NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY :NOTICE BOARDRheilffordd arfordir gogledd Cymru: Hysbysfwrdd
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06 January 2025![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Forthcoming events See our Calendar Page for operator details. January 2025 Cancelled due to weather Friday 10 January. Altrincham Electric Railway Preservation Society "Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Engine Sheds" by Noel Coates of the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Society. Monday 13 January A private LSL charter from Crewe to Holyhead and back. This train will be hauled by 46100 "Royal Scot" on what will be its last run for the time being. Class 40 D213 Andania will also be on the train. Monday 20 January Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales Branch Bromborough: AGM followed by: Jon Penn “A Miscellany of Railways” (Non M,C&NW members and Non-RCTS members will not be able to take an active part in the AGM) February 2025 Wednesday 5 February Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales Branch Liverpool: Chris Poole “Czech Railways” Thursday 6 February Clwyd Railway Circle David Jones and Dave Southern “Annual General Meeting” followed by “Rails to Bala” Friday 14 February. Altrincham Electric Railway Preservation Society "Macclesfield Area Railways in the 1950s and 60s" by Martin Welch. March 2025 Saturday 1 March - Railway Touring Company - 'The Mancunian' from Manchester Piccadilly to Llandudno and Holyhead via Altrincham. Steam hauled. Thursday 6 March Clwyd Railway Circle Jeff Nicholls “A Baptism of Fire and Water-My First Wolsztyn Experience” Part One Friday 14 March. Altrincham Electric Railway Preservation Society "Navigation Road and All That" by Ted Buckley. Local rail scenes, mainly of steam, from the 1960s in the Altrincham and Dunham Massey areas and elsewhere taken by Ted's father Bill Buckley. Monday 17 March Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales Branch: Charles Roberts “On Line Transport Archive (OTA) Images” April 2025 Wednesday 2 April Merseyside, Cheshire and North Wales Branch Liverpool: Paul Shackcloth “L & Y Engines at Work, Part 3” Speaker and Subject TBC Saturday 5 April Saphos Lakelander from Llandudno Junction to Carlisle. Diesel to Lancaster and return, steam from Lancaster, return via Cumbrian Coast line. Saturday 5 April UK Railtours - The Snowdonian. No further information available at present. Saturday 11 April Pathfinder Tours 'Cambrian Coast Express' from Swindon to Pwllheli Friday 11 April. Altrincham Electric Railway Preservation Society "Steam, Diesel and Electric in the Northern Fells" by Ian Pilkington. A joint meeting with the Irish Railway Record Society Manchester Branch. Saturday 12 April Midland Pullman Torbay Riviera Pullman from Chester, Wrexham General and Ruabon to Paignton. Saturday 19 April Northern Belle - Settle and Carlisle Steam Special. Wrexham General and Chester to Carlisle via the S&C. Diesel to/from Carnforth, steam for remainder. May 2025 Thursday 1 May Northern Belle "Conwy Castle & Bodnant Gardens" charter from Coventry It includes other off-train options. Saturday 5 May - The Victorian Festival (Intercity). Birmingham International to Llandudno and return with a pair of LSL class 20s. Saturday 9 May Pathfinder Tours 'Cambrian Coast Express' from East Midlands Parkway to Pwllheli Saturday 10 May UK Railtours Llandudno and Chester. London Euston to Llandudno Junction and Penmaenmawr freight yards. Saturday 16 May Pathfinder Tours 'Cambrian Coast' Express from Bristol Temple Meads to Pwllheli Saturday 31 May Northern Belle Conwy Castle & Bodnant Gardens from Cardiff June 2025 Friday 20 June Northern Bellee Spirit of Travel Lunch. Circular tour picking up at Chester and Wrexham General. Diesel hauled. Friday 20 June Northern Belle Champagne Afternoon Tea. Circular tour picking up at Chester and Wrexham General. Diesel hauled. ![]() Saturday 21 June North West Rail and Transport Collectors Fair Crewe Alexandra Football Club 10:00 - 16:00 Thursday 26 June The Railway Industry's "Three Peaks by Rail" will be down the Coast on the evening of 26 June and heading onwards in the early hours of 27 June. July 2025 Saturday 5 July Railway Touring Company "North Wales Coast Express" from London Euston to Llandudno. Electric to Crewe, with steam along the Coast. Sunday 13 July Railway Touring Company charter from Liverpool to Holyhead on with steam throughout. Tuesday 15 July Midland Pullman Yorkshire Coast Pullman from Ruabon, Wrexham General and Chester. August 2025 September 2025 Friday 5 September Clwyd Railway Circle To be announced Saturday 5 September Pathfinder Tours 'Cambrian Coast Express' from Cardiff Central to Pwllheli Wednesday 10 September - Snowdonia Statesman. Cardiff Central to Blaenau Ffestiniog. Saturday 12 September Pathfinder Tours '.Cambrian Coast Express' from Bristol Temple Meads to Pwllheli Wednesday 17 September Midland Pullman Settle and Carlisle Pullman. From Ruabon, Wrexham General and Chester. Saturday 20 September Northern Belle Settle and Carlisle Steam Special. Wrexham General and Chester to Carlisle via the S&C. Diesel to/from Carnforth, steam for remainder. October 2005 Friday 3 October Clwyd Railway Circle To be Announced Wednesday 8 October - Snowdonia Statesman. Durham to Blaenau Ffestiniog. November 2005 Friday 7 November Clwyd Railway Circle Jeff Nicholls “A Baptism of Fire and Water-My First Wolsztyn Experience” Part Two Saturday 8 November Northern Belle Settle and Carlisle Steam Special. Wrexham General and Chester to Carlisle via the S&C. Diesel to/from Carnforth, steam for remainder. North Wales Coast Railway website created and compiled by Charlie Hulme |
