Saturday
1st September 2007
Swindon - Kemble - Stroud - Cheltenham - Barnt Green - Birmingham New Street - Aberystwyth and return.
D1015 made history on the 01st September by becoming the first, and possibly the last, Class 52 to traverse the Cambrian line. The Cambrian Coast Express was the first tour to be organised by the newly formed EWS/Riviera Alliance. The tour started from Swindon at 06.47 and was routed via Stroud, the Lickey and Camp Hill before gaining the Cambrian line at Shrewsbury. Time keeping on the outward was excellent and despite an impromptu additional stop for fuel at Machynlleth on the return the train was back on time by New Street. The performance of the locomotive was excellent throughout the day and Tallerdig was breasted at 28mph with the 11 coach, 425 ton load. To commemorate this special occasion D1015 carried a superb replica of the Cambrian Coast Express headboard as carried in the early sixties, thanks go to Steve Willis of the DTG for fabricating this fine work of art.
D1015 Western Champion inside the Factory at Old Oak Common wearing the tour headboard prior to the railtour. Photo : Steve Willis
D1015
arriving with the tour at Cheltenham heading for Aberystwyth.
D1015
caught at Welshpool during a break before departing onwards for Aberystwyth.
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D1015
speeds past Ynyslas en route to Aberystwyth.
D1015 on the blocks having arrived at Aberystwyth.
Western Champion at the front of the tour ecs outside Aberystwyth caught by Geoff Griffiths.
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Western Champion passes Bow Street on the tour return to Swindon. Photo : Gareth Griffiths