Day off and advice needed

[KalamityKel]

I shall expect a full report to presented on me desk b4 12noon today Xena ;-)

[Xena Worried prince]

Good Morning Campers

Well what a day it turned out to be

Got up at 6am (over excited and HAD to get out of bed) to enjoy a brisk cold shower and rub down with sea salt encrusted towel (good for the circulation as my Daddy used to say)

Made some Cheese and Pickle Sandwiches, a thermos of hot hot tea (which wasn't later on) and a packet of Pickled onion Monster munch.

Set off at 8 with my lunch and a notebook of train numbers on the 37 to Hicksville (Cl'am as they like to call it) using my faithful oyster card what a bargain a whole pound to go and see trains (it was too complicated to go via train to Clapham Junction but wait till the East London Line gets here)

Arrived at Clapham Junction at 9am, excitement barely contained (much to the disgust of a couple of passing ladies) and proceeded to go to the platform. First problem encountered I didn't have a ticket and they refused to sell me a platform ticket.. No problem I thought so I bought a return to East Croydon (random destination for the day) and went down onto the station.

It was bloody wet and cold yesterday so I was glad of the Parka Jacket and it's fake fur trimmings, made it all nice and cosy.

Come 10am I had spotted 40 trains passing through the station and some of them went so fast I couldn't get their numbers.. very scary as I have a lot of numbers written down and some are half completed

Then came the exceptional Diesel Shunt class 3 locomotive pulling 40 wagons of various goods (Cement, metal and some closed box cars). She was moving so slowly that I had time to get the Locomotive number, and all the wagons too.

Too exciting so sat down and had an early lunch and drank my now cold tea (I forgot to tighten the stopper)

10:30am came and I was, well lets say bored and lonely, I think this is the true sensation experienced by most train spotters, so decided to go for a walk and a wee (too much tea) but sadly platform 11 doesn't have a toilet on it so had to leave the station and go to the local shops, by this time the tea was starting to make my cords go a darker brown and a sense of urgency was starting to come over me.... I have to say there are no public houses open at that time of the morning and I ended up int he former Arding and Hobbs Building (now Debenhams) where I experienced a sense of relief and an overwhelming urge to visit the menswear section for a pair of flared jeans, a tank top and a multi mohair jacket and some plimsolls... sadly they don't seem to stock such cutting edge fashion items.

I then decided to return to the station and had to purchase yet another ticket (sadly the one from earlier had been taken on my exit from the station and next time I will get a travel card) but what happened next is beyond my belief

A couple of gentlemen from the British Transport Police approached me as I was attempting to get through the ticket barrier and asked me what I was doing, Innocently I replied 'Train Spotting' and they promptly asked me to accompany them to a private room under the prevention of terrorism act. I have no idea, maybe it was the bundle of 12 sticks of Brighton Rock that I had tied together in my back pack, maybe it was the big old fashioned Alarm Clock to wake me later if I fell asleep that was placed in my bag next to the rock or maybe it was the Licorice shoelaces that were haphazardly draped over both items... who knows but never the less a good grilling ensued and I don't quite think I answered all of their questions as well as I should have.

To cut a long story short, I am being allowed to write this email whilst I await an unmarked transport plane out from Biggen Hill, all very exciting but I have to say I don't think Orange really suits me.

More later (if they let me)

[jrussel]

For your information there are no Class 03 shunters operational on the main line these days and certainly not anywhere near Clapham Junction. Also, there have been virtually no mixed freight trains running in the UK since the late 80s or early 90s. Again, certainly you would not see this at Clapham Junction.

Finally, are you American? The correct UK terminology for a "box car" is a "goods van", for your future reference.

It is clear that everything you have written on this thread is a falsehood. But if it has given you pleasure to mock the harmless leisure activities of others, then why should anyone object?

[Peckhamgatecrasher]

Oh er, a real grizer.

[KalamityKel]

that told u dittenit!

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Consider yourself told!

Imposter..:'(.......and to think I was gonna come along and share notes....

:))

[Xena Worried prince]

jrussel Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> For your information there are no Class 03

> shunters operational on the main line these days

> and certainly not anywhere near Clapham Junction.

> Also, there have been virtually no mixed freight

> trains running in the UK since the late 80s or

> early 90s. Again, certainly you would not see this

> at Clapham Junction.

>

> Finally, are you American? The correct UK

> terminology for a "box car" is a "goods van", for

> your future reference.

>

> It is clear that everything you have written on

> this thread is a falsehood. But if it has given

> you pleasure to mock the harmless leisure

> activities of others, then why should anyone

> object?

My Dear Mr Russel, or may I call you Jack ?

Jack, you seem to be barking up the wrong tree here, class 03 diesel shunts are still in use on a regular basis in the UK, they are I admit few and far between but being Diesel/Electric they can pull a far greater weight then standard electric trains...

In terms of mixed freight being pulled, clearly you don't use the railways as much as you should, I bet you are one of those namby pamby greens that harks on about saving the planet at meetings a mile from your house then drive home again afterwards with your head out of the window catching the breeze. Mixed freight traverses the lines on a daily basis, and you can see it at least twice a day going through Peckham Rye Station.

I like the question about am I American, well buddy I guess we all are as we watch so much imported crap from the US (excluding the Mentalist which I enjoyed this week on the plane to where ever I am at the moment) also aren't we the smaller brother of America (acording to most Americans) - but to answer your question No

As for me making false posts, my response to your incorrect assumptions about trains obviously shows you are trying to provoke me by also posting falsely.

So Jack, I think it is clear that you are chasing your own tail on this thread and maybe I need to take you out for the day to see some trains before you go ferreting for the afternoon.

Yours

Xena

[Tony.London Suburbs]

I knew you were genuine all along Xena!

You certainly know your stuff M8, Trains, Planes...any Boat Trips planned and you'v got the hat-trick!:)

[Xena Worried prince]

Dear Mr TLS

Would it help if I told you I own a class XXIII U boat ?

Xena

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Xena: Worried prince Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Dear Mr TLS >

> Would it help if I told you I own a class XXIII U

> boat ?>

> Xena

Well I'll go to the bottom of our stairs...and there's me referring to "Boats" an all!

I'm duly impressed Xen.