Rare daylight visit of 2 X DRS 37's to Tondu on 1Q14 01/11/2012

DRS Class 37's 37682 'Hartlepool Pipe Mill' and 37409 'Lord Hilton' top and tail the 1Q14 Network Rail test train into Tondu on the little used line from Margam. The train passes the still in use Tondu Signal Box to a loop alongside the passenger line to Maesteg, then returns to Margam, surrounded by the wonderful Semaphore signals still in daily use at Tondu. Finally a Class 150 departs with a service from Maesteg to Cardiff via Bridgend.682

[@robmasterman]

It certainly is Leon, and such a treat for me to see these two old friends from years ago ....Thanks as always....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Wayne, the distinctive sounds of these wonderful locos is always a joy to hear...Thanks as always...Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Rich, this was a particularly enjoyable day as these two locos I saw when new back in the early sixties......Regards.....Bob

[@PhilbruProduction]

Bob thank you for these beautiful images, and this unique sound of these old diesels.
Philippe

[@robmasterman]

It was a special morning John, with all the ingredient you've mentioned in attendance...Thanks as always....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks very much, I'm delighted you enjoy my work...Bob

[@robmasterman]

Beautifully put Dale....Thanks as always...Bob

[@robmasterman]

Me too Bill, after all the years they were common place down here, now, they are very much a rarity......Thanks again....Bob

[@robmasterman]

It was a wonderful thing to see these two as I photographed 37682 when it was first released as D6936 several times between 1967 and 1987....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Adam, it's rare to have all these things in one place, especially in these days....Bob

[@robmasterman]

On your doorstep as well Anthony, it was a real treat to see locos I haven't seen in Wales for many years.....Bob

[@noelist]

oh what a lovely sound Bob, got a pair on flasks at Carnforth today cant get enough of them, thanks for that. cheers.

[@robmasterman]

That's kind of you, and greatly appreciated...Makes it all worthwhile......Bob

[@acw71000]

Superb Bob, love the 37's and the semaphores are just fantastic at this location

[@robmasterman]

Thanks C&A, it was one of those unplanned visits, and I was delighted to see these twp pld South Wales based locos....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks John, there are not many places on the Network that you can still see signal boxes, semaphore signals, and two 37's....wonderful stuff...Bob

[@davidfrobel7582]

good one bob,,nice to see those locos still running,,i remember them pulling coal trains to pembroke dock when i was a kid,,good quality filming,the best i see on this end,,,

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Austin, it's rare to see the 37's down in South Wales these days, after so many years of being the mainstay of freight haulage. 37682 (D6936) is one I've seen and photographed many times in the past......Bob

[@theHSTchannel]

Excellent video Bob. I was at Tondu this week, and it is a superb little station, even if it is small!

[@MikeSnow9]

Music to my ears Bob! Great catch......Mike

[@robmasterman]

You're very kind...Thank you again...Bob

[@EMuksteam]

Brilliant video nice place to capture them lovely sound of the 37s with clag & SUNSHINE.(C&A)

[@moxon2313]

Lovely Video Rob!
Really do enjoy watching your videos...
They are superb - 5 Stars*****

[@robmasterman]

And may it long continue Chris...Many thanks...Bob

[@robmasterman]

I understand it was checking radios installations along the line Chris....Wonderful to see it daylight doing this work....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Walter, 50 years old and still working....Bob

[@johnwood57]

Nice catch Bob,i do like the sound of those 37's,i am glad that we have one on the NYMR.I have not been there for a while,going to wait till it starts snowing i think........John

[@robmasterman]

Both these locos were originally allocated to South Wales Dave, so it was good to see them again.....Tondu is a wonderful place, and although only a shadow of its former self, is still full of character....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks very much Peter, I shall look out for yours when uploaded tomorrow......Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Mike, glad you enjoyed it...Bob

[@robmasterman]

It was and still is a very distinctive sound, and hard to believe these are nearly 50 years old now ....Thanks for your very interesting comments...Bob

[@canvids1]

Bob the sound alone coming from those engines is enoug to start the blood moving.
a geat video of a great couple of old engines love the sounds!

