Keith goes wandering

[Techniquest]

Just goes to show how plans can change on the day eh? A good bit of results there, going to take a while to finish the work required on 450s mind! Good thing you had that SWT weekend pass, must be incredibly useful!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Saturday 29th November- A slow start but what a finish!

A free November Saturday and where do I go? Definitely not long distance on account of the poor daylight hours at this time of the year so that means in and around the capital. I have my Sunday favourites in the shape of South West Trains, some permutation of London Overground and Southeastern. The big area that screams “come and visit” is the former Eastern Region lines out of Kings Cross and Liverpool Street. I’d received reports of the “poppy” 91, 91111 working Leeds diagrams and its next trip back to Kings Cross fitted in nicely with my plans. Seeing as 111 was one of three 91s required outright, the die was cast. Tube up to Kings Cross for 365535 out to Stevenage to meet 91111 on its way back to the blocks. 365535 was a nice bonus as I’d only ever had it on the Bus Stop Bash between Kings Cross and Finsbury Park so that one nicely cleared 10 miles. I’d been keeping an eye on other 365 workings but there was nothing staying out that needed my attention – any 365 that featured on my lists seemed to prefer retreating to the sanctuary of Hornsey Depot rather than earning their keep. The 313 front was equally lack-lustre with none of the seven that I still need for 10 miles out and about.

I knew that if I stayed at Kings Cross, I’d end up photographing everything around in order to fill the time on the off chance that something required showed up. But with the haulage requirements list still too long for comfort, I thought that it would be better to move on to Liverpool Street. Needing a reasonable haul of 317s and 379s (plus one from each Class outright), the Greater Anglia side of the show seemed attractive. How wrong I was! The only 317 around that I needed (317661) was going nowhere fast and I was not up for spending the whole afternoon shuttling up and down to and from Tottenham Hale on 379s required for 10 miles. One return trip, out with 379003 and back with 379008, and I got fed up with that caper. But I suppose the benefits were that another two were heaved over the 10 mile barrier. “What was the Great Eastern mainline going to be like?” I wondered. Surely it could not be any worse than either Kings Cross or West Anglia? I was pleasantly surprised as within two minutes of arriving at the mainline side of Liverpool Street, I was on the move with dusty bin 321440, one of many needed for 10 miles, an event that took place on the approaches to Stratford. 321340 soon whisked me back from Stratford to Liverpool Street but the accumulated mileage was not enough to put it the right side of 10. Later perhaps? Rolling into Liverpool Street, 321322 caught my eye – another 321 that I could clear for 10 miles with a simple trip to Stratford.

I was getting slightly concerned as on my previous visits to the GE Mainline, all 321 workings were pairs and thus far, I had only seen singles. Had Abellio’s mean streak just got even meaner with everything apart from the Shenfield stoppers being rostered for single units on a Saturday afternoon? Thankfully not as upon arrival back at Stratford I was greeted with 321304/439 rolling in bound for “The Street”. 321439 is needed for 10 but a single spin back to Liverpool Street would not remove it from the lists. Another one for later on? [Ed: 321439 was later discovered to be a long-term absentee from the haulage log as it had not featured since 1993.] Anyway, back to the job in hand as I was assured of another winner with 321351/357 forming the next Southend Victoria train. It seemed like only yesterday when the Southend Victoria line was patrolled by the thirty two Class 307 units assisted by a selection of 302s and 308s and I was regularly travelling the route at the time too! Roll forward from nostalgia land back to 2014 and I’m soon at Stratford again having missed an up Southend thanks to slack station work with the preceding train. [Ed: despite it being usually a -1 or -2, I seemed to be making most of the up Southends off of the down workings at Stratford.] Plan B is over to the slow lines and see if I can wangle a pair of 315s instead. No such luck! First train up on the slows was 357012/227 on one the Christmas Shopper Specials off the LTS serving Stratford (change for” Eastfield”) [Ed: It almost defies geographic logic to give two shopping centres in London the same name, Westfield, with one rooted firmly in East London. At least if you turn up at the wrong one, the Central Line will take you to the right one!]. Anyway, I was not complaining as both units were under the required 10 miles but I’d need another trip to clear them both. Back into Liverpool Street and 321304/439 were waiting to leave. Good! I can now clear 321439 for 10 with a spin out to Stratford and erase it from the wants list. Carrying on the good luck of making the minus onto the Up workings I nicely fell into 321356/445 with the later in need of some mileage to clear for 10 but guess what. One trip to Liverpool Street would be not enough. Was I storing up too much for later on?

“Got to keep moving”, I told myself so true to my word I did not languish back at the subterranean rat hole called Liverpool Street. 321346/359 were inviting me to join them on account of 321346 being on the “Wanted” list. Stratford sees me sort that one out. This time I rejected the up Southend as it was dud but the following Clacton was in a totally different class in every sense of the word. 360110/121 was the traction and 360110 was an all time winner and as a bonus 306121 was removed from the 10 mile list. Time was pressing on and I had forgotten all about lunch – the rucksack only containing a banana and a plum - so back at Liverpool Street I took a short break [Ed: all of 10 minutes] and scooted outside to Tesco for refreshment. My return to the platforms was neatly timed to coincide with the departure of 321356/445 for Braintree so a short hop to Stratford finally sorted 321445 for the requisite 10 miles. 315803/814 were following up on a Shenfield stopper with 814 needed for 10 miles so off down the GEML I went to Goodmayes which also turned out to be a required shack. All of one minute later, shack duly scored I was heading back to London on 315823/833 with 315823 being my second lowest mileage 315. It would need a full length trip back to Liverpool Street to clear 823 for 10 miles with a unit that last featured in the haulage log way back on 23 December 1989 on a bus stop bash from Stratford to Forest Gate.

By now I was on a roll but very conscious that darkness had set in some while ago so my initial thoughts were that upon my arrival back at The Street, I’d be heading for home. The sight of 315819/839 preparing to leave soon put that idea on the back burner. Neither of these two had received even a mention in the haulage log since 1985 and while 819 was on 95 miles [Ed: Second highest mileage 315], 839 was still under 10 miles so it was a case of Stratford here we come (yet again) so that we could tip 839 over that magical barrier of 10 miles. The provision of 315830/855 for the return trip went down well with me as that enabled 315830 to climb over the 10 mile threshold. [Ed: 315855 also deserves special mention as it was 823’s partner back in 1989 on that short trip to Forest Gate.] Again thoughts were of the homeward variety but 360110/119 and their planned departure in a few minutes soon put those thoughts on hold. 360110 was yet another winner and guess where I went? Stratford of course; mainly because I was definitely feeling the lure of home. And at Stratford, I had a choice of three Up trains within a few moments but the first one was good enough for me – 357012/227 again and this time I was able to breach the 10 mile barrier. Yippee! This time there was nothing remotely interesting at Liverpool Street so I entrusted myself to the tube network for what turned out to be a rapid journey home.

While the day started out slow – in the first three hours I had only bagged one new loco and cleared three units for 10 miles, the subsequent 3 ½ hours gave me two outright winners, 13 ten-milers and a new shack. I certainly did not set out to bag two out of four outright needs on the 360 front or expect to get the decent haul of ten milers that eventually graced the day’s haulage log. All in all it turned out to be a very pleasant afternoon even though I did not bump into the likes of 321340 for a second trip to clear for 10 miles. To round off, here’s the now obligatory table of moves.

365535 Kings Cross to Stevenage Cleared for 10 miles
91111 Stevenage to Kings Cross New, cleared for 10 miles
379003 Liverpool Street to Tottenham Hale Cleared for 10 miles
379008 Tottenham Hale to Liverpool Street Cleared for 10 miles
321440 Liverpool Street to Stratford Cleared for 10 miles
321340 Stratford to Liverpool Street ---
321322 Liverpool Street to Stratford Cleared for 10 miles
321304 } Stratford to Liverpool Street ---
321439 }
321351 } Liverpool Street to Stratford 321351 Cleared for 10 miles
321357 }
357012 } Stratford to Liverpool Street ---
357227 }
321304 } Liverpool Street to Stratford 321439 cleared for 10 miles
321439 }
321356 } Stratford to Liverpool Street ---
321445 }
321346 } Liverpool Street to Stratford 321346 cleared for 10 miles
321359 }
360110 } Stratford to Liverpool Street 360110 New, 360121 cleared for 10 miles
360121 }
321356 } Liverpool Street to Stratford 321445 cleared for 10 miles
321445 }
315803 } Stratford to Goodmayes 315814 cleared for 10 miles, Goodmayes = new shack
315814 }
315823 } Goodmayes to Liverpool Street 315823 cleared for 10 miles
315833 }
315819 } Liverpool Street to Stratford 315839 cleared for 10 miles
315839 }
315830 } Stratford to Liverpool Street 315830 cleared for 10 miles
315855 }
360117 } Liverpool Street to Stratford 360119 new
360119 }
357012 } Stratford to Liverpool Street 357012/227 cleared for 10 miles
357227 }

 

[Kite159]

Is the Tesco at Liverpool Street that far away from the station?

Liverpool Street to Stratford is a good pair of stations for unit bashing, lots of movements between the two.

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Is the Tesco at Liverpool Street that far away from the station?

Liverpool Street to Stratford is a good pair of stations for unit bashing, lots of movements between the two.

