70013 to Fishguard, 22 May 2010.

If its WCRC doing the honours (as I believe it will be, as the last time I did this route was 71000 to Milford Haven with EWS- Class 66 haulage), then we'll probably have a Class 47 tagging along on the back as far as Carmarthen ready for the reversal to Fishguard. Having witnessed several tours into (and out of!) Fishguard Harbour, they usually uncouple the diesel to allow steam to tackle Manorowen on its own.

 

I'm still fairly surprised at how many seats are left on this trip. Looking at the RTC website (yes, I have far too much time on my hands today!), there are around 90 spread over all classes. I suppose the market has been diluted somewhat for the 22 May with five tours happening, although its encouraging at this late stage that no letter has been sent out to postpone the trip. I suppose the trip has pretty much washed its face in terms of finance, but it may mean that steam to deepest West Wales may be put on the back-burner for a bit if the demand isn't there.

 

Well the trip is only 6 days away now. I shall be making a start on getting 5029 nice and clean on Tuesday, although there is no doubt the Severn Tunnel will have it's say! I can't wait to hear that Castle roar out of Fishguard and over Cockett!!!

 

It's a shame I can't go on this, I would love to. But I work Saturdays and having taken the 1st May off for the Beltane I can't get this one as well :ballchain:

I hope it goes well and that Nunney performs well. She had a belter when I saw her on the GBIII, and was looking good on the Didcot demo line too.

Give her a good shine Ben!

 

Nigel Dobbing told me late yesterday that this would be would be "THE LAST RTC STEAM TO FISHGUARD"

Why? Not a popular destination for non-enthusiasts + "operationally it poses difficulties"..........

5029 will be load 8 and the diesel will NOT be attached out of Fishguard but run seperately. Also, bookings are open.

I normally dont repeat conversations such as these but Nigel commented that keen forum members might wish to know that RTC are v unlikely("never") to head that far west with steam again. 3 of the last 4 steam runs there have,he thinks,been RTC

Maybe a destination for one of the emerging operaters but if you "need" 5029 working solo in the Far West.........

Maybe Mods could change the header to "5029--last trip to Fishguard?"

 

I am so glad I booked on this this trip then as I have not travelled further west than Swansea before. [the St. Davids Day Swansea- Paddington run] Soo few steam trips actually start or can be joined in South Wales I've found it dificult to do anything other than Torbay's inthe last 2-3 years.
Would love to do RYTC trip to Par, no problem getting train to Bristol and can return to Cardiff but probably miss last train up to Ystrad Mynach
still investigating possibilities for this one
Looking forward to a great day saturday

 

Thats a great idea about changing the name of the thread. Come on mods, you know what to do!

 

Ah, excellent, but a rather sad fact of life, and shows how difficult it is to run steam in my neck of the woods, so if this is the case, I'm glad I'm on it. I've had my tickets today, too, 08:57 off Newport, arriving in Carmarthen at 11:57 for water stop, then diesel hauled to Fishguard, arriving at 14:30. 5029 will depart at 15:45.

 

Hi Ben, any idea what time your light movement's are for this weekend trip please.

 

Sorry Jane i'm afraid I don't know. Timings are treated as confidential so it's not my place to give them out.

 

http://www.uksteam.info/tours/t10/t0521p.htm

Times are here for light engine move.

 

Afraid Nigels right there, since the local station (Fishguard & Goodwick ?) went, Fishguards just a rather dodgy looking Ferry Terminal, that said some of the South Wales Main Line is quite scenic around Llanelli from memory)

 

There are plans to re-open Fishguard and Goodwick, but as with the promises of a third daily service, nothing has yet come of them. The original station building on the Up platform is still there, although the Down platform and signal box were both removed along with the loop. The problem with the Harbour is that there's absolutely nothing you can do once you are there, as there's simply no time (if you are quick walkers, you could go for a swift one at the Rose and Crown or the Glendower, both about 15 mins walk into Goodwick). It's a destination just crying out for a turntable! I hope RTC will still consider tours to Pembroke Dock, as this will be the last of the three surviving branches left for me to do with steam.

A good ploy would be to reintroduce a summer heritage service similar to the Cambrian from say Swansea to Carmarthen, with the option to go on to Haverfordwest. The only problem is that it would have to go tender first as far as Carmarthen on the return. Regardless, it does have Wales' answer to the Dawlish Sea Wall between Kidwelly and Burry Port and some lush, green farmland and rolling hills. Anyway, I'm in carriage B, so come along and say hi!

 

Any news on this run yet? believe it should be leaving Newport around now.

James

 

10 minutes early through pontyclun. Load 8 assorted livery coaches.

 

Any pictures yet?

 

return now via swansea district line not cockett due to signal failures

david

 

some photos at newport http://keyhamtrain.fotopic.net

 

Not from me - I was too busy trying to avoid being arrested at the time she was approaching Cardiff Central for taking pictures. Surprised South Wales Police have time to take an interest in rail photographers given the shocking crime figures in parts of the city.

Please note - this was not off bounds on the lineside or similar but in a normal city street!

 

Just back from an excellent day out with 5029 and co. The day was blessed with glorious weahter and some impressive performances from the loco:-the westbound ascent of Stormy Bank was particularly energetic. The loco was bulled up nicely and the Red Dragon headboard was a very nice touch. Really satisfying that in GWR175 year a Swindon product reached out to the Westernmost stretches of the South Wales main line and put in an impeccable performance. Well done to all involved. Top drawer main line steam.