Friday 12 April Altrincham
Electric Railway Society "Current Developments on Metrolink" a
digital presentation by Tony Williams, Manchester Area Officer, Light
Rail Transit Association.
Saturday 11 May As part of the Steam
Dreams
8-day 'Cathedrals Explorer' a diesel (97/3) loco-hauled run from
Shrewsbury to Porthmadog connecting with a special on the Ffestiniog.
The journey continues on 13 May from Bangor to Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Traction (steam?) to be arranged.
Thursday 16 May LCGB North West AGM
and Members/Visitors Slides & Digital Photos.
Saturday 18 May ExcursionCompass Tours 'The Heart of Wales Scenic
Rambler'
Holyhead, Llanfair PG, Bangor, Llandudno Junction, Colwyn Bay, Rhyl,
Flint, Chester, Crewe, Whitchurch, Wem & Shrewsbury to Llandrindod
& Cardiff.
Wednesday 29 May Compass Tours 'Ynys
Mon
Express' Southport - Holyhead. (Was to be steam, but has been changed
to diesel due to 'loco availability issue.')
Saturday 8 June Wirral 0
Gauge Group Open Day, Unit 7, The Odyssey Centre,
Corporation Road,
Birkenhead CH41 1HB British model trains running 13:00 to 17:00.
Admission £2 - ample free parking. Nearest Station Birkenhead
Park. Contact 0151 653 0637 or j.elliott37[at]sky.com for more
information.
Saturday 6 July. The Welsh
N-Gauge Model Railway Show, organised by the N-Gauge Society
North Wales Area Group.An exclusively N-Gauge Exhibition with layouts
from the Group and visiting layouts in British and American outline. St
Mary's Church hall, Rosehill Steet, Conwy LL32 8LD,10.00am to 4.00pm,
adults £3.00 Children £1.50 Refreshments available.
Hall fully disabled accessible - car parking, bus stops and rail
station adjacent.Further information: 01492 572633.
Saturday 6 July ExcursionStatesman Rail
'Welsh Mountain Statesman' Saturday 25 May 2013 Sheffield, and stations
to Wolverhampton to Aberystwyth for the Vale of
Rheidol Railway. (Fully booked.)
Sunday 28 July Steam on the CoastRailway Touring Company 'North Wales
Coast
Express' Liverpool - Holyhead - Liverpool. Loco 45305, 46233, 60009 or
70013.
Tuesday 30 July Steam on the Coast Railway Touring Company 'The Welsh
Mountaineer'
Preston-Frodsham-Llandudno Jc -Blaenau Ffestiniog and return. Loco
45305 or 61994.
Sunday 4 August Steam on the CoastRailway Touring Company 'North Wales
Coast Express' Crewe - Holyhead, steam-hauled Manchester Piccadilly -
Altrincham - Chester - Holyhead and return by 45305/70013
Saturday 17 August Vintage Trains 'The
Welsh
Dragon' Tyseley - Llandudno Junction and return. Loco 5043
Sunday 18 August Steam on the CoastRailway Touring Company 'North Wales
Coast Express' Liverpool - Holyhead - Liverpool. Loco 45305, 46233,
60009 or 70013.
Tuesday 20 August Steam on the Coast Railway Touring Company 'The Welsh
Mountaineer'
Preston-Frodsham-Llandudno Jc -Blaenau Ffestiniog and return. Loco
45305 or 61994.
Saturday 24 August Wirral 0
Gauge Group Open Day, Unit 7, The Odyssey Centre,
Corporation Road,
Birkenhead CH41 1HB American model trains running 13:00 to
17:00. Admission £2 - ample free parking. Nearest Station
Birkenhead Park.
Contact 0151 653 0637or j.elliott37[at]sky.com for more
information.
Sunday 1 September Steam on the CoastRailway Touring Company
'North Wales Coast Express' Crewe - Holyhead, steam-hauled Manchester
Piccadilly - Altrincham - Chester - Holyhead and return by 45305/70013.
Tuesday 3 September Steam on the
Coast Railway Touring Company 'The
Welsh Mountaineer'
Preston-Frodsham-Llandudno Jc -Blaenau Ffestiniog and return. Loco
45305 or 61994.
Sunday 8 September Steam on the CoastRailway Touring Company
'North Wales Coast Express' Crewe - Holyhead, steam-hauled Manchester
Piccadilly - Altrincham - Chester - Holyhead and return by 45305/70013.
