Juliano's World Frenzy/Tech's Trip Reports

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Will do!

 

[Cletus]

FYI (& others ) - character limit has been upped to 50000

 

[Blindtraveler]

Indeed, your report can be relocated bacm here as the main man @Mojo has fixed this issue which appeared to be a forum default he was unaware of so next time your in London mind and buy him a pint!

 

[Techniquest]

I'll see about bringing back the trip reports on here, it's good to hear the limit has been increased but I'm not buying him a pint for increasing the limit!

 

[Techniquest]

Hi all,

Just a reminder that my next trip starts in 5 days' time, we're almost into double digits for the hours to go! 4 more shifts to command and conquer, which gives me an idea for a trip report title...

It has been suggested my British bashing days are long behind me, so I'd like to comment on that briefly. While it's no secret that I've had little enthusiasm for UK railways for a while, it should also be noted that I'm finding it coming back strongly at the moment. Saturday sees me head to London for an epic red pen fest, as does Sunday. From there the plan may change due to circumstances outside of anyone's control (not going into detail) so I may not be going to Scotland yet. That much is TBC but the trip report will reveal what I do.

I will of course be going Euro cranking at the end of next week, which does me smiling a lot as I type this. Yes the desire to tour the world and its railways still has a big hold on me, but does it mean I'll give up on UK railways? It's all to play for yet, but I suspect I'll find a way to manage UK bashing, Euro cranking and having a social life. That much has been a bit quiet lately it has to be said, but it'll be back next month.

Will I give up on British bashing then? Who knows! I could drastically change my mindset after this weekend, but certainly bashing in my own neck of the woods is less appealing currently. We'll soon find out what happens, but for now expect everything to return to normal soon!

 

[fowler9]

Hi all,

Just a reminder that my next trip starts in 5 days' time, we're almost into double digits for the hours to go! 4 more shifts to command and conquer, which gives me an idea for a trip report title...

It has been suggested my British bashing days are long behind me, so I'd like to comment on that briefly. While it's no secret that I've had little enthusiasm for UK railways for a while, it should also be noted that I'm finding it coming back strongly at the moment. Saturday sees me head to London for an epic red pen fest, as does Sunday. From there the plan may change due to circumstances outside of anyone's control (not going into detail) so I may not be going to Scotland yet. That much is TBC but the trip report will reveal what I do.

I will of course be going Euro cranking at the end of next week, which does me smiling a lot as I type this. Yes the desire to tour the world and its railways still has a big hold on me, but does it mean I'll give up on UK railways? It's all to play for yet, but I suspect I'll find a way to manage UK bashing, Euro cranking and having a social life. That much has been a bit quiet lately it has to be said, but it'll be back next month.

Will I give up on British bashing then? Who knows! I could drastically change my mindset after this weekend, but certainly bashing in my own neck of the woods is less appealing currently. We'll soon find out what happens, but for now expect everything to return to normal soon!

As long as you are happy mate. I look forward to more trip reports wherever they are from.

 

[Cowley]

I'll be interested to see what you end up doing Tech.
Looking forward to reading about your trips abroad.

 

[Techniquest]

Shall be posting a report later from yesterday's little spin to Cardiff, those who are on Twitter will know what I was up to! Shall finish typing it on the way to work and aim to post it either before or after work today.

 

[Techniquest]

Morning again all,

My latest trip report is now live on my blog! https://technniquestsreports.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1 should be the link, if not please let me know!

 

[Blindtraveler]

Well that was certainly a very enjoyable and nostalgic way to return to the rails I can certainly appreciate the lack of Enthusiasm for doing anything local this has been a problem for me for quite some time now
That being said I embarked yesterday on a few lines of rediscovery which will not last long and in fact will be completed by this time next week however it was certainly nice to do them
I will not be able to pass judgement on the 800 myself for a couple of weeks yet and possibly longer however your opinion certainly sounds favourable and might go somewhere to silencing the critics, sadly the technical failures that plays day 1 and the resultant outcry amongst media and enthusiasts I like under a lot of the good that you're right off has done for the units

 

[Techniquest]

It was a little farcical in the morning, but what new introduction has gone without a hitch? I certainly don't remember that happening in a long time!

Glad you enjoyed the read, I hope you will like them when you get the chance to try them!

 

[alexf380]

All i can say is welcome back! It's good to hear that you like the 800s so far, it'll be a while til I get my hands on one of those.

 

[Cowley]

Just read your 800 report and was pleased at your positive response to them.
To be fair apart from the problems the morning of the launch they seem to have been quite well received, which is good as they're going to be around for a long time!
I'm wondering about what the plans are with the seating that you mentioned. Hopefully not to move them up and fit a third more in each coach.

 

[Kite159]

Welcome back to British Rails

 

[postye]

I'm glad that you haven't given up entirely on the railways techniquest, your trip reports were what got me into wanting to do an ALR again and writing my own reports. Keeping norm mates and rail enthusiasm apart can be challenging.

Although I haven't contributing on here in a while, (due to a couple of issues on another section) I have been occasionally reading and enjoying the reports in this section. Keep up the good work.

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like an epic trip to Scotland

*makes no mention of scoring a certain tram*

 

[Techniquest]

Morning all,

As you'll discover below, I'm bringing my trip reports back to the forum! A lot of that is caused by a severe lack of responses ever since I started posting them elsewhere. So let's get caught up, starting with 16th October 2017:

16/10/2017 - Intercity Express Tech

Well this was an unexpected trip! I had planned my return to the UK rails to be 5 days later, but a last minute decision, having declined the option the night before, saw me make a fast march to the station after work! Making it with 10 minutes to spare, having foregone a coffee or food break on the way foolishly, I got a coffee from Pumpkin [without Bite card discount as it was at home! - Ed] after a TVM farce. I still had enough time, just, to ID the HST on the 1514 to London before joining 175105 to Newport.

Thanks to the free WiFi, I discovered there had been a farce with some fault on the other sets in the morning, so for a while I was worried I'd wasted my money! Fortunately it was discovered the other diagram was still running with a pair, so I still bailed at Newport as I had also discovered my machine, 43002, was on the 1345 from London vice 800s. Having not had it since New Year's Day 2017, it could not be turned down! After a 13 minute fester, I joined 43126+43002 for a leap to Cardiff Central. It had been many, many years since I had done such a leap on the 11m60c journey, one I made many dozens of times in the mid 2000s when South Wales was my stomping grounds. Nostalgia overload! I had also celebrated my return to the UK rails with a bottle of Black Sheep's Reaper at Newport, thanks to one of my fellow colleagues giving me a bottle earlier. That on its own is a long story!

It was of course time for a photo stop at Cardiff Central, and I would have been very happy to take my machine to Swansea. Sadly more important matters were at hand, one of which being the need of painkillers due to a random headache coming on after Newport. With those and a couple of other bits sourced, I then went to the M&S Food outlet at Cardiff Central for 3 bottles of different winning stouts for the journey home. £8.37 later I had them and one was cracked open on the platforms to continue the celebration! The 800s on the 1524 Swansea to Paddington were running rather late, and after more photos I joined double winners for everything 800009+800008 for my first ever sample of the new era. We eventually leave 8 minutes late, and understandably there was a lot of interest in this working!

