Ynys-Mon Express 28 May 2016

I've not seen any reference to this trip yet on here, so thought I'd post a quick heads up.

Although RTT doesn't yet have the times up (maybe Flying Scotsman is deputising for the Scot ), Pathfinder have sent tickets and confirmed times, and they vary a little from those originally advertised, so if anyone is looking to watch or film it, the key times, i.e. the steam bits, are quoted as:

d Crewe 1005
a Bangor 1250
a Holyhead 1330

d Holyhead 1625
d Bangor 1700
a Crewe 1935

It's an earlier start from Swindon than originally thought (0540 rather than 0615) though the return times are not very different (arr 2330 not 2340). The diesel part is expected to be a DBC 66.

Hope someone finds it useful and I'm not breaching any new rules

 

Times are up now:

http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53306/2016/05/28/advanced
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/U53310/2016/05/28/advanced

 

Yes, thanks.

A long wait at Llandudno Junction, I see, especially on the outward run. I'm guessing some of that time is for water, and maybe a pathing wait.

Anyone know if this is usual on Holyhead trips?

 

Llandudno is the usual water stop but it is normally closer to 30 minutes than an hour.

 

Platform availability at Holyhead methinks; there is the Virgin Trains service due from Holyhead around mid-day that may affect platform availability.

 

There are service trains from Llandudno Junction to Holyhead at 12.01 and 12.15. The tour arrives at The Junction at 11.20, so it's not going to get watered and away before the 12.01, so it will have to wait until after the 12.15 departure.

 

That looks very much like the answer. Looking at Holyhead, nothing seems to use Platform 1 around the time we arrive, so I think pathing from Llandudno Junction is the critical factor.

 

Scot or not real times trains now showing only a few minutes at Crewe there and back for loco change and DBC operating company!

 

Don't panic! There are two columns: take note of the times in the WTT column. And it's always been a DB job.

 

Are you involved, sir?

 

Thank you for you reply

 

Royal Scot leaves Crewe for Holyhead 28 May 2016

Echoing Royal Scot's memorable inaugural run in February, Pathfinder took another tour with No 46100 from Crewe to Holyhead and return. I was at Crewe in the morning for the engine change and departure.

12 pictures are at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/f731739511

Peter on a grey but dry afternoon in Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

46100 passing Ffynnongroyw and on towards Mostyn Signal Box on the return leg on a hazy evening:

 

Good tour for the most part but after Rhyl outward, I was wishing for some WCRC stock with broken tannoy, I know some announcements have to be made, but Pathfinder went into full overload with this, almost giving an 8 page essay on the history of every bloody sleeper, totally drowning out the loco and disturbing the peace every 5 mins for those who wanted to watch the scenary go by, shut the hell up man!.

Loco performed faultlessly and the Irish Mail headboard being worn west of Llandudno Junction was a nice touch.

 

One from Bagillt - 30 minutes after cloudless blue sky was lost to an incoming front ! Such effrontery !!

 

A bit of a mixed day, with dull weather in Cheshire and some sun out on the coast despite some heavy rain mid day.

46100 at Conway on the outward trip and passing the crossing box at Llanfair PG on the return, with 'The Irish Mail' headboard.
And Ffynongroew on the return from the (just about) sunny side, despite the wind now coming off the sea the exhaust shadow stayed clear of the engine.

 

I saw quite a few videos of us being taken from cars running alongside the train on the A55, (including at least one being recorded by a driver using his phone!!) so I'll be interested to see if any appear on YouTube.

All in all, a great day, even three hours in Holyhead was OK as we found a couple of pubs selling decent beer!

It seemed the Scot performed effortlessly, with 70+ running from time to time, but I believe we were running behind other services at times and the driver took it steady rather than running up to yellows and reds then having to brake.

DB certainly seem to have some superbly competent and enthusiastic steam crew.

Agree about the verbal overload on the Tannoy though!

 

Hi Guys,here's a few shots i took on the North Wales Coast Line yesterday
https://www.flickr.com/photos/garstangpost/27310507385/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/garstangpost/27240668651/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/garstangpost/26703606574/in/dateposted-public/

Thanks for sharing your images of the Ynys -Mon Express
Best Wishes Tony

 

Just wondering how dbc can operate without a diesel at the rear for shunting the carriages at Holyhead, whereas wcrc always have to take a diesel for that purpose!