Great Western Coffee Shop

In October, instead of doing an All-Line jolly (too expensive, not enough dosh saved!) I'm planning to do a FGW network wide railabout and my intention is to visit every terminal point on the FGW network map, travelling every line and to include a trip up and down every branch. I hope to get a picture at every terminal point and will include a bus trip to Okehampton and ATW to Pembroke Dock.

I'm doing this partly for my own enjoyment and partly as an opportunity to experience every part of the network and report back here on my findings.

I'm in the early stages of planning and I hope to be able to use just one 8 in 15 Freedom of the South West Rover and one 7 Day Thames Rover, with the odd add on ticket to cover peak travel and those parts of the network not covered by the two Rovers (Hereford, Gatwick, Brighton, West Wales etc.) The only really problematical trip will be Brighton. I'll be accompanied on my travels by Jess so all my journeys will be radiating out from my home station in Bristol and back within a day, although I may consider one or two overnight stops if timings are difficult. Just got to find the goggie friendly B&Bs!

I'm only guessing at the moment that this is possible to do over a three week period, and I've only just made a start on the draft plan, which I'll post here when I've completed it. I've got things like late night/weekend engineering to consider, avoiding other operators trains wherever possible and shoe-horning in a trip on the TransWilts. That last one will probably have to be at the weekend so may be a good starting point to work around!

Anyone who wishes to join me on parts of this undertaking is more than welcome.

This is probably going to be quite an undertaking so any suggestions will be appreciated. I'm not looking for anyone to draw up an entire plan, obviously. That's part of the fun for me!

bignosemac

Sounds like you need a FGW staff ranger for ^5!!

Yes, that would ideal financially, but I want to see the whole network from Joe Public's POV! Can't be wholly unbiased if I was staff.  ;)

Don't have to be staff, just need to be travelling with somebody who is and has the appropriate voucher to get the ^5 ticket.

Doesn't need to be FGW staff either, just First Group :P So if you know anyone...

Got three weeks free in October Ollie? ^5 a day will probably be cheaper than the Rovers and handy for the bits of the network not covered by them!!

Just kidding. But like I said, anyone, staff or not, is welcome to tag along for parts of the railabout. You'll have to wait for my draft plan to be completed to see where I'll be and when.

Much of my coverage of FGw region is courtesy of said ticket! Gets my recommendation!!!

Got the last 2 weeks off, but not available for all of it..might be able to do a couple days.

I, too, can heartily recommend the benefits of a First Group staff ranger ticket!  ;)

I'd be slightly wary about travelling with Ollie, though: he seems to get involved in 'trouble on trains'. Cough. Par.  ::) ;D

CfN.  ;D ;D ;D

Par??

Pray tell.....

Par is a lovely station in Cornwall, where Ollie and I spent a rather unexpected amount of time, on our own 'branch line bash', due to a missed connection.

I'll say no more, at this stage.  :-X ;D

I nearly ended up spending the night there after a slightly ill-advised trip to the local chippy when I only had a fourteen-minute connection and the first train was running a few minutes late. By some miracle we made it, but I still don't know how...

I shall be travelling in the last week of October - Wed and Thurs - my birthday present!  Will do Wed am BAW via BRI to PNZ and back on the sleeper - possibly may bump into you ??

Let me know what you plan - will be after my exams

I want to see Jess again

She's a nutter

I've drafted the first part of my railabout, which was easier than I thought it would be. Had to forego Okehampton and Pembroke Dock - just not feasible. This first part is covered by the Freedom of the South West 8 in 15 Rover and I've manage to get every branch and terminal point covered by said Rover into 7 day trips over the 15 days allowed, leaving me 1 spare 'box' on the Rover for any foul-ups that I might incur. Just a couple of add on tickets to get me to Carmarthen, Brighton and a positioning move to Worcester.

The attached document contains the details. Feedback appreciated ;)

Thames Valley, B&H, Cotwsolds and North Downs to follow....

