Visit to South Wales

Despite the weather having been unseasonably cold and showery for the time of year 7 members and a guest turned up for the South Wales fixture. Cardiff Central with its splendid old tiles and signage was of course the main meeting point, although some members stopped off at Newport on the way and others explored various valley lines.

Observations at Cardiff were conducted at the east end of the platform in order to reduce the numbing effect of the chilly Welsh westerly wind.

The most noticeable effect of the reduction in economic activity in South Wales was the almost complete lack of freight workings. We observed just one freight travelling east at Newport and three travelling west at Cardiff during the day.

The previous year’s RCTS fixture had observed a lack of freight numbers due to the closure of the Severn Tunnel but this year the tunnel was open and the freight numbers were even more paltry.

The other very noticeable change in comparison with previous years was the updated unit situation. All of the old class 142 units and most of the class 150, 153, and 158 units have been replaced by modern and very similar looking class 197, 231 and 756 units. The even newer “train-tram” class 398 units are apparently in storage mainly at Taffs Wells.

The old Cross Country class 170 units were still in evidence (albeit some in sparkling new livery), as were the occasional GWR class 165 and 166, but the GWR traffic was mostly made up of class 800 and 387 units. TFW also chipped in with a few class 67 locos with DVTs.

This completely altered scene made for a most interesting visit for all members who had mostly not been to Cardiff since the last trip a year ago, and all went home well pleased with the day.