Boat Train to Heysham Port

Mention of a Boat Train conjures up images of Pullman Coaches, Steam Trains, Silver Service, Champagne, The Golden Arrow, The Irish Mail, so when I discovered there is still a boat train in operation I just had to travel on it!

The boat train in question is Northern Rail's daily service from Leeds to Heysham Port on an exclusive Class 144 Pacer, total travel time 2 hours 35 minutes.

So having a game up at Morecambe on Saturday 31 January 2015 (Morecambe v AFC Wimbledon) I decided I would have a trip on the aforementioned Boat Train.

This meant an early departure catching the 05:37 from Falconwood in South East London, and the 07:03 East Coast Mainline Service to Leeds arriving at 09:24 ( a journey time of 2 hours 21 minutes).

Welcome to Leeds

As the Boat Train was not due to depart Leeds until 10:19 I had some time to explore the Station and local environs, unfortunately I seemed to slip into a time warp and for some reason believed the Heysham Port train left at 10:48 and as I was ambling back to Platform 2 to pick up a coffee and film the arrival of the "Boat Train" I glanced at the departure board and with horror noted the train was due to leave in 40 seconds! I sprinted as fast as I could (for a 57 year old) and just made it as the door hissed behind me.

I took a few minutes to catch my breadth and considered the consequences of my actions 1. No film of the train arriving, 2. No film of the train in the station, 3 no pictures of the departure board, all part of my filming master plan. Oh well at least I had caught it. The worse consequence is that the next train would have meant that I would have missed kick off!

It was a long journey through some stunning countryside and some interesting industrial architecture. It had been snowing and there was a layer of the white stuff on the higher ground making the views even nicer, the sun came out to provide me with blue skies. It was however very cold, but the Pacer was nice a warm. I located my self in the seats where you can store bikes and so had good views.

Snow capped moors

We called at 15 stations between Leeds and Heysham Port; Shipley, Bingley, Keighley, Skipton, Gargrave, Hellifield, Long Preston, Giggleswick, Clapham (North Yorkshire), Bentham, Wennington, Carnforth, Lancaster, Bare Lane and Morecambe. I was up and down at each stop to film the station, it was quite busy as passengers got on and got off at each stop. The busiest was Bentham, the quetiest was Long Preston with nil passengers either on or off.

Skipton Railway Station

11:00 Skipton to Heysham Port

We had a 8/9 minute stop at Skipton that enable me to do the filming I had missed at Leeds, I captured the departure board proudly announcing Heysham Port, by the time I got to Carnforth the departure board there was stating Heysham Harbour, the former name of the station. We held over at Carnforth  for 3/4 minutes.

Carnforth is of course famous for being the location for that marvellous film staring Treavor Howard and Cecil Johnson of unconsummated love 'A Brief Encounter'. The orginal clock still stands, still telling the correct time, the Refreshment Room is still in full swing, reproducing  mid 1940's style, although these scenes were filmed in the studio. Platform 4 at Carnforth is a rather splendid Art Deco design curving to the right with a lovely arched canopy in concrete.

The clock at Carnforth 12:00

It was a further 10 minutes to  Lancaster where we held up for almost 15 minutes, plenty of time for me to spend a penny, speaking of which it costs 40p to spend a penny in Leeds and only 30p at Kings Cross and by the way it's free to pee once your past the barriers at Leeds Station.

Morecambe

Morecambe was the penultimate stop where again we held over for a few minutes to allow the driver to

swap ends and the masses of AFC Wimbledon support to depart. Shortly after leaving Morecambe we stopped in the middle of nowhere, the guard opens the front passenger door and the driver descends to switch the points for the Heysham Branch, basically a siding off the Morecambe branch, although it must be said that this siding also serves the Nuclear Power stations at Heysham and there's a run round loop and headshunt at Morecambe.

Pacer at Heysham Port

Having arrived at Heysham Port all the passengers disembarked, that was me, the guy in the fluorescent jacket and the guy with untidy long hair. There are no passengers waiting to board the train which was not a surprise given there was no Isle of Man Ferry in port. 

