Three Towns Forum
Members' Lounge => Hobbies and Interests => Topic started by: Merddin Emrys on May 30, 2011, 10:42:15 am
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I've always liked Deltics and it was great to see this news item this morning on the BBC sometimes you just can't beat the old stuff! D)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13592652 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13592652)
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The Deltics were always my favorite loco's!
$bounce$
http://rowla.dyndns.org/justin/img/piston_deltic320.mpg (http://rowla.dyndns.org/justin/img/piston_deltic320.mpg)
Now that's an engine!
Napier Deltic engines also powered ships.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier_Deltic (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier_Deltic)
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Remember Spitting Image? This was their take on railway privatisation. Remarkably astute methinks.
http://www.britishrailways.tv/british-railways?task=viewvideo&video_id=1864 (http://www.britishrailways.tv/british-railways?task=viewvideo&video_id=1864)
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I've always liked Deltics and it was great to see this news item this morning on the BBC sometimes you just can't beat the old stuff! D)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13592652 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13592652)
I had a big blue friction toy Deltic when I was a kid... loved it.
But.. where have they been for 30 years? Have they been waiting in sidings like Green Goddess fire engines, rusting away?
Have they been maintained? I just assumed they had all been broken up.
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I've always liked Deltics and it was great to see this news item this morning on the BBC sometimes you just can't beat the old stuff! D)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13592652 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-13592652)
I had a big blue friction toy Deltic when I was a kid... loved it.
But.. where have they been for 30 years? Have they been waiting in sidings like Green Goddess fire engines, rusting away?
Have they been maintained? I just assumed they had all been broken up.
Six class 55's have been preserved and are still running today. They are kept at Barrow Hill.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_55 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_55)
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This may get Dave interested in them:
The opening titles of Get Carter (1971) feature shots of the journey to the north on the East Coast Main Line, filmed from the front of a Deltic, and the interior of the rolling stock. Another Class 55 in rail blue livery passes in the opposite direction. Some of this footage is shot at Selby as the train passes the BOCM factory.
In the same film during the scene in which Carter is checking his late brother's car in a scrapyard, one end of a Deltic can be seen leaving shot over the viaduct in the background.
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more here!
http://www.royalscotsgrey.com/index.php (http://www.royalscotsgrey.com/index.php)
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I have only just found this railway section in the hobbies. I think I should have put my trip on the train last week in here. Here are two photos of the engines being moved, one at the start at Porthmadog and one at the end at Caernarfon.
I saw the engine called Merddin Emrys and realised where your name comes from Merddin!
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yes the name Merddin Emrys is from the Ffestiniog Railway, which we must revisit very soon! We are members and it's worth considering joining as we receive free travel on the Ffestiniog and Talyllyn Railways and just have to pay about one third of the price for the Welsh Highland Railway, it costs us £46 for the year (for both of us)
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Sometimes there are cheap fares on the Festiniog to Porthmadog railway but these are for residents of Conwy and Gwynedd. As the Llandudno to Ffestiniog railway is free for the over 60's a railway fan I know did the journey with his brother and then continued on the other train to Porthmadog and back for under £10.00 for the two of them.
If you wanted a great day out for a reasonable amount then you could add the Porthmadog to Caernarfon on (on the reduced fare)
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I put this link on 'Exploring the area' the other day
and for cheap travel on the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway you need
'Y Cerdyn' / 'The Card'
'Y Cerdyn' / 'The Card' is available to all homeowners and permanent residents in Conwy County Borough, Denbighshire, Flintshire, Gwynedd, Anglesey & Wrexham and is valid for 5 years.
'Y Cerdyn' / 'The Card' entitles the holder to a 66% discount on fares on both the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways. Cards must be produced when buying your tickets.
Costs just £15 and available here
http://www.festrail.co.uk/ycerdyn.htm?mn=14 (http://www.festrail.co.uk/ycerdyn.htm?mn=14)
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Yes the name Merddin Emrys is from the Ffestiniog Railway
I always thought it was from 47145! :'(
Then I noticed the different spelling...Merddin....Myrddin. 8)
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Yes the name Merddin Emrys is from the Ffestiniog Railway
I always thought it was from 47145! :'(
Then I noticed the different spelling...Merddin....Myrddin. 8)
Thats a modern imposter (although the spelling in Welsh is correct I think) this is the original (many times rebuilt!)
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Thats a modern imposter
It sounded much better though. 8)
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Yesterday at Tal Y Cafn
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$cool$
LMS 8F class 2-8-0 heavy freight locomotive. (In BR livery)
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With having no locomotive on the rear it did a run round at Blaenau and came down tender first, a strange sight seeing a big black flat fronted loco coming towards you with the steam coming out further back.
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This site has some good pics on it from years ago (all copyrighted!)
http://www.2d53.co.uk/index.htm (http://www.2d53.co.uk/index.htm)
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Not exactly a main line railway but I had forgotten about this miniature one.
http://www.abergelepost.com/460.html/gwrych-station (http://www.abergelepost.com/460.html/gwrych-station)
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Hugo - I can remember seeing the one at Gwrych but don't recall actually travelling on it. One miniature railway also forgotten is the one near the summit complex on the Great Orme. I do remember going on this and, of course, both places were operated at the time by Leslie Salts/Randolph Turpin. Last time I was up the Orme I thought I could see a small cutting through which the railway passed.
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I can't remember that one either Cambrian! Maybe I'm having too many senior moments or your memory years are longer than mine. ;D
I can remember the one on Colwyn Bay Prom though but perhaps that one is a more recent one.
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The Colwyn Bay prom one was opened on 29th June 1953 - may be some reports in the newspapers at the time Hugo.
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The railway was built, we believe, around 1948 (named after then then new-born Prince), and operated by the local council for a while until sold to a private operator, believed to be a Mr Wilkinson, in 1952. The mixture of cars in this postcard is redolent of that period, with some pre-war black ones and a couple of 'modern' types.
The locomotive was sold (does it still exist) was replaced in 1971 by a 'Hymek'-style diesel model, and later by a very ugly internal-combustion locomotive named Dylan, which can be seen along with other views of the line, on a flickr website run by 'trainsandstuff.' The great changes of the 1980s, as the new A55 road was driven through the town and the shopping centre was built on the railway goods yards site, also saw the end of the railway, which (we believe) closed in 1987. Special thanks to David Lloyd and George Jones for help with this item.
Colwyn Bay has seen at least three other miniature railways. One apparently ran in Eirias Park around 1970, and another, portable, system, known as the 'Narrower Gauge Railway' - built by a Richard Morris - was installed in the same Park in 1991, and ran for a few years.
http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1112c.htm (http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1112c.htm)
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Colwyn Bay Miniature Railway 1985 - a set on Flickr http://bit.ly/xPuOVF (http://bit.ly/xPuOVF)
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We had a great day yesterday at the llangollen Railway, to be precise, at Glyndyfrdwy station. We had our Triumph Spitfire on display which gave us free entry and free rides on the railway D) We travelled behind Britannia to Llangollen and wow did that engine sound great! then back from Llangollen behind Tornado, only built around 4 years ago, remarkable! The railway is well worth a visit!
(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/penrhynpigeons/DSCN1098.jpg)
(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/penrhynpigeons/DSCN1143.jpg)
Tornado
(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/penrhynpigeons/DSCN1156.jpg)
(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/penrhynpigeons/DSCN1106.jpg)
(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/penrhynpigeons/DSCN1111.jpg)
(http://i1088.photobucket.com/albums/i331/penrhynpigeons/DSCN1117.jpg)
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We were driving home from Moelfre yesterday when a friend said that he was curious about a bridge that was sited in a field in Pentraeth Anglesey that had no apparent purpose. When we reached the Bull Inn in Pentraeth we stopped and had a look at the bridge and true enough there wasn't a river beneath it or a train track although to its southern side was the possibility of a cutting in the field.
Anyway he found this item on the internet and it was a cattle/pedestrian bridge over the railway that went to Benllech.
http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/wales/archive/bbc-north-west-wales-history-red-wharf-bay-railway.pdf (http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/wales/archive/bbc-north-west-wales-history-red-wharf-bay-railway.pdf)
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I saw these two wonderful wooden models of trains in an opticians shop window and thought they may be of interest to any railway enthusiasts out there. The first photo is a Spanish train and the second an American one.
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Superb! BBC 4 had a documentary about the train set last week. 'Twas an interesting watch.
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Excellent models! There is a good series of programmes on BBC2 at the moment about the building of the Welsh Highland Railway, on at 7pm, the first two programmes have been shown last night and tonight, I expect it is on I player though.
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Fantastic craftsmanship and attention-to-detail in those models.
I wonder if they remain unpainted because it would detract from the grain of the wood, or such like?
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Excellent models! There is a good series of programmes on BBC2 at the moment about the building of the Welsh Highland Railway, on at 7pm, the first two programmes have been shown last night and tonight, I expect it is on I player though.
Yes, thanks ME, we have been watching that programme and found it very interesting.
Just checked back on the forum and saw that we did the trip in August 2011. I hadn't realised that it had only fairly recently been opened then until I saw the programme.
I also hadn't appreciated the amount of voluntary work that had gone in to making it and about the disapproval of the project from some.
Fester, Yes I think you must be right about leaving the bare wood.
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HS2, I have not done any research on the subject, but gut instinct tells me that it is a total waste of money just to reduce journey times to and from London for business people. I believe that the money would be better spent on lots of local projects over the whole of the UK to help many more people. Any thoughts?
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HS2 is one of those 'great' projects, that would never be undertaken by private enterprise. The costs are eye-watering, that's for sure, and I suppose the great debate is about whether it's a good use of billions of pounds. What did surprise me, slightly, was the relatively small savings over current travelling times. If it could do Manchester to London in 30 minutes, then - yes - probably a good idea. However, I'm guessing that the thinking behind the scheme is to enable the Scots to travel to places like Paris and Berlin with significantly shorter journey times than at present. And I suppose that'll be good for the economy.
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Back in the 19th Century, almost the entire UK railway network was built in little over one decade. Now, it will take twice that time to build one railway line.
One railway line costing £34,500,000,000 does seem ridiculous!
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The whole spending ethos of Government is a complete mystery! :rage:
I cannot see the benefit of saving an hour on a 200 mile journey. Is time THAT important? ?{}?
