There is a school of thought that railtours which go to plan are boring affairs. I've never really agreed with this - the idea of turning up on time at the final stop, having done all the track and accomplished all the planned variations of traction as published is an attractive one. Years of experience to the contrary has taught me to look out for the silver linings when the clouds start to descend, and today's trip demonstrated just how this can work.

It all starts very early, checking out of a very good hotel with a great view of the station, and wandering on a rather chilly morning over to Temple Meads which was just being unlocked for the day. The stock was waiting on platform 3, with the platform end already crowded with people attempting a shot of 50044 'Exeter' in the gloom. Found our seats and settled in for the first part of the day - a swift dash along the Great Western Mainline, picking up at Bath, Chippenham and Swindon before taking the rather unusual west curve at Foxhall Junction just outside Didcot. From here we headed north to call at Oxford and Leamington. A brief stop here turned into rather a long wait, initially for no apparent reason. It soon became clear that quite a bit of attention was being paid to 50044 which was steaming gently at the head of the train. However, after a coolant top up we were underway again - somewhat late, but running well via Kenilworth and Stetchford to avoid Birmingham by passing Bescot, looking rather empty of locomotives today - just when it seemed we might need one! Heading west again we made short work of the run to Shrewsbury. A short break here meant an opportunity to watch 97301 (formerly known as 37100) being attached to the front of our train for the rest of the journey to Aberystwyth.

With a hint of black clouds over the hills of central Wales, we set off onto the Cambrian mainline. With 97301 and 37676 on the front of the train we made excellent progress, managing the 'easy' side of Talerddig with no problem at all. Marvelled at the reconstruction work at remote Dovey Junction, where the often flooded former platforms have been built up, and on the Aberystwyth line extended by many times the length of the trains which normally call there! We soon arrived in the resort and univeristy town, where there was little time for a photo stop as we needed to dash for the Vale of Rheidol Railway platforms where our special charter was waiting. Tiny steam No.8 led the train of very packed coaches out, parallel with the mainline at first, but then curving away and ascending the steep valley. We passed a descending train at Capel Bangor, and then things began to feel very quiet and isolated as we climbed further and further up the valley, with cliffside views reminiscent of 'The Italian Job' to the left! After a long, rather slow climb we arrived at Devil's Bridge - a small village famous for it's waterfall and bridge. No time to stop and investigate however, as our train was due to head back down soon. Opted for the open-sided observation coach for the ride back. This was fine until the rain started. At first, the rather ineffective guttering directed the stream of water onto the thick, absorbent fleece of the passenger in front of me - but after a while he realised and moved, meaning I caught the worst of the soaking! Despite the rather chilly wind and rain, the views along the misty valley were truly spectacular and well worth the trip. The tiny railway, the last bit of British Rail steam to operate, seems to be incredibly well maintained despite it's inaccessibility. By the time we were back on the coast, the rain had disappeared and the sun was out once again. Time for coffee and to watch our train shunting into the platform once the unit for Birmingham had departed.

The plan was for 50044 to lead us back to Abbey Foregate, where we would drop off 97301 and head home by our outward route. All seemed to go well with a storming ascent of Talerddig - although we suspected from the noise outside the window that at least one of the 37s was helping out! The afternoon had turned out warm and sunny, and I soon dozed off, awaking as we arrived back in England. A brief announcement indicated that 50044 was still not working quite right, so we would head into Shrewsbury to effect a reversal, letting 37676 lead. Happy to have a few more miles behind this veteran of my last Spitfire tour back in February. With 97301 off the train and growling into the distance, there was no reason why we shouldn't be off soon. However, we waited...and waited...eventually notching up around an hours delay while outside people seemed to be dashing rather worriedly to various trains. News soon began to circulate that the line to Wolverhampton was blocked by a failed unit. Some sort of single-line working seemed to have been instituted, but there was no room in this plan for us. Eventually it was decided that we'd head north to Crewe and thence via the West Coast mainline to Wolverhampton. A round trip of over 70 miles in fact, with the ailing 50044 leading!