So, the 800s, what are they like? I was only on board 800008 for the short leap to Newport, no doubt the first of many in the coming years, so I didn't have time for a full examination. My main query was the comfort of these trains, and while they are understandably hard at the moment I like the comfort available. The legroom, even at non-priority airline seats was fantastic, similar to a 175 in that respect. Plug sockets are between the seat bases ala 395s on these, and I'm sure each airline seat had their own socket. Having no charger with me, I didn't try them out however.

On diesel power the 800s are surprisingly quiet, and unlike Voyagers and Meridians there were no vibrations. Acceleration was smooth and unless you were looking out of the window you wouldn't have noticed if you're departing! We got up to speed fast once clear of the station throat and speed restrictions. I may be subject to opinion change once I've had a longer run on an 800, but right now I already love these trains and am looking forward to my next one! Yes I will miss the HSTs when they retire from the GWML, that will truely be a sad end to an era, but I'm satisfied the new order will be just fine. I'm told the seating and/or its layout will change in 2018, but I have no details. As they are, the trains are excellent in my opinion, and I urge everyone to give them a go! Quite, I would be very happy for Virgin Trains West Coast to order some to replace their 221s, same for Cross Country to replace their 220s and 221s!

It wasn't long until I joined 175105 to Hereford, and by now I was on my third beer of the day. Just before Hereford I finished my 4th one, and by 6pm I was really hungry and regretting not getting food in Cardiff! A supply raid in Morrisons got me some reduced chicken and turkey slices, as well as two Halloween beers for another day, before I rushed to the bus station to head home. Good thing I rushed as my bus turned up at the same time it was meant to leave the railway station! I had been on very limited battery power since Newport, having had my phone off most of the way to Hereford I also used flight mode to help keep me going with tunes on the bus home. I eventually got there, having a lengthy couple of diversions due to roadworks then an emergency road closure by the police. My phone made it home, somehow, and it was on charge immediately while I banged two pies and chips in the oven!

As some of my group have already been told, my UK railway enthusiasm is back, and Lord Quest of Cidershire is back with a vengence! Now bring on London, Scotland and my Euro cranking! Just 3 more shifts to conquer first...

 

[Kite159]

I will get a 800 into my book when I can be bothered heading out to intercept them.

Now the nights are getting dark early my drive to head out to Reading to intercept a service isn't there

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Like Kite, I'll get my first 800s in when I can be bothered (or more likely when I run across them and I am on a Thames Valley Ranger)

 

[D841 Roebuck]

Just read your blog on the London Scottish trip. Some excellent reading and moves there, although London to Glasgow on a bus doesn't sound that appealing...

However, since your blog mentions winding up the good Sir Kite of Grateley regarding a certain Edinburgh tram, it seems only fair to report that the now-apparently-defunct 315840 was scooped in by myself in August last year, between the Woods of Harold and Brent...

 

[Kite159]

Only a bus stop leap from Forest Gate to Stratford for me on 315840, appears to have been a required move as well to get towards Finsbury Park for a railtour

 

[cambsy]

Euro cranking is good fun, just done my mega Euro trip, London-Brussels-Frankfurt-Vienna, stayed one night, then Vienna-Zurich-Paris-London, all the trains were great, un refurbished TMST, ICE3, ICE3 tilt version, Rail Jet with excellent sounding Taurus loco, cant wait do more, probably in spring, but ill never get tired of UK Bashing, indeed am doing trip next week London-St Austell return to savour the GWR Hst’s while one can and have a meal in Pullman, on the 12.05 London-St Austell ervice.

 

[Techniquest]

Should have known I'd be set up for some banter with 315840, and yes London to Scotland on an overnight coach is about as fun as going to work...

I was going to post more on here tonight, but after a long day I'm instead preferring a chillout evening with a couple of cans.

cambsy, that sounds like a right monster of a trip far play!

 

[Cowley]

Good to see you’re back posting on here Tech.

 

[adrock1976]

I've only got round to reading the previous couple of pages today.

I would like to mention that don't burn yourself out, no matter if it is work or leisure related. We all need a break every now and then.

Regarding the blogspot website, I did consider maybe having the full report on there, with a brief abstract on here stating the aims, how the day went, and number of requirements landed for haulage. I decided against it as it would have been too much hassle, and it is easier to stick with posting reports here.

It's good to see you back, and well done on landing the Class 800s on the first day of passenger service.

Regarding Class 315s, I have finally managed to nail 315810 by chance the other week after several attempts, and have finally cleared that class.

 

[Techniquest]

Nicely done, I need 810 myself (and 813) so I'm glad it still exists. Not much longer until the 710s will be here!

 

[Techniquest]

21/10/2017 - Tech Brings It All Back, Day 1

Hello all and welcome to the trip report for my first major trip since August 19th 2017! I had made my return to the UK rails, with full enthusiasm back at long last, on 16th October 2017 with my first experience of the 800/0s. Please see my 'Intercity Express Tech' report for details, I was back and with a vengence!

I started typing this up on my work-bound commute on 11th September, as a means to pass time on the mundane journey. This trip attaches to the next instalment of Tech's World Frenzy, so expect a change of trip title and the continuation of the Live Trip Report as the 8 day bash goes on. Titles for this portion of the trip report were difficult to choose between, then in the evening of 9/11 after 4 pints of Butty Bach [highly recommended to all my beerhead friends - Ed] with a colleague from my old sector I decided upon what I said I would do on Tech's Reaching For The Stars, that is referencing S Club 7 again. 'Bring It All Back' seemed appropriate, given my absence from the railway world. It should be clear to all that I do like a bit of cheesy music now and again. Quite, this is one of my 'feel good' tunes, of which I have more than a few to choose from! Before I continue, much inspiration to the basher brain's return falls to noddy1878, Kite159 and Blindtraveller on RailUK Forums, amongst other sources. They were the key 3 people involved though!

This trip had been a long time coming, and in the morning of 5th October I was finally ready to go bashing again! By this point I had decided I needed to find a balance between bashing and having a social life, which I felt would be possible at last. Originally I had planned to attend the Spa Valley diesel gala/beer festival, however funds just weren't available to do it. Day 2 would instead be spent in London clearing even more from my needs lists! Having had a day of rest and recovery from work, and having packed the week before, I was up early and soon on the move to get going on the long trip to the South East. I had got a fantastic deal with National Express, thanks to a £5 off offer with Paypal, so as Virgin wanted £18 I turned it down to go to London for the bargain price of £7.10! Power socket all the way to London and a leather seat, no changes and thus no faffing around, but importantly no Droning, I couldn't turn it down!

I got to town early to allow for a supply raid and breakfast, and joined BK15 AKN on the 0950 Hereford to London, getting myself a seat next to a window and settled in for the 4.5 hour journey. This was my first journey through Gloucester in quite some time, so I noted how the bus station rebuild was going on. Tech's Mobile Disco kept me occupied for much of the journey, as did bookwork and keeping in touch with friends/being chief organiser of social events. I had finally completed the big update of my bus mileages, some huge numbers in there!

Eventually I arrived in London, and my first priority was heading to base camp, easyHotel Croydon, to check in and drop off my case. Well, that and meeting up with fellow legend Kite159 first! Obviously finding winners on the way to Croydon was mandatory, the red pen needed to come out of retirement. The walk to Victoria mainline station was soon done, and we joined winner 377116 and duds 377413+377421 to East Croydon. This would be my first train in quite some time, and I was soon checked in. Apologies for not much discussion on this part of the trip report, as there wasn't much to talk about until this point!

