43134 Denchworth (Circourt Bridge) 7 December 1991

Admittedly an impressive picture with all the lineside bushes coated by a heavy frost, and the train nicely lit by a low winter sun, but this picture is noteworthy for another reason. This is the 08:30 Paddington to Cardiff Central service passing Circourt Bridge, Denchworth on 7 December 1991, with 43134 leading and 43158 on the rear. Less than 50 minutes after this picture was taken it was involved in the first ever accident inside the Severn Tunnel. Emergency signalling was in force in the tunnel, and this train was over half way through the tunnel proceeding at caution and traveling at approximately 20 mph when it was hit in the rear by 'Sprinter' 155306, which was working the late running 07:00 Portsmouth to Cardiff train, and presumably not preceding with enough caution! Thankfully there were few serious injuries, although over a hundred passengers required hospital treatment. The rescue operation was protracted because of the difficult location.