Day 318: Technically very late 29/01/2024, the fullest of full days 30/01/2024 + the first bit of 31/01/2024 - Crewe to Garelochhead - £148.50 - Advance Single? Garelochhead to Cardross - £3.15 - Anytime Single. Cardross to Helensburgh Central - £2.35 - Anytime Return. Cardross to Dalreoch - £1.65 - Anytime Return. Dalreoch to Helensburgh Central - £2.90 - Anytime Return. Dalreoch to Balloch - £1.90 - Off-peak Return. Dumbarton East to Helensburgh Central - £3.10 - Off-peak Return. (it would have been another from Dalreoch but the station machines won't accept a start point different than the station you are buying from - or none that i could see). Strathclyde Roundabout - £7.40. Dalmuir to Crewe - £148.50 - Advance Single?. CP Railway Street Car Park Crewe - £15.00. After the event (and not on the website) i noticed my ticket covered until 8am the next day so could have just bought a 1 day ticket at £7.50
Total time today 1772 mins - time on trains 1059 mins and time waiting 713 mins. Stations completed today 25. Total completed 1674. Platforms completed at completed stations 3842.
"Finally, a trip on the sleeper proper" or "A full day to the West of Glasgow"
With late news breaking (at least to me) that the Sunnyside Loop/Line would be in use this week after a very long hiatus as a planned move, i decided i really wanted to do this. With no seat availabilty (more on that later) i finally took the plunge for a more civilised version by stumping up the hard earned for an actual berth - not that i would be in it for any great length of time. Looking ahead, the seats and a full day in Edinburgh/Glasgow from/to Crewe is a pretty efficient way of doing the Central belt and with everything at Off-peak prices till the end of June (with some caveats) i am pretty certain i will be back to do more like this. Moving to another coach in Edinburgh for Glasgow trips does not fill me with joy however. Hmm.. i could go further North towards Fort William though..... One to ponder.
I didn't fall asleep straight away after boarding at Crewe just before midnight despite nipping to the lounge car for a late dram, with the lounge lights were dimmed far too prematuirely not long after setting off. Not impressed with the service going North to be honest. I set my alarm to view Mosside and Sunnyside from the comfort of my cabin around 5am, and enough arc lights were around to see a good chunk of the proceedings as we proceeded at a very sedate pace. Back to the land of Nod briefly before alarm number 2 alerted me as we left Helensburgh Upper, and so enough time to get ready before setting down at a very frosty Garelochhead. There was a lack of water after leaving Edinburgh so there was no option but to use the facilties at the end of the seated portion which to my surprise was completely empty. Perhaps all set down at Dalmuir?? (Glasgow Queen St LL is pick up only). Weird...
I was not expecting frost to be honest but as i arrived i was treated to a masterclass of how to salt a station with the Railway representative working quickly, methodically and very accurately as all platform faces were covered as well as the (small) Car Park and approach. Taciturn chap not given to being distracted by small talk - or even a friendly greeting if i'm honest. Can't fault the work in any way so its all good.
A bit of a wait in the cold followed, and with no shelter to speak of it was a case of finding a spot out out of the wind on the lee side for the most part. There were definitely some stunning views down to the Loch and Town albeit it was still dark - perhaps atmospeheric rather than stunning actually. Quite a few seabirds could be heard, and not just the caterwauling of the Seagull types, and once again i found myself enjoying the solitude of a first station of the day, although a few other punters did arrive just before the Queen Street service did.
This was the 5.17 from Oban, and was certainly well patronised by the time it left Garelochhead, perhaps surprisingly so. It wouldn't reach Queen Street before 9.00am so its a heck of a commute for a few hardy souls. I was only staying on until the second stop at Cardross with Helensburgh Upper left for another day as it is best approached from the North, and then returning North unless a wait of an hour or three is your thing. This is something i will have a go at when the days are a bit longer - for now i would be spending the rest of the day covering as much as i could on the lines down to Partick. Having lived to the North of Glasgow for almost 14 years in the last century (sounds a long time ago saying it like that) i do have some prior knowledge of quite a few places i would be visiting and passing through today and it was a bit of a nostalgic fest if i am honest.
