6.1.10 66544 6M31 Ravenstruther - Ratcliffe, Ais Gill Milepost 260

On an incredible day for railway photography, FHH's 66544 roars up to Ais Gill summit past milepost 260 with 6M31 Ravenstruther - Ratcliffe FHH coal service. On the railway side of the wall the snow was at least 4ft deep, lying flush with the wall tops. Although it really took some effort to obtain, without a doubt, this has been my most successful photograph to date. It's been published in 2 books (Big Freight and Modern Locomotives Illustrated annual 2), and 1 magazine. It also was runner up in the 2011 Railway Magazine photographer of the year competition which meant it appeared in their 2011 calendar. There's no secret to it, sun and snow and clear blue skies, if only we had conditions like this more regularly.