Steve Morris will be
making a presentation to the Llandudno & Conwy Valley Railway
Society covering his latest book English Electric Traction Chester to
Holyhead volume 2 1984-2012 on Thursday 11 April at the
Llandudno Junction Sports and Social Club on Victoria Drive. The
meeting starts at 19:30 and will include a large number of the images
used
in the publication, all taken by North Wales-based photographers. All
welcome to attend, the bar opens at 19:00.
Sunday night 67
The four days from 2 - 5 April, following the bank holiday
Monday, was a
disastrous time for the Arriva Premier service with loco failures and
unavailability leading to replacement of by railcars on all for days
and consequent lack of meal service. To get things back in step, the
train rain empty to Holyhead on Sunday evening 7 April with 67 001 was leading and 82307 on the
rear, in order to form next morning's express to Cardiff. Peter Lloyd managed to get a picture
at Llandudno Junction at 20:45 with the help of the station lighting.
Easter Monday at Bangor - pictures
by Richard Fleckney
Bangor on 1 April: the 12:31 Birmingham International - Holyhead train
unusually features a class 150, 150
208 (above)...
... coupled to the usual 158, 158 841.
The
presence
of
the
150
with its 75 mph maximum speed restricts the
speed of the whole train, although the 158 is allowed to run at 90.
This never seems to greatly affect timekeeping on Arriva services,
however. It must be a memory test for the driver when the 158 is
leading, though.
Both ends of another train, the special from Holyhead to Crewe and
back, which ran on Good Friday and Easter Monday using the 'Premier'
loco-worked set. Driving van Trailer 82308 headed the train from
Holyhead to Crewe ...
... with 67 002 on the rear
providing the power.
EE Weekend at Crewe Heritage Centre - report by Mark Riley
The Crewe Heritage Centre held an English Electric themed weekend on 6
and 7 April. Seen above arriving in convoy, 20 305 leads 37 405, 47712 and 37 611 into the centre shortly after
opening time, ready to be shunted into positions for display.
47 712, seen here, has
been purchased from DRS by four Heritage Centre volunteers and is now
the latest addition to the attractions on site.
37 611 is seen having
been shunted into position...
...as is an immaculately turned out 37
405, positively gleaming in the late morning sun. 20 303
wasn't so well placed for a decent photo, at least not at the time I
was there.
Newly purchased 47 712 was positioned a little further away alongside
the Class 03 shunter, redundant on the day, with the Class 73
electro-diesel 73 006 giving brake van rides.
Long-time resident D1842 along
side 71000Duke of Gloucester.
On April 20, 60156 Tornado
will return to Crewe Heritage Centre
after working the Cathedrals Express railtour to Holyhead, where it
will be giving brake van rides the following day, 21 April, and if you
miss it then, it will still be on site the following weekend of 27-28
April.
News of Pont Briwet - report by Ken Robinson
With the work on replacing Briwet Bridge at Penrhyndeudraeth almost
under way (the preliminary work on the approach roads has already
started) I attach a photo of 158 836
(I think!) crossing the bridge on 3 April as the 09:34 from Pwllheli to
Machynlleth.
Bethesda event - report by Stephen Hughes
The Penrhyn
Quarry Railway has taken delivery of a replica de Winton
locomotive, Iorwerth, built
by Adam Barber in 2009, on loan for at least a few months. Once again
on 6 April the sound of whistling was heard in the Coed y Parc locality
as Iorwerth spent the afternoon shuttling up and down the length of
line to the St Ann's Road and back.
Welsh Borders Steam Special
On 1 April, ex-LMS 2-8-0 no 48151 visited our area with 'The Welsh
Borders Steam Special' which originated from Bridlington hauled by West
Coast Railways diesel 47 760 as far as Crewe, followed by a circular
steam run, Crewe to Crewe via Chester and Wrexham, with a few hours
spent at Shrewsbury. Above, 47 760 is seen on arrival at Crewe in the
morning, Picture by Tom Donnelly.
48151 was waiting at Crewe with its support coach (Tom Donnelly).
Approaching Chester (Bob Greenhalgh).
Chester (Roly High).
Chester, 12:32 (Glyn Williams).
Chester (Glyn Williams). The
train did not stop at Chester.
Chester (Bob Greenhalgh).
Approaching Wrexham, leaving the single line from Saltley Junction (Mark Riley). It is rare these
days to see mainline steam on this route.
