I woke up to the icy blast of the air-conditioning and after a few seconds of orientation realised I was in a hotel high above Temple Meads station. Today was, in comparison to recent early starts something of a lie-in, as the timings once they'd finally landed gave an 07:10 start. It would in fact have been possible to make the tour from the early train from home - but given that 07:00 requested starts usually translate into 05:30 actual departures, the hotel room was a bit of insurance. Despite feeling groggy from early morning hayfever, had the presence of mind to grab the camera as the sound of 59202 running around the recently arrived stock drifted through the window. I'd only been up a few minutes and I knew I was going to scratch at least one engine today. Not a bad start. Packed and made the short walk over to the station, with the relatively late start providing time to get coffee and some shots of 59202 before boarding. It was already a warm morning, and promised to be hotter later. I settled in for the trip, feeling rather sleepy already...
Our train began it's journey north via an unusual route, heading for the Midlands via a dash along the Great Western Main Line before turning towards Oxford and Banbury. The 59 made good time, and we were never more than a few minutes adrift as we made regular pick-ups along the route. Granted, there was some slack in the timings - and a longer stop at Banbury to let CrossCountry and Wrexham & Shropshire services pass provided time for a photostop in the strong morning sunshine. Despite having a couple of pick-ups left, the train didn't seem too full, so it's good to see that it ran as there have been one of two instances of cancellations for Pathfinder in similar circumstances. What was rather strange was the demographic of the passengers. This was marketed as an enthusiast trip - lots of festering in yards, changes of traction, some rare track and not really going anywhere as such. However, there were a fair number of the - well, lets say 'older' passengers who seemed to have dominated recent trips. There is a surprising shift going on at the moment in the market, and while some seem to have grasped it I'm not sure everyone has. Thought about this as we headed further north, through Kenilworth and Coventry to Birmingham International. Here we changed loco for the first time and I took advantage of being at the front of the set to get into a fairly unobstructed position as a large crowd swelled behind me on the platform. As predicted at some point, 92017 came hazily into view as the 59 detached and headed for Bescot. What I'd not remembered was that 92017 was now in Stobart Rail branding and had been named "Bart the Engine". I couldn't help thinking the policies for naming locos have drifted a little too far from the cities, counties and castles of old now. Still, another line in the book for sure, and a brief blast of 92 haulage to look forward to. These fine machines have never let me down yet, and they've always managed a fairly quick run too.
But before this one could get going, it was booked a slight detour around a slow route through Bescot Yard. Indeed, once again we followed the edge of the yard via a through siding. I'd done this once before, as an unadvertised extra on the Industrious Trader and it was good to get back into this part of the complex. New track for a fair number of people on board too it seemed. As we crawled by the lines of stores locos and the surprising amount of active wagons and engines in the depot, there was hushed conversation, broken only by the quiet recitation of numbers. The old fashioned railway enthusiasts haven't disappeared, they just need to be reminded that things aren't as bleak as it's fashionable to paint them out there on the tracks...
