I don't like the idea of chasing trains by car but today it was the only sensible
option, so I could pick up Rowan from College on Anglesey, where he finishes
early on Friday, as he didn't want to miss out on the action. We called in
first at Valley, in the hope that the nuclear flask train was running. When
it runs, this train usually leaves soon after 15:00 on Tuesdays and Fridays.
We were in luck and 20 302 and 20 305 were sitting with their
short load on the turning triangle all ready to go.
The two English Electric veterans backed out onto the main line and departed
at 15:15
We travelled the short distance to Holyhead where 37 426, a coast regular,
was stabled with its engines shut down and detached from its rake of four
Regional Railways liveried coaches. 426 had worked the short diagram of the
06:34 to Birmingham New Street and immediate return to arrive back at lunchtime.
Normally it would wait here until the following day. But later we learned
it had worked a Saturday morning rugby special leaving Manchester at 07:25
having swapped with 401.