Great Western Christmas Envoy November 26 2022

The opportunity to travel all the way from Coventry to Bristol behind a steam train could not be missed. so the tickets for four of us were booked. There was a slight panic when ASLEF announced they were going on strike that day, but Saphos, the tour operator said they had their own drivers and would not be affected

We arrived at Coventry station at 0800, to find the passage from the street carpark locked and a sign saying the station was closed. We wandered around to the main entrance, where mentioning the keyword "charter" got us to Platform 4, we were the only train of the day! The train, hauled by "Britannia" number 7000 arrived on time.

After picking up passengers at Leamington we continued South, pausing near Oxford station while the engine got more water from a water tanker parked over the fence (the train started in Crewe).We then made a stop in Swindon station having convinced Network Rail that noone else would need a platform.

After dropping off some passengers at Bath, the train continued to Bristol Temple meads, arriving on time. We walked into town and visited the Cathedral and had coffee at the docks

Bristol Cathedral

Not much was happening at Bristol Temple Meads

About to depart from Bristol Temple Meads

A stop was made at the deserted Oxford Station platform while the engine got more water from a water tanker parked over the fence and we stretched our legs

The train arrived on time at Coventry station at 2005. The staff were pleased by our arrival as they could then close the station!