High summer idyll in the Lledr Valley: 156 424 working the 16.18 Llandudno -Blaenau Ffestiniog near Dolwyddelan. - Picture by Larry Goddard

Regular Contributors: Dave Sallery , Alan Crawshaw, Rowan Crawshaw, Dave & John Skipsey, John Lewis, Tony Flusk,  Tony Miles, Ian Bowland,  Alastair Graham, Mike Stone,  'Concrete Bob'  Larry Goddard, Selwyn Williams, Steve Vaughan and many others.

LAST UPDATE: 09 August 2001

To the North Wales Coast main page : To The previous Noticeboard

On 8 August I went on a day trip to London: and the trains were on time both ways.  [You were lucky :see HST update below - C.H.] The upper picture is 87 022 Lew Adams - The Black Prince at London Euston with the 17:25 to Holyhead on 8 August; the lower view shows the same train at Crewe with 47 840 North Star being coupled on for the run to Holyhead.

At Colwyn Bay I saw a 66 on the Penmaenmawr ballast, and 66 188 at Mostyn. On the approach to Chester 66 074 was noted on the timber train heading west. I saw 66 051 on the steel girder train heading west when we waiting at Chester.

Visiting Paddington, we noted 57 601 departing - which with its General Motors engine sounded like a Class 66.  - 9 August

175 115 ran from Washwood Heath to Chester on the night of 8/9 August. When will it make a passenger run? The clock (or should it be a calendar?) is running ...

Meanwhile, RAIL magazine issue 415 of August 8 2001 has a review by well-known Class 37 fan Pip Dunn (last seen on TV a couple of years ago trying to defend the proposed renaming of 37 408 from Loch Rannoch to Rail Magazine) of the Class 175 Coradias.

And a fair enough report it is too, although he goes way over the top in describing the previous stock as 'nigh on derelict Mk 1s' - I can't imagine the people at Riviera Trains will be too impressed by this comment. Things only become tatty and derelict if they are not looked after properly, and some 175s seem to have begun this journey already. Amid the fascinating stuff about nappies, he notes the incidence of wobbly tables and scruffy floors and seat backs which is already evident, and remarks on the voracious vestibule doors, although despite a ride in a 175/1 he fails to notice the sound system fitted to the centre cars, thus missing the chance to enjoy again the strains of Perry Como's 'Magic Moments.' The air conditioning is described as noisy, which your compiler admits not noticing, but then again hearing pins drop is not on my personal want-list for rail travel. Why does everyone writing about the 175s and their ilk has to talk of a 'step change' I wonder? Ok, so the 156s don't have steps, but the old 101s always had them. - 9 August

Recently I visited the Buckinghamshire Steam Centre, situated out in the sparsely-populated wilds north of Aylesbury at Quainton Road. On the face of it there would seem to be little on offer that has a North Wales connection but I was in for a  surprise...

Tucked away in a shed was a kit parts that one day will emerge as a fully restored Ivatt Class 2-6-0. no.46447. This engine, even today, still retains BR-applied paintwork, something of a relic in itself! There cannot be many engines from the steam era which still retain pre-1968 works transfers. This engine has been here for many years, along with a pair of ex-Southern Region Ivatt 2-6-2Ts, also retaining BR-applied colours. Upon returning home I looked up 46447 on my own North Wales database and discovered to my amazement that the engine had spent a year at Bangor, from October 1960, before transfer back to England. Prior to Bangor, it had spent a short period at Llandudno Junction.

Also at Quainton Road was a fully restored civil engineers' Catfish ballast wagon, restored in 1950s black, and accurately lettered with a 'return to Penmaenmawr' instruction. - 8 August

Wales and West Railway's website has details of the many special trains which will be running to Cardiff on 12 August for the football match, many using trains hired from other operators. The timetables actually include headcodes for the benefit of railfan passengers - at least the two trains from Manchester will be loco hauled, probably by 37s. The page includes the injunction: 'Wales & West would remind passengers that rowdiness, the singing of "adult" songs or the over indulgence of alcohol can be frightening and offensive to others and we trust that our customers will agree that this is not acceptable.' Can't disagree with that. - 9 August

HST update -  by Steve Vaughan

An uneventful week in terms of Power cars again: 43 008/067 and 43 098/013 sharing the honours and sticking to diagram, for the record:

Mon 6 Aug: 43 098/013 1A23. 43 008/067 1D87/A70/D89.
Tue 7 Aug: 43 008/067 1A23. 43 098/013 1D87/A70/D89.
Wed 8 Aug: 43 098/013 1A23. 43 008/067 1D87/A70/D89.
Thu 9 Aug: 43 008/067 1A23. 43 098/013 1D87/A70/D89.

