166213 passes Shorthampton on 8 March 2010 with the 09:54 Great Malvern to Paddington First Great Western service. This recently cleared location will soon be receiving a reinstated second track (it was singled in 1971), and so the opportunity was taken on this brilliant sunny morning to record the location before the new track is laid and the trees grow again!

With the village of Chadlington just visible in the background, 43005 speeds past Chilson with the 1W02 10:22 Paddington to Hereford First Great Western service on 8 March 2010. This is one location that hasn't succumbed to palisade fencing! In fact the vintage wooden post fence is definitely in need of repair. Note how the top wire has become completely detached from the posts as they drop down into the dip, and is now stretched tight well above the top of the posts.

D1501 passes Heap Bridge (the name of the local village, not a disparaging description of the railway architecture!) with the 2J65 09:35 Heywood to Rawtenstall service on 7 March 2010, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala. For once the weather forecasters got it right, and not a single cloud was seen all day.

55022 Royal Scots Grey passes Heap Bridge with the 2E62 09:37 Ramsbotton to Heywood service on 7 March 2010, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala. 50008 Thunderer is just out of sight in the bushes on the rear of the train, and seems to be doing its best to emulate the Deltic's famous ability to produce lots of smoke, even though (or more likely, because) it is just idling and being dragged by 55022. Also just out of sight in the background is the bridge that carries the line over the M66 motorway.

37109 passes Heap Bridge on 7 March 2010 with the 2J64 10:06 Rawtenstall to Heywood service, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala. The two maroon coaches slightly spoil the early 1980s effect, although if the 37 wasn't carrying TOPS numbers and had working headcodes, it would certainly fit with the late 1960s / early 1970s period.

D1501 passes the site of the quarry at Heap Bridge with the 2J66 10:56 Rawtenstall to Heywood service on 7 March 2010, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala. The vegetation has recently been cleared at this location, but note how the tree on the right has been left as photographic 'prop'! The coaching stock is virtually correct for the loco's livery, although quite how many vehicles still carried carmine and cream colours in 1962 is debatable.

With the overgrown sand quarry in the foreground, D1501 passes Heap Bridge on 7 March 2010 with the 2J75 12:05 Heywood to Rawtenstall service, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala. Not only was this a completely sunny day, but there was hardly a breath of wind. Virtually all of the wind turbines that can just be seen on the horizon were stopped.

On 7 March 2010, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala, 55022 Royal Scots Grey is pictured passing Heap Bridge with the 2J70 11:46 Rawtenstall to Heywood service. The old quarry at Heap Bridge is an excellent photographic spot, that just requires a walk from one side to the other for each train!

The highlight of the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala on 6 & 7 March 2010 was the return to service in 'Laira Blue' livery of 50008. The immaculate loco is seen here passing Heap Bridge on Sunday 7 March with the 2J77 13:05 Heywood to Rawtenstall service. Although the shade of blue looks a little light, and the omission of the Thunderer nameplates gives the game away, this is certainly an excellent recreation of the 1991 period, and a welcome return to service of one of my favourite Class 50s.

37901 Mirrlees Pioneer passes Heap Bridge, on the East Lancashire Railway, with the 2J72 12:46 Rawtenstall to Heywood service, during the line's Diesel Gala on 7 March 2010. This is the only surviving Mirrlees engined Class 37/9 conversion, the other two preserved 37/9s having Ruston power units.

37109 passes Heap Bridge on 7 March 2010 with the 2J81 13:55 Heywood to Rawtenstall service, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala. Three hours earlier I had photographed 37109 at the same location but coming the other way. This proves how far the sun moves round if you stay at one location long enough!

37109 storms past Burrs on 7 March 2010 with the 2J81 13:55 Heywood to Rawtenstall service, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala. This just shows how easy it is to chase trains on a preserved line. Despite having a long walk back to the car after photographing 37109 at Heap Bridge, and an even longer walk to get to this location, there was still plenty of time to find the ideal photographic spot. Even then it was a while before the characteristic English Electric racket heralded the arrival of the train.

For a change, here is a picture of 40145 East Lancashire Railway on its namesake railway, rather than out on the mainline. On 7 March 2010 is pictured swinging round the curve at Burrs with the 2J78 14:26 Rawtenstall to Heywood service, during the line's Diesel Gala.

37901 Mirrlees Pioneer approaches Burrs, on the East Lancashire Railway, with the 2J82 15:26 Rawtenstall to Heywood service, during the line's Diesel Gala on 7 March 2010.This is obviously the prime location for a southbound train in the afternoon, as a large crowd of photographers were jostling for position. My stepladder came in handy here!

1305 is well away from its former Southern Region haunts as it passes Burrs, on the East Lancashire Railway with the 2F85 16:04 Bury to Ramsbotton service on 7 March 2010, during the line's Diesel Gala. Originally a three car unit, 1305 was renumbered 207005 in 1986, then 207102 in 1991 (at which point it lost its centre vehicle), and then 207202 in 1995, before finally regaining its original number upon preservation!

