BR Standard Class 4MT no. 76079 with Class 33 no. 33207 “Jim Martin” tucked inside passes Cefn with the 1Z52 Shrewsbury to Machynlleth, prior to starting the summer season of steam on the Cambrian.

Sun at last for a shot at this location! “Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 crosses the wooden trestle bridge over the River Dovey with the 1J79 11.40 Aberystwyth to Barmouth.

OK, a poor shot, but uploaded for the benefit of the traincrew. “Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 passes Wern Phillip farm, Comins Coch with the 1J76 15.45 Barmouth to Aberystwyth.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 crosses Barmouth bridge running 40 mins late with the 1J76 16.41 Porthmadog to Machynlleth. It had made 30 mins up by the time it reached Machynlleth.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 climbs past Friog with the 1J76 16.41 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 crosses Barmouth bridge with the 1J76 16.41 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 crosses Barmouth bridge with the 1J76 16.41 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

Driver Bill Andrews and John Rogers pause from their duties at Barmouth.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 crosses 158824 on an Aber to BNS service at Dovey Junction, while working the 10.05 1J79 Machynlleth to Porthmadog.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 crosses Dovey Bridge while working the 10.05 1J79 Machynlleth to Porthmadog.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 skirts Abertafol, near Aberdovey, while working the 10.05 1J79 Machynlleth to Porthmadog.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 drops down the formidable incline at Aberdovey while working the 10.05 1J79 Machynlleth to Porthmadog.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 passes the Talyllyn Railway's Tywyn Wharf station while working the 10.05 1J79 Machynlleth to Porthmadog.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 climbs past Tonfanau towards Rhoslefain while working the 10.05 1J79 Machynlleth to Porthmadog.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 enters the Friog avalanche shelter while working the 10.05 1J79 Machynlleth to Porthmadog.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 skirts the cliffs at Friog and prepares to descend to Fairbourne while working the 10.05 1J79 Machynlleth to Porthmadog.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 sits at the front of the stock having run round having arrived with the 10.05 1J79 Machynlleth to Porthmadog.

Driver Bill Andrews examines the paintwork on 76079 at Porthmadog.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 sits at Porthmadog prior to working the 16.41 1J76 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 approaches Pont Briwet while working the 16.41 1J76 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 the trestle bridge over the River Artro while working the 16.41 1J76 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 approaches Barmouth Bridge while working the 16.41 1J76 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 storms up the incline at Friog while working the 16.41 1J76 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 approaches Friog avalanche shelter while working the 16.41 1J76 Porthmadog to Machynlleth. Note the snapper at the now-famous location above the shelter.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 crosses the wooden trestle bridge at Ynyslas with the 1J76 15.45 Barmouth to Aberystwyth.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 crosses the trestle bridge over the River Artro while working the 16.41 1J76 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

This is not the 2nd shot I wanted to take today, but even without the various slow traffic on the roads, getting to the other side of the estuary would’ve been pretty tight time-wise. Ergo I settle on the next-best, a going-away shot over the bridge, with the ridge of Braich Ddu prominent on the right hand side. “Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 crosses Barmouth bridge while working the 16.41 1J76 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 cllimbs past Friog while working the 16.41 1J76 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

A rarity: sun at this location! “Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 crosses Pont Briwet over the River Dwyryd at Penrhyndeudraeth while working the 16.41 1J76 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

“Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 climbs Llangelynin bank while working the 16.41 1J76 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

The most sun I’ve ever seen from this location, especially when a train happened to be in the station. The 4MT was sat there for a good five minutes before departing for Aberystwyth, reason unknown. Had it waited ten minutes, the whole area would’ve been in sun. Oh well. “Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 pauses at Dovey Junction while working the 09.10 5J79 Machynlleth to Aberystwyth.

This is a rescue shot as the background and rear of the train was in brilliant sunlight yet the front of the train was in dark shade. Incidentally, this is the 2nd best location on this branch for morning photography at the moment, the 1st best location being inaccessible due to the presence of some angry bulls! “Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 climbs past Comins-Coch while working the 11.40 1J79 Aberystwyth to Barmouth.

Working hard but no visible exaust. These things happen when photographing steam, I’m afraid. “Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 climbs Llangelynin bank while working the 15.45 1J76 Barmouth to Aberystwyth.

On the last train of the season, “Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 nears Tonfanau while working the last 16.41 1J76 Porthmadog to Machynlleth.

33207 “Jim Martin” shunts the ECS on Machynlleth depot after the last train of the season.

Well, that’s it for this year. Despite the weather, everyone involved seemed to have had a whale of a time, and hopes are increasing that it’ll run again next year. “Pocket Rocket” BR Standard Class 4MT 76079 storms up Breidden bank while working the 08.49 5Z33 Machynlleth to Carnforth ECS. 33207 is on the rear of the train giving a substantial shove.