© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2013 Another special through Shropshire - this time, 45407 and 44871 hauling “The Midlander” - possibly! It was billed as “The Heart of Wales” on the Railway Touring Company’s website, but we’ll stick with the title carried by the headboard. It may have gone on to the Central Wales line, but I didn’t. The steam leg started from Shrewsbury, and would take the train via Llandrindod Wells to Cardiff, but would first have to climb to Church Stretton. It should be going well at All Stretton... It was! These days (what a boon!) the UKsteam Info website provides links to Realtime Trains - which meant that I was able to monitor its progress from home. The diesel-hauled leg was 24 minutes late at Madeley Junction, moments before I left home. I was expecting a long wait when I set up in the field in the cool breeze - the sight of steam in the distance a few minutes later came as a surprise (I’m not complaining). The Black 5s must have been buffering up against what had been the rear of the trains virtually as the train pulled in at Shrewsbury. It had left on time, and was now a minute early. Links: • UKsteam Info • Railway Touring Company