The Swedish GWR Attack

hwolge · Post by **hwolge** » 22 Mar 2006, 15:39

Yesterday I and Lars tried to do the full 275. We almost made it...

At 22.15 we rolled through a closed Earl's Court vapourising all hope of making Ken (O). Had everything worked reasonably normal the finish could have been the following (according to TFL JourneyPlanner)

Earl's Court-Ken (O) 22.20-22.23
Ken (O)- West Ken 22.23-22.33 (walk - not running!)
West Ken - Richmond 22.35-22.52
Richmond - Turnham Green 22.55-23.04
Turnham Green-Heathrow T123 23.08-23.36
T123-Hatton Cross 23.40-23.44
Hatton Cross- HT4 23.49-23.53

We started at 05.28 - so that would have been 18:25...

But - this did not happen.

I should also mention that we had some help almost throughout the day, especially in station details, from Neil, Chris, Pete and Ric (who also supplied dinner). However route plan was the intended one.

Anyway, we had a great day and might do it again some day...

Kind Regards,
HÃƒÂ¥kan & Lars

CrunchySaviour · Post by **CrunchySaviour** » 22 Mar 2006, 15:55

Ah, so the fabled Kensington (Olympia) closure claims its second set of Tube Challengers (the others being Adham and me).

Could you have used the shuttle from High Street Ken to Olympia?

You must try again.

I would have joined you on the day, were I not laden with coursework and lab reports.

Post by **tubeguru** » 22 Mar 2006, 16:33

Olympia wasn't closed. We passed through Gloucester Road and Earl's Court at full speed on the Piccadilly (no 5mph!) and it was THEY that were closed, preventing them getting there.

I am currently blogging it all, as I was with them for over 200 of the 275 stations. Watch this space.

standclearofthedoors · Post by **standclearofthedoors** » 22 Mar 2006, 17:10

200?
You might as well have taken credit for the record if they beat it!

Post by **tubeguru** » 22 Mar 2006, 17:15

Can't do that - they wouldn't even let me get train numbers for them!

http://www.purpletube.com

A complete write-up from me, plus picture.

geofftech · Post by **geofftech** » 22 Mar 2006, 19:38

Which bit of the route did you not do Neil! Epping? Are you /sure/ you wern't secretely 'doing it' with them?

Post by **tubeguru** » 22 Mar 2006, 20:14

I did all of their route except a bit in the middle.

They wouldn't let me help

CrunchySaviour · Post by **CrunchySaviour** » 22 Mar 2006, 23:05

It may have ruined world-record-time chances, but if the Kensington Olympia shuttle was still working from High Street Ken, you could have taken that having got to HSK by other means, for example from Gloucester Road (bus?).

hwolge · Post by **hwolge** » 23 Mar 2006, 08:23

I guess, theoretically, we may had done all stations that way, well not quite since Gloucester Road was closed too (though I doubt the shuttle was running at all due to this). But it would certainly have ruined any chance of a record time. It's even doubtful that we could have made the last T4 bus...

jonny · Post by **jonny** » 23 Mar 2006, 18:19

Earl's Court and Gloucester Road were only closed on the Piccadilly line due to local power failure. I believe the district were still operating to these stations. you could have changed back onto the other direction at South Kensington and gone back towards Olympia that way.

Root · Post by **Root** » 23 Mar 2006, 19:08

Everybody has 20-20 hindsight... the fact remains that they made a great effort and came very close to the record.

I'd just like to applaud the effort. It was nice to come meet you guys (and Neil) at Chesham, I'm waiting for you to upload the pictures you took, especially the one of me!

Ollie

hwolge · Post by **hwolge** » 23 Mar 2006, 19:54

jonny wrote:Earl's Court and Gloucester Road were only closed on the Piccadilly line due to local power failure. I believe the district were still operating to these stations. you could have changed back onto the other direction at South Kensington and gone back towards Olympia that way.

I thought I heard them saying (in Barons court) on the speakers that NO trains stopped at Earl's Court and Gloucester Road. Anyway we would not have made Earl's Court in time for the 22.20 shuttle to K (O). Neil mentioned that he'd been about to say that we should change already at S Ken. However, I'm sure I would have objected to that anyway, since I "know" Pic is a lot quicker between SK and EC than District, even considering change time...

And as Root pointed out 20-20 hindsight is one thing...

A complete writeup including pictures will come, but not for a few days yet...

jonny · Post by **jonny** » 23 Mar 2006, 22:21

I wasn't criticising -- you're all better than me lol.

tpfkar · Post by **tpfkar** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:31

Hi guys. Sorry it didn't work out, but you've clearly got a very fast route: I'm impressed if you can get in contention without blitzing it on the runs.

The end was very frustrating; I was waiting for you at Earls Court, and was told that the Picc Line wasn't stopping, but I realised you could just have changed at South Kensington and would have been fine. Sadly it wasn't communicated to you

The 22:20 to Olympia was right on time as well.

Really good to see you, planning another 'tourist' visit again soon?

hwolge · Post by **hwolge** » 24 Mar 2006, 10:37

Yes, that was really frustrating to hear... (About the District actually stopping at Earl's Court AND shuttle on time).

Well, well...

No plans yet for another trip, except probably a quick one for Z1C May 19th.

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The Swedish GWR Attack

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