A Good Day
Seeing Tornado was the start of a good day.
I then took a Virgin Train to Manchester Piccadilly, where I had lunch at Carluccio’s in the station before going to the Reebok stadium to see Ipswich Town at Bolton. Town won 2-1, which was a good result, just like England’s victory in the rugby over New Zealand Although a friend had his pocket picked at Twickenham.
Coming back wasn’t the best part as the train from Bolton to Manchester was just three coaches and far too crowded. This was then followed by a Virgin that was empty in First Class and nearly half-an-hour late into Euston. If you’re going to get problems coming in to London, you can generally rely on Euston to not perform.
Although I eventually found some supper there, Marks and Spencer at Euston, looked as if it had been ravaged by a plague of locusts.
I do wish that someone starts a London to Manchester service from St. Pancras after the line is electrified. But they won’t be allowed to as you mustn’t annoy Saint Richard! Although to be fair, the lateness wasn’t down to Virgin.
The day was also improved as Chelski lost! On the train and in Bolton, no-one had any sympathy for them!
Tornado At Canonbury Station
Tornado passed along the North London line yesterday, on it’s way from Ipswich to Bath for a shopping excursion. I took these pictures on Canonbury station.
I know it’s only a modern replica, but it was an impressive sight.
It was cold and that probably explains, why so few enthusiasts were on the station to see the train pass. Although there was one kid about sixteen, who said he’d seen the engine before.
Who said train-spotting is dead?
I made a video of Tornado a couple of years ago. It’s here.
Tornado Chasing
I’m going Tornado chasing this morning. Not of the weather variety, but the steam engine, will be passing through North London around ten o’clock this morning, all being well. It’s hauling a Christmas shopping trip from Ipswich to Bath and should pass West Hampstead station at 10:00, where it’s stopping to pick up passengers.
It returns at 21:00 tonight.
Steve Norris Pushes For Crossrail To Stansted
This story from the Cambridge Evening News shows how a lot of good thinking is going into sorting out London’s airport problem.
Extending Crossrail to Stansted would be a simple addition to London’s infrastructure and because of the link at Farringdon station, London’s three main airports would be well-connected.
London Overground Completes The Circle
I like this poster.
London Overground Completes The Circle
But at least they’re confirming the start date of December 9th.
Christmas Never Changes
Last year, I posted this called Christmas, Bloody Christmas.
It doesn’t appear that this year is going to be any better. Although, I suspect, I could be able to get to the football at Charlton on Boxing Day. That is if the buses decide to run!
I should also be able to get to Ipswich for the New Year’s Day match against Brighton, but I won’t bank on it, as the train drivers will probably go on strike to annoy me. At least there doesn’t appear to be any engineering work this year.
Who’d Want To Live In Chelsea?
I wanted to go to a shop called Mr.Resistor in Parson’s Green. Hopefully, they’d be able to provide me with lights that solved my lighting problems. Sadly the light that might have solved the problem was out of stock, so I decided to come home. I had gone by taking a bus to Liverpool Street station, then the Central line to Notting Hill station for the District line to my destination, which was close to Parson’s Green station. The problem had been the bus, as all of the traffic in the City was gridlocked. Possibly because of the Crossrail works.
So instead of retracing my steps, I thought about getting a bus to perhaps South Kensington, where I could get some lunch at Carluccio’s. I really don’t like taking pot luck in an area I don’t know, as getting glutened isn’t fun! I did find a bus stop, with a choice of just one bus; a 22 to Piccadilly Circus. At least it was going in the right direction, but then it got stuck in traffic, due to all the tractors and white vans. Kingsland High Street may not have the glamour of the King’s Road, but at least the traffic keeps moving. In the end, I dived into the Piccadilly line at Knightsbridge station and took a train to Holborn, where I got a friendly 38 bus to the Angel. I just had time to grab my supper and some sandwiches from Marks and Spencer before I had to come home to catch an appointment.
Chelsea may have advantages, but I certainly didn’t see any today. Get past Piccadilly Circus and the traffic frees up, you’ve got the Underground and lots more bus routes. But then I suppose those in Chelsea and the surrounding areas of London don’t believe in public transport and clog up the roads with their tractors. It’s significant to me, that Kensington and Chelsea is one of the London boroughs in greatest opposition to the new London sewer. Could it be that the councillors are getting so many complaints about where to park during the construction?
On the other hand, this trip showed how Crossrail 2 or the Chelsea to Hackney line is badly needed. But do the residents of Chelsea want it constructed given the problems Crossrail is causing in the City. Parson’s Green station is incidentally pencilled in, as a station on the new line.
Next time, I go that way, I’ll take the Overground to West Brompton station and then change to the District line.
I Thought Network SouthEast Had Died
This sign lives on at Essex Road station.
I Thought Network SouthEast Had Died
Network SouthEast officially ceased to exist when the running of trains were privatised in the early 1980s.
Although the dirt on this rail, was probably of an earlier vintage.
The Dirtiest Hand-Rail In London
It certainly needed a good wash.
Trainspotting Gets A Whole New Meaning
This story talks about Erica Christensen, who puts couples together on the New York Subway.
Perhaps she’s got an idea that will run, But I do like the name.
Dalston Junction to Clapham Junction Is Test Running
I got a train from Dalston Junction station and the service to Clapham Junction station is running from platform 2. Sadly without passengers. This is the destination display at Dalston Junction.
Dalston Junction to Clapham Junction Is Test Running
Not in Service is a euphemism for Clapham Junction. Note the fifteen minute service interval or four trains per hour.
The Anonymous Widower 