More Main Line Steam

On 27th November 2004 the LMS Coronation Pacific 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland' worked a train from Derby to York and back.
Recorded in the afternoon close to the site of Dringhouses marshalling yard, now covered by housing, as the sound of a Class 158 DMU hurrying west fades away 6233 can be heard approaching from York station. After the train has passed the light south westerly breeze carries back the sound of the loco as it accelerates it's heavy 13 coach train past Chaloners Whin and on towards Copmanthorpe.

In the weeks before Christmas Vintage Trains ran a series of Christmas Lunch trains starting at Dorridge and running through the Midlands via Tamworth, Burton, taking in the scenic delights of Coalville before returning to Dorridge via Nuneaton utilising the two GWR Hall 4-6-0s based at Tyseley.
On 16th December 2004 4936 'Kinlet Hall' was motive power at the head of an 8 coach train and is heard passing through Widney Manor station after a Chiltern Trains DMU has passed heading south. As this train also has a pickup at Solihull not far away the driver closes the regulator as the loco passes.

For the return I tried for a recording of 4936 departing from Solihull on the last leg of it's journey back to Dorridge. The location chosen was in a public park on the west side of the line just to the south of Solihull station and although there have been many occasions over the years when, while making lineside recordings, I have been forced to question my sanity and this was definitely one for the book!
For a start off it was almost dark, it was very cold, there was a strong wind blowing and the notices warning that this particular park was a crime hot spot did nothing to inspire confidence or make it sensible to stand in the middle of a field clutching a recorder and a hairy windshield while muggers gathered in the surrounding bushes!
Still, I survived the experience and the recording of 4936 departing with 8 coaches was compensation enough!

On the following day, 17th December 2004 the same itinerary was run, this time with 4965 'Rood Ashton Hall' in charge of a train of just 5 coaches.
Heard once again passing through Widney Manor the Hall is making easy work of this light load.

Perhaps I have a death wish or maybe I'm just stupid but the evening of the same day saw me back in the same park at Solihull to give the muggers another chance and to get a recording of 4965 departing.
Once again I survived the experience but, if I ever go back there again, I swear it will only be in summer and in daylight!