The annual trip to Glasgow looked as though it was possible by train in 2009 with number one son being on the same half term as Scotland so a Friday visit to the model railway exhibition was possible. It was also looking like a good turn out with a team of five appearing in total joining at various stations enroute.

 

With the reduced time available it was looking like a trip straight to the exhibition then a trip across to Edinburgh for the Scotrail loco hauled train on the Fife Circle.

 

The Plan:

 

 

This plan meant an early departure and the alarm was set for 03:30. Weather dull and wet. The run to Crewe was uneventful but a few minutes early arrival and a late running Virgin train to Glasgow meant about 5 minutes at Crewe and a 50 minute earlier arrival in Glasgow.

67019 on 17:08 Fife Circle 20/02/09

 

Exhibition was good as usual and back across to Edinburgh for the 67. Some of the younger members of the group were a little surpised to discover a passenger train that was not operated by multiple unit. They did not realise you could have a train with a diesel engine on the front. The discussion then went all nostalgic about various 26s and 27s that had been bashed on various trains in the 80s. The younger part of the team showing little interest in all the old blokes discussing when all the trains came on one colour (BR Blue). They were more interested in the red and yellow GM on the mark 2 coaches. Oh well I suppose it is the best you can do in 2009 on a service train.

 

Nice trip over the Forth bridge and back on a 170 with time to sample the food that Edinburgh has to offer before the 18:52 back south. Couldn't find any good food so ended up in McDonalds.

 

Back to the station for the train, or no train in this case. 18:52 comes and goes but the train doesn't. Past 19:00 before it arrives and 19:15 before it departs, which if you check above means we have a problem in the making, 13 minutes at Crewe and 23 minutes late leaving Edinburgh. A distinctly average performance heading South and the train arrived in Crewe 25 minutes late. Connetion missed.

 

Virgin staff then insisted that there was another one in 50 minutes but it was pointed out to them that the 23:12 only went to Shrewsbury and not all the way to Abergavenny a taxi is eventually provided.

 

Got in the taxi, number one son immediately fell asleep.

 

Taxi Driver: "We are going to Aber somewhere? That's in Wales just the other side of Shrewbury isn't it?"

 

Me: "Yes it is in Wales but is is two hours the other side of Shrewsbury. It is 40 minutes beyond Hereford"

 

Taxi Driver: "Oh, I though I would be back about 01:00"

 

Me: "No you will probably get back 05:00 at the earliest"

 

Taxi Driver: "Oh best get some more petrol"

 

The journey was not helped by Shropshire County Council closing the Shrewsbury by-pass and a lenghty diversion. Arrived home at 03:30. In nearly 30 years of travelling all over the country by train this the first time I have failed to get home by train.