67001 passes the site of Ashbury Crossing, near Shrivenham, on 19 April 2005 with the EWS/Arriva Trains Wales 1Z25 07:30 Southend Central to Cardiff Central football special. This was in connection with the LDV Vans Trophy final between Wrexham and Southend. A second train followed shortly after, with much more interesting traction.

67002 Special Delivery heads west at Baulking on 10 December 2008 hauling a single EWS Mk2 coach. 3200 hp is a little excessive to move one coach, but as the class is underemployed and EWS no longer has any more suitable locomotives, I suppose it serves its purpose. 67002 was named Special Delivery at the Old Oak Common Open Day in 2000, but the name soon became slightly inappropriate when EWS lost the Royal Mail contract!

67002 Special Delivery very nearly gets blocked out by a HST at Shrivenham on 27 June 2011. Running 15 minutes early, it speeds past the site of the old station with the Raileasy 1Z27 10:00 Frome to Preston 'Mudex', returning happy festival goers back from the Glastonbury Festival, where they have seen such big name acts as U2, BB King, Don McLean, Morrissey, Paul Simon, and of course the undoubted highlight of the event, the Wombles! Unfortunately the 1C09 10:00 Paddington to Paignton 'Torbay Express' comes within a second of ruining the shot. One the plus side however, if the 67 had been on time it would have passed by in the cloud, as a weather front coming in from the west blotted out the sun just a few minutes after this picture was taken.

Ordinarily I would ignore something like this. Light engines are bad enough, but a Class 67 light engine is hardly worth photographing! However, as I was already in position waiting for 50049, and the light was perfect, I relented. The fact that this particular 'Skip' is in Arriva blue livery was the clincher. 67003 passes Broken Cross on 29 March 2012 with the 0Z60 08:59 Cardiff Canton to Gloucester driver training trip.

Arriva blue liveried 67003 passes Cholsey on 28 April 2015 with the diverted 6A49 07:32 Didcot to Bicester MoD stores. A good load on this occasion, as it would not be at all uncommon for the train to consist of just the two VGA vans at the front! Due to the Oxford to Bicester line being closed for extensive rebuilding, this train has to take a very long way round, going via Greenford and Calvert. It does however give much better early morning photographic opportunities.

67003 emerges from the bushes at Yarnton on 12 May 2015, as it heads south at speed with the 6V03 09:29 Fenny Compton to Didcot MoD stores. In early 2015 this Arriva blue liveried loco seems to spend most of its time working MoD trains from Didcot.

Arriva blue liveried 67003 leads the 1Q15 09:10 Derby RTC to Derby RTC (via Oxford) Network Rail test train past Shorthampton on 12 August 2015. The rear loco is 67016. This location was cleared of all vegetation for the redoubling of the Cotswold Line in 2011, but with no lineside maintenance having taken place since, it has almost returned to its former overgrown state.

67004 passes County March Summit in near darkness on 23 June 2013 with the 1B01 19:50 Fort William to Edinburgh ScotRail sleeper. This location is very well known, as it can easily be viewed from the side of the main road, next to a convenient lay-by!

67004 climbs past Achallader on 24 June 2013 with the 1Y11 04:50 Edinburgh to Fort William ScotRail sleeper. Hardly worth the long walk from the car, especially considering that the sun decided to stay behind the clouds at the appropriate time, and certainly no substitute for the sadly missed Class 37s. Loch Tulla is in the background.

As I was driving through Spean Bridge, en-route to Inverness on 24 June 2013 at about the time the 1B01 19:50 Fort William to Edinburgh ScotRail sleeper was due, a quick stop was made at the station to see 67004 arrive to pick up a solitary passenger. It is pictured here slowly entering the loop, passing the rhododendron bushes.

67005 Queen's Messenger brings up the rear of the 1Z24 10:11 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads special at Uffington on 9 September 2006. The much more interesting GWR King Class 4-6-0 steam loco 6024 King Edward I was leading the train. The train was run to celebrate the centenary of poet laureate Sir John Betjeman's birth. Photo taken from a public footpath crossing.

Probably the best distance to view a pair of 'skips' from, even if they are the Royal Train allocated pair! With Oxleaze Farm in the foreground, 67005 Queen's Messenger & 67006 Royal Sovereign head west through the Vale of White Horse near Uffington with the UK Railtours 1Z67 06:47 Stevenage to Kidderminster 'Severn Valley Sunrise' railtour on 5 April 2008. I had been waiting for the ideal weather conditions to attempt this long lens shot from the top of White Horse Hill, and the uninspiring choice of traction for this tour meant I wasn't going to miss an important picture if it didn't work out.  As the train is over two miles away, a clear morning was essential.

No this is not a case of Her Majesty the Queen getting some rare freight track mileage! 67005 Queen's Messenger pulls onto the up freight loop at Challow on 12 May 2009 with the Royal Train, which is working empty stock between Haverfordwest and Euston. The other Royal 'skip', 67006 Royal Sovereign can be seen on the rear of the train. The only passenger trains that normally traverse these relief lines are railtours where the route is specified so that track bashers can tick off a new section of track, albeit only a few feet away from the normal route!

67005 Queen's Messenger runs alongside the River Avon at Avoncliff on 18 April 2015 with the 1Z74 09:15 Victoria to Bath VSOE. Note the distinctive twin arch bridge in the background, which carries the Kennet & Avon Canal over the railway.

67005 Queen's Messenger passes Joan Croft Junction on 26 November 2016 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z26 06:17 Eastleigh to York 'Festive York Explorer' railtour. The fog had only just cleared sufficiently to reveal the new flyover in the background.

Luxury travel for rugby fans! Royal train liveried 67005 Queen's Messenger leads the VSOE Pullman stock past South Marston on 11 February 2017 with the 1Z60 11:15 Victoria to Cardiff Central rugby special. Thus was running 20 minutes early, having missed out its booked stop in the loop at Challow. Use of the Orient Express stock on a rugby special seems a bit of a turnaround from the days of football specials in the 1970s!

67005 Queen's Messenger races through Ascott-under-Wychwood station on 8 July 2017 with the Belmond British Pullman 1Z94 08:48 Victoria to Worcester Shrub Hill 'Historic Worcester' railtour. Extremely filthy 67021 is out of sight on the rear of the train. For most of the southern end of the Cotswold Line this would have been impossibly backlit, and even here it is nothing more than a record shot, but as this location is a mere ten miles from home, I thought it worth recording, despite it being Class 67 hauled!

Just a couple of days after taking HRH The Queen to Cardiff, Royal Train 67005 Queen's Messenger was employed on more mundane duties on 16 October 2021. It is seen here passing Chilson in miserable weather with the UK Railtours 1Z28 06:27 Peterborough to Worcester Shrub Hill 'Cotswold Lion' railtour.

67005 Queen's Messenger passes North Oxford Golf Course on 10 August 2022 with the Belmond British Pullman 1Z84 16:20 Bicester Village to Victoria VSOE luxury charter. 67024 is out of sight on the rear, having brought the ECS from Hinksey Yard an hour earlier.

67005 Queen's Messenger passes Potbridge on 20 November 2024 with the Belmond British Pullman 1V80 09:49 Victoria to Bath Spa 'Historic Bath' railtour. It is just about to be overtaken by 159009 & 159021 working the 1L25 10:20 Waterloo to Axminster South Western Railway service.

67006 passes Defford on 17 July 2000 with the 1E43 15:09 Plymouth to Low Fell Royal Mail vans. 67006, along with 67005 would become much more distinctive a few years later, when they were repainted into Royal Train claret livery.

Humble duties for a royal locomotive. 67006 Royal Sovereign passes Compton Beauchamp on 30 April 2007 with the 6M33 16:23 Avonmouth to Wembley Enterprise service. The lengths of rail lying in the ballast are bad enough, but note the one lying in the 'four foot' of the down line. I know they can't be moved easily, but leaving lengths of rail this close to 125 mph running lines just shows how little regard Network Rail has for safety.

