DH Trip Reports

[Techniquest]

Nice work on getting the 67 in, and a very productive spin around the place. I didn't envy the travels on MerseyRail mind

 

[Dhassell]

Sounds like a great day touring Cheshire and its environs.

Aye, not bad weather for it either!

Nice work on getting the 67 in, and a very productive spin around the place. I didn't envy the travels on MerseyRail mind

The 67 I was very happy to see! Not very often I find an opportunity so score one! I'm guessing MerseyRail is well dud for you ! I like MerseyRail, it has a strange personality to it, it feels like a metro system, but isn't.

 

[47403]

Certainly a productive day there DS, Canny start getting skip 22 too. Always nice getting something loco hauled.
Without checking I'm sure you got one of my required for sight bouncing bombs in too.

Another good read with some cracking pics too.

 

[cactustwirly]

22/7 Cheshire Day Ranger

So after a week of rather late starts, it was time for a trip with an early start! I was up at 05:30 and made my way down to the station and waited for the ticket office to open at 6:10am! I board split tickets towards Crewe, splitting at Cheltenham, Wolverhampton and Stafford, and also requested a Cheshire Ranger, it took a minute or two to find, but eventually it was found and I made my way onto platform two and boarded a declassified first-class coach behind double duds 43020 and 43093! I had the usual risky connection next, if the HST was more than 3 minutes late, the chances of catching the 07:00 off Bristol towards the north was risky! But luckily the train arrived into Temple Meads on time! And I was able to run over and catch the 07:00 from Bristol all the way up to Stafford onboard dud 220021! I arrived into Stafford at 9am, and 10 minutes later my first winner of the day, 350250 rolls in to take me to Crewe! The plan here was to wait for the 09:49 Virgin Trains service towards Chester, but as we roll into Crewe, I notice the Crewe ATW 67 set is out, which is unusual for a weekend! After a bit of investigating, I find out that it is to work the 09:41 to Chester! So, I board winner 67022 for the ride to Chester! I make a quick toilet break at Chester before joining Merseyrail…

DB Cargo 67022 on ATW Set, Crewe Station 22.7.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

My first MerseyRail unit of the day was winner 507005, which I take to my first new shack of the day, Hooton, I make a quick pop into the ticket office/ shop and pick up a drink for a quid! I head back onto the platforms and a few minutes later, dud 507031 rolls in to take me to my second new shack of the day, Port Sunlight. Another 8-minute wait is had here before 507006 takes me to my third shack of the day, Hamilton Square. A quick connect here leaves me onboard 508130 all the way to my fourth shack. Bidston. I have a 10-minute wait here, before winner 507014 rolls in to take me to Moorfields! Next up, I take winner 508123 to Kirkdale before returning to Sandhills on 508112, I spend 40 minutes here spotting units for sight before joining winners 508128 and 508143 back to Moorfields. A two-minute wait is had here before winner 507023 and dud 507013 roll in to take me to Liverpool Central. I head upstairs and walk across to Liverpool Lime Street for my next moves...

MerseyRail 507031, Port Sunlight 22.7.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I was now wanting to head towards Manchester, and I had just missed the TPE service by 5 minutes, the next direct was the 13:51 EMT service, but I noticed there was an earlier train to Liverpool South Parkway, so I boarded winner 319371 for a nonstop run to South Parkway, before joining double winners 158799 and 158813 for the journey to Manchester Oxford Road! I wait 5 minutes here before winner 175106 rolls in to take me to Manchester Piccadilly! After 10 minutes deciding what to do next, I headed over to platform 1 and boarded the 15:14 service bound for Rose Hill Marple, formed of winner 142056, I took this to required shack, Ashburys. 2 minutes later 323238 rolled in to take me to another new shack, Guide Bridge. A 10-minute wait was had here before 142061 rolls in to take me all the way back to Piccadilly arriving at around 4pm. I decided to have another go on a Oxford Road Leap, I jump onboard 185112 just as the doors are closing and make my way to Oxford Road before returning to Piccadilly onboard double winners 150138 and 142047.

Northern Rail 142056, Manchester Piccadilly 22.7.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr
Northern Rail 323238, Guide Bridge 22.7.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I wanted to risk another hop, but at the same time didn’t want to risk missing the 16:35 VT service, so headed over to this and joined 390118 for the fast run back to Stoke-on-Trent. 30 minutes was spent here until, again 220021 rolls in to take me all the way back to Bristol Temple Meads arriving at 20:05! I have a 10-minute wait for the 20:18 non-stop back to Weston formed of 43179 and winner 43174!

