The morning of Saturday 15th September 2007 saw me at Willington for a Wakefield - Salisbury charter, but hoping to get at least one
northbound freight in the lovely early autumn sunshine. Sure enough one duly appeared, 66526 and a rake of empty Bardon stone
hoppers were drawing to a stand for a red signal when photographed at 10:13. I presume this is the Washwood Heath - Bardon Hill
service, but what it was doing on this route I don't know. Later in the day this same loco was reported heading south on the Rugeley
- Portbury coal empties, and (to confirm that sighting) it was subsequently reported at Bristol on Sunday 16th. Quite how it managed that
little feat is a bit of a mystery.