Contrast in motive power: 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol shares Crewe depot car park, 12 April. Picture by Ian Bowland.

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

LAST UPDATE:  13 April 2000

To the North Wales Coast main page : To The 17-31 March Noticeboard

A recorded here earlier, the very good news is that the Mostyn Dock freight train now conveys steel traffic as well as Acetic acid tanks, and the train is now booked to run five days per week (Monday to Friday). Due to the length of the trains they are required to berth in two halves, on arrival at Holywell Junction  the train splits, the first half going forward to Mostyn as 6M62, the train returns to Holywell Jct as 6P90 06. 45 Mostyn - Holywell Jct, returning with 6P91 07. 30 Holywell Jct - Mostyn. 6E39 08. 09 Mostyn - Healy Mills then calls in if required on the return run at Holywell Jct. Noted on this traffic this week has been 66 190 (Monday) and 66 068 (Tuesday.) Mostyn Dock sources tell us that diesel shunter Mostyn No. 2 will haul 300 tons 'no problem', any more and they have a homemade sander, a piece of hosepipe with a funnel attached leading from the cab and a bucket of sand!

The Dee Marsh Wood still keeps on producing type "3",noted this week 37 695 (Monday) and 37 717 (Tuesday).

The most interesting ballast train for some time ran on April 10  when 37 884 & 37 885 worked 6D25 11.36 Guide Bridge - Penmaenmawr and return 6H10 19.14 Penmaenmawr - Guide Bridge. (Thanks also to Dave Sallery and Tony Johnson) - 13 April.

Raining again .... on 12 April 37401 Mary Queen of Scots waits with 1D77 in bay platform 9 at Crewe. Picture by Ian Bowland.

Lineside Notes by Alastair Graham

Saturday April 8 saw five Class 37s available for traffic with 37 421 operating on Diagram 1, 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol on D2 and 37 401 Mary Queen of Scots operating D3 (D1 is 1K53,1D60, 1G97,1D75, 1G79 and 1D99; D2 is 1G91, 1D62, 1K67, 1D77 and 1K77; D3 is 1G95, 1D67, 1H42 and 1D45 - the Manchester turn) and the equivalent Saturday turns. The only unusual thing was that 1K81 was hauled by 401 instead of 421 presumably because 401 was required back at Crewe.

37 426 and 37 415 were on Crewe depot. (Since its 'contaminated oil' incident, the performance of 429 has varied from very good to very poor, clagging really well and struggling to even tick over properly at times. A real beast! It was again removed on Tuesday at 06.40 while at Crewe on 1G91. ) 415/426 were on the doubleheader on Sunday 9 April - which was not running properly again ... and there was no heating either way.

At least on 1G79 both locos were working very well and we arrived ahead of time at all stations - but no heat! 421 was at Holyhead for the 04.15 Monday. They were optimistic again on Monday 10 April sending 429 out on D1 which ran OK for the time I was on it. 421, having lasted in traffic for a couple of weeks without apparent fault failed at Bangor at 1800 on Monday and was cancelled. It was later dragged back to Crewe, I think by 426. 415 back in traffic and once it had got its pipes cleared was running well again - sound high mileage machine.

Tuesday 11 April saw more cock-ups. 429 went on to D3 on Tuesday as it should, 415 onto D2 and 426 wheeled out to replace 421. However, at Crewe at 20.15 426 and set was emptied of passengers (not customers!) and all were transfered to 415 and set which had worked in from Bangor. This loco and set continued to work D3 on 12 April. As mentioned earlier, a very sorry 429 was swopped at Crewe at 0645 to 401 and 421, judged fit to run again was sent out on D1.

Virgin has been running to time (apart from the power failure on 12 April at Penmaenmawr causing everything from Bangor and Holyhead to be delayed by some 50 minutes this morning. 43 069/155 on 1D89 on 10 April, 1A23 on 11 April and 1A70/1D87 on 12 April. 1A46 was in the hands of 47 844 on 11 April and 47 826 on 12 April.

