Severn and Solent Rail Rover Day 3

27^th September and the walk to the station was like de ja vue, but I guess it is only a few days since I completed the same journey.  The plan was to do the same as the 23^rd Bristol, Westbury and Didcot. 

The Sardine Train arrived, 150259, and was three minutes late.  The journey didn’t seem so bad this morning or maybe it was me getting used to the full train.

A few freights were sighted during the wait for my train on arrival at Cardiff, 66038 in charge of the weekday intermodal service to Barry Dock.   66011 passing with a coal train for Aberthaw closely followed by 66181 empty coils working with BAA wagons heading for Margam.

The 9am Cardiff Central to Plymouth arrived and was to be First Great Western 150238, another class 150 working this long trip unbelievable must be a regular thing.

Has I munch on my breakfast I was watching the mist swirling in areas of the countryside, I couldn’t help thinking I hope the weather people have not got it wrong again.  Hitting the Severn Tunnel at speed proved to be a chilling experience, and a quick drop in temperature brought a shiver to the body, maybe the T-shirt was not such a good idea after all.

Dropping down into Bristol I noticed the old Barton Hill Depot now had the letters LNWR on the walls, a new owner maybe, apparently not, making investigations it’s a subsidiary company of Arriva Trains and is now a train maintenance facility, but there again it always was wasn’t it. In the depot was one of the rail washing machines with 66175 at the head, now this was a true sign autumn is here.

A quick walk around Temple Meads showed nothing really interesting to photograph, maybe a model detailing shot.

Wait a minute the Portsmouth Harbour train is already there I noticed.  That surely isn’t right that early.  Arriving at the train it was found to be more or less empty, my guess is that there is a problem on the incoming train to Portsmouth and there will be an all change.  My suspicions were correct the offending train arrived and all the passengers changed trains moaning about “there was now no seat reservations”, and “would I catch my ferry”.

Luckily we departed more or less on time, and exiting the station area with yet another very full First Great Western Class 158 we passed an immaculate SB Rail tamper No DR73110, not sure I have heard of that company before.

A few things began to worry me, I kept seeing unusually more than usual photographers strategically placed along the route.  What had they come to photograph, it’s not me for sure I am not that popular well not yet anyways.  There was more and more along the way with cameras pointing in the direction of the train I was on so, there must be something special following or close behind my train.  I had not a clue with nothing seen or posted on the Internet or email the day before.  On arrival at Westbury I speedily made my way to some photographers on the platform, “what special is coming” I enquired, Britannia No. 7000 with support coach on its way to Bournemouth area for tomorrows Rail Tour.  I hurried off to try and work out a good spot to photograph it not knowing what platform it would run through, but luck was on my side click I got it.

Britannia 70000

I spent another hour or so at Westbury photographing a few trains including the unusual sighting of a Class 08 shunter working.  This was a rare sight and took a large amount of photographs for detailing purposes for my Class 08 projects.

08847

Time to move on if I was to get to Didcot for a few hours photography.  The 12.10pm to Cardiff Central was boarded to Bath Spa.  On arrival at Bath Spa it was found the next London Paddington train was stopping at Didcot rather than change at Swindon so a quick scurry down the stairs to purchase a ticket from Swindon to Didcot has Didcot is outside the limits of my Rail Rover, which is only has far as Swindon.  Love the speed of these HST’s in this area.

Didcot arrived there was a pair of 67s and yet another track washing machine, photographing away and a slow stroll around trying to get some nice angles soon led to panic there was an unusually much larger than normal band of spotters at the end of the platform, again I had to go and make enquiries.  On approach to the group a one rather excited spotter shouted the 47s are coming the 47s are coming, you don’t ask questions at that eagerness and camera was grabbed from the bag just had time to turn and fire off a barrage of shots, wow a pair of DRS Class 47s on what I was to find out was the boat train from Glasgow to Southampton.  I learned the lesson many years ago to more or less have your camera ready to fire when u get it out the bag sometimes even on automatic, I have lost to many shots by being not ready for spur of the moment things.

