The Way We Were: Western Requiem 1977
A damp, cold morning at Horton Road level crossing in Gloucester on 20th February 1977, as Class 52 'Western' No. 1010 'Western Campaigner' passes with the RPPR 'Western Requiem', 1Z08 0820 London Paddington - Cardiff Central (and various branches) charter. I recall a shout from the train regarding the whereabouts of classmate No. 1023 'Western Fusilier', which were not understood at the time. It turned out that 'Campaigner' has been suffering with an engine defect from soon after departing Paddington, and as the remaining 'Western's' were due to be withdrawn in six days time, 'Fusebox', as 1023 was affectionately known, was on standby. A Class 37 took over the train at Cardiff, and 1023 'Western Fusilier' finally caught up with the charter at Pontypridd, and saw it home, no doubt to the relief of all on board and the organisers! During the day the charter was booked to visit the valley lines to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil. Copyright Photograph John Whitehouse - all rights reserved
The Way We Were: Western Requiem 1977
A damp, cold morning at Horton Road level crossing in Gloucester on 20th February 1977, as Class 52 'Western' No. 1010 'Western Campaigner' passes with the RPPR 'Western Requiem', 1Z08 0820 London Paddington - Cardiff Central (and various branches) charter. I recall a shout from the train regarding the whereabouts of classmate No. 1023 'Western Fusilier', which were not understood at the time. It turned out that 'Campaigner' has been suffering with an engine defect from soon after departing Paddington, and as the remaining 'Western's' were due to be withdrawn in six days time, 'Fusebox', as 1023 was affectionately known, was on standby. A Class 37 took over the train at Cardiff, and 1023 'Western Fusilier' finally caught up with the charter at Pontypridd, and saw it home, no doubt to the relief of all on board and the organisers! During the day the charter was booked to visit the valley lines to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil. Copyright Photograph John Whitehouse - all rights reserved