NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY:NOTICE BOARD
Rheilffordd arfordir gogledd Cymru: Hysbysfwrdd
04 April 2022
Contributions to the Notice Board are welcome, although they may not always be used, due to time constraints, especially if they don't follow the file name convention given on the Contributions Page.
Forthcoming events
Charter trains, and meetings, may be subject to cancellation or postponement. See our Calendar Page for Club and Society details.
April 2022
Saturday 23 April Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways: 'The Snowdonian' an 80 mile round trip over the whole railway with a variety of motive power.
Monday 25 April RCTS Chester David Powell “Merseyrail Fleet Replacement”
Saturday 30 April Vintage Trains North Wales Coast Express
Class 20 x 2: Tyseley Locomotive Works - Llandudno & return
Saturday 30 April Northern Belle: 'Conwy' WCRC Class 47/57 York - Llandudno Junction & return
May 2022
Friday 13 May Pathfinder Tours Cambrian Coast Express. Oxford - Pwllheli
Friday 20 May Pathfinder Tours Cambrian Coast Express Bristol- Pwllheli
Friday 27th May Vintage Trains Cambrian Coast Explorer 1
(diesel) Dorridge - Pwllheli and return
June 2022
10-11 June Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways ‘Cwrw ar y Cledrau’ returns in 2022 with a vibrant mix of Real Ales, Steam Trains, and Live Music. Regular steam-hauled trains will also be running throughout the weekend. Updates will be posted on www.rail-ale.com.
July 2022
Saturday 2 July Vintage Trains Cambrian Coast Explorer 2 (Vintage Trains) (diesel) Stratford-upon -Avon - Aberystwyth and return.
2 -3 July Llangollen Railway Classic Transport Weekend
Sunday 17 July 2022 Railway Touring Company. Steam The North Wales Coast Express Liverpool -Holyhead and return.
Tuesday 19 July Railway Touring Company. The Welsh Mountaineer Steam Preston Blaenau Ffestiniog and return.
30-31 July : Welsh Highland Railway Centenary and Celebrations:
A weekend of heritage trains operating between Dinas and Rhyd Ddu (as South Snowdon is now known) to celebrate the reopening of this section of line.
August 2022
Friday 12 August Pathfinder Tours Cambrian Coast Express Cardiff - Pwllheli
September 2022
Friday 2 September Clwyd Railway Circle: “The Greatest Railway Builder in the World” A 60 Minute Talk on the Life and Times of Thomas Brassey by Peter Bolt
3-4 September Llangollen Railway Diesel Weekend
Saturday 3 September The Cheshireman steam (6233) Norwich - Chester and return (diesel Peterborough - Norwich)
Friday 9 September Pathfinder Tours Cambrian Coast Express. Oxford - Pwllheli
24 September Trailffest Half Marathon : An Event Train will be provided to take the competitors from the event centre at Porthmadog to the start of the race in Tanygrisiau, the cost of which is included in the entry fee.
Friday 7 October “Fond Memories” A look back over 70 years of Railway interest by Larry Davies
7-9 October: Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways: Vintage weekend.
8-9 October Llangollen Railway DMU railcar weekend
November 2022
Friday 4 November Clwyd Railway Circle: “A trip by Norwegian Railways to Hell (and back).” Geoff Morris
Saturday 5 November Llangollen Railway Ride the Rocket Firework Train
December 2022
Friday 2 December Clwyd Railway Circle: “Members Selections & Christmas Celebrations” Members are invited to give a 15-minute presentation of their choice (Any format). Contact David Jones 01244 537440 to book a slot.
(see our Calendar page for meeting venues)
North Wales Coast Railway website created and compiled by Charlie Hulme
3-car 197 101 passes Bagillt, 29 March. When will we get a chance to experience the stiff suspension of the new Spanish train? Picture by Stephen Dennett.
Miscellany
A long haul on a class 150: 150 262 passing Colwyn Bay ...
... en route from Llandudno Junction to Cardiff on 2 April , still in old colours (Greg Mape).
Stephen Dennett writes: 'On Monday 28th March the Margam/Dee Marsh/Margam steel ran to an altered schedule, which meant I didn’t have to get up too early to see 66 039 on the return train through Buckley!'
Another convoy of Colas power, this time returning to Westbury as the 11:23 from Crewe Basford Hall, comprising 66 848, 70 809, 66 850 David Maidment OBE and 70 808. Seen here at Shrewsbury Golf Course on 4 April (Graham Breakwell).
Yet another bridge bash
Barrie Hughes writes: 'The Borderlands Line was blocked from mid morning on 30 March awaiting structural engineer inspection following yet another bridge bash. A lorry carrying a pile of skips had hit the overbridge near Cefn-y-Bedd station, apparently a regular occurrence. The A541 was also closed for some hours. Freight services were cancelled but some of the passenger trains operated at reduced speed over the bridge, with others cancelled. Is there no end to this madness?
On the Welsh Highland - pictures by Greg Mape
Not long out of Caernarfon on 3 April, Loco 130 with the 11:30 'Gelert Explorer' to Beddgelert races a pair of cyclists. This year the railway's offer takes the form of a range of named packages, as explained on their website.
This section of line was originally part of the standard-gauge Caernarfon - Afon Wen line of the London and North Western Railway, closed by British Railways in the 1960s, breaking the link between the North Wales Coast and Cambrian Coast routes.
Corris Railway news - press release
Another significant step in the revival of the narrow gauge Corris Railway in Mid Wales was achieved on Saturday. A new traverser at Corris station was used for the first time to allow an engine to run round a set of passenger carriages. This will be a regular feature from the Easter weekend when the line begins its 2022 passenger services.The traverser, constructed by Statfold Engineering, will allow locomotives to be at the head of their trains in both directions on the railway for the first time since 1948 when the original line closed.
The first locomotive to be moved on the traverser was the Ruston and Hornsby four-wheel diesel hydraulic number 6, which already holds a place in the railway’s history as having worked the initial passenger trains after re-opening between 2003-05.
Further progress will require considerable funds to be raised via donations and grants. Donations can be made online via www.corris.co.uk or cheques, payable to Corris Railway, can be sent to Corris Railway, Station Yard, Corris, Machynlleth, SY20 9SH.
Picture selection - by Alastair Graham
150 281 comes off Hawarden bridge ...
... and 150 257 on the approach viaduct, 31 March.
A Carlisle to Longport Colas freight paused at Warrington Bank Quay on 25 March, with 70 809 and 56 302. The load is waste spoil and ballast for recycling.
Runcorn station on 25 March: the 12:52 Chester to Liverpool Lime Street formed of 153913 and 153 325 ...
... and the 13:30 Runcorn Folly Lane to Northenden empty refuse containers with 70 020 in charge emerges from the Folly lane branch.
197 010 on test passes Rhyl on 28 March ...
... where new security gates with cameras and keypads are being installed at the engineers' sidings (Roly High).
Cambrian re-opening (1)
The Shrewsbury - Machynlleth line has fully reopened. 'Storm Franklin' in February, caused washouts in 33 different locations over half a mile on the Newtown side of Welshpool Station.
The extensive repair work has included the removal of 3000 tonnes of debris, 4000 tonnes of new ballast being laid, three tamping shifts to realign and level the track, 800 metres of double track replaced, new hedgerows planted, clearing of 11 culverts and installation of new fencing and telecoms cables.
In March, Network Rail announced millions of pounds in emergency funding to further protect this section of the line. Engineers are currently working on a resilience solution for this section of railway which will see rock armour installed along the embankment.
Cambrian re-opening (2)
The first day of April saw the official opening to passengers of the Oswestry station - Weston Wharf section of the former Cambrian Railways main line, now operated by the Cambrian Heritage Railways. The current running section is two miles long, but there are plans for further extension.
Cambrian archaeology - unearthed by Graham Breakwell
Spotted alongside the dynamic loop about three miles south of Welshpool station, is this a dilapidated piece of Cambrian line heritage?
Any thoughts about the cast iron equipment behind the plant pot? It seems to have a moving pointer below the numerals 6,5,4,3,2,1,0. The crossing leads to farm fields only alongside the River Severn.
From Dave Sallery's Archive
Push-pull fitted 47 702 Saint Cuthbert on test from Crewe works at Prestatyn, 30 January 1987. Later renamed County of Suffolk on transfer to Network South east, it was cut up at Toton in January 2005 by which time it was in Virgin livery.
In the early weeks of the Class 37/4 era, 37 422 Robert F Fairlie passing Talacre signal box, 19 June 1993. The train is the 10:15 Blackpool - Holyhead.
Behind are the buildings of Point of Ayr Colliery, which closed in 1996; there is little of no trace of the colliery today.
56 091, 37 162 and 37 521 in the former banker siding at Manchester Victoria, 25 April 1992. In the distance, the coaches of a loco-hauled 'club train', an idea of the above-mentioned Stephen Cornish. Visit Victoria today and weep!
On Barmouth bridge - images by Kate Jones
Four pictures, the first two show the bad state of surface of Barmouth viaduct ...
... and the improved state.
Then two showing safety measures introduced to the track at each end of the wooden structure.
Work is still on going; I hope the metal replacement goes well this autumn.