On checking the ferry times to the train times there does not appear to be very much co-ordination at weekends, although the last time I was here a ferry was in port. Maybe they coordinate better for the summer time table. Anyway for the record here's the timings:

Heysham Port Railway Station

Isle of Man Steam Packet          

Saturday and Sunday

Heysham  to Douglas

02:15.           05:45

Douglas  to  Heysham

20:00.           23:30

Weekdays

Heysham to Douglas

02:15.          05:45

14:15.           19:45

Douglas to  Heysham

08:45.           12:15

Heysham Nuclear Power Stations

19:45.            23:15

Train Times

Monday to Friday

Leeds  to   Heysham Port

Arrive  13:01

Heysham Port to Leeds

Depart 13:17

Saturdays

Leeds to Heysham Port

Arrive 12:54

Heysham Port to Leeds

Depart 13:15

So coordinates with the 12:15 arrival from Douglas and the 14:15 depart for Douglas Monday to Friday not to bad really, after all no passenger trains run in the early hours.

Whilst I waited for the train to depart Fluorescent Jacketman and Untidy Hairman re boarded the train having taken a few photos,  failing to engage me in conversation! We all used the Ferry Terminal toilets which was open but not very busy, the terminal not the toilets!

So that's that I've got the boat train on film so there'
s no need to revist Heysham again, unless I decide to go to the Isle of Man.

See my videos of my trip here:

Part One 

Part Two

Part Three

Last Train to Westcombe Park

On Friday 9th January at 23:27 the last ever train pulled out of Westcombe Park for Waterloo East and Charing Cross and at 23:56 the last train from Charing Cross via Waterloo East departed for Westcombe Park and I don't think many people knew that!

23:27 for Charing Cross arriving at Westcombe Park

As part of the a Thameslink Programme a major re-build of London Bridge Station is taking place and as a result of this for the next 18 months trains for Charing Cross will not call at London Bridge, which I believe is commonly understood by your everyday commuter. What I don't think many people realise who travel from Westcombe Park, Maize Hill, Greenwich and Deptford line is that once the work is completed their trains will be permanently routed to Cannon Street.

Why is this? It's because the Greenwich line comes into London Bridge on the far left handside, when looking down the line towards Grenwich, so to get to Platforms 5 and 6 (the platforms for Charing Cross) it has to cross all the other lines, which is not very efficient operationally.

The notices at Westcombe Park advertised that from 11th January all trains would be re-routed to Cannon Street, however over the weekend of 9th/10th there were no services into Waterloo East or Charing Cross owing to engineering works, which made Friday's services the last.

Whilst I knew the trains were being re-directed I did not appreciate the engineering works until 853 pointed this out in his Blog of the 9th January.

Left hand side last train to Westcombe Park, right hand side last train from Westcombe Park

As for the two trips I made on the last trains the up journey was on time, with no awareness from other passengers as to the consequence of the trip. For the

last train from Charing Cross there appeared to be a little more awareness, well I saw three people taking photos or filming the event. One chap was at the front of the train filming the journey and when he got off at Deptford continued filming, you can see him on my video.

Last train to Westcombe Park

The train arrived at Westcombe Park on time and departed on time and on the Monday a new era commenced for Westcombe Park, Maize Hill, Greenwich and Deptford.

Here's my video of my journey on the last train from Westcombe Park to Charing Cross.

Here's my video of my journey on the last train from Charing Cross to Westcombe Park

More Thames River Crossings

Since the clocks went back it's been very dark walking home so not many opportunities for photos of my most recent river crossings which are now complete. I've decided that the Blackwell Tunnel and the Dartford Tunnel south to north don't qualify as they are not used on my way home from EC2 to SE9.

So what have I done over the last couple of months? Well here's the list although I'm having trouble remembering what happened on route if anything!

Videos of the trips can be found on the links below.

