37 429 and 47 772 at Holyhead, 9 July. Picture John Lewis

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, Tim Rogers, Alastair Graham and Andrew Rhodes  Items for inclusion are welcome at charlie@dweb.u-net.com.

LAST UPDATE:  10 July 2000

To the North Wales Coast main page : To The June 20-30 Noticeboard

Blue Sunday

Highlight of Sunday 9 July was the use of a Regional Railways liveried pair of locos, 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol and 37 425Concrete Bob, on the 18.22 Holyhead - Birmingham boat train. We have a full page of pictures - this has been updated with more pictures and notes. -  10  July.

37 425 Concrete Bob pulling into Valley (about 15 mins late) with the 16:08 departure to Holyhead, 8 July.  Picture John Lewis

Ian Bowland took an evening ride to Llandudno on the 17.29 from Manchester for the third time on 7 July: his picture report is now available as a webpage and also as a Real sideshow with music. - 8 July

Goodbye to the Hosteller?

John Dawson writes: 'It's looking like 37 420  The Scottish Hosteller could be condemned, currently (7 July) on a B-exam at Crewe DMD it now has an expect ok date of 31/7, rumours are abound that it has scrap wheelsets. 37 413 (now nameless) has been taken off the stored line at Bescot and is apparently to be a direct replacement for 420, 413 is currently showing on TOPS as B-exam ok 19/7 and on hire to WKCD CD until 31/7, still in stored pool WNXX.'

Looks like we won't see a day with the three diagrams covered by all Regional Railways liveried locos after all. Shame! - 8 July

47 733 Eastern Star enters Crewe with the 1A70 13:35 Holyhead - London Euston, 8 July. Picture Rowan Crawshaw.

If we ask a question here, it usually gets answered, and about 10 minutes after this page was uploaded with Mike Sheridan's question about the reported  'prang' of  175 005 on July 5, Tony Miles emailed the following:

'Answer is that the unit shed a lower body panel near Gaerwen (on Anglesey). Inspection by a travelling technician authorised the train to continue in service. Railtrack's internal log reported that the panel was 4ft by 8ft (since confirmed by correspondence to this site as 'too big to fit the back of a van') and that it was waiting collection at Gaerwen signalbox. Alstom were en-route to collect it on the afternoon of 5 July, with an investigation to follow.' - 7 July (update 9 July)

My First 175 - by John Lewis

I decided to take a day off work on 7 July and take a chance to see if the 175s were running at all..... I only went from Holyhead as far as Bangor, but that's about far enough to make a judgement I think (at least for starters!).

Disappointment this morning though, as I had planned to take the 11:52, which unfortunately turned out to be a 158. So I was banking on the 14:43 return being a 175..... so while I was waiting on Bangor's platform 2 it was a case of "is it or isn't it!" as the train was in the tunnel....... and luckily it was.

So, my first impressions are very favourable, very light and airy with plenty of space, ride quality superb and the noise suppresion is very impressive indeed...... and as far as the seats are concerned, I found also found them firm, but also very well shaped and supportive, so I reckon they would prove comfortable on a long run. I sat in a bay of 4 seats, and this one had a full size table, as did the other 3 bays in the area. Fine if you live at the end of the line like me and can pick your seats on an empty train! :o) Only one criticism, there does seem to be a fair step up to the train from the platform (more so than a 158), one elderly lady getting off the train at Bangor was having some difficulty.

So yes, overall I am very impressed by the 175s, just a shame that the 37s can't run alongside them forever...... but life goes on I suppose! Nice to see the Coast being turned into a modern rail system at last though. Let's hope the passengers appreciate it and that more of them will use the service. - 7 July

In the temporary timetable, the 14.23 from Birmingham to Holyhead is a Class 158 unit which terminates at Crewe and the passengers transfer to a waiting loco-hauled train in Platform 12 which departs at 15.30. Of all the trains which use Platform 12, this one is the most likely to be found with the locomotive clear of the road bridge, as here on on 6 July. I took the chance to take a series of detail views of the loco, which will we on-line in due course for modellers.

A very familiar view on arrival at Chester. Train formation was:

37 412 5335 4873 35516 5389

Total seats 214: total passengers between Crewe and Chester 167 plus two bikes and a great deal of luggage, and the train seemed crowded even though not full.

