I've just come across a website that contains some logs of express passenger train running on the North & West that you might find interesting if you've not seen them before. http://locoperformance.tripod.com/edition16/shrewsbury.htm

The author logged many runs between Hereford and Salop in the mid-fifties to early sixties and the website includes 2 southbound runs and one Northbound to and from Pontypool Rd with LMR engines. Recorded speeds thru' LMJ were in the order of 60mph in both directions. The 1958 WTT lists the permissible speed between Hereford and Newport as "high as may be neccessary, subject to the observance of all permanent and temporary speed restrictions". The only listed permanent speed restriction for LMJ was 10mph through the junction onto the Usk branch.

Hope this is of some assistance.

Tony,

Just seen this - no we hadn't seen it before and there's a wealth of useful information here. Now we'll just have to make sure that the layout is capable of running full-length trains at 60 mph through it!

I especially welcome the information that 45643 Rodney ran through LMJ - and put up a spirited performance by the sound of it. I shall have to ensure it's seen with a Hall!

Some of this info has been added to Storegate