The Double Lickey Banker, 24th March 2012. Lizzie Levels Lickey, 6201 + L94 & 9600

Whilst, I am sure virtually everyone welcomed the unseasonable summer heat of the weekend, for steam photographers, the conditions that prevailed on the day were "challenging" to say the least and thus consigned all my plans for the first and last locations well and truly "to the bin"! and not to be outdone, my planned second location also had a nasty surprise in store!! Foregoing the planned long shot from the hills at Corston, the hazy conditions forced me to join many others closer to the track. Lizzy rushes out of the mist, performing well as she streaks past the admiring throng with plenty of steam from the exhaust. Finding the bridge at Bonnington Walk closed to an away shot due to work on a new water main, I was forced to use the bridge at Lockleaze with a shorter approach, so I have put on a little more soundtrack of the approaching Princess as she easily takes on the climb of Horfield Bank pulling only nine coaches, but this time with no steam, as the day had warmed to an incredible 23degC!. Finally to the Lickey Bank, my first ever visit, and again terrible air quality and bright sunshine wiped out my planned shots from up on the hills. Whilst looking for an uncrowded spot lower down, a very friendly "Country Gent" (might even have been the landowner?) took pity on me and directed me down through some trees where I just had time to set up for a trackside view straight into the sun where, despite appearances, I am actually on the correct side of the railway fence! Enjoy the soundtrack: definitely "Heavy Metal" on that climb!

Note:
The WCML is now electrified and the wonderful open views down the Lickey Incline seen here have now been consigned to history amid a forest of gantries for the overhead wires.
Oh well, that's progress!