On a typical mixed freight of the period.David. J. Hayes says Although a complete guess on my part, and based on the headcode, this is possibly a working to Temple Mills Yard, which may also call at Acton Yard for traffic purpose. The train may have originated from Severn Tunnel Junction Yard, which also dispatched freights to other London area yards (via a call at Acton Yard), such as Hither Green and Norwood. Since my previous comment, I have acquired a WTT for 1972 showing 8E38 as the 07:10 SSuX Severn Tunnel Junction to Temple Mills. I assume it called at Acton Yard for traffic purposes, as it was shown due off there at 2:55pm and booked via Cricklewood Junction and Upper Holloway. There was a corresponding midday departure from Temple Mills to Severn Tunnel Junction (also booked via Upper Holloway and Cricklewood Junction), which reached Acton Yard shortly after 1pm. It's quite possible that the loco off this and the one off 8E38 did a swap-around at Acton Yard