The GWR Society at Didcot owned a rake of restored period coaches, and were occasionally allowed to operate charters. This picture is a fine night study of 47 128 having arrived at platform 2 of the London terminus with the last such run, 15 September 1979

Late night visitors often saw the Royal train at Paddington. Close to midnight, an immaculate 47 511 prepares for the off. 16 October 1979

The proximity of Paddington to the former BRB HQ at Marylebone meant that sometimes experimental vehicles were brought in by manufacturers to show them off. This was the original BRE-Leyland prototype numbered RDB 977020. which was built unsurprisingly from a Leyland National bus body attached to a 4 wheel chassis. It was to be the precursor to the Class 140/141/142 dmus. This unit had an interesting life, running in the west of England and even venturing to the USA where it gained large bells on each end! On its return to the UK in 1986, it was used as a mobile office (with all seats removed) while the exterior was used for paint trials. It is believed to be still in existence - do let me know if you know where!

Yes, I wish I had taken this in colour... As one of only a couple of photographers permitted to attend, conductor Simon Rattle conducts the BR band on Platform 1 at the naming of 50 007 Sir Edward Elgar. 25 Feb 1984

BRB's Cyril Bleasdale points out the GWR crest on the newly named 50 007 Edward Elgar, while WR General Manager Bill Bradshaw (now Lord Bradshaw) looks on. 25 Feb 84

Another view of the BRE-Leyland railbus. The unit was powered by a 200hp 6-cylinder Leyland TR11 engine working through a fully automatic gearbox. It also had a flexicoil suspension, and was reputedly capable of speeds of up to 100 mph.

Pairs of locomotives were a fairly common occurence, but triple headers were very rare. Here, on 9 July 1979, 31 256 and 31 273 have come to the rescue of 50 032, which had failed at Taunton with traction motor overload while hauling the 0920 Paignton - Paddington. Given the incident and the distance from London, the 60 min late arrival was a creditable performance.

The only time I ever saw a 'Thumper' unit at Paddington in revenue earning service was during the Aslef strike of 1982, when it was the only train that operated into the WR London terminus. Unit 1319 was caught from the TOPS office where I worked. I understand that it is a 3D unit, rather than the more likely 3H units that used to operate between Reading and Basingstoke at the time. A very rare working

The 2342 Sats only service to Westbury could usually be relied upon for a Class 33 in the early 80s. 33 035 is honured with the duty in this shot and is seen just before departure

The BR Class 210 units were originally intended to replace the ageing Southern units, but never fulfilled their promise. The first of only two units completed is seen here at Paddington. It had a maximum speed of 90mph, and unit 001 was powered by a MTU 12V396 TC11 power plant. Both units only lasted around six years in service. One of the trailers from this unit eventually found use in the Class 457 Networker development train. For pop fans, a Class 210 unit appears in the music video of the 1984 hit Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat

With the famous royal waiting room just visible on the right of the picture, 50 049 counts the minutes to 1030 and its departure on a high speed track testing run to Bristol. 5 May 1982

Daytime royals at Paddington were certainly less common. 47 511 is seen here after arrival at Paddington's platform 8. The Royal party would have transferred quickly to their cars just to the right of the picture. The white post was the marker for the loco to stop at. The wire on the front of the loco would have been the comms link between the driver and inspector in the cab, and the crew of the train. The date was 27 April 1982, and the train was 0925 Bodmin Rd - Paddington

8th May 1982. The Class Fourty Preservation Railtour from Your to Paddington (via Birmingham and Worcester SH) is ready to embark on its return journey with 40 057 and 40 084 at the helm

Although class 33s weren't unknown at Paddington, the slimline 33s certainly were. 33 204 was the nearest loco on hand when the daily Birmingham New St - Paddington (via High Wycombe) service failed on 26 July 1979, and was duly summoned to assist 47 475. The pair are captured here after the stock had been removed to OOC. 26 July 1979

Judging by the exhaust, the class 31 seems to be in working order, so quite why 47 540 is on the front is a mystery

Deltics were almost a common sight at Paddington in early 1978. On 5 March, Meld is at Platform 1 having arrived with the RPPR Deltic to Devon Re-Run railtour. A week earlier, an attempt to run the tour had to be curtailed at Bristol due to bad weather

55 018 Ballymoss is at the head of a charter special at platform 3 on 29 Jan 1978. The train is the RPPR Deltic Dragon tour to Wales

Returning railtours at Paddington were often put into the higher number platforms in order to keep the enthusiasts out of the way of regular passengers. Here, the exhaust from Ballymoss blasts into the low ceiling above platform 11 after the Deltic Dragon railtour of 29 Jan 1978

On 14th March 1981, the Severn Valley Railway operated a special from Bridgnorth to Paddington. Here 25 075 and 067 are seen at platform 1 shortly after arrival.

Ready for the return leg of the railtour to Bridgnorth, 25 075 and 067 prepare to get the Severn Valley Crusader under way

If my memory serves me correctly, the loco that brought in the stock for the 0005 sleeper to Penzance was then allocated to power the 0030 departure to South Wales. It wasn't too uncommon to find a class 37 on the blocks late on a Saturday night. Here, 37 183 poses for a time exposure on April 29 1978

25th June 1978 and its RPPR's Devon Quarryman railtour to, er, Devon. As we have seen, Class 33s weren't uncommon, but TC stock certainly was. Here, 33 103 is at Platform 4 with the two non powered Southern units, just before passengers were allowed to board. 33 119 is at the other end

Early in the morning, if one was lucky, one might just see the 'inter station night bus'. What was unusual on 26 June 1978 was to see the bus on the Lawn at Paddington. On one of the lightest mornings of the year, Routemaster RML 2516 prepares to leave just after 50 050 has arrived with the up midnight from Penzance

14 Jan 1978. Having been to Liverpool and back to sample Class 24s, a bonus on the way home was 37 047 on the blocks at platform 3, having brought in the empties for the down midnight.