As BR slim-lined its operational fleet, the 75000-class of locomotive proved to be useful and they found a home on the Cambrian network operating the final steam services from Shrewsbury to both Aberystwyth and Pwllheli via Machynlleth. The premier service on this line was the Cambrian Coast Express, working to/from London Paddington up to six days a week. But with the withdrawal of steam across the UK, this service was to become a part of history as well.
And so, on Saturday 4th March 1967, the last steam-hauled UP train to Paddington was operated by 75033 – and the group known as the Master Neverers Association set about on one of their now legendary adventures to ensure it was a fitting finale. Meeting on Shrewsbury platform at 03:20, they journeyed to Aberystwyth where seven of them visited the shed to help clean the locomotive ready for the service. This included repairing the smokebox numberplate and shedplate with wooden replicas and affixing an original “Cambrian Coast Express” headboard to the locomotive as was once common practice but had fallen out of habit in later years.
Once complete they set off in advance of the train’s 09:50 departure from Aberystwyth to capture the spectacle, with their focus being the 4-mile climb up Talerddig with its ruling gradients of 1in52 which ended in what was at the time the deepest railway cutting in the world.
In the reverse direction, more local enthusiasts smartened up no. 75021 for the final DOWN journey from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth with the fitment of a wreath of leeks and the traditional old reporting number to the smokebox. Attempts to fit the traditional old headboard was made but sadly the loco’s condition made this impossible, and so 14-year-old Ian Taylor created a homemade plywood headboard depicting the coat of arms of all three operators of the CCE: The Cambrian Railway Company, The Great Western Railway Co and British Rail.
And all these memories will be recreated for one special weekend, as 75014 is to be renumbered as her now scrapped classmates. With the challenging 4.5-mile climb to Ipstones (1 in 45 for four miles), the sight and sound of the loco working hard will bring all the photos from that day back to life and allow a new generation to experience the same excitement as the Cambrian Coast Express battles its way along challenging gradients once more.
Trains depart at 10:30 and 13:30 on the 16th and 17th March 2024, and tickets are available in advance online. Why not make your visit extra special, and upgrade for a dining experience, with all of breakfast, afternoon tea or Sunday lunch available dependant upon which service you select. Whatever your choice, the memories will be guaranteed as the past comes to life once more on the Churnet Valley Railway.
Photographs from the Alan Castle Collection and provided courtesy of the Manchester Locomotive Society.