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Why do all these business people need to keep travelling so much anyway? Surely a lot of it can be done over the Internet?
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One railway line costing £34,500,000,000 does seem ridiculous!
Roughly the same as the entire NASA budget for the 1960s.
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HS2 is needed .
Both East and West Coast Main lines are reaching capacity NOW. Before twenty years and they will not be able to cope with the increase in traffic.
Why does it always take so long for this country to get on and build things ?
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Why does it always take so long for this country to get on and build things ?
Because we're a democracy?
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Why do all these business people need to keep travelling so much anyway? Surely a lot of it can be done over the Internet?
A very good point Merddin.
For example, I used to attend the Spring Fair (A Trade Fair for Buyers) in Birmingham twice a year.
However, someone decided to put the whole shebang on a website, where you could browse the exhibits online, and see all the wholesale information.
Since the inception of that idea, I have not attended for the last three years.
So, they plead with me every year to attend... as 'numbers are very low these days'
The very scheme they developed has caused that to be the case.
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Freight trains can not travel over the internet .
Believe me the system is reaching breaking point now and something has to be done now, not in 20 years time.
How is it that France,Germany Spain etc get on and build transport inferstructure and in this country we just talk about it.
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More here, nice to have your home valued at zero!
http://stophs2.org/news/7567-its-official-hs2-homes-completely-worthless (http://stophs2.org/news/7567-its-official-hs2-homes-completely-worthless)
It’s official – HS2 makes homes completely worthless.
Posted by Joe on Jan 30, 2013Add comments
Jan
30
2013
The full extent of blight caused by HS2 has been officially rated at 100% by a building society, as the Woolwich Building society officially valued a house near the proposed line at £0. The former post office is around 450 metres from the proposed HS2 line in Turweston, Bucks, near Brackley, which is well outside the 120 metres within which the Government is proposing homes would receive automatic compensation. Given that a home 450 metres from the line has been valued at nothing, it is likely the mortgage lender sees the entire village of Turweston as completely worthless.
Former postmistress Elfrida Harper-Tarr, 97, had the home on the market for £275,000 and had received an offer for the property last year, but the buyer failed to get a mortgage after The Woolwich valued the property at zero pounds and zero pence.
In a statement, The Woolwich said;
“In the future there will be disruption during the construction of the rail link and there will be ongoing impact affecting the quiet enjoyment of the property. The [HS2 proposal has] had a significant prejudicial affect on property in the village and none have been recently sold on the open market. This property is therefore not considered a suitable security for normal lending purposes.”
Ms Harper-Tarr, who is blind, left the property for residential care in August, which is costing £3,500 a month, with her family saying the money is going to run out in three months. Her 76-year-old son, Mike, said:
“It’s going to be a bit late in the day for a lady who is blind and totally relying on carers to keep her alive. You’re faced with needing someone who is willing to pay cash and does not require a mortgage. This is going to be repeated up and down the country because people aren’t going to rush to buy a house near the HS2 route.”
The house was due to be bought by Lizzie and David Babister who live on the same street, and have had a remortgage application on their current house turned down, also because of the drop in value caused by the HS2 plans. The Harper-Tarr family will now apply for compensation under the Exceptional Hardship Scheme, which in two and a half years has only paid out to 16% of applicants.
Stop HS2 Campaign Coordinator Joe Rukin said;
“Last week Patrick McLoughlin said the ‘upset’ of HS2 was worth it. Well he should get himself down to Turweston, or indeed anywhere near the route and tell them that and we’ll see if he gets out alive. We have heard of many estate agents telling people their houses are worthless and demanding their fees up front before marketing properties, but this is the first time we have seen an official zero valuation from a lender, and the situation is only going to get worse.”
“The Government keep talking about the supposed benefits of HS2, but they have made no effort to calculate the disbenefits construction or of lost businesses, amenities or home values, and without those calculations their entire case for HS2 is simply fraudulent. We estimate there are 172,000 properties effected by Stage 1 on HS2 alone, with a monetary value of £5bn. The Government spin is that they will be ‘generous’ with compensation, but the truth is only 16% of applicants have been paid up in two and a half years so far. They have turned a blind eye to how property blight effects the lives of real people and how it will effect the economy, because they don’t want to hear anything bad about HS2. They have to take steps to compensate anyone experiencing loss fully, and it they can’t afford to do that, they can’t afford HS2.
A consultation on Phase One compensation ends at Midnight on 31st January.
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It's true that anyone living in close proximity to the proposed route Will find their property devalued to an unacceptable extent once any solicitors do searches.
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Why does it always take so long for this country to get on and build things ?
And by the time the've done it, we don't flipping (good word) need it! WWW
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This is an interesting article and super photos about the story of an old underground railway carriage which was found being used as a garden shed and has been restored in North Wales. What a lovely job they have done as well.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2278578/Worlds-oldest-Underground-carriage-used-GARDEN-SHED-restored-glory-108-years-retired-Circle-Line.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2278578/Worlds-oldest-Underground-carriage-used-GARDEN-SHED-restored-glory-108-years-retired-Circle-Line.html)
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Yes another excellent job from Boston Lodge, the railway workshops of the Festiniog and Welsh Highland Railways! $good$
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Shame it's not actually going to be used! Great restoration job, though.
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We had another great trip on the Festiniog Railway last Saturday!
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You can find real time train information for any station or particular signal box on this website. It also shows freight train movements:
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/LLJ?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt (http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/search/advanced/LLJ?stp=WVS&show=all&order=wtt)
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Had a journey on this a few days ago. A brand new Swiss train. Looks a real mean machine doesn't it?
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A couple of weeks ago we had a nice day in Llangollen and a trip on the train. Was glad my Brother in Law told us to sit on the platform side of the train going up - not impressed with the toilet facilities when we got up to Carrog - just one ladies and one gents and a full train.
Has anybody had lunch at the Chainbridge Hotel? Have looked on Trip Advisor but varied revues.
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Had a couple of days away in Leeds and York, places we have been many times.
This time however, we decided to drop into the National Railways Museum, although I have never been that interested in trains.
Well, I AM NOW! Because the museum is fantastic and was way above my expectations.
I never knew that such original exhibits as The Mallard are on display there.
We had other things to do, but I didn't want to leave the museum, and I am already planning to return very soon.
Plus... it's FREE!
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We had other things to do, but I didn't want to leave the museum, and I am already planning to return very soon.
It's a superb venue. We spent two days there during the July heatwave last year. Must put some photos up...
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Have a look at this website - all 6 Streaks will be at Shildon in February. (County Durham)
http://www.nrm.org.uk/planavisit/events/mallard75.aspx (http://www.nrm.org.uk/planavisit/events/mallard75.aspx)
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Fester, you missed a treat during Summer 2012. $good$
http://threetownsforum.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1797.msg50161.html#msg50161 (http://threetownsforum.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,1797.msg50161.html#msg50161)
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Had this sent today-- what a skilled job !
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CDgQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJvIXAZaHMos&ei=bI_eUpuHHajB7Abv8oGgBA&usg=AFQjCNE8wNQkWw83pNs4HEXrGC3Hd-_yIg&bvm=bv.59568121,d.ZGU (http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&ved=0CDgQtwIwAg&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DJvIXAZaHMos&ei=bI_eUpuHHajB7Abv8oGgBA&usg=AFQjCNE8wNQkWw83pNs4HEXrGC3Hd-_yIg&bvm=bv.59568121,d.ZGU)
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A lot of skill there! Looks like the Cambrian Coast Railway will be closed for a few months!
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We are back from a trip to Palma, Mallorca. One day we travelled from there to Soller on a lovely old train and then the tram from Soller to Puerto Soller. There is some wonderful mountainous scenery along the way and many old olive trees and orchards.
http://www.trendesoller.com/en/cms.php (http://www.trendesoller.com/en/cms.php)
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Nice! We traveled on that back in March 88! Not been abroad since!
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Oh no! I hope it didn't put you off for life. The flights are probably a lot cheaper now than in the eighties.
Anyway, I'm glad you have experienced it for yourselves.
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Nothing bad happened it was a great week! Just so much to see in the UK!
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Nice photos Hollins and they brought back some lovely memories of Mallorca when we stayed at Puerto Pollensa. I drove to Soller and then parked the car in Soller before catching that rickety old tram down to Puerto Soller, you could nearly touch the oranges and lemons as you passed through the groves
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Yes, you are right there Hugo. It was the orange and lemon festival while we were there. The shop windows were all decorated with them and this display was by the church.
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For some reason, that image reminds me irresistibly of the final scenes in the film version of the Quatermass and the Pit. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062168/)
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Had a good time at the Llangollen Railway this weekend, nice weather too!
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For some reason, that image reminds me irresistibly of the final scenes in the film version of the Quatermass and the Pit. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0062168/)
An absolute classic film Ian, a big favourite of mine! I know exactly what you mean...
Merddin, some nice, almost retro-style pictures there!
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Lovely pictures there ME. Are they your photos? They look like old postcards. Beautiful retro scenes just like Fester says.
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Thanks Hollins and Fester, yes all my own pics! Glad you like them! $thanx$
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Some more from Llangollen.
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Carrog Station on the Llangollen Railway.
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ME, you should send one or two of your super railway photos to this BBC article because one of the next themes is railways. Photos due in by 5 August for the railway theme.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-10768282 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-10768282)
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Here are the railway photos that the BBC chose for their gallery.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-28648113 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-28648113)
Did you enter ME?
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Here are the railway photos that the BBC chose for their gallery.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-28648113 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-28648113)
Did you enter ME?
No, I hadn't seen your post about it until now! :-[
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LOOK: Ffestiniog railway's Vintage Weekend to steam into Porthmadog
The Victorian Age will return to Porthmadog and the Vale of Ffestiniog this weekend.
Staff and volunteers at the Ffestiniog Railway will don Victorian dress to add authenticity to the three-day Vintage Weekend which starts on Friday.
The event will feature many of the railway’s collection of 19th century steam engines and rolling stock.
Special trains formed of historic carriages from the railway’s early days will run on the 13-mile line from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Porthmadog each day.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/look-ffestiniog-railways-vintage-weekend-7910178 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/look-ffestiniog-railways-vintage-weekend-7910178)
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WATCH: Hundreds turn up for vintage gala at Ffestiniog Railway video and photos
Hundreds of enthusiasts flocked to the Ffestiniog Railway at the weekend for the annual vintage gala.
