Shred`s UK trips.

[shredder1]

Merseyrail. Saturday 22nd July 2023.

My usual Saturday run out, but I came down with a cold Friday night and missed the gym, but was determined to get out, some of the railways were also on strike, Merseyrail was running however and so was some Northern services to Liverpool, although the last one back to Manchester was 17.00.

I didn’t leave Manchester until 09.00 with a direct train to Liverpool. I then headed for Southport, One Manc had photographed several Pep units parked up at Southport which I thought was going to be used as a dumping ground for withdrawn stock as the new class 777s replace them, but only one Pep set was parked in the yard, so I am not sure if the other ones have been dragged off for scrapping. Four class 777 sets were parked up in Southport sidings though.
From Southport I returned to Liverpool Central and took a train out to Bidston to see if the TfW class 230s were operating on the Bidston to Wrexham line, apparently, they had been in the week, but it was back to a bus replacement service today.

Services were only running as far as Hoylake and on the Kirkby line trains were only running as far as Fazakerley. I returned on the next service to Birkenhead North and visited the New Brighton branch, one of the new class 777s was parked off the platforms. Returning to Liverpool Lime Street, I caught a late afternoon train back into Manchester, so at least the rail strike didn’t spoil my day out.

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[shredder1]

Manchester Piccadilly Class 67 TfW. Thursday 6th July 2023.

I was about to catch a late afternoon train down to Manchester Airport as I was flying out that evening to Prague. A TfW class 67 came in, I knew these were operating into Manchester again, but hadn't managed to catch up with any, so I missed my train to take a few photographs, and catch the next one down to the airport instead.

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[shredder1]

Peak Forest. Saturday 29th July 2023.

There was not really a lot happening over the weekend, especially with the rail strike, so I thought I`d drive down to Llangollen to see the new station at Cowen, but apparently its not open yet. So instead, I headed for the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway at Wirksworth and check out the excellent bookshop.

As is usual when I travel through the Peak, I always call in at Peak Forest, so I called in on the way down and again on the way back. The celebrity class 20`s were parked up, but the trees have grown so much since my last visit that its practically impossible now to get a decent photograph of them from the road.

Despite the rail strike locomotives did move around the yard. Locomotives on the yard were Class 20s 20007 and 20205, class 60 0074 and class 66`s 66007, 66733, 66150 and 66223.

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[shredder1]

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. Saturday 29th July 2023.

After my first visit of the day to Peak Forest, I continued my journey down to Wirksworth and the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, through Buxton and down the A515, a pleasant route I’ve travelled many times. The weather was good though with plenty of sunshine and I had 4 “Greta Van Fleet” albums I wanted to listen to in the car, a great band that sounds like early Led Zeppelin.

I arrived at Wirksworth for around 09.30, and had a full English at Webster`s Café, £11, but not bad really. The BR Standard 4 Tank 80080 was operating on trains down to Duffield, running 3 services through the day. I was taken around the yard for a tour by one very kind gentleman, and I later visited the extensive bookshop and spent £40 on books, (I really should stay away from those places). I didn’t ride the trains, and had a leisurely drive back up the A515, stopping at the High Peak Bookshop and café, and then on to Buxton for a late fish and chip lunch, £11, every time I eat it seems to cost £11 these days.

I called in at Peak Forest on the way back and noticed a few wagon rakes had moved and a class 60072 had appeared in the yard, so despite a strike, a few locos were still moving around. I drove back through Hayfield and Glossop and was soon back on the M60 Motorway and hone for late afternoon, a nice little run out.

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway – Derbyshire's Longest Heritage Railway

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[Techniquest]

£11 for fish and chips? Yikes, that's taking the redundant waters! Other than that, it sounds like a productive day!

 

[shredder1]

£11 for fish and chips? Yikes, that's taking the redundant waters! Other than that, it sounds like a productive day!

Yes a bit pricey I guess, but yes a good day out.

