IMG_1007.jpg	The purpose of my visit to the NRM was to shoot a series of HDR photos of the re-streamlined Duchess of Hamilton
IMG_1011.jpg	Some close-up details of the bodywork showing the bulges for the cylinders and parts of the valve gear above the leading driving wheel
IMG_1014.jpg	Here are two different types of streamlined wheeled transport, a vision that was somewhat obsessed upon during the 1930s
IMG_1039.jpg	An overall view of the display the Duchess forms part of
IMG_1048.jpg	This is a close view of one of the headlamps designed to be in keeping with the whole livery and image of speed
IMG_1049.jpg	The people at Tyseley have done a fantastic job with the restoration, but on close inspection a few oddities can be seen like the uneven handrails at the smokebox end of the new streamlining
IMG_1051.jpg	Here we can see the cowlings around the buffers to help with the aerodynamics
IMG_1053.jpg	This close view shows one of the bulges included to accomodate the valve gear of the locomotive
IMG_1065.jpg	A view along the super sleek looking bodyside with the wheels and rods tucked underneath
IMG_1066.jpg	Just incase you wondered who made this loco there's a small acronym on the tender!
IMG_1077.jpg	I don't know which part this is but it must require constant access as it was deemed important enough to require a hole in the streamlined skin
IMG_1095.jpg	The Coronation class makes an imposing head on view for any potential jumpers
IMG_1108.jpg	I took this tight in view of an instantly recognisable loco at York. It is 55002 which has apparently recently acquired some radiators, one of which was found in the middle of some random cooling system that has nothing to do with a locomotive
IMG_1114.jpg	A different shot taken while Hardwicke spins on the NRM turntable. 87001 is clearly visible as the motion stopped momentarily
IMG_1120.jpg	Another nose on view of 55002 showing the distinctive window shape
IMG_1161.jpg	I paid my first visit ever to the roundhouse at Barrow Hill for the Type 5 Diesel Gala and was very impressed with the quality of exhibits. Sadly, much less impressive was the functioning of the air conditioning on the CargoD mk2 stock. Whether this was down to the stock or 47818 remains to be seen
IMG_1176.jpg	Two very different Type 5s are Advenza Railfreights 66841 and now preserved 56006
IMG_1182.jpg	DTG loco D1015 Western Champion was one of a star lineup appearing at the gala
IMG_1191.jpg	Not to be outdone was classmate D1023 Western Fusilier clagging out the area on
IMG_1195.jpg	Not one to be outdone was classmate D1023 Western Fusilier on loan from the NRM
IMG_1205.jpg	My associate Chris turns out to be not only a bus ned, but here I can reveal a big shed ned too!
IMG_1218.jpg	The Class 56 group have done a stupendous job of restoring 56101 which was one of three class members to be running on the day
IMG_1219.jpg	An arty angle of cabs from Classes 97, 45 and the roof of a Western too. I admit the idea for this shot was taken off my wife who thought of it first
IMG_1250.jpg	Even though it belongs on freight 56101 can't fail to fit in with the retro theme helped along by the mk2 stock
IMG_1256.jpg	Another shot of 56101 working the passenger turns
IMG_1263.jpg	East meets West as 55022 heads out to work the stock
IMG_1274.jpg	55022 Royal Scots Grey looks every inch the star of the 1980s revival with matching stock to complete an impressive scene
IMG_1289.jpg	I won't apologise for including another shot of RSG on the stock
IMG_1322.jpg	Now the turn of BR blue star 56006 as it passes the Deltic after an embarrassing episode where they almost tried shunting it into 56101
IMG_1370.jpg	66841 was the last to work the passenger train
IMG_1373.jpg	Here is an impressive line up of cross era locomotives
IMG_1377.jpg	Two blue Type 5s bask in the wonderful weather we were blessed with at Barrow Hill 
IMG_1380.jpg	What a difference a few years in loco design has. Ironically only one of these locks was actually built in England
IMG_1397.jpg	My favourite shot of the weekend has to be this one, showing resplendant pairing 20096 and 20107 outside the roundhouse building. I put a lot of effort in to this shot using both my polariser and an ND grad filter combined
IMG_1406.jpg	After the disappointment of last week I went out to shoot the XC HST working 1V50 08:30 Leeds to Plymouth on it's booked route via Stourbridge. Here the train is viewed as it rounds the curve in to Droitwich Spa
IMG_0971.jpg	A Voyager pauses at Cheltenham Spa with a Bristol bound service
IMG_0974.jpg	60061 thunders through Cheltenham Spa with the early 6E41 Westerleigh to Lyndsey tanks
IMG_0978.jpg	153369 arrives with a stopping service to Swindon
IMG_0995.jpg	An HDR of a locomotive that requires no introduction
IMG_1705.jpg	Josh looks on from the ladders I'd intended taking the photo from as 37906 trundles in to Hampton Loade station. We heard this from the moment it departed Highley thanks to the valley shape and the lack of silencer on the loco
IMG_1718.jpg	The often overlooked station at Hampton Loade. The wonderfully captured sky is again thanks to my Sigma 10-20mm lens
IMG_1742.jpg	66177 creeps south with empty tanks around the yard at Leicester station
IMG_1825.jpg	66060 passes through a rain lashed Cardiff Central
IMG_1839.jpg	A comedy duo arrive with a Valley Lines service. I'm guessing commuters don't find them funny, even when they have to stand up!
IMG_1846.jpg	175110 awaits the go ahead to proceed forward to platform 2a in the stunning Welsh water show
IMG_1865.jpg	175007 and 150121 still in Silverlink clothing contrast how far recent train design has come on
IMG_1883.jpg	For the purpose of having a standby loco at Cardiff Canton Arriva double headed the WAG service from Holyhead. By doing this they save on pathing and traincrew too
IMG_1886.jpg	The weather was still far from ideal and these shots were taken with my nifty fifty
IMG_1895.jpg	143608 is the rear unit of a pairing being despatched to Penarth
IMG_1897.jpg	The happy public look on as their non replacement bus service arrives at Cardiff
IMG_1907.jpg	43161 and 43130 pause very briefly, the former having arrived from London Paddington and the latter about to depart that way
IMG_1920.jpg	The unusual spectacle of four units that once worked at the same time for Central Trains. 150235 leaves for Bargoed with 150213 behind and 170s 523 and 116 have just arrived on the 07.08 from Nottingham
IMG_1922.jpg	170523 and 170116 were the booked pairing for the 10.45 Cardiff to Nottingham
IMG_1925.jpg	A First Great Western HST set arrives from Paddington with a service to Swansea
IMG_1936.jpg	323215 arrives at Bromingham New Street having emerged from the Stour North tunnel
IMG_1947.jpg	158834 still wears a very old livery compared to classmate 158824 which can just be glimpsed at the rear
IMG_1953.jpg	A CrossCountry service to Bournemouth arrives from Wolverhampton
IMG_1956.jpg	A reflected Pendolino seen in the front sde window of a Desiro
IMG_1957.jpg	153375 is at the head of a service from Rugeley
IMG_1959.jpg	323222 departs New Street with a local service to Wolverhampton
IMG_1962.jpg	323207 arrives at New Street as the weather begins to deteriate
IMG_1968.jpg	A Virgin Voyager arrives at New Street with a service to Glasgow which terminated
IMG_1979.jpg	A close upon the front of a Desiro, I'll let you figure the unit number
IMG_1987.jpg	170501 was part of a pair of LM turbostars on a Shrewsbury diagram
IMG_2007.jpg	Here we seem the same Voyager departing to Glasgow
IMG_2024.jpg	43315 was on hire from NXEC and is seen at the head of 1E63 15:21 Plymouth to Leeds service at Pirton
IMG_1111.jpg	I very much believe in the philosophy 'If you don't ask, you don't get' so I asked the NRM staff if my camera and tripod could take a ride on the turntable without me expecting a no. To my surprise all they asked was I understood I was liable for any damage they suffered. This is one of the resulting 20 second exposures taken as LNWR loco 790 Hardwicke spun around in the Great Hall