To Newcastle by bicycle. Arrive at the ticket office at about 0540. Single to Morpeth, please. Present a £20 note. Sorry, Ive no change buy your ticket on the train.
Photographed the station and the class 47 hauled charter at 0615.
Present myself at the guards van of my GNER train north. Can you tell me where to stick this? - indicates bicycle. Have you got a reservation? Reservation? I havent even got a ticket! Well, sir, Ill accept your bike on this occasion, and Ill sell you a ticket, but you must have a reservation in future.
Secures bike in guards van, walks the length of First Class to take up first available seat in Standard for the 13 minute ride north.
As the train slows south of Stannington, begin to get concerned that I havent paid, so walk back through First to find train manager just the other side of the buffet car frantically thumbing through ticketing guide. If its any help, the office in Newcastle said the fare was £2.80. Well, I havent got time to issue this, so for just £2.80, Im willing to let it go this time.
Then, passing catering assistant says, Look out!, as, on the rack to my right, a case of bottled water begins to topple as the train turns towards Clifton. I slowly reach up, and gently push it back. Well spotted! says I.
Assistant and catering trolley accompany me to last door. She says, Are you cycling far? Back to Newcastle. Here, have some complimentary water.
So, disembark from free ride, with free Highland Spring water.
Photograph Morpeth Station. Cycle round Coopies Lane, signal box, Railtrack yard.
Photography takes rather longer than expected, so cycle back to station. "Single to Blaydon, please. Thatll be £5.40, please. £5.40? But it was only £2.80 to get here! Yes, thats right, its often more to leave than it is to get here! Bit like Royston Vasey? Lady behind me in queue splutters into laughter.
Photographed the station and the class 47 hauled charter at 0615.
Present myself at the guards van of my GNER train north. Can you tell me where to stick this? - indicates bicycle. Have you got a reservation? Reservation? I havent even got a ticket! Well, sir, Ill accept your bike on this occasion, and Ill sell you a ticket, but you must have a reservation in future.
Secures bike in guards van, walks the length of First Class to take up first available seat in Standard for the 13 minute ride north.
As the train slows south of Stannington, begin to get concerned that I havent paid, so walk back through First to find train manager just the other side of the buffet car frantically thumbing through ticketing guide. If its any help, the office in Newcastle said the fare was £2.80. Well, I havent got time to issue this, so for just £2.80, Im willing to let it go this time.
Then, passing catering assistant says, Look out!, as, on the rack to my right, a case of bottled water begins to topple as the train turns towards Clifton. I slowly reach up, and gently push it back. Well spotted! says I.
Assistant and catering trolley accompany me to last door. She says, Are you cycling far? Back to Newcastle. Here, have some complimentary water.
So, disembark from free ride, with free Highland Spring water.
Photograph Morpeth Station. Cycle round Coopies Lane, signal box, Railtrack yard.
Photography takes rather longer than expected, so cycle back to station. "Single to Blaydon, please. Thatll be £5.40, please. £5.40? But it was only £2.80 to get here! Yes, thats right, its often more to leave than it is to get here! Bit like Royston Vasey? Lady behind me in queue splutters into laughter.