 

[shredder1]

Llangollen Railway. Saturday 5th August 2023.

This Saturday I planned to have a ride down to Llangollen since the new Cowen railway station was now up and running. The weather however wasn’t on my side, with lots of rain and more rain still. I was in the car again and left the house in North Manchester for around 07.30 and just took my time driving down there and listened to some Greta Van Fleet on the CD player.

I arrived around 09.00 into a very wet Llangollen, parked the car and my first port of call was the locomotive depot. A lovely chap shown me around the sheds and it was nice to see the railway had much going on and some interesting stock also, which included one of the former GWR heavy freight locos, 3802 and BR Standard 4 80072 being put back together, class 31 31271, class 47 D1566, and class 26 D5310. Rostered on my visit were ex LNER 0-6-0 J94 68030 and class 25 D7659 in two-tone green livery.
I arrived on the station platforms a little too early as the café wasn’t open, so I nipped across the road to Finley`s Café and Sandwich bar for a full English with a coffee, just over £13, although it was a good breakfast, the price was well over the top, so Ill make sure I avoid that one next time.

Once the railway station was open, I purchased an all-day senior ticket, £27 and caught the first train out at 10.30 and had a lovely ride into Corwen behind the J94 and into the new Corwen station for the first time, and what an amazing job they have done of it. Although the station canopy is new, many recycled parts have been put into the new station, which include the ornate columns from London Blackfriars station, and platform edging stones from Bala Junction and Liverpool Lime Street, with the signal box coming for Weston Rhyn.

I return down the line to Carrog behind the J94 to have a look around the bookshops, only one was open though, I then waited for the class 25 to take me back to Corwen and had a look around that bookshop and visited the town. Returning to Corwen station to catch the J94 back into Llangollen and then driving back to Manchester around 17.00. It had been an enjoyable day out and nice to see the new Corwen station and the Llangollen railway back on track after all the issue they have had.

Llangollen Railway | Top Heritage Railway in North Wales

Visit Llangollen Railway, a leading North Wales heritage attraction. Enjoy steam train rides through the Dee Valley - perfect for families and visitors alike.

llangollen-railway.co.uk

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[NorthWestRover]

Finley`s Café and Sandwich bar for a full English with a coffee, just over £13

Wow, that's trendy Ancoats coffee shop prices.

 

[Techniquest]

Even Londoners would say no to that breakfast at that price! An absolute rip-off! At an airport with no other options, then one simply accepts it but in Wales? Oof, not me!

Other than that, it sounds like an excellent little trip. I want to visit the extension at Corwen myself, hopefully if the weather ever sorts itself out I might actually make it there! Not going cycling around that part of Wales (I can't justify the fares otherwise) in this rancid weather of recent times!

 

[shredder1]

I had a breakfast in Wirksworth this morning which was over £11,

Even Londoners would say no to that breakfast at that price! An absolute rip-off! At an airport with no other options, then one simply accepts it but in Wales? Oof, not me!

Other than that, it sounds like an excellent little trip. I want to visit the extension at Corwen myself, hopefully if the weather ever sorts itself out I might actually make it there! Not going cycling around that part of Wales (I can't justify the fares otherwise) in this rancid weather of recent times!

Well worth a visit Tech, they really have done an amazing job of the new station, considering it was only an embankment when they started. Its unfortunate they dont have any galas planned at the moment, with just getting back on their feet.

 

[shredder1]

Peak Forest. Saturday 12th August 2023.

I was heading for the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway Diesel Gala again, and as usually if I’m driving down that way, I also call in at Peak Forest. I left north Manchester at around 07.00, so not too early a start. Driving down via the M60 and M67 Motorways, bypassing Glossop and through Hayfield to Chinley, and then down the A6 to Dove Hole and Peak Forest.

