82123 leads the 1M25 11:48 Glasgow to Euston Virgin service past Docker (between Tebay and Oxenholme) on 12 July 2003. An ideal photographic location on a sweeping curve with the hills in the background. Just think how good it must have been in steam days before they put the wires up, or even in the 1970s when doubled head Class 50s were commonplace!

82210 catches the early morning sun as it passes Heck with the 06:30 Newcastle to Kings Cross National Express East Coast service on 14 March 2008. Note the 80 mph speed restriction on the down. line. This section of the ECML was closed the previous day due to damage caused to the overhead wires by the second lot of high winds in less than a month. Such, unfortunately is the vulnerability of overhead electrification, especially when inadequate strength was built into the system in the first place to save costs.

82211 leads the 09:30 Edinburgh to Kings Cross National Express East Coast service past Houndwood on 3 May 2008. This was the perfect way to enjoy railway photography (apart from the long walk to get to the location). Sitting on the grassy bank in the sunshine and just picking up the camera when a train appeared in the distance. The only noise was from the sheep in the neighbouring fields and the traffic on the distant A1 road which can just be seen in the background.

A picture that required split second timing and 1/2000 sec shutter speed to freeze the 125 mph train at exactly the right spot between the catenary. 82219 leads the 1A24 11:40 Leeds to Kings Cross National Express East Coast service past Grassthorpe (between Retford and Newark) on 25 January 2008. The entire train is in the transitional livery, with all traces of former route operator GNER removed, and the National Express branding applied on a white stripe.