Failed at Forden!
Today was a last minute pass out and i simply had to be back in Leighton for 1800. The usual suspects were aboard 310081 as we enjoyed the power car “sounds” to Coventry for “cans” forward. At Wolves 25254/298 were ticking over in the Salop bay 4 waiting to take the 0735 forward. The gen was good, there were four required “rats” out all on different “Abers”. My last “peak” 45014 was also out but that had to be flagged for the rats.
The usual “buy a piece” routine during the protracted run round at Shrewsbury and we were soon Welshpool bound with required 25254 leading. At Welshpool it was the usual quick stroll into town to raid the bakers and then the always late, wedged 1010 Aberystwth – Euston back to Shrewsbury with required 25193 now in the book along with 25282.
The 0935 “Aber” must have been checked outside Abbey Jn as 25192/25178 soon arrived once the other pair had left. A normal run round and virtual on time departure from Shrewsbury but we quickly went into stagger mode. 25192 had reportedly failed just outside Sutton Bridge Jn but our driver opted to continue West with just 25178 providing the power. we lost loads of time and to a shout of “its in” we rapidly bailed at Welshpool leaping over the footbridge like deranged idiots to make the DMU back. The station Bert advised “don’t worry lads we knew you were coming!”
A big sigh of relief on the DMU leaving, on a mileage move to New St but as Dave Spencer reports below even more fun and games were about to happen.
Dave did the same move from Wolves as us but opted to stay on 25178/25192 for more mileage. He advises that just a few miles South West of Welshpool near Forden at Fran Crossing 25178 and 25192 failed completely and wouldn’t restart……
This was obviously a serious failure as the Cambrian was now completely blocked on a Summer Saturday. Some Bashers and passengers did ballast leaps (some picking lineside blackberries!!) on getting news that rescue was at least an hour or so way. Fran Crossing remain blocked with angry locals having to detour round the failure. Around 100 minutes later fresh off Shrewsbury Abbey sidings, the very rateable pair of 25285/25286 arrived at the rear and after a flaff re the failed train brakes dragged us back to Welshpool.
At Welshpool the train wasn’t caped, the early 80’s railway was still a proper railway and 25285/25286 came off the back of the train, run round and coupled to the front and removed the failures. They then had to shunt the failures into a siding at the East of the station before returning, recoupling and eventually departing 3 hours late.
Dave bailed at Newtown (the delayed 0935 being terminated at Machynlleth and restarting from there) where the heavily delayed 1400 Aberystwyth – Shrewsbury with 25254/25298 had been waiting, no doubt for some time! Dave advises that the 1400 ex Aberystwyth was extended to Euston because of missed connections by many aboard (more proper railway) with the “rats” working to Wolves for 85013 forward….
Cambrian Riot phot spot – thanks to Dave Spencer
25282 and 25193 arrive at Welshpool with 1A46 1010 Aberystwyth – Euston on Sep 1st 1984
25193 and 25282 having run round leave Shrewsbury with the 1010 Aberystwyth – Euston on Sep 1st 1984
25192 and 25178 arrive at Shrewsbury with 0935 Euston – Aberystwyth on Sep 1st 1984
25285 and 25286 stabled at Shrewsbury before the rescue! Sep 1st 1984
25286 and 25285 stabled at Shrewsbury before the rescue! Sep 1st 1984
Oh dear, 25178 and 25192 are a total failure at Fran Crossing, Forden on September 1st 1984
25286 and 25285 with failed 25178 and 25192 at Welshpool about to remove the failures, September 1st 1984
the failures are propelled Eastwards to a siding at Welshpool for dumping before proceeding west with the heavily delayed 0935 Euston – Aberystwyth on September 1st 1984.
Thanks again to Dave Spencer for the phots and additional memories of a rioutous day!
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