heart-of-wessex
Established Member
Hello all!
My reports are back! This one comes from the 18th - 21st September.
Prologue
So, I booked myself on the Pathfinder Border Reiver tour. Advance to Southampton was purchased, though I didn't book one back as I wasn't sure where I'd go after, turns out my mate Jerry was going to do a part fare from Reading to Twyford and would then drive me back to his so we could do a weekend bash including the Epping Ongar Diesel Gala. I was going to meet up the week before, but doing it this way would make it easier.
However, on the Tuesday, the gen was out that the tour was now out the window. Balls! They may run it next year, but having my holiday taken and advances purchased for this to happen, I don't think I will bother with the re-run if there is one.
Still, with an advance, a refund, and an advance, I wanted to make up for the loss. No advances seem to appear for Southampton - Waterloo, it is a £33 one way ticket though.
I may have to take it up, I have a ticket to Southampton anyway. Well actually, I could do Portsmouth then up to Waterloo, I need the Pompey Direct in the Up direction.
Deciding what to do didn't come until Thursday when I found myself booking a Mega Train single at £14 from Pompey Harbour to Waterloo. I could stay on my booked train to Southampton and get a single to Pompey at £10.10, cheaper than the £33 single and a mileage move to London!
I booked myself on the 1545 from Portsmouth, giving me an hour at Portsmouth to allow for problems/delays. After I booked it I decided to check what the stock would be. The diagram has it as a 12 450, no 444 then. I noticed the headcode was 2P56....oh no...
I checked this in RTT. It just happens to be the stopper...all shacks Petersfield to Woking and a journey time of 2 hours end to end, should have checked that before I booked it, oh well it is a cheap ticket.
On the Friday, I was toying with the idea of using my refund money to book the Ealing Broadway - York tour, as it does the chord at Cricklewood and Syston Curve along with some other bits. On my break I called Railway Touring Company to see what seats were left, but was told it was cancelled due to a loco failure! Turns out 46115 that was due to haul the tour failed at Rugby on the Friday.
So what will I be doing tomorrow, I still don't know!
London: The long way round - Friday 18th September 2015
So, after work I went home, had a coffee, packed my bag to the usual weight of 2 tonnes with quails, ICRS books, camera, binoculars and other bits. Off to Trowbridge station I went to pick up the 1253 Portsmouth service. 158961 rolled in working the 1F13 from Cardiff. Waiting at the front, coach A is at the back, so I go off to coach A to find my seat. Thankfully I was allocated to the coach with the ex-TPX seats.
Nothing interesting to note at Westbury, off on the long haul to Salisbury I expected a grip, I could do with one so I could buy a piece to Portsmouth. In the meantime I was checking any other tours going on. Nenta has a tour for a 47/57 from Norwich to Carlisle via the S&C and back via Preston/Wakefield Kirkgate. At £69 it is highly tempting. Looking at the times I could get to Peterborough from the 0703 from Kings Cross with a +5 or so at Peterborough. I could get the 0622 GN service but is a tight plus off the tube. I could get back too from the 2216 to Kings Cross. I'll give Nenta a call later, third time lucky I could be on a tour after all. I wanted to do the EOR, but after the PF tour was cancelled I was now pretty much in tour mode!
At Salisbury, I went to see the guard myself to buy a piece. I was expecting a drilling that I should of had a ticket in the first place, but I did show I had an advance to cover the Southampton leg, but it was quite the opposite. He seemed quite over the moon that someone actually came to him for a ticket despite him not actually doing any grips, maybe he will to Portsmouth. If I had to bail at Southampton to get a ticket, it would mean I'd probably have to get a lampost SWT service from Soton to Pompey. I've done that all shacker once from end to end, I am not doing it again!!
From here, I spent the rest of the journey transferring haulages/sights from the ICRS 2013 book to the 2015 one, and it's taking bloody ages to do!
