The barriers on the level crossing in the background are just lifting again after the passage of 158701 with the 10:08 Glasgow Queen Street to Inverness ScotRail service on 12 April 2004. The location is Forteviot, in the wide valley of the River Earn, between Gleneagles and Perth. 158701 was the first unit of this large class to enter service, and the only one to do so in the 1980s, being delivered from the BREL works at Derby in October 1989.

158703 & 170450 pass Newtonhill on 15 September 2019 with the 1T83 14:31 Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street ScotRail service. This is the site of Newtonhill station, which closed in 1956, and has so far resisted several calls for its reopening.

158703 negotiates the reverse curves at Cove Bay on 16 September 2019 with the 2B16 07:18 Aberdeen to Montrose ScotRail service. Unfortunately the early morning sunshine had started to fade out into some annoyingly slow moving high cloud.

158703 passes Scotston on 16 September 2019 with the 2B22 10:24 Aberdeen to Montrose ScotRail service. Eleven o'clock, and already the clouds are building up in the background, and it wouldn't be long before there were more cloudy periods than sunshine.

158705 & 170422 pass through the gorse lined cutting on the approach to Newtonhill, on the afternoon of 25 June 2013. They are working the 1T38 16:37 Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street ScotRail service. As Newtonhill station closed in 1956, the next stop for this train will be Stonehaven.

Insch station is full of character, with its distinctive white painted 1880 built Great North of Scotland Railway station building, and impressive signal box. The remains of Dunideer Castle on the hill in the background adds to the charm. 158706 is pictured arriving on 25 June 2013 with the 1A52 12:46 Inverness to Aberdeen ScotRail service. Keen eyed viewers will note the InterCity liveried Mk2 coach, which somehow seems to have escaped the confines of station, and can be seen next to the field behind the station building. It sits on its own section of track, and is being used as an extension to the local restaurant!

158706 arrives at the tiny station at Beauly on 29 August 2018 with the late running 2H62 12:34 Wick to Inverness ScotRail service. The station was reopened in 2002, on the site of the original Inverness and Ross-shire Railway station, which closed in 1960. The new station has the shortest platform in UK, only being long enough for a single coach. Therefore only one door on the Class 158 is used, as the two coach train straddles the short platform.

158706 approaches Muir of Ord on 29 August 2018 with the 2H87 17:54 Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh ScotRail service. Hidden from view by the trees is a large housing estate, in what was just a field the last time I was here.

With both the Forth rail and road bridges visible in the background, 158708 speeds past Linlithgow on 5 October 2007 with the 13:18 Newcraighall to Dunblane ScotRail service. Note the larger than standard number on the front of the unit.

158710 is watched by one of the cows in the field at Cove Bay on 16 September 2019, as it heads north with the 1H25 05:39 Dundee to Inverness ScotRail service. Slightly ironically, instead of being one of the well known native Highland Cattle, this seems to be an English Longhorn, an interloper from south of the border!

Framed by one of the arches at Inverness station, 158711 waits in platform 5 on 9 March 2023, after having arrived with the 2H56 08:02 ScotRail service from Wick. It would later depart with the 2H85 13:35 train to Kyle of Lochalsh. Inverness station was opened in 1855 by the Inverness & Nairn Railway. The original single platform station was expanded over the years, and now boasts seven platforms. Having escaped any 1960s route rationalisation, it still features lines to the Far North, and two routes to the south (via Dalwhinnie and Aberdeen).

158712 stands at Georgemas Junction on 7 August 2000 with the 12:10 Wick to Inverness ScotRail service. Although at first sight this may seem odd, as it is in fact facing Wick, all trains from Wick first visit Thurso before bactracking to Georgemas Junction and then continuing on their way to Inverness. 158712 has just arrived from Thurso (departure time 12:37) around the sharply curved line to the right in the background. The driver will shortly change ends and then head off across the remote Caithness countryside on its nearly four hour journey to Inverness.

158713 passes the site of Meikle Ferry station on 19 April 2003 with the 06:29 Wick to Aberdeen ScotRail service. This tiny bridge once carried the road to the Dornoch Ferry, the only means of crossing the Dornoch Firth before the building of the road bridge in 1991. Prior to that road traffic was forced to take the long inland detour via Bonar Bridge. The railway still has an even longer detour via Lairg. Meikle Ferry station was once the temporary terminus of the line, and closed as long ago as 1869! The station building can be seen in the background.

158714 passes Bardrill on 23 April 2003 with the 10:08 Glasgow Queen Street to Inverness ScotRail service. The A9 Perth to Inverness road crosses the line in the background, and the old ruined church at Blackford can be seen in front of the conifer plantation.

158719 passes Ashfield (near Dunblane) on 21 July 1997 with the 16:30 Aberdeen to Glasgow Queen Street ScotRail service. Just beyond the bridge in the background was the remote Kinbuck station, which closed in 1956.

158719 leads a pair of classmates on the approach to Aviemore on 8 August 2000 with the 1H07 08:40 Edinburgh to Inverness ScotRail service. Judging by the dark clouds in the background, I did well to get this in the sun. This is multiple unit operation as originally intended. I have a number of pictures of pairs of 158s working together, but not many of three.

The hanging baskets at the superbly maintained Aberdour station get some attention, as the late running 2K11 17:48 Edinburgh to Glenrothes with Thornton ScotRail service rolls into the station on 30 August 2016, formed by 158720 Inverness & Nairn Railway - 150 Years & 158736.

158720 runs through the stunning landscape of the Gala Water Valley, as it approaches Watherston on 28 August 2018 with the 2T96 15:53 Edinburgh to Tweedbank ScotRail service. The sun almost broke through the clouds for this picture, and the brightish conditions certainly contrasts with the dark clouds in the background.

It seems that uncontrolled lineside vegetation is not just a feature of southern England. 158720 brushes aside the bushes, as it passes Inchberry (between Elgin and Keith) on 31 August 2018 with the 1A52 12:46 Inverness to Aberdeen ScotRail service.

New and old Scottish liveries at North Queensferry on 30 August 2016. 158721 & 158729 pass through the station with the 2K41 17:00 Edinburgh to Kirkcaldy ScotRail service. It's a pity the trees mostly obscure the iconic Forth Rail Bridge from view.

In typically gloomy Scottish weather conditions, 158722 arrives at Strathcarron with the 15:13 Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness ScotRail service on 27 August 2005. 40145 was waiting to cross this train in the station with the 1Z40 'Whistling Scotsman' railtour.

158723 passes Plean on 21 July 1997 with the 16:25 Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeen ScotRail service. This view is unrecognisable now, with the line wired at 25kV, and the bridge in the background demolished. Also gone is the semaphore signalling and the extremely tall Plean Junction Signal Box, which closed in 2008. Plean was formerly a double junction, with a line diverging to the north serving Bannockburn and Carnock Collieries, and a line to the south serving East Plean Colliery.

Three two car Class 158s team up to work the 1B43 17:09 Aberdeen to Edinburgh ScotRail service on 15 September 2019. 158723, 158730 & 158733 are pictured in superb evening light passing Limpet Mill, on the North Sea coast near Stonehaven.

158725 runs alongside the unfortunately named Water of Bogie near Gartly on 31 August 2018 with the 1A56 15:29 Inverness to Stonehaven ScotRail service. Note the vintage telegraph poles, once a feature of virtually every railway line in the country.

158726 crosses over the Loth Burn, near the site of Loth station (between Helmsdale and Brora) with the 11:56 Wick to Inverness First ScotRail service on 7 October 2007. Although a very photogenic spot, it is very difficult to hear trains approaching here due to the waterfalls in the burn below, and as you can't see any further than the start of the cutting visible in the background here, I was waiting anxiously for this train to appear, hoping that I would fire the shutter at just the right time to place the train centrally on the bridge. I certainly wasn't going to get it wrong, as this is the only southbound train on the line on a Sunday! Luckily I managed to get it just right, but I was certainly glad I had the wideangle lens with me!

158727 approaches the B874 level crossing at Roadside with the 2H63 10:39 Inverness to Wick ScotRail service on 18 June 2006. Naturally I had not traveled to the far north of Scotland for a Class 158, but was waiting for 50031 on a very rare visit to the area. As there are only three trains a day at this location, I certainly wasn't going to ignore it!

An unusually busy scene at Thurso on 18 June 2006. 158727 departs with the 16:18 ScotRail service to Inverness, while after a lot of shunting, 50049 will take out the Pathfinder Tours 1Z22 17:00 Thurso to Wick and Inverness 'Orcadian' railtour.

158728 pulls into Achnasheen station to pick up a single passenger on 27 August 2005. It is working the 16:48 Kyle of Lochalsh to Inverness ScotRail service, one of only four up services over the line, and even this service doesn't run for the full period of the summer timetable. Although seemingly very remote, Achnasheen is actually an important settlement on the Kyle of Lochalsh line, as it has a petrol station, and a hotel as well as a road junction. Not many houses though!

There isn't really any need to explain where this is! 158733 speeds through Gleneagles station on 28 April 1998 with the 16:25 Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeen ScotRail service. Unfortunately the distinctive red nameboard has since been replaced with a more conventional sign.

158735 approaches Stow station on 28 August 2018 with the 2T94 15:24 Edinburgh to Tweedbank ScotRail service. Note the huge amount of stone, both loose, and in wire mesh gabions, that has been used to reinforce the cutting sides. This is the Borders Railway, part of the former Waverley route, which was reopened to passengers on 6 September 2015.

158736 leads an unidentified classmate past Dalnaspidal on 25 October 1998 with the 09:35 Edinburgh to Inverness ScotRail service. This was the first northbound train of the day over the Highland Mainline on a Sunday at the time. The A9 Perth to Inverness road can be seen in the background, and just visibleo n the extreme right is the River Garry.

At least three passengers get ready to board the 2G64 16:23 Cowdenbeath to Edinburgh ScotRail service, as it arrives at North Queensferry station on 30 August 2016, worked by 158736. With dark clouds all around, I was quite surprised to get quite so many pictures in the sun during my visit here.

158737 passes Melton Ross on 26 July 2003 with the 14:29 Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport Trans Pennine Express service. The claret livery of these Trans Pennine Class 158s looked quite stylish, and is certainly preferable to some of the bizarre liveries that we have seen on the national network since privatisation. This unit was disbanded later the following year, with the individual vehicles finding their way into newly formed three car sets 158971 & 158972.

158741 approaches Alness on 20 April 2003 with the 18:30 Inverness to Wick ScotRail service. The reason that I took this going away shot, is that this was the only northbound train over the Far North Line on a Sunday at the time, and I had missed the only southbound train by four hours!

158745 runs alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal near Crofton on 17 February 2001 with the diverted 06:00 Carmarthen to Waterloo Alphaline Wales & West service. An interesting livery, but you obviously had to pick your seat carefully if you wanted an unobstructed view out of the window!

158745 passes Berkley on 9 April 2005 with a Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth Wessex Trains service. The unit is wearing the obsolete Alphaline livery, subtlety rebranded with the new owners name. It hardly seemed worth adopting a new livery, as the company , which took over from Wales & West in 2001, was superceded by First Great Western less than five years later.

158745 passes the radio mast near Collins Lane level crossing, Purton, on 4 December 2021, as it heads for Swindon with the 2B68 08:59 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon GWR service. A public footpath passes through the gate on the left. In fact, the village of Purton has a maze of footpaths in all directions!

Running very slowly, and preparing to stop at a red signal, 158745 passes Fiddington on 27 May 2023 with the 2T43 09:52 Worcester Foregate Street to Bristol Temple Meads GWR service. This was already over half an hour late, as it was in a queue of trains being held up by a faulty level crossing near Cheltenham. By the time it got to its destination it was 52 minutes late.

Nice early morning light at Stoke Orchard on 12 August 2020, but the green livery of 158747 doesn't really stand out from the all over green of the landscape. The unit is working the 2O72 07:08 Worcester Shrub Hill to Weymouth GWR service.

158747 passes Wadborough on 15 June 2021 with the 2E70 16:00 Cardiff Central to Worcester Foregate Street GWR service. A green unit in the middle of June, when the entire landscape is green, is not the ideal photographic combination!

In a small patch of autumnal sunshine on 25 September 2009, 158748 emerges from Wickwar Tunnel with the 10:51 Great Malvern to Brighton First Great Western service. The footbridge in the background is also an aqueduct, carrying a small stream across the railway in a cast iron trough underneath the footpath.

157749 & 158765 pass Gossington on 17 September 2020 with the 2C18 12:42 Gloucester to Frome GWR service. The rear unit (158765) had passed by in the opposite direction just 45 minutes earlier, with the 2V60 08:49 Weymouth to Gloucester service.

