56301 & 56312 pass Hinksey on 4 December 2012 with the  6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. 56312 had disgraced itself the previous day, by failing at Calvert. 56301, which just so happened to be passing through Oxford, was sent to assist, but the train was cancelled, and so this train is effectively a day late. Typically, after standing around in full sunshine for ages, just as the Grids came into view, a small cloud did its best to try to ruin the picture. Thankfully at least the locos are in the sun.

56301 passes Water Eaton (Banbury Road) on 5 December 2012 with the  6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. Unfortunately this was running an hour late, which resulted in the lighting being more head on that I would have liked. On the plus side the intrusive shadow of a crane that was repairing the stone terminal's weighbridge had become less intrusive, as it is merely across the siding, rather than over the running line, which was the situation at the booked time.

56301 passes Lock Wood, near Culham on 10 December 2012 with the 6Z91 13:55 Hinksey to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. After the previous week's problems with this train, the wagons had been left at Hinksey Yard. Consequently, 56301 had worked down from Calvert light engine as the 0Z91 10:53 Calvert to Hinksey. As the later than normal timings south of Oxford would allow a much better lighting angle, I investigated this location, which I hadn't used for a number of years. Luckily the train was running a few minutes early, as one of two things was about to happen. Either the rapidly moving shadows were going to completely spoil the shot, or the massive bank of cloud coming in from the east was going to blot out the sun altogether!

56301 passes through a frosty landscape at Islip on 13 December 2012 with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. Despite the gloomy conditions, I wasn't going to miss the chance of getting a picture of the Grid in this typical winter setting. Well worth the short wait in freezing conditions! Islip station is just beyond the bridge in the background.

56301 passes through Quainton Road station on 16 May 2014 with the 6Z34 13:15 Willesden Euro Terminal to Calvert spoil. The fitting of GSM-R radio equipment to this veteran Grid has allowed it to return to the spot hire market, in this case working for GBRf. Note the excellent condition of the former Fastline paintwork after nearly eight years in traffic. Obviously a much better paint job than some recently built green locomotives!

Pulling away from a signal check, and making a surprising amount of noise, 56301 has 56311 dead in tow as it passes Kennington on 28 July 2014 with the 6Z56 10:10 Chaddesden to Totton railvac machine move.

56301 passes South Moreton (Didcot East) on 19 December 2014 with the 5Z34 10:13 Bristol Barton Hill to Wembley, conveying ex-works Chiltern Railways Mk 3 coach 12605. Not the kind of work that a Class 56 was designed for, but a welcome change from the procession of Class 66s!

56301 passes the remains of Waddesdon Manor station (closed as long ago as 1936) with the 6Z67 10:16 Calvert to Thorney Mill spoil empties on 19 January 2015. Until recently this picture would have been impossible, as the old platform in the foreground was covered with tall bushes. With 56301 having worked the loaded 6Z68 20:50 Willesden Euro Terminal to Calvert the previous evening, and a sunny day forecast, this just had to be done!

56301 moves slowly along the down relief line at Circourt Bridge, Denchworth, on 24 October 2023 with the 4Z26 08:52 Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Bristol East Depot, conveying two JNA wagons. We were very lucky with the sun here, as it came out at the very last minute, although ironically only just enough for this very short train!

56301 passes Uffington on 24 October 2023 with the 4Z26 08:52 Willesden DC Rail Sidings to Bristol East Depot wagon move. The loco still wears debranded Fastline livery, well over a decade after the company ceased trading. It is now owned by the Class 56 Group. With just two wagons, this location seemed like the obvious choice, as it would be neatly framed by the 25kV gantry. The only downside would be the inevitable shadow from the mast, so I was surprised that there wasn't one. Checking the sequence of shots that I took revealed that the mast shadow fell exactly through the gap between the loco and first wagon. That saved me some work in Photoshop!

After only two years away from the national rail network, the Class 56 renaissance has begun. Private operator Fastline reinstated three machines in 2006 for use on their Doncaster to Thamesport Intermodal service. On 17 April 2006, 56302 (the former 56124) passes Old Denaby with a Doncaster Belmont Yard to Barrow Hill test train.

56302 passes Watford (on the Northampton loop line) with the 4O90 11:01 Doncaster to Grain Intermodal on 21 September 2006. After a perfectly sunny day, the clouds were now rolling in from the west, but although now a little weak, the sun obligingly stayed out for this train and the following 6A42 Enterprise, and then just disappeared! It had been a very warm day, despite the wind, which became stronger during the day. This presented a few problems here, as clumps of leaves were being blown off the ash trees behind me, and falling across this view. In fact a particularly large clump almost obscured the front of the 56, just dropping out of the frame as I pressed the shutter!

