Wednesday 20th February ~ Double Deck up Highbury New Park

It was another cold day, max temperature 4 degrees. At around 13.20 I boarded Solo OS10 on the W5 at Harringay Sainsbury's for the ride to Crouch End Broadway, where it was terminated. I bought some Maynard's sours and boarded Enviro400 TE932 on the 91, which I took to Aldwych - another premature termination. From Aldwych I caught Vyking VLE19 on the 9 to Green Park via Pall Mall. I sat in Green Park and had my rye bread sandwiches and coffee. It was too cold to sit and read though so I headed for the bus stop at Green Park to board New Routemaster LT4 on the 38 to Victoria. At Victoria it was single decker time with Citaro MEC15 on the 507 to Waterloo, this running via Horseferry Road and Lambeth Bridge. Thence to Baylis Road to board Enviro400 T155 on the 341 to Harringay Green Lanes. Due to continuing roadworks at Newington Green this had a pretty rateworthy diversion down Beresford Road and Highbury New Park. Due to more roadworks just north of Manor House progress was very slow up Green Lanes and I settled in to read my book 'On the Road to Babadag' by Andrzej Stasiuk, and lost myself in his Romanian exploits. Arrival at HGL was about 18.10, the trip from Waterloo having taken about 90 minutes!

Tuesday 19th February 2013 ~ After a hard days work

It was around 16.40 as I boarded a surprisingly empty Gemini WVN28 on the 259 at the stop before Caledonian Road tube station, for the ride back to Manor House.

Sunday 17th February 2013 ~ The Midnight Hour

It was just after midnight, 00.05, as we boarded Gemini DW93 on the 159 at Streatham Hill, I getting off at Waterloo (County Hall). Then across the road for Enviro400 T163 on the 341 at 00.34 for the ride back to Harringay Green Lanes.

Taken on the Saturday afternoon. Not in service Enviro400 no.2441 heads through Brixton

Friday 15th February ~ A Roundabout Way Home

A cold day. Started around 09.00 with Solo OS13 on the W5 from Harringay Sainsbury's to Archway. After my medical it was back onto the W5 with Solo OS15 for a ride back to Crouch End Broadway and a visit to Hornsey Library to pick up Henry Purcell and Half Man Half Biscuit. Onwards to Central London aboard Enviro400 TE691 on the 91 from Crouch End Broadway with the sun in my eyes, all the way to it's final stop at the top of Whitehall. Then across to Trafalgar Square for Vyking VLE15 on the 9 for the ride to Green Park via Pall Mall.

After having something to eat I boarded Gemini DW234 on the 38 for the ride to Victoria, followed by another Gemini on the 38, DW417 for the ride back to Piccadilly (Down Street). From there it was a circuitous route back to HGL. Firstly Enviro 400 no.9548 on the C2 all the way to Parliament Hill Fields. Thence aboard a single decker, Enviro200 DE954 on the C11 to Archway. From Archway it was Gemini DW331 on the 41, to Philip Lane - it was now schooly time. Finally a dash across the road for Enviro400 T164 on the 341 at 16.04 to Harringay Green Lanes.

Thursday 14th February ~ Up to Belsize Park

Starting around 10.00 I think with Gemini DW497 on the 29 from Harringay Green Lanes to Camden Town (Bayham Street), followed by Gemini VLW143 on the 168 from Camden High Street to Belsize Park. After doing the gardening it was Gemini VLW161 on the 168 from Belsize Park all the way to Waterloo, followed by Enviro400 T157 on the 341 from Waterloo (Baylis Road) to Harringay Green Lanes, this being diverted in Islington via Dove Road and Mildmay Park due to roadworks around Newington Green.

Tuesday 12th February ~ A lovely wax aroma

Across Finsbury Park at around 9.20 for Gemini WHV24 on the 19 to Highbury Corner. Returning around 16.30 on Enviro200 DA6 on the 153 from Westbourne Road to Finsbury Park.

Monday 11th February ~ Deep into Winter

It was snowing as I headed across Finsbury Park to the bus station where I boarded hybrid Gemini WHV20 on the 19 to Green Park in the usual way. After a coffee I boarded Enviro400 no.9543 on the C2 at Piccadilly (Down Street) for a ride, I settled down nicely in the front seat and decided to go all the way to it's terminus at Parliament Hill Fields.

