Steel Steam and Stars 4 - March 6, 7, 8, 13, 14 and 15 2015

I would have thought one of the best ways to get a regular service between Carrog and Corwen would have been to just use the Auto train, but maybe this was thought to be to boring/didn't work logistically/lack of watering facilities???

 

How many Auto-coaches are there on the railway, as of course in theory an auto-train can be up to four coaches long with the loco sandwiched in the middle.

 

I think there are only two operational, but I am prepared to be corrected!

 

3. 2 of them serviceable and the other still being re built.

Not so long ago there was 5 of the things on the railway. The other 2 having been fully restored and rebuilt into their pre auto coach form. Rail motor and trailer.

 

Just wondering if anybody can confirm the direction that each locomotive is facing for the gala?

Off the top of my head, I'm sure it's only 3205 due to be facing East, but I may be mistaken?

 

I'm pretty sure that's right.

 

That's the plan, unless for some reason they don't get chance to turn 5199.

 

Pictures seen yesterday of the baby castle on the back of a low loader. Should be touching down in Wales today.

 

Some questions about the evening trains, if somebody could answer them:
1. Why does the 17:55 FO ex Corwen not leave Carrog until 18:55? That seems an excessively long wait at the latter and it allows at most 2 hours 20 minutes in Llangollen before the last return train.
2. The 20:00 and 21:45 ex Llangollen in the Friday and Saturday timetables are both shown as running non-stop to Corwen. Does that mean that, after a (perhaps rushed) beer or two in the evening in Llangollen, it would be necessary to travel to Corwen and then back to Glyndyfrdwy, where I will be staying?
3. Will it be possible to get an evening return ticket between Glyn and Llan for SWMBO? She otherwise has no interest in the gala goings on, would enjoy an evening drink, but would certainly frown upon (to put it mildly!) a protracted journey back to our base.
Cheers,

 

Right, answers as follows:

1. Train waits at Carrog for 50 minutes for One train working staff to be released out of Goods box, then moved up to Carrog to allow train to return.
2. Down evening journeys do appear to be non stop, but fear not. You can relax in the pleasant surroundings of the on train buffet car (most likely the Thompson) and enjoy a not so rushed beer.
3. It would be worth a word with someone from 6880 group (contact details for the event on their web page). It might be worth asking the possibility of stopping the train at Glyn on the Down journey also. For the 60's weekends i normally have the evening trains booked as none stop, unless anyone asks in good time to be dropped at a certain station.

 

What time is 3205 arriving today?

 

Thanks for the information - I will certainly enquire about the possibility of an evening ticket. Having had another look at the timetable I have realised that while it shows departures from Llangollen in chronological order, the order of arrivals is somewhat random! It has become clear that the best train to catch from Glyndyfrdwy for an evening in Llangollen on the Friday would be the 17:17 (16:37 ex Corwen).

 

If the guide contains the full wtt it should make a little bit more sense. Well, hopefully anyway!

 

Ordered one yesterday with my day ticket which I will put to good use on Saturday 14th, the only full day that we will have in the Dee valley - unless my wife has a change of heart about allowing me out unaccompanied!

 

About an hour ago.

 

Ah, well. Any idea what time other stuff's arriving. Do you remember when 9466 got stuck in the layby at Chirk or somewhere for SSS 2007? That was because my car was parked next to the entrance. Will Naylor and Quentin McGuinness came and found me in Y Felin Yd.

 

Why - what have you been up to ?

 

What's the usual delivery time for the Brochures/Timetable? Ordered mine early Am on Monday, and just wondering when I should expect it to appear.

 

I ordered mine plus tickets about two weeks ago. My tickets arrived on Monday with a note enclosed saying that the brochure would be posted 7-10 days before the event! Hope this helps.

 

Have`nt received my timetable & need to know asap to make a decision on what day to
attend therefore & I KNOW ITS CHEEKY BUT, can any kind soul advise
what is working the evening services on FRI (13TH) & SAT (14TH) PLEASE
Thanks so much
Neale