25th March 2006, and the sun was shining brightly as I drove to Droitwich to see “Leander” heading south with a train to Cardiff. I realised the sun would be “on the wrong side” for my shot but thought I would make the best of it. As usual, by the time the train came the clouds were out - probably to my advantage. Anyway, the results are very good.

5 photos approaching Droitwich

In the evening the train was due up the Lickey at about 17.40. The time came, and passed, it was getting darker, there had been talk earlier in the day that it would have no banker, but all we could do was wait. Eventually, in the distance, we could hear a roar of an exhaust, something was really going like the clappers. From where I was stood I could see the train through the trees in the distance, the exhaust from the front engine could just be seen, but nothing from the rear - there was no banker! The rails were probably wet, as it had been raining, but it passed us without a slip at 18.24, getting slower all the time, but it made it in fine style.

8 photos in the dark climbing the Lickey

Camera settings were ISO1600 at f4, 1/100 sec. To be honest, they have come out better than I expected!!

(On the thumbnail page “Title +” = in loco number order, “File name +” = in time order)