“Y CRACYR NADOLIG” (The Christmas Cracker)

Leaving Wolverhampton around 09.00 we will travel via the West Coast Main Line to Crewe, picking up at both Stafford and Crewe, with the Class 40 leading the way. From Crewe we head off to the North Wales Coast via Beeston Castle & Chester. Class 40s having had a long association with the route from Crewe through to Holyhead & Llandudno. On arrival at Llandudno Jn, the Class 40 will run round and with the Class 45, head off in tandem to Blaenau Ffestiniog. After running round again, the Class 40 will return from Blaenau Ffestiniog passing through Llandudno Jn and arriving in Platform 3 at Llandudno Town. At Llandudno Town there will be the opportunity, for around 90 minutes, to stretch legs and get some bracing sea air.

Leaving Llandudno Town, with the Class 45 leading, we head back along the North Wales Coast to Chester. Class 45s also having had an affinity with the North Wales Coast after the passing of the Class 40s. After a brief reversal at Chester, we head off via Wrexham, Shrewsbury & Telford Central to Wolverhampton with the Class 40 leading. Following a reversal at Wolverhampton, we will return to Crewe with the Class 45 leading, again via the West Coast Main Line. We will be setting down at both Stafford & Crewe.