I carried out another passenger count later on the 17.19 from Crewe : see below.
 

Coast line locomotives: TO791 37 428 & 37 429; TO792 37 425; TO793 37 412  Holyhead - Euston Virgin - 47 828

175 005 was on a Holyhead - Birmingham - Holyhead diagram in place of a 158. Not sure of the exact timings but it was 16 minutes down when it departed Crewe at 11.00 . A chap who got off said there had been a prang at Holyhead hence the delay. I looked carefully for a scrape or damage on one side - nothing. When it worked back I checked the other side and couldn't see anything. A weak excuse for slow running or the truth ? Maybe someone else can fill us in?

37 428 & 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol worked in together on TO791 and everyone assumed one would come off as they ran around at Crewe - but NO they worked back out together. So at least 4 different 37's in use on the day.

47 828 which came off the Holyhead train - it parked briefly in bay platform 10 while waiting to run light to Preston. An ideal spot to get a good shot. - 7 July

(See also next item.)

Rowan's Day Out

Rowan Crawshaw spent the day on 5 July sampling traction both old and new along the whole length of the Coast line. His Picture report is now online. - 7 July

Following years of neglect, the carriage sidings at Llandudno were taken out of use in 1998.  In happier times, Class 40 No. 40001 waits in the sidings with the empty stock of a day excursion on the 5th of July 1984. In steam days these sidings covered a far larger area and had their own turntable, water tower and signal box.  Much of this area has since been covered by housing. - 7 July

Alan Crawshaw captured 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol near Talybont with the 07:43 Holyhead to Crewe on 6 July. Alan writes: 'A locomotive driver from Holyhead depot was taking photos there too - he even guessed who I was from seeing my pictures here. Good to meet you!' -7 July

175s become a common sight - report by Charlie Hulme

175 005 prepares to leave Manchester Oxford Road with the 09.53 Stockport - Holyhead on 6 July. This diagram begins with the 07.49 Crewe to Manchester Piccadilly. Your compiler rode both trains and actually got to sample the seats. The legroom of the 'airline' seats is certainly the best of any train in the UK, and the air conditioning sure blows cold, but the seats certainly are 'firm' ... except the fold down ones in the vestibules which are much more cushy and have quite a good view too! The very small tables for the groups of four facing seats are going to be a problem though: where do the people on the inside seats put their drinks?

Luggage space looks like a possible problem too - in case First North Western have forgotten, below is a typical (not particularly busy) scene at Crewe as passengers for Ireland wait to board the 17.19 to Holyhead on the same evening. This train left Crewe with 210 people aboard; the seating capacity of a 3-car 175 is 200. - 6 July

Formation of the 17:19 Crewe - Holyhead:

37 426 4854 5331 35518 5420

Chester Watch - evening of 4 July by Dave Skipsey

18:24 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol worked the Manchester - Llandudno
18:30 158 787 worked the 18:30 Chester - Shrewsbury
18:33 175 005 arrived alone on the 18:36 Birmingham New Street - left at 18:42 after a bit of head scratching!
19:24 A mouse appeared next to platform 3 and observed 156459 on the 19:19 - Bangor !
(The mouse had NO orange jacket - don't they have to attend Personal Track Safety courses ??)
19:26 66 201 worked the Carlisle - Chirk timbers
19:31 101 681 arrived into bay 5 and formed the 19:57 Chester - Manchester via Stockport. - 6 July

Bangor 4 July - a new picture report

Rowan Crawshaw has sent us an interesting collection of pictures (including the one above) taken at Bangor on 4 July and showing a remarkable collection of trains from a Class 142 (!) though the three Class 37/4 diagrams to a 175. Visit our A Day at Bangor picture report. - 4 July

Res Duffs galore - report by Alastair Graham

37s may be on their way out on the coast, but Rail Express Systems liveried Class 47s seem to be appearing on the Crewe - Holyhead section of the WCML with increasing regularity as last weeks diagram reveals. Can anyone fill in the gaps? - 4 July

