(Standard DVD) British Railways Today: Issue 4
Description
Run-time: 1 hour and 40 mins approx
The fourth in an occasional series featuring trains in action from the National Network as well as on Heritage Lines in Britain.
We start on the Berks and Hants main line near Bedwyn and Pewsey. Famous for its heavy stone traffic we witness a number of such workings in what was the twilight of the DB Cargo era where the haulage contract for the Mendip Stone would soon pass to Freightliner. Class 59s and a Class 60 are seen as well as plenty of Hitachi IETs.
The closure of the Severn Tunnel line near Bristol resulted in diversions via Gloucester and the Golden Valley route through Stroud. In this the first part of a look at the unusual diversions we feature class 60s, 56s, 20s, IETs, 66s and class 70s on all manner of workings.
A run behind 40 106 on the Severn Valley Railway.
The Midland Mainline lost its HSTs in early May 2021 when operator EMR dispensed with their use, bringing an end HST services to London. We spent a day to the north and south of Leicester to see the class in action amongst the regular class 222s. Class 47, 170, 156, 110 and 66 which were also seen in action.
A look at a number of special workings including a class 40 to Bristol, 26 007 in Cornwall, class 66 and 60 near Buxton, class 50s at Cheltenham and a 317 unit being taken to Newport by 37 884.
We finish the programme with a return to the Golden Valley line through Stroud. Highlights include stone and container trains well off their beaten track.
Our Tail-Lamp features steam on the Settle-Carlisle line.