47801 and 47841



Well how much more luck was I going to have that day.  Mingling with the group of spotters, the excited one approached me, “I cant believe today 47s 37s 67s”, I had to ask what 37s, DRS 37s had been there earlier with a Network Rail train and could be back, oh my gosh maybe more lucky’s.  I carried on photographing various movements enjoying the now bright sunshine and the company of the knowledgeable spotters, If anything was due the spotters would jump up or come and say what was due, which was very helpful and appreciated.

A relaxing few hours photographing followed, here is a few photographs from the day.

A rather dirty 67020 with 67027 on the front awaiting the signal to depart.

220009

66096

43181

Well time had nearly arrived to start planning my journey home, but wait there is a more than usual activity from the spotters, a finger pointing the 37s are back, their back, looking in the direction they were like half a mile away but I followed the crowd.  I was determined not to attempt running like the crowd my running days are over sadly.  I couldnt help thinking my luck is bound to run out at some point before I get there they are going to move.  But no the call came out their not moving for at least an hour,  I eventually got to a position and snapped away, another lovely sighting,  what a day of unusual workings I muttered walking back to the main platform area.

37601

37601 and 37610 on the rear.

Well the time had now definatelycome to depart, a shake of the hand of the group of spotters I had the pleasure of being with especially a guy called Dave from Swindon.  Sadly you meet many nice people following this hobby but many are never seen again.

Boarded the HST with having to change at Swindon, within minutes of getting off at Swindon the HST to Carmarthen approached boarded and secured a nice window seat.  The sun was setting fast and the view was fading fast.  On approach to Bristol Parkway the train veered in a direction I wasnt used to at that point, and on arrival I could see we had actually moved right across the platforms to the platform normally used by local services.  With three HSTs in the platforms my heart sank, there has got to be a problem I think this is where my luck runs out.  Soon there appeared a constant stream of passengers approaching our train, the flow went on and on, a young man sat by me, what train have you all come off I enquired.  The man said we been sitting on that HST over there for an hour the tunnel is closed.  With that the dreaded announcement a previous train had reported hitting something in the tunnel and Network Rail had closed the tunnel for investigation, this train would now take a much longer route via Gloucester apologies to all passengers using this route today.  The young man asked if I could wake him up on approach to Cardiff has he was very tired and had travelled thousand of miles all the way from Australia without a problem, get within half hour of Cardiff and chaos.  The train departed obviously after getting on has many passengers has they could.  The train was slow and with now not being able to see out it was very difficult to judge where we actually were.  It was a long and what seemed like a never ending journey but eventually we arrived at Cardiff only two hours late, with many many irate travellers especially the commuters, I really felt sorry for these people. I dragged my weary body on to the Class 143 to Barry, thinking what a day, my body needed my bed badly.   

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Severn and Solent Rail Rover - Day 2

24^th September waiting at Barry Dock for a trip to Eastleigh. Everyone jumps up thinking the train was coming when in fact it was the Ford Engines VGA Vans from Bridgend with 66086 in charge looking to be twice the length than it normally is.  The train eventually arrived 150240, it was considerably quieter passenger wise due to it being a Saturday.  I cannot help staring out of the window thinking the weather people have got it wrong again, they said sunny, and its dark and cloudy, why do I make plans listening to them. 

The Class 158 was boarded at Cardiff Central, and seat was secured and we were off on time.  I always like to get a seat going backwards to Bristol Temple Meads on the direct train to Portsmouth because it changes direction there going in the reverse direction.

A hearty breakfast of bacon and tomato sandwiches was eaten whilst travelling through the tunnels, as there is not much else to do.  On approach to Bristol Temple Meads we came to a stop which I thought most unusual, followed by the announcement that we were waiting platform allocation, well yes there is 13 there is a lot to choose from, I thought to myself.