Up the escalator near the high numbered platforms to street level. Cross the road and turn right. If you walk more than about 50 metres, you've missed it.

 

[Kite159]

Thanks, will be useful for some lunch. Are C2C running Xmas specials from Liverpool Street at weekends at the moment (to Westfield then down the Goblin to Barking)?:

 

[Techniquest]

Sounds like a most excellent day of results! I know the Tesco you mean at Liverpool Street, it is indeed most convenient!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Sunday 14th December- All screwed up!

Having had the previous weekend off from any bashing, I was quite looking forward to a Sunday afternoon foray – it seemed much longer but a quick check of the calendar told me otherwise. I had the usual assessment of where would be best to go as engineering works are always an influence on Sunday plans but for once the decision was partially made for me as I needed to meet my son to hand over a small packet to him. Of my normal Sunday afternoon haunts, London Bridge seemed the best and Southeastern were running a full service. The wants book showed that I needed numerous 375s for 10 miles Some seemed to be on 50+ miles while others were still on bus stop mileages having been done London Bridge to Charing Cross. Only one though was an outright winner, 375304. But as there’s no booked 375/3 workings on the mainline on a Sunday, there was not much chance of that. I was also chasing two 465/0, a 465/9 and two 466s for the 10 mile barrier having ticked them all off as winners in the 1990s apart from 465157 which had to wait until April 2003 to have its first entry in my haulage book.

As usual, I made my way to Wimbledon for the Basingstoke-Waterloo semi-fast. 450031/112 officiated on my normal train this afternoon and 450112 was single trip machine which I had only bagged earlier in 2014 so I was please to push it over 10 miles by Waterloo. Strolling over to Waterloo East, it was literally a few minutes before 375710/829 rolled in. A trip to Orpington solved the 10 mile problem on 710. The first pair back up were a pair of duds so I waited for the next and was rewarded with a couple of 10 mile winners (375614/805). I messaged my son, suggesting a meeting time at London Bridge. Fortunately, there was time for another round trip to Orpington and two more 10 mile requirements fell; 375806 outbound and 375822 on the return. My son was waiting for me when I returned to London Bridge for a second time and the package was handed over [Ed: a packet of specialist computer screws].

Not wanting to waste any computer building time, my son did not hang around long. I had been noting the various 465s floating round London Bridge but nothing made me look up and listen. Fortunately, there were only a few minutes to wait for next 375 on my lists to show. A third trip to Orpington beckoned with winning 375808 – one of the end numbers looked decidedly like 375806 [Ed; those of you who’d been paying attention will remember that 375806 had already been encountered that afternoon] but a quick check of carriage numbers soon confirmed 375808 was the appropriate set. Thus far, I had not seen any 375/9s and I still wanted several to finish off for 10 miles. So cue the disappointment when dud 375901 trundled in at Orpington. Thankfully 375629 was more favourable!

Back at London Bridge, the first pair of 375s up contained a 375/3 but it was notably dud 375301. I then almost opted for 376032 and a ride down the Greenwich line but I quickly worked out that I’d be falling into repeat 375s when I got back to London Bridge. Back to the 375s then with a pair that were both under the 10 mile threshold so trip no 4 to Orpington was the order of the day. And one was a “nine”, Hallelujah! Things were looking up. At Orpington, the next London bound train was showing as formed of seven cars. A chance of a “three” perhaps? Yes, another dud in the shape of 305. The following London-bound was more productive as it allowed me to scratch 375708 for the required 10 miles.

After a rapid run into the Bridge, thoughts of a homebound trip were beginning to cross my mind but I was soon brought back to reality by 375709 pulling in. A fifth trip of the afternoon would see yet another 375 breach the 10 mile barrier but I espied 466029 in the opposite platform heading for Charing Cross. A quick spin over the Thames and back to Waterloo East would leave me with just one 466 sitting on single figure mileage – the 466 won the day as of late I do not seem to be finding the 466 operated trains like I used to.

The afternoon’s business concluded with a nice triple Dessie back to Wimbledon, all the much better as 450080 staggered over the required 10 miles. That concluded an excellent afternoon’s work in and around the capital with no less than 13 more units being pushed over the almost statutory 10 mile barrier along with helping eldest son out with his computer building.

As ever, I conclude with the obligatory table of moves.

450031 } Wimbledon to Waterloo 450112 cleared for 10 miles
450112 } Wimbledon to Waterloo
375710 } Waterloo East to Orpington 375710 cleared for 10 miles
375829 } Waterloo East to Orpington
375805 } Orpington to London Bridge 375614/805 cleared for 10 miles
375614 } Orpington to London Bridge
375630 } London Bridge to Orpington 375806 cleared for 10 miles
375806 } London Bridge to Orpington
375822 } Orpington to London Bridge 375822 cleared for 10 miles
375625 } Orpington to London Bridge
375712 } London Bridge to Orpington 375808 cleared for 10 miles
375808 } London Bridge to Orpington
375629 } Orpington to London Bridge 375629 cleared for 10 miles
375901 } Orpington to London Bridge
375812 } London Bridge to Orpington 375812/909 cleared for 10 miles
375909 } London Bridge to Orpington
375708 } Orpington to London Bridge 375708 cleared for 10 miles
375820 } Orpington to London Bridge
465002 } London Bridge to Charing Cross ---
466029 } London Bridge to Charing Cross
465002 } Charing Cross to Waterloo East 466029 cleared for 10 miles
466029 } Charing Cross to Waterloo East
450015 } Waterloo to Wimbledon 450080 cleared for 10 miles
450080 } Waterloo to Wimbledon
450100 } Waterloo to Wimbledon

POSTSCRIPT - The wretched 375304, my last outright 375 for haulage decided to tease me on the following morning. With the Cannon Street debacle, several Kent Coast trains were diverted into Blackfriars and what should I see in the bays at Blackfriars on that Monday morning while on the daily commute; 375304 in the middle of an 11-car 375 formations. "RATS!" was my only thought, especially as it was headed off ECS. Another day, perhaps?

 

[Kite159]

Another good day clearing 375s for 10 miles.

If 450015/450080/450100 was on the 18:07 to Basingstoke/Alton than we could have passed each other.

 

[Techniquest]

It's taken me days to catch up on the forum (seriously, I had about 20, if not more, threads with new posts in them when I logged in this morning!), been outrageously busy at work and will be for the next 11 days. Thank Goodness for a day off today!

I must say I'm outrageously jealous of you getting 375901 because it's my last one to see. I still need a lot of 375s all in all anyway, but it's a really annoying gap in my book!

I'd have also been outrageously annoyed if I'd been in your shoes with 375304 (I'm pretty sure I need that one too!)

Some very good bits of success had there, I think I might have to pop down to the Southeastern side next time I'm in London and have a clear out. Maybe I'll do that with my time off in March...

 

[Keith Jarrett]

Sunday 21st December – Plans torn to shreds within minutes

For once, I had a firm idea where I might head on my Sunday afternoon wander around the capital. The target was the hideous numbers of EMUs that I still required for 10 miles operating out of Liverpool Street. For the statisticians amongst you the 91 offenders are broken down as follows – 13*315, 19*317, 31*321, 15*360 (including two required outright) and 13*379. So I set off for Wimbledon and my favourite Basingstoke stopper as my conveyance to Waterloo fully, expecting three dud 450s to be the order of the day. I was not expecting 450078 which was my joint (with 450009) lowest mileage 450 particularly as I have altered my commute home to encompass known 450 workings. Both 450078 and its comrade 009 had not featured in the haulage book since I had them new in the latter months of 2005 on Bus Stop Bashes. 450078 was going to cause a problem as a single trip to Waterloo would not heave it over the magical 10 miles although it would be within touching distance. Furthermore it was on the country end of the working and I could not therefore guarantee what it would work after it returned to Basingstoke. So I only had one option. Wait at Waterloo for half an hour – thank goodness for the reading rooms kindly provided by Mr W H Smith – for it to head out of town and me to knock it off the 10 mile list.

By then I had abandoned the idea of heading to Liverpool Street as I would have already lost an hour valuable cranking time over there and thoughts turned to keeping it local. Control had other ideas though. While at Waterloo, I’d clocked 5913 arriving on a Waterloo-Kingston-Twickenham-Waterloo circular arriving at waterloo and its next working would be a reverse of that loop leaving a few minutes after my required triple containing 450078. Easy, I could pick that up at Clapham Junction and improve the mileage on my lowest mileage SWT 455. 5913 in its current format with a brand new power car is over 200 miles adrift of any other SWT 455 and barely in double figures. A “Plan B” was beginning to emerge but even within 10 minutes Plan B needed a rewrite as 444029 put in an appearance, this being one of only for Arkwrights that are under 10 miles . What’s more it was bound for Weymouth so would not be back until the next millennium. How could I deal with both 5913 and 444029 without massive festers? To add to the problem, 444029 needed much more than a Waterloo-Clapham Junction run to push it over the required 10 miles simply on account of that’s all I did with it back in February when I had it new on the very same working. So a visit Woking was going to feature in the afternoon’s plans. The prospect of getting some decent mileage with 5913 was receding faster than the tide!

