Further Afield: Trip to Bristol Temple Meads.
ANDY:
On Wednesday 18th February, I set off to Bristol Temple Meads with First Class on the way to Temple Meads. I boarded the 09:41 service to Reading which was a Class 166 and then we arrived in to Platform 15 at Reading on time.
I had the brief journey to make up the stairs to Platform 12 where I waited for the Torbay Express- the 10:00 London Paddington - Paignton service via Bristol Temple Meads. The Power-cars were 43 188 and 43 053. As the train arrived in to Reading, it was clear through the window that I would in fact be in the newly refurbished FGW first class. It took just over an hour to get to Bristol Temple Meads, so I tucked in to the complimentary food and drink.
On arrival at Bristol Temple Meads it was very sunny and quite warm! I had then discovered that I could see the log train as 56 087 failed just outside of Hereford so a rescue loco (66 957) went to rescue the stranded train.I also saw many 150s, 153s, 158s, voyagers, HST's and some freight!
The eventful story was that the Logs train never did make it to it's destination and didn't pass Bristol Temple Meads. Instead the rescue loco dragged the empty logs carriers to Bristol East Yard where 70 806 was brought in from Westbury to take the empty log carriers down to Balgan Bay.
Highlights of the day: Travelling first class in the refurbished FGW first class, seeing Cross Country HST's and the Gunwharf Quays liveried Class 158.
Below a selection of photos can be found;
Class 37 double again for me as 37 402 and 409 were on the Bridgewater F.D - Crewe Coal Sidings, passing Bristol Temple Meads just before 13:00.
On Wednesday 18th February, I set off to Bristol Temple Meads with First Class on the way to Temple Meads. I boarded the 09:41 service to Reading which was a Class 166 and then we arrived in to Platform 15 at Reading on time.
I had the brief journey to make up the stairs to Platform 12 where I waited for the Torbay Express- the 10:00 London Paddington - Paignton service via Bristol Temple Meads. The Power-cars were 43 188 and 43 053. As the train arrived in to Reading, it was clear through the window that I would in fact be in the newly refurbished FGW first class. It took just over an hour to get to Bristol Temple Meads, so I tucked in to the complimentary food and drink.
158 798 in Gunwharf Quays livery
On arrival at Bristol Temple Meads it was very sunny and quite warm! I had then discovered that I could see the log train as 56 087 failed just outside of Hereford so a rescue loco (66 957) went to rescue the stranded train.I also saw many 150s, 153s, 158s, voyagers, HST's and some freight!
The eventful story was that the Logs train never did make it to it's destination and didn't pass Bristol Temple Meads. Instead the rescue loco dragged the empty logs carriers to Bristol East Yard where 70 806 was brought in from Westbury to take the empty log carriers down to Balgan Bay.
Highlights of the day: Travelling first class in the refurbished FGW first class, seeing Cross Country HST's and the Gunwharf Quays liveried Class 158.
Below a selection of photos can be found;
Class 37 double again for me as 37 402 and 409 were on the Bridgewater F.D - Crewe Coal Sidings, passing Bristol Temple Meads just before 13:00.
Cross Country HST;
