THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE
BOARD
Rheilffordd Arfordir Gogledd Cymru Bwrdd
hysbyseb
47 197 about to run round 5K94 empty stock train at Chester
en route to Crewe from Manchester Oxford Road on 15 May after working
the return rugby special train from Cardiff. (Dave Bramley)
This site is dedicated to all our regular contributors and
supporters, and especially the rail staff of North Wales.
Edition of 16 May 2004
Just one week to go for Virgin's HSTs on the North Wales line: Larry
Goddard's picture shows the 13:35 Holyhead - London departing
Llandudno Junction on 14 May.
Events on 13 May
Dave Bramley writes: 'I had the surprise of my life yesterday
when I wandered on to the platform at Chester to observe the loco
passing by running light to Penyffordd and as it rounded the corner it
looked very Class 67 shaped ... Not only that it was 67 005 Queen's
Messenger, the Royal loco! I managed a quick snap of it
passing by light. This train is almost always a 66, although 60 s
do pop up from time to time.'
Also out was 66 611 on another additional ballast from
Penmaenmawr to Chesterfield using the new MJA wagons. The stone carried
in these trains seems a lot smaller than the heavy ballast carried by
the Basford Hall trains.
The 'Pride of the Nation' stock was out on a 'jolly' to Bangor and
Holyhead too, 66 242 powering that.
Finally, as the sun sets on HST's on the Coast, a quick look at 1D88 at
Chester as it paused for a moment while the signaller warned the driver
about children playing on the line at Saltney Junction. It later went
on to run over a makeshift pile of planks of wood and bricks without
damage to the train, or indeed any damage "mummies' little darlings"
who can do no wrong...
Larry Goddard pictured 66 242 heading the 1Z36 'Pride
of the Nation' railtour through Llandulas at 13:20 on 13 May.
Apparently, one of the electrics hauling this train failed at Watford
so it arrived in Wales rather later than scheduled.
The train returned through Abergele on time and suffered a signal
check. This train was organised by Hertfordshire Railtours. (Larry
Goddard)
66 242 accelerates through Abergele station while the occupants of the
green and cream 'tourist stock' no doubt sip their champagne and enjoy
the early evening sunlight. (Larry Goddard)
66 604 worked the regular ballast train from Penmaenmawr to
Crewe on 13 May, taking Peter Roberts rather by surprise as he waitied
at Colwyn Bay. - 16 May
One's Royal Coal Train
On 13 May, as mentioned above, Royal Train locomotove 67 005 Queen's
Messenger found itself
working 6E41, the 18:25 Penyfford Cement Works to Healey Mills coal
empties, much to the entertainment of our contributors. The picture
above by Tim J. Rogers shows it at Wrexham General...
...as does this alternative angle by Dave Skipsey. - 14 May