So...who's planning their 2017 trips yet?

[D841 Roebuck]

Various possibilities for me:

I'd like to continuing whittling down the bits of track I need, but still chase winners and shacks.

In order of appeal, perhaps:

East Anglia. Kings Lynn, Stansted Airport, Clacton, Sudbury, Braintree for track, 37/68/90 to bash, oodles of shacks.

Kent. Need both routes through Maidstone, loads of units and shacks. Maybe combine with southern daysave.

Central Scotland Rover. Still not been to Tweedbank, or across the Shotts line, plenty of winners and shacks.

Closer to home, a Merseyrail shack and unit bash, a Blackpool tram bash.and tracking down the.last three Metrolink.trams and 150115 are priorities. Oh, and clearing Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire for shacks...

 

[trainophile]

My first fix of Scotland for 2017 - off to Largs for two nights in mid-January, and hoping to do Largs to Wemyss Bay and back via Paisley on my one full day up there. Time I did a bit more on the west side, having done the east to death over the last couple of years.

Booked on impulse but really excited about it now .

 

[Keith Jarrett]

For 2017, it very much depends on how much spare time I end up with. The only one that is a dead cert will be 3-4 days in Scotland when I hope most of my remaining track will fall along with required units (before the new Hitachi jobs come in). Then we are looking at the following for day trips
Blackpool
Manchester
East Midlands
Birmingham
Sheffield
Newcastle

I'd like a two day jobbie to Cornwall to finally bag the remaining branches but that'll depend on other factors.

 

[trainmania100]

Im probably going to scrap my trip to reading to see western champion now...
...as it looks like it might be visiting Bluebell Railway for a diesel gala! Haulage here i come

 

[221129]

I have at least one ALR in the pipeline, with a lot more miles to come next year after starting with CrossCountry. I too am also looking at Norway in the summer.

 

[Techniquest]

Funny you should mention an ALR, it is on the cards for 2017...

Looks like some awesome trips for everyone, although D1015 is FAR better on the mainline. Got some awesome memories of that tour to Milford Haven!

 

[Alex 2901]

One of the things I'm planning to do next summer (as suggested by my classmates, and hopefully to raise money for a charity I'm supporting):

Willenhall to John O Groats by bus (and foot!)

529 Willenhall to Wolverhampton
0537>0552 (NXWM)
54 Wolverhampton to Stafford
0615>0708* (NXWM)
101 Stafford to Newcastle
0721>0821 (First Potteries)
74 Newcastle to Alsager
0840>0912 (D&G Bus)
3 Alsager to Crewe
0921>0951 (First Potteries)
84 Crewe to Chester
1038>1146 (Arriva North West)
X8 Chester to Liverpool
1215>1330 (Stagecoach in Merseyside)
X2 Liverpool to Preston
1357>1602 (Stagecoach in South Lancs)
41 Preston to Lancaster
1610>1748 (Stagecoach in North Lancs)
555 Lancaster to Windermere
1830>2012 (Stagecoach in North Lancs)
Walk from Windermere Rail Station to Penrith Bus Station
2020>0430
104 Penrith to Carlisle
0602>0649
685 Carlisle to Newcastle
0705>0927
(Food/Rest break as I will have been up for nearly 30 hours at that point)
X15 Newcastle to Berwick upon Tweed
1233>1455 (Arriva North East)
253 Berwick upon Tweed to Edinburgh
1502>1702*(Perrymans)

X55 Edinburgh to Perth
0616>0809 (Stagecoach West Scotland)
X7 Perth to Aberdeen
0905>1243 (Stagecoach West Scotland)
10 Aberdeen to Inverness
1325>1708 (Stagecoach West Scotland)
X99 Inverness to Dunbeath
1740>1951 (Stagecoach Citylink)
X97 Dunbeath to Wick
1956>2036 (Stagecoach Citylink)

X97 Wick to John O Groats
0705>0901 (Stagecoach Citylink)
(Walk to the coast)

On another note, can anyone recommend any decent, but cheap, accommodation in Edinburgh West End?
And yes, I know Windermere to Penrith is near 25 miles, but I reckon I can manage it, and I have a back up plan if I can't

 

[D841 Roebuck]

One of the things I'm planning to do next summer (as suggested by my classmates, and hopefully to raise money for a charity I'm supporting):

Willenhall to John O Groats by bus (and foot!)

