Trains – Fr Paul Harrison' Blog.

The journey to Lourdes begins

I am joining the Diocesan pilgrimage to Lourdes. This began on Friday 26th July. However, as it was an early flight (8am from Manchester Airport) I decided the travel down by train the night before. This proved a little eventful that I planned.

I was due on the 14.50 direct service from Penrith to Manchester Airport. I wasn’t looking forward to this as my off peak ticket didnt have a seat reservation, and the Transpennine express trains are notorious for being crowded. Anyway a late running Virgin trains service and I boarded that, and there were plenty of seats. However we were held for some 25 minutes or so as there were “overhead wire problems ahead”. Thankfully after 25 mins we were on our way. I also noted that my original train had been cancelled.

All this meant I had to change in Preston. The first two trains to the airport were full and standing, but I noticed an empty Tranpennine express train roll into platform 5, I took mu chances with that.

P1490278 — My train from Preston to Manchester Airport.

Whilst waiting for the above train there was a short but very intense thunderstorm, with some spectaculat ligthning. My patience paid off, the train was half empty. There was a very slow journey through Manchester, which meant a 30 minute late arrival at the airport. All in all a bit frustrating at times. On the other hand, it was the hottest day of the year: the air con worked on the trains and I did get a seat!

Day 2 – a trip to Scotland

My day began at Crewe and I was booked on the 9.09am service from Crewe to Edinburgh. Whilst waiting on platform 11 I saw that the rails had been made in Workington. A sad testament to a lost industry for the town. In days gone by, Workington was a world leader in the rail production. I am told the rails in Workington can be found all over the world. In the photo below, you should be able to make out the Workington stamp.

The journey to Edinburgh was largely uneventful apart from one thing: I was able to chat via facebook, to my brother who is in Kathmandu!. He was on a trekking holiday to Everest Base camp, sadly he did not get there as he got some kind of viral infection, and one cannot be ill at over 6000m. Still it passed some time.

On arrival in Edinburgh, I wanted to get to Glasgow Queen Street. I had to book a ticket, but nearly all the ticket machines were not working. Eventually I got a ticket and took the 13.00 to Queen St on the new 385 electric trains, they are fast if a little bumpy at times. Below is a photo of my train from Edinburgh.

The journey back to Crewe involved the 14.40 to Preston, then the 17.17 from Preston to Crewe. The latter was quite full even in first class. At Wigan we went to a different platform, overtook the train I had left at Preston and went on the slow line to Warrington. Not too sure what was going on. Anyway, another good train on the trains.

My November holiday begins

I am having the last of my holidays, and yes there are trains involved!. Today had been arranged at the last minute so I had to make the best of the cheap fares I could find, especially I am based in Crewe – again. My first trip was from Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly. Whilst waiting for the train, the 8.30 from Euston to Glasgow passed through, I made it in one hour 26 mins non stop, rather impressive.

From Manchester I was booked on the 11.22 Trans Pennine express to Carlisle. It eventually goes to Glasgow. The Platform was heaving with passengers, but surprsingly, the train was almost empty when it pulled in. Despite have a first class ticket, I had a poor seat, hardly any window view. The lady opposite was very pleasant and lovely to chat with. The photo below is that train departing from Carlisle.

The final part of my journey was from Carlisle back to Crewe. The weather had been dull, but had cleared up by mid afternoon. In fact it was a little misty in parts. On leaving Warrington I actually saw as ship on the Manchester Ship canal – a first for me.

A windy 2 days

This will cover two days, namely the 19/20th September. On the Wednesday I was booked on the 11am from London St Pancras to Sheffield. The day began well. I got the front seat on the Docklands Light Railway

P1490053 — A view of the modern temples to money in the Docklands area of London.

I duly arrived at St Pancras station, I never to be amazed by the station, even if its more of a shopping mall in places.

I got on to my train to Sheffield a class 222. On this service I was asked to produce my senior rail card, which is in my missing or stolen wallet. I did manage to waffle my way out of it. I only got away with it as it was a single ticket. It was a close call especially as I could have been asked to pay the full fare.

My onward journey was onto York. Once again I was asked for my rail card. This time the conductor was satisfied with my online account details. As we approached York, I got a hint of the problems that lay ahead. The train, which was due to go to Newcastle, was terminated at York as trees had blocked the line in the Durham area. At York there was an air of chaos as it became obvious that nothing could go north of Darlington. I was expecting a long wait for my train back to London. However it was not as long as I feared. An additional train was put on, I was only delayed by about 15mins or so.

The next day I was due to travel to Edinburgh from London Kings Cross. The electric wires were still down in the Durham area. As a consequence there was only one train an hour to Edinburgh. My train the 11am was still running, but it was combined with the cancelled 10.30. The train was packed. Moreover, the reserved seating was all over the place. I was booked in coach M ( first class), but was told I would be in coach L. I got a seat, but first class was full and standing. We left 5 mins late, made addtional stops. As the train was so full we spent extra time in the station. We ended up 50 mins late in Edinburgh. The onboard staff were amazing given the difficulties they had to encounter. All made for an intersting two days.

