5th May 2008

The Railway Touring Company
The Pembroke Coast Express

Route:
1Z75 : Bristol Temple Meads to Milford Haven
1Z76 : Milford Haven to Bristol Temple Meads

Notes :
(1) Due to the failure of the air compressor on 71000, 67006 was coupled behind the loco at all times to provide the necessary braking assistance. It was announced that 67006 would not be powering the train at any point and just left idling (unless anyone knows differently!). 71000 was a replacement for 6024 which was unavailable.
(2) 71000 + 67006 on rear.
(3) Originally advertised as coming back main line from Llanelli to Port Talbot via Gowerton.

Sources : Nigel Benning & Gordon Jakes (both on the train throughout)

Tour Review
(by Gordon Jakes)

This train was originally advertised with Pembroke Dock as its final destination and with 6024 as motive power. During the planning process the destination had to be modified to Milford Haven (due to “pathing difficulties”) but the name of the train was retained as ‘The Pembroke Coast Express’. Unfortunately 6024 was not serviceable and 71000 was substituted.

The Duke of Gloucester therefore, was scheduled to be used on three special trains on consecutive days over the May Bank Holiday, namely the Southern Irishman (3rd May), The Devonian Duke (4th May) and The Pembroke Express (5th May). Unfortunately the air compressor on 71000 failed prior to the departure of the Devonian Duke from Bristol on 4th May and 67006 was inserted between 71000 and the train to provide train air brake. This combination was used again on The Pembroke Coast Express. We were assured that 67006 would not provide any power assistance and I believe this was adhered to! The evidence was available for all to see on the windscreen and roof of 67006 upon arrival at Bristol (see attached photo). Obviously the appearance of the train was spoilt for most photographers (lineside or on-train) by the presence of 67006 but it had little impact on the performance of 71000 which was exemplary.

It has to be said that the number of lineside photographers and spectators was massive, particularly west of Swansea. There was a mass trespass along the lineside at Milford Haven due to 71000 being stopped so far outside out of the platform and everyone wanting to get a view of the Duke. Due to a late start from Carmarthen (which was due to complicated shunting manoeuvres at Carmarthen and the late arrival of 66166) and the need to avoid delaying a service train at Haverfordwest on the return journey the turn round time at Milford Haven was severely restricted. Passengers on the train were advised that due to the delay in arriving at Milford Haven they should not detrain but in truth with only a few coaches actually fitting in the platform it would have been impractical to detrain anyway.

The servicing of the Duke at Carmarthen entailed the shunting of the loco coupled to 67 006 into the up carriage sidings. This was achieved using the station headshunt and platform 2. The plan had been to stable the train in platform 2 (as had been the case with the “The Southern Irishman”) but on the day we were signalled into platform 1. This caused inconvenience to the local travellers who had to make their way to platform 2 and also consequential delays while the various movements were carried out. After servicing, the Duke and 67 006 were again attached to the train via the headshunt and the arrival of 66 166 was awaited. Departure from Carmarthen was ½-hour late but ultimately did not affect the day as no train paths were lost.

During the return journey we were advised that the Driver Mr. Tommy Rees was retiring on the 8th May after 40+ years of railway service. A collection was made and the monies presented to Mr. Rees at Newport where he was due to be relieved by another driver. We were advised that Mr. Rees asked for the collection to be donated to the Railway Children's Home which was also the beneficiary of the on-train raffle. All Best Wishes go to Mr. Rees for a long retirement.

Back to the train! Apart from the operational difficulties at Carmarthen, the performance of The Pembroke Express was excellent. Due to a large amount of recovery time east of Cardiff and to the co-operation of Network Rail, the Duke reached Bristol just under fifty minutes early – an achievement I have never experienced before!

 Gordon Jakes

Photo Review
(all photos: Gordon Jakes)

71000 shunting the stock at Bristol Temple Meads.

71000 & 67006 at Newport.

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Nigel Benning & Gordon Jakes)

Back to "The Railtour Files"