Unfortunately corresponding with a lengthy cloudy period, 56302 passes Portway (near Tamworth) with the 4O90 11:01 Doncaster to Grain Intermodal on 28 September 2006. This lightly loaded train (an all too common occurrence) was a portent of what was to come. Both the train and the operator no longer exist!

The first railtour utilising a Class 56 since the farewell tour of March 2004. 56302 runs parallel with the Stainforth & Keadby Canal at Crowle with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z56 14:29 Doncaster to Crewe 'Grid Arising' railtour on 30 September 2006. Unfortunately, despite some early brightness,  the sun had disappeared by the time the train came.

56302 rounds the curve at Immingham East Junction with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z56 14:29 Doncaster to Crewe 'Grid Arising' railtour on 30 September 2006. A tricky spot for photography, as a decision has to be made whether to chop the rear of the train off, or go for the full panoramic view. I decided to use a moderate wide angle to include the whole train (or at least all that was visible as it emerged from the bushes).

56302 emerges from Kirton Lindsey Tunnel with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z56 14:29 Doncaster to Crewe 'Grid Arising' railtour on 30 September 2006. A decision was taken to wander down from the station to this spot as the sun had gone in, and shadows would no longer be a problem. You can guess what happened when the 56 was due - the sun came out! Luckily when it actually appeared out if the tunnel, the difference wasn't too marked, as the sun had found some more high cloud.

56302 runs along the down relief line at Denchworth on 27 February 2012 with the 6Z56 (appropriately!) 12:04 Wembley to Cardiff Canton scrap empties. The terrible weather conditions at least meant that I could take the shot from the north side of the line, allowing this wider view. It was running 20 minutes early at this point, which you would think would mean that the booked stop at Challow would be extended. However, I wasn't going to rely on it staying at Challow until its booked departure time, so drove quickly round to Uffington. This was just as well, as they let it out early, and it was 28 minutes early at Uffington!

56302 passes the site of Uffington station on 27 February 2012 with the 6Z56 12:04 Wembley to Cardiff Canton scrap empties. It was running 28 minutes early at this point, having only been held at Challow for a few minutes. This meant that I had only just arrived at this location after a fast drive from Denchworth. I don't normally bother to chase trains like this, but the chance of a second shot of an ex Fastline 'Grid' on the Great Western Mainline was too much to resist!

56302 runs cautiously over newly laid track at Saxondale on 27 November 2012 with the 6E07 11:51 Washwood Heath to Boston Docks steel empties. Only early afternoon, but with light levels almost like dusk! However, the ex-works loco shows up well despite the awful conditions, and as I was passing the spot anyway en-route to Yorkshire, it was worth the brief wait in the cold.

56302 slowly approaches Honeybourne on 18 February 2013 with the 6Z37 14:55 Long Marston to Llanwern, conveying a rake of IHA wagons. The train had worked into Long Marston with a lengthy train of JSA wagons for storage, but I had missed out on that due to the late running of classmate 56311 on the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash.

56302 waits for the road at Honeybourne on 18 February 2013 with the 6Z37 14:55 Long Marston to Llanwern, conveying a rake of IHA wagons. The signal and reinstated track came into use with the redoubling of the Cotswold Line in 2011. Previously a train from Long Marston would have joined the main line on the other side of the bridge in the background.

56302 passes through the flat landscape of the Vale of Evesham at Bretforton on 18 February 2013 with the 6Z37 14:55 Long Marston to Llanwern. Having taken a rake of JSA wagons in to Long Marston, it is here returning with a shorter rake of IHAs. Photo taken from a public footpath crossing.

56302 & 56094 pass Tredington on 2 January 2014 with the 6Z47 09:59 Burton upon Trent Wetmore Sidings to Taunton Fairwater Yard, conveying a single track machine. An uninspiring load, but a pair of Colas 56s in the sun is always worth a picture!

56302 passes Compton Beauchamp on 3 February 2014 with the late running 6M50 07:55 Westbury to Bescot engineers train. I almost thought there might be some sun on this one, but the little bit of early brightness was soon replaced by ominous dark clouds, and by the time it finally appeared the lighting was really grim. However, not only is this an improvement of the usual 66, but there was the prospect of another 56 hauled freight a couple of hours later. It's like the good old days again!

56302 has 59202 Alan Meddows Taylor in tow, as it passes Circourt Bridge, Denchworth on 26 February 2014 with the 6M50 07:55 Westbury to Bescot engineers train. This was a lucky last minute change of plan, as originally I had planned to go to the Cotswold Line for the test train, and the working from Long Marston. However, when I noticed that 5Z56 was running, I drove to Denchworth instead, arriving with just a few minutes to spare before this showed up.

56302 passes Shrivenham on 16 April 2014 with the 6V62 11:00 Tilbury Riverside to Llanwern steel empties. I was quite surprised to be the only photographer at this location, given the superb weather. I had particularly wanted to photograph this train here, in order to include the yellow oilseed rape field. Also, being only a short train, the blackthorn bushes are not really obscuring too much of the train. There were of course other photographers on the much more popular footbridge in the background!

Unfortunately corresponding with a really cloudy spell, 56302 passes Denchworth on 20 August 2014 with the 6V62 11:22 Tilbury Riverside to Llanwern steel empties. As booked it is running along the down relief line, prior to a brief stop at Challow.

56302 passes Baulking on 20 August 2014 with the 6V62 11:22 Tilbury Riverside to Llanwern steel empties. Not ideal conditions, but I am making the most of this Wednesdays and Saturdays working, as once the wires go up on the Great Western Mainline the photographic opportunities will be severely limited.

56302 Peco The Railway Modeller 2016 70 Years passes Up Hatherley on 20 October 2016 with the 3S33 05:56 Swindon to Gloucester Horton Road (via Didcot, Ledbury and Kings Norton) Rail Head Treatment Train. 56078 is bringing up the rear. The Class 170 working the 1M99 12:45 Cardiff Central to Nottingham CrossCountry service can just be seen disappearing in the distance.

For the final couple of weeks of the 2017 Rail Head Treatment Train season, the Gloucester to Worcester circuit received some heritage traction, with Class 56s replacing 66s. On a miserably dull 4 December 2017, 56302 Peco The Railway Modeller 2016 70 Years passes Churchdown with the 3S31 13:14 Gloucester Horton Road to Worcester Shrub, with 56094 brining up the rear.

56302 Peco The Railway Modeller 2016 70 Years emerges from Barmoor Clough Tunnel (near Dove Holes) on 9 June 2018 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z43 05:10 Taunton to Buxton 'Peak District Explorer' railtour. Judging by the noise, and the relatively low speed, full power was being applied here to climb the 1 in 58 gradient.

The highlight of the Pathfinder Tours 'Peak District Explorer' railtour on 9 June 2018 was the chance to travel over the freight only line from Buxton to Dowlow. In glorious (and totally unforecast) sunshine, 56302 Peco The Railway Modeller 2016 70 Years passes Hindlow with the 1Z44 13:40 Buxton to Dowlow Briggs Sidings. This photo is taken from the old quarry near Brierlow Bar.

Token exchange at Great Rocks Junction on 9 June 2018. The driver of 56302 Peco The Railway Modeller 2016 70 Years prepares to hand over the Buxton to Great Rocks token to the signalman, as the train comes off the single track section that has just run though the heavily wooded Ashwood Dale, Wye Dale and Great Rocks Dale. The train is the Pathfinder Tours 1Z45 16:40 Buxton to Bristol Temple Meads 'Peak District Explorer' railtour.

56302 Peco The Railway Modeller 2016 70 Years passes Clay Cross on 9 June 2018 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z45 16:40 Buxton to Bristol Temple Meads 'Peak District Explorer' railtour. Although the rear of the stationary 6M91 11:11 Theale Lafarge to Hope (Earles Sidings) empty cement tanks hardly adds to the picture, it could have been a lot worse, as just seconds earlier an East Midlands Trains Class 222 had passed by. That really would have cocked up the picture!

56302 Peco The Railway Modeller 2016 70 Years leads the 3S32 22:37 Gloucester Horton Road to Cheltenham Lansdown Loop Rail Head Treatment Train past Fiddington on 19 October 2018, with 56096 bringing up the rear. This was running exactly to time, and as is usually the case, it had missed out the final Barnt Green to Kings Norton section.

56302 Peco The Railway Modeller 2016 70 Years runs along the up relief line at Circourt Bridge, Denchworth, on 29 April 2019 with the 6L39 05:00 Bridgend Ford Sidings to Dagenham vans, conveying Ford engines. A much longer train than in previous weeks, which suited the unobstructed view available from the new footbridge, although it was very nearly spoiled by 800314, which was rapidly overtaking it with the 1L24 06:29 Swansea to Paddington GWR service.

Running half an hour early, 56302 Peco The Railway Modeller 2016 70 Years approaches Uffington on 13 May 2019 with the 6L39 05:00 Bridgend Ford Sidings to Dagenham vans, conveying Ford engines. Even when it doesn't run early, the lighting is still very challenging when this train passes through the Vale of White Horse, with the sun very nearly head on for much of the way. The line curves slightly here, and for a few miles the light is a little more acceptable.

56302 Peco The Railway Modeller 2016 70 Years passes Uffington on 20 May 2019 with the 6L39 05:00 Bridgend Ford Sidings to Dagenham Ford automotive engines. This was running exactly to time, after waiting at Swindon for nearly half an hour, time enough for what little sunshine there was to disappear!