For Freight, Monday 10 April was a good day as 37 884/885 were on the ballast train at 1450 through Chester (6D25) returning through Prestatyn at approx 1900 (60 088 was on the job on the Friday - 6H10 at 19.10 at Llandudno Jct as 1G79 passed at full speed) Also the empty petroleum coke covhops had 37 power in the form of 37 174 as it paused for a crew change at Chester at 08.30.

66 052 had charge of the afternoon working to Chirk on 10 April at 14.31 at Chester. Tuesday 11 April had the following out: 20303/20xxx (no number but it was a brush overhauled machine running rather late 7D41 through the U/D goods loop at 0725 with just one flask. This has not worked very frequently of late. 66 068 was seen with a rake of empty steel-carrying wagons from Mostyn at 07.36 in the up/down goods on the same day.

Wednesday 12 April was very busy for movements at Chester or maybe it was because I was at the station more than usual ... 37 174 went towards Warrington Light engine at 08.06, 66 083 came from Wrexham, ex Chirk at 08.36 in the U/D goods with its empty OTA's. 56 058 had only two cargo wagons in its consist for Dee Marsh Junction  at 08. 57. This was followed by 66 151 with a rake of 12 railfreight-liveried (well - with the rust) MGR style hoppers which went off towards Warrington at 10.56. 66 083 re-appeared at 16.37 with another load of timber for Chirk but it remained in the U/D goods loop for some time.  One of the elusive (and the longer they remain elusive the better!) new trains, 175 004 appeared from Altrincham to the depot at 11.03. - 13 April

The carriage of explosives was a new traffic to the North Wales coast line following withdrawal of freight trains from the Cambrian Coast in the late seventies.  The explosives originated at Cooke's of Penrhyndeudraeth, part
of the ICI  group.  A new siding was constructed at Maentwrog Road on the Blaenau - Trawsfynydd section of the Conwy Valley line.  Like the nuclear flasks the trains were propelled from Blaenau to the siding.  The traffic
finished in the late 80s and Cooke's is now closed and the site cleared. The photo shows 47 234 entering Blaenau Ffestiniog from the Trawsfynydd direction on the evening of July 8 1987. - 13 April.

Lighter evenings offer new picture opportunities, such as this view by Dave Skipsey of 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol crossing the junction with the Hooton line into Helsby station with the 17.19 Manchester - Holyhead, Friday 7 April.

On the Web

A few weeks ago I and a number of other kindred spirits had the pleasure of meeting David Slater in the course of his sponsored attempt to pass through 1000 stations in a week. (see our Stalybridge picture report.) David has now created a website with the diary of his week, which we recommend to all as a snapshot of the state of Britain's railways. And guess which company he awards the top accolade?

Our international wanderer John Murray has been for a train ride from Dublin to Cork and Cobh, and compiled a very interesting picture report on his day, with lots of GM diesels in evidence: visit 'Shadow of the Titanic.'

We have updated our 'Class 37/4 locos' page with the latest status of all 31 members of the class, and links to Nigel Emery's brilliant Locomotive Data site for the history of each loco. - 10 April.

 37 421 among the daffodils near Prestatyn, 8 April. Picture by Ian Bowland.

Chester Watch, Sunday 9 April - by Dave Skipsey

13:34 66 053 light engine - Dee Marsh
14:44 175 004 Altrincham - Llandudno Junction
15:00 66 175 headed 6M24, 10:21 Llanwern - Dee Marsh
16:03 37 415 and 37 426 headed the Crewe - Holyhead
16:20 175 004 Llandudno Junction - Altrincham
16:28 66 178 headed 6M29, 11:38 Llanwern - Dee Marsh
17:04 66 053 headed 6V47, 17:00 Dee Marsh - Margam (early)
17:50 175 004 returned from Altrincham - Shed
18:04 66 175 headed 6V51, 17:50 Dee Marsh - Margam
18:12 66 177 headed 6M30, 11:10 Margam - Dee Marsh

Railflight 47

The arrival of the cab of North Wales Coast favourite  47 555 The Commonwealth Spirit at its new home in Prestatyn on March. Photo by R Hughes: see below for the loco in its running days. Incidentally, according to an interview in The Railway Magazine John Prescott, Deputy Prime Minister of the UK, was born in Prestatyn while his father was one of the local Signalmen. - 9 April.

Class 175: Crew training continues with daily journeys between Chester and Altrincham.  Sole unit used for the past week has been 175 004 which must be on mileage accumulation duty ! The green 101 has also been active during the week through Altrincham.  Old meets new.

Freight (Timings at Altrincham):
Monday 3 April: 08.55  6H10 Penmaenmawr - Guide Bridge behind 60 082.  Return working 6P26 through Altrincham at 15.15. This appears a regular working now and at odds with the latest Freightmaster.
Wednesday 5 April: 10.15  66 171 on 08.09 6E39 Mostyn - Hull Saltend acid tanks.
Thursday 6 April 09.25  37 174 on 07.03 6E52 Holyhead - Humber coke covhops
 Friday 7 April 09.28  66 092 on 08.09 6E39 Mostyn - Hull Saltend.

The Mostyn conveyed a set of flat wagons in addition to the usual 4 wheel tanks on both days. (Dave Sallery explains: 'Steel traffic from Lackenby for export through Mostyn Dock has started, 3 Bogie Bolsters on 3 April and 3 more on 5 April plus various runner wagons.  To start with a lot is coming by road but shortly most will be by rail.)  - 9 April.

37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol passing remnants of the former quadruple track near Prestatyn, 8 April. Picture by Ian Bowland.

Motive power for the North Wales special on Saturday 20 May (how to book) will be 2 x 37/4 for the section Crewe - Llandudno Junction  Holyhead to  Crewe. The Conwy valley section and back to Holyhead will be another pair,  possibly Class 37/6 locos hired from Direct Rail Services.

On Sunday 21 May, two pairs of 37s will be used again.  Crewe - Manchester - Southport Section via Atherton will
only be a single 37 due a Railtrack weight restriction on the Atherton line. It is hoped that EWS will be able to supply a 37/0 for this section.

It should be noted that the normal Coast Line duties on these days will be handed over to diesel railcars, to release locos for the specials, so if you want loco haulage, book now! This also means the last Holyhead double-headed Sunday departure will  be on 14 May. Thanks to Tony Miles and Tim Brawn.  - 9 April.

Deltic to Holyhead ... another try

New date for the Deltic tour to Holyhead postponed from 1 April is Saturday May 13 (more information  on
the Deltic Preservation Society website) - 9 April

You know the saying about there being no fool like an old fool, well I saw on the Class 37 group's pages that 1D99, the overnight train from Birmingham to Holyhead,  was being diverted via the Middlewich branch on 6/7 April so I thought I will have some of that.  The train leaves Birmingham at 23.33 to arrive at Crewe at 00.40, ETA Sandbach (the only place with sufficient light at that time of "day") 00.50.  I sat, alone, frozen and highly suspicious to the local populus, for 20 minutes to witness 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol creeping onto the branch.  I took three shots all of which were blurred!  Thus there is proof conclusive that it is not possible to take pictures of moving locomotives in the semi-darkness with a digital camera - no matter how sophisticated that camera may be.  Incidentally the train was very full. - 9 April

Ian Bowland writes: '37 401 Mary Queen of Scots on 1D75 14.23 Birmingham - Holyhead leaving what is, I guess, the remnants of the original LNWR station, now platform 11.  37 426 was on 1K67/1D77 and 37 421 was on the shed yard.' [37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol worked the Manchester turn.]

For some slightly different events at Crewe from the evening of 6 April, see Ian's special picture report. - 7 April

THE FAREWELL SPECIALS, MAY 2000

Details are now available of the special trains being organised for May 2000 by First North Western and The Railway Magazine to commemorate the end of Class 37/4 and Class 309 passenger operation. The form is in the May 2000 issue of the RM, now on sale (which also has a very interesting article about the Britannia Bridge and a very big feature about historic rail accidents) but we have scanned it and also produced an HTML version as a poster which we've been asked to circulate as widely as possible among the railfan fraternity. Please print it out and post it at your Club, show your friends and do what you can to publicise these trains, all of which are very good value.  It's very good of FNW to take the trouble at a time when they have much else on their minds, so let's make them a success. Your compiler will certainly be aboard the North Wales train on Saturday 20 May. - 6 April

Go to the Special Trains poster and print a copy!

