18th May 2019
UK Railtours
The Welsh Dragon
| Locos Used | 66723 'Chinook' & 66779 'Evening Star' |
| Stock Used | 21269+3068+3066+80042+3141+3149+3123+1651+3121+1832+4959+4991 |
Route :
1Z15 : Stevenage to Cardiff Central
1Z16 : Cardiff Central to Stevenage
| Loco(s) | Route |
| 66723 (1) | Stevenage - Welwyn Garden City - Potters Bar - Finsbury Park - Copenhagen Jn - York Way North Jn - Camden Road Jn - Gospel Oak - Kensal Green Jn - Willesden Junction HL - Acton Wells Jn - Acton Main Line - Ealing Broadway - Southall - Slough - Maidenhead - Reading - Didcot Parkway - Swindon - Wootton Bassett Jn - Westerleigh Jn - Bristol Parkway - Patchway - Severn Tunnel Junction - Newport - Cardiff Central |
| 66779 (2) | Cardiff Central - Newport - Severn Tunnel Junction - Chepstow - Lydney - Gloucester - Standish Jn - Stroud - Kemble - Swindon - (reverse of outward route) - Stevenage |
Notes :
(1) 66779 on rear.
(2) 66723 on rear.
(3) Off tour options: visit to The Royal Mint, Dyffryn House, Brecon
Mountain Railway or Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway.
Sources : David Lodwick & Nick Bartlett (both on the tour
from/to Ealing Broadway)
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Photo Review

66723 at Newport on the outward leg of the tour (photo: Nick Bartlett)

Hunslet 1837 No.18 'Jessie' at Furness Sidings (photo: Nick Bartlett)

Arn Jung 1261 'Graf Schwerin-Lowitz' at the Brecon Mountain Railway
(photo: David Lodwick)

66779 arrives at Newport with the return leg (photo: Nick Bartlett)
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Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from David Lodwick, Nick Bartlett & Realtime Trains)
| M.C | Location | Booked | Actual | Booked | Actual | M.C | |
| 0.00 | Stevenage | 07.31d [P1] [US] | 07.31 | 22.10a [P4] | 22.12 | 0.00 | |
| 3.52 | Woolmer Green Jn | 07/35 | 07/36 | 22/06 [DS] | 22/07 | 3.52 | |
| ? | Digswell Jn | 07/37 [US] | 07/38 | 22/03 | 22/04 | ? | |
| 7.20 | Welwyn Garden City | 07.42a ~ 07.45d [P2] [US] | 07.40 ~ 07.44 | 21.58a ~ 22.01d [P3] [DS] | 21.58 ~ 22.02 | 7.20 | |
| 14.68 | Potters Bar | 07.54a ~ 07.57d [P1] [US] | 07.53 ~ 07.57 | 21.46a ~ 21.49d [P4] [DS] | 21.45 ~ 21.49 | 14.68 | |
| 22.47 | Alexandra Palace | 08/06 [US2] | 08/06 | 21/36 [DS] | 21/35 | 22.47 | |
| 25.04 | Finsbury Park | 08.13a ~ 08.16d [P1] [US2] | 08.11 ~ 08.16 | 21.28a ~ 21.31d [P7] [DS] | 21.26 ~ 21.30 | 25.04 | |
| ? | Holloway South Jn | 08/19 [US] | 08/19 | 21/25 [DS] | 21/21 | ? | |
| 26.61 | Copenhagen Jn | 08/22 | 08/21 | 21/22 [DS] | 21/16 | 26.61 | |
| ? | York Way North Jn | 08/23 | ? | 21/21 | ? | ? | |
| 27.15 | Camden Road Central Jn | 08*26 ~ 08*37 | ? | 21/17 | ? | 27.15 | |
| 27.40 | Camden Road Jn | 08/39½ | 08/36 | 21/15 | 21/09 | 27.40 | |
