7029 GOES BACK TO GLOUCESTER . . . ALMOST
‘Clun’s’ day in the sun: end-of-Western-Region-steam star returns to its famous Gloucestershire
On April 6, Clun Castle passed within half a mile or so of its old home at Gloucester Horton Road. If you’re not a big Swindon fan, that might not mean much. If you are, you’ll know that’s where this very engine closed the ‘Castle’ era right at the end of Western steam, in the winter of 1965/1966.
It was, therefore, a poignant moment in No. 7029’s return to the main line after a three-decade gap that’s lasted since 1988. Yet, although the double-chimney engine passed by what remains of 85B, instead of turning right towards Gloucester station, the ‘Cotswold Explorer’ carried straight on for Stroud… a case of nearly, but not quite.
This may not actually have been the first public train – that was an after-dark diner to Worcester on February 28 – but after this classic itinerary that included familiarising ‘Clun’ with a post-electrification Swindon, as well as a stomp over Sapperton, you can now really say the 1950-built 4-6-0 is back.
What now then for an engine that’s had plenty of ambition projected on
WE HAVE TEN YEARS OF OPPORTUNITY AHEAD OF US DENIS CHICK, VT SPOKESMAN
it over the years, and which famously saved the Western’s pride on May 9 1964 with its blistering run between Plymouth and Bristol… What plans does Vintage Trains have to take it back to places associated with its past – Paddington, the South West, Gloucester?
VT spokesman Denis Chick points out that it’s “early days” for his outfit’s main line programme – after all, Tyseley’s new train operating company only ran its first public steam trip in November (SR488). His organisation will, he says, “concentrate on the popular trains, allow new staff to become familiar with the routes and allow Clun Castle to bed in.”
Against the background of No. 7029’s recent return, he says “we have ten years of opportunity ahead of us.”
Even so, there’s a hint that a return to the engine’s last BR home city might not be far off: “Watch this space on Gloucester!”
Next up though – assuming you’re reading these words promptly – is a ‘Chester Venturer’ from Dorridge on April 27. That’s followed by a busy few weeks as Tyseley leans heavily on its ‘new’ 4-6-0 for a variety of destinations and itineraries: Llandudno (May 4), another ‘Cotswold’ (May 18), a Worcester diner (May 23), and the ‘Welsh Marches’ (May 25).