January 20th 2012.
I enjoyed the recent 'Glorious Years' articles by Gavin Morrison, in Steam Railway magazine, and I would like to thank him and Steam Railway magazine
for allowing me to publish his photo of the 'Super D' below, which featured in the articles.
Former LNWR
‘Super D’ 0-8-0 No.49416 approaches
Llandudno
Junction on April 8th 1958 with an empty ballast train, no
doubt
heading for Penmaenmawr Quarry.
It was allocated to Widnes (8D) from October
1953 to November 1958 before moving to Edge Hill (8A) where it was
withdrawn on
July 14th 1962.
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January 18th 2012.
These two rare shots were passed to Dave Wood. Unfortunately there are no other details regarding dates or photographer.
They show two withdrawn engines at Woodhams scrap yard Barry.
This first shot shows a forlorn looking Southern Region "Battle of Britain" class No. 34070 'Manston' minus tender.
The second shot shows BR Standard class 4 No. 75079 and 9F No. 92245 also minus their tenders.
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December 22nd 2011.
Steam engines in various preserved locations are shown below in this small selection by Dave Wood.
Black Five 44767 at Bury during 1998.
71000 "Duke of Gloucester" at Bury after undergoing boiler repairs which Dave Wood helped on in 2003.
I took this shot below on January 25th 2003 showing 71000 undergoing the repairs Dave mentions above. (Geoff Poole)
9F No. 92203 at Bolton Street station Bury on the ELR during 1999.
"Crab" 42765 on the ELR on October 26th 1996.
Ex - GWR 2-6-2T No.4566 on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway during 1997.
2-10-0 WD No. 90775 at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in 1998.
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November 24th 2011.
The last train to run on the Welshpool & Llanfair line on November 3rd 1956 is from the Ken Wood collection.
November 24th 2011.
Ieuan Wood took this shot of 6233 at Garswood near Wigan on April 20th 2010.
This shot by Ieuan shows GWR 2-8-0 No. 3802 on the approach to Berwyn tunnel on the Llangollen Railway during
the 2010 Spring Gala.
This last one from Ieuan shows GWR 0-6-0 PT No. 6430 also at the Llangollen 2010 Spring Gala.
November 29th 2011.
Two previously unpublished photos by an unknown photographer are shown below.
The first undated shot shows LNER A4 No. 60022 'Mallard' with an "up" Tees - Tyne pullman at Dringhouses, York
This next shot shows LNER V2 No. 60908 at Leeds.
November 8th 2011.
Dave Wood has sent in this interesting shot by an unknown photographer showing GWR 0-6-0 PT No. 7443 at
Blaenau Ffestiniog Central on June 27th 1956.
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November 1st 2011.
Dave Wood has sent in this selection of photos from his recent visit to the Severn Valley Railway.
This first shot shows Stanier 2-6-0 No. 42968 approaching Highley with the 15.02 to Bridgenorth on October 25th 2011.
This next shot shows "Manor" class No. 7812 'Erlestoke Manor' with the 12.55 For Bridgenorth on October 25th 2011.
This shot shows Ivatt 2-6-0 No. 43106 at Highley with the 14.10 to Kidderminster on October 25th 2011.
This shot shows GWR 2-6-2T No. 4566 on Bridgenorth shed on October 25th 2011.
The shot below is by Ieuan Wood and shows GWR 2-6-2T at Kidderminster on August 30th 2011.
Ieuan has also sent in this shot of the Snowden Mountain Railway on August 31st 2011.
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September 27th 2011.
6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' on Red Bank heading for Warrington Bank Quay with the "Royal Scot" on May 24th 2010.
(overhead wires digitally removed)
71000 'Duke of Gloucester' with the "Cumbrian Coast Explorer" at Winwick Junction on the West Coast main line on May 19th 2009.
60163 'Tornado' at Burrs on the East Lancs Railway on October 27th 2010.
September 21st 2011.
60163 'Tornado' rests at York station on August 14th 2010.
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September 21st 2011.
Two shots by the late Ken Wood are shown below.
(Courtesy of his son Dave Wood)
46203 'Princess Margaret Rose' at Llanfair with a Holyhead - Crewe special in August 1990.
Jubilee 45596 ' Bahamas' approaching Llanfair crossing circa 1990.
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September 21st 2011.
Three more shots from Dave Wood are shown below.
71000 'Duke of Gloucester' passes under the Rainhill footbridge on March 8th 2008.
35028 'Clan Line' at Bangor circa June 1990/91 with the "Ynys Món Express".
