to take in the wonderful of the valley below before 158855 shows up to take me back home to Hellifield.
So a productive 2.5 hours overall. 2 new stations, a lovely walk and 2 more Northern 158s ticked off as an extra bonus.
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Thanks. These things happen, but at least it gave me the opportunity to look around Cardiff.
I'm currently based up in Yorkshire at the moment and as this seemed to be the first nice day in a while I was determined to make the most of it and head out for a walk. Knowing I needed to desperately do something about the remaining shacks on the Settle-Carlisle line I decided to kill two birds with one stone. So at Hellifield it was onto 158848 to enjoy the scenic run to Garsdale.
It was walking time now. I had 1 hour 15 mins to get to Dent in time for the next train home (and I didn't particularly want to miss it, given there is nothing much to do in the immediate area). A look at the OS map before I set off revealed the distance to be 3.7 miles. I can comfortably walk at 4mph, but that's on a flat surface and the there are a daunting amount of contour lines to overcome along the way. Fortunately it looks like it's going to be a hard surface the whole way so no boggy sections to contend with.
I set off. I turn left out of Garsdale station and it's a gruelling non-stop uphill slog for about 2 miles. I take a quick break at the summit for some water before heading down again. Thankfully for knees it's not too steep. I make it to Dent in just under an hour, which is pretty good going by my book.
There enough time to relax on the bench for bit to take in the wonderful of the valley below before 158855 shows up to take me back home to Hellifield.
So a productive 2.5 hours overall. 2 new stations, a lovely walk and 2 more Northern 158s ticked off as an extra bonus.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Thanks. These things happen, but at least it gave me the opportunity to look around Cardiff.
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Kite159
Veteran Member
Congrats on getting two S&C shacks into your book with a good walk
Iskra
Established Member
That's quite some hill turning left out of Garsdale. Well done on conquering that. Garsdale was once my local station 
Nice part of the world ...in summer.
Nice part of the world ...in summer.alexf380
Established Member
A nice wee read about the walk in the hills, and a hella productive time in South Wales too. They certainly brightened up the endless runs into town that have become the norm over the past month or so.
That's quite some hill turning left out of Garsdale. Well done on conquering that. Garsdale was once my local station
Yes, in hindsight I would have been better off doing the walk the other way round!
Anyway - the trip report catch up continues.
16 August 2016: a day in West Yorkshire
There was a forum meal in Dore this evening, which provided a good opportunity to grab a few more West Yorkshire shacks during the day. I set off from Hellifield on winning 144011, bailing at Keighley. I purchase a West Yorkshire Train Day Rover from the ticket office, but there's still an hour to go before its validity kicks in so I head to the nearby Sainsburys cafe for a coffee and some breakfast. Back at the station it's onto 333014 to Shipley, then on to Bradford Foster Square on the ever elusive 333003 - finally I've managed to clear all of the 333s!
The cross city walk takes me to Bradford Interchange, where it's onto 158757 to Halifax, and then 180105 to Brighouse. Over to the other platform here and it's onto 158755 to today's first new station, Walsden. There's a bit of a wait here so I take the time to explore the local area. Heading back to the station I find a chippy which serves me up a portion of chips as early lunch, which I eat back on the platform waiting for 158757 to show again and take me back to Brighouse. There's just a few minutes to wait for 144021 to Huddersfield. It's time for a trip down the Penistone line now on 144022 to Stocksmoor.
Crossing to the other platform puts me onto 144020 back to Huddersfield. There's just enough time to head into town for a caffeine fix before it's then onto 142005 to Ravensthorpe, followed by 144018 to Deighton.
144006 is up next for the run to Wakefield Kirkgate, followed by 144021 for the second time today to Darton.
Due to delays my wait here is much longer than anticipated. Eventually 142024 shows up, but by the time we get back to Kirkgate I've missed the connection to Westgate, necessitating a rather brisk walk across the city centre. I make it just in time to catch double winners 220017 + 220030 for the run down to Sheffield. At Sheffield it's onto a very packed 142043 for the run down to Dore.
I meet up with yorkie and we head to a nearby pub (via a woodland walk) for a drink before meeting everyone else for the meal in the station building which has now been converted into a curry house. The food is good (though not one of the best curries I've had) and it's good to meet some new people too.
Heading back, it's onto 185132 to Sheffield. There's rumour of an HST heading to Leeds, but due to a tight connection I don't have time to wait around for it so I make do with 220020 to Leeds, and then 322482 for the run to Skipton. It's late so it's a taxi run back to Hellifield.
