FIRST TRAINS over the NEW LOUGHOR BRIDGE and through GOWERTON - 08/04/2013
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- Опубліковано 10 вер 2024
- The magical day has arrived, the re-doubled line between Dyffryn and Cockett has been completed and Passenger trains run over it once more.
I was up at 05.30 this morning as I wanted to capture the first trains to run over the new Bridge at Loughor. I managed to capture classes 175, 150,158 133 and a HST, and as some speed Westwards you can see the dust being disturbed as the train runs along the brand new track.
I then moved on to the re-built intermediate station at Gowerton, which has been completely off limits for the last few weeks, and whilst there is still some work to be done, it was a real treat to see both platforms back in use after closure of the up platform 27 years ago. We also see the first view of two trains crossing at Gowerton, something that hasn't been witnessed since 1986.
We then move West to where the single line joined into double track at Duffryn, where a Westbound 175 unit from Manchester passes by.
Finally we hear from Emyr Phillips a local character, and much loved owner of the Ticket Shop at Pembrey & Burry Port Railway Station for many years before retirement who was delighted to be the first passenger to travel over the New Bridge at Loughor in a HST.
Thanks John, it's the culmination of months of work, so it was such a thrill to see those trains passing over the bridge on both lines for the first time in 17 years....Best wishes...Bob
Indeed, I had the delay in viewing videos. Thank you for you're up so early for us to share this historic moment: this is the great professionalism. Congratulations Bob.
Philippe
Thank you Gunter, it was a great day seeing trains along the new bridge...Bob
I was delighted the weather stayed dry Dave, as there is a return to wet and windy conditions over the next few days.....What you can see is dust from the new ballast Dave.....no rain to dampen things down...Many thanks...Bob
It was singled back in 1986 and there will be additional trains starting in the Summer timetable in May....Thanks for watching...Bob
Il valait la peine de se lever tôt pour Philippe, c'est ce que tout le travail a été mené à ... Ce fut une journée merveilleuse ... Diolch fel arver .... Bob
Thanks Dave, I'm so pleased I made the effort....Bob
Me neither Justin, it was surreal standing there this morning, especially on the up platform.....Thanks again....Bob
Thanks Rich, a few weeks of tidying the area up and it will look superb.....Thanks my friend....Bob
It's an incredible feat for all concerned to get this massive project done on time....and apart for some last minute housekeeping, everything has gone very well today.....There has been little or no rain over the last month or so, hence the large amount of dust churned up when trains pass over the new ballast....No fear rain is forecast over the next few days to dampen things down.......Thanks again Andrei for your comments
Excellent Bob. And another saga comes to an end. The time seemed to have flown by since you first started filming the bridges. What you need now is a good downpour to lay the dust from the new ballast and sleepers. Its been a pleasure watching all your films from Loughor Bob. Thank you. All the best...Tim.
Thanks David for watching throughout the process, it's greatly appreciated...Bob
Thanks Greg, it's the culmination of nearly twelve months of following and recording the developments, and to see trains running on double track for the first time in 27 years is something special...Regards...Bob
A very good insight into all that has been happening here, Bob. I would not have thought I'd ever see two platforms at Gowerton once again. Excellent footage.
Thanks very much for this fine series Bob!
Ah this is what all your excellent previous videos about the bridge have been heading for! Its good to see it completed and in full service.
Very well done Bob - another super production and a fitting conclusion to this major contract - like the construction workers who have performed so well, your video series has been most informative and professionally presented. Thanks once again. Ken
Excellent Bob.It's great to see the bridge complete,what a difference .Gowerton looks superb,A mile stone captured thru the whole transformation .Job well done by you.Thoroughly enjoyable.(C&A)
Great effort to catch the early morning passages across the bridge Bob. Can't say I've ever seen such a dust trail before. A bit surprised how quickly they've got the trains up and running over the bridge since the last update. thanks for covering this for us - been most interesting. Chris
very nice bob,,good to see the trains running again and so smooth, they have done a good job whith the station,,thanks for the updates, it has been good to watch.
