Spot the odd one out. In the evening of Monday 1st June 66134 sits on the stub end of Track 1 at Highbury & Islington with a rake of spoil wagons. A JCB has been clearing the old eastbound platform and dumping the material in the wagons. From reports of Tuesday 2nd the train had moved towards Canonbury but was still being loaded with excavated material, prior to the reinstatement of double track where track 1 had been.

At 05:56 a southbound Super Voyager at Soulbury alongside the new Linslade and Stoke Hammond by-pass.

At Old Linslade a northbound Pendolino passes 66039 on a southbound ballast train

Another southbound Super Voyager. Not sure what service it was, possibly the 06:20 Rugby to Euston via Northampton?

The Highland Sleeper, 1M16 behind DBS 90021 in Scotrail livery.

The sleeper, which passed on time at 07:11 was followed 5 minutes later by a late running 4L02 Hams Hall to Felixstowe (due through Watford at 07:00)

The first northbound liner, at 07:32 consisted of 66579 on what I guess was the 4M45 Felixstowe to Ditton

90016 was on another favourite, the 4L89.

66575 was on the 4M86 to Lawley Street. Due through Watford at 07:30 it passed Old Linslade at 08:00, which I guess makes it about on time.

On the sandy bank on the Down side a Green Woodpecker was excavating insects, presumably to feed its brood in a nearby nest. Irt was very industrious, sending little clouds of sands into the air as it dug.

The last morning picture was of the 07:43 Euston to Birmingham, 90028 and a mixed rake of ex-Virgin and repainted Cargo-D Mk 3s. Nice to see admid the Pendolinos and Voyagers

The influx of the 350 class Desiros has allowed LM to run a number of 12 car trains during the peaks. This set of units was northbound at Dudswell at 18:00...

...closely followed by a heavy 6X77 Wembley to Mossend. As well as the car carriers the train consisted of 12 IZA twin box cars.

I had planned to relocate to get the 4L92, in the hope of a better shot of the Cans. But it wasn't to be. The 4L92 is due through Watford at 18:35, it passed Dudswell at 18:07. I guess it could recess at King's Langley otherwise it was running nice and early.

My final two shots were down by the lock at Dudswell. Firstly 66588 on what I think was the 4M93 to Lawley Street...

...and finally a not so good panned shot of 90028 pushing a late running 17:30 Birmingham New Street to Euston.

Due past Watford Junction at 17:00 the 1S96 Scottish Mail passes Dudswell more or less on time at 17:11.

There were problems on the North London Line which might account for the late running 4M87. I expected it about 16:50 but it was 17:40 before 86501 put in an appearance.

By the time the 6X77 appeared things had brightened up.

Nice to see 92031 on the point and even more interestingw ere the Celtic Energy domestic coal containers, temporarily re-routed from South Wales to Scotland via Wembley instead of over the North and West through Shrewsbury.

My favourite class in service today is without doubt the 86s. Despite being well over 40 years old their no-nonsense design has held up remarkably well and being well looked after by Freightliner, they really don't look their age. Despite an inauspicious start in the 1960s they have proved to be one of the best designs bar none which BR turned out.