Regular Contributors: Dave Sallery , Alan Crawshaw, 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.
LAST UPDATE: 09 August 2000
To the North Wales Coast main page : To The previous Noticeboard
Despite times having been issued by Railtrack, the Northern Belle
train for Friday 11 August has been moved away from the Coast line
to visit the fresh fields of Barrow in Furness. For those interested, the
revised times are: Manchester Victoria 12:27/17:42 Bolton 12:48/17:22,
Preston 13:15/16:44, Carnforth 13:59-14:06 /
16:02-06, Arnside 14:18/15:47 and Barrow 145:8/15:18. (Thanks to Tony
Flusk for this info.) Motive power will probably be a Class 50, although
a Deltic or 47 is possible. - 10 August
Wales Rail
BBC Wales News reports that the single railway franchise for Wales is definitely to go ahead, and that bids to run it are invited. This will means that the Coast line will no longer be part of the North Western network, and will be managed from an HQ in Wales. A good idea in the long term maybe (or not) ... but there's yet another unsettled period to get through first, and much management effort that could be spent on looking after services will go on endless bids, tender and paperwork. - 9 August.
A clockwork orange
One of the latest additions to First North Western's fleet, 101 693 at Manchester Piccadilly on 9 August. Scotrail has now finished with these units, so as is traditional they have arrived in Manchester. Internally they are the same as the other sets which were refurbished for Regional Railways in the early 90s; First North Western destination blinds (from Class 142s?) have now been fitted.
Dave Sallery's Archive Spot
Class 47 No. 47 295 heads the afternoon Llandudno Junction - Warrington Arpley Speedlink past Middle Gates, Abergele on June 6 1987. The train mainly comprises open wagons loaded with bricks. These would have come from Butterley Brick in Caernarfon and would have been transhipped to rail at Bangor goods yard. The remaining two vehicles are empty cement tankers on their way from the Castle Cement terminal at Bangor to Penyffordd. Speedlink traffic ended in North Wales in 1991 and trains such as this are now distant memories. - 9 August
Class 175 'teething troubles' continue unabated. Delays are being caused by examinations of the 175s; for example the 06:24 Chester to Birmingham New Street on 8 August departed at about 07:10. All 175s are undergoing a monitoring regime that means they must be examined every night at Chester. Problems additional to the brake troubles (see below) include at least one unit having to have its alternator changed, after wiring managed to get dragged into the hydrostatic pump drive shaft; door problems with 175 006, the latter suffering from a lack of gearbox oil, too.
And as if matters weren't already a farce, we hear that Alstom's Chester Depot ran out of diesel fuel on the night of 7 August, and had to send some units to Crewe for refuelling! - 9 August
The Irish Snail rides again - by John Murray
On 8 August I travelled on the 19:18 "The Irish Mail" service from London to Holyhead with 43 065 leading and Inter-City liveried 43 006 at the rear which failed to start at Euston.
Due to the restricted access with the engineering work on the approaches to the station, Railtrack refused to allow the train to leave with only one power car in case of failure, so 47 789 Lindisfarne was sent to assist. Now you now why all West Coast HSTs now include a buffer-fitted power car. (See HSTs - the full story below)
The train left 55 minutes late and 47 789 was removed at Watford Junction, after clearing the work. Unfortunately, with only one functioning power car the HST continued to lose time, arriving in Chester 90 minutes late. Many thanks to the Virgin station and onboard staff did their best to assist passengers in difficult circumstances. - 9 August
37 413 awaiting departure at Crewe with the 15:30 to Holyhead, 7 August. Picture Rowan Crawshaw
37 401 Mary Queen of Scots departs from Bangor with the 07:06 Chester - Holyhead on 7 August. (Rowan Crawshaw)
No more Llandudno shunt?
8 August saw the predicted replacement of the locomotive-hauled set (by a class 158) on the Chester - Llandudno part of the 17:19 Llandudno and subsquent 19:52 return to Manchester and late evening Manchester - Chester. Looks like the fun's over as far as that goes, although the 17:19 itself did run from Manchester - Chester with 37 413 and 5 coaches. Thanks to John Bird for reporting. - 8 August
We hear that the 175s are experiencing problems with one of their two
braking systems. Apparently the "retarder" which basically works by using
the engine to brake the train (hydraulically we presume) is thought to
be
causing some damage to the gearbox. The Gearbox/Retarder unit is a combined
unit from Voith, and is believed to
be in use on other trains in service in Europe. (Possibly the French
X-TER which is their version of the Coradia).
