There are few locomotive hauled trains around here these days, and outside the somewhat busier summer months there are almost none in daylight hours. Strange then to have a weekend of unexpected activity, but in typical style I managed to miss most of it by minutes.
Stumbled out of bed after a late night and immediately noted messages regarding a light locomotive move - Colas Rail's garishly reliveried 47727. Watched it's progress towards Bristol and when it was reported on Barton Hill, decided I didn't need to worry for a bit. Also noted 57006 and 47237 on the move this way with 6Z90. Pottered around, had a leisurely breakfast and thought about things I needed to do. Checked messages again and heard that 47727 had been sighted minutes before on the mainline near Weston. Hobbled out of my house on an injured foot and made it to Springfield Road crossing in time to see the loco amble past at a fairly slow pace - would have made a fine shot too! Decided to pop into the neighbouring Asda store before checking on 6Z90's progress.
Completed my shopping and was heading back home to check for details when I heard a distinctive horn. Waited in Grange Avenue and watched in dejection as 47237 led 57006 past the end of the road on a short train of wagons, much too far off and too obscured by trees for any sort of photograph. Bowled twice in eighteen minutes!
Today, I was luckier. Engineering work positioned a locomotive right outside my window as a reminder that things were afoot, and gave the perfect excuse to get my nephew down to the railway to look at the locomotives. Strolled up later to find 66043 still at the station in fine but chilly conditions, with 66520 at the rear of the possession. Looks like a long evening ahead as much of the down line remains without sleepers or rail.
Lost::MikeGTN
I've had a home on the web for more years than I care to remember, and a few kind souls persuade me it's worth persisting with keeping it updated. This current incarnation of the site is centred around the blog posts which began back in 1999 as 'the daylog' and continued through my travels and tribulations during the following years.
I don't get out and about nearly as much these days, but I do try to record significant events and trips for posterity. You may also have arrived here by following the trail to my former music blog Songs Heard On Fast Trains. That content is preserved here too.
