James Wake
Member
- Joined
- 30 Aug 2013
- Messages
- 952
Day 1: Saturday 12th September
Having been a year since my last ALR, I wanted to get some more out of this one. I was ready to start it, however I wanted to go to Hull for a specific reason on the 19th September, so the first day of my holiday would be on the buses. With the recent Discovery ticket extension into Kent, I decided to put that to good use today.
Starting off from home in Northgate, Crawley, I first walked to my local bus stop on Woodfield Road, and boarded the 0738 route 100 service to Maidenbower, formed of 08 reg Scania Omnicity 6628, in older Fastway livery. I took this into Crawley Bus Stn, purchasing my Discovery ticket for £8.50 on board. I then changed onto the 0750 route 82 to Haywards Heath, this time a Scania Omnidekka, 6489, which I took as far as Copthorne, Dukes Head. A quick ride later, I walked over from the Dukes Head pub to the drive leading into the Silverwood Industrial Estate. Why? Southdown PSV are based there, and had recently started a new service from there to Oxted, which then formed the 594 service to Westerham.
Just two minutes late at 0822, Enviro 200 bus 101 arrived on the 486 to Oxted, then in Oxted formed the 0845 594 to Westerham via Moorhouse. I was the only passenger on the 486 journey, but had one other on the 594. I alighted at Westerham Green at 0856.
After a quick PNB and visit to the local shop for supplies, I crossed over to the bus stop for the Go-Coach service 401 to Sevenoaks. This was formed of GO14BUS, the dedicated silver Enviro 200 for the 401 service, with leather seats, wifi etc. I enjoyed the run along the A25, with a short detour into Chipstead Village, and alighted at Sevenoaks Stn at 0934. I had to get over the road quickly, as my next bus was due at 0938.
At 0937, Arriva Kent Enviro 200 3986 appeared on the 308 to Gravesend, I boarded and took a seat at the front for the one hour and fifteen minute journey, through Ightham, Borough Green and Wrotham and Northfleet, before alighting at 1050 by Gravesend Station.
I found the bus stop for my next bus, the 190 to Chatham. This was a double decker Trident, bus 6421, which I took via Rochester and Strood to Chatham. I was intending to head to the bus station, but as we came into the station, I saw a 101 to Maidstone loading, and that was where I wanted to go next. I quickly got off the 190 and ran over to the Enviro 400, but just as I was getting to the door, the driver closed them and set off without me. Clearly not checking his nearside mirror. I waited for the next bus, along with two others off the 190, and after a while the Sapphire branded 15 reg Enviro arrived, bus 6484. I was lucky and secured a seat upstairs at the front. With leather seats and plug sockets and audio next stop announcements, it was a good 30 minute journey to Maidstone, where I alighted in the town centre rather than the bus station. I had a tight connection onto the 7 to Tunbridge Wells.
Except it didnt arrive on time, 10 minutes passed and still nothing, I then happened to look behind and saw a Trident on the 7 heading up towards the Bus Station, closely followed by a 6 from Tunbridge Wells (which goes via Pembury instead of Tonbridge). After a further 10 minutes, Trident 6407 returned on the 7 to Tunbridge Wells. Again I secured a seat upstairs at the front. I did the 7 a few years ago when the old Explorer ticket used to be valid on Arriva Kent. After the diversion in Tonbridge, we came down into Tunbridge Wells, and I saw to my delight my 29 on the stand for the journey to Lewes was Brighton and Hoves Volvo Wright Double Decker 422, normally the 29 is the preserve of Scania Omnidekkas. I alighted from 6407 and waited for 422. It came round and again I took an upstairs front seat. I enjoyed the run to Lewes, through Eridge, Uckfield and Rose Hill, alighting in the bus station at 1530.
My next journey was to be the final Compass Travel service 261 from Lewes to East Grinstead, only introduced through to Lewes 6 months previously, having previously been from Uckfield to East Grinstead only. I boarded Enviro 200 GX13FSL, along with a few other passengers for the scenic run through Barcombe, Uckfield again, Maresfield and the Ashdown Forest. I alighted in East Grinstead at 1722. Seaford and District still run the 261 between East Grinstead and Uckfield.
My next bus was the 1727 Metrobus service 291 to Crawley Bus Station, it arrives 3 minutes late. I was expecting a double decker, but Scania Omnicity 6553 turned up from Tunbridge Wells, so it was the seat behind the driver for the run back to Crawley, before a sprint onto the service 100 home, another Fastway Scania, this time 6631. I alighted at my local shops and walked home.
An hour later, I decided to go with my sister and her boyfriend to the station, as I had to buy my ALR, and my sister needed a season ticket as she started a new job on the Monday in London. We all walked to Crawley Station, where we found the ticket office closed, the gateline staff member said it would be open at about 9am the next day, but I wanted to get a train at about 0830. It was shut nearly an hour early. My sister headed home at this point and her boyfriend got on the train home to Chichester.
