"Pathfinder Tours"
Ynys Mon Charter
October 28th 2000
Crewe Station circa 09.55 and
Ian Riley's Class 37 diesel 37038 pulled into platform 11 with
the Ynys Mon charter from Birmingham to Holyhead. The train had
been booked to start from Birmingham International but this was
changed to New Street. 28/10/2000
The diesel unhooked and ran forward
together with the generator coach which left the train without
heating to Holyhead and back. I understand that the additional
weight of the generator coach would have given the Castle problems
leaving Holyhead on wet rails. 28/10/2000
37038 then reversed onto the centre
road and parked up. The headboard was removed. 28/10/2000
5029, having manoeuvred itself
from the Heritage Centre in clouds of steam, then carefully reversed
into the station with its support coach and onto the train. The 37/4's
used to perform a similar operation with coastal trains and it
always looks dangerous because the junction is so busy. 28/10/2000
The footplate crew were clearly
not going to allow the engine to be damaged by "hydraulicing"
and there was much blowing of steam through the cocks as the cylinders
were cleared of condensate. GWR lamp brackets are different from
English Electric so the headboard could not be attached. 28/10/2000
It was a nostalgic sight as these
two veteran prime movers posed side-by-side while the Castle continued
to clear its cylinders. 28/10/2000
Ancient and very ancient - comparative
front ends of pre and post "modernisation" motive power.
28/10/2000
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