Well, what with the Severn Tunnel shut for two or so weeks, it has been quite a week on the Midland line through Gloucestershire, with diverted trains, charter trains and not one but two steam locomotives into the equation, freight trains have been working via both the Midland route and the Great Western line via Stroud plus all South Wales – London Paddington services, writes Ian Thomas.
At least four charter trains over the Midland line to Bristol and the icing on the cake being the two steam locomotive movements over two days. Personally, I have never seen this before in all the years that I have been on the lineside.
A couple of weeks ago it was the two Mazey Day charters, Tuesday, the Midland Pullman en-route from Chesterfield to Minehead and return, plus a similar outing with the same train in the previous week from Crewe to Paignton and return.
A Saltburn Trains charter from Satburn (North-Yorkshire) to Bath, a number of diverted freights and of course, LMS Black Five 4-6-0 45871 on Thursday 4th in a consist working from Swanage to Crewe, followed on Friday 5th by LNER A4 4-6-2 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley working light locomotive and support coach from Crewe to Bristol St Phillips. All in all, a brilliant week.
Pictures of LNER A4 4-6-2 60103 Flying Scotsman, 60163. Tornado and Class 55 Delyic 55-009 ALYCIDON are included, to represent the LNER and British Railways (Eastern Region). All we need now is 60532 Blue Peter to complete the East Coast workhorses.
