Trips in September 2022
September was a quieter month for long
distance overnight trips, other than a holiday to Jersey (spent playing with various buses with my tourist hat on)
2nd September – Onwards to Derby
The month began for me, as I had a room in the Travelodge at the Derby Cricket Ground booked, the idea being a Lincolnshire Day Ranger to do the novelty of a 180 to Skegness. I managed to book a £20 EMR Summer Sale return which was a nice little bonus, booked on the 21:00 departure from St Pancras which also gave me a more relaxing journey to London.
The usual 17:59 service took me to Basingstoke, changing over to a pair of 444s to take me to Clapham Junction, where I did a little time-wasting move involving a 378 to Willesden Junction, followed by a 710 to Euston and a short walk across to the annex of St Pancras to await the 21:00 service to start boarding. 222007 was the unit taking me to Derby, calling only at Leicester along the way, followed by a mile & a quarter walk to reach the hotel.
Bond, Meridian Bond, licensed to carry
3rd September – Skegness
My original idea was to do a Lincolnshire Day ranger, but in the end with the weather forecast being favourable, I decided to change it to a simple day return to Derby (as it worked out cheaper than both the ranger & a return to Nottingham). I checked out of the hotel (one of the better Travelodges in my eyes), swinging via the city centre to a large Sainsburys for breakfast (better than Greggs at Derby station), before reaching the station with 180109 waiting on the station. I took a seat in the 1st class area, although the AC wasn’t working that well, it gave me a chance to sample 1st class on a EMR 180 (and it was quite nice, although a bit tired).
The train got busy at Nottingham before running nonstop to Sleaford where it had a 10-minute pathing stop due to the single track beyond, this gave me a chance to pop out for a photo (and fresh air). Next stop was Boston where again it had a little pathing stop before going to Skegness, using platform 5. After a couple photos I set out on foot to do a little walk towards the seafront, doing a small loop to the south before a loop towards the North Shore (via the pier, where the toilets did come in handy). I returned to the station which was quite busy and was lucky to get a seat on a 3 coach 170 working the next Nottingham train (ended up in the former 1st class area on a single seat).
Waterfront at Skegness, splashing
I took this 170 to Boston where I alighted to do my 2nd walk of the day, heading towards the bridge over the River Witham (which was a lovely shade of green), before following the river towards the docks area (passing a railway swing bridge for the docks, picking up a slightly overgrown footpath running alongside the “South Forty Foot Drain” (with the railway swinging in on my right as the way I was walking). I followed this path to reach a level crossing (A52 road) in the Wyberton Fen area, pausing to grab a photo of the 2nd 180 heading back towards Derby, before going into Tesco for some supplies.
180110 heading away from Boston, crossing the A52 at Wyberton
The 2nd part of this walk was along a mixed used path alongside the waterway (with the railway line on the opposite side). This path took me to Hubberts Bridge, served by 2 trains a day in each direction, where in the last couple years has had a new platform built to replace one which was slipping into the waterway. I took a seat to await the afternoon Nottingham train, a pair of former GA 156s which were lightly loaded.
156916 arriving at Hubberts Bridge Station
I took these 156s back towards Nottingham, with a reversal at Grantham, where I had roughly an hour before the next train towards Derby, so I did another gentle walk, this time heading out of Nottingham station towards the canal to walk along the towpath to the River Trent (a busy path with kickball fans heading back from the kickball ground after what sounded like a disappointing game). Anyhow I followed the bank of the River Trent towards the Wilford Toll bridge (now used by the trams), following Queens Walk (and the tram tracks) back towards Nottingham station, jumping onto a 156 bound for Crewe.
Nottingham Trams 230 & 227 passing at Meadows Embankment
I took this 156 a couple stops to Long Eaton, where I headed to a nearby Sainsburys local for some dinner items, before taking a 222 to Derby, where once more to waste some time (roughly 30 minutes) before my booked train to London, I did another little loop, heading out of Derby station at the pride park exit, returning via the main entrance. Just something to waste some time, rather than sitting on the platform waiting.
Pride Park entrance to Derby Station... Guarded by Miles
My train to London arrived, formed of 222011, I managed to get my reserved seat without issue, although this train was the stopper (calling at Long Eaton, East Midlands Parkway, Loughborough & Leicester before running nonstop to London). Arrival into St Pancras was roughly on time, as I headed towards the sub surface line to take a Metropolitan line service to Baker Street, followed by a busy Jubilee line to Waterloo.
The final train of this trip was the 22:20 from Waterloo towards Salisbury, formed of a 159+158, as I took a seat for the trip towards Hampshire, followed by a walk home. A good day in Lincolnshire, visiting Hubberts Bridge to look at the rebuilt platform was on my list for a while, as I had heard good things about that path alongside the drain.
