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I had to be back at home early as we had a family evening planned and something on the next morning.
Bold = Haulage, Red = Winner, All others are sightings.
There were three branch lines on the southern end of the Greater Anglia network that I haven't had a chance to do. That being said there are a few others to do still; Ipswich to Lowestoft, Lowestoft to Norwich and Norwich to Peterborough, Cambridge to Audley End and the line between Kennett and Ely.
But on to this trip.
At least this start wasn't stupid O'Clock. First train was 2J05 Selhurst to East Croydon 377301, 377318 (non winners) [om 77ch].
A swift change and on to 9T02 East Croydon to Farringdon 700107 (non winner) [12m 11ch]. Alighting off the Thameslink and down in the the bowels of Farringdon and catch my next train.
9U19 Farringdon to Liverpool Street 345019 (winner) ✅ [0m 57ch]. Leaving the Elizabeth line and Underground station I crossed the concourse (after grabbing breakfast) to catch 1K16 Liverpool Street to Southend Victoria 720135, 720132 (winners) ✅ [41m 42ch]. The only problem was the utter moron that literally barged into me on the platform almost knocking me over. He scurried off quickly, luckily for him.
At Southend Victoria I was going to take a bit of time and catch a different train but I managed to get food for later and there appeared to be a small deay so rather than chance it I jumped the same units back to Wickford.
2K43 Southend Victoria to Wickford 720135, 720132 (non winners) [12m 40].
The next train was due to leave from the bay platform so over the bridge and on to 2J20 Wickford to Southminster 720116 (winner) ✅ [16m 40ch].
On arrival at Southminster I debated whether or not to hang around there and catch the next train back but decided against it. There's not a lot there.
2J16 Southminster to Wickford 720116 (non winner) [16m 40ch]
Back at Wickford it was time for the next train. Two lines down and one to go.
1K15 Wickford to Shenfield 720119 (winner) ✅ [25m 36ch]. It was nice to see the Shenfield Shark still in situ. There were quite a few trains passing though while I waited.
1Y14 Shenfield to Manningtree 720105 (winner) ✅ [39m 18ch] was up next taking me to my next train.
Manningtree is an nice little station. I had a bit of time there and was in luck as one of the Southbound Norwich to London trains my last c.745 for sight. Bonus.
Now to get my last new line for the day. 1A18 Manningtree to Harwich Town 720526 (winner) ✅ [11m 26ch]. The line is a nice one and worth a trip but the highlight for me was Harwich International. Had I had the time I would have jumped off and taken a lot of photos but again time was of the essence so I went on the Harwich Tow nand then back on the same train.
2A35 Harwich Town to Manngingtree 720526 (non winner) [11m 26ch].
This train meant I had a 3 minute connection at Manningtreee for a train to London or a lot longer wait. As luck would have it my train arrived in on time and the Liverpool Street train was 2 minutes late!
1P39 Manningtree to Liverpool Street 745006 (winner) ✅ [59m 28ch]. Just outside Stratford we ground to a stop and ended up in to Liverpool Street 5 minutes late. Again in to the Underground and Elizabeth Line. 9T37 Liverpool Street to Farringdon 345037 (non winner) [0m 57ch].
At Farringdon it was time to meet my daughter and go home.
9J38 Farringdon to East Croydon 700129 (non winner) [12m 11ch]. Luckily at East Croydon we were able to cross over and catch 2J42 East Croydon to Selhurst 377314, 377323 (non winners) [0m 77ch].
What a good day for line ticking off.