66.622 approached the top of the long climb from Lavington at Savernake on 19 April 2021. From here 7A17, the 10:24 from Merehead Quarry, would run downhill most of the way to its destination, Acton, over 60 miles to the east. This was quite an unusual event as the Merehead Acton Jumbo trains are almost invariably hauled by class 59s.
The flat ground to the right covers the west end of the Bruce Tunnel, which takes the Kennet and Avon Canal under the summit and the railway. The long closed branch to Marlborough, later part of the M&SWJR line from Andoversford to Andover, left the main line at this point and diverged to the right with Savernake West signal box occupying the vee between the branch and the main line.
PHOTO DATA FOR IMAGE 21-D-0601
camera : Nikon D600
lens : 70-200mm f/2.8
focal length : 200.0 mm
shutter : 1/640 sec
aperture : f/11.0
ISO : 360 ISO
original : Digital: 24MP NEF
SUBJECT DATA
Loco / Unit : 66.622
Train : 7A17, 10:24 Merehead Quarry - Acton T.C. stone