The Cathedrals Express with 7007 'Great Western' and 34100 'Appledore' - 11.8.2024

The second in a series of runs over the Welsh Marches from Bristol is 'The Cathedrals Express', so named due to its traction, Ex-GWR Castle No. 7007 'Great Western', which ended her career in 1965 at 85A Worcester Shed, and the Cathedrals Express was one of her staple duties. The Castle would only work the train one way, due to having commitments in the north of England later in the week, so West Country No. 34100 'Appledore' took her place for the southbound run, with 'The Beeching Bar' Bar Second from the Railway Timelines Limited Pullman set replacing the GWR Saloon.

Our first view is of 7007 accelerating away from the 15mph crossover at Newport and charging one of many 1:100 climbs towards Pontypool, which she's seen climbing in the next shot at Cwmbran Station. Then she charges the foot of the longest and steepest bank at Abergavenny with plenty of whistles for the onlookers. The next shot shows 7007 departing the water stop at Hereford, followed by passing a stationary Transport For Wales Premier Service at Craven Arms at speed. It's on to Shrewsbury Station to see 34100 pulling the stock into the station for the return leg. Then we see the Bulleid flat out at Church Stretton, Craven Arms and Ludlow, before concluding at the Hereford water stop, first backing through the station with the Support Coach to reach the water crane in Platform 4, then standing beside it being serviced.

Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:05 - 7007 Caerleon
1:02 - 7007 Cwmbran
1:32 - 7007 Abergavenny
2:17 - 7007 Hereford
3:51 - 7007 Craven Arms
4:18 - 34100 Shrewsbury
5:14 - 34100 Church Stretton
5:47 - 34100 Craven Arms
6:23 - 34100 Ludlow
6:57 - 34100 Hereford

Thumbnail - The two locos meet at Coton Hill Sidings as 7007 brings the empty stock from Shrewsbury Station, while 34100 looks on.

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This was recorded in Train Simulator using OBS and edited using Microsoft Clipchamp in August 2024.