60081 Cuxton 11 May 2002

One of only two pictures that I have of 60081 Isambard Kingdom Brunel in its green livery (and the other was taken on the same day!). I am not too bothered, as 47484 is the real IKB and 60081 is just an imposter! I expect I will now get emails from people saying the real one is GWR Castle Class 5069! 60081 is pictured here passing some vintage semaphore signals at Cuxton with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z86 14:15 Folkestone Harbour to Crewe 'Hop'n'Stop' railtour on 11 May 2002. The cranes in the background are for the construction of the Channel Tunnel high speed rail link. Interestingly, the signalman here had no idea that this train was coming, and only after I explained what it was going to be did he ring control to confirm it. Amazingly this is not the only time this has happened when I have been out photographing specials!