With the booked snow producing, it would have been rude not to go out for some phots, and what with 90031 (NOT 90020-Shock Horror!) on the VXC diagram, the NMT and 33029 all making appearances at New Street, how could I not? Cheers to Daniel and Ian for the gen and company, even if it was a skoda Mr Ross! Enjoy, Matthew

Two New Street night shots to start with, with 43050 taking its turn on 1S41/1M58 and a mega rare Valley Lines Class 150 on the 2233 New Street-Holyhead ATW 'service'-Holyhead on that anyone?

With my free day becoming available on Wednesday again, I dedcided I would go and be a Vegetable at Tamworth just to see what turned up. The MML HST did the 0825 ex Plymouth vice 1S41, so that produced, a couple of 60 and a late pair of cans, providing an arty shot-I like it but can understand if you don't!! Enjoy!

Trying something different...

Turning up at the NRM to view 87001, I was told that the diesel/electric shed was closed due to a booked crane move, however management were sympathetic and accompanied me down to the shed where I was left to my own devices to phot the only true reason why anybody needs to visit the NRM-87001 'Stephenson / Royal Scot.' This HELLFIRE machine has been loving restored and touched up by the Chief and 'his boys' at Wembley and also the AC Loco Group (to which I am a member)-so much so that the white wheels and shiny paintwork remain 18 months after being applied. A lot of people should be proud of their work in restoring this fine old girl into a top quality state-HELLFIRE! Enjoy, Matt

A few pictures of from York station-one disappointment being that 37194 had swapped places with 37087, that thing is following me around! Also 86901 and 902 and 60066 on a steal....enjoy! Matt

Cheap tickets were found on the 0803 BNS-Edinburgh and 1405 return to and from Leeds for January 24th and it would have been rude not to with so many places I desired to visit around there, Castleford, Bradford and the like.........Also check out the next collection when I headed to York that afternoon. Enjoy, Matt

NEWCASTLE M' LADY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Owing to a complete Voyager farce today, Virgin XC hired 57307 and a rake of 6 Riviera MK2s and used them on the 1330 BNS-Newcastle and 1820 Newcastle-Birmingham New Street.-There is a story behind this though!:

High Wycombe, 1700 is not a position of strength for needing to be at Derby at 2057 is it really?? No-but by christ, hell and high water would pass before I was going to miss this. I got home, wolfed down a pleasent meal of salmon mum and cooked, and grabbing my CLEAN washing (again, courtesy of mum-what a star!) ran to West Ruislip for the 1757 to London. All of a sudden plans change and the 1830 marylebone-brum snow hill is ruled out as the 1820 ex Newcastle does not stop at Tamworth, so a belt down to St Pancras and onto the 1900 to Burton-On-Trent to Derby, a MINUS one at Derby onto the 57, which was duly made, and the thrash indeed was enjoyed (well as much as can be off of a GM, but still!!)-never mind the stress and worry on the Meridian that I had made the wrong choice!!!

Anyway, MASSIVE SHOUT OUT to Gareth McMurray and Daniel Brereton for the updates LEGENDS!! Enjoy..

Pathfinder's Buffer Puffer 4.0 ran as booked on the 20th January 2007, top n tailed throughout by 37406 and 37410 which was chased on its slighlty elongated around London. Cheers to Weasel, The Chief, GM, JH and JS for a top day and to Darren and DB for on train updates!! Enjoy....Matt

Starting with 90020 and the Standby set working between Manchester and Brum NS 17/01. Enjoy...