Early diesel preservation days at the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. 20237 stands in Toddington yard on 5 November 1995. The loco was fully operational, but still in its tatty BR Railfreight livery, complete with the ghost outline of the former Thornaby depot Kingfisher logo. In the background is 37215, also in as bought from BR condition, but at the time not yet operational.

37410 Aluminium 100 arrives at Bridge of Orchy station on 24 May 1999 with the 6Y45 06:36 Mossend to Fort William Enterprise service. It would stop here briefly to exchange RETB tokens. Note the pair of sidings on the left at a higher level.

Golden late evening lighting at Culham on 22 June 1990. 47851 heads north with the 1M31 17:16 Folkestone Central to Manchester Piccadilly service. An interesting mix of vehicles: Three blue and grey Mk2s, an InterCity liveried Mk1 buffet, InterCity Mk2 air-con, and InterCity Mk2 air-con first brake.

47829 pulls away from Rhyl station on 11 August 1991 with the 1D54 08:40 Birmingham New Street to Llandudno service. The station has seen considerable rationalisation. The rough ground on the right was once covered by sidings.

A Pacer and Sprinter combination at Mostyn on 11 August 1991. 142028 & 150249 join forces to work the 16:28 Holyhead to Manchester Oxford Road service. There were loads of photographers out on the North Wales coast on this Sunday, as there were numerous special trains running (both steam and diesel), but I bet I am the only person that photographed this!

37800 Cassiopeia passes Shrivenham on 17 November 2025 with the 5Q76 10:35 Wimbledon Park Depot Sidings to Alexandra Docks, taking former South Western Railway EMU 455723 on its final journey. This was running 34 minutes late, which was good, as I wasn't in the area at the booked time. I arrived with only a few minutes to spare.

59004 Paul A Hammond passes Shrivenham on 17 November 2025 with the 6C48 12:50 Appleford to Whatley Quarry stone empties. This was running 35 minutes late, after a longer than normal wait at Challow. It was however back on time when it reached Westbury.

66660 passes Shrivenham on 17 November 2025 with the 6V32 10:22 Tilbury to Trostre Works steel empties. Coincidentally, I saw this loco on the same working several years earlier. The only differences being: a different headcode, a different loco number (before it was re-geared), and most importantly, no annoying overhead wires!

The 3J41 14:02 Swindon Transfer to Swindon Transfer (via Westbury) Rail Head Treatment Train passes Shrivenham on 17 November 2025. 66549 on the rear has had its cab cleaned, but the leading loco (66167) is completely covered in RHTT grime. This was running 22 minutes late. It's a good job that it wasn't any later, as the foreground shadows were rapidly approaching the tracks.

66415 You Are Never Alone passes Woodborough on 17 November 2025 with the 6A40 08:40 Merehead Quarry to Hanwell Bridge Loop stone train. On the left 59101 Village of Whatley waits in the down loop with the 6C31 10:14 Theale to Whatley Quarry stone empties. This had left Theale over three hours early, and was sat in this loop for well over two hours.

60028 passes Woodborough on 17 November 2025 with the 6M02 07:04 Tytherington to Quainton Railhead HS2 stone train. On the left 59101 Village of Whatley waits in the down loop with the 6C31 10:14 Theale to Whatley Quarry stone empties. This had left Theale over three hours early, and was sat in this loop for well over two hours.

Paddington heads to Paddington! 'Paddington in Peru' liveried 802106 passes Manningford Bruce on 17 November 2025 with the 1A77 08:35 Plymouth to Paddington GWR service. The bush in the foreground may be adding a bit of autumn colour, but it is starting to become a bit too intrusive.

59203 & 66594 NYK Spirit of Kyoto pass Manningford Bruce on 17 November 2025 with the 6A50 10:26 Whatley Quarry to Hanwell Bridge Loop stone train. This was moving very slowly, as it had just exited Woodborough loop.

56045 & 56103 pass Manningford Bruce on 17 November 2025 with the 6V23 10:35 Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Merehead Quarry stone empties. This is an excellent location for photography at this time of year, as there is nothing to cast a shadow in the low late autumn light. The fact that you can park right next to the bridge is a bonus!

With the Alton Barnes White Horse dominating the background, 56045 & 56103 pass Beechingstoke on 17 November 2025 with the 6V23 10:35 Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Merehead Quarry stone empties. The train is accelerating away from its booked stop in Woodborough loop. The Alton Barnes chalk hill figure is one eight white horses in Wiltshire. This one was cut in 1812.

56044 Cardiff Canton passes Cogan on 19 April 1997 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z63 07:02 Crewe to Cwmbargoed 'Welsh Wizard' railtour. 56118 is on the rear of the train. The bridge in the background crosses the River Ely. Blocks of flats have now replaced the corrugated iron industrial buildings in the background.

56118 brings up the rear of the Pathfinder Tours 1Z63 07:02 Crewe to Cwmbargoed 'Welsh Wizard' railtour, as it passes through Cogan station on 19 April 1997. 56044 Cardiff Canton has already disappeared around the corner, taking the train towards Barry.

Having just reversed at Barry No.2 Dock, the Pathfinder Tours 1Z63 07:02 Crewe to Cwmbargoed 'Welsh Wizard' railtour passes Cadoxton on 19 April 1997 with 56118 leading, and (hiding behind the industrial buildings) 56044 Cardiff Canton bringing up the rear.

56044 Cardiff Canton brings up the rear of the Pathfinder Tours 1Z63 07:02 Crewe to Cwmbargoed 'Welsh Wizard' railtour at Cadoxton on 19 April 1997. 56118 is leading, having just brought the train back from a reversal at Barry No.2 Dock.

After a mostly dull morning, the sun finally bursts through the clouds, as 56044 Cardiff Canton brings up the rear of the Pathfinder Tours 1Z63 07:02 Crewe to Cwmbargoed 'Welsh Wizard' railtour at Craig Fargoed on 19 April 1997. The train is climbing up the Taff Bargoed valley, led by 56118.

The Pathfinder Tours 1Z63 17:40 Cwmbargoed to Crewe 'Welsh Wizard' railtour descends the Cwmbargoed branch at Trelewis on 19 April 1997. 56118 is bringing up the rear. In the distance, at the front of the train, is 56044 Cardiff Canton. Note the sudden change of gradient.

37701 passes Middlesbrough on 15 November 1999 with what is presumably the 6D78 12:07 Redcar to Scunthorpe loaded coke train. I say presumably because although this passed at exactly the booked time, and the loaded HEA wagon is correct, there was usually a lot more than just one wagon! The Middlesbrough Goods branch is in the background.

158871 passes over frost covered tracks at Hawkeridge Junction on 29 December 1999, as it prepares to call at Westbury with the 1F07 06:25 Carmarthen to Portsmouth Harbour service. This was operated by Wales & West, but ran under the Alphaline brand, a name which had originated a few years earlier, under Regional Railways.

158871 approaches Bradford-on-Avon on 13 August 1994 with the 2E03 06:00 Carmarthen to Waterloo Regional railways service. In 1994 this was an easy picture to take, by just looking over the railway fence. Judging by satellite pictures, three decades later the view is completely blocked by trees.

Instantly recognisable because of its non-standard yellow window modification. L414 (51350, 59502 & 51392) passes Hinksey Yard on 1 August 1991 with the 2C41 13:15 Banbury to Reading Network SouthEast service.

37698 & 37712 approach Lostock Junction on 12 April 2003 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z37 06:12 Reading to Knowsley Freight Terminal 'Wizard Express' railtour. The train is running alongside Middle Brook, a tributary of the River Irwell. The Grade II listed Croal Mill can be seen in the background. This impressive building was built in 1908 for the Croal Spinning Company. Although it closed in 1967, it escarped demolition, and is now used as a mail order warehouse.

47781 Isle of Iona passes Narborough on 23 November 1996 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z29 06:25 Swindon to Sleaford 'Fenland Streaker' railtour. The 47 was replaced by LNER A4 4-6-2 60009 Union of South Africa at Peterborough.

A rainy day at Oxford on 24 March 1984, but a now historic view of the remains of Oxford Shed (81F). 31260 is parked next to a section of brick retaining wall, that is all that remained of the original Oxford, Worcester & Wolverhampton Railway shed. The only other major feature of Oxford's steam shed in the 1980s was the water tower seen on the left. At this time the site of the shed was still used as a fuelling point, hence the fuel oil tanks. All of this has now disappeared. On the right, on the opposite side of the main lines, a pair of DMUs are stabled in the up carriage sidings, with a Class 119 unit nearest the camera.

The 09:32 Victoria to Brighton Connex South Central service passes Earlswood on 9 August 1997. Class 421 4-CIG 1803 leads an unidentified Class 421 4-BIG (note the buffet car). This location is just south of Redhill, part of which cam be seen in the distance.

158909 calls at Newton-le-Willows station on 28 July 1992 with the 10:27 Liverpool Lime Street to York (via Halifax) service. The unit is wearing the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive 'Metro Train' livery, as applied new to 158901 - 158910.

47489 Crewe Diesel Depot Quality Approved brings up the rear of the Hertfordshire Railtours 1T32 07:30 Euston to Morecambe 'Lune Ranger' railtour, as it passes Salwick station on 15 February 1992, led by 20081 & 20016. The island platform once had a large station building with an impressively wide roof. The building was demolished in the mid 1970s, but strangely the roof remained for several more years!

800005 passes Minety on 8 November 2025 with the 1L74 12:03 Cheltenham Spa to Paddington GWR service. A fine display of autumn colours behind the train, but unfortunately the bushes on the left are causing a few shadow problems.

Running 21 minutes early, 67027 passes Minety on 8 November 2025 with the 3S32 10:50 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train. This is really just a continuation of the pervious evening's 3S31 21:42 Swindon Transfer to Cheltenham Lansdown Loop working. As usual, 67023 Stella is bringing up the rear.

67023 Stella brings up the rear of the 3S32 10:50 Cheltenham Lansdown Loop to Swindon Transfer Rail Head Treatment Train at Minety on 8 November 2025. There is a lot more cloud in this view looking east, compared with the picture I took a few seconds earlier of 67027 at the front of the train.

50013 Agincourt approaches Moreton-in-Marsh on 31 December 1983 with the 1A07 08:05 Hereford to Paddington service. This is my only photo of Moreton's up home signal, when it was still a GWR lower quadrant semaphore. It was replaced by a colour light a few years later. I think this is also my only photo taken from this particular spot. Although there is a pavement on the other side of the very busy road, and I have taken many pictures of trains heading north from the station, unfortunately there is nowhere to stand safely on this side of the bridge.

47193 passes Kings Sutton on 19 May 1998 with the 4M99 15:30 Southampton to Trafford Park freightliner. The loco had been running around in this tatty debranded grey livery for a couple of years, but would receive Freightliner's then new green livery the following year.

156488 leaves Althorpe station on 23 May 2001 with the 14:23 Sheffield to Scunthorpe Northern Spirit service. Keadby Bridge dominates the picture, and the houses on the western edge of Scunthorpe can be seen in the background.

Sub-zero temperatures, but some welcome sunshine amid the clouds, as 43033 passes the site of Ashbury Crossing, near Shrivenham, on 29 December 1985 with the 1B08 08:50 Paddington to Port Talbot InterCity service.

33021 & 33022 pass Finedon on 21 May 1989 with the Hertfordshire Railtours 1T10 08:50 St Pancras to Leicester 'InterCity Diesel Day' railtour. This was one of a series of special trains, all using freight motive power. The two locos had very different fates. 33021 was preserved (initially with a period of mainline running), but 33022 was damaged in an accident a few months after this picture was taken, and was withdrawn. It was cut up in 1991.

47052 passes underneath Church Close bridge, Islip, on 2 December 1994 with a train of freightliner flats, presumably destined for MoD Bicester. The width of the arch clearly indicates that this was originally a double track line. The double track was reinstated in 2015.

66013 passes Coedkernew on 3 September 1999 with the early running 6B51 14:25 Llanwern to Grange Sidings MGR empties. This location, along with Duffryn to the north east, and Marshfield to the south west, was one of my favourite 'go to' locations in South Wales. Not very scenic, but always with plenty of traffic.

Railtours often have an unfortunate habit of running on days when the weather is grim. Such was the case on 19 January 1992, when DC Tours ran the third of their 'Solent & Wessex Wanderer' tours. Despite the awful weather, it was worth recording the unusual Class 37/33 traction combination. 37009 & 33050 Isle of Grain are pictured passing Potbridge with the 1Z24 10:12 Waterloo to Weymouth 'Solent & Wessex Wanderer 3'. As with all the tours in the series, this was using a set Network SouthEast Mk2 coaches.

37054 passes through Sherburn-in-Elmet station on 22 September 1997 with the 6M02 14:35 Lynemouth to Wolverhampton aluminum ingots. The train is passing over the now bypassed former Sherburn to Cawood road. Despite the fact that the roadway had been removed, in 1997 the full width level crossing barriers were still fully operational!

45135 heads south past Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station on 1 July 1985. Although still named 3rd Carabinier on the other side, the loco had by this time lost its nameplate on this side. Unfortunately I never photographed a Peak on a train at this location, so this light engine picture will have to serve as a record.

37240 & GWR Castle Class 4-6-0 7029 Clun Castle approach Heyford on 1 November 2025 with the Vintage Trains 1Z35 07:56 Birmingham New Street to Paddington 'Farewell to Steam' railtour. The steam loco would then go on to work the 1Z36 14:40 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads section of the tour, although unfortunately mostly in darkness. I selected this location as the fallen tree makes an excellent foreground, and the bright yellow autumn foliage adds to the background. The only problem was trying to guess if there was a big enough gap for both locomotives. Luckily there was - just!

West Country Class 4-6-2 34028 Eddystone passes Charndon on 1 November 2025 with Railway Touring Company 1Z28 07:39 Manchester Piccadilly to Reading 'Chiltern Explorer' railtour. This was accelerating away from a 25 minute coal and water stop at Steeple Claydon. Although this looks like a mostly sunny day, there was a huge mass of cloud behind me, so I was glad I hadn't gone to any location further to the west.

Into the darkness! 47746 Chris Fudge 29.7.70 - 22.6.10 brings up the rear of the Railway Touring Company 1Z28 07:39 Manchester Piccadilly to Reading 'Chiltern Explorer' railtour, as it heads into the approaching clouds at Charndon on 1 November 2025. West Country Class 4-6-2 34028 Eddystone is at the front of the train.

Pristine looking 37417 passes Ystrad Mynach on 7 June 2003 with the 2F42 16:15 Rhymney to Cardiff Central Wales & West service. The bracket signal in the background protects the junction with the Cwmbargoed line. The area was swarming with photographers around this time, but I bet it's a lot quieter now!

978 (54214 & 53927) passes Narroways Hill Junction on 16 April 1991 with the 2B18 17:18 Bristol Temple Meads to Gloucester service. The rear vehicle carried the full set number - B978. The unit had been transferred from Longsight a few months earlier.

Houses with a view! 73109 Battle of Britain 50th Anniversary & 73101 The Royal Alex approach Hookhills Viaduct in a lucky gap in the clouds on 20 June 1993 with the 14:10 Kingswear to Paignton service, during the Paignton & Dartmouth Railway's Diesel Gala.

A brief burst of weak sunshine appears at just the right time, as Plasser & Theurer 07-16 Universal Tamper / Liner DR73271 and an unidentified Plasser & Theurer USP5000C Ballast Regulator pass the reception sidings at Aberthaw on 8 November 1996. DR73271 was scrapped at Booths, Rotherham, in 2012. The down platform of Aberthaw High Level station can be seen next to the signal box in the background. The station closed in 1964.

90011 The Chartered Institute of Transport passes through Atherstone station on 10 August 1991 with the 15:24 Carlisle to Euston InterCity service. Directly behind the locomotive is DVT 82105. The railway crosses the line of the Roman road Watling Street here.

Golden early morning winter light at Kempston Hardwick on 24 December 1996. L700 (51332 Marston Vale & 51374) approach the diminutive station with the 08:50 Bletchley to Bedford service. 51332 had been named Marston Vale a month earlier to mark the 150th anniversary of the route. The nameplate can just be seen at the rear of the vehicle. Both the DMU and the brickwork chimneys in the background are now history.

117724 (51333 & 51375) passes the lake at Kempston on 24 December 1996 with the 09:50 Bletchley to Bedford service. The embankment in the background is the A421 Bedford bypass. The Marston Vale line was the final home to a number of the Class 117s units, although by this date they had lost their centre vehicles.

150018 arrives at Droitwich on 29 March 1996 with the 09:30 Birmingham New Street to Great Malvern service. Unfortunately the assorted junk on the right has now been replaced by a massive radio mast, although that is partly hidden by several large trees.

A spectacular dark exhaust from N15 4-6-0 777 Sir Lamiel as it passes Mostyn on 11 August 1991 with the BR InterCity Holyhead to Crewe 'North Wales Coast Express' railtour. Unfortunately the exhaust has partially obscured the train, but it could have been a lot worse!

Class 201s 1007 & 1005 leave Westbury on 8 March 1986 with the Branch Line Society 1Z26 16:09 Whatley Quarry to Eastbourne 'Bedlam Belle' railtour. Somebody has tried to paint 'Merry Xmas' between the buffers, but run out of room, so it just says 'Merry X'! At least two people in Westbury Power Signal Box are enjoying the view of the unusual visitor.

66601 passes Baulking on 28 October 2025 with the 6A16 07:43 Whatley Quarry to Oxford Banbury Road stone train. This is my first picture of this loco in its 'Freightliner 60 1965-2025' livery. The train had actually left Whatley 17 minutes late, but was running a few minutes early here.

66549 crosses the Baulking to Kingston Lisle road on 28 October 2025 with the 3J44 05:24 Didcot Parkway to Swindon Transfer (via West Ealing) Rail Head Treatment Train. As I was not in the ideal position, this is a hastily composed grab shot. The train was running 79 minutes early! Although I don't normally like pictures where the whole train isn't included, this one seems to work quite well, even if 66850 David Maidment OBE on the rear is not in view. Note the flood depth gauge by the bridge. It would be a really serious flood if it ever got to the top six feet marker!

Running 79 minutes early, the 3J44 05:24 Didcot Parkway to Swindon Transfer (via West Ealing) Rail Head Treatment Train passes Baulking on 28 October 2025, with 66850 David Maidment OBE bringing up the rear, and 66549 leading.

'Paddington in Peru' liveried 802106 passes Baulking on 28 October 2025 with the 1U07 09:00 Paddington to Bristol Temple Meads GWR service. Only the three vehicles on the London end of the train have received the film promotion vinyls.

60055 Thomas Barnardo passes Baulking on 28 October 2025 with the 6C02 06:27 Tytherington to Quainton Railhead HS2 stone train. Prior to Swindon, this had been running over an hour late, but was almost back on time here, as it had missed out its booked stop at Stratton Green. The overhanging branches of the oak tree make an excellent frame, although as it was near the end of October, I was surprised that there wasn't more autumn colour. 

67027 passes Coates on 26 October 2025 with the 3S31 11:56 Swindon Transfer to Cheltenham Lansdown Loop Rail Head Treatment Train. The slightly cleaner 67023 Stella is bringing up the rear. The flat grassy area on the right marks the site of the former Coates goods station.

67023 Stella brings up the rear of the 3S31 11:56 Swindon Transfer to Cheltenham Lansdown Loop Rail Head Treatment Train at Coates on 26 October 2025. Classmate 67027 is leading. Swindon to Cheltenham is only a short distance, but after passing through the town, this train visits Hereford and Shrewsbury, before returning to Cheltenham late at night.

61 years after the station closed to passengers, AC Cars railbus W79978 returned to Cirencester Town station in October 2025, as part of the Cirencester History Festival. Classmate W79977 worked the last trains on the branch on 4 April 1964. The distinctive Brunel designed 1841 station building dominates this view of W79978, pictured in the weak autumn sunshine on 26 October 2025. The unit was on a short visit from the Swindon & Cricklade Railway.

The train now standing at the platform is the delayed service from Kemble! The destination blind says it all, as AC Cars railbus W79978 stands at the remains of Cirencester Town station platform on 26 October 2025, on its own little short section of track, as it takes part in the Cirencester History Festival. This is 61 years after last railbus visited this spot. As can be clearly seen, most of the station site is now a car park. Two of the five AC Cars railbuses survive, although W79976 is in such a heavily stripped and damaged state, it likely that W79978 will be the only long term survival. The vehicle is operational, although as can be seen from the gaffer tape under the windscreens, there is still some work to be done.

165015 & 165032 pass Islip on 25 October 2025 with the 1Y21 08:15 Oxford to Marylebone Chiltern Railways service. This was just 36 minutes after sunrise, and only a few minutes after the sun had appeared from behind a bank of cloud. Unfortunately this stunning light didn't last long, as another even larger bank of cloud soon moved in from the west.

West Country Class 4-6-2 34028 Eddystone passes Islip on 25 October 2025 with the Railway Touring Company 1Z28 07:40 Slough to Chester 'Varsity Explorer' railtour. After a gap of 61 years, the loco returned to the mainline in September 2025, so this is one of its first mainline outings. 47812 is bringing up the rear. Islip church can be seen in the background.

47812 brings up the rear of the Railway Touring Company 1Z28 07:40 Slough to Chester 'Varsity Explorer' railtour near Islip on 25 October 2025. Newly mainline registered Southern Railway West Country Class 4-6-2 34028 Eddystone is at the front of the train.

37407 Blackpool Tower passes through Finstock station on 24 October 2025, running as the 0A36 10:38 Long Marston to Wembley Loco Sidings light engine. This was running 13 minutes late, partly because the loco didn't leave Long Marston on time, but mainly because it had to wait at Charlbury until the late running 1P24 09:56 Great Malvern to Paddington service had cleared Wolvercote Junction. The loco had earlier taken a couple of Class 350 EMUs from Wembley to Long Marston, travelling via Birmingham.

56045 & 56103 run alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal at Bridge 99, near Crofton, on 22 October 2025 with the 6V23 10:34 Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Merehead Quarry stone empties. The 56s were standing in for 60028, which had failed the previous day. This was running four minutes late, which was very fortunate, as it was still cloudy at the booked time. The lucky sun makes an excellent picture, with the added bonus of some colourful autumn foliage.

In typically dull Scottish weather, 37401 The Royal Scotsman crosses over the River Bran, and arrives at Achnasheen station on 5 October 2001 with the 1H98 13:25 Kyle of Lochalsh to Dundee 'Royal Scotsman' luxury charter.

158844 passes the site of Westbury station (between Shrewsbury and Welshpool) on 14 June 2003 with the 17:33 Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Central Trains service. The unit had arrived at Shrewsbury, along with a classmate, as the 16:34 from Birmingham New Street. The other unit then worked the 17:35 Shrewsbury to Chester train.

158780 passes through Radley station on 25 June 2001 with the 17:29 Bristol Temple Meads to Bicester Town First Great Western service. Central Trains Class 158s were occasionally hired in for these trains, which were normally worked by Class 165s, like the 18:33 Oxford to Paddington Thames Trains service, which can be seen disappearing into the distance.

47150 passes Claydon on 19 April 1991 with the 4O34 11:38 Garston (Speke) to Eastleigh Ford Transit vans. In later years it was common to see trains of Transits going north to Garston from the Ford factory at Swaythling (Southampton), but during 1991 this train ran in the opposite direction. Sometimes it ran with as little as four wagons (eight vans), and although I only saw it a few times, this is definitely the greatest load I ever photographed.

47309 European Rail Operator of the Year approaches Wolvercote Junction on 23 August 1999 with the 4S59 15:13 Millbrook to Coatbridge freightliner. The green and yellow Macfarlane Transport vehicles were a common sight on the roads at the time. The company ceased trading in 2010.

47238 Bescot Yard approaches Goring on 28 August 1991 with the 4O81 07:00 Coatbridge to Southampton Maritime freightliner. By this time in the evening (17:50) even the relief lines were unfortunately mostly in shadow.

47316 passes Goring on 28 August 1991 with the lightly loaded 4M57 15:50 Southampton Maritime to Trafford Park freightliner. This is yet another Thames Valley location that I haven't visited since the wires went up in 2016.

You don't need two Class 47s for a five coach train, even up the formidable Dainton Bank. However, on 16 March 1996, 47828 & 47847 were provided for the 1M40 11:44 Plymouth to Liverpool Lime Street service, seen here climbing the last few yards of the bank before entering Dainton Tunnel.

47840 North Star passes Clay Cross on 9 April 1992 with the 1V60 14:41 York to Plymouth InterCity service. The convenient unofficial spotter's car park has long since been fenced off, and the whole area has become much more overgrown.

The 5Q86 13:44 Long Marston to Eastleigh ECS passes Whitehill (between Finstock and Combe) on 17 October 2025 with Mk5a driving trailer 12806 leading and 68031 providing power at the rear. The former TransPennine stock is destined for a new career with Chiltern Railways. There was nothing else to photograph while I was waiting for this, as in true GWR tradition, both up and down passenger trains just before this were cancelled. On this day GWR excelled themselves, as a staggering 39% of the booked trains were cancelled.

Unbranded plain blue liveried 68031 propels the 5Q86 13:44 Long Marston to Eastleigh ECS past Whitehill (between Finstock and Combe) on 17 October 2025. The Mk5a set, led by driving trailer 12806, is going to receive some modifications, before entering service with Chiltern Railways. Although I have some pictures of Class 68s working to Long Marston from the Worcester direction, this is my first picture of one of the class (or indeed a Mk5a driving trailer!) on the southern end of the Cotswold Line. There may not have been any sunshine, but at least there is a fine range of autumn colours visible in background. 

47361 Wilton Endeavour passes South Moreton on 6 May 1992 with the 4M57 15:50 Southampton Maritime to Trafford Park freightliner. This was an excellent and sadly missed Didcot area location, although not quite so good for anything on the fast line!

Just a few days after being introduced into service, 165034 runs along the up relief line at South Moreton on 6 May 1992 with a crew training run from Oxford to Paddington. Class 165/0s were destined for the Chiltern Line, but in 1992 they were used on Thames Valley services, pending the arrival of the route's dedicated Class 165/1s.

37072 slows for 120 degree curve at Firsby on 17 September 1988 with the 1J26 13:10 Skegness to Sheffield service. The Skegness line was well worth a visit on a summer Saturday, as there were several loco hauled trains, and a wide variety of interesting traction.

37010 prepares to reverse the 6Z23 Thameshaven to Littlemore oil train into Littlemore Oil Depot on 15 May 1997. This was the first train here for many years. Unfortunately the blue sky in the background is deceptive, as it clouded up a few minutes later.

55012 (TS062) and an unidentified Class 116 unit pass Bishopton on 8 June 1985 with the 12:10 Birmingham Moor Street to Stratford-upon-Avon (via Henley-in-Arden) service. This location has changed beyond all recognition since this picture was taken. Stratford Parkway station now occupies the site, but in 1985 this was still just a rural spot on the outskirts of Stratford-upon-Avon. Even the A46 Stratford bypass, which now crosses the line in the back of this view, had yet to be built. In addition to the new station, the area behind where I was stood was fields in 1985, and four decades later is now covered in houses.

47245 Linnet passes Culham on 22 June 1990 with the 4M79 15:51 Southampton Maritime to Lawley Street freightliner. The loco had received the unofficial Linnet name at Tinsley the previous November. By early 1991 it had lost the name, when it was repainted into Railfreight Distribution livery.

47530 accelerates away from Cholsey station on 3 July 1991 with the 1F46 17:37 Paddington to Didcot Parkway Network SouthEast 'all stations' service. For the small Thames Valley stations that normally relied on three coach Class 117s, this seven coach loco hauled train was luxury!

50008 Thunderer passes Golant on 4 May 1991 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z16 Manchester Piccadilly to Penzance 'Cornish Centurion 2' railtour. 50015 Valiant is bringing up the rear. Apologies for the very poor quality of this image, but the weather was abysmal, and this picture was taken at 07:25. The long drive to Cornwall required a 03:00 start! I have seen numerous more recent pictures of Golant, but I don't think there is now this unobstructed view of the cottages in the foreground. Note the surf board propped up against one of the houses.

87101 Stephenson approaches Colton Junction on 18 November 1995 with the Hertfordshire Railtours 1Z49 07:30 Kings Cross to Boulby 'Boulby Prize' railtour. The electric loco would be replaced at York by 47783 Saint Peter, which would take the train onto the Boulby branch, with 56108 at the rear.

L403 (51378, 59488 & 51336) passes the then recently built Foundation Park industrial estate, White Waltham, on 6 January 1991 with the 2A42 11:15 Reading to Paddington Network SouthEast service. After L403 was displaced from the Thames Valley duties in late 1992, it was reformed as two car unit L708.

33104 & 33027 Earl Mountbatten of Burma pass underneath the Walton Well Road bridge, as they approach Oxford on 21 August 1982 with an unidentified southbound freightliner. I presume the locos must have been swapped from a northbound liner at Banbury, as they passed by in the opposite direction just over an hour earlier. Any information would be gratefully received.

20137 passes Didbrook on 10 August 1995 with the 11:00 Toddington to Far Stanley service, during the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's Diesel Week. 20137 had arrived at the railway on 18 June 1994. It retained its Railfreight grey livery for the first couple of years in preservation.

The Leyland 680 six cylinder 11.1 litre diesel engine was used extensively on first generation DMUs, with a pair of engines on each powered vehicle. No.2 engine is pictured on Class 119 DMS 51085 (set L593) at Moreton-in-Marsh on 9 April 1983. Class 119s originally had AEC engines. It looks like this engine has had some welding work done to the rocker covers.

47529 passes West Drayton on 6 November 1986 with the 09:15 Cardiff Central to Paddington relief. This was in the days when the railways were run for the benefit of passengers, and not for the profit (hopefully) of some private company. Relief trains were as common then as rail replacement buses are now!

The pig is not interested! 56004 passes Culham on 1 May 1982 with the 6M56 11:40 Didcot Power Station to Washwood Heath MGR empties. This loco spent its entire career in BR blue livery. It arrived in the Country at Harwich in August 1976, but due to having to correct numerous faults, was not accepted into traffic until February 1977. After several periods in storage, it was finally cut up at Booths, Rotherham, in July 2006.

57005 Freightliner Excellence passes Baschurch (between Wrexham and Shrewsbury) on 1 June 2003 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z56 14:58 Crewe to Crewe (via Hooton) 'Crewe Invader' railtour. 56038 Pathfinder Railtours 30 Years of Railtouring 1973 - 2003 is bringing up the rear, and would later take over when the train reversed at Shrewsbury.

56038 Pathfinder Railtours 30 Years of Railtouring 1973 - 2003 brings up the rear of the Pathfinder Tours 1Z56 14:58 Crewe to Crewe (via Hooton) 'Crewe Invader' railtour at Baschurch on 1 June 2003. 57005 Freightliner Excellence was leading the tour at this point. Earlier in the day 37503 & 37674 had been used to bring the tour from Bristol, and later 37695 & 37517 would be used to take the train back from Crewe to Bristol.

A trio of DRS locomotives pass underneath the A513 road bridge at Alrewas on 25 May 2001. 20903, 20906 & 33207 head south towards Birmingham, with a light engine working, the details of which I seem to have mislaid! Both 20903 & 20906 were formerly Hunslet Barclay locomotives.