Welsh Marches Express to Cardiff, 26th November

[Harbornite]

I know this is a bit far in advance but whatever.

I was looking at the railway herald's railtour list and came across this:

www.railwaytouring.net/uk-day-trips/welsh-marches-express-to-cardiff

Our route will run through Worcestershire and the Malvern Hills to Hereford and then onwards along the Welsh Marches line to Newport and Cardiff. We will be steam hauled throughout by British Rail built Pacific 4-6-2 No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell.

We leave Birmingham International around 07:30 in the morning and head through Stetchford to Birmingham New Street, recently refurbished to serve the new Grand Central shopping mall. Our journey continues through the suburbs of Selly Oak and Bourneville to Barnt Green, where we call to pick up further passengers. Speed will need to be checked as we descend the 1 in 37 gradient of the famous Lickey Incline, one of the steepest gradients on a main line railway in this country. We leave the Bristol main line and call at Droitwich Spa and then Worcester Shrub Hill. Leaving Worcester, we cross the River Severn where there are views of the cathedral that overlooks the river.

We commence a long climb along the edge of the Malvern Hills, picking up at Great Malvern in the process. The gradient increases to 1 in 80 past Malvern Wells before we enter Colwall Tunnel. More favourable gradients lead through Ledbury and across the agricultural region of Herefordshire, famous for its apple and pear orchards, and of course its cider.

From Hereford, we head south and follow the scenic Welsh Marches line that straggles the Wales-England border through splendid countryside with views of the Black Mountains in the distance. We pass through Abergavenny and Pontypool Road before crossing the River Usk at Caerleon. We cross the Usk once more on the approach to Newport station, with views of its 12th century castle overlooking the river.

We continue along the marshland flats towards Cardiff, our destination for today, where there should be ample time to visit the city, with its plentiful shops, castle and restaurants all close by. Time is also available to visit the newly developed Cardiff Bay attractions, including the National Assembly Buildings, Dr Who exhibition and many restaurants, just a short bus or train ride away.

Our return journey will leave around 17:00 and retrace our earlier journey back to Birmingham International. The highlight of the return trip will undoubtedly be the climb up the formidable gradient of the Lickey incline with Tangmere, which will require an all out effort from our locomotive. Our arrival back at Birmingham International will end what will surely be a most memorable day out.

Quite an interesting route, namely because it goes via Five Ways. This route doesn't see much in the way of locomotive haulage, let alone steam. Last year, a railtour involving some GWR locos had to be cancelled due to platform alterations at Bromsgrove so it's good to know that we'll be getting steam again. Even more interesting is the choice of loco, as Britannias were never common on the West suburban route in BR days. It also mentions that Tangmere will be used on the return (this wasn't mentioned on railway herald) and you don't get and didn't get many southern pacifics on this route. Hopefully these locos will actually be used on the day but it won't be a massive shame if they're not.