The celebrity class 20`s, 20205 in BR Corporate blue livery and 20007 in BR green livery, were parked up in a better position than two weeks ago when I called in, so you could get a decent photograph of them, the only problem was it was raining heavily and I took a bit of a soaking. I called again however on my return journey from the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and this time I had lovely bright sunshine, so managed to obtain a few good images.

 

[shredder1]

Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Diesel Gala. Saturday 12th August 2023.

I was heading for the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway again, but this time it was the diesel gala, and as usually if I’m driving down that way, I also call in at Peak Forest to see whats in the yards. I left north Manchester by around 07.00, so not too early a start. Driving down via the M60 and M67 Motorways, bypassing Glossop and through Hayfield to Chinley, and then down the A6 to Dove Hole and Peak Forest (see my earlier report).
After visiting Peak Forest, I continued my journey through Buxton and down the A515 and roads into Wirksworth. I again took breakfast in Websters Café again, it was only a tenner two week ago, but this time it was £11, maybe the coffee was larger

I then made my way down to the railway and Wirksworth rail station. After photographing the first train out, the class 73001 and the class 26007 on the Ravenstor branch giving guards van trips, in the station was Thomas Hill rebuild DH shunter giving driving session for a tenner. I didn’t travel on any of the trains, but did spend another £45 in the railway bookshop

After a tour of the Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society, LMS 10000 project workshops, I drove down to Shottle in time to catch the class 47 and class 73 passing. I next drove down to Duffield to see the class 73 leaving and I waited for the class 31 to arrive which was top and tailed with the class 26 on the back. My next move was to drive back to Shottle in time to catch the class 26 with the class 31 on the rear and the class 47 returning to Duffield. I drove back up the line to Idridgehay and again caught up with the class 26 and class 31, and by the time I had driven back to Wirksworth, I had yet again beaten the train and caught the classes 26 and 31 arriving.

Waiting on platform 1 at Wirksworth was Class 121 Bubblecar W55034 waiting to take the next service down to Duffield. It was a good day with mixed weather throughout. On my second visit to Shottle the rain started to hammer it down and I only had my tee-shirt on, I sheltered under the station bridge, fortunately the rain stopped as both trains crossed, so I manage to get my images without getting soaked through agai

An excellent gala was had, thanks to the efforts of all involved at the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway.
Locomotives rostered were, class 26 007 in Coal sector two tone grey livery, class 47 D1842 in BR two tone green livery, class 72 001 in BR corporate blue, class 31 601 in D and C grey livery and class 121 Bubblecar W55034 in BR green livery.

Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society

Reconstructing Britain's first mainline diesel locomotive, 10000

lms10000.co.uk

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[shredder1]

East Lancs Railway, 34072, 257 Squadron, Sunday 13th August 2023.

I consider myself very lucky to have the East Lancs Railway on my doorstep, they run some amazing galas both steam and diesel. My first visit to the railway was for an open day in 1970, the railway was located at the site of Helmshore railway station back then. I was 19 at the time and remember the year well because it was also the same year I’d been to the Isle of Wight to see Jimy Hendrix.

My mission this Sunday was to ride behind our latest visitor, the magnificent un-rebuilt Bulleid Pacific Battle of Britain class, 34072 “257 Squadron” in BR livery. It’s amazing what a variety of locomotives we have visiting the East Lancs, many thanks to all the guys who put all the effort into these negotiations and moves, you really keep the railway alive.

I rode behind her to Rawtenstall and they Heywood before returning to Bury, she gave a good account of herself, lovely to see her running on the East Lancs Railway again.

Home Page - The East Lancashire Railway

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[shredder1]

Liverpool and Wrexham. Saturday 19th August 2023.

A trip over to the Borders Line to finally take a run on a TfW class 230.

A drive down to Crumpsall Metrolink station for 07.00 and connecting perfectly with a Transpennine class 802 from Manchester Victoria to Liverpool Lime Street. A visit to Wetherspoons North Western for a full English, and then I was down the tunnels and I heading out to Bidston for my first ride on a TfW class 230, ex London Underground D stock.
As I passed Birkenhead North sheds, my heart sank as I noted 2 class 230 units parked up on shed. I arrived at Bidston and had a half hour to wait for the Wrexham train to arrive and my heart sank further as a TfW class 150 entered the platform.

