Trains passing through Culham

Trains through Culham >
- Introduction
- 2018-2016 and earlier
- 2021-2019
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2021

An easing of Covid restrictions saw the return of steam and diesel railtours in 2021.

Saturday 12th June saw the first visit of the Midland Pullman which had been postponed earlier in the year due to Covid. The very early start from Bristol Temple Meads had been delayed by about 50 minutes although this deficit had been halved by the time it reached its destination in Carlisle. Power car 43055 was leading with 43046 'Geoff Drury 1930-1999' at the rear. This long train looked splendid in the blue and white colour scheme which emulated that of the original 'Blue Pullman' operating between 1960 and 1966.

During the latter part of the year several of the new GWR Class 769 Flex, or tri-mode, trains started passing through whilst undergoing acceptance testing over GWR routes. Running first between Oxford and Maidenhead, then between Oxford and Gatwick, things did not always go according to plan and testing was due to continue into 2022. It was interesting to see these trains as they can run under diesel power, overhead electric or third rail electric power.

GWR Castle class 7029 Clun Castle
11th December 2021

LMS Stanier class 5MT 44871
11th December 2021

LMS 7P 6233 Duchess of Sutherland
22nd November 2021

Class 47 D1935 and D1924 double heading
14th November 2021

GWR tri-mode (Flex) unit 769937
12th November 2021

GWR tri-mode (Flex) unit 769959
3rd November 2021

LMS class 7P 46100 Royal Scot
6th October 2021 - outward to Bristol

GWR Castle class 7029 Clun Castle
2nd October 2021

GWR Castle class 7029 Clun Castle
25th September 2021

GWR tri-mode (Flex) unit 769928
22nd September 2021

SLC Operations 20007 and 20205
20th September 2021

LMS class 7P 46100 Royal Scot
8th September 2021

69002 'Bob Tiller CM&EE' leading 69001 'Mayflower'
5th September 2021

LMS class 7P 46100 Royal Scot
4th September 2021 - returning to Crewe

LMS class 7P 46100 Royal Scot
4th September 2021 - outward to Salisbury

LNER B1 class 61306 Mayflower
22nd August 2021 - returning to Paddington

LNER B1 class 61306 Mayflower
22nd August 2021 - outward to Warwick

SR Merchant Navy class 35028 Clan Line
21st August 2021

British Belmond Pullman with 67021 leading
4th August 2021

British Belmond Pullman with 67001 trailing
4th August 2021

British Belmond Pullman with 67021 leading
24th June 2021

Midland Pullman (HST125 set)
12th June 2021

Class 47 47593 Galloway Princess
9th June 2021

2020

Understandably, the very stringent restrictions imposed in order to combat the spread of Covid meant that, other than one in February and a few towards the end of the year, there was very little railtour activity to record during 2020.

Class 37 37688 Great Rocks
13th September 2020

Class 47/8 D1935 Roger Hoskings MA
13th September 2020

Bullied Light Pacific 34046 Braunton
12th September 2020

Track Recording Unit 999601 and 953001
24th August 2020

SR Merchant Navy Class 35028 Clan Line
15th February 2020

2019

On 1st June, GWR ran a very special farewell railtour for the HST 125 which had already been withdrawn from GWR sevice. It ran from Paddington to Carmarthen via Worcester and Hereford and back to Paddington. It is passed through Culham station on the outward leg bang on time. The train was headed by power car 43002 'Sir Kenneth Grange" in Intercity 125 livery and tailed by 43198 named 'Driver Stan Martin' on one side and 'Driver Brian Cooper' on the other, these being the first and last production power cars made.

Saturday 15th June 2019 was a very special day as events took place all along the Didcot to Oxford railway line to celebrate its 175th anniversary. That day we had Clun Castle pass Culham no less than three times followed by Flying Scotsman. The line actually opened on 12th June 1844, and to mark the date GWR ran a record breaking train non-stop between Oxford and Paddington carrying invited guests. In our photograph it can be seen drawing into Oxford station ready to load up and set off. Why wasn't the photo taken at Culham? We were on the train, so the one at Oxford will have to do.