2008/04/02, 06. View from the cab of 67020 as the train approaches King's Sutton station at 14:05, a flashing yellow signal ahead to indicate taking the Chiltern line at Aynho Junction.

2008/04/02, 07. View from the cab of 67020 as the train takes the Chiltern line, to the left, at Aynho Junction, the line to Oxford straight on. 14:06.

2008/04/02, 08. View from the cab of 67020 approaching Souldern Viaduct as the train climbs out of the Cherwell Valley at 14:08.

2008/04/02, 09. View from the cab of 67020 as the train approaches Ardley Tunnel (also known as Fritwell Tunnel), still climbing out of the Cherwell Valley at 14:08.

2008/04/02, 10. View from the cab of 67020 as the train is about to emerge from Ardley Tunnel (also known as Fritwell Tunnel), still climbing out of the Cherwell Valley at 14:09. Quite a number of drops of water from the tunnel roof on the windscreen!

2008/04/02, 11. View from the cab of 67020 as the train approaches Brill Tunnel, the rain now beginning to show on the windscreen (the wipers were not too good!), at 14:23 on Wednesday 2nd April 2008.

2008/04/02, 13. View from the cab of 67020 as the train runs alongside the Jubilee and Metropolitan Line tracks of LUL approaching West Hampstead as a Metropolitan A60 set heads for Amersham in the opposite direction. 15:17, Wednesday 2nd April 2008.

2008/04/02, 14. View from the cab of 67020 as the train approaches the bridge over the WCML and St. John's Wood tunnel on the approach to Marylebone. 15:18, Wednesday 2nd April 2008.

2008/04/02, 15. Journey's end as Driver Instructor Steve Roast and Driver Mike York keep a close eye on things as the train approaches the bufferstops in Platform 4 at Marylebone station. This was the up run, 5Z23, 14:02 from Banbury, on board 67020 on Wednesday 2nd April 2008, dead on time at 15:23.

2008/04/02, 16. After arrival at Marylebone the crew of 67020 have shut down the engine and are about to take tea (from a flask!) in the train. From L to R, Driver Instructor Steve Roast, Driver Nigel Byrne and Driver Mike York. Wednesday 2nd April 2008.

2008/04/02, 17. Seen from the cab of 67003 on the return run from Marylebone to Banbury as the train is about to cross the bridge over the WCML from St. John's Wood tunnel and about to enter Hampstead (?) tunnel, 16:12, Wednesday 2nd April 2008.

2008/04/02, 18. Seen from the cab of 67003 on the return run from Marylebone to Banbury as the train crosses the bridge over the WCML having just exited St. John's Wood tunnel and about to enter Hampstead (?) tunnel, 16:12, Wednesday 2nd April 2008.

2008/04/02, 19. Chiltern Driver Nigel Byrne was "in the seat" for the return run from Marylebone to Banbury, though Steve Roast took over for the final part of the trip. Here, Nigel watches the road ahead soon after departing from a station stop at High Wycombe, 16:47, on board 67003.

2008/04/03, 1. 67020 & 67003 are topping & tailing 5Z63, the 08:33 from Banbury, Wrexham & Shropshire crew trainer on the morning of Thursday 3rd April 2008. Once again the leading engine is carrying the "84C Banbury Drivers" headboard.The train had run in its normal path to this point and was now stopping at 09:38 to pick up a pilotman to take the train to East Ham, where it collected two more Cotswold Rail coaches. This move was supposed to have taken place the Friday before, 28th March 2008, but due to possible problems with gauging Mk.III coaches through the tunnels around Hampstead, the move was postponed at the last minute.

2008/04/03, 2. Having picked up the pilotman, the two 67s now restart the train away from South Ruislip and away from their normal route, the far left track to Marylebone. Instead they take the line straight on, formerly the main line into Paddington as far as Greenford before taking the line to West Ealing and Acton, then "round the houses" to East Ham to pick up extra stock. 09:39, Thursday 3rd April 2008. 67003 on the rear of the train has a "tailboard" made by the crew, reading "To Hire This Skip Call Toton 087 66666"!