I didnt give up and caught Scania Omnitown 6622 on local route 4 across to Three Bridges Station, knowing the booking office should be open until about 2200. It too was closed, the notice said it had been shut since 1530, clearly Southern are still having staffing issues. I then caught the 100 home from Three Bridges, my third Fastway Scania of the day, this time 6625. I was keeping my fingers crossed I had no problems in the morning when I started off my ALR proper.
Day 2: Sunday 13th September
Well its here, my second ALR. I headed off at about 0805 in a taxi to Three Bridges Stn. Thankfully, this time the ticket office was open, so I renewed my railcard and tried to buy my ALR. Thankfully a bit of work on BR fares found the code and I soon had the ticket in hand. I called home to let my sister know to come to TBD as soon as possible as it was open to buy her ticket, as I wandered up onto platform 2.
I wanted to catch the 0832 Thameslink service to St Pancras Intl, but then an announcement came over that it had developed a fault at Haywards Heath. The 0838 to Victoria had overtaken it and arrived at Three Bridges first, led by 377618. I boarded for the familiar run into London Victoria, and then made a dash on the Victoria Line to reach Kings Cross. I arrived at 0937 and decided to see if the 0945 to Aberdeen had any decent seats left. It did, so half an hour up on my plan, I boarded the train with 43277 leading and 43316 trailing. We set off via the Hertford loop, I actually had on that service guard Marcus, who featured on the East Coast programme a couple of years ago. His new beard didnt fool me.
At Newcastle the crew swapped, by then we were 15 minutes late due to congestion around Doncaster and York, being stopped outside both stations on signals, despite the fact we were due to run fast to York. At about 1400, I entered Scotland for the first time in my life, being part Scottish, 21 years is a bit too long. I alighted at Edinburgh Waverley and waved off the HST for Aberdeen. I considered doing a few Haymarket leaps, but was numb after 5 hours on the HST, so wandered around Waverley, looked at the market and headed to find my next train.
My next train was the 1550 ScotRail to Inverness, formed of 170451, which I boarded early and grabbed a spacious double seat. Sadly I didnt know about the weekend first upgrade. The train filled especially at Haymarket and then we went over the fantastic Forth Bridge, a true sight to behold. After Kirkcaldy, the train emptied somewhat and I enjoyed the run to Perth, where the crews changed over and the real scenery began. I loved the run up the Highland Main Line, particularly the station at Aviemore really impressed me with how it was designed and looked in the falling dusk.
At Inverness, I headed to the Exchange pub for dinner, then headed to the Market Brae Guest House and slept for the night, well recommended this place, any of you thinking about staying in Inverness, I think this place is just right.
Day 3 to come The Skye Circular?
Having been a year since my last ALR, I wanted to get some more out of this one. I was ready to start it, however I wanted to go to Hull for a specific reason on the 19th September, so the first day of my holiday would be on the buses. With the recent Discovery ticket extension into Kent, I decided to put that to good use today.
Starting off from home in Northgate, Crawley, I first walked to my local bus stop on Woodfield Road, and boarded the 0738 route 100 service to Maidenbower, formed of 08 reg Scania Omnicity 6628, in older Fastway livery. I took this into Crawley Bus Stn, purchasing my Discovery ticket for £8.50 on board. I then changed onto the 0750 route 82 to Haywards Heath, this time a Scania Omnidekka, 6489, which I took as far as Copthorne, Dukes Head. A quick ride later, I walked over from the Dukes Head pub to the drive leading into the Silverwood Industrial Estate. Why? Southdown PSV are based there, and had recently started a new service from there to Oxted, which then formed the 594 service to Westerham.
Just two minutes late at 0822, Enviro 200 bus 101 arrived on the 486 to Oxted, then in Oxted formed the 0845 594 to Westerham via Moorhouse. I was the only passenger on the 486 journey, but had one other on the 594. I alighted at Westerham Green at 0856.
After a quick PNB and visit to the local shop for supplies, I crossed over to the bus stop for the Go-Coach service 401 to Sevenoaks. This was formed of GO14BUS, the dedicated silver Enviro 200 for the 401 service, with leather seats, wifi etc. I enjoyed the run along the A25, with a short detour into Chipstead Village, and alighted at Sevenoaks Stn at 0934. I had to get over the road quickly, as my next bus was due at 0938.
At 0937, Arriva Kent Enviro 200 3986 appeared on the 308 to Gravesend, I boarded and took a seat at the front for the one hour and fifteen minute journey, through Ightham, Borough Green and Wrotham and Northfleet, before alighting at 1050 by Gravesend Station.
I found the bus stop for my next bus, the 190 to Chatham. This was a double decker Trident, bus 6421, which I took via Rochester and Strood to Chatham. I was intending to head to the bus station, but as we came into the station, I saw a 101 to Maidstone loading, and that was where I wanted to go next. I quickly got off the 190 and ran over to the Enviro 400, but just as I was getting to the door, the driver closed them and set off without me. Clearly not checking his nearside mirror. I waited for the next bus, along with two others off the 190, and after a while the Sapphire branded 15 reg Enviro arrived, bus 6484. I was lucky and secured a seat upstairs at the front. With leather seats and plug sockets and audio next stop announcements, it was a good 30 minute journey to Maidstone, where I alighted in the town centre rather than the bus station. I had a tight connection onto the 7 to Tunbridge Wells.
Except it didnt arrive on time, 10 minutes passed and still nothing, I then happened to look behind and saw a Trident on the 7 heading up towards the Bus Station, closely followed by a 6 from Tunbridge Wells (which goes via Pembury instead of Tonbridge). After a further 10 minutes, Trident 6407 returned on the 7 to Tunbridge Wells. Again I secured a seat upstairs at the front. I did the 7 a few years ago when the old Explorer ticket used to be valid on Arriva Kent. After the diversion in Tonbridge, we came down into Tunbridge Wells, and I saw to my delight my 29 on the stand for the journey to Lewes was Brighton and Hoves Volvo Wright Double Decker 422, normally the 29 is the preserve of Scania Omnidekkas. I alighted from 6407 and waited for 422. It came round and again I took an upstairs front seat. I enjoyed the run to Lewes, through Eridge, Uckfield and Rose Hill, alighting in the bus station at 1530.
My next journey was to be the final Compass Travel service 261 from Lewes to East Grinstead, only introduced through to Lewes 6 months previously, having previously been from Uckfield to East Grinstead only. I boarded Enviro 200 GX13FSL, along with a few other passengers for the scenic run through Barcombe, Uckfield again, Maresfield and the Ashdown Forest. I alighted in East Grinstead at 1722. Seaford and District still run the 261 between East Grinstead and Uckfield.
My next bus was the 1727 Metrobus service 291 to Crawley Bus Station, it arrives 3 minutes late. I was expecting a double decker, but Scania Omnicity 6553 turned up from Tunbridge Wells, so it was the seat behind the driver for the run back to Crawley, before a sprint onto the service 100 home, another Fastway Scania, this time 6631. I alighted at my local shops and walked home.
An hour later, I decided to go with my sister and her boyfriend to the station, as I had to buy my ALR, and my sister needed a season ticket as she started a new job on the Monday in London. We all walked to Crawley Station, where we found the ticket office closed, the gateline staff member said it would be open at about 9am the next day, but I wanted to get a train at about 0830. It was shut nearly an hour early. My sister headed home at this point and her boyfriend got on the train home to Chichester.
I didnt give up and caught Scania Omnitown 6622 on local route 4 across to Three Bridges Station, knowing the booking office should be open until about 2200. It too was closed, the notice said it had been shut since 1530, clearly Southern are still having staffing issues. I then caught the 100 home from Three Bridges, my third Fastway Scania of the day, this time 6625. I was keeping my fingers crossed I had no problems in the morning when I started off my ALR proper.
Day 2: Sunday 13th September
Well its here, my second ALR. I headed off at about 0805 in a taxi to Three Bridges Stn. Thankfully, this time the ticket office was open, so I renewed my railcard and tried to buy my ALR. Thankfully a bit of work on BR fares found the code and I soon had the ticket in hand. I called home to let my sister know to come to TBD as soon as possible as it was open to buy her ticket, as I wandered up onto platform 2.
I wanted to catch the 0832 Thameslink service to St Pancras Intl, but then an announcement came over that it had developed a fault at Haywards Heath. The 0838 to Victoria had overtaken it and arrived at Three Bridges first, led by 377618. I boarded for the familiar run into London Victoria, and then made a dash on the Victoria Line to reach Kings Cross. I arrived at 0937 and decided to see if the 0945 to Aberdeen had any decent seats left. It did, so half an hour up on my plan, I boarded the train with 43277 leading and 43316 trailing. We set off via the Hertford loop, I actually had on that service guard Marcus, who featured on the East Coast programme a couple of years ago. His new beard didnt fool me.
At Newcastle the crew swapped, by then we were 15 minutes late due to congestion around Doncaster and York, being stopped outside both stations on signals, despite the fact we were due to run fast to York. At about 1400, I entered Scotland for the first time in my life, being part Scottish, 21 years is a bit too long. I alighted at Edinburgh Waverley and waved off the HST for Aberdeen. I considered doing a few Haymarket leaps, but was numb after 5 hours on the HST, so wandered around Waverley, looked at the market and headed to find my next train.
My next train was the 1550 ScotRail to Inverness, formed of 170451, which I boarded early and grabbed a spacious double seat. Sadly I didnt know about the weekend first upgrade. The train filled especially at Haymarket and then we went over the fantastic Forth Bridge, a true sight to behold. After Kirkcaldy, the train emptied somewhat and I enjoyed the run to Perth, where the crews changed over and the real scenery began. I loved the run up the Highland Main Line, particularly the station at Aviemore really impressed me with how it was designed and looked in the falling dusk.
At Inverness, I headed to the Exchange pub for dinner, then headed to the Market Brae Guest House and slept for the night, well recommended this place, any of you thinking about staying in Inverness, I think this place is just right.
Day 3 to come The Skye Circular?