BR in the 1980s Reading to Oxford Cab View Via Didcot in 1988

[@darrenraymond5334]

nice work i miss these days ,loved the "old reading station"

[@spompey]

Many thanks Darren....working on another Reading video as I reply....Best wishes...Mark

[@glennleech5421]

I loved and miss the 'old Reading' station and the Western line in the late 80s and 90s 😢 thank you for the memories 🙏🏼❤️ really nostalgic 👍🏼

[@spompey]

You're very welcome Glenn Many thanks and best regards...Mark

[@rickmeyrick4357]

Great stuff Spomp, many happy memories of bashing the Hoovers whilst getting some fresh air from the Drop Lights, as a Northerner this was bliss !

[@spompey]

Many thanks Rick....glad to have evoked some good memories for you....Mark

[@phwbooth]

Very enjoyable, thanks once again.

[@spompey]

As always you're very welcome and many thanks...Mark

[@formidable38]

Rekindles so many great memoroies this one!!! A superb video. Thanks for the upload.

[@spompey]

You're most welcome....Much credit to my old friend Nick for this too...Many thanks for your comment and for watching...best wishes...Mark

[@paulaylesbury]

Just superb

[@spompey]

You're most welcome....Many thanks for your comment and for watching...best wishes...Mark

[@followthetrawler]

Great recording - very different around Reading now!

[@spompey]

You're most welcome....Many thanks for your comment and for watching...best wishes...Mark

[@frenchsteam7356]

Marvelous -sounds like a 117 DMU-Must say I prefer a Met-Camm but that's the NE man in me!

[@spompey]

You're most welcome....Many thanks for your comment and for watching...best wishes...Mark

[@RobertCarter-m3v]

Brilliant!

[@spompey]

You're most welcome....Many thanks for your comment and for watching...best wishes...Mark

[@74HC138]

I used to travel on this line into and out of platform 7 every day when I worked at Reading Station in the early 90s, on those old bog units. Occasionally would get a cab ride if I knew the driver, but otherwise I always tried to get the front seat.

[@spompey]

Many thanks for the comment and for your interest....Best wishes...Mark

[@markcf83]

Quite likely to be a Class 117 DMU unit, which Reading had in abundance for the stopping services to and from Paddington.

[@RobertBrown-ii7vb]

This brought back so many great memories, i used to volunteer at Didcot and would take the DMU from Reading. The Great Western mainline was so unique in many ways, and beautiful as well. I rode this line in September 2022, i feel the unique flavor of the line has been destroyed by the ugly overhead gantries. I wonder what Brunel would think if he was still alive?

[@spompey]

You're very welcome and many thanks...Mark

[@PhilipGeoghegan-mx5qz]

Very nostalgic, 117 no doubt?

[@spompey]

yes certainly was a 117 You're very welcome and many thanks for watching and best regards....Mark

[@mozmoz1620]

Great, thanks! Any idea which the 37 is? Not many worked into Paddington in 88. Could have been ecs though I guess....

[@spompey]

No I never even saw it pass at the time....I guess it was a 37/4 Many thanks for your comment and for watching...best wishes...Mark

[@nicksuckling2530]

RailGenArchive has 37250 as working a Stratford upon Avon - Paddington service on 1st August 1988.

[@spompey]

Great research and very much appreciated.....so many thanks to you.....Mark

[@Pjaxable]

Cant be as 37250 was in railfreight grey livery then and the 37 in this video is in tail blue! Can confirm this as I remember seeing at Portsmouth & Southsea remodelling open day 2nd July 88 in this livery, seen photo's on Flickr. Possible it was repainted back to Blue in the days inbetween till August but doubt it, plus the 37 in the video looks a bit grubby than a fresh coat of paint.

[@spompey]

@@Pjaxable many thanks...The mystery still exists....Mark

[@martinbitter4162]

Since when does Didcot station carry the suffix Parkway?

[@spompey]

Probably as far as I can recall the early 1980s...Many thanks and best wishes...Mark

[@stephenkettle7733]

Some of the Abingdon line still in situ!!

[@spompey]

Yes it was indeed...Many thanks for your comment and for watching...best wishes...Mark

[@Dave58282]

Seems to be in the cab chatting to the driver.

[@spompey]

I believe they were in the compartment behind the cab as a Traction Inspector was present...Many thanks for your comment and for watching...best wishes...Mark

[@Thunderer0872]

Sat at the cab bulkhead in the open passenger compartment, after Tilehurst the guard comes around asking for tickets and then goes "Who said you have that there?" the camera, Nick Winfield the cameraman says he tried looking for him seems a bit off, but the guard doesn't pursue it with any further problem. Seemed off at first. But I guess the inspector is there? so no more said.

[@herbypumpkin1256]

My Daily Journey - Platform 7 to Tilehurst. (4.25 pm)

[@spompey]

A short journey eh.....Many thanks and best regards...Mark