(03 Apr 2015, 5:04 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote So, Northumberland is definitely on the cards for tomorrow. Can't decide how to start my day though. I'm thinking of a 21 through to Durham, the 128 to Beamish, and then the 28 to Newcastle (which comes minutes later) before making my way to Blyth, then across to Ashington and back.

Don't know what ticket you're getting or how the timings would work but how about something like this:

8 or 78 to Stanley
X43 to Metrocentre
Train to Newcastle (or to Blaydon if you're lucky - then a bus from Blaydon to Newcastle Central Station)
Metro to Whitley Bay
308 or 309 to Blyth
1 to Ashington
X21 or X22 to Regent Centre
Metro to Kingston Park
X47 to Newcastle
21 or X25 to Chester

(03 Apr 2015, 5:14 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Don't know what ticket you're getting or how the timings would work but how about something like this:

8 or 78 to Stanley
X43 to Metrocentre
Train to Newcastle (or to Blaydon if you're lucky - then a bus from Blaydon to Newcastle Central Station)
Metro to Whitley Bay
308 or 309 to Blyth
1 to Ashington
X21 or X22 to Regent Centre
Metro to Kingston Park
X47 to Newcastle
21 or X25 to Chester

Thanks for the suggestion. But, I've often found my days work most successfully if I have no set plan other than a few connections to start with.

I'm off on a bus trip again tomorrow! Steering clear of Chester this time though, although if I want to go to Durham I may have to pass through but I'll close me eyes)...

No bloody Wetherspoons either, that cost me about 90 minutes of valuable time last week just going for a breakfast!!!

I'm wanting some Arriva Enviro 400s and deckers in general north of Newcastle. Also require a MAX Omnicity so I'm hoping one drops on the X14, 15 or 18!
Might go to Durham also and have a gander at some Pulsars down there

On a side note, has anyone been on the X15/18 further than, say, Morpeth recently? I might do a trip to Berwick or Alnwick at some point (not tomorrow though) but don't want to if it's a sh*te and tedious journey for several hours!

(03 Apr 2015, 5:25 pm)northern156 wrote I'm off on a bus trip again tomorrow! Steering clear of Chester this time though, although if I want to go to Durham I may have to pass through but I'll close me eyes)...

No bloody Wetherspoons either, that cost me about 90 minutes of valuable time last week just going for a breakfast!!!

I'm wanting some Arriva Enviro 400s and deckers in general north of Newcastle. Also require a MAX Omnicity so I'm hoping one drops on the X14, 15 or 18!
Might go to Durham also and have a gander at some Pulsars down there

On a side note, has anyone been on the X15/18 further than, say, Morpeth recently? I might do a trip to Berwick or Alnwick at some point (not tomorrow though) but don't want to if it's a sh*te and tedious journey for several hours!

Well that's me and you not friends anymore!

(03 Apr 2015, 5:15 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Thanks for the suggestion. But, I've often found my days work most successfully if I have no set plan other than a few connections to start with.

Just trying to offer an alternative way of getting into Newcastle. Once there you can ignore the rest of my suggestion!  

(03 Apr 2015, 5:25 pm)northern156 wrote I'm off on a bus trip again tomorrow! Steering clear of Chester this time though, although if I want to go to Durham I may have to pass through but I'll close me eyes)...

No bloody Wetherspoons either, that cost me about 90 minutes of valuable time last week just going for a breakfast!!!

I'm wanting some Arriva Enviro 400s and deckers in general north of Newcastle. Also require a MAX Omnicity so I'm hoping one drops on the X14, 15 or 18!
Might go to Durham also and have a gander at some Pulsars down there

On a side note, has anyone been on the X15/18 further than, say, Morpeth recently? I might do a trip to Berwick or Alnwick at some point (not tomorrow though) but don't want to if it's a sh*te and tedious journey for several hours!

The 1233 departure from Haymarket is usually a Omnicity (X15).
The X18 is a pretty nice route. You could get the X15 to Alnwick, then a X18 to Widdrington, then either a 1 or 20 to Ashington if timings work?

