TfW 67 + MK4 travelling experiences

[Techniquest]

Moderator note: split from

Ex LNER (and Grand Central) Mark 4 sets for TfW

Now that the Azuma's are nearly in service and Mark 4's are going to be released in the coming weeks, do we know any more details about the three MK4 rakes that Transport for Wales are due to receive from LNER, such as which sets they'll be receiving and when they'll enter service by?

www.railforums.co.uk

Dvt 82201 suffered a broken window near Port talbot while working the 1455 Swansea to Manchester piccadilly. Loco hauled rakes replaced by a class 150 at Cardiff Central

Oh wow I am glad I didn't jump back on at Swansea after all. I did consider it, but thankfully common sense kicked in.

Plenty of drunks on at Newport, going to Cardiff for more alcohol, and I tried not to judge but I failed, and a group of 6 50-somethings going back from Cardiff to Milford Haven after a night out. They were meant to be on the GWR, but due to the delay they got my train instead. That felt like a long journey, I won't lie!

Currently on 150259 on the 1834 Swansea to Shrewsbury, been a smooth journey so far and the open windows are drowning out the noisy souls who got on at Bridgend. Once I get to Hereford it's a quick dash back to base, very much mission accomplished and some decent weather for it too I may even do a mini trip report!

Attached are photos of the momentuous occasion of arriving at my spiritual home of rail enthusiasm, the place where it all kicked off in autumn 2003.

 

[Techniquest]

67017 made a wonderful noise on the 1855 from Cardiff today, I rode over to watch it leave and phwoar! Just what the doctor ordered! It put me in the mood so much for a bit of 67 haulage I nearly booked myself onto the 0547 tomorrow, alas funds do not allow this.

 

[D6130]

For my wife's birthday surprise on Tuesday 25th July, I arranged a couple of days and an overnight in the beautiful and historic Shropshire town of Ludlow....which coincidentally enabled me to clock-up some more class 67 mileage, including a run behind my second-last TfW example required for haulage. We set off from Hebden Bridge on 195 127, forming 1J15, 12 12 Leeds-Manchester Victoria. Unfortunately this was about 10 minutes late due to problems at Leeds but, on arrival at Victoria - amazingly in bright sunshine! - we had time to video 66 172 passing through with 6M16, the Wilton-Knowsley empty binliner, before a leisurely stroll across to Piccadilly. Here 67 013 was waiting at the bufferstops in platform 10 with an ex-LNER set forming 1V46, the 14 30 departure to Cardiff Central, which was comfortably-full, but still with a few spare seats. A punctual departure saw us away across the Cheshire plain and a slightly late departure from Crewe saw us heading for Shropshire. There was a noticeable difference between the smooth 110 mph cruise from Stockport to Sandbach and the 70 mph bump-and-sway from Crewe to Shrewsbury but, unfortunately, the latter was short-lived, as we were severely signal-checked on the approach to Wem - presumably due to a local stopper occupying the long section ahead - and this incurred an 8 minute delay for the rest of our journey. Passing Coleham depot on departure from Shrewsbury, only 37 405 was present, so presumably the two Network Rail locos were somewhere down the Cambrian Coast. On arrival at Ludlow in bright sunshine we only had a short walk to our accommodation and after a wander around the town we enjoyed a nice dinner and a few drinks before retiring for the night.

The following day dawned bright and sunny and after a late breakfast in a nice cafe, we had a wander round the market and a look at the castle, before my wife went to visit the church and the library, while I had a wander and bought a couple of items for the house in the wonderfully old-fashioned Rickard's ironmonger's/hardware store. Four candles anyone? We met up again for a pub lunch, before doing the very pretty walk down the hill behind the castle to Dinham Bridge, along through the riverside woods to Ludford Bridge and then back through the town centre to the station. Unfortunately, the rain had started during our walk and by the time we arrived at the station it was lashing it down. To cap it all, 1V46 was delayed due to a passenger being taken ill. 67 012 - required for haulage - eventually rolled in 20 minutes late with an immaculate ex-GC set and we had no difficulty finding suitable seats. The original plan was to alight at Hereford and have a wander round, before heading North again on 1W96, the 17 14 Cardiff Central-Holyhead, but the torrential rain caused us to change our plans and continue through to Abergavenny to pick up 'Gerald' there instead. Immediately before arrival, we passed an unidentified Colas 56 heading North on the delayed Baglan Bay-Chirk timber train....a missed video opportunity. However I was able to video 67 025 departing 10 minutes late propelling 1W23, the 16 49 Cardiff Central-Manchester Piccadilly, before 67 017 arrived 6 minutes late at the head of 1W96, with another ex-GC set. We took our seats in first class, paid the appropriate supplement and ordered dinner. The young stewardess was extremely friendly and efficient and we enjoyed freshly-cooked leek and potato soup for starters, followed by baked haddock for my wife and linguini arrabbiata for myself, accompanied by a can of Malbec. A slice of chocolate tart with raspberry coulis each finished off the meal nicely - not bad value at £20 a head (wine excluded - but mineral water included) and we settled our bill in timely fashion between Rossett and Chester, where we alighted in slightly less heavy rain. After videoing 82200 & 67 017's departure for Holyhead, we joined 195 011 & 021 for the journey back to Hebden Bridge on 1E78, the 20 29 to Leeds. It was a busy - but very enjoyable couple of days - and I've banked a lot of brownie points with the wife, which will no doubt come in handy for future trips on my own.

As a postscript, I swear that I saw @Techniquest standing on platform 3 at Hereford as we pulled out on 1W96....but it may have been wishful thinking! If anyone is interested in looking at my videos of this trip, they can be found on my YouTube channel 'Pennine Trains'....details below in my signature.

 

[Techniquest]

Hi! I've only skim-read your post, but it looks like you had a good time. Yesterday, well I was heading over to the station at one point, but the weather put me off. I'd been considering a post-work mini-trip, instead I spent my evening indoors. Not that I did all the stuff I needed to, of course!

So no, it wasn't me yesterday, if I was aware someone from the forum was coming through I'd have made more of an effort!