Monday 19th July 2010Canal Trip - 2 Boats from Blisworth Wharf.
On Monday, 20th July we took to the water for the second of our very popular canal boat cruises, this time sailing from Blisworth Wharf to Weedon. This part of the canal runs parallel to the WCML and we were able to observe at close quarters an endless fare of Virgin Pendolinos interspersed now and again with the odd Voyager. The Roade to Rugby section truly is 'Virgin' territory! Apart from splendid weather and an excellent lunch the most exciting 'spot' of the day was a canal boat lettered 'London Midland & Scottish Railway', what is that all about?
Saturday 10th July 2010Visit to the Churnet Valley Railway
Saturday, 10th July 2010 heralded the second of our three annual Saturday outings and on this occasion we visited the Churnet Valley Railway. On arrival at Cheddleton we were welcomed and accorded a tour of the workshops and yard to view the locomotives, which included two American 2-8-0s and a GWR 2-6-2 in various stages of restoration and repair. With trains on the day hauled by Stanier Class 8F 8624 resplendent in 'LMS red livery', members traversed the length of the line viewing the alteration, extension and general improvement to this splendid railway which have taken place since our last visit a couple of years ago.
Monday 5th July 2010Visit to the Black Country Museum
A large contingent of Northampton Branch members set forth on 5th July (sic) to visit the Black Country Museum at Dudley. Did you know the Black Country is an area defined by the boroughs of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton? No, I did not know either but it was all part of the learning curve of an extremely pleasant day spent viewing the recreated industrial and social conditions of the 19th and early 20th centuries. We were certainly reminded of the many industries for which the area was once famous, how things have changed! The day was rounded off with Fish and Chips served in the traditional manner, and a visit to a Pub with real ale and sawdust on the floor, both on the Museum site!
Monday 21st June 2010London Midland Day Ranger
Some three hours or so after the rise of the sun over the Heel Stone at Stonehenge (4.52am) to commence the Summer Solstice on 21st June, a dozen plus Northampton Branch members gathered at the station to sample the delights of a West Midland Day Ranger ticket for the third year in succession. The morning session entailed travelling to Hereford via Birmingham New Street, where a couple of hours were spent in observation of the traffic, much freight in evidence. Re-tracing our earlier journey through the Malvern Hills to Worcester, Droitwich and Kidderminster for a quick look in at the Severn Valley Railway, and then onto Galton Bridge for Crewe. More observation at Crewe before returning home in just under 12 hours and almost 300 miles.
Saturday 12th June 2010Visit to the Bluebell Railway
Monday 7th June 2010Canal Trip - 2 Boats from Braunston Marina.
Monday, 7th June saw the Branch taking to the water in the shape of two canal boats starting from Braunston and making our way to Napton Junction via the Grand Union and South Oxford canals. Before sailing we held a brief pause for prayer and a minutes silence in remembrance of Derek Lovell (Branch Committee Member) who recently passed away. He was the instigator of the Branch Summer Cruises enjoyed by so many. Lunch was taken at "The Bridge" Napton and on the return journey the boats hove to for 'tea and cakes' in honour of the two birthday boys who were aboard.
Monday 24th May 2010Visit to Northampton & Lamport Railway and Northants Ironstone Railway
Our second port of call was to the Northamptonshire Ironstone Railway Trust at nearby Hunsbury Hill, Northampton, once again we were right well received by our hosts and given a very informative explanation of the site. The railway is situated around an ancient hill fort now designated a Country Park, where ironstone quarrying took place from about 1880 until 1922 and it was the Trust's aim to show how this was done and transported to the now defunct Hunsbury Ironworks. However, over the years, changes to the original route have been forced by the local council and this in turn has altered the Trust's primary plans. On site they have a very interesting collection of industrial railway items and ex BR stock which includes part of Bullied's "Double Decker" EMU. Cab rides over the full operative extent of the line were given aboard industrial diesel Fowler 0-4-0 (Works No. 422001) appropriately named "Charles Wake" a former Branch member and engineman extraordinaire. Before retreat refreshments were taken in a Buffet Car from a Kent Coast Type 411 EMU.
