JL -19.6.23 68013 1J53 18:07 Marylebone - Stourbridge Jn, Souldern V

In an effort to avoid the awful Avanti service on the west coast route I'm a regular user of the better value Chiltern Trains and therefore very familiar with the route from Birmingham down to Marylebone via Banbury and Bicester. With loco hauled diagrams I do try to time my journeys to coincide with these 68 hauled workings. The line itself doesn't really lend itself to photography as it's a green tunnel for much of the route but there are a handful of fairly clear lineside stretches, such as this section at Souldern. In stunning evening light, and amidst a tranquil countryside scene, 68013 pounds north with 1J53 18:07 Marylebone - Stourbridge Junction at Souldern Viaduct. This shot was published in Key Publishing's Modern Railways March 2025 edition.