Mon 26/06              1D88 47 854
Tue 27/06 1A46 47 854  1D88 47 849
Wed 28/06 1A46 47 849  1D88 47 805
Thu 29/06 1A46 47 805  1D88 ?
Fri 30/06 1A46 ??      1D88 47 814 1D90 47778
Sat 01/07 1A01 47 778  1A39 47 814 1D87/1A70 47 773
Sun 02/07              1D88 47 746
Mon 03/07 1A46 47 746
Tue 04/07 1A46 47 817

We are happy to include the following Railway Development Society  North Wales Branch  Press Release in full; we could not have put it better ourselves. Believe it or not FNW management in a magazine interview said that the abolition of the sensible evening peak train from Llandudno to Blaenau might gain new traffic on the 18:37 train as hoilday-makers took an after-dinner trip! Contact Dave Sallery for more information about the RDS.  - 4 July

Rail users are concerned for the future of the Conwy Valley Line, Snowdonia, one of the most scenic rural lines in Wales, because of changes that have been made to cut costs.

First North Western has altered the service between Blaenau Ffestiniog and Llandudno so that only one train is used throughout the day. The number of services each day stays the same but the only commuter train home from Llandudno at 5.35pm is replaced with a departure at 6.37pm, which is too late for people leaving work. This could deprive the line of important business which lasts throughout the year, not just the summer.

The Railway Development Society, North Wales Branch, also warns that a close watch must be kept to ensure changes are not made that would prevent a better service in future. Until now, a passing loop and signal box have been needed at Llanrwst to allow the single-track-line's trains to pass each other. They are not needed in the new timetable and we fear the loop could be removed or decommissioned.

RDS's  third concern is that the scenic line is now operated with unsuitable rolling stock designed for commuters and having poor views out of the windows. Dave Sallery, Press Officer for RDS North Wales, said: "We are disappointed that resources are being removed from the Conwy Valley Line when there is more demand for rail travel in Britain and increasing concern for the environment, especially in Snowdonia.

"It would have been much better to keep the old timetable and then to invest money in modern electronic signalling. That would allow a frequent shuttle service between Llandudno and Betws-y-Coed and reduce costs at the same time. We understand that Snowdonia National Park are planning to create a major "Snowdonia Gateway" car park at Betws-y-Coed, which makes it even more important that Betws-y-Coed has a good train service."

RDS is now wants an improved service on the Conwy Valley Line to be included in the specification for a "Wales Rail" franchise.

The Llandudno Club train lives to see another week: newly-valeted 37 426 calls at Manchester Oxford Road, 3 July. Picture Charlie Hulme.

Engineering Work Sunday 2 July - Notes and Pictures by Rob York

Following on from the note on this page about the engineering works between Chester and Hooton, I found that the work was 1/4 mile from where I live! The work was/is being carried out south of the Ledsham road bridge and north of Capenhurst station. The picture above shows 37 797 on a ballast train that sat by the bridge all day. In the background you can see two 60's and a 66. The 60's were 60 032 and 60 038, whilst the 66 was 66 220. I went on to Chester to see the 1G81 18:22 Holyhead to New Street hauled by  of 37 426 and 37 429Eisteddfod Genedlaethol. The train arrived at Chester at 20:09 and departed at 20:11.

At 20:29, 66 220 with self -propelled Heavy duty twin jib crane DR78233 and 60 038 arrived from the Hooton direction. The 60 was uncoupled and the 66 with the crane departed route 'M' at 20:31. 60 038 departed on route 'D' at 20:33. The picture above shows the ensemble at Chester.

37 412 Driver John Elliott arrived at 21:07, with the delayed 20:28 1D68 Crewe - Chester. (Picture above.) The train was put into platform 7 as no Merseyside electrics were running. There was a good complement of passengers who got off at Chester. After running round the triangle, it departed at 21:40 with the delayed 21:02 5D68 Chester to Crewe south yard empty stock train. - 3 July

For the benefit of readers in other countries and those who don't study the industry press, here's a short summary of what I think is happening to First North Western and its neighbours. If I've got it wrong, please write. The Shadow Strategic Rail Authority ('Shadow' because the Act of Parliament to create it has not yet been passed!) has decided to re-organise the territories of operation of the Train Operating Company franchises, which as they stand now were mostly based on the sectors and sub-sectors of the Nationalised British Rail.