Pulling into the platform there was a very large crowd assembled awaiting the train, this is going to get very full I think.  Hopefully the majority would be visiting Bath Spa.  I’m sure the air conditioning on these Class 158s doesn’t work like it used to, it was getting hotter by the minute, I remember my cousin saying that if you use air conditioning on high in a car you use a lot more fuel so maybe that’s the reason for FGW's reduction in its efficiency to save fuel, just guessing. 
Never seen so many barges on the river and canals on the approach to Bath Spa whick made for a pleasant sight and perhaps worth a photography visit one day.  One couple jumped up and about half the coach followed, I was correct most were on a day trip or to work at Bath Spa.

I settled down to taking in the sights of the trip but always one eye on the dark clouds, which were beginning to annoy me.  On leaving Warminster, we passed the military barracks and passed row upon row of modern looking military vehicles, I thought we were short of equipment for the forces or it could be that it’s the wrong kind of equipment that’s the usual excuse.

Southampton seemed to arrive very quickly compared with previous visits and I had 35 minute wait for the Eastleigh train.  I took a stroll up and down the platforms to stretch the legs after being cramped up in the seats for a couple of hours.

South West trains Class 158 was the train to Eastleigh and wow what a difference the same type of Class 158 train I had just got off but with twice the legroom and double the cleanliness.

Eastleigh, still the same has the last time I visited, but annoyingly the sky seemed darker than ever.  I had a few hours at Eastleigh but with very few locomotive movements and low light I was getting increasingly bored and fed up.  Having to use I high ISO was also discouraging me from taking photographs due to the production of high levels of grain in images, which was a pet hate of mine.  
I had to find the toilets, “closed due to vandalism” the sign read that made my decision for me, I had to move on.  These are a few examples of the photographs I took at Eastleigh.

66006 with a Rail carrier and laying train.

66587

444005

377418

I boarded the 14.06pm train to Southampton, still not knowing where I was going.  After arriving and getting a comfort break at long last, I scrutinised the departure boards where to go.  The next train to arrive was for Weymouth, the decision was made, I boarded the Class 444 with the intention of going to Weymouth, and first impressions hit me right in the face, the train was cool there was plenty of coaches and plenty of seats and the overall appearance was very clean and comfortable with 100 percent more leg room per seat making for a much more comfortable journey.  We sped through wonderful countryside, which I can presume to be the New Forest, and followed the coast of Poole Harbour for some time.  I love these trains I thought with a smile to myself and could travel for hours very comfortable and relaxing.  It was a couple of hours to Weymouth and on arrival I enquired on trains back or trains to Bristol direct, there was a 17.28pm direct train to Bristol Temple Meads, that would give me an hour and half to look around.  A stroll on the beach and an ice cream was order of the day especially has we now had full sun and blue skies.

I was enjoying the sun and the visit to Weymouth so much, I almost forget the time and sadly had to make an hastily retreat back to the station. 

There was a crowd of about a 100 on the empty platform with 2 Class 444,s on the others, examing the departure boards, my fears were founded the crowd were waiting for the train I had planned to travel on, and what was even more worrying was the departure board showed it was to be a 1 coach train, a Class 153 all that way with all them people I don't think so.  A quick phone call to my son back in Barry, and a check on the internet showed if the next Class 444 departure in a few minutes was on time arriving at Southampton I would have ten minutes to spare to catch my connection, I could get home the way I came.  The decision didnt take long to make, with the horrible vision of a 3 hour trip on class 153 in my mind,  I didnt take much persuasion to board the class 444, this was the  best and most comfortable way to travel back. The long journey home commenced, my thoughts drifted on how nice it was at Weymouth and If I had given it some more thought I could have looked for B & B, and stayed, sighs oh well maybe another time. The journey home was long, made even longer because I was travelling in the dark.  Due to a train fault with my connection at Cardiff to Barry service making for a long wait, I eventually got home at 11.15pm very tired with a total rail miles for the day being 374.   

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2 New Photographs Added

2 New Photographs of 59201 at Westbury on the 23rd September 2011 uploaded to my photograph web site.

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13 New Railway Photographs Added

Just uploaded 13 New Photographs to the Action Rail web site.  Network Rail Locomotives and Coaches photographed at Bristol Temple Meads and Didcot Parkway.