Monday 10th May 2010Lineside observation at Isham
Monday 10th May signalled our second line side observation of the current outdoor programme and entailed a visit to the footbridge over the Midland Railway mainline at Isham. During the two hour (19.00 to 21.00) period covered, only the usual staple 'diet' of Class 43s and 222s were seen with but one exception when a 221 in East Midland Trains livery was noted. No freight operations were seen whatsoever, only of a promise of two much later in the evening but by then the brisk North Easterly wind had got the better of the even the most enthusiastic, and as is usual in these matters for the Northampton Branch, adjournment was made to a local hostelry.
Monday 26th April 2010Lineside observation at Roade, Bridge 209.
Our first outdoor evening meeting on 26th April was a line-side observation of the WCML at Bridge 209 (Roade Cutting). In fine spring like weather we observed the usual almost continuous flow of Virgin Pendolinos with only one exception in the shape of a deputising Class 90, and London Midland Class 350 EMUs. The one exception on the London Midland schedule being a surprise 'Silver Link' liveried Class 321. Freight traffic was in the hands of the ubiquitous Class 66's interspersed with Class 90's. Branch Treasurer Chris Clayson conducted a circular walk along the West side of the cutting to Bridge 210 (southern end of the 'birdcage' or the steel supports of the cutting) returning by the East side. Also pointed out during the cultural tour was the aqueduct over the cutting which was built to improve the water supply to the village of Courteenhall after the widening. At the conclusion of the observation light refreshments were provided at the Village Hall by the courtesy of Mrs. Clayson.
Monday 12th April 2010A to Z of Engine ShedsChris Banks
For the twentieth and final meeting of the current indoor programme, we welcomed one of our 'regular' speakers in the form of Chris Banks to present Part 2 of his series of the 'A to Z of Engine Sheds'. In Part 1 we had progressed only as far as Bolton so we pressed on with Bournemouth, Brighton, the West Country, East Anglia, Yorkshire and Scotland 'B's' concluding with Carlisle and Carnforth. We were treated to a slide show of superb quality together with a splendid narration in which the varied condition of both the shed structures, and of the locomotives were discussed in detail. This excellent series should run for a good few years yet!
Monday 29th March 2010Branch Photographic Competition
Our penultimate meeting the Branch Photographic Competition took place on the 29th March and as usual the audience were more than pleasantly surprised at the ability and ingenuity of the photographers. More than twenty members competed with scenes covering, the local to the world wide, from steam to modern traction, the scenic and the artistic. Amazingly the overall winner Bob Hunt, produced a superb fifty year old transparency taken in Berlin of two Deutsche Reichsbahn Class O1 pacific's in action, yes, it was taken at the times of the 'wall' and the 'cold war'! Runner-up was Lester Cooper with Class 9F - 92214 at Burrs Country Park on the East Lancashire Railway. Peter Munton was both the winner and runner-up of the 'best print' section with a splendid action shots of Class 8F - 48151 at Rannoch Viaduct, and double headed B and K1s 61243 and 62012 at County March Summit.
Monday 15th March 2010On Narrow Gauge TracksTom Heavyside
After a long hard season (I thought only footballers suffered in that way!), our pen-ultimate speaker travelled from Bolton on 15th March to present 'On narrow gauge Tracks', and what a revelation it turned out to be! Tom Heavyside provided a splendid and informative description of over fifty locations as to where we might see the narrow gauge in action, in both steam and diesel forms. During the afternoon we were shown locomotives built by forty eight different builders ranging from 'Fire Queen' 1848 (A. Horlock, Northfleet Iron Works) to ones of the present day built by private individuals. Hunslet seemed to be the most prolific builder of the locomotives shown but at least Northampton did get a mention with a Bassett Lowke built loco!
Tuesday 2nd March 2010Quiz vs Bedford LCGB (away)
For those who like to keep a record of such things, the following evening the Branch visited LCGB Bedford to contest the bi-annual quiz for 'The Ashes', where Northampton's two year run of winning and retaining same came to an abrupt end, being soundly beaten by some six points. Our thanks to the LCGB for a splendid power point presentation of the Quiz.
Monday 1st March 2010The Basic History of the Signal BoxAndy Grimmett
Spring greeted our 1st March meeting and Andy Grimmett with his illustrated talk 'The Basic History of the Signal Box'. Andy explained the tremendous variation in the architectural styles of British signal boxes, some railway companies designing their own, others used the signalling contractor's architecture, and some used both! As we progressed throughout the country, how we wished we had taken more notice of this now fast disappearing piece of line-side infrastructure. Andy's vast knowledge of the subject matter and an easy narrative style made for a pleasant and informative evening on a lesser discussed railway topic. The audience found particularly interesting and amusing a photograph (circa 1955) of the 'back to back' Midland style box at St. Pancras with Jubilee Class 45639 Rayleigh prominent, "obviously on a Nottingham train" said one, "The Robin Hood" queried another? It was that sort of convivial evening.
Monday 22nd February 2010Member's Afternoon
On 22nd February the Branch held an impromptu Member's Afternoon when the Weston Favell venue became available at short notice. Six members helped provide an afternoon of excellently presented and diversified cameo performances. David Scudamore led with some splendid photographs of Eurostar trains in high-speed action, Colin Briggs followed with slides which showed a clear bias towards Carlisle and 'Coronation' Class Pacifics (5 in green livery and 4 in red for the record). Ray Wake with medley on the Gloucester and Warwickshire Railway, and Chairman John Harrison took us through to the interval with images of Branch 'shed bashes' of times past. After the tea break it was the turn of railway artist Barry Freeman to describe, with part finished picture in hand, the amount of research that needs to be done by a serious artist to produce an authentic painting to the clients instruction. Branch stalwart Tommy Tomalin brought the meeting to a close showing slides of traffic and stations between Hanwood and Middletown, on the former Shrewsbury and Welshpool Railway (opened to passengers 1862), the line can still be traversed today, but the stations have long since closed.
Monday 15th February 2010With Camera at the LinesidePeter Groom
On St Valentines Day plus one there was no hint of a massacre, only a highly entertaining afternoon provided at short notice by 'stand in' Peter Groom. With Network Rail unable to provide the booked speaker, Peter coped admirably; normally associated with for 'spot the difference' locomotive shed scenes, we were surprised of the quality and extent of his line side activities. Commencing at Paddington and surrounding area we went to south west to Exeter and Wadebridge before returning to the capitol via the south coast and the Isle of Wight. Back in London, Waterloo, Euston and Kings Cross and their immediate surrounds were extensively covered together with a brief foray into Scotland before time ran out on us! One image of a 'Royal Scot' class storming Camden Bank will remain with the audience for a while!
Monday 1st February 2010The North Wales CoastDave Scudamore
Our opening February meeting was conducted by Branch member David Scudamore with his continuation of 'The North Wales Coast Part 3' , a journey from Chester to Holyhead which was originally set to be in two parts. Beset by late running in the earlier parts 1 and 2, we restarted from Conway with just 39 miles and 240 slides to go, so splendid and informative were both the onscreen images and the narrator and so much was the audience participation, that our meeting close time at 10.00pm was exceeded and we had only just made Holyhead still 37 transparencies short of completion. The evening was a panoramic splendour of the line then and now ranging through steam, diesels, stations, bridges, out buildings, signal boxes, tunnels, accidents, history and social aspects.
Monday 18th January 2010Britain's Railway in the 21st CenturyJohn Day
Monday the 18th January was supposed to be the most depressing day of the year, but we had a 'super' day or rather afternoon when former Society Secretary John Day visited us to deliver 'Britain's Railway in the 21st Century'. His power point presentation produced more than sixty different classes of traction, in a kaleidoscope of liveries at more than one hundred locations throughout the country. The vast range of liveries certainly makes the railway of today photogenic, and with a 'good eye' for a photograph, the wish to travel and the right equipment John took full advantage to produce a splendid show.
Monday 4th January 2010More of the North London LineJohn Downing
Immediate following the festive recess our own member John Downing took the floor with his presentation entitled 'More of the North London Line'. Beginning life as the East and West India Docks and Birmingham Junction Railway in 1846 with the aim of linking the London and Birmingham Railway with the docks at Poplar it became the NLR in 1853. John used the theme of a mythical goods brake van journey from Stratford to Feltham to cover the history, stations, junctions and connections of the line, interspersing many of the old photographs with a 'then, was (in our time) and now' style. Despite a bitterly cold evening (-5 degrees) the well attended meeting was not disappointed.
