47 635 Lass O'Ballochmyle makeds a fine sight as she pulls out of Rhyl with the 17:21 Birmingham - Holyhead on 8 September (Ian Richardson)
Thanks to everyone who sent in pictures and notes while your compiler was bashing around Bavaria: undoubtedly the highlight was the appearance on the Coast of 47 635 Lass O'Ballochmyle, painted in a fine re-creation of large logo blue for the Doncaster Works open day back in July.
635 worked the 8-coach 18:29 Holyhead - Birmingham on Sunday 7 September, and several people braved the rain to witness the event. Above is a Holyhead station shot by Aaron Taylor, who writes: 'This loco arrived on Friday evening, and is still very shiny from its repaint for the Doncaster 150 open day. It brings back memories of these locos on test trains during my childhood - all we need now is 37/4s piloting 33s!
Here's a stirring view by John Lewis of the loco ' throwing up a fair bit of clag' whilst passing the water tower.
Tim J. Rogers was waiting at Rhyl in the gathering gloom. - 9 September
With careless step I onward stray'd,
My heart rejoic'd in nature's joy,
When, musing in a lonely glade,
A maiden fair I chanc'd to spy:
Her look was like the morning's eye,
Her air like nature's vernal smile:
Perfection whisper'd, passing by,
"Behold the lass o' Ballochmyle!" - Robert Burns (1759–1796)
Thank you Wales!
A First North Western notice at Coast stations says:
We at First North Western would like to take this opportunity to thank all our customers in North Wales for travelling with us. At midnight on 28 September 2003, all local North Wales services will be handed over to our colleagues at Wales & Borders Trains. Since First Group took over the franchise in 1999, over 20 million journeys have been made by North Wales travellers. First Group is now aiming to be the premier transport provider in England. We wish Wales & Borders best of success. Once again, we thank you for travelling with First North Western.And good luck to them, too. Would anyone care to comment on how well FNW have served North Wales passengers? Thanks to Rowan Crawshaw for transcribing this. - 4 September
I indulged in a ride to Holyhead and back on 3 September. courtesy
of
47
773 The Queen Mother. Photos show:
a) The 10:21 from Birmingham arriving on time at Bangor
b) 47 773 is detached at Holyhead
c) In the headshunt
d) Ready to return as the 13:56 Birmingham service
43 100/102 were on Virgin duty, seen here ready to take the 13:41 to Euston. - 4 September
Station improvement still awaited - report by Alex Grundy
Accpording to an item in the North Wales Weekly News, and it looks like First North Western are dragging their heels with the makeover promised at Colwyn Bay station. Despite assurance that they (First North Western) have made, nothing seems to be happening as yet, and the local AM member Alan Pugh has been quoted as saying he has lost faith in First North Western's promise. Even the local councillors (Glyn Jones, Conwy Conty Council) are getting upset by it all, saying the general neglect is inviting more neglect and vandalism and "I would have thought a national company would have had more integrity."
As for First North Western's reply: "First North Western currently has a programme of maintenance in place. Before our stations can be handed over to Wales & Borders we will ensure that they are of a certain standard. Network Rail is currently carrying out surveys of stations that need maintenance, Colwyn Bay being one of them. The repairs to this station will be carried out before the handoverdate of September 28".
Makes you wonder what they can do to a station in approximately four weeks. [maybe they will repair the windows on 27 September at 23:00 so it's W & B's problem when they broken again next day? - C.H.] - 4 September
The bus scene changes - by Ian Richardson
This is to record the passing of the Bristol VR bus from front line service into retirement from the Arriva bus fleet planned for Saturday 6 September with the end of the Rhyl sea front summer open top services. The two current remaining vehicles in service, YMB512W and DCA528X have given superb service to Crosville, Crosville Cymru and now Arriva Cymru since 1981 and their familiar tones will be sorely missed from the roads of North Wales.
Here is a picture (above) of DVG512 at Rhyl railway station along with a shot through the railings of 43 123 (below) on 2 September's Euston service. - 4 September