As there are no records of problems elsewhere, FNW are hoping this is a faulty component or batch. The trains have continued in service using the conventional brakes only - this has caused increased wear on the brake discs and some have cracked, hence the need for increased checking at Chester. Comment from Alstom is awaited. - 8 August.
Freight report by Tony Flusk
Thursday 3 August: - 6E52 07:00 Holyhead - Humber,hauled by 56 056 with 60 049 dead inside. Reason for was that 60 043 failed at Llysfaen (at 0255 hrs in the morning) while en route for the train, 56 056 being sent from Arpley to assist.
Friday 4 August : - 66 175 6M62 0231 Healy Mills - Mostyn Docks and return 6E39 08:10 Mostyn Docks - Healey Mills. 66 066 6J35 01:15 Carlisle Yard - Chirk. 20 306 & 311 7D41 01:22 Carlisle Kingmoor - Valley and return 7C40 15:12 Valley - Carlisle Kingmoor. 60 079 6F59 09:15 Arpley - Dee Marsh and return 6F62 12:30 Dee Marsh - Arpley.
Monday 7 August : - 56 078 6M62 and return 6E39. 60 043 06:45 Arpley - Chirk. 60 020 6F59 and return 6F62. 66 158 6Z83 09:30 Redcar - Penyffordd.
Tuesday 8 August : - 66 061 6M62 and return 6E39. 37 057 01:15 Carlisle Yard - Chirk (Throughout) and return 6S63 06:23 Chirk - Mossend (cancelled at Arpley). 20 904 & 906 7D41 and return 7C40. 60 054 6D21 05:53 Basford Hall - Penmaenmawr and return. 6P22 11:52 Penmaenmawr - Guide Bridge ballast train. - 8 August
I travelled on the same train (in the same coach in fact) as John Murray
(see below) to Holyhead on 3 August with my wife and
son, the intention being to spend a few hours in Dublin. Very annoyed on
arrival at Holyhead to find the that HSS would not be sailing (was cancelled
again on 8 August, due to technical problems). I later found out that Stena
had passed this information to Virgin trains at approx. 07:15. Surely a
message could have been passed
to the Guard en route so that intending passengers could have turned
back en route. I noticed a large party of "day trippers" joining at Bangor
who could otherwise have been saved the journey (We could have alighted
at Bangor for 37 884 back !) - 8 August
Really the last Llandudno Club Train?
Ignored by a man in a suit, despite a man with a plastic bag unsuccessfully requesting the driver to "wide it", 37 426 arrives at Manchester Oxford Road with the 17:19 from Manchester Piccadilly on 7 August. From this date this train was terminates at Chester, with a railcar provided for travellers onward to Llandudno. What will all those photographers do with their evenings? [In fact it did run to Llandudno, but we are told this will oldy happen in exceptional circumstances, so don't bank on it.] The train consist is 35453, 5335, 4873, 35516, 5389. Incidentally, the busy 17:15 Manchester - Blackpool was formed of a single car, 155 316, newly painted in FNW blue; sadly, new paint does not create more seats ...
However, John Myers reports that 2D56, 07:06 Chester - Holyhead, which had been planned to go over to railcar working from 7 August, was 5 coaches hauled by 37 401 Mary Queen of Scots. (cf. Changes Afoot, below.) Latest news from First North Western HQ is that this diagram will now remain loco-hauled for two more weeks.
Five two-car 175s were officially in the fleet on 7 August, namely 175 003/ 005/ 006/ 007/ 009 with 010 expected before 11 August and 008 /011 the following week. A report that all had been withdrawn with brake problems is denied by FNW: they are being checked but will remain in service so long as no problems are found. - 7 August
Middlewich diversions?
We hear that some trains in the week beginning 7 August are to be diverted between Crewe and Chester via the Middlewich branch. Can anyone supply more details? - 6 August
Sunday 6 August: Double header goes single...
