87002 Royal Sovereign at Greenholme on January 26, 2022.

I have always followed the fortunes of the Class 87s and was fond of them when they were in service with BR and Virgin West Coast. I remember seeing them in service on the West Coast Main Line and the chance to see an 87 back on the route again could not be missed – but deciding whereabouts on the WCML to photograph the locomotive took a while.

I eventually decided to take a road trip of about two-and-a-half hours from home to Greenholme to see Locomotive Services’ 87002 Royal Sovereign working hard climbing Shap incline.

Greenholme is a classic location on the WCML and the 87 is classic traction for this route. The matching Intercity colours of the entire train made for an irresistible combination, heading through the barren Cumbrian Hills beneath a dark threatening sky, with the sun trying to break through. It makes for a stunning photograph that I was very pleased with.

87002 was working 1Z87 from London Euston to Glasgow Central on January 26, 2022.