The Ones That Got Away in 2025
Have I put this compilation up too early? The last day of the year is forecast to be full bling! Some of my good rail friends have anxiously been waiting for this compilation of failed shots this year. I am a great believer of people doing this hobby to suit themselves including those who take pictures predominantly in the dull. From my experience there are definitely more photographers out when the sun is out rather than when not. That indicates that most want their desired result in good light. I would count myself in that category which is why I have compiled this list. The reason for this was because in 2024 I was certain that I had lost up to 150 intended shots to various types of bowlage, mainly due to cloud intervention but other factors as well. There are many variables that can prevent the photographer getting the desired shot which is why I have compiled this presentation at the end of the year. In reality this year wasn’t the best to portray the downside to this hobby because it has been the sunniest on record but the fact that I lost around 60 good shots shows throughout the year how much effort can be given with no reward. Also, I have not included the mundane shots lost whilst out. This compilation refers to all decent shots showing classes of loco plus celeb liveried ‘sheds’ that were in charge of workings.
As much as I get annoyed at being ‘done’ for various reasons I do laugh it off afterwards. I don’t go along with “You’ll get to do it again” because much of what we shoot is unrepeatable if you take time to look back. The only time I have ever beat myself up about missing a shot was when I missed 37403 (I think) in green livery leaving Solihull on a railtour approaching Hatton Bank due to a longer than expected ‘58’ hauled engineers train going the other way on a Sunday thus blocking the view completely!
Have a great New Year all.
̶
List of Bowlage for 2025
1.2/1/2025: 66420 tnt 66414 6E41 Kings Norton – York Thrail at Bromford Bridge (ran too early).
2.3/1/2025: 47727 5Q87 Long Marston – Reading at Besford (late runround at Worcester).
3.7/1/2025: 37402 tnt 37057 1Z77 Derby RTC – Cardiff at Lea Marston (cloud cover).
4.7/1/2025: 37611 5Q58 Crewe – Old Dalby at Atherstone (cloud cover).
5.7/1/2025: 68034 4M27 Coatbridge – Daventry at Atherstone (cloud cover).
6.15/1/2025: 66734 6V84 Clitheroe – Avonmouth at Bredicot (patchy fog).
7.16/1/2025: 66847 6X50 Hinksey – Bescot at Hatton North Junction (patchy fog).
8.6/2/2025: 33207 33029 5M43 Southall – Carnforth at Lichfield TV (cloud cover).
9.24/2/2025: 57310 5Q89 Long Marston – Eastleigh at Lower Moor (cloud cover).
10. 24/2/2025: 57310 5Q89 Long Marston – Eastleigh at Defford (cancelled at Worcester TC).
11. 25/2/2025: 43484 43465 6Q39 Kings Norton – Old Dalby at Bromford Bridge (Volume of traffic prevented me getting to location in time).
12.25/2/2025: 69012 5Q91 Worcester TC – Wimbledon at Abbotswood (early running and cloud didn’t clear in time).
13. 28/2/2025: 37884 5Q59 Doncaster Works – Leicester at Breaston (cloud cover).
14. 3/3/2025 68002 4E49 Daventry – Doncaster at East View Rd, Sutton Coldfield (9 minutes early, cloud didn’t clear in time).
15. 16/3/2025: 86259 1Z35 Liverpool South Parkway – Euston at Atherstone (cloud cover).
16. 16/3/2025: 87002 1Z31 Liverpool Lime St – Euston at Atherstone (cloud cover).
17.1/4/2025: 37800 5Q76 Walton Old Junction –Newport at Marston Jabbett (back bowled by pendolino in full sun).
18. 4/4/2025: 56301 6L92 Chaddesden – Ely at Raynesway (stubborn High cloud not clearing in time).
19. 5/4/2025: 56301 6M89 Middleton Towers – Ravenhead at Lichfield TV (back bowled by a pendolino in full sun).
20. 11/4/2025: 66501 4M41 London Gateway – Lawley St at Whitacre (back bowled by liner going the other way in full sun).
21. 3/5/2025: 88010 68018 4Z43 Daventry – Coatbridge at Lea Marston (forgot to put camera in car, oh yes! Cloud wouldn’t clear anyway).
22. 3/5/2025: 37240 tnt 7029 1Z31 Birmingham NS – Llandudno at Whitacre Junction (same reason as above).
23.6/5/2025: 66117 60103 5Z81 York NRM – Didcot at Elford (cloud cover).
24.10/5/2025: D1015 1Z77 Birmingham NS – Plymouth at Hatton (bowled by liner on nearside line).
25.10/5/2025: 68016 4Z27 Coatbridge – Daventry at Water Orton (cloud cover).
