59101 Sonning Cutting
The busy section of GWML through Sonning Cutting near Reading was always a draw for photographers. Unfortunately the onward march of electrification meant that this popular location was only weeks away from decimation by the growing number of masts through the area - the summer of 2016 being the final year of photography possible at this spot. Thankfully, my swansong visit here coincided with a day of sunshine and plenty of freight in a 4-5 hour window, with the pleasant inclusion of additional liners, not normally found in large numbers on this route, due to diversions via London.
The best of the day was of one of the regular workings, featuring 59101 "Village of Whatley" atop a uniform rake of Hanson JHA wagons on the 6V18 11.20 Allington-Whatley empty aggregates. Nearly bowled by a unit heading in the opposite direction, it was a "relief" for the huge gallery assembled on this bridge (comprised of around 30 people) who just about got away with it (re-upload of a previous image).
59101 Sonning Cutting
The busy section of GWML through Sonning Cutting near Reading was always a draw for photographers. Unfortunately the onward march of electrification meant that this popular location was only weeks away from decimation by the growing number of masts through the area - the summer of 2016 being the final year of photography possible at this spot. Thankfully, my swansong visit here coincided with a day of sunshine and plenty of freight in a 4-5 hour window, with the pleasant inclusion of additional liners, not normally found in large numbers on this route, due to diversions via London.
The best of the day was of one of the regular workings, featuring 59101 "Village of Whatley" atop a uniform rake of Hanson JHA wagons on the 6V18 11.20 Allington-Whatley empty aggregates. Nearly bowled by a unit heading in the opposite direction, it was a "relief" for the huge gallery assembled on this bridge (comprised of around 30 people) who just about got away with it (re-upload of a previous image).