Monday 21st December 2009Railways of Burton on Trent including the Brewery systemsMark Ratcliffe
Monday 7th December 2009AGM
The Branch held its combined AGM and “Christmas” Evening on the 7th December. Whilst we could wish for higher attendances, it was agreed that it had been another good year. The major development had been the purchase of a Power Point projector and related equipment. The existing Committee was elected en bloc, including Ron Gammage, who has been a Committee member for a continuous 61 years, having been elected at the very first official meeting of the Branch. A Society record? A proposal from the members to reintroduce Members’ Evenings to the Branch programme from 2011 was agreed. David Scudamore won the Keith Locke Trophy for the most entertaining contribution to a meeting by a Branch member.The official business promptly dealt with, sausage rolls and mince pies were served and the less serious business of the evening commenced. Chris Clayson and Norman Dunkley produced cryptic quizzes, with some painful puns amongst the clues. In what must surely be a unique occurrence, Barry Freeman compered a short quiz, illustrated entirely by photos of the fine railway paintings he has produced; explaining, in many cases, the background to why particular subjects and locations had been chosen. The evening was rounded off by Ray Wake, who gave us a short, fascinating, biography of his late Father, Charles, a true character, well remembered as a regular attender at Branch meetings. It brought home poignantly, the difficulties of finding employment in the 1930s and went on to chronicle his service as a fireman and driver at Northampton from 1937, during which time he also served as the Branch Secretary for ASLEF for 25 years and eventually made the transition to diesel and electric traction. Thanks must go to all who contributed to a splendid evening.
Friday 4th December 2009Quiz vs Kettering Locomotive Society (away)
The 4th December saw a contingent of Branch members travel to Kettering for our annual Steam Quiz against the Kettering and District Locomotive Society. Once again, Brian Benford was our Quizmaster, assisted by Robin Reeves on the projector. As usual, it was a pretty relaxed affair, with the audience at large contributing to the result. In a repeat of last year’s situation, as the quiz drew to a close, it became clear that the sides were running neck and neck. At 5 questions from the end we were level, but in a late burst, we won by 5 points. Thanks must go to Ken Fairey, our long serving, long suffering, team captain, who has to patiently tolerate folk whispering [usually conflicting] answers in each of his ears simultaneously and still make the right choice between them. Thanks again must go to Brian for all the work in setting the questions and for accompanying them with an excellent selection of slides, that were an evening’s entertainment in themselves.
Monday 23rd November 2009A Digital Tribute to Great British Railway PhotographersBrian Stephenson
C.R.L. Coles, D.M.C. Hepburne Scott, T.G. Hepburn and W.J.V. Anderson are just 4 examples of the great railway photographers, the like of whose work we had the pleasure of viewing on the afternoon of 23rd November, courtesy of Brian Stephenson. Fifty people wisely turned out to see Brian’s presentation – A Digital Tribute to Great British Railway Photographers. A record attendance for a meeting so far this season. Many of the photographs shown were taken in the first half of the 20th Century and were truly breathtaking both in clarity and composition. One might even say, bordering on the iconic. All taken at a time where photographers could be said to be at a disadvantage over their modern counterparts, who have the advantage of all the advances in photographic technology at their disposal. The one obvious thing in their favour, judging by some of the positions from which pictures were taken, was much more free and easy access to railway land! It was no anti-climax to finish off with some of Brian’s own pictures. His studies of European steam across the Channel; the Channel Tunnel Rail link, then and now, and present day freight in Kent, rounded off a splendid afternoon.
Monday 16th November 2009Part 1 - East Midlands Trains by Tim Shoveller, MD
As the LNWR faction of the Branch would have it, it was entirely appropriate that our meeting at Wellingborough on the 16th November, on matters relating to the former Midland Railway main line, should be “double headed”. Part 1 was a presentation by Tim Shoveller, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains on his Company. Part 2 was a photographic presentation by Richard Gennis on the Midland Mainline Today.
Tim explained that he was a career railwayman, having started as a guard and it was clear that he was passionate about railways. He outlined the progress his company had made since securing its franchise in terms of improving both punctuality and reliability; the latter due mainly to the new maintenance facilities at Derby Etches Park. He spoke frankly about some of the difficulties he faced which prevented further developments, principally the lack of rolling stock to lease. Nor did Tim shy away from the timetable changes that had seen services to Sheffield improved at the expense of reducing calls at Kettering and Wellingborough; a move not to popular hereabouts.
In part 2, Richard showed a range of digital photographs he had taken in the vicinity of Wellingborough of present day passenger and freight traffic, plus the occasional steam loco and heritage diesel. The sheer quality of the images was a credit to Richard and left an appreciative audience deeply impressed.