Rowan Crawshaw's picture shows 43 013 at Euston after arrival with 1A23 (05:46 from Holyhead) on 8 August.

The only couple of notable events were: On Monday night 1D89 was turned on the Chester Triangle at the request of Virgin - the reason for this has still not become apparent! Wednesday afternoon also proved eventful with 1A70 being trapped in the tree fall incident already reported, however the delay was only 5 minutes on arrival at Euston. Unfortunately just before 1D89 (19:05 from Euston) departed, Euston was evacuated due to a security alert and the train was 115 late at Milton Keynes Central, and later noted 125 minutes late at Chester. - 8 August

Steam curio #1 - by Ian Bowland

Something different, a picture of 46256 Sir William A.Stanier FRS (built at Crewe) painted onto both sides of a 40ft curtainsider.  The vehicle is owned by Chamberlain Transport of Crewe and thanks go to Simon Chamberlain who arranged for the trailer to be pulled out specially for me.  The mural also depicts a Rolls Royce car, Rail House and Crewe Hall.

Ian Bowland writes: Going past Sandbach station on 8 August I happened to glance down to se a 37 stopped in the avoiding loop.  I hastily went down to see what it was and it turned out to be ex Coast liner 37 419 - made my day it did.  Both nose ends were fairly battered and it was carrying a "Highland Rail" stag logo.

419  actually made it onto the coast (well sort of) in the evening. It ran light engine Arpley - Gresty Lane then worked 7L39 21:51 Gresty Lane to Bidston top & tail with 37 684. The train ran via Chester and Wrexham and consisted of 11 ZCA and 2 YFA wagons all empty.  - 9 August

A tree fell ...

Services along the Coast were disrupted at lunchtime on 8 August due to a tree on the line between Bangor and Conwy; rather surprising since Railtrack have recently been clearing all the trees away from near the line. The  13.28 Holyhead - Manchester  and 12:22 Crewe - Holyhead stopped short of the obstruction, as far as we can tell, and the 13.43 Holyhead   - London Euston was also delayed. At 14:35 it was reported that normal working was resumed. - 8 August

47 742 The Enterprising Scot passes Bangor's signal box on 1A46, 09:19 Holyhead - London on 6 August. Picture and moral support by Alan Crawshaw.

Will this lot fit in a four-car Voyager?

The North West Gen List reports that a train composed of 175 105 & 175 114 failed at Horwich Parkway on the evening of 6 August, with door problems on 114. The Down line was blocked for an hour. - 6 August

HST Notes

43 008 at the head of 1D87, Bangor, 6 August (Alan Crawshaw)

Once again not much to report - in fact the whole weekend can be summed up as 43098/013. This pair worked all the HST turns over the weekend: 1A01 Saturday and 1A61/D89 on Sunday then 1A23 on Monday 6 August.

Ian Bowland's photo is of 43 098 leading. This is without doubt the most explosive loco on the system at the moment. When opening up it is quite remarkable and has to be seen (or heard) to be believed! Report by Steve Vaughan.  - 6 August

Saturday 4 August:
47 770 1D90 00:36 Crewe-Holyhead;  1A13 05:46 Holyhead-Crewe
47 847 1A39 09:19 Holyhead-Crewe
47 770 1D87 10:31 Crewe-Holyhead;  1A62 13:35 Holyhead-Crewe
47 789 1D89 20:51 Crewe-  Holyhead

Sunday 5 August
47 789 1A02 03:58 Holyhead-Euston (Throughout)
47 774 1D87 09:55 Euston-Crewe (removed due to smoking traction motors)
47 767 1D87 12:45 Crewe-Holyhead (left over 1hr late missing ferry connections)
47 767 1A75 16:13 Holyhead-Crewe
47 742 1D88 19:32 Crewe-Holyhead

47 774 Poste Restante was intended to work 1D87 throughout as a balancing movement and saving engine change time at Crewe - but this intention was put to rest after a fitter noticed smoke coming from the loco's traction motors, necessitating a replacement (in the form of 47 767) Saint Columba from the Depot at Crewe. 1A02 is intended to remain a diesel turn to Euston for the time being as many sections of the West Coast route have early morning Sunday engineering works that require overhead power isolation. 47 759/736/739 all passed 1A02 south of Milton Keynes dragging the first three timetabled and booked 'drags' from Euston. Power is restored normally by 09:00 in all sections of the route.  Thanks also to Andrew Rhodes.- 6 August

We respectfully dedicate this picture by Alan Crawshaw of 47 770 Reserved at Bangor on 4 August to Ian Batten and Andrew Breen of the uk.railway newsgroup who assure us that railways are just a means of transport.
 