Winning Units: 23
Shacks cleared: 7

Winning Units YTD: 329
Shacks cleared YTD: 102

A brilliant day there! Your trip report has inspired me to head back up to Merseyside at the weekend

 

[Dhassell]

A brilliant day there! Your trip report has inspired me to head back up to Merseyside at the weekend

Have fun!

Certainly a productive day there DS, Canny start getting skip 22 too. Always nice getting something loco hauled.
Without checking I'm sure you got one of my required for sight bouncing bombs in too.

Another good read with some cracking pics too.

Aye, was nice for a bit of loco action! Glad you like the pictures!

 

[Andy Pacer]

Do we know if the use of 67's on the Saturday Crewe/Chesters is like to become regular? Wondered if anyone had seen it today?

 

[Dhassell]

Do we know if the use of 67's on the Saturday Crewe/Chesters is like to become regular? Wondered if anyone had seen it today?

Looking at RTT. I believe it may have also ran today. http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/O15789/2017/07/29/advanced
A quick check on Yahoo Groups shows that 67022 is working
1T01 0941 Crewe Llandudno.
1T02 1128 Llandudno Crewe.
1T03 1345 Crewe Holyhead.
1T04 1639 Holyhead Crewe.
Not sure about other weekends.

 

[Dhassell]

28/7 Weekday London Bash.
South West Trains 159014, Salisbury 27.7.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

With my last London weekday bash being in October 2016, I thought it was time for another one! I was awake at 05:30 and was at the station at 06:10 for the 06:20 service to take me through to Bristol Temple Meads, formed of winner 43063 and dud 43091. Once at Bristol, I score 68018 and 68030 for sight on the flask before joining dud 158960 for the journey to Salisbury, before connecting onboard double winners 159007 and 159014 all the way to London Waterloo! I had done a bit of research beforehand, and found out if I was quick I would be able to score off 3 of the 6 C2c class 387’s on their final morning journey, so I jumped straight onto winner Jubilee line stock 96020 and dud 96019 all the way direct to West Ham, before heading up to the C2c platforms and waiting 5 minutes before triple winners 387301 + 387303 + 387305 roll in to take me past East Ham depot and into Barking Station. From here I take winner 357327 back to West Ham before taking dud 357025 and winner 357028 to Limehouse before crossing over and joining winner 357031 and dud 357039 back to West Ham. Next, I join the DLR and board double winners 34 + 93 to Stratford.

C2c 387301 + 387303 + 387305, West Ham Station 27.7.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

For my next couple of moves I join TFL Rail. I board double winners 315826 + 315834 to London Liverpool Street, before picking up some food before checking RTT and seeing a Cross rail unit is due in to work a passenger service. At 1235 I depart London Liverpool Street behind winner 345005 for the journey past Ilford depot all the way to my first new shack of the day, Goodmayes. 345008 passes ECS on the up line, before I join double winners 315845 + 315852 all the way back to Stratford, before I make a 10+ onto 317661 for the journey up to Tottenham Hale. I spend 20 minutes here before heading down to the Tube. My first move puts me onboard winners 11071 + 11072 to my second new shack of the day, Seven Sisters, before then joining 11011 + 11012 to Finsbury Park. I head onto the National Rail lines and pick up winner 313028 to my third new shack of the day, Bowes Park, before taking double duds 313054 + 313045 to Hornsey and then winner 313038 and dud 313050 to Finsbury Park, where I make a quick connection on to double winners 387118 + 387122 into Kings Cross.

Crossrail TFL Rail 345005, London Liverpool Street 27.7.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I now head down into the Thameslink platforms at St Pancras, with the plan of heading up to Hendon to try and spy off some 700’s in Cricklewood Depot. I board winner 700021 to West Hampstead Thameslink before noticing the next couple of stoppers towards Hendon are cancelled, so I quickly board winner 700029 back down all the way to Blackfriars. I then board double winners 21527 + 21528 on the district line to Temple, and then onwards on double duds 21419 + 21420 to Embankment. I then walk across the river to Waterloo. I next head to platforms 1, 2 and 3 to see if I could spot any 456’s I could quickly take a hop on as the time was now 17:00 and my train leaves Waterloo at 17:50. Platform 3 and 2 both have double 455 sets, and I check platform 1, 1 455 and 2 456’s! Perfect! I jump onboard double winners 456008 + 456014 and dud 5719 just as the doors are closing and make the short hop to Vauxhall. The plan was to stay until the next 456 rolls in, or if possible. I waited 10 minutes, before seeing a pair of 456’s roll around the corner, I picked up my bags and prepared to board, and then the signal cleared it and it sped straight through! Time was now 17:20 and I decided just to get back into Waterloo. So I boarded double winners 5862 + 5723 back into London Waterloo to await my train home!
My train home soon rolls up formed of winner 159001 and duds 159011 + 158890. I take this all the way back to Salisbury. A 20 minute wait is had here before boarding again dud 158960 back to Bath Spa, before picking up a McDonalds and heading back on to the platform for the 21:00 direct back to Weston formed of double duds 43017 + 43159.

