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20 November 2017
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What might have been (see below): an archive view by Larry Goddard from May 2012 of 46233 Duchess of Sutherland passing Penmaenmawr station. Galatea to HolyheadPassengers who signed up for the 'Steam Dreams Cathedrals Express' excursion from London Euston on 18 November might have been dreaming of haulage by impressive pacific loco 46233 Duchess of Sutherland from Crewe as advertised, and a destination of Llandudno for the Christmas Market, but what they got was 'Jubilee' 4-6-0 45699 Galatea and a destination of Holyhead with a coach link from Llandudno Junction to Llandudno. We pickup the train at Beeston Castle between Crewe and Chester. Picture by Robert Meredith ... ... and by Phil Clarke. The tender is about as well-filled with coal as it could be. Sandycroft (Tim Rogers). Tim recorded the numbers of the coaches: Mk1 Ex-Courier Vehicle, Support Coach: 80217. Mk2 TSO: 5216, 5200, 5218, 5171. Mk2 BSO, 9104. Mk2 FK: 13440. Mk1 Pullman: Car 352 AMETHYST and Car 351 SAPPHIRE. Mk1 RK: E1666. Mk2 TSO: 5236, 5237. The Mk2 coaches are similar to the Mk2a ones used in the 37-hauled North Wales services in the 1990s, but from an early batch with some detail differences. Remarkably perhaps, all surviving Mk2 and Mk2a vehicles are now over 50 years old. Rhyl ... ... with 37 516 Loch Laidon on the rear (Roly High). Passing the site of Foryd station (John Myers). Approaching Abergele (Chris Morrison). Approaching Colwyn Bay at speed (Jim Ikin). Attracting attention at Llandudno Junction (Jim Ikin). Taking the incline into Conwy Station with ease (Jim Ikin). Minutes later and the return Railhead Treatment Train emerged from the tunnel. Picture by Jim Ikin, who notes: 'If an elderly photographer who had been making his way down the ramp (so as to avoid walking up and over) had been just a bit quicker he’d have been mown down by the 56s – and he still wandered across the track when they'd passed – it's not the 1960s!' Conwy (John Myers). Talybont, approaching Bangor (Rowan Crawshaw). Peter Basterfield's long lens captured - from about a mile away - the train crossing the Britannia Bridge. Leaving Holyhead with the return train up the 1 in 75 gradient, eleven coaches on and no assistance from the Class 37 on the rear (Peter Basterfield). Under the eye of the Lion (Peter Basterfield). The return train hurries through Colwyn Bay. Picture by Chris Morrison, using to the full the abilities of modern cameras. So ends 2017's rather sparse series on steam runs west of Chester. The next one we can find details for is planned for 28 April 2018. Aberystwyth 1981 - looking back with Barrie HughesDouble headed Class 25s on an Up working on 9 August 1981 heads east past Ty Gwyn campsite, Ynyslas with the cliffs at Borth in the background. The train is loaded to 10 coaches and this would exceed the timing load of a single class 25 on the notorious 1 in 52 Talerddig Bank east of Machynlleth. At this point the Aberystwyth and Welsh Coast Railway intended a combined road/rail bridge to Aberdyfi but this was abandoned due to rising costs and the 'Doveyation' built from Dovey Junction instead along the more difficult north side of the Afon Dyfi estuary with many curves and tunnels. However, a short Harbour Branch was built alongside the Afon Llyfni. Business was brisk on 10 August 1981 when this Class 120 disgorged many holidaymakers onto the platform at Aberystwyth. At this time the platform on the right was still in use though in recent years it has been sold off for commercial use. 2876 A Class 120 heads towards Aberystwyth passing the closed Glandyfi station with its cattle dock still in existence. Class 25 hauls the heavily-laden Wednesdays-only Stanlow - Aberystwyth train with 10 fuel tanks approaching Glandyfi... ... and passes the station building. The station house survives in 2017, and Glandyfi residents can still travel by train by walking along the lineside path to Dovey Junction station. 25 032 shunts its train Aberystwyth station with the narrow gauge Vale of Rheidol line in the foreground. VoR No.7 Owain Glyndwr in experimental BR blue with black and white lining. This was a very short-lived livery. 25 032 rests in the platforms at Aberystwyth station. A notice threatens 'Trainspotter' not to pass beyond this sign. I guess it was OK for the general public then? Owain Glyndwr stands near Aberystwyth signalbox, while 25 032 rests in the platforms at Aberystwyth station. Picture news60 002 on ballast duty at Rhyl on Sunday 19 November (Dave Sallery). The new trailing crossover at Rhyl is now complete but won't be used before March next year. In the background, one of Network Rail's Kirow switch and crossing carriers designed to carry ready-made pointwork on an angle to be within the loading gauge (Dave Sallery). Chester on 16 November, with 175 004 still dumped in the sidings; this is the non-fire-damaged coach. 175 004 was forming the 04:14 Chester Crewe empty stock working on 21 October when it came to a stand approaching the site of the former Calveley station after catching fire. There were no reported injuries but lengthy delays presumably ensued as the unit did not move until 09:30. Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service attended and their website refers. Picture by Jim Coates. Also seen at Chester on 15 November, 68 028 and 68 032 working as train 0Z68 (Jim Coates). Class 68s continue to monopolise flask trains: Tim Rogers photographed 68 017 Hornet and 68 016 Fearless at the Valley loading point on 17 November. RHTT 56s returnThe Railhead Treatment Train returned to normal traction the week with 56 105 with 56 113 - the non-standard appearance of the Class 97/3 locos last time occurred when the train arrived late from the Cambrian system and it was decided not to bother with the usual loco change. Above: Crawling through Bangor on 14 November (Peter Basterfield). Prestatyn, 15 November (Tim Rogers). The wagons are FEA-F 642027, 642045 and 642016. Amid the pampas grass at Llandudno Junction on 17 November (Ken Robinson). Talybont, 18 November (Rowan Crawshaw). Emerging from the A55 bridge at Penmaenmawr on 18 November (Chris Morrison). Signal PR2 is a three-aspect one, but is of the new LED-worked style. Holyhead, 17 November (Tim Rogers). Portrait of 56 105 at Holyhead, 17 November (Tim Rogers). Out and About on 17 November - with Martin Evans66 122 approaches Crewe with an Arpley to Stoke Marcroft working at 14:10, comprising wagons for repair. Freightliner 90 045 and 90 046 depart from Crewe at 14:09 with the Daventry to Coatbridge service. 67 018 Keith Heller departs Chester at 14:47 on the rear of the Holyhead - Manchester service. Crewe 'Thunderbird' loco 57 308 James Ferguson stabled at Crewe on 17 November. North Wales Coast home page | Archive | Previous Notice Board |