By the 1980s British steam was beginning to make a strong comeback, with selective steam hauled specials taking to the main lines once again. The preservationists, so long considered cranks, were now proving that they could restore steam locomotives to such an extent, they were in far better condition than those turned out for duty in the latter days of British Railways service. This was in the face of extremely stringent conditions and microscopic inspections by experts. Back in the era of everyday steam haulage, speed limits were dictated by the lines upon which the trains ran, but the early preserved steam specials were strictly restricted to a maximum of 60 m.p.h by the railway executive, hardly a taxing task for a top link express passenger locomotive.

Bullied modified light pacific No. 34022 'Exmoor' brings an up Southampton Boat train through Wimbledon in the early 1960s. A year earlier this would have been the undisputed job for a 'Lord Nelson,' but by this time it was clear that the Nelson workings were becoming scarcer by the minute.

The old Great Western main line to Birmingham, by this early 1985 shot much reduced in importance, plays host to the second Thames - Avon Express expertly hauled by preserved Gresley A4 'Sir Nigel Gresley.' The locomotive is seen amidst the Chiltern Hills which it is climbing with consummate ease. 

The Silver painted buffers are a dead giveaway to any spotters on the platforms. This is the trade mark sign of a Swansea 'Landore' based engine (87E), on this occasion No. 5077 'Fairey Battle.' Landore express passenger engines were normally kept in good clean condition until the end, a credit to the shed staff.

The preserved T9 was for a time based on the Mid Hants Line where she was overhauled by the volunteers. She was worked over the severe gradients of that line for a few years before moving on. She was never truly happy there and would have preferred to be let loose on the main line.  

Another shot of 'King Arthur' in his final year. This time having worked Westwards from his home shed at Salisbury. 172 and a half miles from Waterloo he is seen here re-positioning at Exeter Central. Everything in the near distance behind him has now disappeared under the tarmac of a huge car park, what a waste of a lovely old railway carriage.