12th October 1975

British Rail (W.R., London Division)
Deltic Debut

Loco Used 55003 'Meld'

Route :

Loco Route
55003 London Paddington - Slough - Maidenhead - Reading - Didcot - Swindon - Westerleigh Jn - Bristol Parkway - Patchway - Severn Tunnel Junction - Newport - Cardiff Central
55003 Cardiff Central - (reverse of outward route) - London Paddington

Notes :
(1) It was originally reported that the use of 55003 on this date was taking advantage of the fact it was on the WR undertaking high-speed tests prior to the introduction of HSTs on the region however this has since been challenged; Deltics 55007 and 55001 were involved in dipped rail tests on 12th and 19th January 1975 and it is said these tests that probably made this tour possible.


From The John Debens Ticket Collection.

Sources : Alan Osborn (on the train throughout) & Nige Paine

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Alan Osborn)

Location Booked Actual   Booked Actual
Paddington 09.00d 09.00   14.57a 15.03
Southall 09/11 09/09   14/46 14/55
Slough 09/19 09/17   14/38 14/47
Maidenhead 09/24 09/23   14/34 14/41
Twyford 09/29 09/28   14/29 14/36
Reading 09.34a ~ 09.36d 09.37 ~ 09.43   14.21a ~ 14.22d 14.29 ~ 14.30
Didcot 09/53 09/56   14/07 14/11
Challow 10/01 10/03   14/00 14/05
Swindon 10.14a ~ 10.16d 10.12 ~ 10.15   13.47a ~ 13.48d 13.47 ~ 13.53
Wootton Bassett Jn 10/24 10/22   13/40 13/41
Badminton 10/37 10/37   13/28 13/21
Westerleigh Jn 10/42 10/47   13/21 13/12
Bristol Parkway 10/46 10/51   13/16 13/09
Patchway 10/48 10/53   13/14 13/07
Pilning 10/54 10/56   13/07 13/04
Severn Tunnel West 10/59 11/01   13/01 13/00
Severn Tunnel Junction 11/00 11/02   13/00 12/59
Newport 11/15 11/12   12/50 12/49
Cardiff Central 11.35a 11.28   12.30d 12.31


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