71000 "Duke of Gloucester" with support coach, at Acton Bridge, on October 25th 2010.
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August 29th 2011.
John Powell has written the following article describing the tragic rail crash at Penmaenmawr on August 27th 1950.
THE PENMAENMAWR RAIL CRASH
AUGUST 27th 1950
Sunday,August 27th 1950, a quiet night in North Wales,
but what was about to unfold was
a night that Penmaenmawr would not want to see again.
Just after 2.50 a.m. a light engine arrived tender first from Llandudno Junction to collect a number of
stone wagons from the sidings.
The engine,"Crab" 2-6-0 No 42885, paused at the signal box, and waited to cross
Just after 2.50 a.m. a light engine arrived tender first from Llandudno Junction to collect a number of
stone wagons from the sidings.
The engine,"Crab" 2-6-0 No 42885, paused at the signal box, and waited to cross
over to the up line to gain access to the sidings to
couple up to its train.
The up " Irish Mail " had been accepted by the signalman
just before the 2-6-0 had arrived.
It was now that some confusion arose.
42885 had crossed over to the up line, whistled and waited for the points to change to enter the sidings.
The signals had been set to clear for the Irish Mail to pass through.
The driver apparently misunderstood, and thought he should return to Llandudno Junction, and waited for his
fireman to return to join him on the footplate.
The fireman was waiting in the sidings, when he heard the Irish Mail approaching from the Bangor direction.
He waved his red lamp as a warning to the signalman that the 2-6-0 was still on the main line, who
immediately returned the signals to danger.
The "Crab" driver then started to move his engine forward to get clear of the express which was almost in the station.
42885 had crossed over to the up line, whistled and waited for the points to change to enter the sidings.
The signals had been set to clear for the Irish Mail to pass through.
The driver apparently misunderstood, and thought he should return to Llandudno Junction, and waited for his
fireman to return to join him on the footplate.
The fireman was waiting in the sidings, when he heard the Irish Mail approaching from the Bangor direction.
He waved his red lamp as a warning to the signalman that the 2-6-0 was still on the main line, who
immediately returned the signals to danger.
The "Crab" driver then started to move his engine forward to get clear of the express which was almost in the station.
The driver of the mail saw the signal change to danger,
he immediately applied the brakes, but was unable to prevent
his train hitting the light engine beyond the crossover into the sidings East of the station.
his train hitting the light engine beyond the crossover into the sidings East of the station.
The "Irish Mail", hauled by 46119, "Lancashire Fusilier",
and running some twenty minutes late and travelling at nearly
70m.p.h. in an effort to make up time, smote into the tender of the 2-6-0 derailing two rear wheels.
All wheels of the Royal Scot were derailed, the front bogie becoming detached and thrown to one side, but because
the engine was locked in to the tender of the "Crab", it kept a straight course as it propelled it almost 220 yards forward
70m.p.h. in an effort to make up time, smote into the tender of the 2-6-0 derailing two rear wheels.
All wheels of the Royal Scot were derailed, the front bogie becoming detached and thrown to one side, but because
the engine was locked in to the tender of the "Crab", it kept a straight course as it propelled it almost 220 yards forward
tearing up the track as it went.
46119 became detached from its train of 16 coaches, the
brake van behind pitching forward as it ran into the
damaged track, rising into the air and plunging down into the ballast, followed
damaged track, rising into the air and plunging down into the ballast, followed
by the second vehicle being a wooden bodied 1st class
sleeping car.
All fatalities were in this coach, five being killed, and one died later in hospital, in all 36 passengers were injured.
All fatalities were in this coach, five being killed, and one died later in hospital, in all 36 passengers were injured.
The telescoping of the first two coaches absorbed most of
the shock, the third and fourth remained upright, the fifth/sixth &
seventh
were thrown over on their right hand side and slewed across both running lines.
were thrown over on their right hand side and slewed across both running lines.
At the time of the collision, a goods train was due from
Llandudno Junction, and the signals were set to danger on the down line.
The mail fireman, although injured went along the down line, placing detonators to warn the oncoming train.
The goods driver saw the signal change and then heard the detonators, and braked hard stopping
at least 120 yards before he would have hit the coaches lying across the down line.
It was as well that the goods train was stopped, for its load included ammunition - there may well have been a devastating
The mail fireman, although injured went along the down line, placing detonators to warn the oncoming train.
The goods driver saw the signal change and then heard the detonators, and braked hard stopping
at least 120 yards before he would have hit the coaches lying across the down line.
