Six Nations Rugby means lots of special trains to Cardiff. This means another wet session at Newport. After joining Lee and co. on 158964, arrived pretty early and found lots of people already around. As the morning progressed, the end of the platform became very crowded - much to the amazement of those passing on increasingly sardine-tin like trains. There was actually quite a scrum to get a photo position when things began to happen!

A little less freight than usual, but lots going on. Arrived to find a convoy of five EWS class 66s about to leave. Noted several shuttle services in operation to clear the crowds, which were being carefully controlled by security, Arriva staff and the BTP. The specials started to arrive a little before lunchtime, with a parade of class 67s, including three on a single train, thanks to an earlier failure of 67012.

Soon after, the Class 47s began arriving with 47853 and 47843 hauling specials. Rather suddenly, 47839 appeared going like the clappers, light engine towards Cardiff to cover any failures. The promised pair of Fragonset 47s which passed Willesden on Thursday top and tailed the very unusual 'Queen of Scots' stock.


Shortly before kick off at Cardiff things began to quieten down. Wessex Trains response to the crowds then began to appear - a series of 'mega-units' consisting of combinations of 158, 153 and 150. Caught one of these all the way home, with a slight hitch at Temple Meads where they took 158822 off the back - just when I was getting comfortable. A dull and damp but entertaining day.