18 August 2016: Cheshire Day Ranger
It's up and out early today on the first train out of Hellifield to Lancaster, on 144005. Before heading to Cheshire I take some time in Lancaster to get some breakfast and sort a few things out in town, before heading back to the station and getting on 221113+221106 to Warrington Bank Quay. A Cheshire Day Ranger is sourced from the ticket office before getting onto 319336 to Lea Green. Next up it's 319364 to St Helens Junction.
It's 319375 to Liverpool Lime Street next, and then onto double winners 158864 + 158773 to Widnes. A dash over to the other platform puts me onto 142009 + 156421 (for comfort I sit in the 156!) to Mossley Hill.
There's a 20 minute fester here so I take the opportunity to head to a nearby Tesco to pick up some lunchtime provisions for later - it's stocked like a Soviet supermarket and choice is limited, but I find something acceptable to get me through the day. Back at the station it's onto 156488 to Halewood. It's a bit of a faff to get to the other platform here, but I make it onto 156491 + 156489 for the short run to Hunts Cross.
Time for some Merseyrail action now as it's onto 508126+507016 to Brunswick, followed by 508143+508111 back to Hunts Cross, before heading back out again, this time getting off at Liverpool South Parkway.
Here it's onto 156426 for the run into Liverpool Lime Street, and then it's down into the low level station, taking 508137 to Liverpool Central, followed by 508136 to Birkenhead Park, and then 507027 to Bidston. I have one station left to get between here and Shotton so it's onto 150284 and to Heswall to put that situation right.
There's a fairly lengthy fester here so I crack open a book while I wait for 150242 to arrive to take me back up to Bidston. Here it's onto 507007 to Moorfields and then onto the Northern line to pick up 508130+508104 to Aigburth. A dash to the other platform puts me onto 508120+507031 to St Michaels.
It's then onto 508103+507008 to Liverpool South Parkway and then onto 350266 to today's last new station, Acton Bridge.
There's a forum pub meet going on in Chester so I decide to make an appearance and head that way. From Acton Bridge it's 350231 back to Liverpool South Parkway, and then it's 508140+508112 up to Liverpool Central. It's then down to the Wirral Line platform to catch 508131 all the way to Chester. I find the pub, plus a rather large forum gathering, and spend a bit of time talking to people before I make the decision to head home, with 150217 doing the honours back to Crewe.
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Iskra
Established Member
Nice reports. For future reference: There is a free city bus in Wakefield that links the two stations which provides a good service if you miss the hourly train- saves your legs. Ouch on the likely Ching for a taxi from Skipton to Hellifield.
Thanks for the tip, I didn't know that. Will remember for future reference. The taxi fare isn't too bad for a 10 mile plus run into the middle of nowhere to be fair - £15/£16 if you book in advance.
Sounds like a fun time there! Congrats on clearing the 333s - don't you mean 333003 and not 333033 though 
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Congratulations on clearing the 333s, something still on my list to do! As are most of those shacks...
Sounds like a fun time there! Congrats on clearing the 333s - don't you mean 333003 and not 333033 though
Yes I did! Duly corrected!
Anyway, the updates continue:
30 August 2016: East Midlands Rover Day 1
With a few days spare and the weather promising to be good for the next week I took the opportunity to make more in-road in the East Midlands Day Ranger territory. Today I decided to try and get some more of the Marston Vale shacks done, along with those on the Northampton loop line. I start the day with the usual bus ride, but today I'm it's to Stoke, not Crewe, as the rover is only valid from there and I decided to save the cash on returns from Crewer. It does mean, however, an hour bus ride and a change, reinforcing my bias that bus transportation is really too slow and too much of a faff for anyone to make any real use of.
Anyway I arrive at Stoke and cash in some RTVs to alleviate the cost of the rover a little bit. And then it's straight onto 390135 for a speedy run down to Milton Keynes Central. Here's it's down to business and onto 350120 up to Northampton. There's just enough time for a caffeine fix here before it's onto 350256 up to Long Buckby.
The platform switch manoeuvre is performed allowing me board 350130 back down to Wolverton. With a half hour fester I take the time to explore the town centre (summary: it's nothing special) and pop into a nearby supermarket for some luncheon provisions. It's then back to the station where I find a bloke wanting to know if he can "get a train to the M1", before boarding 350114 down to Bletchley. There's a nice and easy cross-platform transfer here putting me onto 153364 for a ride down the Marston Vale to Millbrook.
It's walking time now and I take a walk down a footpath which pretty much runs parallel to the railway line, eventually arriving at Stewartby. The weather is glorious, but a little hot for my liking, but I manage to find a small shady spot on the platform to sit down and tuck into lunch before 153364 shows up again to take me to Bow Brickhill.
There's another fester here so I take the time to explore a nearby business park type thing. I'm initially pleased to see a cafe, but disappointed to find it's closed so it's back to the station to pick up 153364 for the third time today, this time to Aspley Guise.