Additional trains were laid on as the railway brought out some of their rarely seen carriages for runs along the 13-mile narrow gauge line from Porthmadog to Blaenau Ffestiniog.
Railway staff and volunteers dressed up in Victorian clothes, and a giant carousel in the car park of Porthmadog’s Harbour station added to the Victorian feel.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/watch-hundreds-turn-up-vintage-7925802 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/watch-hundreds-turn-up-vintage-7925802)
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We went to the Festiniog Railway event yesterday, very good with perfect weather!
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A couple more.
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So pleased you were able to go and see that ME. When I saw it was on I thought it would be just up your street.
Some super photos there, looks like a great event.
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LOOK: Nostalgic pictures show North Wales railways through the 20th century
These nostalgic pictures show the railways and train stations of North Wales from the early 1900s right up until 1992.
Some of the stations, such as the one in Llysfaen and the original Wrexham Central, are no longer there meanwhile others have changed their appearances dramatically.
You can see a sleepy station master at Dolgoch Falls, the rail link at Foryd Harbour and 'The Welshman' which transported passengers from North Wales to London Euston.
So take a journey back through the decades where trains ran on steam by clicking through our gallery above.
If you liked this article then you can also have a look at our pictures of North Wales transport through the 1900s.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/look-nostalgic-pictures-show-north-7947121 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/look-nostalgic-pictures-show-north-7947121)
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“The UK Government is also investing over £10m in the improvement of the Halton Curve in Cheshire which is a major bottleneck for trains travelling from North Wales.”
North Wales News
Does anyone have any idea whether this is bringing the much-mooted direct run from Llandudno to Liverpool any closer?
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WATCH: Steam trains run on Llangollen Railway line to Corwen for the first time since 1964
A 1.5 mile stretch of heritage railway line, which shut in November 1964, has been lovingly rebuilt by a team of volunteers, fundraisers and enthusiasts.
The first Express service left Llangollen at 11am, taking six carriages of volunteers, donors and invited guests, in the first of three special services today, marking the reopening of a new stretch.
The Corwen Special service, pulled by the 76-year-old 3802 engine arrived in billowing clouds of steam and coal smoke to whistles and cheers from the small crowd gathered on the temporary platform at the station in Dwyrain Corwen East, bang on time at 11.35am.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/watch-steam-trains-run-llangollen-7980412 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-culture-news/watch-steam-trains-run-llangollen-7980412)
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Talyllyn Railway pioneer Sonia Rolt dies aged 94
David Mitchell, President of the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society said: “With Sonia’s death we have lost another link to those early pioneering days of the preserved railway.
Photos/video Talyllyn....http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/talyllyn-railway-pioneer-sonia-rolt-8040837 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/local-news/talyllyn-railway-pioneer-sonia-rolt-8040837)
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WATCH: Remembrance steam train in Llangollen
The Llangollen Railway ran special Remembrance trains to mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War I.
It was carried by a restored Black Five loco in memory of all those railwaymen who fell in conflicts.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/watch-remembrance-steam-train-llangollen-8084155 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/watch-remembrance-steam-train-llangollen-8084155)
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Iconic Flying Scotsman train bound for Holyhead
http://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/157212/iconic-flying-scotsman-train-bound-for-holyhead.aspx#.VpbOXCdMV9I.email (http://www.northwaleschronicle.co.uk/news/157212/iconic-flying-scotsman-train-bound-for-holyhead.aspx#.VpbOXCdMV9I.email)
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My sister was in York yesterday and she went to see the Flying Scotsman.
Here are a few of her photos and she says she touched the bumpers!
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Where you can see the Flying Scotsman today as it steams through North Wales
A STAND-out and famed locomotive is set to give residents a day to remember when it passes through North Wales today.
The Flying Scotsman will steam into Crewe this afternoon on its way to Holyhead. The masterpiece is expected to pass through Rhyl at about 2.04pm, it will then journey through Colwyn Bay at about 2.16pm before arriving at Llandudno Junction at 2.25pm and stopping for around 20 minutes.
The Journal then understands that the Flying Scotsman will stop at Bangor between 3.07pm and 3.11pm before chugging through Menai Bridge, Llanfairpwll and Gaerwen. It is due to arrive at Holyhead at 3.50pm.
Details of the Flying Scotsman's journey have not be readily available; the masterpiece returned to the East Coast Main Line, an electrified line, after a 10-year, £4.2million refurbishment by the National Railway Museum in February with an inaugural journey from London King’s Cross to York.
The locomotive was greeted by thousands of people lining the route but the day was marred in parts by several dangerous incidents of trespass – where members of the public were seen walking along the tracks and taking photographs of the locomotive while other trains continued to pass on opposing lines.
Phil Hufton, Network Rail managing director, England and Wales, said: “I cannot stress enough how dangerous it is to go onto the railway without any formal training and without permission, as well as being illegal.
”I am urging those who plan to enjoy seeing Flying Scotsman to do so from a safe position and do not go onto the railway under any circumstances. I’d like to thank those who have observed safe practices during the Scotsman’s runs so far and ask others to follow that example.” ref Pioneer
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"Thanks to everyone who sent us their amazing photos of the iconic locomotive as it steamed through the region"
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/your-photos-flying-scotsman-north-11478414 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/your-photos-flying-scotsman-north-11478414)
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Tellytubby sent me a photo from the Anglesey forum and it shows the Flying Scotsman crossing the viaduct at Malltraeth in Anglesey.
He enjoyed watching the train going by in Denbighshire but wasn't pleased with his own photos as they had people's heads in, as the people all jumped up when the train came past
<:<:<:< $bounce$
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Just in case you missed it M.E...............
Historic steam engine the Welsh Mountaineer visits North Wales.
A steam-hauled special train chugged along scenic North Wales earlier today.
With hundreds of passengers on board, the Welsh Mountaineer and its vintage coaches also attracted a number of spectators who lined the way at stations along the line, including Llandudno Junction and Chester.
The day trip from Preston to Blaenau Ffestiniog and back was organised by heritage rail operator The Railway Touring Company.
The visit comes just a month after The Flying Scotsman, one of the world’s most famous railway locomotives, made a special excursion from Crewe to Holyhead.
Video... http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/historic-steam-engine-welsh-mountaineer-11666584 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/historic-steam-engine-welsh-mountaineer-11666584)
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There is a Steam Railway Gala at Llangollen for 3 days from the 3rd March 2017 to 5th March 2017 and it promises to be a good weekend.
If ME has gone there I hope he'll post some photos on the forum. $good$
Click here. (http://www.visitwales.com/event-search/event-search-results/event-search-details?id=1981105&industry=Events&location=Llangollen%2C+Denbighshire&toDate=14%2F01%2F2017+00%3A00%3A00&fromDate=13%2F01%2F2017+00%3A00%3A00&radius=10&filterIds=&city=&price=&latitude=52.9533&longitude=-3.181799&ref=7F85DBD03BC743B6A2427E6E3C4E3F36)
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Direct rail link from North Wales to Liverpool takes giant step forward today
Work gets underway on the Halton Curve that could transform rail links in the area.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/direct-rail-link-north-wales-13329828 (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/business/business-news/direct-rail-link-north-wales-13329828)
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This model railway comes with a house attached to it!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-44044877 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-north-west-wales-44044877)
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Yesterday our walk ended in the cafe on Tan Y Bwlch railway station. After having a coffee we had a good look around the place and the station which is on the narrow gauge Ffestiniog to Porthmadog railway line is well looked after.
When we were there two trains came in, one from Blaenau and the other going to Blaenau and it was encouraging to see that both trains were packed with passengers
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It's a great railway!
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I must admit that I haven't been on it but will have to do it sometime soon. The carriages were full and the station was well taken care of and the views from the train must be stunning
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The loco "190" is actually a modern replica of "Lyd" which used to run on the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway before WW2.
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The incredible 1950s archive footage showing the earlier days of the Ffestiniog Railway
The fascinating footage shows footage of a 1956 promotional video of a journey from Porthmadog to Minffordd.
Unearthed after many years the ten minute long 16mm film begins with a very wobbly car journey along the now very busy A487 to Porthmadog.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/incredible-1950s-archive-footage-showing-15760086 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/incredible-1950s-archive-footage-showing-15760086)
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Great film.
The steam engine, Prince, was still running a few months ago.
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Mull very kindly sent me PDF's about the old Prestatyn to Dyserth railway that ceased operating in the 1960's. The old track is now tarmaced and is a really good place for cyclists and walkers alike.
Mull gets a railway magazine called BackTrack each month and in the December 2018 edition is an article on the Dyserth Branch line. It is shown as Part One and Mull has been in contact with the magazine and they say there will be more articles to come on North East Wales Branches when they have finished writing them. I know that there are a few railway enthusiasts on the forum and thought that they might like to see these articles.
My old mate Tellytubby lived in Dyserth at the time the trains were running and he has told me about the times when they used to run behind the trains and hitch a lift on the back of the train and get off when the train slowed down at the Meliden bend. Naughty boy Tellytubby
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The old Prestatyn to Dyserth railway
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The old Prestatyn to Dyserth railway ( last PDF's )
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There is a youtube clip of an actual train journey from Prestatyn to Dyserth in 1968
I've attached the link below ,the quality is not brilliant but enthusiasts in trains and/or the locality may be interested.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGj65vfwrJg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGj65vfwrJg)
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Thanks for posting that clip Rhuddlan, I didn't notice Tellytubby's little legs running after the train though ;D
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Rhuddlan, I found this clip of the old railway and it's nice that some of the old buildings and bridges still remain there. It's a good walk to do and there is a delightful walk from near the old Dyserth railway station following the river downstream to the well known Dyserth waterfalls. It's one of my favourite walks especially in the Springtime when the wild Garlic, Orchids and other plants are in flower
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZP3er51Izo (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZP3er51Izo)
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Hugo,
Thanks for that. Our mutual friend Tellytuby and I must have walked every path in the Dyserth area (and elsewhere for that matter) many times over the years.
Trevor Thompson, who in my school year in the 60's,wrote a book all about the railway .
