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Quite unexpectedly it was announced that Vintage Trains would operate a Christmas White Rose excursion from the Birmingham area to York and return on Wednesday 10th December 2025. We seem to have re-entered a ‘times are secret’ era again and 1Z61 did not appear on RTT until near the morning departure time. It confirmed what was expected with an early departure from Dorridge and an after dark return from York. I couldn’t resist photographing the train when it passed through North-West Leicestershire. I had intended to go to Hathern, but found the road closed before the bridge and a lot of civil engineering activity, so I turned to Normanton on Soar. There was civil engineering activity and road closure there also but to a much lower level and my presence was not a problem. However, I had very little time and the photographic conditions were poor; ultra bright backlight from a clear blue sky, a south-westerly strong wind that would blow the exhaust down and the civil engineers vehicles on the south-west corner of the bridge. I knew it would be difficult but I have a record of the train with full drama!