Whilst not as tricky as some, the 3 platforms at Helensburgh Central do not receive equal love from visiting services and i had to plan for two very specific services in order to do this with any degree of efficiency, if that's the right word. First off was to set down at Cardross, cross the bridge and wait for the Helensburgh Central service which would be using P2 which nearly all services use. A 10 minute gap before returning down the line and just enough time to leave the station and source breakfast with Tesco and Greggs both vying for my custom. It was a bit tight timewise, but i was safely back on board and heading for Dalreoch, which was at the far west of the Strathclyde Roundabout ticket i would be utilising later on. For now i would be concentrating on the area outside this hence all the tickets. With services crossing at Dalreoch i had to wait nigh on 30 minutes before returning to Helensburgh Central and the planned use of P1, but with a much tighter turnaround time. Craigendoran is the next station down on the Single line and i chose a linear hop there, so a second 30 minute wait was inevitable, but i did go off platform and had a brisk walk in an effort to keep warm. An unexpected visit to the local Morrisons saw me stocking up with supplies before returning to admire the Lochside views.
One place i have never been to is Dumbarton Castle, which is not far from Dumbarton Central (Dumbarton East is probably a bit closer thinking about it). Its quite an imposing thing situated on Dumbarton Rock and visible for miles around. Whilst time didn't permit me to go and visit this time it is a reminder that i will go there on some future occasion. Dumbarton Central also has a third platform loop with a well maintained edge, but currently no services. there was a sign at the bottom of the stairs up to P2 and P3 stating that P3 was for trains to Cumbernauld but i am guessing it was still used until fairly recently, as even the wiki page mentions 3 active platforms (not that its content should be read as gospel of course). For now i am treating this as an unfinished station, until i can gain some clarity.
Time for another change of direction using another linear hop, this time to Balloch via Renton and Alexandria, with guess what, 2 more 30 minute waits to look forward to. I did go exploring at the two interim stops as, guess what again, it was still blooming cold and i was glad to find a local cafe where i could get a warming drink. I know Balloch quite well so it was no hardship to take a quick photo or two before hopping back on board and quickly heading back down the line. I remember using the cycleway from Glasgow on a few occasions back in the day - happy memories.
My next station was Dumbarton East where i would have a longish dwell time of my own, as i would be waiting for the service using P3 at Helensburgh Central. I realised i didn't have a ticket for this last push outside the "Zone" and so attempted to buy one from the machine. I couldn't find a way to change the start location so ended up with a slightly more expensive one than necessary. In the scheme of things i am not going to stamp my foot over this oversight, but every little helps i guess.
With Helensburgh finally in my rear view mirror i could spend the rest of my time inching closer to Glasgow, criss crossing as much track as i could whilst till maintaining progress. Dalmuir was first arrving in P4 and leaving back up the line from P3 as i still needed the 2 interim stations of Kilpatrick and Bowling, both close by the Erskine Bridge which i have used countless times over the years. A very differenmt perspective from the stations for sure. Having to make another visit to Dumbarton Central to get myself back on track it was off to Drumry and then Singer before a visit to Anniesland and then Westerton on the less direct route to Partick once Dalmuir is reached. With more than one service calling at stations now the wait times were far more acceptable and after turning at Hyndland it was off to Milngavie and a tight connection to navigate. Positioned at the front of the train there was just enough time for a quick pic before scooting round to P2 and onto the waiting to depart service South. Phew, that was a tight one. I had a leisurely wait at Bearsden and then Hillfoot with a noticably more upmarket crowd in evidence before my first visit to Partick station - which was a surprise. Far more modern than i was expecting, and clearly a significant interchange with its Underground connection as well as a whole slew of different services on offer. It was also the first place today i had seen a ticket barrier, although it has to be said the ticket checking on board was fairly thorough until about 1pm with my various tickets inspected on all but one service i think. After 1pm they became virtually non-existent for some reason.