158961 at Portsmouth Harbour having worked 1F13 from Cardiff Central
Portsmouth was reached, and had no grip at all in the end! I went outside for a couple of smokes and decided to call Nenta. They were having problems but would call me back. I hope they do!
Back on the station, I purchased a coffee from Pumpkin and made my way to Platform 3 for the 1545 which was in the platform ready. I walked up to the front coach for a quicker exit at Waterloo, not because the front coach is better in a 450! Walking to the front gave me a chance to pick off the numbers I'd be having for haulage; 450551+450120+450015, all required!
Setting off on time on 2P56, I settled in for the long trip to Waterloo. I carried on with my transferring of numbers and haulages.
By Havant I had a phone call, it was Nenta. Sure enough there was a seat available, and without any hesitation I just said 'yes, I'll book it please!' Before I knew it, I paid and was now securely booked on a tour, although I did forget to ask what the traction will be, I'm hoping it is 47's, as like Compass, they apparently request 47's anyway, but this will be my first Nenta tour having not done it before. It's likely they will be dud, but I'm looking forward to the 47 thrash and the 47 mileage top up.
I'm now wondering where we are, it seems awfully long to reach Rowlands Castle, but soo enough we slow for the 40 restriction through Buriton Tunnel, oh we weren't booked to call there then, one of only a few stations we don't actually stop at to Woking!
From Petersfield, the train turned into the SchoolEx. I was kind of concerned this might happen, given the time and the fact it's a stopper. They all seemed to be piling into the front coach, as if it was Coach A of the Desiro Appreciation Club; it's more likely to be the 'Avoid A Grip' club. One of them even mentioned 'Why isn't there many seats?' Errr hello? It's a 12 car set!
We made our way to Liphook and Liss and then slowed for Haslemere. Hmm, I wonder if we will do the loop? I need the whole up line to Guildford but I need the Platform 3. Lot's of kids were waiting on the left hand doors, so clearly it's booked for 2, but in the end we did actually swing into P3, score! I wondered if we were booked to be looped, but we only had a 2 minute stop and we were on our way. The coach was a lot quieter with 90% of the brats off the front coach, but we were nowhere near the South West Mainline, as we yet had to do Witley, Milford, Godalming, Farncombe, Farncombe North, Farncombe Parkway, Guildford Parkway, Guildford South, Guildford....Woking seemed so far away!
Guildford was finally reached and it switched from the SchoolEx to the SuitEx, with Guildford commuters going to home. We had yet to call at Worplesdon, all this stopping is now driving me up the wall! Certainly is a mission to do this end to end on a stopper!
Having now reached Woking, I gave up with my transferring of numbers and tried to get some journey planning for tomorrow. Well it appears 02 doesn't do 4G in Woking, and could only get a 'H' which was working rather slow. After leaving Woking I did eventually get 'H+', 4G not coming in use until Surbiton.
So, tomorrow I can get the 0539 from Northwood to King's Cross, and gives me a +3 onto the 0622 to Peterborough. That is from the Sub Surface to platform 10 at the cross, which it's booked for. If not then it's the 0703 with a +5 at the Peterborough end. Whichever I do, it's a tight plus at one end or the other, and having purchased a ticket for the tour I have to make it!
Between Clapham and Waterloo, I manage to spot some Heathrow arrivals passing overhead. For any plane enthusiasts, I noted these non 'G' serial heavies:
A7-APC - Quatar A380
AP-BGL - Pakistan International B777
A6-EHI - Etihad A340
B-2090 - Air China B777
Waterloo was reached at 1745, and I was glad to be off the 450! I headed to the wide gates as i had an A4 printout of my Mega Train ticket. The member of staff was waving everyone through and wasn't remotely interested in my ticket! Having had no gripper all the way from Portsmouth I have basically not had a grip at all from Trowbridge.
I went out for a smoke then headed down to the tube to top my oyster and get the Bakerloo to Baker Street. These 1972 MkII's really are growing on me I must admit, I like the characteristic's of the Bakerloo stock, the rumble of the wheelslip, the sounds of the motor, the 'click-click-click-click-click' when it notches up and the 'pop' when it shuts off to idle.
