THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE
BOARD
Rheilffordd Arfordir Gogledd Cymru Bwrdd
hysbyseb
Here's 175 109 in the very unusual location of Cardiff
Queen Street during a successful gauging test run on 24 May. Why the
modifications to the cab front?
This site is dedicated to all our regular contributors and
supporters, and especially the rail staff of North Wales.
Last update 25 May 2005
Railfan's charter?
As some readers will know, in the last couple of years there have been
a number of incidents of friction between railfans and railway staff,
especially 'security' staff, reported from around the UK rail network.
People have been asked to leave stations, and even threatened with
confiscation of their film or camera. Some rail journalists, and others
within the industry sympathetic to enthusiasts, have been working
behind the scenes to do something about this by achieving an agreed set
of guidelines which could be published for all concerned to read. We
are pleased to say that this has now appeared, after the last of the
Train Operating Companies agreed to sign up to it. The
original is on the National
Rail website; we reproduce it here for your interest.
Guidelines for Rail Enthusiasts visiting stations on the
National Rail network
All Britain's Train Operating Companies and Network Rail welcome rail
enthusiasts to their stations. The following guidelines are designed to
ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience in the pursuit of your
interest.
Before you enter the platform
At major stations please inform the Duty Station Manager of your
presence. This will ensure that station staff are aware that you are on
the station and they can go about their duties without concern as to
your reasons for being there. At smaller stations you should ensure
that you advise a member of the station staff of your activities. You
may require a platform ticket to allow access to platforms.
On the station platform
You should ensure you act safely and sensibly at all times. Please
remember the following:
* Stay clear of the platform edge and behind the
yellow lines where they are provided for safety reasons.
* Do not trespass onto any area of the railway that
is not available to passengers.
* Do not climb on any structure or interfere with
platform equipment.
* Ensure that you do not obstruct any signalling
equipment or signs which are vital to the safe running of the railways.
* Avoid wearing anything which is similar in colour
to safety clothing, such as high -visibility jackets, as this could
cause confusion to drivers or other railway employees.
* Avoid congregating at busy areas of the platform
(e.g. customer information points, departure screens, waiting areas,
seating etc.) or where this may interfere with the duties of station
staff.
* Be aware of your surroundings. We also kindly ask
you take note of any unusual behaviour and activities and report
anything suspicious to a member of staff or for more serious incidents,
to the British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40. In an emergency, dial
999. Your presence at the station can be very helpful to us as extra
"eyes and ears" and can be a positive security benefit.
Photography
Taking photographs on stations is permitted providing it is not for
commercial use. On busy stations the use of a tripod may cause a
dangerous obstruction to passengers and you may be asked not to use
one. In addition, tripod legs must also be kept away from platform
edges and behind the yellow lines. Flash photography on platforms is
not allowed as it may distract the attention of train drivers and train
dispatch staff and is therefore a potential safety hazard. You are also
not allowed to take photographs of security related equipment such as
CCTV cameras.
Railway Byelaws
To ensure ease of travel and safety on the railway system (which
includes passengers, staff, property and equipment), the Byelaws must
be observed by everyone. A copy of the Byelaws can be obtained at most
staffed stations and is downloadable from the SRA website.
General
A key priority for Train Operators is to ensure the safety of their
passengers and staff. You may very occasionally be asked by station
staff to move to another part of the station or to leave the station
altogether. Station staff should be happy to explain why this is
necessary and if you are travelling on by train they may advise you to
remain in the normal waiting areas with other passengers. If this
occurs, please do so with goodwill as staff have many things to
consider including the safety and security of all passengers and are
authorised to use judgment in this regard.
Thank you for reading and complying with these guidelines. We hope you
find this information useful when you next visit a station.
You might possibly think some of the provisions are rather odd, and
others impractical, but the fact is that without them the document
could not have been published. It is certainly pleasant to read that
the rail companies believe we may actually be able to help them with
security, rather than being treated as suspected terrorists as has
happened in some cases. As always, of course, we at the North Wales
Coast Railway Website encourage everyone to behave sensibly when around
the railway. Standing right on the edge of a platform with your back to
approaching traffic, for example, will do nothing for the train
driver's peace of mind.
We'd be interested to hear from readers both inside and outside the
industry about their experiences with the application of these new
guidelines. - 25 May
Cambrian memories
We asked for your memories of steam on the Cambrian line; here's two
fine pictures taken by Larry Goddard during the previous
generation of steam specials. 7819 Hinton Manor
is crossing Barmouth Bridge and also approaching Barmouth on 24 May
1987.
