Excursions

We haven't been around much on Sundays this summer, and therefore (as railway photographers) we haven't taken much advantage of the regular steam excursions which run at weekends.

Earlier on in the summer though we did happen to be around, though the promised steam traction understandably had been replaced by diesel during the heatwave.  At least the traction was unusual, an ex-Southern Region class 33.  But you can imagine the annoyance when, perfect angle gained, the train arrived and a random chap strolled out to chat to the driver for the whole time it was there, staying put even as it left, so no chance of a shot without him in it...

End of the summer, end of the heatwave, and now steam ("Leander") was back in charge...

...and an annoying shoot it was too.  Couldn't get the same high-angle as last time as there were more people around, the lighting was poor (into the sun), and again, random chap strolled out to chat to the driver, though in a less pleasing composition this time...

Still, silver linings and everything... despite the minor irritation we felt with the person in shot in the class 33 picture, a couple of picture editors liked it and the composition enough to publish it... once online on the Railway Centre website as their pic of the day, the other time in Railways Illustrated.  Which was nice.