On the way out of Waterloo with 450072+073+078, I passed an inbound pair of 450s which I could not properly identify although one looked remarkably like one that was still on the “Required for 10” lists. Could I build that in as well? Possibly, if everything worked out well. Cue “spanner in the works” number 2. An up Windsor train would get me back in time for the pair of anonymous 450s but on a +1 from Platform 16 to platform 10 at Waterloo. The spanner was in the shape of 450071 which I had only had for the first time back in September and I still needed more than a Clapham Junction to Waterloo run with it to meet with the approval of the 10 Mile Police. That would have to wait –I t was on Windsors so fairly easy to get later.

Thankfully 450071 made good time to Waterloo and despite a signal check outside the station I had an extra 35 seconds to leap from Platform 16 to Platform 10 for the unknown 450s. I managed to squeeze into the back door as the platform staff were having their final blast on the whistle – I was hastily pushed into the train by a young lady who’d cut even finer than I! The back unit was dud as I had suspected; but what of the front unit? I walked through to be met with a second dud – I had misread the number earlier on. But 444029 was still behind so I bailed at Clapham Junction and was very pleased to board it a few minutes later. Just over six miles into the journey, I managed to earn another brownie point with the 10 Mile Police as I was able to reduce my 444s for 10 to a commendable three. There did not seem to be much of interest at Woking and rather than wait ages, I opted for the next pair of 159s back towards the relative safety of Clapham Junction. My thoughts turned again to 5913 which by now should be at Waterloo and soon to head to Shepperton. I had a few minutes to wait at Clapham for 5913 so to kill time I wandered over to the Overground platforms. 5 -0 – 2 were the numbers that I saw as I came down the stairs onto platform 2 – that jester of a 378 called 378205 was about to head to Stratford. Stuff 5913! 378205 was still needed for 10 miles despite having already done three different trips with it (and two of those trips were in the past fortnight- the Bush Stop Bash King must be proud of me!). Only one solution, knock it on the head with a quick spin to West Brompton (not wanting to risk the +1 over the bridge at Kenny O) for whatever was the next thing back as I would have not long to wait for 450071 on its way back from Windsor. The arrival of 378234 soon put that idea to bed as 234 was another one wanted by the 10 Mile Police. West Brompton to Clapham would still leave it on the wanted list but the desperate move of West Brompton to Clapham and back to West Brompton would put it out of reach of the 10 Mile Police. I was however faced with a bit of a decision at Clapham Junction while waiting for 378234 to return to Stratford – the offender being 378141 in its new five-car format complete with a vinyl at the front telling all and sundry that it was now a 5 car train. 450071 would have to wait.

In some ways, I was quite pleased on my second visit to West Brompton to see dud 378219 roll in as that meant I could get back to Clapham Junction and concentrate on getting 450071 out of the way. A quick check of realtimetrains showed that I had a comfortable +6 at Vauxhall for 450071 (and friend 114) off the next up Windsor which turned in with 450090+127. I swapped platforms at Vauxhall via the lengthy staircases which are far too long for +1s to await 450071. I’d totally forgotten that 450114 was the leading unit and had a minor panic when the train rolled in. Order was quickly restored when I identified the rear unit – the much talked about 450071. A quick run to Clapham Junction saw another unit over the 10 mile barrier. All thoughts of 5913 were now abandoned as it was already on its way back from Shepperton and there was no prospect of a decent run with it unless I wanted to go via Waterloo. But there was another “Aaaargh” moment as I swapped platforms for the next down Basingstoke stopper (I knew that should be 450072+073) for the journey home. The preceding Weymouth train was still in the platforms but by the time I had identified the rear unit as 444006, the guard had shut the doors. Despite my desire to get home, I would have contemplated going to Woking in order to clear 006 for 10 miles. But it was not to be.

So, apart from getting the Basingstoke stopper up from Wimbledon as my first move, my plans for the afternoon were constantly changing and evolving. While I never did catch up with 5913, I was content with the afternoon’s haul, especially as it is getting increasingly difficult to get much out of trips around my local area. As is usual, I finish off with a table detailing the afternoon’s moves.

450072+073+078 Wimbledon to Waterloo ---
450072+073+078 Waterloo to Clapham Junction 450078 cleared for 10 miles
450071+114 Clapham Junction to Waterloo ---
450028+556 Waterloo to Clapham Junction ---
444029+033 Clapham Junction to Woking 444029 cleared for 10 miles
159012+015 Woking to Clapham Junction ---
378205 Clapham Junction to West Brompton Cleared for 10 miles
378234 West Brompton to Clapham Junction ---
378234 Clapham Junction to West Brompton Cleared for 10 miles
378219 West Brompton to Clapham Junction ---
450090+127 Clapham Junction to Vauxhall ---
450071+114 Vauxhall to Clapham Junction 450071 cleared for 10 miles
450072+073 Clapham Junction to Wimbledon ---
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Another good day clearing 375s for 10 miles.

If 450015/450080/450100 was on the 18:07 to Basingstoke/Alton than we could have passed each other.

Yep, I was aboard, sat in 450080 naturally as that was the one needed for 10 miles.

 

[Techniquest]

An excellent turn out on your local patch there! I've not had a day out with that many changes of plan for years, but they can still be good fun!

Doing better than me on the SWT front that's for sure, I still need 12 444s (I think!) and a whopping 72 450s. Not to mention something like 62 455s, although a good size chunk of those are with Southern. 458s and 456s? I don't want to think about that...

I'm of course hoping to change that in 2015, as I need a lot of stations on the SWT network so hoping to clear some of those when I come down to London in March. GN 313s to be done as a higher priority of course!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

An excellent turn out on your local patch there! I've not had a day out with that many changes of plan for years, but they can still be good fun!

Doing better than me on the SWT front that's for sure, I still need 12 444s (I think!) and a whopping 72 450s. Not to mention something like 62 455s, although a good size chunk of those are with Southern. 458s and 456s? I don't want to think about that...

I'm of course hoping to change that in 2015, as I need a lot of stations on the SWT network so hoping to clear some of those when I come down to London in March. GN 313s to be done as a higher priority of course!

About the only time I end up with concrete plans these days is when I am after specific workings or I know that a string of moves will be highly productive for me. Otherwise, when I set out, I'll normally have a rough idea of what I'll be doing but nothing more.

Yes, I suppose I am doing alright on my home patch with the following needed
SWT - 1*158 outright, 3*458/5 outright. 3*444 for 10 miles, 12*450 for 10 miles & 3*458/0 for 10 miles

Southern - 4*171 outright (pure laziness on my part), 1*313 for 10 miles and 4*442 for 10 miles

SouthEastern - 1*375 outright, 39*375 for 10 miles, 12*376 for 10 miles, 11*395 outright (+6 more for 10 miles), 3*465 for 10 miles and 1*466 for 10 miles

Thameslink - 10*377/5 for 10 miles and all 387s outright

Notice the complete absence of all green 377s, 455s and 456s. All cleared for 10 miles and in the case of SWT 455s, all are over 200 miles. Also all 319s are cleared for 1,000 miles. I'm down to seven GN 313s and that's just making the effort to go over there.

As for shacks, there's still a long, long way to go on that front although Thameslink south of the river is clear and SWT within Greater London is looking good with just some effort needed on the Chessington South branch and the Hounslow loop. London Overground just needs some attention on the Watford line and two on the GOBLIN then that'll be job done.

All in all, starting to shape up well but still plenty to do....
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
27th December 2014 – A Post Christmas Grice

Finding myself free on a winter Saturday automatically implied that my bashing would be conducted in and around London. An early start was out of the question on account of needing to be polite to departing Christmas houseguests. Seasonal engineering work ruled out a visit to the Great Northern on account of very little being scheduled to serve Kings Cross. Paddington and the Great Western Main Line was another possibility with a Thames Branches Day Ranger but I opted to try out a two-track railway on the Great Eastern mainline (GEML). Hindsight proved that this was the right decision as both Kings Cross and Paddington were reported as experiencing severe operating problems.

After a lengthy tube ride (anything over about 10-15 minutes on the tube is long for me), I arrived at Liverpool Street full of confidence ready for a day travelling in and out of the Great Eastern Terminus. The GE lines (and West Anglia) seem to have a high proportion of BR-built stock and of the sort that is lacking in mileage too with the only privatisation era stock being the 360s and 379s. Today the GEML was operating as a two-track railway all the way from Liverpool Street to Romford with engineering jobs on the slow lines at Stratford and in the Chadwell Heath area. While services were thinned out a bit (Metro services were 4 per hour instead of 6) and Southend Victoria trains were terminating short at Shenfield to free up paths on the fast lines. At Stratford, almost all GEML trains were book to use the island platforms 9 and 10 which massively reduced the need to leap through the subways crowded with the masses headed to that Temple of Retail Madness known as Westfield (located in East London of course).

The first train out that interested me was in fact operated by post privatisation stock but 360117 was required for 10 miles. On the way out I noted 315826+832 on a Metro service to Shenfield – as I wanted 832, I made a mental note for later. I got bored with the 360s at Stratford so bailed and was rewarded within minutes with 315802+806 heading to Liverpool Street, the latter still needing attention in the mileage book despite this being the fourth trip with it since I first had it back in 1984. Back at Liverpool Street, 321341+343 were waiting for me on the next outbound trip. While waiting for a right time departure, 321344+435 came in on what purported to be a Norwich service; 344 was needed for 10 miles and I hoped that I’d catch up with it later in the day. However , I was quite happy to go with 321341+343 as both still were still needed for the magic 10 miles. I had no need to stay on beyond Stratford, especially as I had another requirement directly behind. I made a re-acquaintance with 315849 (partnered with 315855), last having had a trip with it some 24 years ago, for the short trip to Forest Gate in order to clear for 10 miles. Dud pair of 315s 833+839 returned me to the wildly more strategic Stratford Central. There was plenty moving about but nothing that took my fancy (i.e. featuring on my wants list).

