Description

The Class 97 locomotives based at Shrewsbury are fitted with ERTMS signalling equipment for use on the Cambrian lines. Every autumn, they are booked to work the overnight Rail Head Treatment Train (RHTT) from Shrewsbury to Machynlleth and back, with Class 56s taking over for the return daytime run to Holyhead. Unusually here, the 97s stayed on the train and worked the full 18-hour diagram!

 

Full description from the producer:

Shrewsbury to Holyhead via Crewe, Chester and Llandudno Jct.

The Class 97 locomotives are based at Shrewsbury and are fitted with the ERTMS signalling equipment for use on the Cambrian lines. Every autumn, they are booked to work the overnight Rail Head Treatment Train from Shrewsbury to Machynlleth and back, with Class 56s taking over for the daytime run to Holyhead and back.

On this rare occasion, the 97s stayed on the train and worked the full 18-hour diagram and this cab ride is filmed on board 97302 (37170) with 97304 (37217) on the back, for the journey to Holyhead.

The route is as expected, from Shrewsbury via Whitchurch and Crewe, then on to Chester all the way along the coast to Llandudno Junction, Bangor and then Holyhead – a distance of 137 miles. The entire journey is shown, including the numerous now-closed but repainted signal boxes!

Network Rail operate four Class 97/3 locomotives and this thought to be the first cab ride filmed on board one of them.

Filmed on a fine autumn day in September 2019, the loco and ambient sounds are recorded with a special ‘thrash-cam’ in the back cab. Includes maps, part-narration and on-screen captions.

Additional information

Weight	1 lbs
Producer	Oldham Video Productions