 The fastest recorded was hauled by 7018 "Drysllwyn Castle" in April 1958, taking 93 minutes 50 seconds with a top speed of 102 mph.The change to diesel traction saw "Warship" class D805 "Benbow" haul an 8-coach "Bristolian" on the opening day of the 1959 summer timetable in 93 minutes 48 seconds, and over that summer several similar times were recorded until civil engineering concerns placed a 90 mph limit on the line, and the 100 mph running required for such times was no longer possible.By 1966, "Western" diesels had taken over from the "Warships", and although not officially advertised as "The Bristolian" the train, now sometimes having 12 coaches, was still achieving the 105 minute schedule even with a stop at Bath included (the up route having been changed in 1961).