36. Trip to Cardiff-24.06.15

THE ARCHIVE FILES > Archive-2015 > 36. Trip to Cardiff-24.06.15
A trip to Cardiff with my boss to collect a lovely little Nissan Micra from a dealership. The return journey was interesting, to say the least only getting about five miles before it broke down on the M4 with a seized calliper! We sorted it out at the next services but it did mean that we had to drive all the way back to Northampton without using the brakes. This was a feat managed until we reached the ramp back at the workshop using a combination of enhanced anticipation, engine braking and judicious use of the handbrake.
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Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.

350114, LM 10.16 Northampton-Birmingham New Street, the cancelled 09.13 London Euston-Birmingham New Street, (1Y15), Birmingham New Street station We took 350114 from Northampton to Birmingham New Street as the first leg of our journey to Cardiff. This ran as the 10.16 from Northampton as it had been cancelled from Euston due to earlier problems thus putting trains out of position. Notice the continuing works underway to re-build New Street station. Keywords: 350114 10.16 Northampton-Birmingham New Street the cancelled 09.13 London Euston-Birmingham New Street 1Y15 Birmingham New Street station London Midland Desiro
170108, XC 10.10 Nottingham-Cardiff Central (1V07), Birmingham New Street station Not an ideal or my preferred way to get from Birmingham to Cardiff but 170108 would have to do! The 10.10 Nottingham to Cardiff Central arrives into Birmingham New Street's platform twelve. These units have comfortable seats and plenty of room but the ride is not great and, depending upon where you sit they are noisy. Keywords: 170108 10.10 Nottingham-Cardiff Central 1V07 Birmingham New Street station Cross Country
158950, GW 13.30 Cardiff Central-Portsmouth Harbour (1F19), Cardiff Central station Looks can be deceiving, despite the cloudy conditions at Cardiff it was actually a pretty hot day. 158950 waits in the humid conditions with the First Great Western 13.30 to Portsmouth Harbour. I like these units that are basically a Mk. III coach with an engine underneath. They have inherited many of the features of the stock and are good trains. Keywords: 158950 13.30 Cardiff Central-Portsmouth Harbour 1F19 Cardiff Central station First Great Western
143614, AW 13.15 Corton-Radyr (2V27), Cardiff Central station 143614 pauses at Cardiff Central's platform seven with the 13.15 Corton to Radyr ATW service. As can be seen from the destination blind, this route is dubbed the City Line. Notice the construction underway to the right of the train in connection with the new platform eight that is due to open soon. Keywords: 143614 13.15 Corton-Radyr 2V27 Cardiff Central station Arriva Trains Wales Pacer
142010, AW 13.27 Ebbw Vale Town-Cardiff Central (2F30), Cardiff Central station A familiar scene at Cardiff Central that travellers have enjoyed or endured depending on who you talk to! Pacer 142010 has just terminated with the 13.27 from Ebbw Vale whilst and First Great Western HST is on the adjacent platform. With the onward march of electrification, if much slower than anticipated, the HSTs will disappear and the Pacer's time is also numbered. It will be interesting to see what this viepoint will be like in five years time? Keywords: 142010 13.27 Ebbw Vale Town-Cardiff Central 2F30 Cardiff Central station Arriva Trains Wales Pacer
143607, AW 13.21 Cardiff Central-Cardiff Central ecs (5T28) & 142010, AW 13.27 Ebbw Vale Town-Cardiff Central (2F30), Cardiff Central station These 'stopgap' Pacers have been a huge part of the railways in South Wales since the withdrawal of the first generation DMUs in the mid-1990s. Ironically, they have now been in service longer than the units that they replaced so these temporary trains have become something more than that! 143607 arrives into Central station with the 13.21 return ecs move whilst 142010 waits to work it next train after terminating with the 13.27 from Ebbw Vale. Keywords: 143607 13.21 Cardiff Central-Cardiff Central ecs 5T28 142010 13.27 Ebbw Vale Town-Cardiff Central 2F30 Cardiff Central station Arriva Trains Wales Pacer
150230, AW 13.00 Bargoed-Bridgend (2P55), Cardiff Central station 150230 arrives at Cardiff station's platform seven with the 13.00 Bargoed to Bridgend service. We took this 2P55 working to the next station at Grangetown. From there we were able to walk to our final destination only then to be forced to take a taxi back across the city to collect our car! Keywords: 150230 13.00 Bargoed-Penarth 2P55 Cardiff Central station Arriva Trains Wales Sprinter
150230, AW 13.00 Bargoed-Bridgend (2P55), Grangetown station 150230 working the 13.00 Bargoed to Bridgend service stands at Grangetown station that is situated to the south-west of Cardiff. It sits in an elevated position above the urban sprawl of Cardiff and is essentially a commuter station. Facilities are basic with just a waiting shelter and an unkempt flower bed on the island platform. Access for physically disabled people is very difficult due to the station only being accessible by steps from street level on Penarth Road. Keywords: 150230, AW 13.00 Bargoed-Bridgend (2P55), Grangetown station Arriva Trains Wales Pacer
Tickets, Northampton-Grangetown Unfortunately, the journey from Northampton to Grangetown (Cardiff) was not undertaken via split ticketing but as one end to end journey and this made quite a difference to the cost. The off-peak advanced fare, even with our two together discount loaded, still worked out to be £25.60 apiece that seemed a little on the pricy side. Keywords: Tickets Northampton-Grangetown

Images 1-9 of 9 displayed.