There's a short wait here for 150109 to arrive taking me back to Bletchley. I promised Mrs crehld I wouldn't be too late back home so it's straight onto 350128 up to Milton Keynes Central. A mad dash over the footbridge means I make the +2 connection onto 390002 back up to Stoke-on-Trent.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Buses can be slow, yes. They can be a fair bit of faff, yes. Fares are a bit of a secret until you board the infernal things, but they do have their uses. In my area, they're a lifeline if you don't drive. This certainly applies to me, although I hope by early 2017 this will no longer apply. Without buses in my area (and this apllies to many, many rural areas around the UK) I'd be shafted and would never get to go anywhere. I certainly wouldn't be able to get to/from work, and the high number of passengers using my regular route shows that it's essential up here. It would be better if every single passenger paid their full fare, but you'll never get the passholders doing that! Currently we're once again looking at heavy cuts to our service, which will begin in early 2017. As one of only two routes in the county which receives barely any subsidy per passenger head (42p I think, with only one other route lower at about 39p) it's an insult that our route will potentially see more severe cuts, when all these market day services which receive up to £4.28 per passenger in subsidy still haven't had any cuts to them! 
Granted, our route has a very reasonable fare for the distance, £4.10 single and £6.20 return. For a journey at around 21.5 miles each way, that's exceptionally good value in my eyes. The norms don't agree mind, they think it's a rip-off!
Anyway, sorry to rant on a fair bit there! It's a sore spot for me when it comes to rural bus services!
A good first day there on your rover, how long did that walk to Stewartby take? I need most of the Marston Vale shacks, as well as some on the St Albans Abbey line, before I can claim 100% clearance of LM.
Granted, our route has a very reasonable fare for the distance, £4.10 single and £6.20 return. For a journey at around 21.5 miles each way, that's exceptionally good value in my eyes. The norms don't agree mind, they think it's a rip-off!Anyway, sorry to rant on a fair bit there! It's a sore spot for me when it comes to rural bus services!
A good first day there on your rover, how long did that walk to Stewartby take? I need most of the Marston Vale shacks, as well as some on the St Albans Abbey line, before I can claim 100% clearance of LM.
Sounds like a fun day! Buses can certainly be a faff and I hate them.
Buses can be slow, yes. They can be a fair bit of faff, yes. Fares are a bit of a secret until you board the infernal things, but they do have their uses. In my area, they're a lifeline if you don't drive. This certainly applies to me, although I hope by early 2017 this will no longer apply. Without buses in my area (and this apllies to many, many rural areas around the UK) I'd be shafted and would never get to go anywhere. I certainly wouldn't be able to get to/from work, and the high number of passengers using my regular route shows that it's essential up here. It would be better if every single passenger paid their full fare, but you'll never get the passholders doing that! Currently we're once again looking at heavy cuts to our service, which will begin in early 2017. As one of only two routes in the county which receives barely any subsidy per passenger head (42p I think, with only one other route lower at about 39p) it's an insult that our route will potentially see more severe cuts, when all these market day services which receive up to £4.28 per passenger in subsidy still haven't had any cuts to them!
Anyway, sorry to rant on a fair bit there! It's a sore spot for me when it comes to rural bus services!
A good first day there on your rover, how long did that walk to Stewartby take? I need most of the Marston Vale shacks, as well as some on the St Albans Abbey line, before I can claim 100% clearance of LM.
Oh I agree about rural bus services. But I'm talking about the services in the Stoke urban area here. Stoke station is only 4 miles from my house, but it takes over one hour and you need to change and costs just shy of £5. Whereas the rural route to Crewe (which is about 8 miles away) takes only 20 mins and costs £2.50. It just makes no sense! Obviously most people in our local area prefer to take the longer but quicker and cheaper journey to Crewe, which is great and even runs late at night too!
Anyway the walk between Millbrook and Stewartby took less than 30mins from recollection, it was easily doable before the train returns from Bedford.
Techniquest
Veteran Member
Ah yes, urban bus services in my area are absolutely worthless for almost all routes. Hardly anyone uses them, even at peak times. On part of my route, they will ignore the city bus to slow mine down even more (quite the sore point that is alone...) to get the cheaper bus. Yep, by 40p it is cheaper, but a lot of people who get on mine vice the alternative route (and yes, they go the same friggin' way too until the very centre of the city, where they almost all get off!) are passholders so it makes no difference to them fares wise anyway!
Ouch to the journey time on the run to Stoke, that's no fun. Especially when it involves a change and for that ching!
Not a bad walk then, I *must* imprint that into memory for a potential mini-bash...
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like a good day on the East Midlands Rover, it isn't the cheapest compared to other rovers but covers a large area
Bit of a mammoth update...