Winning Units: 35
Shacks cleared: 4

Winning Units YTD: 329
Shacks cleared YTD: 106

 

[Kite159]

364 winning units aye?

Sounded like a productive weekday trip in London with a good variety

 

[Dhassell]

364 winning units aye?

Sounded like a productive weekday trip in London with a good variety

Edited Was meant to say 35. pressed the 3, but must have missed the 5 and pressed both 4 and 6 lol.

 

[Techniquest]

Very productive time there young sir, an excellent bit of variety and nice work on the 345 too

 

[Dhassell]

Very productive time there young sir, an excellent bit of variety and nice work on the 345 too

Always like a bit of variety, I seem to get bored just travelling on the same class over and over again in places like London, where so much is going on!

 

[Dhassell]

31/7 Freedom of Severn & Solent Day 1/8

I had been looking forward to starting this trip for many weeks after booking the tickets about a month ago. It was planned to be my last major trip on child fares before my birthday at the end of August. Today was day 1 of 8. I was planning on taking a 1 off 1 on approach to the days I used, and I aim mostly to stick to that apart from one time, where it works out better to do 2 days in a row. The plan for day one was to head down to Westbury, clearing my final shack in that area before heading back to Salisbury and clearing a few shacks on the West of England Mainline.

Due to the restriction on the rover, I make my way to the station for 9am, ready for the 09:11 train to Bristol formed of dud 158766. I was planning to try and make a +5 onto an earlier Westbury train, but this failed as my train lost 5 minutes approaching Temple Meads, so instead I boarded the 10am service as far as Bath Spa formed of double duds 43132 + 43023. I have around 25 minutes until the next Westbury bound service, so head over to the other platforms and pick up a bacon roll in the Pumpkin, before returning and boarding 158954 to Westbury, a +5 is made at Westbury onto dud 150108 to my first shack of the day, Warminster. The next few trains back to Westbury where 10 minutes down, which gave me time to get a reasonably priced cup of tea on the platform. After a 10-minute wait, winner 159012 rolls in to take me to Westbury.

GWR 150108, Westbury 31.7.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I had a 5-minute wait at Westbury before dud 150101 rolls into Westbury to take me to my second shack of the day, and my final shack between Bristol and Westbury, Avoncliff. Due to the delay on this service, I had less time here than expect, but it was a rather more pleasant station than I imagined, with a nice canal running above the railway tracks on a bridge. 10 minutes later and dud 150202 roll in to take me back to Westbury. I now have 45 minutes at Westbury until my next planned movement, so I take some time to get a drink, and take some photos of a few freight movements taking place in the yard until 13:30 where my next train pulls in formed of 158959, my next move was to try and clear Dilton Marsh, which I had a +6 to do, so as long as my train was on time, I should be fine. I boarded towards the rear and started walking through the train to get to the front door (as it is the only one that opens at Dilton Marsh), but people are messing around with their bloody reservations blocking up the aisle, shortly after leaving Westbury I am able to get to the front door, and the guard lets me and 2 others out at Dilton Marsh, I make my way down the ramp and up the other ramp to the other platform a couple of hundred metres up the line with 4 minutes to spare until the 13:38 rolled in formed of dud 150108.

South West Trains 159012, Warminster 31.7.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I had now cleared all the shacks I wanted to in the Westbury area, with the next closest being Frome, but that’s for another day and not in this rover… I got back to Westbury and had a 15-minute wait before 158957 rolled in to take me down to Salisbury, it was time to clear a couple of shacks on the West of England mainline, close to Salisbury. Due to the earlier signalling problems at Woking, my plan soon fell apart, as the 14:47 was running around 20 minutes late, this was formed of dud 159107 and was absolutely ram packed. I managed to get a seat just after Tisbury, and I alighted at my next new shack, Templecombe. The next train, the 15:43 was running 17 minutes late, and was expected at 16:00, the same time that a Yeovil Pen Mill train was due, so I had no idea which would roll in first. Sure enough, the Pen Mill train came in first, leaving the 15:43 even later, but it was formed of winner 159009 to take me to another required shack, Tisbury. Another Waterloo train passes by before dud 159011 rolled in to take me to my third and last shack on this line, Gillingham. 5 minutes later dud 159022 rolled in to take me all the way back to Salisbury!