158751 passes Quedgeley on 30 March 2002 with the 09:45 Birmingham New Street to Swindon service. For a short time Virgin CrossCountry's small fleet of Class 158s (158747–158751) operated these trains, until First Great Western took over.

158752 approaches Gilberdyke on 20 November 1993 with the late running 09:42 Sheffield to Hull Regional Railways service. The station here was formerly known as Staddlethorpe, which was more appropriate, as it is actually in that village. Gilberdyke is a short distance to the north, although the inevitable housing developments have now connected the two settlements.

158752 passes Cornholme on 16 March 2015 with the 1B18 10:27 York to Blackpool North Northern Rail service. Frostholme Mill, now the home of the Sutcliffe Furniture Company, dominates the centre of this view, while St. Michael's church can be seen in the background.

158754 passes the down distant signal at Ty Croes on 13 May 2000 with the 12:07 Birmingham New Street to Holyhead First North Western service. First North Western was the franchise operator on this route between March 1997 and December 2004.

158755 catches the last of the evening light, as it passes Black Bank (between Ely and March) with the late running 17:45 Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street Regional Railways service on 20 May 1991. 158755 was less than six months old at this time. Amazingly, over two decades after this picture was taken, the redundant buffer stop was still in situ on the lineside.

158755 passes Hargrave on 4 March 2000 with the 08:53 Holyhead to Birmingham New Street First North Western service. I haven't got many pictures of units in this rather restrained livery, although in this case something or someone has modified the livery by dribbling what appears to be white paint along the entire length of the unit's roof!

With Sowerby's eighteenth century parish church dominating the horizon, 158755 passes a fine display of autumn foliage, as it enters the cutting on the approach to Luddendenfoot on 16 November 2015 with the 2M36 07:51 Leeds to Manchester Victoria Northern service. Luddendenfoot station (which closed in 1962) is principally remembered for being in the charge if Bramwell Brontë during the 1840s. Characteristically, Bramwell spent too much time in the local pub, and left a porter in charge of the station. When the porter embezzled money, Bramwell was sacked.

In the pouring rain, 158756 emerges from Summit Tunnel on 16 March 2015 with the 2M00 07:18 Leeds to Manchester Victoria Northern Rail service. In 1984 Summit Tunnel was seriously damaged when a petrol tanker train derailed inside. This resulted in a serious fire, sending flames over a hundred feet into the air from the tunnel ventilation shafts!

158756 passes Hall Royd Junction on 16 November 2015 with the 2M38 08:51 Leeds to Manchester Victoria Northern service. Situated just to the east of Todmorden, the junction is where the Copy Pit route diverges from the Leeds to Manchester line.

158756 crosses Hagg Lane level crossing, near Hemingbrough, on 18 October 2023 with the 2K12 10:17 Halifax to Hull Northern service. With a shutter speed of 1/8000sec there was no problem with freezing the movement of the train as it flashed across the frame. However, due to the way the camera's focal plane shutter works, there was a pronounced forward lean to the train, which I had to correct in Photoshop.

158756 slowly crosses Selby Swing Bridge, as it approaches the station on 18 October 2023 with the 2K17 12:15 Hull to Halifax Northern service. This is the view from a very conveniently positioned temporary footbridge.

158757 arrives at Hebden Bridge on 16 March 2015 with the 2M10 12:18 Leeds to Manchester Victoria Northern Rail service. The railway here follows the valley of the River Calder, and at this point the valley is quite narrow, with Crow Nest Wood rising up behind the railway.

Running 32 minutes late due to flooding caused by the previous day's torrential rain, 158757 arrives at Mytholmroyd station on 16 November 2015 with the 2E39 08:16 Manchester Victoria to Leeds Northern service. It is passing the original Manchester & Leeds Railway station building, which is now disused and largely sealed up. It contains a listed stone staircase.

158758 approaches Narroways Hill Junction on 16 April 1991 with the 2O20 17:15 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour Regional Railways service. A small oasis of green on the edge of Bristol. The earth banks in the foreground mark the site of a bridge that formerly carried the Clifton to Kingswood Junction line over the main line.

158758 calls at Hatfield & Stainforth station on 15 March 2007 with the 09:46 Doncaster to Hull Northern Trains service. The rather plain blue livery is a hang over from the former First North Western franchise, and the only sign of its current operator here being a discrete 'Northern' branding at the far end of each vehicle. Incidentally the people in the platform waiting shelter are not passengers, but rail enthusiasts, who often gather at this station to observe the high volume of traffic that passes through.

158758 passes Hall Royd Junction on 16 November 2015 with the late running 2M04 09:19 Leeds to Manchester Victoria Northern service. It is slowing down for the Todmorden station stop, a short distance away.

158759 crosses Selby Swing Bridge on 18 October 2023 with the 2K14 11:17 Halifax to Hull Northern service. This going away shot is better than the view of an approaching train, as there is no chance of standing further to the right.

A vintage cast iron milepost adds a touch of railway heritage to the foreground, as 158761 passes Hemingbrough with the 11:43 York to Hull TransPennine Express service on 24 January 2004. There is certainly no problem with the train sneaking up on you at this location, as it is on one of the longest sections of dead straight track in the country!

A Class 158 meeting at Selby on 23 May 2001. On the right, 158762 is working the 09:28 Manchester Airport to Bridlington TransPennine Express service, while on the left, 158769 calls at the station with the 08:53 Scarborough to Manchester Airport service.

The Pennines meets the Cotswolds! Clearly displaying its obsolete TransPennine Express branding, 158762 passes Alstone, on the approach to Cheltenham, with the 09:51 Great Malvern to Taunton First Great Western service on 28 April 2007. The unit had only just been transferred to the Western, and was put straight to use, despite the bodyside wording no longer making any sense whatsoever!

In golden evening light, 158762 passes Tredington on 13 February 2008 with the 14:51 Great Malvern to Weymouth First Great Western service. 4 hours 20 minutes is a bit of a marathon journey in a DMU, surely? This unit carries the latest version of First's livery, with strange lower bodyside graphics.

158762 passes Gossington on 17 September 2021 with the 2E56 08:41 Westbury to Gloucester GWR service. This was probably a very well photographed unit, as a crowd of over 30 photographers had gathered here to photograph D1015 Western Champion on its main line loaded test run.

158762 passes the site of Oaksey Halt at high speed on 16 May 2023 with the 2M81 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street GWR service. There is just one other evening train in the opposite direction to Salisbury.

158762 passes Gossington on 15 September 2023 with the late running 2E53 08:40 Bristol Temple Meads to Worcester Foregate Street GWR service. Even a green 158 is worth photographing when the light is this good!

Brand new 158763 approaches Droitwich on 27 April 1991 with a southbound crew training run, prior to the class's introduction onto Birmingham to Cardiff Regional Railways services. The coal yard on the right marks the site of the former goods shed.

158763 passes Whittlesea on 20 May 1991 with the 11:36 Norwich to Birmingham New Street Regional Railways service. The sidings were obviously still in use at this time, as a couple of lines of spoil wagons can just be seen to the right of the signal box.

158763 rounds the curve at Old Denaby on 13 February 1999 with the 11:29 Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport Arriva Trains Northern service. The unit had just received the then new TransPennine Express livery.

The morning of 28 October 2008 was clear and frosty, so despite the forecast of rapidly building cloud followed by showers, I decided a trip to the Gloucester to Swindon line was required in order to photograph the autumn colours in the so called 'Golden Valley'. Unfortunately due to the depth of the valley and the abundance of trees on both sides of the line, most locations are in deep shade at this time of year. However, near the approach to Sapperton Tunnel there is a gap, which despite one annoying shadow provides a clear view with a magnificently coloured background. 158763 climbs the bank with the 09:38 Cheltenham to Swindon First Great Western service. Just prior to this a fox had been sunning himself up against the fence by the sign in the background!

158763 passes Natton on 6 March 2012 with the 2F97 08:50 Great Malvern to Westbury First Great Western service. The branches in the foreground were deliberately included to neatly frame the picture, and fill the empty blue sky.

158763 passes an isolated lineside tree next to the public footpath crossing at Blanchworth, as it heads south on 18 September 2021. It is working the 2C10 08:54 Worcester Foregate Street to Westbury GWR service. 

158764 passes Brocklesby on 10 May 2003 with the 06:43 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes TransPennine Express service. Behind the unit is the site of Brocklesby's sidings and cattle dock. The passenger station was situated on the other side of the bridge from which this picture was taken.

A very lucky and perfectly timed passing shot at East Garforth on 24 January 2004, as a pair of TransPennine Express Class 158s pass each other in the station. 158764 speeds through with the 09:28 Manchester Victoria to Bridlington service, while 158766 calls with the 10:24 York to Manchester Victoria working.

158764 leads and unidentified classmate through Pilning on 8 September 2006 with the late running 1F18 12:22 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff First Great Western service. Both units are in the transitional TransPennine / FGW livery.

158765 passes Fiddington on 18 February 2008 with the 2O94 14:51 Great Malvern to Weymouth First Great Western service. The unit had only just been transferred to the area, and is still wearing First TransPennine livery.

There is evidence of some extensive lineside vegetation clearance in this view of Tumpy Green, taken on 7 May 2021. 158765 passes the recently cleared location with the 2E55 08:42 Westbury to Gloucester GWR service.

158765 passes Pirton in superb autumnal light on 4 October 2024 with the 2T61 09:00 Worcester Shrub Hill to Bristol Temple Meads GWR service. Just the right length of train to not be obstructed by the trackside sign!

St Michael's Church, Llanfihangel Rogiet dominates the background of this view at Severn Tunnel Junction on a slightly misty 15 April 1991, as 158766 passes the remnants of the diesel fueling point, whilst working the 10:35 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour Regional Railways service.

Brand new 158766 climbs away from Bristol, and passes Narroways Hill Junction on 16 April 1991 with the 1V70 14:10 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central Regional Railways service. This unit had only been in service for a few days when this picture was taken, and was taking over from the not too reliable Class 155s on these duties.

A wide open viewpoint that has now been lost under a sea of overhead wires and masts. 158766 climbs out the Severn Tunnel, and approaches Pilning on 27 April 1991 with the 1F15 12:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour Regional Railways service.

158766 passes Maud's Bridge on 26 April 2003 with the 07:36 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes Arriva Trains Northern service. The unit is wearing 'TransPennine Express' livery, which would become the name of the franchise from the following year.

158766 still sports Trans Pennine livery as it emerges from Wickwar Tunnel on 9 August 2007 with the 10:36 Worcester Shrub Hill to Taunton First Great Western service. Along with all the other Class 158s that FGW acquired from the north, 158766 would soon emerge in its new owner's own livery.

158766 pulls away from Ashchurch station, after calling for passengers whilst working the 08:25 Great Malvern to Westbury First Great Western service on 23 August 2008. A basic new station to replace the original demolished one, but note the artifacts from a bygone era, including the cast iron milepost on the left, and the squat water tower in the background.

On 2 March 2010, 158766 passes the site of the serious 1928 rail crash at Charfield with the late running 1O98 10:51 Great Malvern to Brighton First Great Western service. This is one of the few instances where a photographic location has actually got better, with the removal of numerous lineside trees.

158766 passes Up Hatherley on 14 March 2011 with the 2G82 09:54 Swindon to Cheltenham First Great Western service. An ideal location if you like Class 158s, with Arriva's 158824 passing by half an hour before. An interesting comparison of liveries.

158766 passes Stanley Downton on 9 June 2012 with the 2O70 06:49 Worcester Shrub Hill to Weymouth First Great Western service. The Müller yogurt factory can be seen in the background on the left, and the Cotswold Hills on the right.

158766 passes Standish Junction on 31 August 2013 with the 2O89 10:41 Gloucester to Weymouth First Great Western service. Photo taken from a little used public footpath crossing. No prizes for guessing that this was once a four track section of line!

Crisp early morning light at Croome on 9 August 2014. 158766 sweeps round the curve with the 2T90 09:08 Worcester Shrub Hill to Westbury First Great Western service. This is a very well known location, because of its excellent unobstructed views for southbound trains, both in the morning and the afternoon.

158766 passes Haresfield on 29 August 2014 with the 2T77 08:50 Great Malvern to Westbury First Great Western service. The relief lines are staggered here, with the southbound line commencing a few hundred yards further south.

158766 approaches Ashchurch in crisp early morning light on 17 November 2017 with the 2F97 08:50 Great Malvern to Cardiff Central GWR service. The drab green livery has done nothing to improve the looks of these units, and out of all the many colour schemes that they have carried over the years, this is probably just about the worst.

158766 calls at Kemble station on 23 October 2021 with the late running 2B62 05:55 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon GWR service. This is the first real test of the image stabilisation on my Canon 35mm f2 lens. Handheld at 1/8sec and pin sharp, so it obviously works!