Off at Baker Street, I went up to Platform 4 to board 21005+006 working the Watford semi-stopper. I bailed at Northwood Hills and met Jerry for the mandatory Weatherspoons move. I'm informed though that this is due to close
hock:!
After a fish and chips with Thatchers, we head back to the station for a leap to Northwood on 21087+088 (required). It was then to bed for an early 5am start tomorrow!
Look out for Part 2 very soon
End of day gen
Highest Mileage Trip - 79m 06ch on 158961
Lowest Mileage Trip - 1m 01ch on 21087+088
Best part - I suppose managing to book a seat on the tour at the last minute!
Worst Part - The boring leg to Portsmouth and the stopper to Waterloo!!
Quote of the day 'These trains don't have tables, it's not fair!' - From some schoolkid with her granny, who mentioned the train she was on earlier had tables. How tempting it was to say 'Don't you know your 444's from your 450's?'
Total mileage from the day - 169m 74ch
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The Nenta Tour to Carlisle - Saturday 19th September 2015
Me and Jerry were up at 0500. He was going on the 0539 from Northwood to go to the Epping and Ongar via Stratford, as there was some track on offer using the Up and Down Temple Mills line. I was pretty jealous! Hopefully this is still on offer on the Sunday, as I could try it then. Off to the station and the 0539 rolled in on time formed of 21013+014. I need it to stay on time as I am going to attempt to catch the 0622.
I forgot to mention that I purchased a King's Cross to Peterborough £33 return the day before at Waterloo, just so that if I could get the 0622 I don't need to buy a ticket, it would be impossible to do with a +3!! I know the VT East Coast move is an option, but if there's a door problem, or even if the ramp is needed or anything that can hold it up for 5 minutes then I really am stuffed (equally the 0622 could breakdown!)
en-route I managed to score 21039+040 for sight, just 3 more Met stock I need, although I probably have seen them all but was probably at the back of Neasden depot or passing the train where I can't ID the numbers. Time was getting tight but we were running down the Met with no problems. I felt like knocking on the cab door and telling the driver to go RA to King's Cross! Jerry did give me the gen of the exit to the front of the station. Off the train from the front coach, which we were in, then up the stairs and keep going left.
On the approach to King's Cross, I got my bags on and ticket wallet out ready and standing by the front door. Arrival at King's Cross was a few seconds past 0619, there was only one thing for it....****ING RUN!!!!
I sprinted like my life depended on it! Got to the gates, slammed my oyster on the reader, got up the stairs to street level and bee-lined over to P10. As I was sprinting past the boards I noticed it was indeed on P10. The barriers were open and I noticed the time was about 06:21:25. I shot through the barriers and on to the first available doors with just seconds spare! Good gosh that was close!!
After catching my breath I checked if I needed the unit for haulage, and indeed I did need 365514. Now for the enjoyable run up the ECML...yawn. The advantage of doing this is the down slow past Hitchin, as I still need that bit of track. In the meantime I was back to transferring unit numbers to my 2015 book, managing to get up to 323's before giving up at Stevenage, so much yet to transfer!
I notice we are still on the fast line despite RTT showing as booked for P4 at Stevenage. Instead we cross to the slow at Hitchin South Jn, required crossover so I'm not fussed.
We then reach Arlesey, where the driver informs us that the lights will go out for a few seconds but we shouldn't be alarmed. I am, as I'm hoping it's not developing a problem. Sure enough the power cut's off, and power is resumed in a few seconds. Not sure what that was about, not like it would be a power change here, but we are on our way towards Peterborough.
As we come to a stop at Huntingdon, I wonder if we stay on the slow or cross to the fast. We ended up straight on the fast, required crossover but I need to come back to do the slow to Connington. It may be the last stop before Peterborough but we are still a million miles away from the end....boring!!
We arrive into Peterborough P2 and I'm straight outside for a smoke. Had no grip all the way so my ticket came in use at the barriers. The tour was not on the screen, so I got the gen from the staff who said it would be in on P5.
