D3059 is pictured parked in the engineers siding at Bridge of Dun on 4 May 2008. This loco was delivered new to Wellingborough in 1954 and after a varied BR career (during which it received the TOPS number 08046) it was sold to Associated British Maltsters at Airdrie in 1981. It was acquired by the Caledonian Railway in 1985.

One of the numerous Class 08s that have found a new lease of life on preserved railways. 08123 is parked on the Cholsey & Wallingford Railway's line near Cholsey on 29 February 1992. This 1955 built machine now carries GWR brunswick green livery with the GWR monogram adapted to CWR. Originally allocated to Severn Tunnel Junction, this loco then moved to Newport and finally Crewe, from where it was withdrawn in 1984.

08589 shunts a rake of engineers vehicles into the down PW sidings near Highworth Junction at Swindon on 26 October 1992. This could be one of the last photos taken of this loco in operation, as it was withdrawn less than a month later and cut up Gwent Demolition at Margam in 1994, ironically not that far from its home depot of Cardiff Canton. Quite why it ended up at Swindon for its last weeks in traffic is a mystery.

08594 shunts a polybulk wagon and 4 wheel tank wagon at Whitemoor Yard, March on 16 August 1988. Although a shadow of its former self, the yard was still active at this date, although cranes can just be seen in the distance, working on the construction of Whitemoor Prison on the north end of the yard. The line to Wisbech is on the right, while locos of classes 31, 37, & 47 wait in the background to work Speedlink trains later in the day. 08594 carries some non-standard embellishments (red solebar and white cab roof), as well as the unofficial name Ely.

08795 was employed on a series of Gloucester station to Barnwood Junction shuttle services during the Gloucester Rail Day on 1 July 1990. It is pictured here at Horton Road Junction bringing up the rear of the train as GWR 4-6-0 6024 King Edward 1 takes the train round the curve towards Barnwood. The stock is Class 117 DMU set B430 (51410, 59520 & 51368) with an additional coach in matching Great Western livery. The sun almost came out for a few minutes on an otherwise very overcast day, which has certainly accentuated the dark clouds in the background. Other points of interest in this picture are 37100 & 37074 visible under the bridge in the background on one of the numerous mini railtours run in connection with the event, and the unfinished state of the bridge and embankment on what is now the A4032 Metz Way.

On 29 October 1982, long term resident Oxford shunter 08803 (scrapped in 1994) heads towards Oxford station along the bi-directional goods loop with a short rake of vacuum braked wagons, including a number containing domestic coal. The siding on the left, which as can be seen by the shiny rail, was still well used in 1982 leads into the scrapyard on the site of Beckett Street Coal Yard, while the slightly rustier line between it and the goods loop was known locally as 'Mark's Hole'! Note the disused former Great Western Railway goods shed on the extreme left, which was demolished shortly after this picture was taken.

Over the years I have tried to photograph as many different classes of locomotive and unit as possible at work on the Cotswold Line, especially my local bit of it between Wolvercote Junction at Moreton-in-Marsh. One of the more unusual classes to be used in recent years is the humble Class 08 0-6-0 shunter. Here, regular Oxford loco 08803 trundles along at its maximum speed of 15 mph with a lengthy engineer's train from a track relaying possession at Handborough, heading back to Hinksey Yard on Sunday 26 January 1986. Presumably the seven miles of main line running was not seen as a problem, or else there was no more suitable loco available. The location is between the site of Yarnton Junction and Wolvercote Junction.

At 07:25 on 7 August 1987, the resident Oxford shunter 08803 crosses from the up loop into the yard at Hinksey with a short rake of domestic coal hoppers from the small coal unloading point in the former Oxford South Yard. As can be seen from the rake of wagons already in the yard, there was still a little Speedlink traffic handled at Hinksey in 1987. However, the yard was soon to enter its dormant period, when it was only used for the storage of condemned stock, prior to its reuse as a ballast handling facility in recent years.

08829 shunts a rake of HAA coal wagons at Wetmore Sidings, Burton-on-Trent on 11 August 1990. The bridge in the background used to carry the North Staffordshire Railway line over the Midland Railway route in order to access their goods depot. 08829 was withdrawn in June 1993 and then spent over a decade in store at various locations before finally being cut up by the Harry Needle Railway Company in 2005.

The highlight of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire's Diesel Gala over the weekend of 4-6 April 2008, was guest appearance of shunter D4095 (08881) prior to its export to Libya later in the year. Here it is pictured passing Hailes with 37324 Clydebridge in use as a brake translator with the 10:50 Toddington to Winchcombe service on Sunday 6 April. Slightly worrying lighting conditions here, as the cloud was building up and the background was already in shadow. Would the 08's 15mph top speed be enough to beat the approaching cloud? Luckily it was!

D4095 (08881) trundles sedately along between Winchcombe and Hailes with the 12:35 Winchcombe to Toddington service on 6 April 2008, during the Gloucestershire Warwickshire's Diesel Gala. The 08 was the star attraction at the gala and was due to be exported to Libya later in the year. 37324 Clydebridge is here acting as a air to vacuum brake translator and is not supplying power. Most of the overnight snow had now melted, with just a little left on the cutting side from which the shadows had only just cleared.

08904 is pictured at Didcot on 4 December 1999, still sporting extremely faded BR corporate blue livery, considerably modified with oil stains, various marks and graffiti. As well as 'Didcot Taxis' this also includes what must be the most unofficial of namings, with 'Harry' just roughly scrawled on the battery box. 08904 was delivered new to Bedford depot (as D4134) in June 1962.

08946 is pictured shunting crippled HAA MGR wagons at Didcot Power Station on 20 March 1993. After a complicated manoeuvre involving the flyash loop on the right, it departed for nearby Didcot Yard, with all but one of the hooded wagons, which was left in the siding. Apart from the yellow 'wasp' front and a little bit of grass, everything in this scene is a shade of grey or brown! Even the loco in its uninspiring departmental grey livery blends into the overall drabness, not helped by the dreary weather.