The Cathedrals Express at Newbury

29th November 2015

The Cathedrals Express is a steam operated day excursion run regularly by Steam Dreams to many of the Cathedral Cities in the United Kingdom.

The train frequently travels from London Paddington to Bath and Bristol, stopping at Newbury Racecourse station to take on water.

During the excursions passengers are offered two classes of dining – Pullman Style and Premier. With Standard class passengers being served tea and coffee at their seats . . .

B1 Class 61306 'Mayflower' pulls into Newbury Racecourse station with Diesel Class 47/7 - 47746 — B1 Class 61306 *Mayflower* pulls into Newbury Racecourse station with Diesel Class 47/7 - 47746 in support.

Days out on The Cathedrals Express are frequently booked for anniversary and birthday gifts, such is the reputation they have gained for a 'special' day out.

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Days out on The Cathedrals Express are frequently booked for anniversary and birthday gifts, such is the reputation they have gained for a 'special' day out.

Built for the LNER, 61306 Mayflower is one of two surviving B1 Class locos — Built for the London & North Eastern Railway, 61306 Mayflower is one of two surviving B1 Class locomotives.

The B1's were designed as mixed traffic locomotives capable of hauling express passenger trains as well as freight traffic. Powerful, go anywhere engines, the B1's worked across most of the UK rail network from East Anglia to Scotland.

Mayflower was built in 1948 by the North British Locomotive Company in Glasgow but was delivered post-nationalisation and acquired the number 61306 by British Railways.

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The water tanker's hose is fitted to an inlet point below the tender of the locomotive — With few, if any, original water towers remaining on Network Rail steam excursions rely on water tankers supporting them on their journey in order to fill up their water tanks.

The tanker's hose is fitted to an inlet point below the tender of the locomotive before water can be pumped in.

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Water also needed in the kitchen of the restaurant car, requiring hoses at both the front and rear of the train — Once the tanker's hose has been connected to the locomotive's tender water can be pumped from the tanker.

On this occasion water was also needed in the kitchen of the train's restaurant car, requiring hoses at both the front and rear of the train.

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'The Cathedrals Express' passes Marsh Benham — With supplies replenished *The Cathedrals Express* passes Marsh Benham having left Newbury on time heading towards its next stop at Bath Spa.