9th July 2005

Worksop Open Day Committee
Worksop Cambrian Coast Express

Locos Used 37406 & 37416
Stock Used 3223+3240+3127+5023+5007+4986+4925+1832+5027+4996+17015

Route:
1Z56 : Worksop to Aberystwyth
1Z57 : Aberystwyth to Worksop

Locos Route
37406 + 37416 Worksop - Brancliffe East Jn - Nunnery Main Line Jn - Sheffield - Dore Station Jn - Chesterfield - Ambergate Jn - Derby - Stenson Jn - Burton-on-Trent - Wichnor Jn - Tamworth HL - Kingsbury Jn - Water Orton - Landor Street Jn - Proof Hosue Jn - Birmingham New Street - Soho South Jn - Galton Jn - Dudley Port - Wolverhampton - Telford Central - Abbey Foregate Jn - Sutton Bridge Jn - Welshpool - Newtown - Machynlleth - Dovey Junction - Aberystwyth
37406 + 37416 Aberystwyth - (reverse of outward route) - Water Orton - Whitacre Jn - Kingsbury Jn - (reverse of outward route) - Worksop


37406 & 37416 pass Clay Cross  on the outward leg (photo: Roger Geach)

Sources : various including Rob Fraser & Solomon Riley

Tour Review
(by Solomon Riley)

The empty stock ran from Old Oak Common on time and ran round.

The 06.40 start time at Worksop was not on time and left 06.45 and went to Sheffield and pick up at 07.40 on platform 6!

The railtour ran on time with non-stop between Sheffield and Birmingham New Street has been done on both way!

During non-stop run, saw Vintage Trains 'The Yorkshireman' railtour hauled by steam 4936 'Kinlett Hall' being stopping at Derby on platform 2 while the 37/4s ran through platform 4 at same time at 08.18 which was on time.

10 minutes stop at Birmingham New Street (09.03-09.13), platform 7, for crew change.

Then non-stop again from Birmingham New Street to English Bridge Jct.

At Machylleth, Arriva Trains Wales services are all late running! 158819+840 arrived on time from 09.42 Pwllheli but 158825 from 11.32 Aberystwyth was 45 mins late, the railtour had to wait for 158's arrival, then left at 12.52 and went on to Aberystwyth that arrived 13.21!

On return, left on time at 16.05 then went through Machylleth without stop and very slow for allowing Network Rail signaller drop off that who used to work at Aberystwyth using ground frame during run round, then went on to Talerdigg Bank climb up and stop for the same 158s - 158840+819 on 14.33 Birmingham New Street, one hour late!

Next stop at Welshpool was waiting for next 158 service at 17.55 from 16.33 Birmingham-Aberstwyth, 158845 came 5 mins late, then fast to Sutton Bridge Jct then stop at English Bridge Jct, then signal given and lovely to see the 37/4s on the Abbey Foregate curve with giant Shrewsbury signalbox and went non-stop to Birmingham New Street, seeing the plenty of 87s, 390s with 57/3 drags and 47316/714 at Oxley Sidings and went through Wolverhampton new platform 4 and finally arrived at 19.26 on platform 1, half hour early due to slack 19 minutes pathing stop at Wolverhampton that has been ignored!

Stayed until 19.59 departure, photos took place while 57313 took 390040 on 19.18 Wolverhampton-London Euston through platform 3 at 19.41-44, railtour left at 20.00 then used via Whitarce Jct to allow 20.03 Voyager XC pass on main line, non stop to Sheffield while we saw steam 4936 again at Tapton Jct, north of Chesterfield!

After set down at Sheffield on platform 2, non-stop to Worksop and arrived on time at 21.54!

After set-down passengers finished, then the 37/4s pushed into Worksop Yard and switched off for the night.

Verdict:- I enjoyed the day out and pleased with 37406 is full ok following chaos on Pathfinder ' The Snowdonian I' on June 18th. Hot day throughout!

Solomon Riley

Timings (Booked Only)

Location Booked (out) Booked (rtn)
Worksop 06.40d 21.54a
Shireoaks East Jn 06/45 21/52
Brancliffe East Jn 06/51 21/50
Kiveton Park 06/57 ?
Woodhouse Jn 07/12 21/43
Woodburn Jn 07/27 21/37
Nunnery Main Line Jn 07/32 21/34
Sheffield 07.34a ~ 07.40d 21.29a ~ 21.32d
Dore Station Jn 07/47 21/23
Chesterfield 07/56 21/15
Clay Cross South Jn 08/00 21/12
Ambergate Jn 08/08 21/02
Derby 08/18 20/52
Stenson Jn 08/25 20/48
North Stafford Jn 08/26 20/47
Burton-on-Trent 08/31 20/39
Wichnor Jn 08/36 20/33
Tamworth HL 08/43 20/28
Kingsbury Jn 08/48 20/21
Whitacre Jn - 20/15
Water Orton 08/52 20/10
Landor Street Jn 08/58 20/03
Proof House Jn 09/00 20/01
Birmingham New Street 09.03a ~ 09.13d 19.56a ~ 19.59d
Soho South Jn 09/17 19/51
Galton Jn 09/19 19/49
Dudley Port 09/25 19/45
Wolverhampton 09/33 19.19a ~ 19.38d
Wolverhampton North Jn 09/36 19/16
Cosford 09/44 18/58
Madeley Jn 09/51 18/53
Telford Central 09/56 ?
Wellington 10/00 18/46
Abbey Foregate Jn 10/23 18/35
Sutton Bridge Jn 10.28a ~ 10.29d 18.30a ~ 18.32d
Welshpool 10.52a ~ 11.02d 17.50a ~ 18.00d
Newtown 11.23a ~ 11.24d 17.32a ~ 17.32d
Caersws 11/32 17/26
Talerddig 11.43a ~ 11.44d 17.14a ~ 17.14d
Machynlleth 12.05a ~ 12.09d 16.43a ~ 16.52d
Dovey Junction 12.16a ~ 12.17d 16.35a ~ 16.36d
Borth 12.30a ~ 12.31d 16.19a ~ 16.20d
Aberystwyth 12.45a 16.05d


Back to "The Railtour Files"