NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY:NOTICE BOARDRheilffordd arfordir gogledd Cymru: Hysbysfwrdd |
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24 December 2018
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On loan to Transport for Wales (while Northern's conductors were engaged on their 41st day of strikes and TfW are still busy repairing their weather-damaged units), Northern's 150 270 and a sister unit await departure from Llandudno on Saturday 22 December with the 14:42 to Manchester Airport. Picture by Gary Thomas. Best wishes at Christmas to our readers, our contributors and all rail staff of North Wales. Llangollen Santa SpecialsGWR 2-8-0 3802 with the 2.30pm 'Santa Special' from Llangollen approaches Glyndyfrdwy on 22 December. Picture by Jim Ikin. 2-6-2T 5199 passes Berwyn with the 3.30pm (Jim Ikin). The penultimate train of the season seen at Carrog as 5199 rolled into 'Lapland' where Santa's sleigh awaited (George Jones). The final train of the Santa season was the 14:30 off Llangollen on Christmas Eve seen beyond Berwyn with 3802 (George Jones). Picture by George Jones. Rostered for the 'Mince Pie Specials' starting on Boxing Day is Standard Tank 80072 which will also be active during the 'Winter Warmer' event on 28/29 December. Festive FrolicPathfinder Tours' 'Festive Frolic' railtour on 22 December started from Eastleigh and headed for Birmingham International followed the following itinerary designed for the 'track-basher': Aston - Bescot Downside (rev) - Perry Barr / Soho Jns - via Down Soho Goods Loop - Down Stour Goods Loop - Monmore Green Junction to Wolverhampton Logistics Centre (rev) - Up Stour Goods Loop - Soho Junctions -Down Perry Barr Goods Loop - Bescot - Portobello Junction - Wolverhampton - Oxley Down Goods Loop - Cosford Down Goods Loop - Wellington - Shrewsbury Down Main - Wrexham - Gresford - Chester (break) - Crewe area (via Up Chester Independent - Up Independent - Basford Hall) - Stafford - Rugeley - Walsall - Dudley Run Round Sidings (rev) - Walsall - Sutton Park - Castle Bromwich Jn - Up Derby Goods - Washwood Heath Yard - Down Derby Goods - Camp Hill - Lifford Curve - Birmingham New St. From Shrewsbury to Chester traction was 56 105 - seen at Wrexham (above) by George Jones ... ... and 66 075 on the rear. Steam Miscellany'Double Heading' home for Christmas. 37 516 Loch Laidon and 'Black 5' 44871 working West Coast Railways empty coaching stock from Southall back to Carnforth on 22 December, seen approaching Crewe at Basford Hall Junction. Picture by Robert Meredith. 44871 has recently been hauling a number of 'Cathedrals Express' steam excursions from London to various capital cities, and also visited the Swanage Railway for the Autumn Steam Gala while based at Southall depot. At Crewe station the engines separated with 37 516 continuing onto Carnforth with the coaches, while 44871 and support coach headed back home to the East Lancashire Railway. 60103 Flying Scotsman crosses Whalley Viaduct on the Clitheroe line with a Manchester Victoria - Carlisle charter, 22 December (Greg Mape). Northern BelleOn Tuesday 18 December, 57 313 heads a Coventry - Chester Northern Belle excursion pas Balderton Crossing between Wrexham and Chester. 57 314 was on the rear (Bob Greenhalgh). On Saturday 21 December, the luxury train was in action again as train 1Z30 'Northern Belle', 11:11 Liverpool Lime Street - Holyhead, passing Bangor at 13:44, 57 314 leading ... ... 57 313 on the tail. Readers will recall that both these locos were once common in North Wales as power for the 'Premier Express' service. Pictures by Jim Johnson. Ancient and Modern - with George Jones
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