First up the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) to Greenwich Maritime (Cutty Sark). I had hoped to get in the front carriage but being rush hour, which now seems to stretch from 16:30 to 22:30 if not later, I had no chance.

Quite surprisingly I was able to continue my walk through Greenwich Park just before it was closing. My attempt to photograph Docklands was stopped by the Park Keepers asking me to leave as it was closing time.

That little trip was followed by Canary Wharf to North Greenwich by the Jubilee Line. Canary Wharf was very busy and all the bars were filled to the brim with Bankers! 

Riverside Walk North Greenwich

Up next was Bus 108 from the Blackwell Tunnel to Greenwich Peninsula . This I expected to be a nightmare given I was going through the Blackwell Tunnel during the rush hour and I had just missed a bus, but a couple of minutes later another one turned up. Got through the tunnel pretty quickly I was not sure where the bus stop would be. It ended up being in the middle of nowhere, near that night club you can see on the approach road and the gasometer. As it happened this was a very quick walk back home, the quickest to date as having left at 17:20 I was home by just after 19:45.

Riverside walk North Greenwich

The last trip was Canning Town to North Greenwich on the Jubilee Line, which almost became Canary Wharf to Canning Town which does not go under the river at all! I quite like the walk from North Greenwich along the riverside towards Woolwich, it quite industrial especially around the Angerstein Wharf and Days Aggregates where it's all lit up and when there's a high tide there quite often a boat or two unloading.

Boat loading / unloading at Angerstein Wharf

Well that's that little exercise completed, once the clocks turn back I've got a couple of projects in mind, but meanwhile it will be back to the normal walking home by varied routes and no doubt repeating some of these!

Thames Crossings - Thames Clipper - Masthouse Terrace Pier to Woolwich - Friday 10th October 2014

Oh well British Summer Time's almost over and I won't be able to take many photos of my walks home shortly. Even now its too dark by 18:00 to take any decent shoots. Well at least the video works pretty well in the dark and I must say I'm pretty pleased with my speeded up video of the trip on the Thames Clipper from Masthouse Terrace Pier to Woolwich. The trip actually took just under 20 minutes whilst my speeded up version is a little under three minutes, I even think the music fits well!

So what happened onto days trip, as normal not a lot. I made sure I left on the spot at 17:00 tonight as I was not sure if the trip would take longer than usual given the extended trip on the Thames Clipper. As it is I was home by 20:00 which is 20 minutes earlier than the regular walk.

I left by the back entrance, out via the tradesman's entrance and then it was the normal direct route, past Spitalfields, across Brick Lane.

Spitalfields

Brick Lane

I crossed Whitechapel Road, across Commercial Road, and into Watney Street market, still busy at 17:30.

Watney Street Market

Past Shadwell left into Cable Street then into Narrow Street and long the River front, with a good sunset developing. Then its all along the Thames path apart from the short road walk between Sir John Dougall Gardens and Docklands Sailing Club.

Thames Barge

I was quite surprised to find myself arriving at Masthouse Terrace Pier just across from Greenwich in time to catch the 18:26 Thames Clipper, if I was in time given the need to take photos, purchase a ticket and get the video camera out!

Sunset over the Pepy's Estate Deptford

Here comes the boat, but no ticket, but I did get the sunset over the Pepy's estate in Deptford, and the boat arriving but no video footage. The boat docked, people got off and the crew lifted the gangway, 'Hang on, I won't to get on' shouted the other passenger 'Only joking replied' the crew, I bet!

Thames Clipper arriving

I purchased my ticket on board, which cost £4.50 with a travelcard discount, I do feel the pricing of the service is a little steep compared to a tube or a train, but the view is far more spectacular! By the time I had completed the transaction we were arriving at Greenwich. I will need to remember this when I do that crossing and ensure I get my ticket first otherwise I will not be able to film!