Edit: Completed draft .doc is included in the next post

The final draft of my mammouth undertaking is complete. The Thames Valley, Cotswolds etc bit was far more complex than the West bit, but I think I've got it sorted. The amount of miles I'm going to be covering is a little daunting - surprising how it all adds up! Everything crossed now for smooth passage and few fupp ups along the way. I've built a little redundancy into the Rovers and travel dates just in case. Would've been a little cheaper if the Rovers covered that bit of track between Swindon and Didcot!

Final draft is included in the .doc attachment. As I said before, anyone wishing to join me on parts of the railabout are more than welcome. Comments and observations on what I've drawn up (as well as any errors!) are also welcome.

Surprised the thAmes valley bit was a problem

May well join you on the wos/hfd bit for old times sake and then the newquay one - done penzance

You're in this area in half term so I won't be around to join you.. Maybe Sat Oct 23rd might work though..as you're not too far away then.. I'll find out what I'm doing nearer the time.

You also ask if we spot anything ...

Rhubarb loop (served by FGW)
Portsmouth to Havant loop (also served by one FGW train a day)

Question ... does FGW have any odd "route learning services" such as the XC train via Kidderminster?

Cheers for that grahame. Rhubarb should  be easy enough to work into the plan. Can you tell me which service does the Havant 'loop'?

The Portsmouth and Brighton services are sometimes diverted through Eastleigh.

The route depends on the location of the disruption:
1. Disruption between Fareham and Southampton results in travelling on the Fareham to Eastleigh line, then back out along the main line to Southampton Central (via Parkway and Swaythling).
2. Disruption at the Southampton City Centre tunnel results in a Fareham to Eastleigh, as above, but then down the Eastleigh to Romsey line (sometimes with a stop at Chandlers Ford).

Not sure when the next services are due to pass through Eastleigh, but another one to add onto the trip if they are available!

There is one FGW service a day from Portsmouth Harbour to Brighton.  Not sure of the exact time, but it is in the morning.

Thanks Brucey. 0701 PMH-BTN would be the one I guess. Nigh on impossible to work into my plan. Have to be one for a one off trip at some future date. Won't lose sleep over that!

There are a couple of timetabled journeys via Eastleigh IIRC.

Unlike SN's they aren't passenger calls, so I reckon the only way of finding them is to look for the increased running time between Southampton and Fareham or vice versa. 

The 2202 from Southampton arrives Fareham 2242,
and 2147 from Fareham arrives Southampton 2222,
so they look favourites for this timetable...

Can't find anything obvious that might run via Chandlers Ford - might be an ECS sometime though.

Hope that helps...

Edit:  Or not help, having read the rest of the thread, I guess this means you'll have to do that route?

Paul

 

My main concern is to experience the passenger service to every point in the FGW network. Bashing every chord, loop, diversion etc. while desireable is not the overiding concern.

Line bashing is a hobby but for this jolly I won't be getting to anal about it!  ;) ;D

If you really needed to see the joys of Eastleigh,  :o there are other operators! 

After todays headline news about the couple PF'd for ^56 each, just don't stop short on a Megatrain ticket...   :'(

Paul

Details of that particular story are available at http://www.economist.com/blogs/gulliver/2010/09/ticketing_rules?  :o ::)

Subsequent posts about that particular incident have been split off and merged in a new topic, at http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=7551.0

CfN.  :)

How about FGW's ex route to Stratford. Does that count?

Currently operated routes only. No point doing a review of a journey to Stratford-on-Avon for a FGW forum!

*bump*

Day one of my railabout is tomorrow, Weds 6th Oct. If any forum members are on the trains listed below please come and say 'Hi!' I'll be fairly easy to spot as I'll have my young Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Jess with me.