A pair of Enviro400's, led by 9539, at the Parliament Hill Fields terminus of the C2

After a wintry walk around Parliament Hill I headed back on another C2, doing the honours this time was 9539. I took it all the way to Hyde Park Corner. From there I caught Vyking VLE15 on the 9 to Strand (Southampton Street) and after another coffee it was onto Enviro400 TE912 on the 91, I had intended to catch this to at least Holloway, possibly all the way to Crouch End. However it decided to terminate at Kings Cross. It was rush hour now and did hit heavy traffic around Upper Woburn Place and Euston, due to roadworks on Eversholt Street, and got held up so this could have been why. My final move then was aboard Gemini WVN15 on the 259 from Kings Cross to Manor House.

Friday 8th February ~ Classical and Modernism in Hornsey

Started off with Solo OS9 on the W5 from Harringay Sainsbury's at 12.42, to Hornsey Library.

Solo's OS16 and OS9 at Harringay Sainsbury's on the W5. OS9 departed first.

Gemini VW1300, new in 2012, calls at Crouch End Broadway with a W7 for Finsbury Park

After browsing the classical music section at Hornsey Library - picking up works by Ravel and Saint-Saens - and admiring the modernist architecture of the empty Hornsey Town Hall, I decided to head into Central London aboard Enviro400 TE909 on the 91, from Crouch End Broadway all the way to Trafalgar Square via Caledonian Road.

OmniDekka SLE36 on the 13 at Trafalgar Square

The 'Jesus Army' bus, a 1971 Daimler Fleetline. This bus was in passenger service for London Transport from 1971 to 1982 as DMS294.

Enviro400 TE927 at Trafalgar Square, about to commence it's journey to Crouch End on the 91

After m'lunch I hopped over to Charing Cross and boarded Routemaster RM2060 on the heritage 15 for a ride to Monument. At Monument it was onto Gemini VLW38 on the 141 for the ride back to Harringay Green Lanes.

Wednesday 6th February ~ An Edinburgh Odyssey

Today was part 2 of my East Coast excursions. Caught a Piccadilly Line tube to Kings Cross, then it was to my train, the 09.00 to Edinburgh, haulage courtesy of 91107, the same loco that had returned me from Leeds a couple of weeks previously! This train called at Peterborough, York, Darlington, Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed. The day was cold and sunny, the north sea looking quite choppy as the train passed along the cliffs north of Berwick. Some train observations on the way... 91126 at Kings Cross with the 09.03 to Leeds, also at Kings Cross were 91118, an HST with power car 43305 leading, and thunderbird 67021. 08596 was at Bounds Green, at Peterborough 91120 was at the rear of a southbound express, and 66034 was in the yard. At Doncaster I saw 08802, 66571, 66024, 66181 and 66184. At York HST 43306 + 43308 was arriving with a southbound express for Kings Cross, and at Darlington 91105 was at the rear of a Kings Cross bound express. Passing Tyne Yard I saw 66077, and approaching Newcastle station 43206 was leading an HST departing southbound with the 07.52 Aberdeen-London Kings Cross while in the station 91103 was parked with the 12.25 Newcastle-Kings Cross.

Into Scotland... at Oxwellmains waste terminal, just south of Dunbar, 67007 was parked on the north end of a binliner train, more from this loco later...finally at Edinburgh, 90039 was parked. Arrival in Edinburgh was around 15 minutes late at 13.35, the delay was due to signal problems around Finsbury Park, and overhead line problems between Morpeth and Alnmouth, caused by a fallen tree, because of which the train crossed over to the up line for a short stretch.

91107 after arrival at Edinburgh Waverley with the 09.00 from London Kings Cross

158 871 at Edinburgh with the 12.51 Glenrothes-Newcraighall, 13.51 at Edinburgh

Then it was out of the station for a stroll down Princes Street, a coffee and something to eat on Castle Street, and a walk through Princes Street Gardens. Plus of course some bus observation on the way...

