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A steam charter today Thursday 3 June 2021 ran from Lancaster to Bristol Temple Meads. Recently restored Class 40 D213 'Andana' hauled the first leg to Crewe where LMS Black 5 45231 'Sherwood Forester' and 46100 'Royal Scot' took over for the Welsh Marches journey to Bristol. The Class 40, which remained on the rear of the train, then hauled the train back to Lancaster via Cheltenham, Bromsgrove and the Lickey Incline. I believe both steam locomotive will remain in the West Country to work a number of charters to Paignton and Kingswear during June.

These photographs taken at Hereford where the locomotives had a break to take on water and coal; These shots of D213 'Andana' at speed were taken at Bredicot near Spetchley;

Fantastic to see Tim. Hoping to see plenty of that sort of thing this summer. We had the 'Blue Pullman' HST down here last weekend but of course I was in Worcester!

Today, Thursday 10 June 2021, Worcester Shrub Hill saw Locomotive Services Class 37s D6817 (37117, 37521) and D6851 (37151, 37667) hauling the Malvern Mountaineer charter train organised by the Branch Line Society on behalf of the Railway Children Charity. Starting at Crewe it ran via Kidderminster, Shrub Hill, Gloucester and Abergavenny to Hereford and returned via Malvern, Foregate Street, Bromsgrove and the Lickey Incline to Crewe. Here is a photo of the partially restored 'luggage' bridge with most of the scaffolding removed from the support tower on Platform 2.

They look awesome TIm, I would have loved to have been lineside for that one, plenty of noise!

MattW wrote: ↑

17:45 Thursday 10th June 2021

They look awesome TIm, I would have loved to have been lineside for that one, plenty of noise!

The train ran through Shrub Hill non-stop which meant the 37's were operating on little more than tick-over until well clear of the station, obliterating London Road bridge with typical English Electric oily grey/black smoke, but too far away to appreciate the harsh exhaust clatter and rumble. Still good to see them and the freshly overhauled and painted Mk III rolling stock in 'Intercity' ivory, black and orange livery. Didn't think much of it at the time, but far superior to First GWR unrelieved very dark green paintwork and vinyls!

The Portsmouth Harbour Express charter ran from Wolverhampton via Kidderminster and Worcester Shrub Hill this morning, Wednesday 16 June 2021. It was organised by Saphos Rail and hauled by Locomotive Services Class 47s 47614 and 47593. Steam is booked from Bristol to Portsmouth and return to Bristol. The Charter is seen approaching Shrub Hill in the early morning sunshine. Clag; more carcinogens and noxious particles in that exhaust for a couple of minutes than the average car puts out in a year, open the windows on Mk I coaches and enjoy the aromas! Also photographed was 166217 working from Bristol Temple Meads to Worcester Foregate Street;

A few photographs taken this morning 21 June 2021 at Worcester Shrub Hill station.
66162 'Maritime Intermodel Five' is seen working through the yard with Round Oak to Margam steel empties train. 158760 enters the station working from Great Malvern to Brighton via Bristol. An IET passes beneath the partially restored luggage bridge tower on platform two with a Great Malvern to Paddington train. 66722 'Sir Edward Watkin' waits in the yard on Hams Hall to Long Marston light engine movement whilst 57310 'Pride of Cumbria' moves 350109 from Northampton to Long Marston where the EMU will be refurbished.