A damp, dark morning. Since my itinerary for last week had not included Wales at all, I decided to repeat my trip of almost a year ago, and head for Rhymney. I could, at least, be assured of some Class 37 haulage up the valley and the chance to wander around Cardiff Central for a bit.

Quick change at Bristol, onto a rather busy Cardiff-bound 158. Bang on time, and rather loudly, 37402 arrived. I'd wanted a ride behind 'Bont Y Bermo' for a while, so I settled in for a very wet climb up to Rhymney.

Braved the rain on arrival and hopped out for a photograph of the locomotive as it ran around. As expected, the journey back to Cardiff was much busier. Passed by 37422 and 37425 on the way down. A rather extended stop at Queen Street for a unexpected attempt at changing crew, and back to an ever wetter Cardiff.

Onto the 1300 back as far as Bristol. This also hung around for a while at Cardiff - seemingly down to fitters attention to a jammed window in the drivers cab. On arriving at Bristol, wandered around a little. Very gloomy and quiet. Watched the Weymouth 31's leave, and chatted to a fellow enthusiast for a while.

Not sure if it was the after effects of last week, or the wet weather, but a rather quiet and subdued day.

I decided not to post anything about last night's incident on 2W63 at Backwell until I'd heard that people were safe, which I'm pleased to say it seems is the case this morning. This kind of thing happens rarely enough to make it big news, and there is generally a bit of a hysterical response. Happily, aside from some factual errors the BBC seems to have covered events quite soberly so far. Its also comforting to hear that the evacuation was handled calmly and correctly by railway staff, although this seems to have been misunderstood by some (understandably terrified) passengers.

Whatever one's opinion of the Class 143 units, they have been workhorses for Wessex Trains covering the Bristol to Weston/Taunton routes alone or in pairs for much of the day. The nine two-car units have been refurbished to a high standard inside, but admittedly they suffer from extremely poor ride quality and the operational inconvenience of no gangway connection between units. They also have a record of being remarkably safe units. Though unpopular with enthusiasts and passengers to some extent, the loss of a unit will be felt keenly here.

With the Strategic Rail Authority threatening to withdraw funding for some services unless the Class 31 hauled services are replaced with DMUs on the Weymouth and Brighton routes, there is considerable pressure on the small fleet. The simple message is that we need the flexibility of locomotive hauled services here. Running a four or five coach, top-and-tailed service to Weston in the morning and evening peaks would provide more seats and fill the gaps in the fleet to some extent. This solution is also available now - currently three locos and a set of coaching stock are spare at Bristol Temple Meads from Monday to Thursday, and there is reportedly a further 31 available to Wessex. Currently, any additional units will only become available via a cascade of stock involving a range of Train Operating Companies throughout the country, and relying on timely delivery of new units to First ScotRail!

Granted, the Fragonset locomotives have performed poorly - but the SRA decision must be focusing some minds at Fragonset, who will shortly have a lot of locomotives standing idle if things don't improve rapidly. Of course, they are not the only supplier of traction.

Whatever the outcome of the investigation into the fire at Backwell, I sincerely hope that commuter services don't suffer. North Somerset is somewhere where rail can succeed, with some effort from train operating companies.

I toyed with a repeat attempt at getting to Eastleigh today, but during my planning noticed that the Severn Valley Railway diesel gala was this weekend. I have a very old, rather disturbing memory of the Severn Valley Railway... On a school trip, probably 25 years ago, the teacher said to turn left at the bottom of the footbridge steps. I turned right. I still remember the complete confusion - Bewdley station packed with school parties, unfamiliar teachers passing me from one to another asking "Is he one of yours?". I can still picture how the chocolate-brown GWR woodwork seemed to tower over me and surround everything in oppressive gloom. I don't remember how I got back to Mrs Barham and the rest of the class, or how long I was lost for. Needless to say, I knew my left from my right from that day on. So, today I decided to go back...

Some odd goings on for Virgin today - firstly the 0829 from Weston terminated at Bristol. Next onto the 0928 Newcastle service, due to engineering works calling additionally at Worcester Shrub Hill - which suited me fine. A pleasant trip up, in rather changeable weather. Arrived in Worcester to a very busy station. A relief in some ways, since Shrub Hill has seemed a rather grim, empty and depressing place at times. The buffet appeared to be serving excellent bacon rolls too, but I managed to resist! Had a look at some rather out-of-place Midland Mainline Class 170s in the yard, and noted 60001 at the head of an engineering train. Kidderminster train arrived slightly late and rather full.

At Kidderminster, its a short walk from the mainline station to 'Kidderminster Town', the new terminus of the Severn Valley Railway. Bought a day rover - which in hindsight I couldn't have made the best use of, and went inside to look at the stalls, wander around the station and grab a coffee prior to the 1200 to Bridgnorth. This arrived behind a pair of Westerns - D1023 and D1013, and departed hauled by the clean, shiny but very very noisy 37190.

Lots to see on the trip - wonderful scenery and in particular some fine views of the River Severn - a mere trickle compared to the vast estuary it has become by the time it gets close to my home! Huge rainstorm along the way leads to me getting soaked, since a train full of bellowers had left all the windows open! Passed several of the visiting locomotives too - 40145 and a pair of Class 73s (E6005/E6006) working a shuttle service, in pristine condition. Pottered happily around Bridgnorth station, watching goings on in the yard and waiting for the 1416 departure.


Bright sunshine for most of the run back down to Kidderminster. Had an excellent pint of Batham's Bitter too, which I can highly recommend. At Bewdley 50007 was joined by D444 (aka 50044) for an impressive double-headed run into the terminus. I remain completely amazed that these locomotives were withdrawn from traffic, since they seem to perform so consistently in preservation. Watched the 'Warship' D821 being attached for the next trip, before heading back to the mainline station.

Arrived at Worcester Foregate Street intending to hop the short distance to Shrub Hill on one of the next services. Curiously, the next two Shrub Hill bound trains terminately unexpectedly at Foregate Street. Station staff seemed as stunned as the now large group of passengers awaiting Birmingham trains! Eventually gave up and set out on a rarther high-speed dash across Worcester - not helped by changes to the road layout since I last did this, which confused me completely. Arrived in with a sore foot, but in good time for the 1731 diverted Virgin service, which was to take me all the way back to Weston. Today was an unexpected treat - wish I'd been able to attend more than one day of the gala, and to really explore. One for next year's calendar.

Set out on another try at the Wessex free Day Return ticket offer. Plan was to get to Southampton, then on to Eastleigh for a quick look at the depot. It wasn't to be. Predictably, the Portsmouth train was a single Class 158 and it was dangerously overloaded. A rather rude and unfriendly guard added to the frustration. Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, and figuring that since I hadn't paid anything I hadn't really lost anything, I bailed at Westbury.

As usual, had a reasonably long wait to get anywhere from here. A further Portsmouth service came and went, advertised as 'all unreserved accomodation occupied' - which was frankly an understatement. An equally packed Bristol service passed. I took the chance to enjoy a cup of coffee and watch goings on in the sidings. Also bumped into a fellow enthusiast who grew up in my old home town, and chatted about the days events so far, and the stuff due this way in the afternoon.

Eventually, back to Temple Meads. Took my usual spot on Platform 5 and waited, with some likeminded souls, for the Class 50 hauled railtour to arrive. The tour deposited its passengers at Bath Spa, but the stock was to wait at Bristol for the return leg. Finally arrived with the 50s running top-and-tail, and in good shape.

The next event of the day was the arrival of the 'Avonmouth Adventurer' steam hauled service. This was ominously late - much to the disgust of an older gentleman who "didn't hold with all this diesel" - and I began to regret my prediction to a guard working the Severn Beach shuttle earlier in the day that he was going to get stuck behind a failed steam train! Eventually it arrived, with a bonus in the shape of 37521 on the rear. Once passengers had disembarked, the driver of 37521 thoroughly enjoyed playing to the audience with one of the loudest, fastest standing starts I've ever seen.



Hung around for the various shunting manouevres which 37521 undertook, all seemingly a little faster and louder than was strictly necessary, which was very entertaining. Headed back home on the 1725 to Weston, having had an afternoon of interesting conversation and entertaining workings, despite Wessex Trains best efforts to mess things up earlier on.