Rails in the Heart of Wales Line 1997; Double headed class 56s and 37s

Recorded by the late Mike Price in 1997 we pick up the train at Pantyffynnon
Signal Box where the token is exchanged ready for the next pair of 56 to pass fully loaded northbound. Being a slow running service, and quiet roads at the time, he's able to catch the train at various station plus an excellent clip crossing Cynghordy Viaduct. Worth waiting as the 37s approach!
My friend the late Rowland Pittard gave me this tape, amongst others, so expect more in the future.

[@imcadam121]

Superb!Never to be repeated classic traction in a gorgeous location.

[@rogervanpraet7965]

Possibly the best railway related video I’ve seen on KZbin. The anticipated arrival of the 37s at Cynghordy is amazing. Just a glimpse at what an important through route the Central Wales Line was

[@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways]

Thanks for your support of my hobby! I retired in 2000 and I now have more than 1000 of my clips on YT. I download 2-3 a week from my collection of more tan 600 VHS/mini DV tapes

[@ianjones4116]

Brilliant stuff. Remember Pantyffinon depot,, used to ride in the Dmu cab with Dad . Shrewsbury to Llanelli,, first train in morning,,, sunrise and scenery,,, epic. All well before 56s were built . Thanks for sharing. Hope your keeping ok. 👍😎🐢

[@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways]

Thanks for watching; it's copying my old videos that's keeping me going. I bought a new/old VHS player so I'm going through hours of clips which I'd forgotten about

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

Wow....that last shot of the 56s coming out.of the tunnel!!

[@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways]

More soon

[@railfreightdrivergallagherGBRf]

@@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways I was based up north at the time. Would love to have worked these over the CWL. Great days I miss so much and with retirement approaching in 2 year's, I'll be glad to leave the privatised system behind.

[@dieseldave3879]

Yikes, those steel-coil trains look might heavy, and in quite hilly country! 🚂👍

[@MrThrash37]

Fantastic mike

[@AndreiTupolev]

And stunning shot at Cynghordy? with maximum thrash from the 37s. Really sorry your friend's no longer with us, he was a very talented videographer.

[@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways]

Agreed, at least I can share his work with us, which I'm sure he would have done

that's some fine 56 clag powering out of the tunnel ! Wouldn't want to go in there for a while.

[@slipperyrails]

Great to see these Mike. That's a top stagger at Cynghordy with 894+704! ...RIP Rowland and Mike P.

[@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways]

Rowland was a good friend who, even 20 years ago, had all the running information long before mobile phones

[@S2RUF]

Great clips Mike, especially the 56's emerging from the tunnel at 28:00 dragging a trail of fumes behind it

[@antman09ful1]

Great days Mike, thanks for this upload from your late friend.

[@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways]

Such a pity he passed away before KZbin was available to us all. Rowland passed on his tapes, but it took quite a while to edit out friends, holidays days out etc. So more to come soon; it's just time I need. Thanks for your support too

[@derekwalker8697]

Great video Mike brought back memories of my second man and driver days when we had lots of work over the Central Wales line 👍

[@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways]

Thanks for your support; if only I'd had made a cab ride too. They were good memories for us all

[@derekwalker8697]

Mike Wilcock yes they were, I was based at Shrewsbury and we had the Llanwern/Margam Steel trains to Dee Marsh use to love the double headed 37’s on the job

[@Pennington_TMD]

Great capture

[@AndreiTupolev]

Was freight being diverted? That wasn't a usual route was it. Some stunning filming there, very atmospheric with the mist and the frost.

[@TheMichaelWilcock2016Railways]

These services are diverted when work is being completed on the mainline between Swansea and Cardiff, for example

[@TrenyCwm]

Do they still use the HOW as a diversion for these trains?

[@bellers13]

Some cracking power there Mike, what days they were

[@kevatcrewe]

Great video, thanks for uploading. Very interesting at 17:45, as the 37's are passing a signal at Danger in front of the points - assume there was another ground signal for the crossover maybe?

[@S2RUF]

Kevin Hughes Yes, I suspect they were working on ground signals to access the loop, the main signal was at danger for both the 37's and the 56's following so I assume it would only apply if they continued up the main line rather than going into the loop.