Canary Wharf

I spent the journey filming, catching the sunset and the fading lights of Canary Wharf and then I concentrated on the river front at Greenwich and the Greenwich Peninsula. At the O2 or North Greenwich as the stop is called most passengers got off, mainly the "beautiful young people" obviously heading for a themed meal in one of the many high street chained restaurant or the cinema. Well I guess it beats paying £20 to park in the car park. Personally I don't like the O2 as a venue of choice for a night out, it was bad enough when I went there for the cinema, and don't get me going about the Tooting Car Moon exhibition in 2007!

Canary Wharf again!

On the final leg of the trip, I concentrated on the north bank and my favourite location Tate & Lyle. We slowed down to go between the Thames Barrier which was impressive all lit up and soon we arrived at Woolwich, and with a a final shot of the City I disembarked for the remaining 3 mile walk home, but not before taking some photos of the metal men in the Arsenal.

Assembly - Woolwich Arsenal

The walk home was quick, somehow I managed to walk through Woolwich and in particular Powis Street which meant I walking back on myself!

As I entered Academy Road it started to rain slightly but nothing to bad, and when I got home I had a lovely Bottle of German Weisse Beer!

A very good trip, the Thames Clipper at night is highly recommended!


View my video of the Thames Clipper Trip here!

Eastbourne to Hasting a walk hopefully! - 30th September 2014

A few weeks ago we went down to Seaford and walked across the Seven Sisters to Eastbourne. We thought it would be a good idea to go back and see how far we could walk towards Hastings. Its 16 miles around the coast, 13 if you can walk on water!

I purchased a couple of Southern Rover tickets which gives you unlimited travel on the entire Southern network for £15 each. During the week this is after 10am whilst at weekends and Bank Holidays this is all day. There are also restrictions for boarding trains at Victoria, London Bridge and Clapham Junction in the evening rush hour, but not travelling into these stations.

The £15 each is cheaper than a day return and also give you the flexibility to jump off and jump on. Our train departed for Eastbourne at 10:17 from Victoria so we used our season tickets to get us to Victoria. Once again Flosi was joining us and she acted like a little girl all the way to Eastbourne, wanting to look out the windows and walking about, very much like me really!

We arrived at Eastbourne just before 12noon and the first thing we did was eat our lunch down on the sea front by the pier. The amusement dome at the front end of the pier was recently damaged by fire and it was good to see that work has already started on repairing the damage or even removing the damage, time will tell.

Eastbourne Pier

This is a nice easy walk no hills no rough ground only long stretches of walking on pebbles, where we tended to revert to the road along the beach. Eastbourne was busy and was living up to its label as the retirement town of choice in the South East, plenty of mobility scooters and walking sticks!

The route took us out of Eastbourne, where most things were closed and the public toilets were about to join them as 30th September sees them close down until May 2015, hard luck if you get caught short.

Eastbourne from afar

Once out of Eastbourne you walk through Sovereign Harbour which is a marina with a huge development of apartments some with sea views some without, I think they look quite nice and some of the occupiers had made a really good effort in doing up their small gardens / patios.

Sovereign Harbour

Once past the Harbour it is along the beach, tough on your feet and no doubt Flosi found it tough going. There are a number of houses facing the beach as you approach Pevensey (where William the Conquerer landed in 1066, obviously just known as Duke William in those days). Some had been done up really nicely some were a little ramshackle, but I nice spot to live. There are a large number of Martello towers along this part of the coast, no doubt Henry VIII had learnt from the William experience a few hundred years earlier. Some of these have been converted into residences but without any windows.

A Martello Tower

Once at Pevensey we thought about a drink but for some reason we gave it a miss, maybe too early. We passed Sandcastles a really nice seafront Art Deco building, I think it might have been a hotel once and I believe Edward and Mrs Simpson stayed there.

Sandcastles

Once past Pevensey the next stop was Norman's Bay and this really was a stop as my foot was playing me up. I had tripped a few weeks ago Whilst walking home and its still not better. As we are going away to the Forest of Dean shortly I did not want to aggravate further so we decided to stop here after a mere 7.5 miles. This was as good as place as anywhere as Normans Bay station was just a few hundred yards away, and we only had a few minutes to wait for the train for St Leonards Warrior Square.