| 28.51 | Gospel Oak | 08/45 [P1] | 08/43 | 21/09 [P2] | 21/04 | 28.51 | |
| ? | West Hampstead | 08/52 | 08/50 | 21/02 | 20/57 | ? | |
| 32.58 | Kensal Green Jn | 09/00 | 08/58 | 20/56 | 20/52 | 32.58 | |
| 33.00 | Willesden Junction HL | 09/02 [P5] | 09/00 | 20/54 [P4] | 20/50 | 33.00 | |
| 33.65 | Acton Wells Jn | 09/05 | 09/05 | 20/51 | 20/47 | 33.65 | |
| 34.37 | Acton Main Line | 09c08 ~ 09c10 [GL] | 09.09 ~ 09.10 | 20c46 ~ 20c48 [GL] | 20.43 ~ ? | 34.37 | |
| 35.34 | Acton West | 09/14 [DR] | 09/12 | 20/43 [GL] | 20/41 | 35.34 | |
| 35.72 | Ealing Broadway | 09.15a ~ 09.18d [P3] [DR] | 09.14 ~ 09.18 [P3] [DR] | 20.36a ~ 20.39d [P4] [UR] | 20.36 ~ 20.39 [P4] | 35.72 | |
| ? | West Ealing | 09/20 [P3] [DR] | 09/20 [DR] | 20/34½ [P4] [UR] | 20/34 [P4] [UR] | ? | |
| 39.22 | Southall | 09/24 [P3] [DR] | 09/23 [P3] [DR] | 20/31 [P4] [UR] | 20/31 [P4] [UR] | 39.22 | |
| 41.41 | Heathrow Airport Jn | 09/28 [DR] | 09/27 [DR] | 20/28 [UR] | 20/28 [UR] | 41.41 | |
| ? | Dolphin Jn | 09/35½ | 09/47 [DR-DM] | 20/19½ | 20/19 | ? | |
| 48.52 | Slough | 09/37 [P4] [DR] | 09/48 [P2] [DM] | 20/18 [P5] [UR] | 20/18 [P5] [UR] | 48.52 | |
| 54.35 | Maidenhead | 09/45 [P3] [DR] | 09/53 [P1] [DM] | 20/12 [P4] [UR] | 20/12 [P4] [UR] | 54.35 | |
| 61.17 | Twyford | 09/53 [P3] [DR] | 09/58 [P1] [DM] | 20/05½ [P4] [UR] | 20/06 [P4] [UR] | 61.17 | |
| ? | Kennet Bridge Jn | 09/59 [DR] | 10/02 | 20/01½ [UR] | 20/01 [UR] | ? | |
| 66.14 | Reading | 10/02 [P12] [DR] | 10/04 [P8] | 20/00 [P14] [UR] | 20/00 [P14] | 66.14 | |
| ? | Reading High Level Jn | DIV | 10/06 [FVL] | - | - | ? | |
| 67.12 | Reading West Jn | 10/03 [DR] | 10.07 ~ 10.09 [DR] | 19/59 [UR] | 19/59 [UR] | 67.12 | |
| 74.76 | Goring & Streatley | 10/19 [P3] [DR] | 10/17 [P3] [DR] | 19/50 [P4] [UR] | 19/50 [P4] [UR] | 74.76 | |
| 81.36 | Moreton Cutting | 10/31 [DR-DM] | 10.25 ~ 10.30 [DR-DM] | 19/42½ [UR] | ? | 81.36 | |
| ? | Didcot East Jn | 10/33½ | 10/32 [DM] | 19/41 [UR] | 19/43 [UR] | ? | |
| 83.26 | Didcot Parkway | 10/34 [P1] | 10/33 [P1] | 19/40 [P4] [UR] | 19/42 [P4] [UR] | 83.26 | |
| ? | Foxhall Jn | 10/34½ | 10/34 | 19/39 [RL] | 19/40 [RL] | ? | |
| 90.38 | Wantage Road | 10/40 | 10/39 | 19/33 | 19/33 | 90.38 | |
| 94.16 | Challow | 10*45 ~ 10*50 [DR] | 10.45 ~ 10.49 [DR] | 19/30 | 19/30 | 94.16 | |
| 96.55 | Uffington | 10/55 | 10/53 | 19/28 | 19/28 | 96.55 | |
| 107.39 | Swindon | 11/04 [P4] | 11/02 [P4] | 19c15 ~ 19c17 [P1] | 19/17 [P1] | 107.39 | |
| 113.23 | Wootton Bassett Jn | 11/10½ | 11/07 | - | - | - | |
| 124.26 | Hullavington | 11/19 | 11/16 | - | - | - | |
| ? | Westerleigh Jn | 11/30½ | 11/27 | - | - | - | |
| 141.78 | Bristol Parkway | 11c36 ~ 11c39 [P2] | 11/32 [P2] | - | - | - | |