158767 passes the site of Stonehouse (Bristol Road) station on 24 July 2024 with the 2E48 06:08 Bristol Temple Meads to Worcester Shrub Hill GWR service. The buildings behind the train are part of the Old ends Industrial Estate.

158768 passes Cossington on 24 February 1992 with the 11:56 Liverpool Lime Street to Stanstead Airport Regional Railways service. The train would shortly be traversing the sharply curved chord between Syston North and Syston East Junctions, in order to access the Peterborough line. The former Sileby Brickworks chimney in the background has since been demolished.

Clearly showing its obsolete TransPennine Express branding, 158768 passes Claydon (Gloucestershire) on 5 April 2007 with the 14:09 Great Malvern to Taunton First Great Western service. The hill in the background is Bredon Hill, an isolated outlier of the Cotswolds, but many miles from the Pennines!

Superb early morning light at Croome on 29 June 2024. 158768 & 158748 emerge from the darkness of Croome Perry Wood with the 2T40 06:35 Great Malvern to Bristol Temple Meads GWR service. Unfortunately this dramatic lighting didn't last very long.

158769 races through Pilning station on 16 January 1992 with the 11:29 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour Regional Railways service. This viewpoint no longer exists, as Network Rail removed the footbridge from which it was taken in 2016, due to forthcoming electfrication works. This effectively means that passengers can travel in one direction only. Yet another benefit of electfrication!

158769 passes Stoke Orchard on 18 September 2007 with the 14:09 Great Malvern to Taunton First Great Western service. The unit is still wearing Trans Pennine Express livery, which is hardly appropriate for this route. Trans Cotswold Express possibly! It would soon receive FGW's corporate livery.

158769 passes milepost 106 near Gossington on 8 April 2010 with the 07:23 Warminster to Great Malvern First Great Western service. Rather a strange choice of start and end locations, from a small town on the main line between Salisbury and Westbury, to another small town on the line between Worcester and Hereford!

The perils of railway photography! 158769 gets in the way, as it heads south at Little Haresfield on 27 August 2022 with the 2O76 10:41 Gloucester to Weymouth GWR service. Approaching is 60059 Swinden Dalesman with the early running diverted 6B13 05:00 Robeston to Westerleigh oil tanks.

158770 passes Cossington on 22 March 2012 with the 2L54 06:50 Sleaford to Leicester East Midlands Trains service. As this is a stopping service, it has to use the relief line, in order to call at local stations such as Sileby and Syston.

158770 passes Cossington on 20 January 2020 with the late running 2L60 10:36 Lincoln Central to Leicester East Midlands Railways service. This broadside view clearly shows the EMR Regional branding applied to the former East Midlands Trains livery.

158773 passes Black Bank (near Ely) on 20 May 1991 with the 14:09 Colchester to Birmingham New Street Regional Railways service. Black Bank station was formerly situated in the background of this view. The old goods shed can be seen on the right of the picture.

158774 passes Barrow Hill on Sunday 1 September 1991 with the diverted 09:32 Nottingham to Liverpool Lime Street Regional Railways service. The nearby Barrow Hill Roundhouse had closed a few months earlier, but it would be several years before the site opened as a centre for heritage locomotives.

A very luck passing shot at Althorpe on 23 May 2001, which would not have been remotely possible if either or both of the Northern Spirit trains were running to time. 158776 heads westwards with the 18:19 Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport (20 minutes late), while 158760 heads in the opposite direction with the 16:42 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes (8 minutes late). Note the advert in the background for Jungle.com, a defunct online technology retailer, once a rival for Amazon.

158777 crosses Coopies Lane level crossing, Morpeth, on 23 July 1999. The unit had just arrived at Morpeth station (the roof of which can just be seen above the Parceline van) with the 09:59 train from Metro Centre. The only reason for it crossing the road is in order to use the nearby reversing siding. Just a few minutes later it would head back the way it came, to form the 10:49 Morpeth to Newcastle service.

158778 passes underneath the A161 road bridge at Crowle on 28 October 2002 with the 06:40 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes Arriva Trains Northern service. On the left is the disused Crowle Signal Box (subsequently demolished).

Central Trains green liveried 158780 arrives at Narborough on 26 November 2005 with the 09:02 Birmingham New Street to Lincoln Central service, passing the former London & North Western Railway goods shed (now used by a builder's merchant).

158781 passes underneath the Great Western Railway footbridge at Albrighton station, as it speeds eastwards with the 13:25 Aberystwyth to Birmingham New Street Regional Railways service on 4 September 1991. Note the parapet on the right. Station Road unusually passes underneath the middle of the station.

158782 calls at Pembrey & Burry Port station on 15 July 2006 with the 11:05 Carmarthen to Manchester Piccadilly Arriva Trains Wales service. There are certainly plenty of ways to cross the line here. The roadbridge in the background has its own dedicated footbridge alongside, while the station has an ex GWR footbridge, and then of course there's the footbridge I'm standing on!

158782 approaches South Milford on 14 March 2022 with the 2K10 09:17 Halifax to Hull Northern service. This picture is taken from a well used public footpath linking the villages of South Milford and Sherburn-in-Elmet, which presumably explains why the line is now encased on both sides by palisade fencing.

158784 approaches Normanton station on 18 January 2020 with the 1L65 14:38 Leeds to Lincoln Central Northern service. The wide area of waste ground in the foreground was formerly occupied by lines leading to two bay platforms.

158785 passes Cossington on 31 March 2016 with the 2L54 06:53 Sleaford to Leicester East Midlands Trains service. The train's passage is obviously not enough to disturb the pigeons on the high voltage electricity wires in the background!

158786 leads an unidentified Class 153 unit past Stanwardine-in-the-Fields on 18 August 1996 with the 14:54 Wolverhampton to Chester Regional Railways service. Presumably the fact that the addition of the 153 has reduced the 158's theoretical top speed from 90 mph to 75 mph doesn't matter on this route.

How's this for a livery off the beaten track. Over 400 miles from its former haunts, 158786 is still sporting full South West Trains livery, complete with branding as it approaches Gleneagles with the 08:41 Glasgow Queen Street to Aberdeen First ScotRail service on 6 July 2008, in the company of more appropriately liveried 170418. ScotRail acquired two former South West Trains Class 158s in 2007, SWT having earlier acquired them from Central Trains. It is unusual for transferred units to retain their former operator's name, even if the livery remains unaltered, so perhaps residents of the Highlands think this refers to south west Scotland!

With Goole's Guardian Glass factory on the extreme left, and the town's Roman Catholic church on the extreme right. 158787 heads north from the town with the 10:41 Sheffield to Bridlington Northern Rail service on 12 March 2010. 158787 is one of a number of Northern's units whose livery has been 'improved' by the application of vinyls.

158787 approaches Thorne North station on 25 June 2014 with the 2C40 19:53 Doncaster to Hull Northern service. The train is crossing the bridge over the A614 road. Thorne Junction is just out of sight around the corner in the background. The lines to Hull and Scunthorpe diverge at that point.

158788 speeds through the Elton & Orston station on 14 March 2016 with the 1L07 08:52 Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich East Midlands Trains service. As this station is situated inconveniently away from either of its namesake villages, and has only a sparse service, I'm surprised that its still open.

158788 passes Spooner Row on 14 August 2021 with the 1R80 15:52 Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street East Midlands Railway service. Almost a bit of a sunshine, to contrast markedly with the dark clouds in the background.

158789 passes Patchway on 16 January 1992 with the 10:31 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour service. The unit is climbing the 1 in 80 gradient from Patchway Tunnel. I don't know why I didn't visit this location more often, and in better weather! The vegetation clearance on the right should have been incentive enough!

Superb evening light at Croome on 27 June 2002, as 158789 heads north with the 17:50 Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Street Central Trains service. The 981 feet high Bredon Hill dominates the background.

A clash of liveries at Aisgill on 27 July 2019, as 158789 & 153324 head north with the 2H90 13:18 Leeds to Carlisle Northern service. 153324 is wearing the correct livery, but 158789 still sports ScotRail Saltire livery (albeit without any branding), several months after its transfer from Scotland.

158790 swings round the curve near Water Orton on 6 April 2002 with the 1D55 09:35 Birmingham New Street to Nottingham Central Trains service. Another, rather larger, house has now joined the line of semis in the background, right up against the railway fence!

A stranger in the Didcot area! Central Trains 158790 passes Didcot North Junction on 22 April 2002 with the 17:29 Bristol Temple Meads to Bicester Town First Great Western service. Class 158s were occasionally hired in to cover for unavailable Class 165s on this route, until the little used service was axed in 2003. 37203 can be seen in the background, waiting to leave the yard with the late running 6M28 18:22 Didcot to Bescot departmental working.

158790 arrives at Thorne North station on 25 June 2014 with the 2C77 17:43 Hull to Sheffield Northern service. The 1W48 17:41 Sheffield to Scarborough Northern service (which did not call at the station), can just be seen disappearing into the distance.

158791 approaches Manea on 11 March 1999 with the 06:50 Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich service. This is hardly what you would call a very speedy train, taking 5½ hours to travel across the country from Liverpool to East Anglia. You can do London to Edinburgh in that time!

158791 just arrives at Old Denaby before the cloud on 17 April 2006, whilst working the 10:57 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes TransPennine Express service. The unit is wearing the former Central Trains livery, with all signs of the former operator removed, to be replaced with First TransPennine Express branding.

158791 has just come off the Goole line at Thorne Junction on 21 July 2014, as it works the 2C85 19:25 Hull to Doncaster Northern service. Although single track at the actual junction, the line reverts to double track just around the corner.

158792 approaches Chinley on 10 March 1997 with the 11:43 Sheffield to Liverpool Lime Street. The unit is still in its original Provincial Railways livery, with 'Express' branding breaking up the two blue bodyside bands.

158792 approaches Eastrington station on 19 January 2020 with the 1R50 10:01 York to Hull Northern service. Being on one of the longest straight sections of railway in the UK, there is plenty of advanced warning of trains approaching from ether direction at this location.

158792 passes Broomfleet's leaning signal box, as it heads west on 17 October 2023 with the 2C66 14:50 Hull to Doncaster Northern service. Note the old platform face on the right, a reminder that there were once four tracks through the station.

158793 arrives at Goole with the 07:41 Sheffield to Bridlington Northern Rail service on 26 June 2008. This unit carries additional advertising vinyls over the standard Northern Rail livery. Compare it with 158860 which worked the next hourly service. Note the Guardian float glass works in the background.

158794 leaves Goole on 14 November 2015 with the 2C49 12:20 Hull to Doncaster Northern service. The station in the background is packed with railway enthusiasts from the UK Railtours 1Z25 07:14 Finsbury Park to Goole Docks 'Galloping Goolie' railtour. The empty stock from the tour would shortly head into the nearby siding, led by 66037.

158795 approaches Creykes Crossing (between Goole and Thorne) with the 15:12 Bridlington to Sheffield Northern Rail service on 13 March 2007. The unit had just been transferred from Central Trains, which explains the unbranded green livery. Although the sun has partially disappeared into high cloud, it is still fully out on Goole's famous 'Salt and Pepper Pot' water towers in the background. There was formerly a siding here, connecting with a narrow gauge peat works railway.

There are dark clouds over Doncaster on the morning of 28 July 2008 as 158796 Fred Trueman - Cricketing Legend passes Hexthorpe in its own little patch of sunshine. It is working the 10:13 Adwick to Sheffield Northern Rail service. 

The landslip at Hatfield Colliery in early 2013 resulted in Goole's train service being recast, with all southbound services terminating at the town, with the exception of the very infrequent trains to Leeds, which use the unaffected line via Knottingley. On 1 April 2013, 158796 Fred Trueman - Cricketing Legend accelerates away from the station with the 2C20 10:16 Goole to Hull Northern Trains service, which had working in a little earlier as the 2C29 09:00 Beverley to Goole. For once I was glad that it was a dull day, as this allowed the use of this normally very difficult viewpoint from the north side of the line, which includes all the well known Goole landmarks: St John the Evangelist's church spire, the dockside cranes and silos, and the two distinctive water towers.

158796 Fred Trueman - Cricketing Legend  takes the Copy Pit route at Hall Royd Junction on 16 November 2015 with the late running 1B14 08:27 York to Blackpool North Northern service. In the background is the 225 yard long Millwood Tunnel.

Bringing a splash of green to the winter scene, 158797 passes Ebbw Junction on 15 February 2003 with the 10:30 Nottingham to Cardiff Central Trains service. At this time there was still plenty of traffic using Alexandra Dock Junction Yard in the background.

