Tractor travel


		There are not many sounds that I know of that are better than the sound of a Tractor (a class 37 alternatively known as a Growler or a Syphon) with a heavy load on a steep gradient. But one that comes to mind is the sound of a pair of class 37's with an even heavier load on an even steeper gradient. My first journeys were on West Highland line Scenic Land Cruises in 1983 and 1984, most of which required double heading. And the sounds they made were impressive. Even more impressive were the sounds of a single 37 on the Fort William sleeper, which loaded to over 300 tons (7 coaches plus an Ethel).

		But it was in 1986, when Barmouth Bridge re-opened to Loco hauled trains, that it really began to happen. A Euston to Pwllheli Saturday service was included in the summer timetable and it loaded to 11, sometimes 12, coaches. And from the Cambrian end, some intensive class 37 travelling was possible, taking in Pwllheli, Machynlleth, Shrewsbury, and Aberystwyth. And on Friday evenings, the regular Aberystwyth Cambrian Coast Express, ran instead to Pwllheli, thus enabling an morning Pwlhelli to Euston service to operate on Saturdays. These arrangements prevailed until 1989, when loads were reduced to 9 coaches, enabling single 37's to work the traffic. And in 1991, the services were cut back further, loads became six coaches, and the 37's were replaced with 31's. That lasted less than two years before loco hauled passenger trains became a thing of the past on the Cambrian.

		Two particular features of the Cambrian line trains stand out. Firstly the northbound services never ran to time. The Euston to Pwllheli regularly ran up to 45 minutes late, and it seemed to me that most of the problems arose at Shrewsbury, where the train was held for late running connections. So the path on the single line was immediately lost, which meant 25 minutes delay to start with. And secondly, much time was lost on the coast line, where the 11 coach trains had to pull forward at most of the stations. Talybont Halt, which generated considerable traffic, was a particular culprit.



		But my most vivid memory of was late one Saturday afternoon in August 1987. I was on the platform of the Welsh Highland Railway terminus at Porthmadog, having travelled north from the Midlands on the 9.35am from Euston. As I was remaining at Porthmadog, I decided that I would watch, and listen to, the 37's on the return working. In the Welsh Highland station, which is adjacent to the Cambrian line, the sounds of a Westinghouse pump could clearly be heard. A departure was imminent. And then the 37's came in, and were off towards Minfford. And just as the sounds were receding, the Welsh Highland train pulled out. I actually made a sound recording, but sadly my abilities do not stretch to producing mp3 sound files from tape. Any offers?


	Tractor Travel