2008/04/04. 67003 is at the head of the train while 67020 brings up the rear. This is 5Z68, the Wrexham & Shropshire crew training train returning from Banbury to Crewe LNWR for the weekend, running with extra stock picked up from East Ham the day before. Apart from its usual Cargo-D coaches it also has two Cotswold Rail coaches, one FO and one First Class Buffet car. Due to leave Banbury at 17:41, it is passing Wormleighton at 18:00 on Friday 4th April 2008.

2008/04/08, 1. The first up run from Banbury for the WS&MR training train with its dedicated locos took place on the afternoon of Tuesday 8th April 2008. 67014 and 67013 were outshopped from Toton only a few days earlier in their new livery and here head south approaching King's Sutton station with 5Z23, the 14:02 Banbury to Marylebone train running a little early at 14:04. At the crucial moment the sun disappeared behind a cloud!

2008/04/08, 2. The first up run from Banbury for the WS&MR training train with its dedicated locos took place on the afternoon of Tuesday 8th April 2008. 67014 and 67013 were outshopped from Toton only a few days earlier in their new livery and here head south approaching King's Sutton station with 5Z23, the 14:02 Banbury to Marylebone train running a little early at 14:04. At the crucial moment the sun disappeared behind a cloud!

2008/04/08, 3. 67013 and 67014 had only arrived in Banbury the day before from Crewe, having just been outshopped from Toton in the new silver livery of the Wrexham & Shropshire Railway. The two locos are topping and tailing 5Z16 for the first time, the down training run from Marylebone, 16:10 to Banbury, on the afternoon of Tuesday 8th April 2008, running slightly early at 17:01 as they pass Kingsey, just south of Haddenham. Once again, the formation includes a Sleeping-Car!

2008/04/08, 4. 67013 and 67014 had only arrived in Banbury the day before from Crewe, having just been outshopped from Toton in the new silver livery of the Wrexham & Shropshire Railway. The two locos are topping and tailing 5Z16 for the first time, the down training run from Marylebone, 16:10 to Banbury, on the afternoon of Tuesday 8th April 2008, running slightly early at 17:01 as they pass Kingsey, just south of Haddenham. Once again, the formation includes a Sleeping-Car!

2008/04/09, 1. W&S liveried 67014 and 67013 top and tail 5Z63, the up morning training run, 08:33 from Banbury to Marylebone. This was the first morning run of the train since the dedicated locos arrived, here seen approaching Ashendon Junction at 09:07 on the lovely morning of Wednesday 9th April 2008. A shame that the puddle was not a bit larger!

2008/04/09, 2. W&S liveried 67014 and 67013 top and tail 5Z63, the up morning training run, 08:33 from Banbury to Marylebone. This was the first morning run of the train since the dedicated locos arrived, here seen approaching Ashendon Junction at 09:07 on the lovely morning of Wednesday 9th April 2008.

2008/04/09, 3. 67013 & 67014 in the new W&S livery top & tail 5Z10, the 10:17 training run from Marylebone to Banbury, here passing Ilmer at 10:59 on Wednesday 9th April 2008.

2008/04/09, 4. 67013 & 67014 in the new W&S livery top & tail 5Z10, the 10:17 training run from Marylebone to Banbury, here passing Ilmer at 10:59 on Wednesday 9th April 2008.

2008/04/10, 1. The up morning training run for the Wrexham & Shropshire railway, 5Z63, 08:33 from Banbury to Marylebone at Princes Risborough, 09:12 on a beautifully sunny 10th April 2008. 67014 is leading the train, complete with "84C Banbury Drivers" headboard, while 67013 is on the rear, both locos carrying the new W&S livery.