With a wave from the driver, 56303 accelerates the 4O90 10:44 Doncaster Railport to Thamesport (Isle of Grain) Fastline Intermodal train past Hexthorpe on 28 July 2008. Luckily this was running an hour late, which not only meant that the sun was just starting to appear on the front of the loco, but also that there actually was some sun, as it was completely cloudy at the booked time! The train is just a few minutes into its journey, having started from just around the corner to the right. A well loaded train, which was not normally the case when the service first started running.

56303 weaves across from the Bicester line, onto the main Banbury to Oxford line at Oxford North Junction on 3 January 2013, with the late running 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. Unfortunately, whereas at the booked time the weather had just been dull, by this time the light level was virtually nonexistent. Devon & Cornwall Railway's dark green livery looks drab even in full sun, and in these conditions looks virtually black! However, despite the awful light, 56303's first appearance on this train was worth recording.

56303 approaches Islip on 9 January 2013 with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. I don't know whether the novelty of this working is wearing off, or if most other photographers quite rightly don't like 56303's drab dark green livery, but I was really surprised to be the only person at Islip on this occasion. Given that in January this is pretty much one of only two decently lit locations on the Calvert to Oxford line, I didn't expect to be on my own here.

56303 passes the level crossing at Mill Lane, Islip on 11 January 2013 with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. This little used level crossing will be permanently stopped up if the Chiltern Railways upgrading of the line goes ahead. As there is no through traffic, due to a much more convenient nearby bridge, this will not cause any problems.

56303 passes the Banbury Road stone terminal at Water Eaton on 15 January 2013 with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. Although obviously the sunshine was welcome, it did mean that every last trace of the previous day's snow had completely disappeared. I'm not sure what it was like here, but twenty miles to the west there was a considerable covering.

If at first you don't succeed, try again! I visited the footbridge to the south of Oxford station on 21 January 2013 with the hope of seeing 56303 on the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. However, as it didn't run, I returned three days later hoping for better luck. Unfortunately, in the intervening time most of the snow had melted. This time it did run, and although the loco's drab livery isn't helped by the dull conditions, here for the record is 56303 screaming through the centre road on 24 January 2013, while 165116 waits to follow right behind it with the 1P43 11:50 Moreton-in-Marsh to Paddington First Great Western service.

56303 approaches Radley on 30 January 2013 with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. Certainly not the best location for a southbound train at around midday, with the sun very nearly head on. However, for most of the year the trees on either side of the line here prevent early morning or late evening pictures.

I doubt if you will see many pictures taken from this location, as it requires a walk of nearly a mile from the nearest road. 56303 passes through the Buckinghamshire countryside near Poundon on 5 March 2013 with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. Half a mile further on, the train will pass the site of Marsh Gibbon & Poundon station (closed in 1968).

Unfortunately corresponding with a cloudy period, 56303 passes Lock Wood, Culham, with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties on 14 March 2013. Obviously if this had been a 'Shed' hauled train I wouldn't have bothered to take the picture in such circumstances, but as this is a short term flow, with interesting traction, every shot counts!

56303 takes some of Didcot Power Station's flyash for disposal in the old brick pits at Calvert, the rest it spreads on the Oxfordshire fields! I doubt that there is much nutrient value in flyash, but the crops are certainly getting a good dusting as 56303 passes through Radley station on 19 April 2013 with the 6Z92 18:10 Didcot Power Station to Calvert. For once I was glad that the sun had disappeared into cloud, as this allowed a viewpoint that included the train's point of origin in the background. Had the sun been out, the viewpoint is much more restricted, and it would be impossible to include the now dormant power station in the picture.

56303 passes Radley on 23 April 2013 with the 6Z92 18:10 Didcot Power Station to Calvert flyash. There aren't many locations between Didcot and Oxford that give a clear view of a northbound train in the evening, but this is one of the better ones. Luckily the wind direction had changed from the previous week, when I photographed this train just to the south of this spot, passing through Radley station. Consequently the blizzard of flyash was covering the fields behind the train, rather than me!

56303 is just about to dive under the Oxford Woodstock Road roundabout, as it works the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties on 25 April 2013. I have never known the weather go from full sun to full cloud quite so quickly, and seemingly as soon as I got the car out of the garage! Abandoning my plan to go to Oddington, I opted instead for this viewpoint, which amazingly I don't think I have ever used before. I have often photographed trains a few yards further south, where they emerge from the very short Wolvercote Tunnel, that takes the line underneath the Oxford ring-road roundabout.

56303 rounds the curve at Islip on 26 April 2013 with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. No apologies for yet another picture of this train, as Devon & Cornwall Railway's involvement must surely soon be at and end, as the closed Didcot Power Station is obviously no longer producing flyash. This location, at Mill Lane level crossing, has recently been cleared of vegetation in readiness for the Oxford to Bletchley route upgrade. I was extremely lucky with the sun here, as by the time I had walked the short distance back to the car, it was raining!

