Friday 07 August 09

Morning has potential with the sun showing it’s face.

All was going well and as planned until arrival at Leeds. NXEC appeared to be having a bad day with a number of trains not arrived from Kings Cross and a similar number not departing back again. Hmmm not looking too promising. 11:40 departure to Kings Cross had not arrived and no sign of the 12:05 we were looking for. 11:40 departure arrived so decide to get on this one to Doncaster. Doesn’t stop at Retford but probably better to get a bit nearer in case of the Doncaster turn around. Also additional 91 haulage. Leave Leeds and pass what will become our train just outside, looks like it is not going to be about on time.

Arrive at Doncaster in time to purchase lunch which one probably was a distant realative of edible food and get back on our booked service back on time again.

On the journey between Worksop and Nottingham the train runs side by side the Nottingham trams. Number one son was very interested in these. Note to self: Must arrange trip to cover Nottingham tram network never been on this. Another excuse for a day out.

222104 at Nottingham 07/08/09

Next leg of note was Derby to St Pancras. Managed to get an excellent value First Class Advance on this train. EMT staff were superb and kept number one son full of orange juice all the way to St Pancras. Food passing by the seats looked good too. Shame we had had a distinctly average lunch at Doncaster.

Number one son likes to ensure everything on the train is as it should be and a thorough test of the reading spotlights is carried out. Horror of horror one didn’t work which he then went on to inform me at his usual volume, full on. Still has yet realise that the whole carriage and part of the adjacent one is not very interested in the finest details of our day out. This is not unsurprisingly overheard by a gent sat at the adjacent table. He works for Bombardier who maintain the Meridians for East Midlands Trains. He asks number one son for the set number which he replies is 222xxx. He then proceeds to email one of his colleagues to report the fault and says the bulb will be changed tonight. Impressive service. Though: Wonder of it was changed?

This is my first visit to the rebuilt St Pancras, which is superb. If you have not been the Eurostars run into the centre of the station with their very long train length. There are two sets of shorter domestic platforms either side of the Eurostar platforms the west side platforms are used by East Midlands Trains the east side by South Eastern High Speed services.  There are a couple of new South Eastern 375s in the Kent Domestic Platforms. So we decide to go and explore as we have a little time before we need to get to Euston. Not sure how to get to the Kent platforms, no obvious signage but it can't be too difficult.

OK let’s try going past the champagne bar to the front of the station round the Eurostars and back up the other side. No that doesn’t work arrive at a glass wall with no way round. Head downstairs and back up the station to the ticket office and discover a walkway under the Eurostars and lifts going up at the other side. We find the secret trains they don’t want you to find that go to Kent in this yet to be discovered part of the station.

It will be nice to visit again once the full service starts running. Time is running out and need to walk to Euston for the main event the newly refurbished Virgin MkIII carriages and the chance to ride up the West Coast Mainline on a loco hauled train.

90035 at Euston on the 18:46 to Preston 07/08/09

Head down the platform to be sadly disappointed. There is a mixed bag of Virgin red and blue and grey MKIIIs that last saw any refurbishment 15 years ago and you can tell. This train is standard class only so sit down in First, you can do this at no extra charge if the train is shown as not having First Class. Head to the buffet for a drink to find that Jaques Cousteau would have been best person to employ to serve the coffee. It appears the contents of a water tank has unloaded itself all over the floor and the poor man is trying to mop it up with serviettes. It is good to British spirit of adversity is still alive and well, and hasn't shut up shop and is still serving refreshments.

The trip home was uneventful with an on time arrival. A very complex series of trains which worked well.

Another enjoyable day out.