Today’s update is a bit of a fluke really as I just happened to be scanning the gen lists at the right time for once. Seemingly to slip under most peoples radar a Colas Class 66 had been seen heading up through Bristol Patchway on a steel train. At the time the working was unknown but I knew it was heading my way so quickly scrambled my gear together.

I was thinking about heading out near Shrivenham for the shot but mulling average timings in my head I realised I probably wouldn’t make it so decided to try closer to home and hit Denchworth instead. A fellow photographer was on site which was promising and shortly after a couple more arrived and we were all after the same thing. We only had a short wait before 66847 came belting along the main with the 6Z78 Llanwern – Dollands Moor and my first decent shot of a Colas 66.

It’s the weekend again so it must be time for the fastline coal train! Someone at Fastline HQ is playing ball as I awoke to find 66303 would be doing the honours on todays working. Intially I was only planning on heading out locally to Culham as it was pretty murky out but driving down the road I noticed the clouds were breaking up so I changed direction and headed off to Denchworth on the GWML hopefully to get a better phot.

It has been a long time since I have ventured out to Denchworth for phots, mainly due to the new bridge that replaced the original a few years ago. The view is probably better now than before although parking is now trickier due to the barriers that now line the bridge. I wouldn’t be stopping long so that wasn’t too much of a problem. While waiting for the Fastline coal 60076 trundled along on the 6B33 Theale – Robeston empty tanks although unusually straight down the main line in cracking light!

66303 had been reported 41 minutes early at Bristol Parkway but it must have been held enroute presumably at Swindon as it passed me at Denchworth running only 10 mins early at 13:08 in a very lucky patch of sun which it had been chasing all the way from the old Challow station site far in the distance! Right, so when does the boat with 66302 dock, four down, one to go!

Its been a while since my last update although I did visit the Mid Hants Diesel Gala last week and I will be putting some photos up soon. Today however I will treat you to a shot of the Western D1015. Champion was booked to work Past Times ‘English Riveria Express’ from Paddington to the Paignton and Dartmouth railway.

The weather was overcast in the morning but as its a Western I decided to go out anyway and settled on Denchworth. It is the first time I had been out here since the new bridge was finished and it is still good for photography in either direction and it is probably better as there is now a small footpath either side so your not on the road. The wizzo was running about 15 mins late by the time it got to Denchworth though I think it was looped for an HST at Steventon loop and yes it sounded great as it passed me!