29th January 1978

Railway Pictorial Publications Railtours
The Deltic Dragon

Locos Used 20030, 20142 & 55018 'Ballymoss'
Stock Used 4430+4206+4233+4753+21185+13347+13352+4763+4758+4215+4764

Route : 1Z08 throughout

Loco(s) Route
55018 London Paddington - Reading - (via Didcot avoiding line) - Oxford - Evesham - Worcester Shrub Hill
55018 Worcester Shrub Hill - Ashchurch - Cheltenham Spa - Gloucester - Chepstow - Severn Tunnel Junction - Newport - Cardiff Central
20142 + 20030 Cardiff Central - Leckwith Jn - Radyr - Pontypridd - Treherbert
20030 + 20142 Treherbert - Pontypridd - Radyr - (1) Leckwith Jn - (1) Cardiff Central
55018 Cardiff Central - Newport - Severn Tunnel Junction (2) - Chepstow - Gloucester - Stroud - Swindon - (via GWML) - London Paddington

Notes :
(1) Gordon Lacy comments: Although the return was advertised back via Queen Street, the STN showed only the locations/times as above.  As a consequence, 'the powers that be' routed the train back via the outward route, to the dismay of the Deltic fans who were expecting to be at the front, both ways!
(2) Train was held at Severn Tunnel Junction due to a points failure in the area.

Sources : John Nelson, Eric Rush, Clive Barlow, Adrian Brown, Gordon Lacy (joined/left the train at Cardiff Central) & John Debens

Photo Review
(all photos: Gordon Lacy)


20142+20030 'buffer up' to the stock at chilly Treherbert, ready for the return trip.


55018 runs past the iconic Central Hotel, Cardiff as it backs onto the stock.


55018, now complete with 'headboard', readies for departure from Cardiff.


From The John Debens Ticket Collection.


Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Adrian Brown & Gordon Lacy)

Location Booked Actual
Paddington 08.25d 08.25½
Southall 08/36 08/46½
Slough 08/43 08/54
Maidenhead 08/48 08/58
Twyford 08/54 09/04
Reading 09.00a ~ 19.02d 09.10½ ~ 09.14
Didcot East Jn 09/20 09/29½
Oxford 09.33a ~ 09.35d 09.40 ~ 09.41
Wolvercot Jn 09/52 09/47
Ascott-under-Wychwood 09/55 10/03
Kingham 10/00 10/07
Moreton in Marsh 10/08 10/15½
Honeybourne 10/20 10/26
Evesham 10p25a ~ 10p45d 10.33 ~ 10.49
Worcester Shrub Hill 11.05a ~ 11.20d 11.06½ ~ 11.22
Ashchurch 11/37 11/40
Cheltenham 11/50 11/52
Barnwood Jn 12/03 12/05
Gloucester 12.05a ~ 12.07d 12.07½ ~ 12.09½
Lydney 12/26 12/29
Chepstow 12/34 12/36
Severn Tunnel Junction 12/42 12/43½
Newport 12/51 12/34
Cardiff Central 13.08a ~ 13.22d 13.06½ ~ 13.22
Radyr Jn 13/36 13/36
Pontypridd 13/49 13/54½
Tonypandy 13/57 14/07
Treherbert 14.25a ~ 15.10d 14.22½ ~ 15.11
Tonypandy ? 15/26
Pontypridd 15p38a ~ 15p48d 15.40a ~ 15.50d
Radyr Jn 16/02 16/05
Cardiff Queen Street 15.38a ~ 15.48d DIV
Cardiff Central 16.13a ~ 16.23d 16.20 ~ 16.37
Newport 16/36 16/50
Severn Tunnel Junction 16/46 17.02a ~ 17.22d
Chepstow 16/52 17/29½
Lydney 17/00 17/40
Gloucester 17.22a ~ 17.24d 17.55 ~ 17.57
Gloucester T.D. 17/27 17/59
Standish Jn 17/33 18/06
Stroud 17/38 18/10
Kemble 17/52 18/24½
Swindon Loco Yard 18/04 18/33
Swindon 18.06a ~ 18.08d 18.37 ~ 18.39
Didcot East Jn 18/27 19/03
Reading 18.40a ~ 18.50d 19.20 ~ 19.22
Twyford 18/57 19/26½
Maidenhead 19/02 19/31
Slough 19/06 19/40
Southall 19/13 19/45
Paddington 19.25a 19.57½


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