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The Plan started ordinarily at the start. London-Leeds-Guiseley-Bradford Foster Square-Saltaire-Leeds-London.
Then in a flash of inspiration I wondered after doing that could I get in another new line as well? Thing is .... I could! Instead of going to Leeds-London I could go Leeds-Knottingley-Wakefield Westgate-London. That was all planned in and written down and ready to go. Then Friday happened! A look at a photocopy of a map and I saw an opportunity to add in another line!
Bold = Haulage, Red = Winner, All others are sightings.
Saturday morning and the alarm went off at even more stupid O'clock! Oh how I have missed this time. NOT!
Whilst standing at the bus stop I checked my train and of course Thameslink had cancelled the 05:40 from East Croydon. This threw my carefully laid out plans in to disarray! Once at East Croydon I caught
9S00 East Croydon to St Pancras International 700120 Non winner.
This was 3 late when I boarded but made up time to arrive at Kings Cross with time to spare to grab a Greggs Bacon and Sausage roll. After all I had lost the chance of a 'Spoons breakfast in Bradford!
1D03 Kings Cross to Leeds 801204 winner [185m 70ch].
It was quite a nice and quiet trip up.
No mad hash but the ex London train was a bit late (x mins).
Now to tackle the Baildon Triangle (well it's more a figure of 8 really).
Over the bridge to Platform 5C to catch the 09:32.
2V18 Leeds to Guiseley 333003 [10m 19ch].
I had quite a bit of time at Guiseley and to be honest I should have stayed on the train to Ilkley but I did manage to get some photos of the station (watch out for a post about that one) and some trains passing there.
2D45 Guiseley to Bradford Foster Square 333015 [7m 33ch].
Next up was the small single line through Shipley (Now that is an interesting station that is actually a Triangle).
2S20 Bradford Foster Square to Saltaire 333015 [3m 36ch].
Finally the last step of the main reason for the trip.
2H35 Saltaire to Leeds 333008 [11m 48ch].
I now had 55 odd minutes to wait until my next train to take me over some new lines. I went out and grabbed food. Leeds station has changed a lot of the years and there are a few but limited choices outside of the gateline. Once fed it was over to platform 15a.
2F15 Leeds to Knottingley 150205, 150272 [16m 06ch]
I like the initial part of this route as unit passes Leeds Midland Road Freightliner Depot but you have to be quick in looking AND writing. Sadly I am not as fast as I used to be LOL!!! I did get to see the recently re-liveried 70020 in to the Orange livery. I can confirm it looks awful on a class 70.
All too soon we arrived at Castleton where the train reverses before heading to Knottingley. At Knottingley it becomes another train and reverses again (musical chairs anyone?).
2A14 Knottingley to Leeds (Via Wakefield Kirkgate) 150205, 150272 [21m 46ch].
I had planned on bailing at Westgate an then returning to Kirkgate but it would have been the same train so I elected to stay on to Leeds (in the warm).
2A19 Leeds to Wakefield Kirkgate 150205, 150272 [10m 71ch].
I stayed at the station for a few minutes as the main building is quite a lovely looking building but there is little else there. I decided that I would hunt down the 'Spoons there (The Six Chimneys) as I was pretty much in need of a pint and a bite to eat. Wakefield 'Spoons is nice but the town itself is pretty awful and I doubt I will return.
Back at the station I waited on the train to London and put my faith in Grand Central. I really do like the Cl.180s seats.
1A67 Wakefield Kirkgate to Kings Cross 180114 [174m 73ch].
Once at Kings Cross it was over to St Pancras to get a train back to Croydon.
9R49 St Pancras International to East Croydon 700059 [13m 40ch].
Then on to a TRain fro Selhurst.
2J58 East Croydon to Selhurst 377319, 377323 [0m 77ch].
All in all a very good despite Thameslink trying their best to mess it up first thing.