British Railways Standard 4-6-2 70013 Oliver Cromwell at the head of its train at London Liverpool Street station awaits the off, destination Norwich.

This was the first time I had taken a train from Liverpool Street since the 1980s and I was shocked by the Birmingham New Street gloom of the country end of the platforms. I knew the station had been rebuilt but the remaining splendid trainshed beyond fooled me into thinking it had not been too badly butchered. Greater Anglia DVT electric 82133 on the left looks more at home in this sterile environment than a Britannia.

The wreath was carried in memory of Richard 'Dick' Hardy, a great railwayman, speaker, author and well-respected man who died the previous Sunday at the age of 93.