7 November 2004. A final visit this year for the Cathedrals Express hauled by 73096. 33103 'Swordfish' was, unusually, attached at the rear of the train on the way down to Exeter from Wimbledon.

A dull and drizzly day made for poor photographic conditions. The train ran later than previous trips, and was routed on the down line from Templecombe. It then waited for a following down train to pass on the up/down reversible line and cross with an up train at Yeovil Junction. The steamer then followed the down into the station. Fortunately all trains were on time!

The watering crew swing into action (supervised by Network Rail staff).

With a hint of a slip, 73096 departs.

Hopefully this will not be the last we see of this reliable engine. The Mid-Hants Railway are pulling out of main line running from the end of 2004 and 73096 will be reduced to a limited number of outings. The crews and support staff have done a great job and we hope to see them again in 2005. The Cathedrals Express next year will be using a wider selection of engines with the provisional programme showing a similar number of visits to Yeovil to those in 2004.

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