Once through Bescot and back onto the mainline at Wolverhampton, the 92 began to stretch it's legs a little and we made very comfortable progress northwards. The crawl through the yard had cost us some time, but nothing major, and it was hard not to start dozing in the warm sunshine as we sped through Staffordshire and into Cheshire. A little south of Crewe we slowed to take the line into Basford Hall Yard. Cue more frenzied number taking, despite the ranks of wagons which got in the way and made life tricky! In particular, a pair of pristine new Class 70 locomotives were evident but couldn't be seen clearly. There was much excitement and a fair bit of frustration on board too. Then, with a thunderous noise, 37423 and 37607 appeared at the front of the train, and as 92017 slipped quietly past the stock the two much more vocal engines were attached to the stock. A bit more cranking followed as we took the once-rare Gresty Lane Curve, which now seems to feature in every possible railtour itinerary following the high-profile failure of a tour to deliver it some time ago. This also meant a fairly slow passage of DRS's Gresty Lane depot - where our pair of locomotives were generally stabled. Time to relax now as we progressed towards Shrewsbury over the flat Cheshire countryside. More dozing here I'm afraid, broken only as we slowed to a crawl at the various level crossings, only to erupt back into noisy life once clear of the road. At Shrewsbury we took the curve onto the Marches, then soon after turned west at Sutton Bridge Junction. It seemed strange to be here again just a week after my last jaunt - and indeed for a third time this year - but with the weather much better than during the last visit of course. We soon reached our first set-down at Welshpool, where an optional trip on the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway was available. The plan was to move those punters interested to Llanfair Caereinion by coach for a special train back to Welshpool, but this first meant that some of the fairly unsteady passengers needed to make the long walk up the ramp and over the long footbridge at the station. Welshpool station has moved - with a new road taking the old alignment, and the old station building now marooned a dual-carriageway apart from the lines and used as a shopping and visitor centre. This made for a long trudge and not an easy one for some it seemed. Once underway again with the train quieter, we made the final fifteen mile run to Newtown. The views over to the mountainous country beyond where last week's trip had taken us were impressive indeed as we slowed for the station.
The only question now was what to do with the couple of hours we had here. The first priority, and the reason I'd stayed on, was to get some pictures of the manoeuvres here. The locos ran around the train and, once one of the infrequent service trains had passed, propelled the stock out to the west. Then the stock crossed to the Up platform, and crept in a coach at a time while a mobile tanker watered each in turn. Watched the operations for a bit before wandering over to the shop to stock up on drinks and lunch. Thought seriously about one or two of the recommended pubs, but didn't fancy the idea of a drunken dash across town in the time available. Met a couple of well-known faces on my wanders, and chatter in the sunshine before heading back to the station. Found much needed coffee at the rather neat little Station Cafe, and lazed around the station in the sunshine until it was time to reboard the train for the journey home.
The route home was equally interesting, as we set off first via Telford to Wolverhampton and again slowed for Bescot Yard. This time we were booked to change engines on the Up & Down Goods line, but ended up in the Up Goods Loop. New track for me, but not what was expected if the confusion outside the train was anything to go by. Here, the noisy pair of 37s was detached and thundered by the train, before 59202 returned to the other end of the train. We departed northwards again, curving east to gain the Walsall route. There were clearly a couple of track bashers on board, but there was one gent who had very loudly proclaimed that he "was no crank!" who still managed to get excited as we headed into for him, uncharted waters. He could be heard saying "I'm doing new track" and "I'll have me some of this track" until it switched subtly from amusing to irritating in the overheating carriages. Switched off and half-dozed our way around the Sutton Park route - a strangely rural, leafy means of getting around the eastern edge of Birmingham. At Water Orton we turned east - going in almost the opposite direction to home in fact - joining the Nuneaton route. Then, via the curve to the West Coast Mainline at Abbey Junction and the line via Bedworth, we returned to Leamington Spa and the route home. Perhaps even more amazingly, we ran consistently early all the way, and crept into Temple Meads bang on time, following the customary check by Bristol panel.
Overall, this trip was a success. It combined a day trip with a crank excursion and managed to throw in new engines and varied routes too. I can only hope that Pathfinder found it rewarding enough to consider further such jaunts. The tour market, so busy during May and June, seems to be thinning out later in the summer, and a few of these trips which go 'somewhere' for the normals but get there via 'everywhere' for the cranks would, I'd hope, fill a few seats. For me? No track as such beyond the loop at Bescot - but two out of four winning engines and a relaxing - if a little sleepy - day out in the sunshine. Let's hope my 'Summer Tour' continues to produce this kind of successful day.
It was never my intention to spend every Bank Holiday this year in Paignton. However, thinking about the progressing plans to replace the currently locomotive hauled services with cascaded units, and since the UK doesn't have another weekday holiday this side of August, I thought this could be the last chance I get! Add to this the chance to finally get a snap or two of 'celebrity' loco 67018 in it's DB colours, and it seemed a sensible way to spend the day. Fantastic weather also helped.
