I seem to be getting extremely lucky with my time off work at the moment as bar a bit of fog this morning another belter, the question was where an what to photograph and I have managed to bring you two new locations plus a new working as well. I was hoping to bag another shot of 66721 on the Appleford spoil empties but thick fog put paid to that, instead I headed west to Bourton

Now this location I have been to a number of times but not had much luck plus the fact that there is only really one working that fits in well with this shot and that is the 4O51 Wentloog – Southampton Freightliner. Motive power for today’s working was 66539 and running banging on time makes a fine sight in the cutting.

Next up I headed back to the Thames Valley to try another shot I have been wondering about for awhile so decided to investigate and that was the view off the high bridge East of Cholsey station. I arrived to find a pretty good view although the bridge has wire mesh on top blocking the view but a couple of convenient holes suitably placed provided the solution. It is a bit shadowy at this time of year and would be ideal in the summer months but 66566 looked good hauling the 4O27 Garston – Southampton Freightliner.

The penultimate shot of the day was a working I have never photographed and that is the Water cannon that runs for a few weeks in the Autumn to clear the lines of leaves and mulch and improve rail head adhesion, providing traction this year are a pair of DB Class 67s. Running as the 3J41 Didcot – West Ealing via the houses 67017 top and tails with 67008 as they pass Cholsey.

The final shot of the day is a bit of a bonus as I didn’t realise it was scheduled for this week and that is the New Measurement Train. Some signalling problems actually helped me out as it was delayed by an hour by the time 43062/014 passed me on the 1Z21 London Paddington – Derby in much better light.