Thanks Ken, to have such warm comments makes it all worthwhile.....Bob
excellent video Bob and the bridge has been quite a feat of engineering for sure
Thanks both, I was surprised and delighted to get access to Gowerton, something we have been unable to do for the last few weeks.....They've done an amazing job and it's a Jewel in the line's crown....Bob
Thanks Paul, the story isn't over yet..so watch this space.....It's been a wonderful opportunity to capture this once in a lifetime event......Bob
Thanks Austin, it's been a real joy to have had the opportunity to film such a major railway project....a once in a lifetime experience. I was toying with going on that first HST and film from the window crossing the bridge, but I would have missed all the other footage I managed to get....Bob
Thanks Mike, I've heard these units called many things, but a "Dog Box" is a new one to me....very droll! They work the Central Wales line, where services and passengers are few and far between......Regards....Bob
It's been a marvelous thrill to see new railway infrastructure being installed after being taken away 27 years ago Mike, and I was fortunate to be able to record this once in a lifetime event....Bob
Thanks Rob, with no rain recently the fresh ballast hasn't had a good soaking, hence the dust....The banner you refer to is the side of the bridge, and it's only when I drove home I saw what was written on it....a Nasty piece of graffiti...that I couldn't repeat on here, and not railway related.....Emyr is a great character.....Bob
Excellent video Bob first class mate on capturing this piece of engineering now sadly coming to an end.
Cheers Kev .
Thanks Mike, I'm flattered by your kind remarks.....I've really enjoyed this project, and delighted to have had the opportunity to capture it all....Regards...Bob
Thanks Walter, it's an amazing feat of Engineering, and so good to see railways being reinstated for a change....Bob
Thanks Simon, and on time the wet stuff has arrived to dampen everything down. I was expressing the exactly same views regarding the District Line the other day....will all the renewed interest in Rail Transport who knows what the future hold...Regards...Bob
A very interesting video from the first train on the new bridge.
A premium film, Bob.
Günter
Thanks Trevor, I'm pleased you've enjoyed it all...Bob
Thanks Chris, they've worked exceedingly hard to get this completed on schedule, and like you I was watching it all a week ago and wondering if it would be completed, but on the day it was....There wasn't even enough time for the dust to settle, before the trains were run over the brand new track....Bob
I found that most enjoyable from start to finish Bob, something very exciting about trains running over freshly laid lines...Greg
The dust added an extra factor to what will soon disappear for ever Steve, rain forecast this week so everything should settle down. They are clearing the sites up, as the railway was only handed back yesterday morning...spot on schedule...The old bridge supports once carried the Central Wales line from Swansea Victoria over the main line at this point...so well spotted...Best wishes...Bob
Excellent Film Bob,Really loved all the footage about this new Bridge,Cheers,Trevor.'''
Thanks Bill, it's been a fascinating project to see developing from the early days, and a wonderful example of what companies can achieve in the 21st Century....Bob
I've always been a member of 'The Every day Club' Keith, and it's never done me any harm.....Thanks as always....Bob
When I got to the bridge at just before 07.00 it was dark, misty and freezing...the later sunshine was a definite bonus Alan...a very rewarding day....Bob
Thanks Tim, it's a project I've thoroughly enjoyed recording and today was a wonderful finale.....Rain is on it's way!...Bob
Thanks John, I know what you mean about the cold, my bits have nearly dropped off several times recently....Bob
Well, you've been our roving reporter from day one on this project Bob and nearly came to grief in the mud but some great work to film the saga through to the end. I take it you never got an invite to travel on the first train over the bridge!
Thanks Leon, the only steam scheduled West this year is Nunney Castle on the 6th May, so hopefully it will run over the new bridge.....if it does, I'll be there....Bob
Cool video Bob! I'v been waiting to see the finish of this project. Well done bud!
27 years waiting David, and one year in the making....superb achievement and something to be proud of....Thanks for your kind comments...Regards...Bob
Thanks Kev, I've enjoyed doing all of it despite the appalling conditions at times....Bob
Nice banner on the footbridge in the distance at the start there, Bob! :) Great to see the line open again, with double track. I can't help but think that that new platform is overkill for the "Dogbox" at the 6 minute mark though. Love the mini interview at the end. Top stuff, and thanks for documenting the odyssey for us!
Thanks for that Bob. You've done a great job on that project. Good that you had sunshine for the "Grand Re-opening".
