Mainline

An irregular update now I have a bit of time on my hands! After a very enjoyable fast run around East Anglia on 20th December 2008, D1015 is now stopped for a transmission change. In the mean time a tour has been advertised by Pathfinder Railtours which should see D1015 breaking new ground with a visit to Kyle of Lochalsh.

Notes: / = Passing time; X = Crossing time [single line]; C = Crew change; P = Pathing time.

The next D1015 tour for D1015 will be the "Western South-Western" railtour from London Waterloo to Okehampton and return. The route is a simple out and back trip along the former London & South Western Railway main line. Past Time is the operator.

Return times. Left hand set of times for the passenger part of the train, right hand set for D1015's light engine move from Penzance to Taunton.

* At Par D1015 goes onto St Blazey Depot for fuel; At Taunton 6024 goes to Bishops Lydeard, West Somerset Railway, Dep Taunton 19:12, Taunton Yd Arr 19:29 Dep 19:44, Norton Fitzwarren 19/48, Bishops Lydeard Arr 20:03.

Additionally, D1015 works ECS to/from Gloucester, if anyone is desperate enough to want to go out to view it:

Old Oak Common dep 02:45, Kensal Green arr 02:53 dep 03:13, Slough arr 03:44 dep 04:14, Reading pass 04:31, Didcot pass 04:46, Swindon pass 05:14, Kemble pass 05:27, Gloucester arr 06:00.

Gloucester dep 22:14, Kemble pass 22:41, Swindon pass 22:53, Didcot pass 23:14, Reading arr 23:32 dep 23:32, Slough pass 23:55, Kensal Green arr 00:33 dep 00:53, Old Oak Common arr 01:01

D1015 appears to have performed well on its return to the main line. After an uneventful trip out as far as Taunton, the locomotive left there about 20 minutes early on the light engine run to Penzance. On the return, the train ran consistently ahead of schedule despite permanent way slacks in several areas, right up to Southall, after which things went wrong and an eight minute advantage on the schedule was turned into a seven minute late arrival at Paddington.

The second column shows the times for D1015's light engine run from Taunton to Penzance.

D1015 will be working parts of two railtours in October: The first is 21st October's "The Limited" from London Paddington to Penzance with GWR 6024 and return with D1015, while the second is 28th October's "The Cornubian" from Gloucester to Penzance with D1015, with 6024 working the train back to Taunton, from where D1015 returns to the head of the train for the last section back to Gloucester. Apparently the loading on both these trains is limited to eight vehicles, which happens to be a conveniently light load to run in D1015's newly installed engine with. Prices for both trips are £79 for an adult in 2nd class, with departure and arrival times at the originating stations being VERY early and VERY late in both cases.

D1015 will not be the locomotive for the Past Time trip from Bristol to Kingswear on 26th August as it will not be ready in time. One of the engines was removed recently and some tidying up of the engine compartment is being carried out prior to the replacement engine being fitted.

The "Royal Duchy" tour operated by Past Time Rail on the 17th June has been postponed. A cash flow problem with the DTG has delayed the fitting of OTMR to D1015.

After a further hiatus, still busy with my not so new job, some further updates. After the farce of the 26th November 2005 tour to York [Western Yorkian], Pathfinder Railtours ceased trading, at least as Pathfinder Tours. A new company, Pathfinder Tours [2006] has appeared, owned by Riviera Trains & FM Rail, who have elected to continue operating the existing Pathfinder tour schedule.

D1015 is currently in the Factory at Old Oak Common being repainted and fitting of OTMR equipment. An engine lift is also going to take place in the near future. Next tour is scheduled for 17th June 2006.

After a long hiatus [I've been busy with a new job], a lot of new pictures have been added to the tour picture galleries.

D1015 has suffered a new problem on the past two outings - the Western Trident & Royal Duchy [No.3] rail tours - that of fractured turbocharger bases. The failures have occurred on the same engine in each instance and in each case caused coolant leaks. The leak on the Western Trident was initially feared to be a show stopper, to the extent that additional power was added after the climb of the Lickey as an insurance in case of failure on the Heart of Wales line - there is some truth in the joke that if the train fails in section on this line, you can grow old and die before you are rescued! In the event, the leak didn't seem to be so much of a problem and the 37 was removed at Newport on the return to Exeter on the Saturday evening. On the Sunday, D1015 worked solo from Exeter St Davids to London Victoria, still with the leak and still with both engines running on arrival at Victoria.

A month and one replacement turbocharger base later, the tour to Penzance [the third "Royal Duchy" that D1015 has worked, someone has no imagination when it comes to naming these trains!] saw a recurrence of the fault, on the same engine. The leak was worse this time, with the engine being shut down somewhere between Taunton and Newbury on the return due to low coolant. Despite this, D1015 was able to make good time into Paddington, despite a late departure from a very very rainy Penzance due to the necessity of having to shunt the barrier vehicle and refuel the locomotive.

As yet, I have no information regarding D1015's availability for the 24th August trip from Bristol to Kingswear.

Times for this weekends "Western Trident" tour; unfortunately for some inadequately explained reason the train will break new ground before it even gets going as it will be starting from London Euston at 14:58 on the Friday!

24th August [a Wednesday] - Bristol Temple Meads to Kingswear and return - Past Time

3rd September - Bristol Temple Meads to Settle & Carlisle line and return - Pathfinder

2nd December [a Friday] - Weston Super Mare to Bristol Temple Meads then Taunton via Westbury and back to Trowbridge via Bristol Temple Meads - Past Time

3rd December - Bristol Temple Meads to Par and return to Swindon [Edenex?] - Past Time

Due to a badly timed trip abroad I was unable to cover the "Eden Flyer", but I have been passed some pictures which I shall post up shortly. I also have Pictures of "The Staite Pullman" which ran on 28th February from London Victoria to Paignton with a combination of D1015 to and from Taunton and the obligatory self destructive copper coated steam engines and the VSOE coaches. The inability of the steam to make Bristol meant D1015 had to retrace its steps to Taunton from Bristol to take the train back to Victoria. The train was run for charity with the times being available on payment of a £10 donation to Cancer research.

D1015 worked unassisted throughout its test train on 17th January. There were problems with pathing, it would appear, which delayed the train, however it made a 25 minute early departure from Bristol Parkway on the return part of the run. A hardy individual was at Reading to witness the train on the return reported that the train was "..going like hell!" when it passed him. As yet I have had no confirmation of whether the test run was a success. The train arrived back at Old Oak Common on time.

