Hello and welcome to 2010, it only seems like yesterday everyone was going mad for the Millennium! I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas and wish you all a Happy New Year. I have been quite busy at work with the run up to Christmas so finally the combination of a break and some fine winter sun I was tempted out to get my first shot of 2010.
I recieved word that the Theale tanks were running today however things have changed since that last time I photographed this working. Unfortunately the Class 60s have been all but binned bar half a dozen examples meaning all the tank trains out of South Wales have now switched to double headed Class 66s. Although I’m a bit of a GM fan it is still nice to have some variety in traction so this is a disappointing news! 
I decided to head to one of my favourite local spots on the GWML out near Grove, although a glorious day it was still rather chilly and as the train had departed 20 mins early I thought my luck was in. However it was held to time at Reading West Curve which meant I was rather cold by the time 66207/083 powered the empty 6B33 Theale – Margam tanks past my location. It is a shame this pair were rather grubby as it would have improved the shot if clean and I’m not sure what has happened to the secondmans cab window!