South West Trains 159108, Tisbury 31.7.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I arrived back into Salisbury at 17:20, with 20 minutes to spare until the 17:40 back to Bristol. I soon found out this was becoming delayed, which would mean my +5 connection at Temple Meads would be long gone, in the meantime, I went into the Pumpkin and purchased a cup of tea, which I sat in and drank whilst waiting for my train back to Bristol. 158957 soon rolled in 15 minutes late, and by the time we were passing Bathampton Junction it was running 18 late. I could see my HST back to Weston waiting at the signal for us to pass, so I decided to bail the 158 at Bath, so I could use the plug sockets pack to Weston. Double duds 43176 + 43142 soon rolled into Bath and took me back into Weston, arriving at 19:50!

Winning Units: 2
Shacks cleared: 6

Winning Units YTD: 331
Shacks cleared YTD: 112

 

[Kite159]

A productive first day, apart from some delays. But good news on the HST getting held up at Bathampton Junction

 

[Techniquest]

Nice work on getting the HST in after all, a rather decent day on one of my old stomping grounds

The cafe at Westbury still on the island platform I trust? Used to be a bit of a staple for long journeys or long festers there for me. Did you get the joy of a 59 starting off on a heavy eastbound stone train? The racket they make doing that is just insane, to my ears it's a GM experience worth listening to!

 

[Dhassell]

Nice work on getting the HST in after all, a rather decent day on one of my old stomping grounds

The cafe at Westbury still on the island platform I trust? Used to be a bit of a staple for long journeys or long festers there for me. Did you get the joy of a 59 starting off on a heavy eastbound stone train? The racket they make doing that is just insane, to my ears it's a GM experience worth listening to!

Yeah, there is still a little cafe in the waiting room on the island platform, and no, there wasn't any 59s around at the time, bar one in the down yard!

 

[Dhassell]

2/8 Freedom of Severn & Solent Day 2/8

With a one-day rest break for my first trip on Monday, it was now Wednesday, and it was time for day two of my FOSS rover. I woke up at 7am, got washed, dressed and dated my rover before heading down to the station. The original plan for today was to head north, towards Great Malvern, but I decided for two shacks, it was not worth the trek, so I spent 20 minutes before leaving the door re-planning my day, I eventually decided I would focus on the shacks between Newport and Gloucester, and try and clear off Ashchurch and Cam & Dursley.

I was down at the station at 07:50 for the 08:07 train to Bristol Temple Meads, formed of 150265. Whilst on my train, I spotted on GWR journeycheck that my onward connection from Bristol, the 08:54 to Newport was cancelled… Luckily GWR decided to reinstate the train, and I was able to board dud 150263 onwards to Newport! Once at Newport, I had a 10 minute wait before my first required train of the day rolled in, 67029! I took up the vestibule with the window open for the 15 minute ride to Cardiff Central! I quickly make my way back over to platform 2, and board dud 175104 back to Newport, before another 10 minute wait puts me onboard winner 158819 to my first required shack of the day, Lydney. I have around a 30 minute fester here, taking the time to walk over to the Dean Forest Railway to see if I could spy any locos/dmus for sight. One of the class 118’s was waiting to depart on a service, an 08 was parked next to the signal box and that was all I could ID. I headed back to the station and waited for my next train…

DB Cargo 67029 'Royal Diamond', ATW WAG Cardiff Central 2.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

Soon enough, dud 170520 and winner 170522 rolled in to take me onwards to my second required shack of the day Gloucester, I had a +4 connection here, and my train was already 2 minutes late, if I missed this connection I would have to skip off Cam & Dursley for today. And sure enough, we arrived into Gloucester just as my onward train was leaving! I was left with an hour in Gloucester, so I headed over to the bus station for 20 minutes before returning and picking up an earlier train to Cheltenham formed of winner 158888, I sat in the declassified first class compartment, which wasn’t really more comfy than standard! I had a 10 minute wait at Cheltenham before winner 170637 rolled up to take me to my third required shack of the day, Ashchurch for Tewksbury. A 20 minute fester is had here, before dud 150104 takes me back to Cheltenham Spa. I join winner 158825, for the journey to another required shack, Chepstow, before talking a walk into town and picking up a drink in Greggs, before heading back to the station, and picking up dud 158835 as far as Caldicot, a quick +4 here puts me back onboard dud 158819.

