Severn Valley Railway - 3/3/19
March saw a return visit to the Severn Valley, with a friend who was living in Worcester at the time. We were treated to a feast of steam, with 57xx 7714, 15xx 1501, 28xx 2857 and Port Talbot 813 (double heading with a Class 14) in charge of a busy weekend timetable. As always, there is plenty else to see at the railway, with other locos on display at Kidderminster, Highley and Bridgenorth.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway - Pullman Dining Train - 17/2/19
The first trip of 2019 wasn't about the photos, it was a treat trip on the Pullman service! Food and service was good, though the vegetables steamed up the windows on this cold February day so that views of the National Park were somewhat limited! 4MT 80136 in charge, the first time I had encountered this locomotive.
Bluebell Railway - Giants of Steam - 12/10/18
The Bluebell played host to A4 60009 Union of South Africa for the Giants of Steam event in 2018. It was supported by the home fleet, including 5MT 73082 Camelot, Q 30541, O1 65 and S15 847. I ensured a ride behind No9, for what might be my only ever chance to do so. At the time of writing (2021), it has been withdrawn by its owner for life as a static exhibit in Fife.
Middleton Railway - 7/10/18
More new ground in Yorkshire. Despite the short run and lack of scenery, the Middleton Railway is a charming, eclectic set up. Visitor facilities are clean and modern, and its great to see most of the stock available for viewing in the very smart museum.
Dartmouth Steam Railway - 4/9/18
As I have been accompanied by non-enthusiasts on my recent visits to preserved railways, I have started to think in terms of a full day out. I had the choice between the South Devon Railway and its associated animal sanctuaries, or the Dartmouth Steam Railway with it superior scenery, ferry ride and nearby coastal path. Tough choice on that evidence! However, the SDR has recently been embroiled in a controversy regarding the state of its MK1s, leading to a rather eclectic mix of stock making up the passenger trains - unfortunately not quite the uniform BR(WR) image that can be seen in my photos from the early 2010s. The DSR however, King Edward II and the bonus of a second visiting engine, albeit a red pannier, the brother of which would have been running at the SDR.
I decided that we should go to the DSR - a fantastic day could be had at either railway, but visiting locomotives swung it for me. We headed for the Broadsands car park with the intention of taking the cliff path to Goodrington, perhaps catching a run past on the way - only to find that, despite the summer having ended, its rates were extortionate and the pay by phone service wasn't working. Even before contactless payment I would never have carried enough coins to pay for a full day out. Back in the car then, and we headed for the park and ride at Churston. We just about made it to the station in time for the arrival of King Edward II and boarded the train for the ride to Paignton. We then explored the town, regretted it, and returned for KEii's next departure. We treated ourselves to a ride in the recently repainted Devon Belle observation car and had prime seats in front of the window.
On arrival at Kingswear, we took the ferry over to Dartmouth and explored the town before strolling up the estuary in the time that KEii completed another round trip. We photographed its arrival and run-round across the water, before heading back to Kingswear to take the last pannier-hauled train back to Churston. The South Devon Railway will have to wait until next year!
I decided that we should go to the DSR - a fantastic day could be had at either railway, but visiting locomotives swung it for me. We headed for the Broadsands car park with the intention of taking the cliff path to Goodrington, perhaps catching a run past on the way - only to find that, despite the summer having ended, its rates were extortionate and the pay by phone service wasn't working. Even before contactless payment I would never have carried enough coins to pay for a full day out. Back in the car then, and we headed for the park and ride at Churston. We just about made it to the station in time for the arrival of King Edward II and boarded the train for the ride to Paignton. We then explored the town, regretted it, and returned for KEii's next departure. We treated ourselves to a ride in the recently repainted Devon Belle observation car and had prime seats in front of the window.
On arrival at Kingswear, we took the ferry over to Dartmouth and explored the town before strolling up the estuary in the time that KEii completed another round trip. We photographed its arrival and run-round across the water, before heading back to Kingswear to take the last pannier-hauled train back to Churston. The South Devon Railway will have to wait until next year!
Bolton and Embsay Railway - 26/7/18
My first post without any photos. But why? As soon as I realised that the advertised steam service wasn't running, I didn't get my camera out. Having never worked as a volunteer myself, I hate to criticise a preserved railway, but a quick tweet to inform potential visitors that the advertised steam service will not be running would be easy. Fair enough, railways usually go with the disclaimer that their sometimes centuries old technology may not be running as advertised, but an email to those with tickets offering a refund (if good enough notice) or even a tweet is surely not too much to ask? The Bluebell managed this very well when the visit of Tornado was cancelled.
I'm not sure when the intended locomotive had failed, but from what the staff were able to tell us, this was not an unforeseen circumstance of failure on the day. There was however, no apology offered for the situation. Having said this, the staff were very friendly, the shop well stocked with almost any book you could imagine, and the cafe at Bolton Abbey station was good.
As we had paid in advance, we did a round trip of the line before walking on to Bolton Abbey, relaxing by the river and exploring the Abbey itself. This is certainly highly recommended.
I'm not sure when the intended locomotive had failed, but from what the staff were able to tell us, this was not an unforeseen circumstance of failure on the day. There was however, no apology offered for the situation. Having said this, the staff were very friendly, the shop well stocked with almost any book you could imagine, and the cafe at Bolton Abbey station was good.
As we had paid in advance, we did a round trip of the line before walking on to Bolton Abbey, relaxing by the river and exploring the Abbey itself. This is certainly highly recommended.
