04:50.

Good morning people!

Day 2 is underway. The onboard crew and myself managed to grab a few hours sleep bedded down on the train at Holyhead before we returned to Bangor by 04:00 to pick up the teams. For once, they were waiting for us rather than the other way around. Everyone was able to summit, although I’m told conditions at the top were very windy. That said, there was a fantastic lightning display to be seen.

Now everyone’s aboard as we retrace our route to Chester. The walkers are getting some shut-eye whilst the onboard team start to prepare breakfast.

Argue amongst yourselves. Teacakes, rolls, baps or barms? Breakfast being prepared in one end of the car whilst a sandwich making marathon is going on at the other.

05:45.

As usual, things never go to plan. As the train is being ‘top and tailed’ the idea was that after leaving Holyhead the Class 57 on the year of the train would be leading to Ravenglass, saving the need to run round. Only I’m told it’s overheated. So, at Llandudno Jn we stopped in order to let 45118 run round to the front of the train and take over. The 57 remains inside to provide hotel power for the coaches.

Meanwhile, the interior of the train’s littered with sleeping bodies as the teams grab a few hours of rest before Ravenglass. But not the onboard crew. There’s mad activity in the catering cars. Breakfast’s being prepped and a sandwich making marathon’s going on. Trollies are being loaded with fruit and energy bars for walkers to pick up when we detrain