April’s return to the rails
Good Friday (2nd April)
I was back out on the rails on Good Friday with a trip towards Reading, carrying on to Tilehurst where I walked part of the Thames Path, which is a long distance walking route which follows the River Thames from the source near Kemble, all the way into London and Crayford. Something I’m hoping to cover more off, although for the time being it won’t be anything beyond Oxford (towards Kemble) as that requires more thinking with buses. Anyhow I walked along the towpath from near Tilehurst station towards Reading, coming away at a bridleway which led towards Cow Lane, going underneath the new(ish) viaducts and carrying on towards Reading West station area, carrying along the roads to reach the Southcote area.
After some photographs of passing IETs (and of the junction) I walked part of the old Coley Branch line (one of those old railway lines which are not shown as a Right of Way on the OS Map, but are a well-used footpath), looping around Fobney water meadows [hitting some deep mud near a footbridge, and a flooded footpath, thankfully that flooded path could be bypassed with another loop]. My next destination was a road bridge which gives views of the construction of Reading Green Park station (going via Green Park itself, somewhere I will return to as it’s peaceful with a lake).
Longwater Lake at Green Park, Reading
I got lucky with a passing train within a couple minutes after arrival, however my luck ran out when following the right of way back towards Reading, started off without issues before it hit some deep mud before coming to a flooded end, requiring some thinking to get around the flooded part (using the Open Street Map app as that shows paths not shown on the OS Map app), although I did end up with wet feet after hitting some marshland (oops). Thankfully I was near the end and crossed the canal at Southcote lock, heading back towards Reading West to start my journey home.
165105 passing Reading Green Park station
3rd April – A trip to Derbyshire
Today was a trip to Derbyshire to meet up with some good friends who have supported me in the past few months, so it was an early start (felt very strange setting my alarm for a Saturday morning again) with a sprinter to Basingstoke, followed by a Turbo to Reading before a pair of voyagers to Birmingham. A short wait at Birmingham before another pair of voyagers took me to Derby where an EMR 170 took me towards Longton (as I was thinking it must have been 2016 the last time on this line). I met up with my friends at Longton as we headed towards Blythe Bridge, and then towards Derby.
Former Scotrail 170419 departs Longton
A quick spin on the Matlock train to Cromford, before returning towards Derby, saying farewell to a couple in the group before carrying on to Burton on Trent, to double back to visit Willington before heading back towards Birmingham on another 170. A time wasting leap to Birmingham International on a Welsh 158+150 combo (merely for the novelty of a 150 from New Street to Birmingham International), before another pair of voyagers took me back towards Basingstoke, where I had time to pick up a KFC before heading home.
A XC 170 departs Willington
A nice “lazy” day to meet up with some good friends, with the remaining couple days of the Easter weekend spent walking. Sunday I got a lift to a little village on the outskirts of Salisbury to walk home along various rights of way (and a section of the old Portway roman road), with my plan for Monday changing due to train cancellations (as my original idea was to take the train to Romsey, and walk to Totton along the Test Way). In case anybody was wondering I drove to Stockbridge to walk part of the Test Way (along the old railway line) towards Horsebridge, before making my way back towards Stockbridge via the Sombournes.
6th April – London Red Pen Day
After walking for the last couple days, I decided a walk-free day was in order and a trip to London with my little red pen and to say farewell to the 365s on Great Northern. The sprinters took me into Waterloo before heading towards Liverpool Street (Jubilee to Bond Street, Central line to Liverpool Street this time round). I got lucky with a pair of new Greater Anglia 720 units on a service which called at Romford; they seem to be decent on the inside other than the high density 3+2 seating meaning the aisles are quite narrow.
At Romford I headed to Upminster on a time wasting move with an Overground 710, returning on the same unit before another pair of 720s took me back into Liverpool Street. On arrival at Liverpool Street I crossed over to the orange side of the station for a couple runs back & forth to Seven Sisters to tick off some more 710s for 5 miles, before I made my way towards Highbury & Islington to take a 717 to the edge of zone 6 at Hadley Wood, returning to Old Street on an outright required 717 (covering it for 10 miles at the same time). A linear hop to Drayton Park, before another hop took me to Hornsey before returning towards Finsbury Park, changing over to a 700 to take me to St Pancras for the main event of the evening.