Monday 9th November 2009Quiz vs Bedford LCGB for 'The Ashes' Trophy
The Branch were victorious in the home leg of our local quiz with Bedford LCGB on the 9th November; but it was a close run thing. This time it was our B team, lead by Colin Briggs that took the honours. At the end of each round the scores were taken and the lead swapped, nearly every round between Northampton and Bedford, who always prove to be keen and knowledgeable contestants. The final scores in this exciting contest demonstrate how close it was. Northampton B 62, Bedford A 61, Northampton A 50, Bedford B 44. Points were out of 90. Once again, Brian Benford kindly set some excellent questions [and equally excellent slides] which reflected his specialist topic, locomotive matters; mostly steam. Thanks must also go to Robin Reeves, who piloted the projector for the evening. The Ashes [of Ravenstonewood Jc. Signalbox] are once again safely in our hands.
Monday 26th October 2009Temples and Trains of BurmaBrian Johnson
In the sad experience of this Branch, nothing keeps people from attending meetings more than “foreign stuff”. Thus it was just a small audience present on the 26th October to witness Brian Johnson’s fascinating slide show “Temples and Trains of Burma”. We followed a steam hauled train especially laid on in 2007 for Brian’s tour travelling the system northwards to Mandalay and beyond, behind YC class 4-6-2s and YD class 2-8-2s, culminating in a visit to the Tiger Camp mining area, whose 2 steam locos are now the only operational steam in Burma. The mine was still using underground electric locos built by GEC in the 1920s. Just one example of the legacy of British rule seen during the show. On the way, the Gokteik viaduct was crossed, the second highest bridge in the world with the river 820’ below (no check rails, no railings and it creaked as the train passed over!) Brian’s photos also formed an insight into Burmese life in this politically isolated country. The Golden Rock Buddhist Shrine was amazing. In a completely different sense, so too were the buses, lorries and other road vehicles portrayed. Brian gave us a most interesting and varied afternoon. It’s a pity more people were not there to share it.
Monday 19th October 2009Steam in ScotlandChris Banks
On the 19th October, Chris Banks returned to attend one of our afternoon meetings to give Part 3 of his Steam in Scotland tour. This Part took us on a journey of pure steam nostalgia from Inverness to Dundee, via Aberdeen. Chris made the point that many of his early bought slides were long since deleted from catalogues. Thus, all but one or two of the slides we viewed were new to the audience. The elegant GNSR 4-4-0s featured prominently and the B12s, resplendent in apple green were particularly memorable. However, a much wider range of classes were covered, from the pre-grouping designs of the Caledonian and North British Railways, through to BR Standard classes. Freight locos, untypically pristine after overhaul at Inverurie, contrasted with the older designs, such as the NBR 4-4-0s, mouldering away, chimneys “bagged” in so called storage, from which they never returned; as was also the fate of the much lamented Ben Alder, whose chimney now graces a Northamptonshire garden!. The slides brought home just how much railways have changed in the past 50 years, particularly looking at those taken on Speyside, Aberdeen docks and the branches to Banff, Fraserburgh and Inverbervie. Once again we are indebted to Chris for a fascinating show.
Monday 12th October 200921st Century Virgin TrainsChris Leedham
Chris Leedham, in charge of driver training for Virgin Trains, was our speaker on the 12th October. He divided his PowerPoint presentation, entitled 21st Century Virgin Trains, broadly between the Pendolinos and driver training. However, he started with an overview of the Virgin Trains operation with some impressive statistics, such as some 600 trains a day, increased from c400 and an estimated average of 86225 passengers a day. There is a paradox in that many find the passage of one Pendolino after another rather uninteresting compared with their predecessors; whereas they represent a huge technological advance that deserves more recognition. Some are already close to completing two million miles in service. Chris clearly explained the operation of the computerised tilt mechanism, the distribution of equipment throughout the individual vehicles that make up the train and so forth. Let’s just say, we came away knowing much more about what are really impressive trains technically and in terms of performance.
Driver training too has been revolutionised out of all recognition. The Virgin training programme takes a year to complete, but has a rigorous selection process. Successful completion is not a foregone conclusion. Ability to keep concentration is key consideration, particularly when you realize that, when travelling mile after mile at 125mph, you are covering a mile every 29 seconds. It was interesting to note that Virgin’s drivers are also trained to drive the Voyagers and the Class 57s and that it is quite usual for a driver to work on a mix of traction during his working day. Thanks to Chris for an excellent presentation.