529 Willenhall to Wolverhampton
0537>0552 (NXWM)
54 Wolverhampton to Stafford
0615>0708* (NXWM)
101 Stafford to Newcastle
0721>0821 (First Potteries)
74 Newcastle to Alsager
0840>0912 (D&G Bus)
3 Alsager to Crewe
0921>0951 (First Potteries)
84 Crewe to Chester
1038>1146 (Arriva North West)
X8 Chester to Liverpool
1215>1330 (Stagecoach in Merseyside)
X2 Liverpool to Preston
1357>1602 (Stagecoach in South Lancs)
41 Preston to Lancaster
1610>1748 (Stagecoach in North Lancs)
555 Lancaster to Windermere
1830>2012 (Stagecoach in North Lancs)
Walk from Windermere Rail Station to Penrith Bus Station
2020>0430
104 Penrith to Carlisle
0602>0649
685 Carlisle to Newcastle
0705>0927
(Food/Rest break as I will have been up for nearly 30 hours at that point)
X15 Newcastle to Berwick upon Tweed
1233>1455 (Arriva North East)
253 Berwick upon Tweed to Edinburgh
1502>1702*(Perrymans)

X55 Edinburgh to Perth
0616>0809 (Stagecoach West Scotland)
X7 Perth to Aberdeen
0905>1243 (Stagecoach West Scotland)
10 Aberdeen to Inverness
1325>1708 (Stagecoach West Scotland)
X99 Inverness to Dunbeath
1740>1951 (Stagecoach Citylink)
X97 Dunbeath to Wick
1956>2036 (Stagecoach Citylink)

X97 Wick to John O Groats
0705>0901 (Stagecoach Citylink)
(Walk to the coast)

On another note, can anyone recommend any decent, but cheap, accommodation in Edinburgh West End?
And yes, I know Windermere to Penrith is near 25 miles, but I reckon I can manage it, and I have a back up plan if I can't

Looks an interesting trip.

Will.the walking bit be "Ullswater by Moonlight" or.along the High Street ridge?

 

[Alex 2901]

Looks an interesting trip.

Will.the walking bit be "Ullswater by Moonlight" or.along the High Street ridge?

According to the map I looked at, it'll probably be the Ullswater route

 

[D6975]

And yes, I know Windermere to Penrith is near 25 miles, but I reckon I can manage it, and I have a back up plan if I can't

That's the sort of thing I used to get up to when I was younger. I once walked Ilkley - Bolton Abbey - Skipton. I must admit to being slightly envious of you. Good luck!

 

[eastwestdivide]

...
Walk from Windermere Rail Station to Penrith Bus Station
2020>0430
...
And yes, I know Windermere to Penrith is near 25 miles, but I reckon I can manage it, and I have a back up plan if I can't

A 25 mile walk in 8 hours? 3mph is a high average for a long walk, especially over that terrain, and at night, and if you've been up for 15 hours already, and carrying luggage too?
Presumably you've done that distance before?

 

[Techniquest]

That's an extreme trip, I wouldn't fancy trying that walk! I would definitely have a backup plan and I can see it coming into action!

 

[47403]

Well what is in the pipeline for 2017, unfortunately not a great deal. A holiday abroad to my.Mothers is planned and that could ruin my annual 3 dayer in june.

However irons are in the fire for a 3 day jolly in East Anglia for early next year, hopefully via London, It's a place I haven't visited since a trip from Liverpool Street-Ipswich on the Anglian liveried 86s. So as you can imagine, there's a multitude of requirements needed for sight in that neck of the woods. I doubt the 37s and 68s will be kicking round but there's more than enough for me to see , whether I have the added bonus of either on the short set or not.

I'm also considering a move inspired by tech last year, a trip on the Cally sleeper, from somewhere North.of Edinburgh, down to Crewe, in a bid to get some 73 and 90 action in. Then get a day rover to hunt out my NH requirements needed for sight(142s and 150s) and hopefully some EMT 158s at Man Picc would be a bonus.
A 3 day trip later on in the year but I will check the NREA nearer the time and work out where to go from there.

The odd day out for the Cumbrian Coast 37s, should any of my 37s required for haulage, come out to play. Not to mention a trip to the Scottish Capital for the Cats on the Fife Circle.

A railtour of some sort, which will invariably involve classic traction and a visit to one of the main Diesel Gala' s. I keep missing out on them, so 2017 will hopefully remedy this.

 

[Drogba11CFC]

Feb: Watercress Line spring gala
June: 7 Day ALR to Scotland
Oct: Watercress Line diesel gala

 

[ashworth]

A 25 mile walk in 8 hours? 3mph is a high average for a long walk, especially over that terrain, and at night, and if you've been up for 15 hours already, and carrying luggage too?
Presumably you've done that distance before?

I would think that would be quite a dangerous walk to do during the night. It's a narrow road which is very winding and hilly. There are also some very long dark narrow winding sections under trees where if it's a cloudy night it will be pitch black. Although there will be very little traffic during the night you will certainly need to wear some good high viz clothing. I wouldn't like to do even a few miles along that road during the night.

