Despite the sophisticated machinery now available to maintain the permanent way, there seems to be no substitute for a gang of men with shovels! On 12 June 2014, the track gang at Shrivenham pause briefly while 43177 speeds past at 125mph with the 1L38 07:58 Swansea to Paddington First Great Western service. They had been clearing excess ballast away from the rails on the down line. I normally try to avoid having 'orange vests' in the picture, but when they just happen to stop right in front of me, in a neatly spaced line, shovels in hand, it makes for an interesting picture, and shows the real railway at work.