There are some unusual people in London termini first thing in the morning. I'd made my way to Victoria via an early train from Southampton Airport and a quick change at the ever busy Clapham Junction. With time to spare I stopped and purchased coffee, planning to watch the station wake up while I drank it. I've trudged around bits of London which are probably not terribly safe or secure, and I've blundered my way through enough contested territory in my time to know when I'm out of my depth. This place, however, surprised me. Oddly, it wasn't the shivering, twitching man with damp legs and an inability to insert coins into the ticket machines which finally made me slink out of the station - it was the well-turned out middle class woman who sat a few benches away reading a furniture store flyer from the newspaper. After a while spent intently studying the document, she very carefully and precisely tore it into pieces and flung them to the floor before dashing out of the station in a state of apparent distress. I decided to move on....
Today was always going to be a little odd - a replacement for another cancelled trip. This year has seen its fair share of this, and many of them have fallen seemingly at the last hurdle - victims of the economic downturn or perhaps just too many choices for too few potential travellers? Today's trip however was cancelled because the stock provider had overstretched themselves - so no Lincoln Christmas Market for me - but then again I was going for the route and the track, and not the overpriced shacks selling things people would never buy at any other time of year. Instead, made my way around a deserted underground, via the Circle to Liverpool Street. I'd allowed plenty of time for this, and strolled with a degree of leisure onto the concourse to find - in railway terms at least - all hell breaking loose! Cable thieves had been at work overnight near Chelmsford, and the entire mainline service on the Great Eastern was in disarray. Mostly, things were cancelled. The occasional train was struggling out to Shenfield, jammed with people hoping for a vaguely promised connection to points east. More coffee, and a retreat to a safe distance to watch events and asses the situation. Mildly diverted by the absent minded woman who didn't spot that the sloped fascia of an ATM wasn't a sensible place to rest a full cup of coffee! As cancellations stretched the length of the iconic Liverpool Street departure board, I began to doubt my plans...
But my generous allowance of time here eventually paid off. The 09:30 service on which I was book appeared - initially late based on an incoming working, but then on time as there were several sets already in the station from cancelled earlier services. Finally boarded after a bit of an internal debate - after all, delays were still predicted and whilst my advance ticket out would be honoured I couldn't really guess what would happen on the way back. The first train of the day to make it through to Norwich was predictably busy, but it was easy to ignore as we sped east into amazing winter sunshine which lit the Olympic Stadium in a way which almost made the folly seem impressive. Despite a couple of additional station calls, we made good progress until a little outside Chelmsford we ground to a halt. We didn't really move for around 45 minutes in fact, as a slow procession of trains slunk slowly by on the opposite line. Eventually we too began to move, carefully from signal to signal. My short stay in Norwich was getting shorter!
Eventually we made it through the affected area, and began to speed into the east once again. Amazed by the sheer variety and number of DRS locos stabled at Stowmarket as their duties on this autumn's Rail Head Treatment Trains had now finished. Eventually over the bridge at Trowse and into Norwich station with more DRS locos evident tucked away in the sidings. Any hope of getting a picture though, were dashed by another bit of stupidity - the new ticket gates at Norwich. As the entire contents of an exceptionally packed London train decanted into the area between the platforms and the gates, a single member of National Express staff manned a wide-aisle gate and a couple of bored looking British Transport Police officers looked on. The crowd became a crush, and then with other trains departing, a contest between incoming and outgoing flows. Still the gates remained closed, with just two of them dedicated to those heading out of the station. I wanted to complain, to point out how this had made a once rather grand and proud station into a glorified cattle-pen. I wanted to tell the BTP officers how irresponsible and dangerous forcing the crowds back onto working platforms was. But of course, I had absolutely no time to waste! As I burst out of the barrier, my first instinct was to dash for the gents conveniences - only to find that inexplicably they were on the railward side of the gates!
