Steam Dreams provided one of the most interesting routing for a London to Bath tour by leaving London via Brixton and part of the Thameslink sutton loop to get to the Guildford new lines through Epsom. From Epsom, the train passed through Effingham Junction and Guildford before following the Portsmouth Direct to Havant and then across to Eastleigh, Romsey and Salisbury before arriving at Bath Spa.
The first place to see this tour was Godalming where the tour rounds a gentle curve through the station alongside the Grade II listed building.
After passing Godalming the tour took the long way round to Salisbury where the a water stop had been planned. The stop was long enough to cross between Platform 4 and Platform 3 for a closer look at 57311.
This was the first time I've seen 57311 since it was named The Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The consist also contained a single Statesman coach for the Pullman Dining class. This was 3344 BEN CRUACHAN, a Mk 2F Open First, that was not used on the final Statesman tour in October.
After the outbound journey finished at Bath Spa, the tour used Bristol Temple Meads to turn ready for the return in the evening. The tour entered used the North Somerset Junction to Dr Day's Junction curve to get to Lawrence Hill and then 57311 hauled the train into Bristol Temple Meads. From Bristol Temple Meads, Britannia would take the train into Bristol East Depot for servicing.
The train had a short stop in Bristol Temple Meads while 44871 departed with the return journey of the Bath and Bristol Christmas Express back to London Paddington. After 44871's departure 70000 lead the train out to Bristol East Depot.
The return of the tour was steam hauled back to Salisbury. At Salisbury, 70000 was detached and returned to Southall LSL via Basingstoke and Reading. 57311 ran around the train and continued the return journey following the outbound route.
Before 70000 detached, it was serviced with more water. This was presumably so that it had enough that if there were issues returning to Southall as there was no diesel support.
The second tour to Bath (and Bristol) from London of the day was from London Paddington via Newbury.
I had hoped to see the outbound tour at Reading in the morning but a delayed bus and missed train resulted in the first sighting at Bristol later in the day.
After the tour arrived at Bristol Temple Meads, 47848 took the train into Bristol East Depot. 44871 then moved to St Philips Marsh HST Depot for servicing.
After servicing, 44871 moved down to Bristol West Junction to wait for 47484 to bring the coaches from Bristol East Depot. After 47848 passed through Temple Meads and joined with 44871 at Bristol West Junction, 44871 lead the train into Bristol Temple Meads.
After picking up the first group of passengers at Bristol Temple Meads, 44871 departed for the second pickup at Bath Spa.