I head over to P5 and manage to see 170271 leaving for Ipswich, still in old Anglia livery.
Class 170271 leaves Peterborough working the 2L71 0750 to Ipswich.
It turns out I could have done the VTEC from King's Cross, as observed rolling into P4 with required 91112 leading into the station.
VTEC 91112 approaches Peterborough working the 1D03 0703 King's Cross - Leeds.
VTEC DVT 82220 at Peterborough on the rear of 1D03.
Soon enough, 47826 leads the Nenta tour from Norwich with 47854 on the rear. Both are dud, but I have no mileage record for 826, but I've done 13 miles on 854 from Ystrad Mynach to Cardiff Central, so should be scoring more on this!
47826 leads the Nenta Northern Lakes Circular into Peterborough on the 1Z58 0504 Norwich - Carlisle
I collect my ticket from one of the stewards, which I think was Mr. Nenta, and my seat was allocated to Coach A, the BSO coach at the back behind 854, with the Stratford Class 47 group and other 47 cranks. I was not really looking forward to the first part, the epic trek up the ECML to Doncaster, one of the long boring drags even on a 47! We were on the Down Slow to Stoke Jn, which is a bonus as I need this bit of track. We were also due a stop at Stoke Jn but in the end we crossed straight onto the Down Main and raced up through Grantham where I went to the buffet in coach E for a coffee and a bacon bap.
As I was queuing up I noticed we were slowing down, we can't have caught anything up? Then we turned into some loop to let a VTEC pass, hmm...
On return to my seat I checked the quail and noticed we scored Claypole D.P.L, score! Required bit of track!
That's as far as I can do for now, more tomorrow, I promise!
My reports are back! This one comes from the 18th - 21st September.
Prologue
So, I booked myself on the Pathfinder Border Reiver tour. Advance to Southampton was purchased, though I didn't book one back as I wasn't sure where I'd go after, turns out my mate Jerry was going to do a part fare from Reading to Twyford and would then drive me back to his so we could do a weekend bash including the Epping Ongar Diesel Gala. I was going to meet up the week before, but doing it this way would make it easier.
However, on the Tuesday, the gen was out that the tour was now out the window. Balls! They may run it next year, but having my holiday taken and advances purchased for this to happen, I don't think I will bother with the re-run if there is one.
Still, with an advance, a refund, and an advance, I wanted to make up for the loss. No advances seem to appear for Southampton - Waterloo, it is a £33 one way ticket though.
I may have to take it up, I have a ticket to Southampton anyway. Well actually, I could do Portsmouth then up to Waterloo, I need the Pompey Direct in the Up direction.
Deciding what to do didn't come until Thursday when I found myself booking a Mega Train single at £14 from Pompey Harbour to Waterloo. I could stay on my booked train to Southampton and get a single to Pompey at £10.10, cheaper than the £33 single and a mileage move to London!
I booked myself on the 1545 from Portsmouth, giving me an hour at Portsmouth to allow for problems/delays. After I booked it I decided to check what the stock would be. The diagram has it as a 12 450, no 444 then. I noticed the headcode was 2P56....oh no...
I checked this in RTT. It just happens to be the stopper...all shacks Petersfield to Woking and a journey time of 2 hours end to end, should have checked that before I booked it, oh well it is a cheap ticket.
On the Friday, I was toying with the idea of using my refund money to book the Ealing Broadway - York tour, as it does the chord at Cricklewood and Syston Curve along with some other bits. On my break I called Railway Touring Company to see what seats were left, but was told it was cancelled due to a loco failure! Turns out 46115 that was due to haul the tour failed at Rugby on the Friday.
So what will I be doing tomorrow, I still don't know!