Despite it's recent B-exam, 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol gave trouble (believed to be a faulty power controller) while at Holyhead on 6 August, and when the mobile team of fitters were unable to effect a cure, the loco was hauled dead inside 37 401 Mary Queen of Scots hauling the five-coach 1K63 16.56 Holyhead - Crewe. 401 kept time well with this train, the equivalent weight of eight coaches. (Picture above by Alan Crawshaw)
This left only one loco at Holyhead for the 18.22 Boat Train which is normally double-headed, so this ran as five coaches with 37 413. As it happened the boat from Ireland was late, so most of the prospective passengers missed it in any case. Picture above by John Lewis, who adds: 'Note the new footbridge which has now been built over the A55 and the railway - it's not open yet, but once it is be prepared for plenty of photos from it ...' Thanks to Ivor Bufton for information.
37 413 crossing Malltraeth viaduct on Anglesey. Picture Alan Crawshaw
37 413 runs round (above) to haul the 15:53 Crewe - Holyhead on 6 August, and pulls away, with Riviera coach 4902 behind the engine in the 5-coach rake. (Pictures Ian Bowland) How much longer will we see this operation at Crewe? - 6 August
Those interested in the old Class 101s, and old DMUs in general, are highly recommended to take a look at http://www.railcar.co.uk which as well as all its usual goodies has full details of the moves of Scotrail units to Manchester and other related news.
New picture stories on our friend 'Concrete Bob's' website include an alternative look at the Coast 37s in Something a little Different plus a nostalgic black-and-white look at some Class 40s.
Our contributors Dave and John Skipsey visited the Open Day at Old Oak Common depot on 5 August and now have a huge collection of John's pictures online, including the bizarre sight of a Class 60 in full Great Western regalia.
Back at Page 27, The Grand Tour is Ian Bowland's record of a day's outing to Manchester and Llandudno on 3 August. - 6 August
The Virgin Trains HST which ply between Holyhead and Euston each day don't get their full share of our coverage, so we are pleased to bring you the following report by Steve Vaughan.
Some recent events down the coast which I thought would be worthy are
the appearence of a couple of the last handful of Intercity- liveried machines
(43 006 working all the week ending 5 August) and the fact that
all
West Coast sets should now have at least one of the buffer- fitted
power cars attached.
The follwing notes will, I hope, straighten out the seemingly confused situation of what Londons should be loco hauled and what should be 125:
During the week the following are booked 125: 1A23/1A70/1D87/1D89/1D90(FO).
On the other hand
1A46/1D88 are booked for a Class 47 loco and West Coast set. On Saturdays
1D87 runs 47 and a West Coast set due to the Euston Remodelling and returns
as 1A62 (not 1A70). 1A23 runs as 1A13 on Saturdays. 1D88 does
not run on Saturday night and 1A46 runs as 1A38 on Saturday mornings.
All services on a Sunday are booked 125 except 1D88.
On Saturdays 29 July and 5 August 1D87/1A62 has run 125 off 1A13 having been terminated at Crewe due to West Coast diversions. 1D90 is formed of a set that comes up empty from Plymouth Laira depot on a Thursday night as 5M98; however, due to recent power car shortages 5M98 has not run over the last few weeks. This means 1D90 has to be loco hauled. When this happens, 1D90 tends to form 1A01 instead of 1A13 so allowing 1D89 that night to be HST, thus saving hiring an engine two nights running. - 6 August
Steve Marshall of Globe Video writes: We have our fourth Class 37 programme due for release on 10th August entitled 'Reflections of the Class 37s' and priced £14.95. It runs for 68 mins and of course includes North Wales footage (as well as Central & South Wales). Clips range from 1987 to 20 July 2000 on the coast! We have a website at www.rail-video.com and for August only a special introductory price. - 6 August
A treat for Borderlands Line fans - NSE-liveried 101 840 (left) passing 101 680 as seen from Shotton High Level station on 26 July. Picture Steve Morris.
