Saturday 4th March 2023 would be a busy day for mainline steam charters, whilst all eyes were focused on 2 Castles to Didcot my personal focus for the day would be 34046 ‘Braunton’ on a round trip to Kent and 45699 ‘Galatea’ (still in its many disguises) out of London

Starting off with 45699 (as 45627 ‘Siera Leone’) at the head of Railway Touring Company’s “The Cheshireman” from London Euston to Chester and return, the Jubilee is seen erupting away from Camden Summit at Regents Park Bridge as her exhaust wakes up the surrounding area as she becomes the Jubilee to work out of Euston since steam days

34046 ‘Braunton’ meanwhile would be be at the steam end of Saphos Trains “The Golden Arrow” from Birmingham to Canterbury West and return with steam haulage from Acton, the Bulleid in full Golden Arrow kit is seen at Addisons Garden & the approach to Wye on the outward journey on its circle of Kent, the return would see the Bulleid at Westenhanger alongside HS1 and heading through the middle roads at Headcorn and Tonbridge on what was a truly authentic outing with an appropriate locomotive for the train and route!

Finally to finish with what I started with, 45627 is captured through the night at Harrow & Wealdstone on the last leg of its journey back into Euston