The BeerTrain

A last chance saloon attempt to finally get an Alco down the Algarve, the only remaining booked turn for the class being the 0853 ex Barreiro & 1620 return. I would also be trying to cover all my required diesel hauled track in Portugal. I was single manned on this trip & again # = required loco. Sunday 01/04/01 A day transiting my way across France and Spain to pick up the overnight at Irun. 3209       Waterloo International - Paris Nord 1000 Waterloo I - Paris Nord 494km 337#)      Paris Montparnasse - Irun 1555 Paris Mont - Irun 807km 402#) 252069# Irun - Valladolid 2210 Irun - Lisbon 391km Monday 02/04/01 My alarm was set for the loco change at Valladolid - Beast 333 087 forward. 333087# Valladolid - Vila Formosa   2210 Irun - Lisbon 400km 5605#     Vila Formosa - Coimbra-B 2210 Irun - Lisbon 216km Phew! that was a long journey, I had stocked up on snacks and beer in Paris then managed to stay awake ...

I had for many years attended the Weekly Wind Up, a weekly Thursday evening occurrence with about 70 like minded people working on the railway or LUL or Buses trying out varied venues in London & the Home Counties to drink Real Ale. At these events 2 things normally held true 1) I would drink more than the other 70 odd people present & get in the biggest mess & 2) conversations involving Portuguese Railways ALWAYS revolved around "Portuguese 50's, Portuguese 50's OR Portuguese 50's! (& an occasional class 20)". As I hold all class 50's in little (or No) regard that was enough to swerve Portugal for good. Until one evening when Rubble, fresh back from CP land cried out "I was bowled by a Shredder!". Tell me more - what do you mean they have a fleet of Alco RSC-2 / RSC-3 2000hp locos from 1948! and a fleet of MLW MX620's to boot. How come I've never been informed of this fact? Displeased as I was I had other fish to fry in G...