Adding to Dave's point, you have been on a lot of 21st Century traction, so perhaps you could look at more classic stock like HSTs. Or if you like travelling during the early hours of the morning :D why not go on a couple of sleeper services for some loco hauled action.

Thanks a lot Dave and David, a few rides on the HSTs sounds good. I will probably have a week away to get them so where would be the best place to go because I don`t know where they operate out of. The ones I know of are the GNER on the ECML. Also I would need short journeys, IE stations not too far apart. Thanks again gentlemen, all the best.

Chris.

London may well be the place I'm afraid as you have;

* Kings X for Grand Central
* Paddington for First Great Western
* St Pancras for what used to be Midland Mainline

I'm not sure how you're gonna get a ride on the Network Rail banana, maybe if you tell Serco what you're up to and ask them for a cabride.

Now that's a good idea.
It goes through Preston regularly and you could get a return trip to Glasgow.

Thanks John and Foghut, I think I will give the HSTs a go. Like John says the Network Rail banana goes through Preston on a regular basis. Have you any idea Foghut who I need to ask at Serco ? A week down in London sounds good, I will do some research on how to do has many has possible without travelling too far on each one.

Thanks again for your help. All the best.

Chris.

I work within the railway industry and have dealings with Serco on a regular basis , so I will have a chat with their standards team and tell them of your proposed charity HST hunt and I will see if they can play ball. All railway companies love a bit of positive PR so you may be in with a chance of a ride on the bannana, well no harm asking .

Thanks a lot Shiny, If you can manage to do that it will kickstart the project for me which I hope to start next Spring.

Thanks again and all the best.

Chris.

With regards to 390 033 i tghink i have seen the carrage or the name plate transfered onto another one as the name rings a bell!

Could anyone please tell me if the HSTs go from Cardiff to Newport and vice versa, If they do it would be ideal for me because I could do quite a few in the day. Also are there any hotels close to either of the stations where I could stay ? Many thanks and all the best.

I don't know about the HSTs, but there is a Tarvel Lodge in Cardiff, which is apparently 3 minutes walk from the station.