1 September 2016: East Midlands Rover Day 2
With another day free it was time to get back on the rails with the East Midlands rover. As per the last time I'm starting at Stoke-on-Trent, with 390002 doing the honours down to Nuneaton. We're delayed on arrival into Nuneaton which means my initial plan to head back up and scratch Atherstone is quickly thrown out the window. Instead it's onto 170108 to Hinckley, before catching 170639 back to Nuneaton. A short wait sees 107106 arrive and I hop on, staying on all the way to Oakham.
I spend a little time looking around this lovely town and pick up some lunch supplies before heading back to the station to board 170103 back to Leicester. It's then onto 222003 to Derby, and then 153319 to Tutbury and Hatton. The usual short wait follows before 153384 shows up to take me back to Derby. Here it's onto 156404 for a run up to Matlock, allowing me to finally add this little branch line to the coverage map.
It's then 156404 back down to Derby. It was now time to start thinking about heading back. But with 40 minutes before the next train to Stoke-on-Trent I decided to use the time to get one of the more trickier stations. And so I set off on a walk through a rather dodgy-looking industrial estate (not recommended in the dark!), eventually arriving at Peartree. With tales of woe from rg177's report about this station last year I was somewhat apprehensive whether pressing the intercom to release the gate to the platform would work, but it did and I even got a "have a pleasant journey" message from the guy on the other end of the line, which is always nice On the platform there are about 10 other people waiting for the train, which is 153319 again. Seeing an opportunity I bail at Longton.
Fortunately my legs are spared the trek as there's a stop nearby where I can pick up a bus to take me into Stoke, where I can pick up another bus to Newcastle and then yet another bus home.
3 September 2016: East Midlands Rover Day 3
Today's little adventure was part of the forum trip to Skegness - I'd later have to head to London too to it promised to be long but interesting day. It's an early start today and so I can't rely on public transport. Instead I manage to get a lift to Alsager station. There it's onto 158813 all the way to Derby. I would be meeting up with other forum members in Doncaster, but there was enough time before the next train there to get a cheeky shack scratch in. So it was onto 153383 which had attached itself onto 158813, down to Long Eaton. The platform switch is performed allowing me to get on 170397 back to Derby. There's still enough time to pick up a coffee and some breakfast provisions before getting on 222015 to Sheffield. The presence of a required 142 on the platform opposite is too good to pass up, so it's onto 142018 for the short hop to Meadowhall, and then onto 185126 to Doncaster. There's still some time before meeting up with the others so it's time for another cheeky shack attack, with 158849 taking me to Kirk Sandall.
It's then 144005 back to Doncaster. Because I've got nothing better to do for 20 minutes I head to Kirk Sandall again! Although there's no luck on the winners front as it's 142070 there and 158816 back. I now meet with the others at Doncaster, and we all hop onto 185102 to Barnetby. There's bit of a fester here and the rather wet weather doesn't make it particularly pleasant, so we all take shelter under the ramped footbridge before 142090 shows up. This being a Saturday I finally get the Brigg line onto the coverage map as we enjoy the long haul to Sheffield. There's time for provisions here before getting onto 158866 + 158770 down to Nottingham. And then it's time for the main event as 43045 + 43049 roll in to form the Skegness train. We sit in declassified first class to make the most of the journey, eventually arriving in Skegness.
With the station operating a queuing system we decide to stay on the train to keep our prime seats before 43045 + 43049 head back towards Nottingham. The journey back avoids Grantham so gets another little bit of PSUL marked in the book. The others are staying on as far as Derby, but as I need to head to London I bail at Nottingham. I manage to make it onto 43064 + 43075 for a short run to East Midlands Parkway, before hopping onto 156415 down to Loughborough.
With a bit of time to spare I head out of the station to see if I can find a bottle of water, but to no avail as all nearby shops are closed. So it's back to the station and then onto 222010, where I pick up an overpriced drink from the buffet shop thing. I get off at Bedford as that's as far as the rover will get me and I have an advance ticket for the following train. This turns out to be 222022 and I'm on all the way to St Pancras. From here it's time to make my way to the overnight accommodation. So it's down into the underground to pick up Victoria line duds LU11029 + LU11030 up to Seven Sisters. It's then up to the mainline platforms to pick up 315807 to Edmonton Green.
I'm staying in the local Travelodge, but check in is a faff as despite turning up at 11pm my room still isn't ready. I'm quite tired so the 40 minute wait to get in my room is most unwelcome. Still a follow up complaint sees the cost of the stay refunded. Anyway, despite the accommodation faff it's been a great final day of my East Midlands rover!