Its amazing to see the proposed extensions,indeed they started one section(stopped by WW1as I recall) up from Dyserth up towards Grove and Marian Mills and bits of the track bed and so forth used to be visible, I say that as its some years since I last did it.
I agree a spring day above the waterfalls is pretty difficult to beat.We must do it and then cross the main road and up to Marian Mills ( where incidentally I found out recently one of my ancestors lived in the 1840's.)
Rhuddlan
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I have only just found this Board and have enjoyed looking at the photos of the Ffestiniog Railway, plus Llangollen railway, Flying Scotsman and more. The trips I had on the Ffestiniog Railway and Llangollen Railway were always a wonderful experience. It is due to the hard work of the volunteers that we can relive the days of steam and trains as they used to be (better than these days).
The railways of North Wales are in my blood, could be in the genes too. My mother worked for the LMS in Llandudno station and Deganwy station in WW2. My grandfather was on the LMS but started on the LNER. He was in Llandudno, the Junction and other stations from time to time. He then went on to the commercial side of things and built up that business. He was once offered Chester station but my grandmother refused to move to Chester (from Llandudno), saying it was too damp. She claimed the river brought in the damp and the walls held it in. My gt grandfather started in Mold and later went to Holyhead where he remained until he retired. Then a gt gt grandfather worked in Mold station from 1851 until he died in the 1880s. He started as a Porter and worked his way up to Head Porter!
I am sure I remember my mother talking about the Flying Scotsman coming to Llandudno and breaking speed records for the journey to London. She told me the time it took for the journey and it was less than the current Virgin trains. Does anyone know if that was right?
The train travel in WW2 sounded as though Llandudno station was at its heyday with all the troops coming in and evacuees arriving from London etc.
Helig
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We have enjoyed walking along a number of disused railway tracks in North Wales such as Dyserth to Prestatyn, Bethesda to Bangor, The Mawddach Estuary but my favourite one from the engineering point of view is the one from Cwm Prysor to Trawsfynydd.
The line is carved into the hillside high above the main road and goes over a curved viaduct and there are breathtaking views from it.
I've attached some photos of Cwm Prysor again and also a link to some old photos of the line
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jJtnZWCoLk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jJtnZWCoLk)
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If there were still any investors around prepared to take a chance that would make a wonderful Swiss-style mountain railway and become a great tourist attraction in its own right. Sadly, and it's been the same for as long as I can remember, no one in the UK has the courage to invest.
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This is when and where you can see the Flying Scotsman in 2019
Here are all the dates and locations for the UK tour of one of the best-known steam trains in the world.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/you-can-see-flying-scotsman-16012643 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/you-can-see-flying-scotsman-16012643)
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For those interested in North wales Railways the July edition of Back track magazine has Part Two of the Forgotten Branches of North East Wales.
This is the Kinmel Camp and Foryd Harbour Branch. An interesting read , I never realised there was a railway line into the army camp.
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That would be an interesting read Mull, have you got a link to it? When I lived in Towyn in the 1970's I used to wander through the fields picking mushrooms and came across a rail track and that track seemed to be heading to the quarries in St George so it'll be nice to find out more.
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Put. " Kimmel camp railway." And ." Foryd station" in your search engine for more details.
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Thanks, Mull.
Called at WHS in Colwyn Bay and then Llandudno today. The Back Track mags for July were all returned yesterday when they received the August edition. Seems a bit daft to me - you'd expect the July edition to be on sale throughout the month, not binned half way through. Modern living I suppose.
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A friend of mine who had been following this thread sent me an e-mail which said " Railway at Kimmel camp the outline of the old level crossing is still visible on the Abergele to Rhuddlan Road almost opposite the new solar panel farm ,there is a lodge which I presume is for the original Kimmel Estate ,also when the camp was constructed there was also a narrow gauge railway in the confines of the camp I will send you a photo"
That was interesting for me to hear because that was the field where I was picking mushrooms so it's nice to get a confirmation that there was a railway there at one time. My memory is rather vague of the actual line but I can remember wooden railway sleepers still being there but not if the metal rails were there too.
I remember not long afterwards I had to make a visit to that farm with my job and I got on very well with the farmer's wife and she very kindly said to me " there are a lot of mushrooms in the fields and I would be welcome anytime to go and help myself and pick them " :-[
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Rhuddlan very kindly sent me this link which will be very interesting for those people interested in Railways. Just scroll down and you can see all about the Kinmel Camp railway and a diagram shows the route of the track and where it branches off to the camp and also to the quarry
http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1606e.htm (http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1606e.htm)
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Hi Hugo.
Thought you would be interested in that one. I have been away from Mull for nearly 4 weeks, holiday in Porthcurno , Cornwall and not had access to a printer otherwise I would have sent you a copy. Not sure how legal it is to post a copy of the magazine article on here without permission of the magazine. Don't want this site getting in trouble. Perhaps the Moderator could give guidance on this.
Now back on Mull and feels and looks like November. The garden looks like a jungle there has been so much rain here. Will be a busy week or so getting it looking good again, that's if the rain stops.
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It's fine to post extracts from a magazine, providing we credit the magazine in the post.
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A SPECIAL steam train will run along the length of the Conwy Valley line to celebrate its reopening and the start of the National Eisteddfod. (sorry no dates mentioned)
The line, which was closed in March due to extensive flooding, fully reopened to the public last week.
The train, hauled by double headed steam locos, Nos 48151 and 45690, will run from Chester to Blaenau Ffestiniog, also stopping at Llandudno Junction on the way. https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17810056.steam-train-celebrate-eisteddfod-reopening-conwy-valley-line/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17810056.steam-train-celebrate-eisteddfod-reopening-conwy-valley-line/)
PS Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways has arranged an additional trip for passengers to continue their journey from Blaenau Ffestiniog to Tan-y-Bwlch on the historical narrow gauge railway. The train will depart Blaenau Ffestiniog at 13:10, returning at 15:45.
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The train runs tomorrow (Saturday 3rd) and leaves Chester at 0934 reaching the Junction at 1034. Stop for water, getting to Blaenau at 1310. It will call at Llanrwst North at 1207. Return working is Blaenau depart at 1600, Llanrwst at 1649, Junction at 1727 and arriving at Chester at 1915.
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Thanks Cambrian $good$
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The Conwy Quest steams through North Wales marking reopening of line
The engine chugged through despite one of the stations on the Conwy Valley line remaining closed due to flood damage
Photo's / video https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/conwy-quest-steams-through-north-16693980 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/conwy-quest-steams-through-north-16693980)
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The house (Conway Cottage) in the picture of the full-length train is where I grew up ... my father would be turning in his grave if he saw the garden now, he always kept it immaculate, won the prize for best small garden at Eglwysbach Show on more than one occasion. On the railway side the bushes have grown to spoil the view to the river as well.
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Nice place to grow up in DVT $good
Rhuddlan was disappointed when he saw the steam train at Abergele as it was tender first but Tellytubby saw it when it was returning in the afternoon and the engine was in front
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We were fortunate to be given invites for the Conwy Quest.
Here are a few of my pics.
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$cool$ Bri, lucky chap. The Pioneer has covered the story and included some different videos .........
https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17816244.steam-train-celebrates-start-llanrwst-national-eisteddfod-reopening-conwy-valley-line/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17816244.steam-train-celebrates-start-llanrwst-national-eisteddfod-reopening-conwy-valley-line/)
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I was talking to Bri's friend Arfon at a coffee morning today and Arfon and Bri also had a ride on the narrow gauge railway from Blaenau to Tan Y Bwlch. $good$
Tan Y Bwlch railway station is a really nice place to visit, it's well kept and has a cafe and there are many interesting walks nearby
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The world-famous Flying Scotsman is coming to North Wales later this year.
The steam locomotive travels along the coast on Friday, November 8.
"It will then pass through Rhyl and Colwyn Bay with views of the Irish Sea and the Great Orme in Llandudno.
A break will be made at Llandudno Junction to water the Flying Scotsman, and you will be able to see the locomotive up close during the brief stop."
Full article https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/flying-scotsman-north-wales-november-16855179 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/flying-scotsman-north-wales-november-16855179)
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North Wales rail passengers travelling between Holyhead and London warned of major disruption
Services will be affected over four upcoming weekends with replacement bus services in operation.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-rail-passengers-travelling-17138517 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-rail-passengers-travelling-17138517)
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The hidden past of North Wales' old railway stations - and why you may not even have noticed them
There are more than 180 disused railway stations in North Wales alone.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/hidden-past-north-wales-old-16981576 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/hidden-past-north-wales-old-16981576)
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The iconic Flying Scotsman will be returning to a host of North Wales towns next week.
Trainspotters will be able to see the world-famous locomotive as it passes through the region on its North Wales Coast Express tour on Friday November 8.
The train will take those on board through the Dee Estuary, across the Menai Strait and towards Anglesey - giving passengers stunning views of Snowdonia and the Great Orme along the way.
It's return was announced back in September, with organisers calling the trip a "rare opportunity" for passengers to travel along our coastline behind the Flying Scotsman.
Tickets start at £144 for a standard adult fare with passengers able to enjoy a full English breakfast and a four course dinner with the £310 premier ticket.
The North Wales Coast Express journey originates in London Euston next Friday and will see passengers hauled towards Crewe by the vintage electric 86259 Les Ross.
It's expected to arrive there just before 10am and this is where the Flying Scotsman will be attached to the train for the run to Holyhead.
After leaving Crewe, the tour will enjoy the historic sites of Chester en route to Wales, entering the country at Saltney.
From here it follows the Dee Estuary closely and will then pass through the likes of Rhyl and Colwyn Bay, offering passengers their first glimpse of the Great Orme.
The tour will take a break at Llandudno Junction, offering trainspotters and passengers the opportunity to get even closer to the world-famous locomotive steam train.
The Flying Scotsman will then continue its journey to Holyhead, passing through through Stephenson's tubular bridge over the Conwy and beneath the walls of Edward I's castle.
Passengers will soon head westwards through Penmaenmawr, Llanfairfechan and Bangor - soon passing over the Menai Straits.
The final part of the journey will see the locomotive cross the causeway and reach its destination of Holyhead at around 1.30pm, with a short stop here before the return journey. ref DP
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Should attract a lot of photographers looking for the iconic shot of the Scot crossing the Conwy. And later, crossing the Straits.
