Heritage steam and diesels at Hereford.
Heritage steam and diesels at Hereford.
Took my first rail journey today, Wednesday 1 March 2023, since June 2021 to Hereford to photograph the Saphos 'Welsh Marches Express' charter train which ran from Holyhead to Cardiff. D213 (40013) 'Andania' brought the train in to Hereford where LMS 46100 'Royal Scot' was attached for the journey to Cardiff and back to Crewe where D213 will take over for the final leg to Anglesey. D1935 (47805) 'Roger Hoskings MA' brought up the rear in 'top and tail' mode throughout.
Re: Heritage steam and diesels at Hereford.
Lovely Tim. Those 40s were withdrawn far too soon.
Re: Heritage steam and diesels at Hereford.
Unfortunately it always happens when a new type of motive traction replaces an older design. It happened in the 1950s and 1960s when Class 40s replaced steam on the West Coast mainline and the Essex services out of Liverpool Street. It is happening now with the HSTs coming to the end of their very long 45+ year lives and also to the ECML Class 91 electric locomotives which are being rapidly scrapped now at Sims Metals in Newport.
I read that the 40's are very heavy at 133 tons for the power output, and that the 2000 HP diesel engine only gives about 1550 HP at the wheels which is a lot less than a well-fired LMS 'Duchess', LNER A4 and Southern 'Merchant Navy', which have been recorded in excess of 2,500 HP at the wheels. The 1Co-Co1 wheel arrangement was cumbersome and, in common with the 'Peaks', meant that the great length of the bogies restricted the line availability compared to say a Class 47 or Class 37 which, with their shorter Co-Co bogie layout, are pretty well 'go anywhere' locos.
All that said, it was good to see both 'Andania' and 'Royal Scot' so immaculately presented with both making the right noises! The platforms were crowded with enthusiasts as well making photography a trifle frustrating; it would have been bedlam if the passengers had alighted, but the charter remained in the centre line whilst the Class 40 was removed and 'Scot' attached.
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