THE WESTERN WANDERER

As the name suggests we will be venturing west this time and will include an opportunity to travel behind a Class 52 Western locomotive (D1015), courtesy of our colleagues at the Diesel Traction Group.

The day will start from Crewe with the train being hauled by Class 55 D9000. The route will be via Stafford, Bushbury Jn, Aston, Birmingham New Street, Church Road, Bromsgrove and Cheltenham Spa. On arrival at Gloucester the train will reverse direction and run via Cam & Dursley, Bristol Parkway and Filton Jn to Bristol Temple Meads. This leg will be work by Class 45 45118.

A further reversal will take place at Bristol Temple Meads from where the train will retrace its steps as far as Gloucester. From Gloucester we traverse the Severn Estuary via Chepstow and onward to Newport and Cardiff Central. This leg will be worked by Class 40 D213.

At Cardiff, a break of around two hours will be available while the train is serviced. On departure from Cardiff Central the train will head back through Newport and then the Severn Tunnel back to Bristol Temple Meads. This leg will be work by Class 45 45118.

Following another reversal at Bristol Temple Meads, the train will run via Bath Spa, the Avon Valley and the Berks & Hants route through Newbury. Turning left just before Reading we head towards Reading West Jn and onwards via Swindon and Kemble arriving back in Gloucester. This leg will be worked by Class 52 D1015. Reversing once again in Gloucester, the train will return to Crewe retracing its outward route. This leg will be work by Class 45 45118 & Class 55 D9000 in tandem.