The Midland in Gloucestershire
Part 6
Ian Thomas
Part 6 and my final look at Midland operating in the two major conurbations: Gloucester Eastgate and Cheltenham Lansdown. I have very little where Cheltenham is concerned, but plenty of activity around Eastgate. Also included are scenes at Over Junction, Churchdown, and the approaches to Eastgate, plus LMR locomotives at Gloucester Central. Some trains I cannot identify, even with consulting various WTTs.
Standish Junction was remodelled in 1964 to allow trains from London Paddington to Cheltenham St James, and vice versa, to use Eastgate rather than run the traditional western route into Central with the need to reverse and attach a fresh locomotive. This was all in vain in reality, as Eastgate closed nine years later on December 1st, 1975, and all traffic was diverted into Central.
As the 1960s progressed, the number of trains calling at Eastgate gradually decreased, and by the early 1970s most summer Saturday trains for the south-west took the avoiding line. Looking at my 1971 WTT, the Devonian and Cornishman ran non-stop between New Street and Temple Meads in either direction. Gloucester was indeed avoided, and I seem to remember that BR’s excuse was, “We have to compete with the M5”.
The Devonian and Cornishman lost their titles in 1975, and once again BR said the reason was that the ageing Mk 1 coaches were not suitable for a titled train. However, as enthusiasts, we will always remember 1E37, 1E21, 1V86, and 1V71/72 as the above-titled services.
The glory days of cross-country services, with Jubilees and Black 5s. Trains for the S & D, and not forgetting the Honeybourne line. Local services to Worcester and Bristol, calling at Haresfield, Coaley, Berkeley Road, etc. The GW Castles on the Londons, the auto trains to Chalford, the branch lines to Ledbury and across to Hereford, the trains from Cheltenham to Andoversford and Southampton via the MSWJR, and trains via Stow-on-the-Wold to Kingham. Plus a plethora of goods traffic, not to mention Barnwood and Horton Road sheds.
Nostalgia, I know, but we love it! So just sit back with your electronic devices and enjoy the pictures I have sourced. Next up in a while: the Western in Gloucestershire, including the ill-fated Severn Railway Bridge… so just hang on in there.
Standish Junction was remodelled in 1964 to allow trains from London Paddington to Cheltenham St James, and vice versa, to use Eastgate rather than run the traditional western route into Central with the need to reverse and attach a fresh locomotive. This was all in vain in reality, as Eastgate closed nine years later on December 1st, 1975, and all traffic was diverted into Central.
As the 1960s progressed, the number of trains calling at Eastgate gradually decreased, and by the early 1970s most summer Saturday trains for the south-west took the avoiding line. Looking at my 1971 WTT, the Devonian and Cornishman ran non-stop between New Street and Temple Meads in either direction. Gloucester was indeed avoided, and I seem to remember that BR’s excuse was, “We have to compete with the M5”.
The Devonian and Cornishman lost their titles in 1975, and once again BR said the reason was that the ageing Mk 1 coaches were not suitable for a titled train. However, as enthusiasts, we will always remember 1E37, 1E21, 1V86, and 1V71/72 as the above-titled services.
The glory days of cross-country services, with Jubilees and Black 5s. Trains for the S & D, and not forgetting the Honeybourne line. Local services to Worcester and Bristol, calling at Haresfield, Coaley, Berkeley Road, etc. The GW Castles on the Londons, the auto trains to Chalford, the branch lines to Ledbury and across to Hereford, the trains from Cheltenham to Andoversford and Southampton via the MSWJR, and trains via Stow-on-the-Wold to Kingham. Plus a plethora of goods traffic, not to mention Barnwood and Horton Road sheds.
Nostalgia, I know, but we love it! So just sit back with your electronic devices and enjoy the pictures I have sourced. Next up in a while: the Western in Gloucestershire, including the ill-fated Severn Railway Bridge… so just hang on in there.
Please click any image below for an enlargement and caption - photographs from Ian Thomas's collection
Many thanks Ian, another comprehensive article and a wide array of photographs - super stuff.
Livery variety
Craig Munday
The return of the Rail 200 train was shrouded in heavy showers. The train caught some emerging brightness on the causeway where many gathered to see it. Specially painted 66719 leads the train on 12.04.2026. Copyright Craig Munday.
66734 returned for a second week on the clay, it passed Lavrean just after sunrise on Sat 11th. 11.04.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
The next day 66734 was thoughtfully parked at Goonbarrow in the sun. 12.04.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
Hired-in from RSS by Imerys, resident shunter 08752 also catches some rays at Goonbarrow. 12.04.2026, copyright Craig Munday.
A super selection Craig - many thanks as always.
Tuesdays Clay
plus a 'then and now'
Jon Hird & Julian Stephens
This time of year, due to the angle of sun, it's only really advisable to photograph the midday Goonbarrow - Fowey on a dull day. The weather conditions on 14.04 met the criteria and with 10 wagons having been left at Fowey the previous night, chances were that the train would be fairly short. The presumptions proved correct as 66734 came into view leading 6 JIA's, fitting into the gap between the gorse bushes quite nicely. 14.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
Time allowed for a second shot of the train climbing away from Par, approaching Stoneybridge. 14.04.2026, copyright Jon Hird.
And, from the same spot, a photo from Julian Stephens from almost 40 years ago. It shows 50018 with 1E91 the 09:33 from Penzance to Birmingham New Street and probably on to Newcastle. 21.02.1987, copyright Julian Stephens.
Many thanks Julian, fascinating to see the changes. Something I really enjoy about railway photography is the way that the railway itself acts as a constant, and it's quite possible to recreate scenes from many years ago by using the railway as your marker point and standing in the footprints of photographers from previous generations.
Cardiff 150's
Michael Forward
These units soldier on and approach their 40th birthday. Here is 150260 arriving at Cardiff Central on 24 March 2026 with service 2R20, from Bridgend to Rhymney. Copyright Michael Forward.
The first station West of Cardiff on the main line is Pontyclun and here we see 150264 pulling away with the 14.13 to Maesteg. Copyright Michael Forward.
Many thanks Michael. The 150's have certainly been great servants for their owners.
April 1976
Part 15
Roger Winnen
Semaphores at Westbury. 21.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Western Glory at Westbury. 21.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Western Glory at Westbury. 21.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Harkridge Junction Westbury. 21.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Trowbridge Station. 21.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
Bradford Junction with the Signal Box just in view. 21.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Brunel Station at Bristol. 21.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Brunel Station at Bristol. 21.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.
The Brunel Station at Bristol. 21.04.1976, copyright Roger Winnen.