Welsh Highland extension to open
According to the Welsh Highland Railway (Caernarfon) website, the second phase of the WHR(C) from Caernarfon to Waunfawr is to open for public traffic on 7 August - although nearly all seats for the first week's trains have been reserved. This opening was originally planned for 28 May but bad wweather delayed the relaying of the line. - 6 August
Changes upon Changes - by Rowan and Alan Crawshaw
Marshalled next to the InterCity brake on the 07:43 Holyhead to Crewe on 5 August was Riviera Trains chocolate and cream FK number 13227 dating from 1959, which we think makes it the oldest coach on the coast - loco was 37 401 Mary Queen of Scots. Rowan's picture shows the return train, the 10:19 Crewe - Bangor, departing from Crewe. The 07:06 Chester to Holyhead was still loco-hauled, 37 413 and again this rake was commendably up to five coaches. Conditions would be further improved were fNW to officially declassify the first class - some guards are still keen to collect the supplement.
As for the Saturday 1D87/1A70, sepcial thanks to Darran Moss for the following explanation:
'With regards to the Euston - Holyhead on Saturdays it has been a HST as it only started from Crewe and has been the set from the 0543 ex-Holyhead in the morning which has terminated at Crewe. This has been caused by the closure of the Trent Valley line on Saturdays and reduced pathing between Crewe and Euston with trains going via Birmingham.'
The 07:53 Euston - Holyhead returned to Class 47 haulage on 5 August. 47 778 is seen awaiting departure at Crewe.
The other Class 47 diagram on the Coast. 47 848 stands at Crewe with the 09:19 Holyhead - Euston on 5 August. - 5 August
About time too! - by Ian Bowland
37429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol is back after its B exam and was on 1K61/1D69 with a 5 coach set (Riviera "GWR" coach at the rear in the photo. About time too, but pity it was not on the Birmingham train. The shot shows it passing the Pyms Lane factory of Rolls Royce - a dead straight racing ground.
37 413 was on 1D67 and it was standing room only as it left on time - 4 August
The last runround at Llandudno? 37 413 on Friday 4 August. Picture John Myers
Fruit Cake
Ian ap Bowland writes: ' Foresooth 'tis written in the chronicles of Lord Parker de Chorley that his Bobness is away to help the southern tribes in their quest to conquer the valley slopes. The chronicles further foretell of a resurgence of dark smoke from the performer known as 429 on the 4th day of the Augustine lunar period.' - [I think that's enough mediaevalia .- Ed.] - 4 August
Hitting the Stops
Tony Miles writes: 'John Murray's review of the 175 is interesting - although I disagree in that I find the seats quite comfortable.
'John raises the question about the suspension seeming to hit a stop with a jolt. This is because the suspension is hitting the stop with a jolt! The suspension is basically riding on the rubber stops, as riding freely may take the units out of gauge. Alstom have until something like 2002 to sort out a fix and I think until 2004 to solve it. Most of the Raitrack work on platform edges is being done to take any extra gauge clearance into account - but once the suspension is freed up fully other stations may need work doing. Alstom are looking at various solutions to the problem. - 4 August
It appears that Virgin Trains 1D87/1A70 have now reverted to an HST on Saturdays. 1D90 however continues to see 47 haulage and quite a few of them are from either Fragonset or EWS:
27 July Thur: 1A46 47 709
28 July Fri: 1D88 47709 1D90 47 772
29 July Sat: 1A01 47772 1A39 47 709 (on
Saturday, due to the Engineering work at Nuneaton 1A13 was worked by 43
013/158 to Crewe. The set then worked 1D87 to Holyhead from Crewe so
as not to delay the service.)
30 July Sun: 1D88 47 769
31 July Mon: 1A46 47 769 1D88 47 844
01 August Tue: 1A46 47 844 1D88 47 742
02 August Wed: 1A46 47 742 1D88 47 817
03 August Thur: 1A46 47 817
Freight notes: The steel train (6E39) from Mostyn does not seem
to be running as frequently (i.e. daily) as it was, although the acid tanks
are still conveyed on Wednesday and Friday.
Friday 28 July: 6F59/6F62 37 109
Saturday 29 July 6P10 66 133 0745 at Chester
Monday 31 July 6F59/6F62 In the hands of 60 032 running
somewhat later than usual, not leaving Wrexham until 12:04. 6V80 (following
the usual pattern of the morning and evening steel trains being in the
hands of a Class 60 with the midday train hauled by a 66) passed Penyffordd
at 19:30 with 60 027.