So my visit to Thorpe Station, once full of pleasant memories of exotic excursions on All-line Rovers, was brief. It lasted long enough to get a coffee and a snack, before forcing my way through the gates once again - unbelievably with some people still struggling off the incoming service over 20 minutes later! Found myself boarding the same carriage of the same train which was being hastily prepared for a return to London with a predicted delay of an ominously wide-ranging "30 to 90" minutes due to the continuing signalling problems. However, we were away on time - and as we gathered speed into the sinking sun all seemed fairly positive. It was of course a good few hours since the cable theft had been discovered, but it must have been serious as we slowed once again around Chelmsford with a sea of orange jackets working furiously beside the line. My contempt for the thieves deepened and darkened and I struggled with the competing desires either to bitterly complain about Norwich station's foolish gating, or to show solidarity with my beloved railway in this unfair situation. I wanted to correct people who were tutting about how "ridiculous" the service was...did they not understand that this wasn't some poor excuse - grasping, careless thieves had taken something provided essentially for these very passengers safety! I seethed back into London, pausing to enjoy the sunset over Bishopsgate before we plunged into Liverpool Street again.
Progress on the return had been better, and I found myself around 35 minutes down. Had I not blundered about looking for a bus stop which I knew couldn't be in the direction I walked, I could probably have avoided lots more trouble. However, I finally stumbled out into a damp, dark London to find a bus over the river to London Bridge. After a swift journey, found myself arriving on the concourse just as the train to Brighton was departing - I could have made it if I'd been sharper at Liverpool Street. Noted a following service a few minutes later, and consoled myself with more food and coffee - time lost and pounds gained perhaps, once again? Luck it seemed, had deserted me this morning at Victoria as once again my train began to show a delay. With the Thameslink service split by engineering, drivers were being taxied from St Pancras to London Bridge - and ours got stuck in traffic. Soon off, but some out of path running through the busy junctions here made for around 15 minutes delay once we were on the mainline. The train was busy, noisy and the darkness outside made the trip rather dull. I also noted that this meant reorganising my next couple of trains too - with my iPhone battery edging into the red, made hasty plans to get a Portsmouth train and find my way back to Eastleigh via a change at Cosham. Memories of the Class 31 trips of nearly six years ago flooded back at this change of plans. Back to the worn and gum-flecked seat of my railway travelling pants once again! As it happened, the Portsmouth train was late too - and once again I found myself reorganising things swiftly and hoping I could squeeze enough life out of my gradually expiring 'phone. Having toyed with various options, I decided that the best (though perhaps not strictly Routing Guide compliant) option would be to stay on the stopping service as far as Fratton, then to get a Cardiff bound service - which would be diverted to Eastleigh due to the works on Southampton Tunnel. Stepped off the train in Fratton in a deluge of cold, heavy rain. Trudged over the leaking footbridge and waited for the familiar unit. Rather pleased to see it arrive pretty much on time, and settled in for a short dark ride back to Eastleigh, with now only a very short wait on the same platform for the train back to Southampton Airport Parkway. A bit of rare track to end the day too, crossing over south of Eastleigh and runnning wrong line to the Airport.
Not sorry to see my hotel room again after an entertaining but frustrating and long day. Can't help but think the railtour would still have been a far more sociable and fruitful alternative in terms of track - but it's good to know I can still take off on these epic cross-country jaunts when I feel the need.
Woke a little earlier than I needed to, after a night of odd and troubling dreams. I can't help but wonder if these were related to being in Wolverhampton - which just seems to become a stranger place everytime I visit. However, there's no doubting it's convenience as I was soon trudging along the colonnade and into the High Level station. The small crowd joining our train had caught the buffet staff unawares, so breakfast was off the cards - but much needed coffee was avaialble. Noted some now very familiar faces in the crowd, as the growl of 37609 and 37259 was heard - commendably early - from the direction of Crane Street Junction. The stock was, as ever, a mixed bag - but noted that we were in a very pleasant ex-Blue Pullman coach which was in excellent condition. Settled in for the trip north in some comfort. We took the familiar route, often used by Charter Trains, via Telford and Shrewsbury, then turned east to Nantwich and Crewe. Here we crossed onto the line to Manchester, following this as far as Stockport where we took the 'ghost train' route via Denton to Guide Bridge. With the sky looking a little brighter, noted a dusting of snow capping the Pennines. Relaxed and chatted with some of the usual suspects as we sped east.
