07:30.

I’m not used to this anymore! I was rudely awoken by the alarm which I’d set for 06:30 – not something I’ve had to do for a while. The reson for getting up at such an hour is I need to get into Farnham to catch a train into London before heading North to Rickmansworth, ready for an HS2 railways site visit (more of which later). Darkest Tilford isn’t the easiest place to get to/from but Dawn’s kindly offered to give me a lift to the station. I’ll blog and post pictures throughout the journey and explain more about what it is I’ve been invited to see later…

08:15.

I’ve made it as far as Farnham on what’s a beautiful morning – but bloody chilly! The fields surround Tilford are coated in frost, which makes for a lovely vista. I’ve I wasn’t travelling I’d have been tempted to wander with the camera locally. As it is I’m now waiting for the 08:34 to take me to Guildford. Farnham station’s busy with commuters such as these who catching a direct service into the capital as I arrived.

08:45.

I’m now on the first train of the day, a virtually empty 4-car Desiro. It’s quiet as the set has just come empty out of the sidings where it reversed after working in from Guildford. Plus, a London direct train   runs ahead of it by just a few minutes.

09:20.

My plan to get a few quick pics at Guidford fell by the wayside when I ended up in conversation about railways with the Conductor of my train as he was intrigued as to how and why I was going to Rickmansworth (he’d noticed my ticket destination earlier). I nearly missed my connection as a result! Fortunately, the Waterloo train left from the adjacent platform. The 5-car Class 444 that formed it was already very busy, leaving few seats available to Guildford passengers. Apparently, vandalism at Portsmouth was causing delays and cancellations on our route, so I was probably lucky my train was on time.

Right now we’re speeding along the South-western main line, non-stop from Woking to Waterloo.

10:00.

After grabbing a few quick shots at Waterloo, I headed for the underground and a trip on the Bakerloo line, which has the oldest trains on the network. They should have been replaced years ago, but Transport for London has been strapped for cash, so these 40 odd year old trains soldier on, unloved and unkempt. They’re in a right old state inside and out. Riding the line’s reminiscent of the New York subway in the bad old days.

14:30.

I’m here at the HS2 Chiltern tunnel South portal where the porous portals that prevent sonic booms have bern completed.   They’re fascinating examples of civil engineering problem-solving – and an interesting optical illusion.

18:15.

That was a really interesting day. Having the opportunity to talk to the engineers (male and female) who are responsible for designing and executing these major projects is a real privilege.

Having been deposited back at Rickmansworth station, I retraced my route back to London, stopping off on the way to get a few pictures at various stations along the line to Baker St.

Back at Waterloo I made time to check out the Railway Heritage trust exhibition outside the old Eurostar platforms. The trust are showcasing the import work they do helping to restore the UKs railway heritage with grants and advice on restoring station buildings and other items across the network.

I made one last stop at Clapham Junction to make the most of the glorious weather in order to capture images of the old Class 455 trains that are still in daily service despite being well past their sell-by date.

Right now I’m standing in a vestibule on the 18:02 from Clapham to Alton, which is absolutely rammed.

18:30.

Thankfully, a large portion of my fellow passengers left at West Byfleet, which has allowed the rest of us to get seats – and me to charge my phone!

I’m reflecting on the fact today is my first (albeit brief) visit to London in 2025, which seems bizarre as it’s a city I called home for 25 years, but then Asia beckoned earlier this year and I answered the call.

21:10.

Time to bring this blog to a close. I’m back at Chez Platt in Tilford and winding down for the evening. I’ve added several more pictures from today but now Dawn and I are having some quality time together before another busy day tomorrow. See you then!

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