47 847 at Talybont, near Bangor, 4 August. Alan Crawshaw was sharing his favourite photo spot with an off-duty First North Western driver. It's great to see the staff taking time to make a record of their historic equipment: one wonders whether they'll be photographing old 175s in 30 years' time?

Two pictures taken at Bangor station by Rowan Crawshaw on 4 August. Above, 47 847 arrives at Bangor with the 09:19 Holyhead - Euston. Below: 47 770 Reserved calls at Bangor with the 08:00 Euston - Holyhead. - 4 August

Our friends at Globe Video Films have produced another in their series of Class 37 programmes, this one called 'Glory of the Class 37s.'  Amongst other delights, we are told: '' For many years the class have been associated with services along the North Wales Coast trunk route to Holyhead. With passenger duties due to cease at the end of 2000 we  pay tribute to this service with a special section depicting the final hours. Unique views are  seen including the final official departure from Holyhead. Captions giving full train details are included but commentary has deliberately been omitted so that the truly distinctive sound of these fine locomotives can be enjoyed without compromise.'

We can recommend Transport Diversions' on-line sales service. Their newsletter this month also tells of a new video about the Llandudno and Colwyn Bay Electric Railway. Reviews of these tapes are very welcome. - 5 August

The sad news reaches us that Mike Dunning has closed down his 7mm scale Talacre garden layout which featured some fine models of 37/4s and other classic North Wales trains. Take a look at Mike's website www.talacre.com which looks like becoming the only record of this famous line.

A new series in the modelling pages of Rail Express magazine is following Dave Goodwin and Richard Oldfield in their project to build an exhibition layout to P4 standards based on Mostyn on the Coast line as it was in 1977. Our contributor Dave Skipsey is also involved in this interesting scheme. It is intended to exhibit this model for the first time at the Macclesfield exhibition in April 2002. In the latest article the authors have two requests for information, and an email address (richardoldfield@btinternet.com) for the use of anyone who can help them. Firstly, has anyone got evidence of any type of diesel loco other than Class 24, 25 , 40 and 47 working through Mostyn under its own power during 1977, and secondly does anyone have dimensioned drawings of the petroleum coke hoppers, BRTE 12100-16, built in 1971 for traffic to Anglesey Aluminium, and still in service? Please copy us on any replies.

Any time now, we are told, the new Heljan 00 model of the Class 47 will be available. This is a model of the 47 in current condition, and featuring Virgin and Res liveries among others, making it ideal for the North Wales Coast layout. The model features lots of detail, and a continental-style mechanism with central motor driving all wheels. If anyone gets hold of one, please tell us about it. - 5 August

1A61 the 13.45 Holyhead-London at Colwyn Bay, Sunday 29 July. Anyone know the loco numbers? (Ian Bowland)

HST Notes - by Steve Vaughan

Mon 30 July: 43 013/098 1A23. 43 008/067 1D87/A70/D89.
Tues 31 July: 43 008/067 1A23. 43 013/098 1D87/A70/D89.
Weds 1 Aug: 43 013/098 1A23. 43 008/067 1D87/A70/D89.
Thur 2 Aug: 43 008/067 1A23/D89. 43 013/098 1D87/A70.
Fri 3 Aug: 1A23 Cancelled. 43 013/098 1D87/A70/D89.

As you can see: The week was relatively uneventful until Thursday night when 1D89 was subject to a set swap at Euston. The train was about 45 late off Crewe and was further delayed at Prestatyn awaiting an ambulance to remove a passenger. Delay was in excess of 1 hour by Rhyl, however the customary drunk Irishwoman offering the said ill person the use of her heart and kidneys managed to keep most people amused!

The excitement was too much for 43 067 which decided it did not want to leave Holyhead on Friday morning. 1A23 being cancelled. The set was eventually fixed and ran empty to Longsight as 5H88 18:00 HHD-LO which was 55 early off Holyhead.

As if that wasn't enough Virgin decided to swap loco hauled sets on Thursday night, so 1D88 got to Holyhead and then went empty to Longsight, the same 47 then bringing back a fresh set to form 1A46!

