The North Wales Coast Express Steam Train will make a special day trip this Sunday, 18th July, from Liverpool and Chester to Holyhead, stopping in Bangor on the outward and return journey.
The train will be steam hauled by No. 45690 Leander, providing an excellent opportunity for passengers from Merseyside and Cheshire to experience the excitement of travelling by steam train along the picturesque North Wales Coast railway line.
Passengers have a choice of three destinations: the seaside town of Llandudno, the historic city of Bangor, or the port of Holyhead.
The train will commence diesel hauled from Warrington Bank Quay, picking up passengers at Broad Green before arriving at Liverpool Lime Street. Leaving Liverpool Lime Street hauled by a magnificent steam locomotive from the Carnforth pool, the train then makes its way through Edge Hill and Runcorn to Frodsham, where it will make a stop to pick up and water the steam locomotive.
After Frodsham, the train will pick up more passengers in Chester. On leaving Chester, the train will pass through the ancient city walls and cross the river Dee into Wales, steaming alongside the Dee Estuary, with views across to the Wirral Peninsula.
Passing through the coastal resorts of Prestatyn, Rhyl, and Colwyn Bay along the delightful Irish Sea coastline, which is well known for its fine beaches. The train will stop at Llandudno Junction where passengers for Llandudno can take the service train to spend time at this popular seaside resort.
From Llandudno Junction, the train continues westwards along the North Wales Coast Line, crossing the Conwy estuary on Robert Stephenson’s Tubular railway bridge, with Edward 1’s castle overlooking the town and bridge. The railway line runs very close to the Irish Sea as we pass through Penmaenmawr and Llanfairfechan, with magnificent sea views across to the Island of Anglesey.
The train will stop at Bangor station at 14:04 to set down those passengers who may wish to spend time visiting this historic city, with its cathedral and restored pier. The train crosses the Menai Strait on the Britannia Bridge and enters the Isle of Anglesey, running across the Island through Valley to enter the sea port of Holyhead, where there will be time to visit the town or marina whilst our steam locomotive is turned and serviced for the return journey.
The train leaves Holyhead at 17:58 hrs, steam hauled late afternoon, and stops at Bangor (18:39) and then Llandudno Junction (19:34), to pick up passengers who opted for a visit to Llandudno. It continues via Chester, Frodsham, Warrington Bank Quay and Broad Green to Liverpool Lime Street, calling at the earlier pick up points to set down passengers.
