Today was to be Strike Day for Local Government, but things got miraculously fixed - must be election year! Since I'd agreed to head for the Midlands, took a day off instead. Set out a little later than I would have liked this morning, and had a reasonably smooth run despite another incursion of livestock near Cheltenham - sheep this time! Arrived at a very sunny, but surprisingly quiet Rugby station a little after midday.

Aside from the usual steady diet of Pendolinos, things seemed to dawdle until mid-afternoon when plenty happened to keep me busy. First off was 87013 passing hauling a couple of Royal Mail 325 EMUs, which was soon followed by a pair of 86's on a southbound liner.

Further Class 325s passed southbound heading for Willesden, which was heartening. Mail by rail makes sense and I can only hope that the current trial involving GBRf will be continued.

No Class 87 hauled passenger workings today unfortunately, but as a bonus 87028 showed up on the reliable 'Malcolms' leading 66410. Unfortunately it was (apparently uniquely) routed via the platform line due to a passing Pendolino taking the fast line. Hence the picture is nothing special.


Plenty of GBRf action too, which pleases me because their attractive livery is a rarity in my part of the world. In addition to the booked trains, 66715 passed southbound hauling on-track plant machine 73930, then returned northbound through the station just a few minutes before I left for home - seconds before the Birmingham train 66706 also ambled in from the north.


Still light and pleasantly warm when I left Rugby. Again a smooth journey back, arriving early at Temple Meads and making a quick connection for home.