After enjoying the delights of several run pasts with 80098 it was a bit of a disappointment to find that the first 'proper' train was tender first. Stanier Black 5 45231 approaches Burrs with the late running 9am from Bury to Rawtenstall....

45231 goes away and is approaching the cutting from where all the best shots have been taken of the freight run past. I managed yet again to avoid any images of the white boxes (caravans!). Also take note of the steam leak from the front cylinder drain cock... more later.

For the next couple of shots we headed to Summerseat station and walked south. Here the freight scuttles past with 80098 in charge.

The unique Class 8P no 71000 passes with the 10am from Bury to Rawtenstall. I cannot but be disappointed with this shot. 71000 Duke of Gloucester appears to be leaking steam at the front end, the chimney appears to hold onto to exhaust rather than it being clean & crisp and finally why does it have to carry a wonky headboard? Not happy. Apart from that the sound was magnificent.

45231 makes a fine sight as it departs Summerseat with the 10am from rawtenstall. Note the steam from the drain cock on the far side!

For the next shot we planned to take up a position near the Brooksbottoms tunnel but we were too slow and the shuttle hauled by austerity 0-6-0 no 2183 caught us out. I managed to catch a quick grab shot in the heat of the moment.

This was one i didn't want to miss. 80098 pilots 45407 over the River Irwell at Brooksbottoms with the 11am from Bury. sadly the sun stayed well out of sight.

Back at Summerseat station and the crew are clearly aching to have their picture taken as The Flying T**D rocks & rolls its way through non-stop

45231 is seen crossing Brooksbottoms viaduct with the 12noon service from Bury

The final shot in this set taken at Brooksbottoms shows the Austerity saddletank loco with the 12.40pm 2 carriage shuttle service to Ramsbottom.

71000 Duke of Gloucester approaches Brooksbottoms tunnel with the 1pm from Bury.

For the next southbound service we took up a location to photograph 45231 as it departed from Summerseat. But note the steam from the cylinder drain cock on the left.

Sure enough as 45231 departed the steam was blasting out of the drain cock. Whether the valve was stuck or not I dont know but I wished i'd gone onto the far side of the track.

A drive further north to Ewood Bridge was the plan for the next couple of shots. As we arrived a shaft of sunlight broke through and moved slowly across the landscape. It looked like a scene from Close Encounters. The shaft illuminated a tower up on the moor. A bit of research revealed the following (courtesy of Wikipedia) The memorial tower to Sir Robert Peel high above Ramsbottom was planned and erected at the same time as Bury was preparing its statue to the recently deceased statesman who was born in Bury. The tower occupies a prominent position on Harcles Hill [1] (known locally as "Holcombe Hill" [2] due its location next to Holcombe village) 1100 feet (335 m) above sea level. The monument is believed to have been designed by members of the memorial committee who included the local textile entrepreneur and philanthropist, William Grant. Grant was said to have been responsible for the site which was in a direct line from his own house, Nuttall Hall, and St Andrew's church. A public subscription provided the £1,000 needed to build the tower. The stone for the tower was obtained from the hillside. The Peel Tower was opened in September 1852.

The bridge was over what looked like an old station. I was keen to record the remains so here 71000 passes Ewood Bridge & Edenfield station with the 2pm from Rawtenstall.

45407 powers through Ewood Bridge & Edenfield station with the 2pm from Bury. The station building here was a very substantial structure with a station house, booking office and toilets. In 1970 when the branchline was singled the platform was left stranded as the platform on the right was used. Now there is not a trace of evidence that a platform ever existed. To the right of where I'm standing was a sizeable goods yard. Nothing remains.

We returned to Burrs for the final couple of trains and were greeted by the first proper sunshine of the day. 80098 is seen passing with the 3pm from Bury.

Soon after the 3.40 shuttle service hurries past towards Bury.

The crowds really wanted this one. We were being bathed in glorious sunshine for almost an hour while the sun slipped inexorably towards the horizon. Then we realised the train was running late and the sun was disappearing so several photographers abandoned and headed into the field opposite for a silouette shot. The field was quite waterlogged in places and I smiled (Sorry) when I saw Nigel Valentine, the organiser from the mornings photo charter, up to his ankles in water as he hurried across the field. 71000 finally appeared with the 4pm from Bury.