A slightly late start, and into one of those days where things just seem to go wrong. Firstly, the ticket office issued my CDR to Rhymney for tomorrow, which gave me all kinds of awkward moments throughout the day. Next, I ended up with sugar in my coffee and an almost inedible breakfast. At some point things just had to turn around...
And they finally did as 47839 left Canton and began to creep towards Platform 6 at Cardiff Central. I had gambled on this loco working the 10:59 having seen no concrete gen, and it paid off. Station staff with a sense of occasion, not to mention a sense of humour switched off the auto-announcer to call the '10:59 Spotter Special to Rhymney with a shiny blue 47 on the front'. Cranks filled almost all of the front coach on the way up the valley.
As we left Cardiff the weather began to turn, and as the skies darkened a downpour began which was to last most of the trip. The locomotive performed wonderfully all the way, with some very spirited running and some quick starts. Spotted a few faces from the very dim and distant past around the valley today. Off at Rhymney for a photocall in the rain, with some impatient types heading off the platform end to the foot crossing, much to the disgust of the lurking Heddlu Trafnidiaeth Prydeinig - clearly our arrival was anticipated! A swift but not entirely heartfelt ticking off was delivered and things went on much as before.
As ever, the ride back down to Cardiff was much busier with normals heading for the shops. Didn't hang around at Central since the rain was still pouring down. Bumped into friends on the platform at Weston and passed the time until their train arrived. I can't actually remember ever being in Rhymney when it hasn't rained...
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
