The Cambrian 2010

WOW, what an amazing day on the Cambrian! Cannot stop smiling after the thrash along the coast...

 

I heard on Sunday from a driver I know at Llangollen that yesterdays Cambrian was fully booked?

Well, thats it for another year, roll on 2011.

 

I can back that up...absolutely packed!

Lewis

 

Glad the season finished strongly after what appeared to be a slow start. Maybe next year West Coast will have the confidence to promote it more widely before the season unlike this year where the operation seemed to be in doubt util the last minute.

 

Really, WCRC need to advertise in the press in midlands and wherever else the coast holidaymakers typically travel en-masse from.

According to today's paper, the train made an additional stop opposite Hafod Mawddach care home so the driver could present the residents with a box of chocolates, as they'd been watching the train every day.

 

On Monday, the mountain road (Panorama Road) was blocked by a van and a car about 50 yards past the turning for the hotel. The builder's revenge?

It takes more than a blocked road to stop a determined gricer, though:
http://richard5490.fotopic.net/p66860128.html

Getting the classic shots at Criccieth as well made it a very worthwhile first visit to the Cambrian in three years.

Richard

 

This is correct, yes! We stood just outside of one of the stations for the crew to hand over some chocolates and for them to have some photos! The whole thing was really sweet

Lewis

 

Very nice indeed, Richard. Congrats on having managed to chase it from Barmouth in that traffic. You can't blame the builder for having a raj, if it was him. He was in a pretty foul mood when I saw him on Friday, and if he caught up with the owner of the Shogun, I wouldn't blame him for giving the driver a piece of his mind! This builder was very helpful to me when I was looking at various photospots and even offered me the use of the tap to replenish with water. A nice chap, and someone us snappers need to keep as a friend.

 

Those are some fantastic shots Richard, if WCRC need any help with advertising they could do a lot worse than to use those..makes me want to travel it again!

 

An interesting line in this news report about ERTMS going live...

"ETCS equipment has also been fitted to ATW's 24 Class 158 diesel multiple-units, three Network Rail test locomotives and also a coach which can be marshalled in charter trains and steam-hauled tourist services."

Hopefully we'll get some more details about how this works, especially when it comes to running round.

Chris

 

It sounds the most straightforward solution. Remember also that the support diesel that will have to come down with the kettle and stock for next year's season will also need to be fitted with ERTMS. If the Black 5 needed rescuing up the coast, ATW might not be happy about having to wait for a 97/3 to come down from Barrow Hill/Derby/Mossend/Eastleigh/wherever to drag it out of the way so they can carry on running their bits of plastic.

 

I wonder if said coach is air braked or air and vacuum braked??????

 

The 97/3's have a shed near Shrewsbury, though with all the delays to the Cambrian upgrade they've been used far and wide in the meantime.

Chris

 

For the duration of 'The Cambrian' op, NR will base a 97/3, at Mach, for cover.

JS

 

That's interesting. Thanks for letting us know.