Shred`s UK trips.

[Techniquest]

Wow that sounds like a good day! I haven't looked at the photos, as I don't do social media, but I'm definitely intrigued by your post and a quick look at the Wiki link there has me adding it to my never-ending list of things to do. Not that I needed anything else on that list, I could be here 30+ years and still not explore everything!

As for the legs, is it possible your gym work is not including them enough? A really good walk, as you've now found out, works a surprising amount of muscles. It's a low intensity exercise (compared to the likes of running, cycling and such like) so it's good for burning fats. That's not to say you can skip the carbs though! Of course, don't forget the post-exercise intake too, ideally after a good walk something with a lot of carbs and protein is never a bad idea in my experience. Most of my exercise is medium to high intensity (I've been trying running lately too, and it's brutal) exercise so carbs and protein are my biggest loves. I do like a really fast pace walk though, nothing quite storming the pavements to the sound of some banging tunes!

When your friend has done his video, could you please provide a link? I'd like to see it, and I'm sure he'd like some new subscribers!

 

[NorthWestRover]

You can look at the photos without a Facebook account, @Techniquest

 

[Techniquest]

You can look at the photos without a Facebook account, @Techniquest

Fair enough, I think it's more the principle of not using FB for me. It means missing out on interesting things, clearly, but it is what it is I guess! My view is that the less of us who use FB, the better, and going on there even without an account goes against that moral standpoint!

 

[Kez]

Just looked up the Danum Gallery and it appears to be on the site of my old school ! Is nothing sacred ?

(On edit : I just noticed that there is an image of the 'High School for Girls' in the windows on Google Maps - I'm not a girl - it became co-ed and was part of what is now Hallcross School )

Thats interesting, its quite clever how they have encased the school frontage.

Actually, I had completely forgotten but the school did have a big collection of engine nameplates which (school rumour had it) was the largest private collection in the UK. I think that they may be part of the Danum Gallery according to this

They used to be housed on the walls of a tower at the now-Hallcross site.

 

[shredder1]

Wow that sounds like a good day! I haven't looked at the photos, as I don't do social media, but I'm definitely intrigued by your post and a quick look at the Wiki link there has me adding it to my never-ending list of things to do. Not that I needed anything else on that list, I could be here 30+ years and still not explore everything!

As for the legs, is it possible your gym work is not including them enough? A really good walk, as you've now found out, works a surprising amount of muscles. It's a low intensity exercise (compared to the likes of running, cycling and such like) so it's good for burning fats. That's not to say you can skip the carbs though! Of course, don't forget the post-exercise intake too, ideally after a good walk something with a lot of carbs and protein is never a bad idea in my experience. Most of my exercise is medium to high intensity (I've been trying running lately too, and it's brutal) exercise so carbs and protein are my biggest loves. I do like a really fast pace walk though, nothing quite storming the pavements to the sound of some banging tunes!

When your friend has done his video, could you please provide a link? I'd like to see it, and I'm sure he'd like some new subscribers!

Thanks Tech yes it was a good walk, I have a legs day at the gym, but mainly pressing, squatting and extensions, I should be doing more high cardio really, but yes Im a big proten fan of course, so that probably helps along with good carbs to burn. My walking pace is measured especially while walking old railway lines because Im always looking for bit of railway stuff left behind. Yes Ill post his video once hes finished it Tech.

 

[shredder1]

Actually, I had completely forgotten but the school did have a big collection of engine nameplates which (school rumour had it) was the largest private collection in the UK. I think that they may be part of the Danum Gallery according to this

They used to be housed on the walls of a tower at the now-Hallcross site.

They certainly have an excellent collection of nameplates, nice to see them on public display.

 

[Techniquest]

Thanks Tech yes it was a good walk, I have a legs day at the gym, but mainly pressing, squatting and extensions, I should be doing more high cardio really, but yes Im a big proten fan of course, so that probably helps along with good carbs to burn. My walking pace is measured especially while walking old railway lines because Im always looking for bit of railway stuff left behind. Yes Ill post his video once hes finished it Tech.

You've got the muscle stretching and strength building going on nicely then with the legs (squats, with weights or not, are incredibly good for toning legs). I must get back to doing some actually, same with any indoor exercise, I stopped them a week and a bit ago after over-exercising and the muscles around the ribs was causing grief. Better now thankfully.

I think if it's an exploring walk, then yes a sensible pace is required. It depends what you want out of the walk, for me there's nothing quite like a nice and fast walk. When conditions allow a speedy walk, of course, and this has reminded me I need new trainers as my poor Downshifters have seen literally thousands of miles of wear on walls, runs and rides now!

I would prescribe a good 30 minute paced walk twice a week to begin with, beginning with choosing a non-challenging route to begin with. Maybe a maximum of 2 miles in either direction, and walk it at a normal pace. The next time, where possible of course, see if you can up the pace just a bit and keep doing that. It's a slow way of doing things, granted, but to begin with your body will need time to adjust. I walk at a fair rate of knots everywhere I go, but I've done it for so long I can't do slow!

Overall though, from what I've read, you definitely know your stuff with exercise! I'm actually a bit jealous, as my knowledge is insufficient!

 

[shredder1]

I tend to wear boots a lot for walking around, even in Europe, I like my Brasher Hillmasters Im on my 4th pair at the moment, I too tend to walk quickly I guess, I did my Pec session in the gym this morning and finished with a 10K walk on the treadmill at 6 mph for about ten minutes, it gets a good sweat on me before a nice shower. Most of my knowledge is from my experience on the stage shows at NABBA Northwest contests and subsequently at the gyms over the years, Ive also read a lot of bodybuilding books and magazines over the years, so picked a lot up from books, the science has changed slightly over the years though, but mainly of the Joe Weider principles still stand and work well today.

 

[shredder1]

West Yorkshire Day Rover. Saturday 22nd January 2022.

The alarm was set for 05.30 followed by a short drive to Crumpsall Metrolink station and an early tram into Manchester Victoria. I was buying a West Yorkshire day rover ticket to have a run around the electrified lines north of Leeds now, that the new CAF Civity Class 331/1`s have started covering those services. These are the West Yorkshire emu class, a batch of twelve 4 car sets, all allocated to Neville Hill depot. I also wanted to take some time out to see the new developments that were taking place at Castleford railway station, a new ticket office, shelter and second platform refurbishment.

On arrival into Manchester Victoria the boards were showing a charter due in at 07.32, and I learned that this was Jubilee 45699 “Galatea” in the guise of 45627” Sierra Leone” on BR green livery, so I waited for her to arrive, so that I could take a few photographs and she didn’t let me down, on the rear was West Coast Railways class 47804, the train left as scheduled for Carlisle via the Settle and Carlisle line under the hospices of The Railway Touring Company. I also had the bonus of Transpenning Cat class 68032 “Destroyer” with a Liverpool to Scarborough working passing through.

I then boarded a Nova 1 Transpennine Class 802/2 as far as Huddersfield as I was going for breakfast at a Whimpey Bar. I usually call in when I’m in Huddersfield, I do like a Whimpey big brunch, not many Whimpey’s left in the UK these days, the rise of Mc Donalds in the early 1970`s seemed to wipe most of them out, all junk food of course, but the odd one doesn’t really do any harm. After walking into the town though, I was disappointed to find it was close, so I just grabbed a few sandwiches from Greggs before walking back to the railway station. Parked opposite the Penistone Line platforms was one half of a Pacer class 144 001-unit number 55824 in a preserved condition, a reminder of when they worked over the Penistone line.

I was unable to buy a West Yorkshire day rover ticket in Manchester, although I have bought them before at Rochdale, so to get into the West Yorkshire region I asked for a Stalybridge to Huddersfield day return because, I have my Greater Manchester rail and bus pass that covers me, however the chap who sold me the ticket told me because I had my free pass, I only needed to book a ticket from Greenfield, the end of Greater Manchester, to Huddersfield, I told him that my train doesn’t stop at Greenfield though and I thought if the train you was on didn’t stop, then you would have to buy a ticket from the last station it did stop at, but he told me this has now changed and a train doesn’t have to stop now for you to buy a ticket from a particular station that is covered by your free train/bus pass reegion, I wasn’t aware of that?

Catching a Transpennine class 185 into Leeds, I changed for a CAF Civity class 195 on a Lincoln service and I left the train at Wakefield Kirkgate and was just in time to photograph a Drax working behind Colas Rail class 60085 on a west bound working. A class 158 took me from Wakefield Kirkgate to Castleford as I wanted to photograph the work that was being done on the station along with the new ticket office and waiting room.

From Castleford I returned to Leeds and walked over to the suburban electric platforms and caught a CAF Civity Class 331 out to Bradford Forster Square, a big change from my last visit before the introduction of the class 331`s which appear to be taking over from the class 333`s. I must say the class 333 are a better-looking design, but the class 331`s have a lot of tables in them and seem to ride better. From Bradford I caught a class 333 up to Skipton and returned to Shipley and then caught a Class 331 up to Ilkley and returned to Bradford Forster Square and then caught another class 331 back into Leeds.

At Leeds I was in time to see a class 91 about to leave for Peterborough behind class 91127, very nice to see a few of these old girls still around at the moment. My last train of the day was a Transpennine Cat, class 68024 “Centaur, from Leeds back over the Pennines, which terminated at Manchester Victoria before returning to Longsight for the night. I then took a Metrolink tram back to the car and drove home for 18.00, another good day.

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[NorthWestRover]

Careful, you'll have the Railforums anti-CAF mafia after you for suggesting they have a better ride than anything. (I think as a "normal" passenger the 195/331 units are great).

 

[D6130]

Careful, you'll have the Railforums anti-CAF mafia after you for suggesting they have a better ride than anything. (I think as a "normal" passenger the 195/331 units are great).

I agree....but, sadly, I can't say the same about the TPE Mark 5 loco-hauled stock. I took a quick trip from York to Malton and back on Thursday afternoon and I'm glad that I didn't have a hot drink with me. On the return journey, I was sitting in the single seat next to the gangway connection at the rear of the middle coach, when a young mother and her 8-10 year old daughter made their way cautiously past me en route the toilet. "Mummy, why is this train so bouncy?" said the young daughter. With considerable self-restraint, I refrained from making any comment about lightweight inside-framed bogies!

 

[shredder1]

Careful, you'll have the Railforums anti-CAF mafia after you for suggesting they have a better ride than anything. (I think as a "normal" passenger the 195/331 units are great).

Haha, OK, mind you Im not a great fan, but just like the tables.

 

[Techniquest]

A fun day there, clearly, and you have me wanting to return to West Yorkshire to get my last 333 and to progress with the huge number of LNER IETs, TP 802s and of course the 195s and 331/1s. Plenty to go for, and if my magic plastic wasn't already loaded quite a bit from my last week off and already being loaded with bookings for the one on March, then I'd be booking some last minute tickets to go for a red pen fest!

As for the CAF trains, I have no issue with them either. Decent trains and a worthy successor to the likes of the 150, 156 and 158. I know not everyone will agree with me but I don't care too much, I like what I like

 

[shredder1]

Yes an ever changing scene up here at the moment Tech, Im just waiting for the 777`s to kick off now.

 

[shredder1]

London and Nene Valley trip. Friday 28th and 30th January 2022.

A bit of an unusually trip this weekend, my old car gave up the ghost in November last year, so my Daughter gave me a small car to keep me going until my son bought a new car and gave me his, so I collected it from him, but he now lives on the Bedfordshire Hertfordshire borders, and since I wasn’t returning by train, the price of a one way ticket was relatively expensive, so I decided to look at coaches. I found the National Express which were offering a one-way trip to London Victoria for £10, I’m not a lover of coaches but couldn’t really turn it down at that price, so I took Friday off work and caught a coach at 11am from Manchester Chorlton Street Bus Station. It was very cramped on the journey and reminded me why I didn’t like to travel on coaches, it arrived into London Victoria at 16.10, so just over 5 hours with a half hour break at one of the services stations on the way down.

On arrival in to London Victoria coach station, I was soon walking around to the railway station for a few photographs and then on the tube, the Victoria line heading for Kings Cross. A further £16 bought me a single on a railcard from London Victoria via the tube, to Sandy in Bedfordshire, my son`s village, since his migration from Manchester, some ten years ago now.

The Underground was pretty jammed, but it was rush hour on a Friday afternoon, I alighted at Kings Cross and had a quick look around the station, apart from the Azuma take over it was nice to catch up with a LNER Class 91111 “For the Fallen” with DVT 82225 to the rear, also on the platforms was a red liveried Bombardier Electrostars, class 387 208 and 206, with a Cambridge working.

For my service up to Sandy I had to cross the road from Kings Cross and make my way down to the underground platforms of St Pancras International for a British Rail Desiro City class 700 which took me up to Hitchin and then another of the same class from Hitchin to Sandy, arriving at my son`s for 18.30.

After spending some time with the family down there, I set off back to Manchester in my new found car up the mighty A1 just after lunch Sunday. I couldn’t drive past the Nene Valley at Wansford without stopping in of course. No trains were running on this visit, but I was allowed a wonder around the site, and it was bright sunshine, so made for some excellent photographic opportunities. I later returned to the A1 northbound and then across the Pennines on the M62 to my home in North Manchester, a nice relaxing drive for 70 mph most of the way, arriving home by 17.00 after a busy and extended weekend with my son`s family. Next weekend it’s a trip up to my Daughters family to meet for the first time, my thirteenth Great Granddaughter who was born last Thursday, these kids keep me busy.

Day 1.

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Day 2.

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[shredder1]

East Lancs Railway Winter Diesel Gala. Saturday 12th February 2022.

Locomotives rostered, Class 47765 Scotrail blue stripe livery, class 47 D1501 in two tone green livery, Peak Class 45108 in BR corporate blue livery, Class 24 D5054 in all over green livery, class 25279 in BR corporate blue livery, class 33109 in all over grey livery.

I missed my usual Saturday rail outing last weekend, because I drove over to Mold to buy a guitar, one which I’d been looking for, for a few years now, for the guitarists amongst you it’s a Charvel Pro-Mod DK24 HSH 2PT CM Satin Orange Crush Finish, only produced in 2018, but since a deleted model, so they are difficult to obtain now in that particular finish.

I regress and back to the trip, it was the good old the East Lancs Winter Diesel gala, a 10-minute drive up the road for me, so a nice local one. It was however the usual poor weather, rain and freezing cold, so I chose my first two locations close to the car. The first one was a drive up the M66 Motorway to Summerseat for the first train up the line, Grey liveried class 33109 and then back in the car with the heater on full blast and a drive up to the next location Irwell Vale to wait for class 33109 returning from Rawtenstall and down by about 10 minutes for whatever reason.
It was then back in the car with the heater on, listening to some John Petrucci on the Ipod, while I waited for the next train up, which was Scotrail blue stripe liveried class 47765, although I nearly missed it because it had picked up the timetable timings. I did however manage to run up to the crossing to get one half decent image. I waited at Irwell Vale for the Scotrail class 47 returning and then jumped back in the car and drove down to Ramsbottom to photograph a few workings through the station.

As I parked up at the side of the railway station, Peak class 45108 in rail blue livery was just about to leave the platforms and I managed a side on cab shot as she passed through the crossing, but took a better photograph of her after she returned to Ramsbottom from Rawtenstall. The next train from Bury was class 24 D5054 in all over BR green livery, and the next service up on the hour was two-tone green class 47 D1501 with Scotrail 47765 on the rear.

I was then back in the car and drove down to Burrs Country Park, grabbed a hot chocolate from the café there and walked up to the railway station and caught the double headed class 47`s into Bury Bolton Street for a look around the stalls, I managed to avoid buying anymore railway book, but did find a DVD I simply couldn’t resist, B and R Productions number 192 Turkish Delight part 2 with some great footage of S160`s and 8F`s operating on the Turkish Railways back in the day.

After spending some time on Bury Bolton Street and finally managing to photograph class 25279 in corporate blue livery, which had been avoiding me all day, I returned to Burrs Country Park behind Class 33109, walked back to the car and drove home. A cold and wet day, but satisfying all the same. A really big well done to al
l our lovely volunteers on the East Lancs railway for putting on another fantastic event, thanks guys.

Home Page - The East Lancashire Railway

www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

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[shredder1]

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. Saturday 19th February 2022.

I decided to have a drive over the hill for a change, the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. I’m lucky living in the area I which I do, the Worth Valley Railway is just under an hour’s drive away over the Pennines and I have quite a few preserved railways a similar distance away and of course the East lancs Railway a few miles away. It was quite dry as I left my village and drove over towards Hollingworth Lake and on to Blackstone edge and over the moor to Hebden Bridge, but as I crossed Oxenhope Moor light rain had started to fall.

My first port of call was Haworth sheds, for a few quick photographs, I was surprised to see the old fire station had gone and a supermarket has been built in its place, taking the railway viewing path with it, although you can still view the depot from the car park and overbridge of course. Id travelled over, essentially for the Riddles 2MT, 2-6-0 78022 in BR Green livery and the German Federal Railways, Waggon und Maschinebau Railbus, 79964 in BR green livery, which were operating.

From Haworth I drove down the line to Ingrow West and parked the car up for the day. I purchased an all-day rover ticket, catching the first train down the line into Keighley, which was the Waggon und Maschinebau Railbus, 79964, a bumpy ride, but great to be on one of those railbus`s, we used to catch one in the 1960`s from what was, Buxton Midland Station down to Millers Dale on the Manchester arm of the Midland line.

From Keighley, I returned on the railbus to the top of the line at Oxenhope and had a quick look around the museum, before returning to Haworth on the railbus. After visiting the station shop, I was tempted by £40`s worth of B and R Production DVD`s to add to my ever-growing collection, which at £5 each I simply couldn’t resist. I then walked up the road to visit the model shop, but it had sadly gone, so I went for breakfast at the café across the road. The Riddles 2MT was returning from Oxenhope tender first and amazingly it had just started snowing, and quite heavy, so I boarded the Riddles back to Keighley and attempted a few snowy photographs as she ran around her train.

I returned on the Riddles to Ingrow West and visited the museum and shop and was very lucky to get out of there without buying some of the ridiculously cheap Bachmann locos which they had on offer, but with having a few holidays coming up soon, I thought I’d better save some money. The railbus was taken off the roster after a few runs in the morning, and it was just the Riddles operating for the rest of the day, so I took another ride to the top of the line at Oxenhope and back down to Keighley, before returning to Ingrow West for fish and chips, and then driving up to Oxenhope in time to meet the Riddles arriving and to take a few last parting images before driving back over the moors, to the more civilised side of the Pennines. A great day though, Thanks to the Worth Valley Railway for a great day out.

https://kwvr.co.uk/

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[xotGD]

Sounds like you had a good day in my neck of the woods. We even laid on some snow for you.

I sampled 78022 and the railbus a couple of weeks ago, using one of our members' complimentary day rovers. My wife is now a fan of the railbus!

 

[shredder1]

Yes its a lovely and very friendly railway the Worth Valley and thanks for the snow, loved it.

 

[shredder1]

Toton, Press Visit. Tuesday 22nd February 2022.

A bit of a busman`s holiday on this trip, as transport and travel correspondent for "Government and Public Sector Journal" I was invited to DB Cargo UK`s press conference with my editor and videographer to promote the fine work being undertaking by DB Cargo and Groupe CAT.

DB Cargo UK and Groupe CAT launch new international services for Toyota.
New International rail freight services have commenced from Toton in Nottinghamshire to Valenciennes in Northern France for the global automotive manufacturers, Toyota.

This follows the construction of a new, £2.6 million automotive transfer facility at DB Cargo UK`s strategic site in the East Midlands and £3 million investment by Groupe CAT in its specialist wagon fleet.

Following a series of successful trial runs, fully loaded trains are now operating twice a week between the two locations.
On the outbound journey, a new generation of hybrid Corollas manufactured at Toyota`s Derby plant are being exported to France. Toyota Aygo, Yaris and the new Yaris+ vehicles are being imported on the return leg, to ensure full utilisation of the new service.
DB Cargo UK`s Chief Sales Officer Roger Neary said the commencement of the services was a significant milestone after months of collaboration and construction by all parties involved.

“Freight belongs on rail and this is a really exciting collaboration between DB Cargo UK, Groupe CAT and Toyota. It’s a win-win-win for all those involved and will see us deliver an efficient and environmentally-friendly rail logistics solution for one of the worlds`s biggest automotive manufacturers,” he added.

“Not only that, it has also seen us breathe new life back into a previously disused are of our strategic Toton site.”

Steve Reynolds, Managing Director of Groupe CAT`s subsidiary STVA UK said: “This project is the culmination of four years’ work from concept through to Implementation. It is a very exciting project for Groupe CAT, requiring resources from road, rail and terminals both here in the UK and in Europe too. To facilitate the project, we have signed a long-term lease with DB Cargo UK for the Toton rail terminal and have invested more than £3 million to refurbish our wagons.”

DB Cargo UK is currently the country`s leading transporter of finished vehicles by rail, much of which is conducted working in partnership with wagon and logistics specialist Groupe CAT.

Its £2.6 million investment has seen the construction of a new vehicle storage compound spanning some 4.25 acres, along with associated loading and unloading facilities.

The work was undertaken by Britcon (UK) Ltd and involved the import of some 11,000 metres of construction materials.
Over 800 metres of security fencing has been constructed, five miles of white lines painted on the tarmacadam surface and several miles worth of cabling laid to accommodate the necessary on-site CCTV and lighting.

Construction started in late September 2021 and was completed earlier this month.

Roger Neary said: “Each train will carry the equivalent load of 29 road transporters. The rail solution will not only reduce congestion on the UK`s road network but will also generate significantly less CO2 emissions than if they were taken by road”.

Steve Reynolds added: “We have taken the opportunity to redesign key aspects of the wagons to ensure they could deliver the next generation of cars and match Toyota`s quality expectations. Without this investment and innovation, it would not have been possible to deliver the targeted environmental and lead-time benefits. We should also recognise publicly the excellent support and contribution to this project from Eurotunnel, Border Force and the DFT, who have all really worked hard to make this project happen.

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Video footage,

 

[shredder1]

East Lancs Railway, Spring Steam Gala. Friday 25th February 2022.

Locomotives rostered, Special Guest 46100 ‘Royal Scot’, Special Guest 1501 GWR, Pannier Tank, Sentinel 7232 ‘Ann’ (Saturday only), 32 ‘Gothenburg’, L&Y Saddletank – 752/51456, L&Y Class 27 – 52322, Southern, West Country Class – 34092 ‘City of Wells’

Back on home territory, but I have a busy week planned, so could only manage the one day on the East Lancs Railway, its set to be a good weekend though. I was mainly lineside starting at Heywood for the Royal Scot, and then Ramsbottom sidings, next was a drive around to Irwell Vale and finally Rawtenstall. A great day though and well done to the East Lancs Railway for another excellent steam gala.

Spring Steam Gala - With 'Royal Scot' and GWR 1501 - The East Lancashire Railway

www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

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[shredder1]

South Wales Rover, (Day 1). Saturday 26th February 2022.

A four day in eight day South Wales Rover, also using day valley rovers in between. I essentially wanted to spend some time on the TfW class 769`s, the WAG`s and the short rake HST`s. I was using the rover ticket for the first two and last two days and the four days inbetween I purchased day valley rovers, plus a return out to Bristol for half a day, I covered every line in South Wales in the week, except the bit out to Fishguard Harbour, which Ive done many times before. It was nice to revisit the branches again since I hadn’t done them since the Arriva Wales days a few years ago. There have been a few changes since my last visits, especially with the introduction of the IET`s and electrification, and of course the demise of the Pacer units, and its set to change again with the introduction on the new Stadler units and the Metro network upgrade. I had booked a guest house in Newport which is where I based myself for 7 nights. Most of my mid week sessions were spent at Cardiff in the rush hour period, before traveling on other routes after the 09.30 peak periods.

My first day down there and I had booked a period return to Shrewsbury, the starting point of the South Wales Rover ticket. I caught an early bus from my home town into Manchester in time for the 05.11 Cross Country service to Bournemouth, alighting at Crewe, and from Crewe I was travelling on a TfW class 175 down to Shrewsbury, my intention being to travel down the Central Wales line to Swansea, but my plan was interrupted due to a rail replacement bus on part of the route.

I walked into Shrewsbury and took breakfast in the town and on returning to the railway station decided to take the next train directly to Carmarthen with a change for Pembroke Docks. I took time out there and had a walk along the estuary front, where you can look over to Goodwick and Milford Haven. I returned to Carmarthen on the next service train, and caught a train back to Swansea, changing for a Great Western IET direct to Newport and my accommodation for the week.

The guesthouse was fine apart from the fact that it was on top of an hill, which I had to climb from the station each day, it certainly improved my fitness levels. With the first day over, quite a lot of mileage had been covered and I decided to do the longer routes over the weekend periods because of no travel time restrictions on the rover ticket. It had been a long first day and I slept well in the guest house that night.

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[shredder1]

South Wales Rover, (Day 2). Sunday 27th February 2022.

A four day in eight day South Wales Rover, also using day valley rovers in between. I essentially wanted to spend some time on the TfW class 769`s, the WAG`s and the short rake HST`s. I was using the rover ticket for the first two and last two days and the four days inbetween I purchased day valley rovers, plus a return out to Bristol for half a day, I covered every line in South Wales in the week, except the bit out to Fishguard Harbour, which Ive done many times before. It was nice to revisit the branches again since I hadn’t done them since the Arriva Wales days a few years ago. There have been a few changes since my last visits, especially with the introduction of the IET`s and electrification, and of course the demise of the Pacer units, and its set to change again with the introduction on the new Stadler units and the Metro network upgrade. I had booked a guest house in Newport which is where I based myself for 7 nights. Most of my mid week sessions were spent at Cardiff in the rush hour period, before traveling on other routes after the 09.30 peak periods.

My second day in South Wales and I intended heading for Milford Haven, the other side of the estuary this time, so I caught a Great Western IET to Swansea. To get from Swansea to Milford Haven however there was a rail replacement bus between Swansea and Llanelli, which extended the length of the journey. On reaching Milford Haven I spent some time on the front looking over the estuary towards Pembroke Docks and took a meal in the sunshine in one of the harbour-side cafes.

I returned to Llanelli on a later train and back on the rail replacement bus into Swansea for a Great Western IET direct to Newport. Taking a meal in the town before returning up the hill to the guest house. The weather had been glorious over the two days, warm with bright sunshine, not bad for February. Another early start and late finish though, but another good nights sleep.

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[Techniquest]

I am glad to see you had a good time so far on the rover I haven't done some of those lines for almost 5 years, and fair play to you for doing Shrewsbury to Carmarthen in one go. I wouldn't be able to manage that these days, in one go, without pacing the train. Got to get the miles in somehow

Hill climbing, even on foot, after a long travel day, doesn't appeal much to me either, so you have my sympathies there!

 

[shredder1]

I am glad to see you had a good time so far on the rover I haven't done some of those lines for almost 5 years, and fair play to you for doing Shrewsbury to Carmarthen in one go. I wouldn't be able to manage that these days, in one go, without pacing the train. Got to get the miles in somehow

Hill climbing, even on foot, after a long travel day, doesn't appeal much to me either, so you have my sympathies there!

Haha cheers Tech, Im not too bad on long train journeys, I just look out of the window or when its dark I read, (usually railway books), sometimes I sleep, lol One of the longest from Manchester which Ive caught a few times, is Manchester to Carmarthen and then a change for Fishguard, its takes a few hours.

 

[shredder1]

South Wales Rover, (Day 3). Monday 28th February 2022.

