15th March 1980

M.R.S. / R.C.T.S.
Caerwent Cannonball

DMU Used 51304+59477+51319+51522+59546+51450

Route :

DMU Route
as listed Cardiff Central - Newport - Llantarnam Jn - Blaenavon
as listed Blaenavon - Maindee North Jn - Maindee East Jn - (via Up Relief) - Bishton Flyover - Severn Tunnel Junction - Caerwent MoD Depot Gates
as listed Caerwent MoD Depot Gates - Caldicot
as listed Caldicot - Chepstow - Tidenham Tunnel (South Portal) (1)
as listed Tidenham Tunnel (South Portal) - Wye Valley Jn GF
as listed Wye Valley Jn GF - Lydney Sidings
as listed Lydney Sidings - Parkend Station
as listed Parkend Station - Norchard Road H/L (2) - Lydney Sidings
as listed Lydney Sidings - Chepstow - Severn Tunnel Junction - (via Down Relief) - Newport - Cardiff Central

Notes :
(1) Train booked to go to Tintern but didn't as traffic beyond Tidenham had ceased.
(2) Train stopped at the site of the DFR Norchard Road H/L platform to allow tour participants to visit the DFR site in the low level sidings. GWR Tank 5541 was providing rides along the low level siding.

Source : Andy Pullar

Timings (Booked & Actual)
(from Greg Beecroft & Ian Umpleby)

Location Booked Actual
Cardiff Central 09.45d 09.45
Newport 09.59a ~ 10.03d 10.00 ~ 10.07
Llantarnam Jn 10/13 10/21
Blaenavon High Level 11.06a ~ 11.16d 11.06½ ~ 11.18½
Maindee North Jn 12/18 12/15½
Bishton Flyover 12/34 ?
Severn Tunnel Junction 12/42 12.39 ~ 12.43½
Caldicot Jn 12.45a ~ 12.50d 12/48
Caerwent (gate) 13.02a ~ 13.07d 12.59 ~ 13.04½
Tidenham 13.54a ~ 13.48 ~ 13.48½
Tidenham Tunnel South Portal ? 13.51½ ~ 14.04½
Tidenham ~ 14.04d 14.07 ~ 14.08
Lydney 14.33a ~ 14.38d 14.31 ~ 14.36
Lydney Town Gates 14.44a ~ 14.49d 14.41½ ~ 14.51
Whitecroft Gates 15.01a ~ 15.06d 15.03½ ~ 15.07
Parkend 15.11a ~ 15.11d 15.11½ ~ 15.23
Lydney Town Gates 16.33a ~ 16.38d 16.41 ~ 16.47
Lydney 16.44a ~ 17.02d 17.02½ ~ 17.03
Chepstow 17/12 17/14
Caldicot 17/19 17.22 ~ 17.23½
Severn Tunnel Junction 17/22 17.26 ~ 17.26½
Newport 17.36a ~ 17.40d 17.46 ~ 17.49
Cardiff Central 18.00a 18.09


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