In the words of one wistful crank on the unit back from Cardiff tonight: "I probably won't ever go to Rhymney again". Despite the apparent melodrama in this statement, an era will end next Saturday, and today we celebrated in style.
Out on the first train from Highbridge at 0905 after some deliberation and, now I think about it, some foolishness about not going to South Wales today. Hugely inconvenient times meant a long wait at Temple Meads and missing the first two trains off Cardiff. Met up with more Somerset cranks at Bristol and set off on the delayed 1040 to Cardiff, a mega-158 combo of no less than eight cars! Received some worrying family news after setting off, which left me a bit torn as to where to be for the remainder of the day. Took advice and stuck with it however, and after a quick run through the tunnel arrived in time to stock up on provisions before the 1156 to Rhymney arrived.
In order to try to vary our traction, and to travel with all the sets out working today, we started with a short hop to Caerphilly in the company of 37425 and 37419. Excellent running in bright sunshine, with a chance to take photographs on arrival. Somewhere on this trip we passed the 33 hauled set - something we seemed to do a lot, as we chased it up and down the valley! A short wait after the 37s had left for 37411 leading 50049 back to Cardiff Central. While we waited, a slightly aggrieved normal decided to ask what was so special about the train which "had completely ruined her day" - I think she was surprised by the vociferous answers she received! Once aboard, more speedy running with a check near Queen Street, then about half an hour to wander Cardiff and wait for the next train back up the valley.
We expected the same set in reverse, but were pleasantly surprised to see the 50s had been swapped at Canton, producing 50031 and 37411 back up to Rhymney. Once again, a fantastic run. Debated bailing at Bargoed for the Crompton, but once again it passed us seconds before we arrived! So, up to Rhymney with this set - and a delay awaiting the arrival and departure of a service train which arrived late and then had to clear the single line as far as Bargoed before we could move - the shape of things to come when DMUs rule this line perhaps?
Not a hope of a decent picture of the 50 at Rhymney due to truly huge crowds and lots of security and British Transport Police marshalling us around. Stayed with this set back to Caerphilly. A quick change of platforms here, in perfect time to see ex-DRS 33207 now in West Coast Railway Co. colours arriving with the set we'd been chasing all day. Hopped aboard for a spirited run back up the valley to Rhymney. No chance of pictures at Rhymney as the light began to fail, and just like always when I'm in the valleys, the rain began to fall. Good to see some traditions don't change.
Another DMU related delay at Rhymney with a similar wait before 47854 arrived back from the headshunt for our last trip back down to Cardiff. In my view, perhaps the best run of the day speedwise, despite the gloom turning into full darkness by the time we arrived back at Cardiff.
Watched 47854 lead the stock off to Canton before boarding the 1900 back to Bristol. The delay at Rhymney meant missing the 1830 and a long wait for a train home, but I was cold and happy with the day, despite the crowds and the light preventing much in the way of photography. The atmosphere was celebratory throughout, and I bumped into quite a few folks I knew during the day. A fitting send off for the last diesel-hauled daylight service trains in the national timetable.
Soon after arrival in Bristol, I was evacuated due to a full scale security alert at Temple Meads with armed police herding lots of angry punters off the concourse and into a cold and exposed spot on the approach road. There was it seems, a report of a male carrying a firearm in the station, which meant a full search by machine gun toting officers. So all stop through Temple Meads, with trains stacking up on the approaches. The process of searching and checking the platforms took quite a time, and the sound of some ECS moves in the station convinced people their trains were leaving without them which caused a near riot - which the young Police officer in situ dealt with very well. Finally got away on the 2107 about 55 late. A cold and tiring end to a fantastic day in the valleys.
I probably won't ever go to Rhymney again either.
Once again, managed to slip out of work for a while for one of D1015s now almost regular visits to Weston. Arrived a little after 1100 to find Western Champion awaiting the departure of a unit from platform 2. A chance to get some shots, despite poor light and bleak skies. A fair turn out of enthusiasts for a weekday morning too. The 'Dunster by Candlelight' tour has become an interesting annual event now, but today was perhaps not quite the event which last year produced!
