For photographers with obsessional tendencies for elusive subjects, the morning Colchester North station to St. Botolphs Public Delivery Sidings 08 hauled trip freight was very bad news. Runs 5.30 a.m. (if required) was its description. Thus it could only be caught on film May/June/July and, since it took occasional wagons off a main line freight working in the early hours, the need for it to run was entirely unpredictable from day to day. There was little alternative except to keep turning up at the trackside at 5.30 a.m. and waiting... Three years into my campaign, it is shown here shunting St Botolphs yard early on the morning of May 16th 1980, when sun and good fortune finally brought it within the range of Kodachrome 64. The yard closed in June 1982 and I was able to rebuild my life...

Location: Colchester Town (St Botolphs)

Original line: Tendring Hundred Railway

Photographer: Mark Dufton

Contact photographer: Mark Dufton

Contact editor

Date: 16/05/1980

Image number: 20058

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