0840 Patchway ^ Bristol Temple Meads 0853
0913 Bristol Temple Meads ^ Penzance 1316
1400 Penzance ^ St Erth 1410
1441 St Erth  ^ St Ives 1455 (Possible 1411 arrive 1424)
1525 St Ives ^ St Erth 1539
1610 St Erth ^ Truro 1641
1651 Truro ^ Falmouth Docks 1715
1727 Falmouth Docks ^ Truro 1755
1823 Truro ^ Bristol Temple Meads 2147
2216 Bristol Temple Meads ^ Shirehampton 2237

Good luck - and don't forget your camera!  ;) :D ;D

CfN  ::)

Have a great day.

Roger that. It's already in me rucksack along with all the other necessities such as timetables, rail atlas, doggie biscuits and me baccy.

Just got to remember to take me rucksack now - think I'll put it by the front door!  ;D

Still might join you on sunday as a break - if I do I'll join you at BTM in the morning

Don't know if you know PNZ ?
Walk out of the station and there's a greasy spoon outside - carry on through the traffic lights and there's a good Chippy & Ice-cream shop,  10 yards on take the elevator through the Wharfside shopping centre and there half a dozen good Pasty shops.
Look  for the longest distance milepost at PNZ.

On the way down past Exeter look for the herds of deer at Powderham Castle, Totnes two miles past on the left are herds of Rhea, coming into St Germans on the viaduct look right for a cottage with a row of cannons in the garden,  Lostwithiel just past the station are Osritch of varying sizes to the right...tons to see and the weather looks OK.

Thanks for those tips, chrisoates.... only got 45 mins in PNZ, just time to grab a beer (hopefully dog friendly pub near station) and a  proper pasty and a few photos around the station. Will look out for the mile marker on the way in and out of PNZ to try get a pic of it!

The whole of PNZ is 30 seconds from the station - Pub is out of station turn right -  cross road. 

The marker is actually part way along Platform 1, it's just visible next to the HST in this (rather large) photo:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wiseman2007/4372976555/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Having escaped there for the may bank holiday I can attest the whole of penzance is 30 seconds from the station - 45 minutes is about all you'll need.

There's a decent wetheryspoons at top of hill and I know they accept bow wows

Got licked to death by an affectionate Labrador

Disclaimer: this was back in may so may have changed

Well, day one complete. Certainly picked a fine day to start this mammoth task! I'll post a fuller report on each day once I've digested my notes and edited the photos. I will just say that I wish I could've factored in more time in St Ives - the weather was cracking, Jess loved the beach and the pint of St Austell Tribute in the Sloop Inn on the harbourside went down a treat!

Couldn't work out why there were so many Germans in St Ives today though!

Just one photo for the time being..... one of the stations I passed through today.....

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/DSCF0349a.jpg)

 :P

Har de har har!  ::)

CfN.  ;D

Posted just for you, Chris!!!  ;D ;D ;D

Not Taunton then?  ::) ::) ;D

On the contrary, Jo: that is Taunton.  ::)

It looks so quaint, doesn't it, in artificial light - such as that provided by a traditional Bardic lamp?

CfN.  :P ;) ;D

Well I guessed it was.. since the strange laughter from you  ;D and subsequently the  ::) ::) on my part  ;)

I was actually quite impressed by the effect I got by pressing the camera lens up against a MK3 coach window.  :D

Was a lovely day - I don't know what it is with Germans & St Ives but there are coachloads of them here EVERY day !
You passed right by me - I'm in the Arcade on the seafront.

DAY ONE:

Bristol to Penzance including St Ives and Falmouth branch lines.

Starting at Patchway I took the 0840 departure to Bristol Temple meads which is (currently) one of the loco-hauled services - this one runs from Cardiff Central through to Paignton. Top-and-tailed Mk2 carriages which were a mix of the Anglia and BR Inter-City liveries. 67020 on the front and 67022 at the rear.

From Bristol I then took the 0913 FGW HST for the 4 hour run to Penzance. This train is the longest scheduled (by mileage) service operated by First Great Western, starting back at Paddington. When planning this first day I did consider taking the earlier direct FGW service to Penzance which leaves Temple Meads at 0626, however I didn't fancy 5 hours on a 15x with no access to catering!

