5Z31
06.20 Yeovil Junction - Castle Cary
1Z31
07.05 Castle Cary - Llandudno Junction
5Z31
13.18 Llandudno Junction - Penmanmwr Quarry
5Z41
15.41 Penmanmwr Quarry - Llandudno Junction
1Z61
16.18 Llandudno Junction - Westbury
This
private charter operated as the annual MendipRail staff outing. Each Year Mendip
Rail treat their staff to a day out as a thank you for all their efforts during
the previous year and this years bash was to destinations along the North Wales
coastline to Llandudno Junction. Foster Yeoman, now part of MendipRail, often
had Westerns hauling their heavy stone trains from Merehead to destinations as
far as Luton, Botley, Wootton Bassett, Yate and Oxford during the 1970's. Indeed
the first Foster Yeoman stone train was hauled by D1035 Western Yeoman and the
1000th stone train was hauled by D1000 Western Enterprise. With D1015
Western Champion being available to operate the charter it was a golden
opportunity for Foster Yeoman staff and friends to remake an old acquaintance!
Amongst
the highlights planned for this charter was the first Western hauled train Up
the steep Lickey Incline since February 12th 1977 and the first
Western, we believe, to work Westward from Chester along the North Wales coast.
However, the 75 mph restriction imposed because D1015 is not yet fully TPWS
fitted meant it was impossible to get a path from Bristol to Birmingham and so
we ran along the more historic Welsh Marches via Hereford and Shrewsbury, old
Western haunts of the early 1960's.
During
the two days before the operation of this charter D1015 WESTERN CHAMPION
was exhibited at Yeovil Junction as part of the Main Line Steam Trust weekend
open day event.
The
charter train was our longest duty yet in terms of mileage with some 530 miles
ahead of us. D1015's 840 gallon tank was more than enough to cope with this
(based on 1¼ gallons per mile average) provided there was no lengthy delays or
diversions. For insurance arrangements were made for a road tanker to meet the
train a Penmanmwr to top up the fuel. However, the best laid plans etc. etc!
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The
weather forecast promised some showers during the day and a decidedly cool
breeze and Bristol Filton Abbey Wood station (left) at 08.35 in the
morning suggested the weatherman would be right. However,
we didn't care what the weatherman said when the weather man said its
raining, you wouldn't hear us complaining……we had something
entertaining! As
we headed further North during the day the weather improved and we were
bathed in almost |
constant
sunshine. This was certainly a good sign for all of the 500+ passengers on
board. As the train was made up mostly of families with children it resembled an
ADEX from the 1970's, holiday makers going for a day trip to the seaside. Except
this time they were travelling to North Wales for the sunshine rather than South
Devon.
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The
first set down point was Chester for a 5 hour break in the historic city
followed by Rhyl and then Llandudno Junction itself (right). Passengers
from our train were taken to Llandudno by bus for the sea or to visit a
vintage transport rally or to just walk over the bridge to Conwy. D1015
and its train went to Penmanmwr Quarry for servicing but unfortunately no
refuelling facilities were available. The suggested road tanker supply
could not be made and so on the return journey it was recommended that we
went to Chester depot for fuel. |
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There was a booked 30 minute stop at Chester but this would eventually rise to near 60 minutes as D1015 made its way from the train (left) onto the shed for a drink. Some
250 gallons, lots of glass tumblers and several books of stamps later
Western Champion returned to the train and we left Chester around 30
minutes late. This did not cause too much concern as we were originally
booked to follow an all stations stopping train from Crewe to Hereford. As
this train had long gone by Shrewsbury we were back on time! |
Another Champion day out! The only disappoint perhaps was the restriction which meant D1015 couldn't show its full potential of consistent 90 mph running. Our current plans mean that this trip should be the last time we operate under this speed restriction. The fitting of TPWS is now fully under way, ready for our next charter train on 27th July, hauling the prestigious Orient Express Pullman.