67006 Royal Sovereign passes Tackley on 25 June 2012 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z74 05:50 Didcot Parkway to Holyhead 'Magnificent Snowdonian' railtour. I wouldn't normally bother to go out especially for a Class 67 hauled train, but the prospect of some superb early morning lighting made the effort worthwhile.

67006 Royal Sovereign slowly approaches Mill Lane, Islip on 11 January 2013 with the 6A49 12:10 Didcot to Bicester MoD stores. It is pulling away from the speed restriction that is in force on the bridge over the River Cherwell. A very variable day for weather. Full sun when I got up, followed shortly afterwards by total cloud cover. Later on the sun appeared to be breaking through again, so I ventured out for 56303. The sun then disappeared and was really dark when 67006 showed up. Naturally once back home it was full sun again!

67006 Royal Sovereign passes the site of Ashbury Crossing, Shrivenham, on 23 September 2015 with the 1Z30 10:33 Paddington to Cardiff Central rugby special, taking fans to see the Australia v Fiji march at the Millennium Stadium. 67008 is the rear loco.

The Rugby World Cup Wales v Fiji mach at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on 1 October 2015 resulted in several special trains running from London. The first of these is pictured at Circourt Bridge, Denchworth. 67006 Royal Sovereign heads a motley rake of stock with the late running 1Z30 10:33 Paddington to Cardiff Central special. 67023 is at the rear.

67006 Royal Sovereign passes Uffington on 5 May 2017 with the 1Z78 09:48 Victoria to Truro Belmond British Pullman luxury charter. 67022 is out of sight, on the rear of the train. Although only running six minutes late, this was enough to cause the following HST to pass by at what seemed like about 40mph.

67007 passes Bucknell on 3 April 2004 with the Northern Belle 1Z78 06:15 Euston to Edge Hill Grand Nation special. In the background the farm occupation bridge is being reconstructed, although I don't know why that involves such tall vertical steelwork!

Platinum Jubilee liveried 67007 brings up the rear of the Belmond British Pullman 1Z80 08:47 Victoria to Bath Spa VSOE 'Luxury Bath' charter at Uffington on 9 November 2022. Pullman liveried 67021 is at the front of the train.

Platinum Jubilee liveried 67007 passes Charlton-on-Otmoor on 24 May 2023 with the British Belmond Pullman 1Z84 17:24 Oxford to Victoria luxury VSOE charter. Pullman liveried 67024 is bringing up the rear.

In the class's final few weeks of operation on the Chiltern Line (in theory!), 67008 speeds past Launton on 21 April 2015 with the 1K57 17:15 Marylebone to Kidderminster service. Photo taken from a public footpath crossing.

67010 Unicorn rounds the curve at Bardrill (between Gleneagles and Blackford) on 23 April 2003 with the 5D03 10:07 Aberdeen to Motherwell vans. These are the empties from the previous night's Walsall To Aberdeen DHL parcels service.

67010 Unicorn passes Bonnybridge on a very gloomy 24 April 2003 with the 5D03 10:07 Aberdeen to Motherwell empty parcels vans. Another short lived traffic flow, these four vans were the returning empties off the previous night's 1S03 00:39 Walsall to Aberdeen DHL parcels service.

67010 approaches Wormleighton Crossing (near Banbury) with a single Cargo D buffet car en-route from Wembley to Wolverton (via Coventry!) on 22 April 2009. Such a short train gives a clear view of the remains of the bridge in the background that once carried the Stratford-upon-Avon & Midland Junction Railway's Stratford to Towcester route over the GWR main line.

67010 passes Banbury Stone Terminal with the 1P03 07:23 Wrexham to Marylebone Wrexham & Shropshire Railways service on 21 September 2009. There is certainly a variation in the liveries of this train, with the loco alone in the train operator's colours. The centre of the three classic blue and grey Mk3 coaches is at least branded Wrexham & Shropshire, but the DVT (82302) at the rear of the train is in the recently applied, and as yet unbranded, Chiltern Railways livery.

A Wrexham & Shropshire Railways interlude in the Oxfordshire countryside. 67010 does the pushing on the rear, whilst 83205 leads the 1J83 16:30 Marylebone to Wrexham service on 23 April 2010. The train is pictured here passing Great Bourton and heading towards Cropredy.

67010 passes Llanellen on 3 May 2023 with the 1W96 17:14 Cardiff Central to Holyhead Transport for Wales service. DVT 82200 is bringing up the rear. With such a bland foreground, I decided to include the farmer's 'tram lines' in the foreground.

67011 brings up the rear of the Reading to Westbury Rail Head Treatment Train at Crofton on 21 November 2006. Surprisingly clean for an RHTT loco, and therefore worth a 'going away' shot. The front loco is almost unidentifiablely filthy, but is presumably 67013.

67011 brings up the rear of the 1Z83 17:31 Oxford to Victoria VSOE special at Hinksey on 21 April 2007, with Southern Railway Merchant Navy Class 4-6-2 35028 Clan Line doing the honours at the front. On the right is the 4L44 17:09 Cowley to Purfleet car train, which whilst further up the yard had threatened to ruin the picture of Clan Line leaving Oxford. The loco, now thankfully on the other end of the train, and hidden behind the bushes, is 66223.

67012 passes Fritwell with the 1P13 11:10 Wrexham General to Marylebone Wrexham & Shropshire Railway service on 9 June 2008. EWS liveried 67002 can be seen on the rear of the train. This was one of those annoying situations where the sun was behind one of the few clouds on an otherwise sunny day as the train came into view. However the cloud was obviously moving faster than the train, because it just cleared in time. Note the slightly darker ballast in front of the loco, caused by the tail end of the cloud - that's how close it was!

67012 A Shropshire Lad passes through Kings Sutton station on 23 April 2009 with the 1P13 11:23 Wrexham to Marylebone Wrexham & Shropshire Railway service. Obviously someone with poor colour sense must have advised Network Rail on their choice of colour scheme for the fairly recently erected footbridge. Although the locals who have long campaigned for a footbridge were glad when they finally got one, I'm not so sure they are happy with the discordant colour in what is otherwise a picturesque rural village.

Despite the miserable lighting conditions, the Wrexham & Shropshire Railways silver grey livery of 67012 A Shropshire Lad and its coaches certainly show up as they pass Kings Sutton on 3 March 2010 with the 1J82 11:20 Marylebone to Wrexham service.

67012's A Shropshire Lad name is not quite so appropriate now that it is being used by Chiltern Railways rather than the defunct Wrexham & Shropshire Railway Company, although what A. E. Houseman would say about the name being used on a locomotive in the first place is an interesting point! On 1 February 2012, it speeds past Hatton with the 1H32 10:55 Birmingham Moor Street to Marylebone service.

67012 A Shropshire Lad passes Shrewley on 10 July 2013 with the 1K54 18:15 Marylebone to Kidderminster Chiltern Railways service. Note the small Saltire sticker below the multiple working socket, a souvenir of its earlier visit to Scotland!

67012 A Shropshire Lad approaches Hanborough on 13 May 2015 with the 1Q15 08:52 Derby RTC to Derby RTC (via Oxford) Network Rail test train. 67029 Royal Diamond is bringing up the rear. At nearly midday, the lighting is of course awful, with the harsh overhead sun throwing all the wheels and underframe into shadow. However, I wanted a picture of this reasonably regular working passing through this recently cleared cutting. As can be seen from the tree stumps, this location hasn't been possible for decades, but it won't take long for the vegetation to start growing again!

Former Chiltern Railways 67012 brings up the rear of the Belmond British Pullman 1Z96 16:35 Worcester Shrub Hill to Victoria 'Historic Worcester' railtour at Lower Moor on 2 September 2017. 67014 was the lead locomotive.

An extremely unusual working took place on Sunday 10 November 2019, when 67012 transported ex-works electric loco 90035 from Crewe to Swindon, in preparation for test running between Swindon and Didcot. The colourful ensemble is pictured passing Claydon, running as the 5Z24 11:11 Crewe Electric to Swindon Transfer. The full consist is: 67012, 90035, prototype HST liveried Mk 3 11074, DVT 82115 and 67028 bringing up the rear.

67012 passes Grove in miserable light on 14 November 2019 with the 5Q95 13:59 Swindon Transfer to Didcot Parkway overhead line test train, using ex-works electric loco 90035. Prototype HST liveried Mk 3 11074, DVT 82115 and 67028 make up the rest of the train. What a pity this didn't run the previous day, which was mostly sunny!

Still wearing debranded Chiltern Railways silver and grey livery, 67012 propels the 1W93 11:25 Cardiff Central to Holyhead Transport for Wales service past a field of oilseed rape at Pandy on 3 May 2023. DVT 82201 is leading.

With Didcot Power Station dominating the background, 67013 passes Cholsey on 15 June 2004 with the Past Time Rail 1Z83 06:50 Manchester Piccadilly to Ascot 'Ascot Flyer' race special. The Ascot race specials have lost most of their photographic appeal since the incredibly ugly Class 67s took over!

67013 Dyfrbont Pontcysyllte crosses Souldern No.2 Viaduct with the 1P01 05:42 Wrexham to Marylebone Wrexham & Shropshire Railways service on 15 August 2008. Hidden in the bushes to the right is classmate 67014. Aynho Viaduct is the first of two viaducts spanning small streams on the Bicester line just south of Aynho Junction. Souldern Viaduct a short distance further on is an even more impressive structure, although not so easy to photograph at close quarters.

67013 Dyfrbont Pontcysylite passes Claydon with the 1P13 11:23 Wrexham to Marylebone Wrexham & Shropshire Railway service on 22 April 2009. Plenty of evidence of a thriving local rook population in the background!

67013 Dyfrbont Pontcysyllte propels a Wembley to Aylesbury Wrexham & Shropshire Railways ECS past Little Kimble on 24 May 2010. This is one of the better photographic locations on the Aylesbury to Princes Risborough line.

67013 Dyfrbont Pontcysylite passes Bishops Itchington on the unseasonably warm spring morning of 26 March 2012, as it heads south with the 1H32 10:55 Birmingham Moor Street to Marylebone Chiltern Railways service.

A perfect early spring afternoon at Great Bourton on 28 March 2012. 67013 Dyfrbont Pontcysylite passes by with the 1H65 15:55 Birmingham Moor Street to Marylebone Chiltern Railways service. The new livery of Chiltern's coaches matches nicely with the former Wrexham & Shropshire colour scheme of the loco.

67013 Dyfrbont Pontcysylite passes Budbrooke Industrial Estate, Warwick on 26 March 2014 with the 1R15 08:45 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street Chiltern Railways service. A dull day, but that ensured that this view from the north side of the line was possible, and not in deep shadow.

Freshly painted 67013 speeds past Denchworth on 19 September 2015 with the 1Z17 11:12 Paddington to Cardiff Central rugby special, running half an hour behind schedule. This was in connection with the Ireland v Canada match at the Millennium Stadium, on the second day of the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Note the motley collection of coaching stock, headed up by four extremely faded Anglia liveried Mk2s. Hidden by the signal gantry on the rear of the train is 67029.

67013 approaches Banbury on 24 March 2019 with the 5Z68 12:53 Crewe Gresty Lane to Eastleigh Arlington ECS. This was the stock from the previous day's steam tour. I wonder if DB Cargo really believe their own slogan ('First choice for rail freight in the UK), which can be seen (just about!) on the side of the loco. With their market share diminishing all the time, they are not the first choice for a lot of people!

67013 passes Yarnton on 20 November 2021 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z16 06:00 Eastleigh to Leeds 'Northern Star' railtour. Instead of photographing this from the footbridge in the background, as I would often do, I decided on the nearby A44 roadbridge, in order to include a bit more autumn colour in the picture.

Running 42 minutes late, after a 31 minute late departure from Manchester, 67013 passes Ashford Bowdler on 20 May 2023 with the 1V46 14:30 Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central Transport for Wales service.

67014 rounds the curve at Kings Sutton with the first ever northbound passenger carrying Wrexham & Shropshire Railways service - the 1J80 06:45 Marylebone to Wrexham General on 28 April 2008. 67012 can just be seen on the rear of the three coach train, both locos being in Wrexham & Shropshire Railways colours. Running on time and in the company's new colours, it was a good start on the first day of the service. If only the same could be said of the inaugural southbound service!

The once photographically excellent location of Harbury cutting is now virtually useless with only a half decent picture just about possible for down trains. 67014 Thomas Telford leads the 1J82 13:17 Marylebone to Wrexham service on 22 August 2008, with fellow Wrexham & Shropshire Railways liveried classmate 67013 on the rear of the train. Luckily this train came in a patch of half sun, just bright enough to create some shadows but not too contrasty in this deep tree line cutting.

The switchback nature of the Coventry to Leamington Spa line is evident in this view as 67014 Thomas Telford approaches Old Milverton in a very lucky patch of sunshine on 20 February 2009 with the 1P13 11:23 Wrexham to Marylebone Wrexham & Shropshire Railways service. Kenilworth church, over two miles away, can be seen in the distance.

67014 Thomas Telford passes Piddington on 24 May 2010 with the 1P01 05:10 Wrexham to Marylebone Wrexham & Shropshire Railways service. Unfortunately hawthorn bushes growing by the side of the bridge prevent a more side on view here, but at least it gives a clear view along the straight section of track towards Bicester.

67014 Thomas Telford speeds past Launton on 2 September 2010 with the 1J83 16:30 Marylebone to Wrexham service. The Wrexham & Shropshire Railway's silver livery is certainly stylish, and far more restrained that some operator's choice of colours!

Pictured during its last week of operation, 67014 Thomas Telford leads the 1P13 11:27 Wrexham General to Marylebone service past Great Bourton on 8 December 2010. From the start of the winter timetable, the Wrexham & Shropshire Railways service is being reduced from four trains to three.

There was sad news for the rail industry in late January 2011 with the sudden announcement that Wrexham & Shropshire Railways would cease trading. Trains ceased running just a few days after the announcement was made. A high quality operation, both in terms of coaching stock and reliability, unfortunately passengers numbers were not high, and the company lost £2.8 million in 2010 as a result. It was fairly obvious from the start that it wouldn't be viable, but even I was surprised by the sudden end. There must be numerous towns that would like a direct connection to London, and why Wrexham was highlighted is a mystery. Nevertheless, my best wishes for the future to all the staff. Despite the gloomy conditions, I went out for the last day, as I had photographed the first train in 2008. 67014 Thomas Telford is seen passing under the M40 motorway near Overthorpe with the final 1P03 07:23 Wrexham General to Marylebone service on 28 January 2011.

67014 (minus its former Thomas Telford nameplates) runs through Hatton cutting on 11 May 2015 with the 1K57 17:15 Marylebone to Kidderminster Chiltern Railways service. This was during the final few days of Class 67 haulage on the route, with most of the trains already n the hands of the Vossloh built Class 68s.

Former Chiltern Railways 67014 passes Lower Moor on 2 September 2017 with the Belmond British Pullman 1Z96 16:35 Worcester Shrub Hill to Victoria 'Historic Worcester' railtour. Classmate 67012 was on the rear of the train.

Running 17 minutes late, 67014 approaches Pontypool & New Inn on 17 June 2022 with the 5W96 17:16 Cardiff Central to Chester ECS. This was a last minute replacement for the 1W96 17:16 Cardiff Central to Holyhead Transport for Wales service. Running in exactly the same path, but not picking up passengers until Chester - extremely poor customer service. After taking this picture, I crossed over the road bridge and watched as the train passed non-stop through the station, watched by passengers, who wouldn't be blamed if they decided to go by car next time!

67015 & 67020 are just about to descend the Lickey Incline when pictured passing Blackwell on 3 September 2005. They are working the Past Time Rail 1Z31 06:02 Milton Keynes to St Austell 'Lost Gardens Flyer' railtour. The title refers to the world famous Lost Gardens of Heligan.

67015 David J. Lloyd approaches the northern entrance of Ardley Tunnel on 29 October 2008 with the 1P13 11:10 Wrexham General to Marylebone Wrexham & Shropshire Railway service. A farm occupation bridge crosses the line just in front of the tunnel mouth, but it has to be said that the view is more interesting in the other direction!

67015 David J. Lloyd emerges from Brill Tunnel on 24 May 2010 with the 1P13 11:27 Wrexham General to Marylebone Wrexham & Shropshire Railway service. Admittedly this telephoto view appears to foreshorten its length, but Brill Tunnel is only 191 yards long.

67015 David J. Lloyd brings up the rear of the 1Q05 11:00 Old Oak Common to Derby RTC test train at Cholsey on 2 January 2015. 67027 is the lead locomotive. The grey, yellow and red train certainly shows up well in the low winter sunlight!

67015 passes Hanborough station on 9 July 2016 with the Belmond British Pullman 1Z80 09:59 Victoria to Worcester Shrub Hill 'Historic Worcester' railtour. 67018 Keith Heller can just be seen on the rear, passing the Oxford Bus Museum, which is situated at the very end of the former Hanborough goods yard.

With Eggborough Power Station in the background, 67015 passes Heck Ings on 29 November 2016 with the 5G04 10:40 York to Bounds Green Virgin East Coast ECS. DVT 82207 is behind the loco, and 91108 was on the rear of the train. I'm not sure if this got much further, as there were certainly no reports on Realtime Trains after Doncaster.

In February 2008 crew training started for the Wrexham, Shropshire & Marylebone Railway. The 5Z23 14:01 Banbury to Marylebone is pictured passing Bucknell in brilliant late winter sunshine on 27 February 2008, with 67017 Arrow leading and 67016 at the rear of the 3 coach Cargo-D Mk3 First Class rake. My preferred location for this picture was a few miles up the line at Fritwell, but reconnaissance a few weeks earlier had indicated that the shadows would extend right up to the running line, and if the train had only been slightly late would have led to very difficult lighting. In the event it was a good decision to choose this spot, as it was completely sunny all the time, despite there being a huge bank of cloud just to the north and a similar one to the south!

67017 Arrow leading and 67022 on the rear work the 2U20 12:47 Paignton to Cardiff Central First Great Western service past Pilning on 27 April 2010. Excellent livery for the coaches, its just a shame about the traction! Never mind, I suppose its better than a unit.

67017 Arrow passes Fiddington on a very dull 16 March 2012 with the 1Z18 07:55 Euston to Cheltenham Gold Cup special, with 67016 bringing up the rear. Although I regularly used to photograph the Gold Cup specials when they were 47 hauled (I just missed out on the 33 hauled trains), I haven't bothered since they went over to 'Skips'. However, this one was photographed purely as I was already on the bridge waiting for some proper traction to appear with the following train.

67017 Arrow pushes the 5E90 Birmingham Moor Street to Wembley Chiltern Railways ECS past Shrewley on 3 July 2013. This photo is taken from a very little used footbridge, reached by a virtually impenetrable footpath!

67018 Keith Heller approaches Kings Sutton on 24 November 2010 with the late running 1P13 11:27 Wrexham General to Marylebone service. Wrexham & Shropshire are due to reduce their four trains a day to three from December. This and the 15:25 departure being replaced by a single train leaving Wrexham at 13:28. 67018's livery is certainly different, and while not at all subtle, certainly shows up from a distance! No Photoshop enhancement has been applied to this image at all.

Very nearly a photographic disaster at Great Bourton on 28 March 2012. As 66540 approaches with the 4O17 freightliner, 67018 Keith Heller almost gets in the way, as it pushes the 1R48 16:46 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street Chiltern Railways service northwards, lead by DVT 83204.

An almost aerial view of 67018 Keith Heller as it heads south past Ardley with the 1H08 06:52 Banbury to Marylebone Chiltern Railways service on 25 June 2012. The bridges visible here are the Ardley to Somerton road, the Ardley to Fritwell road, and just visible in the background the bridge that carries the Fritwell to Troy Farm footpath across the line.

67018 Keith Heller passes the site of Ashendon Junction on 10 August 2012 with the 1H08 06:52 Banbury to Marylebone Chiltern Railways service. This is one of the few locations on the Chiltern Line that is clear enough to allow pictures to be taken very early in the morning, although you won't find many photographers here, as its a long walk from the nearest road!

With the DHL distribution centre in the background, 67018 Keith Heller passes what will soon be Bicester South Junction on 19 January 2015 with the 1R22 10:15 Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street Chiltern Railways service. The steeply graded new chord linking the Oxford to Bicester line with the Chiltern Line can be seen just in front of the train. The line is presently under construction, and when complete will allow trains from Oxford to reach London via Bicester.

67018 Keith Heller passes underneath the brand new footbridge, as it races through Kingham station on 9 July 2016 with the Belmond British Pullman 1Z81 16:29 Worcester Shrub Hill to Victoria 'Historic Worcester' railtour. 67015 is on the rear of the train. Strangely, I was the only person present to witness this. I would have thought a pair of DBS bright red Class 67s on Orient Express Pullmans traversing the Cotswold Line is unusual enough to tempt a few people out!

67018 Keith Heller approaches Hanborough in the pouring rain on 12 May 2018 with the UK Railtours 1Z87 17:30 Worcester Shrub Hill to Letchworth 'Worcester Sorcerer' railtour. I had intended to photograph the outward leg of this tour, on my way back from seeing 37219 & 37116 hauling the Branch Line Society / 565 Charters 1Z56 05:44 Carnforth to Norwich '565 Special Take 2' tour. However, that ran late, and so I missed it. Needless to say the weather was a lot better earlier in the day, but I like the way the coach roofs glisten in the rain, and at least I have caught the loco's windscreen wipers in mid wipe, to prove that it definitely is raining!

The angle of the sun on the Chiltern Line for the 1P03 07:25 Wrexham to Marylebone Wrexham & Shropshire Railway service is unfortunately very nearly head on. However, as I was passing on 15 August 2008, I stopped off at Ardley to see 67019 heading for London, with 67028 on the rear.

Oh the indignity! BR 7MT 4-6-2 70000 Britannia is hauled backwards along with support coach M35465 by 67020, seen here passing Denchworth on 27 July 2012. Running as the 5Z91 Bristol Barton Hill to Didcot, this was in order to return Britannia to the Great Western Society to rectify a broken spring. It is surprising in view of how slowly the ensemble was travelling, that it was not routed along the relief line.

67020 passes Didcot North Junction on 3 September 2014 with the 1Q23 10:09 Derby RTC to Derby RTC (via Didcot) test train. Classmate 67030 is on the rear of the train. This ensemble was unfortunately deputising for the much more photogenic HST New Measurement Train.

67021 approaches Goole on 11 October 2004 with the 6T98 09:27 Doncaster to Knottingley Rail Head Treatment Train. The train would shortly reverse at Goole station, and would pass me again in ten minutes time, this time with 67028 leading. The train had already performed one such reversal at Scunthorpe.

67021 passes Claydon at high speed with a crew training run for Wrexham & Shropshire Railways on 15 April 2008.This was running in the path of what will be the 1P03 07:25 Wrexham to Marylebone service when passenger trains commence running at the end of April. 67012 in W & S livery can be seen on the rear of the train. On this occasion the train was running 20 minutes early. I suppose there is a certain novelty value in having a train made up of an EWS liveried loco, 3 blue & grey Mk. 3 coaches, and a grey liveried 67 on the rear!

67021 rolls downhill towards Culloden Viaduct on 25 June 2013 with the 1S25 21:15 Euston to Inverness ScotRail sleeper. The tree stumps in the foreground and the few remaining upright tree trunks are all that is left of the forest that once covered this hillside, and completely blocked off the view of the railway.

67021 rounds the curve at Tomatin on 26 June 2013 with the 1S25 21:15 Euston to Inverness ScotRail sleeper. Just three minutes after 43315 had passed by in the other direction, this train had clearly made use of Tomatin loop, as booked.

Customers pay a substantial premium to ride in the luxury VSOE Pullman coaches on the Belmond British Pullman's charters, and you would expect DB Cargo to at least provide a couple of presentable locos. However, this was not the case with the 1Z94 08:48 Victoria to Worcester Shrub Hill 'Historic Worcester' railtour on 8 July 2017. While the lead loco 67005 Queen's Messenger was a fitting choice, 67021, seen here on the rear as the train speeds through Ascott-under-Wychwood, certainly wasn't! The battered and filthy loco is hardly an appropriate choice for this luxury train, and shows that DB Cargo does not really care that much about the charter market.

67021 passes Badsey on 8 July 2017 with the Belmond British Pullman 1Z96 16:35 Worcester Shrub Hill to Victoria 'Historic Worcester' railtour. The scruffy condition of 67021 hardly marches the opulent splendour of the vintage VSOE coaches!

67021 brings up the rear of the Belmond British Pullman 1Z25 09:28 Victoria to Worcester Shrub Hill 'Historic Worcester' VSOE charter at Cassington on 9 May 2018. The other Pullman liveried Class 67, 67024 was leading the train.

Track workers acknowledge the passage of 67021, as it passes Cornbury Park (near Charlbury) on 9 May 2018 with the Belmond British Pullman 1Z96 16:36 Worcester Shrub Hill to Victoria 'Historic Worcester' VSOE charter. 67024 is on the rear. This picture shows the 'before and after' effect of the vegetation clearance that is taking place at many locations on the Cotswold Line.

Two locals watch as the Belmond British Pullman 1Z96 17:35 Worcester Shrub Hill to Victoria 'Historic Worcester' VSOE charter races through Ascott-under-Wychwood station on 6 July 2019. 67021 is bringing up the rear, and 67024 is at the front if the train.

67021 passes Uffington on 9 November 2022 with the Belmond British Pullman 1Z80 08:47 Victoria to Bath Spa VSOE 'Luxury Bath' charter. 67007 is on the rear, hidden by the footbridge. Typically, the sun reappeared from behind the clouds a couple of minutes after the train!

67021 brings up the rear of the Belmond British Pullman 5Z82 11:40 Oxford Parkway to Hinksey (via Bicester) ECS at Mill Lane, Islip, on 26 June 2024. 67024 is at the front of the train, just about to pass under the Church Close bridge.

After having just reversed at Bicester, 67021 passes Oddington on 26 June 2024 with the Belmond British Pullman 5Z82 11:40 Oxford Parkway to Hinksey ECS. 67024 is bringing up the rear. The train had arrived in Oxfordshire as the 1Z82 08:46 Victoria to Oxford Parkway 'Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons' luxury charter. 

The Class 67 lost its reson detre with the cessation of mail trains, for which they had been specifically designed. This has led to their use on freight trains and possibly the most unsuitable job imaginable for a 125 mph loco with a ridiculously heavy axle weight - the Fort William sleeper. Here we see them on slightly more normal duties, although why it takes two I have no idea. 67022 & 67028 pass Whitehill, on the Cotswold Line with the Hertfordshire Railtours 1Z67 07:21 Finsbury Park to Kidderminster 'Severn Valley 1960's Gala' railtour on 21 February 2004.

Beauty and the beast. Unfortunately beauty is going in the opposite direction! While the design icon that is the HST speeds towards London, ugly ducking 67022 heads west past Baulking with the 1Z45 Victoria to Worcester VSOE special on 19 May 2007.

The 6A49 12:10 Didcot to Bicester MoD stores is getting well used to having inappropriate Class 67 haulage. On 21 January 2013 it was the turn of 67022, seen here approaching Oxford with a lengthy snow covered train. Ten days before it was hauled by an even more inappropriate royal liveried 67006.

A slightly overpowered train! 67022 passes Oddington with a single VGA wagon on 4 February 2013, as it works the 6A49 12:10 Didcot to Bicester MoD stores. The vintage bullhead track would soon be swept away, with the complete route modernisation of the Oxford to Bicester line.

67022 approaches Wolvercote Tunnel on 8 February 2013 with the 6A49 12:10 Didcot to Bicester MoD stores. I certainly wouldn't bother taking this picture normally, but decided it was worth the few minutes wait, as I was already on the bridge after photographing 56311 on the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties.

67022 has 91111 For The Fallen in tow, as it passes Park Drain (between Gainsborough and Doncaster) on 14 March 2015 with the diverted 1S24 14:30 Kings Cross to Edinburgh Virgin Trains East Coast service. I am being watched by one of the donkeys in the field, but the others are more interested in their food! After a day of indifferent weather, the last couple of hours was virtually unbroken sunshine, and this completely open location was an ideal shadow free spot for a picture taken in the very last of the light.

67022 brings up the rear of the 1Z78 09:48 Victoria to Truro Belmond British Pullman luxury charter  at Uffington on 5 May 2017. 67006 Royal Sovereign is partly hidden by one of the newly installed electfrication masts, at the front of the train.

67023 passes Blackford, on the Highland Main Line with the 4D65 15:12 Inverness to Mossend Safeway Intermodal train on 17 April 2003. A ridiculously inappropriate loco for the job, but then since the cessation of the Royal Mail trains, the class has no real purpose, so has to be found work somewhere. The A9 trunk road can be seen in the background, and just out of the picture to the right is the huge shed that is the Highland Spring factory, hardly the quaint image that the name conjures up!

67023 passes through Shipton station in the pouring rain on 22 March 2017 with the 1Z78 06:05 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. 67027 is on the rear. Despite the atrocious weather, I thought this was worth recording, as it is the first run of a Colas operated Class 67 test train over the Cotswold Line. The new livery certainly brightens up the Spanish built locos, but unfortunately no amount of paint can disguise what is basically an extremely ugly machine!

Still looking immaculate, less than a month after being repainted into Colas colours, 67023 passes Whitehill (between Combe and Finstock) on 23 March 2017 with the 1Z23 06:53 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. Classmate 67027 is on the rear.

A glimpse between the bushes! Recently named 67023 Stella passes Mickleton on 10 August 2017 with the 1Z23 07:13 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. Classmate 67027 Charlotte is on the rear. It has been a long time since I visited this location, and although I knew it was getting severely grown up, I hadn't realised it was this bad!

67023 Stella passes Shipton on 21 February 2018 with the 1Z22 08:14 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. 67027 Charlotte is on the rear, behind which can be seen one of Shipton's station's diminutive platforms.

Under a perfect cloudless blue sky, 67023 Stella brings up the rear of the 1Q23 15:15 Derby RTC to Reading Triangle Sidings Network Rail test train at Tackley on 27 June 2018. Classmate 67027 Charlotte is the lead locomotive.

67023 Stella passes Challow on 11 July 2018 with the 1Z22 08:14 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. It would be back within the hour, after reversing at Didcot, this time with 67027 Charlotte leading.

67023 Stella comes off the Cotswold Line at Wolvercote Junction on 29 January 2020 with the 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. 67027 Charlotte is bringing up the rear. As can be seen from the dark clouds in the background, this perfect winter lighting didn't last for much longer.

67023 Stella passes Shorthampton on 25 March 2020 with the 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. As usual, 67027 Charlotte is bringing up the rear. This location has benefited from some recent lineside vegetation clearance.

67023 Stella brings up the rear of the 1Z23 07:08 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train at Grove on 26 March 2020. Classmate 67027 Charlotte is leading. Photo taken from a little used (apart from by photographers!) public footpath crossing.

With the 'Mentor' overhead line test coach next to the loco, 67023 Stella passes Shorthampton on 22 April 2020 with the 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train, with 67027 Charlotte bringing up the rear. This had been reported running 8 minutes early at Evesham, and I was checking to see if it was reported passing Moreton-in Marsh, only to notice it had passed Ascott-under-Wychwood 12 minutes early, with no report at Moreton. I just had time to grab the camera, as it came (very nearly silently) into view around the corner!

67023 Stella approaches the site of Yarnton Junction on 7 October 2020 with the 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. As always, 67027 Charlotte is bringing up the rear. The bridge in the background carries the Yarnton to Cassington road over the railway.

67023 Stella passes Uffington on 24 March 2021 with the 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. This was running over two hours late, which is not too bad, considering it left Tyseley nearly four hours late! Note the new fenced off compound for maintenance vehicles and materials to the left of the loco.

67023 Stella passes the blackthorn blossom at Chilson on 22 April 2021, as it does its monthly traversal of the Cotswold Line with the 1Z23 06:11 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. As usual, 67027 Charlotte is bringing up the rear.

67023 Stella passes Moredon on 8 October 2021 with the 3S33 11:07 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train. 67027 Charlotte is bringing up the rear. The train had left Cheltenham an hour early, and after missing out the Severn Tunnel Junction to Newport section of the itinerary, was now running nearly two hours early! I had planned to photograph this train on its first run, two days earlier, when not only was it sunny, but the locos were also still relatively clean. However, some slightly less dramatic early running meant I wasn't able to get to this (or any other) location in time.

With 67023 Stella at the front, and 67027 Charlotte at the rear, the 3S32 23:29 (the previous day) Worcester Shrub Hill to Cheltenham Lansdown Loop Rail Head Treatment Train passes Bredon's Norton on 21 October 2021. As is often the case, this was running nearly an hour early.

67023 Stella is in full 'RHTT grime' livery, as it passes through Stonehouse station on 21 October 2021 with the 3S33 11:07 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train. Apart from where someone has cleaned around the numbers, the loco is so filthy that the Colas colour scheme is virtually obliterated. Considerably less filthy 67027 Charlotte is leading. Note the leaves being thrown up by the rail head spraying.

Running two hours early, 67023 Stella passes through Hailey Wood (between Sapperton and Kemble) on 23 November 2021 with the 3S33 11:07 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train. 67027 Charlotte is bringing up the rear. The locos may be filthy, and the weather dull, but at least the varied colours of the autumn leaves brighten up the scene a little. The disused Thames & Severn Canal Tunnel passes underneath the line here at an acute angle.

Running 83 minutes early (as usual), 67023 Stella passes Purton on 4 December 2021 with the 3S33 10:49 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train, with 67027 Charlotte bringing up the rear. The house directly behind the rear loco belongs to Collins Farm (now re-named Diana Lodge), which is adjacent to the Collins Lane level crossing.

There's no disguising what these two locomotives have been doing for the last couple of months! After working almost continuously on the local Rail Head Treatment Train since early October, 67023 Stella & 67027 Charlotte ended up at Hinksey in early December 2021 to work a series of route learning trips over the Cotswold Line. Several of these were cancelled, but on the morning of 10 December 2021, the 1Z09 09:23 Hinksey to Hinksey (via Evesham) did actually run, so I went to Shipton to record the 'RHTT brown' liveried pair passing through the diminutive station. The sign on the right is the redundant 'HST Stop' board - look how far it is from the station's platform.

67023 Stella has Caledonian Sleeper 73790 in tow, as it passes Burn on 14 March 2022 with the 0E15 05:32 Craigentinny to Doncaster Down Decoy light engine. The former Colas Class 67 has had all of its branding removed after its move to GBRf, although close inspection shows a lot of marks on the bodyside where the lettering once was. The Colas branding may be gone , but the Stella nameplate remains.

Running 77 minutes early, 67023 Stella passes Moredon on 24 October 2023 with the 3S32 11:07 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train. 67027 is bringing up the rear. Both these locos were acquired by GBRf from Colas in 2022, only to return a year later. 67023 merely had its Colas branding removed, while 67027 gained GBRf livery.

67023 Stella approaches the site of Ham Mill Halt (closed in 1964), as it climbs up the Stroud Valley on 11 November 2023 with the 3S32 10:50 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train. 67027 is bringing up the rear. This was running 56 minutes early, which was very fortunate, as there was a lot of cloud rapidly building up behind me.

Running 68 minutes early (as usual!), 67023 Stella passes Pirton on 4 October 2024 with the 3S31 22:01 Swindon Transfer to Cheltenham Spa Rail Head Treatment Train. 67027 is bringing up the rear. I particularly wanted a picture of this working during its first week of operation, before the unbranded former Colas livery was turned into the RHTT brown colour scheme!

67023 Stella passes Oaksey on 11 October 2024 with the 3S32 11:07 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train, with 67027 bringing up the rear. This was running 21 minutes early. It's a pity that it wasn't 56 minutes early like the previous day, as then it would have been in full sun. A large mass of cloud coming in from the west was just starting to take the edge off the light, although luckily the light picked up quite bit just as the train approached.

67024 passes Up Hatherley on 22 April 2006 with the VSOE Cardiff to Chester 'Northern Belle luxury special. This picture almost didn't get taken, as the much more important 45112 was coming the other way, and there was only a minute between each train. Any less and this one would have been ignored!

Unfortunately coinciding with a brief cloudy spell, 67024 passes the site of Ashbury Crossing, Shrivenham on 15 March 2014 with the 1Z91 09:34 Victoria to Bath VSOE. Nice train, shame about the loco!

67024 approaches Didcot North Junction on 20 April 2018 with the Belmond British Pullman 1Z56 16:52 Oxford to Victoria VSOE luxury charter. 67021 brings up the rear. Although it can't disguise the inherent ugliness of a Class 67, the excellent Pullman livery certainty makes the whole train look impressive. It reminds me of 73101, which also acquired this superb livery in 1991.

67024 passes Cassington on 9 May 2018 with the Belmond British Pullman 1Z25 09:28 Victoria to Worcester Shrub Hill 'Historic Worcester' VSOE charter. Most locations on the southern end of the Cotswold Line are extremely backlit around midday, but I wanted to take this here, as the recently cleared vegetation has opened up the view, and the overhanging branches provides a nice frame. At least the lighting was better on 67021, which was bringing up the rear.

67024 brings up the rear of the Belmond British Pullman 1Z96 16:36 Worcester Shrub Hill to Victoria 'Historic Worcester' VSOE charter at Cornbury Park (near Charlbury) on 9 May 2018. 67021 is leading the train. Note the evidence of recent vegetation clearance, with piles of shredded branches, and blue painted tree stumps.

67024 brings up the rear of the Belmond British Pullman 1Z96 16:35 Worcester Shrub Hill to Victoria VSOE charter at Norton on 7 July 2018. There was no possibility of a decent picture of the lead locomotive, 67021, due to a combination of severe backlighting and intrusive shadows. This had actually left five minutes early, and was consequently coming to a stop at the next signal, to allow the 1Z50 16:00 Moreton-in-Marsh to Great Malvern GWR service to come off the Cotswold Line.

67024 passes Ascott-under-Wychwood signal box at speed in the drizzle on 6 July 2019 with the Belmond British Pullman 1Z96 17:35 Worcester Shrub Hill to Victoria 'Historic Worcester' VSOE charter. 67021 is bringing up the rear. I decided to take this picture here, as the loco's livery nearly matches the colour scheme of the 1883 built signal box.

67024 passes North Oxford Golf Course on 10 August 2022 with the 5Z84 15:20 Hinksey to Bicester Village VSOE ECS. The train would return a little later as the Belmond British Pullman 1Z84 16:20 Bicester Village to Victoria luxury charter, this time with 67005 Queen's Messenger leading.

67024 brings up the rear of the British Belmond Pullman 1Z84 17:24 Oxford to Victoria luxury VSOE charter at Charlton-on-Otmoor on 24 May 2023. Platinum Jubilee liveried 67007 is at the front of the train.

67024 passes Mill Lane, Islip, on 26 June 2024 with the Belmond British Pullman 5Z82 11:40 Oxford Parkway to Hinksey (via Bicester) ECS. 67021 is bringing up the rear. This is the empty stock from the 1Z82 08:46 Victoria to Oxford Parkway 'Le Manoir Aux Quat'Saisons' luxury charter. 

67024 brings up the rear of the Belmond British Pullman 5Z82 11:40 Oxford Parkway to Hinksey (via Bicester) ECS at Oddington on 26 June 2024. 67021 is at the front of the train. The lineside bush in the foreground looks like it will be a problem in a few years time!

67025 Western Star & 67017 Arrow approach the site of Ashbury Crossing at Shrivenham with the UK Railtours 1Z27 08:44 Huntingdon to Bristol Temple Meads charter on 3 December 2008. The two InterCity liveried Mk 2s at the front of the train slightly spoil the effect, but then so does the choice of traction! Although a hackneyed location in recent years, this was the start of a couple of hours of hectic activity, and as all the interesting trains were coming from the same direction, for once I decided to stay in the one spot.

67026 passes Grange Court on 6 November 2004 with the 12:05 Gloucester to Cardiff Central Arriva Trains Wales rugby special. The 67 was deputising for 37411 The Scottish Railway Preservation Society, which had failed earlier in the morning.

There was an unfortunate start to the Wrexham & Shropshire Railway's passenger service on 28 April 2008. The inaugural train - the 1P01 05:42 Wrexham General to Marylebone service suffered loco problems only a short distance into the journey, and time was lost as the rear loco had to be transferred to the front of the train at Wellington. 67026 is pictured approaching Kings Sutton with the disgraced 67025 Western Star, running 37 minutes late. It is a pity that there was no more suitable class of loco for Wrexham & Shropshire to use, as the unreliability of the Class 67s has led to a very public embarrassment on the very first day. Unlike the inaugural northbound train, a pair of scruffy EWS locos hardly did much to promote the service either! I was very lucky with the lighting with this picture, as the clouds were building up very quickly and the sunny spells were getting much shorter!

The immaculately maintained Venice Simplon Orient Express rake of coaches look fantastic in the evening sunshine at Westbury on 18 April 2015, and while 67026 Diamond Jubilee is not quite in such pristine condition, at least its silver livery makes it stand out. There was just myself to witness this colourful cavalcade passing Westbury power signal box. This was surprising, considering it is an identifiable location, with a perfect light angle. The train is the 1Z74 17:00 Bath to Victoria VSOE.

67027 passes through Gleneagles station on 19 June 2006 with the 4D05 11:37 Inverness to Mossend parcels. Although this is the type of traffic these locos were designed for, I can't help thinking that four vans is not really very taxing for a 3,200 hp locomotive!

67027 kicks up the leaves as it races through Kingham station on 10 December 2014 with the 1Q15 09:05 Derby RTC to Derby RTC (via Oxford) test train. Luckily this was running nearly an hour late, which has resulted in a much better sun angle. 67015 is the rear loco.

67027 passes Cholsey on 2 January 2015 with the 1Q05 11:00 Old Oak Common to Derby RTC test train. 67015 is on the rear. Note the two isolated masts on the right, the sign that this location will soon become impossible for photography. Quite why just these two have been installed is a mystery. There seems to be no logical progression, with random batches of masts appearing at different locations.

67027 brings up the rear of the 1Z78 06:05 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train at Shipton on 22 March 2017. Colas had recently acquired a couple of these under employed locos, specifically for this kind of work. The other new acquisition, 67023, was leading the train. It was raining heavily here, but nothing like the monsoon conditions that developed as I drove home!

Running over an hour late, 67027 passes Grintleyhill Bridge, Combe, on 19 April 2017 with the 1Z22 08:14 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train, with 67023 bringing up the rear. The rear coach is pantograph fitted, but I am quite confident that it will never be needed on the Cotswold Line!

67027 Charlotte passes through the diminutive Finstock station on 1 November 2017 with the 1Z22 08:14 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. 67023 Stella is on the rear. This monthly Cotswold Line test train is now far less interesting since Class 67s replaced 37s, but on this occasion I thought I would venture out because of the fine weather.

'Sheep May Safely Graze' (apologies to J. S. Bach!). The sheep take no notice as 67027 Charlotte approaches Hanborough on 21 March 2018 with the 1Z22 08:14 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. As usual, Colas's only other Class 67, 67023 Stella is on the rear.

The blackthorn is in bloom, as 67027 Charlotte passes the recently cleared location at Cassington on 18 April 2018 with the 1Z22 08:14 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. 67023 Stella is on the rear.

67027 Charlotte passes through the diminutive Tackley station on 27 June 2018 with the 1Q23 15:15 Derby RTC to Reading Triangle Sidings Network Rail test train, 67023 Stella brings up the rear. This was travelling fairly slowly, as it was following a few minutes behind a freightliner.

67027 Charlotte slowly traverses the down relief line at Challow on 11 July 2018 with the 1Z22 08:14 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. A little earlier it had passed by in the other direction, led by 67023 Stella.

67027 Charlotte passes Shipton on 5 September 2018 with the 1Z22 08:14 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. Unfortunately the recent tree clearance here did not extend to the tree right next to the bridge on the left!

67027 Charlotte brings up the rear of the 1Z23 07:08 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train at Appleford on 15 August 2019. 67023 Stella is at the front of the train. I certainly wouldn't have bothered to go out specifically for this, especially on a day of such unpredictable weather, but as I was standing on the bridge anyway, the picture was taken.

67027 Charlotte brings up the rear of the 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train at Shorthampton on 25 March 2020. As usual 67023 Stella is leading. It is unfortunate that this Cotswold Line location was only cleared just before the line was downgraded to a DMU only route.

After waiting at a red signal in the distance for the booked half an hour, 67027 Charlotte passes Grove on 26 March 2020 with the 1Z23 07:08 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. 67023 Stella is bringing up the rear. The train was terminated early at Bromsgrove.

67027 Charlotte approaches Charlbury at speed on 9 September 2020 with the 1Z22 08:20 Tyseley to Bristol High Level Siding Network Rail test train. 67023 Stella is bringing up the rear. As can be seen from the position of the windscreen wipers, it was just staring to rain, the weather having deteriorated massively since I arrived at the location. This train was running nearly two hours late, and I had only gone out because the weather looked to be improving, and the late running would mean a much better sun angle at this location!

Running 20 minutes late, 67027 Charlotte passes South Marston on 10 September 2020 with the 1Z23 06:11 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley (via Newport, Oxford and the Cotswold Line) Network Rail test train. As usual, 67023 Stella is bringing up the rear.

Various shades of yellow and orange at Uffington on 22 April 2021. 67027 Charlotte passes a field of oilseed rape, as it heads along the Great Western Mainline with the 1Z23 06:11 Bristol High Level Siding to Tyseley Network Rail test train. 67023 Stella is bringing up the rear.

Running an hour early, 67027 Charlotte emerges from Sapperton Tunnel on 9 October 2021 with the 3S33 10:49 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train. 67023 Stella is bringing up the rear. 67027 has already acquired the usual 'RHTT grime' livery, although from other pictures I have seen, this side is somewhat cleaner than the other side. Clearly it is not going to be possible to take pictures of this train at this location for much longer, if the sun is out.

Running 90 minutes early, 67027 Charlotte passes through Stonehouse station on 21 October 2021 with the 3S33 11:07 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train. As always 67023 Stella is bringing up the rear. It was lucky that it was running so early, as despite the weather forecast, the cloud was starting to build up from the west.

67027 Charlotte passes Oaksey on 2 November 2021 with the 3S33 11:07 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train. The loco may look filthy, but it is nothing compared with the overall brown 'livery' of 67023 Stella on the rear! This was running 103 minutes early, which was very fortunate, as the clouds were rapidly building up from the west.

Absolutely filthy 67027 Charlotte brings up the rear of the 3S33 11:07 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train at Hailey Wood (between Sapperton and Kemble) on 23 November 2021. As usual, 67023 Stella is leading. This train normally runs early, as it misses out the Severn Tunnel Junction to Newport section of the route. On this occasion it was a whole two hours early.

67027 speeds past Ascott-under-Wychwood Signal Box on 12 September 2023, whilst traversing the Cotswold Line as the 0Z41 11:49 Worcester to Westbury route learner. This was booked to reverse in Hinksey Yard, but instead it returned after a reversal in Oxford's platform 1 (one of the two bay platforms).

As part of the 0Z41 11:49 Worcester to Westbury route learner's diagram on 12 September 2023, 67027 was booked to visit the down refuge siding at Moreton-in-Marsh. This was worth a picture, despite the awful weather. The torrential rain had eased up, and it was just drizzling as the loco departed the siding. Note the hybrid GBRf/Colas livery. The former Colas loco was sold to GBRf and painted in their colours, only to be transferred back again. As a temporary measure, the debranded loco now has a Colas bodyside sticker!

The 3S31 21:46 Swindon Transfer to Cheltenham Lansdown Loop Rail Head Treatment Train passes Claydon on 11 November 2023, with 67027 leading, and 67023 Stella bringing up the rear. This was running 36 minutes early. 165103 has just arrived at Ashchurch station in the background with the 2E55 08:38 Bristol Temple Meads to Worcester Foregate Street GWR service.

The 3S31 22:01 Swindon Transfer to Cheltenham Lansdown Loop Rail Head Treatment Train passes the Midland Railway built crossing keeper's cottage at Brockhampton on 15 November 2023, with 67027 leading, and 67023 Stella bringing up the rear, both now in filthy 'RHTT livery'. This is often running over an hour early at this point, but on this occasion it was only 27 minutes early, which hasn't helped the lighting angle at all.

The 3S31 21:46 Swindon Transfer to Cheltenham Lansdown Loop Rail Head Treatment Train passes a frost covered field at Bredon's Norton on 25 November 2023, with 67027 leading and 67023 Stella bringing up the rear. Both locos are so filthy that you can hardly tell that they are wearing different liveries. This train usually runs early, and was 93 minutes early on this occasion.

The 3S31 22:01 Swindon Transfer to Cheltenham Lansdown Loop Rail Head Treatment Train passes Stoke Orchard on 11 October 2024, with 67027 leading, and 67023 Stella bringing up the rear. As usual, this was running early. 41 minutes early on this occasion. After just over a week on RHTT duties the hybrid Colas/GBRf livery of the lead locomotive is surprisingly still recognisable under the grime!

67028 passes Bilsborrow on 12 April 2004 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z18 08:15 Inverness to Swindon 'Lord of the Isles' railtour. Naturally there was much more interesting traction on this train earlier in the day in Scotland. This is hardy an ideal photographic location, but heavy traffic on the nearby M6 (just visible in the background) had precluded the search for anywhere better.

67028 passes Burton Salmon on 9 October 2004 with the 6T98 09:27 Doncaster to Knottingley Rail Head Treatment Train, with 67021 bringing up the rear. A pair of 3,200hp 125mph locos for such a short train seems ridiculous.

67028 accelerates away from Goole station on 11 October 2004 with the 6T98 09:27 Doncaster to Knottingley Rail Head Treatment Train, with 67021 bringing up the rear. Although I shouldn't have been surprised, given the power available, and the ridiculously short train, but I was still not prepared for quite how fast they were going, seeing as they had just reversed in the station, which is just behind the bushes in the background.

Exceedingly grubby 67028 passes Cossington on 31 March 2016 with the 6X55 09:48 Beeston to Toton point carriers. The slightly unbalance composition, with rather too much sky, is the result of including the steam plume from Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station in the picture.

67028 brings up the rear of the 5Q95 13:59 Swindon Transfer to Didcot Parkway overhead line test train at Grove on 14 November 2019. 67012 is leading, with 90035 doing the actual testing. This was the third of the day's planned runs. I missed the first, and the second was cancelled.

67028 passes Grove in the gathering darkness on 14 November 2019 with the 5Q96 14:49 Didcot Parkway to Swindon Transfer overhead line test train. 90035 is doing the actual testing. The 1A21 14:30 Bristol Temple Meads to Paddington IET can just be seen disappearing into the distance, luckily getting out of the way just in time!

67029 Royal Diamond passes under the footbridge next to the Kennet & Avon Canal at Little Bedwyn with the 1Z31 09:28 Paddington to Cardiff Central rugby special on 9 February 2008. Hidden behind the bushes on the rear of the train is 67024. This train was run in connection with the Wales v Scotland Six Nations match at the Millennium Stadium. Unfortunately the beech hedge in the foreground means it is now impossible to do the standard picture here in the winter, including both the church and the lock, as the hedge now shades the line.

67029 Royal Diamond passes Bishops Itchington with the 1P03 07:23 Wrexham to Marylebone Wrexham & Shropshire Railway service on 23 June 2009. I hardly noticed at the time that this was the EWS silver liveried machine rather than one of the more normal similarly coloured Wrexham locos!

67029 Royal Diamond passes Eaton (near Retford) on 10 March 2012 with the 1Z72 08:19 Victoria to York VSOE luxury charter. Although exceedingly backlit, for once the effect is quite pleasing, with the foreground grass catching the light nicely.

After depositing its wealthy passengers at Cheltenham, in order for them to become slightly less wealthy at the Gold Cup Festival, 67029 Royal Diamond speeds past Fiddington on 16 March 2012 with the 5Z88 10:57 Cheltenham to Worcester Shrub Hill VSOE ECS. It had worked into Cheltenham as the 1Z88 07:17 from Victoria.

67029 Royal Diamond brings up the rear of the 1Z17 11:12 Paddington to Cardiff Central rugby special at Denchworth on 19 September 2015. The train was headed by 67013. Note the capped electrification mast pile in the lower right corner of the picture.

67030 emerges from the bushes at Defford on 23 April 2002 with the 1E43 15:09 Plymouth to Low Fell Royal Mail service. This of course being the type of train that these locos were designed for. Unfortunately within a couple of years this traffic would be lost to rail and it would be a while before the class would find any further practical use.

It is 06:16 and the sun has only just risen as 67030 passes Elliot (near Arbroath) with the 1A25 21:15 Euston to Aberdeen ScotRail sleeper on 6 May 2008. This was my second attempt to photograph this train. The previous day's picture was ruined by the all too common North Sea harr (thick fog) which seems to always occur on a clear morning on the east coast of Scotland. I was therefore surprised that it was clear this morning, as the sea is only just out of the picture to the left, and indeed it was foggy only slightly further inland.