Pretty scene: the Carlisle to Chirk timber flow has recently begun working daily again after a period of absence. On 15 June 2017, No 60026 is seen rounding the curve on the approach to Armathwaite on the Settle & Carlisle route while working the well-loaded 6J37 Carlisle to Chirk service. Stuart Fowler
Shadow of its former self: No 66107 at Shap Wells on the West Coast main line with four coal containers behind the loco and lime wagons on the rear on 26 May 2017. This is the return working of the last domestic coal service in the UK, from Onllwyn washery in South Wales to Mossend. It is the last vestige of the former ‘Enterprise’ wagonload service, with the coal tagged on to other services, such as the lime from Hardendale seen here and the 6X65 Didcot-Mossend in the northbound (loaded) direction. Rob France
Imported clay: china clay for use in Scotland that used to be sourced in Cornwall is now landed from South America on the Continent and is one of the few rail freight flows through the Channel Tunnel. This is the Lune gorge on 14 June 2017, with GBRf’s No 92032 (with No 66729 tucked in behind) on the 02.03 Dollands Moor – Irvine china clay tanks, with the M6 motorway alongside. Dave McAlone
Electric haulage: Direct Rail Services is now pressing its new fleet of 10 bi-mode Class 88s into service on the West Coast main line. Here No 88004 passes Shap while working the 4S43 Daventry to Mossend Tesco train on 15 June 2017, in the first week in which ‘88s’ replaced diesels on this flow. Stuart Fowler
Scottish intermodal: on 15 June 2017, loco Nos 90045/043 are seen near Beattock while working the 4S44 Daventry to Coatbridge Russell’s container train. Stuart Fowler
