Perhaps the most controversial of photo charters in a while… but whatever the reasons, K1 was out and about – something I’d not seen before. Big thanks go to Tim Goodspeed (who was firing K1 and later 143) for informing me – it had been kept under wraps pretty well.
From an observational level the day was interesting for two reasons:
1. K1 is not yet passed by HMRI for sole use on passenger trains
2. Rhyd Ddu Station is currently under and construction possession – and even if it could have been accessed the run around has been removed in preparation for upgrading.
As a result the following train made its way up to Glanrafon, where most of the photographic run pasts were made: 143, (so making the train double headed and therefore not breaking HMRI legislation) K1, 5 SAR wagons, 2 Winson Saloons and Upnor Castle on the back (so preventing the need to run around).
At Glanrafon, this spilt into three, under the direction of Fred Howes. The photographers got off (so degrading the train to an ECS working), 143 moved forward to about ¼ of mile, out of the way and Upnor took the Winson Saloons back about ¼ of a mile, again out of the way. This left K1 and the SAR wagons to do several run pasts. The train then reassembled, made its way to Clogwyn-y-Gwin, and then split again to repeat the process.
After this, the photographers were booked to travel to Waunfawr for lunch so the train reassembled Upnor worked the train back to Waunfawr. In the afternoon the process was repeated, although this time the light engine 143 made it to the limits of Rhyd Ddu Station – the reasons for this though are unclear!!! This resulted in the unusual sight of 143 at Rhyd Ddu, K1 at Clogwyn-y-Gwin and Upnor at Glanrafon. |
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