It is nearly mid-summer in Britain, but dark skies, low clouds and heavy rain are more common at the moment than sunshine! Ex-GWR 4-cylinder 4-6-0 No.6024 is seen in those adverse weather conditions at the summit of Brewham Bank with a special train, on 4 June, 2005. Despite the slippery rail conditions, eleven coaches packed with passengers and a 115 ton "dead" (broken down!) diesel attached at the rear, King Edward I handled its train of about 550 tons with typical Great Western 4-6-0 efficiency, topping the long westbound gradient at about 64kph with a minimum of fuss and noise!

<p>Digital picture Roger Griffiths; jrcs@blueyonder.co.uk
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Canon EOS 300D; film speed 400ASA; 400th of a second at f4.5; Canon EFS 18-55mm lens at 35mm focal length. Picture lightened slightly using Photoshop Elements.