The 'Retro Cestrian Bard' & The 'Thistle & Dragon' Railtours 22/08/26, 37407, 37423, D400, D213.

Several shots of Retro Railtours 'The Retro Cestrian Bard' and the SRPS 'Thistle & Dragon' tours which ran on Saturday 23rd August 2026. We start off at Cuddington for 37407 leading the 'Retro Cestrian Bard' 1Z38, up the grade from Northwich with 37423 trailing in the rear, then onwards we move to Bunbury for 37423 heading for Crewe after the tours reversal at Chester. We then head West to Deganwy where 50050 (D400 in old money) opens up on approach to lift its train, 1Z25, 'The Thistle & Dragon' around the curve and up the gradient to Llandudno, with class 40 D213 'Andania' on the rear. Several views of both locomotives resting at Llandudno are then captured in the sunshine. We then head back to England to the once busy Helsby station and witness D213 approaching with the return working of the above, now running as 1Z26 Llandudno - Kirkaldy, the driver making a cautious approach through the platform and once he checks the section signal is off, lets rip with the EE 16SVTmkII. Next, we re-visit Bunbury but looking East this time to witness 37423 on its return with 1Z39 'The Retro Cestrian Bard' from Stratford Upon Avon - Stalybridge. Our final location is Mouldsworth on the former CLC route at dusk, where 37407 can be heard slogging up the bank towards us for some time, before piling on the power again on approaching the platform. Sadly a class 150 arrives simultaneously, spoiling the audio slightly but 407 wins the contest as it passes by with 423 having a rest on the rear following a reversal at Chester. The guard on the 150 somewhat bemused by the linesiders prior to arrival. Thanks for watching !