The long awaited D1015 test run is alleged to be taking place on 17th January 2005 with a class 47 as the train locomotive hauling nine vehicles. The train is scheduled to depart from Old Oak Common at 19:30, with the following passing times:

There have been a lot of rumours floating around for the last few months, so at risk of publishing something and then having to retract I've decided not to publish until now. The latest is [as reported elsewhere] that the transmission was installed and tested at Old Oak Common but a main line test run is required to prove everything is okay. This was rumoured to be happening At the end of November, then middle of December and now on 17th January on an empty stock train to Bristol and back. When [I have confidence!] this event passes successfully D1015 will be working "The Eden Flyer" tour [Past Time Rail] from Gloucester to Par for the Eden Project. The next tour, "The Western Lizard" is advertised for 19th March by Pathfinder to Newquay. There are rumours going around about a tour on 28th May also. Coincident with the test run rumours was the possibility of the Pathfinder tour on 4th December to Chester being worked by D1015 if the November test had occured, but this of course, never happened and that tour ran with two other locomotives in the Type 3 catagory.

Mark Alden of the Diesel Traction Group sent me the following information on 26th July and I have finally found time to post it:

"A recent visit to Voith in Germany has been made by the DTG to inspect the stripped transmission. Extensive work has been carried out by Voith and some additional work has been recommended by them to ensure reliability. One of the items recommended for change is a labyrinth oil seal which will cost EUR2,500.00!!

The expected return date quoted by Voith, subject to no problems in rebuilding the transmission, is mid-September with a return to traffic date, subject to examination, testing and paper work of mid to late October."

Further to that, the latest Pathfinder Railtours mailshot included details of the "Western Lizard" railtour dated for 16th October. This tour is now cancelled due to "..the engine not being mended in time." There is the possibilty that this tour might run in March 2005.

On the Preserved Diesels website, there is an update on D1015. Apparently the defective transmission was removed over the weekend of 24th/25th April and will be despatched to Voith in Germany shortly. Also receiving attention while the transmission is out are one of the dynostarters, a preheater and the flywheel of A engine which has a leaking oil seal. A general cleanup and painting of the normally inaccessible area around the transmission will also be undertaken.

The Diesel Traction Group will be carrying out a lift to remove the transmission from D1015 this weekend.

Just to let you know we will, in the next couple of weeks, be removing the defective transmission from D1015 and it will be going directly to Voith in Germany for overhaul.

Such was the support raised by the locomotive shareholders, we are now able to fund an overhaul at Voith to a standard that Voith declared will be up to 4,000 operating hours. As I'm sure you are aware components in BR days ran to 6,000 hours before overhaul in around a 4 year period.

In the first TWO years of operating D1015 we achieved 180 hours! We therefore expect the transmission to outlive us! (15 years + operating). Once the transmission is returned (14-16 weeks after dispatch) we will refit, trial run and return to main line operations.

The 'spare' transmission currently stripped will be rebuilt by us once 1015 is back in operation. The spare engine, the original that failed on the test run in January 2002 to Sheffield, has been stripped, new bearings fitted and has had a replacement crank shaft fitted. It will be gradually rebuilt whilst the transmission is away and will then be run in before being fitted, if needed, to 1015.

Not a lot to report, D1015 is still not available for traffic, though an attendee at the sixth annual railway show at Peterborough on the 28th February has reported that the talk there was that D1015 will not be available until autumn and the railtour itinery is not likely to be ambitious. The event also featured a Western film, video and slide show as well as some limited footage from a new video on diesel hydraulics.

An anonymous source [it just turned up in the post, thanks to whoever sent it!] forwarded to me a recent copy of the limited circulation magazine "Western Courier" which contains an article on page 16 that appears to be information from the Diesel traction Group. Without transcribing verbatim, the line of the article is that if D1015 is not restored to operational condition by the first anniversary of it being declared unserviceable, all the previous certification would cease to be valid and it would have to be recertified from scratch, as if it were a new vehicle despite it being 40 years old. To further complicate the potential re-certification process, Network Rail's current gauging standard [which would be applicable to all new vehicles offered for certification] now limits the maximum height of any new vehicle to 13ft [3965mm] - a "Western" has a generally published maximum height of 13ft 1in [3990mm] "over walkways" and 12ft 11 7/8ths in [3962mm] "over ventilators". There are also restrictions on curve gauge overhang which may or may not affect a "Western", but the height issue is easily the most obvious bar to any future main line running. The article also quotes a price of £34,000 for a full transmission overhaul by Voith in Germany. By whatever means either the work gets done before the end of August and the world will still benefit from the sight and sound of a "Western" hauling a passenger train at sustained high speed, or not and we will just have to survive on our memories and those groups who continue to successfully operate "Westerns" on private railways across Britain.

Headboard anyone? A couple of the headboards from last years D1015 tours were for sale on eBay.

The Diesel Traction Group have issued a statement about the discovery of metal in the oil. You can read it here. It paints a realistic picture of the work necessary to get D1015 back in working order.

I have been passed the news that this forthcoming weekend's D1015 tour from Kings Cross to York is OFF. As some metal shavings had been found in the oil filters for A end transmission, this was the only [and correct] decision that could have been made. This also means that the tour from Waterloo to Exeter on the 18th October could very well be cancelled along with the visit of D1015 to the Severn Valley Railway Diesel Gala in early October. If I get any more information, I'll make sure it's posted.

The "Royal Duchy" tour was the best D1015 tour since the last one! To save having to think up some new superlatives, I'll just say that only a soulless person would have left the train in the evening without a broad smile on their face. After departing from Paddinton's "black hole" platforms and joining the fast lines at Dolphin Junction there was a good opportunity seized for some performance by the crew on D1015. Unfortunately there were delays caused by signalling problems in the Reading area and the train lost around 20 minutes. From Reading to Westbury, D1015 was worked hard to catch up the lost time, which was greatly appreciated by those on board. After the crew change at Westbury D1015 was again driven hard and more time was clawed back, although there was concern that D1010 may have left Norton Fitzwarren before the train passed there, but in the event D1010 was observed (and heard!) from the train. After a the stop at Exeter St Davids and the now obligatory warnings of dire repercussions for "window hanging" a good run was had along the Dawlish - Teignmouth section, though there didn't really seem to be enough people on the beach to be able to recreate some nice 1970's nostalgia. Once Newton Abbot was passed, the first of the well known Devon banks, Dainton, was dismissed with relative ease and much noise! Pulling away from the pathing stop at Totnes was also interesting, although a bit more subdued than on the previous years Plymouth run. At one point I am sure that only one engine was powering. The climb to Brent wasn't as fast, but it certainly was noisy! Once past the banks the run into Plymouth was brisk and some lost time was made up though the departure from Plymouth was still late, in the best of railtour traditions. At last D1015 was hauling a trainload of passengers over a section of British Railway line that had not witnessed a Western hauled passenger train for 26 years! Brunel's famous landmark bridge was crossed at a suitably reverent speed, followed by the first bit of Cornish Western clag that many people had waited for so long to experience again. The run from Plymouth to Penzance was completed in a similar fashion, although I again think there was some single engine running at a couple of locations. A bank of sea mist was passed in the Hayle area which brought a chill to the air followed by a wait to enter the single line section on the approach to Penzance. After the passing of an HST, D1015 was given the road to enter the station, an entrance made in fine style although the train stopped some distance short of the blocks with the locomotive just under the station canopy! Such a location made it very difficult to get even a mediocre picture due to the bright sky behind the dark foreground.

Today's D1015 & Steam tour was more of a success for D1015 than for 34027 "Taw Valley"! According to those fortunate enough to afford to travel, 34027 was ailing from very early on. I was unable to follow the train for much of the day due to other commitments, but when I observed it at Staines it was running about 25 minutes late with D1015 on the front with 34027 & the train in tow making a nice racket! I'm sure someone will fill me in with the details, especially if D1015 actually got into Victoria or was removed at Clapham Junction.

D1015 will trail the train as far as Clapham Junction, then will go from there back to Old Oak Common, I understand.

I've added couple of pictures provided by Mark Alden of the Diesel Traction Group, showing on of the TPWS antenna brackets on the bogies of D1015. Again, these can be found on the D1015 photo page.

D1015's TPWS test run was a complete success! Although the light engine movement was around 25 minutes late according to a hardy photographer, there were no problems with the TPWS installation. Some pictures, kindly supplied by Mark Alden of the Diesel Traction Group, can be found on the D1015 photo page.

D1015 will be making a light engine test run from Old Oak Common to Reading via Greenford tomorrow so that the TPWS installation can be tested for certification and to prove that the equipment fitted to D1015 will work with semaphore signalling. A TPWS problem with semaphore signalling ruined a recent railtour to Penzance with 46035. The only time I have is 1000 from Old Oak Common, if anyone is going out to cover the run.

Hertfordshire Railtours are advertising a tour from Kings Cross to York and back on 14th September 2003. This will be a straight out and back tour, similar to the D1023 tour of 20th November 1976.

There has been a lot of action on the D1015 Railtour calendar in the last couple of weeks and now the dust has settled, the diary has been updated to reflect the changes. The Newquay & Fishguard runs have been postponed due to circumstances outside the control of the operators. The Newquay trip was unable to be woven into the very busy summer Saturday timetable on the Newquay branch due to the operators of the regular train service utilising all of the available paths during the day. I understand the operators are looking at running this tour on 13th March 2004, still with 46035 as the second locomotive. The Fishguard trip was postponed as there are engineering works being carried out on the track West of Swansea. However, Past Time have been able to negotiate with EWS & Network Rail for an alternative tour on the 18th October, this being from Waterloo to Exeter. Initial published times for this tour are:

The route is Waterloo - Salisbury - Exeter [the Southern route to Exeter] - Taunton - Westbury [reverse] - Salisbury - Southampton - Basingstoke - Waterloo.

Just got an update from Mark Alden of the Diesel traction Group about the progress of TPWS on D1015:

"The design of the Class 52 (and 42/43) bogie means that there is nothing below axle centre height to fix a TPWS aerial. Welding equipment or brackets to the bogie is a big no-no as the heat generated in welding could distort the bogie frame. So, in order to fix an aerial bracket, the DTG has designed and manufactured a special secondary bracket arrangement to go on the bogies.

On Friday 6th June NRS (the suppliers of the equipment) came to Old Oak Common to carry out special tests. The tests were designed to check that the metalwork and castings around the bogie, final drives and aerials did not reflect the TPWS signals or reduce the signal strength, which may cause false indications. I am happy to say that the tests proved a total success and that the DTG manufactured equipment work exactly as required.

Wiring conduit and mountings for the in-cab systems have been made and we are now awaiting the supply of the equipment to fit to the locomotive. NRS have said they hope to start supplying by the end of next week."

"The electrical fault in the cab that appeared on the tour on the 15th March to Okehampton was traced to a switch in the B end cab which was not making a proper contact and caused a small burn on the tip. The complete switch was replaced with a brand new one and tests revealed no problems."

Okay, there is a bit of a delay, but the 5th May's D1015 railtour was a very reasonable day out despite the early start and typically variable bank holiday weather. While the routing avoided the more direct route to Crewe, via the Lickey Incline, two more runs through the Severn Tunnel were an enjoyable alternative! D1015 performed well throughout the day although during the stop at Chester on the return journey an opportunity was taken to refuel the locomotive. D1015 was removed from the train at Westbury and returned light to Old Oak Common. With the next tour on 7th June postponed due to previously mentioned TPWS problems, D1015's next run will be on the 27th July with Bullied rebuilt "West Country" light pacific 34027 "Taw Valley" and the VSOE coaching stock around the Western lines of the Southern Region.

Probably the worst kept secret in mainline running finally became public knowledge while I was away. D1015 is to work a bank holiday excursion form Castle Cary to Llandudno Junction on Monday 5th May. This has been organised by Pathfinder Railtours on behalf of Mendip Rail Ltd as a staff day out. Those seats not sold to MRL staff were then made available to the general public and not surprisingly the train is 100% full. Times for pickup/set down are:

Because of various HSE restrictions applied to trains containing Mk.1 coaching stock, the train will avoid the Bristol - Birmingham - Crewe route and will be routed via the Severn Tunnel then Maindee E/N junctions, Hereford and Shrewsbury to Crewe. The train will then take the conventional route (via Chester) to Llandudno Jn. On the return trip D1015 is removed from the train at Westbury to be replaced with a 37 for the run back to Castle Cary.

I have received an e-mail from Mark Alden of the Diesel Traction Group explaining that the Penzance railtour has been postponed from 7th June to 9th August. The reason is that the HSE have introduced safety legislation regarding Mk.1 coaching stock which means that from the 1st April 2003, all locomotives that are supposed to work at speeds above 75mph with this type of vehicle in the train must have TPWS fitted in each driving cab. Unfortunately on summer Saturdays the West of England main lines have no realistic timing paths available for a 75mph train so the decision was taken to postpone the running of the train until after the TPWS equipment is fitted. The problems the DTG are experiencing with the TPWS installation are entirely outside their control - they are waiting on a third party to supply them with drawings from which they can manufacture special brackets and fittings to mount the equipment on and thus complete the TPWS fit.