The 0913 had a Travelling Chef on board so I went to the buffet to order a breakfast baguette. Unfortunately they had run out of sausages and mushrooms, so I had to make do with a bacon and egg baguette instead. Delicious, nonetheless.

The weather looked set fair for the day with a clear blue sky as I travelled across Somerset. There were a fair few daytrippers on this train, mostly of the more mature variety that were obviously heading into Devon and Cornwall for a day out. Three ladies sat opposite me were off for lunch next to the river in Totnes. I'd struck up a conversation with them after Jess had made friends!

With the clear blue skies, the views across the Exe estuary and along the sea wall at Dawlish were fantastic.

The PA announcements on this service were excellent, with the TM announcing all possible interchange options at Exeter, Newton Abbot and Plymouth along with branch line information at the relevant Cornish stations.

Nice to see the Royal Albert Bridge without any scaffolding or tarpaulins on it. I'm going to see if I can factor in a stop at Saltash to get some pictures of it instead of hanging out a HST droplight, when I next go into Cornwall to travel the remaining branch lines.

Kernow a'gas dynergh

Crossing the border, the sun was still out with just a few fluffy white clouds in the sky. I've done the run down to Penzance a few times and as I was not getting off at any intermediate stops I decided on a little shut-eye between Liskeard and Redruth. Actually woke up just past St Erth and not too long later St Michael's Mount hove into view and we dropped down into Penzance - the southermost station on the rail network and the westernmost in England. Arrived a few minutes early at 1313.

A quick trip up the hill into town to grab a pasty and a coffee, sitting on the high path on Market Jew St to enjoy, then back to the station envrions for a short walk up the coast path and back to let Jess off the lead and do what dogs do!

My next train was the 1400 departure to St Erth. Just a 10 minute trip which connected nicely into the 1411 St Erth - St Ives service.

The 1411 St Erth - St Ives was fairly well loaded with folks off for afternoon in St Ives, most of these peeps boarded at Lelant Saltings. St Ives was fairly busy for a midweek in October and there were plenty of foreign tourists about, most noticeably, a lot of Germans. I went down onto Porthminster Beach so Jess could have a proper runaround - one busybody shouting at me that dogs were not allowed on the beach. I politely informed him that I read the signs carefully and as it was past the 20th September dogs are allowed. "Well they shouldn't be" was the response I got. Jess made friends with another dog on the beach, a Staffy cross. There was some brief confusion between me and this dogs owners as both dogs were called Jess. Small world!

I then took a walk along the harbourside to the Sloop Inn to grab a quick pint, which turned out to be very quick indeed as I had to wait nearly 10 minutes to get served. Just one barman who was dealing with a group of Germans who were each ordering their coffees one at a time.  ::) So it was a fast walk back up to St Ives Station to catch the 1525 back to St Erth. I only wish I could've spent more time in St Ives. It was a lovely day, just perfect for strolling around the place.

Back at St Erth I had half an hour to kill before my next train, which was probably the most boring part of the day. Not a lot to look at around St Erth station and no pub near enough to grab a quick pint! So I busied myself by snapping away with the camera.

The next train was the 1610 St Erth - Truro and I changed at Truro onto the 1651 for a trip down the branch to Falmouth Docks. There isn't a lot to see on this journey as a fair proportion of the line is in deep cuttings, although there are three viaducts that afford views across the Fal valley. This trip was a turn round and back on the same unit, so just time for a few snaps at Falmouth Docks Station, before heading back up the branch to Truro.

On the return we were held at Penryn for a few minutes awaiting a down train to pass. This gave me just enough time to witness the unique sight of two trains on the same platform face going in opposite directions! This station layout and the passing loop is a novel one which avoids the need for a footbridge or work to reinstate a disused opposite platform.

Back to Truro where I had another 30 minutes to kill. Yet again no pub near enough to the station! The penultimate train of the day was the 1823 Truro - Bristol Temple Meads HST. A trip to the buffet for a couple of cans and I settled back into my seat as the sun set over Cornwall.

