THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE BOARD

Hysbysfwrdd Rheilffordd Arfordir Gogledd Cymru




A look at 67 018 Keith Heller in its new livery, seen working a trip working (wagons for repair?) through Crewe on 12 February. Not the lack of the grey skirt which is normally part of the DB livery. Picture by Ian Bowland.

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12 February 2010

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Gerald goes to the Rugger
Train 1W91, the Cardiff - Holyhead express, on Friday 12 February, will convey three extra coaches on the back (locked out of use). On Saturday 13 February the loco and coaches will form an additional train from Holyhead at 08:08 calling only at Bangor, Llandudno Junction, Rhyl, and Chester and arriving at Crewe 10:05. It will then depart Crewe at 10:16 for Cardiff in the path of the usual 175-operated 1V77, 09:30 Manchester to Cardiff. The stock from 1V77 will wait at Crewe and be added to the 10:30 Manchester - Cardiff to provide more seats on that train. The object of the exercise is to carry fans to the Wales v Scotland 'Six Nations' rugby game at Cardiff Millennium Stadium, although this is not a charter train, and all normal tickets are valid.

The loco-hauled train Will return at 16:51 from Cardiff as 1W91 replacing the normal Manchester train but arriving Crewe about 20 minutes later that usual and then continuing to Holyhead. Monday afternoon's normal 1V31 will convey the extra coaches on the front (again locked out). 

These longer trains will be able to run at 'line speed', freed from the restrictions imposed, due to braking issues, on the short loco-hauled rakes normally used. It's good to see Arriva Trains Wales making better use of their assets in this way.


66 on the logs


Thanks to Tim Blazey for this picture taken at Brock on the West Coast Main Line, showing Colas Rail loco 66 843 on 10 February with 57 002 'dead in train' on the loaded southbound loaded Carlisle - Chirk timber train.



The same train at Warrington Bank Quay. The 66 was detached here and 57 002 continued to Chirk.



92 022 heading north through Acton Bridge on 6S94 Dollands Moor - Irvine china clay slurry tanks (Andrew Vinten).



47 245 and 37 516 at Acton Bridge on 5Z33 Carnforth - Southall stock move between West Coast Railways' two depots, with  37 706 was on the rear.



70 006 with on 6F02 from Ellesmere Port to Fiddlers ferry Power station, passing through Helsby station. (Andrew Vinten)



Ince and Elton, with  66 710 climbing up through the station with a train of gypsum wagons (Andrew Vinten).

Shrewsbury-Chester Rail Users' Association news - by George Jones
The next meeting of SCRUA on Monday 15 February will be held in the Royal British Legion club, Chirk at 7.30pm

It will feature Mr David Cooper, Chairman Glyn Valley Tramway Trust as the guest speaker who will advise on the current status and future prospects for the exciting project to rebuild the tramway from Chirk. In addition the Community Rail Officer, Sheila Dee, will give an update on the |Chester- Shrewsbury Rail Partnership activities and forthcoming events.

A digital photo review of rail action on the main line will conclude the meeting.  Visitors are welcome.


New Measurement Train


The Network Rail HST 'New Measurement Train' made one of its forays down the Coast line on 11 February. Above, it is heading west along the embankment to Old Colwyn, with 43 062 John Armitt leading. Picture by Stéphanie Durrant.



The return train arrives at Llandudno Junction with buffer-fitted 43 014 at the head (Stéphanie Durrant)



Llandudno Junction (Darren Durrant)



Heading east under the Queens Road Bridge (Darren Durrant)


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