After passing Huddersfield, we turned north again through Milford Junction and were soon in York. Here we joined two other charters, lined up along the western reaches of the station with Pathfinder's trip to Durham arriving shortly after us. We were first off however, and after dropping those who'd come for the Christmas Market and collecting a fair few passengers for the trip to Newcastle we set off on the second leg of this tour - dubbed The Growling Geordie! This started with a rather swift dash up the East Coast Main Line, through flat and very wet fields, and crossing still swollen rivers. Around the back of Darlington station for the second time in two trips, then a quick glance at the breathtaking views across Durham as we flashed past. Soon enough we were crossing the Tyne and curving into the impressive station. Perhaps more surprisingly, we were doing so in low but bright winter sunshine. Made a dash for the front for the obligatory photographs.
Ventured out into Newcastle with some trepidation. A home match is never a recommendation for exploring a city - but with St. James Park being very much a city centre ground, things here were going to be more congested. For this reason I avoided the lure of some of the interesting pubs in town, and went for a wander around the eastern part of the city centre. Found some refreshments for the journey back, and when the crowds became denser and harder to navigate, made a dash back to the station to enjoy the sunshine, grab a coffee and watch the stock arrive for the trip home. Felt very content lazing around in the sunshine despite it being November!
Once onboard the stock it became clear that all was not well. Firstly, the Class 47 which had been providing heating wasn't on the back anymore. Rumours of serious wheelflats had already reached us - but it seems it had remained at Heaton Depot where the stock had been serviced. So, despite providing a much nicer coach, WCRC had once again let down Spitfire and it's passengers by providing an unserviceable ETH loco. Decided this wasn't going to affect me - and settled in for the trip around the coast. This route gets little attention from railtours, and indeed this was only my second visit - the previous one having been on a unit four years ago. We curved onto the south bank of the Tyne, passing the site of the once mighty Gateshead Depot, and marvelled at the new developments of housing replacing the industrial landscape. After a brief run alongside the Metro, we shared tracks with it from Pelaw to Sunderland where the underground station is under seemingly constant repair. Bursting out into an amazing sunset on the coast, enjoyed views across the grassy flats to the North Sea. It was getting a little chilly on board, but beer and conversation helped - and the views were genuinely stunning. Soon turning back inland, we made for Northallerton and rejoined the ECML for the dash down to York. Now fully dark, the stock was lit by the customary emergency lights which have become the norm on the way back over the last few trips. Much grumbling from the punters joining at York who'd been trudging around the freezing city all day and were looking forward to a nice warm carriage home! Rumours of a relief loco to provide heat proved unfounded, and we were soon off again in the dark and cold.
A variation in the route home took us through Ferrybridge, Sheffield and on to the Hope Valley line. Little to see in the pitch black, but some interesting running nonetheless. Regained our outward route via Guide Bridge and began the process of setting down some very cold, but mostly content passengers. We kept excellent time throughout the homeward run, and I soon found myself stepping off the train at Wolverhampton - and despite having enjoyed the run back, looking forward to my warm hotel room! Some quick goodbyes and over the bridge to fight my way out of the station through the Saturday night crowds, which again convinced me this wasn't a place to socialise often! Once again today, the rolling stock provider let down the Tour Organiser. The great shame is that people who planned a pleasant day out won't be privy to this, and will assume otherwise. Spitfire have provided an excellent programme of interesting trips this year, using locos which don't get an airing with other operators, and travelling over some less visited lines - not least today's trip. Long may they continue, and even more amazingly - despite all the gripes, railway politics and armchair-expert drivel they remain very nice people!