London: The long way round - Friday 18th September 2015
So, after work I went home, had a coffee, packed my bag to the usual weight of 2 tonnes with quails, ICRS books, camera, binoculars and other bits. Off to Trowbridge station I went to pick up the 1253 Portsmouth service. 158961 rolled in working the 1F13 from Cardiff. Waiting at the front, coach A is at the back, so I go off to coach A to find my seat. Thankfully I was allocated to the coach with the ex-TPX seats.
Nothing interesting to note at Westbury, off on the long haul to Salisbury I expected a grip, I could do with one so I could buy a piece to Portsmouth. In the meantime I was checking any other tours going on. Nenta has a tour for a 47/57 from Norwich to Carlisle via the S&C and back via Preston/Wakefield Kirkgate. At £69 it is highly tempting. Looking at the times I could get to Peterborough from the 0703 from Kings Cross with a +5 or so at Peterborough. I could get the 0622 GN service but is a tight plus off the tube. I could get back too from the 2216 to Kings Cross. I'll give Nenta a call later, third time lucky I could be on a tour after all. I wanted to do the EOR, but after the PF tour was cancelled I was now pretty much in tour mode!
At Salisbury, I went to see the guard myself to buy a piece. I was expecting a drilling that I should of had a ticket in the first place, but I did show I had an advance to cover the Southampton leg, but it was quite the opposite. He seemed quite over the moon that someone actually came to him for a ticket despite him not actually doing any grips, maybe he will to Portsmouth. If I had to bail at Southampton to get a ticket, it would mean I'd probably have to get a lampost SWT service from Soton to Pompey. I've done that all shacker once from end to end, I am not doing it again!!
From here, I spent the rest of the journey transferring haulages/sights from the ICRS 2013 book to the 2015 one, and it's taking bloody ages to do!
158961 at Portsmouth Harbour having worked 1F13 from Cardiff Central
Portsmouth was reached, and had no grip at all in the end! I went outside for a couple of smokes and decided to call Nenta. They were having problems but would call me back. I hope they do!
Back on the station, I purchased a coffee from Pumpkin and made my way to Platform 3 for the 1545 which was in the platform ready. I walked up to the front coach for a quicker exit at Waterloo, not because the front coach is better in a 450! Walking to the front gave me a chance to pick off the numbers I'd be having for haulage; 450551+450120+450015, all required!
Setting off on time on 2P56, I settled in for the long trip to Waterloo. I carried on with my transferring of numbers and haulages.
By Havant I had a phone call, it was Nenta. Sure enough there was a seat available, and without any hesitation I just said 'yes, I'll book it please!' Before I knew it, I paid and was now securely booked on a tour, although I did forget to ask what the traction will be, I'm hoping it is 47's, as like Compass, they apparently request 47's anyway, but this will be my first Nenta tour having not done it before. It's likely they will be dud, but I'm looking forward to the 47 thrash and the 47 mileage top up.
I'm now wondering where we are, it seems awfully long to reach Rowlands Castle, but soo enough we slow for the 40 restriction through Buriton Tunnel, oh we weren't booked to call there then, one of only a few stations we don't actually stop at to Woking!
From Petersfield, the train turned into the SchoolEx. I was kind of concerned this might happen, given the time and the fact it's a stopper. They all seemed to be piling into the front coach, as if it was Coach A of the Desiro Appreciation Club; it's more likely to be the 'Avoid A Grip' club. One of them even mentioned 'Why isn't there many seats?' Errr hello? It's a 12 car set!
We made our way to Liphook and Liss and then slowed for Haslemere. Hmm, I wonder if we will do the loop? I need the whole up line to Guildford but I need the Platform 3. Lot's of kids were waiting on the left hand doors, so clearly it's booked for 2, but in the end we did actually swing into P3, score! I wondered if we were booked to be looped, but we only had a 2 minute stop and we were on our way. The coach was a lot quieter with 90% of the brats off the front coach, but we were nowhere near the South West Mainline, as we yet had to do Witley, Milford, Godalming, Farncombe, Farncombe North, Farncombe Parkway, Guildford Parkway, Guildford South, Guildford....Woking seemed so far away!
