Bear in mind at the the time the Class 253s were new into service and revolutionising services from Paddington. And howling along it was on the up fast lines.

Next along was the object of the afternoon's quest.

A for the time typically shabby Class 52 no. 1056 'Western Sultan' heading a London Paddington to Birmingham New Street service along the down slow lines.

At the time, the Westerns often had their number repeated on the four character headcode on the front of the loco.

In their final days some of the Westerns looked pretty poor, though in this case without the heavy blue exhaust that characterised them in action.

The afternoon's final treasure was a very unusual combination.

A Class 33 and a Class 73 double heading a merry-go-round coal train towards Didcot.

They were both working very hard - the ED in particular must have had its work cut out and was probably pretty hot an bothered by the time it reached its destination.

To see the rest of the pictures from the day, check out the Album UK Railway Scene - 1976.