43031 Crofton 23 September 1986

It may not be quite as impressive as a 'Castle' or a 'King', but this is the 1980s version of the 'Cornish Riviera Express'. Fishermen on the Kennet & Avon Canal take no notice as 43031 speeds westwards at Crofton with the 1C28 10:50 Paddington to Penzance 'Cornish Riviera' on 23 September 1986. The 1958 timetable lists this train as taking 6 hours 25 minutes to complete the 305 mile journey with 5 intermediate stops, whilst this 1986 equivalent did it in just under 5 hours, with twice as many stops!