Guildford was finally reached and it switched from the SchoolEx to the SuitEx, with Guildford commuters going to home. We had yet to call at Worplesdon, all this stopping is now driving me up the wall! Certainly is a mission to do this end to end on a stopper!
Having now reached Woking, I gave up with my transferring of numbers and tried to get some journey planning for tomorrow. Well it appears 02 doesn't do 4G in Woking, and could only get a 'H' which was working rather slow. After leaving Woking I did eventually get 'H+', 4G not coming in use until Surbiton.
So, tomorrow I can get the 0539 from Northwood to King's Cross, and gives me a +3 onto the 0622 to Peterborough. That is from the Sub Surface to platform 10 at the cross, which it's booked for. If not then it's the 0703 with a +5 at the Peterborough end. Whichever I do, it's a tight plus at one end or the other, and having purchased a ticket for the tour I have to make it!
Between Clapham and Waterloo, I manage to spot some Heathrow arrivals passing overhead. For any plane enthusiasts, I noted these non 'G' serial heavies:
A7-APC - Quatar A380
AP-BGL - Pakistan International B777
A6-EHI - Etihad A340
B-2090 - Air China B777
Waterloo was reached at 1745, and I was glad to be off the 450! I headed to the wide gates as i had an A4 printout of my Mega Train ticket. The member of staff was waving everyone through and wasn't remotely interested in my ticket! Having had no gripper all the way from Portsmouth I have basically not had a grip at all from Trowbridge.
I went out for a smoke then headed down to the tube to top my oyster and get the Bakerloo to Baker Street. These 1972 MkII's really are growing on me I must admit, I like the characteristic's of the Bakerloo stock, the rumble of the wheelslip, the sounds of the motor, the 'click-click-click-click-click' when it notches up and the 'pop' when it shuts off to idle.
Off at Baker Street, I went up to Platform 4 to board 21005+006 working the Watford semi-stopper. I bailed at Northwood Hills and met Jerry for the mandatory Weatherspoons move. I'm informed though that this is due to close
hock:! After a fish and chips with Thatchers, we head back to the station for a leap to Northwood on 21087+088 (required). It was then to bed for an early 5am start tomorrow!
Look out for Part 2 very soon
End of day gen
Highest Mileage Trip - 79m 06ch on 158961
Lowest Mileage Trip - 1m 01ch on 21087+088
Best part - I suppose managing to book a seat on the tour at the last minute!
Worst Part - The boring leg to Portsmouth and the stopper to Waterloo!!
Quote of the day 'These trains don't have tables, it's not fair!' - From some schoolkid with her granny, who mentioned the train she was on earlier had tables. How tempting it was to say 'Don't you know your 444's from your 450's?'
Total mileage from the day - 169m 74ch
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
The Nenta Tour to Carlisle - Saturday 19th September 2015
Me and Jerry were up at 0500. He was going on the 0539 from Northwood to go to the Epping and Ongar via Stratford, as there was some track on offer using the Up and Down Temple Mills line. I was pretty jealous! Hopefully this is still on offer on the Sunday, as I could try it then. Off to the station and the 0539 rolled in on time formed of 21013+014. I need it to stay on time as I am going to attempt to catch the 0622.
I forgot to mention that I purchased a King's Cross to Peterborough £33 return the day before at Waterloo, just so that if I could get the 0622 I don't need to buy a ticket, it would be impossible to do with a +3!! I know the VT East Coast move is an option, but if there's a door problem, or even if the ramp is needed or anything that can hold it up for 5 minutes then I really am stuffed (equally the 0622 could breakdown!)
en-route I managed to score 21039+040 for sight, just 3 more Met stock I need, although I probably have seen them all but was probably at the back of Neasden depot or passing the train where I can't ID the numbers. Time was getting tight but we were running down the Met with no problems. I felt like knocking on the cab door and telling the driver to go RA to King's Cross! Jerry did give me the gen of the exit to the front of the station. Off the train from the front coach, which we were in, then up the stairs and keep going left.