Once checking in was complete, it was straight back into town to get stuff done. Kite needing very little, I was going to do far better than he would! The next move fell to winner 171806 to London Bridge, as it was one of my last 4-car 171s and couldn't turn it down. An ultra quick change of trains was made and we leapt onto what turned out to be dud 465934 and winner 465155 to Charing Cross. Double duds 21307+21308 took us, after a short but fast walk, from Embankment to Blackfriars and we rushed upstairs to join winner 700032, which Kite had seen earlier and needed too, for a leap to Elephant & Castle.

Winner 700026 was next back to Blackfriars, and the wind was making a fester here a bit chilly. Eventually winner 700033 produced for the leap to City Thameslink, and a fast change of platforms got us onto winner 700001 back up the hill to Blackfriars. The fester was a little longer this time, and we did winner 700040 to City Thameslink again. It was finally time for a FLU [Full Length Unit - Ed] 700, with winner 700106 taking us onwards to Farringdon, and after just a few minutes winner 700108 took us to Blackfriars. A walk outside found both a Tesco and a Sainsburys, which I put into the memory banks, and winner 700023 turned up before the next one Kite needed was due back, so down the hill to City Thameslink we went once more!

700012 was a winner next which we took up the ramp to...Farringdon, and I'd guess you thought I'd say Blackfriars, and we wanted to change tack now, having been on 700 hunting missions for quite a while. Double duds 21493+21494 took us to Liverpool Street, and as per expectation the shuttles to Stratford weren't 345s. We needed food now, so visited Tesco Metro for a ton of reduced hot food! Back on the sub-surface lines, we joined double duds 21018+21017 to Baker Street and got double duds 3458+3232 to Marylebone. Back to the mainline, and to winner shack Northolt Park we got dud 165018. It was a cold 22 minute fester, but after 3 delayed expresses passed we joined winner 165016 back to Marylebone. Just one Chiltern shack in the zones to go!

Over to Paddington on double duds 3458+3232, and there were train faults about the place so eventually after some hanging around, we eventually joined dud 387146 and winner 387149 for the leap to Ealing Broadway. A fast change of platforms got us onto double duds 165127+166215 back to the holy grail of stations, Paddington. We only just made it onto dud 387137 and winner 387150 back to Ealing Broadway, and we originally planned to do a Central line bash next. However, we chose to ride on London United's route 65 to Kew Bridge, as I needed the shack there! The ride was over before we knew it, and to winner shack Chiswick we jumped on winner 458525. A quick leap over the bridge and it was onto duds 458533+458529 back to Kew Bridge, filling time we'd have otherwise spent in the wind.

Next up was winner shack Barnes Bridge, which cleared the Hounslow loop, the deed carried out by dud 458524. We had a look at the Thames from the bridge, then joined dud 458504 to Clapham Junction. Thanks to Kite's expert knowledge, we then joined winner 444004 to Waterloo, my first journey on one in a long time! It was time for a refreshment break, and while I got a cup of tea I lost track of Kite and there was a bit of a panic for a while! Winner 455739 took me to Vauxhall, and it turned out he was in the other coach, d'oh! Onwards to Clapham, we joined dud 455865 and winner 455847, 38 455s to go! A swift move got us onto double winners 450077+450122 back to Waterloo, and the 2312 to Basingstoke was next with double duds 450038+450126. This train goes via Point Pleasant Junction, and neither of us had done it for a while and I needed it in the westbound direction, so we went for it.

At Surbiton it was a relatively tight plus to get to my final SWR shack in the zones, winner shack Berrylands, and dud 455873 took us there. Originally, we were going to head back to Surbiton by train, but Kite discovered London United's route K2 instead.
After a short walk, we joined the bus for the 7 minute journey back to Surbiton station.

22/10/2017 - Tech Brings It All Back, Day 2

It was just after midnight when we joined double duds 450090+450127 to Clapham Junction, having achieved the mission of the night. A fast run was needed to join winner 377474+377416 to East Croydon, and after seeing Kite off on his bus to his hotel, I returned to easyHotel for a much needed rest. By 0742 I was awake after 6 or so hours of heavy sleep, and it was time to have a majorly needed de-rancify! By 0820 I was all ready to go and in McDonalds to redeemed a full coffee card, and by 0900 I had spoken to Blindtraveller and Kite was back from his slumbers. After a Travelcard purchase, we investigated the first Uckfield train, but it was 171806 from yesterday, so we joined double duds 377116+377414 to Victoria. I had planned to visit the left luggage office at Victoria Coach Station a few hours later, which would have saved me £5, but instead I went for a 96 hour storage of my case for £20. As it turned out later, it would have been a nightmare dragging that around all day so it was an extra £5 well spent!

After I stopped off for a Pret coffee, it was to the Victoria line and we joined 11062+11061 to Kings Cross St Pancras. Initially we were to go straight to St Pancras, but swung by Kings Cross instead first. Just as well, as we joined double winners 365501+365504 for a world famous Finsbury Park leap! Nothing else of interest was due for a good while, so we retreated to the Piccadilly line, another good move as it got me 4 new sights and double winners 195+158 to Kings Cross! Back up to the surface in a bit of a rush to join the 1118 to Bedford as Thameslink were terminating on platform 1 at St Pancras High Level today. Dud 700014 took us to West Hampstead Thameslink, and while I popped to the little room Kite noted one of his last, out of the current batch at least, 700/0s on its way into town so we had a 15 minute wait.

Winner 700004 took us to Hendon, and I scored a couple more 700s for sight including 700141. The last of them will soon be in the UK then! Good news with an escapee from yesterday next, with winner 700119 took us back to West Hampstead Thameslink, crossing back to the fast lines a little after Hendon which may be a required microgrice for me. We were now thinking again about food, and visited the excellent bakery just over the road, with me getting a sausage bap and coffee for £2.70, an absolute bargain! Onto the Jubilee line at last next, and it was onto dud 96003 and winner 96030 for the mileage move to West Ham. I was finally down to single digit numbers for my last 96 stock! The journey was over before we knew it, and it was time to join the mainline again, this time on c2c, with winner 357210 to winner shack Dagenham Dock.

Sadly not much action was to be had on HS1 during our short visit, and it was onto winner 357327 back to West Ham. A very short wait put us onto dud 357312 to winner shack Rainham (Essex). I now only needed that limited service shack with Chiltern to clear Zones 1-9 for shacks, and there were plans in place to get that before the 8 day trip was over...The next option was to wait for 357312 back to town, or jump on a bus. Which is what we did, joined Arriva London's DW206 on route 103 to Dagenham East. Not a bad little run that, and we were shortly onto double duds 21529+21530 to Barking, making a tight plus onto double winners 357015+357013 to Limehouse. Yes, it was finally time to get onto the DLR!

Now the moves are very dull, and with little exciting stuff to discuss I'm going to do what a lot of people do with this sort of series of moves, simply list them. They are then as follows:

70+winner 82+85 Limehouse-Shadwell
Winner 45+43+23 Shadwell-Limehouse
133+154+119 Limehouse-Shadwell
67+winner 69+71 Shadwell-Limehouse
05+winner 77+60 Limehouse-Westferry
Winner 147+152 Westferry-Poplar
145+winner 151 Poplar-Canning Town High Level
Winner 25+72+63 Canning Town Low Level-Royal Victoria
04+47+93 Royal Victoria-Canning Town Low Level
83+15 Canning Town Low Level-Stratford.

