THE CENTRAL WALES EXPLORER & THE HEART OF WALES

Here's my contribution from last night - they were absolutely storming through Prees! There's definitely something eery about steam at night!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pESoKcnvb-U

Comments would be welcomed and appreciated
Cheers,
Lewis

 

Hi, I’ve been asked to give a report on yesterdays RTC, ‘Heart of Wales’ trip.

I joined at Crewe having travelled in from Colwyn Bay, the top and tailed train arrived about on time and we were soon on our way. I did not make notes so timings are only approximate. There were no problems with the run down to Newport, but the 47 one the front, the one with all the Scarborough Spa advertising on it, did seem to be making quite a bit of smoke….
After a short stop at Newport where most of us got off for a short break and surreptitious fag, we soon arrived at Alexandra Docks goods loop where 5407 & 4871 were waiting. We left here about 10 early and were soon bowling along in the usually style with I believe drivers Poole and Churchill in charge. By Cardiff we were 15 up and Bridgend it was 22 up, so we arrived at the ‘Ops’ stop at Port Talbot at about 12.45 instead of the scheduled 13.09. after a fairly short stop here we set off, well before the scheduled 13.40.
I was told later that when one of the drivers rang control to report our arrival, the reason for our stop was not known so we were allowed to continue. At Hendy junction we came to a stand presumably to await the southbound Swansea service. So back on time we set off on the single line, timings were so awry that by Llandeilo, having stopped for water at Pantyffynnon, we were about 30 minutes up. We then stopped at a small station with passing loop, can’t remember or spell the name, and were told that as we to await the arrival of another southbound service. After about 25 minutes we set off with the expected service train not seen, later told it had been failed at Llandrindod Wells with only on engine working, and had been hauled back to Shrewsbury.
Arrived at Llandrindod Wells over 30 minutes up and were told that we would be waiting for our due departure time of 19.34 after the next southbound service, so everyone headed off into the town.
Back on the train in plenty for time we were told that the southbound was running late, the same one that had been failed earlier had been sent out again and was again in trouble.
It eventually arrived about 40 minutes late making us now 45 minutes late. Apart from having to stop at several of the manually operated crossings, what a pain that is, we carried on to stop at a rearranged water stop at Church Stretton where passengers heading back south to Hereford and beyond were able to catch there service train which would have left Shrewsbury before we arrived. Very smart work by the support crew meant we were only there for about 10 minutes and there was some ‘brisk’ running to Shrewsbury. Leaving there about 35 down we again ran up to the limit all the way back to Crewe where I had to leave the train.
I was told that the run back to Manchester again involved some quick running and with a chunk of recovery time made the arrival just before midnight around 20 late.
It would seem that the timings were erratic and unreasonable and with a bit of cooperation we could well have had a much more sensible and acceptable schedule.

Under the circumstances, Ian and his team, WCRC and RTS did they best they could, so all credit to them for trying hard to make the run successful.

Arriva, well what can you say, having a unit fail, then turn it out again on the next service seemingly with nothing done to rectify the fault is scandalous, you wonder if the penalties for a train failing en route are not as bad as those for it not even starting, so they were just playing the system.

 

Thanks for arranging the report, which I have enjoyed. Didn't realise you were working on this one.

 

There is some truth in that - I believe the term is 'delay minutes' so if there wasn't much scheduled to use the line then the delay minutes wouldn't have been much. It would be interesting to see a comparison between cancelled abatement and delay minutes.

Regards,

Dan

 

I think you should mention the crews all by name and not just the Drivers - its called teamwork and one cant do without the other - in fact especially the fireman, there would be no coal, water etc!

 

Hi, I managed to get a few shots at Cynghordy viaduct, Llandrindod, Llanbister road and Craven arms. It must have been quite a day
for the crews! Congratulations to them for their fantastic team efforts.

http://rickeborallphotography.fotopic.net/ To see my efforts!!

All the best.....