Devon & Cornwall Railways, the crop dusting specialists! Giving a good covering to the fields, 56303 approaches Culham on 1 May 2013 with the 6Z92 18:10 Didcot Power Station to Calvert flyash. Unfortunately, this once excellent photographic location has been virtually ruined by lineside bushes. Rather than use the conventional side view, I went for a less obstructed head on viewpoint, which does at least show the full extent of the dust cloud.

In preparation for the upgrading of the Oxford to Bletchley line, extensive lineside vegetation clearance has taken place between Oxford and Bicester, opening up photographic viewpoints that haven't existed for years. One such is this cleared section of line near Oddington. 56303 heads south with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties on 2 May 2013.

56303 passes Hinksey Yard on 3 May 2013 with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. Unfortunately, by early May, not only is the sun getting too high in the sky around midday for a decent picture, but also the sun's angle at this location is much better suited to GMT than BST.

56303 passes Holts Farm, Charlton-on-Otmoor, with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties on 7 May 2013. This location had become very overgrown, with the view being virtually blocked by lineside bushes. However, in preparation for the Oxford to Bletchley line's upgrading, drastic lineside vegetation clearance has taken place, although the view is still not quite as open and rural as it was in the 1990s.

56303 pulls slowly out of Didcot Power Station on 7 May 2013 with the 6Z92 18:10 flyash train to Calvert. Although the power station is closed, there is obviously still a considerable pile of ash to get rid of, and so another load leaves the site destined for a hole in the ground in Buckinghamshire (apart from what gets spread on the fields on the way there!). The train is approaching Foxhall Junction, and will shortly be taking the west curve at Didcot, before travelling via Oxford and Bicester to reach the former brick pit at Calvert.

Unlike some photographers, I very rarely take pictures of light engine movements, as I believe that generally they just look ridiculous. However, as I was already at Uffington on 27 August 2008 and a Class 56 was due, I made an exception! 56311 passes the site of Uffington loops with the 0Z57 12:35 Portbury Dock to Derby Fastline route learner, in preparation for a forthcoming coal service from Portbury Dock. The appearance of the Hanson Traction 56 in lieu of the more normal Fastline loco on this working was a bonus. This seems to be my favoured location for the very few light engine workings that I photograph, having seen 47840 here in February 2007.

56311 & 56312 Artemis pass Washwood Heath yard on 22 November 2008 with the 6Z57 06:19 Immingham Dock to Washwood Heath Colas steel train. Despite the apparently sunny day, there was in fact a large bank of cloud to the west and the sun only came out fully as the train came into view. Initially running as a four week trial this new freight flow sees the welcome return of 'Grid' haulage to steel traffic, although a purple 56 is a bit of a culture shock! Note the grade A listed Fort Dunlop in the background, at one time the largest factory in the world.

With horns blaring, 56311 & 56312 Artemis pass Lower Moor with the 6Z56 13:10 Long Marston to Bescot on 16 April 2010, conveying twenty TEA oil tanks. Unfortunately, although there was a reasonably long sunny spell just before, and progressively more sun during the afternoon, there just wasn't any at the critical moment! Although no doubt I will soon discover some long lost gem, as far as I know this is my first picture of a Class 56 on the Cotswold Line.

56311 & 56312 Artemis pass under a surprisingly traffic free M5 motorway at Lower Wick on 26 June 2010 with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z80 05:47 Tame Bridge Parkway to Penzance 'Cornishman' railtour. The tour was following twenty minutes behind 37259 & 37218 with the Spitfire Railtours 'Kernow Explorer'. I hope Gordon had a good birthday (see headboard)!

56311 passes the site of Challow station on 16 July 2011 with the 6Z56 13:00 Cardiff Tidal to Hoo Junction scrap empties. As the train was running 80 minutes late, and three HSTs had just preceded it, there was no need for it to take the booked route along the relief line from here to Wantage Road. After a lengthy sunny spell, it had just started to cloud up, which was probably just as well, as it was getting extremely backlit.

56311 emerges from Wolvercote Tunnel on 8 February 2013 with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. Despite the gloomy conditions, I was determined to 'complete the set' of DCR operated Class 56s on this working, after 56311 took over from 56303 earlier in the week. There are welcome signs of spring on the left bank of the cutting, with several lots of hazel catkins visible. However, on the other side of the line the beech leaves hint at the previous autumn.

56311 passes Hinksey Yard on 15 February 2013 with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. With virtually guaranteed full sun, and the train running very nearly on time, what could possibly go wrong? Well, 66003 coming from the other direction with the 4M66 09:32 Southampton Western Docks to Birch Coppice intermodal could well have been a very big problem! Luckily it was just crawling along the relief line, prior to being held at the ground signal in the distance to let a couple of DMUs past, so we just escaped a ruined shot with seconds to spare!