Even though the North Western franchise runs until 2003, it seems likely that something will happen soon because (a) the company running the North East England and Trans-Pennine franchise got into financial trouble in 1999 and sold out to the Arriva bus group, who only bought the railway on condition that something is done to reduce their losses; and (b) Prism Rail, holder of the South Wales and West of England franchise, has given notice that it wishes to cease this from May 2001.

The most likely options involve the creation of  'Wales Rail' which will run all the lines in Wales, and those in England which link the Welsh lines together (Newport - Shrewsbury - Cardiff - Crewe.)  This would then be in a good position to deal with the politicians of the new Welsh Assembly. The remainder of First North Western would then be combined with the local services in the North East to form 'Northern Rail.'  Trans-Pennine express routes would become a separate company which would be expected to make a profit, leaving 'Northern Rail' with a network requiring heavy subsidy.

One would expect First Group (owners of First North Western) to be among the bidders, perhaps for all four of these new franchises. We'll see what happens, but my first thoughts are that throwing everything up in the air again will lead to yet another period of uncertainly and disruption. - 3 July.

Traveller's Tale from 28 June by Neill Fisher

When I arrived at Crewe  about 11.00 on Wednesday 28 June I saw 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol running round on platform 12 I assumed to form the  11.15 to Holyhead. I thought then it was just as well I hadn't made it to Birmingham (due to Virgin's Newcastle to Plymouth service being late) as I could have been stuck in Birmingham.

Anyway, on enquiring I was told that 37 429 and stock were going ecs to Chester then to Birmingham. Does anyone know why this happened as 37 429 arrived at Holyhead later as the 17.25 arrival presumably all the way from Birmingham?

Shortly after 429 roared off towards Chester 37 428 appeared from Birmingham about on time. We left Crewe a couple of minutes down, I think, but 428 seemed to be in good order (I wonder if  Crewe depot done something to it because when I travelled behind it couple of weeks ago it didn't sound as healthy and certainly didn't seem to go as well, losing time steadily all the way from Holyhead to Brum). Arrival at Chester was nicely on time on this occasion.

I assume there must have been a crew change then because the running onwards along the coast seemed rather lacklustre, perhaps a driver under instruction as at Prestatyn we were well under way before the second man (?) went back inside the cab. I  left 428 at Colwyn Bay to wait for the 12.19 ex- Crewe which we had passed just outside Chester on its way into Crewe. This arrived nearly 20 mins late due apparently to the preceding Manchester-Llandudno running late ; couldn't that have been held at its Abergele stop to let the Holyhead train pass which doesn't stop?. Anyway, with 37 425 Concrete Bob at the front we at least held time to Holyhead even with stops at, I think, 5 of the request stops after Bangor.

With a quick run round taking about 10 minutes departure back to Crewe was on time. I stayed in Holyhead for the afternoon to wait for the 18.22 to Birmingham which arrived and departed on time courtesy of 37 429:  still, I think, the best running loco of those on the coast. We ran almost dead on time all the way. - 3 July

Class 175 forecast

First North Western have kindly given us an outline of their current plans for Class 175 operations, which firstly involve the use of 175 003 and 005 together, now they have been tested successfully in multiple,  on the Class 158 diagram which begins with the 06.27 from Chester to Birmingham, thus freeing up a 158 for maintenance.

A further plan involves the use of a single 175 on the Chester - Altrincham - Manchester service, which should offer some interesting opportunities for review. The  06.29 Holyhead - Birmingham  diagram, which later in the day becomes the Manchester - Llandudno train,  will be fairly high up the list for replacement but "at the current rate must be at least 3 - 4 weeks away yet." Of course, all this can change on a daily basis, so don't blame us or FNW if you don't get a Class 37 on any train!

We have now closed our Class 175 Chronicle pages: significant developments will appear here for the time being. - 2 July

Our long-delayed page about the First North Western loco-hauled coaching stock is now ready in a first version, with a brief history of the fleet, a stock list and some detailed observations. Comments on this are, as always, very welcome. - 2 July

So the 37/4's made it into the second half of 2000 and today, 1st July, 37412 Driver John Elliott arrived at Crewe on 1K57 07.44 Holyhead - Crewe, with the two Riviera GWR-liveried coaches still in the consist.  They are 5025 at the Crewe end and 5030 at the Holyhead end.  The picture (above) shows 37 412 waiting for permission to run out into the yard before returning to the head of the train to form the 10.19 Crewe-Holyhead.  Note the red aspect reflecting off the July rain!
 