I was now down to just 5 more DLR needs, considering I needed 12 before today that was good going. Sadly there was no sign of Kite's last one, number 39, so we joined the Central line to Liverpool Street aboard quadruple duds 91319+92142+92208+91187. A quick change upstairs onto double duds 21429+21430 to Edgware Road and double duds 21539+21540 to Paddington (Praed Street side), no hunting winning S stocks as we were rushing, got us there in plenty of time for Kite's train homewards. The PNB I had needed for ages was finally done, and I sourced a Burger King meal also for the first time in ages. After an enjoyable meal, I headed to the Bakerloo line, needing 11 sets I figured my luck would be in. It took a while to get my first score, winner 3265 and dud 3447, on a leap to Edgware Road.

23 minutes later, spending the time updating my notebook with the many recent moves since 171806 to Bridge, I eventually got a winner, with dud 3266 and winner 3462 to Marylebone. 18 minutes later, with more notebook updating, I gave up and joined double duds 3250+3437 to Charing Cross. After a fresh air break and sourcing a tea from McDonalds, I still had just under 20 minutes for my next score, joining double winners 465914+465918 for a fast leap to Orpington. My notebook update finally done and my cuppa finished before departure, I settled in for a good run which is exactly what I got! A short wait got me a surprise with double winners 375910+375704 back to London Bridge. I festered here, having had a most desperate PNB on the way back, before finding a winner. However, a signal failure at New Cross stuffed me up and I gave up, heading instead to the Jubilee line to avoid a potential bowl-out.

My luck was not good here either, eventually joining winner 96122 and dud 96121 for the leap to Southwark. After a good while, I gave up and joined double duds 96080+96059 to Westminster, as time was ticking on and I had a coach to catch! Double winners 21388+21379 were had to Victoria, and I made my way to Travellers Tavern, opposite the Departures area of Victoria Coach Station. Two winner halves of beer cost me £5.25 but worth it for the two scores and to celebrate an excellent visit to London! I then discovered my coach left at 2345 not 2330, so I could have done more S7 hunting!

Eventually it was time to board Megabus' SV62 BBJ on the 2345 M11 London to Aberdeen, calling at Birmingham, Manchester Airport, Manchester Shudehill, Preston, Lancaster University, Glasgow, Perth, Dundee and Aberdeen. Thankfully it was just to Glasgow for me, but I have done it to Dundee once before and am not rushing to do that again! Departure was only 1 minute late, and I read my book for a while before trying to get comfortable. Easier said than done that's for sure!

 

[Techniquest]

23/10/2017 - Tech Brings It All Back, Day 3

Sleep was very much bits and bobs all the way to Cumbria, waking up at each stop apart from Lancaster University. By 0700 I'd given up on getting any more sleep, the excitement of getting back to Scotland was now kicking in, and I had a trip report to update too! Some more reading got done, and my needs lists were finally updated from the trip so far. Would Scotland turf out a good result? Only one way to find out, which applied both to myself at the time and to all of you reading this too...

Arrival at Glasgow Buchanan Bus Station was eventually 20 minutes late at 0925, and I went to Glasgow Central as fast as my feet would carry me. That turned out to be about 20 minutes, and after sourcing my Daytripper and meeting up with Blindtraveller [BT for the rest of this report - Ed] we went to Sainsburys Local opposite the station for a meal deal each and a bit of hot food too. The next Ayr stopper was ages away, so we were going to do the Paisley Canal line shacks next, however for some reason I got the wrong platform so we ended up on dud 156493 for the long run to winner shack Kilmaurs. A fester for winners gave BT plenty of time to take care of unexpected work before we decided enough was enough, joining dud 156457 one stop east to winner shack Stewarton.

A relatively tight plus was made easily, as winner 156508 was a few minutes late. We took this to Kilmarnock where I scored bay platform 2 [I discovered this was actually dud after the trip - Ed]. Hot drinks were sourced at the cafe Storm in a Teacup, and about 40 minutes I gave up waiting for the filter coffee to be prepared by the disinterested guy on shift. Thankfully the woman who took over knew what she was doing, and she thankfully sorted me out with an americano coffee instead without extra charge. It turned out to be the only coffee I had all day too! Eventually it was time for the 1303 to Stranraer which scored me bay platform 1, the reason for spending just over an hour in Kilmarnock. Dud 156436 took us to Ayr where we would only have a short wait for a Glasgow stopper, the reason will become shortly obvious. Dud 380002 took us to winner shack Milliken Park, with us taking advantage of power sockets.

The platform to platform change there was not an easy one, and after nearly 30 minutes of waiting dud 380104 took us back west to winner shack Glengarnock. That finally cleared everything west of Paisley for shacks, happy days! Dud 380005 took us to Paisley Gilmour Street, for a walk to Canal to do the shacks on that line next. 314205 was up first to winner shack Dumbreck, and by gum that really is an evil platform to platform change! Eventually after 28 minutes at a really boring shack, it was time to Super Dud 314205 for the trip to winner shack Hawkhead. I left BT on board to continue to the end of the line, when 314205 came back I re-joined him for the trip to winner shack Corkerhill.

314214 was next to winner shack Crookston, which we also had to winner shack Mosspark which cleared the line. 314205 was up next to return us to Paisley Canal, taking it all the way back to Glasgow Central. It took a lot longer to clear the shacks than we expected, but it was worth it. It was more than time for food now, and we went to the Blue Lagoon chippy near the Low Level entrance. By gum it's expensive in there, yes it's nice but I have never before spent £13.50 in one go in a chippy! BT is covering his share, but still that figure was shocking. However this will cause even more debate with BT so I'm leaving it there. We decided it was time to head to Edinburgh, 221129 taking us there and I got my single from Motherwell when the gripper came round. The trolley service was a pleasant surprise mind, and the hot chocolate very much money well spent.

It was soon onto a bus to BT's after a quick supply raid in Sainsburys, and I nicked his scotch pies as I was still hungry! That's how filling that chippy meal was and how good value it wasn't...Yes I will now leave it there!

24/10/2017 - Tech Brings It All Back, Day 4

A very lazy morning after some heavy sleep was had, and eventually we took route 37 into town. Originally, BT had been due to meet a mate at Brunstane, but his train was cancelled and the meet re-arranged. So he joined me for a couple of hours of tram bashing instead, which I doubt very much he enjoyed! We went and got my day return to Edinburgh Park and PlusBus add-on for £6.40, the idea now being to see which 158s were going to Inverness. Much to my dismay, for a world famous Haymarket leap, we joined double duds 158728+158716. One off on each 158!

We left the mainline for now to head upstairs to the tram stop, as thanks to the Transport for Edinburgh app we discovered two trams I needed were out so we went after them! My final tram for sight, 260, was finally seen during the wait for winner tram 277 for the journey to Edinburgh Park Station. Kite's last tram, 255, was seen just before we departed, which I also needed, so the poor lad got told about it! 260 was the next one we waited for and scored, and took it to Edinburgh Gateway where another fester occured before joining winner 255 to Ingliston Park & Ride. Photos were of course taken to tease Kite with!