Wrexham (Martin Evans).
Wrexham. Picture by George Jones
who writes: 'I thought it may have been the first 8F through Wrexham
since 1967, but then realised I was on the 8F Society's mainline
special with 8233 (48773) on
1 February 1992 which took the Lancastrian excursion from Shrewsbury
through to Bolton and may have routed via Chester to Stockport. Six Bells
Junction doesn't list the full route, can someone else confirm?'
'Going away' shot at Wrexham (George
Jones). No diesel loco on the rear!
Ruabon (Colin Edwards)
Chirk. Picture by Peter Basterfield
who notes: 'The 8F arrived a bit late but did not disappoint for
performance and clag.'
Shrewsbury - 5-minute video by 'Roscalen.'
From Coton Hill Bridge, approaching Shrewsbury (Richard Putley).
After calling at Shrewsbury station the train then reversed into Coton
Hill Sidings (Richard Putley).
Then the loco ran with just the support coach to Abbey Foregate
Junction, whence it pushed the support coach round the curve to English
Bridge Junction and, now facing north, returned to Coton Hill Sidings (Richard Putley)
The consist included some of the 1960s Eastern Region
Pullman cars, such as Emerald
bringing up the rear (Richard Putley)
When it was time for the tour to depart 48151 pushed the stock into
Platform 4 (Richard Putley).
The special departed at 17:10, taking the direct route to Crewe where
the 47 took over for the return to the east coast.
Llangollen locomotives update - by George Jones
Sunday 7 April saw 7822Foxcote Manor back in action at
Llangollen with its re-wheeled tender after an expensive exercise to
re-tyre the wheels. The loco was used on a series of driver experience
courses. In the pictures it is seen blasting away from
Llangollen...
... and on its return when the tender can be seen to advantage. Note
the snow still lingers in Llangollen station and there is more still
evident down the valley.
7822 will be a main player in the forthcoming Spring Steam Gala on 19-21
April along with the other members of the home-based fleet - Black
5 44806, Pannier 6430, GWR heavy freight 2-8-0 3802 and BR standard tank 80072 - the last-mentioned is
returning from a short stint at the Severn Valley Railway. The heavy
freight loco is ringing the changes by turning black; right now the
loco's green paint has been rubbed down ready for the 'black stuff.'
The GWR Steam railmotor No 93
is due to arrive at Llangollen later this week and will join the newly
restored auto trailer 92 to provide a duo working during the gala when
it will work on and off the Corwen extension from Carrog as far
as Plas Bonwm farm.
The 'Grange' project is aiming to have the frames of their re-wheeled
in time for the gala and the overhaul of LR's pannier tank 7754 will
also have been progressed with frames re-wheeled.
Emerging last week after an overhaul was Austerity 0-6-0ST No. 72 now seen in National Coal Board
black livery. This loco is privately owned and will be the
subject of running-in trials shortly. The original identity of this
loco is obscure.
With the long restoration job on 'Prairie' tank 5532 now progressed to a complete
rolling chassis with fitment of the rods (above) the attention of the
group has turned to the boiler overhaul.
Stripped down, the interior of the boiler is seen above; more
drastic action saw the firebox back head cut off to reveal the inner
firebox. The work on the boiler repair will be expensive and, as ever,
the owning Group LR(GWR)LG welcomes donations and sales at
its shop in the coach at Carrog if this popular locomotive type is
finally to be returned to working condition.
Wind Farm developments - report by Nick Gurney
The cable laying barge Cable
Enterprise arrived on Pensarn beach early morning on Saturday
6 April to lay the second of the four cables to the Gwynt Y Mor
windfarm. There will be a total of four export cables, all running from
the beach at Pensarn.
Two of the cables will run to the Offshore Sub Station East Platform
(OSP East) and two to OSP West. The first cable was laid last August
but is in two halves on the seabed and is due to be jointed by the
vessel Stemat 89 which
is currently on its way to the site and work is expected to take 1
month. Cable Enterprise has
a 6-point mooring system, and is supported
by the vessels Norne, MCS Ailsa and Forth Jouster.
The photos show the cable coming ashore over the plough (the white
device) and then it is buried along the beach and joined to cables at
Pensarn which go to a substation in St Asaph which connect with the
national grid. When Cable Enterprise
makes her journey out to the substation on the windfarm the cable is
buried in a trench made by the plough which is towed behind.
