Home»All Photographs»Heritage Railways»Battlefield Line»2023_01_02

Our visit to the Battlefield line to see 7822 FOXCOTE MANOR at work had been planned in outline for some time. It could have been any time during the festive season but a combination of factors forced our plans to mature on the final day of post-Christmas operation which was Monday 2nd January 2023. I had determined previously that the locomotive was facing north and Denis was pleased that he should obtain a satisfactory photograph of the train climbing the bank out of Shenton. Thinks did not go too well on the day. Our first location was from the road bridge at Far Coton for the tender first outward run of the first train. The location was fine, the crew were clearly visible in the cab but the light was, to say the least, diabolical. Not to worry, there should have been plenty more opportunities to come. The intention was to go to the Market Bosworth to Sibson Road and survey the scene. It took too long and before I knew it 7822 was out of Shenton and climbing the bank. Result, three very over exposed images that were very difficult to process. Much worse was to follow! I managed to get Denis’s vehicle stuck in very muddy grass. We received very generous help from passing cyclists, walkers and a 4x4 to no avail before falling back on the RAC. With the right equipment we were soon back on the tarmac and the RAC man’s worst fears of getting stuck also tuned out to be unfounded. While all this was going on, I grabbed five shots at the 13:05 from Shenton but the light was still not good. It was a case of hoping for the best that the rescue by the RAC would be complete when the 14:35 pulled away from Shenton. Success at last! The winter sunlight was low, warm and bright. Only two shots due to the very short time to prepare but well worth the effort. It was obvious there would be insufficient light when the final train departed at 16:05 so we settled for an all-day breakfast as compensation.