THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE
BOARD
Rheilffordd Arfordir Gogledd Cymru Bwrdd
hysbyseb
Monday 7 March, and the semaphore at the south end of Llanrwst North
station signals the Conwy Valley Branch is back in business following
its winter closure due to flood damage. See story below. (Larry
Goddard)
This site is dedicated to all our regular contributors and
supporters, and especially the rail staff of North Wales.
Edition of 07 March 2005
Conwy Valley
re-opens
(again)
The Conwy Valley branch re-opened on 7 March after having be closed for
repairs following winter floods for the second year in succession.
Leyland-BREL railcar 153 321 worked the day's trains, and
Eryl Crump was there with his camera.
Eryl writes: 'I positioned myself on the river bank for the
13.32 Llandudno - Blaenau Ffestiniog, and the 153 duly hove into view
more or less on time. The camera clock states these were taken at 14.10
- it should have left Llanrwst North at 14.04 but the DMU c-r-a-w-l-e-d
along this stretch, much slower than the 20mph speed restriction which
you can see on the signs on the bridge.'
The board visible to the left of the train in this view is the 'fixed
distant' signal for Llanrwst North signalbox.
Here's a press release from Lancashire Railtours regarding their
railtour to the Conwy Valley on 16 April, which will be the first
loco-hauled train to Blaenau after the re-opening, running from
Carnforth and stations to Bolton (Booking information and
details):
'Due to an additional possession the line between Bolton and Preston
will also be blocked on 16 April and therefore our train breaks new
ground travelling between Blackburn and Bolton. The full itinerary is
now as follows: Carnforth approx. 06:30 travelling via the Little North
Western calling at Bentham, Giggleswick, Hellifield, Clitheroe,
Blackburn, Bolton, then via the CLC lines to Chester. The route
continues along the North Wales coast to Llandudno Junction, where the
train will reverse and travel along the Conwy valley to Betws-y-Coed,
then onwards to Blaenau. Two options are available here with a coach
tour to Portmeirion or a trip down to Porthmadog on the Ffestiniog
Railway.' Expected motive power is two Class 37 diesels.
And from Arriva Trains Wales' press release about the re-opening:
Arriva Trains Wales, supported by the Conwy Valley Rail
Initiative, the community partnership for the line, is gearing up to
let visitors and local communities know the line is reopening. Ian
Bullock, customer services director for Arriva Trains Wales, said:
“This is excellent news as the line provides a vital link for the local
communities in the Conwy Valley. We are delighted that it will be back
in service in time for the Easter break and are grateful to colleagues
in Network Rail for their hard work in making this happen.”
An amended timetable will be in operation for the first four weeks and
Sunday services will continue to be provided by a bus service until
June. Details of the timetable will be displayed at stations and at www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk
The local community is also working hard to promote the line to
visitors to the area. New brochures and an updated web site
promoting the scenic journey and places of interest on the line have
been produced and colourful posters at Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau
Ffestiniog Stations will provide information on the nearby Ffestiniog
Railway and local bus services.
John Davies, community rail officer said: “This line is wonderfully
scenic and is also a great way to get to the towns and villages in the
valley for sightseeing. Products like the Red
Rover day ticket offer travel throughout northern Snowdonia by
train and bus using just one ticket. We hope to spread the word this
week that the line is open for business for visitors and local people.”
At Dolwyddelan, the Conwy Valley Rail Initiative and the local
community have produced a poster for the station showing the many
attractions the village has to offer. Several stations have been
adopted by local residents as part of the ‘Adopt a Station’ initiative
and Arriva Trains Wales is keen to promote this further.
Ian Bullock, customer services director, said: “The ‘Adopt a Station’
initiative is all about encouraging community involvement and working
together. We would like to see schools, businesses and residents
as well as our customers take a more active interest in their local
stations to help us keep them in the best possible condition.“
All excellent sentiments, we say. If anyone can actually find the
details of the temporary timetable they mention, please let us know.
Finally for now, a portrait by Larry Goddard of 153 321 in its
Heart of Wales livery calling at Llanrwst North. - 7
March
Hoovers to the fore
Two old friends pictured by Tim J. Rogers hauling a
Pathfinder charter through Acton Bridge on 7 March: 50 031
Hood and 50 049 Defiance. - 7 March
Like a rolling stone
from Penmaenmawr Quarry
66 096 worked the Saturday Penmaenmawr - Acton 'Hanson'
stone train on 5 March: above a sunny impression from Llandudno
Junction by Gwyn Williams, and below, the train passes
Prestatyn photographed by Ivor Bufton.
Early days of Bont Y Bermo
Recently 37 427 seems to have become ;the star of the show' -
let's take a look back 19 years or so with Steve Morris who was an
engineer at Cardiff Canton depot at the time the 37/4s first arrived in
Wales. 427 (not named at that stage) worked the first 37/4
passenger working in South Wales on 12 February 1986 - the 14.05
Cardiff to Bristol Temple Meads and return working. Steve rode this
train as 'technical rider' and was able to take this pictures.
Here's a view from the cab approaching the Severn Tunnel. - 7 March
Model railway show in
Stockport
We've been asked to mention a model railway exhibition taking place in
Stockport: Saturday 12 March 12 2005 from 10:00 to 18:00, and
Sunday 13 March 10:00 - 20:00. 20+ model railway layouts, plus
preservation stands, full support by trade stands. Refreshments
available.
Venue is The Armoury, Greek Street, Stockport, which is just a few
minutes' walk from Stockport station: exit the station by the Platform
4 end of the subway, walk up the station approach, and follow the road
round to the left as it crosses the bridge over the line. The Armoury
is just the other side of the bridge.
The exhibition is a fund-raising event for the Wellspring, a
resource center for the homeless and disadvantaged. - 7 March
Llangollen Blues again
Mark Atkinson sends two more views of the recent Llangollen
Railway diesel gala, taken on 27 February. 37 240, above, looks a
great deal better now than it did when it first arrived on the railway;
the 'dutch' livery of the BR engineers' department has been retained.
46 010 and 25 313 at Llangollen. The rough external
condition of the 25 has caused some comment: we understand it was
actually due to be taken out of service for a repaint, but was kept in
service by popular demand.
12 - 13 March is a Steam Gala on the Llangollen line, with 7822
Foxcote Manor among the cast. - 7 March
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