Farm Attractions In Iver Heath

GWR 175 - Birmingham Moor St to London Paddington with 5043

In what way would you end GWR 175? Well December 11th became an historic day. Nearly 25 years since the last steam working from Birmingham Moor Street took place, engineering work had taken place to connect the bay platforms that had been defunct for many years.

Tyseley was asked by Chiltern Railways to mark the reopening by running a steam charter from Moor Street to London Paddington. As 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe was to haul the first run out of Moor St, it was to be ironic as its sister engine 7029 Clun Castle hauled the last service in 1987. It was also highly appropriate event to mark the conclusion to GWR 175 after an eventfull year for all concerned.

Beginning at a foot crossing at Fenny Compton 5043 hauling 8 coaches can be heard in fine form as the engine swiftly passes the crossing.
The next scene takes us to South Moreton, the eastern outskirts of Didcot where 5043 is put onto the relief line following a few minutes delay. The long panoramic glimpse of a Castle along the GWML shows how well at home it is.

The return working takes place at Maidenhead. A very neatural station atmosphere is easy to tell as most people mainly commuters are unaware that a steam train is about to pass by them, which catches them by suprise. The Castle exellerates follwing a brief signal check at Taplow.

The last scene concludes at Hatton where 5043 blitzs the 1 in 110 in supreme style and power. The shot had to be edited at the end as a car alarm went off as the last coach goes past. Not something I would like to hear again!