It was very much dark again by the time i reached Dalmuir again, this time easing into the bay at P5, before departing a few moments later down the Yoker Line stopping at err Yoker, then Clydebank and Scotstounhill before returning to Dalmuir P3 for track, and then Dalmuir P4 for the same reason making my way to Glasgow Central for a meal (pie) break, but via Jordanhill and Garscadden. About 10 minutes later i as ensconsed in my favourite city centre pub, The Pot Still for a pie (Mince and tatties) a Pint (Tennants) and an expensive Whisky chaser (Ballechin Madeira cask) which whiled away 90 mins or so in convivial company.
All that remained was to make my back to Dalmuir via a stopover at Partick to ensure i landed in P1. I did nod off for a moment or two at Partick and missed my first of 3 possible trains so that was a bit of a moment before i realised all was not lost. When calling at Dalmuir earlier i was assured the waiting room would be open until the sleeper departed, but that basically was a big fat lie, and feedback has been given on this point. It was not a pleasant half hour that. Once on board all was forgiven and i made my way to the lounge car so i could have a final dram and watch the world go by (until Mossend at least). I fell asleep all right this time back in my cabin after setting my trusty alwarm once more. Arrival into Crewe was a bit earlier than i expected but not too early that i wasn't ready to set down. I was back home by 6.15 and a bonus hour or two's sleep before a final few days of commitments in Bolton. I am so glad that side of things has now ceased and for the moment there is nothing on the horizon apart from 5 nights in Scotland (Portobello, Edinburgh next week). I will probably have a day out and about whilst there but lets see.
I noticed that the promised Wolverhampton/Walsall via Pleck move was cancelled again today, the same as 2 weeks ago so i am not holding my breath for next Thursday's teaser either. It can wait for now. the Bidston P1 from the South move all last week went off as planned - except the day i had planned where it was cancelled due to a train fault. Thankfully on each occasion i hadn't set off so no hardship.
Whatever normal is, i am very much looking forward to a bunch of it for now. My instinct for this project is to still concentrate on London wherever an unusual move pops up and build something round that, or further trips to Edinburgh/Glasgow, but definitely on the seats i think to save some of the hard earned folding stuff. Probably missed loads in this report but its long enough i think. Back next weekend with an update on my first proper foray near Edinburgh. Nothing planned as yet so i need to get my skates on with this. Oh, I pretty much covered everything West of Partick on Tuesday. The exceptions are a small bit of track North of Dalmuir P1, Drumchapel, and the bay at Anniesland. Research needed for Dumbarton Central P3 of course too.
Crewe | Depart | 23.45 | ***** | CS | | | stations | platforms |
Garelochhead | Arrive | 6.43 | P2 | CS | wait 46m | | completed | completed |
Garelochhead | Depart | 7.29 | P1 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Cardross | Arrive | 7.49 | P2 | SR | wait 18m | | | |
Cardross | Depart | 8.07 | P1 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Helensburgh Central | Arrive | 8.15 | P2 | SR | wait 10m | | | |
Helensburgh Central | Depart | 8.25 | P2 | SR | | | | |
Dalreoch | Arrive | 8.38 | P1 | SR | wait 29m | | | |
Dalreoch | Depart | 9.07 | P2 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Helensburgh Central | Arrive | 9.22 | P1 | SR | wait 4m | | | |
Helensburgh Central | Depart | 9.26 | P1 | SR | | | | |
Craigendoran | Arrive | 9.29 | Single | SR | wait 29m | | | |