Arriva Trains Wales 158825, Chepstow 2.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

The plan from here was to take this unit all the way to Cheltenham, but I saw if I could make a +1 at Chepstow, I could get back to Newport and spend some time here. I manged to pull off the +1 with seconds to spare, and board winner 170117 back to Newport. I then board dud 175104, which I also had earlier in the day to Cardiff, before once again joining now dud 67029 for a front vestibule run back to Newport! I next pick up winner 158958, which would take me all the way back to Bristol Temple Meads, where I would have a tight +2 connection onto the 18:20 service home, which I make with around 15 seconds to spare. 43024 + 43028 take me for the 30 minute ride back to Weston.

Crosscountry 170637, Ashchurch for Teksbury 2.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

3/8 Freedom of Severn & Solent Day 3/8

I was back on the rails the day after this, and headed down to the station 30 minutes later for the 08:33 to Bristol Temple Meads formed of dud 220016. The plan for today was to head down to the Swanage Railway, to clear off the entire line, including the newly opened section to Wareham. We reached Bristol TM on time, and I headed over to the Pumpkin to pick up a Bacon Roll and a Tea, before heading to platform 13 for the 09:22 to Southampton Central, formed of dud 150926. The journey to Southampton was pretty slow, and I was glad to get off! I had 40 minutes until my train down to the south coast, so decided to do an Airport hop! I boarded winner 220004 to Southampton Airport Parkway, before making a +1 onto dud 158890 back to my first required shack of the day, St Denys, before making another +1 onto winner 450108 back into Southampton Central. I have a quick +5 here before joining 220001, for a fast run to my second required shack, Bournemouth. I have around 15 minutes here, which I spend outside photographing at the bus station, before returning for the 12:24 service formed of 444038 to my third shack of the day, Wareham. I head to the little shack outside the station and pick up a return on the Swanage Railway to Swanage!

South West Trains 444034, Bournemouth 3.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr
South West Trains 158890, Southampton Airport Parkway 3.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I had been hoping for both the WCRC owned locos to be out, and luckily enough at 13:10 two WCRC locos rolled in! For the first run down to Swanage, winner 33025 was hauling the train, the journey took 45 minutes and for a Thursday the train was pretty busy with holidaymakers! I had a 26 minute break at Swanage, photographing buses and such, before heading back onto the train before waiting 10 minutes to get a front seat behind the loco before winner 37518 fired up and took me all the way back to Wareham with some amazing thrash when we opened up at the Mainline! I alighted at Wareham before watching 33025 thrash away back to Swanage! My next move was behind winner 444029 to another required shack Parkstone, a +4 leaves me on dud 444024 back to Poole, before I join winner 444022 all the way back to Southampton Central! I have a 10 minute connection here before joining 158951 for the slow ride back to Bristol Temple Meads, before joining 150102 back to Weston!

WCRC 33025, Wareham Swanage Railway 3.8.17 [2] by DSH Trains, on Flickr
South West Trains 444029, Parkstone 3.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

Winning Units: 14
Shacks cleared: 10

Winning Units YTD: 345
Shacks cleared YTD: 122

 

[Kite159]

A couple productive days on your FOSS

 

[Techniquest]

A very busy couple of days there, although your choosing to bash around the Chepstow area vice the Malverns is slightly concerning! Far nicer scenery up this way, not that I'm biased whatsoever...

 

[Dhassell]

A very busy couple of days there, although your choosing to bash around the Chepstow area vice the Malverns is slightly concerning! Far nicer scenery up this way, not that I'm biased whatsoever...

By the time I would have got to Great Malvern and back two hours would have passed! I decided for 2 shacks it wasn't worth the time!

 

[Kite159]

The Malverns can be done on a West Midlands Day Ranger

I don't think there is a day ranger which covers the Chepstow line

 

[Iskra]

Nice trip, what's going on with the WCRC loco's at Swanage?

 

[Kite159]

Nice trip, what's going on with the WCRC loco's at Swanage?

WCRC are operating the Wareham - Swanage services

http://www.swanagerailway.co.uk/wareham-timetableandfares

 

[Iskra]

Thanks Kite

 

[Dhassell]

5/8 Freedom of Severn & Solent Day 4/8

After another day break, it was now Saturday, and the plan for today was to head down towards Weymouth and clear off shacks around that area, including a ride on the Weymouth Wizard. I headed down to the station for the 07:08 service towards Taunton, formed of winner 43169 and dud 43029 down to Taunton, before joining dud 220016 for the half hour ride direct through the Weston Avoider, which I had never done before, to Bristol TM. A half hour wait was had before double duds 43196 + 43149 rolled into Bristol Temple Meads to take me onto Weymouth. The ride started of smoothly in the first coach behind the powercar in declassified first class, until just as we were approaching Oldfield Park, I here an enthusiast just in front mutter the words “Bridge Strike”. Sure enough just as we left Oldfield Park, we came to a stop at the signal just after the station and sat there for a full hour before we set off again towards Weymouth. Now running 64 late after a stop at Bath. The train was reduced to 52 minutes late on the approach to Yeovil Pen Mill, but we had to wait half an hour for another unit to come back up the line, which we should have passed at Dorchester. We set off from Yeovil running 84 late, and where due to arrive into Weymouth at 13:06… But I planned to set off from Weymouth at 13:03. I decided to bail at my first new shack of the day, Dorchester West at 12:49 running 78 late, and I made the run to Dorchester South with around 5 minutes to spare until my first SWT unit rolled in.