I had forgotten about winner 258, so we went with it to the airport. A 15 minute wait resulted next for my last score of the day, winner 263 which we took to Edinburgh Park Station for something more interesting into town. 334039+334023 provided some welcome EMU noise to Edinburgh, and we went to Greggs for a light lunch. We then went back to Haymarket with a new member of the Super Dud Club in the form of 158719. This was to position ourselves for the 1045 from Inverness, which was sadly a pair of duds, 158725+158707 with 707 joining the Super Dud Club en-route.

I then saw off BT on his bus home as he had stuff to do, I meanwhile jumped on dud tram 266 from St Andrew Square to York Place, as I was off to Asda. I joined route 10 to the stop after Asda having got myself a little disorientated by all the new flats in the area. Supply raid done, I then went to route 16 and got back to BT's flat, ready to chill the beers and have a coffee before a social with BT and alexf380.

25/10/2017 - Tech Brings It Back, Day 5

Having finally got to sleep a little after 0030, the alarm at 0400 was understandably not welcome! A few minutes later I was up and making coffee, the wake up aided by Scott Majestik's Acid Dreams then 3 favourite pre-flight tunes. We then took the first route 37 of the day to Muirhouse Shopping Centre, with a 20 minute wait for Skylink route 200 to Edinburgh Airport. As tired as I was, the excitement factor was at play! Arrival at the airport was at 0551 and it was straight to security. Thanks to BT we got priortised and we were at gate 12 by 0606. Boarding took forever to actually start at 0626, then we had to wait ages for cabin crew to arrive just outside the plane, and it was in the hands of Ryanair's EI-FOR to cart us to London Stansted on flight FR8882 0700 from Edinburgh.

Due to congestion in London airspace our departure was delayed until 0718, when we finally got pushback. Up into the air at 0729 and it was now time to stretch out and relax. I'm not sure I've ever sat as far back as 28D before on Ryanair. Two trolleys on Ryanair is a new experience for me, but I am told it is the norm on this route. My coffee was worth every penny of £3! Back on the ground at 0831, and arrival at the terminal after a rougher than usual landing was at 0837, 12 minutes late. After a long walk through arrivals, we made it to WHSmith in the Departures area to source meal deals for breakfast. The coach station was our next stop, boarding BK64 FKO on National Express' route A7 to London Waterloo. After getting tickets, we walked to Waterloo East, and we settled on what turned out to be double winners 465027+465044 to Charing Cross.

A coffee break was had at Pret before we moved on to Embankment for some S7 hunting. Nothing but duds for ages, and we ended up joining double duds 21391+21392 to Victoria. A wait for BT's friend to arrive and a quick chat had, I returned to the District line and eventually got a winner in the form of double winners 21547+21548 to Westminster. A quick move got me to the Jubilee line, and after a 4 minute wait I got incredibly lucky with double winners 96105+96016, the latter my penultimate 96er for sight! I took these to Waterloo and began a fester for some more winners. A fair while was spent waiting before I was rewarded for my patience, dud 96058 and winner 96039 took me back to Waterloo. It was nearly 40 minutes before I moved again, this time with dud 96053 and winner 96054 to Southwark. I was now down to 4 96ers to go, and after 50 minutes since my first move that set was back, so it was down to just watching eastbound trains which was much easier.

I was, however, needing to get to base camp to check in, so an hour would have to do as I had plans for the afternoon that involved being above ground. I know it sounds awful, but I was now bored of the Jubilee line and needed a change of scene! Double duds 96045+96092 took me all the way to Stratford, where I needed a fast move to Ilford for base camp, on this occasion Brittania Inn Hotel. I had a 9 minute wait for a TfL Rail service so,as there were winners available on the Central line, I decided to go via Gants Hill! Duds 91127+92002 led winners 92226+91259 for a leap to Leyton, very shortly afterwards it was onto quadruple duds to Gants Hill.

Stagecoach London's 19764 took me on route 396 to Valentine's Park, then a short walk to Brittania Inn Hotel. A leak in the rooms booked meant we were being transferred to Lucky 8 Hotel. The hotel provided me a taxi to get there, and it's a very nice place. Payment made, bag emptied and I got in touch with BT to inform him of the change. After handing him directions, I just missed a 315 so had to get the next one. That worked out well, as I joined dud 315853 and winner 315858! As 315840 is reportedly withdrawn and being stripped for spares, I can't get that one so the TfL Rail 315s are now cleared! 3 LO 315s to get, it will never be a total class clearance if they fall, thanks to 315840, but it will be good enough!

Once at Liverpool Street, a quick scan of platforms revealed very little of interest initially. Then I found winner 315816, on the rear with 315808 now a Super Dud up front, for a leap to Cambridge Heath. 2 to go! A convenience store was visited for some beers for a planned celebration later on, both very strong beers too. Double duds 315812+315814 took me back to Liverpool Street, and it was straight to the sub-surface lines. Two S7 pairs flagged, thankfully the Uxbridge was double winners 21103+21104 which I took to Baker Street. I got the tune of the trip title playing 3 times on the way, then got straight to the Bakerloo line. 4 minute wait, at peak time, was criminal and double duds 3447+3234 were crush loaded. How I got on at all I don't know, and what a mission to get out of the train!

Thankfully I made it upstairs in time for my intended train at Marylebone to get a seat. It appeared to be an event day at Wembley as the train was busy with supporters of some sort. More importantly though, this was my penultimate 172, winner 172104 on the 1727 to West Ruislip. A celebratory beer was started and finished at the shack of choice, the reason for using Chiltern today, winner shack Sudbury & Harrow Road. This was my last shack within Zones 1-9 to clear London, hence the celebratory adult beverages! To quote Kite, London, TICK! I then joined route 245 to North Wembley, where I discovered due to a farce on the WCML, there was no LO or Bakerloo trains serving the station! Back to route 245 I went, this time to Alperton, hoping all the way the Piccadilly line would behave.

Double winners 886+228 took me to Acton Town, once it eventually got platformed there. I then had a short wait for dud 102 and winner 155 to Hammersmith. Dud 111 and winner 208 took me to Barons Court, and I took dud 866 and winner 217 to Earls Court. Finally a winner S7, in the form of double winners 21564+21563 to Victoria. A PNB was getting urgent, so that was Priority Alpha! Once that was done, it was RA Victoria Coach Station to collect my case. Back at Victoria, with that mission complete, I ended putting off eating yet again and joined dud 377609 and winner 377621, starting the second beer as we went. Over to the SWT side and I only just made it to a pair of 450s to Putney, and at Wandsworth Town I confirmed the IDs. Winner 450566 and dud 450554 were had, and after a short wait double winners 450022+450099 were taken back to Clapham Junction. 54 450s to go!

I had a fair bit of a wait here for my next move, but with good reason. My first 707s fell to double winners [obviously! - Ed] 707011+707004 for a leap to Vauxhall. After another wait, I also got double winners 707009+707006 to Waterloo. I quite like these trains, power sockets betwen the seats at bays of 4 and free WiFi, plus they were quite airy and bright so I was very happy with them. 26 of them to go, surely not long until they go into squadron service? It was now time to eat as I couldn't ignore my stomach any longer! BK meal had and that had me feeling so much better, certainly enough to get me to Ilford now! Onto the Northern line, and winner 51703 with dud 51515 took me to Tottenham Court Road, with a fast change to the Central line landing me duds 91149+92260 with winner 92120 and dud 91021 on the back for the long run to Stratford.