The issue of what to do once I got to Paignton was solved by the opening of a new Costa Coffee. I swear this branch wasn't here just under a month ago when I visited, and bemoaned the lack of decent coffee in the town. I queued up behind a long string of locals who hadn't quite figured out how to use the store yet. After stifling a chuckle at someone who complained that her latte was "too milky" I began to experience a degree of middle-class guilt, and sat quietly writing and sipping my coffee. Back to the station for a much more honest bacon sandwich from the excellent little cafe at the station, then a quick but rather warm dash back home on the loco-hauled service. Why don't they use the air-conditioning on these sets?
So, after a brief break at the seaside it's back to work - and the nail-biting wait for tour timings to come through for the rest of June's entertainments. As someone recently pointed out, this site seems to be obsessed with weather, food and trains. Guilty!
Things aren't going well at Network Rail's special train planning unit in Leeds at the moment. A new computer system, which was meant to revolutionise train planning has made the production of the May 2010 national timetable a painful, error-ridden process. As for short-term planning work, like charters - well, things are moving very slowly. Thus, today's trip has been dogged with timings (and thus tickets) arriving late, changes to the order of play and revision after revision of the times on the single lines west of Dovey Junction. But, most importantly, and in true Spitfire tradition, the tour ran almost as planned.
What wasn't in my original plan was the 05:57 from Crewe to Preston! The tour had originally offered a very lazy 08:55 start from Crewe - promising breakfast, a lie in and good light for the photographs! I could still have all that if I wanted, but as the change from WCRC to DRS Class 37s was now scheduled for Crewe, I'd miss the first pair of engines entirely. So, up at a more traditional time and onto a pair of Voyagers which were confused about where they were going. Reassured a number of passengers that this wasn't going to Llandudno via Nuneaton and settled in for a quick run north. Surprised to find nothing open at Preston station yet, so cursing a lack of caffeine I stumbled over the bridge to find the stock already at the platform, with no less than three locos attached! Leading the ensemble was recently refurbished 37685 along with WCRC sister 37706. Tucked in behind was DRS's 37218. Impossible to get a picture in the rather gloomy morning, and given that the train stretched almost two loco lengths off the platform!
Found my seat, and relaxed - this should be a nice, easy trip. A simple out-and-back dash along the Cambrian Coast, finally doing a bit of line I'd left to last in terms of regularly operated passenger track in the UK. A big unhighlighted stretch of black in my Baker atlas should be inked in if all went to plan. As a bonus, we'd also cover some interesting rare sections I'd not covered for a while at Oxley and (since we now weren't visiting to change locomotives) avoiding Shrewsbury. After setting off it became clear that all wasn't well with the traction, and we lost a little time - however, some smart driving and the frankly bizarrely slack timings to Crewe made up for this. News soon reached us that 37685 had failed with a seized power unit. Not a good start for this loco's much anticipated return to service. At Crewe, I dashed over the the platform where I'd started the day three hours earlier to get coffee and food, whilst the WCRC locos were detached and 37069 from DRS was placed on the front of 37218. 37069 was a winner for me, and things began to feel a little better as we sped off south.
At Oxley, we took the chord avoiding Wolverhampton and providing access to the line to Telford and Shrewsbury, passing the depot and soon gathering speed once again. As we curved to the south at Abbey Foregate and passed the new Network Rail depot, the sickening sight of three of the Class 97s which were supposed to haul this tour became evident. Quite why they couldn't be used, given they clearly had no commitments for Network Rail today, was unclear. At Sutton Bridge, we joined the Cambrian Line and began to head west into darkening skies. The weather was supposed to improved out here during the afternoon, but there was little evidence of this! Had a pleasant, quiet and sleepy spell as we passed Newtown and headed over Talerddig. Woke from a snooze as we rounded the curve at Dovey Junction and began to head for the coast.