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If the train is expected in Crewe at 10am and in Holyhead at 1.30pm, I wonder what time we can expect her in Llandudno Junction?
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The Pioneer's report on the Flying Scotsman's visit........
"The locomotive will start its tour in London and is scheduled to leave Crewe just before 10am on Friday morning and head along the coast passing Prestatyn an hour later. The next stop will be at Llandudno Junction at 11.30am where it will stay for about an hour giving fans of the locomotive the opportunity of a closer look and a chance to shoot photographs. It then leaves for Holyhead where it is planned to arrive at around 1.30pm.
It is timed to depart from Holyhead at 4.05pm for its return run, but the shorter daylight hours mean when it come back through Prestatyn at about 5.30pm it'll be dark"
MORE https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18014896.worlds-famous-steam-locomotive-run-crewe-holyhead/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18014896.worlds-famous-steam-locomotive-run-crewe-holyhead/)
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Thank you, SteveH.
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There have been a couple of posts on this thread refering to Kinmel camp, to those interested, there is a new book out ........
An Old Colwyn author has published a book on the history of Kinmel Camp.
John Johnson spent six years researching and writing the volume, entitled 100 Years Kinmel Camp. It covers the building of Kinmel Camp, the new railway within its confines and the Canadian Riots, and some short stories of units of men who passed through it gates over the past 100 years which included his Great Grandfather William Lees Johnson who served in the Toronto Regiment.
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18038809.history-kinmel-camp-published-old-colwyn-man/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/18038809.history-kinmel-camp-published-old-colwyn-man/)
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Thanks for posting that Steve, it sounds a very interesting read. It's also out in a Kindle version at £5.99
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This photo is part of the DP's best pictures of 2019 https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/gallery/incredible-photos-captured-2019-amazing-17467320 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/gallery/incredible-photos-captured-2019-amazing-17467320)
The Flying Scotsman passes Conwy Castle in November. Photo by David Powell (Click on photo to enlarge)
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When and where to see the Royal Scot and other steam trains in North Wales in 2020
A number of locomotives are set to visit the region in the coming weeks and months.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/royal-scot-steam-trains-north-17579632 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/royal-scot-steam-trains-north-17579632)
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Transport for Wales rail services to be nationalised
The Transport for Wales rail franchise is to be brought under Welsh Government control from next February.
Ministers have confirmed the takeover from KeolisAmey, with day-to-day services to be run by a publicly-owned company.
It follows significant falls in passenger numbers during the pandemic.
The Welsh Tories questioned how much nationalisation will cost taxpayers, while Plaid Cymru called for the Senedd to be recalled.
Economy Minister Ken Skates said the government had stepped in "to stabilise the network and keep it running".
"The last few months have been extremely challenging for public transport in Wales and across the UK. Covid has significantly impacted passenger revenues," he said.
A "new partnership" with the company will be developed to help deliver rail improvements such as integrated ticketing, the Welsh Government said.
Cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-54635421 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-54635421)
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I may have misunderstood but I thought that is what we already had - Keolis Amey running day-to-day operations and TfW providing policy steers and and interface with Welsh Government. So does a new company performing day-to-day operations simply mean the removal of Keolis Amey ? Possibly anything new could just be a WG-owned shell with directors drawn from the Cardiff Bay Repertory Company.
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This photo of the Flying Scotsman was taken about two years ago on the viaduct at Malltraeth on Anglesey. Tellytubby spotted it on facebook and said that it was me with the red fleece hat standing on the embankment, My claim to fame! ;D
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Llangollen Railway to enter receivership as debts mount
They said that 'significant engineering contract disputes' have led to liabilities they can't meet
Llangollen Railway PLC is set to go into receivership due to mounting debts.
The company that runs the heritage railway line is inviting its bank to appoint a receiver.
They said it followed pre-tax losses of £330,601 in 2018, £329,175 in 2019 and £258,804 in 2020 (pre-audit).
They said a "number of significant engineering contract disputes, all of which arose in the years prior to the current board taking over in October 2020" have crystallised in the last few days.
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llangollen-railway-enter-receivership-debts-19940208 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llangollen-railway-enter-receivership-debts-19940208)
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A POSH train described by actor Bill Nighy as “the Grand Duchess of luxury travel” will make a rare red carpet trip from Llandudno next Friday (September 10).
The Northern Belle, with its distinctive umber and cream 1950s-style Pullman carriages, regularly brings parties of day-trippers to the town.
But this is the first time this year the train, once part of the Orient Express group, has picked up passengers from the town.
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19554074.luxury-train-make-rare-red-carpet-trip-llandudno/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19554074.luxury-train-make-rare-red-carpet-trip-llandudno/)
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Hourly trains between Llandudno and Liverpool among raft of new services promised by TfW
Transport for Wales' plans for the network have been delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic but will be delivered in the next three years
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/hourly-trains-between-llandudno-liverpool-21685321 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/hourly-trains-between-llandudno-liverpool-21685321)
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When this was first trumpeted, it seemed to be at the expense of the current, more or less hourly, service to Manchester Piccadilly/Airport. Presumably that is still the case. The Manchester services were being diverted to Bangor and/or Holyhead instead.
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NORTH Wales will retain its direct rail links with Manchester Airport under new rail route proposals praised by business leaders amid fears over their economic impact.
Politicians and business leaders had feared that North Wales could lose the service after three new timetable options were put forward by transport chiefs at the start of the year, with the possibility of further increasing what are already lengthy journey times for rail users between the regions, with potential consequences for tourism.
The proposals by the UK Government's Manchester Recovery Task Force (MRTF) aimed to boost the performance of the Manchester area rail services and stated concerns that the train service from Holyhead to Manchester Piccadilly was contributing delays to other services. A new pattern of running the service through to Manchester Airport was introduced in December last year, which resulted in the loss of an additional peak service, however there were concerns that the direct airport link would be scrapped altogether.
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19643765.north-wales-rail-link-manchester-airport-continued-win-residents-tourism/ (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19643765.north-wales-rail-link-manchester-airport-continued-win-residents-tourism/)
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Full steam ahead for 'world class' Snowdonia heritage railway after Lotto windfall
The cash will allow the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway to offer 'a high-quality tourism experience' that brings real benefit to the North Wales economy
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/full-steam-ahead-world-class-21843790 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/full-steam-ahead-world-class-21843790)
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New pictures show scale of £1bn ‘ambitious and complex’ Welsh Metro project
The scheme aims to create a 'modern, integrated and sustainable transport network that supports modern lifestyles'
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-pictures-show-scale-1bn-21909378 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-pictures-show-scale-1bn-21909378)
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Funny Llandudno doesn't seem to feature on the map.
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All a load of hot air.
When is someone going to authorise electrifying Crewe / Warrington to Holyhead., including Llandudno ?
Should have been done 50 years ago. Would have cost less than was spent tunneling under the Conway for the A55 at the time.
Not saying A55 should not have been improved but think of the difference it would have made. If it was on the continent it would have been done.
Different time, but what a difference it would have made
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It is interesting to see they propose to reopen stations at Broughton and Greenfield. Or it could be they are going to build new ones in those locations? I can understand Broughton as the traffic situation is grim round there now. It would serve the factory and shopping development. I am not sure why they would want to reopen Greenfield though. I presume the new station at Deeside would cater for the industrial estate there. As you say, Llandudno does not feature in this, I think the future of the station is doubtful in the long term.
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I think both Broughton and Greenfield would be new stations. The original Broughton & Bretton station was on the line to Mold rather than the coast line. Greenfield would be roughly on the site of Holywell Junction station of which little remains other than the privately owned station building and associated living quarters.
In 2019/20, Llandudno was used by almost 280,000 passengers - even allowing for Covid reduction - so perhaps its future is rather more secure than might be thought.
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Thank you Cambrian. I did wonder about this but had forgotten that Broughton and Bretton was on the Mold line. The station buildings are still there but have been converted to residential accommodation.
Disused stations (http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/b/broughton_and_bretton/)
According to this (https://www.google.com/search?q=broughton+and+bretton+railway+station&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=jClKGKyBbjoFiM%252Cj55e2eY6ruSYmM%252C_%253BKePArV6VswcF3M%252CZHsKhLW7tfpvvM%252C_%253BKurSErg7yo-LTM%252CuRa4LZ7d-JxmeM%252C_%253BJO4nJxO1kFmBJM%252CZHsKhLW7tfpvvM%252C_%253BtLQjgZY8Y4RjjM%252CZHsKhLW7tfpvvM%252C_%253BSvZQslGX86K5cM%252CZHsKhLW7tfpvvM%252C_%253BJ8ECUrBixadRVM%252CKl21kzr8KdeN5M%252C_%253Bo5ho_BBhdeOv5M%252C7e7XGqrSvlcvcM%252C_%253BMxvl4FQrcT_y7M%252C5GfIvsVmGLXwCM%252C_%253BMC5f2C-G44ii-M%252CuW-cS8HLP8TaKM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kTe78u5XqZM_vGW-n_bqHRGPqzT6A&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi4vcy_3ufzAhWLecAKHWF1ANQQ9QF6BAgnEAE#imgrc=KurSErg7yo-LTM) it now houses a veterinary practice:
I had no idea of the amount of people that used Llandudno station. It is good to know it has a secure future on that basis.
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In 2019/20, Llandudno was used by almost 280,000 passengers - even allowing for Covid reduction - so perhaps its future is rather more secure than might be thought.
I wish I could share your view, Cambrian, especially with my family’s Victorian connection with the line.
However, should our railway line ever become disused then that three mile stretch of land that remains will be highly attractive and sought after by developers.
Thankfully for the time being, we have individuals locally who will never allow that to happen.
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I share a family interest in the line too as my mother and grandfather worked for the railway in Llandudno and other stations in North Wales. My gt grandfather started out working in Mold station but went to Holyhead and stayed there until he retired.
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Just an addition, my mother worked in Llandudno station in WW2. She met my father when he appeared at the booking office window one day. At one time she worked in Deganwy station and talked of seeing the Mulberry Harbours being built. Very hush hush at the time.
