Another classic night picture by Ian Bowland of the Sunday night double-header standing in Platform 12 at Crewe on a wet and stormy 27 February. Locomotives are 37 415 and 37 426.

Compiled by Charlie Hulme.  Regular Contributors:  Dave Sallery , Alan & Rowan Crawshaw, Dave Skipsey, John Lewis, John Murray,  John Humphries, Tony Flusk,  John Dawson , Derick Norman, Tony Miles, Ian Bowland and Tim Rogers.  Items for inclusion are welcome at charlie@dweb.u-net.com.

LAST UPDATE:  28 February 2000

To the North Wales Coast main page : To The 1-14 February 2000 Noticeboard

An observer at Manchester Oxford Road station from 17.00 to 17.30 Monday to Friday is more or less guaranteed to see five locomotives or more - of which only one will be hauling a revenue-earning train ...   This being the 17.19 Manchester Piccadilly to Holyhead, seen above on 28 February with 37 415 on duty. Some minutes earlier, a Virgin trains light-engine working will have pased through, a Class 47/8 sometimes also towing one or more other locos. Finally, there will be a Freightliner light-engine working from Crewe to Trafford Park, usually comprising a Class 47 or 57 diesel towing one or more Class 86/6 or 90 electric locos.

On 28 February the towing loco was 57 007 Freightliner Bond - a rare example of humour in locomotive naming - and ran so close behind the Holyhead train that it was held by signals in Platform 1 while I took the picture. These Class 57s have a refurbished General Motors engine fitted into the Class 47 body. Only in the last few days has it been sufficiently light for reasonable pictures at this time of day. - 28 February

170 511 was observed in Platform no.1 at Chester on Sunday 20th February,having worked a 1Z50 11.45 Shrewsbury - Chester trip,being the first 170 to work to Chester.The purpose being to check the platforms at both Chester and Wrexham General for clearances.
 
A "Deltic" should visit Chester this coming weekend (Sat/Sun 4th/5th March) as a Regency tour as booked to have one coupled inside the train engine (47 705 ?). 1Z29 Cardiff Central - Fort William arrives Chester at 09.10  on Saturday after having arrived via Wrexham, the 47 shown to be taken off while the Deltic (whichshould come light from Crewe as 0Z29) is put inside,with the 47, then going back on top for the run to Mossend Yard (departing at 0930 hrs) when the Deltic will be let loose on its own over the West Highland line.

The reverse happens again on Sunday evening when 1Z18 Fort William - Cardiff Central arrives at 22.38,the Deltic shunted out from inside the 47 to run light back to Crewe with the 47 departing for Cardiff at 22.54.    - 28 February
 

Freight Report by Tony Flusk

Saturday 19 February, and 37 375 arrived at Holyhead RTZ Plant with the previous night's departure from Humberside, 6M43 22.56 Humber - Holyhead returning light to Arpley as booked. An unidentified "66" was sent for the return empties on Sunday 20 February but returned light back to Arpley when it was found not to be ready for collection.
Monday 21 February saw 60 093 work 6D25 1140 Guide Bridge - Penmaenmawr and returned light as 0D25 1914 Penmaenmawr - Arpley. 60 077 was sent light from Arpley on Tuesday 22 and came back with 6H10 19.14 Penmaenmawr - Guide Bridge (Actual departure being 1740 hrs).
 

60 093 Jack Stirk runs round a ballast train at Penmaenmawr sidings, 23 February. Picture by John Humprhies from his Rail Digital Images website.

Wednesday 23 February witnessed two freights, 66 088 on the Mostyn tanks, 6M62 02.53 Healey Mills - Mostryn and return 6E39 0809 Mostyn - Saltend and 60 093 again on 6D25 1136 Guide Bridge - Penmaenmawr back with 6H10 19. 14 Penmaenmawr - Guide Bridge.
Two services noted again on Thursday 24 February:  56 095 on 6E52 07.03 Holyhead - Humber and 66 086 on 6D25 11.36 Guide Bridge - Penmaenmawr returning with 6C10 19.14 Penmaenmawr - Arpley (I think ?) 56 095 made a return the very next day, Friday 25th February on the Mostyn Tanks (Same paths as Wednesday).In the evening 66 118 worked  6M43 22.56 Humber - Holyhead returning light to Warrington on the morning of Saturday 26  February. Later on Saturday morning 66 163 worked 6P21 06.10 Warrington - Penmaenmawr and returned with 6P22 1214 Penmaenmawr - Warrington.
Sunday 27 February's "cokes" (6E36 17.03 Holyhead - Humber) was in the hands of 37 798. - 28 February