158798 leaves Westbury on 18 April 2015 with the 1F26 15:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central GWR service. Although this is a going away shot, I couldn't resist it, due to the unit's striking Gunwharf Quays advertising livery.

Caught in a very brief period of early morning sunshine amid the dark clouds, 158798 passes the site of Severn Tunnel Junction shed on 30 January 2016 with the 1F06 06:00 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central GWR Service. A going away shot, but I couldn't resist photographing this vinyl covered unit in such spectacular light.

Making a change from GWR's standard blue livery, 158798 sports vinyls supporting the children's charity 'Springboard'. The wording on the first coach reads: 'Supporting North Somerset children with additional needs'. It is seen here passing Llandevenny on 30 January 2016 with the 1F11 10:26 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour service.

Springboard charity liveried 158798 catches the evening sun at Kimbridge on 8 September 2016, as it heads up the valley of the River Test with the 1F30 17:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central GWR service.

Springboard charity liveried 158798 passes the doomed semaphore signal next to the former Metal Box factory at Worcester on 31 August 2017, as it leaves the city with the 2O94 14:50 Great Malvern to Weymouth GWR service.

Dramatic lighting at Tumpy Green on 27 July 2024. 158798 heads north with the 2E51 06:34 Bristol Temple Meads to Worcester Shrub Hill GWR service. The dark clouds rolling in from the west looked like this might be the end of the good light for the day. Happily this was not the case.

158805 approaches Mirfield on 18 March 2006 with the 11:04 Manchester Airport to Newcastle TransPennine service. The train had just joined the Brighouse route (straight ahead) at Heaton Lodge Junction, seen in the background.

158806 approaches Micklefield on 4 September 1999 with the 12:55 Sunderland to Liverpool Lime Street Arriva Trains Northern service. The unit is branded 'TransPennine Express', which from 2004 would become the name of the franchise operator for this route. The line on the right leads to Selby.

With the base of one of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station's cooling towers visible on the right, 158806 pulls away from East Midlands Parkway station on 11 March 2010 with the 06:50 Sleaford to Leicester East Midlands Trains service. East Midlands Parkway station opened on 26 January 2009. Note the remains of the old connection to the power station in the foreground.

158807 leaves Blackburn station on 16 September 1995 with the late running 13:46 York to Blackpool North Regional Railways service. Directly behind the train is one of Blackburn's two former goods sheds. This one has since been demolished, and replaced with the almost inevitable industrial estate.

With hints of Yorkshire's former industrial past visible on the background (Ledgard Bridge Mill, now converted into flats), 158808 rounds the curve at Mirfield on 18 March 2006 with the 11:00 Middlesbrough to Manchester Airport TransPennine service.

158810 heads west at Saxondale on 27 May 2019 with the 2S06 08:10 Skegness to Nottingham East Midlands Trains service, just as the sun fades out into high cloud. Unfortunately that was the last I saw of the sun all day!

A pair of obsolete liveries at Rauceby on 25 July 2009. 158812 (in the old East Midlands Trains colour scheme) & 158862 (in rebranded former Central Trains livery) speed past with the 08:45 Nottingham to Skegness service. Frustratingly it is not possible to include the R of Rauceby's signal box nameboard in the picture without stepping off the platform edge!

158815 climbs the 1 in 37 Lickey Incline on 27 April 1996 with the 07:13 Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Street service. This spot is approximately half way up the two mile bank. The town of Bromsgrove can just be seen through the trees in the background.

158815 arrives at Ribblehead station on 14 April 2018 with the 2H03 07:52 Carlisle to Leeds Northern service. As is often the case, the vast baulk of Whernside in the background is partly enveloped in low cloud.

158816 passes Alderbury on 30 December 2003 with the 11:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour Wessex Trains service. The unit is wearing the Alphaline livery, using a name which had been in use with Regional Railways since before privatisation.

Cardiff is the usual point of origin for cross country services to the Midlands via Gloucester, but more distant destinations are also served. This view at Severn Tunnel Junction on 27 February 1996 show a pair of Class 158s passing each other with what at the time were branded Alphaline services. 158817 is working the 07:24 Milford Haven to Birmingham New Street service, while in the background the 08:58 Birmingham New Street to Fishguard Harbour service heads for the farthest extremity of West Wales.

A forbidding sky hangs over Mexborough station on 2 March 2002, but the gleaming paintwork of 158817 tries to compensate as it speeds through the station. Quite what an Alphaline Class 158 is doing so far north is not certain, but judging by the ex-works condition, I would assume that it is heading back to the West Country after being repainted. Confirmation anyone?

A slightly misty spring afternoon at Freshford on 30 April 1993. 158818 heads down to Avon Valley with the 1F20 13:20 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central Regional Railways service. The River Frome joins the River Avon just before they pass underneath the railway by the trees on the right.

158818 passes Highnam (near Gloucester) on 29 March 2008 with the 07:05 Cardiff Central to Cheltenham Arriva Trains Wales service. Although a plain livery (or perhaps because its so plain), this colour scheme seems to suit these units very well.

Ginsters liveried 158819 passes Tram Inn on 5 May 2003 with the 09:44 Cardiff Central to Crewe Wales & Borders service. This is the exact opposite of what most photographers ore doing now, a dramatic low level shot with lots of clouds inn the picture. Very few people had thought of hoisting cameras into the air on poles in 2003!

158819's Arriva livery looks very restrained compared with the host of bright colours on the privatised railway. It formally carrying Ginsters advertising vinyls, and presumably this grey colour scheme is purely temporary. It is pictured leaving Hereford on 2 June 2009 with the 15:20 Cardiff Central to Holyhead Arriva Trains Wales service.

158820 speeds through Bittern on the Southampton to Fareham line with the 12:00 Cardiff Central to Brighton Regional Railways service on  5 March 1994. 158820 was just over two years old when this photo was taken and still carried its original livery. Superb late afternoon lighting with some very threatening dark clouds in the background over Southampton.

158820 passes Cattybrook on 22 July 1995 with the 09:38 Tenby to Brighton service. I deliberately took this from an unusual angle in order to include the new Severn Bridge being constructed in the background. The two towers of the cable stayed bridge have been completed, but are not yet connected. Note also the long approach viaduct. The bridge opened the following year.

158820 passes Pandy on 3 May 2023 with the 1V39 10:30 Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central Transport for Wales service. In contrast to TfW's recent punctuality, this was running a couple of minutes early, and so would have an extended stop at the next station, Abergavenny.

I think I'll just go and buy a Cornish Pasty! With advertising on the roof, as well as the bodyside, there was no mistaking the Ginsters liveried 158821, seen here passing Wormbridge on 5 May 2003 with the 08:45 Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly Wales & Borders service.

A busy moment at Harlech on 20 October 2014. Underneath the shadow of the 13th century Harlech Castle, local schoolchildren prepare to board a couple of trains that are crossing in the station. In the foreground 158821 is just arriving with the 2J11 10:09 Birmingham International to Pwllheli Arriva Trains Wales service, while in the other platform 158830 waits with the 2G55 13:38 Pwllheli to Birmingham International.

Despite the removal of the passing loop, and the addition of various modern signs, Criccieth station retains plenty of period character. 158821 arrives exactly on time (note the train indicator) on 20 October 2014 with the 2G65 15:37 Pwllheli to Machynlleth Arriva Trains Wales service. The picture was deliberately taken a little early in order to show the details of the platform canopy.

158821 & 158830 pass Dolfach in the rain on 6 May 2024 with the 1I20 13:30 Aberystwyth and Pwllheli to Birmingham International Transport for Wales service. 158821 had worked the train from Pwllheli, with 158830 being added at Machynlleth. 158832 would later be added at Shrewsbury.

Sporting the rather bland Arriva transitional livery, 158822 nears journey's end as it passes Up Hatherley on 16 March 2009 with the 2G56 09:17 Maesteg to Cheltenham Arriva Trains Wales service. Naturally, this unit has subsequently been repainted into Arriva's much more striking turquoise colour scheme.

Sunshine and shade at Portskewett on 20 September 2008. 158823 passes with the 09:17 Maesteg to Cheltenham Arriva Trains Wales service. On the face of it an unlikely through service, I wonder if any passengers ever travel the entire route? The field on the right was the site of Time Team's recent excavation of the site where Harold Godwinson, later to become King Harold, built a hunting lodge in 1065 after defeating the Welsh. Hence the local name of Harold's Field.

158823 calls at Tonfanau station on 13 May 2022 with the 2I24 13:38 Pwllheli to Machynlleth Transport for Wales service. This station is a request stop, but on this occasion there were no passengers, just two photographers! Although the station was once almost surrounded by a large army camp, now there is hardly any habitation in the area, apart from the former station building, which has been converted into a private residence.

158824 passes Up Hatherley on 14 March 2011 with the 2G54 08:00 Maesteg to Cheltenham Arriva Trains Wales service. Close inspection of the original high-res file reveals that in typical DMU tradition the wrong destination is being displayed. In this case the point of origin - Maesteg. Nowadays I prefer this location to the once popular bridge at Badgeworth, which can be seen in the background. A large radio mast (just visible) now effectively ruins that location.

A location that I had meaning to visit for several years, and after doing the evening shot in 2018 from the other side of the line, here is my first picture of Highnam from the south side of the line around midday. 158824 heads westwards on 26 February 2019 with the 2G55 11:46 Cheltenham Spa to Cardiff Central Transport for Wales service.

158824 passes Rhownair (between Aberdovey and Tywyn) with the 2J03 08:53 Machynlleth to Pwllheli Transport for Wales service on 13 May 2022. Just out of sight in the background is the Irish Sea. Round the headland on the left is the Dovey Estuary.

I wonder if there is a buffet trolley selling pasties on this train? Ginsters liveried 158825 leaves Wem station with the 08:41 Crewe to Shrewsbury service on 4 June 2005. Although the signal box survives by virtue of the adjacent level crossing, the station itself now only has very basic passenger facilities.

A brief burst of sunshine amid the clouds at Little Stretton, illuminates 158826 as it heads north with the 08:45 Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly service on 26 October 1996. Little Stretton is just over a mile south of the Shropshire market town of Church Stretton.

158828 passes Ponthir on 5 August 1998 with the 18:45 Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly service. The unit is wearing the original Regional Railways livery, but with the addition of Alphaline branding. This view no longer exists due to a massive increase in lineside vegetation.

158828 approaches Elmbridge (near Gloucester) on 23 March 2020 with the 2G51 10:37 Cheltenham Spa to Cardiff Central Transport for Wales service. The houses of Churchdown can just be glimpsed through the bushes in the background.

Just as the sun starts to break through the clouds, after a lengthy period of rain, 158828 passes Pandy on 30 October 2021 with the 1V34 06:30 Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven Transport for Wales service.

158828 passes Rhownair (Between Tywyn and Aberdovey) with the 2I10 07:24 Pwllheli to Machynlleth Transport foe Wales service on 13 May 2022. It is passing a small permanent way yard, which is conveniently situated where the railway runs right alongside the A493 road.

158829 passes Haywood (near Hereford) on 28 December 1991 with the 1V82 12:04 Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central service. 158829 had only been in service a few days when this picture was taken, which explains why it looks so clean. This is the view from above the extremely short Haywood Tunnel. Although I haven't been back to check, a quick look on Google Earth suggests that this view is no longer possible, as trees now totally block out anything other than a completely head on viewpoint.

A Class 158 meeting at Hawkeridge Junction on 18 August 1993. 158829 heads away from the camera with the 09:20 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central service, while 158870 approaches with the 09:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour. Neither of these trains would call at the nearby Westbury station.

158829 passes Pwll on 18 July 2002 with the 10:44 Birmingham New Street to Milford Haven Wales & Borders Trains service. This picture is taken from where the Millennium Coast Path crosses the railway, oddly not by a conventional footbridge, but over the top of a short cut and cover tunnel!

158829 climbs the 1 in 37 Lickey Incline on 26 July 2003 with the 07:05 Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Street Wales & Borders Trains service. Wales & Borders was a very short lived franchise, lasting barely two years. It replaced Wales & West and was succeeded by Arriva Trains Wales. 158829 is wearing the Alphaline livery, originally applied by Wales & West.

158829 passes Malago Vale on 8 May 2004 with the 06:25 Carmarthen to Penzance Arriva Trains Wales service. How would you fancy such a mammoth journey in a Class 158? The buddleia bushes are taking over what's left of the site of the former Malago Vale carriage sidings on the right.

A close up view of 158829, as it passes Briton Ferry on 14 April 2007 with the 13:10 Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly Arriva Trains Wales service. This is the view from the A48 road bridge, which despite being a busy road, has a really wide footpath, safely separated from the main carriageway.

