Heart of England Rail Rover Week

Between Monday 6 July and Sunday 12 July 1998, I did something I always wanted to do. That is to spend a week, travelling on Trains around the Midland Network.

From the map above, the border stations are Hereford, Ludlow, Shrewsbury, Wrexham, Chester, Crewe, Stoke-on-Trent, Derby, Matlock, Nottingham, Leicester, Nuneaton, Rugby, Northampton, Leamington Spa, Oxford and Gloucester. Any train and any train operator was permitted within this area, with the exception of the Virgin Trains from Gloucester to Birmingham direct.

My Starting Station - Ledbury, Herefordshire

I paid £37.25 (with a Young Persons Railcard) 1998 prices to enable me to travel off peak (after 9am weekdays and any time at Weekend). My starting station was Ledbury. I returned to Ledbury after each days travelling. There are other rail rovers available. Please consult your local train station.

My Travelling Ticket

My final number of miles I have achieved was 2003¼ miles (3200 kms).

The total duration of my trip was 43 Hours 55 Minutes.

The total time I spend idle, meaning not travelling at all, this includes waiting for trains, Shopping on Tuesday and Wednesday and Heights of Abraham on Friday was 21 Hours 21 Minutes

What now follows are the journey details and some of my photos from my trip. When I mention Home Station below, this means that I have been to that station the most often on that day, either set foot on the station or went on a train which travelled through.

• Monday 6 July 1998 : Record Breaking Mileage in a day. - Home Station : Crewe

• Tuesday 7 July 1998 : The Longest Platform Station in the UK - Home Station : Worcester Shrub Hill

• Wednesday 8 July 1998 : Shopping, the Long way round! - Home Station : Ledbury

• Thursday 9 July 1998 : New Lines and Stations - Home Station : Derby

• Friday 10 July 1998 : Heights of Abraham - Home Station : Derby

• Saturday 11 July 1998 : Travelling to the Unknown - Home Station : Birmingham New Street

• Sunday 12 July 1998 : Rounding off the record breaking week - Home Station : Worcester Shrub Hill