26. 13/5/2025 43423 43467 5Q88 Eastriggs – Long Marston at Sadlers Crossing, Worcs (wrong setting on camera in full sun).
27.25/5/2025: 66760 tnt 57310 5Z77 Ribblehead – Princes Risborough at Bentley Heath (missed it due to very early running).
28. 3/6/2025: 69005 6O01 Scunthorpe – Eastleigh at Widney Manor (cloud cover).
29. 11/6/2025: 43465 43484 47715 0Z47 Princes Risborough – Northallerton at Water Orton (cloud cover, full sun at booked time).
30.11/6/2025: 37501 5Q77 Gascoigne Wood – Bletchley at Water Orton (cloud cover, full sun at booked time).
31. 11/6/2025: 37405 97303 5Z15 Barmouth – Oxford at Cofton Hackett (went off route ending up late. Stayed in bed ahead of work so missed it).
32.16/6/2025: 66727 4H33 Banbury – Hindlow at Tyseley (cloud cover).
33.19/6/2025: 66710 in consist of 6O01 Scunthorpe – Eastleigh at Lapworth (left 15 Dorridge loop minutes early so missed it).
34.26/6/2025: 66719 tnt 66710 3Z21 Paddington – Kidderminster SVR at Crookbarrow Bridge, Worcester (cloud cover).
35.30/6/2025: 37608 5Q60 Ilford – Barton u Needwood at Barton (cloud slow to clear with early passing. Stood at signal in full sun!).
36.7/7/2025: 66701 6O01 Scunthorpe – Eastleigh at Widney Manor and then Lapworth (cloud cover).
37.14/7/2025: 50008 5E50 Alton – Derby Litchurch Ln at Tyseley (cloud cover, full sun seconds after passing).
38.2/8/2025: 69013 1Z30 Paddington – Derby Litchurch Ln ay Lea Marston (cloud cover, no chance in this area).
39. 2/8/2025: 33029 33025 1Z30 Eastleigh – Derby Litchurch Ln at Whitacre Junction (cloud cover, full sun 5 minutes after).
40.5/8/2025: 69004 6O01 Scunthorpe – Eastleigh at Lapworth (cloud cover, sun out at booked time just 3 minutes later).
41.6/8/2025: 33012 Derby Litchurch Ln – Strawberry Hill at Barrow u Soar (high cloud build up, full sun at booked time).
42. 8/8/2025: 66301 6G99 4F33 Banbury – Wellingborough at Tyseley (cloud cover).
43.22/8/2025: 66791 6X01 Scunthorpe – Eastleigh at Widney Manor (6M40 came the other way blocking the intended shot in full sun).
44.26/8/2025: 66301 6G99 Tunstead – Banbury at Shrewley (cloud cover. Attempted later that week but it ran early with little chance of sun).
45.16/9/2025: 37116 tnt 37667 1Z75 Derby RTC – Canton at Stoke Prior (persistant cloud build up over sun).
46.22/9/2025: 37510 5Q86 Long Marston – Eastleigh at Husum Way, Kidderminster (cancelled in full sun before reinstatement later that day).
47.24/9/2025: 66780 4E36 Southampton – Masborough at Bromford Bridge (clouded over).
48.24/9/2025: 37501 5Q16 Soho – Gascoigne Wood at Bromford Bridge (38 minutes late so passed when that cloud built up).
49.24/9/2025: 66734 4M54 Cardiff – Burton at Bromford Bridge (another casualty of that wretched cloud build up. Missed 3 celebs that morning!).
50.25/9/2025: 66703 66715 66004 66553 6O01 Scunthorpe – Eastleigh at Whitacre Junction and Bentley Heath (sun dipped out both occasions).
51.30/9/2025: 37407 5Q35 Barrow Hill – Long Marston at Wylds Ln, Worcester (cloud cover).
52.30/9/2025: 68026 Long Marston – Eastleigh at Saddlers Crossing, Worcs (cloud cover).
53.6/10/2025: 70008 6G65 Hope – Walsall at Lea Marston (cloud cover).
54. 27/10/2025: 68031 5Q67 Eastleigh –Long Marston at Bissel wood, Blakedown (cloud cover).
55.27/10/2025: 68029 3N06 Birmingham Moor St – Bicester at Tyseley (blocked by 6E11, sun not out at the time in any case).
56.29/10/2025: 37884 with 323221 5Q94 Derby Litchurch Ln at Cofton Hackett (Stubborn black cloud).
57.17/11/2025: 37407 5Q38 Northampton – Long Marston at Selly Oak (intended shot spoilt by disturbed pigeons).
58.15/12/25: 37800 with 769421 5Q94 Allerton – Long Marston at Northfield Station (cloud cover after promising full sun).
Thank you for finding the time to view this list.
happy New Year to all those who take the time to view my pictures.
