It was all of five years ago when I watched the Flying Scotsman pass through Redhill.  Well, I remembered to revisit that same car park today to wait for the train to pass through.  I was there a little early, so could do a little trainspotting.  

A GWR Gatwick-Reading train enters Redhill.  My last employment was on the top floor of the building on the right.  It still looks very empty today, with my ex-colleagues still mainly working at home. 

Last time I was here, these two blocks of flats weren’t.  And another new building is growing under that tower crane.  And I’m sure there were less trees and buddleia in the way last time.

Let’s get all these units out of the way before the main event arrives.  We don’t want any Virgin-style embarrassments of boring EMUs blocking the view. 

And here’s the Scotsman, coming around the curve from the Reigate line.  Heretical statement – BR loco green really suits this – and indeed most other – express locomotives.

The West Coast rake was mainly of Mk1 coaches, plus a couple of Pullman cars.

And the Class 47 on the rear of the train is presumably to heat and light the train, not just to keep an eye on the steam loco?

And Brian caught the train on film further west at Betchworth…..