January 1990 and time for another All Line Rover. A few things were beginning to change on the British railway scene and it was time to go and sample some experiences for the last time. The Sprinter revolution was accelerating.

Sunday 07 January 1990

During the winter storms of 1989 the bridge across the River Ness in Inverness had collapsed and a number of units and locos were stranded north of Dingwall. It was off to the North to look for some loco haulage. The Sunday service from Lancaster did not start until mid afternoon so it was not possible to get very far and back again. This day was a positioning move by catching an evening train north to connect with the overnight train between Edinburgh and Inverness. The weather was bitterly cold.

Monday 08 January 1990

The weather is still bitterly cold and being this far North it is even more cold. The next train is actually a bus to Dingwall due to the bridge collapse. Make the transfer at Dingwall to find my train and discover it is a Class 156. I have committed to the plan and there is nowhere else to go so continue to Thurso and back.

It is then the bus back to Inverness and train back down to Glasgow. An overnight train used to operate between Scotland and Bristol and this was the one I was catching all the way through.

Tuesday 09 January 1990

Awoke to discover the train had changed engines and was now Class 50 hauled down to Bristol. The next leg was down to Portsmouth as I was heading to the Isle of Wight to get photos of the new (1938) and old (1923) rolling stock operating on the route together. The leg between Bristol and Portsmouth had also been Sprinterised with the lovely MkI coaches gone and replaced by this modern Class 155 unit. For the younger viewers amongst you a Class 155 unit became 2 class 153s when a second driving cab was added a few years later.

Got to the Isle of Wight and got lots of photos of the different types of units together.

It was off back to the mainland for a trip home via Southampton and London. Sleep was required after the two overnights in a row.

Wednesday 10 January 1990

The weather is still very cold but no snow. Today’s trip is a loop around Manchester to Leeds and Doncaster, down the Midland mainline and back from Euston.

All is going well and sat behind the loco travelling across the Pennines on nice warm MkII carriages. The two overnights has taken it’s toll and I drift off to sleep. This is very unusual as I find it difficult to sleep on train. Wake up as the train is arriving in Leeds and get my things together and find someone has stolen my camera. This is a disaster as the photos on the Isle of Wight cannot be replaced. This takes the shine off the rest of the day. Although I complete the planned itinerary but my heart is not really in it.

Don’t feel like continuing for the rest of the week.

Thursday 11 January 1990

310109 at Bescot 11/01/90

Following a less than successful day the previous day a trip to the camera shop was required to replace my camera. After being relieved of several hundred pounds the possible day had to be curtailed because of the later start required.

Friday 12 January 1990

I could just not be bothered today just decided to go the Glasgow and back.

Saturday 13 January 1990

Today is a spotting day so it is off to Edinburgh for a trip round Millerhill depot followed by a trip to Ayr for a trip round Ayr depot.

It is then home and the end of a good trip which has been spoilt by the actions of one person. I never got back to the Isle of Wight before the 1923 stock was withdrawn from service.

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