The Ones That Got Away in 2025
Have I put this compilation up too early? The last day of the year is forecast to be full bling! Some of my good rail friends have anxiously been waiting for this compilation of failed shots this year. I am a great believer of people doing this hobby to suit themselves including those who take pictures predominantly in the dull. From my experience there are definitely more photographers out when the sun is out rather than when not. That indicates that most want their desired result in good light. I would count myself in that category which is why I have compiled this list. The reason for this was because in 2024 I was certain that I had lost up to 150 intended shots to various types of bowlage, mainly due to cloud intervention but other factors as well. There are many variables that can prevent the photographer getting the desired shot which is why I have compiled this presentation at the end of the year. In reality this year wasn’t the best to portray the downside to this hobby because it has been the sunniest on record but the fact that I lost around 60 good shots shows throughout the year how much effort can be given with no reward. Also, I have not included the mundane shots lost whilst out. This compilation refers to all decent shots showing classes of loco plus celeb liveried ‘sheds’ that were in charge of workings.
As much as I get annoyed at being ‘done’ for various reasons I do laugh it off afterwards. I don’t go along with “You’ll get to do it again” because much of what we shoot is unrepeatable if you take time to look back. The only time I have ever beat myself up about missing a shot was when I missed 37403 (I think) in green livery leaving Solihull on a railtour approaching Hatton Bank due to a longer than expected ‘58’ hauled engineers train going the other way on a Sunday thus blocking the view completely!
Have a great New Year all.
̶
List of Bowlage for 2025
1.2/1/2025: 66420 tnt 66414 6E41 Kings Norton – York Thrail at Bromford Bridge (ran too early).
2.3/1/2025: 47727 5Q87 Long Marston – Reading at Besford (late runround at Worcester).
3.7/1/2025: 37402 tnt 37057 1Z77 Derby RTC – Cardiff at Lea Marston (cloud cover).
4.7/1/2025: 37611 5Q58 Crewe – Old Dalby at Atherstone (cloud cover).
5.7/1/2025: 68034 4M27 Coatbridge – Daventry at Atherstone (cloud cover).
6.15/1/2025: 66734 6V84 Clitheroe – Avonmouth at Bredicot (patchy fog).
7.16/1/2025: 66847 6X50 Hinksey – Bescot at Hatton North Junction (patchy fog).
8.6/2/2025: 33207 33029 5M43 Southall – Carnforth at Lichfield TV (cloud cover).
9.24/2/2025: 57310 5Q89 Long Marston – Eastleigh at Lower Moor (cloud cover).
10. 24/2/2025: 57310 5Q89 Long Marston – Eastleigh at Defford (cancelled at Worcester TC).
11. 25/2/2025: 43484 43465 6Q39 Kings Norton – Old Dalby at Bromford Bridge (Volume of traffic prevented me getting to location in time).
12.25/2/2025: 69012 5Q91 Worcester TC – Wimbledon at Abbotswood (early running and cloud didn’t clear in time).
13. 28/2/2025: 37884 5Q59 Doncaster Works – Leicester at Breaston (cloud cover).
14. 3/3/2025 68002 4E49 Daventry – Doncaster at East View Rd, Sutton Coldfield (9 minutes early, cloud didn’t clear in time).
15. 16/3/2025: 86259 1Z35 Liverpool South Parkway – Euston at Atherstone (cloud cover).
16. 16/3/2025: 87002 1Z31 Liverpool Lime St – Euston at Atherstone (cloud cover).
17.1/4/2025: 37800 5Q76 Walton Old Junction –Newport at Marston Jabbett (back bowled by pendolino in full sun).
18. 4/4/2025: 56301 6L92 Chaddesden – Ely at Raynesway (stubborn High cloud not clearing in time).
19. 5/4/2025: 56301 6M89 Middleton Towers – Ravenhead at Lichfield TV (back bowled by a pendolino in full sun).
20. 11/4/2025: 66501 4M41 London Gateway – Lawley St at Whitacre (back bowled by liner going the other way in full sun).
21. 3/5/2025: 88010 68018 4Z43 Daventry – Coatbridge at Lea Marston (forgot to put camera in car, oh yes! Cloud wouldn’t clear anyway).
22. 3/5/2025: 37240 tnt 7029 1Z31 Birmingham NS – Llandudno at Whitacre Junction (same reason as above).
23.6/5/2025: 66117 60103 5Z81 York NRM – Didcot at Elford (cloud cover).
24.10/5/2025: D1015 1Z77 Birmingham NS – Plymouth at Hatton (bowled by liner on nearside line).
25.10/5/2025: 68016 4Z27 Coatbridge – Daventry at Water Orton (cloud cover).