Spring at Blaenau Ffestiniog, 5 April 2000. Picture Charlie Hulme

The 16.21 from Crewe arrives at Bangor behind 47 776 Respected, 6 April. (See 'Motive Power Problems' below). Picture Alan Crawshaw

Motive power problems - notes by Andrew Rhodes

On the morning of Thursday 6 April 37 402 and 37 426 were allocated to work a freight train to Swindon,
leaving just 401, 415, 421 &  429 to cover Coast duties.  Given that 37 415 is and has been "knackered" for some
while (expect OK 10/04) this left just 401, 421, 429 to cover the three diagrams.

As we have come to expect the maintenance of the fleet is currently descending to an all time low (hence the fact that 415 is out of use and 421 has no ETH), 37 401 was removed from the stock for the 1621 Crewe - Bangor for 47 776 Respected to replace it! (See picture.) Having worked the train to Bangor and back faultlessly and often ahead of schedule 47 776 took the stock back to the carriage sidings and is now assumed to be off hire - What will the next few days bring? - 6 April

Something different in North Wales modern traction: Ffestiniog Railway diesel Vale of Ffestiniog at Tanybwlch with the 13.55 from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog, 5 April. Picture Charlie Hulme.

PUBLIC MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of the Chester and North Wales Rail Users at Llandudno Town Hall on Saturday 8 April at 10.30. The guest speaker is David Franks, Managing Director, First North Western. All welcome. (There are vacancies for Committee Members.) - 5 April

47 555 The Commonwealth Spirit heads a fully loaded 25 wagon Holyhead - Crewe Freightliner through Mostyn on 5 August 1988. This locomotive was associated with the North Wales coast for many years and was used indiscriminately on Inter City and freight trains, a situation unknown in today's railway.   The locomotive was recently withdrawn and scrapped at Wigan after a number of years use by Railfreight Distribution and EWS.  Happily a North Wales link remains as one of the cabs of the loco has appeared in a Prestatyn garden.  It may be seen on the up side of the line between Prestatyn station and the first overbridge (in the Rhyl direction). - 5 April

Chester Watch, Sunday 2 April by Dave Skipsey

A splendid day at Chester - aided and abetted by the engineering works between Wrexham and Shrewsbury.

Highlights :

10:32 37 426 headed the 'Rugex' {rugby supports' relief train]  from Holyhead to Crewe - routed non-stop through platform 4 - annoyingly as it doesn't look any different on a still photograph!
10:34 175 004 ran into bay 1 from Crewe
11:00 175 004 headed for Crewe
11:43 175 004 returns to bay 1 from Crewe
11:54 56 094 ran light through the station (for the coke)
12:10 60 014 arrived on a rail train (from the site of work on the Wrexham line presumably ?), pausing briefly to allow 175 004 to run from platform 1 to Altrincham.
12:15 60 014 headed for Crewe

Had to go home and get my son... Sometime between these points 37 426 headed the empty coaches  from the Rugex, strengthened, back through to Holyhead

13:32 66 120 ran light engine through probably heading for the engineering works.
13:58 175 004 arrived from Altrincham and then returned to Altrincham !
14:18 66 093 headed a diverted 6M24, 10:21 Llanwern - Dee Marsh Steel.
15:35 175 004 ran non-stop through the station on the up/Down main from Altrincham - North Wales  (? Llandudno Junction )

15:45 66 122 heads a diverted 6M29, 11:38 Llanwern - Dee Marsh Steel
16:02 37 401 Mary Queen of Scots and 37 421 headed the 15:46 Crewe - Holyhead.
16:02 56 094 arrived on 6E36 17:05 Holyhead - Humber covhops (running a 'bit' early) and continued on its way - no waiting around today ...
37 029 parked behind a 101 on stand-by: 47 705 parked in the sidings with engine running all day - confidence in
175's? - 5 April

Ian Bowland writes: Here is the Sunday double header shot for 2 April  with 37 401 Mary Queen of Scots leading 37 421 at the semi-derelict North end of platform 12.  Surely these empty bays would have been better suited to serve the Coast Line ...