(03 Apr 2015, 5:25 pm)northern156 wrote I'm off on a bus trip again tomorrow! Steering clear of Chester this time though, although if I want to go to Durham I may have to pass through but I'll close me eyes)...

No bloody Wetherspoons either, that cost me about 90 minutes of valuable time last week just going for a breakfast!!!

I'm wanting some Arriva Enviro 400s and deckers in general north of Newcastle. Also require a MAX Omnicity so I'm hoping one drops on the X14, 15 or 18!
Might go to Durham also and have a gander at some Pulsars down there

On a side note, has anyone been on the X15/18 further than, say, Morpeth recently? I might do a trip to Berwick or Alnwick at some point (not tomorrow though) but don't want to if it's a sh*te and tedious journey for several hours!

Aye, I get the X18 down from Berwick frequently, and it's pretty nice, takes 3 and a half hours from Morpeth though, so I'd suggest maybe getting the X15 from Morpeth to Alnwick and the X18 up from there? Would still take 2 hours from Alnwick like  

Cool, thanks Tom and mb134. could well do that at some point. Re the 1233 off Haymarket, might try that tomorrow but definitely won't be going on an Omnicity to Alnwick on the day that's for sure!

(03 Apr 2015, 5:25 pm)northern156 wrote On a side note, has anyone been on the X15/18 further than, say, Morpeth recently? I might do a trip to Berwick or Alnwick at some point (not tomorrow though) but don't want to if it's a sh*te and tedious journey for several hours!

I was thinking of doing this closer to the summer, but perhaps by getting a train up to Berwick, and then the bus back down to Newcastle.

Marcus,
Use the X22 from Ashington to Newcastle, the X21 follows the 1 route all the way back to Bedlington Station.

The X20 express leaves at xx43 mins past each hour.

You may consider waking up early as there is a steam train passing through Ashington tomorrow.

(03 Apr 2015, 6:17 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Marcus,
Use the X22 from Ashington to Newcastle, the X21 follows the 1 route all the way back to Bedlington Station.

The X20 express leaves at xx43 mins past each hour.

You may consider waking up early as there is a steam train passing through Ashington tomorrow.

I was planning on using the 1 between Blyth and Ashington, can you tell me what it's usual allocation is please?

The 1 should be allocated an MPD, but it's often a Commander, and sometimes a Pulsar.

Marcus, if you want pics of the steam, I've got bad news.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U5...4/advanced

WCRC have been suspended by Network Rail.

(03 Apr 2015, 6:29 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Marcus, if you want pics of the steam, I've got bad news.

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U5...4/advanced

WCRC have been suspended by Network Rail.

Yeah, I had a look on RTT for it after you said, shame. Would have been a nice photo!

(03 Apr 2015, 5:26 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Well that's me and you not friends anymore!

You know its for the best  

(03 Apr 2015, 6:47 pm)Robert wrote You know its for the best  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXx53w5PLro

Decided to kick-start my day tomorrow with a 78 through to Sunderland, then the Metro to Newcastle from there. I'll be on an Explorer.

(03 Apr 2015, 7:12 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Decided to kick-start my day tomorrow with a 78 through to Sunderland, then the Metro to Newcastle from there. I'll be on an Explorer.

I'll try and get on the same #1 as you, but only if WCR are telling the truth about the steam.

Nah, I'll be there to see you 

(03 Apr 2015, 7:17 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote but only if WCR are telling the truth about the steam.

Of course it's truthful, Network Rail have banned them from the network following pretty damning evidence of compromising safety on the rail network. Had the Tangmere charter ran a minute early (90 seconds I think it was) it would've had a FGW HST plough into the side of it at linespeed. This with various other safety concerns (such as official documentation regarding safety-critical workers' duties and responsibilities plus concerns about driver assessments for example) left Network Rail with no chance to let it slide before something serious happened.

Yes it's a shame WCRC aren't operating but I think a multiple fatality disaster would be much more of a shame, especially if it could've been easily avoided.

(03 Apr 2015, 7:59 pm)northern156 wrote Of course it's truthful, Network Rail have banned them from the network following pretty damning evidence of compromising safety on the rail network. Had the Tangmere charter ran a minute early (90 seconds I think it was) it would've had a FGW HST plough into the side of it at linespeed. This with various other safety concerns (such as official documentation regarding safety-critical workers' duties and responsibilities plus concerns about driver assessments for example) left Network Rail with no chance to let it slide before something serious happened.