The Turing Test

Regular readers will recall our story of the compiler's experience in the failure of a Class 158 unit on the Chester - Manchester service.  An email was duly dispatched to First North Western's customer relations address, the last sentence of which was the following pithy comment:

Please do not tell me about the 70 million pounds you have spent on new trains, since I am well aware that these new trains have been failing in service even more than the old ones.

To combat train failures, First North Western has invested £70M in a fleet of new trains, to be introduced on our longer distance express services. Delivery has commenced and our customers will soon notice a change in the quality of service we provide. The 'cascading' effect of the new trains will also enable us to withdraw all our older trains currently in use, and together with the refurbishment of many of our existing trains, we will be able to offer our customers a more modern and more reliable fleet.

Crewe, Platform 12 and a class 37 at the head of a rake of four Riviera stock waiting to leave for the carriage sidings.  Sadly it was all a dream but it sounded good. - 5 August

Cambrian 37/4s - by Matt Kitchin

A ballast working is booked down the Cambrian main line on  Sunday night 5 July and should be allocated a pair of Motherwell 37/4's for the RETB requirement. Timings are as follows:

6P19 21:50 Bescot Yard - Machynlleth
23:05 Sutton Bridge Jn
23:37 Newtown
00:40 Machnylleth

6P19 04:20 Machynlleth - Bescot Yard
05:05 Newtown
05:27 Welshpool
07:35 Bescot Yard

Probably too early for most people but still 'mega-rare' to see locos on the Cambrian! - 4 August

As attractive as the Freightliner locos are, we just ain't going to get the same variety of motive power as when EWS ran the stone contract. In Larry Goddard's picture 66 514 approaches Towyn at 10:35 with a Penmanemawr-Basford Hall ballast on 1 August 2001. - 2 August

With the onset of the school holidays, it was again time to take my son and nephew for the pilgrimage to crewe to see a few more "red trains" than we normally see down the North wales coast. Key highlights of the day were:

Travelled from Rhyl on the 09:19 Holyhead to Euston. 47 839 was in charge looking very clean and freshly painted. Arrived at Crewe at 11.30, having passed 43067 + 43008 heading up the coast at chester. bang on time, where 47 839 was detached and stabled in platform 10. 86 260 was connected to the rear and left with no glitches.

175 112 arrived into platform 9 with what appeared to be a test run, with engineers poking around the undersides of each unit. After about 15 mins static it returned back towards Chester. Saw Virgin Voyager 220 002 also on test run heading south, after pausing on the through track through the station. Livery looked superb. 37 038 with some Riviera Trains stock arrived on platform 12, where the loco ran round. 175 service from Birmingham delayed due to technical fault - think this was the doors. 175 008 + 003 were connected together and finally departed late.

Intended returning on 16.45 to Chester and changing to Manchester service, however FNW decided to cancel the 16:45 owing to a "technical fault" on the train. Waited for the 17:18 which was 175 110. Air conditioning was great but set seemed a little slow on initial acceleration away from every station. Between 3 and 4 pm is a great time to see HST's. Must have seen about 6 or 7 sets within the hour, all appeared to be healthy. - 2 August

The following Wales and West trains will run as loco-hauled. Others may run from Liverpool, more information when available:

Saturday 11 August

1H98 Top'n'tail 37s on load 6.
1V77/1M89 - Class 37 on load 6.

Sunday 12 August

1Z10 08.51 Man. Picc. - Cardiff C. = 2 x 37 on load 11.
1Z12 09.22 Man. Picc. - Cardiff C. = 2 x 37 on load 11.

Return departures are at 17.35 (1Z11) and 18.35 (1Z13). - 2 August
 

My first Hippo 3+3 when the 11.15 for Holyhead was formed by 175105 + 175110.

47 839 arrived at the head of 1A46 the 09:19 Holyhead-London.

87 008 City of Liverpool ran off the West Coast Main line to attach to the rear of the train for the journey South.

37 886 Sir Dyfed/County of Dyfed entered the station off the Manchester line at midday and stopped at the North end of platform 5.  It then reversed and stormed off up the West Coast Main line - was this the Middlewich-Warrington Enterprise run without any traffic? - 2 August

A business meeting in West Bromwich on 31 July provided me with a second attempt to try out the Midland Metro, my previous attempt on 14 July being thwarted by a derailment of a tram at the point where the track changes from street to reserved running.  On that occasion I had to take a taxi and passed the tram which was surrounded by engineers who were examining the lead bogie.

