7th November - Cardiff and Newport

Today I went to Cardiff to try and knock off a few of the ATW units that I require for haulage. Any FGW HST power cars required would be a bonus.

So I left Plymouth on the 0925 to Aberdeen. My usual move would then be be to change at Bristol Parkway for the HST to Cardiff. However due to a signalling fault in the Swindon area the Cardiff train was running 35 late. I decided to get something to eat now rather than at Cardiff. So I actually left the platforms and went to Uppercrust. The barriers at Parkway didn't like my ticket (or many other people's for that matter so there was a queue!) which is no doubt frustrating for many people.

Anyway my train finally arrived and off I went to Cardiff. On the way I saw a winning GBRF 66 at Alexander Dock Junction and a 'Super 60'! If these are super remains to be seen as they seem just as unreliable as normal 60s. Anyway it was 60007 and required for sight but as per usual with 60s no photo opportunity. Last time I was here was in July. I headed straight to the Valley lines platforms and waited. I saw units that were required but going the wrong way. I wanted to go to Queen Street and back. So I worked out when their return was. I then saw a winning 158 heading to Cheltenham Spa. So I headed off to Platform 1 to get it. I caught this to Newport and saw a required 175 waiting to leave for Cardiff. This was going well. Back at Cardiff I saw another 175 that was required took me back to Newport.

A dud 175 back to Cardiff. I then saw a FGW HST power car on the rear of a Paddington bound train that was required. I checked it's moves for the day and discovered it was heading to Taunton on its next move. I looked at where I could meet it and it'll be move to Swindon when the time was right.

In the meantime I saw a winning XC 170. So I caught this to Newport with a dud return. During all this I missed the units that would be returning through Cardiff on the valley lines. This wasn't so bad because I felt its easier to get them than units that normally cover a greater area of working. I waited on the Valley Line platforms in hope of a required unit to Queen Street but nothing was happening. During my wait another required 170 rolled in. So this was the start of my return home. I caught 170398 to Newport and then an HST to Swindon. From here should be my winning Power car to Bristol. I didn't want to go to Taunton as it was a stopper after Bristol through Weston. It was 43041 and at Bristol it was a Voyager home. A lot later than planned but worth it for the power car. Only 3 FGW ones left for haulage.

A good day. 5 new units for haulage and a power car.