7 September: Clearing the Lea Valley
Having spent most of the week stuck at a conference in London, I decided to skip the last day and get back on the rails. I was staying in Mile End so it was to Mile End tube station to buy a day travelcard and then onto LU91215 + LU92148 + LU92042 + LU91057 for one stop to Bethnal Green for a two minute wait, and then onto LU91155 + LU92008 + LU92450 + LU91019 down to Liverpool Street. It's then up to the mainline platforms and onto 321364 + 321447 for a run to Stratford, and then 360101 + 360120 back again. Back at Liverpool Street it's then onto 379012 + 379022 for a run up to Tottenham Hale, where a short wait is had before catching 317663 + 317508 to Enfield Lock.
There's enough time to purchase the obligatory caffeine hit before getting onto 317656 + 317504 back down to Tottenham Hale. Another short wait produces 317658 for a hop to London's newest station, Lea Bridge. The platform switch maneouvre is performed, putting me onto 317669 back to Tottenham Hale. It's into the tube now, boarding LU11075 + LU11076 to Seven Sisters. Back above ground it's 315801 to take me to Cambridge Heath. A mad dash under the tracks and onto the other platform means I manage to get on board 315808 just as the doors are closing, staying on to White Hart Lane.
Here it's onto 315812 to Stoke Newington, and then 315816 + 315810 to Enfield Town.
To make the most of the fester here I head off for a walk to the previous station. It's a hot day, but I reward my arrival at Bush Hill Park with an ice cream from the corner shop. The ice cream is devoured on the platform while I wait for 315816 + 315810 to return and take me to Bruce Grove.
It's then 315814 to Turkey Street. It's over 20 minutes before 315814 arrives again to take me to Southbury.
The usual platform switch puts me onto 315803 back up to Turkey Street, where another 20 minute wait is had, only for 315803 to return, but this time to take me to Silver Street. It's walking time again, and I set off this time to Angel Road.
It's one of London's least used stations and it's easy to see why, with nothing much going in the surround industrial estate and compounded by its relative inaccessibility and hidden location. The sun is still blaring down and so I walk to the end of the platform to take shelter under the road bridge while I wait for 317507 to show up and take me back to Stratford. It's then back on the central line and onto LU91081 + LU92262 + LU92004 + LU91047 up to Mile End so I can pick my bag up from where I've been staying. It's then back up to Stratford on LU91011 + LU91327 + LU92212 and something else I didn't quite catch. Here it's onto 317669 to Northumberland Park.
By my reckoning that's all of Abellio Greater Anglia's shacks in the London Zones cleared, as well as all shacks on the Lea Valley lines in the London Zones. With that achievement under my belt it's time to head back to Euston to catch the train home. So it's on to 317650 to increasingly familiar Tottenham Hale and then down into the underground for LU11053 + LU11054 to Euston. I'm in for the long haul as I'm booked on London Midland up to Crewe, so a stop is made to buy the necessary provisions to make the long journey bearable before hopping onto 350110 + 350374 for the journey home. 350374 is dropped at Northampton, with 350110 taking me the rest of the way to Crewe.
25 September 2016: Clearing the Watford DC and Bakerloo lines
The previous day had been spent in London with Mrs crehld. We stayed overnight but as I had to catch an early train to Brussels the next day I would be staying an extra night (it didn't make sense to travel up to Crewe, only to have to travel back down the next day).
The day started in Feltham (where we were staying) and onto 458517 into Waterloo. Because we were feeling lazy we headed over to Waterloo East to pick up 375917 + 375827 to Charing Cross. Much of the morning is spent walking around London doing this and that but eventually it's time to say goodbye to Mrs crehld. I head to up Euston from Green Park on LU11015 + LU11016 to wave her off. I then decide to spend the afternoon doing something about the outstanding shacks on the Watford DC line. So first up it's onto 378229 to Headstone Lane, and then onto 378255 to Stonebridge Park.
Here it's onto LU3552 + LU3242 back up North Wembley, followed by 378231 to South Kenton.
It's then LU3557 + LU3255 to Harrow and Wealdstone where 378229 shows up again to take me to Kenton. It's back up to Harrow and Wealdstone again, this time on LU3555 + LU3251, and then 378219 to Hatch End. Arrival here is slightly delayed which means I miss the next train down and I'm subject to a longer than anticipated fester. Eventually though 378231 shows up and takes me down to Harlesden. By my reckoning that's all the Watford DC line stations cleared, on both national rail and London Underground trains. With that achievement I decided to turn my attention to clearing the remaining Bakerloo line shacks. So at Harlesden it's onto LU3263 + LU3553 all the way down to Edgware Road.
I know I need one station between Paddington and Queen's Park, but I can't quite remember which one it is, so for safety's sake I opt for a linear bash, starting with LU3558 + LU3262 from Edgware Road to Warwick Avenue, then LU3556 + LU3266 to Maida Vale, and then LU3532 + LU3238 to Kilburn Park - which it turns out was the required station and the last required Bakerloo line shack.
