This is now my fifth update in five days thanks to the gorgeous weather which has got to be a record for me. For today’s activity I started out at my old haunt Moreton Cutting, this used to be one of my favourite locations thanks to the quietness of the location plus the bridge used to have lovely low sides which was great for photography. Then last year the replaced the bridge with a tall metal structure which ruined it.
The new bridge sides are so tall that you now need a stepladder to see over, even for me at my height that is impressive! It was a pleasant wait in the warm sunshine while I waited for my first shot of the day. I had barely seen a Class 70 for months but this week I have bagged loads, first up was 70008 hauling the 4O49 Crewe Basford Hall – Southampton Freightliner.
As 4O49 was running a few minutes early this gave me the chance to move on to my next location which was Hinksey Yard, Oxford. Although it does offer a nice shot throughout the afternoon I don’t visit here very often for some reason, probably because the weekends don’t offer much afternoon traffic on this section of line. I didn’t have long to wait until 66167 hustled through with the 4O23 Hams Hall – Southampton Intermodal.
Now this is where I bag my ‘Brucie Bonus’ for the day! I had decided I wanted to move away from the usual afternoon shots in the Cholsey area and wanted something different so I headed up to Kings Sutton where I planned to bag the afternoon Land Rover cars. I checked out the platform shot from the station but decided I preferred the foot crossing view so set off across the fields. I had been there no more than five minutes when the unmistakable nose of a Class 37 appeared. I was not expecting this as there had been no mention at all on the gen lists which is very unusual especially as it was some quality traction. Shortly afterwards I discovered that 37261 top and tailing 97301 were working the 1Q13 Tyseley – Old Oak Common test train running a whopping 100 minutes early!
After that excitement I could now calm down and await my intended working the Land Rover train. It was running bang on time today as 66009 eased the 6O42 Halewood – Southampton through the reverse curves at Kings Sutton. Although not quite as open as the wagons on the Ford Dagenham trains you can still see through the wagons to view the cars onboard and is nice to see something a bit different.
The forecast was for the sun to break through around lunchtime which it eventually did so I hit the lineside.
