Llangollen
(4' 8½", Summer 2006)
Various BMRG
members recently had a day out at the Railcar Gala
weekend on The Llangollen Railway.
Following are a few photographs taken during the day.
A
mixed formation unit arrives at Carrog, the leading car being Class 127
MBS car M51618, one of sixty such vehicles that used to ply the
suburban routes out of St Pancras until these were electrified in the
early 1980s. Although the transmission system is significantly
different to that of the two-car Class 104 set it is coupled to, the
control system is compatible! The Class 104 is illustrated below.
A
lightweight Wickham Class 109 two car set leads a Class 108 "Derby
Lightweight" twin into Llangollen. The Wickhams were a small class of
only five twins that were withdrawn relatively early. E50416 and E54171
lived on as the "General Manager's Saloon" on the Eastern Region. After
purchase for preservation, they underwent a thorough restoration, aided
by Lottery funding, to give the result shown here.
A
classic view of Carrog Station and some classic DMU vehicles! Nearest
the camera is a Class 104 Birmingham RCW power twin unit, M50454 and
M50528 with Blue/Grey Class 108 Derby Lightweight twin 51907 and 54490
in the distance. Both of these types are relevant to our 1977 Mostyn
layout, hence the need for this research trip! The Class 104 was a
particular favourite on account of its comfortable seating, wooden
interior panelling and the general loudness of the exhaust system; on
the trip illustrated, the driver had changed down to second gear in the
tunnel and when the throttles were opened, the resulting sounds left
our ears ringing. Note the absence of roof ventilators, as a result of
a modification in the 1980s.
After
some socialising in Llangollen, we caught the last train of the day
back to Carrog, a six car formation comprising the Class 104, 108 and
109 twins seen earlier in the day. Needless to say, we could not resist
the throaty bellow of the 104! Here the train is seen departing from
Carrog, watched by Barrowmore MRG's resident DMU fanatic Eddie
Knorn, with the Wickham set bringing up the rear.
For more
information on DMUs, we recommend a visit to The Railcar Association.
Images for personal
non-commercial use only.
All Rights Reserved © 2006 Barrowmore Model Railway Group
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