[@penybontshed]

Great footage as always Bob. You may like to know that not far from there is the Bridgend Miniature Railway one of the areas best kept secrets

[@21C123]

Nicely filmed as per usual Bob

[@robmasterman]

Merci Philippe, il y a de nombreux anciens éléments de chemin de fer encore en usage à cet endroit...Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Keith, you're right about the storm clouds, they were everywhere, but it was 11.00 in the morning....Bob

[@pwalpar]

excellent video Bob

[@cuzinitr]

Nice work Bob. I liked the location,weather,light,locomotive's, and you're skill at making video's.
Catch ya later bud! Rich

[@robmasterman]

This line is occasionally used these days as a diversionary route, but is little used otherwise. This train was testing Radio installations along the line. Both these locos are old South Wales based engines, and I have several photos going back to 1967 of 37682 as D6936...Thanks Dave...Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks very much...Bob

[@robmasterman]

I assume as the line is not operational, it was working under an occupation arrangement....Thanks as always for your observance....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Very true Kev, especially when surrounded by semaphore signals......Bob

[@robmasterman]

Good old days Simon, I'm not sure if the Ogmore Vale spur is accessible these days, and with regular passenger services up the Llynfi Branch to Maesteg, then this loop was the best option....Many thanks...Bob

[@PeterRobertSmith-e4t]

Excellent vid Bob. I got a vid of these Passing Aberthaw coal Sidings heading towards barry, will upload it tomorrow, but nowhere as good as yours though :)

[@matthewevans889]

Did you know that theres a preservation group attempting to restore the Garw Valley line, from Pontycymmer to Tondu. The railway isn't operational yet, but hopefully will be in the next two years. They have a running 108 DMU and an active industrial locomotive.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks David 37409 was based at Landore in the sixties, so you may well have seen it (Original number D6970)....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Well spotted Justin, not sure what conditions this special was working under....this line is not currently operational....Bob

[@robmasterman]

Mine too Mike, glad you enjoyed it...Bob

[@howarth004]

Good zoom in shot to start Bob ,Is the test a normal thing or expecting the line to be used more , certainly giving off some clag and wheel music departing , those 150 `s sound good

[@simonpilk]

Interesting they used the Llynfi Goods Loop to reverse and not go to the loop on the old Blaengarw line. I have some photos from before the passenger service started when there were still MGRs from Ogmore Vale and even a vacuum braked coal train with 37225 at the helm!

[@wooltman]

Love the sound of the 37's,was the train track recording?Great video Bob.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks, I must visit it one day, is it still at the Park Sidings site still?....Bob

[@percomotion]

Its a great location I'm looking for something I can exhibit in the future once Amberton is finished well to a standard anyway but that looks interesting especially now Dapol are producing working signals I will bear this in mind.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks Craig, not as exciting as your footage of the Flasks, but rare for down here...Bob

[@JPMiller14]

In the first two minutes the 37 passes straight through a horizontal semaphore? Or are those not in use anymore? At > 5 min the red semaphore on the left track is down then. A great outing, and great filming Bob.

[@richardsargent1643]

Actually there is a disc signal on the floor by the signal hidden in the bushes so I didn't pass the signal at danger because the disc signal was in the off position.

[@robmasterman]

Thanks very much, like many places Tondu is just a shadow of its former self....Bob

[@robmasterman]

There are a few pockets of semaphores left in South Wales, but they will disappear over the next few years...Bob

[@Gwril76]

Very nice viewing !

[@robmasterman]

I was aware of this group Matthew, I shall watch development with interest...Bob

[@robmasterman]

Thanks, go on go for it, you know you want to....Bob

[@percomotion]

Nice one Bob that would make a good model hmmm.

[@AndreiTupolev]

I presume he had authorisation to pass that signal at danger? I suppose because he was going into the loop?

[@richardsargent1643]

I actually passed the signal under authority of a ground disc signal.

[@MikeFairman]

Nice one Rob :)

[@veolia215]

Excellen although shame I had to be in work when things like this happen

[@chrisbuxton1958]

few things equal welsh tractors going about their business!

[@LDEGM]

Good Joob! LIKE!:)