However, Class 37/4 diagram TO791 which begins with the 07.06 Chester - Holyhead was replaced by the 'Terrible Twins' 175 003/005.  47 759 had worked the empties from Crewe to work the 07.06, however this was dumped in the yard whilst the 175s worked the train. Ian Bowland's picture shows them appearing to battle through the undergrowth near Prestatyn with the 17.19 Crewe - Holyhead.

The third locomotive diagram, TO 793, which includes the 10:07 from New Street to Holyhead was worked by 37 425 Concrete Bob.

47 773 did work 1D87 Virgin service forward at 10:30 Crewe to Holyhead as predicted. Reports by Andrew Rhodes and Ian Bowland. - 2 July

Regarding the use of Royal loco 47 798 from Crewe to Birmingham in place of failed 37 428 on the night of 30 June, it would appear that although this did take place, it was removed again at Crewe on the return overnight journey to Holyhead and replaced by  37 425 Concrete Bob which had brought the empties off the 19:54 Llandudno - Manchester train direct from Manchester to Crewe as is usual on Friday nights. (Thanks to Ivor Bufton.)

About the Virgin photoshoot at RAF Valley on 28 June: 47 849 worked 5T46 06:05 ecs to Bangor, ran round then  5T46 07:08  Bangor to  Holyhead with Driving Trailer 82101. A Good Time was had by all, says our inside source. - 2 July

In the shed yard at Crewe was 37 426 apparently back from cleaning at Toton  with a healthy bright yellow nose. The damaged number and emblem have been repaired as has the bodyside paintwork (see photo below taken on 29 March  and note the position of the roof fan cowl for reference).  All this probably indicates imminent scrapping. - 2 July

Two views of Llandudno Junction taken on 26 June by Andrew Rhodes. Above, 101 682 works a train for Blaenau Ffestiniog, and below is 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol.

I can  understand drivers looking forward to the 175s, though steam age drivers and firemen would probably consider the cab of a 37 a  wonderful working environment! As a passenger, the introduction of  the appalling 150s on Holyhead to Hull services drove me onto the roads in the early nineties and I only returned to rail as I had to commute weekly to Scotland. After enduring the whine of a 158 all the  way to Warrington it was a huge relief to board a West Coast express.  On the way back I could change at Crewe, where a growling beast would  be sitting in platform 9 ready to take me home in a real train.  Sometimes it was large logo Loch Rannoch, other times a drab grey  Blackpool Tower, Bont y Bermo or Highland Region. Or I might get The  Kingsman, The Scottish Hosteller, Concrete Bob, Cathays C&W Works,  Robert Fairlie or Eisteddfod Genedlaethol, all of which matched the  coaches, which were clean inside and out in 1995. Then that  marvellous run along the coast to the sounds of steel wheels on steel  rails and wind howling round the windows.

I've yet to try a 175 - if Joe Public likes them and is tempted away  from his car then I'll be a little happier. As a cyclist I'm very angry with First North Western for designing units with a  pathetically inadequate capacity of two bikes - there are three cyclists in the family so these things will force us back to the car when we want to take our bikes on holiday. I'm equally angry with  this hypocritical government for allowing such a drastic reduction in  capacity while making empty statements about integrated transport and encouraging cycling.

Dave Sallery considers the seats too firm on 175s - I've found that to be so on all the newer builds and refurbishments, in the style of a cheap office chair. Passengers who want to travel in a hermetically sealed  environment working on a laptop in a mobile office may appreciate the new trains - provided they can get a seat. I travel mainly for  leisure purposes and will sorely miss the comfort of a Mk 1 sofa as  well as the sounds, sight and feel of a real train with a nice big  luggage area for the bikes.

Are all the class 37 drivers looking forward to their passing?

[Earlier stories are on the Notice Board for June 20-30  2000]

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