Coal unloading at Aberthaw Power Station ( now closed) with 70809. 21st Aug.2017 

If you would like a DVD of the day, let me know on wilcock60@aol.com

Took me quite a while to make the necessary contacts; who responded well and gave me the conducted tour throughout the morning despite the 3 hour delay

Took me a while to gain permission, once inside all the staff were very helpful

Glad you enjoyed the clip. Took me quite a while to gain permission ( knowing who to speak to ) but they made me very welcome and took me to the best viewing locations too.

So pleased your father enjoyed my morning at Aberthaw. All the staff were very helpful and made sure I had the good shots of the workings................Mike in the Vale

I worked in the Coal plant 1988-1993. Great bunch of lads.

@@futtocksend8832 I worked on coal plant during that period too. This brings back so many memories.

Thanks for your support Ian. Aberthaw closed a couple of years ago so all is quiet now. Only 1 coal a day along the Vale line, Cwmbargoed-Port Talbot. At least "I was there"

Kkkoooooooiiooo0ppjllpogx qo

Once they know I'm interested in their business, most companies/organisations are pleased to help me with my videos

The front end looks like that for a reason ! its actually crash protection got a feeling it was freightliner who collaborated with g.e. in america when their 70s were being designed & built think this was because of the tragic death of driver steve dunn who was killed in the crash at "great heck" when his class 66 got sideswiped by the other train that got derailed by that bastard who's landrover landed on the track so thats why they look like they do personally i love em!!!!

​@@dominichetherington2287 i remember the Landy crash. I was all over the news back then. He ended up in prison if i remember rightly

The power station has now stopped coal deliveries for the rest of 2018. Their stockpile is sufficient. Thanks for your comment and watching in Denmark....................Mike in Wales

Please you enjoyed these clips from a long morning. I always try to " tell a story " if I can. Thanks to the boys in Aberthaw too.

I think it's the norm

Hi Edward. I understand that the Swindon & Cricklade Railway has recovered a certain amount of redundant track etc from the old 'Didcot A' power station lines, with it being moved over to assist the extension to Cricklade etc.

They did a good job showing me around. Such a pity it's all history now. Even trains have stopped running into the cement works

You have ?? where did this happen.?

I only noticed the Peckett by the entrance; I'll investigate on my next visit

There were? two small 04 type Locos parked toward the seaward side of the site when I used to shunt at Aberthaw they looked as if they hadn't moved in ages!

Confirmation this morning that there are no shunters on site

Thanks Mike probably went for razor blades!

A functional design so they say ! Thanks for watching movements here in Wales

Welsh coal doesn't meet the new regulations/emissions for 2017

More EU lunacy in action, costing jobs.

Wanting us to breath cleaner air........ absolutely disgraceful.

Myrna Loy I've seen the other side of your argument. Here I Dublin in the 80's we would get very bad smog. I ended up having to get cortisone injections 3 times for heavy chest infections. Even now in my 40's 30 years later I have to be cautious of getting chest infections. Why not make your coal smoke free to curb imports. . I also thought Thatcher had done away with most of the coal. Mines in Britain in the 10 years after the Miners strike of 1984. This will tell you more about the Dublin smog. In the context of this article Coal snobs are urbanites who. Look down thier noses at rural pepole burning turf. It's not referring to anything you said. www.independent.ie/irish-news/the-smog-factor-how-coals-snob-appeal-led-to-peasoupers-36388879.html

Russian coal is utter crap

It is unloading the coal; or didn't you notice?

Oh i noticed, I noticed the entire way threw your great piece of cinematography! Just 1/2mph... imagine being told that, just getting back on to the 25 mph restricted track must be a relief!

Now they're designed for easy access during maintenance.Also these are built in Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.

Just watched this vid', Said to my daughter, that the Engine looks American built, due to the walkway & Shuttered engine compartments. (Seems it is then.) Great video Mike! Many thanks to you & the Aberthaw power station crew, for allowing you to film.

All to do with costs; easy access to the engine etc is so important with so many complex systems, eg note the very slow running with over 1300 tones behind her as she unloads the coal

They were very obliging, giving 3 hours of their time to show me around

Must have been pissed when they designed the Class 70. But ugly locomotive!.

Why is it mislabeled? Maybe miserable?.. Coal isn't exactly clean nor is the waiste and smoke

No doubt it would cost too much to have security staff to stop graffiti, and the instigators like to know their work travels the country

They call it 'art'. It isn't art or anything close. Just a bunch of hoods with spray cans.

That plant stopped using coal in February this year, so don't worry on our part.............Mike in Wales