Andrew Rhodes writes: 'On Friday evening 25 February the 18.20 Bangor to Crewe train, hauled by 37 401 Mary Queen of Scots expired at Llandudno Junction with stock defects. To the outrage of the 'cranks' and indeed the  'normals' on board  the station supervisor decided that he would not make the 18.22 Holyhead Birmingham (hauled by 37429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol) make an extra stop.  - 28 February

Dave Sallery's Archive spot

A view of Connahs Quay power station from the east as 47 648 in large-logo blue livery heads the 13.15 Holyhead - Euston boat train on 14 June 1988.  The area that the power station occupied is now derelict and the background today is dominated by the new road bridge and gas fired power station.  As predicted in some quarters the road bridge has been a complete waste of money and carries very little traffic.  The traffic problems in Shotton and Connahs Quay are as bad as ever, however one benefit for rail users is that the Shotton railway over-bridge is hit less often by lorries nowadays. - 27 February

Situation on Saturday 26 February:
 
37 401 5K53/1K53/1D60/1K61/1D69/1K71/1D79/1K81
37 429 1G95/1D67
37 415 1G91/1D62/1G97/1D75/1G79
 
37 408 at Toton DMD N/614 ok 2100 28/2
37 421 at Crewe DMD BXAM ok 1800 1/3
37 426 at Crewe HS spare
37 402 at Crewe DMD B/100 ok 1600 27/2
 
37 407 Blackpool Tower, another ex-Coast engine,  may well have literally turned a wheel for the last time - it has failed a tyre turning exam at Crewe Electric Depot - currently showing on the TOPS computer as  'N/612 ok 06/06' (!) the future certainly looks bleak for the former West Highland loco.

Problems beset the Sunday double-header  on Sunday 20 February; although the multiple working cables were all in situ, the pair didn't operate together properly. The front engine working on it's own for the majority of the journey into and out of Holyhead, I think 37 415 was the culprit as it completely failed on 22 February.
- 27 February

Class 175 - another brick in the wall

On 24 February Railtrack granted a certificate permitting the new Class 175 railcars to carry passengers.  First North Western are not ready to start immediately, but is expected that they will be trickled into service quite soon. The weekend of 18/19 March sees some celebrations for the 150th anniversary of the Britannia Bridge, and there is a possibility that a 175 will be used on a special in association with this. Incidentally, we hear that a 175 on test on 26 February ran from Crewe to Holywell Junction in 26 minutes. - 26 February

Ian Bowland, who assures us he was not trespassing, captured 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol near Colwyn Bay on 24 February, hauling the 12.51 Holyhead - Crewe. Down on the promenade the cycleway can be seen winding its way between the lamposts. This now runs all the way to Abergele & Pensarn station.

Wot, no Irish Mancunian?

Manchester watchers got a disappointment on Tuesday 22 February when a Class 158 railcar appearaed in place of the Class 37 we have become accustomed to on the afternoon Holyhead - Manchester turn and 17.19 return. It was interesting to note that the two-car 158 on the 17.19 had only a few standing passengers, whereas the loco-hauled version is usually full and standing with four coaches.

However, it turned out to be a one-off,and normal service was resumed on Wednesday 23.  Mark Williams writes: 'The reason why 1H42/1D45 was a 158 on 22 February was due to late running on the Coast. 1D62 08.07 Birmingham New St-Holyhead failed between Stafford and Crewe (37 415), which was assisted to Crewe by 47 279. 1D62 was then a 150 to Holyhead, which then formed 1K67 to Chester. In the meantime, a Mini hit a bridge somewhere on Deeside, causing 1D67 10.07 Birmingham New St-Holyhead (37 426) to arrive at Holyhead 40+ minutes late. The 158 that was to form 1G11 13.54 to Birmingham New St was sent out on 1H42 instead, departing Holyhead 13.45 approx. 37 426 formed 1G11/1D82. This is not the first time this has happened recently - 10/1/2000 37 401 also did 1G11 (via Warrington/WCML/Crewe)/1D82 - again due to late running of 1D67, when  Chester-Crewe was plagued by broken rails.'  Thanks also to Tim Rogers and John Dawson .- 24 February