26. 13/5/2025 43423 43467 5Q88 Eastriggs – Long Marston at Sadlers Crossing, Worcs (wrong setting on camera in full sun).
27.25/5/2025: 66760 tnt 57310 5Z77 Ribblehead – Princes Risborough at Bentley Heath (missed it due to very early running).
28. 3/6/2025: 69005 6O01 Scunthorpe – Eastleigh at Widney Manor (cloud cover).
29. 11/6/2025: 43465 43484 47715 0Z47 Princes Risborough – Northallerton at Water Orton (cloud cover, full sun at booked time).
30.11/6/2025: 37501 5Q77 Gascoigne Wood – Bletchley at Water Orton (cloud cover, full sun at booked time).
31. 11/6/2025: 37405 97303 5Z15 Barmouth – Oxford at Cofton Hackett (went off route ending up late. Stayed in bed ahead of work so missed it).
32.16/6/2025: 66727 4H33 Banbury – Hindlow at Tyseley (cloud cover).
33.19/6/2025: 66710 in consist of 6O01 Scunthorpe – Eastleigh at Lapworth (left 15 Dorridge loop minutes early so missed it).
34.26/6/2025: 66719 tnt 66710 3Z21 Paddington – Kidderminster SVR at Crookbarrow Bridge, Worcester (cloud cover).
35.30/6/2025: 37608 5Q60 Ilford – Barton u Needwood at Barton (cloud slow to clear with early passing. Stood at signal in full sun!).
36.7/7/2025: 66701 6O01 Scunthorpe – Eastleigh at Widney Manor and then Lapworth (cloud cover).
37.14/7/2025: 50008 5E50 Alton – Derby Litchurch Ln at Tyseley (cloud cover, full sun seconds after passing).
38.2/8/2025: 69013 1Z30 Paddington – Derby Litchurch Ln ay Lea Marston (cloud cover, no chance in this area).
39. 2/8/2025: 33029 33025 1Z30 Eastleigh – Derby Litchurch Ln at Whitacre Junction (cloud cover, full sun 5 minutes after).
40.5/8/2025: 69004 6O01 Scunthorpe – Eastleigh at Lapworth (cloud cover, sun out at booked time just 3 minutes later).
41.6/8/2025: 33012 Derby Litchurch Ln – Strawberry Hill at Barrow u Soar (high cloud build up, full sun at booked time).
42. 8/8/2025: 66301 6G99 4F33 Banbury – Wellingborough at Tyseley (cloud cover).
43.22/8/2025: 66791 6X01 Scunthorpe – Eastleigh at Widney Manor (6M40 came the other way blocking the intended shot in full sun).
44.26/8/2025: 66301 6G99 Tunstead – Banbury at Shrewley (cloud cover. Attempted later that week but it ran early with little chance of sun).
45.16/9/2025: 37116 tnt 37667 1Z75 Derby RTC – Canton at Stoke Prior (persistant cloud build up over sun).
46.22/9/2025: 37510 5Q86 Long Marston – Eastleigh at Husum Way, Kidderminster (cancelled in full sun before reinstatement later that day).
47.24/9/2025: 66780 4E36 Southampton – Masborough at Bromford Bridge (clouded over).
48.24/9/2025: 37501 5Q16 Soho – Gascoigne Wood at Bromford Bridge (38 minutes late so passed when that cloud built up).
49.24/9/2025: 66734 4M54 Cardiff – Burton at Bromford Bridge (another casualty of that wretched cloud build up. Missed 3 celebs that morning!).
50.25/9/2025: 66703 66715 66004 66553 6O01 Scunthorpe – Eastleigh at Whitacre Junction and Bentley Heath (sun dipped out both occasions).
51.30/9/2025: 37407 5Q35 Barrow Hill – Long Marston at Wylds Ln, Worcester (cloud cover).
52.30/9/2025: 68026 Long Marston – Eastleigh at Saddlers Crossing, Worcs (cloud cover).
53.6/10/2025: 70008 6G65 Hope – Walsall at Lea Marston (cloud cover).
54. 27/10/2025: 68031 5Q67 Eastleigh –Long Marston at Bissel wood, Blakedown (cloud cover).
55.27/10/2025: 68029 3N06 Birmingham Moor St – Bicester at Tyseley (blocked by 6E11, sun not out at the time in any case).
56.29/10/2025: 37884 with 323221 5Q94 Derby Litchurch Ln at Cofton Hackett (Stubborn black cloud).
57.17/11/2025: 37407 5Q38 Northampton – Long Marston at Selly Oak (intended shot spoilt by disturbed pigeons).
58.15/12/25: 37800 with 769421 5Q94 Allerton – Long Marston at Northfield Station (cloud cover after promising full sun).
Thank you for finding the time to view this list.
happy New Year to all those who take the time to view my pictures.