Craigendoran | Depart | 9.58 | Single | SR | | | 1 | 1 |
Dumbarton Central | Arrive | 10.09 | P1 | SR | wait 15m | | | |
Dumbarton Central | Depart | 10.24 | P2 | SR | | | | |
Renton | Arrive | 10.28 | Single | SR | wait 31m | | | |
Renton | Depart | 10.59 | Single | SR | | | 1 | 1 |
Alexandria | Arrive | 11.02 | Single | SR | wait 28m | | | |
Alexandria | Depart | 11.30 | Single | SR | | | 1 | 1 |
Balloch | Arrive | 11.33 | Single | SR | wait 5m | | | |
Balloch | Depart | 11.38 | Single | SR | | | 1 | 1 |
Dumbarton East | Arrive | 11.51 | P1 | SR | wait 37m | | | |
Dumbarton East | Depart | 12.28 | P2 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Helensburgh Central | Arrive | 12.45 | P3 | SR | wait 10m | | | |
Helensburgh Central | Depart | 12.55 | P3 | SR | | | 1 | 3 |
Dalmuir | Arrive | 13.20 | P4 | SR | wait 30m | | | |
Dalmuir | Depart | 13.50 | P3 | SR | | | | |
Dumbarton Central | Arrive | 13.58 | P2 | SR | wait 20m | | | |
Dumbarton Central | Depart | 14.18 | P1 | SR | | | | |
Kilpatrick | Arrive | 14.27 | P1 | SR | wait 16m | | | |
Kilpatrick | Depart | 14.43 | P2 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Bowling | Arrive | 14.46 | P2 | SR | wait 9m | | | |
Bowling | Depart | 14.55 | P1 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Drumry | Arrive | 15.05 | P1 | SR | wait 13m | | | |
Drumry | Depart | 15.18 | P2 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Singer | Arrive | 15.20 | P2 | SR | wait 13m | | | |
Singer | Depart | 15.33 | P1 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Anniesland | Arrive | 15.44 | P1 | SR | wait 7m | | | |
Anniesland | Depart | 15.51 | P2 | SR | | | | |
Westerton | Arrive | 15.54 | P2 | SR | wait 7m | | | |
Westerton | Depart | 16.01 | P1 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Hyndland | Arrive | 16.07 | P1 | SR | wait 12m | | | |
Hyndland | Depart | 16.19 | P2 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Milngavie | Arrive | 16.34 | P1 | SR | wait 1m | | | |
Milngavie | Depart | 16.35 | P2 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Bearsden | Arrive | 16.40 | P1 | SR | wait 17m | | | |
Bearsden | Depart | 16.57 | P2 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Hillfoot | Arrive | 16.58 | P1 | SR | wait 12m | | | |
Hillfoot | Depart | 17.10 | P2 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Partick | Arrive | 17.24 | P1 | SR | wait 19m | | | |
Partick | Depart | 17.43 | P2 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Dalmuir | Arrive | 18.02 | P5 | SR | wait 7m | | | |
Dalmuir | Depart | 18.09 | P5 | SR | | | | |
Yoker | Arrive | 18.04 | P1 | SR | wait 23m | | | |
Yoker | Depart | 18.27 | P2 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Clydebank | Arrive | 18.29 | P2 | SR | wait 4m | | | |
Clydebank | Depart | 18.33 | P1 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Scotstounhill | Arrive | 18.39 | P1 | SR | wait 21m | | | |
Scotstounhill | Depart | 19.00 | P2 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Dalmuir | Arrive | 19.11 | P3 | SR | wait 19m | | | |
Dalmuir | Depart | 19.30 | P4 | SR | | | | |
Jordanhill | Arrive | 19.42 | P1 | SR | wait 5m | | | |
Jordanhill | Depart | 19.47 | P2 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Garscadden | Arrive | 19.52 | P2 | SR | wait 14m | | | |
Garscadden | Depart | 20.06 | P1 | SR | | | 1 | 2 |
Glasgow Central | Arrive | 20.23 | P16 | SR | wait 120m | | | |
Glasgow Central | Depart | 22.23 | P17 | SR | | | | |
Partick | Arrive | 22.31 | P2 | SR | wait 34m | | | |
Partick | Depart | 23.05 | P2 | SR | | | | |
Dalmuir | Arrive | 23.23 | P1 | SR | wait 28m | | | |
Dalmuir | Depart | 23.51 | P2 | CS | | | 1 | 5 |
Crewe | Arrive | 5.17 | ***** | CS | | | | |