THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE
BOARD
Rheilffordd Arfordir Gogledd Cymru Bwrdd
hysbyseb
Barmouth, 29 January. (Picture by John Roobottom)
CAMBRIAN COAST SPECIAL
This site is dedicated to all our regular contributors and
supporters, and especially the rail staff of North Wales.
Edition of 01 February 2005
The North Wales
Coast line
has its moments, but for scenic highlights there's few lines to equal
the other Coast line from Machynlleth to Pwllheli. Saturday 29
January 2005 was a milestone day in the history of this line, as it saw
the first loco-hauled train to reach Pwllheli after a very long gap -
the 'Barmouth Barker' railtour organised by Past Time Rail.
The loco chosen for the Coast section of the tour was 37 427,
which has featured back in 1986 on the first loco-hauled train after
Barmouth Bridge re-opened to loco-hauled services following repairs. It
was even equipped with small Bont Y Bermo replica nameplates.
Of all the scenic highlights of the line, the greatest of all is the
crossing of the Mawddach estuary into Barmouth, with the Cader Idris
mountains behind. There follows a sequence of views taken by Eryl
Crump from everyone's favourite viewpoint above the northern end of
the bridge. Captions seem superfluous ....
... and as the train heads into Barmouth station, we've put up Eryl's
second view in 1024 x 768 and 800 x 600 versions for anyone who would like
a change of PC-screen wallpaper.
Harlech, with the winter sun and the castle brooding over the scene. (Eryl
Crump)
Arrival at Porthmadog (Rowan Crawshaw)
Close up of the star of the show at Porthmadog, where some passengers
left the train for some narrow-gauge travel. (Eryl Crump)
Arrival at Pwllheli terminus, dead on time at 12:19. (Rowan Crawshaw)
Running round in the loop outside Pwllheli station (Rowan Crawshaw)
The train returned from Pwllheli, collecting its brother 37 669
which it had left at Machynlleth because of weight restrictions on the
Coast line; the latter is seen in Bushcutter's picture leading
the train through Telford.
The following day, the same pair were used on a Crewe - Newtown ballast
train, pictures by Bushcutter at Hencott...
... and at Drawell Street.
Finally, one from our archives: the professional duties of our
contributor Steve Morris enabled him to ride in the cab of
large-logo blue liveried 37 427 Bont Y Bermo on the
re-opening run back in 1986.
For a full report on the day from the passenger's viewpoint, see Gary
Thornton's recommended Six Bells
Junction website., and for the next chance to ride behind a 37 on
this marvellous line, book on the charter planned for 2 April by Pathfinder
Tours. - 1 February