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!

An incredibly early start. The idea was that last night I would have discovered how long it took to walk to the end of the long pier where Stranraer station sits beside the Stena Line ferry terminal. Given my aching foot, the early morning and my pessimistic view of my own walking speed, arrived early. No sign of anywhere open to get breakfast or coffee on the way. Thought about the Ferry Terminal, but not sure I'd have gained access without a boarding card. Arrived in the strange 1970s trainshed to find 156457 waiting to form the 07:09 service to Glasgow via Kilmarnock. Said good morning to the station staff, just opening up for the day, then boarded and found a seat for the twisting route to Ayr.

Once the sun had risen above the hills, and the haze had lifted a little, began to notice the wonderful scenery in this part of Scotland. I suppose I grew up with a strange notion that Britain was always most impressive at it's extremes - and while doubtless Cornwall and the Highlands are stunning, its always a joy to find a breathtaking scene through the gap between hills - and this journey was packed with such moments. A strange bunch of fellow travellers too - ferry passengers, office workers from Girvan and Maybole heading for jobs in Ayr, staff from Prestwick International Airport. A fairly busy train, and a good-natured bunch. People-watched and eavesdropped my way to Ayr. Here I had a swift, cross-platform change planned which would achieve an earlier arrival at Glasgow Central, and also take in more new track. Sorry I didn't have longer to get a coffee at Ayr, but the EMU was waiting. I remember a trip on one of these when I flew to Glasgow a few years back, that time just as far as Paisley Gilmour Street. Quick and surprisingly busy run into Central.

These trips always take in a visit to Glasgow. I will never tire of the arrival, over the Clyde and into the glass-roofed trainshed with its curving wooden buildings on the concourse. The shortest of visits this time however, just time to buy breakfast and slip out of the station and onto Renfield Street for a coffee from my favourite place. It's just one of number of chain coffee shops in the area, but I have fond memories of sitting here reading or writing whilst the world moved by the window. I'm either a creature of habit, or a sentimental idiot. Not sure which. Back to the station and on to a ScotRail 156 heading for Edinburgh Waverley going the long way around via Shotts. More new track, and a surprisingly rural jaunt once out of the Glasgow suburbs. We joined the route from Carstairs at Midcalder Junction, and arrived on time at Waverley. Not long to wait here, so straight to Platform 11 to a waiting GNER 'Mallard' set. My first experience on these refurbished Mark IV coaches - such a huge improvement on the tired and threadbare look the sets had exhibited over the past couple of years. Logged on to the Wireless Internet service and settled in for a high speed run down the East Coast Mainline to York in blazing sunshine.

Arrived at York and found much needed coffee. The day seemed to be getting hotter, and I was beginning to feel sleepy after my early start. As we waited for the slightly delayed Scarborough service, heard a tell-tale engine note and turned to see 47815 Great Western arriving in the bay. Got some swift and probably not fantastic shots before getting aboard my penultimate train of the day.

I last did the run to Scarborough in 1998 or thereabouts. Not much has changed, the same impressively capacious station with a rather imposing clock tower, and a familiar run down towards the town centre. Got no further than the Wetherspoons pub today! These places in the daytime are a strange mix of bedraggled alcoholics and mysterious and bewildered loners. Today I witnessed a curious foreign woman being serenaded by a gruff Yorkshireman who then furtively passed on his tips on wooing to a crowd of clearly unconvinced Polish guys in flash jewellery and leather jackets. Also, a man fittingly entitled 'Dumpy' when asked to leave by his friend, accidentally forgot to leave his empty pint glass on the table, and walked out of the pub holding it. I later almost fell over him on the way back to the station, sitting on the ground still clutching the empty glass. In the midst of all of this, a strange and angelic barmaid with an impressive array of tattoos not out-of-place on a Suicide Girl looked on with a mix of grim determination and happy resignation. It was time to leave Scarborough!

Last train of the day was a wander down the coast to Hull. Another bit of new track, linking up with the circle of the Hull suburbs we covered on the Humber Haulier tour. A pleasant run through Filey and Bridlington with occasional glimpses of the sea beyond the hills. Always good to arrive at Paragon Station - a proper railway station with a high roof, an impressive if dilapidated tiled entrance hall and iron railings at the platform ends. Checked into my hotel, right outside the station and once its Victorian extension belonging to the North Eastern Railway. Pleased to note my room is above the station, and while I can't see the tracks I can hear the announcements clearly from my room!

I'm writing this on one of GNER's refurbished sets whilst racing along the East Coast Mainline, somewhere north of Berwick. There is a lovely hazy view out across the North Sea on my left, and a constant string of coal trains heading north on my right. The whole Wifi thing seems to work reasonably well so far, and is fun to play with - if a touch expensive.

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.