January kicked off on a very changeable note, one day bright, the next wet, the next - indifferent, then wet again. On the 4th during the first of two 49 hour RMT strikes this week I headed north to the WCML in the Trent Valley. Quite productive despite the lack of Anglo-Scottish traffc folowing last week's wash out near Carstairs although it wasn't as bright as I expected.

Monday 9th saw the delayed start to TfW's new Cardiff Manchester loco hauled services, with a third LHCS set in service. The three diagrams being:
1W91 CDF to HHD, 1V96 HHD to CDF and 1W96 CDF to HHD
1V33 MAN to CDF 1W93 CDF to HHD and 1V98 HHD to CDF
1V91 HHD to CDF 1W57 CDF to MAN 1V46 MAN to CDF and 1W65 CDF to MAN.

Ended the week at Cwmbargoed for 6C83 and 6V01, the former being a re-run of yesterday's 4C93 / 6C83 which didn't make it on account of flooding on the Rhymney Line at Lisvane & Thornhill. After sitting in the loop at Cogan it returned to Margam via Penarth Curve South Jcn and Leckwith Loop North Jcn. Tried again on Friday, this time successfully.

Wednesday 18th saw the introduction of TfW's 231 Flirts into service on the Rhymney Line, the first nail in the coffin of the Unicorns.

On Thursday 26th we headed off to Marlborough for a couple of days with my father in law in Wiltshire. Friday found me lineside on the GWML around Denchworth and at Didcot.

And on the last day of the month, taking advantage of TfW's Rail Sale of advance tickets I spent the day in and around Manchester / Manceinion riding a pair of tin rockets to Manchester and a bog standard 175 home in the evening. A really good day out.