4th September – Walking the Downs Link (Part 2)
Today I changed my mind from doing something in London to do the southern section of the Downs Link path, from Christs Hospital towards Shoreham on Sea, following the remains of the Steyning Line. To make my life easier coming back, I decided to drive to Romsey to catch a 158 to Southampton (going via Chandlers Ford to waste some time), before a 377 took me to Barnham.
At Barnham I headed out of the station to the Tesco to grab some lunch items before returning to take a seat in the front unit of a triple set on the stopper towards Christs Hospital (taking a seat in part which came from Bognor which was empty). I exited the station at Christs Hospital, fired up Strava and followed the signs for the Downs Link path. Along the way I passed Southwater where there had been a triathlon around the country park, but after that area it was quiet with the odd cyclist passing (and passing the odd walker).
377444 departs Christ's Hospital
I carried on reaching the settlement of Copsale, and afterwards the remains of the station at West Grinstead (the only station on this line which remains in place). After the former station I carried on reaching Partridge Green where the Downs Link path goes along the road (as the former railway route has been built over). This was the worse part as the pavement came to an end before I reached the turn-off onto a farm access track. Soon I re-joined the former railway route, continuing south, crossing over the River Adur and Henfield (with a couple miles in between).
At Henfield the former railway route isn’t available, so I followed the road for a short section (passing a little Stagecoach garage). I re-joined the path once more, following it as it crossed over the River Adur once more, before the former railway line came to an end and the Downs Link path continued climbing into some hills joining onto a little lane to reach the outskirts of Steyning. I continued following the signs as the path soon ran alongside the bypass (which was built on the railway route).
Former station at West Grinstead
After doing a little loop towards the river (avoiding the need to cross the busy A283 road on the flat) I joined the old railway route once more, heading towards Botolphs, with the long-distance South Downs Way. I followed the South Downs Way for a short section, before following a path running alongside the River Adur before the Downslink path broke away, to carry on towards Shoreham on Sea. I carried along the path in Shoreham to go underneath the railway bridge and to visit a Co-Op for something to eat & drink, before making my way towards the station.
Views from the Downs Link Path
A very busy 377 rolled in bound for Fratton (would be Portsmouth but has an 8-minute stop at Barnham due to the withdrawn GWR service to pass it). I got lucky with a seat (all be in the 3+2 coach), switching to a table at Barnham. I changed at Havant for a short wait for a Southampton train to take me to Cosham, changing over to a GWR service (a 165+166) to take me the final leg to Romsey.
I enjoyed my 20 mile walk along a disused railway line in Sussex, well signposted and the surface quality was reasonable.
A Southern 377 crossing the River Adur in Shoreham by Sea
11th September – A spin to the Isle of Wight
My original idea for today went into the bin when I noticed 484005 was out on the Island Line, so I felt it was worth a trip to the Isle of Wight to rope in another 484.
A 159 took me from Grateley to Salisbury followed by a 166 all the way to Portsmouth, where I had a short wait before boarding Wight Ryder 1 (sitting on the sunshine deck). This took me across the water to Ryde, where RTT was correct and 484005 was on the Island Line. A spin to Shanklin & back saw it over ten miles, where I just about made the ferry connection back to Portsmouth.
With the next GWR service starting from Southampton, I took a 444 to Eastleigh, followed by a 158 to Romsey (via Chander’s Ford) then a quiet 165+166 combo to Salisbury followed by a pair of 158s back to Grateley. A nice quiet day trip, giving my legs a rest after they were busy on the Saturday.
484005 at Ryde Pier Head
24th September – Another spin to the Isle of Wight
Back from my long weekend in Jersey, I had a few options where to head too today. My decision was made when I noticed my last 484 was out on the Island Line, working the “short” services from Esplanade. It also gave me an excuse to have a walk on the Island involving a couple disused railway lines and to give the Hovercraft a try.
I started from Grateley on a 159+158 combo on the first westbound train to take me to Salisbury, followed by a quick visit to Sainsburys to waste some time before a 3 coach 165 rolled in to take me to Portsmouth & Southsea (getting lucky to grab a seat in the former first-class section). At Portsmouth & Southsea, it was a short walk to the bus stop where the “Hoverbus” picked up from, which took me to Southsea Hoverport, where I got the impression those with rail tickets were treated like second class passengers compared to those who paid out full price for the hovercraft tickets themselves.