Valley works - report by Stuart Broome
On my way to Valley 'boot sale' on Saturday 2 April (which is next to the line), I saw a track blower slowly going through the station. Network Rail Switch and Crossing Stoneblower DR 80301. Its name is Stephen Cornish who I knew when he was Buxton Area Manager . [His autobiography, Day Return: The Railway Career Of A Career Railwayman is recommended.- C.H.]
I returned on Sunday to take some shots in the sun, and noticed the road was closed to traffic.
Part of the level crossing missing, the parts stacked in the road.
A prelude to the re-laying of the track through this location.
Looking back: Steam and Diesels 2002 part 4 – by David Pool
The Rail Express Systems liveried 47 757 Restitution was a familiar sight in 2002 on the North Wales Coast with a rake of ex First Great Western coaches. On 29 May 2002 it was between duties at Chester. It was originally D1779, then 47 184 County of Cambridgeshire, based at Stratford and embellished with the silver roof as usual.
On 1 June 2002 the celebrity Class 46 46 035 Ixion was working a Pathfinder Railtour from Yeovil Junction to Holyhead. The returning train 1Z47, 15:17 from Holyhead, is passing Beeches Farm. The headboard shows “Bertie’s Birthday Bash”, but I’ve no idea who Bertie was! Ixion was previously 97 403, and is currently preserved as D172 on Peak Rail.
47 757 Restitution was passing Shotton on 2 June 2002 with the 14:05 Holyhead to Birmingham, and a matching set of Mk 2 First Great Western Coaches. It was soon to gain EWS livery, and the name Capability Brown, but unfortunately it did not survive many more years, and was cut up in 2006.
The Queen was visiting North Wales on 11 June 2002, and the Royal Train was being used. With the usual security associated with Royal Train movements, it was not easy to find information on timings or routes. The only published information was that she would be leaving Llandudno Junction by train in the late afternoon, having been travelling by road to other appointments.
I wanted particularly to photograph the Royal Train coaches, so it seemed best to plan to see the empty stock working to Llandudno Junction from Holyhead. The obvious location to choose would be the Conwy Cob, as there would be no crowds and no closure of footbridges and lineside access points. Eventually I got the shots I wanted, with a nice background of Conwy Castle. The sun was not out, and the Royal Purple of the coaches looked rather dull, but 6233 Duchess of Sutherland hauling the Royal Train was a special occasion.
On the rear of the Royal Train was 47 787 Windsor Castle, looking immaculate as might be expected. This locomotive is now part of the West Coast Railways fleet, but currently stored. (dp38193).
I reckoned that I had time to get a final shot after the train had left Llandudno Junction, so I hurried on the old road to Abergele as far as Penmaen Head, where there was a convenient lay-by at what used to be the site of Hotel 70 Degrees. 6233 made a nice picture as it climbed towards Llysfaen. I was surprised to see relatively few cars keeping pace with the train, with overtaking traffic perhaps unaware of the occasion.
I was photographing at Casey Lane (Basford Hall Junction) on 22 August 2002 when something unusual approached on the Down Slow line. Seeing a Class 66 (66 166) with a couple of coaches and a wagon. I realised that it was a nuclear flask train, so I got a few shots and noted what numbers I could. At the time I was more familiar with Inspection Saloons, and recognised DB 999509 and DM 45020. The flask wagon was one I had not seen before, and I didn’t get its number.
With the information now available on the Internet, I have learned that this was one of two wagons built by Bombardier in 1994 for nuclear loads, replacing previous wagons which had been subject to a 35mph limit. The new wagons had four bogies each, and were designed to run at speeds up to 60mph. They were numbered in the MODA series as 95782 and 95783, and were classified as KXA in the TOPS system. These were clearly successful, and Bombardier built two more similar wagons to a modified design in 1997, now familiar to Railway Modellers as the Accurascale KUA wagons 95770 and 95771. In 2002 there were a number of trains between Devonport and Sellafield as nuclear submarines were being decommissioned, and all four Bombardier wagons were used. The 1994 wagons lasted until around 2010, but the 1997 wagons are still in use.
The current plan on the Severn Valley Railway to paint steam loco 34027 in purple livery to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee is not universally applauded, but a purple Deltic may have set a precedent. On 23 September 2002 9016 Gordon Highlander was taking 1Z55, the 08:15 Newtown to Carlisle, and is at Croes Newydd. It appears to have been a Pathfinder tour, running via the Settle and Carlisle line.
Diesel gala at Chinnor, 3 April - report by Richard Putley
The diesel gala at the Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway was the first Gala I've been to this year and it had some North Wales connects. After all, Princes Risborough is on what was the GWR's “Northern Line” to Chester and Birkenhead. Plus classes 37s and 50s, which featured in this gala also have connections with the region.