Flosi waiting for the train

At St Leonards we walked down to the sea front visited the Warrior Square, a big park and then back to the Station stopping off for tea and cake.

We caught the 16:58 back to Victoria, this was pretty busy but did not seem to bother Flosi who was laid flat out all the way home. Beverley has suggested that come back and finish off, good idea.

20 years on the Central Line at Ongar - 28th September 2014

On the 30th September 1994 the last underground train ran between Ongar and Epping on the Central Line. Service that day had been provided by the 1960 3 car unit Craven stock, which had been providing the motive power since the line had been reduced to a peak hour shuttle service only.

However on the weekend of 26th, 27th and 28th September the same Craven 1960 stock made a return visit to the now Epping and Ongar Railway for an 'End of Tube' remembrance. Of course the Epping & Ongar railway is no longer electrified and therefore the tube train had to be push/pulled by a Schoma Diesel unit or a number of them.

But from the right direction you could believe the Tube was being self propelled. The other downside was that the Tube doors had to be manually opened and closed and I believe there were no lights either!

Also in attendance was Met 1, the first Steam Train on the Metropolitan Underground, unfortunately that had problems on the Sunday and had to be withdrawn.

In addition there were numerous buses of all type and colours (well Green and Red with a silver one as well). These provided shuttle services between Epping, North Weald, Ongar and Shenfield and a very colourful sight they made too. My favourite was the 160A which used to travel to Falconwood, my old bus service before being replaced by the B16.

17:29 to Guildford - Friday 26th September 2014

Shortly after returning from my summer holiday I attempted to travel on this service as I had noticed that it appears on the time table to run once a day at this time to Guildford, Monday to Friday. That time it terminated at Epsom so today I was attempting the trip again. I had checked the performance over the last couple of days, it was not encouraging, it was 12 minutes late on Thursday and last Friday it was cancelled.

I purchased my ticket on the way to work and was determined to demand a full refund should it be cancelled tonight, well it wasn't and it was advertised to depart from one of the new platforms at London Bridge, number 14.

Platform 14

I must admit I was not overally impressed with the new platforms, mind you there's still a lot of protection in place so you feel very enclosed and the platforms as a result are not very wide.

The train departed on time, Beverley phoned to see if it was running and I think she was a little disappointed to learn that it was,  apparently it was her train I could see leaving from platform 1.

The trip to Guildford was I uneventful, there was quite a crowd waiting to board but I think most of these were for the more local stops as by the time we arrived at Guildford a couple of minutes late I counted about 20 passengers disembarking. On route I was treated to quite a nice sunset but each time I attempted a photo the train went behind trees!

The 17:29 at Guildford

I was intrigued to find out what would happen to the train once we arrived at Guildford, the result was that the train formed 19:04 for Sutton. A handful of people boarded the train and again I had an uneventful journey, I watched John Betjeman's Metroland on and off as I dozed off and on.

Return destination

Arrived at Sutton at 19:49 and the train departed as empty stock to London bridge, now that would have been a useful link as it was I caught the 3 minute late 20:03 to Victoria and changed at Clapham Junction.

Sutton Station

I was taken back a bit when I had to take a double take as I thought my nicece Frankie was on the train, why would she be travelling to Victoria from Sutton, but of course it wasn't just a very striking resemblance.

On this trip I was treated to self important American women who had a really annoying voice, putting to right the wrongs that her companion was facing, And explaining in great detail how she had sorted out the problems of the world. Then there was a guy with deep voice complaining that his staff where being sacked whilst he was away and asking the person on the end to keep a eye on his desk, go into the office and sort it mate!

As an aside I must say the Southern trains I've travelled on are very smart, clean and smell very new, unlike the Bexleyheath pukemobils.

Very Smart trains

Having changed at Clapham Junction I immediately caught a connection to Waterloo where I had about four minutes to catch my connection to Falconwood at 20:35 and just made it. I was home 21:15.