Shortly after sunrise on 24 June 2016, 59002 Alan J Day passes Bourton with the diverted 7A29 02:15 Whatley Quarry to Theale Mendip Rail stone train. The very weak sun is so low that it is only illuminating the train, but not the track. It has also accentuated the red of the ex EWS hoppers, which have now been redeployed on stone traffic, after the decimation of power station coal traffic. Luckily this was running 45 minutes late, as its booked time was well before sunrise. Two days earlier it actually ran early, passing this spot in the dark at 4am! |