The Pembroke Coast Express
Saturday 24th September 2005
The return of any long withdrawn type of locomotive to main line operation is an impressive feat especially with present day requirements. We have seen Deltics, a 46, a 45 and a 40 reappear at various times hauling trains again on the National network.
Meanwhile in the background work had been quietly progressing on D1015 which culminated in a successful test run in readiness for 23rd February 2003 when the loco worked its first passenger train since 29th November 1976 when it replaced a failed 50 at Par on the 00:55 Paddington - Penzance.
Since then D1015 has seen use on a number of specials including an outing to Fishguard Harbour on 24th September 2005. The route taken was fairly straightforward leaving Paddington at 08:25 running via Reading, Swindon, Bristol Parkway, Newport, Cardiff, Barry, Swansea District Line then to Fishguard. The return route was a little more direct via Neath.
The coaching stock was as follows (in numerical order)
1978 Prefix |
Number |
Type |
Builder and Year |
Lot Number |
E | 1671 | RBR | Pressed Steel 1961 | 30628 |
W | 1813 | RMB | Wolverton 1960 | 30520 |
M | 3100 | FO | BRCW 1959 | 30576 |
M | 3110 | FO | Swindon 1962 | 30697 |
W | 3124 | FO | Swindon 1962 | 30697 |
M | 3132 | FO | Swindon 1963 | 30717 |
3144 | FO | Swindon 1963 | 30717 | |
M | 4946 | TSO | Wolverton 1961 | 30690 |
M | 4949 | TSO | Wolverton 1961 | 30690 |
W | 5482 | TSO | Derby 1969 | 30791 |
M | 21245 | BCK | Swindon 1962 | 30669 |
It is interesting to note that 5 vehicles would have been in Swindon when D1015 was built (Lot No 450 in 1963)
Click Here For Some Views Of The Day