The day was dull and degenerated in heavy rain.  In the days of ISO 160 Kodak Ektachrome film, a bit of a problem.

Another one of my objectives were Class 40s.  They'd been the backbone of freight haulage in the north west, but by 1983, like the Class 25s I was also after, they were waning fast.

So my day took me from Banbury to Birmingham New Street and then on to Chester to check out one of the Class 40s last remaining haunts.

From Chester I hacked across to Stafford, then back to Birmingham New Street for the train back to Banbury.

I struck lucky at Banbury before going anywhere with a Class 25 gently idling at the head of a northbound freight.  Not well placed for pictures, but a good start to the day.

By the time I got to Chester the rain was slashing down.  The station delivered the goods though; some Class 25s, some ancient first generation diesel multiple units including some Class 100s and a Class 40 at the head of a long block oil train.

My reason for going on to Stafford was to see first generation ac electrics. Again I struck lucky.  Another Class 25 heading an up brick train, a Class 85 piloting a Class 86 and a Class 81 at the head of a very long parcels train.

Finally I had about an hour at Birmingham New Street.  Nothing out of the ordinary and the light was appalling - but still some nice record shots of first generation diesel multiple units and Class 86.

Like the first day, it was a good day's haul of pictures.  They're nowhere near the pictorial or technical standards I aspire to today, and as I look at them there are some real clanger missed opportunities. 

But at the time I was seeking to record the railway 'Rail Blue' scene in the Midlands in 1983 and at that level I'm very happy with them.

To see the pictures, go to my UK Railway Scene - 1983 Album.