| 143.20 | Patchway | 11/42½ [P2] | 11/39 [P2] | - | - | - | |
| 146.66 | Pilning | 11/45½ [P2] | 11/45 [P2] | - | - | - | |
| 148.30 | Severn Tunnel East | 11/46½ | 11/46 | - | - | - | |
| 152.52 | Severn Tunnel West | 11/50½ | 11/50 | - | - | - | |
| - | Swindon Loco Yard | - | - | 19/12 | 19.12 ~ 19.14 | 108.36 | |
| - | Kemble | - | - | 18/58 [P1] | 18/57 | 121.15 | |
| - | St Mary's LC | - | - | 18/47 | 18/48 | ? | |
| - | Stroud | - | - | 18/43½ | 18/44 | ? | |
| - | Standish Jn | - | - | 18/38 | 18/39 | 137.10 | |
| - | Gloucester Yard Jn | - | - | 18/32 | 18/31 | 143.20 | |
| - | Horton Road Jn | - | - | 18/31 | 18/30 | 143.78 | |
| - | Gloucester | - | - | 18/29 [UR] | 18/28 [UM] | 144.21 | |
| - | Awre | - | - | 18/07 | 18/06 | 158.39 | |
| - | Lydney | - | - | 18/01 | 18/01 | 163.54 | |
| - | Chepstow | - | - | 17/52 | 17/52 [P2] | 171.50 | |
| 153.62 | Severn Tunnel Junction | 11/52 [P3] [DR] | 11/51 [P3] [DR] | 17/45 [P2] | 17/43 [P2] | 178.78 | |
| 161.04 | Llanwern West Jn | 12/03 [DR] | 12/03 [DR] | 17/37 [UM] | 17/37 [UM] | 186.20 | |
| 162.75 | Maindee East Jn | 12/09 [DR-DM] | 12/07 [DR-DM] | 17/34 [UM] | 17/35 [UM] | 188.33 | |
| 163.17 | Maindee West Jn | 12/10 [DM] | 12/09 [DM] | 17/33½ [UM] | 17/34 [UM] | 188.11 | |
| 163.51 | Newport | 12.12a ~ 12.15d [P2] [DM] | 12.11 ~ 12.15 [P2] | 17.29a ~ 17.32d [P3] [UM] | 17.29 ~ 17.32 [P3] | 188.67 | |
| 165.08 | Ebbw Jn | 12/18 [DM] | 12/18 | 17/26 [UR-UM] | 17/23 | 190.24 | |
| 168.61 | Marshfield | 12/23 [DM] | 12/21 | 17/19 [UR] | 17/18 | 193.77 | |
| 174.28 | Long Dyke Jn | 12/29 [C] | 12/26 | 17/11 [UR] | 17/10 | 199.44 | |
| 175.31 | Cardiff Central | 12.31a [P2] | 12.29 | 17.08d [P4] [D] | 17.08 | 200.47 |
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Associated
Workings
at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway
Loco in use: Hunslet 1837 No.18 'Jessie'.
Stock: 35494+4300+G.E. No.3
| Location | Booked | Actual | Booked | Actual | |
| Furness Sidings | 12.55d | 13.08 | 14.40d | 14.40 | |
| Blaenavon High Level | ? | 13/13 | ? | 14/45 | |
| Coed Avon | 13.05a ~ 13.06d | 13.15 ~ 13.16 | 14.50a ~ 14.51d | 14.47 ~ 14.48 | |
| Blaenavon High Level | 13.10a ~ 13.25d | 13.19 ~ 13.30 | 14.55a ~ 15.10d | 14.50 ~ 15.06 | |
| Furness Sidings | 13.35a ~ 14.15d | 13.36 ~ 14.16 | 15.20a ~ 15.45d | 15.12 ~ 15.45 | |
| Whistle Inn | 14.19a ~ 14.22d | 14.19 ~ 14.22 | 14.49a ~ 15.52d | 15.48 ~ 15.51 | |
| Furness Sidings | ? | 14/25 | ? | 15/53 | |
| Big Pit | 14.29a ~ 14.33d | 14.27 ~ 14.33 | 15.59a ~ 16.03d | 15.56 ~ 16.06 | |
| Furness Sidings | 14.37a | 14.36 | 16.07a | 16.09 |
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Associated
Workings
at the Brecon Mountain Railway
Loco in use: Arn Jung 1261 'Graf Schwerin-Lowitz', ex DR 99 3353.