Bang on 11:11 D1015 thundered out of the station, leaving a trail of clag in its wake. Exhilarating stuff, and a reminder of why I go out in the cold when I could be safely tucked into my warm office! Other rail users have not been quite so lucky today.
Later, after another delayed Wessex journey home, I was wandering back from the Coopers Arms when I heard the tell-tale sounds of the Western passing on it's return trip. If I'd planned my times better I could have watched it pass Highbridge at speed. Still lots to get used to in my new location.
After a couple of weeks of being unable to speak properly, incredible tired and generally sorry for myself, I was determined to get out today. Got up obscenely early just in case anything was happening, but decided that for old times' sake I'd go for the Wessex Class 31s which were heading for Southampton again this weekend. The strange mid-morning timetable for Highbridge meant heading out at 10:19 on the soon to be abolished Arriva service for Pembroke Dock and Crewe. Only half of the train had turned up, and the staff were going nuts. Languished in the vestibule as far as Temple Meads.
Had an extended wait at Bristol for the 13:40. Chatted to a few locals, out for the steam special due in around the same time we left. Had lunch and wandered around the station. A little before 13:00 31452 led the stock south through the middle road, so it looked like the trip was on. Finally aboard a freezing Mk 2 at 13:20, and off on time. As ever the stopping pattern on this service put paid to any hope of being on time, but the 31s performed pretty well - with the stops at Westbury and Salisbury mopping up most of the extra minutes. Passed the Black Five at Oldfield Park, and later 67020 on the VSOE excursion at Bradford-on-Avon. Noted 31454 stabled rather incongruously at Salisbury too. Arrived a couple of minutes late at a freezing but dry Southampton Central.
Not much light remaining for photographs so wandered around looking for somewhere to get hot coffee and food without queueing for ages, and finally found a 'Cafe Ritazza' which I don't remember being there before. Coffee good, but the 'breakfast panini' was pretty weird - not recommended. I was so cold I could barely taste it anyway. Front coach on the way back was at least heated. During a short wait at Bristol for the 19:15, noted 66061 on the scrap train, apparently abandoned on the middle road.
Good to get out again after what feels like a very long break indeed. Its almost a year since I got any Class 31 mileage too!
Another early start in the darkness of Highbridge station. Changed at Weston for the soon to be legendary 1S49. Met a work colleague heading for the Midlands to buy a car, and passed the time to Birmingham chatting happily in rapidly improving autumn weather. Once again, sent via the scenic route of Worcester and Kidderminster. Off Birmingham after quite a wait, and some quick running as far as Derby where we reversed via Long Eaton and a first for me - the run through Toton to Trowell Junction. Any hope of getting everything on the depot was dashed by the presence of a massive crowd of football fans heading for Chesterfield wondering why the journey was taking so long. Chatted to one or two of them as far as their destination.
The weather deteriorated as we sped north, and on leaving Sheffield things looked bleak. Put it down to the gloomy stretch via Mexborough and Swinton, hoping for a change. Arrived in Doncaster in a deluge and sprinted for cover so quickly that it was some time before I realised that 57601 and pet Duff 47826 were stabled just inches from where I arrived!
Queued for coffee among a crowd of very damp passengers, then wandered around the station chatting to fellow cranks and generally watching what was going on. A busy couple of hours for a Saturday including a number of weedkiller workings and a few freights. Highlight in this respect must be the surprise convoy of 66080, 60087, 60027, 60011 and 66208 which passed by at speed - not making for the best photograph.
Determined to get a least a quick look at one of Hull Trains new 'Pioneer' units. After a wander over the rickety footbridge to find Cotswold Rail's freshly painted but unnumbered 47033, I finally got a chance when 222101 arrived on the 1359 to Hull
Left Doncaster after a pleasant couple of hours on the 1435 to Kings Cross. Speedy running in fine evening sunshine. Even this wasn't simple however as south of Stevenage, moments after seeing my last class 67 pass by, we forked left for Hertford North and Gordon Hill - more, albeit unexpected, new track for me. A quick underground trip to Paddington and aboard the 17:30 for Highbridge along with lots of Arsenal and Reading fans heading home. A relaxing trip, followed by a few welcome pints at the Coopers. Some decent mileage, interesting sightings and an excellent way to wind down after a busy week.
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.