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Severn and Solent Rail Rover - Day 1

Barry Dock Station 2009

23^rd September 2011, the start begins at Barry Dock station awaiting the 07.49 Arriva Trains to Aberdare service, which today was 150279, luckily for a change it was on time, but for once I was not in a hurry.

I had forgotten how uncomfortable riding the commuter trains were, everyone jostling for the door, no politeness here, women children an elderly first and all that I thought, but with two young men barging their way on to the train first, those thoughts obviously do not count anymore.  I managed to secure a seat, and instantly became aware of five or six different lots of music coming from head sets in all directions, I couldn’t help but look at the Arriva Trains Code of conduct for passengers, has I did I became aware of three or four loud voices slagging off very loudly a work colleague behind me, then a girl on her mobile phone visibly upset letting the world and whoever she was talking to know her personal feelings, why?   On top of this we had a badly flat spotted wheel banging loudly, boy was I glad to get to Cardiff Central I hope this wasn’t a sign of things to come. 

With the Rover ticket your not allowed to travel till after 9am, but the reason for an early start was to get a sighting and photograph of the Class 60 on the Murco tanks Westerleigh to Robeston daily working, but I was to be denied.  I did manage a photograph of 66201 snaking away across the main with an Aberthaw to Bristol coal empties.

66201



Well 9am was fast approaching and a decision had to be made, Westbury was my first port of call I had decided, but the train was 9.30am from Cardiff so a spur of the moment decision to bite the bullet and catch the 9am Cardiff Central to Plymouth train as far as Bristol Temple Meads, which unbelievably was a 150/1 namely 150120, to Plymouth on a 150 what a daunting thought, but the ride wasn’t that unpleasant and fairly comfortable seating, not cramped has I was to discover some of the trains throughout the day.  Bacon and tomato sandwiches were unwrapped for breakfast has we hit the Severn Tunnel with ear popping speed; I have still not found a way to stop that painful popping.   Leaving Patchway station you immediately get a view right up Filton Airfield now a lot of the buildings have been demolished.  In the distance, a forlorn sight of the last Concorde to have flown standing on the tarmac, what a waste of a beautiful aircraft.  I recently read in the press that Filton Airfield is due to close in 2012 but there are plans to build a Concorde Museum and training centre that will be something to look forward to.

Has we entered Bristol  a flash of yellow caught the corner of my eye, I strained to look back to see what it was, maybe something Network Rail I thought.  Exiting the train I could hear a distinct sound of a diesel engine ticking over, my walk increased to a trot has I strained to see, and there it was a Network Rail Class 31 on a test train with a DBSO on one end.  Camera in hand I snapped away, wonderful start I thought with a smile on my face.  Has I stood and listened at the true sound of a locomotive it moved off very quickly, and I couldn’t help thinking how lucky that was to capture that. 

Network Rail 31465

Coach No. 72612

Coach No. 999605

DBSO coach No. 9701

 I took a few more photographs around Temple Meads passing the time until my train to Westbury arrived at 10.23am. 

Cross Country Voyager 221121 under the impressive roof of Bristol Temple Meads

158957 arrived and departed on time, luckily I secured a window seat, because the run between Bristol and Westbury is very pleasing to the eye, both architecturally and scenically and I settled down in the comfortable but cramped seat to take in the sights.  Has we passed through a few tunnels some famous, whose names I cannot recollect a young man was getting increasingly irritated because his mobile phone kept losing signal in the tunnels, don’t work in tunnels I nearly muttered but thought better of it.

Westbury arrived very quickly and I departed the train at 11.01am and could see in the distance what I knew was a Class 59 moving slow towards the station, another jog ensued, camera at the ready I began shooting again, 59201 "Vale of York" captured was another plus especially has I noted and photographed it was still carrying the bell.

59201

59201 showing the bell

A Freightliner 66615, shunting IOA ballast wagons, closely followed this.

