66149 Shorthampton 29 July 2009

In failing light on 29 July 2009, 66149 moves cautiously forward over the realigned and totally unballasted track at Shorthampton, prior to dropping ballast. It is working the 6W60 ballast train from Hinksey, which has already dropped some ballast nearer to Charlbury, just around the corner. A similar train worked by 66185 & 66068 would follow along later. This section of the Cotswold Line is being redoubled, but as the remaining single track was centered in 1971, that work is having to be undone, as here. Preparatory work at this location involved extensive lineside vegetation clearance, which accounts for the abundant growth of Rosebay Willowherb and Stinging Nettles on the side of the cutting.