Basically, got told to wait in a queue in the open (wouldn’t want to do this if the weather was bad), waiting to gain access to the hover terminal. Certainly, in my eyes the ferry from Harbour was a lot better waiting experience, although the ferry does hold a lot more passengers than the hovercrafts (and I’m sure both are down on what they were before Covid hit). Anyhow I boarded the 11:00 departure formed of “Solent Flyer”, running a few minutes late. My first hovercraft since I was much younger where I have vague memories of doing one on holiday.
Hovercraft Solent Flyer departs Southsea Hover Terminal
At Ryde Hoverport it was a fast walk to Ryde Esplanade to board the late running train, formed of 484001, my last of the class. I took this to Shanklin, returning to Brading where I made a connection to 484004 working the other service, which I took to Shanklin. After a quick lunch, I headed on foot following what is signposted as the “Red Squirrel Trail”.
The first part followed the old railway route beyond Shanklin to the village of Wroxall, before heading cross country via the estate of Appuldurcombe house, then onto some bridleways giving some nice views. One bad point was crossing the A3020 on the outskirts of Godshill as that road was quite busy and the crossing didn’t give good views. I carried on with the “Sunshine Loop” of the Red Squirrel Trail, reaching the remains of the Central Isle of Wight railway route from Sandown towards Newport. I headed towards the remains of Merstone station, before doing a U-turn to follow the path towards Sandown.
Mostly along the old railway line, but some detours where the original trackbed has been lost. Sadly, no real evidence of former stations (in terms of platforms), but a nice walk on a busy route with changing scenery (a walk I would recommend). At the Sandown end I headed towards the sea front, to walk along the cliff path to Lake (to meet up to where I walked from Lake to Shanklin with mum earlier in the year).
Remains of Merstone Station
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| Coastline near Sandown |
Annoyingly Lake station has no seats on the platform itself, so I couldn’t sit down to rest, however I was only there for 10 minutes before 484001 rolled in to take me to Ryde Esplanade, where I had a fast walk to the hoverport, getting allowed inside to wait the next departure of the hovercraft (it was still running around 5 minutes late from this morning). I headed back to Southsea, boarding the bus, jumping off at The Hard interchange to walk to Portsmouth Harbour station.
A pair of 450s was on the Basingstoke service, as I made myself comfy in the leading coach joined by a group of youngsters at Hilsea who started spraying silly string everywhere before they jumped off at Cosham. The train carried on towards Basingstoke, where I had a short wait before taking a busy 159 to Grateley to relax. A successful day in my eyes, clearing the small fleet of Island Line units along with an enjoyable walk on a sunny afternoon.
484004 & 484001 passing at Brading
25th September – A London area walk
My last trip of September (time flies!), originally, I was going to walk from West Drayton along the Grand Union canal towards Rickmansworth, but things didn’t go to plan. The day started with the 07:38 service to Basingstoke which I took to Andover, stepping back 10 minutes to board the Reading train. This service took me to Reading where I was faced with a screen full of the dreaded C word… Cancelled. The next train towards Paddington wasn’t due for over an hour with the next couple Elizabeth Line services starting from Maidenhead due to late running (caused by late running engineering works).
I decided to park my planned canal walk for another trip to break out a section of the Thames Path, as I took a seat on a pair of 450s on the Waterloo train (going for the first-class area for that bit of extra comfort, seeing as these are standard class only services). Eventually the train reached Twickenham, where I alighted, heading towards the river front, joining the path on the north side of the river to Richmond area, crossing over on Twickenham bridge. I remained on the south bank all the way (other than for a small detour around Barnes Bridge where the path was closed for construction work).
A 455 crossing the River Thames on Richmond railway bridge
The path along the edge of Kew Gardens was quite scenic in places, with trees and the occasional view of the river. I carried on the Thames Path passing Hammersmith Bridge, reaching Putney, and carrying on to Wandsworth going via Wandsworth park, before reaching Wandsworth Town station, an enjoyable riverside walk ticking off another section of the Thames Path.
River Thames
At Wandsworth Town I took a busy pair of 458s to Waterloo, giving me around an hour to get to Paddington. I took the northern line to Tottenham Court Road, changing over to a central line service to Queensway. I exited the station for the short walk along the road to Bayswater station for a District line service to a busy Paddington. A busy pair of 802s on a Bristol service took me to Reading, going quite slowly due to issues around Ealing Broadway, arriving in Reading around 15 minutes late. Thankfully I had a good buffer planned to visit Wendys for some dinner before returning to the station for the 17:12 service to Grateley.
An enjoyable walk along the banks of the river Thames, even if at times the view of the river was hidden behind trees. A busy route in places, both with other walkers/joggers & cyclists, seeing a part of London I wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
More photos taken throughout the month, including those when on Jersey are located here:
