THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE
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Rheilffordd Arfordir Gogledd Cymru Bwrdd
hysbyseb
The Royal Train at Hoooton on the Wiirral, 12 July - report
below. (Tim E. Rogers) 67 005 Queen's Messenger
and the train itself are absolutely sparkling, a tribute to the EWS
staff who maintain the train.
This site is dedicated to all our regular contributors and
supporters, and especially the rail staff of North Wales.
Edition of 17 July 2004
Royal special
Charles, Prince of Wales, embarked on his summer tour of Wales on 12
July, starting with a visit by Royal Train to Llanrwst and Trefriw,
placed hard hit by the winter floods which closed the Conwy Valley line
for several months recently.
It was almost 51 years to the day since a royal train traversed the
Conwy Valley line (the previous royal train was 10 July 1953). Charles
left the train at Tal-y-Cafn to inspect flood damage at Trefriw and
Llanrwst: Peter Roberts's picture above shows Queens Messenger
inching forward to the yellow mark on the platform at Tal-y-Cafn.
'Not 005 again!' The Prince Charles meets the Royal Train train at
Tal-y-Cafn, 12 July. (Peter Roberts)
Meanwhile the train went on to be stabled at Llanrwst town centre
station (Picture by Larry Goddard)...
...before reversing back to Llanrwst North to pass the local
pasenger train to Blaenau Ffestiniog. and returned to Llanrwst North in
order to let the local passenger ran past. (Peter Roberts)
67 006 was 'Tail end Charlie' (Peter Roberts). The
Daily
Post reports: 'Stopping to chat to
members of the 150-strong crowds of local people and tourists,
Charles's final stop in Trefriw was at the community hall, where he
unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit. He also browsed a country
market, run by the Women's Institute, and insisted on buying a Welsh
fruit cake before he left. The Prince's private secretary did not have
enough cash to buy the £1.70 cake but was bailed out by Charles's
close protection officer, who provided the difference. The Royal party
then stopped at a tea-room in nearby Llanrwst, which had also been
flooded.'
The train heads back east through Abergele. Shotton Paper Mill was also
on the visit itinerary. See also the Prince of Wales'
website. - 17 July
Cruising
47 816 runs round at Holyhead for the 13:23 to London on 10 July
(Rowan Crawshaw)
The train leaving Holyhead, with the Cruise Liner Royal
Princess at anchor off Holyhead (Mark Lloyd Davies). -
17 July
Down in the South West -
with Eryl Crump
Three hours in a 150, eh? The picture above shows a pair of Class 143
'nodding donkeys' on a Cardiff Central-Plymouth - that's around three
and a bit stopping everywhere. The weekday service continues to
Penzance - another two hours by HST so what does the 143 take?
Here are two pictures of Arriva Trains Wales units on the famous
sea wall at Dawlish.
I can understand the need for through services but why Penzance from
Cardiff? Leave it to FGW or Virgin and terminate at Bristol -
that way
ATW will have the use of at least four 158s for services in Wales and
the Borders. - 17 July
Philatelic note - by
John Murray
The Royal
Mail
have released a series of six stamps entitled "Wales - A British
Journey." The standard 2nd class stamp shows a class 101 DMU in the
late 1970s refurbished livery of white and blue, crossing the Barmouth
Bridge. One of the options with the pack is a
Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch hand stamp! -
17 July