RAIL37 MONTHLY REPORTS NORTH WALES COAST etc. CREWE - CHESTER - BANGOR - HOLYHEAD MAY 2004 - PART TWO

May 1

The end of May and I decided to give myself a bank holiday 47 treat by way of a run to Holyhead from Colwyn Bay. The train was the 08.35 London-Holyhead only on this occasion it was curtailed to be the 10.49 Crewe-Holyhead because of the West Coast Main Line closure (those upgrades again you know!). This shot is taken from the train as was leaving Llandudno Junction and approached the beautiful Conwy Castle with the red and green foliage matching the colour of the train. For more shots of the journey click the picture. 31/5/2004

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We are back in business! 90013 "The Law Society" brought the 16.55 London-Holyhead into Crewe as replacement for the HST services. Loco haulage is back on the coast at least until September we hope. 22/5/2004

The AC electric was removed and 47816 backed on for the journey westward to Holyhead. 22/5/2004

47816 left with "enthusiasts" in attendance! 22/5/2004

Just as I was at the wrong part of the station, 6233 ran past onto the Chester line where it reversed to go wrong line to access the LNWR watering hole. 22/5/2004

Last week I visited the West Somerset Railway at Minehead to see how 80136 was getting along. Unfortunately it was undergoing a boiler washout on the day I visited so I couldn't see it in steam. There's always a next time.

The penultimate southbound coastal HST, the 09.26 Holyhead-London, arrived on time with 43065 leading 43080. Both locomotives have now lost their Virgin branding. 22/5/2004

43080 entering platform 12. 22/5/2004

43065 headed for the capital dead on time. 22/5/2004

The HST set disappeared into the haze leaving a distinctive smoke trail. A Freightliner class 66 was shunting LNWR coaching stock in the distance. 22/5/2004

Another HST arrived in platform 6 en route for Manchester. 43123 was in charge with 43098 trailing. 22/5/2004

The train veered off onto the newly reopened route to Manchester. 22/5/2004

Less common nowadays are the class 66 AC electrics. 86622 in Freightliner grey livery passed through the rear of the station presumably en route for Basford Hall. 22/5/2004

More Manchester traffic as DVT 82110 rounded the curve and crossed over to enter platform 6.....

...with 87033 "Thane of Fife" propelling. Classes 43, 86 and 87 all present today but clearly dying breeds. 22/5/2004

The charter brought in from Carlisle by 6233, was taken South by 57601. 22/5/2004

The Manchester-Crewe locals, in the form of class 323 EMU's, have also returned to replace the bus services. 323238 is seen here entering platform 1 at Crewe before its return to Manchester. 22/5/2004

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