NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY:NOTICE
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09 June 2014
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40 145, back on the main line as 345 without the D prefix, passing under the GWR lattice footbridge at Hagley with the Rawtenstall - Castleton - Oxford 'East Lancs Stalwart' excursion on 7 June. Picture by Chris Morrison. Return of the 'Irish Mancunian'?As mentioned in an earlier issue, Arriva Trains Wales (ATW) are considering possible use of Mk3 coaches and Class 67 locos on a North Wales - Manchester service, and made non-public trial runs with the 'Premier Service' train on Sunday 8 June. Bob Greenhalgh photographed the train at Helsby on the way from Chester to Manchester in the afternoon... ... and again at Helsby on the return to Chester. The train ran non-stop from Holyhead - Chester, and proceeded to Manchester Piccadilly calling at the usual stations served by ATW, then beyond the station into Longsight Down Goods Loop, the line opposite Longsight Depot which still has alongside it the remains of the 'Excursion Platform' once used by trains of visitors to the nearby Belle Vue Pleasure Gardens. (Normally ATW trains reverse in Mayfield Loop which is just outside Piccadilly station.) The train then returned to Chester, back to Longsight and finally returned to Holyhead. Above, it arrives at Newton-le-Willows as the 17:35 from Longsight to Chester, the last run of the day which continued empty to Holyhead (Mark Youdan). The first run from Chester to Piccadilly was for gauging, stopping at the usual stations for clearances etc., and the second run was to establish point-to-point timings. The train stopped at the usual stations, did not release the doors and departed, on the way back running non-stop Warrington Bank Quay to Chester. Departing Newton-le-Willows: Driving Van Trailer 82307 on the rear (Mark Youdan). Peter Lloyd's picture above shows it at Llandudno Junction. What's this all about, you might ask. We understand that the plan is to introduce the service in December 2014 to free a class 175 which in turn will release a class 158 for the planned hourly service on the Cambrian line between Shresbury and Aberystwyth. It is not dependent on the (uncertain) future of the existing 'Premier Service.' Readers may recall that on 26 March four Mk 3 coaches were extracted from storage Long Marston and taken to Arriva's works in Crewe for attention; our picture above by Martin Evans shows the move at Crewe. Day Trip to Warrington - pictures by Darren DurrantThe morning of 7 June started early for us with a trip from North Wales up the motorway to Warrington Bank Quay for the arrival of the West Coast Railways 'East Lancs Stalwart' Rail tour from Rawtenstall to Oxford. Right on time 345 rolled into the platform and after a quick 'photo op' for some passengers it was time to go. What a noise as the engine accelerated out of the station, tailed by 57 315. Next stop was breakfast before heading back to Chester for the arrival of the 'Northern Belle' from Cardiff. The Belle went forward to Crewe for servicing. Chester was the host to two Charters that day, the next one being the Pathfinder's 'The Shrewsbury & Chester Explorer' from Eastleigh. This was pulled by 67 025 Western Star, and also followed the Belle to Crewe. Chester was host to "Chester Rocks" at the racecourse that afternoon, so the volume of people passing through the station was quite high. More photo opportunities were had when the 67 returned later that afternoon with a change of driver ready for its trip via Wrexham down south. As before the Belle was not far behind arriving on platform, each coach door was opened and a named welcome carpet was laid for the guests comfort. The Belle, headed by 47 832 Galloway Princess made a fine departure leaving us time for a quick break until the log train came through on the middle line. Then it was a leisurely trip back up to Warrington to catch the return of the 40. Staff were on hand making sure nobody tried to get on without a ticket, although spirits were high as the train set off back to the ELR in good style. 175 005 gets its skates onThe wheelskate (or wheel skate) is an intriguing piece of railway equipment that is brought into play to enable the movement by rail of a railway vehicle which would not be able to be moved due to damage to a wheel or axle, or similar problem. On 31 May 175 005 suffered a problem with the drive from its under-floor diesel engine to the wheels on its motor bogie, a seized 'final drive' mechanism, which because the drive is to both axles of the bogie, meant that none of the wheels could turn. It was working train 1D66, 21:00 Crewe to Holyhead on Saturday 31 May and it was stopped at Ty Croes after the signaller at Gaerwen reported sparks when it passed. (Not something that will be likely in the technological future when all signalling is done from Cardiff, it might be added.) The answer was a pair of wheelskates, devices with tiny wheels which, when assembled around the offending wheelset, raise it off the rail just enough for its flanges to be above the rail head. These pictures were