NINETEEN SIXTY FOUR – PART 40
Y Glyn Crwydryn Railtour - 24.04.1965
Michael L. Roach
This instalment looks back to a railtour around South Wales in the Spring of 1965. There were several in the area that year, because steam was in rapid decline with few steam engines in daily use and steam sheds falling over like dominoes as they closed completely or closed to steam.
This was one of two railtours that I participated in, with the other being covered in three months time. This one was organised jointly by The West Glamorgan and The Monmouthshire Railway Societies and ran on 24 April 1965. It started and finished at Cardiff General and the route was Pontypridd, Aberdare LL, Hirwaun, Neath Riverside, Colbren Junction, Pontardawe, Swansea Eastern Depot, Jersey Marine, Felin Fran, Swansea High Street and Cardiff General. The tour lasted from 11.10 to 18.10 and was one of those rare occasions when RST (railtour standard time – an hour late) did not arise as the tour returned to Cardiff 1½ minutes early. This was despite leaving Colbren Junction 11L due to low water pressure and losing 20 minutes at Pontardawe when an enthusiast fell from a door and needed medical attention.
The load was five well filled corridor coaches. Large prairie 6116 of Radyr Shed hauled the first leg (Cardiff to Neath Riverside) and the last leg (Swansea High Street to Cardiff); the engine was condemned at Radyr two months later. The middle sections from Neath Riverside to Swansea High Street, lasted exactly three hours, when the train was double-headed by pannier tanks 4612 and 9675 both of Neath Shed with both engines being withdrawn within six months. 4612 was one of 16 panniers to enter preservation and now resides on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway in Cornwall.
This was a well-organised railtour which was a credit to the Societies organising it. I was grateful that it kept to time because I travelled from and to Plymouth to be there that day. The railtour fare was 40 shillings (£2) and it cost me a further 48 shillings to reach Cardiff. In the seven hours the railtour was en-route, I only noted one steam engine, and that was 2-8-2 tank 7248 of Llanelly Shed at Stormy Down Sidings.
The English name of the tour was The Valley Wanderer.
This was one of two railtours that I participated in, with the other being covered in three months time. This one was organised jointly by The West Glamorgan and The Monmouthshire Railway Societies and ran on 24 April 1965. It started and finished at Cardiff General and the route was Pontypridd, Aberdare LL, Hirwaun, Neath Riverside, Colbren Junction, Pontardawe, Swansea Eastern Depot, Jersey Marine, Felin Fran, Swansea High Street and Cardiff General. The tour lasted from 11.10 to 18.10 and was one of those rare occasions when RST (railtour standard time – an hour late) did not arise as the tour returned to Cardiff 1½ minutes early. This was despite leaving Colbren Junction 11L due to low water pressure and losing 20 minutes at Pontardawe when an enthusiast fell from a door and needed medical attention.
The load was five well filled corridor coaches. Large prairie 6116 of Radyr Shed hauled the first leg (Cardiff to Neath Riverside) and the last leg (Swansea High Street to Cardiff); the engine was condemned at Radyr two months later. The middle sections from Neath Riverside to Swansea High Street, lasted exactly three hours, when the train was double-headed by pannier tanks 4612 and 9675 both of Neath Shed with both engines being withdrawn within six months. 4612 was one of 16 panniers to enter preservation and now resides on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway in Cornwall.
This was a well-organised railtour which was a credit to the Societies organising it. I was grateful that it kept to time because I travelled from and to Plymouth to be there that day. The railtour fare was 40 shillings (£2) and it cost me a further 48 shillings to reach Cardiff. In the seven hours the railtour was en-route, I only noted one steam engine, and that was 2-8-2 tank 7248 of Llanelly Shed at Stormy Down Sidings.
The English name of the tour was The Valley Wanderer.
