D1015 'Western Champion: The Western Wanderer - 25/08/25

A short afternoon trip out to catch BR Class 52 No.D1015 'Western Champion' on some its old haunts, working the Bristol to Gloucester leg of InterCity's 'The Western Wanderer' charter. The tour began at Crewe, top and tailed by Class 40 No.D213 and Class 45 No.45118 ‘The Royal Artilleryman’, branching all around to Gloucester, Bristol and Cardiff. D1015 took over the tour upon the final arrival into Bristol of the day, working up the Berks and Hants Line towards Reading, then heading down the Great Western Main Line to Swindon and along the Golden Valley Line through Kemble to Gloucester, where 'The Champ' was relieved of its duties, with D213 and 45118 retook the reigns for the run back to Crewe.

We begin on the footbridge at Woodborough Loops, on the Berks & Hants. This was the site of the former Woodborough Station, closed in 1966 and was situated just off the road bridge, behind the camera. The station also had a goods shed, which was positioned roughly where the catch points are on the 'down' loop. After a short wait, D1015 comes speeding around the corner, in charge of IC's rake of InterCity Swallow liveried MK3s, with 45118 hanging on the rear for dear life. Meanwhile, The Alton Barnes White Horse looks on, saying nothing.

Afterwards, it was a quick dash home, via Bourton, where 'The Champ' is captured running 'down' the Great Western Main Line, now getting a face full of sun. All in all, not a bad little outing.

Filmed on Monday 25th August 2025, using a Panasonic HC-X1500 with an Audio-Technica BP4025 microphone.

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00:00 Woodborough
01:28 Bourton