'Black Five' 4-6-0 5407 crosses Ribblehead Viaduct with a northbound railtour on 25 November 1989. This was the era when steam photographers were outraged at the inclusion of an ex Class 25 Ethel (Electric train heating ex locomotive) in the consist, made worse by the fact that it was painted in InterCity livery! On this occasion 97252 (ex 25305) is officiating. The Settle & Carlisle and fine weather are not normally something I associate, the weather in the fells always seems to be poor when I venture up there, even when there is unbroken sunshine everywhere else! However this late autumn day proved the exception and provided a number of excellent pictures.

'Black Five' 4-6-0 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier (masquerading as 45157 Glasgow Yeomanry) & BR 4MT 2-6-0 76079 slog up the gradient towards Sugar Loaf Tunnel on the Central Wales Line with the Pathfinder Tours 1Z27 04:36 Crewe to Llandrindod Wells (via Newport) 'Heart of Wales Observer' railtour on 20 September 2003. With over four miles of 1 in 60 gradient to reach this point, the pair could certainly be approaching for a long time!

Although the sun was trying to break through the high cloud, it was still a drab grey morning on 22 April 2007, when 'Black Five' 4-6-0 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier worked the Pathfinder Tours 1Z76 07:50 Cardiff Central to Gloucester 'Severrnside Rambler' railtour, part of a series of mini-tours taking in the Dean Forest Railway and the Sharpness branch. It is seen here climbing out of the Severn Tunnel, with the approach road to the new Severn Bridge visible in the background. The short tunnel behind the train takes the line under the A 403 road, the entrance to the four mile long Severn Tunnel being just beyond.

Jubilee Class 4-6-0 5690 Leander crosses the River Cherwell near Heyford with the Great Western Society Paddington to Bridgnorth 'Jubilee Castle' railtour on 6 October 1984, which was steam hauled from Didcot. As hinted at in the railtour name, the return from Saltley was behind GWR 4-6-0 5051 Drysllwyn Castle.

8P Class 4-6-2 6201 Princess Elizabeth makes a spirited departure from Skipton on 27 October 1990 with the Friends of the NRM / Flying Scotsman Services 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' railtour from Kings Cross to Appleby, which the pacific took over at Leeds. Unfortunately it was a typical dull and dreary autumnal day, but at least the exhaust stands out clearly against the grey sky.

8P Class 4-6-2 6233 Duchess of Sutherland approaches Tackley on 26 May 2006 with the PMR Tours 1Z20 07:20 Manchester Victoria to Didcot 'Oxfordshire Express' railtour, which the steam loco had worked from Derby. There are few spots around Oxford that are ideal for a southbound train around lunchtime, with the sun being virtually head on. I thought this would be irrelevant anyway, as there was extensive cloud cover when I walked across the field to this location. However, just as the train appeared around the corner the sun came out!

8P Class 4-6-2 6233 Duchess of Sutherland approaches Callow Hill (just west of Wootton Bassett) with the Vintage Trains 1Z33 08:39 Solihull to Bristol Temple Meads 'Duchess Bristolian' railtour on 1 September 2007. For once I was glad that the sun wasn't out, as this is taken from the north side of the line. The M4 motorway can just be seen in the background.

The steam age returns to Goole Docks on 15 March 2003, as Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway 0-4-0ST 'Pug' No.51218 masquerading as scrapped classmate 51222 passes a couple of buildings surviving from the steam era as it passes the site of Goole Goods Junction with a short freight. West Dock can be seen in the background, with the freighter Sea Kestrel moored at the quayside. Piles of Scandinavian timber, which is one of Goole's chief imports can be seen in the foreground.

On 15 March 2003, Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway 0-4-0ST 'Pug' No.51218 masquerading as scrapped classmate 51222 passes a couple of vintage lorries as it heads along the quayside past Railway Dock, Goole. 51222, or "Three Little Ducks" as it was affectionately known as in Goole (from the shape of the number 2s on the numberplate) was one of the regular Goole Dock shunters for many years, and was in fact one of the last of the vintage class in service, finally being withdrawn from Goole shed in 1960.