158829, 158832 & 158830 (out of sight around the reverse curve) arrive at Machynlleth on 29 May 2016 with the 1J23 16:07 Birmingham International to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli Arriva Trains Wales service. The train will divide here, with one unit going forward as the 2J23 18:55 Machynlleth to Pwllheli. The train is passing the old engine shed, now serving as a DMU stabling point.

158830 passes Nant-y-Derry (between Abergavenny and Pontypool) with the 05:23 Holyhead to Cardiff Central Wales & Borders service on 23 August 2003. The unit is wearing the Alphaline livery, complete with large A graphics that were partially interrupted by the windows.

158830 arrives at Harlech station on 20 October 2014 with the 2G55 13:38 Pwllheli to Birmingham International Arriva Trains Wales service. Note the grass covered platforms. Only the sections near the station building are now in use, with the rest fenced off. Several miles of dead straight track can be seen stretching off into the distance. Barely visible in the clouds is the great mass of the mountains in the Snowdonia National Park.

158831 passes Limpley Stoke on 12 August 1993 with the 1F08 07:03 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central Regional Railways service. Limpley Stoke, and the surrounding villages of Freshford and Monkton Combe were used as filming locations for the classic 1953 Ealing film 'The Titfield Thunderbolt'.

158831 & 158841 pass the lineside cottage at Dolfach on 6 May 2024 with the 1J15 12:08 Birmingham International to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli Transport for Wales service. This is approximately halfway between the closed stations of Talerddig and Llanbrynmair.

The classic location of Sydney Gardens, Bath, which was a superb location to watch trains go by, with seats in the park provided for that very purpose. For well over a century there was nothing more than the low stone wall between the park and the line. Network Rail have now ruined this by adding a crude chestnut paling fence, although that is nothing compared with the desecration this location will suffer if the partially aborted electfrication ever gets here! 158832 passes through the gardens on 19 August 1993 with the 07:18 Swansea to Portsmouth Harbour service.

An almost aerial view of Wye Valley Junction on 17 March 2007. 158832 passes by with the 11:45 Cheltenham to Maesteg Arriva Trains Wales service. Although long disused, the lever frame for the branch is still in situ. This view is somewhat deceptive, as it appears that the turnout connecting the branch to the mainline is also still there. However, plain line has replaced the point, but the old rails (even in the 'four foot' of the mainline) are still there.

158832 & 158823 pass Walcot on 26 July 2014 with the 1G15 07:30 Aberystwyth to Birmingham International Arriva Trains Wales service. Only one of the units would have originated from Aberystwyth, the other would have joined it at Machynlleth, after arriving with the 2G15 06:46 from Barmouth.

158833 passes underneath the road bridge at Sutton Bridge Junction on 13 May 2000 with the 07:20 Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly Wales & West service. On the left is the 61 lever Sutton Bridge Junction signal box.

158833 rounds the sharp curve at the site of Grange Court Junction on 14 January 2011, as it works the 2G54 08:00 Maesteg to Cheltenham Arriva Trains Wales service. The relief line on the right definitely hasn't been used for a good few years, as the bramble bushes are encroaching in the background.

Definitely in need of a wash! With its silver livery covered in a later of brown grime, 158833 passes Minsterworth on 6 April 2011 with the 2G56 09:15 Maesteg to Gloucester Arriva Trains Wales service. Churcham church can be seen on the right.

158833 passes Badgeworth in a brief burst of sunshine on 15 June 2018 with the 2G56 09:16 Maesteg to Cheltenham Spa Arriva Trains Wales service. The yellow colour of the mown field on the right certainly breaks up the mid summer green monotony.

158833 passes Preston Boats (near Shrewsbury) on 8 August 2018 with the 1G31 08:30 Aberystwyth to Birmingham International Arriva Trains Wales service. Luckily it wasn't a windy day, or the view would have been compromised by seeds blowing in the wind from the Rosebay Willowherb on the left!

158836 leaves Barmouth on 18 June 2005 with the 11:32 Pwllheli to Birmingham New Street Arriva Trains Wales service. Naturally I had not traveled all the way to the West Wales coast  for a Class 158. I had intended to photograph the Pathfinder Tours 'Snowdonian I' railtour, however amazingly this was diverted whilst en-route to run to Blackpool! Although I suppose it does show a surprising amount of last minute initiative, it was a bit frustrating being stuck so far away from the action. Trouble with the loco (37406) meant that Network Rail would not allow the train to proceed to its original destination, due to the remoteness from any potential rescue locomotive.

158836 heads away from Machynlleth station on 19 October 2014 with the 1G21 11:30 Aberystwyth to Birmingham International Arriva Trains Wales service. A brief spell of sunshine provides ideal illumination for this going away shot, with the hills (and solitary wind turbine) as a scenic background.

With the massive bulk of Foel Llanfendigaid dominating the background, 158836 passes Tonfanau on 13 May 2022 with the 2G65 15:37 Pwllheli to Machynlleth Transport for Wales service. A wider view is not possible here, as I was standing within a few feet of the cliff edge!

Brand new 158837 passes the entrance to the disused chalk quarry at East Grimstead on 19 March 1992 with the 15:28 Southampton to Salisbury Regional Railways service. The quarry was opened in 1972, but was only in use for a few years, although it was used for storing withdrawn 4-TC sets in the late 1980s.

158837 passes Marshfield on 4 March 2006 with the 08:34 Manchester Piccadilly to Milford Haven Arriva Trains Wales service. Plain light blue, with just white doors and an Arriva logo, this is a very restrained (and compared to some) tasteful livery!

Rush hour at Pilning! On 12 December 1994, the guard of 158838 waits (in vain!) for passengers at the remote station whilst working the 12:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central Regional Railways service - the only down train of the day to call at the station. By an amazing stroke of luck, consecutively numbered 158839 is pictured passing through at speed in the other direction with the 14:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour train. Incidentally, the only up train to serve the station at the time departed at 09:37 towards Bristol.

158838 passes Ley Court (between Oakle Street and Grange Court) on 2 November 2018 with the 2G55 11:46 Cheltenham Spa to Cardiff Central Transport for Wales service. Note that the former Arriva Trains Wales branding has been removed, and replaced by Transport for Wales wording.

158840 & 158837 pass Preston Boats with the 1G31 10:34 Shrewsbury to Birmingham International Arriva Trains Wales service on 19 May 2016. Note the dead pigeon hitching a ride on the front of 158840! Disappearing into the distance is 170507, which is working the late running 1J08 09:05 Birmingham New Street to Shrewsbury London Midland service. It would return shortly with the 1G23 10:47 Shrewsbury to Birmingham New Street.

158840 passes Badgeworth on 22 October 2019 with the 2G56 09:16 Maesteg to Cheltenham Spa Transport for Wales service. The unit still carries Arriva Trains Wales livery, with the addition of subtle new branding.

Ginsters liveried 158841 passes Spetchley on 20 September 2003 with the 17:00 Birmingham New Street to Cardiff Central Wales & Borders service, just as the 14:13 Plymouth to York Virgin CrossCountry Voyager heads in the opposite direction.

158841 passes Wye Valley Junction (near Chepstow) with the 13:45 Cheltenham to Maesteg Arriva Trains Wales service on 17 March 2007. Note the disused Wye Valley Branch climbing up above the mainline in the background. The bridge in the background is purely an occupation crossing for Mead Farm (on the right).

158841 arrives at Machynlleth on 19 October 2014 with the 1J13 11:26 Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Arriva Trains Wales service, passing classmate 158839, which is resting between duties in the old steam loco shed. The loco depot closed in 1966, with the majority of the buildings being demolished. However, the walls of the original shed survived, and now are back in use again, with a new roof. The depot now serves as the main base for Arriva Train's Cambrian Line fleet of DMUs.

Penychain station (between Criccieth and Pwllheli) is now a little used unstaffed request stop, but during the 1950s and 1960s it was very busy, as it was situated next to the famous Butlins Pwllheli holiday camp. In fact in those days it was known as Butlins Penychain station. After the 1960s most campers arrived by car, and the station declined in importance. Butlins closed in 1998, and the site is now a caravan park. The station presents an odd appearance, with its massive zig-zag disabled access ramp (mostly off to the left of this picture), and its rural location, down a narrow farm track. The trees behind the station building now hide the caravans from view. On 20 October 2014, 158841 accelerates away again with the 2J15 12:09 Birmingham International to Pwllheli Arriva Trains Wales service, after briefly slowing down in the vain hope that there might be some passengers.

158842 passes Panteg on 28 May 2005 with the 13:05 Carmarthen to Manchester Piccadilly Arriva Trains Wales service. Judging by the rust and weeds, its been a long time since the sidings on the right were last used!

158843 approaches Hall Royd Junction on 16 November 2015 with the 1B15 09:11 Blackpool North to York Northern service. The train, which was running late due to flooding, is rounding the sharp curve from Stansfield Hall Junction.

158843 approaches Goole on 17 December 2016 with the 2C43 11:23 Hull to Doncaster Northern service. Note the advertising vinyls, which partly cover the windows. Obviously Northern don't consider being able to look out of the window as being very important!

158844 crosses the River Wreake near Frisby-on-the-Wreake on 21 April 2001, as it heads towards Leicester with the 07:27 Stanstead Airport to Liverpool Lime Street Central Trains service. It seems that a Class 158 is almost exactly the same length as the bridge!

An unusual visitor to the Great Western Mainline on 21 May 2001. Central Trains 158844 heads east past Compton Beauchamp with the late running 09:03 Bristol Temple Meads to Oxford First Great Western service. These trains were normally worked by FGW's Class 165s, but occasionally Central Trains Class 158s were hired in, as here. Thanks to Simon Coles for the information.

158844 leads an unidentified Ginsters liveried classmate on 29 April 2006, as they approach Codsall Wood with the 1G15 07:30 Aberystwyth to Birmingham New Street Central Trains service. The bridge I am standing on marks the boundary between Shropshire and Staffordshire.

158545 & 158847 pass Sutton Bridge Junction, Shrewsbury, on 27 March 2004 with the 08:34 Birmingham New Street to Aberystwyth Central Trains service. A pair of two car DMUs was nothing, as an hour later three sets came from the other direction.

158845 catches the last rays of the setting sun, as it approaches Creykes Crossing on 20 April 2019 with the 1J53 17:35 Bridlington to Sheffield Northern service. This location, between Goole and Thorne, is situated at the end of long narrow road that now just serves the farm on the other side of the railway. However, formerly there was a siding here to connect with an extensive narrow gauge peat railway system, that stretched out onto Rawcliffe and Goole Moors. There was also a peat works situated behind the trees in this view, as well as, according to the 1906 Ordnance Survey 25 inch map, a firelighter and disinfectant works!

158846 speeds through Manea station on 22 March 1998 with the 15:50 Norwich to Manchester Piccadilly Central Trains service. The 'Way Out' sign is appropriate, as the station is way out in the fens, and although just on the edge of Manea village, like most fenland stations, it has a very remote feel.

At Llandecwyn, on the Porthmadog to Dovey Junction line, the railway runs alongside the road, after crossing over the Afon Dwyryd at the Pont Briwet bridge. This is the close up roadside view of 158846, as it rounds the curve on 6 August 2002 with the 2G35 09:42 Pwllheli to Machynlleth Wales & Borders service.

158846 heads away from the camera at Ynyslas on 22 March 2003 with the 1G55 15:36 Aberystwyth to Birmingham New Street Wales & Borders service. It's not very often that you see a neat row of trackside daffodils!

158847 passes Lower Birchwood on 8 April 1992 with the 11:56 Liverpool Lime Street to Stanstead Airport Regional Railways service. The gap between the bushes was just big enough in 1992 for an uninterrupted view of a two car DMU. The same cannot be said now, as the whole location has been swamped by trees.

Devoid of any front end identification, 158847 arrives at Porthmadog station on 8 August 2002 with the 2G75 17:38 Pwllheli to Machynlleth Wales & Borders service. At Machynlleth this connects with the 1G75 19:30 Aberystwyth to Birmingham New Street. The state of the track (covered in litter and weds) would be a shock to a PW worker from the days of steam!

158847 passes by a line of Class 66s parked in Washwood Heath Yard, as it heads east with the 1L08 08:24 Birmingham New Street to Stansted Airport Central Trains service, deputising for the more normal Class 170 unit. Note the stacked portacabins, which are the standard solution for small offices in railway yards across the country.

158847 heads away from the camera at Buckenham on 14 May 2019 with the 2J63 06:35 Lowestoft to Norwich Greater Anglia service. The hired in East Midlands Trains Class 158 adds a bit of variety to the East Anglian DMU scene.