I drove to Chinnor, arriving at 10:05 where I was greeted by the sight of 37 227 on their set of Chocolate and Cream BR Mk1's. Behind it you can see the body of a former Cambrian Railways coach which in more recent times has served as a Buffet, but not at the moment. The 37 than ran into the sidings behind me in the photograph. (I'm looking north, towards Princes Risborough).
Out of the yard then came 50 008 Thunderer now wearing Hanson and Hall grey livery, hauling 3 -CEP EMU 1196.
I travelled on the CEP to Princes Risborough. After watching it run round, I photographed it depart back for Chinnor. The vehicle nearest to Princes Risborough sports the short lived 'Jaffa Cake' livery of circa 1985.
At Princes Risborough, they provided Brake Van rides with Network South East liveried 08 825 in between trains. This gave a chance for a run up the Headshunt at the London end of the station.
Parked in one of the sidings is an old coach. I gather it was ordered by the LNWR before the grouping, but delivered in 1923. It used as a mess coach by C&PR staff at the moment.
I then photographed 37 227 arrive at Princes Risborough with the Mk1s. The track to the left at the moment is just a siding. But plans are afoot to extend it and provide a second line into the station. This will avoid using a siding that belongs to Network Rail and the consequent access charges!
Incidentally they occasionally have open days where you can visit Princes Risborough North Signalbox, part of which they plan to turn into a working museum along similar lines to Exeter West which you can visit at Crewe Railway Heritage Centre. The next such open day will be Saturday 7 May.
On my return to Chinnor I found that visiting HST Power Car 43 066 had been couple ot the opposite of the CEP from the 50. So I had another trip to Princes Risborough and back so I could be hauled by it. I believe it had come with another ex East Midlands Railways Power Car and a Mk3 coach, but I could not see them anywhere.
I did have a wander along the road which runs parallel to the sidings beyond Chinnor station. But a tall fence makes photograph difficult apart from at the gate at the far end. There I spied a GWR Autocoach (not listed on the C&PR's official website) and Class 122 'Bubblecars' W55023 in green and W55024 in maroon.
Having had all the diesel locos that were running for haulage, I decided to return home after an enjoyable day.
'Driver for a Fiver' and Berwyn Shutles at Llangollen - press release
A 66 year-old shunting locomotive that can usually be found doing unglamorous jobs like moving locomotives and carriages around in sidings will take centre-stage at the Llangollen Railway this Easter. The Class 08 diesel-electric Shunter No 13625 will be allowing visitors to fulfil childhood
dream by trying their hand at being a train driver and for just £5 a go!
The diesel-electric shunter, affectionately nicknamed “Gronk” due to the distinctive noise made by its 350hp English Electric diesel engine, was built in 1956 at Derby Locomotive Works. The 08 will also be working a new and shorter shuttle service between Llangollen and Berwyn Stations, which
will run in-between the three daily steam and diesel trains that run between Llangollen and Carrog.
The Driver-for-a-Fiver experience will run in Llangollen station and allow those over 12 (under 16s must be accompanied by an adult) the chance to drive the locomotive for a short distance along the platform and back. Driver-for-a-Fiver is available between 11:20-12:05, 13:15-14:15 and 15:35-
16:15. Tickets can be purchased on the day.
With a return journey time of 50 minutes, the Berwyn Shuttle allows those looking for a shorter trip the chance to travel to the beautiful Berwyn station in the scenic Dee Gorge. There is a station tearoom and it is also possible to take a walk to the Chain Bridge or nearby Horseshoe Falls and
return back to Llangollen on a later train if desired. Departures from Llangollen are 10:20, 12:15, 14:30 & 16:30, with returns from Berwyn at 10:50, 12:16, 12:45, 14:26, 15:00, 16:31 & 17:00. Tickets cost £8.50 for adults, £5 for a child and £7.50 for seniors, purchasable from Llangollen station on
the day.
The rolling stock the shuttle will use is also interesting and quirky (see picture above), adding a bit of character to the experience. There is a converted open freight wagon, which has seating and a canopy. Travelling in this is a real outdoor experience and you’ll be able to hear the river as well as see it. There is covered accommodation for the less adventurous – a converted LNER pigeon van, which is fully enclosed but with nice, large windows. This vehicle is nearly 100 years old and was built to carry racing pigeons around the country.
The events will run in April on Sat 9th & Sun 10th, Sat 16th, Sun 17th & Mon 18th, Sat 23rd & Sun 24th and Sat 30th. In May they will run on Sun 1st & Mon 2nd.
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