THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE
BOARD
Rheilffordd Arfordir Gogledd Cymru Bwrdd
hysbyseb
LLANGOLLEN STEAM GALA SPECIAL
Pictures by Larry Goddard, Peter Roberts and Eryl
Crump
This site is dedicated to all our regular contributors and
supporters, and especially the rail staff of North Wales.
Edition of 29 March 2004
The
Llangollen
Railway's steam gala on 27-28 March attracted our contributors with
its fine selection of branch line locomotives, well deserving a page of
their own. Unfortunately the weather was rather grey, but we hope you
enjoy our collection of pictures from the event. Two Ivatt Class 2
2-6-2s also starred in the shown, but we have held back their pictures
as a special feature on the type is in preparation.
Saturday 27 March - by Eryl Crump
Berwyn viaduct, with Great Wester 2-6-2T 5199.
5199 was built at Swindon in December 1934, and spent most of its
working life in the Birmingham area, working commuter trains and other
local passenger services.
The locomotive moved to Llangollen during 1996, and entered service in
2004 following a long period of restoration.
Pannier tank 6430 is a push-pull fitted 0-6-0 pannier tank of
GWR origin, built at Swindon in 1937. The class spent their lives
working many of the minor branch lines on the former GWR system,
particularly the South Wales valleys, and were fitted for auto-train
("push-pull") working.
Withdrawal in 1964 was followed by sale as scrap, but 6430 was re-sold
to the Dart Valley Railway as a source of spares.
When the remains of the engine were purchased by its current owner in
1990, it represented an incomplete kit of parts. It spent some time
undergoing restoration at Long Marston MOD depot, before moving on to
Llangollen in 1996. It has re-entered service for the first time in
March 2004, and a fine job has been done on it.
Sunday 28 March - by
Larry Goddard
Pannier Tank meeting at Glyndfyfrdwy as 7754 draws in with the 3pm off
Carrog while 6430 waits to draw into the Up platform with the Auto
train.
I went in search of the lesser spotted Auto Trailer (two were
originally named after birds, Thrush and Wren). W228W
was built in 1951 to GWR design, seen waiting to leave Glyndyfrdwy at
3.35pm.
Large Prairie No. 5199 leaving Glwyndyfrdwy with the 2pm
Llangollen-Carrog (taken off the new signalbox steps).
The sun had broken through by the time Industrial 0-6-0ST Jessie
worked the 4.25pm goods off Carrog.
Sunday 28 March - by Peter Roberts
5199 leaving Glyndyfrdwy with the first westbound of the day
6430 arrives at Glyn with the Auto Train,then returns to Llangollen.
5199 at Deeside returning to Llangollen.
6430 Auto passing Deeside inbound Llangollen.
Jessie and mixed Goods leaving Deeside for Carrog.The Auto train
is in the loop.
Thanks to everyone at the Llangollen Railway, and to our reporters for
the excellent photographers.