50011 Shipton 22 July 1980

50011 Centurion rounds the curve towards Shipton on 22 July 1980 with the 17:00 Paddington to Hereford service. Unfortunately this location has been completely lost due to uncontrolled tree growth. A slightly faster shutter speed would have helped here, but notwithstanding the slight front end blur, this is a fine historic picture and one of my few photos of an unrefurbished Class 50 taken in good light. As well as the classic traction, note the vintage bullhead track. In fact the steam age telegraph poles had only just disappeared from this section of line in 1980.