56311 passes Oddington on 18 February 2013 with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. Despite leaving Calvert half an hour early, it had managed to turn that into a 70 minute deficit by the time it passed me! I'm surprised I managed to get this is sun, as the line was still in cloud when it came into view. Luckily the clouds were moving faster than the train, with it brightening up in the foreground literally as I was pressing the shutter!

With the hangers of the former RNAS Culham airfield dominating the background, 56311 passes through Culham station on 19 February 2013 with the 6Z91 10:53 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. The previous day the train was over an hour late, which would have helped with the angle of light here. Typically, on this occasion it was exactly on time!

56311 passes through the recently cleared cutting at Islip on 10 June 2013 with the 6Z48 13:05 Thorney Mill to Calvert spoil train. Having been unable to photograph this train on either occasion when it ran in sunshine during the previous week, it was no surprise that when I could get to the lineside it was cloudy! However, I turned this to my advantage, by visiting this spot, which would be impossibly backlit if the sun had been out. The tree stumps in the foreground give an indication of just how much clearer this view now is. Note the old grain silo in the background on the left, which is situated next to Banbury Road stone terminal, over a mile away.

56311 ambles along the Bicester to Oxford line on 6 August 2013 with the 6Z84 10:53 Calvert to Willesden Euro Terminal spoil empties. The train is passing Brookfurlong Farm, near Islip. But for the summer vegetation, this could well be the 6Z91 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties, that ran earlier in the year. Same loco, same wagons, and exactly the same time! Unfortunately the railway photographer's usual scenario of the preceding DMU being in the sun, and the intended train being in cloud, was in force here!

56312 Artemis & 56311 pass Swarkestone with the 6Z56 07:35 Washwood Heath to Immingham Dock Colas steel empties on 24 November 2008. This location on the Stenson Junction to Sheet Stores Junction line was chosen for the remaining autumn foliage, but not surprisingly when the sun was fully out the spot was unfortunately plagued by shadows from the trees on the left. It was probably fortunate then that when the 56s appeared the sun was behind some high cloud, which softens the contrast and yet still lights the front of the train nicely.

In superb low winter sunshine, 56312 Artemis passes East Goscote with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z59 05:22 Westbury to Tuxford 'Pye Bridge Pie-Man' railtour on 12 December 2009. Sadly neither the good light or the near on time running would last all day! 59204 had worked the tour from Westbury to Kettering.

After standing around in the sunshine for ages, by the time the late running Pathfinder Tours 1Z59 05:22 Westbury to Tuxford 'Pye Bridge Pie-Man' railtour arrived at Thoresby Colliery Junction on 12 December 2009, it had decided to cloud up! After picking up a pilot for the short trip up the High Marnham branch, 56312 Artemis accelerates away past the junction. Unfortunately, any hope of a quick turn around to make up time was dashed, with the tour getting even later!

56312 Artemis crosses Great Hale Fen in the drizzle on 14 December 2009 with the 6Z57 13:30 Boston Docks to Washwood Heath imported steel. A day of persistent cloud and intermittent drizzle, which as this was very near the shortest day resulted in it being very nearly dark at the time the train was due. A setting of ISO 1600 was required, even with the lens virtually wide open.

I don't normally bother photographing light engine convoys, but as I was already in position at this location, I made an exception in this case. It is also a bit more interesting on this occasion, featuring two different heritage locomotive classes, each in a different (and quite striking) post privatisation livery. 56312 Artemis & 47739 Robin of Templecombe pass over the footpath crossing at Little Haresfield on 19 January 2011 with the 0Z76 12:00 Washwood Heath to Tavistock Junction move.

Not quite the type of train the designers of the Class 56 had in mind! 56312 passes Baulking on 21 May 2012 with the 5Z56 13:39 Wembley to Bristol Barton Hill, conveying ex Virgin Mk 3 coach 12054. 3250hp to move a single coach does seem a bit excessive, but on the modern railway spot hire companies now provide traction for such moves, with whatever locomotive is available.

56312 passes Banbury Road stone terminal, Water Eaton (near Oxford) on 30 October 2012 with the 6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station empty MBA wagons. This is the first return working of a new flyash disposal contract, although on this occasion the previous evening's train worked from Didcot to Calvert with empty wagons, as a test. Chiltern Railways plan to develop this location into Water Eaton Parkway, serving Oxford with trains to London via a new chord at Bicester. I was extremely lucky with this picture, as just a couple of minutes later a huge mass of black clouds completely blocked out the sun.

56312 worked the first loaded 6Z92 18:12 Didcot Power Station to Calvert flyash train on 30 October 2012. The following day I went to Calvert to get a picture of the returning empties at the unloading terminal. The loco is pictured prior to working the 6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station empties on 31 October 2012.