East Lothian Eclipse Urban no.198 on Princes Street with a 113 for Western General Hospital

Lothian Buses Gemini 304 with a 26 for Clerwood

Dart 64 on the 12 to Ratho

Gemini 346 on the 22 to Gyle Centre

First Gemini 37144 on Princes Street with a 27 for Bathgate

President 649 with a 34 to Riccarton

Lothian Buses Gemini 717 on a 3 to Cloverstone

Gemini 941, on the no.100 Airlink service to Edinburgh Airport, heads west along Princes Street

President 659 on Princes Street with a 15 to Penicuik

Eclipse Urban 126 with a 30 to Clovenstone

Gemini 747 on a 44 to Tranent, followed by President 672, on Lothian Road, about to turn east onto Princes Street

After that it was back to Waverley station for a run on the loco-hauled Fife Circle commuter service. This arrived at the station hauled by 67007, which I'd seen earlier at Dunbar. The train was the 17.08 Edinburgh-Glenrothes, and I took it all of the mile to Haymarket.

67007 calls at Haymarket with the 17.08 Edinburgh-Glenrothes

At Haymarket I did a rare rush across to platform 1 to board HST 43257 + 43208 Lincolnshire Echo on the 14.52 Aberdeen-London Kings Cross, 17.18 at Haymarket. Back at Waverley I decided to get more value out of my ticket by doing another return to Haymarket. This was courtesy of a couple of Scotrail class 170's. From Edinburgh I took 170 416 to Haymarket on the 17.37 to Aberdeen, returning on 170 421 on the 16.18 Glasgow Central-Edinburgh, due 17.40 at Haymarket but running around 8 minutes late.

Then it was time to head back to London on the 18.30 Edinburgh-London Kings Cross, my ride courtesy of 91115 Blaydon Races in 'push' mode. This train stopped at most stations en-route (East Coast served stations that is) - Dunbar, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Alnmouth, Morpeth, Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, York, Doncaster, Grantham, Peterborough, Stevenage and London Kings Cross. 

91115 Blaydon Races stands in the gloom of Edinburgh Waverley's platform 8 with

 the 18.30 Edinburgh-London King's Cross

It was of course dark by now. A few observations on the way - 90039 was still parked at Edinburgh, waiting to work one of the Caledonian Sleeper trains, 67028 was at Newcastle and 66732 was in Ferme Park, as it was when I passed two weeks ago. Arrival at Kings Cross was about 10 minutes late at 23.45. At Kings Cross 67020 was now the thunderbird, and Flying Scotsman liveried 91101 was parked in the platform at the tail of another East Coast express. After a long day (and a 15 minute wait at the bus stop), my final move of the day, at ten past midnight, was aboard Gemini WVN9 on the 259 from Kings Cross to Manor House.

Tuesday 5th February ~ Pesky New Phone

Started around 09.30 at Manor House from where I caught a Gemini which I neglected to take the number of (presumably WVNxx) on the 259, to Caledonian Road tube station. Returning in the afternoon at around 16.40 on a single decker Enviro200 DA12 on the 153, this being one of a number of brand new Enviro200's that have been introduced on to the 153 in the past few weeks. I took it from Westbourne Road, near the farm, to it's Finsbury Park terminus.

Monday 4th February 2013 ~ Tottenham and those Curious Olympus

An early start at 08.32 at Harringay Green Lanes from where I took Enviro400 T156 on the 341 to Tottenham Green. After my appointment at the police station to look at some delinquent mugshots I boarded another 341 in the shape of Enviro400 T147, which I took all the way to Aldwych. After another morning coffee I decided to catch OmniDekka SLE27 on the 13 which I took from Aldwych to Oxford Street Selfridges. From there it was my first noted ride on one of route 7's mysterious Olympus's, SEL804, which I took to it's terminus at Russell Square, running past the British Museum. From Russell Square I boarded another Olympus, SEL759 on the 7, for a run back to Oxford Street/Wardour Street.

Olympus's SEL759 and SEL804 stand at the no.7 terminus on Russell Square

From there it was OmniCity SP141 on the 10 to Hyde Park Corner, where I changed for President VPL186 on the 52 to it's Victoria terminus. At Victoria I decided I fancied some Chinese food, so rather than walk I caught Citaro MEC29 on the 507 to the Channel 4 HQ on Horseferry Road, running via Rochester Row.

Citaro MEC29 at Victoria, waiting to commence it's journey to Waterloo on the 507

I had my Chinese takeaway al fresco in the little park opposite New Scotland Yard, watching the lunchtime crowds go by, it was a blustery day but not too cold by January standards. My next selection was Gemini WVL137 on the 11, which I took to Charing Cross. 

