New Photos - 2012
2012 was a great year for me when it came to visiting lots of railways and seeing lots of locomotives that I hadn't seen before. Highlights include my footplate experience on the K&ESR and Railfest at York. I received a new camera for Christmas 2011, which has been put to good use. I'm still not completely happy with it as I feel that for it to produce the best effects, lighting conditions must be at an absolute optimum.
Llangollen may have been a disaster due to the weather, but a very hot day on the Bluebell and the fact that I was able to see many of the visiting locomotives elsewhere later in the year made up for this.
Llangollen may have been a disaster due to the weather, but a very hot day on the Bluebell and the fact that I was able to see many of the visiting locomotives elsewhere later in the year made up for this.
Tornado - Cathedrals Express 23/12/12
Just one shot of Tornado passing through Petts Wood woods on its way from Swanley to Bromley South, about 45 minutes late, and showing no signs of slowing down.
The quality isn't great and I'm not sure if this is due to the conditions or the camera! I'm quite happy with the timing and framing of the shot, particularly as it was through the fence on the footbridge.
The quality isn't great and I'm not sure if this is due to the conditions or the camera! I'm quite happy with the timing and framing of the shot, particularly as it was through the fence on the footbridge.
Dartmouth Steam Railway - August
I've put off going to the Dartmouth Steam Railway as I'm aware it doesn't really cater for the enthusiast. However, despite only one loco being in steam, it was a pretty good day out.
On the return journey back to Kingswear, my mother treated us to ride in the Devon Belle observation car. It was certainly worth the extra fee and I recommend it! The railway was very busy and they catered for this by adding on four extra coaches.
It was fantastic to see the 52xx in steam and it has convinced me that I'll need to buy the Hornby model when I can afford one.
On the return journey back to Kingswear, my mother treated us to ride in the Devon Belle observation car. It was certainly worth the extra fee and I recommend it! The railway was very busy and they catered for this by adding on four extra coaches.
It was fantastic to see the 52xx in steam and it has convinced me that I'll need to buy the Hornby model when I can afford one.
South Devon Railway - Rails and Ales Gala
6430 was visiting from the Llangollen Railway, enabling the SDR to use an autocoach for the first time since the prairie was withdrawn.
As I was driving I wasn't able to sample the ales and ciders and the weather was reasonably poor and so didn't allow for the best photography. However, the conditions were far better than the last time I saw 6430 in Wales!
As I was driving I wasn't able to sample the ales and ciders and the weather was reasonably poor and so didn't allow for the best photography. However, the conditions were far better than the last time I saw 6430 in Wales!
Bluebell Railway - August
I took what looks like being my last chance to visit the Bluebell this year on the only real weekend of summer so far! The railway hadn't published its intentions as to which locos would be running, so I had been hopeful that I could see the recently returned H class in steam. Unfortunately this was not the case, though with 3 locos in steam and Metropolitan, Bulleid and SECR coaches operating, I couldn't complain!
The day wasn't as good as I hoped photographically as, despite the heat, the sky wasn't particularly clear. It started poorly with the U class' run into Horsted Keynes so I decided not to spend too much time at the lineside, but for an hour or so around 2pm, the sun came out for long enough to get some better photos of Birch Grove.
I visited the museum at Sheffield Park for the first time since its reopening, and it really is very good! It was also the first time I had seen the new carriage shed in use.
The day wasn't as good as I hoped photographically as, despite the heat, the sky wasn't particularly clear. It started poorly with the U class' run into Horsted Keynes so I decided not to spend too much time at the lineside, but for an hour or so around 2pm, the sun came out for long enough to get some better photos of Birch Grove.
I visited the museum at Sheffield Park for the first time since its reopening, and it really is very good! It was also the first time I had seen the new carriage shed in use.
National Railway Museum - Railfest
The weather was dull and the conditions were poor for photography but the NRM certainly put on a fantastic show. Highlights included the spotless Sir Nigel Gresley and the Red LT pannier. The section for societies was a little cramped but still very good but the trade section was disappointing, but my wallet didn't seem to mind!
