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Aberystwyth and the Vale of Rheidol - 29th October 2009

No.8 (Llewelyn) waits to depart Devil's Bridge with the final scheduled train of 2009
No.8 (Llewelyn) waits to depart Devil's Bridge with the final scheduled train of 2009. Geoff Morris

On Thursday 29th October a party of 11 travelled by train to Aberystwyth for a ride on the Vale of Rheidol Railway. Many of us had not travelled over this line for many years - at least 2 of us had not travelled on it since it was privatised (in 1989).

Most of the trains we used were very heavily loaded and it was fortunate that the Fixtures Secretary had reserved seats for us between Chester & Aberystwyth & between Aberystwyth & Shrewsbury on the return leg. We travelled to Shrewsbury in 175104 on a Holyhead - Cardiff service - this was remarkably busy with almost all seats in 2 of the 3 coaches reserved. We had just 10 minutes to wait at Shrewsbury for the Cambrian line connection which was formed of a pair of class 158s : one for Aberystwyth, the other for Pwllheli. 158831, which formed the Aberystwyth portion, did not have any seat reservations labels and so, although we were all able to find seats, we could not sit together as a group. This was the first of our problems with Arriva Trains Wales on the day .

  
Some of our party disembark from 158831 on arrival at Aberystwyth
  Some of our party disembark from 158831 on arrival at Aberystwyth. Geoff Morris
Network Rail’s yellow-liveried class 37, 97302, was standing outside its maintenance shed at Coleham. After this the only trains we saw en route were 158841/830 which arrived in the loop at Talerddig at the same time as us - perfect operating. The shed yard at Machynlleth was devoid of trains although home to a substantial collection of Portakabins in connection with the implementation trial of the ERTMS system over the Cambrian system .

As we arrived at Aberystwyth we were surprised to see No. 8 (Llewelyn) in steam outside the VoR loco shed as the service is normally operated by a single loco at this time of year. It transpired that the steam loco scheduled for the days’ trains had failed and so the morning train had to be diesel-hauled. Fortunately for us, No.8 was prepared for the afternoon departure even though this would be the last service over the line in 2009.

Diesel loco No.10 , substituting for a steam loco failure, arrives at Aberystwyth on the 12:30 from Devil's Bridge.
  
Diesel loco No.10 , substituting for a steam loco failure, arrives at Aberystwyth on the 12:30 from Devil's Bridge.. Geoff Morris  
The morning train, formed of 3 packed coaches, duly arrived behind diesel loco No.10. This detached and shunted into a siding that already contained a small Kerr Stuart “Wren” class 0-4-0T. No. 8 then attached a further 3 coaches to the morning rake so that the afternoon service was strengthened to 6 coaches. The reason for this soon became apparent when most of the 3 coaches from the morning trip were marked as reserved for a coach party (and ourselves). Many other passengers turned up and the 6 coaches were almost filled to capacity on departure from Aberystwyth. The coaches were immaculately turned out both outside & in.

No.8 (Llewelyn) waits to depart Aberystwyth on the 14:00 to Devil's Bridge - the last scheduled departure for 2009
  
No.8 (Llewelyn) waits to depart Aberystwyth on the 14:00 to Devil's Bridge - the last scheduled departure for 2009. Geoff Morris  
  
Kerr Stuart 0-4-0T KS3114/1918 at Aberystwyth
  Kerr Stuart 0-4-0T KS3114/1918 at Aberystwyth. Geoff Morris

No.8 (Llewelyn) passes autumn colours on the 16:00 from Devil's Bridge
  
No.8 (Llewelyn) passes autumn colours on the 16:00 from Devil's Bridge. Geoff Morris  
  
Autumn colours in the Rheidol valley
  Autumn colours in the Rheidol valley. Geoff Morris