Presumably one of the earliest Gemini's, WVL1, dating from 2002, heads east past Charing Cross on the 87

From there it was a slightly roundabout trip home, first Enviro400 TE924 on the 91 to Parkhurst Road, via Kings Cross, and finally Gemini VLW146 on the 254 from Parkhurst Road to Manor House, via a bit of a traffic jam around Finsbury Park station.

Friday 1st February 2013 ~ A splendid evening

Caught Gemini WVN10 on the 259 from Manor House to White Hart Lane in Tottenham. Then it was off for some Friday night entertainment. With a Zubr in my bag we boarded 317 651 (with 317 656 on the front) at White Hart Lane on the 18.21 Enfield Town-Liverpool Street (18.31 at White Hart Lane), which we took two stops to Seven Sisters, and from there a Victoria Line tube to Highbury & Islington...

Later on, feeling nicely mellow, we boarded Gemini VW1281 on the 43 from Highbury Corner to Holloway Road/Parkhurst Road. After some more drinks, a game of table football, a band playing folky covers of Bon Jovi, Europe and the like and a spaced out dancing girl, we boarded Gemini DW4xx on the 29 (I'm afraid I forgot to take the number :P) at around 00.05 from Parkhurst Road to Harringay Green Lanes.

Thursday 31st January ~ A muddy Regent's Park

Caught Gemini DW495 on the 29 at around 10.00 from Harringay Green Lanes to Camden Town. It starting raining on the bus and while I was waiting for a single decker, Enviro200 DE1163 on the 274 which I took from Camden Town to London Zoo. After getting into a pair of wellies for some muddy pruning in Regent's Park, I found myself at around 16.00 on Marylebone Road, by Harley House, from where I took Enviro400 E183 on the 453 to Trafalgar Square, and from there it was Gemini DW496 on the 29 back to Harringay Green Lanes.

Wednesday 30th January ~ Exploring the Royal London Hospital

Caught OmniCity 15025 on the 106 for a run down it's entire route from Finsbury Park to Whitechapel, by the Royal London Hospital. Running via Clapton and Hackney, it got caught in a bit of a bus jam on the bus only bit of Mare Street through Hackney's shopping area. After visiting the Royal London Hospital's museum with the group, and getting a coffee and cake in the cafe at the nearby library. I headed back aboard OmniCity 15023 on the 106. This was a rush hour journey and got caught in heavy congestion around Hackney, I think there were some roadworks around there as well. The journey from Whitechapel to Finsbury Park is supposed to take 45 minutes, but this one took over 90. Setting off from Whitechapel at 17.00 and arriving Finsbury Park at 18.34. I had a good seat though :)

Tuesday 29th January ~ Work down the farm

A relatively mild day by recent standards. Walked across Finsbury Park to board hybrid Gemini WHV26 on the 19, which I took to Highbury Corner. Returning at about 16.40 on Gemini WVN15 on the 259, from Caledonian Road tube to Manor House.

Friday 25th January ~ ACT and a coffee in town

After my hospital appointment I decided to catch the bus into town. My ride was Enviro400 T152 on the 341 which I took from St Ann's Hospital to the south side of Waterloo Bridge. After crossing back over the bridge to the Strand, and having a coffee and something to eat, I headed back to HGL aboard one of the 29's Enviro400 beasts - T261.

Wednesday 23rd January 2013 ~ Dashing Through the Snow to Leeds

Got a Piccadilly Line tube from Manor House to King's Cross St. Pancras, then it was to Kings's Cross main station I headed to board my train, 1D08 09.35 King's Cross-Leeds. This turned out to be an HST, with power cars 43274 + 43251, both, if I remember rightly, former Midland Mainline engines. I'd decided to take advantage of the East Coast ticket sale and get a £20 return to Leeds.

This is 91115 Blaydon Races at King's Cross with the 09.30 to Edinburgh. My train, with 43274 a'front, can be seen alongside

Departure from King's Cross was on time. On the way I noted 67008 as the King's Cross thunderbird, and 08596 at Bounds Green. To the north of Peterborough station were several loco's, including 66044, 66742 and 3 class 20's - 20901, 20096 in BR blue livery and 20304. The weather today was cold and grey with snow on the ground. At Doncaster I saw 66200, 66588 with a southbound freightliner, and at Wakefield Westgate 91132 with a southbound express that had the purple 'Flying Scotsman' liveried DVT on the front. Arrival at Leeds was on time at 11.48.

