THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE
BOARD
Rheilffordd Arfordir Gogledd Cymru Bwrdd
hysbyseb
Saturday Specials
Saturday 4 June 2005 was notable for the appearance on the Coast line
of two charter trains, featuring two of the most iconic express
locomotives in the history of the line. We present below a pictorial
review of the day's events.
This site is dedicated to all our regular contributors and
supporters, and especially the rail staff of North Wales.
Last update 12 June 2005
Foreword
Back from the Highlands (more about this in due course), as we expected
we have a great selection of pictures to sort through, so we'll start
with 4 June's charter trains before moving on to pick up the usual
miscellany. Thanks to everyone who has sent stuff, especially those who
respected our request not to send them until we got back. As well as
the pictures they have kindly sent to us, several of our contributors
now have their own excellent websites, with reports on the day. Links
to these will be found in appropriate places below. Additionally, our
Holyhead correspondent 'Corrie' sent a comprehensive set of
views of Holyhead and the Conwy Valley, which deserve their own page,
so we have created a collection on our supplementary
Fotopic Site which we recommend you to visit. - Charlie
Oh, and here's a 1MB .wmv video of the
Class 40 from our video expert Darryl Thomas that you might well
enjoy.
Programme of events
Here's a reminder of the two trains' diagrams:
'The
Whistling Slater' (40 145) Crewe 10:13-26, Chester
pass 10:48, Llandudno Jn 11:29-49, Llanrwst 12:08-21, Blaenau
Ffestiniog
12:56. Dept 13:25 (cross the service train at 1400 at Llanrwst)
Holyhead
arrive 15:40, dep 16:50 Bangor dep 17:25.
'The Welsh Dragon' (6233 Duchess of Sutherland) Crewe
10:20-54, Chester 11:31-36, Rhyl 12:10, Llandudno Jn 12:29-59,
Bangor 13:18, Holyhead 13:48.- 16:54. Bangor 17:22-25, Llandudno Jn
pass 17:42, Rhyl pass 17:55, Chester 18:27, Crewe 18:56.
The 'Whistling Slater' awaits departure at Crewe. Picture by Tim E.
Rogers (More on Tim's
website)
40 145 at Prestatyn (Ivor Bufton)
6233 approaching Rhyl (Ivor Bufton)
40 145 at Abergele (John Myers)
A wider view of Abergele a few seconds later (Larry Goddard)
Jim
Murphy found an Abergele viewpoint away from the platforms. Jim
writes '40 145 put in an appearance bang on
time..
' ... 55 minutes and one sandwich later, 6233 Duchess of
Sutherland stormed through with a formidable 13 carriage train
weighed down at the rear by 47 826 Springburn.'
Arrived at Llandudno Junction, with lots of enthusiasts behaving
very well. We wonder how many people during the day sought permission
from the duty station manager(s) as required by the new National Rail
guidelines? Picture by Alan Crawshaw. More on Alan's website.
After reversal at Llandudno Junction about to head up the Conwy
Valley (Dave
Bramley)
40 145 climbs through the pouring rain towards Roman Bridge (Larry
Goddard)
Passing the remains of Blaenau Ffestiniog North station (Dave Sallery)
More on Dave's website
On arrival at Blaenau Ffestiniog, with Ffestiniog Railway Fairlie loco Earl
of Merioneth running round its train. (Corrie)
During the run-round move at Blaenau Ffestiniog, 40 145 runs on to the
remnant of the old Bala line. (Dave Bramley)
Descending past very wet Roman Bridge (Chris Taylor)
By way of contrast, the branch service train formed of one of the
Heart of Wales 153s. (Chris Taylor)
The scene is tranquil as 40145 keeps the Afon Lledr company near
Pont-y-Pant on the return from Blaenau Ffestiniog. (Larry Goddard)
Passing a lonely farmhouse in the picturesque Lledr Valley en route
to Llandudno Junction. (Larry Goddard)
Jim Murphy again: 'Glan Conwy, or rather the RSPB reserve which
overlooks the inlet and commands a great view of the line leading off
in the direction of Blaenau. It was quite a wait here but eventually
40145 appeared some 11
minutes late but making a terrific noise echoing through the valley.'
Back on the main line at Penmaenmawr heading for Holyhead (Alan
Roberts)
Meanwhile the steam special ran direct to Holyhead. 6233 is seen in
full flight past Llandulas. (John Myers)
This is Penmaenbach sea wall between Conwy and Penmaenmawr. (John Myers)
<>This is Llandegai, east of Bangor (John Myers)
The two trains met up at Holyhead - this view by Dave Bramley
shows 6233 returning after being turned on the triangle at Valley.
40 145 at Holyhead (Dave Bramley)
Jim Murphy takes up the story again: '40 145's lateness meant
that the planned stop at Llandudno Junction did not
take place and it was impossible to get around in time to see the tour
head over Conwy Tubular Bridge, so the decision was made to head
towards Holyhead and record the railtours as they returned east. The
eventual photo-spot of
choice was the well known bridge near Malltraeth.
'Both machines looked and sounded terrific and are a real tribute to
the groups who look after them. 40145 was as spotless as ever, adorned
with two headboards plus the "crossed spades" motif - a nice touch.
6233 also wore an
impressive "Welsh Dragon" headboard and seemed to be making light work
of its heavy train.'
Bangor (Alan Crawshaw)
A last look at the two trains, pictured by Peter Roberts at
Llandudno Junction as they returned east in the afternoon.
The Welsh Dragon nameplate does look good - to readers of a certain
age, however, it brings back memories of a rather smaller train which
ran between Rhyl and Llandudno, worked by a 2-6-2 tank engine.
For those keen to see the "Duchess" in action, don't forget "The
Welsh Dragon - Relief" to Holyhead on the 18th June. Provisional times
are
Diesel-hauled:
Northampton 0730 return 2120
Rugby 0750 return 2025
Lichfield TV 0905 return 2030
===========================================
Steam-hauled section:
Crewe 0955 return 1900
Chester 1025 return 1830
Here's a phone number for PMR Tours credit card booking: 01773 743986.
Thanks to everyone involved in the operation and planning of
these trains. More please!