![]() On 3 January 66 751 Inspiration Delivered, Hitachi Rail Europe arrives at Penyffordd station with 6M42, Avonmouth Hanson Sidings to Penyffordd Cement. The route from Avonmouth was via the Severn Tunnel which meant the train arrived earlier than normal. Picture by Stephen Dennett. Mid-Cheshire miscellany - pictures by Greg Mape![]() 66 764 on the 07:26 passes Hale station looking very dirty on the 07:26 from Liverpool Biomass terminal, 3 January. ![]() 66 602 09:20 from Bredbury to Runcorn Light Engine, 3 January. ![]() Approaching Altrincham station, 66 119 on the 14:18 from Peak Forest Cemex to Dallam Freight Depot, as tram 3052 heads for Piccadilly. ![]() A snowy Baguley Metrolink station on Sunday morning 5 January. Trams were running normally despite the snow. ![]() In the afternoon, a Manchester Piccadilly - Chester train formed of 156 429 and 156 425 passing the site of Baguley's Cheshire Lines station, closed in 1964. It has been rare in recent times to see a Sunday passenger train running on this line due to shortage of staff, and existing staff not wishing to work overtime. Voyager Fairwell - by Geoff Morris![]() A trip to France meant an Avanti service to London on the afternoon of Thursday 12 December, prior to a Eurostar to Lille the next morning. The 15:32 from Chester was formed of Voyagers 221 109 and 221 108 which were due to go off-lease the following weekend and join the CrossCountry Voyager fleet. This would be the last time that I'd travel on one of them in Avanti service. Consequently, some photos had to be taken to record this event. December in Tywyn - by Richard PutleyOver the Christmas break I spent a few days in Tywyn, where my brother Derek lives and volunteers on the Talyllyn Railway. ![]() We drove from Malvern to Tywyn on Boxing Day. The following day, Friday 27 December, while Derek worked his shift, I walked out to the level crossing north of Tywyn on the Cambrian Coast line to photograph the trains which pass at Tywyn at 11:25. 158s are still the order of the day on the Cambrian; the 197s have yet to supplant them. 158 837 was on the 11:25 to Machynlleth (ex Pwllheli). ![]() The following day, Saturday 28 December, we took the 10:30 from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn. At the moment, the line remains blocked by fallen trees between there and Nant Gwernol. So all trains are terminating at Abergynolwyn. The Red Path is also blocked but we managed to find a way to get up onto the Forestry Road which crosses the blocked section of line. I photographed several fallen trees which we could see from the level crossing. Following lunch at the excellent Railway Inn, Abergynolwyn, we returned to Tywyn on the 14:10 from Abergynolwyn. ![]() Sunday 29 December my brother was again volunteering on the TR. Once again I took the 10:30 to Abergynolwyn. I returned from my perambulations there to find a works train hauled by Diesel Loco No 11 Trecwm loaded with tree branches! In fact earlier in the day, the 10:30 from Tywyn had overtaken it at Brynglas. ![]() When the 14:!0 from Abergynolwyn arrived at Brynglas, I was able to photograph No 1 Talyllyn arriving with the 14:10 from Tywyn. On both days the 12:20 from Tywyn to Abergynolwyn and the return service from there at 14:10 were hauled by No 2 Dolgoch. I returned to Malvern by train on Monday 30 December. I took the 09:25 from Tywyn. Although advertised as a through train to Birmingham, it in fact terminated at Machynlleth. We had to change platforms in order to board the 10:08 to Birmingham International (ex Aberystwyth) which was a single 2 car 158. It was full and standing by the time we got to Shrewsbury. A punctual arrival at 11:15 meant it would wait here for 15 minutes before its booked departure time of 11:30. I had originally intended to stay on it to Birmingham New Street. But on seeing that the 11:15 from Shrewsbury to Cardiff (ex Holyhead) was 5 minutes late I decided to jump ship and chance my arm at Hereford. The 11:15 was a 2 car 197 but I managed to get a seat on it. Meanwhile a check of Real Time Trains showed that the 10:50 from Birmingham New Street to Hereford was running time; this would form the 12:40 back from Hereford. A 10 minute late departure from Shrewsbury meant our ETA Hereford would be 12:15. But this would be plenty of time to catch the 12:40. As we left Shrewsbury I saw 3 locos on Coleham Bridge Depot: 37 405, 97 302 "Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways" and last but certainly not least 97 304 "Tal-y-llyn Railway". At Hereford the incoming train from Birmingham arrived on time and I boarded it after a comfort break followed by a visit to the Buffet. A few minutes before departure time, 12:36 to be precise, the 12:40 from Hereford to Cardiff (ex Crewe, 11:44 off Shrewsbury) arrived, formed by a Mk4 set with 67 016 at the rear! If only I'd waited at Shrewsbury! The 12:40 to Birmingham departed on time which meant I got to Malvern half an hour earlier than planned! A big thank you to my brother Derek for his hospitality! Finally I'd like to wish you and everyone who either contributes to the site or just enjoys reading it each week a Happy and Successful New Year! From Dave Sallery's archive![]() 25 322 and 25 267 near Mostyn on 27 October 1983. The train is to be refilled with coal from Point of Ayr for ICI Northwich. A few months later the colliery went over to full 'Merry-go-Round. working to Fiddlers Ferry. ![]() A line up of yesterday's traction at Crewe on 27 March 1991. 58 021, 86 620 and 86 256 are doing the honours. ![]() 31 421 Wigan Pier in Regional Railways and 37 111 head an up train past Mostyn on 15 August 1992. Looking Back: South Coast steam and electric 1961 - by David Pool![]() Class 70 today refers to the General Electric Co-Co diesel locomotives, but the title was previously used for the Bulleid “Booster” electrics built in the 1940s. The first two, CC1 and CC2, were built in 1941 and 1945 in Brighton Works and Ashford Works respectively, becoming 20001 and 20002 in the BR numbering system A third locomotive was built in 1948 at Eastleigh by BR, being a little heavier with some equipment changes. The “Booster” referred to the arrangements for maintaining a steady current by means of a flywheel fitted motor generator, which overcame the problems of gaps in the live rails. On 10 July 1961 20003 was arriving at Newhaven Harbour with the 09:30 departure from London Victoria. The timetable showed Paris as the destination, but passengers would be conveyed by mailboat to Dieppe, as there were no train ferry facilities at Newhaven – at that time motor cars would be craned on and off the ship at Newhaven and Dieppe. ![]() Through trains to Brighton from the Midlands would generally be routed via Eastbourne, where the train would need to reverse. This was a good place for photography, with steam locomotives on these trains and an assortment of WR and SR coaches. In the afternoon of 10 July 1961 the 1040 from Wolverhampton had arrived at Eastbourne, and departing at 1643 for Brighton was headed by Class K 32342. This was one of the very useful ex LBSCR Mixed Traffic locomotives designed by Billinton, and was withdrawn in 1962. ![]() On the following day 32337, the first of the Class K locomotives, was arriving at Eastbourne with the train from Wolverhampton, according to my notes, but the four coach set 195 is more typical of the stock for local services from London, so I may have been mistaken. Set 195 was disbanded later in 1961. The locomotive on the left was 32342. ![]() Photographed from the platform at Brighton station on 12 July 1961, an unexpected sight was one of the Adams Class 0415 “Radial Tanks” from the Lyme Regis branch, which had just been withdrawn and was travelling to the Bluebell Railway, another image being in the Notice Board of 4 March 2024. All the indications of BR ownership (crest, number 30583 and shedplate 72A) had been removed or painted over, with only the LSWR number 488 to be seen. ![]() A Billinton Class E4 32479 was still in steam at Brighton on that day. This was to be the last E4 withdrawn, in June 1963. The only surviving E4 has been 32473, which went to the Bluebell Railway in 1962 and is now LBSCR 473 Birch Grove. ![]() Back at Eastbourne on 14 July 1961, the motive power for the 10:03 to Wolverhampton was a Bulleid “West Country” Pacific 34100 Appledore, which had been rebuilt in September 1960. The footplate door appears to be open, and possibly the footplate was being hosed down. Any suggestions? ![]() When I visited the Bluebell Railway on 15 July 1961 the “Radial Tank” 488 was already in service, and was being admired at Sheffield Park. The coaches had been acquired from the Metropolitan Railway in 1960, and Class P 323 Bluebell (previously 31323) was on the rear. ![]() Another interesting locomotive was at Sheffield Park on 15 July 1961. After its retirement from Dorking Greystone Iron Works in 1959, Baxter went to the Bluebell Railway in 1960. Between 1932 and 1947 it had been named Captain Baxter. It had been built by Fletcher, Jennings at their Lowca Works in Whitehaven in 1877, and had their modified Allan straight link valve gear. Other Fletcher Jennings locomotives are Talyllyn and Dolgoch from the Talyllyn Railway. Baxter was eventually restored to steam in 1982, but its size has precluded it from hauling normal passenger trains, and it appeared only on special occasions such as demonstration goods trains. It is currently a static exhibit. Home page | Archive | Previous Notice Board |