Crewe station and
the Steamy Affairs charter to Holyhead "The Irish
Mail" had arrived behind class 50 diesels number
50049 "Defiance", owned by The Class
50 Society and 50031 "Hood" owned by
The 50 Fund. Waiting in the wings with its support coach was
71000 "Duke of Gloucester", looking magnificent
as ever. The steam locomotive had been held on the LNWR carriage
sheds before running light engine into the station. 7/5/2005
The 50's were uncoupled
and taken off to park adjacent to the WCML. 7/5/2005
71000 then ran
out onto the Chester line before reversing onto the train. 7/5/2005
While waiting to
leave, 71000 was joined by a Virgin Pendolino. This shot is reminiscent
of a picture on the front of a 1960's railway annual which depicted
71000 with, I think, an AL6, AC electric. 7/5/2005
It was a chilly
day and, as 7100 started to haul its 13 coach train out of platform
12, there was steam just about everywhere. Very dramatic. 7/5/2005
Crossing over the
complex pointwork, the engine appeared to move with extreme ease
while leaving a trail of exhaust to drift around the station.
The smell brought back the memories of Crewe station in the days
of steam traction. Pure magic! 7/5/2005
The steam created
its own shadow which made photography somewhat difficult. 7/5/2005
The two diesels
later returned to head off to wait for the return of 71000. 7/5/2005
During the years that I have been compiling rail37.com
I have received several hundred e-mails in various guises but
never have any been abusive. I have never set out to insult any
individual or cause distress - that approach is not my character
and certainly not not the purpose of this site. I was therefore
somewhat surprised and not unconcerned to receive the following
e-mail from a reader who clearly has an issue with the site.
I haven't responded to his disgraceful outburst to enquire but
I believe that he is upset by the eighth image at CREWE_HOLYHEAD
31st May 2004
I have taken
much worse abuse in my time on this Earth and am fully aware
that there are some strange people about but what I find disturbing
is that someone who purports to be in a responsible occupation
can respond in such a violent and abusive way to what was an
innocent and factual comment - the people on the platform were
in training on that day and were watching how the locomotive
was coupled to the DVT, that was the information I was given
at the time.
The chap with
his back to the group was the driver of the 47 and was merely
watching the proceedings and therefore not involved apart from
the fact that it was his train. If he is the Father of this gentleman
it would be interesting to see what he thinks of his apparent
son.
Maybe it is
a wind-up I don't know but we do not need these people on the
net so I have forwarded the e-mail to AOL's monitoring department
requesting that this person's account is closed. Maybe an ASBO
would be suitable here.
I have reproduced
this illiterate piece of abuse below, censored for the sake of
decency and will make sure I don't travel by rail in the Tram
Inn district of Herefordshire.
Dear Sir
Ive just viewed your web site where you describe training day
at Holyhead.My father is the individual who is driving the class
47 concerned.A man of 30 years plus experiance.A man of great
knowledge intellect and professionalism.I myself am a signaller
who carries out my daily work with the same due diligence.My
signalbox is at Tram Inn in Herefordshire.I would welcome a visit
from you so that I can show you exactly where to stick your camera.You
sarcastic moronic a******e.
Phil Higgins aka philbakula@aol.com
With the imposing shape
of the Great Orme and its fascinating tramway as a backdrop,
Super Voyager 221135 "Donald Campbell"
left Deganwy and headed for Llandudno - golf anyone? 3/5/2006
The return trip
to London as 135 entered Deganwy station with the unmistakable
shape of The Castle Hotel in the background. 3/5/2005
Deganwy has a smart
little station with a view across the Conwy estuary that most
people would die for. With Conwy Castle nestling in the background
it is no wonder that the development on Deganwy Quay is not the
cheapest property on the market. 3/5/2005
An unidentified
Hippo trundled across the golf course en route for Llandudno
Junction and beyond. Why didn't I use this spot when 37's were
hauling the Manchester-Llandudno service? 3/5/2005
- BANGOR - HOLYHEAD