All trains were on time, all staff encountered were pleasant, carriages were clean and each station that I used was well kept, except for Patchway at the start of the day.

photos to follow....



 

Day one photos:

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/FGW%20Western%20Railabout%20Day%20One%2006-08-2010/Coffeeshop1.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/FGW%20Western%20Railabout%20Day%20One%2006-08-2010/Coffeeshop2.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/FGW%20Western%20Railabout%20Day%20One%2006-08-2010/CoffeeShop5.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/FGW%20Western%20Railabout%20Day%20One%2006-08-2010/Coffeeshop3.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/FGW%20Western%20Railabout%20Day%20One%2006-08-2010/Coffeeshop4.jpg)

Day one photos (continued):

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/FGW%20Western%20Railabout%20Day%20One%2006-08-2010/Coffeeshop5a.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/FGW%20Western%20Railabout%20Day%20One%2006-08-2010/Coffeeshop6.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/FGW%20Western%20Railabout%20Day%20One%2006-08-2010/Coffeeshop7.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/FGW%20Western%20Railabout%20Day%20One%2006-08-2010/Coffeeshop8.jpg)

Good stuff, BMN - reminds me of the writings during Adonis' odyssey of a couple of years ago.  Keep it up...

Thanks for the encouragement II.

Day 2 completed with a couple of minor fupp ups. Firstly, I forgot to take me baccy with me (remembered the camera though, CfN.  ;)  ;D) Secondly the return from Brighton was 5 late into Temple Meads this evening. Perfect timing to see the doors closing on my tight connection to Shirehampton! Bummer. If I'd've known the Brighton was going to come in on 9 with the SVB Line out on 11, I could've hurried up and made it. As it was I heard the whistle just as I stepped off.

Consequently, it was a bus home and as I'm knackered I'm going to take a days rest tomorrow and do the planned Saturday next week instead. Back on plan for Sunday with a trip to deepest darkest South Wales and thence up to Worcester.

Full report on day 2 with photos will follow tomorrow. Too tired to write it up tonight.

First saw this type of passing loop 10 years ago on the Rostock Wismar line.

Except DB do it with less signals the two trains come into the station facing each other and the train with the facing point to the loop leaves first. Instead of at Penryn where I believe the trains pass first and sit back to back.


Edited to attribute quote. bnm

There is a diagram and some photographs on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penryn_railway_station

Looks like an excellent (and very simply) solution to the problem faced on single track lines.

On our 'Cornish Branch Line Bash', Ollie and I saw the Penryn loop in action: I'd venture to say that it's a neat solution, avoiding the need to reinstate the opposite platform.

DAY TWO:

Severn Beach to Brighton beach!

Early start for day two with a walk to Shirehampton station in the pre-dawn gloom. Shirehampton station's CIS has received attention from the local scrotes and neither the screen nor the information button were working. It appears that someone has had a good go at removing it from the wall, as there were prise marks and dents around the casing.

First train of the day was one of the ATW liveried class 150s (150281) departing Shirehampton at 0726 for Severn Beach. This particular unit could do with a visit to the carriage washer! Arriving at 0742 with a 12 minute turnaround at the Beach, so plenty of time to take some photos and chat with the staff. As is now fairly normal for peak services on the SVB Line there were two Conductors, one collecting fares and the other collecting fares and operating the doors.

We departed Severn Beach at 0754 for the run up to Temple Meads. The views on this line are stark in their contrast. You start with vistas of the Severn Estuary across to Wales. This quickly changes to a stark industrial scene as the line travels through St Andrew's Road station to Avonmouth. From Avonmouth to the portal of Clifton Down tunnel you get fantastic views of the River Avon (which was at very high tide this particular morning). From Clifton Down to Montpelier most of the line is in cutting except where it crosses the Cheltenham Road viaduct. From Montpelier the line drops down to the junction with the mainline at Narroways and here you get great views across large parts of Bristol. On time arrival into Temple Meads.

