60046 William Wilberforce rounds the curve next to the Crofton Pumping Station on 9 March 2022 with the 6Z50 09:01 Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Machen Quarry stone empties. I was convinced that this was just going to be a dull record shot, as the cloud cover was quite extensive, and as I heard it approaching it was very dark. It was still dark when it appeared from round the corner, but then amazingly the sun came out for about 20 seconds! The pumping station in the background was built in 1812 to supply water to the Kennet & Avon Canal. It contains the oldest working beam engine in the world, that is still in its original location. |