As August continues its strange and disjointed progress, I find myself filling a couple of weeks with hastily planned trips which score little bits of track or follow diversions, just to get me out and about. If nothing else, this presents the opportunity to relax between trying weeks, in anticipation of more extensive jaunts to come later in the Autumn. So today I'd planned a relaxing circuit of the East Midlands, based on a diversion noted in a BLS communique. Given that last week I'd over-taxed my injured knee I'd left plenty of time between trains - not difficult because it seems that the timetable hadn't been fully updated in time to book some of the diverted services. The plan was for an easy time with some scope for wandering in London should the mood take me later. Set off for the station early, noting that the mornings were getting a little darker once again. Caught the customary 05:50 to Bristol, which deposited us just feet from our next train, allowing time to stock up on provisions for breakfast as we sped north. Have to say though, that I found the idea of a cheese and scrambled egg sandwich rather odd - whether hot or cold! The weather seemed a little brighter too as we left Bristol, and the only surprising event in this otherwise pleasantly calm and quiet trip was the use of platform 4 at Bristol Parkway - certainly the first time I've done this on a Voyager. Arrived in Birmingham and having missed the passing of a charter down to Paignton from Chesterfield, we headed straight for a decent cup of coffee, whilst watching the world go by. We'd try to catch up with the charter on it's homeward run.
The next train was the main object of today's trip. The CrossCountry service between Birmingham and Stansted was unable to take it's booked route through Melton Mowbray and Stamford, and thus was heading north to Nottingham, then onto the East Coast Mainline to reach Peterborough and regain it's usual route. No new track, unless of course we used the through roads at Nottingham, but an interesting journey nonetheless. Set out in blazing sunshine, with a woman moaning to everyone but us that we'd taken her seat. We hadn't - as my reservation proved - but this didn't stop her. She eventually located herself close enough to let us hear her continual 'shock' at the contents of copy of The Sun she was reading. As we left Leicester and headed into uncharted waters, she and her offspring became distinctly jittery about being on the wrong train! Through Loughborough and East Midlands Parkway, before turning east and a slow crawl into Nottingham. Always a congested station, it seems that a booked crew-change here meant that we had to call in a platform. We seemed to wait ages to get into the station, with Fastline's 66301 and 303 passing, then again to leave. Once on our way in brilliant weather, we headed to Netherfield Junction, turning south east and soon reaching the new alignment at Allington Junction. A quick blast down the ECML and we were soon in Peterborough, with our neighbouring passengers rather bewildered by the route taken - but visibly relieved that they'd got here.
A little time to kill here before the next leg, and a chance to watch operations at this busy and varied station. Not as many locomotives stabled outside in the yards as usual - but this may point to a buoyant time in the track renewal programme, so perhaps no bad thing! Found a spot on a windswept but warm platform 3 and watched a parade of HSTs, a Hull Trains operated 180 and numerous local workings. Typically, just as my camera was safely back in it's bag, the distinctive howl of an unrefurbished HST engine signalled the passing of Grand Central's service to Sunderland. Soon time for our own train south, with 91101 bringing up the rear of an Edinburgh-Kings Cross service. Found a surprisingly very comfortable seat in standard class, and relaxed once again as we sped south.
A brief wander around the building site which is Kings Cross, before walking out to St Pancras and Euston to see what was happening. Noted the Domestic Highspeed platforms were closed, so no chance of seeing if any 395s were stabled over the weekend. No hurry to be anywhere, and whilst there was plenty of time to wander, my leg was much improved it seemed today, and I didn't want to risk changing that. Decided on a meandering bus trip back to Paddington, before some shopping, coffee and our trip back to Bristol. Again, a smooth-running and quiet trip spent trying to predict where we'd cross the path of the charter returning from Paignton. The hope was that we'd do so at either Bristol or Highbridge - allowing a swift photograph. In the event, we crossed the train somewhere south of Nailsea, with just 47501 working it in fact. Even the boarding of an incredibly raucous hen-party at Weston couldn't disturb my peace and quiet - despite other's best efforts to get very much involved in their celebrations!
So, a quiet, uncomplicated and varied day out spent just travelling for the sake of it. It was just the kind of day I needed today - and despite not scoring any new track or attempting any sort of epic quest, I'm quietly pleased to have travelled 450 miles or more around the country just watching, listening and enjoying the place.
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.
