Class 40s were regular visitors to the Cambrian lines in the 1970's, often being utilised as the motive power for day excursions originating from the North West and Yorkshire to Aberystwyth and Barmouth. In this view, 212 (later 40012) storms up the 1 in 53 gradient of Middletown bank, between Welshpool and Westbury with a return charter train from Welshpool to Euston on 17 June 1973 (photograph the late Geoff Bannister)

Although Class 37's had ousted Class 25's from Cambrian front line passenger duties in 1985, they still made regular appearances on the weekly Stanlow - Aberystwyth petroleum trains until March 1987, when the last survivors were withdrawn. In this view, 25059 passes Talerddig loop in August 1986 with train 7F79, the 15.30WO Aberystwyth - Stanlow empty tanks working.

20168 and 20016 were the last pair of Class 20's booked for the weekly Stanlow - Aberystwyth tanks working. They are pictured climbing Talerddig bank at Bells Bridge on 11 May 1988.

20135 and 20006 pass Glandyfi on the approach to Dovey Junction with train 7F79, the 15.30 WO Aberystwyth-Stanlow on 23 March 1988

20151 and 20097 pass Newtown on 7F79, the 15.30 WO Aberystwyth - Stanlow on 5 August 1987

20151 and 20097 cross the Afon Leri at Ynyslas, between Dovey Junction and Borth with train 6J28, the 0100 WO Stanlow - Aberystwyth on 5 August 1987

25154 and 25209 double head the 17.05 return leg of a Swindon - Aberystwyth charter at Bell's Bridge, Talerddig which was run in connection with the Vale of Rheidol Gala day, 7 May 1984

25300 and 25315 pass Dovey Junction with 7F79, the 15.30 WO Aberystwyth - Stanlow on 27 March 1985.

The driver of 25229 and 25181 prepares to exchange the token at Cemmes Road, with 1A46, the 10.07 SO Aberystwyth - Euston on 13 August 1983. Shortly afterwards 25181 expired on the climb to Talerddig.

25285 and 25286 double head the IJ24 10.10 SO Euston - Aberystwyth on the eastbound climb to Talerddig near Carno on 1 September 1984. The train was running some 3 and a half hours late at this point due to the complete failure of 25192 and 178 between Welshpool and Newtown.

25211 climbs past the site of Middletown station (closed 1960) with the 10.07 SO Aberystwyth - Euston on 2 July 1983. The other loco of the pair (25154) had failed near Aberystwyth and 25211 had worked the 9 coach train back to Shrewsbury on it's own and was running some 40 minutes late at this point.

An Aberystwyth - Machynleth permanent way train composed of three bogie flat wagons apporaches Dovey Junction on 26 September 1987 behind 37224