Although not making it to GNER livery on loan, 3312 retained its intercapitals colour scheme, despite removal of its Eurostar logo. On 20 Nov 2004, it catches some rays of winter sunshine in the otherwise gloomy depths of Kings Cross

North of London Eurostar units eventuall found revenue earing service, but only from the regions to London. Here, NoL 3304 is seen at Kings Cross having arrived from Leeds on a GNER service. 20 Nov 2004

With engineering work affecting the normal route for Eurostar ECS between Waterloo and North Pole, 37 004 is seen here heading east past Barnes 'taking the long way round'.

Smallest of the Eurostar UK loco fleet was this 08, fitted with Scarfenburg couplings for movement of the units around the depot

37 601 at rest at North Pole international Depot

73 130 on show at North Pole depot alongside the international unit

92 039 carried out a test one Saturday morning to trial the effectiveness of haulage using the barrier wagons. The train is seen here approaching Kensington Olympia

With each train 1/4 of a mile long and the depot at North Pole stretching a lot further than that, these bikes were a useful way of getting around

It wasnt solely the Class 373 units at Waterloo International. 47 835 is seen here at the head of Roy Castle's Train of Hope, which toured the country during the entertainers final year alive, raising money for cancer research.

Another interesting working was with Scarfenburg fitted 73 130 and Eurostar unit 3212, with a coupling and haulage test to Waterloo International. The train is seen here arriving at Waterloo for viewing by Eurostar ops staff. Scanned from a 35mm trans copy - apologies for the slightly reduced quality

At platform 24 at Waterloo International, 73 130 and 3212 are the centre of attention. Scanned from a 35mm trans copy - apologies for the slightly reduced quality

As the only person in the Eurostar press office who could ski, I was delighted to be asked to work the press preview trip from Waterloo to Boug St Maurice in March 97. This view shows French unit 3226 waiting in the Spring sunshine at the Alpine terminal for the returning media and travel industry guests to board for the return leg.

This was the shot I had aimed for, although the wide angle on the platform gave a more pleasing image despite shadow. 3226 at Bourg St Maurice, with the snow capped mountains behind. March 1997

Yes it was blooming high up there. When I asked my SNCF guide if I could ascend the lighting gantry for a shot of the train, I hadn't actually meant that I wanted to go all the way to the top... He insisted that the view was worth it, and of course was right. My knuckles were white as i gripped the handrails, and this was the result. 3226 at Bourg St Maurice in 1997. The Alpine rail terminal receives many ski trains during the winter season, and is the railhead for the elegant resort of Val d'Isere

The only known visit of a Class 92 loco to Waterloo international was by 92 020, which arrived light engine at Platform 24 for its naming ceremony. Eurostar UK originally bought a number of these units for haulage of the ill-fated NightStar overnight sleeper trains

Although thankfully not used (yet) Eurostar UK heled several spare Eurostar nose assemblies at North Pole International. Four are seen close to the fence at the Ladbroke Grove end of the depot.

One of the rarest shots in my collection. 37 607 in EPS livery, coupled to one of the generator vans to be used on the Nightstar overnight sleepers. Another unidentified Class 37 is at the other end. These three vehicle units were planned to haul the Nightstar trains on non-electrified route in the UK to Dollands Moor, where Class 92 haulage would take over.

Apologies for the poor quality, but a hyper-rare shot. With a defective power car needing works attention, the logical move was to hitch it to a depot transfer from the UK to France. the defunct unit is seen disappearing through Kensington Olympia at high speed on the rear of an ECS move to Le Landy depot.

French set 3231 at Clapham on a test run at Clapham Jcn prior to the staff special. 29 May 96

In late May 1996, Eurostar UK felt it appropriate to utilise a North of London Eurostar set (for the planned 'Regional Eurostars') for test runs to Clapham Jcn, just in case Waterloo International was ever unavailable. In late afternoon sunshine, unit 3303 is seen after arrival on the Windsor platforms at the west London station. As part of a team building event, this run was also used to convey staff to a motivational event at the nearby Clapham Grand, representing one of the first uses of a NoL set for 'public' transportation.

With little data available from Railtrack, a lengthy testing programme took place with NoL Eurostars running from North Pole depot along the East and west Coast main lines. These were to gauge track suitability and monitor potential sources of signal interference. During one such run, 3302 is seen heading south, near Stockport. Having ridden on one such run on the West Coast, the ride of these trains is superb on 'domestic' track

Uniquely identifyable by its white headlight surrounds, set 3001/3002 forms the 1157 departure (train 9024) from Waterloo to Paris. The train conveyed HRH Duke of Kent who had just formally opened the station facilities.

South West Trains services have already ventured inside the former international terminal at Waterloo. On 20 Nov 1996, class 455 unit 5843 provided a replacement service to convey passengers to Gatwick Airport when French rail workers went on strike and prevented the international rail services from operating.

A most unusual working... Due to a strike in France, Eurostar services were unable to operate. Although most intending passengers were contacted in time, some didnt get the message and still turned up at Waterloo International. In those days it was still one big railway, so common sense prevailed and a Class 455 unit was borrowed to take the stranded passengers to Gatwick Airport to catch flights. On 20 Nov 1996, unit 5843 is seen at platform 20 at Waterloo International waiting for its passengers to board.