Back to Blaenau

Over the years our local line, the former GC & GWR joint, has provided a route for a wide variety of passenger trains ranging from the Cambrian Coast Express to the GC services to Leicester, Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester, and from the WR Pullmans to the recent Wrexham & Shropshire operation.

However, the indication on this Chiltern bubble car parked in the bay at Princes Risborough suggests a new route to the slate capital of North Wales! Sadly not the case. Recently reliveried W55034 in it's former Western Region colours worked it's first public service on Wednesday along the Aylesbury branch as part of the 'unveiling' of the refurbished Princes Risborough station and our Artistic Director was an invited guest on the day (well who else!), travelling from Aylesbury in the railcar with the top brass from Chiltern trains. Quite why this vehicle sported a Blaenau Ffestiniog destination is a mystery! Did this class ever work the Conway valley line? Answers via the comment box please.