Once again First North Western have been the victims of people who
think
it is "funny" to attack a train.
The 1H50, 12:47 Llandudno to Manchester formed of 175 008 was
attacked near to Mold Junction on 1 July. Nearing the signalbox a heavy
duty chain was hung off the overbridge into its path striking the
secondman's
side windscreen. The train was travelling at about 70 mph but luckily
all that was done was 6 or 7 impacts on the glass, causing it to crack.
The unit was taken out of service at Chester being replaced by 158
752
leaving 16 minutes late. Apart from the delay this caused to the public
it yet again illustrates how idiotic and downright dangerous this
incident
can be. Of course there will probably be no arrests for this crime and
it will most likely happen again.
More publicity is needed before the summer holidays (if we have a summer) in schools pushing the Trespass and Vandalism message home to youngsters and try to reduce incidents.- 1 July
The approach to Manchester Piccadilly, seen on 29 June. Will it be finished for the Commonwealth Games? (Charlie Hulme)
All the talk of more 47s on First North Western made me dig a couple of pictures out.
Firstly 47 471 Norman Tunna G.C. at Chester on the 0659 Holyhead - Crewe instead of the booked 37 on 11 April 1996.
Secondly 47 791 Venice Simplon Orient Express at Abergele on an up Sunday afternoon working again vice 37 on 18 June 1995.
Of the two 47 791 could still reappear but I believe 47 471 was stored just two months after the picture was taken (was this its last passenger working?) and is currently dumped in Crewe South Yard (can someone confirm) unlikely to ever work again. - 1 July
Denbigh & Mold Junction Railway - by Richard Thornton
The Denbigh & Mold Junction Railway owns 1/3rd of a mile of the
old Chester to Denbigh trackbed at Bodfari. We aim to open a railway
center
which will include a small museum, operating line etc. The eventual aim
is to reopen from Bodfari to Afon Wen. Vehicles at the site are Park
Royal
DMU DTCL
M56160, a LMS Brake Van, the cab of HST 43097, and the body of LNWR
10t van M50397M. We also have the Park Royal DMBS M50397, a 12t
'Vanwide'
B783392, and a Mk1 BSK to bring to site. We have a selection of
signals,
crossing gates etc on site.
We have a Society which helps to raise funds, membership is open to all for £8 per year, and members work on the vehicles, and recieve a quarterly newsletter. Most of all we need help to restore these vehicles etc, and cash to bring the others 'home' If anyone would like to visit us, or fancies getting involved (no experience nessecary) a very warm welcome awaits. They can reach me on 01492 514068. - 1 July
The last LNWR signal on the Coast is seen in the foreground as a Class 101 arrives at Holyhead with a stopping service. Behind it one of the resident Class 08 shunters is assembling an Inter City service. The date is 23 October 1984. Despite the best efforts of the local S & T staff, the signal was replaced shortly afterwards. - 1 July
Smoking Voyagers
There has been some discussion recently about smoking Voyagers. I saw 220 019 Mersey Voyager entering Crewe on 28 June smoking like a steamer. On the first shot, smoke can be seen coming from the rear unit with the preceding roof well blackened. When the unit pulled away from the station (below) it gave a wonderful display of either smoke or atomised fuel.
It is said that this problem is caused by bacteria growth in the fuel filters. - 1 July
Sunshine on 27 June, and a Wales and Borders Class 158 speeds past the village station of Wrenbury, on the Crewe - Shrewsbury line, with a Manchester - Cardiff service. Including this picture is just an excuse to thank the crews of the local trains on this line who were so helpful and friendly to my wife and myself during our expedition with our bicycles to the lovely gardens at Cholmondley Castle.
Has anyone else noticed that all Wales and Borders trains are shown on the departure sheets at Crewe as operated by Arriva Trains Northern? Yes, apparently W & B management are aware of this and are insisting that the sheets be reprinted. - 1 July
Having an hour to kill at Crewe Station is no problem when you have remembered to pack your digital camera. I arrived at 15.30 on 2 June to find Virgin's timetable shot to pieces (just for a change!) Apparently the wires were down near Rugby with many trains late or even cancelled.
All was quiet until 15.50 when 'skips' 67 012/23 hurried a parcels train south through the centre roads. A class 86 was an unusual choice for the Euston- Liverpool train leaving Crewe at 16.00 - 86245 in this case.
Shortly afterwards a pair of 20's could be spotted in the distance - and then the Holyhead-Euston train arrived hauled by 47 848.
87014 backed onto the train to push it south.
The two 20's turned out to be 20 315/12, which paused at a signal check at the south end of the station for a good ten minutes, allowing great photting opportunities. Meanwhile 47 848 showed no sign of uncoupling, indeed departed south at 16.20, possibly because of the wires problem further south. Shortly afterwards the two 'choppers' disappeared around the curve towards Basford Hall Yard. Oh yes the 16:00 FNW departure to Birmingham was cancelled. Fortunately my FNW 16.35 departure was not, so off I went. - 1 July