Tuesday 1 August 6F59/6F62 37 109 with 2 OTA timber wagons
and just one Ferrywagon had run round and was waiting to depart from the
up/down loop by 10:30! It had to wait until 1058 before 101 680
had cleared the section at Penyffordd before it could leave. 6Z83, the
coal to Castle Cement at Penyfford from Redcar ran this morning instead
of the more usual Monday night. It was hauled by 66 225 which passed
the passenger train at Cefn-y-bedd at 09:05. When it reaches the ground
frame, the shunters obtain the release from the signal box and the loco
propels the MEA's into the sidings (they have to be split as the consist
is too long to fit in as it is), The loco then runs wrong line the half
mile back to Penyffordd and uses the cross over returning Light Engine
to Warrington. At present the shunter (outbased from Dee Marsh Junction)
is 08 397.
Wednesday 2 August: 6E39 Mostyn - Hull which only had acid tanks
in the consist and only five of those, was hauled by 66 080, reaching
Chester at 07:18 and not leaving until 08:20 behind the 08:18 to Man Pic
(via Mouldsworth). 6Z83 ran again this time with 60 043 and 36 MEA's.
This was held on the Down Slow at Roodee Jct until 101 682 (ecs
from Wrexham) and the 170 from Birmingham to Chester had cleared the branch
and left at 20:21 towards Wrexham. 60 043 was back at Arpley by
2330.
Thursday 3 August: 6E36 the Petroleum Coke empties from Holyhead
were hauled by 56 065 with 60 049 'dead inside.; Also
6P21 ran from Basford Hall to Penmaenmawr with I think 60 054(or014)
at 07:15 through Chester.
Friday 4 August: Just one addition which was a little strange.
6F62, which is normally quite predictable for time as it has to slot in
with passenger trains on both the Chester to Wrexham as well as following
the 101's up from Wrexham to DMJ or from DMJ to Wrexham. Today, I think
it must have happened backwards! The train was coming back when it should
have been going and the OTAs instead of being empty for the Up (return)
working were loaded. I was waiting to get a photo of 6F59 looking towards
Penyffordd expecting a 37 to follow 2F78, the 10:33 from Wrexham central.
Instead, 60 079 appeared on 6F62 at 11:22, so close behind 2J77,
the 1032 from Bidston that the distant was still at Caution because the
passenger train had not cleared Wrexham Exchange Junction. Also, the three
OTA's in the consist were loaded! Some rejected timber from Shotton Paper
(?) as well as a couple of Ferry wagons. Can anyone help with more information
on this? - 4 August
More Groovy Loadhaul Pix
Alan Crawshaw's picture above shows the 07:43 Holyhead-Crewe stopping at Llanfair PG to pick up two passengers on 3 August, with 37 884 Gartcosh at the head.
37 884 Gartscosh at Chester with the 07:48 Holyhead - Crewe, 3 August. Picture by John Skipsey.
After being pressed into service on 1 August, Load-Haul liveried 37 884 Gaspent the night at Holyhead and worked back east with the 07.43 Holyhead - Crewe, pictured at Bangor by Rowan Crawshaw - 4 August
Train Review and a Holyhead Sojourn - by John Murray
After an absence of almost six weeks due to working away, on 3 August I took my first train ride along the coast since 23 June today. At that time I wondered whether that would the last time I saw a class 37 in passenger service. Well I am pleased to say that they were still very much in evidence today.
Picture shows 37 426 with the rake including the full brake van, in the centre road at Chester ready to form the 07:06 departure to Holyhead.
This was my first chance to sample a class 175 on a decent length run with 175 005 on the 06:50 to Holyhead (05:25 ex Birmingham New Street). My first impressions, from my short run from Crewe to Chester on 22 July, have not altered. Points of note:
Good points
* The air conditioning works well!
* Interior trim and lighting is well designed.
* Interior noise and engine vibration is very low.
* Acceleration is good.
* Legroom is excellent for standard class airline style seats.
* Toilets are well designed for ease of cleaning.
* A sensible approach to cycle storage with racks and securing straps,
but only space for 2 bikes.
* Internal information system is excellent.
* No smoking allowed anywhere!
Bad points
* There is a noticeable lateral jolt in the ride as if the suspension
is hitting a stop. It is noticeable at speed on continuous welded
rail and worse on jointed rail and junctions.
* The train suffered considerable wheel slip leaving Flint on only
slightly wet rail, and the driver shut off power a couple of times as a
result. If this is the situation now, how will they cope with Autumnal
leaves?
* Lack of luggage space for bulky items such as rucksacks.
* Seats are hard and an awkward pitch for a long journey.
* The narrow width of the aisle presented problems for catering trolley
attendant. [weren't there going to be new narrow trolleys? - C.H.]
My vote for the best third generation DMU remains with Chiltern Railways' class 168 for ride quality, comfort, noise and interior layout. Central Trains' class 170 also give a better ride than the 175, but the interior layout of the latter is preferable in my opinion. I have not tried any other operator's Turbostars.
On arrival at Holyhead, the 08:55 HSS sailing was cancelled due to "ongoing technical difficulties", unfortunately the Irish Ferries' Swift at 09:15 was fully booked. This delay gave me a bit of time to take some photos around Holyhead station. Before setting out from home, I had checked Ceefax p435 which did not show any problems. This is the second time in recent weeks that Stena Line's information services have reported no problems at times of severe disruption.
47 817 Institution of Mechanical Engineers worked Virgin Trains' 09:19 service to London Euston, unusually departing from platform 2 which has no run-round crossover.
Next 37 426 arrived with the 07:06 stopping service from Chester, and performed the traditional runround in Platform 4. This is probably the penultimate day of loco hauled operation of this service. The shunter, seen working the levers, told me he reads this site and had noticed himself starring in many Llandudno pictures! After a complimentary breakfast, courtesy of Stena Line, we were advised that the 13:45 sailing would be running with a revised departure time of 13:30 and increased crossing time of 2 hours 15 minutes. - 3 August
Old and new at Chester with 37 426 and 175 005, 3 August. Picture John Murray
Will they make it?
First North Western's hopes to reduce the number of locomotive workings from 5 August (details below) depend on having five Class 175 units available for traffic. 2 August saw 175 010 undergoing acceptance trials, is this went well the total accepted First North Western fleet will stand at 6 units, allowing for one spare. Meanwhile, though, we hear that one unit failed at Holyhead on 2 August resulting in the cancellation of the 08:42 to Birmingham ...
It's a sobering thought that the first appearance of a 175 in Chester depot was on 23 December 1999, and it was thought at one time that all 27 sets would be available for the Summer 2000 timetable. Remember that Alstom are supplying these trains under a new-style agreement under which they are responsible for day-to-day maintenance as well as the construction of the vehicles. Incidentally we hear that the operation of some units without their front-end fairings was noted by FNW management and immediately banned. - 3 August
As the story of the Llandudno Club Train draws to a close, two views of 37 413 on 2 August's train.
The down train slows for the stop at Deganwy ...
... and the return train to Manchester passes Llandudno distant signal as it approaches Deganwy level crossing. - 3 August
The Proof House saga
From 10 to 28 August, All First North Western trains south of Crewe will be formed of diesel units except the 18.22 Holyhead - Birmingham and 23.46 Birmingham New Street - Holyhead (which runs empty to Birmingham International to run round.) This is because of the track remodelling work at Proof House Junction just south of New Street station which will block the route normally used by FNW trains to run via Aston and approach Birmingham New Street from the south to avoid running round.
Soon to disappear - 1D67 about to start its journey from Birmingham.
The affected trains are 1G95 06:29 Holyhead - Birmingham and 1D67 10:07 Birmingham - Holyhead (Mon - Sat), 1G11 14:03 Holyhead - Birmingham and 1D82 17:34 Birmingham - Holyhead (Saturdays), 1G87 16:46 Holyhead - Birmingham and 1D57 20:50 Birmingham - Chester (Saturdays). The locomotive and coaches will still be used north of Crewe, with passengers changing there, except for the 20:50 from Birmingham to Chester which will be a railcar throughout.
Thanks to Tim Brawn of First North Western for this information. - 3 August
Freight news 27 July - 2 August, by Tony Flusk
Thursday 27 July:
37 712 6E52 0700 Holyhead - Humber.