The final move of a very long day was 315836+315832 to Ilford, and an unwind was mandatory before collapsing into a deep sleep. This trip title now concludes, as from 26th October I was going back onto my Tech's World Frenzy hashtag and Live Trip Report!

 

[Techniquest]

You're possibly all wondering why the sudden influx of reports. Well I have a brand new phone to set up and I'm not taking the SIM out until I've got the important memo files dealt with! That includes my spending log, Red Pen and Shack Attack updates and my bus mileages. Quite, I suppose I really should backup to Drive my needs lists too! Anyway, let's finish this job first...

26/08/2017 - Ladies And Gentlemen, This Is Tech's World Frenzy (Round 3), Day 1

Welcome one and all to the third round of Tech's World Frenzy [later referenced as TWF -Ed]! Yes there really was to be yet another instalment in my series of world exploration trips in 2017, that was never the plan in Q1 but I've right proper got addicted to going to new places. It has meant a severe reduction in my UK trips, but it's for the greater good. I may not do as much exploring the world in 2018, instead returning to a clearout of the UK, but who knows? Plans are well advanced already...

The trip title references Lou Bega's Mambo No. 5, very different to my more usual musical taste it must be said, but somewhat nostalgic from school days!

This edition of TWF was booked only a few days after I got back from Milan, and it was only supposed to be getting rough prices at that point. However, when I found the bargain flight to Basel I couldn't resist and got it booked immediately, with everything else arranged around it. A few hours later, once the most important bits of booking flights and accommodation, as well as one of the key rail journeys, I discovered the day I chose to fly out was the day I was due to meet up with noddy1878 for a Southern Daysave! I had foolishly not checked my calendar and relied solely on memory, that really wasn't clever. I apologise once again in this trip report for that, as I'm usually stupidly organised with dates! Maybe in 2018 good sir?

Further research showed that my onwards travel would cost me about the same as my flight from Stansted, but it got me back on my favourite airline, Ryanair. Say what you will about them, indeed the same for Stansted, but I like Ryanair [not so much their new cabin luggage policy! - Ed] and Stansted Airport. We could be here for ages discussing both! I started typing this up on 29th August, that's how keen I was to get going! Another country was to finally come off my Bucket List and leave me just 2 more countries to visit to clear Western Europe. Before you ask, yes one of them is already booked, approximate details have already been announced. Denmark remains to be planned though! The rest of Europe, and Finland? Who knows, there's too many plans going on and not enough time or money!

Having arrived in London the day before this trip [see my previous report, Tech Brings It All Back, for the story - Ed], I was taking my first trip on Stansted Citylink to get to Stansted Airport from Kings Cross. For £7 I was never going to beat that, and Blindtraveller had assured me it was a worthy investment. After a beast breakfast, it was time to head to town. First up was the positioning move from Ilford to Kings Cross, which fell to 315857+315859 on a semi-fast to London Liverpool Street and was declared to be my farewell to the 315s on Liverpool Street to Shenfield, what with the imminent entry to squadron service of the 345s. I got my penultimate 315 with TfL Rail the day before, leaving just 315840 to get which I'm assured is being stripped for spares. Off at Stratford to try my luck on LU en-route to Kings Cross.

Dud 91195 and winner 92462 led dud 92404 and winner 91085 for a leap to Mile End, after flagging a couple of trains due to duds and being too full to board. It was just under 15 minutes until I got a winner, although due to the District line falling over thanks to a signal failure at South Kensington, I only flagged 2 trains! Double winners 21317+21318 took me west for the long journey to Kings Cross. Thanks to the delays caused on the Circle and District line, we were held at Aldgate East for what felt like forever! Out came the tunes, and we got held again for ages at the next signal, I was glad I left Ilford as early as I did! I finally arrived at 0918, and made my way out fast as I wanted coffee! Filter machine broken at Pret but they gave me an americano for the same price, happy days!

My next move was to Stansted Airport using Stansted Citylink's route 767 which runs non-stop to the airport from stop S on Midland Road, on the Thameslink side of St Pancras. These Mercedes Tourismo coaches have seats covered in fabric similar to that on Southern, so not very comfortable but it would do. We left on time and I got started on reading more of my book, 249 pages had been read by the time we were approaching Stansted Airport, with more on the horizon during the day. Arrival was at 1114, 1 minute early.

Self-scan bag drop is a new thing for me with Ryanair, and it worked perfectly. Unlike the BA self-service check-in at London City in August...That and security was dealt with in less than 15 minutes, I was impressed but it's not unusual in my experience at Stansted. Pret coffee followed, and I picked it up by the lid when I went to sit down, choosing the red blocks with UK, Euro and USB power sockets, so I lost some of the coffee to the floor! A Krakow-bound mother kindly gave me some wipes to clean down my bag, and I got some more of Tech's Favourite Flying Tunes going on during the wait. The gate was called 15 minutes early which is a nice change, so I quickly sourced 2 bottles of Pepsi Max for £3 before heading to gate 44. I had forgot the £1 water and the honesty box on the way, never mind!

Ryanair's EI-FOK at London Stansted airport, 26th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

EI-FOK was my plane on FR7973 1320 Stansted-Basel, and boarding commenced early which I've never had on Ryanair before! It was a short wait for the cabin crew to finish their checks and preparations, then I went to my seat 11A. "Window" seat it promises but there is no window on the new layout at that seat! There is at 11F but never mind, it was time to settle in and relax ahead of the departure time, which was 23 minutes away when I typed this! Pushback was had at 1318, 2 minutes early, and we were up in the air at 1327. I then spent a good while reading until 1517 [now working on GMT+1 - Ed] when landing preparations were beginning. That book will no doubt be finished before the end of the trip! We were on the ground at 1531, and arrival at the terminal was at 1533, 17 minutes early.

Passport control took a while, but my case was recovered quickly from baggage reclaim. After finding a ticket machine, I bought my single to Zurich HB for 38,40CHF. Beautiful sunny day and really warm too in Basel, so much nicer than what I left behind in the UK! Bus 7053 took me to Basel Bahnhof SBB on route 50. Many, many trams seen there, although the yellow ones didn't appear to carry numbers! After 20 minutes of spotting, I went into the station and just missed an EMU, good thing too as the next train, once I worked out how trains are displayed on the screens, had winner 460054 on the front! 460044 was also photted and it took me a while to find a seat on the 1647 to Zurich HB and beyond.

SBB 460054 on 1647 Basel SBB-Zurich HB at Basel SBB, 26th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

The coach I got was one with huge openable windows, which is just insanely funky. Way too far back to be able to hear the 460 though. Spotting in Europe is harder than it is in the UK as the numbers are nowhere near as big, so the 420s I couldn't ID. The pair of ICEs were the same frustratingly. Comfortable trains these are too. The route to Zurich is nothing special in terms of scenery, in a way it reminds me of doing Glasgow to Edinburgh, fast but nothing super exciting to look at. I noted a Ritazza outlet at Aarau station mind, home from home that! My first positive ID of a 420 was also made there, they are smaller and less modern locos compared to the 460s. Arrival at Zurich HB was at 1747, and after some photos and spotting, I went on an explore before ending at Coop near Zurich HB.

