The final Saturday of the engineering possesion which has made Highbridge a railway no mans land for the past three weeks. We had planned a trip for last week, which hadn't happened for a number of reasons. So today, struggling to wake up after a very late night, the party began to assemble here at my flat for a trip to the Mid Hants Railway. Started out well, noting 59204 on 6W20 at Highbridge station as we left. Relying on GPS to get us across country, we noted we were passing through Cranmore in Mendip quarry country. Stopped off to look at the terminus of the East Somerset Railway which was being whipped by an icy wind. Not much to see this early in the day, but tried to get an angle on 47365 which was stored near to the road entrance to the site.
Pressed on, and arrived at Alresford around 11:00. A pretty little market town, which I'd have liked very much to explore further, and hope to at some point. Since we were eager to get onto the railway, visited the shop in the ex-goods shed, and booked tickets for the journey up to Alton. Quite soon after, a Pressed Steel 'bubble car' in pristine Southern Railway green livery arrived. Boarded in a prime seat for the driver's eye view which I remember from the times these operated the Cross City Line in my former home area. Soon off, with some quite lively running along the ten mile line!
Particularly intersting was Ropley where much of the MHR stock is stabled for engineering and preservation activities. Lots to see here including the mighty 'Bodmin' and a number of diesel locos. Strange topiary in evidence too, which I later noted in some very old photographs of the station also!
Arrived at Alton to find a 450 in the station awaiting departure for Waterloo. We had a number of possible plans now, but finally decided to complete the original route by travelling on to London. Rebooked and boarded the 12:44 departure. Exciting journey, especially since one of the party had never been to the capital before, and several had not been to the LSWR terminus at Waterloo. Some quite frantic EMU spotting went on along the way, much to the horror of some of the normals on board!
Not much time at Waterloo if we were to make it back for the last MHR train to Alresford. Wandered up to the Eurostar platforms, then stocked up on provisions for our journey back to Alton. Considering it was a first trip, I think at least two more members of the party left wanting to visit the city again and to explore more thoroughly. More frantic number gathering on the return journey.
Arrived back into Alton in bright evening sunshine and watched 73096 run around it's stock ready for departure as the 15:55 to Alresford. Boarded and found comfortable seats for the journey back.
Back at Alton we set off home via a less 'bendy' route at the request of our driver. Another eventful and entertaining trip, with more ideas for future jaunts thrown around during the day. Arrived back at Highbridge a little after 19:00 and waited in Arctic winds with some of the group for the bus back to Bridgwater. With them finally tucked up on the warm bus, retreated to the Cooper's Arms for a well-earned pint.
The difficult middle week of the three week closure between Taunton and Bristol. No plan for this week, but a strangely tiring half-term week at work left me wanting to escape, but certainly not relishing the thought of a 95 minute bus ride to Bristol. As late as this morning I looked at possibilities of heading south just to minimise the bus mileage, but I couldn't settle on anything. An urge to continue to pick off bits of new track led me to my Baker, and I settled on the annoying stretch between Crewe and Stoke-on-Trent which I'd missed out somewhere around 1998 when I made a round trip to Uttoxeter. Calculated that it could be done reasonably simply, and set off for the 07:00 bus to Bristol.
As bus rides go, it was I suppose reasonable. It ran to time, and didn't wait pointlessly around at empty stations like it seemed to on previous occasions. Caught a glimpse of a distant Class 66 at Yatton where work on the crossovers continues, but the bus managed to turn in the main carpark, so we didn't quite go far enough to find out what the locomotive was. Arrived at a rather quiet and cold Temple Meads and booked for Crewe whilst waiting for the signaller to decide which platform the 08:58 service was going to occupy. Watched the stock at platform 5 get switched off and locked up, then 220029 fly down through the middle road, before returning on platform 4, with the other set presumably declared a failure.
Somewhere south of Gloucester, a mist descended and stayed around for the rest of the journey to Birmingham. A quick change onto a relatively lightly loaded Pendolino, and off into the mist once again. Somewhere around Norton Bridge we rocketed out of the mist into blazing sunshine. Arrived at Crewe and had lunch on the waiting 12:07 to Derby. Noted a lot more visible locomotives on the Diesel Depot site, and on a more flexible day would have wandered over to platform 12 for a look. Decided to stick with the plan though, and soon left heading east at Crewe South Junction and onto new track via Alsager and Kidsgrove to Stoke, the only way out of Crewe I'd never taken before.