From here I'm continuing north on LU3555 + LU3251 to Willesden Junction. By complete chance I spot an opportunity to get a bit of tricky PSUL in. With bits of the north London line closed, London Overground are diverted via the hold Primrose Hill station. This is an opportunity too good to pass up so it's onto 378255 for the ride along this new track to Homerton. The platform switch maneouvre puts me onto 378204. I arrange to meet up with a couple of friends and so bail at Camden Road and join them for a drink.
Eventually it's time to head back to Feltham. This means it's down into Camden Town tube station and onto LU51661 + LU51662. I get off at the next station, Mornington Crescent, for another cheeky shack scratch.
It's then LU51705 + LU51609 to Waterloo. Above ground I board 450076 + 450553, but bail at Twickenham. This allows me to get 455852 + 455901 to St Margarets for one last new shack of the day.
From here it's 458514 + 458528 back to Feltham.
26 September 2016: an early morning bash
As I mentioned in the report for the day before I was off to Brussels this morning. However I didn't sleep very well the night before and ended up getting up much earlier than anticipated. It was clear there was no way I was going back to sleep so decided to use the time to get a few more station in on my to St Pancras.
At Feltham I picked up 450032 + 450081 to Richmond. From here it was on to LU21373 + LU21374 to Kew Gardens. There's a short wait on the platform for 378204 to arrive. I stay on as far as Kensal Rise for another shack attack.
Another short wait follows until 378209 shows up to take me to Caledonian Road and Barnsbury.
From here I decide to make the walk to St Pancras, mainly to save money on the horrendous Zone 6 to Zone 1 Oyster fare. The usual Eurostar check in and security procedures are performed and it's good news as I find winners 373009 + 373010 are taking me to Brussels.
1 September 2016: East Midlands Rover Day 2
With another day free it was time to get back on the rails with the East Midlands rover. As per the last time I'm starting at Stoke-on-Trent, with 390002 doing the honours down to Nuneaton. We're delayed on arrival into Nuneaton which means my initial plan to head back up and scratch Atherstone is quickly thrown out the window. Instead it's onto 170108 to Hinckley, before catching 170639 back to Nuneaton. A short wait sees 107106 arrive and I hop on, staying on all the way to Oakham.
I spend a little time looking around this lovely town and pick up some lunch supplies before heading back to the station to board 170103 back to Leicester. It's then onto 222003 to Derby, and then 153319 to Tutbury and Hatton. The usual short wait follows before 153384 shows up to take me back to Derby. Here it's onto 156404 for a run up to Matlock, allowing me to finally add this little branch line to the coverage map.
It's then 156404 back down to Derby. It was now time to start thinking about heading back. But with 40 minutes before the next train to Stoke-on-Trent I decided to use the time to get one of the more trickier stations. And so I set off on a walk through a rather dodgy-looking industrial estate (not recommended in the dark!), eventually arriving at Peartree. With tales of woe from rg177's report about this station last year I was somewhat apprehensive whether pressing the intercom to release the gate to the platform would work, but it did and I even got a "have a pleasant journey" message from the guy on the other end of the line, which is always nice
On the platform there are about 10 other people waiting for the train, which is 153319 again. Seeing an opportunity I bail at Longton.
Fortunately my legs are spared the trek as there's a stop nearby where I can pick up a bus to take me into Stoke, where I can pick up another bus to Newcastle and then yet another bus home.
3 September 2016: East Midlands Rover Day 3
Today's little adventure was part of the forum trip to Skegness - I'd later have to head to London too to it promised to be long but interesting day. It's an early start today and so I can't rely on public transport. Instead I manage to get a lift to Alsager station. There it's onto 158813 all the way to Derby. I would be meeting up with other forum members in Doncaster, but there was enough time before the next train there to get a cheeky shack scratch in. So it was onto 153383 which had attached itself onto 158813, down to Long Eaton. The platform switch is performed allowing me to get on 170397 back to Derby. There's still enough time to pick up a coffee and some breakfast provisions before getting on 222015 to Sheffield. The presence of a required 142 on the platform opposite is too good to pass up, so it's onto 142018 for the short hop to Meadowhall, and then onto 185126 to Doncaster. There's still some time before meeting up with the others so it's time for another cheeky shack attack, with 158849 taking me to Kirk Sandall.
