Rail enthusiasts gathered at Cam and Dursley station for an unusual double bill on Saturday, September 19, when two charter trains travelled along the Midland line towards Bristol and beyond. The services were expected to pass close together at about 9.25am, after a check of Realtime Trains on the evening of Friday, September 18.
The trains were travelling in very different ways. One was a Railway Touring Company diesel charter running from Crewe to Fowey and Carne Point. Carne Point is now served only by freight trains carrying china clay; its passenger services ended in January 1965. The other was a private charter headed by the historic Flying Scotsman steam locomotive.
The Cornish Branch Liner
The diesel service ran as 1Z19 and was named The Cornish Branch Liner. It left Crewe at 6.27am, then picked up passengers at Cheltenham and Cam and Dursley before continuing towards Cornwall. The 11-coach train was operated with Class 47 locomotives at either end, with Class 37 No 37-240 bringing up the rear.
The charter’s route was planned to include Fowey and Carne Point, on a line which lost its passenger services decades ago. Passenger operations ended on January 2, 1965, with all services withdrawn on and from January 4 that year, according to the account of the journey.
Flying Scotsman follows
The second train was hauled by LNER A3 4-6-2 No. 60103, the Flying Scotsman. It was organised by Fox and Edward Events and began its day at Stourbridge Junction at 7.13am. Running as 1Z40, the private charter was bound for Bishops Lydeard on the West Somerset Railway.
The locomotive was the main attraction for many of those waiting at the station. About 80 spectators gathered to see 60103 pass, despite dull and drizzly weather which initially appeared unlikely to make the morning especially rewarding.
Signals cause disruption and delays
A major problem with signals around Cheltenham disrupted the morning and resulted in all CrossCountry trains being cancelled. The signalling issue also affected the charter movements, but rail operators eventually managed to get both special trains through the affected area.
Neither service kept to its expected timing. The diesel charter was 96 minutes late in Somerset, although it recovered some time later in Devon. The Flying Scotsman eventually passed Cam and Dursley 64 minutes behind schedule, while the Cornish charter followed 77 minutes late.
For the spectators who had stayed outside in the wet conditions, the wait was still worthwhile. Ian Thomas recorded the double bill and supplied photographs showing the trains at Cam and Dursley, including the Flying Scotsman and diesel locomotive 47-812.