I've passed through Stoke-on-Trent on many occasions, and even changed trains here back in 1998, but I've never visited the City. So, with an hour or so to spare, decided to wander out of the station. Immediately confronted with a statue of Josiah Wedgewood, leaving me in little doubt of the importance of Stoke in terms of industrial history. The station buildings themselves are impressive and imposing. Under the railway, over the dual-carriageway and the Trent and Mersey Canal, and the next landmark is the huge Civic Centre complex. This seat of local government is impressive in its scale, and an art-deco war memorial adds to the feeling of civic importance. However, from here on the city centre declines in grandeur. Stoke is of course, chief among six towns which make up the city. Without seeing them all its hard to judge, but there is little here to inspire. I wandered rather aimlessly around the depressing market building, Little to recommend here, despite the remains of some impressive commercial architecture, and some of the locals appeared truly fearsome! Beyond a drab looking Wetherspoons, no obvious place to sample local ales, so back to the station.
Following 60024's appearance on a stone train, our Voyager home rolled in a little early and very full. Squeezed into the front coach and enjoyed the antics of a couple of children who were playing very surreal wordgames in the seat opposite. Thought about waiting for the 15:12 off New Street and trying to travel on to Taunton for a shorter bus journey up to Highbridge, but given the loading on Cross Country services today, and the possibility of my ticket causing problems, decided to go for the 14:42 and an earlier change at Bristol. Once out of the suburbs of Birmingham, plunged into mists again which south of Cheltenham turned into a good old fashioned pea-souper.
The bus journey back from Bristol was just as tiresome as the outward leg - enlivened to some degree by the driver not really knowing where he was going, and the loud mobile telephone conversations of a young woman in the front seat which were like hearing one side of an epsiode of 'Jerry Springer' or similar. The 66 at Yatton didn't appear to have moved much all day, but I still didn't find out which one it was!
The first day of engineering works around here, but a cunning plan was devised to get out and about. I managed to summon the small gang of us who end up hanging around the railway together. It's been a while since we were all in the same place at the same time, so there was something of a nostalgic atmosphere as we set off by road for Okehampton in amazing weather. The target was the Dartmoor Railway, and eventually Meldon Quarry. This was a little bit of new track for me, and the opportunity to see the stored locomotives at Meldon.
After a simple enough journey along the M5 and A30 we arrived at Okehampton Station to find the 11:00 departure for Meldon waiting in the form of thumper 205032. We'd watched this unit being hauled through Exeter on its way here in January 2005, so it was good to see it in action, now in all-over Southern Railway green. As the only passengers on board, we left the attractive little market town of Okehampton and thumped our way west for a couple of miles, into the fringes of Dartmoor. The guard gave us useful instructions on how to see almost everything at in the sidings.
First off, we explored the immediate environs of the station. The Dartmoor Railway has an intersting set up here, with a static display and a buffet in a Mk 3 sleeper coach - not open yet as we were the first train of the day on a winter Saturday! From the buffet and picnic area, there are panoramic views over Dartmoor and in particular the spectacular viaduct. Walked over the viaduct and along the former railway line for a little way, before returning to see what was stored.
Followed a cycleway from the viaduct, behind the DR station and soon found ourselves alongside a row of stored locomotives. Lots of photography going on now! Spent a pleasant hour wandering along the path, looking at the rather forlorn parade of rusting metal, before heading back to the station where the thumper had returned, this time with a few more passengers on board. After the short trip back to Okehampton, took the opportunity for a few pictures of 205032 before exploring the station, then heading into town for refreshments at the Red Rooster Cafe and the Plymouth Inn. Okehampton seems like a busy little place - my one visit back in around 1998 when Wessex began the summer Sunday only service here is a bit hazy now.
Decided on diversion on the drive back, heading roughly alongside the railway to Sampford Courtenay, North Tawton, Bow and Crediton before turning north to Bickleigh, home of the Devon Railway Centre. Not open, but possibly worth a future visit. Investigated the water mill, before pressing on homeward. Disappointed to see Fairwater Yard empty as we passed through Taunton.