| Location | Booked (out) | Booked (rtn) |
| Pant | 14.30d | 15.40a |
| Pontsticill | ? | ? |
| Dol-y-Gaer | ?a | ?d |
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Associated E.C.S. Workings
18/05/19 :
5Z15 : (66779 with 66723 on rear) : Eastleigh Arlington to Letchworth
5Z15 : (66723 with 66779 on rear) : Letchworth to Stevenage
| Location | Booked |
| Eastleigh Arlington | 03.33d |
| Eastleigh | 03/38 |
| Winchester | 03/46 |
| Worting Jn | 04/01 |
| Basingstoke | 04/03 |
| Bramley | 04/10 |
| Southcote Jn | 04/19 |
| Oxford Road Jn | 04/21 |
| Reading | 04/24 |
| Kennet Bridge Jn | 04/26 |
| Twyford | 04/32 |
| Maidenhead | 04/39 |
| Slough | 04/45 |
| Heathrow Airport Jn | 04/54 |
| Southall | 04/56 |
| West Ealing | 05/00 |
| Acton West | 05/04 |
| Acton Main Line | 05c07 ~ 05c09 |
| Acton Wells Jn | 05/12 |
| Willesden Junction HL | 05/15 |
| Kensal Green Jn | 05/17 |
| West Hampstead | 05/21 |
| Gospel Oak | 05/25 |
| Camden Road Jn | 05/28 |
| Camden Road Central Jn | 05/30 |
| York Way North Jn | 05*33 ~ 05*37 |
| Copenhagen Jn | 05/39 |
| Finsbury Park | 05/43 |
| Alexandra Palace | 05/48 |
| Potters Bar | 06/00 |
| Welwyn Garden City | 06/13 |
| Digswell Jn | 06/14 |
| Woolmer Green Jn | 06/17 |
| Stevenage | 06/21 |
| Hitchin | 06/26 |
| Letchworth | 06/32 |
| Letchworth A/D Line | 06.34 ~ 07.10 |
| Letchworth | 07/12 |
| Hitchin | 07/15 |
| Stevenage | 07.21a [P1] |
5Z15 : (66779 with 66723 on rear) : Cardiff Central to Pengam Sidings
| Location | Booked |
| Cardiff Central | 12.48d [P2] |
| Long Dyke Jn | 12/50 |
| Pengam Jn | 12/57 |
| Pengam Reception Sidings | 13.00a |
5Z16 : (66723 with 66779 on rear) : Pengam Sidings to Cardiff Central
| Location | Booked |
| Pengam Reception Sidings | 16.49d |
| Pengam Jn | 16/52 |
| Long Dyke Jn | 16/55 |
| Cardiff Central | 16.57a [P4] |
5Z16 : (66779 with 66723 on rear) : Stevenage to Letchworth
5Z16 : (66723 with 66779 on rear) : Letchworth
to Wembley Yard
| Location | Booked |
| Stevenage | 22.15d [P4] |
| Hitchin | 22/24 |
| Letchworth | 22/30 |
| Letchworth A/D Line | 22.32 ~ 22.55 |
| Letchworth | 22/57 |
| Hitchin | 23/00 |
| Stevenage | 23/06 |
| Woolmer Green Jn | 23/09 |
| Digswell Jn | 23/11 |
| Welwyn Garden City | 23/14 |
| Potters Bar | 23/22 |
| Alexandra Palace | 23/30 |
| Finsbury Park | 23/32 |
| Holloway South Jn | 23/34 |
| Copenhagen Jn | 23/37 |
| York Way North Jn | 23/38 |
| Camden Road Central Jn | 23/40 |
| Camden Road Jn | 23/41 |
| Gospel Oak | 23/49 |
| West Hampstead | 23/55 |
| Kensal Green Jn | 00/01 |
| Harlesden Jn | 00/06 |
| Willesden Railnet Reception | 00/08 |
| Wembley South Jn | 00/11 |
| Wembley E.O.F.C. | 00.16a |
19/05/19 :
5Z17 : (66779 with 66723 on rear) : Wembley Yard to Eastleigh Arlington
| Location | Booked |
| Wembley E.O.F.C. | 12.48d |
| Wembley Yard South Jn | 12/55 |
| Willesden No.7 Jn | 12/58 |
| Acton Canal Wharf | 13/01 |
| Acton Wells Jn | 13/03 |
| Acton Main Line | 13c06 ~ 13c08 |
| Acton West | 13/12 |
| Southall | 13/17 |
| Heathrow Airport Jn | 13/19 |
| Slough | 13/40 |
| Maidenhead | 13/47 |
| Twyford | 13/53 |
| Kennet Bridge Jn | 13/56 |
| Reading | 13/59 |
| Oxford Road Jn | 14/01 |
| Southcote Jn | 14/03 |
| Bramley | 14/12 |
| Basingstoke | 14/20 |
| Worting Jn | 14/25 |
| Winchester | 14/39 |
| Eastleigh | 14/46 |
| Eastleigh Arlington | 14.51a |