An early start again as we board the 07:54 departure at Bangor. Alastair in
the front coach is surprised to see me board, rather than take photographs
and proceed to the office. The train is 20 minutes down so a brisk run-round
is called for - The headlight of 37 429 Eisteddfod Genedlaethol
is the brightest source of illumination on this dark misty morning.
47 790 bears the name of the patron saint of Wales yet is
an unusual visitor. This is the Virgin 09:19 service to London waiting on
platform 2.
I daren't risk walking all the way round for an alternative angle as the tight timing allowed on the turnround and our late arrival means that 429 will be away again down the tracks as soon as the run-round has been completed.
So back we go to Bangor with 37 429 very frisky and looking good for another
35 years' service. We continue past our home station as this is the last day
of our Rover tickets. We pass loadhaul 60 064 fully laden with ballast at
Penmaenmawr so I resolve to alight at Chester to photograph this and the Virgin
service. In the past I've seen the ballast hit the main line straight after
the Virgin has gone so I'm hopeful of not having to wait too long. But the
freight was as capricious as ever.