An observation of people and railways at Hackney on June 24, 2020.

As 2020 was the most extraordinary year for all of us, I, like many others, was furloughed from work until further notice.

I would take advantage of my hours’ outdoor exercise to photograph the odd local DMU.

A few months later, and we were allowed to go further afield. I used my time photographing another favourite locomotive design, the Freightliner Class 86s working freight turns past my local WCML station.

On this occasion, and on a scorching hot day, I headed for London to photograph a few trains on the North London Line, chose this spot at Hackney, and waited for the 4M87 Felixstowe to Trafford Park Freightliner working.

86622 was leading over the River

Lea, as a couple were making the most of the weather, floating leisurely on the water. The driver provided an excellent volley of horns in acknowledgement, with his arm out of the window, looking like he was enjoying every bit of the glorious weather.