It was a strange sensation, waking lazily on a Sunday morning after a little too much beer at yesterday's festival, and knowing that later that afternoon I'd be heading off on a railtour. It meant much of the day was spent in fairly aimless tidying, time-wasting and anticipation. Finally headed off on the 17:37 to Temple Meads, where a few other locals had already boarded down the line. Grabbed a coffee at Bristol in the hope it would keep me awake, and followed the tell-tale cart of the Real Ale supplier to the platform in preparation for arrival of the tour stock. In perhaps the first indication that this would be an eventful couple of days, the stock arrived and stopped short at the 'St. Andrews Cross' indicator with many of the coaches trailing off the platform. Soon rectified, and 66174 ran around to lead us off into the night. Boarded, found my seat for the next day or so, and tried to settle in despite the novelty of the situation.
The first part of the route was a fairly routine slog up to Crewe with a slight deviation via Worcester, presumably to path the train correctly. Disappointingly, the gloom descended early and by Shrub Hill it was black out of the windows. We continued with our pick-ups, eventually arriving at Crewe a little early. This first locomotive change had been the subject of more debate and pages of blather on the internet than was strictly healthy. The original Fastline Class 56 (and indeed it's Hanson replacement) had long since fallen by the wayside and now a pair of 37s was booked. If rumours were to be believed even these were in jeopardy, with the dwindling fleet in various states of repair seemingly scattered all over the place. An absolute joy then to scramble out of the train to stretch already tired legs at Crewe to hear 37417 and 37422 rumbling away in the platform. Particularly good to see the recently reinstated 422 as I'd last been hauled by this as long ago as 2003 on a typically damp run to Rhymney. Watched the engine change and attempted pictures but gave up given the crowds and the dark - given the amount of food, drink and other kit I'd needed to pack to make a couple of days on a train less uncomfortable a tripod would have been a cumbersome luxury.
Back on board for the overnight leg of our trip, wondering how long I'd manage to stay awake...
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.
