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17th June 1957

On the first day of the Birmingham Snow Hill - South Wales diesel service - Monday 17th June 1957 - W79087 is at the head of the 12.25pm to Cardiff General (via Stratford-upon-Avon). As the clock shows the departure is delayed as had to back out from platform 12 where it was behind another 3-car set that may have failed, or it was just at the wrong end of an incoming set. Michael Mensing.

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20th June 1957

A 3-car Swindon Inter-City set with buffet car is seen near Widney Manor on the 8.30pm from Birmingham Snow Hill - Cardiff General on the 20th June 1957, the first week of services. It would reach its destination at 11pm. Michael Mensing.

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circa June 1957

A Swindon 79xxx series Inter-City trailer first vehicle circa June 1957 at Birmingham Snow Hill showing the roof board. The passenger accommodation was in compartments, one compartment having a door on both sides as an alternative to a stretcher window. Stuart Mackay Collection.

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23rd September 1957

On the 23rd September 1957 a 6-car Swindon Inter-City set is seen taking the north west curve at Honeybourne with the 12.25pm Birmingham Snow Hill - Cardiff General service, diverted via the MR route to Cheltenham. Michael Mensing.

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circa 1958

A Swindon Inter-City DMU forms a Birmingham to Swansea service leaving Cheltenham Malvern Road circa early 1958. The leading vehicle appears to be W79094. British Railways.

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circa 1958

This undated view from the late 1950s shows an early Swindon 'Inter-City' DMU with the original paint finish and no train identification boxes. The train is passing Cheltenham Spa Malvern Road West Signal Box. Malvern Road station was on the GWR line from Honeybourne and was the second of 3 stations at Cheltenham, the others being St James (a terminus) and Cheltenham Spa (Lansdown) on the Birmingham - Bristol Line. Behind the signal can be seen the loco shed, a sub shed of Gloucester, the yards are full of freight wagond awaiting unloading or dispatch. Image taken by Peter Shoesmith. Geoff Dowling and John Whitehouse Collection.

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9th March 1958

The 9.0am Swansea (High Street) - Birmingham (Snow Hill) is seen at Evesham on the 9th March 1958. Worked by a 79xxx Swindon Inter-City set, this was a Sunday diversion via Cheltenham. Michael Mensing.

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15th March 1958

Swindon Cross-Country DMBC W50701 gets some attention at Birmingham Snow Hill on March 15, 1958. It will depart on the 3:40pm to Swansea (Swansea was Saturdays only, other days it just went to Cardiff) via Stratford-upon-Avon. The other set was the 12.10pm ex-Cardiff. Michael Mensing.

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22nd March 1958

W50701 (with tail lamp) leads the stock to form the 6-car 3.40pm to Swansea (Swansea was Saturdays only, other days it just went to Cardiff) via Stratford-upon-Avon into Birmingham Snow Hill on the 22nd March 1958. Note that coach letters are carried, 'A' being visible between the cab and first passenger windows. Michael Mensing.

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22nd March 1958

Two Swindon Cross-Country sets drawing into Birmingham Snow Hill (away from the camera) as empty stock to form the 3.40pm to Swansea via Stratford-upon-Avon, 22nd March 1958. Michael Mensing.

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22nd March 1958

Two new six-car Swindon Cross-Country sets at Birmingham Snow Hill on 22nd March 1958. On the left is the 3.40pm to Swansea, right is the 12.10pm from Cardiff. These trains ran via Stratford-Upon-Avon. Note the letters carried on the side of the set on the right, the 'C' is just behind the driver's door. Michael Mensing.

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29th March 1958

The 5.5pm Birmingham Snow Hill - Swansea High Street approaches Acocks Green on 29th March 1958. Formed of two three-car Swindon Inter-City sets, the rear containing a buffet car. The closest power car in the second set - the fourth vehicle - is back to front as the van was adjacent to the van on these sets. Michael Mensing.

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30th March 1958

A 6-car Inter-City formation (a 3-car with buffet and a 3-car without) leaves Evesham with the 9.00am Swansea High Street - Birmingham Snow Hill on March 30, 1958. This was a Sunday diversion on the Midland Railway route via Cheltenham. W79088 leads. Michael Mensing.

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30th March 1958

Three Swindon Cross-Country DMUs form a Birmingham Snow Hill - Swansea High Street service seen at Hinton on the Evesham - Ashchurch line, a diversion due to engineering works. Michael Mensing.

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20th May 1958

The 3.05pm Carmarthen - Birmingham Snow Hill service approaches Widney Manor on 20 May 1958. It is formed of two three-car Swindon Inter-City DMUs, the first with a buffet car. Michael Mensing.

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11th June 1958

Two Swindon Cross-Country DMUs form the 12.25pm Birmingham Snow Hill - Cardiff service seen passing Acocks Green on 11 June 1958. W50655 leads - note the 'C' just behind the cab door denoting the coach for seat reservations. Michael Mensing.

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12th June 1958

Corridor coach W5865W is attached to the rear of two Swindon Cross-Country DMUs, forming the 5.40pm to Cardiff General via Hereford in Birmingham Snow Hill station on 12 June 1958. Michael Mensing.

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24th June 1958

On 24 June 1958 the 8.30pm Birmingham Snow Hill - Cardiff General service is seen near Widney Manor formed of a Swindon Cross-Country DMU. Michael Mensing.

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5th August 1958

A 9 car Swindon Cross Country formation sweeps northwards with a Cardiff to Birmingham Snow Hill service at Malvern Link on the 5th August 1958. With steam blowing from the safety valves 94xx 0-6-0 pannier tank 8427 is heading for the goods yard. Image taken by Peter Shoesmith. Geoff Dowling and John Whitehouse Collection.

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September 1958

A Swindon Inter-City DMU, W79092 closest, in Cardiff station in September 1958 with what is likely a service for Birmingham Snow Hill. Stuart Mackay Collection.