The Cambrian Coast Express

[euryalus]

I have just found a photograph (in Holiday Haunts 1956) which depicts a Castle class 4-6-0 at the head of the Cambrian Coast Express. I did not think much about this at first, and then I realised that the train is running on a single-track section. This is surely not the Cambrian line - could it, however, be on the GWR/LNWR Joint line between Shrewsbury and Welshpool? If that is the case, where would the Castle have been replaced by a Manor class 4-6-0? I thought engines were changed at Shrewsbury?

 

[Taunton]

I have just found a photograph (in Holiday Haunts 1956) which depicts a Castle class 4-6-0 at the head of the Cambrian Coast Express. I did not think much about this at first, and then I realised that the train is running on a single-track section. This is surely not the Cambrian line - could it, however, be on the GWR/LNWR Joint line between Shrewsbury and Welshpool? If that is the case, where would the Castle have been replaced by a Manor class 4-6-0? I thought engines were changed at Shrewsbury?

Parts of the line through the Chilterns between High Wycombe and Banbury have Up and Down lines on separate alignments, a combination of flying junctions and an original single track line adapted to a double track main line with the new second track on a more favourable gradient.

https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=51....=FWYvk8CQ49kxEdTOlcunUg&cbp=12,333.18,,0,1.28

Castles couldn't go beyond Shrewsbury. Even on Summer Saturdays when the CCE didn't call at Shrewsbury but used the avoiding line (and thus didn't reverse) engines were changed on the curve.

 

[euryalus]

Parts of the line through the Chilterns between High Wycombe and Banbury have Up and Down lines on separate alignments, a combination of flying junctions and an original single track line adapted to a double track main line with the new second track on a more favourable gradient. Castles couldn't go beyond Shrewsbury. Even on Summer Saturdays when the CCE didn't call at Shrewsbury but used the avoiding line (and thus didn't reverse) engines were changed on the curve.

The terrain looks too flat to be on the Chiltern section of the GW&GC Joint Line - I am wondering if in fact it was a 'posed' shot for publicity purposes.

 

[Welshman]

I well remember my first, and only, ride on the Cambrian Coast Express!

It was during the spring of 1967 and I had been invited for an interview with a view to attending Lampeter University, and made the long journey from Halifax, West Yorkshire.

The journey from Halifax to Manchester Victoria was fine, and I even managed to find my way to Piccadilly with no problems - it was a 20-minute walk then - neither minibuses nor Metrolink.

I even managed to get to Shrewsbury, but then found the Cambrian Coast Express [due to depart about 2.30pm] was two hours late!

A very slow journey to Aberystwyth saw an arrival about 7pm, long after the last bus to Lampeter had departed.

The station porter offered me a lift in his little Austin car, and I accepted gratefully, [we were young and innocent in those days!], and I arrived at Lampeter about 9pm - too late for any supper - and retired to a cold bed with an interview at 10am the following morning.

Needless to say, I was not offered a place, and accepted one in London instead. At least there was a more reliable train service!

 

[ChiefPlanner]

I well remember my first, and only, ride on the Cambrian Coast Express!

It was during the spring of 1967 and I had been invited for an interview with a view to attending Lampeter University, and made the long journey from Halifax, West Yorkshire.

The journey from Halifax to Manchester Victoria was fine, and I even managed to find my way to Piccadilly with no problems - it was a 20-minute walk then - neither minibuses nor Metrolink.

I even managed to get to Shrewsbury, but then found the Cambrian Coast Express [due to depart about 2.30pm] was two hours late!

A very slow journey to Aberystwyth saw an arrival about 7pm, long after the last bus to Lampeter had departed.

The station porter offered me a lift in his little Austin car, and I accepted gratefully, [we were young and innocent in those days!], and I arrived at Lampeter about 9pm - too late for any supper - and retired to a cold bed with an interview at 10am the following morning.

Needless to say, I was not offered a place, and accepted one in London instead. At least there was a more reliable train service!

No offence to Lampeter - but you did well to go to London. In the mid 1970's - they were offering 3 x "E" grades to get people to go there. Not much in the way of brights lights , big city....

The CCE (I am told by an ex Aber driver) - was sometimes a King class from Paddington to Wolverhampton , and a Manor or a pair of them from there.

 

[Welshman]

No offence to Lampeter - but you did well to go to London. In the mid 1970's - they were offering 3 x "E" grades to get people to go there. Not much in the way of brights lights , big city....

You're right - I have no regrets in going to King's College, London.
The bright lights of the Strand were quite a revelation to a Northern boy!
I reckon the Cambrian Coast Express did me a big favour.