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Rail Ale 2015

The trip looked as though it was going to be derailed as several dropped out in the run up to this event, but there were still 7 remaining keeping us bang on track for another fun day out to Dewsbury.

On the rails were Yuppers, Granpop Bill, Jaycee, Keithee's up for it, Jacko, Corky and Benson.

The previous time we'd visited Huddersfield we hadn't stopped at this pub but had used it as a shortcut to the station; much to the annoyance of the landlady.

Benson finally arrived and informed us that we'd just missed a train. Looks like the timetables had changed since we were last here. Ah well, with the help of the tough boot from behind the bar, we caught the next train to The Railway Inn at Greenfield. We found a cosy nook in a back room where we spotted Jaycee's name etched on the 'naughty boys' register for previously resting his legs on a stool.

After a gentle ride through beautiful countryside we arrived at our first port of call, Dewsbury. Elland brewery ales were available at our first pub stop, the West Riding, where we lifted off with a very light Helium ale.

Yup couldn't resist the temptation of a pork pie or three so bought a few to the table and split them up. Luckily we'd just finished them when friends of Bensons, including Andy Rogers, turned up for an evening out in Greenfield. Well why not, especially if you live in town….

It was pot luck as to whether we'd catch the right train back to Manchester but as luck had it we did, and successfully made it back to Piccadilly station.

We sat around chunky Desperate Dan sized wooden tables in the rear beer garden and admired the hoards of empty beer barrels from the previous day's drinking.

The sun was hot, and cool Keithee 'sensibly' donned his Englishman's hat to avoid getting red. It didn't work.

The times of the next train to Huddersfield had changed, we think, so we had to hang around for a while. Once we arrived the lads were so eager for their next pint they headed off in the wrong direction and had to be restrained by Yuppy and shepherded back to the King's Head at the opposite end of the platform

The first thing that caught your eye was the sight of a multitude of structural supports holding the ceiling up above the bar. Was it overdesigned?? The structural experts were called in but failed to come up with a logical explanation. Must have been the effect the Golden Best had which was ideal for an afternoon's session.

It was panic stations at Piccadilly as Corky contacted us and informed us that our due train was about to leave. We met up with the Keiths and after a speedy Peter Kay-like run up and down ramps and steps we arrived to meet Corky, still without Granpop Bill by our side of course. All was fine however as we realised Corky had got it all wrong. Bill turned up, and we returned at a more leisurely pace back across the bridges and steps to catch the proposed train with plenty of time to spare. Typical Mancurian, getting it all wrong ….

Train times proposed:

Leave Stoke 10.20, arrive Manchester 10.59.

Depart Manchester 11.11 arriving at Dewsbury at 11.54.

Leave Manchester at 21.15 arriving back in Stoke just before 10.

Simples ........

After a butty at Caterbake to set us up for the day, just 4 of us arrived at Stoke station ready to catch the 10.20am train as agreed. We would meet the remaining 3 at Manchester.

Granpop Bill, however, surprisingly announced he'd bought the wrong ticket. He'd bought a Virgin ticket which wasn't applicable so opted to wait for the following train and catch us up.

Benson had his 'bed down' in the office and would meet us later. I think that's what he said ....

Using the metro and bus across the town we arrived at Akbars Indian Restaurant around sixish which was already throbbing with groups of party animals. We waited patiently, except for Corky, and finally were shown to a table where we were served extremely politely and efficiently.

After a short while Jacko led us outside to admire the statue of Sir Harold Wilson set in the centre of the square which was surrounded by some wonderful buildings, before we popped in to the adjacent Head of Steam.

Cobras, pops, main courses and giant nan breads followed (a mere snack sized portion for Bill) and within an hour we were out and walking back to the station, taking the wrong shortcut unfortunately and increasing the mileage.