A four day in eight-day South Wales Rover, also using day valley rovers in between. I essentially wanted to spend some time on the TfW class 769`s, the WAG`s and the short rake HST`s. I was using the rover ticket for the first two and last two days and the four days in-between I purchased day valley rovers, plus a return out to Bristol for half a day, I covered every line in South Wales in the week, except the bit out to Fishguard Harbour, which I’ve done many times before. It was nice to revisit the branches again since I hadn’t done them since the Arriva Wales days a few years ago. There have been a few changes since my last visits, especially with the introduction of the IET`s and electrification, and of course the demise of the Pacer units, and its set to change again with the introduction on the new Stadler units and the Metro network upgrade. I had booked a guest house in Newport which is where I based myself for 7 nights. Most of my mid-week sessions were spent at Cardiff in the rush hour period, before traveling on other routes after the 09.30 peak periods.

I was up showered and out of the guest house for 05.30, down the hill to Newport railway station and a train into Cardiff, I’d seen the WAG class 67 arriving back from Holyhead yesterday and wanted to take a few pictures of it leaving Cardiff. It was sat in the platforms as my train arrived, but by the time I had walked under the subway, it was pulling out, so my timing was wrong. I spent the rush hour on Cardiff Central, plenty to see, four different class 369`s operating, the new Stadler class 756 on trials, they have two at Cardiff at the moment, an hourly short set HST service from the West country and a stable diet of class 150`s, 158`s, 165 and 166`s, 170`s, 175`s, IET`s, and class 387`s occasionally and quite busy with freight behind class 66`s and 60`s, so plenty to keep me busy in the rush hour period.

The keep fit and diet regime was out of the window, as it usually is while I’m away, so it was a regular breakfast of Greggs bacon rolls and yam yams that kept me going for most of the week. The weather had turned however and it was constant rain now for most of the week. Rush hour and breakfast over, and I was off for a ride on my first TfW class 769 which were operating between Penarth and the Rhymney Valley, some operating to Ystrad Mynach, and others to Bargoed, so I took a number of trains to the top of the valley, Rhymney.

Returning to Cardiff Central I next took a train out to Maesteg and spent an hour in the town between trains. Just a modern single platform with a bus stop shelter on it these days, you can however follow the old track bed to the side of the ASDA store, a footbridge still stands over the former track bed at the back on some houses, but it is very overgrown and was raining heavy by the time I got there, so I didn’t spend much time exploring. Instead, I found a chip shop in the town for tea. Maesteg appears to be particularly run down, the heart and soul would have left the town once the pits closed up there.

I returned to the station to catch the next train down the valley, the service operates from Maesteg to Gloucester on an hourly basis, I returned directly to Newport, arriving back at the guest house for 19.00, a very wet but satisfying day all the same.

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[shredder1]

South Wales Rover, (Day 4). Tuesday 1st March 2022.

A four day in eight-day South Wales Rover, also using day valley rovers in between. I essentially wanted to spend some time on the TfW class 769`s, the WAG`s and the short rake HST`s. I was using the rover ticket for the first two and last two days and the four days in-between I purchased day valley rovers, plus a return out to Bristol for half a day, I covered every line in South Wales in the week, except the bit out to Fishguard Harbour, which I’ve done many times before. It was nice to revisit the branches again since I hadn’t done them since the Arriva Wales days a few years ago. There have been a few changes since my last visits, especially with the introduction of the IET`s and electrification, and of course the demise of the Pacer units, and its set to change again with the introduction on the new Stadler units and the Metro network upgrade. I had booked a guest house in Newport which is where I based myself for 7 nights. Most of my mid-week sessions were spent at Cardiff in the rush hour period, before traveling on other routes after the 09.30 peak periods.

Another early start and on the station at Newport for 06.00 for a train into Cardiff for the rush hour workings. This was followed by breakfast at Greggs and then I decided to ride up the main valleys, which are now mainly worked by class 150 Sprinters. An overcast day with some rain through the day, but better than Monday.

My first trip after rush hour and breakfast was the Ebbw Vale line to Ebbw Vale Town, this was my second visit since the line was reopened, on the first visit the funicular railway up to the town wasn’t working, and a few years later on my second visit it still wasn’t working, I’m guessing it worked in-between my visits and that I’m just unlucky again. I decided to have a walk up the hill and visit the town, and quite nice it was too perched high up on the valley wall, with a large silver dragon guarding over the shopping centre, an excellent piece of commemorative art work, the heart of the furnace.

Returning down the hill back to the railway station, I caught the next train down the valley and back into Cardiff. I was next heading up the Rhondda Valleys, Cynon and Taff vales. A bus replacement however was operating between Radyr and Pontypridd, but it didn’t cost me too much time. The first train I caught was up to Treherbert and then returning to Pontypridd, with the same train running up to Merthyr. I returned on this service back to Abercynon for a change to the final valley line Aberdare. Part of the original station building still survives at Aberdare, I have fond memories of arriving at the depot in the hours of darkness on a rail tour by coach in the early 1970`s and finding a line-up of class 37`s in the D66xx numberings, I couldn’t even recognise where the sheds had been now.