2008/04/10, 2. The up morning training run for the Wrexham & Shropshire railway, 5Z63, 08:33 from Banbury to Marylebone at Princes Risborough, 09:12 on a beautifully sunny 10th April 2008. 67014 is leading the train, complete with "84C Banbury Drivers" headboard, while 67013 is on the rear, both locos carrying the new W&S livery.

2008/04/10, 3. The afternoon up run of the WS&MR training special, 5Z23, 14:02 from Banbury to Marylebone is headed by 67014 in the new W&S livery, with 67013 dead on the rear of the train. This is just south of Dorton, at the point where the up and down lines diverge from each other for the former non-conflicting Ashendon Junction. 14:28, Thursday 10th April 2008. Photo taken from a public footpath across the line, complete with central refuge between the tracks.

2008/04/11, 1. Wrexham & Shropshire Railway Class 67 No. 67014, newly outshopped from Toton in its dedicated livery is stabled on one end of the crew training train in the sidings at Banbury station, Friday 11th April 2008.

2008/04/11, 2. Wrexham & Shropshire Railway Class 67 No. 67014, newly outshopped from Toton in its dedicated livery is stabled on one end of the crew training train in the sidings at Banbury station, Friday 11th April 2008.

2008/04/11, 3. Reflected in the drivers' sighting mirror, Wrexham & Shropshire Railway Class 67 No. 67014, newly outshopped from Toton in its dedicated livery is stabled on one end of the crew training train in the sidings at Banbury station, 67013 on the far end. 16:40, Friday 11th April 2008.

2008/04/11, 4. 67014 and 67013 are stabled in the sidings on the upside at Banbury station on the afternoon of Friday 11th April 2008 with the stock of the W&S training train. It had not run either of its possible trips that day and was waiting to return to Crewe LNWR for servicing over the weekend. The engines had only been released from Toton the previous week in the new dedicated livery.

2008/04/11, 5. Wrexham & Shropshire Railway Class 67 No. 67014, newly outshopped from Toton in its dedicated livery is stabled on one end of the crew training train in the sidings at Banbury station, together with a Civil Engineering self-propelled track machine. Friday 11th April 2008. There is also a "3D" version of this shot in the "Three Dimensional!" collection.

2008/04/11, 6. W&S liveried 67013 & 67014 top and tail 5Z68, 17:41 Banbury to Crewe working of the crew training train returning for servicing and possible stock change. Seen at Great Bourton just north of Banbury at 17:36, running a few minutes early on the afternoon of Friday 11th April 2008.

2008/04/14, 1. The first up through run by the Wrexham & Shropshire Railway from Wrexham to Marylebone took place on the morning of Monday 14th April 2008. 67015 is the leading engine with 67013 on the rear of the three newly branded Mk.III coaches from Cargo-D, including a First Class Buffet car. The engines are facing the opposite way from the previous week, with the lighter silver at the outer ends. The train, running as 1P03 (or possibly 5P03?), was the 07:25 from Wrexham, due to arrive in Marylebone at 11:49 and is here passing Wormleighton Crossing at 10:21. Note the "84L WSMR" headboard.

2008/04/14, 2. The first down run of the first through working from Wrexham to Marylebone and return by the Wrexham, Shropshire & Marylebone Railway took place on Monday 14th April 2008. 67013 is at the head of the train while 67015 is on the rear of the three Cargo-D coaches, now carrying Wrexham & Shropshire branding, one of the coaches being a First Class Buffet. Both locos are in the W&S livery and are here north of the site of the old junction at Ashendon, where the up and down lines parted company as part of the non-conflicting junction with the GCR line. This first train was the 13:17 from Marylebone, 1J82 (or 5J82?), due to arrive back at Wrexham at 17:23. Note the "84L WSMR" headboard. 14:04, Monday 14th April 2008.

2008/04/15, 1. 67021 is at the head of the up afternoon WS&MR training run while 67012 is out of sight on the rear of the train as it passes through Saunderton station at 14:42 on Tuesday 15th April 2008.