50008, resplendent in its freshly applied 'Laira Blue' livery passes Burrs in superb late afternoon light with the 2J87 15:45 Heywood to Rawtenstall service, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala on 7 March 2010. The return to traffic of the erstwhile Thunderer in this 1991 DCWA engineers pool livery was certainly the highlight of this event. 40145 East Lancashire Railway can be seen hitching a ride on the rear of the train.

The 1852 built Peel Tower (commemorating Sir Robert Peel, the founder of the modern police force) dominates the background of this view, as D6525 Captain Bill Smith RNR rounds the curve at Burrs on 7 March with the 2J84 16:16 Rawtenstall to Heywood service, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala. Correct headcode on this one!

I do not normally bother with going away shots of trains worked by top'n'tail locomotives, but couldn't resist this one as the lighting is so good. On 7 March 2010, D1501 brings up the rear of the 2J84 16:16 Rawtenstall to Heywood service as it passes Burrs, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala. Class 33 D6525 Captain Bill Smith RNR can be seen at the head of the train powering towards the next stop at Bury.

In golden evening light on 7 March 2010, 1305 thumps past Burrs with the 2F86 16:54 Ramsbotton to Bury service, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala. This DEMU was used on a fill in service throughout the day on the Bury to Ramsbotton shuttles.

An excellent picture with which to end a perfect day's photography. 37901 Mirrlees Pioneer catches the last rays of the setting sun as it passes Burrs with the 2J89 16:35 Heywood to Rawtenstall service on 7 March 2010, during the East Lancashire Railway's Diesel Gala.

60071 Ribblehead Viaduct passes Gossington on 5 March 2010 with the 6E41 11:41 Westerleigh to Lindsey oil empties. Just visible in the field on the right are the minimal earthworks of the First World War branch line that diverged here to serve the Slimbridge Munitions Depot. Situated next to the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal, the explosives depot, which was officially known as His Majesty's Magazine No. 23, Gloucester, was connected to the main line by a lightly laid standard gauge track.

43013 brings up the rear of the 1Z20 05:56 Old Oak Common to Derby (via Swansea) Network Rail New Measurement Train, as it passes Gossington on 5 March 2010 led by 43014. This wasn't the shot I had intended to take, but it was running early and I was taken by surprise. Not having enough time to swing round and take the conventional shot, I opted for this going away version, which of course because of the angle of the light is much better lit anyway!

66007 & 66017 pass Gossington with the 6B13 05:10 Robeston to Westerleigh Murco oil tanks on 5 March 2010. The locos rostered for this working are liable to stick on it all week, and the same pair were observed three days before at Charfield.

43384 speeds past Gossington with the 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh to Plymouth CrossCountry service on 5 March 2010. This location is on a public footpath that leads south from the small village of Gossington towards the A38 road to the west of Cam.

70003 passes Gossington on 5 March 2010 with the 4Z70 08:53 Rugeley Power Station to Stoke Gifford coal empties. Running on time and sounding impressive, 70003 is obviously in much better health here than its classmate 70002 was three days previously when it failed on the same working. On that occasion it had to be rescued by 66585. Unfortunately these much vaunted locomotives have so far not proved to be as stunningly reliable as promised. Let's hope things improve soon!

Colas Rail Plasser & Theurer 08-275 Switch & Crossing Tamper 73901 ambles past Kemble Wick en-route to Swindon on 5 March 2010. A substantial amount of work has been carried out to stabilise the cutting side here, with a new concrete sectional retaining wall replacing the original brick one, and improved drainage. A landslip here caused the derailment of a Class 158 in 2007. The short (400 yard) Kemble Tunnel can be seen in the background. This was built purely to hide the line from Squire Gordon of Kemble House!

A slightly different viewpoint at Kemble Wick on 5 March 2010. With the ivy covered bridge parapet in the foreground, 158887 heads south with the 13:40 Cheltenham to Swindon service. 158887 is on hire to First Great Western from South West Trains, and brings a welcome livery variation to the route. Just visible in the distance in the centre of this picture is the spire of Kemble church.

47739 Robin of Templecombe passes Kings Sutton on 3 March 2010 with the 5Z47 10:25 Eastleigh to Barrow Hill stock move conveying withdrawn Class 421 4-CIG EMU 1881. Note that the lower bodyside of the first two coaches have been repainted with grey primer, presumably in order to disguise a graffiti attack. The former Southern Region unit is destined to be broken up for spares for classic EMU restoration. The floods on the right are a normal winter occurrence at this location.

