Diamond Geezer rides the Thames Branches

[whole diary]

[BBM]

For a number of years I've followed Diamond Geezer's daily blog as he often posts about transport-related subjects. Today he reports on a recent tour he made of the Thames Valley Branches using a Day Ranger ticket:

http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/2018/08/thames-branches-day-ranger.html

[Rob on the hill]

For a number of years I've followed Diamond Geezer's daily blog as he often posts about transport-related subjects. Today he reports on a recent tour he made of the Thames Valley Branches using a Day Ranger ticket:

http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.com/2018/08/thames-branches-day-ranger.html

Thanks for posting BBM, a very interesting and entertaining blog, and I'm sure I'll enjoy browsing through his archives!

There was a post yesterday on a HST^▸ (High Speed Train) enthusiast Facebook page from someone who had also used the Thames Valley Day Ranger, but unlike Diamond Geezer had just kept to the mainline:

I did a Thames ranger between Reading and Paddington yesterday to get on some of GWRs^▸ (Great Western Railway) remaining HSTs. Managed 24 journeys (12 each way) in a 15 hour period. 14 HSTs (28 power cars), 8 IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) and 2 Turbos. Managed to get on 43185 and 43002 (both intercity power cars) and the old oak common liveried power car. Also got a few gwr refurbished MK3s

[bobm]

Interestingly he mentions catching a TfL^» (Transport for London - about) service to West Ealing.  The link he provides to the National Rail website suggests GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) is the only participating TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) but it hasn't been updated since February, so I wonder if it is valid?

[stuving]

Interestingly he mentions catching a TfL^» (Transport for London - about) service to West Ealing.  The link he provides to the National Rail website suggests GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) is the only participating TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) but it hasn't been updated since February, so I wonder if it is valid?

It does list only GWR under "train operating companies", but doesn't actually say you can only use their trains - that item is under the general heading of "Prices & information", but not called a restriction. 

It certainly does say the rover is valid to Greenford, and at West Ealing, a station GWR no longer serve from the main line apart from the Greenford shuttle's in and out moves. It also says the rover is valid at Acton Mian Line, a station GWR no longer serve except before 7 am and after 9 pm.

Whatever it means to say, it could be clearer.

[plymothian]

You'll probably find, like with most rovers, NRE^‡(resolve) aren't forthcoming with updating their site to reflect any changes.

Anyway, I've been reading DG for years, usually on a day off when I'll catch up with the week's posts; one of my favourite blogs.

[eightonedee]

A nice read about the area from my home turf towards London. I must find time to visit some of those  branches I have yet to use.

I see though that DG also suffered from the dreadful mismatch between timetables on the various lines in our part of the world - see my first post!