It was as well that the goods train was stopped, for its load included ammunition - there may well have been a devastating
explosion, and greater loss of life.
After the crash, many local people came to the station
with blankets and sheets, the café opposite was opened up and free tea
and coffee was dispensed.
The station was used as a casualty unit until ambulances arrived to ferry the injured to the local hospitals.
The unscathed were taken by buses to Llandudno Junction to continue their journey by special train.
Repair gangs from Chester & Crewe worked through the weekend, and normal working was restored
by Monday afternoon.
and coffee was dispensed.
The station was used as a casualty unit until ambulances arrived to ferry the injured to the local hospitals.
The unscathed were taken by buses to Llandudno Junction to continue their journey by special train.
Repair gangs from Chester & Crewe worked through the weekend, and normal working was restored
by Monday afternoon.
A verdict of misadventure was recorded by the North
Caernarvonshire coroner in
the case of the Penmaenmawr victims.
WATCH A BRITISH PATHÉ NEWS VIDEO OF THE CRASH SCENE.
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September 1st 2011.
Dave Wood has sent in these two shots from his visit to the Severn Valley Railway yesterday and August 30th 2011.
Ex- GWR 2-6-2T No.4566 approaching Bewdley on August 31st 2011.
Ex GWR 2-6-2T No. 5164 and 9F No. 92212 on shed at Bridgnorth on August 30th 2011.
July 30th 2011.
Some more great memories from Dave Wood are shown below.
A4 60009 "Union of South Africa" under the glorious gantry (now dismantled) at Scarborough on August 16th 2009.
46229 "Duchess of Hamilton" with the North Wales Coast Express at Bangor on July 18th 1990.
46201 "Princess Elizabeth" with the North Wales Coast Express at Bangor on August 20th 1991.
A4 60009 "Union of South Africa" with another North Wales Express" passing
Star, on Anglesey, sometime during 1990.
71000 "Duke of Gloucester" at Bangor, double - headed with an unidentified engine, sometime during 1990.
LNER class V2 4771 "Green Arrow" between Llanfair and Gaerwen in August 1992.
Engineers dealing with a derailed unidentified loco at Bangor (undated)
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July 16th 2011.
Dave Wood took this shot of A4 60009 "Union of South Africa" with the 'Age of Steam ' tour at Lea Green, near Rainhill, on July 19th 2006.
May 5th 2011.
The shot below shows the Llandudno Victorian Festival steam special on the outward leg at Beeston Castle on
Saturday April 30th 2011.
(PHOTO : John Frodsham)
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May 4th 2011.
Two photos of the Llandudno Victorian Festival steam special, of last Saturday April 30th 2011, are shown below taken by Stéphanie Durrant of
the www.chuffingoodpics.co.uk website.
The first shows the double - headed train pulled by Ex - GWR "Castle" class 4-6-0, No. 5043 "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe"
and piloted by Ex - GWR "Hall" class No. 4965 "Rood Ashton Hall" at Llanddulas with the morning outward leg.
The second shot shows 5043 at Deganwy golf course approaching Llandudno station after splitting engines at Llandudno Junction
with 4965 at the rear (not shown).
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April 30th 2011.
The Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza 2011 was blessed with glorious weather today and the
Llandudno Victorian Festival steam special didn't disappoint either.
It was double - headed by two immaculate Ex- GWR loco's.
"Hall" class 4-6-0 No. 4965 "Rood Ashton Hall" was the pilot on the outward leg splitting at Llandudno Junction
to leave "Castle" class 4-6-0 No.5043 "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" to pull the train into Llandudno with the "Hall"
on the rear as seen in the photos below.
5043 "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" coasts into Llandudno with today's special.
Even the golfers interrupted their game to admire the sight.
4965 gives a little help at the rear of the above train.
An evening shot of the double - headed train is shown below.
The train leans into the curve on it's approach to Deganwy station with the homeward leg to Tyseley.
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April 11th 2011.
6201 "Princess Elizabeth" is pictured below with a Vintage Trains Ltd (VNTL) tour at Beeston on Saturday April 9th 2011.
The tour was Tyseley - Nuneaton - Loughbourough - Stoke - Chester and return.
The photo was taken by John Frodsham and John has also provided a great crop of the driver from the original shot.
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February 27th 2011.
John Frodsham took this shot of 2-8-0 ex - GWR 3802 climbing the hill approaching Berwyn station
on the Llangollen Railway yesterday, February 26th 2011.
Try this video of the train climbing towards Berwyn station. (John Frodsham)
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