SBB 460054 at Zurich HB's platform 13, 26th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

Supply raid carried out, I ended up in McDonalds for a McBacon Double meal, large one was 10,20CHF but as that was my lunch and tea combined I didn't mind so much. Having not eaten for 12 hours [how do I manage that when bashing but not any other time?! - Ed] I devoured that fast! The TVMs don't take notes I discovered to my horror, so out came the card again!

Zurich HB station from near McDonalds at night, 26th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

A 24 hour Zone 110 ticket was the same price as two singles, 8,80CHF so to save using the card again in the morning I got the 24 hour ticket. Winner tram 3033 took me to winner shack Albisriederplatz, and I soon found my base camp, Apartments Swiss Star, finding I actually had a nice room with a reasonably comfortable bed, happy days! The first beer, an own-brand lager-beer, was had as I expected it to be bad but actually I really enjoyed it, a very pleasant surprise. Will the others, all Swiss brands, be as good or better? There was only one way to find out! I decided to pop out and cover this end of tram line 3 since I was ticketed, and winner 3009 took me to the end of the line, winner shack Albisrieden.

ZVV tram 3043 at line 3's western terminus Albisrieden, 26th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

Only a few minutes later, winner 3043 took me back to base camp, the beers were calling after all! It was at this point I realised I only had two days left on my trip, which was gutting. I also realised that the highlight of the trip was coming up, the Bernina Express. It's also worth noting now that I can't wait to get another trip to Europe done, Denmark I'm looking at you! Back at base camp, my next beer was sheer awesomeness, so I'll be pleased with my choices I reckon. Once they're all done I'll be on 1,084 unique brews, scary to think that I was on around 600 at the beginning of the year, if that!

Will the trip through Switzerland proper be any good, after all it's been hyped up a lot. Keep reading to find out, but I can tell you for sure my 5am alarm will not be welcome!

27/10/17 - Ladies & Gentlemen, This Is Tech's World Frenzy (Round 3), Day 2

Even now I reckon I could have got away with an 0530 alarm instead of 0500, but never mind! After final prep for departure, I joined winner tram 3026 to Haupbahnhofplatz HB. A full review of my accommodation will be posted on TripAdvisor and on the Accomodation Reviews thread on RailUK Forums, but the summary is that the bed was very comfortable, the shower the best I've had anywhere in the world, the free WiFi excellent and that I would happily stay again. A supply raid was made at Coop, then after some spotting I remembered I hadn't got presents for my sister and brother, so it was back to Coop. Money I really shouldn't have spent I suppose but it'll be worth it.

SBB 500017 at Zurich HB on 0707 Zurich HB-Chur, 27th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

After some more spotting, and I got plenty of trams as well as some SBB stuff, I joined winner 500017 on the 0707 to Chur. These trains have power sockets above the windows, and given I plan to use the camera a lot between Chur and Tirano, being on full power when I get off this train is mandatory! Breakfast was formed of what I can best describe as a large gingerbread man-shaped bread item with some chocolate inside. Those able to view the photo will probably be able to tell me it's something completely different! I visited the restaurant car for a coffee, 4,30CHF for a rather small cup. I would have paid less at Zurich station and had a bigger cup, but never mind that Lavazza coffee was incredibly nice and vastly needed! A little before 8am it was finally light enough to see out of the window, so I stopped updating my notebook!

SBB 500017 looks on at the mountains at Chur, 27th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

RhB's 3506 at Chur on 0832 Chur-Tirano (Italy), the Bernina Express, 27th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

Arrival was 1 up at 0821 on platform 9, and the Bernina Express at 0832 leaves from platform 10 on the opposite side of the island platform. Winner 3506 was up to take me all the way to Tirano. Quite a significant wheelflat in the coach I was in on the EMU providing the power, as I didn't have a complusory reservation for the tourist coaches. Besides, I had a window that opened up nicely for photos! Audio commentary is also made in various places. As this is a single line railway this train stops at a number of places to allow other trains to pass. After Thusis, the line starts getting more interesting, and the commentary mentions how this is only the third railway in the world to be classed as a world heritage site. I'm sure I heard it say the line has 193 bridges and 55 tunnels too, oh I am glad I did this journey now! After Filisur, we start a major session of uphill climbing, which ends in the middle of the Albula Tunnel.

It's starting to get better now the mountains are in view! 27th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

Bernina Express scenery, 27th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

A highlight of this route is between Bergün and the tunnel, where we go through reverse and balloon curves to climb over 420 metres in a short distance. A lot of twists and turns all over the place until the tunnel, which is just under 6km long, and in which I had signal nearly all the way through! By now I've also tried Fanta Mango for the first time, it's rather nice so it's a shame it's not available in the UK. After Samedan we branch left at the triangle of lines to avoid St Moritz, Pontresina being the start of the trip through the Bernina Pass. The commentary mentioned details but I got distracted and didn't catch it all.

Just look at this monster of a viaduct! Beats Glenfinnan Viaduct in Scotland if you ask me! 27th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

Tourist coaches coming over the impressive viaduct, of which I can't remember the name, 27th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

Ospizio Bernina marks the top of the line, at over 2,200 metres above sea level. From that point on, we were going downhill at a rate of 7 metres for every 100 metres. At Alp Grüm we had a 15 minute photo stop and leg stretch break, rather windy and the rain kept trying to come down but after 2.5 hours that leg stretch was welcome. I decided now was a good time to have a celebratory beer, a bit earlier than my 'Not Before 12 Noon' rule but it had to be done!

Still climbing through hundreds of metres in rather short distances, and I should mention the EMUs actually sound quite good! 27th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

Bernina Express scenery, 27th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

RhB at Alps Grum, more than 2,200 metres above sea level, 27th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

Poschiavo marked the final stage of the descent to Tirano, Italy, and this is celebrated with a second beer. These EMUs actually sound quite good to my ears, and their horn sounds like a steam loco! The journey over Kreisviadukt Brusio was quite something to experience, a 360 degree circle down a steep gradient and over a viaduct to lose height fast. It has to be seen to be believed!

After Campocologno we crossed into Italy, it's been a long time since my last cross-border train it must be said. Arrival at Tirano was at 1244, 1 minute early, and after a quick look around I saw nothing of interest. After purchasing my single to Milan for €11,50 I joined my first Trenitalia service, formed of double winners 526012+526026, on the 1308 to Milan Centrale. These things aren't overly comfortable, but they will have to do. I was disappointed to find the screens out of action, as the announcements were really hard to hear. Nevertheless, the power socket was welcome having used 42% since Chur! By Sondrio I've had more than enough of these awfully dull EMUs and it's Tech's Mobile Disco to the rescue!

Travelling down the spiral into the bottom of the valley near Tirano, 27th October 2017. Check out that dramatic gradient! by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

RhB's 3506 at journey's end, 4 hours and 12 minutes after leaving Chur, at Tirano's platform 1, 27th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

Trenord's 526012+526010 at Tirano on 1308 Tirano-Milano Centrale, 27th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

In terms of scenery, it's nothing special whatsoever. After an hour I was questioning my life choices with going all the way to Milan on these heaps of junk! Yes we ran past some lakes and mountains, but in comparison to what I had just seen I wasn't getting the camera out. After Bellano there was about 70 minutes to, and I really was counting! I note that a lot of Trenord trains are graffitied/worn out, same for many stations. I can't say I'm impressed with their operations to be honest! After doing a fair chunk of the outstanding bookwork, I didn't have long to go thankfully, and I finally arrived at 1541, 1 down.

