Observation Day Cardiff and Valleys
Three members assembled at Romsey station at 06:30 and found themselves in amongst a Police operation. They were chasing some youths who had been abusive to station staff and passengers. A girl detainee was making all sorts of accusations about the officers. They were eventually handcuffed and placed in Police vehicles. We proceeded on our way to Cardiff Central and then visited Taffs Well, by rail replacement bus due to engineering works for the Metro, to see the tram trains. There were a large number of tram trains on the depot plus 2 units out on test. We then went to Queen street to travel on a tram train to Cardiff Bay and back. We followed this by a trip to Penarth. The next trip became some what of an event. We set off from Penarth to Coryton but on leaving Queen Street we came to a halt due to a red signal due to a lineside fire on the Rymney Branch. Half an hour later we arrived at Ty Glas where the service was terminated. We decided to go back to Barry Island via Cardiff Central. We got as far as Heath Low Level where we sat for another 31 minutes due to congestion. Thereafter we got to Barry Island and back to Cardiff Central with only an 8 minute delay. One of our party then left to return to Romsey ,but their train was cancelled and they had to wait another hour. The remainder stayed observing on Cardiff Centrall before going to Wetherspoons for dinner. Upon leaving the pub we were able to watch the solar eclipse using special glasses I had brought along for the purpose. We then went to catch our train home which was again interesting, the display said 4 carriage train front 2 for stations past Bristol Templemeads the rear for stations to Bristol Temple Meads we got in the front carriage, however when the ticket inspection took place we were told we were in the wrong half and had to move to the rear half which was then very full as those only going to Bristol did not move. the air conditioning was not working but a displayed message said they were trying to fix it en route. The outside temperature was 31 so I have no idea how hot it was in a packed train. Bottled water was offered and just before Romsey the air con started working much to the guards surprise, she said it had not been working all day. Below is a list of what I recorded:
43050/ 59101/ 66050/6/142/82/315/548/727/32/ 67025/8/ 69004/ 70801/15/ 150242/5/56/8/60/2/4/ 153320/5/33/53/61/2/507/28/906/35/ 158748/50/60/2/7/9/880/4/5/90/ 159104/ 165134/5/6/ 166201/2/4/9/10/1/7/8/9/ 197001/25/37/41/3/101/22/ 221124/5/ 231001/4/5/7/8/9/ 387149/ 398002/3/4/5/6/8/9/12/3/5/6/7/20/1/3/4/6/8/9/31/ 756001/2/3/4/5/6/103/4/5/7/8/10/1/2/4/7/ 800008/10/4/25/6/7/302/4/5/17/ 802002/4/21/110/ 950001/ D1935/ DR73924/36/ 43050/ 59101/ 66050/6/142/82/315/548/727/32/ 67025/8/ 69004/ 70801/15/ 150242/5/56/8/60/2/4/ 153320/5/33/53/61/2/507/28/906/35/ 158748/50/60/2/7/9/880/4/5/90/ 159104/ 165134/5/6/ 166201/2/4/9/10/1/7/8/9/ 197001/25/37/41/3/101/22/ 221124/5/ 231001/4/5/7/8/9/ 387149/ 398002/3/4/5/6/8/9/12/3/5/6/7/20/1/3/4/6/8/9/31/ 756001/2/3/4/5/6/103/4/5/7/8/10/1/2/4/7/ 800008/10/4/25/6/7/302/4/5/17/ 802002/4/21/110/ 950001/ D1935/ DR73924/36/