Found the vestibules packed for the shot of the train going over the Barmouth Bridge, so contented myself with the incredible views here as the line is hemmed in on one side by the Irish Sea and on the other by steep slate-grey cliffs, with tiny settlements creeping up the sides to seemingly impossible houses balanced near the top! The timings allowed a fair amount of time at some of the stops, either to pass units or due to the generally rather slack allowances provided. Had the weather been good, this would have been perfect, but instead it was a pretty damp experience. Got drenched at Porthmadog but enjoyed a leg-stretch and was amused to sea what appeared to be some sort of druid-vicar hybrid flailing at the train! It's rumoured that he then did a part-fare to Pwllheli and is a well-known crank and campaigner for local rail services. The weather deteriorated further as we turned west onto the Llyn Peninsula and headed for our destination. Poorly prepared with no coat, I wasn't looking forward to the couple of hours in Pwllheli at all.
Indeed, there isn't much to the town at all. I wandered only briefly, due to the rain, but aside from a few small shops it has the abandoned air of my own home town in some ways. There were plenty of people around, presumably a mixture of locals shopping and tourists here for a weekend at one of the camps further up the coast. With the undeniably amazing scenery of Snowdonia and Llyn nearby, it's easy to see why people stay in the neighbourhood - but the town itself, especially in the drizzle, wasn't inspiring. As I shopped for local beer - opting for several from the excellent Purple Moose Brewery - I thought about how my journey had begun about fifteen years ago with a desire to find out what Uttoxeter was like, and had ended in some senses here in Pwllheli. Quietly and ceremonially marked off the line, realising that I had a long way to go yet in terms of less easily used track. However, this was the last regularly served passenger line that I needed since I began keeping records and that deserved some thought!
Watched the stock shunting in the rain, as the locos were reformed to provide the same pairing back to civilisation. Soon back on board, and watching the impressive coastal scenery slip by again. Another extended wait for a service train at Barmouth allowed the customary level-crossing shot at this location. As a bunch of grown men with cameras blocked the pavement clamouring for a shot a local voice was heard to say "it's a bloody train! I though it was the Queen or something!". Got my pictures and settled back in for the run back as far as Crewe. It was a sleepy return trip, a pleasant end to an easy and quiet day out in fact. Chatted whilst the WCRC locos rejoined the train at Crewe, then headed back to my hotel with another successful trip under my belt.
There are lots of things packed into the next few weeks, and there is a worrying sense that due to the Network Rail issues, some of them might fall by the wayside. After the impressive start to my 'UK tour' in May and June, I really hope this isn't the case - not just from my own selfish viewpoint, but also from the perspective of the people who've worked incredibly hard to bring trips like this to fruition. Some promoters are abandoning the crank market entirely - but as I discussed today, if you're prepared to put the work in, there are plenty of people who want to do this sort of excursion. Here's to many others I hope...
Making the short walk over the bridge to Temple Meads this morning, I pondered on how different it would have been if this trip had taken place as planned in December. Thinking back to the day in question it didn't really get light at all - and the icy winds howling in from the west would have made Carlisle a very chilly pace to be. Today however, was already promising to be very warm indeed. With a hazy sun already up, we strolled around the platform waiting to figure out where the stock would arrive. Eventually, a distinctive engine note was heard over the waiting Voyager, and we decanted to platform 5 where 66148 was heading the train. On board, windows open and soon settled in for the long journey north. As we gathered passengers at various stops, it became clear that the centre bays of our coach had been reserved for cranks, whilst most of the train seemed to be full of normal folk on a pleasant day out. Across the bay, a desperate move involving fast cars and Blackpool footexes was developing - and sure enough, with 66148 underlined, two of our number left the train at Cam and Dursley to dash north! Sat tight for the frequent service of coffee and a decent breakfast. Soon found ourselves ascending the Lickey and slowing to a near-crawl - no surprise as the train was impressively formed of 13 coaches which bucked the recent trend of shorter charter sets no doubt due to lower bookings. A brief stop at Birmingham New Street then into the suburbs again, with the train drawing into the goods loop at Bescot Yard to change locos.