I was almost caught napping when 315827+853 rolled in heading for Liverpool Street; it was 315827 that made me take notice as it was still in need of a decent trip to reach the 10 mile threshold. Looking back at the master log, I had it new in July 1991 which was my only previous trip with it. An 8-car 321 formed of 321324+363 followed my 315 into Liverpool Street. It should have been ahead of the 315 [Ed: perhaps that accounted for the bout of insomnia at Stratford] and already on its return journey to Braintree. I later discovered that a level crossing near Ingatestone was causing delays on the mainline. 321363 was yet another still being sought for 10 miles so naturally I headed off to Stratford again. Within a few minutes, required pair 321318+320 rolled in head for Ipswich so I took the plunge and headed out of the comfort zone to the self-proclaimed cultural centre of Essex – Romford. At least that was two birds killed with one stone – or to paraphrase, two 321s cleared for 10 miles on a single trip.

315831+834, the former still needed for 10 miles, soon showed up on the Up Fast on a Metro service bound for Liverpool Street. It did seem odd trundling along the Up Fast calling at all stations. Stratford saw me part company with the 315s as 831 had come of age with in excess of 10 miles on the clock. 360114+115 followed up at Stratford, headed for Liverpool Street. Whilst I had many previous encounters with 360115, all between Stratford and Liverpool Street, 360114 was still needed for the required 10 miles and a single trip to Liverpool Street would not solve the problem. Later perhaps?

Lunch was calling when I arrived at Liverpool Street so I dived out to the nearby Tesco and grabbed a pie and a couple of bananas. In less than 10 minutes, I was back at Liverpool Street. Feeling that I had seen most of the workings on the main line side of the station, I ventured forth to the West Anglia side, vowing to give 379s a miss unless it was either a positioning move to get something else or 379007 which is still needed outright. 317660 attracted me but the doors shut before I was able to board. Cue a large number of swearwords (in my mind rather than out loud). I just hoped that I could fall into it later as this was definitely required for 10 miles and to boot, I’d only ever had it in its previous configuration as 317360 on the Great Northern. However, a decent consolation prize, 317888 was about to follow 317660 out on a Chingford service. Hackney Downs saw that one sorted for 10 miles and I had a choice of dud 315s back (810 and 838) to The Street. I opted for 838 and only later discovered that while it was one of my high mileage 315s, I last travelled on it in May 1986 from Rochford to Stratford. Passing through Cambridge Heath and London Fields, I realised that I still needed these two shacks and, should the supply of required units dry up, I could usefully occupy myself getting two new shacks. But scoring new shacks could wait as once back at Base Camp Liverpool Street, 317661was boarding, bound again for Chingford. As with 317888, the few short miles to Hackney Downs would solve the 10 mile problem. This time, a required 315817 (up until now, a single trip “Johnny “way back in August 1984) took me back to Liverpool Street. Bidding farewell to 315817, I soon noticed 317507 which was imminently departing for Hertford East Again, this was another unit that I had only previously ridden once; it was then carrying the number 317307 and in November 1984 it conveyed me from Farringdon to Kentish Town and allowed me to score the latter as a new shack. I needed a reasonable run (more than the standard Tottenham Hale leap); fortunately, there’s a comfortable connection at Ponders End on a Saturday onto an inbound Hertford East train. I figured that 317660 should be due back and was pleased that my longer than usual excursion up the Lea Valley was duly rewarded at Ponders End with the aforementioned unit. Four 317s cleared for 10 miles in a under two hours seemed quite good. Back at Liverpool Street and with the light failing, I had a quick look around and the only thing remotely tempting was 317655 but that was going nowhere fast as it was the day’s spare unit.

As a result, I retreated over to the Main Line side of the house and within minutes, 360116+120 were whisking me towards Stratford. That short run saw 360120 cleared for 10 miles but I needed a longer run with 360116 but the train was next stop Shenfield. I did not fancy that long trek, especially on revised timings that were in force. But I was rewarded instead with 315827+853 showing up within a few minutes bound for Liverpool Street. This allowed me to clear 827 for the dreaded 10 miles at last. Now where was that other 315 which I noted earlier and required for 10 miles, 315832? When I saw 315827+853 earlier in the day, 315826+832 were about half an hour behind. Just perfect for me to get back out to Stratford to hopefully meet 318826+832 coming back up from Shenfield. I could not bag anything required so opted for 321346+361 to do the job. At Stratford, I noted a required 317653 on the Bishops Stortford service but bang on my guesstimate, the 315 pairing 315826+832 duly appeared for my final run of the day back into Liverpool Street before facing the long tube journey home.

Not a bad day’s work with 17 more units heaved over the 10 miles. I was particularly pleased that I managed to almost halve the number of 315s needed for 10 with only seven sets left, none of which I saw while out and about. But there’s still a lot of work to do on the Liverpool Street lines with four outright winners still at large (317501, 360102, 360118 and 379007) and a decent number of other units still needed for 10 miles. When you add in a reasonable list of required shacks, particularly on the West Anglia side of things, don’t be surprised if, when a free Saturday presents itself, I head for Greater Anglia territory again in the near future.

Summary of moves
360106+117 Liverpool Street to Stratford 360117 cleared for 10 miles.
315802+806 Stratford to Liverpool Street 315806 cleared for 10 miles
321341+343 Liverpool Street to Stratford Both cleared for 10 miles
315849+855 Stratford to Forest Gate 315849 cleared for 10 miles
315833+839 Forest Gate to Stratford ---
315827+853 Stratford to Liverpool Street ---
321324+363 Liverpool Street to Stratford 321363 cleared for 10 miles
321318+320 Stratford to Romford Both cleared for 10 miles
315831+834 Romford to Stratford 315831 cleared for 10 miles
360114+115 Stratford to Liverpool Street ---
317888 Liverpool Street to Hackney Downs Cleared for 10 miles
315838 Hackney Downs to Liverpool Street ---
317661 Liverpool Street to Hackney Downs Cleared for 10 miles
315817 Hackney Downs to Liverpool Street Cleared for 10 miles
317507 Liverpool Street to Ponders End Cleared for 10 miles
317660 Ponders End to Liverpool Street Cleared for 10 miles
360116+120 Liverpool Street to Stratford 360120 cleared for 10 miles
315827+853 Stratford to Liverpool Street 315827 cleared for 10 miles
321346+361 Liverpool Street to Stratford ---
315826+832 Stratford to Liverpool Street 315832 cleared for 10 miles

 

[Techniquest]

An excellent little adventure there, I'm rather envious as a good few of those EMUs are required here! I still need London Fields myself, one of the few within the Zones I need on the West Anglia side, but I recall it only being very short waits or very long waits for onward trains there so I've still not done it.

Must make a nice change to get on the rails on a Saturday! I need a post-Christmas trip too, that's only a week away now and should kick off 2015 in the manner I wish to continue it!

You're sure doing better than me on the outright winner front over on the GE, I need quite a bit more than that! 22 315s alone according to memory!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

December 2014 – The Christmas Commute

I normally do not write up my commuter journeys as it’s pretty much the same old train up to work in the morning and dependent on finishing time, a random journey home to deepest South West London. But the annual Christmas holiday means shorter working hours and on most days, a Saturday timetable which allows me to access services that are normally “out of bounds” either due to peak hour stopping pattern or sheer load factor.

I suppose the Christmas variations started for me on the Tuesday prior to Christmas. I was able to escape work about half an hour earlier than normal and over the past few weeks, I’d been keeping half an eye on Waterloo in case any of my required 458/0s were available on the Windsor side of the show. Other items that might pop up and grab my attention would be any new 458/5s or the diminishing number of 450s that were still occupying valuable space in the wants book. Wandering around the Windsor platforms, there was nothing of interest so I was resigned to taking the first available 450 or 458 out to Clapham Junction for either a Southern to Balham (and then the tube) or a SWT 455 to Wimbledon for a trek on the bus. But I remembered the 16:35 departure to Reading was normally formed by a pair of 450s that had worked in from Southampton (or possibly Poole). I was not to be disappointed as 450029/121 were on duty and 121 was certainly in need of some mileage attention. Clapham Junction would not get me the required 10 miles so off to Richmond and I was fortunate in that the next train back was a pair of 450s. I could either bail at Putney for a mega bus ride home or be sensible and stay on to Clapham Junction and work my way home from there. Clapham won the day with the first thing heading sort of homewards from there being 455807/827 so Balham it was and then on the tube.