158848, 158852 & 158853 come off the Cambrian Line at Sutton Bridge Junction, Shrewsbury, on 27 March 2004 with the 1G25 09:25 Aberystwyth to Birmingham New Street Central Trains service. The rear unit has joined the train at Machynlleth, having worked the 2G25 07:36 departure from Pwllheli.

158848 just catches the early morning light, as it runs along the East Coast Mainline at Great Heck on 29 November 2012 with what is presumably the diverted 1J22 07:14 Bridlington to Sheffield Northern Rail service.

158848 heads down the Calder Valley at Cornholme on 16 March 2015 with the 1B17 10:11 Blackpool North to York Northern Rail service. A typical Pennine scene, and unfortunately also in typical Pennine weather!

The unique Tour de France yellow liveried 158849 departs from Goole station on 14 November 2015 with the 1J26 11:11 Bridlington to Sheffield Northern service. The wording on the side reads: 'We Took You To The Tour'. It formerly read: 'Taking You To The Tour'. In the foreground is the equally unique spectacle of a passenger train in the Goole Docks branch headshunt. This is the UK Railtours 1Z25 07:14 Finsbury Park to Goole Docks 'Galloping Goolie' railtour. 66206 can just be seen amid the silver birch bushes.

Tour de France yellow liveried 158849 speeds through the remote station at Saltmarshe (actually near the village of Laxton) on the rainy afternoon of 14 November 2015 with the 1W40 13:41 Sheffield to Bridlington Northern service.

158849 crosses Arten Gill Viaduct on 14 April 2018 with the 2H10 08:49 Leeds to Carlisle Northern service. Presumably the mounds behind the unit are spoil tips, where material excavated from the cutting in the distance was dumped.

Saltmarshe station has an infrequent service, as befits its isolated location in the flat countryside between Gilberdyke and Goole. One of the few trains booked to call is the 2C58 10:53 Hull to Doncaster Northern service, seen here arriving at the station on 3 November 2020, worked by 158849.

A northerner in the south! Well away from its usual area, 158850 passes Bredon on 14 June 2021 with the 5V81 12:59 Heaton to Bristol Barton Hill ECS. This occasional working is to allow modifications to be made to the units, although you would have thought that the work could have been done nearer to its home depot!

158851 passes the 1885 built Great Eastern Railway signal box at Lakenheath on 22 February 1997 with the 13:00 Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street Central Trains service. There was almost a glimpse of sun for this picture, but the dark clouds rolling in from the east ensured that wouldn't happen again!

The 11:35 Aberystwyth to Birmingham New Street Central Trains services runs alongside the River Dovey at Glandyfi on 5 August 2002, led by 158852. The train will follow the Dovey all the way to Cemmaes Road, where it will head up the valley of one of the river's tributaries towards Talerddig.

158852 crosses the Afon Leri at Ynyslas on 22 March 2003 with the 1I14 11:35 Aberystwyth to Birmingham New Street Central Trains service. Thankfully the plank and scaffolding footbridge in the foreground as now been replaced by a more permanent structure.

158852 arrives at Lowdham on 31 March 2018 with the 2N35 11:37 Matlock to Newark Castle East Midlands Trains service. Lowdham Signal Box closed in 2016, which explains the 1896 - 2016 notice in the window.

158853 passes Rossett on 10 July 1999 with the 07:36 Birmingham New Street to Chester Central Trains service. The Rosebay Willowherb is starting to colonise the ballast of what was once a four track railway. The double track mainline also had two loops at this point, which makes today's single track line look a bit pathetic!

158853 has just passed underneath the Oxford to Worcester Cotswold Line at Norton on 12 April 2003, as it heads north with the 07:05 Cardiff Central to Birmingham New Street Wales & Borders service. The unit is wearing the stylish Central Trains livery, but with subtle Wales & Borders Trains branding. It would hang on to this colour scheme for several more years, becoming even more devoid of branding, and moving further north to work for Northern Rail.

158853 accelerates away from Goole with the 16:32 Beverley to Sheffield Northern Rail service on 8 May 2007. This is one of the former Central Trains units, and still bears that company's livery, albeit with all branding painted out. In the background 66230 can be seen waiting to leave with the 6H93 17:04 Goole to Peterborough Yard sand empties.

158853 passes Hexthorpe on 28 July 2008 with the 1J25 10:12 Bridlington to Sheffield Northern service. Something much more interesting is approaching from the line on the right, but unlike Northern, the Fastline freight franchise unfortunately did not survive for long!

158853 passes through Hatfield & Stainforth station on 28 November 2012 with the 1J26 11:11 Bridlington to Sheffield Northern Rail service. 20302 is waiting at the signals with the 3S14 11:13 Grimsby Town to Malton RHTT (with 20312 on the rear).

158855 Exmoor Explorer passes Flax Bourton on 11 August 2007 with the 11:37 Weston-super-Mare to Bristol Temple Meads First Great Western service. 158855 would soon loose its name and be repainted into the impressive Northern Rail purple livery.

158855 passes Clay Cross on 9 June 2018 with the 1Y27 17:03 Leeds to Nottingham Northern service. I hadn't visited this location for some considerable time, and I was surprised at just how much the lineside vegetation has increased.

A close up action shot of 158856 as it passes Manea with the 13:24 Peterborough to Stansted Central Trains service on 23 January 2005. After a ten year reign, Central lost its franchise in November 2007, with this service passing to Arriva Cross Country. Other parts of the network were split between East Midlands Trains and London Midland.

158856 passes Saxondale in weak winter sunshine on 11 March 2022 with the 1L06 09:40 Nottingham to Norwich East Midlands Railway service. The wide formation here is a reminder that at one time the section between Radcliffe-on-Trent and Saxondale Junction boasted four tracks.

158858 approaches Bingham on 14 March 2016 with the 1R82 10:57 Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street East Midlands Trains service. The foot crossing just behind the train is one of several in the village, the houses of which border the railway for over a mile.

158860 arrives at Goole with the 08:41 Sheffield to Bridlington Northern Rail service on 26 June 2008. The Guardian float glass works dominates the background, and the line serving the plant can be seen, both on the right of the picture, and crossing the field just below the main buildings in the distance. Note that the former open space next to the railway is now home to industrial units, with stacks of chemical drums up against the railway fence on the left.

158860 comes off the Goole line at Thorne Junction on 21 July 2014 with the 1J53 17:36 Bridlington to Doncaster Northern service. The bridge in the background carries the M18 motorway over both the railway and the Thorne to Stainforth road.

158861 slows down for the approach to Goole station on 11 March 2009 whilst working the 09:06 Bridlington to Sheffield Northern Rail service. The signal on the left protects the swing bridge over the River Ouse, which is a short distance around the corner to the right. Although very infrequently used nowadays, there are still occasions when rail services face an unexpected delay while a large ship passes through. It is just as well there isn't more river traffic, as there can be a significant wait, as the whole opening and closing process is rather protracted.

158861 arrives at Goole on 5 September 2014 with the 2C83 17:36 Bridlington to Doncaster Northern service. The Hull Trains representative on the platform was supervising the extra trains that were calling at the station, due to the closure of the Selby Swing Bridge for major maintenance work.

Ancient and modern at Bottesford on 6 September 2012. 158862 passes the charming Victorian crossing keeper's cottage as it heads east with the 1L08 09:52 Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich East Midlands Trains service. The green signal here is worrying, as it means the barriers for the level crossing just around the corner are down, and the 2S12 11:15 Skegness to Nottingham (worked by 156498 & 153383) is bearing down from behind me, threatening to block out the picture!

158864 glints in the low late evening sun as it passes Gonerby Moor with the 17:45 Nottingham to Skegness East Midlands Trains service on 25 July 2009. Yet another variation of livery on an EMT Class 158, this time a rebranded Alphaline example. This train has just traversed the recently constructed Allington curve, which allows Skegness trains to call at Grantham without interfering with traffic on the Eat Coast Mainline. Skegness bound trains now leave Grantham on the same line they arrived on, rather than heading up the ECML and diverging at Barkston South Junction. Note that despite the modern trackwork that has been constructed just beyond the bridge in the background, this section is still vintage bullhead track.

158866 passes Defford on 10 April 2007 with the 14:09 Great Malvern to Taunton service. To show the pace of change on the privatised railway, this unit is working a First Great Western service, despite being in the obsolete Alphaline livery, and shortly afterwards moved on to pastures new, becoming part of the East Midlands Trains fleet.

158866 pulls away from Lowdham station on 21 July 2014 with the 2L62 11:41 Lincoln Central to Leicester East Midlands Trains service. The 1896 built Midland Railway signal box has been retained to control the adjacent level crossing.

158866 passes Saxondale on 14 March 2016 with the 1L05 06:47 Liverpool Lime Street to Norwich East Midlands Trains service. Spellow Farm is in the background, along with its twin arched occupation bridge, which appears to have been recently modified.

158866 approaches Aslockton at speed on 14 March 2016 with the 1R90 12:57 Norwich to Liverpool Lime Street East Midlands Trains service. A convenient footpath runs alongside the line here, offering a number of photographic vantage points.

158868 approaches Patchway on 29 April 1993 with the 12:20 Swansea to Portsmouth Harbour service. This is the point where the up and down lines separate, allowing a gentler gradient for trains climbing up from the Severn Tunnel.

The very last rays of the setting sun give a golden glow to 158868, as it emerges from Twerton Tunnel on 12 October 1994 with the 1F26 15:24 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central Regional Railways service. The recently planted trees in the foreground of this picture have now grown into a dense wood, and there is no longer any possibility of a wide view such as this.

158868 leads an unidentified classmate past the semaphores at Woofferton on 14 August 1999. The train is the 09:33 Manchester Piccadilly to Penzance Wales & West service. At the time these long distance trains were running under the Alphaline banner. The Alphaline sticker is the only alteration to the Class 158's original livery.

Like a large number of less important stations on the national network, Keynsham lost its once impressive station building when it became too large for the scaled down service in the 1960s. At least the replacement, seen here on 30 October 1992 is a littler better than the usual 'bus shelter' type structure. 158869 races through with the 09:20 Swansea to Portsmouth Harbour Regional Railways service, while a few passengers wait for the following 11:31 Bristol Temple Meads to Weymouth stopping train.

158869 passes Hemingbrough on 18 October 2023 with the 2K10 09:17 Halifax to Hull Northern service. This is the view looking west from Hagg Lane, along the lengthy straight section that extends from near Selby, all the way to Brough.

158870 brings up the rear of a very colourful ensemble at Pilning on 7 August 2005. I wouldn't normally contemplate a going away shot, but the lighting dictates otherwise here. This Class 150/158 lash up consists of four different liveried units. Presumably an ECS move, this is being led by 150283 in Arriva blue, followed by an unidentified 158 in Central Trains green, followed by an unidentified 150 in Wessex livery, with the Alphaline liveried 158870 at the back.

Dark threatening clouds hang over Abergavenny on 23 April 1994 as 158871 approaches with the 10:33 Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central Regional Railways service. I think a little bush pruning is required here, as the sighting of the starting signal at the end of the platform must be a little restricted for the drivers of northbound trains.

158871 crosses the Ports Creek near Portcreek Junction on 18 October 2003, as it heads away from the camera with the 1F23 14:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour Wessex Trains service. Ports Creek connects Portsmouth Harbour to Langstone Harbour.

The First Great Western Westbury to Swindon service is poorly used due to the bizarre timing of the infrequent trains. There are just two trains in each direction Mondays to Saturdays, and inexplicably two trains from Westbury to Swindon on a Sunday, but none in the opposite direction! 158872 in the now defunct Alphaline livery passes Langley Burrell with the 09:07 Westbury to Swindon service on 8 September 2007.

158880 passes the disconnected siding, as it slows down for the approach to Dean station on 21 March 2009 with the 11:07 Romsey to Salisbury South West Trains service. Most trains pass through this small village station without stopping.

In soft late afternoon spring sunshine 158880 passes Lee (between Romsey and Southampton) with the 14:48 Salisbury to Southampton South West Trains service on 21 March 2009. A large tree is inconveniently positioned just to the left of the bridge on which I am standing, which effectively precludes getting any further to the side for a wider angle view.

An interloper on the Cheltenham to Swindon 'Golden Valley' line! Hired in South West Trains 158880 approaches the site of Oaksey station on 14 November 2009 with the 12:01 Cheltenham to Swindon First Great Western service. For a long time this view was virtually impossible due to tree growth, but a recent Railtrack blitz has seen the entire cutting side cleared of vegetation.

Sapperton Tunnel is divided into two sections, with a short open gap towards the southern end. On 21 March 2011, 158880 emerges from the long section and is almost instantly about to enter the short section whilst working the 2B90 09:40 Cheltenham to Swindon First Great Western service. This convenient roadside viewpoint was until recently totally impossible due the vegetation surrounding the tunnel. However, it's not easy even now, as the constant road traffic noise makes hearing the approaching train very difficult. 158880 is on long term hire to First Great Western and its South West Trains livery adds a bright splash of colour to a dull day.