After rumours of 56311 or both of the Hanson machines being turned out, it was a little disappointing to see just 56312 "Artemis" arriving in all it's purple and green glory! Still, a 56 on a passenger train is never a bad thing, even if the 66 appeared to be staying on, tucked inside the train too. Soon off again, in the now pretty intense head, and heading back to the WCML via Bushbury Junction. A break at Stafford allowed a leg-stretch, and enabled the duo who had leapt at Cam and Dursley to rejoin the train, their move having turned out to be unworkable. Back on board, and finally the Grid on the front was able to stretch it's legs a little as we set off for Crewe - our final pick up. More quick running got us close to Preston, with our train taking the usually freight-only connection at Farrington Junction to gain the line to Blackburn and Clitheroe. I hadn't been this way for some years - but recalled running this tour route once before with D1015 at the helm. Climbing steadily, we traversed the section of non-passenger line to Hellifield, before passing on to the Settle and Carlisle line proper - for most of the passengers on board, the highlight of the day. From here until well after Ribblehead, the vestibules were full of people bickering over droplights in order to get a look at the viaduct. Gave up trying to explain I wanted a quick photograph, and settled for enjoying the amazing scenery from the window instead. The day was hotter than expected, and even the cooler mountain air wasn't making the train feel any less warm inside. A brief stop at Appleby to unload passengers for an Ullswater cruise turned into a longer stop - and a catalogue of injuries, disabled access disasters and staff left behind! As we finally curved towards Carlisle station at London Road Junction we noted Duchess of Sutherland waiting on the curve to Upperby. Lots of gasps from the assembled normals at the presence of a steam train - one or two seemed to think it had all been planned for them, and would be taking us home!
A quick dash out into a very busy, very hot Carlisle to shop. People seemed to be really enjoying the weather here, and the Cathedral Green was packed with people lounging in the sunshine, while others raided the stores for ice-cream and drinks. Back to the station to find 47245 had just hauled the steam service back into the platform. Snapped the 47 in battle-stained West Coast livery before finding a much needed decent coffee and crossing over the bridge made famous by Homebase for a shot of 6233 steaming gently among the crowds. However, the presence of two charters and the usual service trains seemed to be causing problems, as our stock rolled back in from Kingmoor with only minutes to spare, and we ended up leaving around 17 minutes down. The return run was via Shap and, for me, a route just a special and scenic as the one we used to get here. Frequent trips to the droplight to enjoy the cool air and the speedy running south followed, with a call at Penrith to collect those who'd opted for a boat trip. While briefly looped at Tebay, the next plan involving our intrepid neighbours was discussed. With one of them already en route to Stafford to retrieve the car, the plan was to meet at Warrington where we were booked an Operational Stop, and then to head to Preston for the returning footexes. A word in an ear at Control had been secured, and it all seemed to be going to plan. However, things soon unravelled as Control declined to be helpful with the positioning of the engines and in any case, we shot through Warrington at around 80mph with no operational stop at all! The plan was duly recalculated to account for any change in our loco at Bescot later...these people, though clearly desperate, are utterly indefatigable! In the meantime, I assumed my position at the window for a flying view of Carnforth, Hest Bank and Lancaster station - a favourite stretch of line for me that harks back to the earliest days of my obsession with rail travel, and never disappoints.
After an unexpected diversion via Wolverhampton and Crane Street Junction, we were soon back at Bescot as the sun started to go down. With the 56 detached and our original loco ready to head south we waited for a clear line before heading into Birmingham again, and down the Lickey under an amazing sunset. Despite some minor delays on the return, we rolled into the deeply inconvenient Platform 15 at Temple Meads just seven minutes later than planned, and 589 miles later. A fine trip, which despite breaking no new ground, seemed to be appreciated by everyone on board whatever their disposition. As I've tried to tell Pathfinder it is possible to 'mix the markets' and still have a successful day.
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.
