All aboard a bygone era at Didcot Parkway

The Cathedrals Express stopped of to pick up passengers on a special trip to South Wales.

Among them were Edwina and Julian Humm, who were waved off by their four grandchildren as the train puffed out of the station, heading to Cardiff.

Despite the special occasion, it was not the first time Mr and Mrs Humm, from Stadhampton, have enjoyed travelling on locomotives the golden age of steam.

Mr Humm, 69, said: "I started off as a trainspotter, as a youngster going down to Oxford station to see the steam trains come through as all the boys used to do.

"At the time we did not think much about it.

"Then over the years I saw one of the excursions advertised and it was Edwina's birthday.

"And it was one of those special streamlined trains from the 30s which took us to Norwich, where Edwina had trained as a children's nurse - that was 15 years ago and now we go maybe once or twice a year."

The Cathedrals Express was hauled by the Battle of Britain Class stream train 'Lord Dowding'.

The service originally launched in 1957 to link Hereford and Worcester to London Paddington but is now used for special excursions.

Mr Humm said they had a "lovely time" on board, tucking into smoked trout, lamb and a variety of cheese and biscuits as they made the two and a half hour journey.

Relaxing in the carriage's armchairs Mr Humm said: "It is the whole experience which we enjoy.

"The steam train plays an important part because it creates such a lovely atmosphere - it is such a lovely way to travel and completely different to modern trains."

Although the couple have travelled all around the country on steam trains they say their favourite trip was in South Africa.

Mr Humm added: "It was for my 50th Birthday and it was a fantastic trip from Cape Town to Victoria Falls.

"We spent five nights on the steam train.

"We enjoyed it so much that we have booked to do it again for my 70th birthday next year."