43017 was a long term Saltley loco, often seen on all sorts of duties, but rarely on such a heavy train as this and not on the main line as here. Is it deputising for a failed lor is it an ECS working? It has a special reporting number so it could be an excursion but these locos were not often used on them. It has the early double chimney carried by members of the class.
Peter kerslake says "I am no expert on these Midland Region workings , but this looks like a passenger working rather than an Empty Coaching Stock duty as Express Passnger lamps are in position and perhaps it might be a troop train .
This is , I believe , at Burcot , a favourite observation spot for the enthusiasts of the day , but what is that water tank on the trackside and is it anything to do with putting out lineside fires , I wonder ? "