Tour No. 42 : The Western Slater (Pathfinder)
Friday 19th September 2009
1Z52 06.30 Didcot-Blaenau Ffestiniog
Didcot – Oxford – Banbury – Leamington Spa – Coventry – Bescot – Crewe – Llandudno – Blaenau
1Z53 16.12 Blaenau Ffestiniog-Didcot
Blaenau – Llandudno – Crewe – Alsager – Stoke – Colwich – Cannock – Bescot – Coventry – Leamington Spa – Banbury – Oxford – Didcot
It was an early start for many as they made their way to Didcot Parkway for an 06.30 departure to the North Wales slate capital of Blaenau Ffestiniog. D1015 had travelled up overnight with its 9 coach rake of Riviera stock and DTG engineer Andy Venn had worked the graveyard shift to ensure that the loco was prepared for the journey ahead. The weather was mild and although not a ‘scorcher’ was pleasant enough throughout the day.After departing Didcot the train picked up at Oxford, Banbury, Leamington, Coventry, Birmingham International and finally Tame Bridge Parkway. The schedule was hardly punishing and there was an extended break of around half an hour at Birmingham International for pathing purposes, D1015 comfortably kept time. After a final crew change at Crewe we set out along the North Wales coast, unlike some coastal stretches in the UK the North Wales coast is hardly scenic and one of it’s most prolific features are caravans!At Llandudno Junction D1015 ran around its stock in order to take the steeply graded branch to Blaenau Ffestiniog. The climb up to Blaenau was taken in its stride by D1015 and I am told that the driver commented that it was all a bit too easy compared to runs he had had up there with other traction.
A break of 3 hours in Blaenau was more than adequate for those who didn’t choose to take a trip on the narrow gauge steam railway. The pub did a roaring trade but even with the arrival of an excursion full of people Blaenau was not exactly busy, Morriseys ‘Every day is like Sunday’ came to mind more than once.The return journey departed on time and D1015 retraced its steps as far as Crewe where we took the Stoke line via Alsager, a first for D1015 in preservation. The journey south was via Cannock, another new bit of track, before rejoining the outward route at Bescot. Arrival at Didcot was on time and another successful D1015 tour was completed.
Below : D1015 pauses at Chester after a Crew Change bound for Blaenau Ffestiniog. Photo : Paul Winter.
Below : Clag shot of D1015 at Llandudno Junction running around the stock in
readiness to depart for
Blaenau Ffestiniog. Photo : Steve Hampton.
Below : D1015 attached to the stock ready for the climb up to
Blaenau Ffestiniog. Photo : Nick Townsend.
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Below : D1015 caught at Roman Bridge. Photo : Bernard Mills
Below : D1015 takes a well earned breather after running around the stock at Blaenau Ffestiniog . Photo : Paul Winter.
Below : D1015 opens up taking the stock out of Blaenau Ffestiniog before reversal back in to Platform 3 and departure to Didcot. Photo: Steve Hampton.
Below : D1015 is just about to enter Bleanau Ffestinog tunnel on the return 1Z53 1610 Blaenau Ffestinog - Didcot Parkway : Photo Anthony Flusk.
