2. Journey back-29.10.19

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2019 > 73. Trip to London-28 & 29.10.19 > 2. Journey back-29.10.19
The return journey got off to a good start from London. However, things went wrong from Milton Keynes where we changed from our Southern service to London Northwestern. We were held three times on the approach to Northampton meaning that we arrived forty-five minutes late and where the train was promptly terminated. Looking live at Opentraitimes there appeared to be all sorts of problems in the station area with trains blocking platforms and freights having to be put into sidings. Explanations given were vague but the apologies appeared genuine, at least from our gaurd.
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378219, LO 13.39 Stratford-Clapham Junction (2Y68, RT), Kensington Olympia station Kensington Olympia station is a busy one with trains arriving and departing at regular intervals throughout the day. It has a fascinating history being very much in a resurgence phase over the last twenty years or so with passenger numbers peaking at ten million in 2014/15. Several operators operate at and through the station, here London Overground's 378219 pauses at the station with the 13.39 Stratford to Clapham Junction service. Keywords: 378219 13.39 Stratford-Clapham Junction 2Y68 Kensington Olympia station
377203, SN 14.10 South Croydon-Milton Keynes Central (2M39, 2L), Kensington Olympia station Our train home from London drifts into Kensington Olympia station. 377203 is working the 14.10 South Croydon to Milton Keynes Central that we took to its destination. Despite it being the middle of the afternoon before the peak period, the train was pleasingly full justifying its two-unit formation. Having said this, the return service from Milton Keynes in the early evening would be much busier. Keywords: 377203 southern 14.10 South Croydon-Milton Keynes Central 2M39 Kensington Olympia station
66142 & 66063, stabled, Wembley yard Freight operator Maritime Transport now have seven dedicated class 66s that lead their Freightliner trains up and down the country. Whilst they are owned and operated by Deutsche Bahn the branding and identity are very clear and they certainly strike a pose out on the network! All are named with proper cast plates applied to the side of the locomotives. Between work in Wembley yard, 66142 'Maritime Intermodal Three' stands just in front of 66063 that is in the livery that we have become so accustomed to over the last twenty years or so. Keywords: 66142 66063 Wembley yard
221101, VT 10.52 Glasgow Central-London Euston (9F54, 2L), Milton Keynes Central station I have very few pictures of the flowing silk liveried 221101 '101 Squadron' and with the company about to relinquish its franchise in the next few weeks I have few chances left! Here it is seen at the back of the 10.52 Glasgow Central to Euston as it leaves Milton Keynes Central station in the dying light of an early autumn afternoon. Keywords: 221101 10.52 Glasgow Central-London Euston 9F54 Milton Keynes Central station
86604, 86607 & 66538, 11.34 Felixstowe North-Trafford Park (4M87), Milton Keynes Central station I had been watching the progress of the 4M87 on my mobile 'phone expecting to see a class 66 leading the train. However, as it came into view in the distance I realised that it was something different. I am not sure if this was a positioning move or as a result of failure but 66453 is tucked inside behind vintage 86604 and 86607 as it passes at considerable speed through Milton Keynes Central station. The 11.34 Felixstowe to Trafford Park Freightliner did leave Ipswich very late but had gained a lot of its lost minutes by the time it was here at Milton Keynes so I suspect that it could have been a problem with 66538. Keywords: 86604 86607 66538 11.34 Felixstowe North-Trafford Park 4M87 Milton Keynes Central station
350251, LN 15.24 London Euston-Rugeley Trent Valley (Cancelled from Northampton) (9K56, 45L), Northampton station Our train back from Milton Keynes to Northampton has just arrived and been promptly cancelled meaning all the passengers intending to travel on further are having to alight and hopefully continue their journey on another service. 350251 was already crowded as the 15.24 Euston to Rugeley Trent Valley before it was terminated to return back to Euston. We were given scant information for the delay arriving forty-five minutes behind schedule with a stack of trains behind us and with Northampton station running out of platform space. Yesterday, we were told it was 'staff shortages' today 'power issues', either way, huge inconvenience and costly repay delay payments incurred by the operator. Keywords: 350251 15.24 London Euston-Rugeley Trent Valley 9K56 Northampton station
Tickets, Kensington Olympia-Northampton Our off-peak return tickets from Kensington Olympia to Northampton. At £45 for the pair of us, it was not our cheapest trip to London! Keywords: Tickets Kensington Olympia-Northampton

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