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This was my grandfather's brother who also worked on the railways in his short life:
https://sites.google.com/site/holyheadwarmemorial19141918/home/army/harold-o-ackerley-royal-irish-rifles
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Fascinating social history there guys. It's a shame that there's such a preoccupation with locos, trains and engineering structures rather than the human stories of the railways.
Incidentally, Helig, just in case you were not aware, Harold joined the LNWR on 18th January, 1915 (at £30 pa!) and was initially at Nantlle Goods. He transferred to Gaerwen as a junior clerk on 10th January, 1916 with an increase in salary of a princely £5. He then went to the wages staff at Conwy.
Bri - talking of female staff, I think there were a few around here to fill the gaps left by men joining the forces. You may have seen that a statue has been erected in London to the first black (male) driver. Llandudno possibly had the first black woman porter, the late Joyce Taylor, who retired around 1967.
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Very interesting, Cambrian.
My family connection is my Gt Gt Grandfather and his family moved into the Railway Cottage at Maesdu well before Maesdu Bridge was built.
As a child, my Gt Grandmother, Elizabeth, used to open and close the crossing gates and developed the nickname Lizzie Crossing.
As a consequence, her sons (my uncles);were eventually nicknamed locally as Joe Crossing and Dai Crossing.
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Freight trains return to North Wales rail line for first time in years after quarry upgrade
A train carrying hundreds of tons of stone recently travelled from North Wales to Liverpool
It was the first train from the railhead since 2012 and the first freight train on the coast line since trains carrying nuclear flasks from Wylfa power station ceased in 2019.
The upgrading work has been carried out as part of Hanson Aggregates’ rail strategy to reduce vehicle movements and cut associated CO2 emissions.
Hanson have invested approximately £300,000 to repair, renew, and refurbish the facility.
This includes upgrades to the railhead conveyor that was last used in 2012, before which the rail link was used on a regular basis to supply ballast to Network Rail.
The first train, operated by GB Railfreight, consisted of 23 wagons which are capable of carrying up to 80 tons of material with each service capable of carrying the equivalent of 110 lorry loads.
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/freight-trains-return-north-wales-22722663 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/freight-trains-return-north-wales-22722663)
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Fascinating social history there guys. It's a shame that there's such a preoccupation with locos, trains and engineering structures rather than the human stories of the railways.
Here's an interesting bit of social history from 1871. Thomas Barlow was married to Margaret Jones, sister of my Great-grandmother, Harriet who married Robert Thomas. (Their son, John was the husband of Nain Thomas, Cwm Place, known to Hugo).As far as I can determine, Thomas and Margaret had 11 children, at least one of whom died in infancy. There is a further article from the same year detailing his success with his garden potato crop which produced a massive yield. The variety he planted, for any gardeners interested, was “Bovinia”.
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How HS2 could look in North Wales as rail group renews calls to electrify the coast line
Currently the high speed rail service is not set to enter Wales despite the project being classed as an England and Wales project
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/how-hs2-could-look-north-23931179 (https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/how-hs2-could-look-north-23931179)
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Real ale and steam fans will be raising a glass to the return of a popular beer festival which helps put North Wales tourism on the tracks. The Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railways' ?Cwrw ar y Cledrau? real ale festival is back after several years on the buffers due to the pandemic.
The 'Rail Ale' festival as it is also known, is in its 16th year, and returns to the historic Dinas Station, near Caernarfon, from Friday, June 10, until Saturday, June 11. Originally, the brain child of the Welsh Highland Railway Society, largely organised by volunteers, the festival is run in conjunction with the railway company.
Organisers say, whilst it proves to be "massively popular" with local families the event also give a "huge boost" to Gwynedd and nearby Anglesey's tourism and trade.
The festival provides a vast array of ales, beers and ciders from across, Wales, many from the area's microbreweries, and they are made available in the historic Goods Shed at Dinas Station, which is transformed into a ?tap-room.?
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink-news/ffestiniog-welsh-highland-railways-real-24172181
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Model Railway show to be 'time capsule' of 1950s Deganwy
https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/20271059.model-railway-show-time-capsule-1950s-deganwy/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
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The hidden and not-so-hidden history of Ruthin's railway
The station line closed in 1962 but remnants of the town's railway past remain
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/hidden-not-hidden-history-ruthins-24621178
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People travelling by train to Wales? historic landmarks can now get 2-for-1 entry thanks to a new partnership between Transport for Wales and Cadw.
?It is a great idea and will enable visitors who have a same day rail ticket to get two tickets for the price of one at Cadw paid sites, like Conwy and Caernarfon Castle in North Wales.
"This is not only great for tourists but also for residents who can take advantage of this offer which is running until the end of May 2023."
The 2-for-1 promotion is applicable at the following North Wales Cadw sites:
Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey
Caernarfon Castle, Gwynedd
Conwy Castle, Conwy
Criccieth Castle, Gwynedd
Denbigh Castle, Denbighshire
Harlech Castle, Gwynedd
Plas Mawr Elizabethan Town House, Conwy
Rhuddlan Castle, Denbighshire
https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/20625092.sam-rowlands-ms-welcomes-transport-wales-cadw-partnership/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
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Seeing this promotion, reminded me that tucked away in the TfW website are details of Rover Tickets. These are very cost effective for getting about and are discounted for rail card holders into the bargain. Valid after 0930 Mon-Fri but any time Sat, Sun and Bank Hols.
The Explore Wales Rover enables rail travel across Wales on all operators and includes Chester-Crewe-Salop-Hereford to Newport. It's very flexible as it is valid for 8 days of which you can use rail on any 4 days in the period. Full price is ?99 or ?65.35 with railcard.
There is also a North and Mid Wales version which ends at Shrewsbury but includes the Aberystwyth and the Cambrian Coast. That is ?69 or ?45.55 with card. Both are available at Llandudno, Colwyn Bay or the Junction stations.
Given a day return to Shrewsbury alone is a minimum of ?30.50 (?20 with card) with no flexibility as regards trains, this gives an idea of the savings.
This may be of interest to anyone planning a few days out - strikes permitting of course!
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All the Santa and Halloween train rides in 2022 across North and Mid Wales
Leave it too late and you'll miss out on witches, elves and Father Christmas
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/santa-halloween-train-rides-2022-25199391
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GALLERY: New Transport for Wales train unveiled in Llandudno
THE first of Transport for Wales? (TfW) brand new ?800m fleet of trains was officially launched by minister Lesley Griffiths at a ceremony in Llandudno.
This unveiling took place at the town's railway station on Thursday, January 26.
North Wales Pioneer: Children from Ysgol Tudno in Llandudno turned out for the ceremony. Each pupil was given a goodie bag from TfW.
Children from Ysgol Tudno in Llandudno turned out for the ceremony. Each pupil was given a goodie bag from TfW. (Image: Ryan Lloyd)
The new Class 197 trains, which were built in Wales, offer leather seats, modern air conditioning systems, wider doors and customer information screens.
They provide an increase in capacity and will allow TfW to run faster and more frequent services to destinations such as Holyhead, Fishguard and Liverpool.
cont plus photos https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23286423.gallery-new-transport-wales-train-unveiled-llandudno/
photo The new Transport for Wales train, named 'Happy Valley', was unveiled at a ceremony at Llandudno railway station. (Image: Ryan Lloyd)
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Snowdonia heritage railway station plans move step closer as updated plans are submitted
The Beddgelert proposals are a redesign of a former application which was approved
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/snowdonia-heritage-railway-station-plans-26284355
Vintage loco comes to the rescue after popular Snowdonia path washed away by floods
Just for one day, little Lilla reverted to her original purpose as a quarry locomotive
cont and photo gallery https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/vintage-loco-comes-rescue-after-26286746
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New Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways timetable means passengers can enjoy sights of Blaenau
Tickets already on sale for this year's exciting services
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/new-ffestiniog--welsh-highland-26380371
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THE ticket booking office at Llandudno Train Station is to open more frequently in line with its "normal operating hours".
Passengers wanting to buy tickets face-to-face at Llandudno Train Station had raised concern over the ticket station "always being closed due to staff sickness."
A spokesperson for Transport for Wales (TfW) responded: ?Due to some late-notice resourcing issues at Llandudno, we have recently had to close the booking office on a small number of occasions.
?Throughout this period we have maintained the ticket vending machine at the station to ensure there is always an alternative means to purchase tickets and staff have continued to visit the station.
?We have been working to resolve the issues and the booking office has returned to its normal working hours.?
According to the Transport for Wales website, The ticket office operates: 8.30am until 3pm between Monday and Friday, 9am until 4pm on Saturday and 10.10am until 5pm on Sunday. ref pioneer
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Besides the recent closure of the booking office and general sheltered facilities, the early closing of Llandudno has been the source of complaint since the refurb of the station in 2014.
There seems little rhyme, reason or logic in TfW's staffing hours and they bear little relation to passenger usage as the following indicate for 2021/22 from ORR:
Flint 188,000 passengers; 0615 - 2115
Colwyn Bay 207,000 passengers; 0615 - 1915
Llandudno 240,000 passengers; 0830 - 1500
Llandudno probably has a higher higher of enquiries from visitors regarding train times, fares etc. but then TfW, reflecting its masters, has little interest in promoting holiday or excursion traffic.
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Avanti West Coast given new six month contract to run trains between North Wales and London
Rail services between North Wales and London have been badly impacted since the pandemic
The Department for Transport said there had been "significant improvements" since October although passengers continue to complain about cancelled and delayed services. Back in October a decision was taken to introduce a recovery timetable which has significantly reduced reliance on overtime working. Overall services across the West Coast Main Line have increase from 180 trains per day to 264 on weekdays ? the highest level in over two years.
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/avanti-west-coast-given-new-26510998
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Update on above..
DESPITE being handed a short-term contract extension, stripping train operator Avanti West Coast of the franchise remains a "realistic option", according to an MP.
Robin Millar, MP for Aberconwy, said he speaks "regularly" with rail users about their experiences of travelling with Avanti West Coast.
?An improvement in services has been reported since December," he said.
"I travel standard class between Llandudno and London every week to represent Aberconwy in Parliament and I recognise that there is still a very long way to go, but there has been a slight improvement. However, these improvements come from an extremely poor base and the service is still a long way short of the standard passengers reasonably expect.
