Today it’s the “Welsh Borders Explorer”, hauled by rebuilt Bulleid pacific “Lord Dowding” (in reality, 34046 “Braunton”). Earlier in the week, we thought it would be 46100 “Royal Scot” - not sure why it wasn’t… Whatever the locomotive, steam is very welcome on these lines (and it wasn’t yet another Black 5…). The train followed a circular route from Crewe, via Chester, Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton (the Oxley chord) and Stafford. It would be taking water at Telford Central, giving us a chance to see it twice with little effort - passing the site of the sugar factory at Allscott, and hurtling through Albrighton. A most enjoyable little outing!