Ian Bowland  writes: 'Attached is a fresh attempt at the Crewe "double", this time on the afternoon of 23 February with 37 426 ticking over in the bay and 37 401 Mary Queen of Scots taking off like a scared rabbit towards Chester. For information 37 402 Bont Y Bermo has been moved from behind the shed (it's still Crewe South to me).  37 429 Eisteddford Genedlaethol + 37 415 were outside and 37 407 Blackpool Tower is on Crewe International Electric Depot. - 24 February

The 09.19 Holyhead to London calls at Bangor on 22 February, with hired EWS, ex-Rail express systems, locomotive 47 747 Res Publica (one of the more weird of the 'Res' names) in charge. This loco is a regular member of the Virgin fleet at present. Picture by Rowan Crawshaw.

Crewe by Night

Train 1G79, the Sunday double-header, at Crewe, 20 February. Locomotives are 37 415 and 37 401 Mary Queen of Scots. Picture by Ian Bowland.  -22 February

On the Web

Our contributors have been busy with their own Websites recently: Rowan Crawshaw's Rail Elite pages now feature an updated North Wales Coast section with many interesting pictures, and Dave Sallery has created a very comprehensive site on the topic of the Welsh Slate Industry. Very relevant stuff, with lots of history and pictures.
Dave Skipsey's railway site has moved to a new server: the new address is http://www.merseyjcn.freeuk.com. Meanwile, DJ Crawford's impressive North Wales Coast Time Graph has been updated to the latest version of the Sunday timetable.

While on the subject, we want to mention Nigel Emery's new British Locomotive Database, a masterwork which gives the depot allocation history of every ex-BR diesel and electric locomotive class. This is arranged so that every loco has its own page - this link tells us the history of 37 408, for example. This is going to be an essential reference site for all railway writers, and Nigel has plans to develop it further. Well done. - 22 February

Chester Watch 18 February by Dave Skipsey

12:20 - 175 002 on test/trai8ning run arrived from Crewe and then went to Altrincham at 12:30
12:26 37 421 on train 1G97 10.48 Holyhead - Birmingham
12:50 47 703 started on the new shed, apparently it had been getting fixed there and had a "Not to be moved" sign and a red flag on its road ! - these were removed.
13:30 47 703 moved off round the back of the shed and could be seen running under the Dee Marsh Line.
13:40 47 703 appeared in a cloud of smoke on the Down Birkenhead line and ran to its usual resting place in the sidings. i.e. behind the TTA fuel tank wagons - Why do they park it there ? - Just to be annoying I suspect ...
13:55 175 004 appeared, from Llandudno Junction according to a driver friend of mine, and also went to Altrincham.
14:31 37 426 worked 1K67 12.51 Holyhead - Crewe.
14:35 66 163 worked the Dee Marsh - Arpley along the Up/Down through the sidings.
14:36 175 002 arrived from Altrincham and went to Crewe.
14:54 37 415 worked the Holyhead - Manchester Piccadilly
15:00 - I went home  - Wind had a high Chill factor and the skies were heavy . - 22 February

Dave Skipsey has kindly sent some pictures to illustrate his last Chester Watch column of 14 February, including this historic view of 47 768 passing with train 0P12, four withdrawn Class 56 locomotives for secure storage in the closed Chester Wagon repair Depot. The influx of new Class 66 locos, with nearly 200 now in service, is pushing out of service what to old-timers like me seem like relatively modern engines like these. -22 February

The carriage sheds at Llandudno Junction were demolished during the week ending 19 February after a long period of disuse: the plan is the build a multiplex cinema/entertainment complex on the site. Alan Crawshaw's pictures show the site on Sunday 20 February (above) and before the destruction (below.)- Updated 20 February

Alan also comments: 'Men with hard hats and pneumatic drills have been busy in the Bangor bogs, and ladies/gents portaloos installed for the  convenience of passengers. New trains, new toilets - the rail
companies must be very flush.'

Will it soon be spring?

 A pleasant portrait by Derick Norman of 37 421 at Wolverhampton station on 19 February. One of Central Trains' Class 310 electric trains, also wearing Regional Railways colours, can be seen in the background.

