31434 & 37896 cross Chirk Viaduct on 28 February 1998 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z88 05:50 Reading to Crewe 'Rex Ham' railtour. 31434 was a most welcome last minute replacement for 37680, which had been pinched to work a freight. This location, with the Llangollen Canal aqueduct in the foreground, was the obvious choice for this picture, despite the fact that had the sun decided to come out it would be have been hopeless. Although there was a glimmer of brightness, the precedent had already been set for a generally cloudy day.