CREWE - CHESTER -- BANGOR - HOLYHEAD
 MONTHLY REPORTS
AUGUST 2012 - PAGE ONE		  

 60009 "Union of South Africa" passing through Sandbach with The North Wales Coast Express. 12/08/2012

 47798 "Prince William" was on the rear. 12/08/2012

 The Churnet Valley Railway in North Staffordshire and Class N7 number 69621, from the East Anglian Railway museum at Chappel, was on duty. 08/08/2012

 Reversing onto its train at Froghall. 08/08/2012

 S160, 5197 on display after being withdrawn from service. 08/08/2012

 33021 "Captain Charles" on display in the bay platform at Cheddleton. 08/08/2012

 Under restoration. 08/08/2012

 Class 25 number 25322 "Tamworth Castle" awaiting restoration at Cheddleton. 08/08/2012

 One of two class 37/4's deteriorating in Cheddleton yard, this one is 37424 which last ran in main line service on 7th March, 2000 on an Edinburgh-Fort William service. Named "Isle of Mull" on 30th April, 1990, it was denamed on 31st October, 1994 and moved to the CVR on 12th June, 2008. 08/08/2012

Behind 424 is 37407, formerly named "Blackpool Tower" and which last ran in main line service 5th February, 2000, when it worked a Rhymney-Cardiff service. It sat in Crewe Diesel Depot yard for many years before being moved to Wigan, Mossend and then Toton from where it was transferred to the CVR on 19th June, 2008. 407 was a North Wales Coast performer and also had a local connection in that it worked up to Cauldon Lowe on the "Caldon Peak" charter on 16th April, 1994 while named "Loch Long". On that occasion it was T&T with another coastal locomotive 37429 "Eisteddfod Genedlaethol". The next day it worked up to Cauldon again, this time with 37417 "Highland Region" on "The Creamed Leek" charter. 08/08/2012

 37407 "Blackpool Tower" is seen here piloting 37401 "Mary Queen of Scots" on a Crewe-Holyhead service. The location is Crewe IEMD and 401 was out after a major overhaul. Date unknown.

 69621 at Froghall. 08/08/2012

 Cow Parsley at Froghall! 08/08/12

 The first day of route learning for the WAG trains incorporating a DVT in the formation. This will allow for easier reversal at Chester in order to gain the Wrexham route without the locomotive running round the train. This service is currently routed via Crewe. DVT 82308 is seen here leading 67001 as they approach Nantwich station. 06/08/2012

 It looks as if this route is scheduled to lose its semaphore signalling in the near future. 06/08/2012

 Is it to be goodbye to all this? 06/08/2012

 The North Wales Coast Express at Sandbach, hauled by 47580 "County of Essex" as a consequence of the failure of 60009 "Union of South Africa" the night before. 05/08/2012

 Bringing up the rear was 47798 "Prince William". 05/08/2012