Pictures of the Western Quarryman are beginning to be added to the site, courtesy of Steve Boon & Hugh Searle. More will be added over the next few days, so don't forget to check back.

The "Western Quarryman" railtour elicited yet another high quality performance from D1015! This was another tour with an incredibly early start from Crewe, this time with 46035 & 13 coaches. After a delay at Bristol Temple Meads (not as bad as on 1st February, but is this now the norm at Bristol I wonder?), the driver used his skill and the power of the locomotive to regain some of the lost time despite some slow running caused by catching up with a preceeding train. After the run round at Exeter St Davids, D1015 headed north again, this time as far as Cowley Bridge to join the "Withered Arm" - what are now the branch lines to Barnstaple & Okehampton (Meldon Quarry). Traversing this section of line is always like stepping into a timewarp, but the incredible amount of dry fallen leaves whipped up by the trains progress along the Okehampton branch caused a few people to checked their diaries to make sure it wasn't Autumn! After an hour or so at Okehampton, the train resumed its journey, this time through Exeter St Davids and up the bank to Exeter Central then on to Yeovil Pen Mill via Yeovil Junction. The climb up the bank was well received by all on the train and the reverberation of the two MD655's working hard at low speed in the tunnel was a real treat! After a short stop at Pinhoe to allow a preceding train to clear the single track section, D1015 was then worked hard up to Honiton summit and again to Hewish summit (just west of Crewkerne) before the final coast to Yeovil Junction which seems to have become a collecting point for Class 20 locomotives. After a pathing stop at Yeovil Pen Mill D1015 was allowed to run up to Castle Cary without waiting for the late running Bristol - Weymouth train (which was the main reason for the stop at Yeovil) and then on to Westbury for D1015 to run round the train again for run down to Merehead. At Merehead there were the usual collection of idling 59's to stare at while D1015 was yet again moved from one end of the train to the other. After a bit of a delay caused by this operation the train set off again for the final blast into BristoTemple Meads which included some excellent run throughs at Bradford upon Avon & Bath. After arriving at Bristol Temple Meads, D1015 was removed from the train and went light to Barton Hill Depot. 46035 then took the train back to Crewe. The next tour scheduled for D1015 is 7th June 2003, to Penzance.

D1015 has made its way to Bristol by way of the 6C37 Old Oak Common to Barton Hill with two class 67's and a mixed variety of vans. The times for the Saturday tour are posted on the Pathfinder website . D1015 works from and back to Bristol Temple Meads, with 46035 "The locomotive formerly known as Ixion" working from Crewe to Bristol Temple Meads and back.

Link added to the Dairy page for the "Bournemouth Belle" D1015 & Steam railtour on 27th July. The price is £199.50.

I understand that D1015 will be returning "dead in train" to Old Oak Common as part of the Wednesdays only Bristol to Old Oak Common van train, or similar, today.

The "Royal Duchy" Rail Tour seemed to be an exercise in stamina for those travelling, with an 0445 start from Slough and a booked 2345 arrival back there. D1015 certainly did its bit from Slough to Bristol Temple Meads, arriving at around 0635, giving plenty of time for the steam locomotive to be attached and then D1015 to re-couple at the head. However, for some reason the steam locomotive took longer than planned to be placed on the train, which meant that the train was then late from Bristol. A reasonable run was then had to Exeter Riverside Yard, with D1015's driver letting the steam engine's driver have a go at hauling the train and pushing D1015. Again at Exeter the shunting involved to remove D1015 and the generator vehicle meant a loss of time which was only recovered after the water stop was waived at Par. At Plymouth the generator car was re-attached by D1015 (which had travelled ahead with it from Exeter) while the steam engine was watered. On the return the length of the train was increased by the addition of an air conditioned Mk.2 between the locomotive and the generator vehicle, making it almost impossible to hear D1015 working hard over the banks, a task already made very difficult by the flats on the wheel sets on the rest of the train. The run from Plymouth to Exeter was completed in around 61 minutes, which wasn't particularly spectacular time wise, but there was a reasonable excuse - the tour was following a single car 153 all the way to Exeter. After waiting at Exeter to let some red and silver things pass, D1015 set out on a good run to Taunton, where for some reason the train came to a stand on the up fast line, much to the enjoyment of the photographers gathered at the end of the up platform. Unfortunately, despite making an excellent restart from Taunton, D1015 came to a halt again between Highbridge & Burnham and Uphill Junction, for about five minutes. After the restart it was announced that as there was no driver available (the aforementioned industrial action presumably), the train would terminate at Bristol Temple Meads and any passengers for stations beyond there would be conveyed forward by a First Great Western service. Despite the delays, the train still had a good chance to arrive at Bristol Temple Meads with plenty of time for people to get on to the FGW 2130 service, but for no adequately explained reason the train was held in the Parson Street area for about 15 minutes. The reason for the stoppage between Highbridge & Burnham and Uphill Jn was an "AWS failed to cancel" fault, which meant the AWS system had to be isolated. Even if a driver had been available to take the train forward to Slough, D1015 would have had to be removed from the train or a pilot engine (with working AWS of course) would have to be attached to the front of the train. The enforced 55 minute wait at Bristol at least meant people could take some nice time exposures of the train before it left empty for Bristol Parkway where it was to be laid up for the night. The next D1015 tour is on 15th March starting from Crewe to the Mendips & Meldon quarries.

According to the Pathfinder website, this Saturdays D1015/steam tour is ON and the provisional timings have turned into confirmed timings. In short, a seriously early start is required for what will be a very long day. The timings are definitely on the lazy side from Bristol, presumably because of the necessity to keep topping up the water on the steam engine.

The starting point for the D1015 Newquay & Fowey tour on 25th August will be Crewe, with 46035 being the train engine as far as Exeter. D1015 will assault the banks while 46035 is fuelled. 46035 then follow light engine to Par to be used as the "top and tail" locomotive on the branches and will return north in tandem with D1015 as far as Bristol Temple Meads.

As mentioned on the News page, there is a risk of industrial action on 1st February, which may prevent the tour from Slough to Penzance with D1015/Steam not to run. More information when I get it.

In the meantime, some provisional timing details have been posted on the Pathfinder website. It promises to be a long old day with the departure at 0445 from Slough and the arrival time back there in the evening of 2345!

