STRANGE EVENTS AT HOLYHEAD, 25 MAY 2003

REPORT FOR THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY WEBSITE

by John Lewis

[return to the May 2003 Notice Board]


I went down to Holyhead station with my camera intending to photograph the 16:13 Euston service departing, however when I got to the station the train wasn't in.

A 3 car 153 set was in platform 3 waiting to form the 16:33 Manchester service ...

... and 47 757 Capability Brown was on it's train behind 175 104 in the carriage sidings - but, a rake of Mk 2s were in the sidings further up with no loco.


 
The Euston service then arrived in, with 47 739 Resourceful at the head and 47 750 being towed dead - 47 739 had been comandeered by Virgin the day before after 47 770 had failed at Holyhead, and this train was being used to return it from Crewe so there would be locos for the two First North Western diagrams the next day.

A bonus for the enthusiasts (there were a lot of us around) - but for staff the old problem of running two locos round a train using a headshunt that's only long enought for one.

47 739 clears the points as the shunter waits by the lever frame ...

... and runs round into the loop while 47 750 waits its turn - note 47 757 slumbering in the background ....

... just passing by ...

... a look at 47 750 with its EWS lettering on the Virgin livery ....

... and it finally gets its turn for the headshunt.

Eventually, 47 750 departs with the heavily-delayed 16:13 to London.


[return to the May 2003 Notice Board]

Pictures by John Lewis, Text by John Lewis and Charlie Hulme 25 May 2003.