Monday 28th September 2009Steaming Through SussexBill Gage
Our first afternoon meeting of the new season brought Bill Gage the West Sussex Assistant County Archivist to visit with a presentation entitled 'Steaming through Sussex'. Amidst speculation from our members he announced that he was not really a railway enthusiast but an archivist through and through with a historical knowledge of the railways of Sussex. Opening with a photograph of a statue of Julius Caesar and saying he would sit down if the audience did not participate with his 'questions and answers' , by now the audience realised that this was going to be a meeting with a very different aspect on railways. We answered the questions and Bill did not sit down! In reward we were treated to a splendid show of the pre- nationalisation railway scene in Sussex.
Monday 14th September 2009North from UttoxeterTommy Tomalin
On the 14th September, we started our indoor season with a home grown presentation from longstanding Branch member Tommy Tomalin. Tommy’s speciality is to travel lines, mostly now closed, photographing the main features, such as stations, as he goes. Where possible this is on a “then and now” format. On this occasion, his show, “North from Uttoxeter” centred upon lines of the North Staffordshire Railway, with its distinctive style of buildings prominent in the pictures shown, which dated from the ‘60s to recent times. First, we travelled through Rocester and Ashbourne to Parsley Hay. Then it was back to Rocester along the Churnet Valley line to Leek, with some very interesting comparisons with the present day, preserved line. We also made it to Caldon Low, and from Milton Jc. to Congleton. Sand trains from Oakamoor were a feature in several shots, with a variety of motive power; both steam and diesel. In time honoured tradition, pictures of Super Ds brought cheers and Fowler 4Fs, groans. It didn’t take us long into the season to get back into the swing of things. Thanks to Tommy, and to Ron Gammage, who struggled with a recalcitrant projector, for a splendid evening.
Saturday 8th August 2009Visit to the Kent & East Sussex Railway
Despite there being 13 in the party, we had an excellent day out at the Kent & East Sussex Railway on the 8th August without any setbacks. We started with a guided tour of the Locomotive Department at Rolvenden. Other than the 2 locomotives in service, virtually all of the Railway’s steam locomotives were present. However, the most notable aspect of our tour was our 17 year old, enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide, testimony to the Railway’s efforts to encourage young recruits. It was encouraging to see others of similar age working on site and, even better, that they had been given their own dedicated project, the completion of the overhaul of the Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST Charwelton, which had been designated as “their” engine. Seeing Charwelton was a particular pleasure because of its local connections for us. After that, we were free to do as we wish and most did at least one round trip from Tenterden to Bodiam and back. The on train, at seat, catering was a particularly welcome facility and was well patronized. Our train engine was USA 0-6-0T No.65, whilst the Vintage train was hauled by Class P 0-6-0T No. 11. A guided visit to the Carriage and Wagon shop revealed the impressive scale of work needed on GWR railcar No.20 and on both steel and wooden bodied coaches under restoration. Last, but not least, the Museum dedicated to Col. Stephens was also well worth the visit. Our thanks go to the Railway’s staff for making our visit enjoyable and informative.
Monday 3rd August 2009Southern Day Ranger
On Monday 3rd August some fourteen members availed themselves of the online purchase of Southern Trains all line 'Downlander' day tickets and decided to try the recently introduced service from Milton Keynes. The day began inauspiciously with the non appearance of the train as scheduled, news was given that the train was to be short terminated at Watford Junction and that we should proceed to there. Unfortunately on arrival at WJ we found the train cancelled, but thinking on 'our feet' we headed for Clapham Junction via Harrow and Wealdstone (London Midland Trains), Willesden Junction Low (Bakerloo Line) and High Level (London Overground). At the High Level we noted a new Class 378 (007). No sooner had we alighted at CJ when we were 'marooned' by a signal failure lasting forty minutes. With our original schedule now lost, we compromised by travelling to East Croydon and then onto Lewes for lunch. Replete, on we went again, to Brighton and Chichester for tea, allegedly! and then back to CL for the last Southern Trains service to MK. Once again a long and sometimes frustrating day but interesting none the less - 12 trains and 290 miles!
last updated: 20/07/10
