Western, Duff and Bodysnatcher in Reading and Mortimer

6/7/24
Two railtours past through Reading West, the first a Class 52 Western, the other, a Class 47 and a 57, all very nice examples of each.
D1015 of course was the main attraction, the sole diesel hydraulic on the mainline and by default the sole Class 52 on the mainline, recently came back to service just a few months ago, as I have documented on here, The Westbury Wizzo was another opportunity to see the Western, a loco that makes a lovely sound, a sound I don't often get to witness so is always nice to me, and my dad, well he saw the originals in active service, so it's even better for him.
The other railtour was one of the Stateman Railtours, this time top n tailed with Class 47 712 'Lady Diana Spencer' in its lovely Scotrail colours and on the back, Class 57 311, in recent years, adorned with the very smart LNWR Blackberry black with lining to suit, this was also a loco I liked. A nice toot from the driver too!
As previously mentioned, I rather like 57 311, looks much nicer with the dellner coupler removed and looking very smart in its LSL colours, so having only seen it static and light engine.
I wanted to capture it on a train, so we took the opportunity to get it through Mortimer. Again another toot from the driver (solidifying that it is a 47 in disguise😂).

[@YTdannycookevids]

Annoyingly, I was in Scotland for the Western - May head towards Didcot for it next weeks though 😉
It was great meeting you the other day

[@kingorry7223]

Ah yes I remember you saying about Scotland, hope you do get to see it, lovely beast!
Great meeting you too!