The Welsh Marches Express w/ E3150 'Robert A. Riddles', 68030, 13254 & 34094 'Mortehoe' - 22.9.2024

The second of two tours over the Welsh Marches, featuring the North Somerset Railway's Stanier Mogul No. 13254 and West Country No. 34094 'Mortehoe'. This time the train originated from London Euston using Railway Timelines Limited stock, with the train heading between London and Shrewsbury via the West Coast Main Line and Telford, and the steam legs over the Marches to and from Bristol.

The train was worked under the wires by Class 86 No. E3150 'Robert A. Riddles', seen accelerating out of London at South Kenton, passing the Grand Union Canal at Weedon, passing Birmingham International at speed and coasting through Smethwick Rolfe Street. Tucked in behind the 86 is Class 68 No. 68030, which would work the relatively short unelectrified section from Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury, seen arriving at Shrewsbury and detaching from the train to be serviced at Coton Hill Sidings. Stanier Mogul No. 13254 took over here and is seen accelerating through Sutton Bridge Junction. The engine is then seen lifting the 10 coach train past All Stretton, and having been detached for the water stop at Hereford. On the return, the train was extended by one coach, as the RTL Support Coach supplied for the Mogul had to be returned to Bletchley, but this did little to hinder 34094's performance, seen charging through Stapleton Road and speeding through Bishton Crossing, before tackling the 1 in 90 gradient through Cwmbran Station and finally speeding through Abergavenny to tackle Llanvihangel Bank.

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:05 - E3150 South Kenton
0:33 - E3150 Weedon
1:04 - E3150 Birmingham International
1:30 - E3150 Smethwick Rolfe Street
2:05 - 68030 Shrewsbury
3:22 - 13254 Sutton Bridge Junction
4:16 - 13254 All Stretton
5:01 - 13254 Hereford
5:44 - 34094 Stapleton Road
6:32 - 34094 Bishton Crossing
7:12 - 34094 Cwmbran
7:49 - 34094 Abergavenny

Thumbnail - 34094 coasts through Pontypool & New Inn after cresting the summit of the climb from Caerleon on the return leg.