2008/04/15, 2. The down afternoon W&S trainer heads north at Ilmer, towards a rather threatening looking sky at 17:05 on Tuesday 15th April 2008. This was the first time one of the trains was hauled by different liveried locos, 67012 in W&S livery on the front and 67021 in EWS livery dead on the rear. It was also the first day that two trains ran, the through train from Wrexham to Marylebone, 1P03, and return, 1J82, in addition to the run from Banbury to Marylebone and return.

2008/04/16. The up 07:25 from Wrexham to Marylebone, 1P03, heads south at Ashendon Junction at 10:54 on the morning of Wednesday 16th April 2008. 67015 is the leading engine with 67013 on the rear, both in W&S livery. This is the point where the down and up GWR lines diverged from each other, the GCR tracks curving away to the right between them, the up GWR line carried over the GCR lines on a lattice girder bridge, long since demolished. The milepost is the distance from Northolt East Junction (South Ruislip) and marks the end of the GW & GC Joint Line, the next milepost north reads 0! Photo taken from a public footpath across the line.

2008/04/26. The WS&MR "Staff Special", 1Z77, is returning to Wrexham with its load of staff members after a day out in London prior to the commencement of the "real" service the following Monday. This was the first time the train had run at a weekend and was also unusually consisting of four coaches. The train had worked up from Wrexham to Marylebone earlier in the day and departed from Marylebone at 18:42, here passing through Haddenham & Thame Parkway station at 19:29, the lowering sun tingeing the sky. Saturday 26th April 2008. 67012 is heading the train, while 67014 is on the rear.

2008/04/28, 01. Monday 28th April 2008 marked the first day of "real" passenger services operated by Wrexham & Shropshire Railway and this is the first northbound working from Marylebone to Wrexham, 1J80, the 06:45 departure, here approaching Princes Risborough slightly early at 07:24 on a lovely Spring morning. The leading engine is 67014 while 67012 brings up the rear. The leading coach is Mk.III RFB No. 10246.

2008/04/28, 02. Monday 28th April 2008 marked the first day of "real" passenger services operated by Wrexham & Shropshire Railway and this is the first northbound working from Marylebone to Wrexham, 1J80, the 06:45 departure, here approaching Princes Risborough slightly early at 07:24 on a lovely Spring morning. The leading engine is 67014 while 67012 brings up the rear. The leading coach is Mk.III RFB No. 10246.

2008/04/28, 03. Monday 28th April 2008 marked the first day of "real" passenger services operated by Wrexham & Shropshire Railway and this is the first northbound working from Marylebone to Wrexham, 1J80, the 06:45 departure, here passing Princes Risborough slightly early at 07:24 on a lovely Spring morning. The leading engine is 67014 while 67012 brings up the rear. The leading coach is Mk.III RFB No. 10246.

2008/04/28, 04. The first southbound working of the "real" services operated by WS&MR, 1P01, 05:42 from Wrexham to Marylebone, was unfortunately dogged by problems. It was 15 minutes late departing Wrexham due to a brakes problem and was 25 minutes late arriving at Wellington. The leading engine, 67025, failed at this point and 67026 was taken off the rear of the train and installed at the head, by Wolverhampton the train was 57 minutes late. Here it has reached Princes Risborough, still with the two locos on the front, but now only 38 minutes late at 09:48 en route to Marylebone. Monday 28th April 2008.

2008/04/28, 06. On the first day of full operations by W&S, 67014 tops and tails with 67012, as 1J83, the 16:10 from Marylebone to Wrexham approaches Haddenham at 17:04. Monday 28th April 2008.

2008/05/01, 1. W&S 67014 and 67012 top and tail 1J83, the 16:10 Marylebone to Wrexham train, passing Ilmer at 17:00 on the afternoon of Thursday 1st May 2008.

