As I mentioned yesterday I said that I would be going retro again today and thanks to Spitfire Railtours and a pair of West Coast Railway Company Class 37s that was achieved this morning. They were having a spin from Crewe – Swanage via the Thames Valley.

Options are limited for southbound trains in the morning with really only Oxford and Didcot North really any good. I was concerned that the Oxford shot might be in shadow as the train was due quite early so opted for Didcot North Junction. Running bang on time 37706/516 appeared with 1Z49 to Swanage in fantastic early morning light. Is it just me or has the cab number and bodyside logo on 37516 been put on wonky?

I have a first and a last for you tonight, I recieved word that today would be last day in service for the Class 180 Adelantes with First Great Western. A pair did a couple of trips to Oxford in the morning before they were split and a single unit carried on for the rest of the day before finally working the final trip of the day the 1P87 Worcester Foregate Street – London Paddington.

This final trip to Paddington was going to be my target as it stopped at Didcot giving me a chance for a night phot. 180104 did the honours for the final working running bang on time as it departed Didcot. I don’t normally phot units and infact this is my first shot on the website but I thought I should record the occasion for the records.

No sooner had I got back home from photographing 67028 on the Cheltenham Gold Cup charter than I found out about an ECS move from Eastleigh – Cardiff in preperation for Pathfinders ‘The Tyne Tornado’ on Thursday featuring some kettle for a trip to Newcastle.

After looking at the timings for the ECS move I noted a two minute stop at Didcot again which I guessed was a crew change so I grabbed my tripod and set off for Didcot yet again. I had noted that 67001 and 67006 were both at Eastleigh earlier in the day so I hoped the Royal would be up front after missing out with 67005 earlier. This time it worked out as 67006 pulled in on the 5Z33 Eastleigh – Cardiff.