Earls Bicyclism thread; Bonus Unexpected Railshite Content

[RoadworkUK]

So, being Autoshite's resident underachiever and having never, ever managed to procure any vehicular shite that would render an epic shite collection thread worthwhile, I was feeling a little left out. So here we go instead with what I'm calling Bikeorama 2014, courtesy of Tetleysmooth.

 

In glorious colour, and with moving pictures.

 

(If common decree is that this thread should FRO then please, please move it on my behalf if you haz da skillorz)

 

So, it was a bright Saturday morning and I scraped myself out of bed early enough to catch the 09:02 train from Manningtree, to eventually reach Romford, with train changes in Chelmsford and Shenfield, because of course the fast trains which run to Liverpool Street have absolutely no interest in these piffling little destinations whatsoever.

 

So. This pulled into the station:

 

 

Class 90. Phat pulling power m8.

 

And I boarded one of the rake of MK3 rolling stock that trailed behind it. These are still among the nicest trains to travel in IMO.

 

 

They're spacious, airy and well heated or air/conditioned....usually, and quiet providing you don't get one with a flat spot on one of the wheels. This one was lovely.

 

That train was sufficient to whisk me through the rolling meadows of Constable Country:

 

 

Well, they roll rather more when you walk or drive through them. The train silently and speedily swept me to Chelmsford, where I had to get off and jump onto Train #2.

 

 

Class 321, 100mph, doyen of the Great Eastern's high-speed inter-urban services. I always liked the "sporty" styling on the cabs of these, all credit to BREL for it; they still look cool after twenty-five years.

 

I was sharing cabin space with a Stag Party, who were loud enough that they could be heard on the moon. Fortunately, I only needed to go as far as Shenfield.

 

But, as soon as I walked to the other platform, suddenly the 1950's happened.

 

 

Yes, that really happened. A Gen-u-wine Steam Train, BR Type 7; 70000 Britannia. And yes, people did try to board it as if it were a regular scheduled service. A look at the information telly things reassured me that it wasn't 1957 all over again:

 

 

Salisbury definitely isn't a destination regularly offered by trains leaving Shenfield; it turns out that this was a "Cathedrals" special, ending up at Salisbury and presumably starting at Ely or Lincoln or somewhere. Stunned to see it, though, and an unbelievably lucky coincidence.

 

 

And for added Shite points a Class 47 was clanking away in tow, presumably providing electrical power for catering, lighting et al.

 

So, a rather more prosaic train in the shape of another 321 whisked me to Romford, where I met Tetleysmooth, AKA Dave, a Very Nice Bloke.

 

Hello Dave.

 

A raft of folding changed hands and I found myself the very proud owner of a Specialized Haddock Sport, with gears and gadgets beyond my wildest dreams. Here it is:

 

 

Seen amidst the rarified elegance of a Class 315 of some vintage. These are used for outer-urban services and are known for their frequent use by the most stylish people to travel on the entire national rail network, as you can see:

 

 

So this train took me back to Shenfield, being passed by a very heavy Freightliner container train being double headed by a pair of Class 86's. I had no idea they were even still in traffic. 49 years old now. No pics, though. Sorry about that. Have a photo of the 315, though:

 

 

Real railshite here, these things are the same age as I am. Still work well, and there's no loos to smell of piss.

 

So that got me back to Shenfield, then came Class 360 Desiro that I didn't bother to photo because they're so boring, they won't be interesting for at least a decade.

 

Another Class 91 hauled train took me from Colchester to Manningtree, and the fact that I'd never done the whole Bike-On-Train thing before caused a slight faux pas on my part; when the train manager directed me to put the bike into the luggage van (part of the DVT) I then stood there with the bike.

 

"Er, you have to go in the train, mate"

 

Yes. Of course I do. Silly me. Off I popped, sheepishly, into the last coach where I stood in a vestibule because Colchester to Manningtree is only one stop and takes nanoseconds at Class 91 pace.

 

Then off the train and onto the bike.

 

The saddle went right up my arse, which is a shame; I'll have to get used to anal intrusion or obtain a saddle better suited to my physique. Maybe I'll start to enjoy it, you never know. Anyway, the bike proved to be generally compatible with me other than that; didn't feel too small for 6'5" me, which was a relief. I took it through the gears, all 24 of them, and they all seem to work.

 

And really, that's about it.

 

 

Now secure in the shed, along with my (t)rusty old Raleigh, more about which anon.

 

Thanks again, Dave.

 

 

 

 

[trigger]

How cool is that old steam train!

[Tetleysmooth]

You're welcome Chris.

 

Glad you're happy with your purchase.

 

Great thread.

I love railways, me.

That comes from being brought up right next to Stratford Works and marshalling yards in the fifties and sixties.

[Sloth in a bowl]

You may find that they have to tow a diesel on some mainline steam for instant breakdown recovery, but I'm not convinced.

The Birmingham to Stratford runs don't bother, but stuff I've been on out of London does.

 

 

Anyway, this collection thread gets 9/10, just dropping a mark for having no petrol station piccy, the fact that you don't need fuel is no excuse.

[Squire_Dawson]

You may find that they have to tow a diesel on some mainline steam for instant breakdown recovery, but I'm not convinced.

The Birmingham to Stratford runs don't bother, but stuff I've been on out of London does.

 

 

Anyway, this collection thread gets 9/10, just dropping a mark for having no petrol station piccy, the fact that you don't need fuel is no excuse.

 

 

I have heard similar, that the diesel loco is there in case of breakdown. I've seen steam hauled trains running without this backup, too, so wonder what the rules are about it all.

 

Top giffer points to the owd lad sat in the carriage.