Dave Sallery's Archive spot

Although taken less than 9 years ago virtually all elements in this photo have disappeared.  47  850 heads the 11.30 Euston - Holyhead past Rockcliffe Hall signalbox on 15 April 1991.  In the background can be seen Connahs Quay power station closed in 1982 and demolished in 1994.  The early BR pattern signalbox was built in 1951 to control coal movements to the then new power station.  The coal came from Point of Air colliery at Talacre.  The signalbox was replaced by a portacabin structure due to construction of the new road bridge (opened 1998) across the Dee and a long tunnel was built to carry the railway under the road approaches to the bridge.

Milepost 189 is now about 100m into the tunnel on the Chester side.  A new gas fired power station has been built at Connahs Quay to the west of the original.  Ironically the fuel for this still comes from Point of Air.  The terminal there receives gas from a platform 15 miles out in the Irish Sea, it is then processed and sent to Connahs Quay.  The new Rockcliife Hall box should have a long term future as it is the location of trailing and facing crossovers. - 21 February

Signs of the Times - notes by John Murray

Farewell MTL: Not directly coast line related but with Chester connections is the news that after much speculation Arriva plc have acquired MTL, operators of  MerseyBus, MerseyRail Electrics and Northern Spirit.  It will be interesting to see how Arriva's first venture in rail goes, or indeed if they hang on the the rail franchises.  Many buses have already received vinyl fleetnames "Arriva serving Merseyside" and it will be interesting to note whether this will be extended to the trains.

Eurostar extinguished: Sad to note, I for one would have used it from Crewe, is the final inevitable death knell of Regional Eurostar as noted on the uk.railway newsgroup.  The DETR report can be found on the Web. With my job responsibility covering the whole of Europe, I will be visiting Paris and Brussels frequently over the next few months, on business.  Having to contend with the "Russian Roulette" of whether Virgin Trains will get me to London on time to make my connection, it is easier (and probably cheaper) to fly with British Airways from Manchester.  To me train travel is far preferable to air, being able to work, relax, not have to check in at least one hour before departure, not having to wait for baggage reclaim, and having to transfer from  airports miles from city centres with poor public transport connections. -  20 February

As the Class 37s approach their last runs on the Coast line, Steve Morris sends us this picture of one of the first sightings. Steve writes: 'I think this was the first ever 37 to Holyhead, A mere 17 years ago! I happened to be at home on the day in question during Easter holidays from University when I saw a 37 on a Freightliner approaching the town. A major surprise: it was 37 165, date 8 April 1983.

I think that the service was a special Liner from Felixstowe. Arrival was about 2pm and a quick turn around resulted in an immediate return, as shown in the photo, back to either Stratford or Felixstowe. Does anyone know if this was actually the first, and can confirm the details of the working? - 21 February.

Friday 18 February, and 37 415 pulls away from Manchester Piccadilly at 16.00 with the empty coaches of the 'Irish Mancunian'  from Holyhead. This train runs to the loop opposite Longsight depot to run round, before forming the 17.19 Manchester - Holyhead. Picture Charlie Hulme

Freight report 12-18 February by Tony Flusk

Saturday 12 February had a unusual running of the ballast to Penmaenmawr, 60 045 working 6P21 04.05 Warrington - Penmaenmawr and return 6P22 1014 Penmaenmawr - Warrington. No freight working noted then until Tuesday 15 February when 6P25 09.00 Warrington  - Penmaenmawr was hauled by 60 077 and back with 6H10 19.14 Penmaenamwr - Warrington.
Wednesday 16 February saw the return of a Load Haul liveried type 3 on the "cokes" with 37 710 working the overnight 6M43 22.56 (Tues) Humber - Holyhead, on arrival running light back to Warrington as 0F43 08.56 Holyhead - Warrington. At Mostyn 66 163 was noted on  6M62 06.33 Healy Mills - Mostyn and 6E39 0809 Mostyn - Saltend. 47 832 fresh from a "G" exam/overhaul at Crewe locomotive works was given a run out on the test train, 5D06 08.00 Crewe EMD - Llandudno and 5K06 11.03 Llandudno Jct - Crewe EMD with 47 781 inside
in case of problems with the First Great Western "47". Penmaenmawr saw another ballast run, this time 66 058 working 6D52 11.36 Guide Bridge - Penmaenmawr and 6H10 19.14 Penmaenmawr  - Guide Bridge.
Thursday 17 February and the run of 37's on the cokes was maintained as 37 801 ran light from Warrington to head 6E52 0703 Holyhead - Humber.66 058 again turned up later in the day on 6D25 1136 Guide Bridge - Penmaenmawr and 6H10 19.14 Penmaenmawr - Guide Bridge.
Friday 18 February saw 37 886 break the "shed" monopoly on the Mostyn (same times as Wed), 20 302 &  20 304 working the Valley flasks, 7D41 01.08 Carlisle - Valley and return 7C40 1509 Valley - Carlisle. - 20 February
 

