66301 Challow 20 September 2008

On 20 September 2008 Fastline Freight ran their first Avonmouth to Ratcliffe Power Station coal train, after several weeks of crew training using Class 56s running light. The first train of empties was booked to run via Oxford rather than the normal route via Cheltenham. However, 40145 was also running a railtour at the same time, and as I couldn't do both obviously the Class 40 took priority over a 'shed', even if it is in a different livery! I did go out in the evening for the first ever loading working, and 66301 is pictured here passing the site of Challow station as it weaves onto the up relief line with the 6M90 14:31 Avonmouth (Bennett's Terminal) to Ratcliffe Power Station, running nine minutes late. Heavily backlit, but a historic picture nonetheless.