THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE BOARD

Rheilffordd Arfordir Gogledd Cymru Bwrdd hysbyseb



47 847 Railway World Magazine on the Coast again with a Rugby fans' extra, 18 March (Rowan Crawshaw). Coming soon: many more pictures of this working, plus Steam ans silver 47s at Chester.
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Edition of 14 March 2005

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33 on the Cambrian, 15-16 March



A Class 33 locomotive, Fragonset-operated 33 103 Swordfish, made an extremely rare appearance on the Cambrian lines on the afternoon of 15 March. The short train was photographed at Machynlleth by Richard Jones before proceeding to Aberystwyth.



Inspection saloon DB975025 was converted for British Rail Southern Region from a buffet car originally built for one of the Hastings line diesel-electric railcars (see last Notice Board.) Originally S60755, it was withdrawn in 1964 and stored until 1969 when it was converted into an inspection saloon for the Southern Region's General Manager and numbered TDB975025.  Its most celebrated working was to convey the Prince and Princess of Wales to Romsey for their honeymoon when it carried the apt, but not correct for this route, headcodes CD. (Acknowledgments to the excellent Southern e-Group site for this information.)



Although there are rumours of a previous 33 run on the Cambrian main line, this train certainly broke new ground by also travelling up the Cambrian Coast the next day, 16 March, where it was pictured by 'Charlie21' arriving at Barmouth.



It seems the 10.50 Barmouth to Macynlleth train was held until the special, 2Z33 09.54 Machynlleth to Pwllheli cleared the section into Barmouth Station. Unconfirmed reports say that Welsh Assembly members were among the VIPs aboard.



The straight sides of inspection saloon can be seen clearly in this picture: the Hastings units were built this way because of narrow tunnels on the line they worked. Who is Caroline? - 20 March
Changes at Crewe

Simon Cross writes: 'Whilst answering a thread about Crewe Station on the forum at www.wnxx.com, which had been prompted by photos taken by Paul Bigland on Tuesday after the naming of 87 019, I found a very interesting and detail report on proposed improvements to the Crewe station area in the form of a PDF file on the Cheshire Council website. Anyway it may be of use to help answer some of the questions about what is happening on Platform 12.'  - 20 March
Chasing the Cambrian timber train, 15 March - by Eryl Crump

I would've gone down to Aberystwyth on 15 March but time was against me - where the MPV ran without the assistance of a 37 - it wasn't even in the yard at Machynlleth. Having said that the rails were dry!



First to arrive was the 09:42 from Pwllheli 158 852 which sat idling awaiting the 11:32 off Aberystwyth.



The arrival of 158 831 led to the pair being attached and the ensemble motored off towards Birmingham New Street as the 12:04.



 The MPV had loaded up in quick time at Aberystwyth - about 90 minutes as opposed to the the 180 minutes allowed.



When the train appeared MPV DR98919 led with a swapbody containing timber, followed by seven OTA wagons.



, one of which, the middle one in effect, was empty.



DR98916 brought up the rear and was carrying its water tank. 6Z21 is booked to wait at Machynlleth for the arrival of the 10:33 from Birmingham but this was delayed so a decision was made to allow the MPV to move early to Talerddig.



At Commins Coch I spied a yellow end panel while driving along the A470 and it was going away from me. S*** it's ahead! Travelling within the national speed limit I got ahead of the MPVs as the Talerddig bank got a hold of it and I managed to get to the layby just beyond the bridge (regular A470 users will know the one which is virtually at 90 degrees) and it pottered past.



 I drove the short distance further to Talerddig where we both awaited the arrival of the pair of 158s.



 The speed at which the MPV travelled the 13 miles up the bank was impressive, albeit on dry rails. It gave me about 5 minutes start and made up time.



 The train is therefore faster than the trucks this replaces. I wonder if it makes sense financially as well. - 20 March

Freight in North Wales - by Dave Sallery



There's still freight action in North Wales if you're in the right place at the right time...



The latest thing in railfreight, DR98916 and DR98919 top and tail the Aberystwyth - Chirk logs train at Wrexham General on 15 March.  The train took less than five minutes to reverse in Wrexham, and took off for Chirk in a very sure-footed manner.



On the same, 66 243 on the Arpley - Chirk logs waits in Wrexham General for 60 012 to clear the crossover.  The 60 had run round at Croes Newydd and was working the Penyffordd - Redcar coal empties.  - 20 March

Lady of Mann to visit North Wales - report by George Jones

Details of the short cruising season with Lady of Mann have now been posted on Irish Sea Shipping. Confirms just one option from Llandudno this year. The Lady of Mann is the last traditional Isle of Man Steam Packet Company ship to remain in service on the Irish Sea. Constructed for the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company by Ailsa of Troon in 1976, extensively rebuilt in 1989 and further improved by Cammell Laird in 2001 [The last passenger ship to be refitted by the famous Birkenhead company.]   The Lady can carry 750 passengers and up to 130 cars / light commercials which are side loaded.  Her graceful lines, high speed, reliability and performance have made her a legend in her own lifetime.  However, she is likely to be finally retired from Irish Sea service in the not too distant future, therefore there many not be many more opportunities trips beyond the 2005 TT Festival Period.

The following is extracted from  Isle of Man Steam Packet Company Timetable for 2005. Further details of sailings and on-line booking facilities can be found on the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company website at  www.steam-packet.com .This information is provided in good faith. Enthusiasts must check directly with the company [Tel: 01624 661661] that the Lady will operate these sailings before making a reservation.  - 20 March

Lady of Mann excursions 2005:

Friday & Saturday May 20 & 21 - Douglas - Troon and back

Sunday May 22:
06:30 Douglas to Fleetwood
10:30 Fleetwood to Douglas
18:30 Douglas to Fleetwood
22:30 Fleetwood to Douglas

 Monday May 23:
08:00 Douglas to Whitehaven
11:15 Whitehaven to Douglas
20:30 Douglas to Whitehaven
23:30 Whitehaven to Douglas

Tuesday May 24
07:05 Douglas to Fleetwood
11:15 Fleetwood to Douglas
1930 Douglas to Fleetwood
23:30 Fleetwood to Douglas

Wednesday May 25

07:05 Douglas to Barrow
11:15 Barrow to Douglas
1930 Douglas to Barrow
23:30 Barrow to Douglas

Thursday May 26
07:05 Douglas to Llandudno
11:15 Llandudno to Douglas
1930 Douglas to Llandudno
23:30 Llandudno to Douglas

Sunday May 29

Round The Island.Evening cruise with Buffet organised by the Manxman Steamship Company - tickets available from Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.


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