On speaking to the guard however, he told me the other path had a 230s operating and if I alighted at Shotton I could catch it back up to Bidston. I did exactly that and then returned on it to Wrexham Central.

The TfW class 230s for converted London Underground D stock are basically like new trains from the inside, they have a variety of seating arrangements including both facing seating and conventional seating, with plenty of seats with tables, they are open plan throughout and even have a toilet fitted and ride reasonably well. A large improvement on the class 230 D stock which operated in the Marston Vale Line between Bletchley and Bedford.

The service between Bidston and Wrexham Central is hourly, and only two trains were operating on the line, the Class 150, and the class 230, so I alighted at Wrexham Central and took lunch in the town, returning to photograph the class 150 and hour later, and then returning to the station an hour later to catch the class 230 again.

I returned up the line to Bidston on the class 230, it was however late arriving at Wrexham and 15 minutes down by the time it had got back to Bidston and was taken off and sent back to Birkenhead North depot, I’m not sure what happened after that, but was told another 230 would be brought off shed to replace it. I waited for the next Wrexham train, expecting another class 230 coming off shed, but all that happened was the class 150 returned, so presumably another class 230 came off shed for the service after that one.

I later travelled directly to Liverpool Lime Street and then caught a Northern class 331 bound for Manchester Airport, I alighted at Manchester Piccadilly, and then boarded a Metrolink tram back to Crumpsall and the car and home before 18.00, a nice change and a new unit in the bag.

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[shredder1]

East Lancs Railway. Sunday 20th August 2023.

Sunday seems to be my chilling out day these days, it usually starts with a gym session from 09.00 and then Sunday lunch in a local pub, followed by a run up to the East Lancs Railway to check out the book shops and see what is running.

I was a bit late for the diner this Sunday, which was a shame because the Battle of Britain class, 34072 “257 Squadron” was leading it this weekend and it would have made a great shot. The second steam loco operating apparently fail, which I think was the 3F Jinty, I did though have a drive up to Ramsbottom and captured the class 35 Hymek D7076 bound for Rawtenstall and Heywood Bound class 14, Ernest, D9531 and a bit of sunshine on the East Lancs this Sunday.

Home Page - The East Lancashire Railway

www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

 

[shredder1]

Midland Railway Centre vintage trains to the Seaside Event, including Peakrail, Rowsley and Peak Forest. Saturday 26th August 2023.

I was torn between a drive out to Bala for the Bala Lake Railway Steam Gala, or the Midland Railway Vintage Carriage event, I opted for the latter, although it looks like I missed a good event at the former, but still, you can’t be everywhere.

Leaving home at around 07.00 and I a leisurely drive towards Buxton, call in at Peak Forest on the way past, just the two-celebrity class 20s parked up this time. I continued to Buxton, and took the A515 towards Butterley, arriving just after 09.00.

Locomotives operating were class 44 D4 “Great Gable”, on Mark 1 stock and Hawthorn Leslie, 0-4-0 ST, works number 2851 number 2 of 1911 with a rake of 6 vintage coaches immaculately restored.

I took a few trips up and down the line behind both locos, sadly despite it being an event weekend, and a bank holiday, there didn’t appear to be many passengers around. The new station building at Swanwick Junction are now completed, with a sizable café in one half, but they were only selling sandwiches, no hot breakfasts. The main sheds were closed to the public and the lines around the site are now very overgrown. The path between Butterley and Swanwick Junction have now been closed. No second-hand bookshops on site, they do now have a number of HSTs and also a collection of Pacers, but the railway appears to be run down since my last visit and they are seriously lacking investment and volunteers, which is a great shame, because the railway has so much potential and I’ve been to some fantastic gala events there in the past.