The last time for a long time that I'll be able to escape early from Highbridge. From now until April, every weekend will mean a long slog on a rail replacement bus calling all stops as far as Bristol, with later starts and earlier returns necessary. In short, its going to be near impossible to get very far from home for the next couple of months. Once again this week, the works between Derby and Birmingham meant few if any southbound discounted tickets were available. I confess I spent much of the week dithering about what to do, if anything, today. It was a busy enough week with little time to spend hanging on The Trainline waiting for availability. Had a half baked plan of going to Port Sunlight just before bedtime last night, but having slept on it decided that I wanted to save this for a trip with my parents which we had discussed some time back. Whilst groggily wandering about the house a little after 5am, I decided to revisit the parliamentary service from Stockport to Stalybridge instead.
So, once again set off on 2M02 and disembarked at a freezing Weston-super-Mare station. Rebooked for Stalybridge and noticed that 1M42 was running a little late. Wandered around to keep warm and watched it get later and later. It finally limped in on just a couple of engines. Took an opportunistic early breakfast and ascertained from the steward that things hadn't gone to plan on the empty run down to Exeter, and had got steadily worse. A set change was planned at Temple Meads, and sure enough on arriving at platform four we were detrained and sent forward to platform three where another unit was waiting. Plain sailing from here to Birmingham, picking up about twelve minutes of lost time, but much of this was down to generous allowances at the station stops.
Up and over to the Manchester train at New Street, and more unhindered running as far as Stockport. Needed cash here but having never set foot outside the station, wasn't sure I'd find anywhere. Once out of the buildings, I plunged into a strange complex of fitness and entertainment complexes, finally emerging on a miserable looking and rather busy main road. Zig-zagged across, precariously. It seemed to be a fair distance down the hill to the town centre, but across the street between kebab houses, discount stores and derelict shopfronts was a cashpoint. Trod carefully between the vomit and discarded doner meat and withdrew cash. Someone had clearly been sick on the fascia of the ATM, but since I had limited time and no idea of where the next one was, I had to carefully make use of it. Trudged back along the greasy street, vowing never to leave Stockport station again.
Found 150148 waiting in the bay on my return to the station. Quite a crowd developing including Eddie & Mrs Bellass leading a fair number of other cranks of all descriptions on what appeared to be a semi-organised tour. Boarded and once again prepared to enjoy the strange journey on what the guard described as "the 11:23 ghost train to Stalybridge". Started with a lurching crabwalk across Heaton Norris Junction and onto the once busy trans-Pennine route to Guide Bridge via Reddish South and Denton. The stations were deserted and in poor repair despite the track being in relatively good condition, no doubt to accommodate various freight workings which pass this way. Held at Guide Bridge to pass into the station, and again just outside Stalybridge. Just before our arrival the indefatigable Eddie passed through the train, soliciting involvement in a seminar picture with 150148 in the background. Agreed, and joined the happy band of lunatics who'd travelled from far and wide to make the short journey from one side of Manchester to the other! As we detrained the guard announced "that's your lot for this week folks, same time same place next Saturday". The resulting shot is here. Photographs taken, it was naturally time to visit the legendary station buffet, with its excellent range of beer. Sampled Wren's Nest from the Howard Town Brewery at Glossop, and Snow Drop whilst chatting amiably with the assembled collection of beer drinkers, rail enthusiasts, and those who had a foot in both camps. Lots of tall tales told, and bizarrely some dispute about whether a cow's head needs a valid travel ticket on the London Underground?
Back out into the cold and onto the 13:02 to Manchester Victoria via Ashton-under-Lyne. A tiny bit of new track to justify the expense of the trip up here. The train was busy on arrival, and got busier at Ashton. A couple of weeks back I wondered where the crowds of gothic types at Victoria came from? It seems that most arrive by this service. Found myself squished into a standing area at the back of the unit, surrounded by black clad goth girls wearing very little despite the cold. Not entirely an unpleasant journey, if a little funereal in tone. Directly to the tram on arriving at Victoria, and into town. Toyed with the idea of music shopping, but a glance at the crowds on Market Street persuaded me otherwise. Instead, had another browse in the Ian Allen shop, and tried the HMV at Piccadilly Station which didn't have what I wanted.
Decided on the 14:54 Voyager back to Birmingham, which gave me a little extra time to change at New Street for 1V65. Quiet and trouble-free run down through Macclesfield and Stoke. Actually got some work done on the way, which is probably a first. All running to time on 1V65 meaning a leisurely change at New Street. A little confusion when they split the train to provide cover for a failure, but we were away on time. Back to Highbridge on time and in the pub by 19:30. A nice, easy day out - and a grand way to finish a month of rabid mileage accrual!
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.