2008/05/06, 1. 67024 is the leading loco while W&S liveried 67012 brings up the rear of 1J80, the 06:45 Marylebone to Wrexham train as it passes through Haddenham & Thame Parkway station at 07:31, on time on a glorious morning. Tuesday 6th May 2008.

2008/05/06, 2. 67013 and 67028 top and tail the four coaches of 1P01, the 05:42 Wrexham to Marylebone train seen just south of Ashendon Junction at 09:04, on time, on the lovely morning of Tuesday 6th May 2008.

2008/05/08, 1. The Wrexham & Shropshire Railway again ran into unfortunate problems on Thursday 8th May 2008, though once again not of their own making. The 11:10 train from Wrexham, 1P13, was delayed by signalling problems in the Birmingham International area and arrived at Banbury around 40 minutes late. The decision was made to terminate the train at Banbury and transfer passengers to Chiltern Railways for the remainder of the journey. The train was then stabled in the down sidings until it could take up its allotted path as 1J83, starting from Banbury at 17:31. Here 67028 and 67013, topping and tailing the four coach train, emerge from the sidings passing Banbury South Signalbox and head into Platform 1 at 17:15.

2008/05/08, 2. 67013 is on the rear of the W&S train at Banbury while 67028 is on the front in Platform 1, waiting to form 1J83 departing from Banbury at 17:31. This should have started from Marylebone at 16:10, but the inbound working 1P13 had been terminated at Banbury because of a late arrival due to a signalling fault at Birmingham International earlier in the day. A southbound CrossCountry Voyager is just stopping in Platform 3. 17:16, Thursday 8th May 2008.

2008/05/08, 3. Having waited for the arrival of the 16:30 Chiltern train from Marylebone and the transfer of passengers to its train, 67028 now gets away from Banbury's Platform 1, under the control of semaphore signalling, with four coaches and 67013 on the rear. This was 1J83, scheduled departure time 17:31 having come from Marylebone at 16:10, but starting from Banbury due to earlier signalling problems at Birmingham International. 17:39, Thursday 8th May 2008.

2008/05/08, 4. Having waited for the arrival of the 16:30 Chiltern train from Marylebone and the transfer of passengers to its train, 67028 now gets away from Banbury's Platform 1, here passing Banbury North Signalbox under the control of semaphore signalling, with four coaches and 67013 on the rear. This was 1J83, scheduled departure time 17:31 having come from Marylebone at 16:10, but starting from Banbury due to earlier signalling problems at Birmingham International. 17:39, Thursday 8th May 2008.

2008/05/08, 5. Having waited for the arrival of the 16:30 Chiltern train from Marylebone and the transfer of passengers to its train, 67028 now gets away from Banbury's Platform 1, here passing Banbury North Signalbox under the control of semaphore signalling, with four coaches and 67013 on the rear. This was 1J83, scheduled departure time 17:31 having come from Marylebone at 16:10, but starting from Banbury due to earlier signalling problems at Birmingham International. 17:39, Thursday 8th May 2008.

2008/05/12, 1. Things didn't go according to plan once again for the first up train, 1P01, 05:42 from Wrexham on the morning of Monday 12th May 2008. Due to a late start from Wrexham, the train was terminated at Banbury in order to pick up its return working as 1J81, due to depart from Banbury at 11:29. During the enforced layover, the train was berthed in the north bay platform at Banbury as the three coach formation was short enough to fit behind the starting signal (out of picture to the left) and started from here at 11:38 after transferring passengers from a northbound Chiltern train. 67025 "Western Star" is the leading engine while 67012 is on the rear at 10:13.

2008/05/12, 2. W&S liveried 67012 stands in the north bay platform at Banbury with 67025 "Western Star" on the front of the train. The pair had arrived in Banbury rather late as 1P01, the 05:42 Wrexham to Marylebone service which had been terminated at Banbury so that the train could pick up its return service as 1J81, 11:29 from Banbury (10:17 from Marylebone) more or less on time. As it was a three-coach formation it was short enough to fit in the bay and re-started its northbound service from this platform at 11:38 after passengers transferred from a northbound Chiltern train. 10:20, Monday 12th May 2008.