I wouldn't normally bother with this kind of going away shot, but the sheer novelty of a former Southern Region 750V DC EMU on the Cherwell Valley route between Oxford and Banbury was not to be missed. Class 421 4-CIG 1881 is pictured passing Kings Sutton on its final journey on 3 March 2010, hauled by 47739 Robin of Templecombe, as the 5Z47 10:25 Eastleigh to Barrow Hill.

Despite the miserable lighting conditions, the Wrexham & Shropshire Railways silver grey livery of 67012 A Shropshire Lad and its coaches certainly show up as they pass Kings Sutton on 3 March 2010 with the 1J82 11:20 Marylebone to Wrexham service.

165132 passes Kings Sutton on 3 March 2010 with the 12:39 Banbury to Oxford First Great Western service. This local service, which in addition to calling at nearby Kings Sutton (also served by Chiltern Railways trains), serves Heyford and Tackley stations, runs every three hours. The majority of the passengers trains on the route being operated by CrossCountry.

Over four decades after it closed to passengers, Charfield station building still survives, although virtually all other traces of the station have disappeared. 60009 passes the site on 2 March 2010 with the 6E41 11:41 Westerleigh to Lindsey oil empties. In 2010 this train is virtually the only working left that brings a Class 60 to the south of England. The ridge of the Cotswold Hills can be seen in the background, with the 1846 built Somerset Monument at Hawkesbury Upton just visible against the skyline on the left.

Shaken, not stirred! 66007 & 66017 pass Charfield with the 6B13 05:10 Robeston to Westerleigh Murco oil tanks on 2 March 2010. Unfortunately this is now the standard traction on this particular train since DB Schenker mothballed virtually all the Class 60s at the end of 2009. A graphic illustration that a 66 is not as good as a 60!

43303 speeds past Charfield on 2 March 2010 with the 1V50 06:08 Edinburgh to Plymouth CrossCountry service. A welcome change from the procession of XC Voyagers, and definitely a welcome change if you have to actually travel on one, especially all the way from Scotland to the West Country!

So much for General Electric reliability! 66585 The Drax Flyer gives a helping hand to failed 70002 with the 4Z70 08:53 Rugeley Power Station to Stoke Gifford coal empties on 2 March 2010, seen here passing Charfield. The three month old 70002 had disgraced itself at Cheltenham, caused severe delays to following passenger services. If your impression of a loco class's performance is gleaned from first impressions, this is not a good start. Not having bothered to obtain a picture of a Class 70 until now, I decided to wait around for this train as the light was good, only for this to happen! I had assumed that the class's extreme ugliness would be compensated for by ultra reliability, but apparently not. 

A viewpoint that I had been meaning to use for a number of years and somehow never got around to. 43144 passes Knighton with the 1B20 09:45 Paddington to Swansea First Great Western service on 1 March 2010. The train is just approaching the site of Knighton Crossing, which was replaced in the early 1970s by a road underbridge, which is just out of the picture to the left. The inclusion of the road signs, roads and bushes add foreground interest to the scene, but obviously this picture will only work successfully in winter or early spring.

A1 4-6-2 60163 Tornado approaches the site of Knighton Crossing (between Didcot and Swindon) with the Steam Dreams 1Z88 08:45 Victoria to Swansea 'St. David's Day Cathedrals Express' railtour on 1 March 2010. I had deliberately chosen this location, as not only would the sun be on the front, but I thought the low viewpoint would ensure that the exhaust would not be blowing down across the train. As there was virtually no wind, I was slightly surprised that the exhaust very nearly did ruin the shot by covering up the coaches. However, looking at the mixed rake of stock with no less than four different liveries, perhaps that would have been no bad thing!

A1 4-6-2 60163 Tornado passes Knighton (between Didcot and Swindon) with the Steam Dreams 1Z88 08:45 Victoria to Swansea 'St. David's Day Cathedrals Express' railtour on 1 March 2010. Note the two Welsh flags fluttering in front of the smokebox. I do not normally bother with more than one picture of any individual train (not counting a six frame per second burst to make sure I've got it in the prime spot!), and certainly don't bother with a series of shots of the train getting gradually closer. However, after taking the conventional view of Tornado approaching, I couldn't resist this broadside view showing off this fine locomotive in close up.

37424 slows down for the stop at Freshford on 28 July 1999 whilst working the 2V89 17:20 Weymouth to Bristol Wales & West service. 37424 had spent most of its time in the West Highlands since ETS conversion in 1986, but had moved down to the West Country just a few weeks before this picture was taken. It was pretty much the regular loco on the Weymouth diagram throughout July and August, before heading back to Scotland in September 1999.

C465 (51322, 59474 & 51307) leaves Oxford on 4 September 1987 with the 07:35 Oxford to Reading 'all stations' Network SouthEast service. The Valley Train branding and Welsh red dragon logo are hardly appropriate for a NSE train, and indeed Cardiff allocated Class 118s were distinctly thin on the ground in the Oxford area. Not even the destination blind is correct, showing Hereford and Llandaff. Presumably as the correct destination wasn't available, somebody just left it set between two inappropriate places!