Christmas Eve dawned and the last day of proper Monday to Friday service on Thameslink – 319449/454 took me towards work. On Christmas Eve, we tend to finish early. I got away about lunch time and thought I’d give Waterloo another try. Rather than wait for something to appear, I opted to boost my 450 and 458 mileages by jaunting up and down to Clapham Junction until something I wanted showed up. 450014/561 took me out to Clapham and another pair was heading back within seconds 450549 was part of that pair and we parted company at Vauxhall as (i) 549 had tipped over 10 miles and (ii) I wanted to ID a 458/5 working that I’d seen on my outbound trip. At Vauxhall, I duly crossed over to the down Windsor platform but keeping an eye on all things moving “just in case”. Within about a minute an extremely shiny 458/5 appeared on the up road (they’re all shiny but this one was exceptionally shiny). I read off the number, 4 5 8 5 3 6. “Want that!” There then ensued a quick hurtle down the stairs and back up from where I had alighted and I clambered aboard for a Bus Stop Bash to Waterloo. At least that’s all of the new 458/5s in the book! Now to clear it for 10 miles. “Easy” I thought, just take it to the appropriate point on the Hounslow loop where the meter would tip over 10 miles. The Railway Gods had other ideas. As I was heading back out of Waterloo on 458536, 8017/29 strolled into Waterloo - 8029 was also on the wanted list. How do I square this circle, especially as 458532 was also floating about?

I bailed off of 458536 at Clapham Junction and let it totter off towards Hounslow via Brentford. 458532 follows it in, also headed for Hounslow but going via Richmond. I’d worked out that 8029 and friend would be on the Reading service immediately behind 458532. So 458532 was rejected in favour of 8029 to Richmond as the Reading service would overtake 458532 before four tracks become two at Barnes. 8029 duly appeared and by Richmond I had more than 10 miles on the clock so I made my second visit to Richmond for the year. The now overtaken 458532 followed up and the plan was to go to Whitton (required shack) in order to get the 10 miles in and meet 458536 coming back the other way round the loop. But as we rolled into Whitton, I noted a pair of 450s slowing to stop on the up road? Had I miscalculated? It was only after I had clambered aboard 450083/104, I found that I was on a late service from Windsor AND 104 was still needed for the magic 10 miles but a quick trip to Richmond would sort that out. 458536 was not far behind so yet another chance to go sightseeing in Richmond had to be put off. 458536 was tripped over 10 miles by the time I arrived at Clapham Junction so I decided to leave the show and head for home, especially as it would not be long before our Christmas guests would arrive. 455834/845 on the short run down to Balham completed the pre-Christmas haulages.

Returning to work on the Monday after Christmas, I opted to bus it to Wimbledon and see what SWT were up to on a Saturday timetable (there was also the small matter of 5913 being the only SWT 455 that’s under 200 miles). No such luck with 5913 but 5710/5870 took me to Clapham Junction where I alighted and strolled over to the Windsor side but keeping half an eye on the main line. It did seem odd to see London bound trains stopping at Clapham in what was effectively the morning peak. I had not long to wait as 450095 (with 450112 for company) squealed in bound for Waterloo. Another one sorted for 10 miles! Again after work, I made my way to Waterloo and opted to keep moving and only alter plans once something of interest appeared on the horizon. 450001/108 out to Clapham Junction started the ball rolling. Next pair of 450s back up was 450021/120. This time last year 450021 was an outright requirement and since then I managed only one short trip from Waterloo to Clapham with it. Clearing it for 10 miles would be easy. Into Waterloo and back out to Clapham Junction. Another one bites the dust! 455819/846 to Balham completed the day’s activity for me on the National Rail network.

The following morning saw me back at Wimbledon again. 5738/5915 were SWT’s offering to get me up to Clapham Junction. 450076/117 trundled through on the fast. 117 was my last 450 for haulage but still one of the few under 10 miles. “What was it doing?” More importantly, “What would it do next?” If I had identified it correctly from realtimetrains, it should go back from Waterloo on the next semi fast to Portsmouth & Southsea which thankfully stops to pick up at Clapham Junction (and to set me down). But that was not enough so plans were put in place to bag it later as well. And things were begin to pile up – 444006 was out, as was 8023, 8014 and 450106. I felt like the average 5-year old on Christmas day. Loads of new toys to play with but which one? A sort of plan was hatching but it was heavily reliant on a few dodgy connections, realtimetrains giving the correct information and all else running spot on time. 450011/078 completed the pre-work travels.

Rather than forego my lunch break, my plan saw me return to Waterloo for first train to Clapham Junction to meet 450117 on its run back up to London and hence allow it to take its rightful place in the 10 Mile Club. I walked onto the concourse at Waterloo and the first unit that I saw was 45009 – I had last ridden on 009 from Clapham Junction to Vauxhall back in November 2005 when I had it new. What’s more, it was leaving in a few minutes, and stopping at Clapham Junction. As the advert says, “Every little helps”. It was due back in the evening peak, again calling at Clapham Junction so I ought to be able to clear it for 10 miles. 450117 and partner duly appeared at Clapham Junction a few minutes later. That’s six 450s cleared for 10 miles already in the festive period, only seven left to go with two in the pipeline for later (009 and 106) if all went to plan. A smart departure from work saw me hasten over to Waterloo for Round Three of the day. First up was 8019/8023 to Clapham Junction for a +1 onto 450015/106 back up to Waterloo. Two more sorted . Back at Waterloo, someone was obviously having a joke at my expense as 450014/551 were on the blocks – both still needed for 10 miles but going nowhere. Operating difficulties at Farnborough Main had messed the service up. But the consolation prize of 8014, my last 458/0 needed for 10 miles, was preparing to leave. What a suitable item to take out to meet 450009. Eight 450s now bagged as well as all my 458/0s. Good going. It transpired that 450014/551 returned to Poole almost an hour late and as I suspected the Clapham Junction stop was omitted. 8025/26 to Clapham Junction and 377616/623 to Balham completed the days travels.

On my way home, I had a “light bulb moment”. During the course of the year, I had managed to travel on most operational DMU and EMU classes for at least one journey. Discounting the Chiltern 121s as heritage units and the 332s (premium non-franchised service), I only had Classes 165, 166 and 387 left to go. And only one day of the year remaining in which to log a ride! Could I fit in half a day’s work, a social engagement in Croydon and three new unit classes? I had to give it my best shot. SWT provided 450111/559 as my conveyance from Wimbledon. I paused at Clapham Junction to check a couple of key Class 450 services but nothing so went onward to Waterloo with 450086/091. After half a day’s work, I headed for Blackfriars and a known 387 working in order to kick of the next leg of my challenge. 387106/112 officiated for the Bus Stop Bash to Elephant & Castle where I parted company with them for the tube over to Paddington. I figured that getting a 165 would be easy but how long would it take me to get a 166 though? About the same length of time as a 165 as the first Oxford semi-fast was 165117/166219 with first stop Slough. If all went well, I’d be back in Paddington within the hour and mission accomplished. With 43012/015 providing the final HST of the year, I opted for a second run out to Slough as I was well ahead of schedule; this time, 180103 was the number that I entered in the log with 166207 back to Brunel’s terminus. The tube seemed to be packed with folk who had no idea where they were going (at least commuters seem to have an idea of where to go and also of tube “etiquette”. These folk did not. But at Victoria I made a fast train to East Croydon with moments to spare and ultimately made to the hostelry about two minutes late. We certainly put the world to rights that evening!

We’re now in 2015 and one more day of rush hour with Saturday timetables. 5855/864 were provided by SWT to take me up to Clapham Junction and again not much of interest was around so I hot footed it to Waterloo with 450111/124/559 only to be confronted with 450019/122 readying to leave, first stop Clapham Junction. Again, I was set to score! By Clapham Junction, 450122 was over the requisite 10 miles so we parted company and 450018/036 returned me to Waterloo passing 444006 on the way but I could not work out what 444006 was going to do next. After work, I returned to Waterloo with the objective of seeing if there was anything left in the system that I could flush out. What confront me as I entered the station? Nothing less that my old friend 450014 (remember a few days ago?) What’s more, it still had 450551 for company. Both were needed for 10 miles. Clapham Junction would sort 551 out but not 014 and the service was next stop Farnborough Main. I could not justify going all the way to Farnborough main and even though it was a Saturday service and a Friday, freebie SWT tickets were not valid out of Waterloo in the evening peak. Boo, hiss! So Clapham Junction it was and the 10th 450 for 10 miles was duly cleared for 10 miles. I was still in the hunt for anything else of interest – perhaps the elusive 444006 might show but after 450104/116 back to Waterloo and returning with 450553/559 to Clapham Junction, I threw in the towel and grabbed 455807/841 back to Balham.

Conclusion - getting ten out of thirteen 450s still needed for 10 miles over the festive period with a reduced service has got to be excellent going by any standards. For the numerologists out there, the remaining three are 450014, 545 and 552. I’ll now turn to writing a short summary of 2014 which will be full of statistics!

 

[Kite159]

stops to pick up at Clapham Junction (and to set me down)

Naughty you getting off at a pick-up only stop (although I've done the same, normally using the excuse that I got on the wrong train if anybody questions it), just gotta be careful to make sure it is a service which stops at Clapham.

I think with the weekend blockage of Wimbledon all services of the reduced timetable stop at Clapham (although I think some of the long-distance 444s are 'pick-up' only) so it should be easier if you happen to spot one of your remaining 450s.

 

[Techniquest]

A far more interesting commute than I have then! Well done on making all that progress, I'm rather jealous!

