Newbury stoppage last weekend - early May 2019 bank holiday

[whole diary]

[grahame]

While some of us watched what are likely to be the final HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) diverted via the Chippenham to Trowbridge single line (from road bridges and standing well back on the platform at Melksham!), Network Rail were busy replacing the bridge over the River Kennet ... They write ...

Network Rail successfully completes bridge replacement using one of the largest cranes in the country

The railway line between Newbury in Berkshire and Westbury in Wiltshire reopened early this morning, Tuesday 7 May, after Network Rail successfully replaced a 120-year-old bridge which carries the line over the River Kennet.

[bobm]

While some of us watched what are likely to be the final HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) diverted via the Chippenham to Trowbridge single line (from road bridges and standing well back on the platform at Melksham!)

I did receive a timely (and kind) warning to be careful crossing the road in my excitement to catch the train from both sides of the bridge at Melksham. 

[grahame]

While some of us watched what are likely to be the final HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) diverted via the Chippenham to Trowbridge single line (from road bridges and standing well back on the platform at Melksham!)

I did receive a timely (and kind) warning to be careful crossing the road in my excitement to catch the train from both sides of the bridge at Melksham. 

Another train - same weekend,

[bobm]

Almost makes you wonder if 43172 and 43185 were the only power cars out to play.   Not seen photos or videos of any others. 

[grahame]

Almost makes you wonder if 43172 and 43185 were the only power cars out to play.   Not seen photos or videos of any others. 

Here are another pair - this time on the Saturday.  Think only 172 and 185 came through on Sunday; other West of England trains with HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) ran via Bristol Temple Meads.

[RobT]

Think only 172 and 185 came through on Sunday; other West of England trains with HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) ran via Bristol Temple Meads.

I took advantage of the diversions on Sunday to catch a HST from Swindon to Taunton non-stop via Bristol Temple Meads (returning by IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train - replacement for HSTs (manufactured by Hitachi in Kobe, Japan)) via Westbury). Then on Monday took an HST from Swindon to Plymouth. The return was HST as far as Exeter, then I changed to a following XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) HST to Bristol Parkway, with IET back to Swindon. Get them while you can!