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Title: March Madness 3rd-6th March 2009
Summary: A three-day trip!
Category: Trip Reports
Author: John Lloyd-Martin
Posted: 11/03/2009
Last updated: 11/03/2009
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Back in the New Year, I decided another London trip was necessary. Travelodge booked,& rail tickets bought for the first week in March. Unfortunately, a number of uncertainties meant that a full itinerary could not be worked out as it was not known who would be joining me where, or at what times.
Tuesday 3rd saw me meet up with Tom & Ray at Acton. Iveco LK58HKN was seen as I pulled into Acton Town, & a trip to the gate, followed by the return to the Tube with a view of the Museum Approach, saw about another 40 hit the book. A quick Tube detour was enough to see 3 of the new IRUs, which Ray had seen earlier driving into the Works, on the ramp.
Onto Lillie Bridge, Earls Court Gardens & another view of LBD at West Brompton, produced about 30 more. A 'short' walk to Vauxhall for the ERUs, proved to be a long walk for nothing. Tea at The Met Bar, where James joined us & then a train to East Croydon saw me checking in at about 11pm, in the rain!
I had arranged to meet Tom & Ray at London Bridge at 10am. A Metrobus Renault LX58XCT dealing with a poorly 467 at Croydon, seemd to bode well for the day ahead. From there it went downhill fast. The Tfl vehicles in Borough had moved. Chancel Street looked deserted. Ruislip Station had 6582F for a photograph. I later saw it another 3 times.Olympic Way, Wembley was empty but Wembley Park had 2 or 3. Uxbridge BS had new 6605M & Neasden about 8, inc 6582F. Lunch at Willesden was a highlight.
Transit 6482F graced the station at Golders Green, Finsbury Park had 2, & of the 8 or so at Turnpike Lane, 6612M was new & a line-up of 3 Hondas gave Tom a photo chance. Ray, by now had sensibly baled out. Tottenham Garage produced 6 or 7 new Arriva vans, & another 7 lined up inside so as to be unreadable. A hail storm didn't deter Tom & I from making our way to Northumberland Park, where LT58VUV 6471F was on show. Lea Valley was quiet, & Edmonton held another 6 or 8 Arrivas. Walthamstow & Stratford had no more than the usual suspects. Meal Two in the Met Bar.
Needing to ensure Tom was not late home, we made our way to GHO, where Steve arrived. Having seen Tom on his way, Steve & I went back to Acton. Expecting the worst after the day's quiet start, things actually got better. From about 2330 it picked up, & in the hour from 23-2400, about 100 vehicles rolled out. Highlights were too many to mention.
We then commenced a drive around, & after about 5 blank venues, we started to hit from Holland Park. Green Park was busy, as was Baker Street. 6660F - LS88XFN excited Steve at Marylebone, & then Euston, Holborn, Embankment & Waterloo all chipped in before we headed south. Kennington, Stockwell, Clapham & Tooting showed the amount of work going on, with 'Staff Welfare' facilities in evidence at Clapham. The Travelodge bed finally welcomed me at 0320.
Damon had been unsure until late on as to what time he would be available, but eventually he managed Thursday off. He was delayed reaching Croydon, but we breakfasted & headed for Addington, to then try Orpington for the new Metrobus fleet based there. As It turned out, 10 of the 11 new Orpington-based Renaults were seen - a result! Damon & I then managed a circular tour of bits of south east London before we met Tom at Eltham. There, Lewisham & Mandela Way all produced a few before the final stop at Aldgate yielded only 2. A drink in Wetherspoons near the Tower, before a slow ride to Charing Cross for a very nice Italian meal & an early night for me at Croydon.
Friday morning saw me log 6608M at SYH, Victoria was quiet & Allsop Place deserted. About 320 sightings over 4 days, produced 130+ new ones for me, of which nearly 50 were down to the night shift with Steve. Thanks to all who helped make it a good few days in a very busy London. I love quiet Leeds.
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