Clan Line on the North Wales Coast
Turning now to Table 2 we see Clan Line tasked with hauling a train weighing 580 tons gross between Crewe and Holyhead on a Flying Scotsman Services excursion, the ‘Ynys Môn Express’, in 1990. The complement was 13 coaches, including six Pullmans, the excess weight being contributed by an ‘ETHEL 3’ heating unit. There is a slight downhill start from Crewe to a dip at Worleston, then the line is practically level to midway between Calveley and Beeston Castle, where a maximum of 72mph was attained. Speed continued in the high 60s on the descent before the restriction through Christleton Tunnel, the prelude to a heavy signal check outside Chester. Recovering from this No. 35028 averaged 65.2mph between Sandycroft and Bagillt on mostly level track. Signals approaching Holywell Junction brought speed down from 68mph to 15, but Clan Line was soon back up to speed, averaging 68.3mph from Talacre to Abergele. The line rises at 1-in-391 from Milepost 215 to Llandulas, thence at 1-in-100 to Llysfaen summit, where the minimum was 59mph. The ensuing descent to Old Colwyn produced a maximum of 70mph and after a slight drop on a short rising gradient to Colwyn Bay, speed reached 70½mph down 1-in-215 to Mochdre & Pabo. With a time of 73mins 41secs to a water stop at Llandudno Junction, No. 35028 had regained 3¼mins of a 12½min late start from Crewe. Net time was only 68¼minutes for the 65.45 miles. A punctual start was made from Llandudno Junction on level track to Aber, but a pw slack through Penmaenmawr Tunnel prevented a speedy approach to the 1-in-227 up to Llandegai Tunnel, where the minimum was 58mph. After the usual restrained running through Bangor to the Britannia Bridge, 52½mph was attained at the summit at Milepost 244, then No. 35028 sped down the gradient through Gaerwen to achieve 71mph in the dip before Bodorgan, falling to 57mph up 1-in-98 to the west end of Bodorgan Tunnel. The descent from Ty Croes to Rhosneigr was taken at speed, with a maximum of 74mph and Holyhead was reached 6mins early - the climax to an excellent run with such a big train.