Newbury welcomes a passing blue Devonian Pullman train on the bank holiday

A BLUE Devonian Pullman was spotted in Newbury by train enthusiasts on Bank Holiday Monday.

The High Speed Train (HST) passed on route from Peterborough to Kingswear in Devon at around 10.22am.

David Canning from Newbury Transport Group was among the eager onlookers and he called it a "lovely sight to behold".

He said: “I stood there with baited breath looking toward the bridge at Boundry Road, heart thumping as the lights of the empty train shone along the loop line as it slowly approached.

“Then a flash of blue at the side as the Blue Pullman appeared. Running down the main on yellow signals.

“As it came under the main road bridge at the east end of the station the signal went green at it opened up. A toot on the horn to the photographers and staff and she opened up and accelerated up Enborne bank.”

HSTs were the staple trains on British Rail in the 1970s and 80s.

Enthusiast Ken Mumford was worried he may not catch a glimpse but managed to grab some photographs too.

He said: "I was worried that I would be delayed en route.

"I had seen many photos of this particular High Speed Train but now was an opportunity for me to see and photograph it in person.

"I was able to get several good photographs."

The Pullman seen on Monday was "beautifully restored", with a Nanking blue shade of paintwork.

Mr Canning added: “I never thought I would see one of those through Newbury again.”

It was a "nice slow pass" as a Paddington to Paignton train in front of it had just left.