I left Butterely by around 15.00 and drove up to Peakrail at Rowsley, just in time to catch Peak class 44 D8 “Penyghent” arriving from Matlock, and I also had time to have a quick look around the bookshop. After a fish and chip tea in Buxton, I later called in at Peak Forest again on the way home, but only the two class 20s were in the yard and they hadn’t moved all day. Overall though an enjoyable day out with the weather largely dry.

Welcome To The Midland Railway – Butterley

Join for a great day out with all the family and enjoy heritage train rides transporting you to a bygone era. Explore a railway museum and much more

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[shredder1]

East Lancs Railway, Squadron, and class 25. Sunday 27th August 2023.

With nothing really planned for Sunday, it was my usual routine with an early session in the gym and then Sunday lunch at my village pub before having a drive up to Bury Bolton Street to check out the railway books, and I was more than please to pick up a very good copy of “Great Central Railway. Main Line Operations around Manchester and the new MSW electrifications, (2020), Bob Pixton, Pen, and Sword Books”.

Rostered locomotives were the Jinty 47298, on the Diner, Class 25 25279 in BR corporate blue livery and Bullied Battle of Britain Pacific class 34072 “257 Squadron”, taking up the other two paths.

From Bury I drove up to Ramsbottom and decided to use one of my free passes up, to take a ride behind the class 25 to Rawtenstall and back to Ramsbottom, where I had left the car. I then drove up to Irwell Vale to catch up with the Bulleid on her last trip to Rawtenstall for the day. Thank you for a lovely afternoon East Lancs Railway.

About Us - The East Lancashire Railway

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[Techniquest]

A couple of decent days there! I was in your neck of the woods on Sunday afternoon, as you'll see in my trip report Quite, I may well be up that way again on Friday!

 

[shredder1]

Of nice one Tech, you could have called in for a brew. I need to catch up with your reports actually, always a good read, cheers mate.

 

[Techniquest]

Of nice one Tech, you could have called in for a brew. I need to catch up with your reports actually, always a good read, cheers mate.

I didn't originally expect to be up your way long Got some unfinished business with walking and cycling to do some day, so bound to be around again before too long!

 

[shredder1]

Catch up at some point mate, stay safe.

 

[Techniquest]

Catch up at some point mate, stay safe.

Likewise I think Castleton's a required station, so I'm bound to be there eventually!

 

[shredder1]

Likewise I think Castleton's a required station, so I'm bound to be there eventually!

Just bar platforms with a bus shelter these days, but we are still trying to extend the East Lancs Railway back to Castleton, the track is still there, we bring locos in that way, we just need to build a platform.

 

[shredder1]

Cracoe, Swinden Quarry, Yorkshire Dales. Saturday 2nd September 2023.

My original plan was to catch an early train down to Loughborough for the Great Central Railway, Diesel Gala, but the trains were on strike, and I didn’t fancy the drive down to Loughborough. So instead, I drove over the Hill to the Worth Valley Railway and later to the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway, before driving up to Swinden Quarry to see the unique locomotive Cracoe. I visited the Quarry in September 2022 and the locomotive body was suspended on sleepers as the bogies had been sent to Doncaster for repair, so it was nice to see her back on here bogies.

httpstarmac.comlocationsswinden-quarry

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[Jamesrob637]

Cracoe, Swinden Quarry, Yorkshire Dales. Saturday 2nd September 2023.

My original plan was to catch an early train down to Loughborough for the Great Central Railway, Diesel Gala, but the trains were on strike, and I didn’t fancy the drive down to Loughborough. So instead, I drove over the Hill to the Worth Valley Railway and later to the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway, before driving up to Swinden Quarry to see the unique locomotive Cracoe. I visited the Quarry in September 2022 and the locomotive body was suspended on sleepers as the bogies had been sent to Doncaster for repair, so it was nice to see her back on here bogies.

httpstarmac.comlocationsswinden-quarry

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With any luck there won't be many further strikes now.

