The Best Attractions In Llansanffraid Glan Conwy

High Output Ballast Cleaner at Colwyn Bay - 7th and 8th July 2016

I was in Wales last week for a few days and paid a visit to the local station to catch this one off working. With the North Wales line not having very much freight, this was a sight to see.

With the North Wales Line between Bangor and Holyhead under renewal, the HOBC was required for three days in July to undertake major track work. It ran on the 7th July to Gaerwen where the possession started. It then ran back to Crewe the next day on the 8th July.

I should also say what the HOBC actually is too. The High Output Ballast Cleaner is a specialist engineers train that is designed to renew track around the network at a considerably high rate. It is rated as one of the longest trains in Britain when the full set is on.

On the 7th July, Freightliner 66613 leads 66520 DIT working Crewe P.A.D to Gaerwen, running around 10 minutes late.
On the 8th July, Freightliner 66520 leads 66613 DIT working Valley to Crewe P.A.D., running around four minutes late.