London to Portsmouth an interesting day out!

My plan today was go to Portsmouth from London Waterloo and return to London Victoria. This would involve two new routes for me, namely Woking to Havant via Petersfield and Havant ( again!) to Three Bridges via Horsham and Arundel. I had booked my first class tickets well in advance.

The day began badly. I am at a Premier Inn on Docklands. When I arrived at Prince Regent station I discovered that the Docklands Light Railway was suspended due to a major signal fault. My first thought was to take a bus to Canning Town, the first bus was so full it could not take anymore passengers – also a queue was forming for the next one. I took a risk and got on a bus to Stratford hoping to get off at Plastow tube station. This paid off and I eventually arrived at Waterloo station using the District Line and Northern Line.

By the time I got to Waterloo I had missed my booked train. I went to see if I could use my ticket for another service. I was advised to board the 11am to Portsmouth and take it up with the train manager. I must admit I was not hopeful and I was prepared to pay for a new ticket or split the difference with my existing ticket. However, there was no ticket check! so all was well. When I arrived at Portsmouth, I discovered my train back to Victoria was going to start from Fratton, the next station on the line. I did manage a have a sandwich and a drink at the Canvas Cafe at Portsmouth Station, it was rather good. The journey back was uneventful, apart from getting a good view of Arundel Castle and Cathedral.

Sampling the new Class 800 trains

IMGP3621

As part of my holiday, I wanted to try the much vaunted Class 800 trains being introduced on the Great Western Railway. I was booked on the 11.30 from London Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads. It was not a good start as it was a five coach train instead of 10. What is more, I was booked in coach K, which was not part of the set. As it turned out, all seat reservations were cancelled. Thankfully the first class coach I sat in was half empty.

We left on time. It was soon apparent that it could accelerate very quickly. Apart from being held by a red signal close to Reading, the journey was fine. We changed from electric to diesel mode just short of Swindon. The wires were up almost to Chippenham, after that nothing.

The class 800 was nothing to get too excited about. Very functional is a phrase that comes to mind. I was surprised that it was bumpy ride once full speed was reached.

Wrong carriage and packed trains

IMGP3582 — My train to Birmingham from Preston.

I was booked on the above train. It is a Voyager and consisted of two five car trains joined together. It only has 2 first class carriages one for each set, however I managed to into the wrong carriage, which I didn’t realise at first. So I had a rather embarrassing conversation with someone who I thought was sat in my seat! However, there were plenty of empty seats in the carriage.

As we approached Crewe, we were informed that there was a fault in one of the train sets, and that it would be detached at Wolverhampton. When we got their it turned out it was the set I was in. So off I got. As may be imagined, the five car set was packed out. Thankfully I was only going as far as Birmingham. However, my short journey from Birmingham to Rugby on a pendolino was also very full.

September Holiday Preston to Edinburgh

Today I began my next series of rail journies. This was really just to get me from Preston to Edinburgh as indicated above. I was booked on the 11.53 from Preston to Edinburgh Waverley. Whilst waiting I saw one of the new – well old trains coming to our part of the world. This electric train is a hand me down from another company. Having said that they are in good order.

My train arrived and departed on time. I had booked a cheap first class advance ticket. So had a bacon roll and plenty of coffee. The journey itself was uneventful and the train actually arrived on time!

IMGP3555 — My train arriving in Preston.

An eventful day off

P1490003 — My train from Carlisle to Glasgow arrives

Today, I had booked a train journey from Workington to Glasgow. It partly to do something different for my day off and partly to try out e ticketing – I had downloaded the tickets to my mobile phone via the Virgin Trains app.

Having arrived in Glasgow and the weather being sunny and warm, I decided to eat al fresco. However that was soon scuppered as the play I chose was very busy, I was told that it would be a 10 minute wait before my order could be take. I went elsewhere.

Later, on arriving back at Glasgow Central, I saw my train back to Carlisle was delayed, then cancelled – trouble around Lancaster I gather. I had to wait for the delayed 1600 to Carlisle. There was a massive queue for this – two train loads trying to get on. Eventually, it was decided that the train was too full, so the barriers went up. I had another wait, this time for the delayed 16.40. Not only did I get on this, but, to my surprise, I got a seat!. Once onboard, the journey back was uneventful.

Preston and steam train

P1480979 — Steam train at Carlisle station.

Today I went to Preston on official business ( for a change!). I edit our Diocesan year book and today I had arranged a short meeting with the printer. It was to discuss so “cosmetic” changes to some parts of the directory.

I had decided to by train and duly booked my tickets in advance. However, there was a rail strike on Northern Rail, so I had to drive by car to Carlisle. My intention was to park in the grounds of Our Lady& St Joseph’s and walk to the station, however the car park was full. Whilst in Preston I met my brother Edmund in Brucciani’s cafe and had a good chat.

There was a pleasant end to the trip. When I got to Carlisle, the Dalesman steam train was in the station