56312 pulls slowly away from Calvert on 31 October 2012 with the 6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. Empty is a relative term here, as they did not have enough time before the booked departure time to unload all the wagons, and so some flyash (clearly visible in the second wagon) is heading back to the power station! I had gone here as it was a dull morning, and this would be a problematic location if the sun came out, as it is looking virtually straight into the light. Needless to say, that is exactly what happened!

After idling for some time, and then only moving forward very slowly, 56312 finally applies some power as it leaves Calvert on 31 October 2012 with the 6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. The resultant smoke nearly blots out everything!

56312 approaches the site of Launton station on 31 October 2012 with the 6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. This partly empty train is the returning working of the first loaded run, the previous trip having been a test run with empty wagons. Cloudy bright conditions here, probably best in view of the amount of vegetation on the side of the line.

After seeing 56312 at Launton on 31 October 2012 with the 6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties, I stopped off at Islip for another shot, simply because it was on my way home, and also I have very few pictures taken at this particular spot. The previous partly sunny conditions had now given way to miserably dark conditions with rain. The light level was not helped by this deep tree line cutting between the two road bridges. 56312 is pictured passing Islip in the gloom with the camera cranked up to ISO 1600.

56312 passes Hinksey on 2 November 2012 with the 6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. Unfortunately this corresponded with a period of dark clouds. It was of course sunny when I left home, and when I got back! On the plus side, had this train been running just a minute later, the view would have been compromised by a freightliner, which was slowly approaching from behind along the down relief line.

56312 passes Oddington on 5 November 2012 with the 6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. This was running slightly early, and would have been earlier still, but for the fact that it has to wait at Bicester until the preceding Chiltern Railways DMU has cleared the section by reaching Oxford.

56312 passes over Islip Crossing on 6 November 2012 with the 6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. I hope that house has got good foundations! I wonder if the residents appreciate having a Class 56 passing within a few feet of their windows? This level crossing is due to be permanently closed when Chiltern Railways upgrade the line in connection with their bid to run Oxford to London trains via Bicester.

56312 approaches Islip on 8 November 2012 with the 6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. Luckily this was running ten minutes early, which enabled the picture to be taken in the ideal lighting conditions of full sun, with a dark cloudy background. Had it been on time, it would probably have passed by underneath that thick mass of cloud!

There is plenty of autumn colour in evidence on 9 November 2012, as 56312 emerges from Wolvercote Tunnel with the 6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. To conclude the second week's operation of this train, I decided on this location as I had been waiting for the ideal opportunity to visit the location. Owing to the tall trees and the shallow cutting, if the sun decided to come out it would be impossible to get a decent picture, due to it being mostly (but not totally) in shade. So for once a guaranteed dull day was a godsend!

56312 passes Charlton-on-Otmoor on 23 November 2012 with the 6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. A day of sunshine after a day of torrential rain that had left many local roads flooded. This included the road between Islip and Charlton-on-Otmoor, which was my route to this location. The driver of the Land Rover coming the other way seemed doubtful, but going slowly and creating a huge bow wave I successfully negotiated the lake!

56312 passes Hinksey on 30 November 2012 with the 6Z91 10:55 Calvert to Didcot Power Station flyash empties. There had been very heavy rainfall during the previous week, which caused flooding across the line at this location. The remains of the flood can be seen on the line into Hinksey Yard, where it passes underneath the recently reconstructed Abingdon Road Bridge. There was a 5mph restriction in force the previous day, as trains negotiated the water, which was across all the tracks. This spot has been subject to flooding ever since the line was built in the 1840s.

In exceedingly gloomy lighting, 56312 passes Shipton Lee (between Quainton and Calvert) with the 6Z80 09:15 Willesden Euro Terminal to Calvert spoil train on 21 May 2013. This brings spoil from London's Crossrail project to be dumped in the convenient large hole in the Buckinghamshire countryside.

56312 Jeremiah Dixon Son Of County Durham Surveyor Of The Mason-Dixon Line USA arrives at Long Marston on 20 September 2013 with the 6Z56 08:50 from Washwood Heath. I was a little surprised to be the only person on the bridge to see this arrive, and also a little surprised that I managed to get there in time, as initially I thought it was coming in light engine as 0Z56, and therefore wasn't going to bother. In consequence, it was already well on its way when I left home. Luckily, it was just appearing through the bushes in the background as I walked up to the bridge!

56312 Jeremiah Dixon Son Of County Durham Surveyor Of The Mason-Dixon Line USA makes a smoky departure from Long Marston on 20 September 2013, after adding the single PNA wagon at the front of the train to the other wagons, which it had just brought in from Washwood Heath. Obviously this little bit of shunting didn't take very long, so this train - the 6Z56 12:50 Long Marston to Totton Yard (Southampton) is leaving a staggering 112 minutes early!