The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's resident Class 108 DMU (51950 & 52062) rattles past Prescott on 12 March 2000 with the 15:45 Toddington to Gotherington service. This train had been steam hauled as far as Winchcombe, from where the 108 took over. The destination blind is a little optimistic, as it would still be a few years before Cheltenham was reached, and then only the Racecourse on the edge of town.

In dull weather that was unfortunately typical of the GW150 summer of 1985, Hall Class 4-6-0 4930 Hagley Hall & Castle Class 4-6-0 7029 Clun Castle pass Nant-y-Derry with the Kidderminster to Cardiff 'Western Stalwart' railtour on 6 July 1985. This location has since become very overgrown, as this view nearly two decades later proves.

50022 Anson arrives at Moreton-in-Marsh station on a very dull 13 February 1982 with the 1B58 10:50 Paddington to Worcester Shrub Hill service. This was a few months before the majority of loco hauled trains were replaced on the Cotswold Line by DMUs, leaving just a pair of trains in the morning and evening peaks. Note also the relative lack of passengers, which unfortunately was typical of the time. Traffic levels have thankfully increased enormously since this picture was taken.

47488 & 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier pass through Frodsham station on 4 March 2000 with the Regency Rail Cruise's Cardiff to Fort William 'Monarch of the Glen' railtour. Despite appearances I did not turn the station nameboard near 47488 so that it faced me and therefore clearly indicated the location!

165131 passes under the M40 motorway at Wendlebury on 13 March 1995 with the 10:19 Bicester to Oxford service. This was during the transitionary period between the demise of Network SouthEast and the formation of Thames Trains. Although still running in NSE colours, this service was being operated by First Great Western Link. The motorway (which had been open for less than five years when this picture was taken) obviously carried less traffic in those days, or else I was very lucky not to have some brightly coloured vehicle spoiling the picture!

Towards the end of its life, 56063 acquired this unusual non-standard grey livery. It is seen here passing through Althorpe station with the 6D65 10:01 Doncaster to Immingham Enterprise service on 4 May 2002. Quite why somebody has decided to highlight the area formerly occupied by the Bardon Hill nameplate by painting it red with a white edge is a mystery.

47378 emerges from Sandling Tunnel with the 6M94 16:52 Dover Town to Warrington Arpley Speedlink on 2 June 1989. Present day sheep will have far less room to graze in this field now, as the Channel Tunnel high speed line now slices through the centre of this view, closely paralleling the existing line and completely altering this view. In fact, even the road bridge from which this picture was taken from has now gone, replaced by a new bridge a short distance further back.

A scene of dereliction at Toddington on 14 October 1979, and a vast difference to the busy scene today. This is the far end of the yard at Toddington station, at what would later become the headquarters of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. The top of a signal post gives a good view of the line heading off towards Hailes. The weed grown track is only a few weeks away from being lifted. The overgrown area near the field boundary on the right is now the course of the North Gloucestershire Narrow Gauge Railway.

Toddington station in limbo on 14 October 1979, three years after the line was closed and just a few weeks before the track was lifted. Of course this location looks very different now, as it is the thriving hub of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, who took over the site in 1981. Happily all the GWR brick built buildings seen here survived. The station had closed in 1960 and the once extensive sidings lifted, leaving just the one visible on the left for use by engineers trains.

Looking towards Stanway Viaduct from just north of Toddington station on 14 October 1979. Tracklifting is about to take place, and indeed the rails on the up line have already been removed prior to lifting out the sleepers. The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway has since relaid this section of the route.

Broadway Goods Shed pictured on 14 October 1979. The Cheltenham to Stratford-upon-Avon line closed in 1976, and I just managed to arrive in time to photograph the track before lifting, although not before the rails on the up line had been removed from their fastenings, as seen here in the foreground. The GWR built shed survives, although the corrugated iron extension on the right has since been removed.

The site of Broadway station, on the disused Cheltenham to Stratford-upon-Avon line, pictured looking towards Willersey on 14 October 1979. The platforms were situated just beyond the road underbridge, underneath the Scots Pine trees (an obvious giveaway for a GWR station site!). The goods yard was situated behind me to the right. The line closed in 1976 and tracklifting was in progress when I visited three years later, as can be seen by the lifted rails on the up line. Note the piles of fishplates and track keys on the down line.

Honeybourne West Loop Junction, on the disused Cheltenham to Stratford-upon-Avon line, pictured on 14 October 1979. This view is looking towards Weston-sub-Edge, and shows the 1960 built signal box, with sidings just visible behind. This route closed in 1976, and tracklifting was in progress a little further south, but hadn't quite reached this far yet, so for the moment nature is getting the upper hand!

