37/4 x 4
13th October 2001
Christine was off to London for the weekend so Rowan and I accompanied her
from Bangor to Crewe aboard 1A23 , the Virgin HST to the capital. Alastair
Graham surprised us by boarding at Rhyl. Just like old times, 37 412
Driver John Elliott was ticking away on platform 12 but this time it
was at the head of 1Z10 to take rugby fans to Cardiff for the Wales v Ireland
international match. We just had time for a photograph before "DJE"
departed punctally down the misty Marches. On our last trip on this train
it was very quiet until Abergavenny but today there were far more railfans,
possibly because last time a 47 was in charge, and many more rugby followers
were travelling from further north.
After a most enjoyable ride, with some sustained thrash in places, we arrived
just a little behind time at Cardiff Central, the delay being due to the huge
numbers of red, green and white clad passengers squeezing on as we passed
through the rugby heartland of south-east Wales. A buffet service was operating
in the brake van, which was most welcome. Having emptied its stock, 37
412 proceeds to Canton depot to await the return journey.
60 091 An Teallach passes through. One day I'll get to climb
this famously misty mountain.
A few minutes later 37 419 arrives with 2F21, the 10.15 Rhymney - Cardiff.
It's seen here taking the empty stock from platform 7 to Canton where it runs
round and into platform 6 with 2R17 11.51 to Rhymney which we eagerly board.
The dreaded canopy at the north end again defeated my attempt at a decent
photograph before departure.