56312 Jeremiah Dixon Son Of County Durham Surveyor Of The Mason-Dixon Line USA shows off its smart new DC Rail paint job, as it stands at Honeybourne on 20 September 2013 with the 6Z56 Long Marston to Totton Yard, conveying just five wagons, four of which it had brought from Washwood Heath, with one added at Long Marston. Surely this loco's name must rank as one of the longest ever. Although of course most of this length is caused by the sub-text explaining who Jeremiah Dixon was!

56312 Jeremiah Dixon Son Of County Durham Surveyor Of The Mason-Dixon Line USA speeds past Circourt Bridge, Denchworth on 26 February 2014 with the 5Z56 09:40 Bristol Barton Hill to Wembley, conveying Chiltern Rail Mk 3 coach 12620 and DVT 82309.

56312 Jeremiah Dixon Son Of County Durham Surveyor Of The Mason-Dixon Line USA & 31190 pass through the tree line cutting near Steeple Aston on 17 March 2014 with the 6Z42 09:23 Chaddesden Sidings to Eastleigh railvac move. I had gone to this location as the view from the west side of the line is quite photogenic, but at this time of day is only of any use without any sun. As it was completely cloudy when I arrived, this seemed ideal. However, the sun started to come out when there was no time to go anywhere else (it is a long walk back to the village of Steeple Aston). Luckily this view from the east side of the line turned out to be much better than expected.

56312 Jeremiah Dixon Son Of County Durham Surveyor Of The Mason-Dixon Line USA arrives at Long Marston on 26 March 2014, running as the 0Z56 light engine from Washwood Heath. Note how it has removed the surface rust from the rails.

56312 Jeremiah Dixon Son Of County Durham Surveyor Of The Mason-Dixon Line USA leaves Long Marston on 26 March 2014 with the 5Z56 Long Marston to Crewe ECS, conveying four Mk3 coaches. Note the Ocean Liner Express branding on the first vehicle. Booked to leave at 13:00, this picture was actually taken at 11:40! It makes an interesting comparison with the same loco's visit to this spot six months previously.

56312 Jeremiah Dixon Son Of County Durham Surveyor Of The Mason-Dixon Line USA passes Clay Mills on 25 June 2014, running light engine as the 0Z56 Chaddesden Sidings to Washwood Heath, after bringing a train up from Willesden. Note the WW2 blockhouse in the field in the background.

56312 Jeremiah Dixon Son Of County Durham Surveyor Of The Mason-Dixon Line USA passes Wolvercote on 16 December 2014 with the 6Z34 11:06 Totton to Chaddesden, conveying both empty and full PNA wagons. Unfortunately the timing of this train meant that it was coming out of the light in the Oxford area. However, this location is less backlit than most, and also shows off the work to reinstate the relief line alongside Port Meadow.

Running 17 minutes early, 56312 Jeremiah Dixon Son Of County Durham Surveyor Of The Mason-Dixon Line USA approaches Quainton Road on 6 February 2015 with the 6Z35 10:16 Calvert to Willesden Euro Terminal spoil empties. With a clear and frosty morning forecast, I didn't expect any problems getting this picture. However, as I passed Bicester, I drove into a huge bank of thick cloud. I almost considered turning back, but persisted, and decided I would just get a dull record shot. Surprisingly, the cloud drifted off to the west in time for a perfect sunny shot!

56312 Jeremiah Dixon Son Of County Durham Surveyor Of The Mason-Dixon Line USA passes Badgeworth on Bank Holiday Monday 4 May 2015 with the 6Z35 07:30 Cardiff Tidal to Stockton scrap empties. In customary DC Rail fashion, the departure from Cardiff was 40 minutes early, and luckily in view of the rapidly building cloud, it had maintained this early running here. However, it then proceeded to miss out its booked layover at Cheltenham, and was therefore 142 minutes early at Stoke Works Junction! A lengthy stop followed, and it climbed the Lickey Incline back on its original schedule!

56312 Jeremiah Dixon Son Of County Durham Surveyor Of The Mason-Dixon Line USA speeds through Ashchurch on 8 October 2016, running as the 0Z35 08:57 Derby to Cardiff Tidal light engine. This was photographed purely because it just involved waiting a short while after GWR Castle Class 4-6-0 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe had passed through.

After having briefly stopped at Quainton Road, a short distance up the line, 56312 Jeremiah Dixon Son Of County Durham Surveyor Of The Mason-Dixon Line USA passes the site of Waddesdon Manor station on 20 January 2017 with the 5Z58 10:06 Calvert to Cricklewood spoil empties. Coincidentally I had photographed this train in 2016, when its destination was Willesden, and in 2015 when it went to Thorney Mill. This was just one day out from the date in January of the two previous years! This Class 56 working has now become so commonplace, that despite it being ideal photographic conditions, I was the only photographer present to record the scene.