My lucky day, caught a glimpse of the loco as I was driving down the Bewdley bypass. Grabbing my camera, I tried a shot through the trees, hoping it would soon cross the bridge towards Bewdley – but it went the other way. Walking down the lane, I did see it again on some test runs & took some photos. I didn’t upload the photos at the time, as it seemed everything about the runs was being kept quiet, but since then photos have appeared in the press elsewhere, and the loco is no longer at the SVR, having had recent test runs in London.

Link to photos

My first glimpse of the loco from Bewdley bypass

A better view as it headed towards Foley Park tunnel

Link to the TFL London Underground’s 150th anniversary

Decision time, see the Hall or go to the SVR? Chose the Hall, also the last DRS “boat train” was also running through Small Heath – but that will be in another album. Small Heath is a nightmare when trains are coming from Tyseley yard, as there is every chance of a DMU from Birmingham getting in the way. Last time this happened, a Chiltern driver very kindly stopped short of the signal so as not to block our view, but this time a London Midland unit did spoil some of the shots. Not to worry, I was pleased with the results.

Link to photos

At least the DMU was on the move as 4965 passed by

Couldn’t make up my mind what I was going to do – forecast was for cloudy weather, but do they ever get it right? Bright sunshine when I left home, then dark clouds by the time I reached Stourbridge. Decided to try the fields by the river at Arley, into the sun, which decided to shine when I didn’t really want it to! It was too sunny for that angle so I went up above Victoria Bridge for the long shots, but you need sun for those, and you can’t guarantee it will always shine. Ended up at Arley station for shots of 1501 before heading home. Other locos seen were 34053, 42968, 43106 & visiting 44871.

Link to photos

A contrast in photos, 1501 against the light

34053 in sunlight

Makes a change to do something a bit different.