The midday sun is barely far enough round to illuminate 350126 as it passes Grendon Bridge with 1A95, 10:19 Liverpool - Euston, on 6th February.

Milepost 105 betrays the location as Grendon, between Atherstone and Polesworth on the WCML. The curves here allow 390045 to do what it was built for, namely negotiate the Trent Valley at speeds far superior to those allowed for loco-hauled stock. The date is 6th February.

On 7th February, 60022 chugs north past Cathiron in charge of 6H55 Bletchley - Peak Forest empty stone. The driver has just shut off power, having no doubt been signalled into Brinklow loop to allow past a Pendolino which was right behind.

Freightliner-liveried 90041 heads south at Alvecote, between Amington and Tamworth on the Trent Valley, in charge of 4L75, 11:44 Basford Hall - Felixstowe, on 6th February.

Just too far away to be indentifiable is this southbound Pendolino, racing past Alvecote and perfectly reflected in the partly-thawed lake, on 7th February.

One of only two Class 92s to sport EWS' house colours, 92031 cruises easily, and somewhat ahead of time, past Alvecote with 4A10, 12:01 Trafford Park - Wembley, on 6th February.

Heading north at Alvecote, 90042 and its train are reflected in the mirror-smooth waters of one of the pools formed decades ago by mining subsidence, as it passes Alvecote with 4M81, 07:45 Felixstowe - Ditton liner on 6th February.

A location I had never before visited was Watford (Northants). I was very pleasantly surprised, having followed a footpath for half a mile or so through a lovely country estate, to find this beautiful bridge carrying the railway over the footpath. 92011 dwarfs the finely-detailed cast iron span of Bridge 69, known as Lord Henley's Bridge, as it passes with 4H24, 11:31, Wembley - Trafford Park on 7th February. Having since investigated, it appears that the bridge was made in this ornate style to appease the then Lord Henley, who in the late 1870s was less than favourable towards the passage of the newfangled railway through his land! In retrospect, one must applaud his actions; 125 years after its installation, this fine structure has doubtless outlasted numerous concrete spans elsewhere on the network.

A detail of Lord Henley's Bridge; note the coat of arms.

Having just passed over Bridge 69, 90047 heads south under perfect blue skies with 4L75, 11:44 Basford Hall - Felixstowe, on 7th February.

One last view - for now - of Lord Henley's Bridge; this time, 'Desiro' 350106, in charge of a late-running 2Y13, 12:48 New St. - Northampton, is captured passing on 7th February.

Brand new 66725 fairly sparkles in the late afternoon sunshine as it heads north with 4M23, 10:59 Felixstowe - Hams Hall. The location is just north of the former station at Church Brampton on 7th February.

Moments later, GBRf stablemate 66716 heads south at the same location in charge of 4L22, 14:10 Hams Hall - Felixstowe.

Less than a minute later, 90048 heads north past Church Brampton with 4M88, 08:49 Felixstowe - Basford Hall on 7th February.

66204 trundles a long rake of empty ballast wagons south towards Church Brampton on 7th February, working 6A15 10:10 Bescot - Forders trip.

'Desiro' 350112 hurries north past a lovely old platelayers's hut at Church Brampton, heading 1Y24, 16:00 Northampton - New St., as the sun sets on 7th February.

Lastly, a surprise. Included solely by way of rarity rather than photographic merit is this shot of 33207 heading south in failing light at Church Brampton, running as 0Z33, destination unknown....