My next service was the 0905 to Westbury and this one appears to be a bit of an anomaly. It doesn't call at Keynsham but does call at Oldfield Park which seems a bit strange. My best guess is this is an in-service positioning move to get the unit to Westbury. With four trains to Bath Spa in the preceeding half hour this service was very lightly loaded. It remained sparsely used for the entire journey to Westbury. So, I asked myself, why was there no ticket checks whatsoever? In fact, I never saw the Conductor once on this trip.

Ten minutes at Westbury before my next train. Just time to look outside and see what work needs to be done to make the environs a bit tidier - something the Trans-Wilts Community Rail Partnership are looking to achieve.

Onto the 0958 to Portsmouth Harbour. Fairly busy 3 car 158 with lots of seat reservations. Found an unoccupied forward facing table seat which was reserved from Cardiff to Salisbury. Nobody sat in it so dibs mine! Looking through my timetables and original plan for this day, I decided to amend my plan slightly to give me some time in Portsmouth and longer in Brighton, rather than an hour and a half in Southampton. I'd only grabbed a coffee at Bristol TM, so I was a bit peckish and waited patiently for the trolley. No sandwiches, which was disappointing so I had to make do with a muffin and an OJ.

I was witness to an amusing situation at Southampton. The lad sat opposite me had obviously mislaid something as he was doing a pocket dance, bag search and even getting on all fours to look on the floor as we were approaching the station. He collected his belongings and got off, obviously having not found what he had mislaid. A couple of minutes later he came aboard again to have one last search of the area around his seat. The dozy lad then failed to get off before the doors closed and he was now on his way to Fareham minus his bags and jacket which he'd left on the platform. Turns out it was his Ipod that he couldn't find. I chatted with the Conductor later who told me that the platform staff had seen what he'd done and they'd collected his belongings. Silly billy.

An arrival into Portsmouth Harbour on time at 1154. Again the weather was set fair and my adjusted plan gave me an hour and three quarters to find a pub for lunch and walk around Old Portsmouth and the harbour defences. Lots of photo opportunities here, so I snapped away at ferries and other boats that were sailing in and out of the harbour. I wandered round Spice Island to the area near Clarence Pier, where there was ample space to let Jess have a run. I found a nice doggy friendly pub in Old Portsmouth called The Wellington, where I had my pint and a Ploughmans.

Back to Portsmouth Harbour station to catch the 1345 SWT service to Havant, and then from Havant I caught the 1411 Southern service to Brighton. The Southern train was very busy and I had to put up with a loud family sitting around me with the kids really winding Jess up with their shrieks. Mum was more interested in chatting on her phone about her recent breast augmentation than keeping her kids quiet.  ::)

On time arrival in Brighton with another hour and three quarters to pass before starting the return journey. Took the opportunity here to try and book a seat on the 1700 FGW back to Temple Meads, but there were no seats available - more of that later.

I took a casual stroll round The Lanes to the seafront. Again the weather was great so I sprawled out on the beach for a bit while Jess had a paddle. Lots of late summer trippers out and about in Brighton along with the usual eclectic mix of locals. Walking back to the station I decided I wouldn't rely on the trolley for sustenance on the return journey so I stocked up on a pasty and a couple of beers.

A few more photos at Brighton Station to eat up the last few minutes before departure was probably not a wise idea as when I boarded the 1700 FGW to Worcester Shrub Hill it was already very cosy. I again managed to find an unoccupied 'reserved' seat and bagged it. I've said elsewhere that this service is doing the job of another TOC, but this may only partly be the case. A lot of the seat reservations were from Brighton to destinations beyond Salisbury with the most popular being Brighton to Bath Spa. I guess it was particularly busy as it was a Friday. Along with the many longer distance travellers there was a healthy proportion of commuters using this train instead of the following Southern service. Partly, I assume because it skips some of the smaller stations on the West Coastway and thus offers a quicker journey home. This train remained full and standing all the way to Temple Meads and could've benefited from being a 3-car 158 instead of a 2-car. I'm glad I decided against relying on the trolley for sustenance as, again, there were no sandwiches and the beers and wine soon sold out. I asked the girl manning the trolley about stocking up on sandwiches for the return trip from Brighton. She told me that although she had access to Rail Gourmet stock at Brighton she couldn't stock up on sandwiches as Brighton only stocked Southern branded sarnies. A bit of joined up thinking is needed there I think. I couldn't care less what it says on the packaging!