Mark Alden of the Diesel Traction Group has sent me an e-mail thanking everyone who supported D1015 throughout the first years running and explaining what the immediate future brings. You can read it in full here. Next year looks set to be as good as this year, including removal to the "T" panel!

The "Western Sunset" tour was definitely not a case of ending the first year's running quietly! Although the run out of Paddington to High Wycombe was a bit stop-start, mostly due to temporary speed restrictions & following ordinary service trains, there was a good climb up the 1 in 164 to Saunderton. From Banbury to Birmingham, the train was again delayed by having to follow service trains and arrived in Birmingham New St a little bit late. Departure form Birmingham was also late, due to some confusion as to where the train would depart, which stoic locals said is normal. The weather then changed for worse, with light rain joining the cold wind and grey skies, which must have been disappointing for those hardy enough to go out and line side. From Gloucester there seemed to be a real attempt to make up the lost time - the climb up to the Sapperton tunnels was on a par wth the first D1015 tour in February and at Kemble the booked ten minute pathing stop was unnecessary, allowing an unimpeded run until the outskirts of Swindon. From there some good high speed running was made however the train was then placed "slow line" from Reading. At least the arrival at Paddington was ahead of time and also in a main line platform instead of the cramped building site of the suburban platforms that previous D1015 tours have had to finish in. All in all, a good end to an excellent first year of mainline running! Here's to the next!

Note that the departure time from Paddington is now 0845, just over an hour earlier than Past Time had previously advertised. This makes for a break in Birmingham of just over 2½ hours.

The departure time for the "Western Sunset" from London Paddington on 7th December is 0950, according to a letter from Past Time Rail today. Tickets are still available in all classes. The same letter also gives more details of Past Time's D1015 tours planned for next year - the 7th June tour to Penzance is projected to leave Paddington at around 0730 and is out and back via the "Berks & Hants" route, while the 18th October has been revealed as the date for the Fishguard Harbour trip, also leaving from London Paddington. Both tours are clearly stated to be leaving from London Paddington, so presumably D1015 will have had TPWS fitted by 7th June 2003. (See 2nd October 2002 for a bit more background)

More information has been passed to me from Mark Alden; after rescuing the HST D1015 was also requested to assist a steam tour, featuring GWR steam locomotive 6024, which had come to a stand in the Taunton area. As no driver was available to take D1015 from Bristol to Kidderminster, the steam tour was eventually rescued by a locomotive that came light from Eastleigh, arriving back at Kidderminster at 0330 on Sunday! The main reason that D1015 was used to rescue the HST was down the the fact that one of the engineering staff riding D1015 was qualified to fit the bar coupling between the locomotive and HST power car. Certainly a case of being in the right place at the right time!

The performance of D1015 on the "Western Pilgrim" Tour made many people very happy! The run down to Plymouth was very good, the South Devon banks being dismissed with little problem. Not even a signal check at Totnes caused D1015 to break pace, though the train did arrive late at Plymouth due to problems with the shunting locomotive which towed the train into Plymouth (North Road) from the old Southern terminus at Friary. The return journey was stunning, with the run from Plymouth to Bristol Temple Meads being completed in a shade over two hours, including a memorable passing of Exeter St Davids! The arrival into Bristol Temple Meads was into some seasonably poor weather which didn't seem to dampen the spirits of those who congregated at the London end of Platform 3 to cheer D1015 away, off to Old Oak Common for a welcome rest before the next tour in December.

At about the time this was happening, an HST had slipped to a stand on Dauntsey Bank, just east of Chippenham. As D1015 was available in the area it was called to assist the HST to Swindon. D1015 was detached from the front of HST power car 43170 (A Paxman VP185 engined one) at Swindon and went light onward to Old Oak Common. The HST returned empty to Bristol.

I hope to have some pictures of the tour and the event to put up over the next few days.

Revision of stops on the outward - the departure times for pickup/setdown points on next weekends D1015 railtour are:

The train does not go via Bristol Temple Meads on the outward journey, instead going via Dr.Days/North Somerset Jns to Westbury then on non stop to Plymouth.

Paddington - Ruislip - High Wycombe - Birmingham - Shrewsbury avoiding curve - Hereford - Maindee curve - Severn Tunnel - Swindon - Paddington.

For those wishing to take part in the combined D1015/6024 railtour on 1st February 2003, the price has been set at £74! This is due to the fact that 6024 is only allowed to haul nine coaches west of Exeter, of which three are the the obligatory steam support coach, generator van and composite brake vehicle, which reduces the actual payload to six coaches worth of seats.

An update about the tour on 7th December, there is a now full dining option available. When was the last time you dined behind a Western on the main line? For further details, contact Past Time Railtours.

A couple of points have become clearer, firstly the 25th August 2003 tour should be Fowey, not Falmouth and 46035 is provisionally the engine from Crewe to Bristol on the 15th March 2003. Any rumours that are going around that the 1st February 2003 tour is already fully booked are groundless.

It appears that Traction magazine didn't publish D1015's rail tour programme for 2003, so Mark Alden has very kindly e-mailed me with the details:

1st February 2003 - Ealing - Bristol - Exeter and back as the diesel on this 6024 (steam), which works Exeter - Plymouth on the outward and Plymouth - Ealing on the return. Mark did point out that D1015 is subject to crew availability on the day, therefore book on this tour at your own risk! This tour does show on the Pathfinder website as 6024 being the from Plymouth to Penzance. I'm sure the picture will become clearer in time with this one!

15th March 2003 - Crewe - Birmingham - Bristol - Westbury - Merehead - Westbury - Castle Cary - Yeovil Junction - Exeter - Okehampton - Meldon Quarry - Exeter - Bristol - Birmingham - Crewe. Pathfinder simply show this one as "D1015 heading for the hills!".

3rd - 5th May 2003 - Provisionally, D1015 will be used as traction for a private event & charter, not for access to the general public. Would still be worth line siding, presumably. More if I get it.

7th June 2002 - London area - Penzance. Past Time will be the operator for this tour.

27th July 2003 - A VSOE charter, with D1015 sharing the limelight with "West Country" Pacific 34027 "Taw Valley" on a run from London to Poole. Past Time are also the operators for this tour.

25th August 2003 - All Mark said was "Newquay AND Falmouth!", so I think it's a case of wait for details! Pathfinder are the operators of this tour.

October 2003 - Past Time will provisionally operate a tour, with the start, destination & route to be confirmed, but possibly Fishguard Harbour. Again, wait for details, from Past Time.

