A couple of years back there was a flurry of activity on preserved lines, where tracks were extended or connections to the mainline remade. This meant trips to the North Norfolk, Weardale and Swanage Railways all became possible for railtours or special trains. Then of course everything went quiet - the preservationists were left to deal with the aftermath of a couple of pretty tough winters, and the recession began to bite despite more people staying in the UK for holidays. Times were tough, and I wondered if all of those interesting projects to squeeze a few more yards of line out of even the smallest railway had dried up? Happily it seems not - and today I had the choice of two railways running on extensions. I thought about a trip to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, now running from the junction platform at Duffield mainline station - but it was their opening weekend and seemed both busy and a bit pricey. So instead I elected to revisit an old friend - The Spa Valley Railway - now running into the disused down platform at Eridge.
This meant a run up to London on the first train of the day. It was a perfect morning - a little chilly and misty but with the promise of a fine day ahead. I changed trains at Weston-super-Mare to find no buffet on board until later in the journey, but didn't let that spoil what was a relaxing trip. Having not been this way for a few weeks it was interesting to see activity around Reading station where huge changes are beginning, and with headphones on I dozed and daydreamed my way west. At Paddington, I switched onto the Circle Line and headed for Monument, where I surfaced to find a really fine morning. The mist had evaporated, and I strode over London bridge, dodging tourists and feeling in surprisingly good spirits. I was surprising even myself today. Got a late breakfast and settled into the Class 171 which was bound for Eridge. Another fine journey, initially through the always interesting suburbs, then into rolling Kent countryside with surprising suddenness.
The connection at Eridge was pretty tight but I was reassured by a couple of other enthusiasts who seemed to be planning the same thing. In the event we arrived a little early, and I was able to dash over the footbridge to the ticket office very quickly. Noted 37254 sitting at the southern end of the train, about to be detached. A shame I couldn't have done this the other way around and caught one of only two diesel operated trips today. Instead, the train was to be hauled by 5521 - a Small Prairie way off it's Great Western territory. Found a seat in beautifully restored 1961 buffet car "Kate", ordered a coffee and sat back to watch the line roll by. Also got chatting to a local character who routinely walked the line prior to it's reopening and was heading South West shortly. Despite an extended wait for the diesel to be detached, the journey went surprisingly quickly - and it was good to see this fine little railway again. The extension should make it far more accessible, and indeed useful for local journeys - that holy grail of preservation which never quite seems to work out. At Tunbridge Wells West, sadly I couldn't get near to the yard to look at the diesel fleet, but managed to dodge the sizeable crowds gathered for a steam ride and have a poke around in the shed before heading across town to the mainline station.
Despite a lazy walk, I caught the slightly late running train I'd planned to, and made a quick run into London Bridge. Spent a little time on the platform here, enjoying the sunshine and chatting while I figured out my next move. The plan was to get a train out to New Cross Gate to gain the East London Line. This all worked surprisingly simply, and I was able to very quickly change trains there for a Highbury and Islington bound unit which would traverse the newly opened curve from Dalston Junction. Noted how busy the East London Line was becoming - which compared to its former rather downtrodden feel in Underground days, was quite a change. The Overground network seems to have become part of peoples travel habits very quickly, and these extensions can only help. As ever, an interesting and rather mysterious journey into Hackney and into the dark cavern of Dalston Junction. After a short wait we pressed onward, taking the fairly sharp West Curve with occasional flashes of daylight above as we emerged into the cutting at Canonbury. Highbury and Islington is transformed - a busy, multi-platform station with lots of transferring passengers even on a lazy and hot Saturday afternoon. A quick platform change got me onto a Richmond bound North London Line service heading for Willesden Junction. This set-up just works - no fuss, modern trains - a real success.
At Willesden I waited for a DC line train northwards in order to get to Harrow and Wealdstone. This move has become a staple - a chance to pass the depots at Willesden and Wembley, and easy access to services back into Euston. Lingered a while at Harrow in the quiet, very warm afternoon before I realised I was attracting the curiousity of a couple of BTP Officers. So, headed back into Euston and then by bus to Paddington. It's a rare privilege to be able to get two bits of new track on the same day nowadays - and that one is on a successful preserved railway and another a busy commuter route is all the more surprising. It's going to be a busy few weeks once a rather quiet April is out of the way, and I hope I can get to more of these opportunities during the summer.
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.
