RJ
Established Member
Today I planned to get up early and see the sleeper among other things. That didn't happen. So this is how things went:
As soon as I left home a Victoria-bound bus came (at 09:15). I took that and got to Victoria at 09:50. 67024 was just arriving with the VSOE. as I got there. They shut it down and started it up again (I missed any clag there may have been ). Instead, I went on a goose chase trying to get a travelcard. After 30 minutes and £30 later, I managed to get one. I rushed out of the station to find a bridge and found the perfect location. It left a few minutes later (a blob of steam aka 34067).
I then checked my phone for any GEN and discovered that a pair of 73s were supposedly going to Chertsey. So I took the 10:47 to Clapham Junction then the semi-fast 11:02 to Weybridge from which I saw a 158+159+159. From there I purchased a return from Surbiton to Virginia Water (under the guard's advice). There was a rail replacement bus service due to engineering works. I got to Chertsey and there were no EDs. I then took the bus to Virginia Water, where Medite 66709 and 66702+66019 TnT were in attendance. I stayed for a while waiting for the supposed EDs which never showed up. So I followed the Chertsey Branch and photed 66712. I had to go through a school and a sports field. I then had to jump a fence as a shortcut out. I went back to the station. There was a bit of shunting going on and Great British GBRF 66705 "Golden Jubilee" was hauled into the station. During which time I checked my phone, to see that 31s were leaving Euston at 12:27!!! Had Rail-Gen gotten a move on with their flippin approval system, I would have seen this message at Victoria and seen them! Grr!
Anyways, I took a bus back to Weybridge, then took the 14:21 Desiro to Clapham, which arrived at 14:50 (was very slow). I took the 14:53 to East Croydon (saw white 319001), then the 15:08 Voyager. I was supposed to get off at Olympia, but I took a nap. I then woke up at Mitre Bridge!!! I explained this to the guard, who phoned Control. He then told the driver to let me off at Acton Mainline through the driver door. Thank goodness, otherwise I would have ended up at Reading!
59204 was at Acton Yard, while yet another GBRF 66, 66701, passed through light engine. I took the 16:13 Turbo to Paddington, then the District Line to Victoria, 30 mins after the VSOE arrived. I had to run again, to the same bridge, which I just about reached as 67024 hauled it out ECS to Stewarts Lane. I then took an Electorstar to East Croydon, then 18:00 455 back home to Forest Hill.
Morals of the story:
GBRF's 66s are knackered
Virgin are good with lazy passengers
Rail-Gen should be more alert with their approvals.
As soon as I left home a Victoria-bound bus came (at 09:15). I took that and got to Victoria at 09:50. 67024 was just arriving with the VSOE. as I got there. They shut it down and started it up again (I missed any clag there may have been ). Instead, I went on a goose chase trying to get a travelcard. After 30 minutes and £30 later, I managed to get one. I rushed out of the station to find a bridge and found the perfect location. It left a few minutes later (a blob of steam aka 34067).
I then checked my phone for any GEN and discovered that a pair of 73s were supposedly going to Chertsey. So I took the 10:47 to Clapham Junction then the semi-fast 11:02 to Weybridge from which I saw a 158+159+159. From there I purchased a return from Surbiton to Virginia Water (under the guard's advice). There was a rail replacement bus service due to engineering works. I got to Chertsey and there were no EDs. I then took the bus to Virginia Water, where Medite 66709 and 66702+66019 TnT were in attendance. I stayed for a while waiting for the supposed EDs which never showed up. So I followed the Chertsey Branch and photed 66712. I had to go through a school and a sports field. I then had to jump a fence as a shortcut out. I went back to the station. There was a bit of shunting going on and Great British GBRF 66705 "Golden Jubilee" was hauled into the station. During which time I checked my phone, to see that 31s were leaving Euston at 12:27!!! Had Rail-Gen gotten a move on with their flippin approval system, I would have seen this message at Victoria and seen them! Grr!
Anyways, I took a bus back to Weybridge, then took the 14:21 Desiro to Clapham, which arrived at 14:50 (was very slow). I took the 14:53 to East Croydon (saw white 319001), then the 15:08 Voyager. I was supposed to get off at Olympia, but I took a nap. I then woke up at Mitre Bridge!!! I explained this to the guard, who phoned Control. He then told the driver to let me off at Acton Mainline through the driver door. Thank goodness, otherwise I would have ended up at Reading!
59204 was at Acton Yard, while yet another GBRF 66, 66701, passed through light engine. I took the 16:13 Turbo to Paddington, then the District Line to Victoria, 30 mins after the VSOE arrived. I had to run again, to the same bridge, which I just about reached as 67024 hauled it out ECS to Stewarts Lane. I then took an Electorstar to East Croydon, then 18:00 455 back home to Forest Hill.
Morals of the story:
GBRF's 66s are knackered
Virgin are good with lazy passengers
Rail-Gen should be more alert with their approvals.