Wales - April/May
Sunday - Steel Steam and Stars 3
A great line up along with a model railway exhibition promised for a fantastic day, but the weather had other ideas. My first train, hauled by now familiar 80072 with the Super D was packed, the windows were steamed up and the wind was too cold to open the window, so I could really have been anywhere! I broke my journey to visit the model railway exhibition and then joined CR No.828 to complete the journey to Carrog. By this time I had really had enough and decided to join my family in the pub at Berwyn station to watch the trains go by for a few hours. I say it was disappointing but it was entirely out of the railway's control and I'm sure that in better weather I would have had a great time. Needless to say I took very few photos and even fewer were remotely good enough to be uploaded!
Monday - Welsh Highland Railway to Beddgelert
We drove to Porthmadog with the intention of riding on the Ffstiniog with a family friend, but the bad weather over the weekend had felled trees along both the FR and WHR, so trains were only running the Beddgelert. Unfortunately, this is where we were staying so we needn't have driven to Porthmadog! It was great to travel over the new section of the line, and after the return trip, we walked the dog along the Cob, at which point I had a look around Boston Lodge (with permission).
Tuesday - Ffestiniog Railway
This was another family outing, with the standard return trip up to Ffestiniog. The weather was reasonably good to start with, until we reached the top, where the heavens opened. It was particularly interesting to see the number of trees that had fallen over the weekend and the obvious amount of effort require for the railway's staff to get the trains running again. On the way back to Porthmadog, the L&B rebuild 'Lyd' passed at Tan y Bwlch - I was surprised to see that it is capable of hauling full-length Ffestiniog trains up the steep gradients!
Wednesday - Talyllyn Railway
Another round trip, with the train hauled by an immaculate Talyllyn. Whilst I have travelled behind this engine before, I was too young to remember it - so it was fantastic to see the engine in steam.
Thursday - Llanberis Lake Railway
The aim of the day was to climb Snowdon and reach Llanberis in time for the last round trip. On the descent, I had been hoping to see some of the Snowdon Mountain Railway's famous steam locomotives, but unfortunately all 3 trains were in the care of diesels. We made it down in time for the last train on the lakeside railway, which is a lovely sedentary journey.
A few of these photos were taken from areas that are usually out of bounds to the public. I must stress that I had permission from railway staff.
A great line up along with a model railway exhibition promised for a fantastic day, but the weather had other ideas. My first train, hauled by now familiar 80072 with the Super D was packed, the windows were steamed up and the wind was too cold to open the window, so I could really have been anywhere! I broke my journey to visit the model railway exhibition and then joined CR No.828 to complete the journey to Carrog. By this time I had really had enough and decided to join my family in the pub at Berwyn station to watch the trains go by for a few hours. I say it was disappointing but it was entirely out of the railway's control and I'm sure that in better weather I would have had a great time. Needless to say I took very few photos and even fewer were remotely good enough to be uploaded!
Monday - Welsh Highland Railway to Beddgelert
We drove to Porthmadog with the intention of riding on the Ffstiniog with a family friend, but the bad weather over the weekend had felled trees along both the FR and WHR, so trains were only running the Beddgelert. Unfortunately, this is where we were staying so we needn't have driven to Porthmadog! It was great to travel over the new section of the line, and after the return trip, we walked the dog along the Cob, at which point I had a look around Boston Lodge (with permission).
Tuesday - Ffestiniog Railway
This was another family outing, with the standard return trip up to Ffestiniog. The weather was reasonably good to start with, until we reached the top, where the heavens opened. It was particularly interesting to see the number of trees that had fallen over the weekend and the obvious amount of effort require for the railway's staff to get the trains running again. On the way back to Porthmadog, the L&B rebuild 'Lyd' passed at Tan y Bwlch - I was surprised to see that it is capable of hauling full-length Ffestiniog trains up the steep gradients!
Wednesday - Talyllyn Railway
Another round trip, with the train hauled by an immaculate Talyllyn. Whilst I have travelled behind this engine before, I was too young to remember it - so it was fantastic to see the engine in steam.
Thursday - Llanberis Lake Railway
The aim of the day was to climb Snowdon and reach Llanberis in time for the last round trip. On the descent, I had been hoping to see some of the Snowdon Mountain Railway's famous steam locomotives, but unfortunately all 3 trains were in the care of diesels. We made it down in time for the last train on the lakeside railway, which is a lovely sedentary journey.
