JL - 21.6.24 66031 6C02 06:47am Basford Hall - Carlisle NY, Tebay

During the long Summer days I generally try to make the best of the light in the early mornings and late evenings. Waking today on the Summer solstice to bright sunshine, I checked RTT and noted the two WCML n/b freights running just a couple of sections apart around Hest Bank. So I jumped in the car and headed to Tebay. Some high cloud was causing some trouble but as the anticipated freights approached (only 3 mins apart) I was treated to full sun. Before double headed 66126 and 66432 roared north with 6C06 Basford Hall - Shap, 66031 thundered through on 6C02, on this occasion made up of the holy grail for photographers - yellow NR auto-ballasters. The attractive formation lit up beautifully in the morning sunshine and set against the surpund fells.