Yes it's a shame WCRC aren't operating but I think a multiple fatality disaster would be much more of a shame, especially if it could've been easily avoided.

That explains everything to me, thanks Sean!

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/dange...-wiltshire

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-32113342

If they're of use

This may also be of interest:
http://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/downl...ortant.pdf

The statements regarding trips being unaffected appears to refer to WCRC's own trains rather than third party trips using other traction, such as tomorrow's RTC steam tour round the north east tomorrow.

(03 Apr 2015, 5:57 pm)northern156 wrote Cool, thanks Tom and mb134. could well do that at some point. Re the 1233 off Haymarket, might try that tomorrow but definitely won't be going on an Omnicity to Alnwick on the day that's for sure!

It was an Omnicity operated run on Monday Tuesday and Wednesday, I'm pretty sure it was yesterday as well. I'm certain the same bus operates the 9.33 out of Newcastle so if I see that I'll let you know what it is  

Marcus Green.

Where are you? I want to time my arrival into Ashington, just before your number 1.

(03 Apr 2015, 5:37 pm)mb134 wrote Aye, I get the X18 down from Berwick frequently, and it's pretty nice, takes 3 and a half hours from Morpeth though, so I'd suggest maybe getting the X15 from Morpeth to Alnwick and the X18 up from there? Would still take 2 hours from Alnwick like

If time is of the essence, the X15 is the one between Newcastle and Alnwick. Connects pretty nicely with the X18 (or 418).

Tended to use the X18 along the next stretch of route, although I haven't done the whole thing yet like.
Will be much more user friendly once the summer timetable kicks in.

(04 Apr 2015, 8:11 am)Tommy_1581 wrote Marcus Green.

Where are you? I want to time my arrival into Ashington, just before your number 1.

I may change my plan throughout the day, but a bit of a basis of what I'm doing is as follows:

#78 to Sunderland (09:40-10:17) - Metro to Haymarket - (10:31 --- 11:03) - #308 to Blyth (11:07 --- 12:07) [if not - a MAX) then the 12:28 #1 to Ashington. I should be in Ashington for 13:00, if all goes to plan.

Is anyone on the forum currently taking photos just outside Gateshead Interchange?

Ah right Marcus,

I'll be at Morpeth Railway Station for 1345, I'm going by car, mind (my stuck up respite workers don't like the buses although I've got discounts and free tickets etc.   )

Should be some ASR Class 158 and Class 170s passing NCL at 1145 ish.

Olympian 3825 on 1020 45 Metrocentre to Newcastle to work the 1040 46 to Consett.

Here's my day out:
4934 Solar on service x25
My first bus of the day was one of my favorite Chester Le Street based buses, 4934. My journey was from Wrekenton bus link to Newcastle intu Eldon Square bus station. Once I had got off I stayed in Newcastle taking bus photos for a little while before 3889 turned up on service X31.
3889 President on service X31
I've always been fond of these buses, however I was hoping for an Olympian to turn up. My journey on this was from Newcastle Intu Eldon Square bus station to Stanley bus station. I was hoping I'd get the chance to photograph some Olympians however I only got 1 photo. After getting quite bored 5293 turned up on service 43.
5293 Citaro on service 43
I really enjoyed this journey, I do like Citaros so I think that helps. My journey on this was from Stanley bus station to Newcastle Eldon Square. Back to square one here and after getting some more photos I decided I wanted to get an Arriva bus for a change. I was going to get service 52 as there was an ALX300 on however I decided against it and instead got Arriva North East 1583.
1583 Streetlite on service 306
I've never been on a Micro Streetlite prior to today so I thought I'd break my duck. I really enjoyed my journey from Newcastle Haymarket bus station to Tynemouth. I had only went to Tynemouth to try and get a few bus photos by the see and I did.
5264 omnicity on service 1
I'm still on this, I'm going back to Wrekenton from Tynemouth. I really dislike omnicities, I just don't like them. Thankfully the driver I have is good.
Thanks for reading