A few of these photos were taken from areas that are usually out of bounds to the public. I must stress that I had permission from railway staff.
Kent and East Sussex Railway - Footplate Experience
My 21st Birthday present from a family friend was another footplate ride. This time on the K&ESR. I had an absolutely amazing day - possibly the best I've had visiting a preserved line. I received a warm greeting from both platform staff and train crew, there was plenty to talk about during the journey and I was given an extensive tour of the carriage works later on in the day. I recommend this experience to any railway enthusiast as it really was fantastic.
The locomotive for the day was BR built 16xx No.1638. I have become quite familiar with this loco over the years but had assumed that its boiler certificate would have expired by now so it was a nice surprise to see it running light into Tenterten. The crew kept me updated throughout the journey, and upon arrival at Northiam, I helped fill up the Pannier's water tanks. At Bodiam I was allowed a few goes with the fireman's shovel under close supervision, before spending a few minutes taking photos at Rolvenden when we stopped for water on the return journey.
I stayed with the train for another return trip before my guided tour of the carriage works which was much appreciated and very interesting. It wasn't a very good day for photography but that doesn't detract from how good a time I had. Thank you to Liz for taking me and getting me this present, and the Kent and East Sussex Railway for being so welcoming and ensuring 100% customer satisfaction!
A few of these photos were taken from areas that are usually out of bounds to the public. I must stress that I had permission from railway staff.
The locomotive for the day was BR built 16xx No.1638. I have become quite familiar with this loco over the years but had assumed that its boiler certificate would have expired by now so it was a nice surprise to see it running light into Tenterten. The crew kept me updated throughout the journey, and upon arrival at Northiam, I helped fill up the Pannier's water tanks. At Bodiam I was allowed a few goes with the fireman's shovel under close supervision, before spending a few minutes taking photos at Rolvenden when we stopped for water on the return journey.
I stayed with the train for another return trip before my guided tour of the carriage works which was much appreciated and very interesting. It wasn't a very good day for photography but that doesn't detract from how good a time I had. Thank you to Liz for taking me and getting me this present, and the Kent and East Sussex Railway for being so welcoming and ensuring 100% customer satisfaction!
A few of these photos were taken from areas that are usually out of bounds to the public. I must stress that I had permission from railway staff.
South Devon Railway Easter Gala (Friday)
The visit of a 4MT and 2MT to the SDR was too good to miss during my Easter holiday. 80072 was visiting from Llangollen and 78019 from the GCR. I have always been a fan of 4MT tanks and had thought it would be nice to see one in Devon. I hadn't really paid much attention to the 2MT before but it won me over, looking right at home, particularly on the railway's crimson cream stock.
An early start, but not early enough, meant that I was at the line for the very first trains. I had planned to park in a popular lay-by near to Buckfastleigh, but upon arrival, despite not being full to capacity, I couldn't park in said lay-by due to inconsiderate parking of others. I decided to move up to Hood Bridge to catch the 2MT's first movement on the milk. With the sun on the other side of the line at the time, this wasn't ideal but it was all I had time for in the circumstances.
I walked back down to the lay-by in time to catch the milk's return, producing what I feel were the best photos of the day. Following this, I moved onto Staverton, but a mishap regarding a token led to some timetable confusion with the goods running out of sequence. I had missed the 4MT's earlier light engine run-past, and I was buying my parking ticket when it passed again with the goods.
After this, the timetable settled down, albeit running a little late throughout most of the rest of the day. I spent the rest of the morning up the line towards Napper's Halt, exploring some new locations suggested by other line-siders. By 1pm, I had been at the railway for a good few hours and realised I hadn't yet bought a ticket so I headed down to Buckfastleigh where I explored a couple more locations before finally boarding a mid-afternoon train headed by the 4MT, which was then joined by the Class 25 as it ran round at Totnes. This was a disappointment somewhat as the 25 lead, and made a considerable amount more noise than the 4MT.
I alighted at Staverton again and headed back towards Totnes to capture a couple more double headers, but as the light fell, I caught the train back to Buckfastleigh, exhausted after a fantastic day. Thanks to the South Devon Railway for putting on yet another fantastic show!