Awaiting The Token Section @ Yeovil Pen Mill 5.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

Winner 444009 took me to Hamworthy, before a quick walk to the other platform puts me onboard winner 444031 to Wareham, before I take winner 444011 to Holton Heath. I have never been to a station so dead than Holton Heath before… I could not hear any sign of life other than some crickets in the grass next to the station… I had a 20-minute fester there before winner 444025 rolls in to take me to Wool. Another quick walk over the bridge puts me on winner 444035 to Poole, where I then have 20 minutes here before dud 444031 rolls in to take me to another new shack, Branksome. I then join dud 450079 back to Poole and then a 5-minute wait puts me onboard 444042 all the way back to my final planned shack of the day, Upwey. I have a 10-minute wait here before duds 158954 + 150263 roll in to take me to Weymouth to await the Wizard stock to return back in from the sidings.

South West Trains 444031, Branksome 5.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr
South West Trains 444042, Upwey 5.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I re-join double duds 43196 + 43149 and the train sets off from Weymouth back towards Bristol at 17:28. After checking out sometimes on Real Time Trains, I notice that if I can pull off a good connection at Taunton, I can get home an hour earlier. Unluckily, we are running around 6 minutes late, but the guard informs us all over PA that they will be holding the Taunton connection at Castle Cary for us. I alight at Castle Cary, and quickly make my way onboard duds 43031 + 43190 to Taunton, arriving at 19:05 before running over to the other platform to join dud 150266 on the 19:07 service back to Weston, arriving an hour earlier than if I had stayed on the Wizard back to Bristol!

7/8 Freedom of Severn & Solent Day 5/8

So, after having Sunday as the rest day, I was back on the rails Monday, with the plan of making my longest journey so far on this rover, by taking a train all the way to Portsmouth and clearing some shacks around that area! As usual with this rover, I was down at the station at 08:30 for the 08:33 train to Bristol, this morning formed of dud 220028. I spotted low mileage 153305 was waiting on the 09:07 Bristol to Westbury train, so I boarded this for the 30 mile stint to Westbury, before having a 5 minute fester here before dud 158960 rolled in to take me 2 hours down the line to my first shack of the day, Portsmouth Harbour! I spent around 30 minutes photographing the buses in the bus station before heading back to the station to start my plan to clear multiple shacks, this soon fell apart when I missed my train by seconds as the departure screens where not showing any platforms, nor where the boards on the platforms saying where any of the trains going… I had to rejig my plan to clear off as many as the shacks as possible. Firstly I boarded winner 450545 to my second shack of the day Fratton, before heading to my third shack Portsmouth & Southsea behind winner 450112. I wait here for the next train towards Fratton, formed of double winners 444019 + 444036. This was part of my plan, but due to missing the earlier train, I had missed out on Hilsea, so I had to try and rejig that in as well.

South West Trains 159105, Chandlers Ford 7.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickrf
GWR 153305, Westbury 7.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

5 minutes later, and dud 158961 rolls in to take me to my fourth shack of the day, Cosham, before a quick +1 leaves me onboard dud 158952 back to Fratton, before another quick +1 leaves me onboard winner 444013 and dud 444027 to my fifth station of the day, Hilsea. I have a 20 minute wait here before dud 450112 rolls in to take me to another new shack, Fareham. I have around 30 minutes here, which I spend photographing buses outside the station, before boarding 158952 back to Southampton Central. I had skipped out two stations I had planned to get, but the trains I would have caught where cancelled, so I next boarded dud 221138 to Airport Parkway, before joining winner 159105 to another new shack, Chandlers Ford. A 15 minute wait here, buts me onboard now dud 159105, which I wasn’t sure where I was going to take it yet. I had noticed a late running 12 car 450 was at Eastleigh, and it was at a red signal. I decided I would run for it when my 159 unlocked at Eastleigh, and if I didn’t make it I would re-board the 159 and take it onwards to try and intercept the 450’s on the return. Sure enough, I miss the 450 by seconds, and re-board the 159, but we soon lose some time, so I jump off 159105 at St Denys and wait for the 450’s to return… Eventually triple winners 450023 + 450568 + 450085 roll in to take me to Southampton Airport Parkway, before I make a +3 onto winner 159104 back to Southampton Central, arriving back at 17:06.