... The same train at Chester, picture by Dave Skipsey...

... and captured at Bangor by Alan Crawshaw, as was 56 094 Eggborough Power Station on its way to Holyhead to collect the petroleum coke hoppers. (below).

A number of last-minute changes to the Rugby Special plans were made by FNW: it was decided to use the usual coaches on the Friday, although they had to be back at Crewe by midnight, not because they would all turn into pumpkins but because FNW terminated the lease on all but 19 coaches from the end of March. The Sunday 18.10 relief from Holyhead was, we believe, retimed to run in the early hours of Monday after the Irish ferries sailing was reported to be loaded with 1000+ Welshmen ...  Confirmation of this would be welcome. - 5 April

The future according to Modern Railways

For the impatient, the April issue of Modern Railways has a detailed article on the Coast Line by Rhodri Clark, who for once tells us what is going to happen rather than what he thinks should happen.

The sections of line to be allowed 90 mph running from may are covered, as are timetable developments for the summer. It is interesting to note that Railtrack currently have no plans to modernise the signalling; even the proposed central control of Llandudno from the Junction, which might even allow winter Sunday trains on the branch, is not mentioned.

It seems that the plan is to work all FNW services with new 175 railcars, with the exception of one 150 or 156 which will shuttle up and down the Conwy Valley. The 158s will be deployed elsewhere. The Conwy Valley service will be worked by one train, with no passing at Llanrwst, and thus delaying the evening commuter train from Llandudno to Blaenau from 17.35 to 18.37 which is going to upset some people.  It also seems to put the future of Llanrwst loop in doubt. However, FNW believe they can promote the line as an after-dinner excursion for Holidaymakers.

The Llandudno - Holyhead locals currently the stamping ground of the 101s will cease to exist, replaced by calls of the long-distance 175 services. (See our Conwy report below.) Ty Croes signalbox can no longer be used as a block port because of faulty wiring, which Railtrack do not intend to repair, thus there is a 15-minute headway between trains leaving Holyhead.

For much more of the same - buy the magazine! - 1 April

April 1: No Deltic, but still much to see

Despite postponement for 'pathing' reasons of the DPS Railtour planned to reach Holyhead on 1 April (a decision made on 29 March, leaving DPS volunteers to attempt to contact all the passengers) the usual attractions of the Coast line were still there to be seen.

47 827 with the 1A37, 08.52 Holyhead - Euston calling at Bangor in damp weather. (Alan Crawshaw.)

The action now moves to Conwy. (Pictures and notes by Alan Crawshaw.) Outside the station a Customer  Notice headed "New trains at this station" reads:

First North Western is introducing its new fleet of trains to the Crewe-Manchester-North Wales routes from March 2000.

Due to platform restrictions it will be necessary for customers to board and alight through the leading door of the second carriage at the following stations: Conwy, Llanfairpwll, Bodorgan, Ty Croes, Rhosneigr and Valley. The door will  be opened and closed by the conductor on board the train when the train stops at these stations.
All other doors will remain closed.

I'm surprised Conwy isn't more popular as a photographic location - there are several interesting viewpoints and it's within walking  distance of Llandudno Junction. Alternatively you can take the bus or wait for one of the few trains that stop here. Conwy is a good place to take a non-enthusiast spouse, being an attractive town with a mediaeval castle, a National Trust house, a harbour and old fashioned tea shops. We went straight to the station where 37 421 is seen (above) on the 11:16 Bangor to Birmingham New Street.

A short walk takes you along a path between the castle and the track. At the end you can poke your lens between the railings - here's the 08:25 Euston to Holyhead HST emerging from the tubular bridge. Leading loco is 43 125 City of Aberdeen. (says John Murray who was aboard the train...)

Back at the station, 37 426 leans into the curve with the 10:07 Birmingham New Street to Holyhead.

A little later, John Murray enjoyed watching 37 426 run round its train on arrival at  Holyhead; this train stables in the sidings for the rest of the day on  Saturdays, the Manchester train being worked by a railcar.

Further east on the same day, two pictures by Ian Bowland: Above: 37 421 heading for Crewe at Colwyn Bay on 1K67, 11.16 Bangor - Birmingham, below: 37 401 Mary Queen of Scots "going like the clappers" through Abergele on 1D75, 14.23 Birmingham - Holyhead.

Both Riviera Trains locos, 47 705 Guy Fawkes and 37 029 were at Chester. - 1 April

We made a mess of the URL for the Day Trip to Bangor site last month. The correct address for this celebration of the line is  http://members.xoom.com/MGO148/dtb.html and Mark the compiler adds: there is now  a  considerable selection of Coast sound effects on my thrash page: http://www.6lda28b.freeserve.co.uk/thrash/- 1 April

Train 1T50, Rugby supporters' extra from Crewe to Holyhead runs through the fast line at Rhyl.  Picture by Nick Gurney.

Busy day at Crewe

The Crewe - Holyhead rugby supporters' relief special on Friday 31 March didn't quite turn out as we expected, despite information from very reliable sources. The event for which many passengers were expected was a Rugby Union international in Dublin on 1 April between Ireland and Wales. All Crewe photos below by Ian Bowland.

The normal service train, 1D67 10.07 Birmingham - Holyhead, ready to depart Crewe at 11.15, with 37 401 Mary Queen of Scots in charge.

The relief train, 1T50, booked to leave Crewe just 18 minutes behind at 11.33, turned out to be 37 421 with a rake of normal coaches, in place of the hired Riviera Trains rake which we were expecting. Not many passengers about at this stage, a situation which did not change much. The train stopped only at Chester, Llandudno Junction and Bangor: Nick Gurney's picture at the top of the page shows it taking the through line at Rhyl.

Alan Crawshaw wrote from Bangor: '1T50 comprised 37 421 with 4 RR coaches containing around half a dozen passengers, easily outnumbered by the disappointed photographers. 5 minutes after its departure 20 or so lively lads fresh from the pub descended on platform 2 but the 153 on the  Llandudno to Holyhead stopper had plenty of room for them.'

Meanwhile, back at Crewe, things were getting messy: a Virgin train broke down and required "fitter's attention" and there was trouble with a 47 733 Eastern Star which had brought mail vans into platform 11.  The 47 was removed and sidelined after which the vans were taken North by a 47 and a dead 86 in EWS livery.

The occupation of platform 11 meant that 1D75, 14.23 Birmingham - Holyhead, running 5 minutes late and due to depart Crewe 15.27, couldn't use it and was shifted to 12, passengers on 11 were told of the change as the train came into view at the south end of 12 so you can imagine the panic. Loco was 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol (above.) Note the two men in orange coats with spanners approaching, a sight that the hardened traveller learns to dread ... In this case, we have the inside story of their presence from a very 'informed source':

"On its previous working this loco had shut down on throttling back for a Temporary speed restriction near Standon bridge. And coasted for the rest of the way to Stafford with a rapidly diminishing air supply), and subsequently near Wolverhampton North Junction, and heart stoppingly close to New Street tunnel with fuel dilution causing low enough oil pressure to trip the safety governor. The Fitters agreed with the driver's diagnosis, but FNW Control had no spare engines to replace it, as they were mysteriously engaged in other work, and no, they couldn't borrow 37 029 as that was on hire to Alstom for vibration tests at Chester. (Anybody could have told them that 37's V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-V-Vibrate). See you tomorrow lads, and don't lean out of the windows."
 

The empty coaches for the Rugby special returned to Crewe at 16.18, with 37 421 still in charge.

1D77, 16.21 Crewe - Bangor, departs Crewe with 37 426.  Relief trains are also running for the returning supporters on 2 April. See the March board for times, and DJ Crawford's website for a timetable graph. - 31 March

First North Western, in conjunction with Railway Magazine, will definitely be running some special trains to celebrate the 37/4s and the 309s on the last two Weekends of May. Not allowed to tell you more at this point, although this site does hope to play its full part in the publicity campaign. Queue up at your newsagent on Wednesday 5 April! - 1 April

At some point since its naming ceremony on 17 March, 47 849 has gained plaques above its nameplates, as seen here at Stockport on 1 April. Picture Charlie Hulme

Britannia Bridge 150 - The Press Coverage

BBC Wales news carried a feature before the celebrations of 18 March and placed a copy on the BBC website, with video, which is worth watching for the views of the bridge and the 170 fire.

