The original Pilning Challenge, the Pilning Grand Slam, has been refreshed and returns for 2020!
Are you brave enough to take on the challenge and secure your place in Pilning folklore? Leaving Pilning on the morning train and returning in the afternoon, accumulate points by travelling on as many Train Service Company Branded Operations (TSCBOs) as possible.
The Pilning Grand Slam can be undertaken from 4th January 2020 onwards.
Back home after a successful challenge? Submit your challenge here!
Challenge Flyer
Leaderboard
| Pilning Grand Slam | |||
| Challenger | Date Undertaken | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhassell | 25/01/2020 | 80 |  |
| Cragoolia | 25/01/2020 | 80 | |
| Andy Thomas | 25/01/2020 | 80 | |
| Andy Thomas | 18/01/2020 | 60 |  |
| Carol Thomas | 18/01/2020 | 60 | |
| Cragoolia | 14/03/2020 | 40 |  |
| Dhassell | 14/03/2020 | 40 | |
| Dhassell | 29/02/2020 | 40 | |
| Carol Thomas | 25/01/2020 | 40 | |
| The Gamemaster | 18/01/2020 | 40 | |
Challenge Notes
| Points per TSCBO |
| 10 points are available per TSCBO (from 04/01/2020) |
| Eligible Train Service Company Branded Operations | |
| Chiltern Railways | Avanti West Coast |
| c2c | Caledonian Sleeper |
| CrossCountry | East Midlands Railway |
| Eurostar | Gatwick Express |
| Grand Central | Great Northern |
| Great Western Railway | Greater Anglia |
| Heathrow Express | Hull Trains |
| Island Line | LNER |
| London Northwestern Railway | Merseyrail |
| Northern | ScotRail |
| South Western Railway | Southeastern |
| Southern | Stansted Express |
| Thameslink | TransPennine Express |
| Transport for Wales | West Midlands Railway |
| West Midlands Metro | Nottingham Express Transit |
| Sheffield Supertram | |
Submissions for the Pilning Grand Slam will be opened from January 4th.
Details of the original Pilning Grand Slam can be viewed on the following page.
Challenge Rules
Leaving Pilning on the morning train and returning in the afternoon, accumulate points by travelling aboard as many different Train Service Company’s Branded Operations (TSCBOs) as possible. An exclusive Pilning Grand Slam ticket is available to challengers successfully returning to Pilning having scored the minimum number of points required for each of the levels as shown below.
BRONZE: 40 SILVER: 60 GOLD: 80
Your Grand Slam attempt must start and finish at Pilning Station, using the two services which call on any one Saturday.
You must travel aboard one of the eligible TSCBOs listed on this page between any two stations in order for it to qualify. Your initial train used when departing Pilning may be included. Every different eligible TSCBO used scores points.
See this page for the current number awarded to each. Generally, TSCBOs will be a franchise holder like Great Western Railway, a trading brand of a franchise holder such as London North Western Railway or an open access operator like Hull Trains.
There are special inclusions and exceptions, see below. Some rail based metro systems will be considered eligible TSCBOs for the Pilning Grand Slam. Other rail based metro systems including London Underground, Overground, Crossrail & DLR will not be eligible and may not be used.
See this page for a full list of eligible TSCBOs. You may use any of the TSCBOs more than once, however each will count once only when calculating your total Grand Slam score. Transfer between any stations on foot is permitted.
No minimum connection times. Use only scheduled public passenger train or metro services. No rail replacement bus services or any other forms of public or private transport permitted.
When arriving at a station, photograph its name, prior to boarding any service, photograph the train.
Challengers may only submit one challenge for any given Saturday. Rules and B/S/G qualifying points are subject to change at any time. Always visit www.pilningstation.uk prior to travelling. All journeys taken at challenger’s own risk. Always be Rail Safe.