A Class 158/159 combination at Worting Junction on 17 May 2023. 158880, 159016 & 159104 come off the non-electrified West of England line, onto the 750V line from Southampton, as they head towards London with the 1L18 05:41 Yeovil Pen Mill to Waterloo South Western Railway service.

On hire to First Great Western from South West Trains and bringing a welcome change of livery to the FGW area, 158881 takes the 'Golden Valley' route at Standish Junction with the 2B90 09:40 Cheltenham to Swindon service on a brilliantly sunny 25 October 2010.

158881 approaches Standish Junction on 12 October 2016 with the 2G87 15:36 Swindon to Cheltenham Spa GWR service. What I had hoped for here was a picture of the diverted 6B33 13:00 Theale to Robeston Murco oil empties, but it ran early, and it was passing under the bridge as I arrived!

A Class 158/159 combination at Potbridge on 8 March 2020. Under a threatening sky, 158881 & 159017 head east with the 5L10 09:32 Salisbury to Waterloo ECS. The 158 still retains the former South West Trains livery, whilst the 159 sports new franchise operator South Western Railway's colours.

A busy moment at Mount Pleasant (Southampton) on 11 August 2022. 158881 heads south with the 2S43 15:07 Romsey to Salisbury South Western Railway service. It is overtaking 450094, which is moving slowly along the relief line with the 2E44 14:38 Portsmouth & Southsea to Southampton Central train. In the background the 1N27 15:28 Southampton Central to Brighton Southern EMU waits a red signal.

Blackthorn blossom in abundance at Oaksey on 8 April 2011 as hired in South West Trains 158882 passes by with the 2B94 13:40 Cheltenham to Swindon First Great Western service. Note the young ash trees growing up in the foreground. How long before this viewpoint disappears?

South West Trains at Cheltenham! Hired in 158882 passes Up Hatherley on 4 September 2012 with the late running 2B94 13:40 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon First Great Western service. There were formerly tour tracks here, two each belonging to the GWR and LMS.

158882 approaches the site of Kimbridge Junction on 8 September 2016 with the 2S51 17:07 Romsey to Salisbury South West Trains service. This was formerly the junction for the Southern Railway line to Stockbridge and Andover.

158882 passes Oaksey on 4 September 2017 with the 2B94 13:20 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon GWR service. The scree slope on the left, which was created when the side of the cutting was stabilised, should prevent any vegetation spoiling the view for a few years. It's just unfortunate that it doesn't come right up to the bridge!

South West Trains in Lincolnshire! Well away from its former territory, 158883 shows no signs of East Midlands Trains ownership as it calls at Ancaster to pick up a couple of passengers whilst working the 10:15 Skegness to Nottingham service on 25 July 2009. 153308 can just be seen on the rear of the train. Only a handful of trains stop at Ancaster each day.

158883 brings a splash of inappropriate colour to the Cotswolds on 24 July 2012. The South West Trains liveried unit is working the 2B94 13:40 Cheltenham to Swindon First Great Western service. It is pictured here passing Badgeworth.

158883 passes Up Hatherley on 7 July 2017 with the 2B94 13:20 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon GWR service. The use of hired in South West Trains units has been common on this route for a number of years, and certainly brings a bit of livery variety to the area.

158883, 159010 & 159014 pass Old Basing on 16 June 2023 with the 1L28 07:25 Exeter St Davids to Waterloo South Western Railway service. The two Class 159s had worked all the way from Devon, with the Class 158 being added at Salisbury.

Hired in South West Trains 158884 passes Blagrove (near Swindon) with the 2M03 07:04 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa First Great Western service on 14 May 2014. Disappearing into the distance is the 1B05 06:45 Paddington to Swansea HST.

158884 passes Kemble Wick on 24 March 2017 with the 2B94 13:20 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon GWR service. This anomaly of a South West Trains liveried DMU in the Cotswolds is not as unusual as it would appear, as a number of Class 158s have been on hire to GWR for many years now, resulting in scenes like this being a daily occurrence. The unit is still accelerating, after its stop at Kemble station, which is just beyond the short tunnel in the background. The spire of Kemble church can been seen behind the trees on the right.

158884 passes Kemble Wick in the drizzle on 30 August 2017 with the 2G83 11:36 Swindon to Cheltenham Spa GWR service. The use of hired in South West Trains Class 158s has been common on this route for several years.

Hired in South West Trains 158884 passes Cashes Green on 5 October 2017 with the late running 2G87 15:36 Swindon to Cheltenham Spa GWR service. Although this looks relatively rural, it is in fact within the urban sprawl of Stroud, and once had its own halt.

Hired in South West Trains 158884 approaches Oaksey on 10 October 2017 with the 2B94 13:20 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon GWR service. There has been much recent vegetation clearance here, with trees and bushes removed from both sides of the line.

158884 passes Chalford on 8 May 2018 with the 2G83 11:36 Swindon to Cheltenham Spa GWR service. A backlit going away shot, but worth recording, as the colourful unit is hired in from South Western Railway.

158885 passes Awbridge (near Romsey) on 21 March 2009 with the 2R50 13:48 Salisbury to Romsey South West Trains service. On reaching Romsey (for the first time), the train will travel via Southampton, Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford, before arriving at Romsey once again.

A surprisingly clean 158885 brings a touch of SouthWest Trains red and white to the Gloucester area on 4 December 2017, as it passes Churchdown in the gloom with the 2G83 11:36 Swindon to Cheltenham Spa GWR service.

158885 passes Mount Pleasant (Southampton) on 11 August 2022 with the 2S39 14:07 Romsey to Salisbury South Western Railway service. This train would arrive back at Romsey 44 minutes after it left the town, after having done a complete circle via Eastleigh and Southampton.

Hired in South West Trains 158886 works the 2B90 09:18 Cheltenham to Swindon First Great Western service on 29 August 2014. It is seen here passing Haresfield, with the western escarpment of the Cotswold Hills visible in the background.

158886 passes the site of Bremell Sidings on 14 September 2016 with the 2G87 15:36 Swindon to Cheltenham Spa GWR service. The oil depot on the left was formerly rail connected, although unfortunately I never did manage to photograph a train in its sidings.

South West Trains, Cotswold Division! 158886 passes Up Hatherley on 20 June 2017 with the 2B94 13:20 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon GWR service. Unfortunately all was obviously not well with the unit, as it only managed to travel the six miles to Gloucester, where it was terminated. This location has recently been cleared of lineside vegetation, allowing a much wider view than previously.

A slightly different viewpoint at Kemble Wick on 5 March 2010. With the ivy covered bridge parapet in the foreground, 158887 heads south with the 13:40 Cheltenham to Swindon service. 158887 is on hire to First Great Western from South West Trains, and brings a welcome livery variation to the route. Just visible in the distance in the centre of this picture is the spire of Kemble church.

Looking immaculate in its recently applied South Western Railway livery, 158887 passes Croome on 12 February 2018 with the late running 2O90 12:51 Great Malvern to Weymouth GWR service. The earlier strong winter sunshine was now giving way to more subdued light, as high cloud moved in from the west.

On hire from South West Trains, 158888 accelerates away from its booked stop at Avoncliff on 18 April 2015 with the 2M98 12:27 Southampton Central to Great Malvern First Great Western service. Whilst the River Avon is clearly visible in the foreground, less obvious is the Kennet & Avon Canal, which is just behind the train, at a slightly higher level.

158888 passes the brand new houses at Moredon on 25 June 2018, as it works the 2M03 07:04 Westbury to Cheltenham Spa GWR service. Although it gives the impression of a South Western Railway service, because of the hired in unit, the fact that it was running 12 minutes late immediately confirms it as a GWR train!

South Western Railway in the Cotswolds. Hired in 158888 shows off its new (but inappropriate) livery, as it passes Oaksey on 25 September 2018 with the 2B94 13:20 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon GWR service.

On hire to First Great Western from South West Trains, 158889 approaches Up Hatherley on 4 May 2010 with the 11:54 Swindon to Cheltenham service. A number of SWT Class 158s have seen service on this route in late 2009 and early 2010, including 158880 & 158887.

Some welcome Southwest Trains colour amid a sea of First Great Western blue at Hay Lane (near Swindon) on 18 July 2013. 158889 heads for a reversal at Swindon with the 2M11 07:04 Westbury to Cheltenham First Great Western service.

South West Trains, Cotswold Division! 158890 passes the site of Oaksey station on 1 September 2017 with the 2B90 09:18 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon GWR service. Oaksey station was opened by the Great Western Railway on 18 February 1929, and was closed by British Railways on 2 November 1964.

A picturesque winter scene in the Stroud Valley near Ham Mill, photographed on 17 December 2018. South Western Railway 158890 climbs up the valley of the River Frome with the 2B94 13:20 Cheltenham Spa to Swindon GWR service. This was taken just a few moments before the weak sunshine disappeared behind clouds. The houses in the background are the Bowbridge and Mount Pleasant suburbs of Stroud. I particularly like this composition, with the large oak tree on the left, and the Thames & Severn Canal bridge on the right.

158901 accelerates away from South Milford station on 25 September 1999 with the 14:54 Selby to Manchester Victoria Regional Railways North East service. The off centre framing, with the inclusion of lots of sky, is deliberate. A sudden burst of sunshine was contrasting markedly with the dark clouds, and I also wanted to include Drax Power Station in the background, which was as usual throwing up huge columns of water vapour into the atmosphere.

158901 accelerates away from Hessle station on 17 October 2023 with the 2C62 12:50 Hull to Doncaster Northern service. This looks like a rural location, but the trees hide the houses of the southwestern edge of Hessle.

158902 crosses Lunds Viaduct on 12 July 2003 with the 14:10 Glasgow Central to Leeds Arriva Trains Northern service. The building on the right was once a school, even though it is one of only a handful of buildings in the area!

A surprising number of passengers can be seen waiting on the platform at Sherburn-in-Elmet on 22 July 2014, as 158903 approaches with the 2R84 10:46 Selby to York Northern service. The unit has Calder Valley promotional decals applied on top of the standard Northern Rail colour scheme.

158904 passes the impressive signals at Seamer West Junction on 31 March 1997 with the 16:48 Scarborough to Liverpool Lime Street Regional Railways North East service. Seamer West Signal Box was closed in 2000, and the signals have been removed.

158904 passes Gascoigne Wood Colliery on 18 October 1997 with the 09:34 Manchester Piccadilly to Hull Regional Railways North East service. This scene proves how important it is to include the contemporary railway infrastructure in pictures wherever possible. Despite having only been built in late 1970s, this huge complex has now closed, although there are still massive reserves of coal underground. Demolition has already started, and the large loading bunkers seen here are already part of history.

158904 passes Hemingbrough on 14 March 2008 with the 09:53 York to Hull Northern Rail service. Note the vintage cast iron milepost in the foreground. I'm surprised that has managed to survive, especially as it is so close to the track!

158904 passes Thorne Junction on 18 December 2016 with the 1J09 11:11 Scarborough to Sheffield Northern service. The competing form of transport, the M18 motorway, dominates the background. Not much traffic, as this is a Sunday.

Autumn colours don't get much better than this! 158904 passes Eastrington on 3 November 2020 with the 2R14 14:50 Hull to York Northern service. A fine display of golden autumn leaves, all lit by a low late afternoon sun, and backed by a mass of dark clouds makes the perfect picture. Something more interesting than a Class 158 would have been the icing on the cake, but that wasn't going to happen! Of course this lighting didn't last long, and disappeared as I walked back to the car.

158905 accelerates away from Goole on 8 May 2007 with the 14:54 Scarborough to Doncaster Northern Rail service. Potters Grange Junction is in the middle distance, and in the background 66230 is waiting to leave with the 6H93 17:04 Goole to Peterborough Yard sand empties.

158905 accelerates away from the station stop at Goole, and passes Potters Grange Junction with the 10:11 Bridlington to Sheffield Northern Rail service on 11 March 2010. Only a few years ago all the vegetation around the junction was completely cleared, but as most of the re-growrh is silver birch, which grows at a phenomenal rate, the view is getting already getting obstructed.

158906 heads away from Goole, and passes Potters Grange Junction with the 09:00 Beverley to Doncaster Northern Rail service on 26 June 2008. The recently cleared vegetation around the junction has responded well to the pruning with renewed vigour - not quite the intended result!

158906 arrives at Hebden Bridge station on 16 March 2015 with the 2U27 12:26 Manchester Victoria to Leeds Northern Rail service. 158906 appropriately carries Calder Valley advertising on its bodyside. This view clearly shows that the station's platforms are staggered, with a small overlap in the middle.

