More than half a century since GWR/BR 7029 'Clun Castle' took to the East Coast Mainline, the Castle would make a high profile return to enemy lines for the first time since its 1967 exploits on Saturday 7th October 2023 with a Vintage Trains excursion which originated at Coleshill Parkway and ran to Lincoln with 7029 hauling the train out of London Kings Cross, running via Peterborough & Spalding and returning via Newark

Starting at Langford in Bedfordshire, 7029 is seen crawling along with safety valves hissing as it approaches a red signal on the approach to Biggleswade with a Thameslink unit right infront, a pitty given this strech of the East Coast Mainline is usually a racetrack, moving onto Stowgate, north of Werrington we see the castle gliding through the Lincolnshire farmland as it heads north towards Lincoln

For the return leg we opted to catch 7029 at Grantham for what was expected to be a slow passing as it was to be looped into Highdyke, what wasn't expected was to hear 7029 roaring round the bend into the station, whistles on blast and regulator wide open as she ripped through the station omitting its booked stop for a clear charge up towards Stoke, an impressive feat of work there!

Finally and in the fading light comes St Neots in Cambridgeshire as 'Clun Castle' takes on the up fast line, a rarity these days! On its final leg down the ECML into London
Unfortunately i hadn't realized until the last moment my microphone battery had died and frantically unplugged it in time for the final few seconds upon approach, therefore a lot of the main shot has been muted with just overhead wire buzz with a sudden change in sound, in not wanting to waste what was a view I've wanted to catch for a long time i have included regardless, you cant win everything!

Many thanks to Jack Pallister for this assistance with the chasing and for the helping hand in obtaining 3/4 of the second shots included from my old camcorder, also thanks to the usual gang of Thomas, Ed & Sam for the extra company!