 

[shredder1]

With any luck there won't be many further strikes now.

Thanks James hopefully not, I know nest saturday XC are on strike so the Dean Forest gala is out for me, but I can get down to the Blaenavon steam gala by train

 

[shredder1]

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Saturday 2nd September 2023.

My original plan was to catch an early train down to Loughborough for the Great Central Railway, Diesel Gala, but the trains were on strike, and I didn’t fancy the drive down to Loughborough. So instead, I drove over the Hill to the Worth Valley Railway and later to the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway, before driving up to Swinden Quarry to see the unique locomotive Cracoe. I visited the Quarry in September 2022 and the locomotive body was suspended on sleepers as the bogies had been sent to Doncaster for repair, so it was nice to see her back on here bogies.

I left home at 07.00 and drove over my usually route through Milnrow, Hollingworth Lake, Blackstone Edge and down Cragg Vale towards Hebden Bridge and then across Oxenhope Moor dropping down into Haworth for the obligatory shed visit. Followed by a coffee and two sausage and egg barms at the Buffet Car Café facing Haworth Railway station.

Locomotive roster was two-tone grey liveried class 37075 and Ivatt tank 41241 Class 2 2-6-2T, (still carrying its horrible red livery). In the yard was Lancashire and Yorkshire class 25, BR 52044.

I later drove down Oakworth railway station and walked down the track-bed to the first of the bridges to get a few images of the class 37 on its first run down the line towards Keighley. I next drove down to Ingrow West for a rummage in the museum bookshop and then catching up with the Ivatt on her first run of the day up to Oxenhope. I left the Worth Valley railway there and drove up to the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway.

Keighley & Worth Valley Railway - Keighley & Worth Valley Railway

Steam & Heritage Diesel Journeys Through Brontë Country! From industrial Keighley to the wild landscapes of Brontë Country, this five-mile heritage railway brings Yorkshire’s past to life. Travel behind steam or diesel locomotives, relax, and enjoy the journey. Book ahead or on the day and save...

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[shredder1]

Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway. Saturday 2nd September 2023.

My original plan was to catch an early train down to Loughborough for the Great Central Railway, Diesel Gala, but the trains were on strike, and I didn’t fancy the drive down to Loughborough. So instead, I drove over the Hill to the Worth Valley Railway and later to the Embsay and Bolton Abbey Railway, before driving up to Swinden Quarry to see the unique locomotive Cracoe". I visited the Quarry in September 2022 and the locomotive body was suspended on sleepers as the bogies had been sent to Doncaster for repair, so it was nice to see her back on here bogies.

After visiting the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway in the morning, I left Ingrow West and by around 11.30, and took the car up to Embsay and after a walk around the station area and checking out the bookshop, I caught a train to Bolton Abbey. Only one train was operation and it was behind former Lancashire & Yorkshire 3F 0-6-0 in BR livery 52322. I had something to eat in the café at Bolton Abbeys railway station and waited for the next train back to Embsay, which was 52322 returning, this was the only train operating on the day.

After a final brew in the station café at Embsay, I decided to drive up to the Quarry at Swinden to check on the industrial locomotive “Cracoe,” now it has been fitted with its repaired bogies. I drove home via Keighley, Hebden Bridge, Todmorden and Rochdale for a change and had a fish and chip supper on the way home, so despite the rail strike, I still managed to have a good day out.

Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway | A great day out for all the family!

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[shredder1]

Pontypool and Blaenavon Steam Railway 40th Anniversary Steam Gala. Saturday 9th September 2023.

Back to my early starts, and with the alarm set for 03.30 Saturday morning and the drive down into Manchester Piccadilly for the Avanta 05.05 London Euston change at Crewe for a TfW class 158 to Cwmbran South Wales, I was away again, catching up with some sleep on the train, while listening to a bit of Atomic Rooster, Death Walks Behind You, on the phones, a great album. At Cwmbran, I took breakfast in Greggs, not the healthiest sustenance, and then the X22 bus up to Blaenavon via Pontypool, which drops you off within a 10-minute walk to the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway base at Furness Sidings.

