A chance to use the final day of the Severn, Avon and Wessex Rover. Set out late, on a service delayed due to an incoming track machine heading for the Carillion 'depot' which seems to have gained a semi-permanent base at Weston recently.

Over to Newport, and then to Swindon via Bristol Parkway and Wooton Bassett - a bit of track I see very rarely indeed. Shaping up to be a warm day by the time I arrive, and tempers seem frayed. Firstly, a couple of people arguing about whether you get paid if you are on strike (why do people think this?! still amazes me!). Secondly, a Freightliner driver who gets himself entagled in the crowds trying to get a seat on a Bristol-bound Adelante started cursing and swearing when his progress along the platform was impeded!

Short hop to Bath Spa, with an intention of getting a Salisbury-bound service. Saw the number of passengers on board and flagged it. Caught a following 150 to Weymouth as far as Westbury. Thought about going the distance, but figured I'd save that for the Class 31 haulage which would start with the Summer Timetable. During my wait the miserable Freightliner guy passed by at a crawl at the controls of a 66.

Got a look at the 31s at Westbury, and also witnessed a rare (for me) Class 59 among other movements. From Westbury to Taunton, via the unusual Wessex service from Portsmouth which splits here. Coincidentally, back to Weston on the same unit I set out on this morning. A short, pleasant and uneventful day of wandering.

Up and out on the 0640 in what promised to be strong sunshine. Opted for a Severn, Avon & Wessex Rover - will try to use this as an incentive for a day off in the week. Time for coffee at Bristol, and also a moment to note that 'Crowd Control Measures' would be in use at Cardiff Central, due to the Challenge Cup Final at the Millenium Stadium. The positive side of this is that lots of additional services are running. Noted 'Nunney Castle' still on Barton Hill Depot as we passed en route to Cardiff.

One particularly intriguing service was my target - the 0934 Cardiff Central to Cardiff Central, via Gloucester and Bristol Parkway. In other words, a big, Class 37 hauled circle! Arrived at a rather quiet Cardiff in good time and spent a while trying to photograph the 37s working the Rhymney services. Pretty soon, 37419 arrived and we were off - it was practically all cranks up front, with a few familiar faces. The journey up the Western bank of the Severn in wonderful weather was very pleasant, and 37419 appeared to be in good form. At Gloucester, it appeared thousands of Rugby fans wanted to get on. The small group who ended up in the front with us seemed a bit perplexed by what was happening!

Back to Cardiff via the Severn Tunnel. Out into the sunshine to get a picture of 37419. Then, in quick succession the other excursion trains started piling in - 47197 on a service from Manchester Oxford Road, a pair of 67s on a Wigan service, and 31454 top and tailing with 31452 on a Westbury-Cardiff. Even as the Rugby fans disappeared towards the stadium, the platform got busy with photograhers!



Could have hung around for the return leg, but felt that the mass exit of thousands of fans (at least half of whom would be disappointed!) was less likely to be pleasant. Since another hauled service was due tomorrow, decided to bid Cardiff goodbye. Headed back to Weston to get a long-promised haircut, then over to Highbridge for a brief visit. Considered wandering back up on the offchance of getting 31s back to Westbury, but decided I was too hot and tired.

Day Two of my steamy weekend. This time, I get to ride behind the locomotive rather than getting up early to watch it arrive and depart! Got a lift to Temple Meads for Pathfinder Railtours' "Avon Branch Explorers" to Portbury Docks and Tytherington Quarry. Traction was to be 5029 Nunney Castle throughout.

Firstly, a couple of trips to Portbury Docks. Both ran reasonably to time, but due to Freightliner working at the Car Terminal, we were routed to the Coal Terminal on both occasions. Very strange to see the Avon Gorge from the 'other side'. Pill Viaduct was impressive too, towering over a small harbour, and a large but rather tired looking village. The branch line to Portishead had given in to vegetation. This line really needs to be reopened soon. After trip one, ventured a pint of Golden Jackal. The second Portbury trip was much more crowded.



So, to Tytherington on the former Thornbury branch. Outward journey hampered by signalling difficulties near Bristol Parkway. Slow running between Westerleigh Junction and Yate Middle. On to the branch. Checked for extended periods at three level crossing en route. This gave us little or no run at the long 1-in-60 (or thereabouts) climb to Tytherington Tunnel and beyond. 5029 began to slip and struggle about half way up - the driver showed great skill in keeping her moving, albeit slowly. The tunnel, wet rails, vegetation and poor adhesion finally brought 5029 to a halt, with much of the train (including our coach) still in Tytherington Tunnel! Restarting would be near impossible, with the summit still not achieved and a load of ten coaches. Assistance was sent for...

After nearly an hour, 66244 arrived among a gaggle of orange jacketed EWS and Pathfinder people. We were pushed over the summit into the quarry sidings, with gentle skill and little effort. It was decided that it would be far simpler to use 66244 to haul the train back to Bristol. Soon off, and a rather late but trouble free run back to Temple Meads.



Bright sunshine by the time we arrived. Time to take a look at both Nunney Castle and our rescuer. Announcements to "Passengers and Enthusiasts on Platform 3" to stand clear - unusually polite! Onto a comparatively dull 150254 for the trip home. Fantastic day.

Decided that since I wasn't planning a day out today I could stay up last night. Enjoyed some wine too. At about 22:20 I received a mail saying that 'City of Truro' would be working a test run to Weston-super-Mare, arriving 07:33, prior to operating a charter train. So, dutifully got up early despite fuggy head, and stumbled the few yards to the station. Repsectable crowd had gathered, including a few railway employees. After a loud cry of "She's coming!" from the London end of Platform 2, 3440 arrived dead on time, and apparently in fine form.

Departure was booked for 07:57, after the arrival of the down Penzance service. Got a rather surreal picture of 150236 and 3440 passing.



News seems good - 3440's speedometer is within tolerance, so it should work the tour. That leaves 5029 Nunney Castle to work to Portbury and Tytherington tommorrow as planned.