43274 after arrival at Leeds

After getting my West Yorkshire Day Rover I headed back to the platforms to board Voyager 220 012 on the 12.11 to Plymouth, (07.50 Ex Glasgow Central), which I took back to Wakefield Westgate. Returning from there on HST 43305 + 43207 with the 12.31 to Leeds (10.35 from London King's Cross). Then it was Super Voyager 221 126 to Wakefield on the 13.11 to Penzance (09.00 from Glasgow), returning behind 91108 with the 13.31 to Leeds (11.35 from King's Cross).

221 126 calls at Wakefield Westgate with the 09.00 Glasgow Central - Penzance

From Leeds I then decided to head for Wakefield Kirkgate aboard 158 902 on the 14.05 Leeds-Nottingham. This running non-stop via Normanton. On the way passing Leeds Midland Road Freightliner depot where several 66/5's were parked, including 66513, 66536, 66598 and 66953. Further south we passed 66568 just north of Normanton with a northbound freightliner.

158 902 calls at Wakefield Kirkgate with the 14.05 Leeds - Nottingham

142 084 awaits departure from Wakefield Kirkgate with the 14.31 to Knottingley

150 272 calls at Wakefield Kirkgate with the 13.50 Sheffield - Leeds

I returned from Wakefield to Leeds aboard 150 272 with the 13.50 Sheffield-Leeds (14.28 at Wakefield), on the way passing 66206 with a southbound tanker train, just to the south of Leeds. At Leeds I then decided to head for Bradford Interchange, which I did aboard 158 756 with the 14.13 York-Blackpool North (14.53 at Leeds). 

158 756 waits to depart Bradford Interchange with the 14.13 York-Blackpool North

180 107 HART OF THE NORTH stands at Bradford Interchange waiting to work Grand Central's 15.37 to  London Kings' Cross via Halifax and Wakefield Kirkgate

After a wait of just 10 minutes or so returned from Bradford to Leeds aboard 158 753 on the 13.29 Blackpool North-Leeds (15.19 at Bradford Interchange). At Leeds I saw Battle of Britain liveried 91110 BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT depart with the 15.45 to King's Cross.

158 753 after arrival at Leeds with the 13.29 Blackpool North - York

I then decided to have a little stroll around the city centre and watch some buses...

Articulated bus 10040 on route 95 to the University

Gemini 37720 on route 4A to Pudsey, boards passengers outside the train station

Optare Spectra no.627 in Leeds city centre on a service to Wakefield

Back onto the trains and it was getting into rush hour and thus very busy. A large crowd awaited the 16.40 to Manchester Piccadilly (15.40 from Hull) which arrived in the less than capable hands of 2-car 170 301, a former South-West Trains unit. It was crowded but nevertheless I got a seat and I took it to Huddersfield. At Huddersfield there were delays of around 45 minutes to some eastbound services. There was an announcement of a 'freight train derailment' in the Salford Crescent area, which was blocking that line. This turned out to be 47500 catching fire on the rear of an Ardwick-Carnforth ECS move by charter train operator West Coast Railways.

185 144 calls at Huddersfield with the 15.35 Manchester Airport-Scarborough, due Huddersfield at 16.27. This was running about 40 minutes late and was very crowded when it left Huddersfield.

144 016 at Huddersfield, ready to form the 17.31 stopping service to Leeds

I eventually opted to get 144 016 back to Leeds on the 17.31 stopping service, which eventually departed at 17.45 due to awaiting some of the delayed eastbound Trans-Pennine services to go past, that was my final unit move of the day. Back at Leeds I saw Cross-Country HST 43285 + 43304 with the 12.24 Plymouth-Glasgow Central, this was due to depart at 18.07 but was running around 20 minutes late. These are former Midland Mainline 43085 and former Virgin Cross Country 43104 County of Cleveland. After having a coffee I boarded my train back to London, the 1A50 19.45 Leeds-Kings Cross, propelled by 91107.

91107 at Leeds with the 19.45 to London King's Cross

On the way back I noted Union Jack liveried 47580 light engine at Doncaster and 66732 at Ferme Park. Arrival at King's Cross was on time at 21.56. There at King's Cross were 67008 again, Flying Scotsman liveried 91101, 91120 and HST 43208 + 43257 departing with the 22.00 to Newcastle. My final ride of the day was aboard Gemini WVN11 on the 259 from King's Cross to Manor House.