Ian Bowland writes: Here is a telephoto shot of Crewe yard on 18 February with 37401 Mary Queen of Scots (left), 37 429 Eisteddfod Gebedlaethol (centre) and 37 521 (right), 37 402 Bont Y Bermo was at the rear of the shed (inset), whilst thehind the camera in the station 37 421 had just arrived from Birmingham and 37 426 was in the bay with the 16.21 Bangor train. One sixth of the sub-class within a stone's throw of each other. - 21 February

More about WalesRail

Dave Sallery was able to attend a presentation by Prism Rail of their ideas for an all-Wales rail franchise on Tuesday 16 February, and reports:

'They seem to have some good ideas particularly on service frequency.  3 trains per hour on the Coast : Holyhead - Cardiff via Birmingham/ Gloucester, Llandudno - Piccadilly as now and Bangor - Manchester Airport via Crewe plus 3 per day to Cardiff via Wrexham + the Marches line, 7 to Blaenau including one from/to Manchester  Piccadilly. Every half hour Wrexham - Bidston, every hour Aberystwyth - Manchester or Birmingham, 8 per day to Pwllheli, 5 Heart of Wales and 5 to Fishguard (!) etc.

'They say they will "inherit" the 175's and Chester depot.  All Wales railcard promised and network of integrated coach services (disabled and bike access) connecting and waiting for trains with through ticketing.  So I came away quite impressed.  Presumably if FNW are interested they will bring out their plans soon.  If the SRA "take forward" the Wales franchise idea then Prism could be running the service 90 days after February 28.' - 20 February

An amusing episode began when BBC North West TV created a Web connection to the weather camera on the top of their building in Manchester, and we noticed that it was possible to see Oxford Road station in one corner. If you log in at the right time (15.51 Mon-Fri ), you could see (very small) the loco-hauled train from Holyhead standing in Platform 4 before departing for Piccadilly. (see heading picture)

However, for some reason the camera view was altered on Wednesday 16 February, spoiling the view,  but some banter on the uk.railway newsgroup led to Alan Whitehouse, BBC NW's transport correspondent, being contacted and promising to have the view restored, which indeed did occur. The story was not over, though, as the story was presented at the end of the 6.30 North West Tonight programme, including specially-shot footage of the train from platform level. (Although they were there anyway for a story about stopping fare-dodgers which will appear soon.) Great fun for everyone - well done the BBC, and Gordon Burn who kindly avoided the dreaded a****k word.

For those outside the North West, we've preserved the thing on .avi video for download: there are two versions, a short clip showing 37 421 in full glory (600 KB) and the full one-minute item (5 MB  ) I'm sure the BBC won't mind - we did give them the story! Special Thanks to Ashley Sanders, Tony Miles and Alan Whitehouse. - 16 February

The Welsh Drag-On

Hired Freightliner locomotive 90 146 prepares to haul  the Virgin Trains 'Welsh Dragon', 17.30 London - Holyhead, at Euston station on 14 February. Unfortunately this loco failed on departure ...  Picture by John Murray

Our contributor John Murray took a trip from Chester to London and back on 14 February, and was treated to some Virgin-style variety (See heading picture) - this and more in his Picture Report on the day. - 15 February

Catching a pair

Ian Bowland writes: 'Here's a picture I took  at Crewe on 15 February , it shows 37 426 leaving at 15.27 with 1D75, 14.23 Birrmingham - Holyhead,  passing 37 401 which is waiting  in Platform 9 for with 1D77, 16.21 Crewe-Bangor.  I am trying to record as many shots as possible before the 37/4's disappear from the North Wales run which, sadly, won't be long now.  This one is not too bad but still not right, I want to catch the two side by side but the blessed thing accelerates too quickly!' - 15 February

The manging director of First North Western sits in the cab of one of his new machines, a Class 175 'Coradia' railcar, at Chester depot. A good opportunity to thank Mr Franks and all his staff for all their efforts, and especially for putting up with having their photographs taken all the time! Picture by Tony Miles. - 15 February

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Created by Charlie Hulme, Comments welcome to charlie@dweb.u-net.com