Honeybourne West Loop Junction, looking towards Stratford-upon-Avon on 14 October 1979. The actual junction is just in front of the bridge in the background, which carries the Worcester to Oxford 'Cotswold Line' over the route. After over three years out of use, all trackwork and structures are still in place. Surprisingly all the semaphore signals are also still in situ. At least some of these collectors items would probably go missing nowadays! Incidentally, the missing distant arm on the right hand bracket had already been removed (presumably officially!) by the mid 1970s.

47573 The London Standard passes Wolvercote on 28 May 1988 with the 1O05 06:08 Sheffield to Poole 'Holidaymaker Express'. A little surprising to have a Network SouthEast liveried machine on this train, but then it was often a good bet for unusual traction. This view looking across the buttercup filled Port Meadow towards the houses in Godstow Road is no longer possible, as the footpath crossing from which it was taken has since been closed.

P872 (53646 & 53247) passes Gunstone Mill (near Crediton) on 22 April 1988 with the 14:55 Exeter Central to Barnstaple service. As can be seen by the different window layout, this is a hybrid unit, the back half of which is a Class 101 vehicle. I also photographed this unit from the other end at Aller later the same year. Despite appearances this unit is not running wrong line, as the apparent double track here is in fact two single lines. The line in the foreground being the freight only route to Meldon Quarry.

168002 passes under the Marylebone to Banbury line at Bicester, as it heads along the normally freight only Calvert to Oxford line with the Hertfordshire Railtours 'Quainton Clubman' railtour on 17 October 1999. This tour which started from Marylebone, had earlier called at Quainton Road. 168002's normal route would of course be on the line going over the bridge in the background , rather than under it. In 2010 Chiltern Railways have plans to construct a link line between these two routes in readiness for Marylebone to Oxford (via Bicester) trains.

3216 leads the 9028 12:53 Waterloo International to Paris Nord Eurostar service past Westenhanger on 11 May 1996. This view changed considerably during the following decade. Surprisingly the derelict station house has remained much the same, but the new high speed line now occupies a broad strip of land to the right of the track here, and of course a present day Eurostar train would use the new line. And yes, the Honda Accord parked in the car park is the one that gives this website its name!

60024 Elizabeth Fry passes Baulking on a very dull 21 April 1992 with the 6V13 12:18 Furzebrook to Hallen Marsh LPG tanks. This wide open view, with unobstructed views of the surrounding countryside (and Didcot Power Station in the distance!) has long since been replaced by the usual mass of uncontrolled lineside vegetation.

43159 climbs Sapperton Bank on 20 February 2010 with the 1L40 09:00 Cheltenham to Paddington First Great Western service. It is on the tightly curved upper section of the climb, which at this point is on a gradient of 1 in 60, although this will ease to 1 in 90 once the train reaches Sapperton Tunnel a short distance further on. As would be expected in a heavily wooded valley, there are very few locations that are free of shadows on this route during the winter months.

A 'Hall' & 'Castle' tackle the notorious Sapperton Bank in fine style on 20 February 2010. 4-6-0s 4965 Rood Ashton Hall & 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe storm up the final 1 in 60 section of the gradient  with the Vintage Trains 1Z43 08:05 Tyseley to Didcot 'Great Western Incursion' railtour. A cold morning, with virtually no wind, a sunny location on the steepest part of the bank - what could possibly go wrong? Nothing at all for once, and the sight and sound was truly spectacular. However, as can be seen from the dark trees on the extreme right, the clouds were starting to build and very shortly the chance of any sun would be disappearing rapidly.

After seeing 4-6-0s 4965 Rood Ashton Hall & 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe storm up Sapperton Bank with the Vintage Trains 1Z43 08:05 Tyseley to Didcot 'Great Western Incursion' railtour on 20 February 2010, I thought it was highly unlikely that I would get a second decent picture, as the weather had deteriorated with rain showers and masses of thick cloud. However, I ventured out to Uffington to see the 1Z65 15:45 Didcot to Tyseley return, just in case the weather improved. Miraculously, the clouds cleared away a few minutes before the train arrived, leaving this fantastic cloudscape in the background. Even though this location is a fair walk from the nearest road, I was surprised that there was only one other photographer here to record the scene.

Superb evening lighting at Uffington on 20 February 2010, after a day of cloud and intermittent rain and hail showers. 43177 speeds west with the 1C20 15:30 Paddington Bristol Temple Meads First Great Western service. This is the site of the former freight loops, which were removed when the Challow to Wantage Road section of line was quadrupled in the mid 1990s.

In perfect early morning autumnal light on 1 October 1988, with a little mist still hanging over the woods and fields in the distance, 205033 thumps past Silchester with the 08:24 Basingstoke to Reading Network SouthEast service. In the still conditions on this morning the characteristic thump of this unit could be heard a very long time before it appeared round the corner. Two years after the introduction of the multi-coloured NSE livery amid a fanfare of publicity, the only sign of it on this unit is a small logo underneath the central window on the front end.

In a surprising patch of weak sunshine on an otherwise dull day, 165132 arrives at Islip station on 2 December 1994 with the 11:51 Bicester Town to Oxford Network SouthEast service. This route is shortly to be dramatically transformed from what is effectively a branch line from Oxford (as far a passengers services go), into part of a through route to London, courtesy of Chiltern Railways. While it does seem a little perverse to leave Oxford in a northerly direction to go to the capital, the timings to Marylebone via a new curve at Bicester are promised to be comparable with the more conventional route via Didcot. Islip station, which was re-opened in 1989 will be rebuilt with two platforms.

50022 Anson races the clouds at Cholsey on 4 September 1987. It is working the 1F33 13:00 Oxford to Paddington fast service, while Class 119 unit L596 can just be seen in the background pulling away from Cholsey station with the 2C37 12:43 Oxford to Reading local service, which would have been at Didcot Parkway station when Anson was leaving Oxford. Note the two NSE liveried coaches at the back of 50022's train.

37425 bursts out of Caerphilly Tunnel and passes Cefn Onn with the 2F18 10:15 Rhymney to Cardiff Central service on 17 September 2005. In 1986 Cefn Onn station was replaced by the more continentally situated Lisvane & Thornhill station, a few hundred yards to the south.

Not another one off livery! 60083 Shining Tor approaches Wolvercote Junction on 13 June 1994 with just one small section of its Trainload Construction livery on an otherwise plain bodyside. It is working the 6E81 18:55 Didcot Power Station to Worksop MGR empties. It is almost as if it was returned to traffic before the painters had finished. Coincidentally it was seen the following day the other way round at Overthorpe, which at least proves the logo was complete on one side!

The driver climbs back onboard 20115, and the passengers make their way back to the train at Gloucester Docks on 30 June 1985, as the F&W Railtours 1Z60 'Severncider 2' railtour pays a visit to this unlikely location for a passenger train. 08836 is partially hidden by the poles at the other end of the train, waiting to take the tour back to Over Junction. Most of this is now history. 20115 was withdrawn in 1987 and cut up the following year, and the track has been lifted and is now a footpath. At least the headboard survives, and now belongs to me!

166212 speeds through Claverdon station on 24 May 1997 with the 09:07 Paddington to Stratford-upon-Avon Thames Trains service. Interestingly, this is one of the few occasions that I have seen a Class 166 running as a two car unit. Presumably the centre coach was removed at some point for maintenance, but I don't suppose that it had anything to do with the fact that on this day the train was 35 minutes late.

Glinting in the strong backlighting, B577 (51063, 59422 & 51091) passes Cassington on 3 March 1984 with the 08:36 Reading to Hereford service. Unfortunately this wide open viewpoint has since been replaced by a virtual tunnel of trees and bushes and is now practically useless for photography.

3220 leads 3219 past Sevington in the fading light on 14 February 1998 with the 9141 14:56 Brussels Midi to Waterloo International Eurostar service. If the occupants of the picturesque cottage thought they had problems living close to a railway line when this picture was taken, they will certainly think they have now, as the new high speed line has subsequently been constructed between the existing line and thier house!

C392 (51134 & 51147) is well away from its usual area on 8 June 1991 as it heads up the Cotswold Line at Chilson with the 10:31 Oxford to Worcester Foregate Street service. Although Cardiff allocated sets were occasionally used on the route, the sight of the Welsh dragon and the 'Valley Train' logo is a little incongruous! This time the destination blind is blank, but frequently when a Welsh interloper was used it would be displaying some highly unlikely destination.

B596 (51076, 59416 & 51099) heads away from the camera at Aynho on 21 April 1984 with the 18:37 Banbury to Oxford service. This side view clearly shows the increased luggage capacity of the Class 119, with the red signs indicating not only the former guards area of the leading DMBC vehicle, but also the converted former buffet area in the centre TS vehicle. This viewpoint is a lot more grown up now, with various trackside bushes spoiling the view. Note the Marylebone line at a higher level in the background.

A small balloon hangs above Bristol Temple Meads station as 50050 Fearless departs with the NENTA Traintours Felixstowe to Minehead 'Star Coast to Coast Explorer' railtour on 17 July 1999. A preserved Class 50 on a train of Anglia Railways Mk2 coaching stock is not something you see everyday in the west! Unfortunately Fearless failed with a defective gasket on the return run.

50029 Renown rolls into Templecombe station on 20 November 1991 with the 1V09 08:40 Waterloo to Exeter St Davids Network SouthEast service. It is passing the highly distinctive 1938 built Southern Railway art deco signal box. There were just a handful of Class 50s operating on the West of England line at this time, and this was my last sighting of Renown on the national network. It managed to survive into the new year, but only just, being withdrawn on 2 January 1992.