Not sorry to get out of the hotel this morning however early, as it had been a fairly noisy night and the room wasn't really up to scratch. However, I managed a decent sleep and felt quite rested. I'd also had an attack of feeling miserable which hadn't helped - perhaps it was work, the weather or just the fact that yesterday turned from a pleasant sunny day into a dark wintry night? In any case I trudged down to Victoria feeling much better, and noted a few familiar cranks already milling about. Lurked around near the buffet and managed to sneak in as customer no. 2 of the day to get a coffee which almost instantly improved the outlook still further. So, today was another Spitfire tour in the 'Growler' series, which has kept the late summer and autumn interesting with lots of Class 37 mileage to a variety of destinations. Yes, there are a lot of 37 tours - and this argument gets regular airings on the internet - but these good value, high mileage jaunts can't be beaten - especially with the added 'mini-tours' which cover unusual bits of line. Joined the assembly on platform 4 where the lights of our locos could be seen waiting to enter the station early - a good sign. Soon onboard and seated - with some all too familiar reprobates from previous tours alongside which meant I'd have an entertaining trip north if nothing else!
The day didn't really get light - it just became somewhat less dark. As the sky lightened it became clear that we wouldn't see much in terms of scenery due to a low fog which hugged the landscape from Yorkshire right through into Scotland. Routed to avoid Leeds, passing an empty Healey Mills and then through Milford Junction, the first point of interest was York. Made a pitiful stab at identifying 185s in Leman Road which was to set a pattern for the day - with colleagues on the other side of the train turning in an equally poor performance! Into the wilds north of York and back into deep fog as far as the Tyne, where the locos stormed noisily through Newcastle Central and into the long stretch of wildnerness along the east coast. With the usual compensation of sea views not available, had a relaxing and sleepy trip over the border.
The real target of this tour for me was the trip around Central Scotland, and after arriving at Edinburgh Waverley on time and depositing most of the passengers for pubs and shopping excursions, we headed west through Haymarket and wondered just what would happen next. A landslip at Shotts a couple of days back had left single-line working in place, but it wasn't clear if we'd be routed via this, admittedly quiet, line now. In the event, we turned south and west for Carstairs - a less interesting route in some respects, but a faster one - and we arrived at Holytown Junction a little early as a result. After negotiating the curves around Mossend, we passed through the yards here and at Coatbridge before the highlight for me - the curve from Gartsherrie South Junction to Gartcosh Junction. A tiny line on the map, but a surprisingly long turn to the west and into the Glasgow suburbs. One of the few bits of track in the area I haven't covered, and thus worth the cost of the trip alone - although I doubt others will understand this rather odd perspective on things! It was strange, skirting Glasgow to the west and passing Springburn and Cowlairs where I was minutes away from my walk to Saracen Cross a month or so back, but might as well have been miles away! Back on the E&G line, we made a very swift dash back east with a brief pause in Polmont Loop. Noted the progressing electrification on the eastern approach to Edinburgh, along with the works for the tram line to Gogar. Good to see progress on major projects like this which doesn't seem to be reflected south of the border at all. Soon back into a very damp looking Waverley and out to the end of the platform to watch the empty stock departing for Craigentinny Depot.
Time for a brief wander in Edinburgh - not my favourite city in many ways, but perhaps in fairness it didn't get a look in with the gravitational pull of Glasgow to the west. I recall a miserable couple of days in Edinburgh a decade back and my swift escape to Glasgow as soon as I practically could! This time, set out into the Old Town - where I've spent far less time. Up the winding street towards Avalanche Records which I recalled from a previous visit, and onto the Royal Mile. The glow of warm inviting shops in the grey afternoon was attractive, but the constant flow of tourists was just irritating me - so I walked back over North Bridge into the new town and in a huge circuit to Waverley. Found a few local real ales to entertain myself on my return journey, and had a pleasant wait for the stock to come in for the ride home with 47787 - the loco provided to heat the train - thundering impressively back into the station.
