I once visited Ratcliffe on Soar PS, Nottingham and whilst speaking to the manager, he said that when Mrs Thatcher came to power, they were told to increase the stock of coal from 2m to 10m tonnes in preparation for the conflict with the miners. This chimed with what my dad had told me at the time, that there was unlimited overtime for anyone who wanted it at all pits: the calm before the storm.
The train was 6z18 from Bristol Kingsland road. The loco was then used as a road learning loco down the Vale and back to Barry then back to the power station before going to Bridgend again and returning via the mainline to Cardiff to stable overnight as 0z18. The following day it was down the Vale again, back to Barry. Another trip around the power station. A trip to Bridgend ford's branch back to Barry and finally back to Bridgend and back up the mainline to Bristol. Much better than pacers to Coryton don't you think, Simon!
Nice videos Mike, pity you couldn't get some footage inside the station, I'm sure we could have arranged it if we had known about your efforts then. Pete
I once visited Ratcliffe on Soar PS, Nottingham and whilst speaking to the manager, he said that when Mrs Thatcher came to power, they were told to increase the stock of coal from 2m to 10m tonnes in preparation for the conflict with the miners. This chimed with what my dad had told me at the time, that there was unlimited overtime for anyone who wanted it at all pits: the calm before the storm.
I was the driver who brought that 47 into Aberthaw. I hadn't long started with Freightliner and was doing my handling with an instructor.
Now you have a souvenir of the day !.. I had a good couple of days too.
Pity nobody got a photo of this 47 at Bridgend
Not many fellow enthusiasts knew of these movements 20 years ago
The train was 6z18 from Bristol Kingsland road. The loco was then used as a road learning loco down the Vale and back to Barry then back to the power station before going to Bridgend again and returning via the mainline to Cardiff to stable overnight as 0z18. The following day it was down the Vale again, back to Barry. Another trip around the power station. A trip to Bridgend ford's branch back to Barry and finally back to Bridgend and back up the mainline to Bristol. Much better than pacers to Coryton don't you think, Simon!
Nice videos Mike, pity you couldn't get some footage inside the station, I'm sure we could have arranged it if we had known about your efforts then. Pete