There was plenty of action about in the Thames Valley as the FA Cup Final being hosted at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff meant three footexes were laid on for West Ham fans, unfortunately I was working so I missed out but there was also the Blue Pullman set which was running to Oxford so I would have chance to photograph the return working in the afternoon.
I’m bringing you a new location today, I found this it last year but had never got around to going out there to take any shots, it is just south of Culham station. 47703 was leading as it passed me heading back to London, it’s a shame the two 47s painted in matching livery have blown up in the few short weeks it has been running!
Well it looks like spring has finally arrived with plenty of green appearing on the trees and a sudden increase in temperature which has sparked a few thunderstorms locally. It was a glorious spring morning as I headed out to Culham to grab a rare early morning shot before work. I had recieved advanced notice of a Didcot – Derby RTC test train running today and it was timed giving me chance to get out and photograph it.
I arrived at Culham giving myself 20 minutes to wait before it was due, I wasnt expecting anything else about so I was pleasantley surprised to see 59205 appear on 6A13 Westbury – Oxford Banbury Road. This is quite a new working conveying aggregate to the recentley reopened terminal at Banbury Road so it was nice to get a shot of it. Shortly after the 59 had passed 66012 pulled up at the signal you can see in the shot above with the 4O53 Wakefield – Southampton Intermodal and thought I was going to get blocked for the Serco.
I don’t know why he stopped as the signal was showing a clear road and the driver didn’t get out but after a couple of minutes he pulled away and as it disappeared under Appleford road bridge the 1Z14 Didcot – Derby appeared the other way headed by 47145 with 47355 on the rear. Not a bad mornings work!