kindly taken for us at Holyhead sidings by someone with a right to be there. The lettering on the skates shows they are owned by DB Schenker, and have been brought from Toton depot. It is most unusual for a pair of skates to be deployed: normally the problems affect a single un-powered axle, or one axles on a diesel locomotive where each wheel is powered independently by its own electric motor. The hydro-mechanical transmission of the 175 effectively couples both axles together. The ingenious design of the wheelskate means that the vehicle wheel is only lifted slightly, and is still well clear of bridges and other overhead obstacles, but does not touch the rail There are, however, severe speed restrictions on movement of vehicles in this way due to the small wheels and the lack of braking power: powered by the other coach in the set, 175 105 proceeded at 15 miles an hour to Llandudno Junction and then the next evening to Chester depot. Departing Llandudno Junction at 23:22 on 4 June, it arrived at Chester depot four hours later. Wrexham, Rossett and Re-doublingWork proceeds on the doubling of the Saltney Junction - Wrexham line as far as Rossett. These pictures by George Jones taken on the afternoon of 8 June show a trainload of ballast material at Wrexham General station, hauled by 66 602. Stopped in platform 2 it awaited permission to go forward into the closed section to the north. The temporary stop sign and red lights were removed from the track and the train sent off for Rossett conveying ballast of assorted shapes and sizes. The train of open wagons was an interesting mixture of types. This one (above) is an MHA, built on the underframe of a redundant 'merry-go-round' coal hopper wagon. The last wagon is probably one variety of the bogie open, coded JLA: these can be identified by the door in the centre of the side and the deeper section of the side at each end. The train was destined for the works compound which has been created at Rossett. The unloading in process at Rossett later in the afternoon. Note the new long-welded rails lying alongside the line ready for installation. Picture by Mark Riley. The view from the footbridge: the area is becoming a 'virtual quarry'. (Mark Riley) Looking south from Rossett footbridge on 7 June as 158 824 heads north. In the distance is the compound set up by Network Rail at Station Road. Several ballast drops had already taken place over the previous week, mainly at night (Mark Riley). Looking north from Rossett bridge on 7 June, towards Broad Oak (Mark Riley). 67 025 heads south through Rossett with the return Chester - Eastleigh excursion on 7 June. A good afternoon for loco-hauled trains (Mark Riley). North from Rossett is Broad Oak level crossing. seen with 47 823 on the Northern Belle on 7 June: clearance of the space3 for the second track, and laying of rails alongside, has reached this point (Bob Greenhalgh). 47 832 approaches Pulford level crossing, the next one towards Chester, in the rain. Again one can see here a long clear stretch of exposed track bed, ready for new ballast, but there are no extra rails in view. (Mark Riley). 67 025 at Green Lane level crossing, a mile south of Saltney Junction (Bob Greenhalgh). The junction itself has already been altered for the double track, but it seems that ballasting, etc. will be proceeding from the Rossett direction (Bob Greenhalgh). Above, the return Pathfinder excursion on 7 June with 67 025 Western Star (above) passing Wrexham General in the afternoon sunshine. It was due to stop at Gobowen at 17:41 to pick up participants who had selected the Llangollen Railway visit option (George Jones). It is not often one gets so much excitement at Wrexham in the course of half an hour or so. Hopefully there will be more excursions on the border when the line the north of Rossett is redoubled. Camping at Marsh Brook - report by John MurrayI spent a couple of nights camping with colleagues at Shropshire Camping and Pods adjacent to the Station Inn at Marsh Brook, a few miles south of Church Stretton in Shropshire. Marsh Brook manual signal box (above), erected in 1872 for the Shrewsbury and Hereford Joint Railway, is one of 26 granted Grade II listed status nationally for preservation. A remnant of the Regional Railways days of British Rail remains on the sign next to the door. Shortly after our arrival on 5 June, train 1W96, the 17:16 Cardiff Central to Holyhead 'One Wales Express', at speed passed the semaphore signal controlling the crossing. 67 003 was propelling from the rear, but photography in that direction is difficult. This is a very busy stretch of line. In addition to the regular passenger services to and from Cardiff and Holyhead, there are regular freight movements. While we were sitting outside the pub, as darkness fell, a Colas train of logs from Margam to Kronospan, a Freightliner coal train from Avonmouth to Rugeley B Power station and an train of white vans from Portbury Automotive Terminal near Bristol to Mossend Euroterminal passed north with the space of 2 hours. I heard further freight passing throughout the night. Northern Belle's busy weekend
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