I headed across the road to Kings Cross to board the 18:05 Great Northern semi-fast service to Peterborough, formed of a pair of 365s “Happy Trains”, although the leading coach had the motors isolated so a quick switch to the rear coach of the leading unit to get the motor noise on the fast run towards Huntingdon. A fitting farewell to a class which has a bit of character with the smiley faces on the front. First time I noticed at Huntingdon is the remains of the old A14 viaduct being cut with the section over the railway being removed (the road has been diverted south of the town).
365534 departs Huntingdon
A 700 took me all the way back towards London Bridge, followed by a pair of networkers to Waterloo East; finally back to Grateley with a pair of sprinters. It was a good day in London with my little red pen and a spin to Huntingdon allowing my legs a rest after a couple days of long walks.
7th April – Avonmouth to Bristol via River Avon
Today I was meeting up with another good friend, this time in Bristol where we were going to head towards Avonmouth to walk back towards Bristol alongside the River Avon. For me it was simple as it was some sprinters (first time I believe I’ve had a 7 coach lash-up of a 159+158+158) before a Turbo took me into Bristol (getting lucky as the leading former first class area being available for passenger use, just for that extra comfort of 2+2 seating).
At Bristol Temple Meads, I met up with my good friend and we headed to Severn Beach on a 165, returning back to Avonmouth (it had been a while since we had both gone all the way to the end of the line). Getting out of Avonmouth and onto the footway which runs alongside the M5 over the River Avon, giving good views of the area (and off the future Portway Parkway station), once on the southern side of the River Avon and into the settlement of Pill, following the river to reach a railway viaduct carrying the freight line towards Portbury docks and future (reopened) line towards Portishead.
Another Turbo passing another future station site!
Over a hill in Pill (where the railway goes via a tunnel) before rejoining the banks of the River Avon for the route back towards Bristol, with the Clifton Suspension Bridge coming into view carrying on underneath the bridge. Leigh Woods looked like a nice place to visit on another day, but soon the Avon Gorge gave way to Bristol area and after a couple photos of the former Clifton Bridge railway station, it was across the river at the former railway bridge at Ashton Gate (now part of the guided busway) and towards the station via the harbour.
Clifton Bridge looking towards Bristol
One thing I did notice is how much the road layout near Bristol Temple Meads had changed, gone was the old large roundabout, replaced with several traffic light controlled junctions. Anyhow I said my goodbyes to my friend as he headed back towards Worcester and I jumped on a 166 on the Warminster terminator, solely as a time wasting move before the following Portsmouth service (as that was only a 2 coach unit). 45 minutes at Salisbury so I popped to the supermarket before heading home on the 159s. A day of rest was had on the Thursday allowing me to catch up with some admin.
A 166 crossing over at Warminster
9th April – London Loop section 4
Another trip to London on this Friday, as I was due to meet up with some members of the RUK forum to do a social walk along part of the London Loop (today was going to be section 4) [The London Loop is a long distance path which loops around London, split into several sections]. Same train as on the Tuesday took me to Waterloo, where I headed towards Paddington with a quick spin to Hayes & Harlington on a required 345, before returning to Paddington, with another spin to Ealing Broadway on a pair of 387s returning on another 345. When at Hayes a 37 passed hauling a couple old GA 321s towards Newport for scrapping which was a bit sad but they have worked hard.
321s on the one way trip to Hell, sorry Newport
After this trip I headed towards the underground with the Bakerloo taken to Oxford Circus before the Victoria line taken all the way to Brixton, grabbing lunch before a pair of 465s took me into Victoria, as I crossed over to the Southern side of the station to board a triple 377 towards ‘Upper’ Warlingham, meeting up with the others at Clapham Junction. We got a bit lost leaving from the station towards Upper Upper Warlingham [for it was a steep hill], eventually joining the London Loop path at Hamsey Green (which I believe is where the section starts).