2008/05/12, 3. W&S liveried 67012 stands in the north bay platform at Banbury with 67025 "Western Star" on the front of the train. The pair had arrived in Banbury rather late as 1P01, the 05:42 Wrexham to Marylebone service which had been terminated at Banbury so that the train could pick up its return service as 1J81, 11:29 from Banbury (10:17 from Marylebone) more or less on time. As it was a three-coach formation it was short enough to fit in the bay and re-started its northbound service from this platform at 11:38 after passengers transferred from a northbound Chiltern train. The next southbound W&S service, 1P03, 07:25 from Wrexham to Marylebone arrives at platform 3 at Banbury with 67026 on the front and 67014 on the rear, a few minutes late at 10:28, Monday 12th May 2008. My first opportunity for two Wrexham trains in one shot!

2008/05/12, 4. W&S liveried 67012 stands in the north bay platform at Banbury with 67025 "Western Star" on the front of the train. The pair had arrived in Banbury rather late as 1P01, the 05:42 Wrexham to Marylebone service which had been terminated at Banbury so that the train could pick up its return service as 1J81, 11:29 from Banbury (10:17 from Marylebone) more or less on time. As it was a three-coach formation it was short enough to fit in the bay and re-started its northbound service from this platform at 11:38 after passengers transferred from a northbound Chiltern train. The next southbound W&S service, 1P03, 07:25 from Wrexham to Marylebone arrives at platform 3 at Banbury with 67026 on the front and 67014 on the rear, a few minutes late at 10:28, Monday 12th May 2008. My first opportunity for two Wrexham trains in one shot!

2008/05/17, 1. 67015 had been bulled-up including silver buffers for its naming ceremony the day before - it was given the name "David J Lloyd" to commemorate a local railway activist at Gobowen station on Friday 16th May 2008. On Saturday 17th May it is partnering fellow W&S liveried 67013 topping & tailing 1J86, the 12:17 train from Marylebone to Wrexham, having worked up from Wrexham as 1P01, the 05:51 departure from Wrexham, comprising the four coach set. It is passing through Haddenham & Thame Parkway station on time at 12:58. This was the first time I had seen a train with W&S liveried locos on each end since the "real" service began and also the first time the loco was facing the "right" way, with the darker silver end at the outer end of the train - though 67013 on the rear was the "wrong" way round!

2008/05/17, 2. 67015 had been bulled-up including silver buffers for its naming ceremony the day before - it was given the name "David J Lloyd" to commemorate a local railway activist at Gobowen station on Friday 16th May 2008. On Saturday 17th May it is partnering fellow W&S liveried 67013 topping & tailing 1J86, the 12:17 train from Marylebone to Wrexham, having worked up from Wrexham as 1P01, the 05:51 departure from Wrexham, comprising the four coach set. It is passing through Haddenham & Thame Parkway station on time at 12:58. This was the first time I had seen a train with W&S liveried locos on each end since the "real" service began and also the first time the loco was facing the "right" way, with the darker silver end at the outer end of the train - though 67013 on the rear was the "wrong" way round!

2008/05/19. 67015 "David J. Lloyd" is on the rear of 1J80, while 67028 is leading as they head north at 07:31 with the 06:45 Marylebone to Wrexham train, as a Chiltern Clubman heads south with the 06:53 from Banbury. Seen from the bow girder bridge on the A4129 near Kingsey on Monday 19th May 2008.

2008/06/02. W&S liveried 67012 is topping the train while EWS 67003 is on the rear as 1P01, 05:42 from Wrexham to Marylebone approaches King's Sutton, running somewhat late at 08:59 on the dull morning of 2nd June 2008.