Larry writes: 'I discovered the delights of the Cambrian line in
1955 when I was 13 years old, while convalescing at the Castle Hotel in
Abergele, owned by friends of my parents (we lived in Oldham at the
time). One day I took a train to Bangor and on to Afon Wen. I wasn't a
bit surprised when a Dukedog 4-4-0 rolled in with the connection for
Portmadoc, after all, it was GWR territory, but it was only later that
I realized how lucky I was to have travelled behind one of these
outside frame locos! When I returned in 1960, the loco was a 2251
0-6-0. In 1961 it was a 45XX 2-6-2T, in 1962 a 43XX 2-6-0, in 1963 a BR
standard Class 3 2-6-2T and in 1964 a very mucky BR Standard Class 4
2-6-4T. I didn't return until steam did in 1987.'
We've taken the liberty of reproducing here three pictures given to
your compiler many years ago by the late Alan Bryant, a very
kind man and fine modeller and photographer with whom I used to travel
on the train down the the Hazel Grove model railway society meetings.
Taken in the early 1960s, we see pannier tank 7405 heading into
Barmouth on what is probably a local from the line to Dolgellau which
closed in 1964.
A close-up of the same loco awaiting its return trip in the
'excursion platform' at Barmouth.
The same location, with 2-6-0 7310.
As we often do, it's time to mention that if you are visiting Barmouth
to see the steam trains this August you might enjoy a stay at the Llwyndu
Farmhouse Hotel a short walk from Llanaber station ... -
25 May
Testing times
The Serco Test Train, or the Track Evaluation train as we believe this
formation should be called, made an appearance Down the Coast on
23 May, with locos 67 027 Rising Star and 67 020
sandwiching vehicles 977869, DB999508, 72639, 72708, 72616. The
westbound working was photographed at Llandudno Junction by Gwyn
Williams.
The return working passes RAF Valley at 13:25 (David Flitcroft)
At Bangor (Alan
Crawshaw).
To quote from Serco's website,
these trains capture data identifying geometric irregularities in the
positioning of the rails. This data is stored in various formats and
delivered to Network Rail and the Infrastructure Maintenance
Contractors (IMC’s) to assist them in the maintenance and management of
the system.'
The rear end of the train at Bangor (Alan Crawshaw.) The
significant vehicles in this train are 977869 (in Railtrack livery,
nearest the camera, once passenger coach 5858) which is officially an
'Instruction Coach' probably present for meetings and general staff
use, and DB999508 next to it in Serco livery, which is purpose-built
Mk1-style Inspection Saloon converted as a track recording vehicle,
identifiable by the recessed windows in the sides. The other vehicles
are ex-Gatwick Express coaches which are only there to provide
sufficient brake force.
Later in the day the train traversed the little-used Frodsham Junction
- Halton Junction line, where Mark Barber was waiting with his
camera. (see also Mark's fotopic site.) - 23 May
Livery news - pictures
by Dave Bramley
Ex-Scotrail unit 150 285 appeared at Chester on 22 May newly
turned out in Arriva house colours, including the various
embellishments as commonly found on the company's buses.
These pictures may be of assistance to modellers ...
... although where a decent model of a Class 150 can be obtained is
hard to say.
Np paint spare for the bogies and undergear, apparently. - 23 May
Pendolino Pictorial
The fine weather and longer days are with us, giving our contributors
chance to record the loco-hauled workings which continue in North
Wales, albeit in rather unusual form.Here are some pictures of the
05:38 Holyhead to London over the last couple of weeks. 57 314
Firefly with 390 049 is seen approaching Rhyl on 11 May.
(Ivor Bufton)
57 301 Scott Tracy with 390 029 is seen leaving
Rhyl on Friday 13 May. (Ivor Bufton)
57 301 with 390 048 is seen approaching
Prestatyn on Sat 14 May running approximately 30 minutes late (Ivor
Bufton)
20 May, and 57 308 Tin Tin passes Flint with 390 029.
(Tim J. Rogers)
21 May, and 57 308 again, this time with 390 026,
passes Holywell Junction. (Tim J. Rogers)
A long range view from Steve Morris's back garden of 67
020 on the 07:15 Crewe - Manchester Piccadilly empty stock
for the football special to Cardiff (67 015 on the rear)
crossing Dare Viaduct, Holmes Chapel on 21 May - 23 May