I got a little lost finding my final base camp, Hotel Central Station, but thanks to Maps I got back on track and was soon checked in, paying the €2 city tax. After a brief break from the heat, which was around 20 degrees Celsius, I went on a hunt for food. Eventually I found a mini mart and bought two Dutch beers for the evening, then ended up in Pianeta Luna for a takeaway salami pizza. €7 very well spent on the food, €3,28 on two big cans of beer. I looked into the fare to Bergamo on the train, and I swear blind there's a shuttle bus to the airport from there. After retreating to the room to catch up on bookwork, and have a beer, I ended up back at the station to find that it was by coach only to Bergamo airport. Oh well, a 70 minute journey it will be then! I then returned to the room to have my second beer and finalise preparations for departure, leaving de-rancification for the morning.

Reading took place for a fair chunk of the evening, and by half 8 the eyes were getting tired. The alarm was set for 7am and the goal to be on a coach by 8am.

 

[Techniquest]

28/10/2017 - Ladies & Gentlemen, This Is Tech's World Frenzy (Round 3), Day 3

A full review of the final base camp of what was an 8 day trip, including Tech Brings It All Back, will go live on the forum soon as well as on TripAdvisor. My 3 bed dorm wasn't too bad, and my fellow roommates were well behaved to my surprise. I finally made the WiFi work when I was in reception on the way out, hence the lack of tweets. The bed was OK, I've had better but also had worse. The shower was a fixed position shower head, a bit inconvenient, but once the hot water was flowing it did a good job.

After leaving the "hotel" I got my ticket to Bergamo Airport for €5 from a kiosk on the west side of the station where Malpensa coaches leave from. The same kiosk did small coffees for €1 each, so I had two of them! After trekking to the east side of the station, I found the 0735 coach, Autostradale's 116, which the WiFi wouldn't work on frustratingly. Time to get the book out as I had only 83 pages to go until I finished it, and my journey was scheduled to take 60 minutes. With a case to check in as well, I had planned to leave this early to make sure I had plenty of time for everything at the airport. A smooth journey and 46 pages to go, I arrived at Bergamo Airport at 0821, plenty of time until the gate opens at that point so it was coffee time! The illy Americano for €1,62 [marked on board as €1,80 not that I was complaining! - Ed] was absolutely heavenly, and I took a seat outside once I found my bag drop desk.

Once I did that around 0920, and headed through security, I got onto the final 36 pages of the book. I noticed no bus to or from Bergamo station, so unless it arrives at a different part of the airport, the guy in the ticket office yesterday gave me the correct advice. Glad I asked now! Bag drop was cleared in less than 10 minutes, security in 8. Eventually I made it to gate B20 after passport control, which took about 30 seconds from the start of the queuing system to passing it. A seat was found and my book finished, after which I noted a few more Ryanair craft before getting a decent size coffee. Eventually I got through the gate and onto the second bus to the plane, with lots more passengers behind me. Somehow I doubt we'll be even close to on time leaving! Thanks to the free WiFi at Bergamo airport, I had got through almost all of my Favourite Flying Tunes playlist before getting through the queue at the gate.

View from seat 9D on Ryanair's EI-FOS as I flew over the Alps, 28th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

Winner EI-FOS was on Ryanair's FR4199 Milan Bergamo to London Stansted on this occasion, and my aisle seat was quickly found. A lot of passengers had to have cabin bags put in the hold, my small bag was able to go under my seat so not an issue for me. Departure was at 1154, 4 minutes late, and I was in the air at 1204 on my third flight in one week. That won't happen again for a long time! A smooth takeoff and I was already looking forward to my next flight and Euro cranking! Looking at the Ryanair app in the magazine, I was no nearer to figuring out where that would be, although of course I have my Alicante trip coming up in January. A little over two months then until the next instalment of Tech's World Frenzy!

It was time for Tech's Airborne Disco [not Mobile when flying! - Ed] after I got my usual coffee, and it was noted that the announcement for the Duty Free trolley took absolutely forever. Not that it concerned me as I don't buy off it, although one day that model of a Ryanair 737-800 will be mine, but as I had my earphones in I thought I was missing something for a while! On which note, I've still never bought one of those Ryanair scratchcards! It was then to review the photos and video clips, the shots seem to have come out well but the video clips less well so. There is a LOT of photos from the Bernina Express, and it's impossible to choose a favourite!

At 1220, the coast came into view, with landing procedures begun at 1236 after flying over London. Landing itself was at 1248 [now back on GMT - Ed] and arrival at 1255, 5 minutes early.
After making my way quickly through to passport control, which even with only 9 ePassport gates open out of 30, I was through in just 5 minutes having beaten most of the plane to it. I waited only a minute before my case came up in baggage reclaim, well chuffed! Now you'd think I'd have my lunch next, given I skipped breakfast. Umm, no, not willing to pay airport prices I got going swiftly to the railway station. I'd have been an hour ahead of myself, except the 1330 to London Liverpool Street was a pair of duds. Thankfully the pair for the 1345 rolled in before it was too late, and I noted a winner. So I picked up my coffee and sugar and marched over to join dud 379004 and winner 379014.

Bookwork, except the moves book, complete including updating my Flightdiary profile, I noted that I've now flown well over 7,000 miles on Ryanair over 21 flights! I was going to get food first, then changed my mind and went straight to LU. Good call, as I immediately landed double winners 21427+21428 on the trip to Paddington off the H&C. I could have hunted more, but I was not super bothered today, and it meant more time at Paddington. I wouldn't have to be asked twice on that idea!

The first thing I heard when I came out of the lift into the mainline station? 180102 idling, yuck! Due to it being far easier to get a seat, and I had no Bite card, I ended up in Burger King just outside the station. Supersize Bacon Double Cheeseburger XL meal had for a combined breakfast and lunch, worth every single penny! My HST is announced as going from platform 10, and I discover it was 43037+43016 on the 1621 to Hereford via Evesham. A few photos of HSTs at Paddington were got, and leaving 1 minute late I also scored 4 387s for the Book of Ticks during my wait. Passing North Pole I finally managed to ID the Virgin Azuma as 800001, nice to finally put a tick next to that in my book. Absolutely pelting it along the GWML until we dropped the anchors for Slough was rather nice! We did at least keep the high speed running going though, just like old times that run was. 4 more 387s scored for sight on Reading depot, slowly but surely GWR is getting cleared for sight yet again!

43037 on 1621 London Paddington-Hereford, 28th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

The jerking of this set after Oxford was getting really annoying, something I won't miss when the 800s fully take over. After almost 2 solid hours, the moves book update was done to the end of Tech Brings It All Back, a good way to fill the time on the trek through Middle Earth! By Ledbury I had had enough for one day, it was time to prepare to alight at Hereford. Food shopping was to be done, then head home via a lift from Mum. It's fair to say it's been a monster of a trip, the Tirano to Milan leg on Trenord aside, and I would love to return to Switzerland! You're probably all wondering, is the basher brain back now? I'll leave you read all of the two trip reports and judge for yourselves...

Arriving into Hereford, 28th October 2017 by Julian Whitby, on Flickr

Until the next time, whenever that will be...