Locomotives rostered in a very intensive timetable were, Furness Railway, Sharp Stewart & Co to order 440, 0-4-0 tender locomotive Furness no 20, the oldest working steam loco in the UK, London, and North Western Railway 0-6-2T ‘Coal Tank’ No.1054. Andrew Barclay 0-4-0ST “Rosyth” , Andrew Barclays Works No 1219 Caledonian Works 0-4-0ST, Keighley Gas Works No 2 and former NCB 0-6-0T shunting locomotive.
This would have been my 4th visit to this amazing railway, but I could not remember the paths I had taken, so asked a chap at a garage not far from where the bus had dropped me, amazingly he told me to jump in his van and he would drop me off, what a lovely warm Welsh welcome, a lovely chap, thank you.

I was in time for the first train out, departing down to Blaenavon High Level behind the LNWR Coal Tank, and beyond to the railways southern limit, a cycle track continues from there to Pontypool on the former track bed. I returned to Furness Sidings and took a few more photographs from the platforms before walking around to the Big Pit branch and joining other photographers on the bank overlooking the climb up from Blaenavon, probably one of the best locations to catch steam locos clagging up the bank.

After spending some time on the bank I caught the next train back from Big Pit to Furness Sidings and joined the train returning from Blaenavon to Whistle Inn Halt, Garn-yr-erw, 1,307 feet (398 m) above sea level and the Northerly most point of the line at present, although I believe plans are to extend further into the moor towards Waenavon, at an altitude of 1,392 feet (424 m) above sea level, Waenavon was the highest railway station on a standard gauge line in Wales, so I do hope the railway return to this location at some point.

I waited patiently for the train to depart up to Whistle Inn Halt, but a problem occurred on the loco and caused some delay on departing, so I alighted from the train at Furnace Sidings and spent more time photographing around this area. I finally caught my last train down to Blaenavon High Level to take my final photographs on the railway and later walked down the hill towards the town, and was in time for an X24 bus returning to Cwmbran. I would could have caught a train from Pontypool Road, but not all services stop there, so it’s better to visit from Cwmbran where you have a choice of buses and facilities. An all day, any bus, ticket cost me £9.00, so not too painful.

After purchasing some mixed nuts and water for the train ride back, I arrived at Cwmbran railway station just into for the 17.12 service back to Manchester Piccadilly, but TfW had decided to cancel it, and the next service going North was a Holyhead train to Shrewsbury. I did however catch up with one of the WAG southbound through Cwmbran to Cardiff behind TfW 67015 and also bought a hotdog from a couple of lovely Turkish lads who had a small café built into the station, although all other station facilities were closed.

I must admit to feeling sorry to the guard on the Holyhead service, which was advertising a stop at Leominster, but forgot to tell the guard and driver they were stopping there, when it was announced, there was nearly a riot on the train and apparently quite a lot of customers were expecting to alight at Leominster and some even threatened to pull the emergency chord, the guard however phoned control and a stop was made and the service returned to a form of normality.

From Shrewsbury I caught a delay TfW class 150 two car set back to Manchester Piccadilly and after the drive home, was in the house for 22.00, so a full day out, but a very enjoyable one with glorious unseasonal weather, I certainly topped my suntan up. Thanks to the Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway for putting on an excellent steam gala.

Blaenavon's Heritage Railway

Blaenavon's Heritage Railway runs for 3.m1 iles through the stunning UNESCO-listed Blaenavon Industrial Landscape on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway.

www.bhrailway.co.uk

Pontypool and Blaenavon Railway - Wikipedia

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[Techniquest]

I haven't done that line for many years, but it sure sounds like an excellent time was had. You'd have got a wee bit damp if you'd been in Pontypool yesterday morning, I sure did!