THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE
BOARD
Rheilffordd Arfordir Gogledd Cymru Bwrdd
hysbyseb
66 617 is seen on the afternoon ballast in Penmaenmawr yard on
Friday 27 May. (Dave Sallery)
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supporters, and especially the rail staff of North Wales.
Last update 29 May 2005
Old friends
Now that Virgin Trains have finished with their Class 47s and decided
to manage with just 57/3s for 'dragging' and rescue work,
heritage-liveried 47 826 Springburn and 47 851 / D1648
Traction Magazine have been snapped up by West Coast Railway Company
and made their first appearance down the Coast in their new
career with the 'Snowdonian' charter train to Holyhead on
Saturday 28 May, 1Z73 05:40 Stevenage-Holyhead (arr 13:16) and
1Z74 15:55 Holyhead-Stevenage (arr 22:58). This is Llandudno Junction,
pictured by Gwyn Williams.
Interestingly, the westbound train was double-headed rather than the
more usual method these days of a loco each end of the train; Alan
Crawshaw's picture shows the train running non-stop through Bangir
station. The return working was top-n-tailed with 47 826
leading. - 29 May
Llangollen Railway events - report by John Myers
In anticipation of the forthcoming Gala weekend at the Llangollen
Railway, the veteran GWR 4-4-0, 3440 City of Truro, has
made its anticipated visit to the railway and was working service
trains on 28 May.
Whilst watching from the lineside, I was
wondering if this most welcome guest appearance has allowed the first
services to be operated by a double-framed locomotive in North Wales
since the withdrawal from
service of the Dukedog class of 4-4-0. Perhaps one of our readers will
know for certain....
The pictures show the visitor at Berwyn, Glyndyfyrdwy and Carrog.
Great Western style: green, brass and Indian Red.
Also operating service trains was the Llangollen Railway's
green-liveried Class 104 power-twin DMU ...
... whilst, additionally and by way of contrast, the GWR Manor
class 4-6-0, 7822
Foxcote
Manor, built for British Railways in 1950 and an example of one
of the Great Western's very last designs, was providing an
additional spectacle in powering a 'driver
experience' shuttle.
After a relatively damp and overcast start
to the morning, the sun was shining by early lunchtime and this helped
to make the polished brass and copper on the steam locomotives look
their best, but many thanks to those who performed the cleaning duties,
too, of course. With the four chocolate and cream Mk 1 coaches, 7822
beings back fond memories of the 'Cambrian Coast Express.'
As ever, much skilled activity by the dedicated volunteers and staff of
the railway was evident for all to see. In particular, the
S&T department representatives were very busy at Carrog, seen here
as M50454 + M50528 pass, working the 13:00 Carrog - Llangollen.
The replica signalbox at Carrog was looking quite magnificent,
especially now that its frame is being
connected to the signalling system and the pointwork that it will be
used to control. Hopefully, all will be in use before much
longer.
For details of the 4 - 5 June steam gala, see the Llangollen
Railway website. - 28 May
First Class Voyager
Some months ago Virgin Trains announced that they would be following
the international convention of a yellow line above the windows to
indicate a first class coach, and Class 220 and 221 Voyagers have now
begun to appear with this embellishment, done in rather a subtle way. 220
010 Ribble Voyager, pictured at Manchester Piccadilly on 29
May, shows the style, as well as the yellow on the front coupler which
has been in place for some time to show the 'club class' end.
This close-up view also shows the '1' roundels which have been added to
the side. We are told that from the 12 June timetable change the term
'club class' used on these trains will be aboloshed and replaced by
First Class. This should avoid confusion with the 221s used on the
North Wales Coast - London trains which are working for Virgin West
Coast which has never used the term 'Club Class.' - 28 May
Picture news - with
Larry Goddard
67 027 and 67 020 top & tail the Serco track
Recorder train heading back through Llysfaen at 12:15 after doing the
middle roads at Bangor, traversing the Conwy Valley line and visiting
Llandudno town on 24 May.
Two Class 37s, Nos 37 069 and 37 612, appeared on
the Flask train on 26 May , and were pictured on the coast
approaching Abergele. - 28 May
Shipping news
Special thanks to Gred Mape for capturing the Iasle of Man Steam Packet
ship Lady of Mann about to leave Llandudno Pier on 26 May with what
will be her final excursion from North Wales as she is likely to be
sold out of service this year. Built in 1976, this traditionally-styled
ship will be missed by many: see the Lady of Mann website for
proof.
However, there are other chances to sail from Llandudno Pier: the Balmoral,
owened by Waverley Excursions Ltd, will be making several visits in the
first couple of weeks of June, with tours round Anglesey and trips to
Liverpool on the agenda. See the Waverley website for
full details and online booking.
Still with shipping, here's the Swanland which was captured by
Dave Sallery loading limestone at Llandulas on 27 May.
And something completely different: here's a view of the quarry at
Llandulas, courtesy of Dave Sallery holding his camera above
the boundary wall. - 29 May