A day out by rail
An Outing to Oxford
© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2016
Geoff’s Rail Diaries
26 July 2016
After a certain amount of debate, the destination for this day
out finally firmed up. We’ll have a ride down to Oxford, and
on the outward journey, we’ll travel on one of Chiltern
Trains’ loco-hauled (or, in our case, propelled) “Mainline”
services, between Birmingham Moor Street and Banbury.
We’ve got plenty of time to walk from New Street to Moor Street
- sufficient to snap a couple of trams on the recently-opened
extension from Snow Hill. At Moor Street, 68010 is ready with
our train, for the most pleasant part of our day’s travels - proper
coaches, a decent view out of the window, no engines roaring
away under the floor...
All will change, of course. From Banbury, we’re on a “Voyager”
(which is slightly delayed behind two lengthy Freightliners). Why
do I suspect their designers never travel by rail?
We passed the two freights, looped, as we headed south, so at
Oxford, before we leave the station, we’ll maybe get a photo of
them as they pass. Then we can go for lunch...
After lunch, I’m on my own for an hour or so - an opportunity to
explore a little of the city. Interesting! I don’t think I’ve ever
seen such a high concentration of Japanese (Chinese? Korean?)
tourists! (photos on geoffspages blog)
Back to the station, for another Voyager, all the way back to
New Street (via Coventry). The Shrewsbury train is just arriving
as we get out - at the bay beside our platform. Just as well - it’s
5pm, and it’s busy. An hour later, I’m walking back to the car, in
the rain...