South West Trains 450085, Southampton Airport Parkway 7.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr
South West Trains 159105, Chandlers Ford 7.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

My train home, the 17:10 was running 7 minutes late, so eventually I boarded dud 158954 for the ride all the way back to Bristol Temple Meads, this riding dragging as usual, with the slowest part being between Romsey and Westbury! I miss the 18:56 train home by minutes, so I had to board the 19:15 train home formed of double duds 43017 + 43159.

Winning Units: 17
Shacks cleared: 15

Winning Units YTD: 362
Shacks cleared YTD: 137

 

[Kite159]

A busy couple days in my semi local area

 

[Techniquest]

Another two busy and very different days there on my old stomping grounds (both 2004 and 2009-2010 versions), I didn't envy the long wait outside Bath due to the bridge strike though! I believe I've missed my chance to have an HST to Weymouth, as I had originally left this coming Saturday as my chance to go do it. Kinda maybe sorta forgot about that last week Still, I only need Yeovil Pen Mill to Weymouth on an HST, so it's not the whole lot at least eh?

Holton Heath, yes it is a very quiet place when there's no tannoy in use, how a station still survives there I have no idea.

Ouch to the mini farce in Portsmouth! I need 11 444s and you've got me considering doing a FoSS again, specifically to hunt 444s! Hmm...

 

[Cowley]

Just getting around to catching up on nearly three weeks of peoples trips. I need a week to read them all. Excellent Severn and Solent rover stuff DH. That looked really good.

 

[Dhassell]

9/8 Freedom of Severn & Solent Day 6/8

Another 2 days had passed since my last day on my rover, and I was ready to head back on the railways. The plan for today was to head to the Golden Valley Line, clearing shacks in that area before attempting Cam & Dursley for the second time and finally ending up over Cardiff.

I started off by heading to the station to catch the 08:33 train formed of dud 220005, It was a smooth run up to Bristol arriving into Temple Meads 3 minute early at 08:51. I head over to platform 15 to catch the next train to Swindon, this morning formed of duds 43138 + 43016. It was a nice quick run to Swindon, where I had around an hour to wait until my next train along the Golden Valley Line. During this time, I head down to the bus station and into the travel shops to pass some time.

GWR 43175, Kemble 9.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I am back in the station with plenty of time to spare, I see my train waiting outside the station to pull in as a late running service to Paddington is pulling out in front. It eventually arrives 6 minutes late, formed of double winners 43012 + 43170! We make up no time, and when we arrive into my first new shack of the day, Stroud, I have a +1 connection onto the other train which I make with seconds to spare! This service was formed of double duds 43175 + 43022 which take me to my second shack of the day, Kemble. I have a 25-minute fester at Kemble, where I manage to purchase a bacon roll in the café seconds before it shuts. I head back to the Gloucester bound platform and board winner 159002 (Hired in by GWR) to take me all the way to Gloucester, arriving at 12:27!

Arriva Trains Wales 143616, Newport (S Wales) 9.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I have another 25-minute wait here, before now double duds 43012 + 43170 arrive to take me to my third new shack of the day, Stonehouse. I have 15 minutes here, before dud 43193 and winner 43151 roll in to take me back to Gloucester. My plan now had me attempt Cam & Dursley again! But surprise, surprise! The service was cancelled due to a point failure at Abbotswood Junction, and it wasn’t planned to be open for another hour! This ruined my plan, so I had no option but to jump onboard dud 143616 for the hour-long ride to Newport!

DB Cargo 67016 Arriva Trains Wales WAG, Newport (S Wales) 9.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I stood on Newport station a full 30 minutes waiting to see if a required unit would roll in, and soon enough 170110 rolled in, which I took as far as Cardiff. I had nothing else to do for a while, so I bought a return to Cardiff Queen Street. Taking delayed 142006 + 143624 up and winner 150267 back to Central. I spent some time waiting to see if any required units popped up for a hop to Newport, but they didn’t. So I boarded dud 150279 back to Newport, before boarding dud 43181 and winner 43126 back to Cardiff! I had a 30-minute wait here before winner 67016 rolled in to take be back to Newport! Another 15-minute wait was had before dud 158960 rolled in to take me to Bristol Temple Meads, arriving 2 minutes too late for the 18:15 home! So I had to wait for the 18:26 stopper formed of dud 158763 back home, arriving 10 minute late!

