Aldermaston photographer captures image of new high speed train

Rail enthusiast spots first train powering along Newbury line

AN ALDERMASTON photographer recently captured an historic moment through his lens – the first of the new high-speed electric trains powering through Midgham.

“It’s history, modern history,” said David Canning.

“This is the first class 800 to come down the Newbury line. The face of the future.”

From his calculations and shortly before turning in for the night, Mr Canning suddenly realised the train would pass through Midgham station, along the Newbury line, at around 10.45pm on Friday, November 18.

A rapid change of plan saw the rail enthusiast and former signalman arrive at the station just in time to get a photograph, after the train arrived early.

“Not an easy subject at 100mph in the dark,” he said.

Mr Canning predicted the transformation of the mainline well over three decades ago in talks he gave to railway enthusiasts at the time, entitled The Changing face of The Berks and Hants Line.

Hitachi Rail Europe’s new fleet is set to replace ageing high-speed trains on both the Great Western Main Line and the East Coast Main Line.

A spokesman for Great Western Railway, James Davis, confirmed the first Intercity Express Trains were in the UK and being tested on the network.

PHOTOGRAPH DAVID CANNING