158907 pulls away from East Garforth station on 24 January 2004 with the 08:48 Manchester Victoria to York Arriva Trains Northern service. Although the livery is now obsolete, and so this is something of a historic picture, the main point of being at the location was to see 40145 pass through on a railtour.

In superb evening lighting, with the low sun contrasting with the dark clouds to the north, 158907 heads south from Goole and approaches Creykes Crossing with the 16:27 Hull to Doncaster Northern Rail service on 13 March 2007. The dock cranes of Goole can just be seen in the background.

The Calder Valley advertising livery applied to 158909 is not particularly appropriate to this train, as it approaches Goole on 5 September 2014 with the 1J31 16:09 Bridlington to Sheffield Northern service. Prior to the bushes growing up, Goole Swing Bridge used to be visible in the background of this view.

158910 calls at Church Fenton on 7 May 2007 with the 16:12 York to Scarborough (via Hull) Northern Trains service. Although there are usually some photographers at this popular location, in this case the people on the platform are waiting for 37603 & 37604 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z39 17:04 York to Southampton 'Ouse-Humberman' railtour.

158950 passes Stoke Orchard on 1 July 2008 with the 2O94 14:51 Great Malvern to Weymouth First Great Western service. This is a very rural location, but the bridge from which this picture was taken has no footpath, and is very busy with a constant procession of lorries going to the nearby waste disposal facility.

158950 speeds through Dean with the 11:22 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central First Great Western service on 21 March 2009. First Great Western trains do not call at the intermediate stations on this line, the local service being provided by South West Trains.

158950 heads past a sunny Coaley on 18 September 2009 with the 1O98 10:51 Great Malvern to Brighton First Great Western service on 18 September 2009. This view clearly shows the former driving end now sandwiched in the middle of the unit. Class 158 reformations have almost been as frequent as some heritage units!

158950 passes Bapton with the 14:22 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central First Great Western service on 14 October 2009. A pleasant enough location, but it's a pity I never visited this location in the 1980s when Class 33s were the regular motive power on these trains!

Framed by ominous signs of the massively delayed electfrication programme, 158950 arrives at Severn Tunnel Junction station on 7 October 2018 with the late running 1F16 11:08 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central GWR service.

158950 passes Fiddington on 10 September 2018 with the late running 2E17 07:23 Warminster to Great Malvern GWR service. It may be a going away shot, but other than the lack of a driver, it doesn't look a lot different!

158951 passes Abbotswood with the 2O94 14:51 Great Malvern to Weymouth First Great Western service on 20 March 2009. In this view the redundant cab end of the former two car 158764 can clearly be seen. The lead vehicle (52751 from disbanded set 158751) was added to the set to form a three car unit when it was originally operated by Wessex Trains.

158951 passes Coaley on 2 August 2010 with the 1V94 09:00 Brighton to Great Malvern First Great Western service. A typical midsummer's day that had started with the promise of lots of sunshine and then progressively clouded up during the middle of the day.

158951 approaches the level crossing at Tredington 6 June 2018 with the 2E25 15:28 Warminster to Great Malvern GWR service. This was running half an hour late, as result of which it was terminated at Worcester Shrub Hill.

158951 passes Standish Junction in some fleeting sunshine on 25 September 2020 with the late running 1O98 10:52 Great Malvern to Brighton GWR service. I was hoping for a blue Class 166 on this, so although the sun was out, this was a disappointment!

158951 approaches Standish Junction on 15 May 2023 with the 2M81 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street GWR service. Class 158s were once quite common on the Swindon to Cheltenham line, but in 2023 this train is one of the few still worked by these units.

158953 accelerates away from Ashchurch station (just visible beyond the bridge in the background), and passes Natton on 3 February 2012 with the 2O94 14:50 Great Malvern to Weymouth First Great Western service. The yellow end on the second vehicle clearly shows that the last two vehicles were formerly the two car unit 158750.

158953 passes Fiddington on 8 March 2016 with the 1O98 10:48 Great Malvern to Brighton GWR service. After years of getting more intrusive, the lineside bushes seen here were completely removed the following year, returning the railway to what it must have looked like in the days of steam.

A contrast in GWR liveries at Undy on 7 October 2018. 158953 & 150126 pass signs of impending electfrication, as they work the 1F19 13:08 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour service. The bridge in the background had recently been rebuilt as part of the electfrication works.

158953 passes Claydon on 10 October 2019 with the 2E53 07:30 Warminster to Great Malvern GWR service. Just visible under the bridge is the background is 56094, which is approaching with the 3S32 22:37 Gloucester Horton Road to Cheltenham Lansdown Loop Rail Head Treatment Train.

158954 passes Tredington on 10 October 2008 with the 2O94 14:51 Great Malvern to Weymouth First Great Western service. This was one of those days when there was a lot of cloud about, but thankfully none of it interfered with the afternoon's photography.

158954 arrives at Severn Tunnel Junction station on 7 October 2018 with the 1F18 14:16 Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Central GWR service. This station, like a lots of others nowadays, is completely dominated by the disabled friendly footbridge, that zig-zags across the platforms.

The barriers of Wadborough level crossing are just starting to raise after the passage of 158955 on 25 March 2011. It is working the 2O94 14:51 Great Malvern to Weymouth First Great Western service. Photo taken from a public footpath crossing. An excellent location for southbound trains, especially short ones such as this, with the tree in the background by the crossing and the former crossing keeper's cottage making an interesting backdrop.

One of the last of GWR's Class 158 units to retain the First Great Western 'wavy lines' livery, 158955 passes Badgeworth on 4 December 2018 with the 2E17 07:23 Warminster to Great Malvern service. In true GWR tradition, this was running 25 minutes late.

158955 calls at Cam & Dursley station on 16 July 2019 with the 2M97 08:23 Southampton Central to Great Malvern GWR service. Harsh overhead midsummer lighting turns GWR's universally hated dark green livery to almost black!

On 4 October 2003 the Cotswold Line Promotion Group ran the 'Cotswold - Taff Express' special train from Oxford to Cardiff using the unusual unit combination for the Cotswold Line of 158956 & 156405. The special is pictured arriving at Moreton-in-Marsh. Although Class 156s were used on the line for a short period, Class 158s have never been regularly used and therefore this is certainly a unique pairing for the route.

158956 passes Avoncliff on 18 April 2015 with the 1F20 13:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central First Great Western service. This side view clearly shows the driving cab of the original 158795, now sandwiched uselessly in the middle of the unit.

My first picture of a Class 158 in GWR's drab dark green livery. 158956 passes Claydon (Gloucestershire) on 25 March 2017 with the 1O99 10:46 Great Malvern to Bristol Temple Meads service. This is still accelerating away from Ashchurch for Tewkesbury station, which is just behind the bushes in the background.

158956 passes Standish Junction on 26 March 2019 with the 2O80 14:41 Great Malvern to Weymouth GWR service. Clearly the encroaching shadows affect the Bristol line long before they reach the Swindon line, due to the difference in levels.

158956 passes Standish Junction on 13 January 2022 with the 1O98 10:41 Great Malvern to Brighton GWR service. Extensive tree clearance has opened up this view considerably, with the scattered farm buildings at Little Haresfield now being visible once more in the background.

On 21 March 2009, 158957 is pictured passing Awbridge (near Romsey) with the 11:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour First Great Western service. An ideal location for photographing southbound trains, but sadly useless for anything heading in the opposite direction due to the close proximity of another roadbridge and encroaching vegetation.

The front end of 158957 looks to be in severe need of a repaint, as it passes Kimbridge on 8 September 2016 with the 1F28 16:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central GWR service. The line here follows the course of the River Test, but will shortly be turning left to follow the course of its tributary, the River Dun.

158957 passes Up Hatherley on 15 July 2018 with the 2E34 09:20 Bristol Temple Meads to Worcester Shrub Hill GWR service. The record breaking summer temperatures have just started to turn the countryside yellow, which certainly helps to break up the otherwise 'all green' effect of this picture!

158957 passes Badgeworth in crisp winter sunshine on 30 January 2019 with the 2E17 07:23 Warminster to Great Malvern GWR service. You can clearly see the yellow end of the former 158771, which was made into this three car set in 2009 by the addition of vehicle 52749 from 158749.

158957 passes Churchdown on 5 July 2019 with the 2E17 07:23 Warminster to Great Malvern GWR service. Hard to believe now, but there were once four tracks here: two each for the Great Western Railway and the LMS.

Plenty of evidence of some much needed lineside vegetation clearance at Rangeworthy on 16 September 2020. 158957 passes the recently trimmed bushes with the 1O98 10:52 Great Malvern to Brighton GWR service.

158958 passes Little Langford on 5 October 2016 with the 1F18 12:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Bristol Parkway GWR Service. Normally this train would carry on to Cardiff, but the six week closure of the Severn Tunnel was resulting in a revised service being operated.

158958 takes the Bristol line at Standish Junction on 12 October 2016 with the 2O94 1450 Great Malvern to Weymouth GWR service. Although not as bad as some locations, the lineside bushes are still more of a problem here than they were three decades earlier, when a much wider view could be had.

A comparison of liveries at Pilning on 27 April 2010. First Great Western's 158959 and Arriva Trains Wales's 150278 make an odd couple as they work the 12:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central service. 150278 is one of a number of units on long term hire to FGW.

158959 passes the site of Stonehouse (Bristol Road) station on 9 June 2012 with the 2E17 07:23 Warminster to Great Malvern First Great Western service. Like most of the national network, this location has become more overgrown in recent years, although strangely there has been a reduction in the vegetation on the right of the line since 2008, although judging by the background that isn't necessarily an advantage!

A Class 158, 150 & 153 combination at Standish Junction on 8 July 2015. 158959, 150101 & 153318 head north with a Bristol to Cheltenham Spa GWR ECS. I haven't got many pictures of second generation DMUs working in multiple with different classes, and very few of three different classes working together! 

158959 passes Severn Tunnel Junction on 30 January 2016 with the 1F09 09:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour GWR service. Hard to imagine the busy scene that once occupied this view, with a large motive power depot and freight yard.

158959 passes Little Haresfield on 7 June 2017 with the 1O98 10:48 Great Malvern to Brighton GWR service. A mammoth cross country jaunt with 30 intermediate stops and a average speed of 39.9 mph! I don't suppose many people ever attempt the entire journey!

158959 passes Heytesbury on 16 July 2018 with the 1F26 15:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central GWR service. The previous service, an hour earlier, had also been one of the rapidly diminishing First Great Western blue units.

158959 is still accelerating away from Ashchurch station, as it passes Fiddington on 26 February 2019 with the 2O94 14:50 Great Malvern to Weymouth GWR service. The houses of Ashchurch can be seen in the background, with Bredon Hill rising up behind.

158959 negotiates the reverse curves at Sherrington on 27 June 2019 with the 1F17 12:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour service. I hadn't been to this location for many years, and I wasn't impressed with the amount of lineside growth!

158959 passes Up Hatherley on 15 April 2021 with the 2E53 07:30 Warminster to Great Malvern GWR service. This is one of the most well known photographic spots in the Cheltenham and Gloucester area, along with the bridge at Badgeworth, which can be seen in the background.

158960 passes Little Langford on 30 November 2013 with the 1F04 08:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour First Great Western service. This broadside view clearly show off the 'wavy lines', created by listing places served by the franchise.

158960 passes underneath the A36 Bath to Salisbury road at Heytesbury on 16 July 2018 with the 1F24 14:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central GWR service. Considering how few Class 158s retain the First Great Western blue livery, it was surprising that the 1F19 13:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour (passed in cloud) and the 1F26 15:23 Portsmouth Harbour to Cardiff Central were also both blue units.

One of the last Class 158s left in the First Great Western blue livery, 158960 passes Standish Junction on 11 April 2019 with the late running 2F97 08:50 Great Malvern to Westbury GWR service. The cage structure to the right of the unit is the start of an access ladder from the upper to the lower tracks.

With blackthorn blossom brightening up the steep sided cutting, 158961 emerges from Wickwar Tunnel on 15 April 2015 with the 1O98 10:50 Great Malvern to Brighton First Great Western service. This is an ideal time for photography, with the vegetation just coming into leaf and flower, but before the all pervading bland green of late May and June.

158961 arrives at Westbury on 18 April 2015 with the 1F25 15:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour First Great Western service. Just behind the unit is the line leading to Heywood Junction, providing a connection to the Berks & Hants line.

158965 passes East Dean on 9 April 2005 with the 08:30 Cardiff Central to Portsmouth Harbour Wessex Trains service. Dean station, which is situated in the neighbouring and larger village of West Dean, can just be seen in the background.