73235 passes Coulsdon on 12 August 1995 with the 16:15 Victoria to Gatwick Airport service. These 'Gatwick Express' trains operated ever 15 minutes, so getting pictures of 73 hauled trains was certainly easy, but although the livery did change over time, somewhat lacking in variety. This shows the final version of the InterCity inspired livery.

B431 (51369, 59521 & 51411) passes Little Haresfield on 16 April 1983 with the 12:45 Cheltenham to Swindon service. What is particularly interesting about this picture is the missed opportunity that it highlights. In the background can be seen a farm occupation bridge (incidentally of the same cast iron design as the one from which the picture is taken). Unfortunately this bridge was demolished shortly after this picture was taken and I never managed to investigate what would presumably have been an excellent photographic viewpoint in both directions. The bridge had certainly been removed by 1986 and even here it looks like there is fencing by the tree on the left blocking off access.

58043 rounds Didcot West Curve (between Foxhall and Didcot North Junctions) with the 6E11 10:15 Didcot Power Station to Barrow Hill MGR coal empties on 2 May 1992. These returning coal empties were the main users of this curve at the time and the liberal additional coal 'ballast' shows that the hopper doors of the supposedly empty wagons obviously didn't fit too well!

Once the Class 50s were withdrawn from the West of England line in 1992, my once frequent visits to the route virtually stopped overnight. However, I did call in at Crewkerne on 8 October 1994 and saw 159015 arrive with the 12:35 Waterloo to Exeter St Davids Network SouthEast service. The signal box and goods shed in the background are no longer in railway use, but the impressive 1859 built London & South Western Railway station building is assured a secure future as it is grade 2 listed.

43155 City of Aberdeen leads the 1V38 06:05 Leeds to Plymouth 'Armada' Virgin Cross Country service past Dawlish on 3 May 1999. 43155 had received the Aberdeen plates at the eponymous station in June 1998, having had its previous The Red Arrows plates removed the previous day. This particular power car has certainly had its fair share of different names, as between 1985 and 1990 it was named BBC Look North!

With a complete rake of matching Great Western Trains stock, 43128 passes Dawlish on 3 May 1999 with the 1C14 08:33 Paddington to Plymouth 'Mayflower' Great Western Trains service. A graphic illustration of how quickly the tide recedes can be seen when comparing this view with the same location exactly an hour later when 43155 passed with 1V38.

In lovely crisp early morning autumnal light, 43148 passes Crofton on 21 November 2006 with the 1A84 05:08 Penzance to Paddington First Great Western service. At the time this was the first train of the morning from the west to the capital. The train is just approaching the severe left hand bend which takes the line past Crofton Pumping Station. This explains the rail flange lubricator, which can be seen next to the power car's rear bogie.

The original ETS fitted 'generator' Class 47s were never common on the Cotswold Line, but they did make the occasional appearance in the 1980s. On 2 March 1985, 47413 passes Chilson with the 1A73 07:05 Hereford to Paddington service. 47413 was withdrawn in 1991, and after languishing at various locations in the north east, it was cut up in 1995 after yielding various spare parts for the Waterman Railways Class 47 fleet.

47468 approaches Oxford station on 16 May 1990 with the 1M85 14:32 Tonbridge to Preston parcels service. At the time this was booked to call at Oxford to pick up mail. There was often a lot of traffic to pick up and some smart work was required so that the booked 18:05 to 18:13 stop was not extended, thereby delaying following passenger services.

L428 (51366, 59518, 51408) passes Hallen Marsh Junction on 15 August 1987 with the 18:37 Severn Beach to Bristol Temple Meads service. Of course this is nowhere near the area covered by Network SouthEast at the time, and so this livery is totally out of place here. However, careful inspection of the original 6x7 transparency reveals the L in the set number is painted over the top of a B, indicating a former Bristol allocation. Therefore in its days as a blue and grey unit, it may well have passed this way before. A three car unit is not often justified on this line and indeed the more usual Class 121 single unit was also running on this day. Unfortunately the mass of semaphore signals at this location has long since been removed.

60013 Robert Boyle passes Husborne Crawley (on the Bletchley to Bedford line) with the 6H55 10:44 Bletchley to Peak Forest RMC stone empties on 5 November 2005. A very dull day, but at least the sun came out (much to my surprise!) for 40145, which was the main reason for visiting this location.

158791 just arrives at Old Denaby before the cloud on 17 April 2006, whilst working the 10:57 Manchester Airport to Cleethorpes TransPennine Express service. The unit is wearing the former Central Trains livery, with all signs of the former operator removed, to be replaced with First TransPennine Express branding.

A meeting of two classic loco classes at Hungerford Common on 3 September 1984. 50007 Sir Edward Elgar heads west with the 09:40 Paddington to Penzance, while 47240 passes with the what is presumably a HST substitute on the 06:28 Penzance to Paddington. Of course if such a situation arose today with a rail blue 47 approaching from one direction and a green 50 from the other, there would be some hesitation as to which to photograph. In 1984 it was simple, Sir Edward Elgar was green, and virtually everything else was blue!