66615

Network Rail IOA ballast wagons

Having captured a few nice photographs I decided not to chance my arm and move on with the intention of reaching Didcot Parkway for a few hours there.

A South West train 159102 was my mode of transport to Bath Spa to catch a First Great Western service toward Didcot.

South West Trains 159102

Whilst changing platforms I heard the announcement, “The 12.13pm First Great Western service to London Paddington has been delayed due to slippery track, and is expected at 12.25pm.  I overheard a train dispatcher explaining to a few passengers that is was leaves on the track, ermmm I looked at the trees and 99.9% of trees were still green, good time of the year excuse for a late train was my thoughts.  The train was extremely full, with very very few unreserved seats available, but I managed to secure a seat in the Quiet Coach.  Again I found the seating to be very cramped, and despite the signs on the windows “Quiet Coach” there was still people talking on telephones and a group of ladies laughing out unbelievably loud, and I could hear the noise of someone with headphones on with music blasting, despite the rules, the Train Manager made no comment passing through the coach, had I paid for a ticket specifically for the Quiet Coach I would have been very annoyed.    Well despite the moaning the journey wasn’t to bad and seemed a tad more bearable to have arrived at Didcot in sunshine. The first sight was the Network Rail Class 31 and train I had seen earlier in Bristol parked up but sadly not in full sunshine.

The following are just a small example of photographs taken the next few hours at Didcot. More will be able to be seen on my Railway Photograph web site.

The Pioneer Class 66 66001

First Great Western Turbo 166210

A very unusual working 66137 pulling Great Western wagons from Didcot Railway Centre into Didcot yard, for what I can only presume is to get coal for the steam locomotives or stone for ballasting.

Cross Country Voyager 220012 travelling at speed on the avoiding line

Another suprise of the day someone shouted "Banana" and the Network Rail HST test train arrived with 43062 at speed on the avoiding line.  Another first I had not seen this train in real life before.

The time was now getting close to be leaving for home, I noticed a bird of prey coming close and low, which I had presumed all day to have been a buzzard, but now it was close I could see it was a Red Kite, which was confirmed by a local train spotter, awesome I had never seen one and managed to capture a poor quality photograph just for the record.  I will have to go again and look out for these for a good photograph with the zoom.

Well the body was getting weary and time to plan the journey home, the first train was for Cheltenham Spa via Kemble and Gloucester having not done this route, and with sun shining, I thought this would be a good option.  First Great Western HST was again the mode of transport, and again my fears were confirmed there was very little room for stretching whilst sitting.  It seems to me that First Great Western had taken the decision to remove most of the table seats and closed up the other seating with each carriage now only having one table seat on each side, the thought behind this was obvious to increase seating for peak travel trains, but to me the trains had gone from being one of the most comfortable trains to ride on to the by far the worse. Considering these trains are designed has long distance and high speed travel, their not a comfortable journey.  I am by no means a very big man but I had to get up and stand and stretch a few times due to aching legs on a reasonably short trip.

Gloucester station was quiet and I took the 20 minute wait to sit and stretch my now aching legs.  The Class 170 arrived and the first days trip was ended on a pleasant note of following the Severn Estuary in the last of the Days sunshine.  Home to my bed with a bagful of wonderful photographs and memories some good some bad.



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My Trip to Model Rail Live at Barrow Hill - Part 5

This is the last part of this visit and is just a few Random photographs taken mainly of the sad sight of the locomotives in the waiting for repair lines. enjoy.

Well it was a very tiring day but the visit to the show and the journey was very much enjoyed, especially because my health problems have prevented trips like this for the last few years.  The trip home was on a Voyager from Chesterfield which I was hoping to ride to Bristol Parkway but due to overcrowding and seeming very claustrophobic to me I changed my mind and reverted to the same way I came up, changing at Derby and more or less stepping straight back on to the Class 170 to Cardiff again being lucky to secure a table seat., due to the fact the reserved seats had not been claimed.  This is the first time I've attempted writing about my trips but thoroughly enjoyed it with hopefully lots more to follow, I hope you've enjoyed reading.

The End.



 

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