WELSH MARCHES EXPRESS

This ran on Saturday 28th May, steam hauled by 4-6-2 71000 ‘Duke of Gloucester’ from Bescott to Bristol (via Worcester, Malvern and Hereford) and back to Worcester on the direct route via Cheltenham. 

71000 is a unique 3-cylinder ‘pacific’ with Caprotti valve gear built by BR in 1954. It didn’t prove very successful, and since steam was rapidly coming to an end no development work was carried out on it. It was sent to Woodham’s Barry for scrapping, where it remained for many years before being purchased for preservation. Restored from a rusting haulk, improvements were made which now make this engine an excellent performer. It has recently come back onto the main-line for its second 7-year stint. 

DG1 shows the above train climbing Llanvihangel bank at the edge of the Black Mountains on the line between Hereford and Abergavenny. DG2 shows the train on Filton Bank shortly after leaving Bristol on its return journey at the junction with the branch line to Severn Beach.

VSOE PULLMAN

Bristol saw a second steam train on 28th May, a VSOE Pullman special from Victoria to Bath hauled by ex-Southern Railway ‘Battle of Britain’ 4-6-2 34067 ‘Tangmere’. This locomotive is a regular performer on the VSOE trains. The train ran on to Bristol to be turned and serviced.

TG1 shows the empty stock train between Bristol and Bath on the return journey approaching Twerton.