37 109 6F59 0915 Arpley - Dee Marsh & return
6F62 1230 Dee Marsh - Arpley.
37 886 6M62 0101 Healy Mills - Mostyn Docks with six BDA
wagon conveying steel, loco
returned light engine to Healy Mills as 0E39.
Friday 28 July: -
66 056 6M62 & 6E39. However 6E39 failed at Leftwich (Greenbank
side of Northwich station) and was
pushed into the yard at Northwich by 37 219 on the Middlewich
trip (6K15 1003 Arpley -Middlewich),
and remained there until 56 031 came light from Arpley to work
the whole train forward (See, 66's do fail !).
37 109 6F59 & 6F62 return.
66 077 6M33 0928 Mossend Yard - Chirk.
Saturday 29 July: -
66 133 0117 Carlisle Yard - Chirk & return 6F71 1410 Chirk
- Arpley.
66 092 0623 Chirk - Mossend.
Various ballast trains passed Chester en route to/from engineering
work site at Green Lane on the Merseyrail system, including 66 079,
66 012 & 66 040.Most notable train being 37 884 on
7L60 1610 Basford Hall - Green lane.
Monday 31July: -
66 196 6M62 & returned light engine 0E39.
60 054 6D21 0553 Basford Hall - Penmaenmawr & return
6K22 1152 Penmaenmawr - Basford Hall.
60 032 6F59 & 6F62 return.
37 109 & 37 219 worked 6M33 0928 Mossend Yard - Chirk
throughout (!) from Scotland,returning light back to Arpley as 0F33 2215
Chirk - Arpley.
The Nuclear flask train at Bangor with 20 304 and 305, 1 August. (Alan Crawshaw)
Tuesday 1 August : -
20 304 & 20 305 0122 Carlisle Kingmoor - Valley &
return 7C40 1512 Valley - Carlisle Kingmoor.
56 078 0320 Healy Mills - Mostyn docks,returned light as 0E39.
66 097 0S63 0436 Arpley - Chirk to work return 6S63 0623 Chirk
- Mossend.
66 225 6Z83 0600 Arpley - Penyffordd.
60 054 6D21 & 6K22 return.
37 109 6F59 & 6F62 return.
Wednesday 2 August : -
56 065 6M43 2256 Humber -Holyhead & return 0F43 light engine
to Arpley.
66 080 6M62 & 6E39 return.
60 054 6D21 & 6K22 return.
37 109 6F59 & 6F62 return.
60 043 allocated 6Z83 0930 Redcar - Penyffordd.
66 100 en route on 6M33 09:35 Mossend Yard - Chirk with 37
427 dead inside,shown to have a "B" exam undertaken on arrival at Arpley.Seem
a long way to side a loco for a "B" exam unless someone has a ulterior
motive for the move ? - 3 August
Furthermore...I know not of the fate of 425......but I have been offered information of the kind, that it maybe not much longer before we see the demise of 429....hence the arrival of the Queen once more in the first place....what knows ye of this...?
Or, in other words:
37 401 Mary Queen of Scots celebrated its return to the Coast by expiring at Llandudno Junction while working the 14:50 Holyhead to Crewe train on Tuesday 1 August. 37 426 was sanctioned to take the train to as empties to Chester, where 37 884 worked the 17:19 ex Crewe to Holyhead starting from Chester. Thanks to ye scribe Lord G. and Andrew Rhodes for reporting. - 3 August
Our Queen is Back
Tis an omen! The Celtic queen 37 401 hath returned to repel the English plague of plastic now sweeping up from the midlands. The English have established a garrison in Chester where plastic is being stored in readiness for an assault on the Welsh northlands. Rumours abound that His Bobness 37 425 has been captured and is incarcerated at Crewe under sentence of death. Rally behind Queen Mary before it is too late! - Sir Alan of Crawshaw, 1 August
37 401 Mary Queen of Scots with the 12:19 Crewe - Holyhead
meets 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol with the 13:21
Holyhead - Manchester, Bangor 1 August. (Alan Crawshaw)
37 413 leaving Platform 12 at Crewe with the 15:30 to Holyhead, 1 August. (Ian Bowland)
The Holyhead - Manchester train arrives at Manchester Piccadilly, 1 August. Train consist: 5381, 92936, 4876, 5278. (Charlie Hulme) - 1 August
There are some planned reductions in First North Western locomotive workings from the week beginning August 5.
