10:10.
Having completed two sets of packing this morning the adventure’s begun. Dawn was good enough to give me a lift to the station with all my kit as I’m not exactly lighly loaded. You don’t bring an overnight bag for a trip like this – especially when you’re the event photographer!
I’m now en-route to Crewe via Manchester on a busy Northern service from Sowerby Bridge. Other volunteers are on their way from across the country via road and rail, ready to provision the train when the empty stock arrives in the station. But first, a few of us have a little assignment on the depot before that happens…
The weather this year means the event’s going to be a warm. one which presents its own challenges for the teams. Never let anyone tell you this trip is a cakewalk. It’s bloody hard work! At the moment thunderstorms are forecast for the Ben Nevis area but we may be lucky and just dodge them. On the bright side – they could keep the midges at bay.
This is my 6th year as volunteer which I’d never dreamed would happen when I was first asked to help back in 2017. But, like a lot of the crew, I’ve enjoyed it so much I’ve kept coming back – despite the challenges and lack of sleep. Mainly because it’s such a great cause and we raise lots of money, but also because of the camaraderie. Every year’s different too. Each one has its own logistical and weather challenges which add to the fun – and the grey hairs. Well, for those with any left!
The first challenge this year is that due to earlier flood damage on the West Highland line our train can’t get to Fort William on Saturday. Instead, we’ll run to Kingussie on the main line to Inverness. It’s a hour by road from there to the start of the path up Ben Nevis. This change means walkers won’t get as much sleep as normal on Friday night, adding to the difficulty.
11:30.
I’m just leaving Manchester Piccadilly aboard this ancient beast which is working all the way to Carmarthen. Thank God I’m only going as far as Crewe!
Needless to say, with it only being a 2-car, it’s full and standing. At least with it only having forced-air ventilation I don’t have to worry about the air-conditioning breaking down!
16:30.
Apologies for the gap there. I’m now back at the station having spent the past few hours at the depot helping to prepare the stock for the trip. There’s a lot of work to do before the train even arrives at the station. Volunteers are already aboard preparing food whist other of us have labelled the vehicles and laid out information and supplies. I can’t show you any photos as pictures are verboten on the depot, but there’ll be plenty from the trip later – including of the surprise…
18:25.
OK, we’re almost ready for the off and the secret is out. We have rather special traction to Bangor to celebrate Katie Mason’s 23 years at the Railway Children.
22:15.
Time for an update and a load of pictures. The train’s certainly turned a few heads as it made its way along the North Wales coast. En-route our teams were fed a 2 course meal of pies, coleslaw and potato salad followed by cheescake.
We had a 30 minute stop at Llandudno Junction so that ‘Britannia’ could take on water which also gave people chance to pose for pictures with the loco in a much better location than platform 12 at Crewe!
At Bangor we dispatched the walkers who boarded coaches to get them to Snowden and also said goodbye to ‘Britannia’ which was detached to run light engine to Valley where it could turn around on the triangle. Class 47 No 47614 was waiting to take over in its stead to take the empty stock to Holyhead.
The fact the walkers were on their way is only part of the story. I stayed aboard with the traincrew who immediately swung into action, clearing up the rubbish, washing hundreds of plates and then preparing their own meal.
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