A Brucie Bonus - 27/09/18
A week off work this week for the wife's birthday, and with much planned I wasn't expecting to get out for a prolonged period if truth be told. However last week she informed me she wanted a day to herself to go shopping, and that I was therefore permitted a day out. With Devon and London to come next week there's only one other place that warrants a full day at this stage of proceedings, so it was off to Scotland.
Up and out on a mild morning for the stroll to New Mills Central, where
150131+114 were waiting for the 0605 to Piccadilly. A staggeringly on time journey throughout, and we arrived with plenty of time to swing by Smiths for a new crossword book before heading over to platform 14 for the 0655 to Wigan. Rather predictably this was 10 minutes later (awaiting a train crew member who'd been given the wrong diagram for the day...), so whilst I waited for that I did get to see the rather unusual sight of a 66 to Trafford Park through platform 14 and a ATW 175 departing from 13B racing each other down the Piccadilly corridor (at least as far as the signal before Oxford Road where the 175, traveling wrong road, was brought to a stand). Don't think I've seen two workings in the same direction simultaneously down there before.
Eventually
319383 showed up, and it was a speedy run up to Wigan North Western. We failed to make up any time en route, and I was concerned I'd miss my connection, but in the end the 0738 Pendelino to Edinburgh was also late, so I had a good 5 minutes to spare before
390011 pulled in. Seat secured, I wasn't expecting any potential winners until we crossed the border, so I ate my overnight oats and then fell asleep until Lockerbie
Waverley soon arrived, and I had a look round to see what was going on, noting the progress of the new platforms 5/6. First winners of the day were also my steeds for the trip to Musselburgh, namely
385006+007. First impressions of the new units are that they go like absolute stink, are decent in terms of ambience but, in typical modern units fashion, the seats aren't the greatest. Seat on the right hand side secured, we were passed Craigentinny in no time, allowing two further winners into the book,
66743 and
73970 snuggled up next to each other. Popping off the 385s at Musselburgh it was a quick up and over to the other side, making a +2 on to
380113 back to the capital.
Once back at Waverley it wasn't long before another winner,
385003, showed its face, but after that nothing was doing for half an hour so I decided it was off to Haymarket to settle in for a couple of hours. A wise choice, as upon arrival I was immediately greeted by
170413, leaving two 170s to find. The waiting room on platforms 2/3 has had a refurb since last I went, complete with some comfy chairs, so I set up camp here for the next two hours to observe comings and goings, including their 365s in their new home. All told a couple of 158s were scored,
701 and
727, as well as the partner to 385003 above, namely
385104, which I'd missed earlier on. When I did decide to move on to Glasgow I thought it apt to give the 385s another go, so took further winners
385103+004 for the 35 minute blast across the central belt.
Queen Street arrived, and I spied
158714 as I alighted the 385s, but, after a short break for food, the next 90 minutes or so were sadly unproductive, as a procession of dud DMUs came and went. Indeed I spent most of the time looking at the station refurbishment works that were ongoing, noting just how much more light and airy the station is with most of the dreadful old buildings out front now demolished. About 4pm I gave up, and went for a spot of retail therapy instead.
An hour or so later, and significantly worse off in the wallet, I headed to Central to see if any of the four remaining 156s I needed were working out of Glasgow's principal station instead. A seat on platform 1/2 (unbarriered and affording decent views of the platforms served by the 156s) was secured, just in time to see double winners
156430+442 pull in. 156 requirements halved in the space of 60 seconds! Sadly the station then went in to partial meltdown, as a trespasser at Johnstone caused services to fall on their backside pretty quickly. With my departure soon approaching I binned the idea of a trip passed Eastfield depot to see if any 385s were lurking there, instead heading to M&S for supplies and then returning to platform 2 just as
350403 was unlocked for the trip back to Manchester. Lightly loaded, I ended up sat at a table behind the trolley guy who, given it was his last service of the day, decided to give away all the snack boxes usually reserved for those in the posh seats. A very kind gesture.
The journey back was commenced in semi dark, although I still managed to add two gronks to the winners list,
08887 and
08954, as well as
66738 at Carlisle Yard later on. Nothing after that, save for another rare occurrence, this time a non-stop pass through Oxford Road (I'm not sure I've ever done this before), and despite arriving 8 late I still had ample time to make it across to platform 1 for
142029+142033 to deposit me back at New Mills Central some 17 hours after setting off.
All in all, a decent day, with 17 winners. 156s down to just two, 158s down to seven (three with SWR) and 170s also down to two. A start also made on the 385s, with a couple of bonus 66s thrown in to get them down to just seven. Disappointed slightly not to clear a couple of classes, but at least it gives me reason to come back again!
This time next week I shall have arrived in Exeter for a 36 hour, multi city, spotting quest. I'm flying in to Southampton early doors (£20 flight wins over a £75 train I'm afraid), visiting Eastleigh to get all the quirky stuff currently on the works, before heading to Devon via Salisbury to see if I can find the last six DMUs I need to hopefully clear the 143s, 150s and 153s. Depending upon how quickly this is achieved I'll possibly pop to Cardiff or Westbury to get a few odds and sods of freight, before catching the Riviera Sleeper to Paddington for a Saturday of London unit hunting. Plan here is a little more loose, but my wish list is as follows (in order):
1 x 387
1 x 456
2 x 171 (would also clear Southern)
3 x 321 (would also clear AGA)
3 x 168 (would also clear Chiltern)
I've six units to find to clear South Eastern as well, so will hit London Bridge to combine hopefully scoring these with knocking off some of the last ten 700s I need as well.
I'm on the 1640 back to Manchester, which I will utilise to sleep!