Kings Wood looked like it was worth adding to my list to revisit as the path carried on up & down some hills to reach the Farleigh area, before heading north passing through Selsdon Wood coming out in the Selsdon area. Following a bridleway which went behind some housing to reach some more woods with Littleheath Woods, followed by Bramley Bank and a detour via an old house called Heathfield (used by Croydon council).
A lake
The path continued to reach Coombe Lane tram stop where a couple of the group of 6 dropped out, before we continued towards Addington Hill (and woods), which gave very good views of London from the viewing point. Next place was “Upper Shirley” before some walking alongside the road to reach more woods with Threehalfpenny woods (this walk is very woody). This path came out on a playing field near Coney Hall on the outskirts of Hayes. I said farewell to the other 2 members of the group as they jogged towards the station as they needed to catch the 18:30 service and time was looking tight.
Eventually I reached the station around 18:33, my first section of the London Loop complete, certainly a beautiful part of London. I turned down the 18:45 service towards Cannon Street instead boarding the 19:00 service to Charing Cross (as this one bypasses Lewisham it meant roughly the same time arriving at Waterloo East, without having to change at London Bridge).
I crossed over to Waterloo, jumping on a pair of 444s to take me to Basingstoke, solely to give my phone some extra charge for it was nearly dead (and I left my power bank at home, doh!). A short wait at Basingstoke before the next 159s arrived to take me back home.
View from Addington Hill
10th April – A trip to Folkestone
Having walked on the Friday and with another walk planned for the Sunday, I decided this would be a lazier Saturday, doing a round trip towards Folkestone. I drove to Romsey, making use of the last day of free parking in the town council car parks (every little helps!), before catching a 165 to Southampton, followed by a refurbished 377/4 (plug sockets, TV screens etc) towards Horsham.
At Horsham I changed trains onto the next Peterborough bound 700 which took me to Gatwick Airport (more a time wasting move), before a GWR 165 took me to Redhill, changing platforms onto the Tonbridge stopper to take me to Tonbridge, where I had a short 25 minute wait before heading to Marden for a photograph, sadly this is when the weather turned wet as I did plan to have a little walkaround the station area, but instead stayed in the shelter until the next train arrived to take me to Folkestone Central.
Folkestone Central
Again, poor weather meant my original idea to walk the short distance to the former harbour branch got put in the recycling bin as I walked towards Folkestone West (via Morrisons). I couldn’t help noticing that Folkestone Central has ticket barriers fitted, but Folkestone West (less than a mile away) has no barriers, so all the “pay when challenged” passengers will simply use Folkestone West.
My time at Folkestone West wasn’t for long before boarding a 395 for the smooth trip back towards Ashford International (been a while since I last travelled on a Javelin). At Ashford it was a short walk over to platform 2 to board a 171 for the run to Hastings, which looked odd with no South Eastern units floating around (signal failure in the London area). I hung back to catch the Brighton ‘semi-fast’ service which took me to Eastbourne, only to be told it would be terminating there due to signalling issues around Lewes with passengers for Brighton told to transfer to the Victoria service which was diverting via Brighton.
An unusually empty Hastings
Eventually I reached Brighton and crossed over to the Portsmouth train to take me to Portsmouth & Southsea, crossing platforms to board the next Westbury train which was a 158 (luxury of 2+2 seating!) which I took back to Romsey before driving home.
A nice relaxing little day trip to Folkestone, couple stations ticked off for photographs, shame the weather turned wet when I was in Kent but you can’t have it all.
11th April – Sandy to Bedford Railway Walk
Today was a trip towards Bedfordshire to walk part of the old Varsity line (Oxford – Cambridge) between the two towns (as it’s been turned into a walking/cycle route). Also it will allow me to say farewell to the HSTs on East Midlands Railway as I had noticed the afternoon Leeds – St Pancras service was calling at Bedford around 5pm.