It's then 144005 back to Doncaster. Because I've got nothing better to do for 20 minutes I head to Kirk Sandall again! Although there's no luck on the winners front as it's 142070 there and 158816 back. I now meet with the others at Doncaster, and we all hop onto 185102 to Barnetby. There's bit of a fester here and the rather wet weather doesn't make it particularly pleasant, so we all take shelter under the ramped footbridge before 142090 shows up. This being a Saturday I finally get the Brigg line onto the coverage map as we enjoy the long haul to Sheffield. There's time for provisions here before getting onto 158866 + 158770 down to Nottingham. And then it's time for the main event as 43045 + 43049 roll in to form the Skegness train. We sit in declassified first class to make the most of the journey, eventually arriving in Skegness.
With the station operating a queuing system we decide to stay on the train to keep our prime seats before 43045 + 43049 head back towards Nottingham. The journey back avoids Grantham so gets another little bit of PSUL marked in the book. The others are staying on as far as Derby, but as I need to head to London I bail at Nottingham. I manage to make it onto 43064 + 43075 for a short run to East Midlands Parkway, before hopping onto 156415 down to Loughborough.
With a bit of time to spare I head out of the station to see if I can find a bottle of water, but to no avail as all nearby shops are closed. So it's back to the station and then onto 222010, where I pick up an overpriced drink from the buffet shop thing. I get off at Bedford as that's as far as the rover will get me and I have an advance ticket for the following train. This turns out to be 222022 and I'm on all the way to St Pancras. From here it's time to make my way to the overnight accommodation. So it's down into the underground to pick up Victoria line duds LU11029 + LU11030 up to Seven Sisters. It's then up to the mainline platforms to pick up 315807 to Edmonton Green.
I'm staying in the local Travelodge, but check in is a faff as despite turning up at 11pm my room still isn't ready. I'm quite tired so the 40 minute wait to get in my room is most unwelcome. Still a follow up complaint sees the cost of the stay refunded. Anyway, despite the accommodation faff it's been a great final day of my East Midlands rover!
7 September: Clearing the Lea Valley
Having spent most of the week stuck at a conference in London, I decided to skip the last day and get back on the rails. I was staying in Mile End so it was to Mile End tube station to buy a day travelcard and then onto LU91215 + LU92148 + LU92042 + LU91057 for one stop to Bethnal Green for a two minute wait, and then onto LU91155 + LU92008 + LU92450 + LU91019 down to Liverpool Street. It's then up to the mainline platforms and onto 321364 + 321447 for a run to Stratford, and then 360101 + 360120 back again. Back at Liverpool Street it's then onto 379012 + 379022 for a run up to Tottenham Hale, where a short wait is had before catching 317663 + 317508 to Enfield Lock.
There's enough time to purchase the obligatory caffeine hit before getting onto 317656 + 317504 back down to Tottenham Hale. Another short wait produces 317658 for a hop to London's newest station, Lea Bridge. The platform switch maneouvre is performed, putting me onto 317669 back to Tottenham Hale. It's into the tube now, boarding LU11075 + LU11076 to Seven Sisters. Back above ground it's 315801 to take me to Cambridge Heath. A mad dash under the tracks and onto the other platform means I manage to get on board 315808 just as the doors are closing, staying on to White Hart Lane.
Here it's onto 315812 to Stoke Newington, and then 315816 + 315810 to Enfield Town.
To make the most of the fester here I head off for a walk to the previous station. It's a hot day, but I reward my arrival at Bush Hill Park with an ice cream from the corner shop. The ice cream is devoured on the platform while I wait for 315816 + 315810 to return and take me to Bruce Grove.
It's then 315814 to Turkey Street. It's over 20 minutes before 315814 arrives again to take me to Southbury.
The usual platform switch puts me onto 315803 back up to Turkey Street, where another 20 minute wait is had, only for 315803 to return, but this time to take me to Silver Street. It's walking time again, and I set off this time to Angel Road.
It's one of London's least used stations and it's easy to see why, with nothing much going in the surround industrial estate and compounded by its relative inaccessibility and hidden location. The sun is still blaring down and so I walk to the end of the platform to take shelter under the road bridge while I wait for 317507 to show up and take me back to Stratford. It's then back on the central line and onto LU91081 + LU92262 + LU92004 + LU91047 up to Mile End so I can pick my bag up from where I've been staying. It's then back up to Stratford on LU91011 + LU91327 + LU92212 and something else I didn't quite catch. Here it's onto 317669 to Northumberland Park.
By my reckoning that's all of Abellio Greater Anglia's shacks in the London Zones cleared, as well as all shacks on the Lea Valley lines in the London Zones. With that achievement under my belt it's time to head back to Euston to catch the train home. So it's on to 317650 to increasingly familiar Tottenham Hale and then down into the underground for LU11053 + LU11054 to Euston. I'm in for the long haul as I'm booked on London Midland up to Crewe, so a stop is made to buy the necessary provisions to make the long journey bearable before hopping onto 350110 + 350374 for the journey home. 350374 is dropped at Northampton, with 350110 taking me the rest of the way to Crewe.