Off into the now bright evening sunshine, and some fantastic running by 50044 with 37676 assisting. A fair line up of locos at Gresty Bridge to greet us too as we arrived in Crewe. A short stop here, setting down passengers who needed to make connections, then reversing again, to head south towards Wolverhampton with 37676 leading. Typically I'd booked next week's trip from here in order to enjoy Class 37s on the West Coast Mainline, and here I was with 37676 doing the honours a week earlier. A thoroughly enjoyable run south, regaining our booked route at Wolverhampton. From here, we were around two hours late - not bad given we'd spent nearly an hour languishing at Shrewsbury. We even managed to make up time with some speedy running south, and a very swift dash west through Swindon. Our eventually arrival in Bristol was a little under 90 minutes later than planned. Overall, a very successful day out despite the rather unexpected bonus mileage. I hope that the charitable element of this tour was as successful as last time the folks from Bristol Panel ran a tour in aid of The Railway Children - because the railtour was certainly run just as well, and turned out just as entertaining. The failed unit between Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton finally moved around five hours late!

Arrived in Bristol on the Class 67 hauled service to find the stock for tomorrow's tour had already arrived. A variety of sources on the net had indicated that 50031 was involved, but certainly by the time we arrived, only 50044 and 37676 were in evidence.

Reminisced with a wander around the city centre - which I don't see much of these days - and a Pellegrino's fish supper before retiring in anticipation of tomorrow's early start to proceedings. It almost feels like a proper holiday!

The end of our extended weekend line closure is almost in sight. However, having tired of the late start which buses mean, today Mr Spinks offered to drive part of the way allowing an earlier start. Set out for Taunton, arriving in good time for the 07:11 to Westbury. Noted that the weather was shaping up to be good during the short change for a Portsmouth Harbour bound train. Trains on this part of the route can be frustratingly busy, but whilst this one was well used it stayed fairly bearable throughout the trip to the coast. I hadn't quite made it to the Harbour on my last jaunt down this way, making it a good few years since I'd made this trip. Remembered my way on arrival despite some fairly major improvements at the Wightlink terminal in the last decade or so. A short and calm crossing of the Solent, with daring pleasure craft darting in front of our ship much of the way!

Not long to wait at Ryde Pier Head for the next Island Line service. I remember these units in smart Network SouthEast livery, but now they seem to have reverted to an historic London Transport red which suits them well enough. Difficult to spot the numbers on some of the stabled units however as we passed St John's Road depot. The first target was Smallbrook Junction. This rather basic station with no road or foot access exists only to serve the Isle of Wight Steam Railway which runs along side the electrified lines here. With a steam train waiting in the station, we purchased tickets from the pleasant staff and boarded a fine old Southern Railway third class compartment for the journey down to Wootton. The stock was superb - so often this is a stumbling block for preserved lines, but in this case the restoration was flawless. Now in danger of getting the characteristic half-sunburned face of the window-hanger, we made steady progress along the line to Havenstreet, the railway's main base, then to Wootton.

With a longer wait at Havenstreet on the return, we had a brief chance to see the small fleet of diesel locomotives on the line before heading back to Smallbrook Junction for the next down service to Shanklin. Thoroughly impressed by this small, but fantastically well run operation. Everything about the stock, the locos and the stations was tidy and detailed authentically. However the staff in particular were knowledgeable, polite and friendly - which isn't always the case on preserved railways! Soon onboard another tiny 483 unit and heading down the coast via Sandown. Brief lunch break here, and a chance to wander around the busy buy rather good little town centre. Quite a bit going on, with plenty of visitors today. Mr Spinks was slightly alarmed to find himself in a fish and chip shop where the unique selling point was a large photograph of the same shop burning down! After lunch, onto the next service bound for Ryde for a photo stop, including the impressive hovercraft at the adjoining terminal.

A short wait and time for coffee before boarding for the return crossing, and arriving back at Portsmouth Harbour. Our train was already waiting, along with a good few others at this surprisingly busy station, which I'm reminded once also boasted Crosscountry services shortly after privatisation. Boarded the unit, and we were soon heading back for Westbury. Here we had an extended wait in the amazing sunshine which we spent wandering down to the back of the depot and lounging about on the platform chatting until the Paignton-bound HST arrived. A very quick run via Castle Cary back to Taunton, where Mr Spinks handled the run back by road.

Not a huge mileage gathering run today, but a great day out which reminded me why I'd enjoyed my previous visit to the Isle of Wight so much. Very tempted to come back and explore more, particularly some of the lost railways in the area - perhaps at the end of the season when things are a little quieter.