43020 passes the footpath crossing near the site of Uffington station on 14 April 2008 with the 1L36 08:31 Cheltenham to Paddington First Great Western service. The wide trackbed here which marks the site of the former freight loops is already being invaded by the inevitable bramble bushes. No doubt Railtrack would like to close this little used footpath, which incidentally crosses a much earlier form of transport a short distance further on - the disused Wilts & Berks Canal.

60028 John Flamsteed passes through Oxford station on 13 May 1995 with the 6V53 02:20 Lindsey to Langley Total aviation fuel tanks. At this time the loco was in Immingham's FDAI pool, and therefore the Railfreight Petroleum livery is correct for this working - it wasn't always so! The area to the south of the station was in limbo at this time, with the former scrapyard gone, and the sidings rusting, but before the new car park was constructed, which effectively ruined this photographic viewpoint.

56100 & 56089 Ferrybridge 'C' Power Station pass Whisker Hill Junction, near Retford with the 1Z70 10:03 Sheffield to Cottam Power Station special on 5 September 1993. This was one of a number of special trains run in connection with the Worksop Open Day. The high level lines here connect with the East Coast Mainline, while the line the train is on burrows underneath it.

With the unmistakable tower of Gloucester Cathedral in the background, a grime encrusted 45058 rests on Horton Road depot in the company of Class 117 DMU B433 (51371, 59509 & 51413) on 6 July 1985. This loco managed to last almost to the end of Class 45 operations, being withdrawn in September 1987. Like many of its class it ended up dumped at March, before eventually being moved to Scotland, where it was finally cut up by MC Metals, Glasgow in 1994.

One of my favourite photographic locations on the Cotswold Line during the 1980s was the remote farm occupation bridge near Churchill Heath. This offered a superb view of northbound trains in the evening and was well worth the long walk. Unfortunately a couple of decades later the location is not so good, with bushes obscuring the classic viewpoint. However, on 17 September 2007 the sun was not out, so I could take this picture from the 'wrong' side. 180112 heads north with the 10:52 Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street First Great Western service.

180107 passes Churchill Heath Wood on 17 September 2007 with the 11:25 Worcester Shrub Hill to Paddington First Great Western service. Note the steel sleepers on the up line at this point. This location is midway between Kingham station and Bruern Crossing, and is a fair walk from the nearest road.

The vegetation clearance work along the Cotswold Line during 2009 has opened up a number of previously unobtainable viewpoints, and one that I have had my eye on for a while is the view looking west towards the roadbridge at Shorthampton. The morning of 1 February 2010 dawned clear and with the added bonus of a light snowfall during the night, the short trip was made to Shorthampton for my first ever picture from this spot. I had guessed that the shadows would just be clear of the track, and I was almost right! 166210 heads east with the 08:58 Great Malvern to Paddington First Great Western service.

166209 passes Shorthampton on 1 February 2010 with the 09:21 Paddington to Worcester Foregate Street First Great Western service. I had carefully chosen this position to frame the train between the fence and the overhanging branches, but it wasn't until afterwards that I noticed that if you look carefully, you can see St Nicholas church, Chadlington directly above the first class compartment of the leading vehicle.

There was a light fall of snow during the night on 1 February 2010, and although it had mainly melted by mid-morning in areas that weren't shaded, there was still a noticeable covering in the field near Shorthampton, on the Cotswold Line. 166213 is pictured heading down the Evenlode Valley with the 09:54 Great Malvern to Paddington First Great Western service. It was the local roads that seemed to have the most snow and ice, with the road leading down to Shorthampton and Chadlington being particularly bad. I had managed to turn the corner onto the road with no trouble, but when I looked in the mirror, I noticed that the Land Rover that was following me was sliding sideways across the road - so much for four wheel drive!

This is what happens when you don't maintain your locomotives properly. Because DB Schenker are reluctant to invest in their Class 60 fleet, in particular the heavy overhauls that the 20 year machines require, early 2010 sees only a handful of the heavy freight locos in service. The result is that heavy oil trains from South Wales have to be entrusted to pairs of the inferior Class 66s. 66140 & 66126 pass Circourt Bridge, Denchworth on 30 January 2010 with the 6B33 12:12 Theale to Robeston Murco oil empties. At least I suppose that it now means that having got this picture of the double headed working in good light, there will be no need to venture out to the lineside to see this particular train again until commonsense prevails and the correct traction is reinstated.

60035 Florence Nightingale passes Rangeworthy on 22 July 1995 with the late running 6B13 05:40 Robeston to Westerleigh Murco oil train. This picture would look a lot more impressive if the relatively clean train of Murco tanks wasn't interspersed with several exceedingly grubby grey liveried vehicles!