Also Railtrack Great Western Zone have decreed that from 1st January 2003, no rail traction vehicle without TPWS will be allowed to operate over the section of line between Paddington and Old Oak Common. This will obviously affect D1015 as it is not yet fitted with TPWS.

I recently received a very informative e-mail regarding D1015 from Mark Alden of the Diesel Traction Group - D1015 will be operating a full and varied rail tour programme in 2003, with the details released in the latest edition of "Traction" magazine (shameless product promotion there!). He also said that a new turbocharger base had been fitted to the B engine and would hopefully run okay throughout the forthcoming Severn Valley Railway Diesel Gala on 4th - 6th October. As another shameless product promotion, there will soon be released a video of D1015's China Clay performance by Locomaster Profiles . A proportion of the money made by sales of this video will go toward the continuing upkeep of D1015, so even those armchair enthusiasts can feel a small glow of charity when they buy one. If anyone asks to borrow your copy, just tell them to go and buy their own!

I've finally got round to placing some line side pictures of D1015, kindly provided by Stephen Boon, on the site. His pictures are of the "Western Druid" and "Western Noon" railtours.

D1015 appeared to have made a lot of people happy in the West Country last weekend! The locomotive worked all the trains that had been billed on its own too. There are some pictures and an article on the "Diesel Hydraulic Locomotives" website. D1015 was worked back to Kidderminster with the two class 50 locomotives that also visited St Blazey. D1015 will next work on the Severn Valley Railway Diesel Gala.

Information gratefully received from Mark Alden of the Diesel Traction Group - Apparently the reason for D1015's "B" engine to be stopped on the 28th was due to a water jacket leak at the turbo charger base. Generally, this type of problem isn't new and could afflict any locomotive, Maybach engined or otherwise, that has had component replacement work carried out. In the specific case of "Westerns", this was a well known problem in BR days and has also cropped up in the preserved world before. Nothing to worry about!

Additionally, Mark pointed out that he has no knowledge of the Penzance oil train working on the 2nd September, which most likely means that this was idle speculation on behalf of some enthusiasts that grew into perceived reality on "Rail-Gen". The Fowey - Goonbarrow workings will still go ahead on the 30th August. D1015 should pick up the 1316 Fowey - Goonbarrow at St Blazey, after the train has left Fowey.

D1015 will return from St Blazey with the two class 50 locomotives on the 1st September. This move will see D1015 hauled "dead" to Kidderminster, along with a ballast train that will be picked up en-route, possibly at Bescot. D1015 will stay at Kidderminster so that it can take part in the Severn Valley Railway's Diesel Gala on 4th - 6th October.

Two bits of information have been passed to me; Firstly the balancing train for 6C21 that D1015 might work back from Penzance to St Blazey on the 2nd is 6C11, 1414 departure from Penzance, 1537-1557 at Par and 1602 at St Blazey. Secondly there is a nice picture of D1015 on the "Preserved Diesels" website of D1015 working down to Bristol on the 28th August.

I have received more information about D1015, this time the news is that the new turbo charger failed and the corresponding engine was shut down at Southall. D1015 will still go to St Blazey, but whether it still works the trains on the 30th must now be questionable.

Just to really get everyone spinning, a posting on "Rail Gen" says that D1015 will go return on Sunday 1st September in the company of 46035 and two class 50 locomotives. Whether this is only as far as Bristol is unclear, although the source of this information is reliable. I think this is a "wait and see"!

D1015 left Old Oak Common at the head of 5C37, towing two class 50's, one van and a class 67! According to the plan, D1015 will leave Bristol tomorrow on the 6V70 Cliffe Vale to St Blazey which is booked to depart at 1459, although be warned that it can leave up to two hours earlier or later depending on how the "big railway" is performing.

Presumably there is a working from St Blazey to Fowey in the morning to get the loco there for 6G11! I have no information about whether D1015 will be alone or piloting another engine on this turn.

After the Open Day, D1015 is also claimed to be working the 6C21 0840 St Blazey to Penzance oil train and its corresponding return working at 1300. The journey back to Old Oak Common should commence on the 3rd September with 6M72 1655 St Blazey to Cliffe Vale, which again can leave up to two hours either side of time.

It would appear that D1015 will make the journey to St Blazey, via a parcels train and a china clay empties. While in the area, it is also envisaged that D1015 will be used on some trip working in the St Blazey area on the Friday and on an oil train to Penzance on the Monday. More details can be found on the "Preserved Diesels" website. There is also another pic of D1015 with its turbo failure there too!

I have been provided with some D1015 audio, courtesy of Mark Bristow, who was at Newbury Racecourse station on the evening of 20th April when D1015 rushed through with the "Western Sunrise" railtour.

I've just received an e-mail from Trevor Walton of the DTG, who has put the story straight on the problems that befell D1015 on the 17th August:

"To put the story correct, the turboblower on 1015's B engine seized and was shut down by the travelling DTG fitter. The blower was removed on Sunday at OOC and it was found that the bearing in the lower housing had exploded. no debris could be found anywhere else than where we expected it to be. B engine has been run up and test carried out to ensure that there was no other fault or damage and was found ok. The blower is now scrap with nothing being retrievable for further use.

The replacement blower was due to installed and completed by last night. The serk fan motor is to be changed as a precaution."

Thanks Trevor, it's a pleasure to be able to report that D1015 will be returning to form without any major difficulty beyond a bit of hard graft!

D1015 put in a good performance (yet again) on the "Western Noon" tour, which was marred only by two points, one being a lack of bookings (the train was less than half full) and the other being the failure of one of the engines due to a turbocharger seizing as the train passed Leamington Spa. Despite D1015 having to haul a 12 coach train on one engine from that point on, the train arrived early into Paddington with a 72 mph peak being recorded in the process. Apparently there was also the potential for a total failure as the transmission high temperature fault light came on during the run in to Paddington and oil from the Serck cooling system of the operational engine/transmission unit was being vented to the atmosphere. The engine that failed was the engine that was replaced after the test runs in January, while the "good" engine proved itself to be well up to the job - from a small group of DTG on the lawn I was told it ran up to 1550rpm indicated under load. Apparently the DTG will be on the job of removing the defective turbo and replacing it as soon as they have recovered from what was an otherwise enjoyable day out. The climb up to and through Old Hill tunnel was very much a high point, with some good Maybach Music being produced for those listening inside the train! Many of those of a certain age reminisced that with the temperatures being in the upper 80's, it was just like the summer of '76 all over again! Long may we continue to have more summers like this, I say!!