Wensleydale Railway - 1940s weekend - 21/7/18
Twitter can be a wonderful thing. At the time of this event, my Mum was planning a visit and I was looking for relatively local things to do. A week before this visit, I was still at a loss of things to do, before I saw a re-tweet stating the British India Line would be visiting the Wensleydale Railway for its 1940s weekend. I had been a little disappointed by my photos of British India Line in May, and the 1940s festival meant something a little more interesting for my Mum than just a day out on a railway. Decision made.
We made it for the first train of the day, hauled by the Merchant Navy and sat in the heavily advertised 'Harry Potter coach', essentially as in the train of rather eclectic stock, it was the best turned out Mk1. The train also consisted of DMU trailers, interestingly these were locked so I'm not quite sure what purpose they served. There was a ukulele band practicing in the next carriage and an evacuee experience too.
As the train approached the Dales, the scenery became more and more attractive. Leyburn approached and the festivities became even more apparent. Fellow passengers making their annual pilgrimage to the event encouraged us to disembark. We agreed, but only once we had completed our trip to Redmire.
On return to Leyburn, we walked up into the town and found that it had really thrown itself into the occasion. The pubs and cafes were full of people in appropriate dress, whilst there was music from the era coming from all directions. We had lunch and took in the sights and sounds, before finding a brass band advertised in a pub. Both my Mum and I play brass, so decided to stay for this, which unfortunately meant missing the next run-past of the Merchant Navy. It was however highly enjoyable, and we caught the late-running deisel service behind a class 14 back to Leeming Bar. The advertised final steam service of the day was instead at the hands of a different diesel, and had shed the DMU cars, whilst British India Line was to be found poking out of the shed at Leeming Bar. I'm not sure why this was the case, but unfortunately due to all these factors, I still have yet to take any truly good photos of this magnificent machine! However, one photo has ended up in the P&O line newsletter - my first photo to be published in print!
We made it for the first train of the day, hauled by the Merchant Navy and sat in the heavily advertised 'Harry Potter coach', essentially as in the train of rather eclectic stock, it was the best turned out Mk1. The train also consisted of DMU trailers, interestingly these were locked so I'm not quite sure what purpose they served. There was a ukulele band practicing in the next carriage and an evacuee experience too.
As the train approached the Dales, the scenery became more and more attractive. Leyburn approached and the festivities became even more apparent. Fellow passengers making their annual pilgrimage to the event encouraged us to disembark. We agreed, but only once we had completed our trip to Redmire.
On return to Leyburn, we walked up into the town and found that it had really thrown itself into the occasion. The pubs and cafes were full of people in appropriate dress, whilst there was music from the era coming from all directions. We had lunch and took in the sights and sounds, before finding a brass band advertised in a pub. Both my Mum and I play brass, so decided to stay for this, which unfortunately meant missing the next run-past of the Merchant Navy. It was however highly enjoyable, and we caught the late-running deisel service behind a class 14 back to Leeming Bar. The advertised final steam service of the day was instead at the hands of a different diesel, and had shed the DMU cars, whilst British India Line was to be found poking out of the shed at Leeming Bar. I'm not sure why this was the case, but unfortunately due to all these factors, I still have yet to take any truly good photos of this magnificent machine! However, one photo has ended up in the P&O line newsletter - my first photo to be published in print!
Ribblehead Viaduct - 8/5/18
I've wanted to see a steam train cross Ribblehead for a long time, but its always been a little too far away for a day trip. However, my birthday treat was a camping trip at Ingleton, with the intention of climbing Inglborough on the way to Ribblehead, in time for the crossing of a steam service. All my research had pointed towards a Jubilee - great - I've not seen one in steam before. However, when I realised that the distinctive lines of a rebuilt Bulleid Pacific were approaching, I am told that I emitted noises of excitement! In truth, I had forgotten that British India Line still existed so it was a fantastic surprise to see something that reminded me of home in Yorkshire. Unfortunately, murky conditions made photography quite difficult, but I have decided to still post the results here, as the location and locomotive hopefully make up for that!
Churnet Valley Railway - 28/4/18
A new railway for me, as a treat from my girlfriend who was making her first visit to a steam railway. TKH Hotspur was in steam in the absence of the S160s, whilst the Dartmouth Steam Railway's 4277 was tucked away in the yard, unfortunately not in a position conducive to good photography. We broke our journey at Cheddleton to explore the yard and have a pub lunch at the Boat Inn on the other side of the canal. Whilst waiting for our train back to Kingsley and Froghall, a steam roller passed the station and caused a little havoc with the local traffic!
This is a charming railway, and they seem to put on some good galas. Kingsley and Froghall is a particular jewel, with well turned out buildings, a nice cafe, reasonable shop and canal-side location. Well worth a visit, perhaps on a busier day.
This is a charming railway, and they seem to put on some good galas. Kingsley and Froghall is a particular jewel, with well turned out buildings, a nice cafe, reasonable shop and canal-side location. Well worth a visit, perhaps on a busier day.
Kent and East Sussex Railway - 2/4/18
I visited the K&ESR railway with the hope of seeing WD300 in its smart, new blue livery. Whilst this was unfortunately not running, I was still treated to a two train service with 16xx 1638 and the Norwegian in steam. I had a pleasant trip up and down the line in the SE&CR birdcage brake behind the latter locomotive, before a browse of the Col. Stephens museum. I shared a compartment with a family of 'non-enthusiasts' who were very appreciative of the experience and volunteer effort that surrounded them. I had a nice time, but found it quite easy to end my day relatively early having 'done' the line before on more exciting days - with the previous terrier gala and my footplate ride.