The day began with a trip to Waterloo, before heading towards Finsbury Park for no reason other than to waste some time doubling back to Kings Cross on a 700 before getting surprised with a pair of 365s on the Peterborough stopper which took me to Sandy where I started my walk, but instead of heading straight towards the start of the walking route I headed north alongside the railway line to loop towards the start at near the junction with the A1 road (roughly where Girtford Halt would have been I think)
Azuma on the London bound
After joining the former trackbed it was a case of following the route, crossing over some water near the River Ivel. The path comes away from the old trackbed around Blunham as it goes via a housing estate, only evidence of the railway was the old station house, but soon the path joined the trackbed area once again for the walk towards Willington area, where some of the line has been lost requiring a walk alongside the River Great Ouse for a short section. I passed the remains of Willington station, although not a lot there other than some concrete platform like structures.
River Great Ouse at Willington Lock
Carrying on heading west, once more the path comes away from the former trackbed to the west of Willington (the OS map is wrong where it suggests the path continues straight on), although this path goes via some lovely woods before joining back up with the old trackbed before having to divert over the busy A421 dual carriageway before carrying on towards Bedford running alongside the river & near Priory County Park before the path came to an end at the A603. I went along a side street to reach the A600 road where the former railway land has been turned into a car park/bus depot to one side and the other side the remains of the former Bedford St Johns station (before it was relocated in the 1980s).
Remains of the old Bedford St Johns
I swung via the current Bedford St Johns (annoyingly having missed a passing freight by a couple minutes) and to waste some time I did another short loop, this time walking alongside the river underneath the railway line to swing back up into the urban area for the walk towards the main Bedford station, pausing for some photos from the bridge. At Bedford I had around 25 minutes to spare before the train from Leeds was due to arrive so it was time to relax before 43238 rolled in. I found it a bit funny how this powercar was leading my final LNER HST trip back in 2019 (a simple Kings Cross – Stevenage leap), and now it will lead my final EMR HST service. Anyhow the train was lightly loaded for the speedy run into St Pancras.
43320 at St Pancras
Back in London, it was a short change over to Waterloo, grabbing dinner before boarding the 18:45 service back home, relaxing after a leisurely walk over some nice countryside.
17th April – A return to Devon
The idea of today was a quieter day (walking wise) and to revisit some stations in Devon before the semi-awkward Menheniot station in Cornwall. I started by heading west on the Yeovil Junction service from Grateley (in a normal timetable, the one which used to carry on to Weymouth), which does involve a bit of hanging around at both Salisbury and Gillingham (where I made use of the dwell to purchase my Devon ranger from the ticket office, making use of a RTV from last November). I alighted from the 159 at Templecombe for a photograph (and breakfast from a nearby Co-Op) to await the Exeter service, which I took to Exeter Central (the train getting busier along the way with shoppers and other daytrippers).
159014 departs Templecombe
At Exeter Central I made the connection to a GWR 158 for the tiny leap to St James’ Park (as I needed a better photo), getting surprised with a 166 pausing on the opposite platform heading to Paignton (looked so out of place). I did my first of my short timewasting walks, to head to Polsloe Bridge as I wanted to get some more photos of this station before heading to Digby & Sowton for some photos. Next move was to Exeter St Davids (noting that the Exmouth – Paignton are mostly pairs of 150s with that 166, seems strange not to see any pacers on these services). A short delay to a London train before I took a 802 to Tiverton Parkway for another short timewasting walk, this time walking along a path which is between the motorway & the railway line, reaching a foot crossing before heading back towards the station.
Railway line near Tiverton Parkway
A pair of 802s took me towards Totnes; they emptied out at Exeter allowing me to change seats to get a better view of my favourite section of railway in England, the Dawlish coast. At Totnes I decided to head towards the River Dart viaduct to attempt a photograph of the following XC HST which I think came out quite well considering the angle. After that photograph I did a little loop to return to the station to board the Penzance 802 which took me to St Gemans (just for some more photos, although a station I wouldn’t mind revisiting again as I believe there is a nearby path underneath one of the railway viaducts, which could make for a good photo.
