Woke to the sound of annonucements at Paragon Station. Trains were moving, so it was time to get up, miss breakfast once again, and head for my first train of the day. My hope had been that this would be one of the new First Transpennine Class 185 units, but I'd not done anything sensible like checking the diagrams which I'm sure are out there on the web. Instead, climbed aboard a pair of the externally tired but always clean and comfortable 158s. Today was about travelling along lots of tiny bits of track I'd never done before, describing an arc down into the East Midlands and back northwards to Glasgow. The first leg took me along the Humber estuary in blazing sunshine and to Huddersfield via some previously uncharted track between Selby and Micklefield.
After the hectic commuter run into Leeds, things at Huddersfield things were calm and peaceful. So much so that I spent a little longer wandering about and buying coffee than I really had time to, and had to dash for the Sheffield service. This was operated by one of West Yorkshire PTE's Class 144s - just like the 143 units we have here in West Country but with nicer seats and in some cases, an extra carriage! We bounced and screeched our way out of the station, under the tunnels and turned sharply to the south at Springwood Junction. The line is a winding, generally single track meandering through hills and valleys - often on high viaducts above attractive little Yorkshire towns. We made slow progress, but soon enough emerged into the comparitive metropolis of Barnsley. Back on the main line now to Sheffield, arriving bang on time and earning myself a late breakfast!
The next train, one of Central's tired fleet of Class 153s limped into the station already sporting a fault. We left only a little late, after some makeshift repairs were undertaken by a fitter, but didn't make good time. I was fairly confident of the connection working out given the way services operate in and out of Worksop station, but the delay gave me a slightly worrying few minutes once we'd arrived. So, a shorter than expected wait for the Robin Hood Line service via Mansfield to Nottingham. I'd long promised to travel this line, which has changed quite a bit over the years - firstly being extended to Worksop and now having the NET tram lines running alongside part of the route. Again, slow progress along the line with lots of stops. Some interesting station buildings still exist beside the essentially 'shelter and footbridge' style modern halts.
Found the 1300 Cardiff service waiting at Nottingham on arrival, so quickly grabbed refreshments and boarded. A short run along a familar route from here, just as far as Tamworth where I could pick up the West Coast Main Line once again and head north. All ran smoothly enough, and I soon found myself at the windswept Tamworth station. This spot always seems remote and forsaken, with very little stopping on the low-level platforms at all. Chatted to a Glaswegian gentleman making the same connection as me - we we're both dismayed to see the stopping service to Crewe shown as late and getting later, due to points failure and a troublesome Liverpool-bound Pendolino getting in the way. Reassured my fellow traveller with some alternative services at Crewe, and despite leaving about 31 down, we were treated to the sight of the taillights of the intended connection disappearing from platform 6 at Crewe just as we arrived on 2. Over the bridge to wait for the also delayed 1556 Voyager. Then back over the bridge to wait some more. Counselled fellow travellers on the wisdom of heading for the Quiet Coach to get a seat - which was later validated by the Train Manager remarking "Coo - there's loads of room down here - they're standing in the aisles up the front!".
Once on board and underway, it was a trouble-free and relaxing blast along the WCML. Every effort was made to make up time, and we experienced some very fast running through the early evening's brilliant sunshine towards the border. They even re-routed us to speed things up, allowing us to take the mainline at Law Junction instead of travelling via Wishaw which this service is booked for to maintain driver knowledge of the diversionary route. Secretly unhappy at the loss of a possible unexpected bonus bit of track. Still, it meant an earlier arrival in Glasgow, only an hour later than originally booked despite all the delays.
Booked into the hotel, which was just seconds from the station, and headed straight out to the 13th Note. A couple of welcome and refreshing pints, and a chance to reacquaint myself with this old haunt. Half a mind to see the band downstairs (The Great Money Trick) who sounded really interesting on the flyer. Instead, headed out to find food and an early night due to an unearthly starting time to tomorrow's proceedings. Walked back to my hotel along Argyle Street towards the characteristic shining orange sunset. I ramble on about how much I love Glasgow all the time, but I can't help but wish some of the doubters could see it on a night like this.
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