The cable is buried to protect it from ships anchors and trawl nets.
Flintshire scenes - by Bob Greenhalgh
On Wednesday 3 April the news groups were reporting that the Valley -
Crewe flask train was running nearly 3 hours early, so I dashed
off to Beeches Farm bridge. My camera already had the telephoto lens on
and as I waited for the flasks I heard a loud roar, turned round to see
the Beluga, the purpose-built carrier for airliner wings made at the
Airbus factory, taking off from Hawarden airport.
Ten minutes later, along came 57 007
and 57 003 at the head of one
flask wagon.
Later the same day, 60 020 was
running early on the steel to Dee Marsh and a trip to Buckley produced
another photo amid traces of the recent snowfalls.
Holyhead Shipping news - report by M.Lloyd Davies
At Holyhead on 1 March, the fall pipe vessel MV Rockpiper receives a cargo of
stone off the MV Sandes making use of the
jetty originally created to unload ore for the now-closed Anglesey
Aluminium works. The cargo of stone was destined for depositing off
Duddon Bank in Morecambe Bay.
A side view of the Rockpiper.
Further use of Anglesey Aluminium Jetty was made on 13 March when the
jack-up Platform Seafox 7 visited
with
three
tugs,
Thorax, Bugsier and Foxtrot.
The Stena Nordica recently
undertook the sailings normally covered by the Stena Adventurer whilst the latter
was undergoing its annual refit in Belfast. It is seen here just after
rounding the breakwater on its way to Dublin. The Stena Scotia undertook the sailings
normally made by the Nordica.
On the afternoon of 23 March the diving support vessel MV Vos Shine was on the refit berth in
the inner harbour, and was
still
there on 8 April.
In connection with surveys associated with the proposal to install
Marine Current Turbines between the Skerries and Carmel Head the survey
ship Deep Cygnus is seen here
on 6 April. Further information about the project this can be found at www.seagenwales.co.uk.
Miscellany
A charter from London Victoria for the Grand National horse race in
Liverpool brought the 'British Pullman' train on an unusual trip to the
north. Like the Northern Belle, this set of refurished Pullman cars is
owned by the Venice Simplon Orient Express company and used on the
English leg of the their namesake train. Tom Donnelly photographed the
special at Crewe on its return to London, with Royal Train loco 67 005Queen's Messenger on the front. 67
006 was on the rear.
Peter Basterfield writes:
'While waiting for the 1 April 8F-hauled special at the public
foot crossing at the end of the viaduct near Chirk I was rather
surprised by the arrival of 66 200
on the 6M76 Margam-- Dee Marsh steel coil which I understood was not
running due to the Bank Holiday.'
Passing through Shrewsbury on 1 April, a southbound Colas empty log
train, with 66 850
hauling failed 56 105
'dead-in-train.'
The very early running Valley - Crewe flask train passing Waverton at
14:05 on 3 April with DRS 57s 57 007
and 57 003. (Stavros Lainas).
Easter specials on Anglesey - pictures by M.Lloyd Davies
The Holyhead - Crewe and return workings of the Arriva loco-hauled
train on Good Friday and Easter Monday creates some photo
opportunities. Above, the first working on 29 March runs through
through a sunny but cold Llanfairyneubwll.
The return from Crewe passes Cleifiog Uchaf Crossing with the
snow-capped Carneddau Mountains visible in the background.
On Monday 1 April 67 002 makes
for Holyhead from Crewe, crossing Cyttir Tywyn Trewan.
A rare chance for a daylight picture of the Premier set on
Platform 1 at Holyhead.
Prior to stabling in the carriage sidings the train visited the
maintenance facility for some attention.
67 002 inside the maintenance shed.
175 110 passes by.
Once the line is clear, the train returns to movce to the carriage
sidings on the other side of the main line. The signalling here
has a main running arm for any trains departing from Holyhead
(HD95), a small arm for shunt movements to the up main line (HD96) and
a ground disc signal below (HD103) for movements to the 'engine neck',
it is in an unusual position in that anything stopping directly at it
would be fouling no. 93 points which connect the line used by a loco
running round its train after arriving at platform 3. (The signalling,
track circuiting and interlocking will, or course, disallow any actual
conflicting moves.) Comments on the history of this odd arrangement are
welcome.
The ground signal (HD94) facing the camera, on the near side of the
line is for shunt movements in the other direction and has ailluminated
indicators which, when the cleared, show a driver which route is set.