 

[shredder1]

I'm doing this as well then the NFP tour in the Czech Republic the following week; haven't decided yet what to do in between the two but probably won't stray beyond Germany and the Czech Republic.

Beyond that I only have a couple of trips to Hungary planned in April / May and am not thinking too hard about anything else due to some possible changes in personal circumstances next year.

I`m on Russell`s tour too, fly into Budapest 2nd Feb, was planning a return in Albania in June if they can find some money to start the HSH up again

 

[Techniquest]

Feb: Watercress Line spring gala
June: 7 Day ALR to Scotland
Oct: Watercress Line diesel gala

Watercress Line being the Mid Hants I assume? I didn't know they had a gala coming up, need that line...

 

[barrowjack]

Predictably for me so far:
February - London (Hopefully for Champions League)
March - Kent (Football again)
July and August - London twice for the athletics.

Already worked out some moves lists for the London area on at least one of these occasions with the aim of as many 'red lines' as possible!

Other than that hopefully will make it to Devon again, and also Scotland

 

[43074]

At the moment I'm aiming to get to Glasgow, the Valleys and Kent... plenty of new track and haulage to be had from all three... although there's nothing definite for either at the moment. 2017 will also include the mandatory London, the North, Anglia and Midlands bashes as well, of course.

 

[palmersears]

So far I'll be having a very busy January and February, and then very little once I become a married man in April /

January

18 - Birthday trip out to an as yet undecided location. If I don't get to Leeds next week then I will be heading there for the remaining 144s, 158s and 333s required, otherwise if the weather is nice and there are some interesting bits and pieces floating about I might just head to Crewe or Stafford for a few hours. Need to be back from wedding meal tasting in the evening…

19 - 0639 departure from Stockport, changing at Hereford for the WAG to Cardiff. I’ll spend a few hours spotting there (need all the 142s and 143s mainly), then across to Bristol Temple Meads for 1520 for more of the same. 1900 train home. It should be an excellent day, and one which should see a fair amount ticked off the list.

20 - Birmingham again probably, in an attempt to grab the remaining 170s, 172s and 153 that I need. If I don't get 221138 by the end of this week then I will not be happy!

February

3-5 - Scotland at last! Arriving around 2130 on the Friday, evening of spotting, then a full day on the Saturday split across Glasgow Central, Glasgow Queen Street and Partick, before heading across Edinburgh way. The plan here is vaguer, but I imagine it’ll be mostly spent at Haymarket. Sunday will be a couple more hours before a mid-morning departure home. Hotel £50 for the two nights, tickets £30. Bargain.

15-18 - London. Mega. Spot. Travelling down on the Wednesday I have a ‘conference’ to attend until 1530, then it’ll be straight to the hotel, quick change, and out into the capital. I’ve worked out I’ve got roughly 60 hours of spotting time available, so will be going off the following loose itinerary (very much subject to change, mainly if Southern are still on strike):

Day/evening 1

1615-1700: Bethnal Green
1730-0000: Stratford

Day 2

0630-1000: Finsbury Park
1030-1430: West Hampstead
1515-1900: London Bridge
1930–2200: Fenchurch Street
2230-0000: Stratford

Day 3

0700–1000: London Marylebone
1030–1530: Ealing Broadway/West Ealing
1615–2200: Clapham Junction (split across Southern and then South West/Overground sides)
2300-0000: Stratford

Day 4

0700-1000: London Bridge
1030-1300: Stratford International
1400: Home

25 - Newcastle in order to capture the remaining 142s & 156s I need possibly. Might need a rest though!

 

[Techniquest]

That's quite some detailed plans!

Why not change at Shrewsbury for the WAG-Ex though? I see you'll be on the other side of Hereford to me that morning, when I'll be at work!

 

[palmersears]

That's quite some detailed plans!

Why not change at Shrewsbury for the WAG-Ex though? I see you'll be on the other side of Hereford to me that morning, when I'll be at work!

Ahhh that should read Shrewsbury, my apologies! Getting confused as the original itinerary had me changing at Hereford, which I did find a bit odd, so changed it to Shrewsbury.

Also, anywhere outside of St Pancras to get the 395s and 374s all in one place?

 

[Kite159]

I would swap Fenchurch Street for West Ham, as you get the benefit of being able to get some S7s into your book as well

 

[rg177]

Ahhh that should read Shrewsbury, my apologies! Getting confused as the original itinerary had me changing at Hereford, which I did find a bit odd, so changed it to Shrewsbury.

Also, anywhere outside of St Pancras to get the 395s and 374s all in one place?

If you're good with speeding Eurostar services and fast moving numbers, then Stratford International. All 395 services call though.

A cheaper option would be Rainham (Essex) at the edge of zone 6, but again, you'll have to be quick as everything passes fast.