The only other intermediate station on this route is Cockett, but I'm not aware of plans to reinstate it.....there have been talks for many years to open some new stations along the Swansea District Line, but nothing has come to fruition as yet...Bob
A cracking video Bob,good to see that bridge running again.And there was quite a lot of activity going on at that station as well.I will be glad when i get out on the rails again,it has not been fit up here with that north easterly wind blowing all the time,even the seagulls were walking LOL
A bit of good welsh rain will soon sort that dust out Rob! Nice to see that part put back and the only thing remaining is to run a few more trains regularly via the District and to open a new station for Morriston / Swansea Parkway to provide a better link for Morriston Hospital as well as the North Swansea conurbation! Excellent video as normal sir!
Thanks Sam, I'm delighted you've enjoyed the series....Bob
They've got it finished already? Heavens, that was efficient work. We get used to these big projects (or even just extending platforms or putting up a footbridge) running months or years late and going way over budget, so well done to them. Interesting to see the amount of dust they kick up.
nice to see trains over it now, could do with some rain to settle the dust, look forward to seeing steam over it, if that's a possibility, some cleaning up to do yet by the looks of things, look forward to the next episode, nice one Bob, Cheers.
It's nice to see the second track working again. It just feels very strange because always remember seeing it single track it's great it's open as double track again. Hopefully we have more services this side of Wales
The new Gowerton looks great and the parallel moves shown prove the worthfulness of the scheme - been a while getting there , and a job very well done indeed !
Another bit of BR railway history. Always great to see main lines double track again. Barry
Nice one Bob, and I bet the drivers didn't even notice the joins in the track..ha ha - So here ends the story I dare say. Been a nice little saga to keep following, expertly captured as always by your good self. We need a new project now don't we? :-)
Thanks Daniel, I totally agree, and if all goes well with the new doubling, that Cockett may be looked at as a candidate for future development......Bob
Thanks Chris, there are a few more things I shall be involved with soon, so watch this space....Bob
Nice to see all up and running normal again Bob , big clean up operation next then , is that wet spray they are pushing out from the trains or was it all dust , nice you got your toot near the end
Excellenct stuff bob. Enjoyed your coverage of the goings on and good to see stuff running properly
Another fine Bob and its nice to see you capturing some commuter action, as it no longer makes me feel alone :). Gowerton is looking pristine. Warrington Bank Quay is currently undergoing subway and toilet improvements!?....Keith
just super video watching off my samsung tablet
Thanks Wayne...is that a new toy you have there?,,,Regards....Bob
you must be up for the golden globe award....
+thameswater Ha..ha...kind of you to say so, I spent a year capturing the work, and Network Rail weren't interested all all....Bob
Excellent video Bob, didn't the first two trains over the bridge kick up a lot of residual dust. Despite your excellent zoom, I couldn't quite make out the message on the banner across the bridge at 2.02. Perhaps it was in Welsh? The locals should be well pleased with the Gowerton station. It's very smart. Mr Phillips looked and sounded quite enthusiastic!
Excellent Bob,great to see trains crossing the new bridge and using both tracks/platforms at Gowerton station.What is your next project?I look forward to that what ever it may be.Thanks Bob.
Fantastic to see the doubling of the line. I just hope they re-open Cocket station. It'll help reduce the traffic around the Cocket and Fforestfach area.
Hopefully it'll benefit Parc Fforestfach with some good bus links too!
I think you and I should be employed by HTV/BBC Wales. Liked the interviewee at the end. See mine on part 2 of my Ebbw Vale line in 2006.......keep up the newsreels
Thanks for another good video............Mike
Hi. Robert, well filmed and good interview. Do you think that they will be adding anymore new stations now between Swansea and Llanelli?
Even though it is completely safe i would have still been nervous if i had to drive the first train over the new bridge, although wouldn't the tamper have been the first to cross it?
Anyhow thank you for uploading Bob.
Dave.
Was the reply button not a thing six years ago?
I think so, thanks very much for watching.
Why did That Woman On The Platform Stick Her Hand Out When That 150 Was Coming Along, It's not a bus??
+Joshua Hicks Correction 175
+Joshua Hicks At certain stations that are request stops, you need to indicate to the driver, that you want to catch a train, very much the same as requesting a Bus to stop...She may live where her local station is a request stop, and is still in the habit of waving down an approaching train.....Bob
...I like that, i might get some badges made up :D .....Keith