The following is from the Bangor and Anglesey Mail:

Assembly Members, rail chiefs, dignitaries and steam enthusiasts all flocked together on Saturday 18 March  to celebrate the 150th birthday of the Britannia Bridge.   People travelled from all over Britain to pay homage to one of the greatest engineering feats, which has served as a   lifeline for the communities of North Wales for two centuries. It was a meticulously co-ordinated fanfare with rail companies, Virgin, First North Western, Wales and West and Railtrack all taking part in the all-day event.  Assembly Members left Cardiff at 7am on a  commemorative class 158 train. The train was later named Pont Britannia at  Bangor Station by Assembly Minister Sue Essex.  She paid tribute to the bridge's engineer  Robert Stephenson whose vision has served as a gateway for tourism and industry between  England, Wales and Ireland.    "There is a real chance of a new renaissance in Wales' railways, which reflects the true  spirit and vision of the engineers and  railway workers who built the Britannia  Bridge in 1850."

 Conwy MP Betty Williams also attended the  ceremony with Bangor City Mayor John Wyn Jones who unveiled an anniversary plaque at  Bangor station.   Mrs Williams said: "It's a very proud day for North Wales and a testament to future  generations on this, National Science Week.  The bridge should be used to promote the     wealth of engineering talent that exists here."    Rail company First North Western then treated  VIPs to its first public passenger ride on  the new Class 175 Coradia train from Bangor  to Llanfairpwll.  Passengers were met at Llanfairpwll station  by members of the Victorian Society who were  dressed in nostalgic Victorian costume.    A Royal Mail horse-drawn stagecoach carrying  Irish letters from Holyhead also waited  before embarking on a historic crossing over  the bridge.

Virgin joined in the festivities with a special edition Black Five Locomotion Steam  train travelling from Holyhead to Crewe.    Behind the steam locomotive was the Virgin  Diesel train Bangor Cathedral christened in a special ceremony last Friday by the Dean  of Bangor Trevor Evans, and attended by  Chris Green, chief executive of Virgin  Trains.  Said Chris Green: "I am extremely pleased to be here to join in these wonderful  celebrations and to mark the contribution     that Robert Stephenson made towards  pioneering railway engineering in North     Wales.    "The steam train is a historic recognition  of those efforts and a tribute to the     communities of North Wales involved over the  last 150 years."

 The steam train crossed the Britannia Bridge  at 14.41 to coincide with the first historic crossing on March 18, 1852. The train was greeted at the bridge by an RAF  Sea King helicopter hovering above and  trailing the Welsh flag, while below an RNLI  lifeboat sailed under the bridge to mark the occasion.  Chairman of Pentir Community Council and  former railway worker John Evans was on board  the steam train.  As it steamed over the bridge he reflected on the vital role the  bridge has played over the last two centuries.    Cllr Evans said: "It will do us for another  150 years.  The bridge was a feat of engineering and has been a jewel in our crown  and I am very proud to be representing the community of Pentir today to celebrate the  birthday of this wonderful achievement."    Cllr Evans was indirectly involved in the  reconstruction of the bridge after the famous  fire on May 23, 1970.

 He said.  "The bridge was virtually destroyed and people thought that it couldn't be rebuilt, but it has survived and is still providing a vital link between the communities of North Wales and Ireland."

 The Prince of Wales couldn't attend the celebrations but paid a personal tribute to the Britannia Bridge in a letter from St James Palace. Prince Charles said.  "It is a monument to the foresight and skill of the great 19th century engineer, Robert Stephenson, and to all those who worked to build this extraordinary tubular bridge." - 1 April

Cringe at our 'hilarious' April spoof page here...

[Earlier stories are on the Notice Board for March 17-29 2000]

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