XC HST crossing over River Dart at Totnes
My time at St Germans was short, before a slightly delayed HST rolled in on the Penzance stopper, and I was the only passenger alighting (or boarding) at Menheniot station, which doesn’t have a lot around (some housing, a pub and a nearby former quarry adventure area). The station does have a nice shelter on the Plymouth bound platform, with a decent bench seat. 30 minutes later the next train towards Plymouth was shown as formed of 3 coaches, so I was expecting a 158/9, much to my surprise in rolled a short shorten HST with only 3 coaches (took off quite well). Although not the fastest of journeys back to Plymouth due to calling at all the stations (felt strange calling at Dockyard on a HST!).
I had time at Plymouth to pop to the nearby Tesco Express (noting that the little Spar seems to have gone), before heading back towards Exeter on a Bristol bound HST, calling at all stations to Dawlish Warren. At Exeter St Davids it was a short wait before the same pair of 159s I had in the morning rolled in from the sidings to take me back home to Grateley (takes just over 2 hours). An end of an enjoyable day in the South West, somewhere I will return to for some walking (Teignmouth – Dawlish, Starcross – Exeter, Topsham – Exeter, Topsham – Exmouth, plus a couple former railway lines on my massive list of ideas.
HST departing Menheniot
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18th April – Thames Path from Henley to Reading
The next step of my idea to walk the Thames Path from Oxford to London was today, where I decided to walk the stage from Henley on Thames back towards Reading. Slightly easier on a Sunday for me to get to Reading due to having direct trains (no hanging around Basingstoke for connections), so it a case of heading to the station for the 08:56 service which took me straight to Reading, giving me around 40 minutes to pop to a nearby Tesco for some lunch before returning to the station to board the next TfL Rail stopper.
Unusually this was going from platform 10 (one of the normal platforms for the fast GWR services), and was required 345002, which took me to Twyford, giving a decent connection to the hourly Henley train (I bet the driver must get bored sitting at Twyford for half an hour). The train was quite busy (for it was a good day weather wise) with a few alighting at Shiplake, remaining getting off at Henley (where I made use of some public toilets next to the station).
Henley on Thames Station
Gaining access to the river was easy, where I turned right onto the towpath to run alongside the boats moored up in a busy area, reaching Marsh lock, where the towpath crosses over the weir passages of the river to the lock island before heading back to the bank after the lock, along a couple long wooden bridges. A short distance after the lock, the path heads inland (as the towpath switches sides, where in the olden days would be some ferries to cross the bank, but those are long gone). The path narrows a bit for a walk alongside a driveway of some large houses (dread to think how much some of these houses would cost) to reach the Shiplake area, crossing over the railway on a foot crossing before some road walking. I swung via another footpath which came out at a foot crossing the Twyford side of Shiplake station to grab a photograph (from a position of safety) of the 165 returning towards Henley.
165121 arriving into Shiplake (long platform)
Next up was back to the road for a short section before heading back towards the river at Lashbrook (where looking at the OS Map the Thames Path bypasses, but it has changed over time due to a new footpath being made going underneath a railway viaduct to join up with the river towpath. A loop alongside the busy river (lots of boats/canoes/wakeboarders etc) to head back towards Shiplake, going underneath the Shiplake Railway Viaduct (where you could see where it used to be double track due to the old bridge supports, shame that an idea to reuse those supports to create a cyclepath/footway bridge to link Shiplake to Wargrave never came to fruition.
Anyhow it was back onto the road, where I did a short move along the footpath where the OS Map had the Thames Path in heading, just for the sake of it, before heading towards Shiplake lock and the long footpath towards the village of Sonning, crossing over the River Thames using the narrow road bridge before carrying on the walk towards Reading entering the outskirts near one of the business parks where it’s open land where a few people were out and about in the sunshine. I crossed over the River Kennet on what is known as the “Horseshoe Bridge” next to the railway bridges, before carrying on towards Caversham Bridge.
Once I had reached that bridge, I decided to call it a day and head back towards the station, boarding a GWR stopper to Basingstoke with the original idea of popping to KFC for food, but I made a connection onto an Exeter service which I took to Andover to pick up a pizza before the following Salisbury train took me back home.
Today was an enjoyable walk alongside the river, with beautiful weather, spring has arrived.
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