On the approach to King's Cross, I got my bags on and ticket wallet out ready and standing by the front door. Arrival at King's Cross was a few seconds past 0619, there was only one thing for it....****ING RUN!!!!
I sprinted like my life depended on it! Got to the gates, slammed my oyster on the reader, got up the stairs to street level and bee-lined over to P10. As I was sprinting past the boards I noticed it was indeed on P10. The barriers were open and I noticed the time was about 06:21:25. I shot through the barriers and on to the first available doors with just seconds spare! Good gosh that was close!!
After catching my breath I checked if I needed the unit for haulage, and indeed I did need 365514. Now for the enjoyable run up the ECML...yawn. The advantage of doing this is the down slow past Hitchin, as I still need that bit of track. In the meantime I was back to transferring unit numbers to my 2015 book, managing to get up to 323's before giving up at Stevenage, so much yet to transfer!
I notice we are still on the fast line despite RTT showing as booked for P4 at Stevenage. Instead we cross to the slow at Hitchin South Jn, required crossover so I'm not fussed.
We then reach Arlesey, where the driver informs us that the lights will go out for a few seconds but we shouldn't be alarmed. I am, as I'm hoping it's not developing a problem. Sure enough the power cut's off, and power is resumed in a few seconds. Not sure what that was about, not like it would be a power change here, but we are on our way towards Peterborough.
As we come to a stop at Huntingdon, I wonder if we stay on the slow or cross to the fast. We ended up straight on the fast, required crossover but I need to come back to do the slow to Connington. It may be the last stop before Peterborough but we are still a million miles away from the end....boring!!
We arrive into Peterborough P2 and I'm straight outside for a smoke. Had no grip all the way so my ticket came in use at the barriers. The tour was not on the screen, so I got the gen from the staff who said it would be in on P5.
I head over to P5 and manage to see 170271 leaving for Ipswich, still in old Anglia livery.
Class 170271 leaves Peterborough working the 2L71 0750 to Ipswich.
It turns out I could have done the VTEC from King's Cross, as observed rolling into P4 with required 91112 leading into the station.
VTEC 91112 approaches Peterborough working the 1D03 0703 King's Cross - Leeds.
VTEC DVT 82220 at Peterborough on the rear of 1D03.
Soon enough, 47826 leads the Nenta tour from Norwich with 47854 on the rear. Both are dud, but I have no mileage record for 826, but I've done 13 miles on 854 from Ystrad Mynach to Cardiff Central, so should be scoring more on this!
47826 leads the Nenta Northern Lakes Circular into Peterborough on the 1Z58 0504 Norwich - Carlisle
I collect my ticket from one of the stewards, which I think was Mr. Nenta, and my seat was allocated to Coach A, the BSO coach at the back behind 854, with the Stratford Class 47 group and other 47 cranks. I was not really looking forward to the first part, the epic trek up the ECML to Doncaster, one of the long boring drags even on a 47! We were on the Down Slow to Stoke Jn, which is a bonus as I need this bit of track. We were also due a stop at Stoke Jn but in the end we crossed straight onto the Down Main and raced up through Grantham where I went to the buffet in coach E for a coffee and a bacon bap.
As I was queuing up I noticed we were slowing down, we can't have caught anything up? Then we turned into some loop to let a VTEC pass, hmm...
On return to my seat I checked the quail and noticed we scored Claypole D.P.L, score! Required bit of track!
That's as far as I can do for now, more tomorrow, I promise!
)) I headed back to the platforms to see the tour stock for the Tyseley tour was now already in P3 and loading, with the peg set to green. **** A quick power walk and the loco inched forward and stopped, I started running in case but it wasn't going anywhere. The problem is I'm now on the wrong side of the station on P4 for phots as I was shooting into the sun. It was still there, but the minute I move I know it will go. I have also just noticed the 47 was parked on the Down Main up ahead. Hmmm, well it can't be piloting the kettle surely, as the route is set so the 47 can't come on the front. 