6116 stands at Hirwaun with the railtour on 24.04.1965. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
Looking the other way at Hirwaun towards Neath. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The railtour has arrived at Neath Riverside where 6116 came off and the train reversed, and the headboards had to be moved to the front of the train. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The enthusiasts stretch their legs at Neath Riverside looking towards Jersey Marine and Swansea. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The panniers have arrived at Colbren Junction on the line to the left of the signal box and then reversed into a platform not used by passenger trains for 30 years before running around the train. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The two panniers take water, very slowly because of low pressure. It took a long time to top up both engines. Here we are looking towards Brecon. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
The engines are coupled to the train ready to leave Colbren and travel down the freight-only line through Abercrave and Ynysygeinon Junction. The signals on the right are on the line to Neath. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
6116 takes water at Bridgend on its way from Swansea High Street to Cardiff General. Copyright Michael L. Roach.
GWR Saint 2931 'Arlington Court'
Paul Barlow
A piece of railway heritage on display National trust Arlington Court is the nameplate from GWR Saint Class 2931 Arlington Court.
This loco was built in October 1911 and first allocated to Exeter. It was withdrawn in February 1951 and covered over 2 million miles.
This loco was built in October 1911 and first allocated to Exeter. It was withdrawn in February 1951 and covered over 2 million miles.
The nameplate of 2931 on display in Arlington Court. Copyright Paul Barlow.
Pictures and information related to the locomotive on display. Copyright Paul Barlow.
A good find - thanks very much, Paul.
Penzance Ballast Train
Alan Peters
It has been a while since Colas Rail traction has ventured west of Par, but on Easter Monday 70806 worked 6C40 Westbury to Westbury via Penzance with a ballast drop between Par and Penzance, the train is pictured in the early hours of 22/04/25 at Penzance with Driver Mark Fabiano. Photo copyright Alan Peters.
Colas Rail 70806 ready to depart Penzance with 6C40 back to Westbury after running round the train of 5 auto hoppers in Slopers siding in the early hours of 22/04/25. Copyright Alan Peters.
A late night for you all - many thanks, Alan - great photos.
Classic traction at Pinhoe
Jack Burchill
37175 calls at Pinhoe with a test train on 22.05.2025. Copyright Jack Burchill.
Well caught, Jack - many thanks for sending it in.
More units for storage
Colin Pidgeon
69008 on 5Q75 Eastleigh TRSMD to Long Marston taking South West Trains unit 701048 back to Long Marston. 23.04.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Unit 701048 passing through Swindon. 23.04.2025, copyright Colin Pidgeon.
Many thanks Colin (and Ken, for sending in the pics).
Merthen Farm HST
Craig Munday
43186 pictured at Merthen Farm on the 22nd working 2P08. The Castle set will depart Penzance earlier in the May timetable. 22.04.2025, copyright Craig Munday. A dramatic shot beneath that moody sky, many thanks Craig.
Severn Tunnel Junction
Phil 'Shattered' Smith
47322 in Railfreight 'red stripe' livery is pictured at Severn Tunnel Junction in 1987. Copyright Phil Smith.
Many thanks Phil, another for the '47322/57002 collection'!
Par Down Loop
Jon Hird
A tough shot, but I do like a challenge! Colas 70813 was due to stop in Par Down Loop on the evening of 23.04.2025 whilst working a train of autoballasters to Penzance (6C42). The loop is in sheer darkness, but the train was due to be passed by a GWR IET unit working the 1803 Paddington - Penzance. Using the light from the IET's headlights and windows, I was able to get enough light onto the autoballasters to just about pull off a shot.
Trains seldom go into the loop nowadays, personally the last time I photographed anything in there prior to tonight was back in 2010 (although trains have been in there more recently than that).
Trains seldom go into the loop nowadays, personally the last time I photographed anything in there prior to tonight was back in 2010 (although trains have been in there more recently than that).
70813 with 6C42 is passed by 802108 working 1C92 on the evening of 23.04.2025. Copyright Jon Hird.