'The Cathedrals Express' with 61306 'Mayflower' & Black 5 44871 - Caldicot - 01/08/19

Steam power, in the form of two mainline steam engines double headed, is seen trundling through Caldicot on 'The Cathedrals Express', heading from London Paddington to Cardiff Central, running via Swindon, Gloucester and Chepstow.

The steam engines that were both double-headed together were:
LNER Thompson Class B1 61306 'Mayflower'
LMS Stainer Class Black 5 (4-6-0) 44871

A West Coast Class 47 (47802) was provided at the rear of the train, in preparation for the triangle turning drag at Newport (South Wales).

I was originally going to film this railtour at Newport (South Wales), and I had planned that for weeks, but I only found out this morning that once it gets to Newport, the steam engines would be running on the Maindee North triangle, so that the Class 47 can drag them down to Cardiff.

So, in a last minute change of location, I went on a train with my mum from Newport to Caldicot and got the shot I wanted, which was to see the steam engines boilers running first.

The railtour ran late, but it was worth the wait to see double headed steam engines appearing in South Wales. :)

Filmed by Thomas Coombes, on Thursday 1st August, 2019.