25 September 2016: Clearing the Watford DC and Bakerloo lines
The previous day had been spent in London with Mrs crehld. We stayed overnight but as I had to catch an early train to Brussels the next day I would be staying an extra night (it didn't make sense to travel up to Crewe, only to have to travel back down the next day).
The day started in Feltham (where we were staying) and onto 458517 into Waterloo. Because we were feeling lazy we headed over to Waterloo East to pick up 375917 + 375827 to Charing Cross. Much of the morning is spent walking around London doing this and that but eventually it's time to say goodbye to Mrs crehld. I head to up Euston from Green Park on LU11015 + LU11016 to wave her off. I then decide to spend the afternoon doing something about the outstanding shacks on the Watford DC line. So first up it's onto 378229 to Headstone Lane, and then onto 378255 to Stonebridge Park.
Here it's onto LU3552 + LU3242 back up North Wembley, followed by 378231 to South Kenton.
It's then LU3557 + LU3255 to Harrow and Wealdstone where 378229 shows up again to take me to Kenton. It's back up to Harrow and Wealdstone again, this time on LU3555 + LU3251, and then 378219 to Hatch End. Arrival here is slightly delayed which means I miss the next train down and I'm subject to a longer than anticipated fester. Eventually though 378231 shows up and takes me down to Harlesden. By my reckoning that's all the Watford DC line stations cleared, on both national rail and London Underground trains. With that achievement I decided to turn my attention to clearing the remaining Bakerloo line shacks. So at Harlesden it's onto LU3263 + LU3553 all the way down to Edgware Road.
I know I need one station between Paddington and Queen's Park, but I can't quite remember which one it is, so for safety's sake I opt for a linear bash, starting with LU3558 + LU3262 from Edgware Road to Warwick Avenue, then LU3556 + LU3266 to Maida Vale, and then LU3532 + LU3238 to Kilburn Park - which it turns out was the required station and the last required Bakerloo line shack.
From here I'm continuing north on LU3555 + LU3251 to Willesden Junction. By complete chance I spot an opportunity to get a bit of tricky PSUL in. With bits of the north London line closed, London Overground are diverted via the hold Primrose Hill station. This is an opportunity too good to pass up so it's onto 378255 for the ride along this new track to Homerton. The platform switch maneouvre puts me onto 378204. I arrange to meet up with a couple of friends and so bail at Camden Road and join them for a drink.
Eventually it's time to head back to Feltham. This means it's down into Camden Town tube station and onto LU51661 + LU51662. I get off at the next station, Mornington Crescent, for another cheeky shack scratch.
It's then LU51705 + LU51609 to Waterloo. Above ground I board 450076 + 450553, but bail at Twickenham. This allows me to get 455852 + 455901 to St Margarets for one last new shack of the day.
From here it's 458514 + 458528 back to Feltham.
26 September 2016: an early morning bash
As I mentioned in the report for the day before I was off to Brussels this morning. However I didn't sleep very well the night before and ended up getting up much earlier than anticipated. It was clear there was no way I was going back to sleep so decided to use the time to get a few more station in on my to St Pancras.
At Feltham I picked up 450032 + 450081 to Richmond. From here it was on to LU21373 + LU21374 to Kew Gardens. There's a short wait on the platform for 378204 to arrive. I stay on as far as Kensal Rise for another shack attack.
Another short wait follows until 378209 shows up to take me to Caledonian Road and Barnsbury.
From here I decide to make the walk to St Pancras, mainly to save money on the horrendous Zone 6 to Zone 1 Oyster fare. The usual Eurostar check in and security procedures are performed and it's good news as I find winners 373009 + 373010 are taking me to Brussels.
Jammy so and so on 43045 - I need that, 308 and the 3 NMT ones to clear the trams. Congrats for clearing AGA in the London zones too, as well as clearing the Bakerloo line. A Dez from Euston to Crewe? You must be crazy! Sounds like a good time there too and congrats on getting Peartree too.
Kite159
Veteran Member
Sounded like some productive days in the East Midlands area and also London
Ah but now I am without a railcard, price dictates everything! To be fair I was in first class (which was going cheaper than STD).
Techniquest
Veteran Member
I don't envy you doing Euston to Crewe on a 350, did it myself earlier this year in Standard Class, fortunately aboard a 350/3 so had a plug socket all the way. It feels like doing The Highland Chieftain throughout unless you have the right supplies, which sadly I didn't!
As always, a most excellent read. A very productive rover trip, followed by quite a good time in London. Except for the Travelodge farce of course! You've done shacks on GA, and without a doubt EMUs too, that I've yet to do, that side of London always gets overlooked by me for some reason!
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