The day started ominously misty. Given the pretty amazing weather we've been having this left the awkward British summertime conundrum - to take a coat or not. Decided to throw caution to the wind and go without. I need not have worried, as by the time we were scudding over the levels the mist was already lifting, and we appeared to be in for a glorious day. Our first winner of the day was Advenza's recently recomissioned 66841 which was stabled on the former Bath Road spur at the back of Temple Meads. Plenty of time to wander over for a shot before getting much needed coffee and heading for the 07:00 Voyager.

The destination was the Dean Forest Railway, a location I'd visited years ago on foot but had never travelled on. Their small summer diesel event was competing for punters with some major tours to Cornwall and a couple of locos being out of traffic also kept a few punters away. However, arriving early due to the poor service to Lydney, we made a quick tour of the site and were encouraged by staff to have a good look at the locos undergoing refurbishment in what appear to be huge 'polytunnels' standing on what appears to be the course of the former line to the docks. Having spent almost an hour enjoying the sunshine and exploring the site, the first train of the day arrived with 'Teddy Bear' D9521 in charge. A swift loco change to get E6001 on the front and we were off.

The timetable was generous but not intensive, and featured the Class 14, E6001 and the DMU in addition to the star attraction for me, the recently repainted 31466. Our first move was to switch between the high and low level platforms at the unusually laid out Norchard station to get the DMU. Intelligence from previous galas indicated that this would stick around in platform 1 at Lydney Junction for most of the day as a sales stand and buffet. Thus this was a sensible way to get an arrival into the less preferred platform and to guarantee a ride on the DMU. From here, we settled into a pattern of trips back and forth the full length of the line. A decent gradient up from Norchard and some spectacular scenery made for some entertaining performance from 31466 in particular.

With the sun seemingly stronger by the hour, we took a mid-afternoon break for refreshments and photographs at Norchard before a final run on E6001. Much as I enjoyed this loco, it seemed to crop up on one too many trains, and it will be a real boost when the line gets either its resident Class 27 or 37 back up and running for a little variery. After some final shots of an absurd lash up of ED and Teddy Bear leaving Lydney we wandered over to the mainline station to find services heavily delayed. Hung around in the still intense sun and waited, speculating on the chances of a Class 60 hauled freight passing. Eventually, a mercifully well air-conditioned Class 175 arrived and took us to Gloucester, where the much delayed service terminated to head back to South Wales. Took the opportunity for a break in Gloucester, and arrived back in time to see 60013 curving into the station with a train of empty fuel tanks! An unexpected bonus. Worked our way back to Highbridge via a change at Filton Abbey Wood, arriving in time to position ourselves for a photograph of Spitfire's 'Kernow Growler' tour on it's return leg in fine early evening light.

I was sceptical about today's excursion given last weeks rather amazing trip, but the Dean Forest Railway produced some fine entertainment in a spectacular setting, despite limited locomotives in operation. Definitely a railway to revisit when a few more are up and running. As it turned out, a pretty good day out with plenty of surprises.