6953 (formerly "Leighton Hall") approaches Swindon Lane Bridge, north of Cheltenham, with 11:22 am Newquay to Wolverhampton Low Level service on 14th August 1965 (Photo courtesy of Michael Mensing)

Having passed under Swindon Lane Bridge, 6953 (formerly "Leighton Hall") approaches Hunting Butts Tunnel, north of Cheltenham, with 11:22 am Newquay to Wolverhampton Low Level service on 14th August 1965 (Photo courtesy of Michael Mensing)

This view should be of some interest to all the GWSR volunteers who were involved with the rebuilding of Monmouth Troy station at Winchcombe because in this view taken on 31st July 1965 there is little evidence that any station existed there! Standard Class 8 No.70053 (formerly "Moray Firth") heads the 10:05 am Kingswear to Wolverhampton Low Level passing the site of Winchcombe Station in a view taken from the disused signal box. I remember as a 17 year old youth, seeing these "Brits" charging through Bishops Cleeve and at that time I was quite astonished to see this class of loco making appearances. It was not until many years later that I was to discover that there were two factors that caused this (a) the advent of AC electrics on the WCML had displaced Standard Class 8 steam traction and (b) when the 'Deltics' arrived on the ECML, the Gresley A4 Pacifics displaced the "Brits" in Scotland on the Aberdeen run. However, by the time they appeared on our line they had lost their nameplates and were in a very unkempt state. (Photo Courtesy of Michael Mensing)

7019 "Fowey Castle" approaches Winchcombe with the 11:05 Ilfracombe to Wolverhampton Low Level on 22nd August 1964 (Photo courtesy of Michael Mensing)

7019 "Fowey Castle" approaches Winchcombe with the 11:05 Ilfracombe to Wolverhampton Low Level on 22nd August 1964 (Photo courtesy of Michael Mensing)

Since the line has been reinstated under the auspices of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, there must have been countless photographers who have occupied this very spot from where Michael Mensing took this shot of 7815 "Fritwell Manor" approaching Greet Tunnel on 22nd August 1964 with the 3:55 pm Leamington Spa to Gloucester service. A 'Manor' was unusual motive power here because by this time, this was usually worked by a dmu. (Photo courtesy of Michael Mensing)

Hawker-Siddeley 2,750bhp Co-Co diesel-electric locomotive D1589 heads the 2:30 pm Paignton to Wolverhampton Low Level service north towards Honeybourne Junction on 14th August 1965. The photographer is standing on the embankment of the Oxford to Worcester line under which this train is due to pass. In the distance can be seen the bridge which carries the road from Church Honeybourne to Mickleton. (Photo courtesy of Michael Mensing)

B.R. Sulzer Production 'Peak' 2,500bhp 1Co-Co1 diesel electric locomotive D30 heads the 7:32 am Derby to Bristol Temple Meads between Cheltenham Race Course and Hunting Butts on Sunday 1st May 1966. This service was diverted via the Western Region route due to an engineering track possession on the Midland Region line near Eckington. (Photo courtesy of Michael Mensing)