I returned to Cardiff via the rail replacement bus to Radyr, but this time taking a train via Nina Park to see what was at the back of Canton depot, but it was too dark to see anything. I returned to Newport and the rain, and had a fish and chip supper near the railway station, before climbing back up the hill to my guest house on the Noll, another busy day.

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[Techniquest]

Haha cheers Tech, Im not too bad on long train journeys, I just look out of the window or when its dark I read, (usually railway books), sometimes I sleep, lol One of the longest from Manchester which Ive caught a few times, is Manchester to Carmarthen and then a change for Fishguard, its takes a few hours.

I can only imagine how needed the leg stretch break must have been after that! I'd love to be able to sleep on a train, I'm not too good at doing that and I'm not convinced I know why. Still, it's not a bad thing in my eyes!

Two very good days in the Valleys there, and I have to concur on Maesteg. It's not a nice place these days, probably hasn't been really for a long time. I'm not rushing to go back, I can promise you that much. Ebbw Vale, I haven't been there for a long time and I must return for a proper explore some time. I remember having one of those Wetherspoons directory things back then, where I was ticking off all the Wetherspoons I had been to. It's been a mighty long time since I last did that!

As for your visits to Greggs, well why not I say. There's worse places to get food from, that's for sure. I'm in there too often for my own good, I blame the loyalty app

 

[shredder1]

I can only imagine how needed the leg stretch break must have been after that! I'd love to be able to sleep on a train, I'm not too good at doing that and I'm not convinced I know why. Still, it's not a bad thing in my eyes!

Two very good days in the Valleys there, and I have to concur on Maesteg. It's not a nice place these days, probably hasn't been really for a long time. I'm not rushing to go back, I can promise you that much. Ebbw Vale, I haven't been there for a long time and I must return for a proper explore some time. I remember having one of those Wetherspoons directory things back then, where I was ticking off all the Wetherspoons I had been to. It's been a mighty long time since I last did that!

As for your visits to Greggs, well why not I say. There's worse places to get food from, that's for sure. I'm in there too often for my own good, I blame the loyalty app

Thanks for your comments Tech, always appreciated, but yes such a shame about Maesteg, you can still see a few signed of its more industrious past. Yes Ebbw Vale is definitely worth a visit, if only to look at the excellent dragon sculpture, I can`t see myself ticking off Wetherspoons any time soon, but have breakfasted in quite a few of them now in various parts of the UK. On Greggs I have my bacon roll head on at the moment, so may visit another one at some point this week

 

[shredder1]

South Wales Rover, (Day 5). Wednesday 2nd March 2022

A four day in eight-day South Wales Rover, also using day valley rovers in between. I essentially wanted to spend some time on the TfW class 769`s, the WAG`s and the short rake HST`s. I was using the rover ticket for the first two and last two days and the four days in-between I purchased day valley rovers, plus a return out to Bristol for half a day, I covered every line in South Wales in the week, except the bit out to Fishguard Harbour, which I’ve done many times before. It was nice to revisit the branches again since I hadn’t done them since the Arriva Wales days a few years ago. There have been a few changes since my last visits, especially with the introduction of the IET`s and electrification, and of course the demise of the Pacer units, and its set to change again with the introduction on the new Stadler units and the Metro network upgrade. I had booked a guest house in Newport which is where I based myself for 7 nights. Most of my mid-week sessions were spent at Cardiff in the rush hour period, before traveling on other routes after the 09.30 peak periods.

A slight change of tactic and timings, the WAG called at Newport at 06.58 en-route for Holyhead, so I decided to catch up with her for the next few days, so arriving at Newport railway station for 06.30 the first WAG rake had class 67025 on the front and I managed a few good photographs and later caught up with her again at Cardiff, ready for her second Holyhead run of the day. I then made my way into Cardiff for the rush hour followed by my obligatory Gregg bacon rolls for breakfast. Returning to Cardiff Central station for my first ride of the day. The rain was back again with poor light at times.

The first trip of the day was Barry Island, returning to Cardiff Central and then catching a train to Radyr via Nina Park to view the rear of Canton depot. From Radyr I returned to Cardiff Queen Street and caught a train down to Cardiff Bay, formerly Bute Street station. From Cardiff Bay the service was operating to Coryton, a two-car class 150 Sprinter instead of the usual class 153 working a shuttle from Cardiff Queen Street station. I returned from Coryton to Cardiff Queen Street and changed for a train to Bridgend via the Rhoose line and I returned on the same line back into Cardiff Central. From Cardiff Central I returned to Newport and the walked up the hill back to my guest house on the Noll after a slightly more relaxed day.

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