"There are still too many cancellations ? with insufficient train staff being the most commonly sited reason for cancellations. This, quite simply, is unacceptable.
cont https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/news/23399017.aberconwy-mp-reacts-avanti-west-coast-handed-contract-extension/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71
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A PLANNED direct train service between Llandudno and Liverpool has been praised as a ?major benefit? for people in the region.
Transport for Wales first outlined plans for the direct service in September 2021, which will see an hourly service between Llandudno and Liverpool and an extension to direct services to Manchester Airport.
These services will be delivered by December 2023, but there is currently no plan for a Llandudno to Cardiff direct service.
Lee Waters MS, Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Welsh Government, told the Senedd: ?There are currently no plans to deliver a direct service between Llandudno and Cardiff.
?Transport for Wales make every effort to ensure good connections at Llandudno Junction to direct services to Cardiff and other destinations.
?They are also working on the plans for the new Liverpool to Llandudno service.?
https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23439289.llandudno-liverpool-service-major-boost-north-wales/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
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Mmm. I wonder if this will be at the expense of the roughly hourly service from Llandudno to/from Manchester Airport/Piccadilly which could be diverted to Bangor/Holyhead instead. WG/TfSW are adept at spinning transport issues: the class 197s - still to run regularly on Conwy Valley despite the "launch" in January- actually have 20 seats and 1 toilet less than comparable 175s which were the mainstay of the coast service.
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The luxury train charging ?3,575 a trip tickets to steam through North Wales today
The Great Britain XV will drop its passengers off for a 'mini break' in Llandudno during its nine day tour of England, Wales and Scotland
A steam engine pulling a luxury train which charges passengers tickets up to ?3,575 per trip is on its way to North Wales. The Great Britain XV left London's Paddington station yesterday (Saturday) en-route to Bristol.
It is due to steam into Wales today - heading on through Rhyl, Llandudno Junction and across Anglesey on a nine day sightseeing tour before returning to Llandudno Junction again for the night this evening. The train's trip through England, Scotland and Ireland has been organised by the Railway Touring Company, and passengers are paying quite the premium to enjoy the holiday.
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/luxury-train-charging-3575-trip-26709074
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Video of locomotive thundering through North Wales harks back to age of steam
The Great Britain XV service is touring the country
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/video-locomotive-thundering-through-north-26726291
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Snowdon Mountain Railway locomotive found ablaze in late night fire
Firefighters were called to the heritage railway's depot and a steam engine's cab suffered 70% damage
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/snowdon-mountain-railway-locomotive-found-27000626
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1960s Midland Pullman service stops at Llandudno station!
https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23565060.1960s-midland-pullman-service-stops-llandudno-station/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
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Avanti is set to cut trains from the North Wales to London route over the peak summer weeks. The operator was already under pressure over its services between the region and the UK capital - with the frequency below pre-pandemic levels.
Now the firm will temporarily make a further cut to services. There will be four fewer trains per day during the week.
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/avanti-slammed-over-plans-remove-27120868
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Surely high time the DfT or ORR took the franchise away from Avanti.
TfW don't seem to be much better running only 67% of pre-Covid level of service.
And people thought British Railways was bad!
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Surely high time the DfT or ORR took the franchise away from Avanti.
TfW don't seem to be much better running only 67% of pre-Covid level of service.
And people thought British Railways was bad!
Virgin didn't even bother renewing their franchise, so poor were the projected returns.
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The idiots in power have just given Avanti a 6 month extension. Talk about rewarding failure you could not make it up.
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Renationalisation of the railways in the UK is long overdue. Along with many of the other public service bodies in the UK, privatisation has been a disaster and not in the public interest. British Rail had its faults but it was far superior to this shower. The next proposal from the UK government is to abolish return tickets and it will only be possible to buy a single ticket. A return journey will require two single tickets. no prizes for guessing that this will be more expensive and passengers will be restricted to the train for which the ticket is booked. They couldn't run the proverbial in a brewery.
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Renationalisation of the railways in the UK is long overdue. Along with many of the other public service bodies in the UK, privatisation has been a disaster and not in the public interest.
But it was in the interest of the Tories, as they managed to get people buying back things which they already owned. Perhaps we get the governments we deserve?
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Anyone recall the "Welsh Dragon" shuttle between Rhyl and Llandudno ?
When introduced - as a local initiative - in 1950, the then District Traffic Superintendent at Chester, F H Fisher, said: "I feel that it is a contribution by British Railways to the enterprise of these resorts and it will no doubt bring in new visitors".
It's hard to imagine any of today's TfW functionaries ensconced in Pontypridd:
a) Mentioning the word "enterprise"
b) Mentioning "visitors"
c) Thinking outside the box to introduce a new service.
At least Fisher had an understandable job title, was well known in his District and introduced many initiatives including the Cambrian Radio Cruise and Welsh Chieftain rail tours. Oh, when things were managed by railway people in Chester and computers didn't say "no"!
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My father worked in Chester Control from 1946 to 1949 and used to talk about Mr Fisher and how well he ran the area.
It was another world then and being based close to the area he understood what the public wanted and how to provide it.
Remember the Land Cruises from when I was a little boy. If I remember rightly one started Llandudno and the other from Rhyl. They ran via Ruthin ,Corwen , Barmouth and Portmadoc. With a stop in Barmouth so passengers could stretch their legs for an hour or so.
Some of the carriages were part of the pre war Coronation Scot train. They knew how to look after passengers in those days.
There was also a train ran from Rhyl to Llanberis, calling at stations on the coast with an Observation Coach on the rear.
Each train had a courier giving a commentary of things to see.
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Thanks for that mull. Yes, you are quite correct about the Land Cruise and Llanberis seasonal trains. There was also a Western Region one from Pwllheli following the same route which allowed time at Rhyl. The Oswestry DTS had thought Mr Fisher's idea was so good he soon managed to introduce the same concept. However, the Pwllheli one did not have such prestigious stock as the LMR ones. Mr Fisher also introduced the Clwyd Ranger which was a diesel multiple unit which made and afternoon excursion from Llandudno to Corwen. There were also diesel evening excursions to Bala as well as Rhyl to Llangollen ones.
Many years ago, a neighbour's brother was one of the Deputy Chief Controllers at Chester and managed to get me a visit to the sanctum of the Control Room - sadly no longer there as everything is now done from an anonymous unit in Cardiff. At Chester, the wall in front of the section controllers comprised a long, fascinating panel showingall the track and sidings from Worleston (just this side of Crewe) through to Holyhead including the branches. By then most of the branches were closed and no longer had track.
I was surprised - and delighted - on a visit to the railway museum at York a few years ago to see that the panel with all this information had survived and safely lodged at the museum. I had often wondered what had happened to the panel as so many historical features in the 60s and 70s was scrapped or burnt so was glad this item had survived through someone's good sense.
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PLANS to introduce more services to Manchester Airport from North Wales have been ditched by Transport for Wales (TfW).
TfW said their new planned service, to link Bangor to Manchester Airport, is not being introduced. It was set to run every hour.
There is currently a direct TfW train to and from Llandudno to Manchester Airport. This was set to change to a 'one train per hour' service from Manchester to Bangor (instead of Llandudno).
The new service would have meant a "slight increase" in frequency and extra stops to Bangor.
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23669190.extra-trains-linking-manchester-airport-llandudno-scrapped/
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You would have thought any infrastructure changes would have been programmed at the time the 197s were ordered.
At the moment, Bangor benefits from a weekday roughly hourly service from TfW of 18 trains towards Chester, 7 to Cardiff, 6 to Birmingham via Salop, 2 to Manchester Airport, 1 Crewe, 1 Junction and 1 Salop. It can be assumed the last three are really stock movements. This pattern is augmented by 6 Avanti services - 5 Euston, 1 Birmingham via Crewe.
From what the TfW spin has been, Llandudno loses the roughly hourly service to Manchester and benefits from an hourly Lime Street service which is actually the Chester/Lime Street extended. So Bangor gets one extra through service per hour towards Chester.
So no real benefit for Llandudno unless you want to go to Lime Street instead!
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THE latest model of Avanti West Coast train visited the North Wales coastline for the first time last week as it made a journey to Llandudno Junction.
Avanti?s new class 805 bi-mode units made a Crewe to Llandudno Junction return trip on Wednesday, July 26.
The trains - capable of running on both electric and diesel power - also made stops at Chester, Rhyl and Prestatyn enroute.
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23689303.new-avanti-train-visits-north-wales-llandudno-junction-journey/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Units 805001 and 805003 at Llandudno Junction railway station (Image: Garry Stroud)
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Llangollen to Corwen - On 1st June 2023, MOH and I attended the official opening of the newly completed Corwen station. The volunteers have done a fantastic job and I think the extension to the line will be appreciated by locals and those visiting the area. We had a great day with only a short delay on the return journey caused by a small trackside fire.
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Re: the pics above. Can you try clicking once on each image, which should return it to the correct orientation. Thanks.
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Actually Ian, I took a couple of them lying down and one standing on my head!
BTW I?m posting!!!
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Midland Pullman. - MOH has informed me that the Pullman is due at Llandudno Station tomorrow at 12.56. It starts its journey at Plymouth and will leave on the return journey at 16.35.
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Avanti West Coast has seen its contract to run trains between North Wales and London renewed in a decision slammed as 'extremely disappointing'. Avanti has been under fire for slashing direct services between the region and the UK capital.
Despite this the UK Government has awarded them a potential nine year deal on the West Coast Line - although it can be axed after three years. It comes after Avanti was handed two consecutive six-month contracts and ordered to develop a recovery plan aimed at addressing poor performance on vital routes, which was largely attributed to drivers refusing to work paid overtime shifts.
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/extremely-disappointing-rail-franchise-decision-27744078 :565:
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I couldn't believe that Avanti had their contract extended when I heard it on the news last night. The service they provide on the West Coast mainline is truly atrocious. Their trains are either cancelled, or delayed, and rarely run on time. When I go to Carlisle is it usual to see the arrival and departure boards showing Avanti trains are bot running. They keep a fleet of rail replacement coaches outside. I wonder quite how they obtained this long contract and won't venture to suggest what I think.
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The former transport secretary has said it would be "crazy" not to review plans for the HS2 rail link as costs have soared.
Grant Shapps told the BBC that the Ukraine war and a spike in inflation mean any government would need to make "serious decisions" on affordability.
