20th Oct 1999

The train I set out to see, but the one I nearly missed! Without any advance gen I just took the educated guess that this train would pass this point sometime in the late afternoon, so on arrival I spent some time mooching around, walking out towards the dunes and back, and taking a shot or two of the passing passenger trains. Then, having exhausted all other possible activities I settled into a small boat, moored up behind the one you see here, laid back, and just watched the clouds scudding by. Whilst lost in my thoughts my sub-conscious mind sensed a rumble in the background, and alerted my brain to the fact that something might be on the viaduct. I can only imagine the look of surprise on the driver's face (if he cared to notice!) as I instantly sprung up from my slumber, grabbed my camera, and got a few shots of this nuclear flask train as it headed south, fortunately at very slow speed! I was so glad that some part of me was paying attention!

For the record, the time is 16.20, the train is 7K52 14.10 Sellafield to Crewe Basford Hall yard, and the locos were DRS Class 20s nos. 20303 & 20301. 35mm lens, f6.7 @ 1/250th.