This is the basic plan but it will more than likely change on the day. 

The evening before the trip I had a quick check of the times to make sure nothing had changed and that we were not going to run into engineering works we did not know about. I then had a good idea could we make this journey via Birmingham? There is more to see on this route (trains rather than scenery). On checked the timetable by leaving 15 minutes earlier we could change at Bristol Parkway, Stafford and Crewe. I ran this by Mrs Track Basher and she approved. 15 minutes earlier start and longer journey time also 2 extra changes I am doing well. The weather forecast was also for hot (high 20s) and sunshine all weekend.

Saturday 22 May 2010

Woke at 05:30 to find bright sunshine and the temperature is already at 15C. The first train was quite when we boarded but when it got to Cardiff we were invaded by a sea of Blue and Yellow. Cardiff City were playing in the playoff final against Blackpool at Wembley (they lost 3-2). We were quite relived to get off at Bristol Parkway. The next two legs were quite uneventful with on time arrivals and departures.

158832 passes Conwy Castle 22/05/10

The leg between Crewe and Bangor was a little more interesting with a bit of loco haulage.  Virgin had turned out a nice Arriva liveried Class 57/3 for the one per week drag to Holyhead. This train was packed full of the youth of today all heading to the Big Weekend Mrs Track Basher and number one son being amongst them. I am just a boring old fart and would rather spend the day watching the trains rather than going to a trendy pop concert. Also we only had two tickets.

Arrived at Bangor and the contents of the train emptied it’s self out onto the platform. I made sure Mrs Track Basher and son were sorted with transport then headed back to the station for the start of my day. My train arrives and is formed of 2x3 Car Class 175. On boarding the conductor announces front 3 for Cardiff and Maesteg and rear 3 for Llandudno and also several times on approach to Llandudno Jn. The passengers sit there in blind ignorance and are surprised when the station staff come to tell them they have to move to the other unit.

The weather is now blisteringly hot. A quick trip up to Llandudno and back and I then go in search of a photographic location. The North Wales Railway website  is a good source of information for all things Railway and North Walian. I had read about a new bridge to carry a cycle track crossing the railway between Llandudno Jn station and the bridge across the River Conwy. This I suspected would give a great photo of the train with the castle in the background. The photo was not bad but I will have to come back in the morning when the sun will be in prime position. Network Rail could also do with paying a visit and undertaking a deforestation exercise.

It appears the heat was having an adverse situation on the train service and nothing was due for a while so decide to go back to the station and head to Abergele.

57313 passes Abergele 22/05/10

There is a very good footbridge for photography just east of the station which is 5 minutes walk along the cycle tack, accessed from the Chester bound platform. There is a good photo available in both directions and a selection of semaphore signalling. A pleasant hour was spent here sat on the sea wall. It is possible to head back to prime photographic location as the signal goes up with plenty of time to set the photo up.

After Abergele it is onwards to Warrington. The plan is to have a little time here and then go to Crewe for the photo of the return Pathfinder tour. It appears all is not well on the West Coast Mainline with everything running about 20 minutes late. This means I may not be able to get to Crewe on the train I was planning to catch was behind the railtour. I elect to catch an earlier train and have longer at Crewe as nothing is happening at Warrington.

56312 at Crewe 22/05/10

It is very pleasant at Crewe sat at the end of the platform in the warm sun watching the trains come and go. After a couple of hours I get the phone call, “we have had enough of the concert where are you?” I explain I am in Crewe and not sure when the next train to Bangor is. A quick check of the timetable and it is in 2 minutes time so it is off down the platform to find it. As the train is running into the platform another phone call “he is not sure he has had enough!”. I point out that they have about 30 seconds to make a decision as I can see the train coming into the plaftorm. They decide that they are going to stay so I decide to join the train anyway. This train only goes as far as Chester so I have to change. I join the train to Holyhead which is quite busy as it is Chester Races.

I sit behind a group of 8 middle aged ladies travelling home, they were probably more lady like when they went to the races. Unfortunately too much champagne has taken it’s toll and on leaving Chester they start singing Welsh rugby songs, badly. It was all in good humour and they got bored after about 40 minutes, phew.

The remainder of the journey is peaceful and I text Mrs Track Basher to let her know I have caught the earlier train and will get off at Bangor and wait for them. It appears they have left the festival and as the train arrives at Bangor my phone rings “Are you on the train that is in the platform?” after confirming this several times they join the train and we travel trough to Holyhead. Not a bad result and we arrive before 23:00 better than midnight.

The Travelodge is opposite the station and we are there 10 minutes after arrival. Travelodge is very basic but you know what you are getting and one thing is no air conditioning. The room is like an oven.  A restless nights sleep because of the heat.

Sunday 23 May 2010

There were two morning trains home 08:45 and 10:55 we did not manage to catch the first one as we did not wake up until 09:00. The weather is again bright sunny and hot. The only place open in Holyhead is McDonalds, so that’s breakfast then.

221117 + 57315 at Holyhead 23/05/10

One porridge and big breakfast (not that big) later there is sufficient time to explore the sights of Holyhead. We failed to find the highlights so walk back to the station and have a walk across the new bridge. I am not sure why this bridge has been built as it goes from the station to main street. It must have saved a whole 5 minutes walk round. It is a pleasant walk across but does not appear to have saved any time. We appear to be the only people using it.

The Virgin Train is quiet leaving Holyhead but gets busier as we stop at the North Wales stations. The journey along the North Wales coast is one of the best when the weather is good and today is perfect. Just look out the window and watch the view go by. The train is very full when we leave Chester.

The West Coast Mainline is still not doing too well and we elect to join a late running Virgin Train rather than wait for the London Midland service we were supposed to. We are rewarded by a points failure at Norton Bridge where we stand for 15 minutes watching trains shoot past on the slow lines safe in the knowledge that the service we should have caught was behind us. Arrival in Birmingham is with 10 minutes to spare for our connection.

43321 departs Newport 23/05/10

As it turns out this was lots of time as the train to Cardiff is cancelled. I spot that the previous train to Bristol is running late and still in the platform. It is formed of a Cross Country HST which I think are the best refurbishment if this train.

After a further delay (awaiting a driver) we set off and are fortunate because of engineering works this train is diverted via Newport. It is at this point our good luck runs out and the train continues to lose more time. We arrive in Newport just in time to miss the train heading west. We are back on the train we should have been on and arrive home at the time we should have been including a trip round the Vale of Glamorgan.

Another good weekend with another trip to come in just over a weeks time.

The Final Plan: