37 503 passes through Bangor at 14:50 on Sunday 16th January 2000 with
the Holyhead to Humber coke empties.
56094 Eggborough Power Station runs through Bangor at 12:50
on Sunday 2nd April 2000 to collect the coke empties from Holyhead.
This flow now goes by sea
Five years on, the petroleum coke hoppers are rusting in the siding at Holyhead,
but 60 071 Ribblehead Viaduct hurried through Bangor
on 13th October 2005 to collect a trainload of aluminium ingots for a short
contract.
Nearly seven years after my blurred shot of 37 503 in the dim January afternoon
light, I had another opportunity to photograph a 37 on RTZ duties. The large
EWS class 37 fleet of 2000 had been reduced to just four, so it was quite
an event when 37 406 was in charge of the aluminium train
on Saturday 19th November 2006. Here it's seen at the works. The petroleum
coke was still being supplied by sea, but finished products were leaving by
rail - normally hauled by a class 60, 66 or 67.
37 406 The Saltire Society rushed its seven Cargowagons
through Bangor at 15:15, catching the last of the afternoon sunshine.
37 401 had also performed on this service during the summer but a failed class 57 working for Arriva had failed and caused such disruption that the westbound train was three hours late. We'd waited for two hours at Bangor then had to leave.