Lots of young Moonrakers joined at the Wiltshire stops for a Friday night out in either Bath or Bristol, some already in very good-spirits. We were a few minutes late into Temple Meads and I just missed the 2034 to Shirehampton, an unofficial connection and a bit of a bummer when the next train isn't until 2216. So it was a walk to Old Market and a 40A bus home to Lawrence Weston.

All trains were (nearly!) on time. Again all the staff encountered were professional and courteous, although I can't say that about the Conductor on the 0905 to Westbury, as I didn't encounter him! The stations I used today were a mixed bunch. Brighton stands out as a good example while Portsmouth Harbour is a bit of dump.

photos to follow...

Day two photos:

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/DSCF0357.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/DSCF0359.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/DSCF0368.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/DSCF0379.jpg)

Day two photos (continued):

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/DSCF0401.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/DSCF0442.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/DSCF0459.jpg)

(http://i598.photobucket.com/albums/tt68/bignosemac/DSCF0495.jpg)

If you are passing through Southampton again, the brand new Queen Elizabeth is docked in the Ocean terminal. Well worth a look!

Is this visible from the train?  I'll be passing through Soton on my way to Portsmouth this Friday and would like a look.  Otherwise it'll have to be a visit to Ikea's restaurant, where the views of cruise ships (and the free coffee :D) tend to be pretty good.

I'd say not, unless your train goes down to Southampton Eastern Docks  :P

Probably will be able to see it from Ikea as its humungous.

Just a quick question? Am I right in thinking this Mileage Post, 326 Miles 40 Chains is the highest numerical mile post in Britain

Think that was posted earlier in the thread hence the photo

Dunno. But I'm sure somebody else will!

Update:

I've rather deviated from my plan for a variety of reasons. Saturday's planned day out didn't happen because I was too tired. Sunday's was off at the last minute because I got a better offer - lunch with an old schoolfriend.... female ;). Tomorrow's planned trip to complete the Cornish branches is also postponed as I've just received word of a job interview for Tuesday afternoon.

Still, the beauty of an 8 in 15 rover is I can do the missed days the following week.

All being well I should be back on plan for what was originally day 6 to Gunnislake and Paignton this Thursday. (Unless I get the job there and then and they require an immediate start!!)

Thinking I may postpone the Thames Valley and Cotswolds part of the railabout until the first week in November also.

Life has a habit of getting in the way!

Re: Penzance milepost - see http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=5982.msg58114#msg58114  ;) :D ;D

Further Update:

The railabout is now officially on hold. I've been offered a job, subject to a work trial and references, starting this Sunday. So I'm going to get in what I can over the next 3 days to use up my FOSW Rover, and the rest of the network will have to be fitted in around the new job.

Apologies to anyone who was following my jolly and awaiting the next thrilling installment (!), but as mentioned previously, life has got in the way.

In the mean time I'll post a picture quiz to keep you all amused, over on 'The Lighter Side'.

bignosemac.

Services between Portsmouth and Cardiff are today timetabled to call at Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford, instead of Southampton Central.  Perfect for a bit of line bashing as it is very rare for FGW to travel on the Eastleigh to Romsey line.

Thanks for that, was planning on travelling to Southampton later, will have to check my options.

I've just travelled Eastleigh-Chandler's Ford.  Made a change from the usual scenery!  Driver didn't seem very confident with the route - we crawled in and out of Eastleigh at snails pace and then the driver overshot the 2-3 coach stop at Chandlers Ford by half a coach length.  Journey was much quicker with five minutes idle time at Romsey.