57601 Lyneham 14 December 2024

57601 Windsor Castle passes Lyneham on 14 December 2024 with the Northern Belle 1Z25 11:15 Bristol Temple Meads to Oxford (via Worcester) 'Christmas Lunch' charter. 57315 is hiding behind the bright red branches of the willow trees, as it brings up the rear of the train. I was very lucky to get this in such superb light, as the large bank of clouds in the background was also creeping ever nearer the sun, and I felt sure that the light was going to die at any minute. Somehow the light managed to hang on for the train, and even a few minutes after, but I'm glad that the it was running seven minutes early, as the light had definitely gone at the booked time. This is my first picture of this annual festive train in sun, after three years of trying!