Main reason for going to Cardiff was to catch the 10:55 to Fishguard and back which Mondays to Saturdays between the 27th of July and 9th September 2006 were loco hauled by Class 50s 50031 Hood or 50049 Defiance. Both locos are officially preserved by the Fifty Fund and Project Defiance so their return to regular service trains, 14 years after they were originally withdrawn by BR was something very special indeed.
As 50049 was at Crewe for a B exam, 50031 was our loco bringing back memories of the Waterloo Exeter during the early 1990s when the loco was a regular on that trip.
Unfortunatly the weather on the outward run was awful but it brightened up on the return leg.
50031 Clags into Cardiff Central ECS
Arriving on platform 3
A sight for sore eyes!
A rather decreped Light Boad in a breakers yard around Swansea
Mainline 75mph Trash!!!
Whitland - one of only two intermedate stops on the trip.
50031 at Whitland
Passed the Junction for Milford Heaven
Aproaching Fishguard
Crossing into Fishguard harbour
The ex-Virgin Mk2e and Mk2fs which make up the train at Fishguard
50031 resting after its 2hr trip
Uncoupled...
The Highland Stags which were on it for the Orcadian Trip didn't want to come off without a fight..
50031 at Fishguard
Reflected in the Station
Clagging up to run around
Running around
Tops number, panel and "CF" sticker
Clagging up to cross the crossing - with the Ferry in the background.
50031
A rather wet Fishguard
Ready for the return leg.
Hood's nameplate and crest
Tops panel and "CF" sticker indicating the loco is allocated to Cardiff Canton
Departing Fishguard
Passing a 175
Look sun!
Aproaching Whitland
Near Briton Ferry
The lightship again
Getting a green to join the mainline at Briton Ferry