We left Edinburgh in the dark, so the return journey was even less visually entertaining than the fog-enclosed outward leg. Some very swift running on the way back, and a fine atmosphere on the train. Efforts to elicit 2010 plans from Spitfire staff met with silence until they're further developed, which sparked a discussion on what to expect from next year on the railway. Pleasant to think of longer days and better weather as the wind and rain whipped our train. Back via York and Leeds, and soon heading into Victoria again. Off the train into a sea of hormonal teenagers cascading down the stairs from the MEN Arena where the Arctic Monkey's had just finished playing. Watched several respected railway types get washed away in a tide of teenage girls, before bidding the Spitfire team goodbye until next week! Despite the weather and my gloomy outlook earlier, another entertaining and successful trip.
After a week of ups and downs, it was good to get away from things yesterday, with a leisurely run down to the south coast. The Bristol to Southampton route has never been a favourite - too many memories of horribly congested units in recent times - but a mid-morning departure made for a quiet and lazy trip. A little time spent at Eastleigh, and then holed myself up in the hotel at Southampton Airport whilst the weather raged outside. Woke this morning very early with a storm still whipping rain against the window. Realised that within a few short minutes I'd be out in it, and prepared myself for the long day ahead. Managed to take advantage of a gap in the rain to get the short distance to the station - but got a drenching in the even shorter dash from ticket machine to platform. Not sorry to see a pair of warm, dry 450s arrive - even if it was only for the five minute trip to Eastleigh! Over the footbridge on arrival to where a small band of people clearly on the tour were assembling. The arrival of the Pathfinder contingent further assured us that we were in the right place, and to everyone's surprise the stock rolled into the platform early, warm and ready for boarding. Settled in, and obtained supplies of paper towels to mop condensation from the windows - a hazard of these winter tours.
This tour had not been immune to changes in recent weeks, and the loss of a Hanson Class 56 had clearly hit bookings a little. Nevertheless, a fair number boarded at Eastleigh for the painfully early 06:07 start - and we were greeted with an already open Kitchen car which meant that the hideously long queues of recent tours with few off-train breaks were avoided somewhat. After departure we festered for a brief while in Wallers Ash Loop, before proceeding north with the sky becoming lighter by the minute. Oddly as the sun rose, the clouds seemed to clear - and by departure from Reading West we were enjoying a little weak sunshine. By the time of our stop at Fenny Compton loop where 31190 was to take over the train, the autumnal scene was completed with blue skies and a little warmth in the air - a quite remarkable contrast with the start to the day!
The revised plan was to have 31190 sitting on the Kineton Branch awaiting our train, but as 66139 was detached and drew slowly into the siding, it became clear that our replacement loco was nowhere to be seen. Spent a pleasant few minutes chatting whilst window hanging waiting for something to happen, as a procession of Voyagers and Chiltern units passed by on this surprisingly busy stretch of line. Eventually, a speck of green and yellow in the distance signalled the late arrival of the 31, which rather surprisingly sped past our train before crossing over, reversing and running back alongside our train before again reversing into the loop and onto the front of our stock. Finally, and only a little late, we were away. A single Class 31 hauling nine coaches, headed for the West Coast Main Line - this was clearly going to be an interesting day! We made good progress via Kenilworth and Coventry to join the WCML at Nuneaton. As we headed north towards Colwich, we were amazed to be put out onto the fast lines - our little loco coping remarkably well with the task expected of it, and not really losing any more time at all. Next, a pick up at Stafford then onward to Basford Hall where we took the lines through the back of the yard to Sorting Sidings Middle. Finally, almost a year after the first attempt, Pathfinder made good the route via the Gresty Lane Curve - and after making slow progress around this tight bend, we were soon heading southwards again via Nantwich to Shrewsbury. After setting down some stray normal passengers who had somehow ended up on board, we were off once again and heading for our first destination - Donnington Rail Freight Terminal. This location is a bit of joined up thinking and funding between the Local Authority and a number of other agencies, which has provided an exceptionally high quality facility at the end of a restored branch from the mainline at Wellington. The train was allowed to run to the road overbridge over the area which formerly housed the MoD vehicle depot, where we waited on the middle of five generous sidings for the loco to run around. There was clearly a great deal more to the site, with extensive warehousing beyond the bridge seemingly rail connected.
Once the train crew and depot staff had taken their own photographs, we were soon on the way again, retracing our steps to Shrewsbury, but then taking the route via Wrexham General to Saltney Junction. This stretch of line is a little dull and featureless, and with the weather once again pleasant I found myself dozing until the train bounced onto the mainline opposite Chester Racecourse. We soon turned away from the usual route once again, taking the very rusty curve from Chester South to Chester North Junction and heading north for a short way before traversing practically the full length of Hooton Long Siding - certainly further than my last visit. With 66139 having travelled up from Fenny Compton to meet us, we were soon underway again and following the same route as the previous tour via Ellesmere Port and the poorly served section beyond to Helsby. A new bit of track for me followed though, as we curved away to the west again via the equally rare Halton Curve to the mainline near Runcorn. Surprised at the length of this connection, but our progress was checked once on the mainline due to problems with the points at Runcorn Junction. However, as there were few options for our reversal except for the planned Folly Lane branch, we sat out the wait and were shortly passing behind Runcorn station and down the steeply graded branch to the stop board at the Network Rail limit. Darkness had descended and the weather was closing in over the Mersey and the Weaver as we awaited our reversal under the strangely alluring lights of the chemical works across the river.
With 31190 again leading, the tour had a final mission - some very unusual routing around Crewe. After a swift dash via Weaver Junction back onto the WCML, there was a sense of quiet anticipation on the train. Would we do this track, or would the railtour gremlins creep in again? As we approach Crewe Coal Yard, a lurch to the right signalled a move to the far western side of the station. Sure enough, as the platform lights began to slip by it became clear we were passing through on the Up and Down Loop - the line running behind the wall which has stymied many a photograph of passing freight! As we emerged from the station, we again curved slightly to the west and passed gingerly onto the link to Crewe South Yard. This bit of track was covered, completely by accident in the other direction on a Spitfire trip earlier in the summer - reportedly it's first use in around 30 years. Perhaps that trip had indeed provided proof that this was a feasible route - albeit a slow one - into Basford Hall? Once again through the yard for a further high speed dash along the WCML as far as Stafford, where we parted company with 31190 after sterling service throughout the day.
After a longer than necessary run around, and with 66139 once again in charge we set off again to Rugeley Trent Valley, taking the line through Cannock Chase - very rare for loco-hauled trains. Recalled a couple of previous visits - on the first weekend of the restored service to Rugeley Town a good few years back, and then on a through service to Stafford prior to the WCML upgrade. Despite some slow progress at first, we began to pick up a little speed and after being signalled straight out onto the main at Stetchford, talk turned to how late home we'd be. Despite carrying around 68 minutes delay from Stafford, we noted lengthy stops at Birmingham International, Kenilworth and Hinksey which might just save us. In fact it all seemed likely to collapse at the first hurdle as we were signalled into the remote platform 5 at International with a local all shacks service to Coventry due to depart mere seconds after our arrival! However in one of the more intelligent bits of regulation I've seen on recent tours, the signalman let us go and we were soon putting distance between us and the stopper. Likewise at both Kenilworth and Hinksey we passed unhindered, and we found ourselves at Didcot Parkway early! Despite some slow running into Eastleigh, we made it bang on time - stumbling out onto the platform around 17 hours after we'd left. Bade goodbye to the day's companions and hopped onto the next Airport bound service. A good old fashioned dash around unusual lines, with some interesting traction. What's more, the tour did everything it set out to - no mean feat these days!
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.