Mondays-Fridays from 7 August, the following diagrams will apply:
Diagram 1: 06.29 Holyhead - Birmingham , 10.07 Birmingham -Holyhead, 13.23 Holyhead - Manchester, 17:19 Manchester Picc - Chester. A connecting railcar train will be provided from Chester to Llandudno and for the rest of the day. Friday 4 August may well be the last 'Llandudno Shunt.'
Diagram 2: 17:19 Crewe - Holyhead only. The remainder of this turn, beginning with the 07:06 Chester - Holyhead, goes over to Class 175 working from 7 August.
Diagram 3 (unchanged for now): 07:48 Holyhead - Crewe, 15:30 Crewe - Holyhead, 18:22 Holyhead - Birmingham, 23:46 Birmingham - Holyhead. On Thursdays and Fridays the 14.23 railcar from Birmingham, which in the temporary timetable has been terminating at Crewe and passengers transferred to the 15:30, will continue to Holyhead as a relief for the loco-hauled train.
Saturdays from 5 August:
The 07.06 ex-Chester diagram is now booked for a 175. The other two diagrams unchanged.
Sundays from 13th August
08.45 ex-Holyhead diagram booked for 2 x 158. The 'boat train' workings are unchanged.
(For full details of diagrams referred to see our Summer diagram page.) Thanks to Tim Brawn of First North Western for the information, and for all his support for users of the loco-hauled workings in the last few months. - 1 August
Manchester rain on 31 July as 37 413 arrives at Manchester Oxford Road with the 17.19 Manchester - Llandudno, surving for another week. The driver celebrated with an extremely spirited start away from the station!
The Sunday Double-header 30 July - Notes and pictures by Rowan Crawshaw
We had a ride from Bangor on the 17:17 to Holyhead behind 37 429 and caught the double-header back on 30 July. The Double Header (37 413 + 429) was quiet with nearly all of the passengers "bashers" because the ferry was late.
The two trains before they couple up at Holyhead to form the double
header
37413 + 37429 shunt into the sidings at Holyhead to pick up one set of coaches.
The double header in the siding at Holyhead.
Fans queue for the places in the front coach.
The new order at Bangor: 175 006 + 009 depart Bangor with the 17:27 Crewe - Holyhead.
Interesting to see the news of the Scotrail 101's coming south. In a sense they are coming back as some of these units worked in North Wales before the Glasgow - Whifflet and Motherwell - Coatbridge lines were reopened. After overhaul and refurb in Derby (?) they appeared for a couple of months in newly painted Strathclyde livery. I don't know if they worked the Conwy Valley but the photo is of 101 688 at Penyffordd on 22 June 1993. These units are not to be confused with the first Strathclyde cast offs of a few years previous to this which were in a dreadful condition (as no doubt these are now). Those units worked off Chester and were often reformed ie one orange and one blue and grey coach. Let us hope their stay will be brief. - 1 August
Thanks to Murray Gibbons for some more information about Brake Van 92936 which has been in use on the Coast line in place of a Brake Second. (see the Double Header pictur above.) This vehicle was one of a small number used until recently to provide guard's an luggage accommodation on the London - Scotland sleeping car trains run by Scotrail. They have been replaced on this dity by refurbished Mk 2 coaches which also have some seating accommodation. - 1 August
Crowding...
First North Western HQ have noted the comments about overcrowding on the Coast line recently, and offer their apologies. Although they would like to augment the trains with a fifth coach, the fleet is now down to 17 vehicles and Riviera Trains have committed their stock to other work, as it was not thought they would be required. When they are available it is intended that the 3-car Class 175s will be used on the Coast line, augmented by an additional 2 or 3 car set on the Boat Train workings.
Perhaps in the meantime some railfans, especially rail staff travelling on free passes, might consider giving up their seat to an elderly or infirm passenger? - 1 August
[Earlier stories are on the previous Notice Board]
Created by Charlie Hulme, Comments welcome to charlie@dweb.u-net.com