A round-about way to get home from the GBRf 2021 railtour. The aim was for some fast running on 387s between London and Bristol Parkway via Newbury, and a ride on a 769 (converted 319) on the Cardiff - Rhymni services.
Route: London Paddington - Newbury - Reading with 387164 & 387174; Reading - Bristol Parkway with 387165 & 387159; Bristol Parkway - Cardiff Central with 800315; Cardiff Central - Rhymni - Penarth - Cardiff Central with 769008. Cardiff Central - Manchester Piccadilly should have been with 175104 but this was failed at Cardiff and 150251 & 153369 were provided as a replacement; however the 153 failed en route so 150262 was provided alone from Shrewsbury. This made me 25 minutes late into Manchester.
Route: London Paddington - Newbury - Reading with 387164 & 387174; Reading - Bristol Parkway with 387165 & 387159; Bristol Parkway - Cardiff Central with 800315; Cardiff Central - Rhymni - Penarth - Cardiff Central with 769008. Cardiff Central - Manchester Piccadilly should have been with 175104 but this was failed at Cardiff and 150251 & 153369 were provided as a replacement; however the 153 failed en route so 150262 was provided alone from Shrewsbury. This made me 25 minutes late into Manchester.