One unexpected spectacle during the journey was the appearance of several red kites in a field just before we reached the first loop at Capel Bangor station. Surprisingly we crossed another “train” here - a Permaquip track maintenance trolley towing a small trailer that was being used to convey plant material from some lineside clearance work. A water stop was made at Nantyronen before the real climbing began. The trip up the Rheidol Valley affords some spectacular views which were greatly enhanced by the autumn colours on the trees. After an hour’s journey we reached the terminus at Devil's Bridge. The coach party left us here and rejoined the waiting the (road) coach. There was an hour’s stop here to enable people to obtain refreshments and/or visit the falls on the river while the loco was serviced and the crew enjoyed a tea break. Despite the loss of the coach party, the train was well-filled for the run back to Aberystwyth where our arrival coincided with dusk setting in. Some of the red kites were still present in the field near Capel Bangor

No.8 (Llewelyn) runs back into Devil's Bridge station after taking water
  
No.8 (Llewelyn) runs back into Devil's Bridge station after taking water. Geoff Morris  
  
No.8 is oil-fired which helps to keep the footplate so clean & tidy
  No.8 is oil-fired which helps to keep the footplate so clean & tidy. Geoff Morris


158840 returned us from Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury. Once again there were no seat reservations labels in the unit but we were ready this time and occupied our booked seats before anyone else could get to them ! The train was very busy leaving Aberystwyth with a few standing passengers. Fortunately many alighted at Borth & Machynlleth and there was (just) sufficient seating for the passengers waiting at Machynlleth from the connecting service off the Pwllheli line. Our return journey was enlivened when the Branch Chairman enjoyed a conversation in Welsh with the attendant on the catering trolley.

  
67013 at the rear of the 16:33 Marylebone - Wrexham General service at Shrewsbury
  67013 at the rear of the 16:33 Marylebone - Wrexham General service at Shrewsbury. Geoff Morris
Our arrival at Shrewsbury was a few minutes early and we had hoped to take advantage on this to join a Cardiff - Holyhead service that was booked to leave 3 minutes before our booked arrival time. Although our party made it to the train (just) in time , its doors had already been closed and we were not able to persuade the conductor to open them for us - obviously the threat of a fine for a late departure was more important to Arriva than customer convenience. Many of our party let the platform staff know what they thought of our treatment!!.

We were now faced with either a 59 minute wait for the next train via Wrexham or else a 25 minute wait and taking the longer route via Crewe - we opted for the latter. The time soon passed as first 82305+67013 stopped on a (very well-loaded) Marylebone - Wrexham WSMR service (DSC04570 near here) and then 66111 (bearing a Highland Rail sticker !) and 66106 passed slowly through while top & tailing an RHTT bound for Machynlleth. 175116 on a Milford Haven - Manchester Piccadilly service took us to Crewe - this turned out to be easily the least crowded train of the day.

Bob proudly demonstrates that he didn't forget his bag (this time) !
  
Bob proudly demonstrates that he didn't forget his bag (this time) !. Geoff Morris  
At Crewe we found the west side of the station in chaos as a result of the WCML being blocked to down services due to a points problem at Weaver Junction - Pendolinos were standing in platforms 11 & 12 and on the through line, between platforms 5 & 6, all awaiting a path north. Luckily this did not affect our connection to North Wales which turned out to be 221144, one of the few 4-coach Super Voyagers. This was full & standing on arrival with a large crowd waiting to join. Our party managed to get in although not all of us got a seat. As we left Crewe, 92017 passed south light engine - this loco is notable as it had very recently been repainted into Stobart livery and named Bart the Engine .

The (fortunately) short journey to Chester was (yet again) enlivened by our Chairman who was asked by some men who were enjoying a drink (while having to stand in the vestibule) what the RCTS logo on his fleece meant. His immediate response was “Roman Catholic Temperance Society“ - he also added that he would pray for them !!

Despite the (relatively minor) trials & tribulations, everyone enjoyed the day and were very impressed with the Vale of Rheidol. It won‘t be another 20 years before some of us return. And, this time, Bob had remembered to bring his bag with him !

08/11/09