UK rail trip – 2022
Day 32 – 4th May, 2022
Today was one of those ‘because I can, just because I have a rail pass’ days. I decided to take a train up to Birmingham and back. But I didn’t leave from London Euston to get to Birmingham New Street. I made my way to London Marylebone, instead. I’ve never caught a train up the Chiltern Main Line before and London Marylebone was the line’s terminal station.
The appropriately named Chiltern Railways run services from this station. I boarded my class 168/0. Not long after, the train departed. The Chiltern Main Line loosely follows the route of the West Coast Main Line from London Euston. However, it’s far enough to be able to see things from a different perspective. For example, passing much closer to Wembley Stadium. The trip took right on two hours to get to Birmingham Moor Street.
I made the 5, or so, minute walk to Birmingham New Street and found an Avanti West Coast class 390 service that would take me back to London. As I mentioned earlier, it was a ‘just because I can’ trip. Railways are my favourite form of transport (apart from a bicycle).
I always enjoy travelling on the West Coast Main Line. Because it’s fast and also because the class 390 Pendolinos tilt when going into a curve. It’s a pretty good feeling. After all, I am a train nutter. 🙂 For much of the day, there had been rainly periods. Thankfully, by the time I got back to London Euston, it had pretty much dried up.
I dropped my backpack off at the hostel and wandered around a bit. I eventually made my way down to the Thames, not too far from the London Eye. I sat and watched the world go by – both boats and people. After a while, I walked over to the KFC just across from London Waterloo and bought four pieces of chicken with chips. I must say, the KFC chips in Australia taste better. I went back to the river and ate. While I’ve been over here in the UK, I’d still be listening to Sydney radio station 2GB at various times during the day. It was now evening in London, but I was listening to breakfast host Ben Fordham. I do like keeping up to date with issues back home. I also decided to take a few photographs.
Tomorrow, I’m off to Windsor Castle! I will also be changing hostels.