Depature time for the "Western Noon" tour to Worcester on the 17th August is 1054 from Paddington, not a particularly early departure. There are still plenty of seats available, from Past Time Rail. Like most things associated with Past Time, the timings of this train have changed - it was originally shown as departing Paddington at 0950.

Also there is more info floating around now about the St Blazey open day visit, which still appears to be a private EWS event on 31st August. Again the "Preserved Diesels" website explains it well.

I have been informed that D1015 has been invited to an EWS open day at St Blazey (Cornwall) and that there is a possibility of it working service trains (albeit non passenger & empty china clay wagons) to get there. There is a bit of explanation on the "Preserved Diesels" website, though I have no more details than that. As usual, if I get anything, I'll get the updates out ASAP!

15th June saw yet another excellent tour with D1015! The train was about ten minutes late leaving Paddington then crawled to Slough. From there on a good run was had on the direct route to Swansea. The return route was via the "Vale of Glamorgan" line, Dr Days/West Somerset junctions, Bath, Trowbridge, Hawkeridge/Heywood Rd junctions, then the "Berks & Hants" line to Reading and then back to Paddington, arriving 15 minutes early after a stunning start to stop run from Reading! D1015 seems to get better and better with each run! This third tour saw D1015 pass 1000 miles of mainline running - here's to the next thousand.....!!!!

6th June 2002:

I have had information passed to me that apparently the Railway Inspectorate have taken a dim view about the amount of "window hanging" and other allegedly dangerous practices that were witnessed on the trip to Paignton on 20th April. If such practices continue on future Western railtours, the Railway Inspectorate may decide to ban D1015 from the mainline completely.

22nd April 2002:

21st April 2002:

The "Western Sunrise" tour from London Paddington to Paignton went very well indeed. D1015 performed faultlessly and gave a good performance, much to the appreciation of those who travelled and linesided. Plenty of high speed running was experienced, with sustained speeds in the upper eigthies recorded. What I thought disappointing though, was the fact that the train had many seats available. I should have some pictures placed on this page in a short while.

14th April 2002:

24th March 2002:

Nothing earth shattering to report, just that D1015 worked perfectly (as reported just about everywhere else) on 23rd February and is currently at Old Oak Common, visible from trains passing on the main line. The next tour to Paignton apparently spends around 5 hours at that sunny coastal resort, so if you're looking for things to do, why not nip back up the line to Newton Abbot for the "SIBA South West Branch Tenth Anniversary Beer Festival" at the Tuckers Maltings? Thanks go to Paul Winter for pointing this one out!

Finally it happened! D1015 successfully returned to the main line, becoming the first Western in almost 25 years to haul a passenger train out of Paddington station. D1015 performed faultlessly, but the run suffered from unsympathetic timings and routing delays at Paddington on the outbound and return legs of the tour.

The test run on the 13th February was successful - the replacement engine worked with no problems. The departure of the test train from Old Oak Common was delayed by operational difficulties not associated with the Locomotive, eventually leaving about an hour later than billed. Once underway, good speed was made to Reading, although the train was slowed by having to follow a local train between Reading and Didcot.

As for the tour on 23rd February, tickets are starting to be arrive in the post - keep a look out if you have booked!

D1015's replacement B engine was fired up today with no oil leaks. The engine will have the connections to the transmission made and tested. Indications are good for the test run on Wednesday 13th February.

I was passed the departure time of the the outbound test run from Old Oak Common on 13th February; D1015 will pilot a Class 67 on the 5C37 Old Oak Common - Bristol Temple Meads vans. What train it works back I have no clue.

28th January 2002 was an important landmark for British based Maybach engined locomotive enthusiasts, as D1015 Western Champion was passed for main line running on Railtrack metals. The test run on 28th January was not trouble free, but the objectives were achieved to allow it to be cleared to run on Railtrack. Feedback I have received from via a friend of the Saltley driver indicates that the A end engine is in good condition, with "90mph" being easily achieved and a maximum engine speed of 1550rpm being indicated. Coincidentally, the lucky Saltley driver concerned is a popular and well known supporter of Diesel Hydraulics!

While the test run was successful in achieving the most important objective, there must certainly be disappointment that B engine failed with low oil pressure, which will require it to be swapped out.

On 29th January 2002, D1015 was moved under it's own power from Saltley (Birmingham) to Old Oak Common (West London), where it will be based. The three pictures below were taken at Reading during the afternoon of the 29th by John Foster, who has very kindly allowed me to reproduce them on this site. Please respect his copyright.

I have been informed that the failed engine will be disconnected and replaced with a spare. A test run has been scheduled for 13th February to ensure that the replacement will work properly under load. More details if I receive them.

Outbound	Arr	Dep
London Waterloo [Pfm 18]		07:12
Clapham Junction [Pfm 9]	07:25	07:27
Woking [Pfm 4]	07:50	07:53
Basingstoke [Pfm 2]		08/15
Worting Junction		08/20
Winchester		08/34
Eastleigh		08/40
Southampton Central [Pfm 4]		08/46
Redbridge		08/50
Romsey		08/57
Salisbury [Pfm 4]	09:16	09:36
Wilton		09/40
Tisbury Loop	09X59	10X05
Gillingham [Dorset]		10/15
Templecombe		10/22
Sherborne		10/27
Yeovil Junction	10C32	10C39
Chard Junction Signal Box	10X54	11X05
Honiton	11X21	11X32
Pinhoe		11/44
Exeter Central [Pfm 2]		11/47
Exeter St Davids [Pfm 1]	11C50	12C03
Cowley Bridge Junction		12/05
Crediton	12P13	12P15
Okehampton	12:50

Return	Arr	Dep
Okehampton		16:02
Crediton	16P37	16P43
Cowley Bridge Junction		16/47
Exeter St Davids [Pfm 1]	16C53	16C59
Exeter Central [Pfm 3]		17/02
Pinhoe		17/16
Honiton	17X28	17X49
Chard Junction Signal Box		18/07
Yeovil Junction	18C28	18C54
Sherborne		18/59½
Templecombe		19/04
Gillingham [Dorset]		19/09
Tisbury Loop		19/18
Wilton		19/27
Salisbury [Pfm 3]	19:33	19:36
Romsey		19/54½
Redbridge		20/01½
Southampton Central [Pfm 1]		20/05
Eastleigh		20/14
Winchester		20/21
Worting Junction		20/35
Basingstoke		20/40
Woking [Pfm 2]	21:02	21:05
Clapham Jn [Pfm 7]	21:23	21:27
London Waterloo [Pfm 11]	21:37