The BBC understands a definitive decision on HS2 will be made in the coming week.
The government has so far refused to commit to the current plans.
The prime minister and the chancellor have been discussing the future of the Birmingham to Manchester leg of the project against a backdrop of spiralling costs.
Speaking on the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg programme, Mr Shapps said that no decision had been taken as of yet.
"We do have to respond to the budgets," he said.
"We've been not only hit by the coronavirus, but the war in Ukraine... any responsible government has to ask whether that sequencing still stacks up for what the country requires."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66905316
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Let?s be honest if they wanted this to happen properly they would have started up the north and worked down, complete shambles..
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The whole HS2 Scheme has been badly managed by the Department of Transport and lack of Government control for the past 10 years or more. The rest of the world must be laughing at us, look how even 3rd world countries manage to complete their major projects. I do not think the Tories heart has been in this from the start, all their residents in the Chilterns did not help.
People are being misled by the Media who as usual are failing to give the public the whole picture. All the emphasis is on the passenger traffic and very little is mentioned about freeing up capacity on the conventional railway to handle the growing amount of container traffic which is now being hauled by rail. This is the most important part of the HS2 Scheme.
Once you start on a major project like this it should be pushed through as quickly as possible. Stopping and starting as we do in the UK only increases the end cost. Talk about kicking the can down the road, other nations are leaving us behind.
I
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Update .......Backlash against scrapping Manchester link grows
Criticism is growing over the possible scrapping of the HS2 high-speed rail link between Birmingham and Manchester.
Abandoning the link would be a "gross act of vandalism", former chancellor, George Osborne, has said.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said axing the extension risked creating a "north-south chasm".
Speculation about the rail leg has grown as the government has refused to guarantee that the line will continue between the Midlands and North West.
Speaking on Monday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he would not comment on "that type of speculation".
"What I would say is we're absolutely committed to levelling up and spreading opportunity around the country," he said.
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66909732
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MORE than 65,000 railway passengers flocked to Llandudno over the summer.
Despite the changeable conditions, Llandudno, Barmouth, Barry Island and Tenby all saw a significant rise in customers traveling on Transport for Wales services in July and August.
Llandudno was the top single destination for the summer with 65,046 people visiting the town.
This summer, the Cambrian Coast line saw the return of four-carriage for the first time in six-years thanks to a collaboration between Transport for Wales and Network Rail.
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23826978.60-000-took-train-llandudno-summer/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
Expert rail tips that could cut hundreds off your travel costs
UK commuters fork out 10 per cent of their salaries on annual train tickets, data has found
Experts from Railestatesearch have offered their best tips to help you when you're travelling by train and to save you hundreds of pounds in ticket costs. One of the first things you should do is book in advance, as it's often cheaper to do so; also, when you book early, keep an eye out for discounts and special offers.
cont https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/expert-tips-to-help-you-saves-hundred/
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Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is set to announce the scrapping of the HS2 high-speed rail line from the West Midlands to Manchester.
In his Conservative Party conference speech later, the PM is expected to set out a range of alternative projects in the north of England and Wales.
He is likely to argue these projects will be better value for money and can be delivered more quickly.
It comes after weeks of speculation about the future of the line.
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-66998692
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In hindsight perhaps they should have started the HS2 high speed train link from Manchester to the West Midlands.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-67005544
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Did I note a plan to electrify the main line through North Wales. :)
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/rishi-sunak-announces-electrification-north-27840359
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They couldn't afford it in 2014 so what has changed now, apart from the fact that the General Election should be due next year
https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/carwyn-jones-uk-governments-position-6880018
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HS2: Why Rishi Sunak's big gamble may not pay off
When Rishi Sunak confirmed he was scrapping the huge infrastructure project of the West Midlands to Manchester leg of HS2 high-speed rail, he said the project had come from a "false consensus" that links between big cities were "all that matters".
The immediate pressing question is whether the UK is capable of delivering projects at this scale, at all. This was a nationally strategic project advertised to the world as a way for Britain's regional cities to attract investment from the biggest investment funds in the world.
All of the prime minister's secret conference projects were codenamed after trees. Scrapping HS2 was called "Project Redwood". High-speed rail in the UK has been shorn of its branches, and is now left as an expensive stump from London to Birmingham.
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-67003881
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North Wales electric rail expected to cost more than ?1bn
The UK government has given "a cast-iron commitment" that the electrification of the north Wales main rail line will happen.
Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said the full business case is still to be done but the line will be built.
Welsh ministers dismissed the ?1bn cost announced as a "back of a fag packet figure" and a transport expert has put the cost at about ?1.5bn or more.
Mr Davies admitted the cost would "probably be a bit higher" than ?1bn.
On Thursday, Rishi Sunak announced that ?1bn would be provided to electrify the north Wales main line, following his decision to scrap the second leg of the HS2 high speed rail line between Birmingham and Manchester.
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-67005350
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North Wales Mainline electrification and other projects ?examples?
In the Prime Minister's recent announcement of the scrapping of the northern leg of HS2, he said billions would instead be spent on other transport schemes in a Network North plan.
But speaking the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire last Sunday, the transport secretary, Mark Harper, said: ?We gave some examples to people about the sorts of things ? and we know these things are priorities locally ? the sorts of things that that money could be spent on, and to bring it to life for people."
cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/23855197.north-wales-mainline-electrification-projects-examples/
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Train services and jobs would have been lost without extra Welsh government funding, the chief executive of Transport for Wales (TfW) has said.
On Tuesday, Finance Minister Rebecca Evans announced cuts for most government departments, but TfW was given an extra ?125m.
The decision was questioned by opposition Members of the Senedd (MSs).
TfW boss James Price warned that without that money it would have been in a "very, very difficult situation".
Why was TfW given more money? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-67171669
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Saturday cancellations and Christmas cuts - another week of chaos for London/Wales train route
Avanti West Coast announced cuts to Christmas services between the region and the capital of England
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/saturday-cancellations-christmas-cuts-another-28011004?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
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This December will see Transport for Wales (TfW) deliver additional services and trains across Wales and into England. It will see benefits for passengers in North Wales as TfW look to improve on its under-fire services.
TfW is planning to run daytime services every 45 minutes on the Wrexham Central to Bidston line, an increase from every hour. And there has been a reintroduction of an hourly Chester to Liverpool service via Liverpool airport.
There is an additional Sunday service at 11.45am from Holyhead ? Chester. There has also been an adjustment in the timetable so quite a few of the Chester ? Crewe services will go at five minutes to the hour to give more time for connections from Llandudno, which arrive at around 10 minutes to the hour.
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/transport-wales-announces-new-trains-28180420
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Old North Wales railway becomes jobs vs tourism battleground with millions of pounds at stake
A debate is raging over whether the route should be a 'playground' for visitors or a vital economic link for locals
This should be interesting to see how it develops as the rails and sleepers are still in place. We did discuss this on the forum some time ago when a lorry got stuck under the railway bridge in Llangefni and the bridge had to be removed
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/old-north-wales-railway-becomes-28344666
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A project to electrify the North Wales main line will involve ?unprecedented investment?, UK transport secretary Mark Harper said. But the cabinet minister said no timetable had yet been fixed for implementation.
The Government plans to provide ?1bn to fund a major upgrade of the North Wales Main Line to reinforce its role as a ?vital part? of the UK?s strategic transport network. This will include electrification, which has long been a key demand from transport campaigners in the region.
The scheme is designed to improve journey times and reliability on a 126-mile route between Crewe, Warrington, Wrexham and Holyhead. Electrification will also reduce the route?s carbon footprint.
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/billion-pound-rail-plan-north-28696871?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
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Is there a General Election going on this year? We have heard all this stuff before with no definite date for doing the work
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Commuters in England and Wales have seen the cost of their rail fare increase by 4.9% from Sunday, March 3. Whilst the price is lower than was originally forecast, this hike will cause a lot of anguish for commuters and regular travelers - adding more than ?200 to the price of some annual tickets.
Finance expert Jasmine Birtles says there are some simple ways to cut the cut back and get cheap rail fares and offers.
Railcard
Jasmine said: "If you don?t have a railcard already, get on it ? this could be the smartest investment you make all year. A Railcard takes 1/3 off every train journey, on Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance tickets from any National Rail operator in the UK.
"It costs only ?30 for a year, which you could make back in your first couple of trips, or ?70 for three years. It?s quick and easy to apply online, at a station ticket office or over the phone."
More details https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/five-ways-cut-cost-train-9138938?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589
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Train drivers at Avanti West Coast will see their fee for an overtime shift increase to ?600 following a deal between the company and union Aslef.
Avanti said it hoped offering more attractive terms to its drivers to work extra shifts would make its services "more reliable and resilient".-
The company has faced criticism over cancellations, delays and poor service.
An Aslef source confirmed that Avanti's offer was accepted by union bosses.
The new rest day working agreement is in addition to a driver's salary. Previously the deal involved a flat ?125 payment, with an hourly rate paid on top, which could have totalled between ?421 and ?495 depending on whether a driver worked and eight or 10-hour shift.
cont https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-68650114
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Worst performing train operator announced - and North Wales passengers won't be surprised
Avanti West Coast took top spot on the table of failure
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/worst-performing-train-operator-announced-28936069
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Direct Llandudno to Liverpool trains back on table but cuts also proposed
While this news was welcomed there are cuts proposed for services in Gwynedd
They have now published a list of proposals (full list below) and there is good and bad news for North Wales. The biggest potential upgrade is the extension of the direct Liverpool to Chester service to Llandudno.
cont https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/direct-llandudno-liverpool-trains-back-28982205
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It's a pity today's journos just print press releases without asking relevant questions. The current Chester-Lime Street operates broadly hourly during the day. Does the extension to Llandudno mean that the Llandudno-Manchester services will divert to Bangor as was previously mooted ? Given the regular Merseyrail services into Liverpool from Chester, a question could be posed as to whether a Llandudno-Crewe service would be more helpful to North Wales travellers, especially those going to/from Scotland, the West Country and the East Midlands, let alone augmenting the poor Avanti service.
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Hi Cambrian----That is too sensible .
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Steam buffs launch fresh bid for multi-million-pound railway project in Eryri
A new station and track extension are planned in the hope of boosting local tourism
https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/steam-buffs-launch-fresh-bid-29008149