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JayMac
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« on: April 16, 2021, 11:26:37 » |
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Today, 16th April 2021, Finn and I are off to Swindon to see bobm and have a garden lunch with a beer or three. I'm travelling via Salisbury, Basingstoke and Reading. To read about the ticketing issues for this journey see my topic in 'Fares Fair'. First train of the day was the 1029 from Templecombe to Salisbury. South Western Railway are still operating a less frequent two hourly weekday off peak service on the West of England Mainline. There are also no through trains between Exeter St David's and London Waterloo. Everyone must change at Salisbury. This is something of an inconvenience, and now that people are returning to rail travel it does cause something of a bottleneck around the gateline and subway if the change isn't cross-platform. I'm told that the two hourly service with changes at Salisbury is likely to remain in place until the May timetable change. This first train, 6 cars, was pretty well loaded. Not far off what I'd say was normal for the first off peak train of the day from Exeter to Salisbury. As I type, I'm on my second train of the morning. The 1121 Salisbury to Basingstoke. 9 cars and much more lightly loaded. Salisbury, this is Salisbury. All change. All change!
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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JayMac
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« Reply #1 on: April 16, 2021, 13:23:52 » |
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No on board ticket checks on the first two trains. Cursory glance at my ticket as I exited the gateline at Basingstoke to have a stroll while waiting on next train. Now on my third train, the 1249 Basingstoke to Reading CrossCountry service. Despite XC▸ saying they are reservation only at the moment I was able to board after asking Train Manager. I did try a '10 minute reservation' but the system said no seats available. On board I'm in the second to last carriage of a 2x 4 car Class 220 Voyager train. Just 6 passengers (plus me and Finn!) in this carriage. Now just left Reading after making an unofficial connection onto the 1313 Swansea service. Having a beer! Missed doing so on a train. Slightly uncouth, swigging directly from the can. Welcome to sunny Basingstoke.  Cheers! |
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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JayMac
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« Reply #2 on: April 16, 2021, 16:32:17 » |
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Through to Swindon on time and not a single ticket check. Now sat in bobm's garden having had a cracking Ploughman's lunch. Washed down with some Fullers ESB. Oh, and I had to build the patio table!  |
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #3 on: April 16, 2021, 18:01:33 » |
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Oh, and I had to build the patio table!
Well, there’s no such thing as a free lunch!  |
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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JayMac
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« Reply #4 on: April 16, 2021, 18:23:57 » |
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Last beer before headed back to Swindon. Taking the 'correct' routeing for my ticket on the way home. 1852 Swindon to Salisbury via Melksham.  Whilst we were sat having lunch we heard a thump. Didn't think much of it at the time until bobm looked out his living room window. Someone had come down the street opposite and taken out two bollards. Apparently they nearly hit a pedestrian too.  |
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« Last Edit: April 16, 2021, 18:47:08 by bignosemac »
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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grahame
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« Reply #5 on: April 16, 2021, 18:50:06 » |
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Last beer before headed back to Swindon. Taking the 'correct' routeing for my ticket on the way home. 1852 Swindon to Salisbury via Melksham.
Swindon to Templecombe is a lopsided journey ... it can be made with just a single train change, whereas at least two changes are needed for the journey in the opposite direction. |
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Coffee Shop Admin, Acting Chair of Melksham Rail User Group, Option 24/7 Melksham Rep
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JayMac
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« Reply #6 on: April 16, 2021, 18:55:09 » |
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First train home. 1852 Swindon to Salisbury.  I think Finn has enjoyed the day. He's a little pooped.  |
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« Last Edit: April 16, 2021, 19:07:19 by bignosemac »
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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bobm
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« Reply #7 on: April 16, 2021, 19:11:06 » |
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I don’t know if Finn was worn out or just glad to get warm. Al fresco is all very well but it did get a bit nippy.
Still good to catch up and a great afternoon.
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« Last Edit: April 16, 2021, 19:21:23 by bobm »
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JayMac
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« Reply #8 on: April 16, 2021, 19:21:16 » |
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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bobm
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« Reply #9 on: April 16, 2021, 19:21:41 » |
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JayMac
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« Reply #10 on: April 16, 2021, 19:35:43 » |
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Taunton
That was the answer I was expecting. So... correct! |
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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PhilWakely
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« Reply #11 on: April 16, 2021, 20:31:54 » |
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Well, they do say the place is a bit of a sham  |
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JayMac
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« Reply #12 on: April 16, 2021, 20:33:20 » |
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Nearly on the final leg. 50 minute wait at Salisbury for the 2055 Salisbury to Templecombe. I'm killing time in the beer garden at the Bishop's Mill pub on Fisherton St. Sat under a nice warm patio heater. Cheers again! |
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« Last Edit: April 16, 2021, 20:38:52 by bignosemac »
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"Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for the rest of the day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life."
- Sir Terry Pratchett.
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Lee
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« Reply #13 on: April 16, 2021, 20:42:51 » |
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Nearly on the final leg. 50 minute wait at Salisbury for the 2055 Salisbury to Templecombe. I'm killing time in the beer garden at the Bishop's Mill pub on Fisherton St. Sat under a nice warm patio heater.
I remember doing that on a few rail days out in the early 90s as a young whippersnapper. Funny how some things never change! |
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stuving
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« Reply #14 on: April 16, 2021, 21:47:37 » |
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Nearly on the final leg. 50 minute wait at Salisbury for the 2055 Salisbury to Templecombe. I'm killing time in the beer garden at the Bishop's Mill pub on Fisherton St. Sat under a nice warm patio heater.
I remember doing that on a few rail days out in the early 90s as a young whippersnapper. Funny how some things never change! ... except, perhaps, that patio heaters now raise ethical issues. |
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