I'm also looking forward to seeing your review of 2014, in the meantime I need to choose between Birmingham and Bristol for tomorrow's first trip of 2015!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

2014 Summary – What a year!

There’s only one word that can summarise 2014’s haulage bashing for me – FANTASTIC! Records fell all over the place and the year was way beyond expectations. It was meant to be the year of the pacer but more on our non-bogied friends in a minute. I’ll do a quick summary and where 2014 statistics are quoted, the equivalent 2013 data will appear alongside in brackets.

The number of lines in the haulage log ran to over 3,400 (1,732) and I managed to record no less than 1,559 (727) different locos and units during the course of the year with some classes recording very high percentage of haulages. Nothing can top my “local” units, the 319s as I achieved at least one logged journey with every member of the Class. Unfortunately, with the migration of some 319s to Northern, I’m unlikely to ever travel on all the 319s in a calendar year again. Other notable highs were 35*Class 444, 94*455, 111*450, 53*378 and 207*377. The 455s surprised me as I certainly did not set out to ride them as all are cleared for 10 miles and most are over 100 miles

Who would have thought with a declining number of outright winners available to me that the 2013 haul would be greater than 2013’s by over 20%? 287 (232) winners across 34 different classes with no less than five classes cleared, namely 321, 377, 378, 444 and 450 (in 2013 it was one class cleared, the 357s). The 377s of course have the dubious distinction of being cleared no less than four times. On 2nd February 2008, 377304 became the last of the original build of 377s to be had. Then along came the 377/5s and on 19th March 2013, 377515 became last of class. There was then a short hiatus until the 377/6s came along; 377601 was the last for me on 31st January 2014. No sooner than I’d cleared them a 3rd time, the 377/7s were on the horizon; it took me less than five weeks to clear this small sub-class with 377708 falling on 5th August 2014. I think I’ll be hard pushed to clear five multiple unit classes for haulage in 2015 but never say never!

On the mileage front, I managed to clear no less than 585 (180) items for the minimum standard of 10 miles while 20 (10) more units broke the 100 mile barrier. The 1,000 mile barrier was breached by only one item, Pendolino 390011 (in 2013, again it was one item, HST power car 43151). The 2,000 mile barrier was breached by no less than 10 (1) units. Thus far in modern day bashing, it’s only 319s that have achieved such a hallowed status and that’s directly attributable to their forming a good part of the daily commute. Many, many years ago, when I was loco bashing, there were several locos that managed to get over 3,000 miles!

Reading this, you might think that I have nothing left to chase. Far from it! I still need 472 DMUs for 10 miles and I have never travelled on 196 of those. As for EMUs, no less than 595 are on the wanted list for 10 miles with 215 outright winners amongst that lot. The EMU numbers are slightly inflated by the inclusion of all 5-car 378s and all 387s. But most if not all of these will enter traffic in 2015. Bar far, my worst two companies are Northern and Scotrail with 144 and 192 DMU/EMU respectively needed for 10 miles – the outright requirements being 52 and 55 respectively. Thankfully I will be visiting both areas in 2015. While all HST power cars have been scored, there’s still the small matter of two Class 91s outstanding as well as a single HST power car still needed for 10 miles (Message to Cross Country’s 43321, “I’m on your case”). There’s even an Anglia 90 that’s sub 10 miles; Roger Ford where are you?

Special mention must be made of the Nodding Donkeys that inhabit certain parts of the railway. You might know them as Tonka Toys, Rail-buses, Pacers or some other term of endearment. Love them or hate them, they still need to be part of the serious haulage basher’s itinerary. 2014 was supposed to be the year of the Pacer when I would make serious inroads into the seeming endless numbers of Leyland-bodied 142s that were either required outright or simply for the 10 Mile Club. I certainly managed to knock no less than 45 of the 142s for 10 miles during the course of the year; that leaves 33 left to for. But I only managed five brand new ones during the course of 2014 so that’s still 10 that I need outright. I can see many a trip up to Northern territory this year in my quest to reduce the numbers further. Have no fear, their Alexander-bodied cousins, the 143s and 144s, will not be neglected!

Shack scoring was not neglected either as another 70 fell by the wayside ranging in geographical spread from New Hythe in Kent all the way north to Dunfermline Queen Margaret. (In 2013, I managed to score 23 shacks ranging from Westenhanger in deepest Kent to the quaintly named Crossmyloof in the Glasgow suburbs). While not setting targets, there are about 80 shacks within the Travelcard area still needed plus the same number of SWT shacks outside London that can be accessed via the free weekend passes so once Sunday wandering recommences in a couple of weeks, that’s something else to keep me amused.

Track scoring continued to take a back seat in 2014 while I reconciled what track I actually have records of doing. Nevertheless, I did spend an enjoyable few hours back in the summer doing all the various permutations of lines around Brighouse in West Yorkshire. Those records are now fully up to date and I’ll no doubt be incorporating required passenger track into various outings in due course. While it’s mainly branch lines with a few odd curves thrown in for good measure, there are at least two lengthy stretches of cross country lines that have yet to feature in the log.

2014 may have been branded “fantastic” and will certainly be a difficult act to follow in terms of sheer volume but I’m sure that 2015 will be equally interesting [Ed: If the first travelling day of 2015 is anything to go by, then 2015 is certainly going to be fun.]

 

[Techniquest]

Before I comment properly, I must mention that when I saw you'd posted on this thread, thus bringing it up in my User CP, I had a mini flail! Which should be a good indication to how much I enjoy reading your trip reports!

Fantastic is right for your 2014, especially when you compare the figures with the bracketed 2013 figures. I'd say you did very well indeed, although I daresay you've also realised it's going to take a long more work soon when you finish mopping up your requirements in London! Of course, you've got plenty coming down there in the next few years, what with the 345s and 700s at the least, and after those whatever comes about to replace the Great Northern 313s!

Reading your comments on Pacers made me realise how very few of them got the black pen underlining them in my NREA in 2014. Quite, I'm not sure I even scored one Pacer in 2014! However I made incredible progress in normally-neglected areas like Merseyside and Kent, so I was happy enough with that. Like you, I intend to have an enormous clear out this year, hopefully I'll be underlining a good few of the 21 Heaton 142s I need when I go up there next month!

Shack scratching went well for you too I see, I got quite a few in the book and from various areas too. Don't know about you, but I don't see me getting many of the Far North or West Highland stations in very soon though!

I'm amazed you still need a 90 and a CrossCountry HST power car!

I wish you all the luck in the world with getting what you need in 2015, hopefully in a year's time I'll be reading your review and seeing lots of good news! Do keep the trip reports coming in the meantime though, I do look forward to reading them

 

[Keith Jarrett]

18th January 2015 – Up the Junction

With apologies to the book, film and pop song of the same name, here’s the first, albeit short, report of 2015. I knew that after 2014’s huge successes, 2015 was going to be a difficult act to follow and therefore my Sunday afternoon jaunts would have to be more focussed and targeted.

So with that mantra ringing in my ears I set out to address the first of the 2015 targets, namely clearing my remaining 378s for 10 miles in four-car format. I’m down to seven units now – 213,215, 216, 224, 228, 231 & 232. I realise that I will have to do it all again once the fifth car is added but that’s for another day. My standard route to access anything better than SWT 455s is not available as Wimbledon is knocked out for engineering for the majority of January & February weekends. Plan B involves taking the tube a few stops to Balham and using Southern up to Clapham Junction.

I presented myself at Balham and soon was able to board 455819 for the short, uneventful journey to Clapham Junction. Wandering over the footbridge I noted a pair of 44s slowing for their Clapham call having taken the “scenic” route up from Woking vis the delights of Virginia Water Staines and other equally delightful towns. Moreover, I wondered whether any of the three that I still need to clear for 10 miles would be in the formation. No such luck! So my focus turned to the Overground platforms with the hope that one of the Magnificent Seven would be there begging for my custom. Again, I could not get lucky, not even with a five-car 378 on the East London service to Highbury & Islington. All the same, I thought that Clapham Junction was not the place to be if I was to try and get anything out of the afternoon. So, it was the first train out to London Overground Central (Willesden Junction) so that I could view all the available workings on the North London Line and also on the DC lines. The traction provided was 378255- a unit that was barely over 10 miles.

At Kensington Olympia, I passed 378216 heading the opposite way on a Willesden Junction – Clapham Junction shuttle. There was no time to bail and grab 216 going back to the Junction so I pressed on. At least that one would be captive and easy to grab later on. The North London line was suspended east of Camden Road thus reducing the opportunities for me to score on the account of five or six less units being needed for today’s timetable. Upon arrival at Willy J, I started the process of checking the workings but nothing matched my wants list initially. But that changed after about 20 minutes with the arrival of 378224 heading for Watford Junction. 224 was my lowest mileage 378 and in order to achieve the requisite 10 miles that needed a decent leap down the DC lines; specifically to Hatch End. And what looked like a dodgy +1 onto the next one back. The upside was that I was going to score some new track – following the Track Audit at the end of last winter, I found several bits of track that I had no record of traversing. The DC lines north of Harrow & Wealdstone fell into that category. New track and a new shack and clearing a unit for 10 miles all in one go. That’s about as good as it gets!

Back to reality, 378257 was the traction back from Hatch End to Willesden Junction where I had lost track of what was out on the North London Line so I had to start all over again. Every 10 minutes, 378s would cross each other in the high level platforms. After four rounds of this nonsense with not even a sniff of anything on my wants list AND having let 216 go on yet another spin to Clapham Junction, I figured that there’d only be one more round of this caper before everything began to repeat. Yes, you’ve guessed it; round five was as spectacular as rounds 1-4. Nothing left for me except 216. As a single trip from Windy Heights to Clapped Out Junk would not allow me to clear 216 for 10 miles, the best thing I could do was to go and meet it. Imperial Wharf with a +4 would leave me out in the elements for the minimum amount of time but the flip side was a hike down umpteen stairs and back up the same number the other side. 378223 did the honours of the outward trip to Imperial Wharf and 216 duly rolled up for the return leg back to an increasingly windy Willy J. I sampled” the delights of the latter location for the final time while 216 ran out to the reversing siding and back into platform 5. Boarding 216 for the second time, I decided that an early bath was the order of the day unless anything tempting was on offer upon arrival at Clapham Junction. Around about North Pole Junction, 216 tipped over 10 miles so the Magnificent Seven is no more – now it’s the Secret Five! But this was the most eventful journey of the afternoon as we were diverted into Platform 17 at Clapham Junction – the first time I have had an Overground train on that side of the Junction – most punters seem confused by this unadvertised move. As there was nothing to tempt me at Clapham Junction, consequently I took the first Southern back to Balham. 377203 completed the afternoon’s travel on the national network.

All the 378s that I saw passing through Willesden Junction were from the number series 378212-234 and 255-257 (i.e. none of the low numbered 378/2s) apart from the five that I still need (213,215, 228, 231, 232) the only other ones that I did not see were 218, 225 and 234. By the looks of things, operations on the North London Line will be even more restricted next weekend so I’ll have to find somewhere else to go!

 

[Kite159]

That reminds me, my 378 wanted list is quite long, I need to try and do an Overground day, although not sure where on the NLL or ELL to place myself for some fast turnarounds in stations.

Only 3 more weekends to go of the scenic route via Staines (adds a good 30+ minutes to my trips to/from London for not a lot of extra miles)

 

[Techniquest]

A shame it wasn't an overly productive day, but at least there was some required track and a new shack in the book too, so not too bad all in. Clearing two 378s is better than clearing none of them at least!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

25th January 2015 – A late change of plans

After last Sunday’s poor show on the North London line, I pledged to find somewhere else in the capital to receive my attention for the next Sunday afternoon jaunt. Thoughts were pointed towards the mainline services out of Charing Cross in order to carry on the assault on the large numbers of 375s still occupying my wants book. But how would I get to Charing Cross? A combination of various well-co-ordinated pieces of engineering work dictated that all routes to Charing Cross would mean a lengthy tube ride (not my favourite pastime and generally reserved for long distance trips from non-Southern Region termini). That is with one exception, Plan F involved a lengthy bus ride to Putney to pick up the South West Trains service from there to Waterloo.

To cut a long story short, I was only able to endure the first half of the bus journey on account of Sunday numptyism which resulted in plans being suddenly rehashed. London Underground were still operating from Wimbledon so I could use that to access the national rail network at West Brompton. Guess where this is heading? The North London Line of course! I had figured that with all North/West London Line trains being turned around at Gospel Oak (and no DC lines), it would not take me too long to identify the few units that were out to play and if nothing decent was about, I could move on to the GOBLIN where everything was needed for 10 miles. I was fortunate to have only a few minutes at West Brompton before 378230 arrived heading for Overground Central (Willesden Junction). Ok it was dud but at least I could easily cover the available 378s workings – everything in theory should appear within the hour. Soon after leaving West Brompton, 378228 headed the other way. “NEED THAT!” was the virtual shriek to go through my head. At least it was on Willy J to Clapham shuttles so would not be too difficult to bag later on. Then at Mitre Bridge, 378215 whizzes by. Cue more virtual expletives heading through my mind.

378230 did the job it was paid to do and got me to Willesden Junction on time so that I could start working out what delights (378s = delight?). As is to be expected after the highs of the journey from West Brompton, the next few North/West London trains were totally dud. But then almost simultaneously 378231 and 232 arrive heading in opposite directions. 378232 won the day as it was heading towards Clapham Junction and not only would I be able to intercept 378215 at Kensington Olympia but also clear 232 for 10 miles. En route to Kenny O, I had to endure passing 378228 at Mitre Bridge again. As expected the timetabled +1 at Kenny O turned into the usual comfortable +3 and 378215 appeared, bound for Gospel Oak, today’s eastern limit of the North/West London Lines. And I needed to go all the way to Hampstead Heath to clear 215 for the necessary 10 miles, knowing that I’d pass 231 just before the Heath on its return to Richmond.

I stuck with 215 to Gospel Oak so that left me three 378s needed for 10 miles in four-car format and two of them were out! It was going to be over an hour before 378231 reappeared so time to have a look at the GOBLIN where all eight 172/0s were needed for 10 miles. 172002 was waiting in the bay platform at Gospel Oak and was soon to depart. At least I could take that all the way to Leyton Midland Road to clear it for 10 miles and be guaranteed something required on the return leg too! The advertised +3 at Leyton Midland Road turned into a smaller plus; but we made it, just.172003 was provided for the return leg; this was my lowest mileage 172/0 and I would not clear it for 10 miles by simply returning to Gospel Oak. So rather than go through to Gospel Oak, I bailed at Harringay Green Lanes in order to score the shack. Quickly diving down the stairs and back up the other side, I made the +2. 172008 showed up on time but even though I needed a decent run off of it, I did a Bus Stop Bash to South Tottenham to allow me to score my last shack on the GOBLIN. South Tottenham was definitely an odd station – first, a crossover between the two platforms and second, overhead wires yet I suspect due to its location, an electrically powered passenger train has never been scheduled to call there! 172008 staggered back to Gospel Oak where I rejected 378227 which was sitting in the platform as my calculations told me that 378231 was next up.

After a few nail-biting moments, 231 duly appeared – at least with everything turning round at Gospel Oak, there was no need to trek through the subway and up the other side to platform 1. Everything was leaving from platform 2 which must have made interchange to/from the GOBLIN easier for one and all. While I knew I needed 378231 for 10 miles, I’d neglected to work out how far I needed to go with it. A check of the book soon revealed that it would be over 10 miles well before Willesden Junction. Relief. And the jigsaw was starting to fall into place as I’d have only a few minutes to wait for 378228 on the shuttle to Clapham Junction. The idea being that at Clapham was to try to get the first SWT service to Putney for the long slog on the bus home. 378228 showed up as expected and around Shepherds Bush, it too joined the 10 Mile Club thus leaving 378213 as the only 378 under 10 miles. As I alighted from 378228 at Clapham, mentally patting myself on the back for a reasonable afternoon’s work, the penny dropped. I could avoid the long bus ride home by taking the South London Line to Clapham North and accessing the tube network at the nearby Clapham North. This became an extremely attractive option when newly formed up five-car 378145 presented itself for the next departure via the SLL. WINNER! Only 56 more to go in five-car format and I’ll need to get them all for 10 miles as well.

So definitely a good afternoon for me. It rather makes up for last week’s poor show with 4/5 four-car 378s garnered for 10 miles, my first 172/0 for 10 cleared miles, the remaining GOBLIN shacks cleared and the cheery on the top of the cake in the form of my first five-car 378. As to that last 378 needed for 10 miles in four-car format, 378213, I need a good run with it as all that I have on the clock at the moment is a short Bus Stop Bash! I’m currently thinking of making a special trip for it after work one night this week so as to give me a better chance of bagging it when the maximum number of 378s are out in traffic.

And finally, here are the afternoon’s moves:-
378230 West Brompton to Willesden Junction ---
378232 Willesden Junction to Kensington Olympia Cleared for 10 miles
378215 Kensington Olympia to Gospel Oak Cleared for 10 miles
172002 Gospel Oak to Leyton Midland Road Cleared for 10 miles
172003 Leyton Midland Road to Harringay Green Lanes New shack (Harringay Green Lanes)
172008 Harringay Green Lanes to South Tottenham New shack (South Tottenham)
172007 South Tottenham to Gospel Oak ---
378231 Gospel Oak to Willesden Junction Cleared for 10 miles
378228 Willesden Junction to Clapham Junction Cleared for 10 miles
378145 Clapham Junction to Clapham High Street New as 5 car unit
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

That reminds me, my 378 wanted list is quite long, I need to try and do an Overground day, although not sure where on the NLL or ELL to place myself for some fast turnarounds in stations.

Remember that the 378/1s are confined to the ELL. If you're bashing the ELL and do not care about mileage, then stick to the Dalston Junction to Surrey Quays section as it's almost tube frequencies there all day - every 3-4 minutes. Probably good for a spot of linear bashing as it can be a bit of a hike between platforms unless you're into flights of stairs. About the only island platform is Dalston Junction.

The North London Line is also short of island platforms on the core section with only Willesden Junction & Cally Road. Rush Hours are best as it's every 7/8 minute headways Willy J through to Stratford.

 

[Kite159]

I did some linear bashing on the East London core today, didn't bother changing platforms due to the 3-4 minute frequency. Gave me something to do with so much engineering works happening.

Did score some new stations as well

 

[Techniquest]

Looks like a most productive time in the end Mr Jarrett!

I am looking at a possible London clearout towards the end of March. It means it'll take me longer to achieve the plans for 2016 but that can't be booked for just over 15 months as things stand anyway. Plenty of time to save, so look out London, I'm coming down soon!

 

[Keith Jarrett]

25th January 2015 – A late change of plans

As to that last 378 needed for 10 miles in four-car format, 378213, I need a good run with it as all that I have on the clock at the moment is a short Bus Stop Bash! I’m currently thinking of making a special trip for it after work one night this week so as to give me a better chance of bagging it when the maximum number of 378s are out in traffic.

POSTSCRIPT:
Seized the opportunity for that "after work bash" to track down 213. I worked on the basis that it would be most likely to be on the North/West London Lines or on the DC lines so I aimed for Willesden Junction. (My experience has shown of late that its the low numbered 378/2s on the East London). Presenting myself at Willesden Junction for the second day running, I started to observe movements on the high level with periodic visits to the low level to check the DC lines - thankfully the DC lines trains roughly cross at Willy J. On my second visit to the low level a rather familiar number appeared - 378213 but the masses of people surging up the stairs prevented me joining it. At least it was Euston bound so it would be not too long before it would be back. I made my way down to Kilburn High Road via Kilburn Park underground and the short walk between the two stations.

At 18:24, 378213 appeared spot on time bound for Watford Junction. To clear the 10 miles, I had to go at least as far as Kenton but opted to stay on beyond there to Headstone Lane in order to score the shack. Just south of Kenton, the mileage clock on 378213 slipped over the required 10 miles thus allowing me to say that another class, i.e. the 378 in its four-car format, is now clear for 10 miles. (Other classes cleared completely for 10 miles are 319, 455 and 456.) 378257 was the traction back from Headstone Lane and the plan was to try for the +2 at Harrow & Wealdstone onto the Southern service round the West London line and onwards to Balham. Instead I comfortably made the -3 onto the preceding LM service next stop Euston formed of 350117/237/266. I simply had to board as 350266 was an outright winner! At the same time I'd clear it for the minimum standard of 10 miles - the other two in the triplet were totally dud. Both were over the next milestone (100 miles) and 350117 is now my highest mileage 350.

Not a bad bit of work for a couple of hours late arrival at home but at least no more targetting 378s for a while meaning that I can turn my attentions elsewhere .....

 

[Techniquest]

Congratulations on clearing the 378s for 10 miles, although you'll soon be back on them all when they're 5th-car'd! I should imagine a change of scene would be more than welcome now, and at least it won't be too much longer now until the longer days arrive and longer trips are worth doing again!

If I were to guess, I'd reckon you'll be heading towards Liverpool Street again this weekend...

 

[crispy1978]

May I ask what the 10 mile thing is all about?

 

[Keith Jarrett]

May I ask what the 10 mile thing is all about?

Simply my target is to travel on every unit for 10 miles. Most folk will score something as long as it moves. Yes, I'll mark it down as a winner but later on I'll go and get those 10 miles.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
1st February 2015 – Seven by Seven

Another weekend, another decision making process! At least the North & West London Lines no longer need my attention so one less place to put in the mix. Todays’ targets were quite easily identified on account of leafing through the wants book. Was it to be Southeastern’s 375s or see what “A belly-laugh” Greater Anglia had to offer? The latter won through on account of the imminent changes coming to AGA’s neck of the woods – I’m thinking of the TfL takeover of the suburban operations along with the slightly longer term uncertain future for the 315s & 317s. But what would a Sunday produce. Certainly new territory for me never having been near AGA ‘s operating area on a Sunday before.

A lengthy tube ride saw me exit from Liverpool Street Underground Station with the first decision – mainline and see what the local services have to offer or West Anglia? A quick look at the mainline side of the house revealed a fistful of duds so hot foot over to the low numbered platforms. First out was dud 315812 bound for Chingford. No Thanks. Ah, Hertford East bound 317664. That’s better – only had that one once when it was much newer and resident in Great Northern territory (25 July 1997 to be precise) so I’d have to take it a reasonable distance to get it over the required 10 miles. The Edmonton Green stop would do the trick so off we lurched and squealed out of the Street following the 315 as far as Hackney downs where we lurched to the left rather than ploughing through Clapton Tunnel. The territory was not particularly familiar as it was almost 20 years since I’d been up through Seven Sisters and on to Edmonton Green.

Alighting at Edmonton Green with the job done on 317664, I contemplated my next move. 19 minutes for a 317 back towards Liverpool Street or an additional six for a 315. Swapping platforms, I was hoping that at least one was on the wants list. However, before I could do anything about it 315854 appeared going towards Enfield – 854 is my lowest mileage 315 having done nothing more than a Bethnal Green to Liverpool Street Bus Stop Bash with it in May 2012. At the time 854 was the only 315 needed for outright haulage, it being 19 years previously when I had secured my 60th Class 315 for haulage, that being the aforementioned 315812!

But no such luck with the 317 (659) being dud and the following 315 (847) likewise. Do I wait in the cold or go for a wander around a rather uninviting Edmonton Green for half an hour to await the return of 315854? Quick leaf through the book and there’s shack scratching that I can do. Both Silver Street and White Hart Lane were needed. White Hart Lane was slightly further so I’d spend longer on the train – that North wind was not the most pleasant. Another dud, 315845 was my return conveyance to Edmonton Green for the alleged +2 onto the next 317 south (and a +8 onto the following 315854). That +2 turned into a +5 which pleased me as 317671 rolled in. I’d only ever had one trip with that one and it was some ridiculous decimal short of the 10 miles. I simply had to have it and was busy trying to work out how I’d deal with 315854 behind. I parted company with 317671 at Seven Sisters and awaited the low mileage 315 behind (Joe Public generally preferring the 317 rather than an additional five minutes in the cold for additional 315 mileage!) My plan was to see what 315854 did next at Liverpool Street – I reckoned that it might be Chingford bound so that meant going to at least Clapton with it to clear for 10 miles.

The “Powers That Be” had different ideas as I espied 317890 (and friend 317502) advertised as being Cambridge-bound. Having had success already on the 317 front, I fancied another bit of success with that Class. First stop was Tottenham Hale which would do nicely. I was still not getting another look at the mainline side of Liverpool Street but I was not too worried – I was bagging 317s and lining up 315s as well! 317890 did the job and got me to Tottenham Hale. While planning the next move, 66131 stormed through on a Gidea Park to Whitemoor engineers train with 66027 hanging on the back for dear life. The arrival of a half-empty 379022+379029 made my mind up. Back to Liverpool Street on account of 379022 still not having cleared 10 miles but the six miles to Liverpool Street would sort that one. The journey gave me time to accurately plan my return rendezvous with 315854 which had gone off to Chingford and my reckoning would be that its next move after coming back to Liverpool Street would be another spin up towards Enfield Town. I could not get out to Clapton, only Hackney Downs to meet it coming in from Chingford. That would leave me needing a decimal mileage if I wanted to clear it for 10 miles. Plan B involved waiting at Liverpool Street for it to come back and grab it going out on its next working. At The Street, I had the best part of half an hour to wait so opted for a fill in move to Hackney Downs with 317507 out and 317668 back.

With the light having failed and darkness upon us, it made sense to think about clearing up and heading home. But not before I had that second trip with 315854. It reappeared from Chingford and was down to go towards Enfield Town. A quick check of the mileage books revealed that the first stop out of the Street that would allow the clock to tick over the 10 miles would be Rectory Road. Lightbulb moment! It’s a +4 onto the next one back and also a required shack. Rectory Road, here we come. It is all the more pleasing to clear a unit for 10 miles and scratch a new shack at the same time. In case there was any late running and me being a little unfamiliar with Rectory Road, I made sure that I was in the back carriage to make a bee-line for the stairs. But in the end, it was a comfortable +4 onto 315830 back to Liverpool Street. With nothing apart from a 379 still required for 10 miles around, I retraced my steps towards home.

Any scores these days on a Sunday afternoon are always welcome so 1*315, 3*317 and 1*379 exceeded expectations. Add in two shacks and that’s seven individual “scores”. Passing through Seven Sisters as well, surely seven is my lucky number, hence Seven By Seven ….

And here are the afternoon’s moves
317664 Liverpool Street to Edmonton Green Cleared for 10 miles
315847 Edmonton Green to White Hart Lane New shack = White Hart Lane
315845 White Hart Lane to Edmonton Green ---
317671 Edmonton Green to Seven Sisters Cleared for 10 miles
315854 Seven Sisters to Liverpool Street ---
317502+890 Liverpool Street to Tottenham Hale 317890 Cleared for 10 miles
379022+029 Tottenham Hale to Liverpool Street 379022 'Cleared for 10 miles
317507 Liverpool Street to Hackney Downs ---
317668 Hackney Downs to Liverpool Street ---
315854 Liverpool Street to Rectory Road Cleared for 10 miles, new shack = Rectory Road
315830 Rectory Road to Liverpool Street ---

 

[Kite159]

We could have passed each other today Keith (I was potting around that part of Greater Anglia land as well), I agree that wind wasn't the nicest.

 

[Techniquest]

A productive afternoon there, fair dos! I would imagine you'll be doing GA again on Sundays, not a bad shout by the looks of it if you still have a good few entries on your list to go for.