So, I after a 0515 wakeup call I make my way down to the station to pick up my tickets and board the
0624 Weston to London Paddington today formed of 43029 and 43154.
This was first time I have picked this train since May! Half hour later was we pass through Yatton the
sun starts to rise and the whole train is treated to see a lovely sunrise. It all starts picking up at Didcot where
Thames Turbos start passing and a few odd freights (70810). Past slough, I prepare for the slog of yards and sidings before Paddington.
Firstly, Southall! Princess Elizabeth is on show as well as a 57 down the back, shortly followed by Acton Yard, plenty of 59's and 66's in there!
Next up two in one, Old Oak, Which was empty and the IEP Depot at North Pole! I was able to list off 387130/131 and 134, there was one more in the back
but I was unable to get the number!
After alighting at Paddington I walk down to the Bakerloo line platforms for 3239, 3339 and 3554 to take me
two stops to Marylebone! After collecting which units I could see, I walk outside to catch route 205 (Today an Enviro 400H)
to Euston. I head over to platform 15 to get the sleeper locos and stock for sight, 90047 on the buffers with 92014 on ECS duties!
90047 Euston 24.9.16 by
DSH Trains, on Flickr
At 09:44 the train leaves for Willesden and I walk back over to the London Overground platforms for 378219 to take me to Willesden Junction!
I was pleasantly surprised to see Willesden Depot filled to the brim with 172/0's all required by me for sight!
I quickly run over the to Road bridge to see what Class 66's could be cleared off (0 where there!) before
jumping on the 1131 towards West Brompton, 378207 was working this today.
At West Brompton it was a quick connection onto the District Line with winners 21519 + 21520 taking me on the quick hop to Earls Court before
making another Quick jump onto the Piccadilly line with 200 taking me to Acton Town! From here I walk over to the Acton Museum Depot
before having a look around. I was suprised to see 20142 in its new paint job parked in the back yard, Was a pain to photograph
though with all the regulars getting as close as they could!
London Transport 20142 Acton Museum Depot 24.9.16 by
DSH Trains, on Flickr
After I was done with the Museum Depot I walked back to Acton Town before catching the 12:15 towards London Kings Cross formed of Tube stock 112.
I spend some time looking for 365's/HST's and 91's before heading over to St Pancras for a bit to clear East Midlands and Southeasterns and not to forget Eurostars for sight!
395022 London St Pancras 24.9.16 by
DSH Trains, on Flickr
After checking Class 700 diagrams before I left I made my way down to the Thameslink platforms for await the 1424 to East Croydon, I see the train waiting
just outside the platforms. I was 100% sure it was a 700 as there was a light on the top middle!
The train moves forward into the platform and I can't quite make out what it is!
To my disappointment it is soon clear that it isn't a Class 700 and is 377508 and 377521...
The train slowly makes its way around the backstreets of East London before stopping at Every signal between
Crystal Palace and Norwood Junction for at least 2 minutes at a time! We come to a stop at Norwood Junction where the driver tells us
there is a broken down freight train at East Croydon and we where expecting another 20 minute delay! Luckily for us we pull into
East Croydon 26 minutes late with no sign of any broken down freight train!
455822 East Croydon 24.9.16 by
DSH Trains, on Flickr
I spent some time on East Croydon waiting for Class 700's and Class 387's to pass by but not one did!
I started getting a strange feeling something wasn't right! I check Southerns website and sure enough there is Engineering works
Between Balham and East Croydon! No wonder it seemed so quiet! I Decide to get a train back to Clapham, 377473 + 377135 rolls in with the 15:48 to Clapham Junction,
Once we set off we straight away headed towards Norwood Junction before following the line back towards Crystal Palace, I was quite pleased to see we where heading down the line through Streatham as this was required until now!
We arrive at Clapham 25 minutes later before spending just under an hour here before catching the 17:06 formed of 377147 to London Victoria!
From here I found a route 436 bus towards Paddington before once again catching the 1832 home this Evening formed of 43009 + 43194!
And that Concludes the day!
159007 Clapham Junction 24.9.16 by
DSH Trains, on Flickr