56044 Challow 11 January 1992

I generally do not bother to photograph light engine movements, but this picture of 56044 Cardiff Canton passing the site of Challow station (between Didcot and Swindon) on 11 January 1992 is included here not only as it gives a good view of the site, but also as it makes an interesting comparison with the same location in 2008. The most obvious difference is that the former station's platforms were still intact in 1992. Unfortunately the other thing that is noticeable is the lack of maintenance of the bridge in later years. Whereas it is in relatively good order here, the fact that nobody on the railway paints anything anymore is all to apparent in the modern view.