The journey started at Chester with the 12:29 service to Birmingham New Street with 175 005 in charge, which was diverted into MerseyRail platform 7 at the last minute due to late running of the 12:19 Llandudno service which was occupying platform 4.

It was a good run to Wolverhampton and my first experience of a 175 at speed on the WCML.  The unit effortlessly achieved 100mph (verified by timing between mileposts) and was relatively smooth although the characteristic knocking on the suspension was still noticeable.  The air conditioning worked well and kept a very comfortable temperature.

The present Midland Metro terminus in Wolverhampton is at St Georges, 10 minutes walk from the rail station via Queen Street.  An extension forming a Wolverhampton town centre loop to serve the rail and bus stations is at present under consideration.

Running south from the town centre the tracks run on Bilston Road (the main A41) for about 2 miles as far as Priestfield before joining its own track, some of which utilises the track bed of disused rail lines.  The Italian built trams are of an interesting design in 3 sections.  The short centre section is integral with the bogie thereby allowing a flat floor throughout the whole centre section of the tram, the only raised section being over the power bogies at the ends.

The pictures show: above,  car 11 at Dartmouth Street, West Bromwich and below, car 01 heading south crossing the canal bridge on the A41 in Wolverhampton.

The system has been plagued with technical problems and vandalism since opening.  Owing to derailments and pantograph problems, trams proceed at snail's pace over points and overhead wire section changes.  Obtaining spare parts for the trams has been a problem and passing the depot at Wednesbury tram 07 is stored in the sidings in a heavy state of cannibalisation with car 15 also a donor vehicle, and these are less than 2 years old.

My impression is, I'm afraid, that it is not a patch on Manchester Metrolink.  The interior finish of the trams is far inferior (bus enthusiasts would liken it to that found on East Lancs bodies).  On 1 July a 20% fare hike was introduced to "cover increased operating costs and vandalism" and I felt that the return fare for the short journey from Wolverhampton to West Bromwich was a bit high at £3.  However despite the problems, usage was high mainly due to the chronic traffic congestion in that area.

Back at Wolverhampton the next train at platform 1 was announced as "the late running 17:13 Virgin service to Manchester via Crewe" but on arrival actually turned out to be the Bristol to Edinburgh service with 47 828 "Severn Valley Railway Kidderminster Bewdley Bridgnorth" (photo), the Manchester service following behind this.

The 17:56 to Holyhead arrived on time with 175 008 (photo) again with air conditioning working.  It is obvious that Alstom have put some effort into getting these things working better.

The purple Deltic was in the main yard to the south west of Crewe station. On my outward journey it was clearly visible to the far right of the yard behind the class 325 units.  On the return it had retreated slightly towards the shed.  What is it doing there? - 2 August

Another view of 31 601 & the Sandite unit at Shotwick on 26 July, heading towards Dee Marsh Jct.The line in the foreground  runs from Shotwick Sidings to the Shotton paper mill,usually traversed a couple of times a day by the resident EWS 08 from Dee Marsh Sidings. (Tony Flusk)

Kevin's Class 47 Update

The weekend of 28-29 August saw the return of a good selection of loco hauled turns to the Coast, despite a short-lived attempt the previous week to settle back to the  normality of HST power.

Saturday 28/07/01:
47 727 1D90 00:36 Crewe-Holyhead
47 727 1A13 05:46 Holyhead-Crewe
47 839 1A39 09:19 Holyhead-Crewe
47 727 1D87 10:31 Crewe-Holyhead
47 727 1A42 13:35 Holyhead-Crewe
47 799 1D89 20:24 Crewe-Holyhead

Sunday 29/07/01:
47 799 1A02 03:58 Holyhead-Euston (dragging electric Crewe-Euston)
47 799 1D87 12:45 Crewe-Holyhead
47 799 1A75 16:13 Holyhead-Crewe
47 853 1D88 19:32 Crewe-Holyhead

Note that on Sunday Royal train enegine 47 799 Prince Henry was towed on the rear of 1D87 to Crewe to get it back to work  its North Wales leg. The hot weather has been producing a fleet of struggling  diesel and electric locomotives + HSTs right across as they suffered (and some of us may have enjoyed) a heatwave. This is why 47 727 was replaced by  the Royal loco  on the Saturday night leg of the diagram after it suffered high water temperature on 1A62. The same heat problems meant some HST turns ran on one power car or were cancelled. - 2 August
 

Back to top

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