Today I was intending to see 6233 Duchess of Sutherland as well as 45231 Sherwood Forester, but in the end 6233 did not run so instead I ramped up my plans for 45231. Admittedly 45231 was the lowest on my "preference list" of locomotives LSL could have sent out, but I still wanted to make an effort for it.

At 09:53 I left my local station, travelling to New Street where I changed for the 10:22 to Crewe, which I narrowly avoided missing due to my inbound train being late. Having had a very slow run through the Stour Valley Line, I alighted at Penkridge and set up at the end of Platform 1. A lot of people turned out to see it. There were a few worries of bowlage, particularly by a preceding class 350 bound for Liverpool Lime Street, but everything cleared in the end and it was nice to see 45231 rattle through with a quick blast of the whistle.

Then it was back the way I came, to my local station, followed by a bike ride to Lapworth. Here I met Tom (5083 Steam Videos), whose camera makes a brief cameo appearance lol. Also included is a clip a friend sent in from Dorridge, big thanks to him.

At that I returned home for some refreshments before watching 45231's turning move at Dorridge. Then I headed over to Dean's Green footpath crossing on the NWL, where 45231 made a bit of a racket climbing the 1 in 150 incline. After that it was a beautiful sunset bike ride home to conclude the day.

An enjoyable day seems to have been had by all, particularly given the summery weather, despite the wind. Enjoy!

Timestamps
00:00 Penkridge
00:55 Dorridge
01:24 Lapworth
02:07 Dorridge
02:53 Dean's Green (near Danzey)

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