11/8 Freedom of Severn & Solent Day 7/8

Another 2 days had gone by, and it was time for my penultimate day of my rover! The plan for today was to try to clear the awkward Beaulieu Road station and a few other random shacks in the area!

SWT 159011, Mottisfont & Dunbridge 11.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I start my day off as usual, catching the 08:33 service to Bristol Temple Meads, this morning formed of dud 220002. I then join dog box 153370 for a hour long ride to Westbury. After a 10 minute wait here, I join 158954 all the way down to Southampton Central, I have 20 minute here before a busy winner 444004 rolls in to take me to Brockenhurst, unfortunately it was running 4 minute late, so the connection onto the Lymington shuttle was looking tight, but fortunately for me and others running for the shuttle it was held, so I took winner 450071 to my first new shack of the day, Lymington Town (I had already been to Lymington Pier last year and only needed town to complete the line). 10 minutes later, 450071 rolled back in to take me to Brockenhurst where I had 10 minute to wait until winner 444010 and dud 444029 rolled in to take be all the way back to Southampton Central.

South West Trains 450071, Brockenhurst 11.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

I have another 30 minutes at Southampton Central before I board winner 450125 to take me to my most awkward shack of the day, Beaulieu Road. I have around 20 minutes here, which I use to explore the area a little bit before heading back to the other platform and boarding winner 450118 back to Southampton Central. I then have 5 minutes to cross the platform and join dud 444013 to Southampton Airport Parkway, where I make a quick connection onto a bus towards Eastleigh. I have an hour at Eastleigh before boarding triple winners 450080 + 450543 + 450012 back to Southampton Central. I have an 8-minute wait before dud 159103 rolls in to take me to Mottisfont & Dunbridge, before dud 159011 rolls in to take me to Romsey, where I make a tight +1 onto dud 158958 back to Bristol Temple Meads, where I connect 150104 back to home!

South West Trains 450125, Beaulieu Road 11.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

14/8 Freedom of Severn & Solent Day 8/8

After a weekend long break, it was now time for my final day of my FOSS rover. I started off as usual joining the 08:33 service formed of dud 220010 as far as Bristol Temple Meads, where I swap onto 150238 + 153372 to take me the hour to Westbury, where I then wait 5 minutes before dud 158955 rolls in to take me south to Southampton! I have a 10 minute fester before winner 444040 (before its new colours) and dud 444009 roll in to take me to my first new shack of the day, Pokesdown (for Boscombe). I make a quick +5 connection over the massive footbridge onto dud 450543 to my second shack of the day, New Milton, with a 10 minute fester here, before winner 450035 rolls in to take me to Christchurch. 10 minute later dud 444031 and winner 444017 roll in to take me to Bournemouth!

South West Trains 450543, New Milton 14.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

The plan from here was to clear of Hinton Admiral, but I clearly forgot the plan and headed out to the bus station, forgetting I only had a +5 here, I realised 30 seconds too late, as I ran down the footbridge the train pulled out… So I had to abandon Hinton Admiral. I decided to board winner 221127 to Brockenhurst, to re-join the plan. I noticed that if I could make a tight connection, I would be able to score another shack, so I ran across and boarded dud 450118 to another new shack, Sway. Before joining 450035 to another new shack, Totton. A 25-minute wait is had here before 450118 returns to take me to Brockenhurst, where I re-join 450543 to Ashurch New Forest, where I then catch a bus to Brockenhurst via Lyndhurst. I then join double winners 444021 + 444002 back to Southampton Central.

South West Train 444017, Christchurch 14.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr

The next few moves where aimed at clearing shacks in the immediate area around Southampton. I start off with winner 159003 to Swaythling, before joining required 450556 + 450559 and dud 450071 to Southampton Airport Parkway, I then join winner 159018 to Redbridge, before taking winner 159005 to Millbrook. I wanted to try and clear off Dean, which would be risky with both a tight connection at Dean and Romsey for my train home, but my decision was soon made when my train arrived into Millbrook 7 minutes late. So I took dud 159003 all the way to Salisbury. I then half a half hour wait before dud 158956 rolls in to take me to Bristol Temple Meads, before I join dud 150926 back to home! And that concluded my 8 days travel around the Severn & Solent area!

South West Trains 159003 + 159018, Millbrook 14.8.17 by DSH Trains, on Flickr


Winning Units: 25
Shacks cleared: 15

Winning Units YTD: 387
Shacks cleared YTD: 152

My total figures for the trip are as followed:
Total Mileage: 2322 miles 81 chains!
Total Journeys Made: 133
Total Units Cleared: 61
Total Shacks Cleared: 46

 

[Cowley]

That looked like a very enjoyable Rover. Quite a variety of trains too.
Liked the accompanying photos.