A visit from a Duchess

Sunday 14th October 2001

We chose seats in the first public coach, our old coast favourite 5040. With the Mk 1 windows open we could enjoy the exhaust of 6233 as it powered its heavy load along the western half of the North Wales Coast line.
Engineering work imposed signal checks through Penmaenmawr and again approaching Gaerwen, slowing almost to a stop before 6233 accelerated its 13 coaches for a fast run across the island and into Holyhead 20 minutes down. The Duchess was in fine form and I’m sure she wouldn’t have delayed the HST had we been allowed to leave on time, but I suppose it’s right that a cautious approach is taken, with passengers making ferry connections.

Here's the HST that preceded us. 43 087 blasts diesel fumes into the heart of Holyhead station even though it won't be leaving for more than an hour. 43 098 is the leading power car for the return to Euston.

At Holyhead we watched the complex manoeuvres reminiscent of the double headed Sunday boat train. The support coach was uncoupled and drawn forward before the Duchess was detached to proceed into the headshunt (above). Then

Loco runs round the stock and is coupled on the front.
Loco and stock pull out of platform 1 and into the sidings, leaving support coach.
Loco is uncoupled to run out of the station and back into platform 1 to pick up the support coach.
Loco again runs up the line and sets back to deposit the support coach at the head of the train.
The Duchess shoots off to Valley to be turned on the triangle.

The shunting took a full hour, after which we sought refreshment.

Holyhead’s pubs don’t look very salubrious but the George Hotel is recommended, being comfortable and friendly with a fine pint of cask Hobgoblin bitter.

We returned at 17:00 but had almost half an hour to wait before 6233 came into view, coupled up to the stock and removed it to platform 1.

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