The 10:38 Whatley Quarry to Churchyard Sidings stone train was always a Class 66 duty but Class 59s started to appear on the train in 2021. 59.004 passed the site of Grafton Curve Junction with 6M20 on 26 April.
The Grafton Curve was a connecting line built in 1905 to connect the B&H to the M&SWJR allowing trains from the Newbury direction to access the military bases at Tidworth without having to reverse at Savernake. It diverged to the left at this point and joined the M&SWJR at Grafton South Junction, about half a mile to the south.
PHOTO DATA FOR IMAGE 21-D-0970
camera : Nikon D600
lens : 70-200mm f/2.8
focal length : 102.0 mm
shutter : 1/800 sec
aperture : f/8.0
ISO : 140 ISO
original : Digital: 24MP NEF
SUBJECT DATA
Loco / Unit : 59.004
Train : 6M20, 10:38 Whatley Quarry - Churchyard Sidings stone