BR in the 1980s Class 37s on Aberystwyth and Pwllheli Services during September 1989 

I took the Cambrian Coast Express (07.30 London Euston to Pwllheli) as far as Machynelleth. Class 85 to Wolverhampton, Class 47 to Shrewsbury and pair of Class 37s forward. It was with Mark 1 compartment stock. 8 seater 2nd class compartments. After an incident on Anglia Region where four P.Way staff were launched out of the back of a brakevan due to power surge, when the Class 37/4s left Crewe Works, they were fitted with an overspeed governer, so if you gave too much welly, she would cut out. I remember taking the 11.00 Glasgow Queen Street to Perth, going as far as first stop Stirling. The driver stalled the loco three times going up the 1 in 45 Cowlairs Incline, having to press the engine restart three times. Myself, a Class 27 basher, said to my Class 37 mate that had we had a Class 27 on the front we would be halfway to Stirling by now. Then we challenged the Growler Group to a Type 3 competition between Swansea and Fishguard, and the Class 33 did the same run, uphill in 25 less minutes. Of course, the famous battle was with 45 110 from Fishguard to Trecwn, the Peak climbed the 1 in 49 grade and supercharged the brakes, preventing the Class 37 to take the brakes off and roll downhill. Eventually the Class 37 asked for rear end assistance and Peak Army just fell about laughing. The trip on the Cambrian Coast Express was to do London to Devil's Bridge to London in a day. I managed to get a Class 150, and the kettle was number 7. Back at Aberystwyth, I then caught a two car Class 150 from Aberystwyth to Birmingham New Street. A dreadful journey in a kart ! Then at Brum, I caught the last Up working, which was a four car Class 310 kart, arriving at Euston around 01.30 after the last tube. So it was a taxi to Liverpool Street. My boss at Kings Cross tried to do the same thing, but got stranded in Aberystwyth, as he saw the kettle leave as he arrived.

Another great video that takes me back to my childhood - I remember travelling this line back in 1986 from Shrewsbury to Criccieth behind 2 37’s, one of which was 37 427 Bont Y Bermo. It must have been shortly after the reopening of Barmouth Bridge. If I remember rightly, most of the platforms were that short that only the first few carriages were at the platform - anyone who was at the back had to scurry 5 or 6 coaches forward to be able to get off.

Back in good old BR days when the Cambrian was decent with direct London services. Not like today with the ridiculous ERTMS. Used to love visiting the line, on my hols & made a change to see some 37 haulage.. seeing as I drove little but 47's & 86's at the time at Longsight.

The beauty of Retb ! Great memories of cab rides from Shrewsbury to Barmouth on some of those trains . Thanks Dad. Didnt realise how lucky i was at the time . Thanks for posting this 👍

Great video,remember seeing Pwllheli-london euston at porthmadog around 1986,i know my old man has some on slides,of cl37's on these services.

Awesome, some footage of Mike Elkins, Simon Roderick, Paul Turner and even me hanging out of the window behind 37427 at Newtown! Dreadful 🙂 My Mum and Dad came to Pwllheli that day also!

I was on these trains back in't day. See myself.f a few times, also got some videos that I captured around Welshpool, Newtown and Shrewsbury.

My lords, go to 12:18, notch 8 from a standing start!! quality.

Back in the very early 1970's went to Barmouth for my family holidays from Rugby. The train split somewhere - I was guessing it was at Dovey Junction, but could it have been Mac? Back then it was all BR Mk11 and of course class 37

Absolutely loving these video's. This one & the footage at Wolverhampton in particular as i used to travel with my mum as a kid back in the day between Aberystwyth & Wolves, usually on a 150 & back on the Class 37 hauled InterCity. Amazing happy memories. I wondered if you have any footage of Shrewsbury station back then too? Best regards, Mark

good footage and gen

Great video, class 37 and real coaches what is not to like.👍

My god NSE liveried stuff got every where 😂

Nice historical record

Simon driving the class 37 from Aber lol

One again my Dad loved your footage. He did say how does he get rid of the tracking lines before uploading to RU-vid??

Network South East branded rolling stock in Wales

excellent video! how far did the 37s work the train heading towards euston? did an electric loco take over somewhere?

can you still get to pwllheli by train?