Outbound	Arr	Dep
Gloucester		06:23
Bristol Parkway	06:59	07:01
Bristol Temple Meads	07:11	07:13
Weston Super Mare	07:41	07:43
Taunton	08:07	08:22
Exeter St Davids	08:58	09:00
Dawlish Warren		09/11
Newton Abbot		09/26
Totnes		09/39
Hemerdon		10/01
Plymouth	10:11	10:18
Saltash		10:27
Liskeard		10/44
Par		11/03
St Austell		11/09
Truro		11/27
Penzance	12:00

Return	Arr	Dep	Arr	Dep
Penzance		12:50		13:07
Truro		13/32		13/52
St Austell	13:53	14:17		N/A
Par		14/26	14:31	16:04 *
Liskeard		14/47		16/36
Saltash		15/08		16/54
Plymouth	15:12	16:32	17:03	17:30
Hemerdon		16/43		17/40
Totnes		17/03		18/04
Newton Abbot		17/18		18/18
Dawlish Warren		17/33	18:33	18:53
Exeter St Davids	17:51	18:28		19/07
Taunton	19:04	19:56 *	19:37
Weston Super Mare	20:20	20:22
Bristol Temple Meads	20:44	21:06
Bristol Parkway	21:16	21:18
Gloucester	21:54

	Arr	Dep	Arr	Dep
Paddington		06:13
Reading	07:02	07:04
Newbury	07:24	07:26
Westbury	08:13	08:15
Taunton	09:00	09:38		09:21
Exeter SD	10:10	10:48		09/55
Dawlish Warren		11/01		10/04
Newton Abbot		11/14		10/13
Totnes		11/27		10/25
Hemerdon		11/47		10/44
Plymouth	11:56	12:31	10/53	10/55
Saltash		12/40		11/03
Liskeard		12/55		11/18
Par		13/14	11:38	14:15
St Austell	13:20	13:50		14/25
Truro		14/08		14/41
Penzance	14:41			15/17

	Arr	Dep
Penzance		17:05
Truro		17/36
St Austell		17/55
Par		18/02
Liskeard		18/22
Saltash		18/44
Plymouth	18:53	18:55
Hemerdon		19/06
Totnes		19/23
Newton Abbot		19/34
Exeter SD	19:54	19:56
Taunton	20:25	20:27
Westbury	21:09	21:11
Newbury	21:50	21:52
Reading	22:10	22:13
Slough	22:33	22:36
Paddington	23:07

	Arr	Dep
Exeter St Davids		04:17
Tiverton Parkway	04:34½	04:36½
Taunton	04:51½	04:53½
Bridgwater	05:06	05:08
Weston-Super-Mare	05:24½	05:27½
Bristol Temple Meads	05:48	05:53
Bristol Parkway	06:03	06:05
Cheltenham Spa	06:53	06:55
Birmingham New St	07:52	08:11
Wolverhampton	08:32	08:34
Shrewsbury Abbey Foregate	09:18	09:20
Craven Arms	09:48	09:49
Knighton	10:09	10:34
Llandrindod Crossing	11:06	11:08
Llandrindod	11:10	11:55
Llanwrtyd	12:20	12:23
Llandovery	12:43	12:58
Newport	15:14	16:54
Gloucester	17:42	17:44
Bristol Parkway	18:20	18:23
Bristol Temple Meads	18:36	18:39
Yatton Loop	18:53	19:05
Weston-Super-Mare	19:15	19:22
Bridgwater	19:39	19:41
Taunton	19:57	19:59
Tiverton Parkway	20:16	20:18
Exeter St Davids	20:36

Sunday:	Arr	Dep
Exeter St Davids		11:33
Honiton	12:02	12:24
Salisbury	13:44	13:46
London Victoria	15:58

Paddington [P10]	0725	Penzance	1615
Slough	0751 - 0753	Plymouth	1759 - 1815 C
Reading [P4]	0808 - 0810	Exeter St Davids	1920 - 1924
Newbury	0829 - 0831	Westbury	2033 - 2035 C
Westbury	0911 - 0913 C	Reading [P5 then relief lines]	2130 - 2133
Exeter St Davids	1024 - 1027	Slough	2150 - 2153
Totnes	1102 - 1117	Paddington [P10]	2216
Plymouth	1148 - 1150 C
Penzance	1335

Victoria Dep 0913	[Steam engine 34027]
Salisbury arr 1152 dep 1215	[with D1015]
Eastleigh pass 1304	[routed via Chandlers Ford freight only line]
Bournemouth arr 1345 dep 1415	[after D1015 has changed ends]
Eastleigh arr 1502 dep 1645	[D1015 leading, 34027 trailing]
Poole arr 1754 dep 1808	[34027 leading, D1015 trailing]
Bournemouth arr 1820 dep 1825	D1015 detached, 34027 leading]
Eastleigh pass 2003	Victoria arr 2212

Paddington	0725 dep	2216 arr
Slough	0753 dep	2153 dep
Reading	0810 dep	2133 dep
Newbury	0831 dep	-
Exeter St Davids	1027 dep	1924 dep
Penzance	1335 arr	1615 dep

Station	Pick up/Set down
Castle Cary	07:05/23:05
Frome	07:20/22:50
Westbury	07:30/22:20
Trowbridge	07:40/22:10
Bath	08:05/21:50
Filton Abbey Wood	08:35/21:20
Llandudno Jn	12:58/16:18

Paddington	0845
Banbury	1032 - 1033
Leamington Spa	1049 - 1106
Birmingham New St	1152 - 1425
Craven Arms	1545
Leominster	1559
Shelwick Jn	1613
Hereford	1616 - 1623
Abergavenny	1652
Maindee North Jn	1710
Severn Tunnel Jn	1721
Lydney	1736
Gloucester	1758
Gloucester Yard	1801 - 1803
Standish Jn	1811
Kemble	1833 - 1842
Swindon	1857
Didcot	1920 - 1924
Reading	1951 - 1953
Paddington	2042

Station	Outward	Return
Crewe	0618	2239 arr.
Stafford	0656	2208
Birmingham New St.	0820	2124
Cheltenham	1005	2023
Bristol Parkway	1046	1931
Bristol Temple Meads		1827
Plymouth (North Rd.)	1453arr	1620

UK Mainline Running (Updated: 03-01-2009)

6th June 2002:

22nd April 2002:

21st April 2002:

14th April 2002:

24th March 2002: