Vivarail's innovate Class 230 DEMU was used on a series of shuttle services along the Long Marston branch on 21 & 22 June 2017, in connection with the Rail Alliance Rail Live 2017 event. The unit uses former London Underground D78 stock, powered by Ford diesel engines. 230001 passes Broad Marston on 21 June with the shuttle service that had connected with the train that arrived at Honeybourne from London at 08:49.

230001 arrives at Long Marston on 21 June 2017 with a shuttle service from Honeybourne, bringing visitors to the Rail Alliance Rail Live 2017 event. Despite the novelty of the unusual newly converted rolling stock, and the good weather, there were only a few photographers around, as for some bizarre reason a lot of photographers only seem to take pictures of loco hauled trains!

230001 leaves Long Marston on 21 June 2017, heading for Honeybourne, to pick up another load of passengers for the Rail Alliance Rail Live 2017 event being held on the Long Marston site. And yes, the train is brushing aside the vegetation (note the branch in front of the lower part of the windscreen)!

230001 approaches Honeybourne on 21 June 2017 with the 16:00 Long Marston to Honeybourne shuttle service, in connection with the Rail Alliance Rail Live 2017 event. Vivarail's conversion of former London Underground D78 stock into a DMU seems quite successful, at least on the reasonably level Long Marston branch. However, when the unit was tested on the Cotswold Line (visible on the right) the previous week, it struggled with the gradients. It is to be hoped that any problems can be sorted, as this seems to be an ideal replacement for the Class 142-144 Pacer fleet.

Vivarail's prototype Class 230 DEMU performed another test run on the Cotswold Line on 6 July 2017. 230001 is pictured here pulling out of Moreton-in-Marsh station, after arriving with the 5Z30 09:40 Long Marston to Moreton-in-Marsh test run, which had run almost exactly to time. It would proceed just a short distance, before using the crossover visible in the foreground to gain access to the down line. It would then head back from whence it came as the 5Z31 10:30 Moreton-in-Marsh to Long Marston. If anyone had told me in the 1980s, when I was photographing Class 50s on the Cotswold Line, that three decades later I would photograph ex London Underground stock working under its own (diesel) power on the route, I would have thought they were mad!

A stranger on the Cotswold Line! Prototype Class 230 DEMU 230001 crosses over from the up to the down line at Moreton-Marsh on 6 July 2017, after arriving with the 5Z30 09:40 Long Marston to Moreton-in-Marsh test run. After a brief wait in the station, it would head north with the 5Z31 10:30 Moreton-in-Marsh to Long Marston. The event was so noteworthy that one of the track workers by the signal box went back to his van to get his camera to record the event!

Battery multiple unit 230001 Viva Venturer glides silently into Moreton-in-Marsh station on 5 February 2024 with the 5Q11 10:24 Long Marston to Moreton-in-Marsh test run. With no other trains on the Cotswold Line due to an ASLEF strike, there was nothing to get in its way, and so it was running 31 minutes early.

After a brief pause in the station, 230001 Viva Venturer gets the signal to proceed at Moreton-in-Marsh on 5 February 2024, as it prepares to reverse direction at the crossover in the background, with the 5Q11 10:24 Long Marston to Moreton-in-Marsh test run. Note the proper cast metal Viva Venturer nameplate above the small side window, just behind the leading door.

After reversing direction using the crossover in the background, 230001 Viva Venturer arrives at Moreton-in-Marsh station's platform 1 on 5 February 2024 with the 5Q11 10:24 Long Marston to Moreton-in-Marsh test run. Unfortunately GWR's dark green livery does not photograph well in such poor light, but the sheer novelty of a battery powered train on the Cotswold Line meant that this had to be recorded.

Battery multiple unit 230001 Viva Venturer stands silently at Moreton-in-Marsh station on 5 February 2024, having just arrived with the 5Q11 10:24 Long Marston to Moreton-in-Marsh test run. It would shortly depart with the 5Q12 11:49 test run to Honeybourne North Junction. With no other trains operating due to an ASLEF strike, both these test runs ran early. The disabled friendly footbridge seen here, is now able bodied unfriendly, as the step access has been blocked off (note the mesh screen directly above 230001's cab).

230001 Viva Venturer leaves Moreton-in-Mash station on 5 February 2024 with the early running 5Q12 11:49 Moreton-in-Marsh to Honeybourne North Junction test run. On arrival a Honeybourne the unit went straight back to Long Marston, and the 5Q13 12:05 Honeybourne North Junction to Moreton-in-Marsh and the 5Q14 12:44 Moreton-in-Marsh to Long Marston were both cancelled. The large building dominating this view is the Co-op food store.

230001 Viva Venturer passes Shipton station on 16 February 2024 with the 5Q23 10:25 Long Marston to Reading Traincare Depot, a one time delivery run, taking the battery unit from its former Vivarail base, to its new life with GWR. It is intended to be used on the short Greenford branch line, which will be equipped with fast charging equipment for the lithium-ion batteries. The 70 mile run from Long Marston to Reading, which includes the steep Campden Bank, was completed on time and without any issues, so the 2½ mile long Greenford branch shouldn't be a problem! I doubt if the FWP Matthews lorry driver appreciates the novelty of an electric train on the Cotswold Line. He is probably wondering what I am doing standing on a stepladder by the fence!

Vivarail's hybrid diesel/battery ex underground stock unit 230002 made its first test run along the Cotswold Line on Monday 9 September 2019. However, it wasn't until the end of the week, the supposedly unlucky Friday 13th, that the sun finally made an appearance. 230002 is pictured arriving at Moreton-in-Marsh on 13 September 2019 with the 5T01 09:23 test run from Long Marston.

After arriving at Moreton-in-Marsh on 13 September 2019 with the 5T01 09:23 test run from Long Marston, 230002 used the crossover at the south end of the station in order to head back from whence it came with the 5T02 10:30 Moreton-in-Marsh to Evesham West Junction.

230002 waits at an almost deserted Moreton-in-Marsh station on 13 September 2019, prior to working the 5T02 10:30 Moreton-in-Marsh to Evesham West Junction test run. It had arrived a little earlier as the 5T01 09:23 from Long Marston. 230002 was originally converted from ex underground D78 stock into a two car battery EMU, but is running here with the addition of a centre car containing diesel generator sets, which charge the batteries en-route, rather in the manner of a hybrid car, such as the Toyota Prius.

Old and old/new! 230002 leaves Moreton-in-Marsh station on 13 September 2019 with the 5T02 10:30 Moreton-in-Marsh to Evesham West Junction test run. The semaphore signal is pure Great Western, and the train is late 1970s vintage underground stock, repurposed for the modern era as a diesel/battery hybrid unit.

After several false starts over the previous weeks, 230003 finally left Long Marston on its delivery run to the Bedford to Bletchley line on 18 September 2018. Running an hour late due to the late running of 50008 Thunderer with the 4Z68 11:38 Long Marston to Wembley container flats, 230003 is pictured leaving Long Marston with the 5Q13 13:10 Long Marston to Bletchley TMD ECS. This is the first of three units that Vivarail are supplying to London Northwestern Railway to replace Class 150s on the Marston Vale line. Although it made its long journey to Bletchley successfully (even turning late running into being 55 minutes early at one point), it did seem to have a spot of bother at the start, as just after I took this picture, it shut down briefly underneath the bridge!

A wave from a member of the train crew, as 230003 gets under way again, after briefly shutting down underneath the bridge at Long Marston, just as it was leaving with the 5Q13 13:10 Long Marston to Bletchley TMD ECS on 18 September 2018. This short stop allowed this second picture to be taken from the nearby public footpath.

230003 passes through Moreton-in-Marsh station on 18 September 2018 with the 5Q13 13:10 Long Marston to Bletchley TMD ECS. This was the delivery run of the first production Class 230 unit that Vivarail are supplying to London Northwestern Railway, to work on the Bedford to Bletchley Line. Over the years I photographed some very unusual motive power on the Cotswold Line, but a two car ex London Underground EMU, converted to a DMU by the addition of a couple of Ford 3.2 litre diesel engines has got to be on of the most unusual!

The second of the three Class 230 DMUs for the Marston Vale Line made its delivery run from Long Marston to Bletchley via the Cotswold Line on 7 February 2019. Curiously this run was not activated on the system until after it had left, which caused problems for some photographers, but I was easily able to go out for a picture at the southern end of the Cotswold Line. I initially went to Finstock, as I had already thought of the caption for the resultant picture (Small train, small station), but that was in shade, so my next choice was nearby Charlbury. So here is 230004 arriving at Charlbury in crisp winter light with the 5Q13 13:10 Long Marston to Bletchley ECS. As it had to wait in the station for a northbound HST, I drove round to Cornbury Park for another picture.

230004 accelerates away from its brief stop at Charlbury station, and passes Cornbury Park on 7 February 2019, as it works the 5Q13 13:10 Long Marston to Bletchley ECS, this being its delivery run, prior to taking up duties on the Marston Vale Line. It only stopped at Charlbury for a few minutes to allow a HST to come off the single track section of the Cotswold Line from Wolvercote Junction, but that was enough time to drive round from Charlbury station, where I had seen it arriving a little earlier.

230004 passes Tackley on 7 February 2019 with the 5Q13 13:10 Long Marston to Bletchley delivery run. This unit is the second of three ex London Underground units, converted by Vivarail at Long Marston, for use on the Bedford to Bletchley 'Marston Vale' line.

Pictured midway between the stations of Aspley Guise and Ridgmont, 230004 passes Husborne Crawley on 2 October 2019 with the 2S09 10:01 Bletchley to Bedford London Northwestern service. Note the clouds in the background. The Met Office got the forecast exactly right on this occasion, predicting a fair amount of cloud in the Midlands, and lots of sun further east. This is precisely what I based my trip on, and after a little cloud around midday, it proved to be a gloriously sunny day.

Small train, small station! Dimensionally challenged ex London Underground unit 230005 passes through the equally diminutive Finstock station on 20 February 2019 with the 5Q13 13:10 Long Marston to Bletchley ECS. This was the unit's delivery run, and I was particularly keen to get a picture of it on the Cotswold Line, as I had previously photographed the other two Vivarail Class 230 DMUs en-route to the Marston Vale line, and wanted a picture of all three on their delivery runs. The platform information screen is displaying its usual helpful message - 'Train information is not currently available. Disconnected - No modem detected' I don't suppose this really matters, as Finstock only sees two daily stopping trains.

230005 passes Husborne Crawley on 2 October 2019 with the 2S08 09:29 Bedford to Bletchley London Northwestern Railway service. This is the third generation of DMU that I have photographed on this line. Firstly various classes of first generation units, then Class 150 & 153, and now these converted ex underground units.

The Bletchley to Bedford line used to be a wonderful backwater of semaphore signaling and manually controlled level crossing gates, until it was completely modernised a few years ago, robbing it of any character. However, this user operated crossing at Berry Lane, Aspley Guise, still survives, providing a hint of the old railway. 230005 accelerates away from Aspley Guise station (just visible in the background) with the 2S11 11:01 Bletchley to Bedford London Northwestern service on 2 October 2019. A woman from the nearby farm was waiting to cross after this had passed, and when I explained that I was photographing these new units, she said: 'What, the one's that keep breaking down?'!

230005 approaches Forders Sidings on 2 October 2019 with the 2S12 11:55 Bedford to Bletchley London Northwestern service. Three of these units were supplied by Vivarail, two being required to operate the daily shuttle service on what is now branded the 'Marston Vale Line'.

Having just come to a stand, after performing a brake test just this side of the bridge in the background, 230006 gets under way again at Aldington on 21 May 2020 with the 13:23 Honeybourne Sidings to Evesham West Junction mileage accumulation run. This is one of five battery/diesel hybrid units being built for Transport for Wales.

230006 approaches Clayfield level crossing, Bretforton, on 21 May 2020 with the 14:33 Honeybourne to Evesham West Junction mileage accumulation run. In order to fully test the unit, before delivery to Transport for Wales, numerous test runs have been undertaken, not just between Honeybourne and Evesham, but also including trips to Moreton-in-Marsh and Stourbridge Junction. Note the toy dinosaur behind the windscreen!

Transport for Wales 230006 heads away from the camera at Bretforton on 21 May 2020 with the early running (but still not reported on Realtime Trains!) 15:13 Evesham West Junction to Honeybourne mileage accumulation run.

230006 passes Bretforton on 21 May 2020 with the 15:32 Honeybourne to Evesham West Junction mileage accumulation run. The unit is on test, prior to entering service with Transport for Wales. This dramatic low level picture is taken from a public footpath crossing.

Underground in the Cotswolds! Vivarail's battery/diesel hybrid former London Underground D78 unit 230006 passes Dorn on 25 May 2020 with the 15:11 Stourbridge Junction Goods Loop to Moreton-in-Marsh mileage accumulation run. The train was approaching a red signal, which changed to amber as it got nearer. The striking red and white Transport for Wales livery certainly shows up well in the all over green late spring landscape.

230006 leaves Moreton-in-Marsh on 25 May 2020 with the 16:37 mileage accumulation trip to Worcester Shrub Hill. Surprisingly, after over forty years of taking photos in the area, I had never previously taken a picture from this particular spot. Moreton-in-Marsh station can be seen through the arch of the bridge in the background.

230006 heads away from Moreton-in-Marsh on 25 May 2020 with the 16:37 Moreton-in-Marsh to Worcester Shrub Hill mileage accumulation run. This was one of a large number of test runs undertaken with the battery/diesel hybrid unit, before its entry into service with Transport for Wales.

The second of the diesel/battery hybrid units for Transport for Wales, 230007, passes Aldington on 23 June 2020 with the 10:17 Evesham West Junction to Honeybourne North Junction mileage accumulation run. The unit had stopped just after it appeared round the bend, in order to perform a hill start test. Even just a few yards after starting, the unit was already moving quite briskly, so it obviously has an adequate performance- at least on dry rails!

230007 has just passed underneath the rather delicate looking footbridge at Aldington, as it heads eastwards on 23 June 2020 with the 11:13 Evesham West Junction to Honeybourne North Junction mileage accumulation run.

230007 passes Bretforton on 23 June 2020 with the 11:55 Evesham West Junction to Honeybourne Sidings mileage accumulation run. The unit will be heading for Transport for Wales, once it has been thoroughly tested on the Cotswold Line. The Clayfield Road level crossing can be seen in the background.

230008 slowly passes behind the rear of Honeybourne station, prior to reversing and joining the Cotswold Line on 6 October 2020. This is yet another of Vivarail's mileage accumulation runs - the 09:38 Long Marston to Moreton-in-Marsh.

Quickly picking up speed, after joining the Cotswold Line just around the corner, 230008 passes through Honeybourne station on 6 October 2020 with the 09:38 Long Marston to Moreton-in-Marsh mileage accumulation run. This is the third of five Class 230s destined for Transport for Wales.

230008 passes Upper Moor on 6 October 2020 with the 10:32 Moreton-in-Marsh to Stourbridge Junction Goods Loop mileage accumulation run. Although this view includes the Cotswold Hills in the background, I couldn't resist taking another picture of the unit from the other side of the bridge, as the lighting was better.

230008 heads away from the camera at Upper Moor on 6 October 2020, whilst working the 10:32 Moreton-in-Marsh to Stourbridge Junction Goods Loop mileage accumulation run. I had taken the approaching shot, but the lighting was marginally better for this going away picture.

An exceedingly welcome bonus on my first ever visit to Sheenhill Crossing, near Honeybourne, on 26 November 2020. When the early morning Class 230 mileage accumulation trip to Moreton-in-Marsh didn't materialise, I thought I was going to miss out on a picture of 230009, on what was, after the fog had cleared, a perfect autumn day. However, a VSTP path suddenly appeared for a 12:20 Long Marston to Worcester run, and so I got a picture after all. This was running an hour late, although it was only activated at 13:29, over an hour after the theoretical departure time!

Having just performed a simulated station stop, complete with opening doors, Transport for Wales liveried 230009 gets underway again at Honeybourne station on 17 December 2020 with the 09:33 Long Marston to Moreton-in-Marsh mileage accumulation run. I particularly like the various shades of red in this picture: The bright red roof of the unit, the orangey hue of the footbridge, and the fiery red of the tree in the background.

The final Class 230 destined for Transport for Wales (230010) operated various mileage accumulation runs over the Cotswold Line in April 2021. On 29 April I went to Moreton-in-Marsh with the hope that I would have better luck than my visit to Long Marston the previous week, when the test run was cancelled. I thought I was going to be out of luck again, but this time the 5Q23 09:44 Long Marston to Moreton-in-Marsh did actually run, albeit 10 minutes late. It is seen here passing slowly through the station, after being held at the signal. It would shortly return as the 5Q24 10:32 Moreton-in-Marsh to Stourbridge Junction Goods Loop.

230010 crosses over from the up to the down line at Moreton-in-Marsh on 29 April 2021. It had just arrived with the late running 5Q23 09:44 mileage accumulation run from Long Marston, and would shortly being heading back with the 5Q24 10:32 Moreton-in-Marsh to Stourbridge Junction Goods Loop.

In connection with the Rail Live event at Long Marston on 16 June 2021, Vivarail laid on a series of shuttle trains from Honeybourne station, using their diesel / battery hybrid unit 230010. It is seen here approaching Long Marston with the first loaded train of the event - the 08:59 departure from Honeybourne.

230010 passes Broad Marston on 16 June 2021 with the 10:45 Honeybourne to Long Marston service, one of a number of shuttles arranged in connection with the Rail Live event. The avenue of trees seen in the background, along with a lack of access points, limits the number of photographic opportunities on the Long Marston branch.

Complete with 'SLC Operations' headboard, 230010 leaves Long Marston on 16 June 2021 with a shuttle service to Honeybourne, in connection with the Rail Live event. The timetable for these trains seemed to have gone a little awry at this point, with the unit just shuttling backwards and forwards as required.

230010 approaches the public footpath crossing at Broad Marston on 16 June 2021 with the 11:45 Honeybourne to Long Marston shuttle, one of a series of trains run in connection with the Rail Live event. The train was travelling so slowly, that it was possible to set a reasonably low shutter speed, in order to use f16, so as to get the whole scene in focus.

230010 passes the public footpath crossing at Broad Marston on 16 June 2021 with the 12:10 Long Marston to Honeybourne shuttle, one of a series of trains run in connection with the Rail Live event. The stile remains the same, but the fence has been replaced, since I was here in September 2020.

230010 passes Broad Marston on 16 June 2021 with the 13:10 Long Marston to Honeybourne shuttle, one of a series of trains run in connection with the Rail Live event. The 'SLC Operations' headboard refers to company established in 2020 that provides various services within the rail industry, including special train operations and driver training.

230010 cautiously approaches Honeybourne station on 16 June 2021 with the 15:00 Long Marston to Honeybourne shuttle, one of a series of special trains allowing passengers visiting the Rail Live event to connect with mainline trains. 230010 is the last of the small fleet of converted former London Underground units destined for Transport for Wales, and the only one yet to be delivered to its new operator.