THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE BOARD
Rheilffordd arfordir gogledd Cymru Burdd hybyseb: newyddion

ROYAL VISIT SPECIAL - 11 JUNE 2002

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Contributors, with web links to their own sites:
Ian Bowland, Alan Crawshaw, John Humphries, John Murray, Tim Rogers and  Deiniol Williams


11 June 2002 was a special day for the North Wales coast line, as Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip chose rail as their preferred travel method for this section of her Jubilee tour of Britain, and someone had the inspired idea to use a steam loco to haul the train. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland was chosen for the honour.  The locomotive and its support coach travelled to Holyhead the day before, followed during the night by the Royal Train itself.  The rather complex schedule for the big day was:
Holyhead dep 09:36, Llanfair PG 10:00 / 10:10, Bangor 10:20 / 10:50, Holyhead 11:40 / 12:51, Bangor 13:41, Llandudno Jn 14:02 / 16:25, Holywell 17:05 / 17:17, Chester 17:42, Crewe 18:14.
Our reporter Alan Crawshaw was waiting as the train arrived at Bangor for the first time, having set down Her Majesty at Llanfairpwll.

Here's 6233 gleaming at the head of the train as it runs into the through line at Bangor at 10:20 for stabling...

... and an immaculate 47 787 Windsor Castle at the rear. This loco has recently been repainted and renamed to act as standby Royal loco for the Jubilee, and very good it looks to, a credit to all the staff involved.

The train passed through Bangor again at 13:41 en route for its appointment with the Queen at Llandudno Junction ...

...still with 787 on the rear.

Here's a close up of 47 787's embellishments (Alan Crawshaw)

Deiniol Williams joined the crowds at The Junction to take this sequence of views:

The Queen meets the train crew. Does anyone know their names?

The Royal Train's on-board staff pose with the loco.

The crowds turned out in force and were allowed on the platform with no security problems, an informality which characterised the whole trip.

Ian Bowland goes for the aerial view as the train heads back towards Chester. BBC TV stated that the last time the Queen rode behind steam was 1962, although the Duke of Edinburgh managed a last 'grice' in 1967. However, your compiler's wife recalls her excitement as a little girl waving her Welsh flag at the Royal Train as two Manor 4-6-0s hauled it through Criccieth in 1963. Would this have been the last steam-hauled Royal Visit to Wales?

An artistic study by John Humphries at Talacre.

A classic view by Tim E. Rogers on the approach to Chester.

Not forgetting the Royal coaches themselves, captured by John Murray, also at Roodee Junction

A last look at 47 787 as it trails the train into into Chester. Note the wonderful sunshine evident in all these views. (John Murray)

For another view of the day, visit the BBC News report, including some video clips in which 'the BBC's Jennie Bond' gets a cab ride in 6233.

Thanks to all who helped with this feature, and of course all the rail staff who made the day possible.

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