Welsh Borders Explorer: 29/04/18 (Saphos)

Good to see Braunton going so well. 29 min on Gresford was good for a Class 7. Set was one Mk1 less than the NWCE. Be interesting to see the loading for the Marches. Was it crewed by DBC again?

 

Thanks Al. Not going to be anything from the diesel other than in an ''emergency' then. Just pity about the Mk2s.

 

The Hosking Bulleid on the Welsh Border 29 April 2018

If you own a magnificent steam engine, you can call it what you like. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, the owner of No 34045 Braunton, Jeremy Hosking, has chosen to rebadge the loco as No 34052 Lord Dowding.

It appeared on the second public excursion of Saphos Trains, the Welsh Border Explorer, a four hour circular tour from Crewe. We set off briskly in the sunshine, reaching 44 mph by the end of the old Crewe Works, and continuing in the 50s across the green Cheshire countryside. We first hit 60 at Calveley and touched 64 just after Beeston Castle before slowing on the outskirts of Chester because we were early. We made our stately way through the middle road of Chester station then moved smartly away again, reaching 40 over the Dee viaduct and first touching 60 at Balderton. We maintained this pace as we crossed the Welsh border, for we had a challenging climb ahead. From Rossett the next four miles up Gresford bank to the outskirts of Wrexham are 1 in 82, no mean task with a 9 coach train and a dead diesel. We hit the bottom of the bank at 59 and, four coaches back from the engine, we could hear the effort being put in on this demanding gradient. Speed fell away only gradually and we were still doing 29 at the top. On through Ruabon in the 40s and 50s, we hit 61 as we dipped down to the Cefn viaduct and thenceforward in the 50s and 60s with a maximum of 64 at Haughton. We kept up the pace until the outskirts of Shrewsbury, reached eight minutes early, where we stopped for a leg-stretch.

Against the collar out of Shrewsbury, we were up to 54 by Upton Magna and 63 in the dip before Walcot. No more fireworks before the water stop at Telford Central, but then after a very slow start we were up to 62 again as we ran down to Shifnal. Brisk running, mostly in the 50s, took us to the outskirts of Wolverhampton, where we navigated the railway's own Spaghetti Junction to reach the northbound line to Stafford and Crewe.

We got away smartly down the main line, reaching 70 by Four Ashes and touching 73 at Gailey, our fastest speed of the day. We slowed before Stafford as we were early again, then stopped in the station for a Pendolino and a Voyager to pass. We were then soon into the 50s and took the new chord past Norton Bridge. I had hoped for a last hurrah down the hill from Madeley but it was not to be because we never even reached 60 after Stafford and were three minutes late back at Crewe.

So what of the Saphos Trains experience? The coaches have been beautifully restored: I have never before been in such a luxurious Mark 1. The callow youths on the platform need an intensive stewarding course, but the gracious Mrs Hosking worked the Premier coaches at least, making sure we knew how to adjust the heating to our liking. The catering was the usual DB standard but there was no brochure specific to the train and route, and a desultory A4 sheet with the timings. So there is strong potential in the hardware, but the software needs more work. But it was great to go up Gresford again after a great many years, and I enjoyed my little midday circular outing.

12 photos are at http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com/p52184380

Peter at the end of a lovely sunny Spring day in Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

I see you took advantage of the Telford stop for photographs, I hope you weren't put off by our footbridge , the new one should be very nice when it's done !!

 

Thanks for your concern! It was a real route march to go right round the bridge diversion and back again, not to mention four full lengths of the platform, and all against the clock! But I'm sure the exercise is good for me. Sadly, I couldn't wait for the lady in the white coat to finish her conversation and get out of my shot!

Thanks for taking the trouble also to look at and comment on my photos, and I look fiorward to visiting Telford Central again when the works are completed!

Peter in Manchester
http://pjhtransportpix.zenfolio.com

 

I have never met anything remotely like that footbridge. Walking from the station building to the far platform took several minutes.

 

Certainly it's not funny arriving back from the south late at night with a heavy suitcase having that distance to get to your taxi. but it does appear that some 32 years after the station opened it should soon(ish) have a bridge that will better serve the station - still won't be a short walk though.
https://www.shropshirelive.com/news...il-submits-final-plans-for-iconic-footbridge/

apologies for thread drift.

 

hello
a few photos taken at wellington station and cross green at

www.flickr.com/photos/15931796@N00/with/41743854782/

i did get another location in at madeley junction but the clag blew down ah well !!

regards

 

Hi Guys,this is my shot of the tour at Rossett
https://flic.kr/p/JyMCFW
Best Wishes Tony