In July 2020, the first of what would then transpire to be three lockdowns because of the COVID pandemic was over. I was allowed to venture further for recreation rather than a specific defined allowed necessity. One of my recreations is railway photography and videography. Not wanting to be in a crowded area, still socially distance as much as possible, I headed off to Powderham, Devon. Lots of space and opportunity to keep away from others.
The primary focus of the day was actually ‘44871 on the Royal Duchy’, but there were other trains running and I wanted to make full use of my time there. In doing so I caputured this image of 150244 passing underneath Powderham foot and cycle bridge:
To me it speaks volumes about that moment in time. The driver isolated in his cab. The passengers fully masked adhereing to the regulations of the time. Their expressions seeminly neither happy nor sad, but perhaps concerned and wary. Them like me, having endured first the initial shock of COVID but the effects of isolation from society that the lockdown brought. They gaze out into the world, one that has changed forever.
The primary focus of the day was actually ‘44871 on the Royal Duchy’, but I was very pleased to have captured such a poignient image. You can view the video of 44881 on my YouTube channel here: