Railway Gallery http://windyrail.fotopic.net/ 32 rows en-gb 60 Churnet Valley Railway "Anything Goes" Weekend http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1781802.html Saturday 14th of November saw my second visit of the year to the "Old Knotty" in North Staffordshire. This time it was for the "Anything Goes" Weekend, which featured steam locos S160 2-8-0 No. 5197 (a familiar sight on the ELR just a few months ago, and making its final gala appearance before a major overhaul), and ex-GWR Prairie No. 5199. Diesel motive power was supplied by Class 33 No. 33102, 101 DMU No. 977391/977392 (this was running the shuttle from Kingsley & Froghall to Oakamoor only), Janus Class No.6 "Roger H. Bennett", and Class 04 D2334. With the exception of the Class 37, No. 37075 and DMU104, which were unavailable due to technical problems, this was the entire Churnet fleet in operation. The weather, as is often the case at this time of year, was unpredictable, varying between bright and sunny, wet and miserable, bright and sunny again, and then grey and gloomy, but considering the forecast for that day we got off reasonably lightly and this didn't prevent us from being able to photograph all of the running locos. Another enjoyable event and day out, and well done to all the staff at Churnet Valley for their hard work in putting this event on. One final comment, it's easy to see why the cafe and toilets at Kingsley & Froghall Station were award winners, I wish all heritage railways offered services of this sort of quality and cleanliness!:-) Saturday 14 November 2009: Saturday 14th of November saw my second visit of the year to the "Old Knotty" in North Staffordshire. This time it was for the "Anything Goes" Weekend, which featured steam locos S160 2-8-0 No. 5197 (a familiar sight on the ELR just a few months ago, and making its final gala appearance before a major overhaul), and ex-GWR Prairie No. 5199. Diesel motive power was supplied by Class 33 No. 33102, 101 DMU No. 977391/977392 (this was running the shuttle from Kingsley & Froghall to Oakamoor only), Janus Class No.6 "Roger H. Bennett", and Class 04 D2334. With the exception of the Class 37, No. 37075 and DMU104, which were unavailable due to technical problems, this was the entire Churnet fleet in operation. The weather, as is often the case at this time of year, was unpredictable, varying between bright and sunny, wet and miserable, bright and sunny again, and then grey and gloomy, but considering the forecast for that day we got off reasonably lightly and this didn't prevent us from being able to photograph all of the running locos. Another enjoyable event and day out, and well done to all the staff at Churnet Valley for their hard work in putting this event on. One final comment, it's easy to see why the cafe and toilets at Kingsley & Froghall Station were award winners, I wish all heritage railways offered services of this sort of quality and cleanliness!:-)

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]]> Sat Nov 14 2009 Various ELR Locos seen in November 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1779677.html Both visits so far in November have been fairly brief ones, the first on Saturday the 7th was a quick, stopover at Rawtenstall to get a few shots of 37418 changing ends and then departing, before then departing ourselves for Fleetwood for the Fleetwood Trams Farewell weekend. Typically, and just to add insult to injury, it was fine and sunny during our brief stay, whereas Fleetwood had extremely 'soggy' conditions which were what can best be described as 'typical ELR weather' (you can see the results of this trip in my Tram & LRT Gallery). Second visit, just a day later, was yet another brief one, this time at the latter end of the day. The reason for this was yet another tram event, this time at a fine and sunny Heaton Park in Manchester (also in the Tram & LRT Gallery), and since I had to catch the Metrolink back to Bury from there, I thought I might as well head for Rawtenstall for the last couple of hours and get some shots of the DMU and 'Earl David', both bearing memorial wreaths of poppies to mark Remembrance Sunday. The light was less than great at this time, but poor light and cold air sometimes produces some interesting and 'atmospheric' shots, so it was well worth doing. Another visit on the 15th, again the weather was a bit mixed but improved as the day went on, and even the Sun put in an appearance. I decided to take to make the return trip from Rawtenstall to Heywood, mainly just to have a ride behind 45407, which was sharing duty with the DMU that day, and took photographs at a number of the stations. The Electrical Team were busy servicing the platform lights at Ramsbottom Station, and many of the stations have now been fitted with their Christmas lights - doesn't time just fly, doesn't seem five minutes since last year's Santa Specials were running. November 21st/22nd saw a 'Scottish Theme Weekend', this was brought in to replace the planned 3 Cylinder Weekend, which had been cancelled due to the work on the Duke of Gloucester not yet having been completed. The two big black steam locos, the K4 'The Great Marquess', and Black 5 '45407', which was masqeruading as former Scottish loco 45487, as per usual though the weather was what can only be described as 'typical ELR', with lots of rain and wind making the going a bit challenging at times. In spite of the inclement weather the event went well, and more by accident than design, I was just passing the signal box at Rawtenstall on the Sunday in what was one of the 'spare paths' that you get in the Low Season timetable, when the DMU 101 turned up, this time carrying a party of members of the 'Branch Line Society' (who I must admit I hadn't heard of before much to my surprise), and this carried a small plaque on the front of the loco bearing the letters 'BLS'. A most welcome surprise to add to an overall enjoyable weekend. My only criticism of this 'Scottish Themed' event was that the cafe at Rawtenstall Station wasn't selling deep fried mars bars, and the midge net I'd bought off eBay specially was not needed at all!:-) Sunday 1 November 2009: Both visits so far in November have been fairly brief ones, the first on Saturday the 7th was a quick, stopover at Rawtenstall to get a few shots of 37418 changing ends and then departing, before then departing ourselves for Fleetwood for the Fleetwood Trams Farewell weekend. Typically, and just to add insult to injury, it was fine and sunny during our brief stay, whereas Fleetwood had extremely 'soggy' conditions which were what can best be described as 'typical ELR weather' (you can see the results of this trip in my Tram & LRT Gallery). Second visit, just a day later, was yet another brief one, this time at the latter end of the day. The reason for this was yet another tram event, this time at a fine and sunny Heaton Park in Manchester (also in the Tram & LRT Gallery), and since I had to catch the Metrolink back to Bury from there, I thought I might as well head for Rawtenstall for the last couple of hours and get some shots of the DMU and 'Earl David', both bearing memorial wreaths of poppies to mark Remembrance Sunday. The light was less than great at this time, but poor light and cold air sometimes produces some interesting and 'atmospheric' shots, so it was well worth doing. Another visit on the 15th, again the weather was a bit mixed but improved as the day went on, and even the Sun put in an appearance. I decided to take to make the return trip from Rawtenstall to Heywood, mainly just to have a ride behind 45407, which was sharing duty with the DMU that day, and took photographs at a number of the stations. The Electrical Team were busy servicing the platform lights at Ramsbottom Station, and many of the stations have now been fitted with their Christmas lights - doesn't time just fly, doesn't seem five minutes since last year's Santa Specials were running. November 21st/22nd saw a 'Scottish Theme Weekend', this was brought in to replace the planned 3 Cylinder Weekend, which had been cancelled due to the work on the Duke of Gloucester not yet having been completed. The two big black steam locos, the K4 'The Great Marquess', and Black 5 '45407', which was masqeruading as former Scottish loco 45487, as per usual though the weather was what can only be described as 'typical ELR', with lots of rain and wind making the going a bit challenging at times. In spite of the inclement weather the event went well, and more by accident than design, I was just passing the signal box at Rawtenstall on the Sunday in what was one of the 'spare paths' that you get in the Low Season timetable, when the DMU 101 turned up, this time carrying a party of members of the 'Branch Line Society' (who I must admit I hadn't heard of before much to my surprise), and this carried a small plaque on the front of the loco bearing the letters 'BLS'. A most welcome surprise to add to an overall enjoyable weekend. My only criticism of this 'Scottish Themed' event was that the cafe at Rawtenstall Station wasn't selling deep fried mars bars, and the midge net I'd bought off eBay specially was not needed at all!:-)

7th November 2009 7th November 2009 7th November 2009 7th November 2009 8th November 2009 8th November 2009 8th November 2009 8th November 2009 8th November 2009 8th November 2009 8th November 2009 8th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 15th November 2009 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 45407 with a number '8' added specially for the event 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 21st November 2009 The 'Pathways Department' taking a break from track repairing whilst the lcoo passes by. THis is what happens on the ELR when someone accidentally drops a penny! 21st November 2009 21st November 2009

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]]> Sun Nov 1 2009 ELR Autumn Steam Gala 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1775749.html On an unusually sunny day by ELR standards, Day One of the two-day Autumn steam gala began well, with Ian Riley's 'Lancashire Fusilier', 45407 hauling the first passenger service of the day. From then on it was 45407, followed by the Jinty, 47324 double-headed with 'Earl David', No.15 (both running tender to tender, which gave us a chimney first shot in both directions - congratulations on getting it right this time ELR!), then 'The Great Marquess', 61994 hauling the passenger services from Heywood to Rawtenstall. In between was trusty ELR veteran loco 'Gothenburg', 32, which was taking a two coach shuttle between Bury Bolton Street and Ramsbottom at various times of the day. The one other participant was the Peckett 1370 "May", which was shuttling about between the platforms at Bury Bolton Street and the Bury South Signal Box. I must admit that I was really pleased to see Gothenburg in service, on previous occasions it has usually only made appearances on the 'Jimmy the Jinty' weekends, so has usually been hidden behind a 'face', this was my first opportunity to get a picture of it in its impressive new lined out green livery in all its glory, and very nice it looked too. After all the ELR's steam problems this year it was great to see them put on another excellent steam event, and the mild and pleasant weather certainly made this a very enjoyable day. Well done and thank you to to all the volunteers and staff at the ELR who worked so hard to make this event happen and make it a success. Nice one folks! Saturday 31 October 2009: On an unusually sunny day by ELR standards, Day One of the two-day Autumn steam gala began well, with Ian Riley's 'Lancashire Fusilier', 45407 hauling the first passenger service of the day. From then on it was 45407, followed by the Jinty, 47324 double-headed with 'Earl David', No.15 (both running tender to tender, which gave us a chimney first shot in both directions - congratulations on getting it right this time ELR!), then 'The Great Marquess', 61994 hauling the passenger services from Heywood to Rawtenstall. In between was trusty ELR veteran loco 'Gothenburg', 32, which was taking a two coach shuttle between Bury Bolton Street and Ramsbottom at various times of the day. The one other participant was the Peckett 1370 "May", which was shuttling about between the platforms at Bury Bolton Street and the Bury South Signal Box. I must admit that I was really pleased to see Gothenburg in service, on previous occasions it has usually only made appearances on the 'Jimmy the Jinty' weekends, so has usually been hidden behind a 'face', this was my first opportunity to get a picture of it in its impressive new lined out green livery in all its glory, and very nice it looked too. After all the ELR's steam problems this year it was great to see them put on another excellent steam event, and the mild and pleasant weather certainly made this a very enjoyable day. Well done and thank you to to all the volunteers and staff at the ELR who worked so hard to make this event happen and make it a success. Nice one folks!

Gothenburg takes the shuttle to Ramsbottom not a cut price signal, just the S&T department checking the driver's sightings for a planned new one. The Earl & the Jinty cross the Ski Jump

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]]> Sat Oct 31 2009 ELR Autumn Diesel Gala 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1770267.html The weekend of 17th/18th of October saw the annual ELR Autum Diesel Gala, but due to being in Yorkshire on the 17th, I was only able to attend the second and final day this time. I'm not sure what it is about the ELR and me, but I seem to forever find myself taking pictures in either rain or dull and gloomy conditions whenever I'm over there, and yet again this was the case with this visit. Thankfully the rain never got above a mild drizzle, but almost from the word go the skies were overcast and the light very poor, which didn't make it easy when it came to shooting fast moving locomotives. Because of the wether, and the fact that I was on foot this time, I stayed mainly at the northern end of the line, and just concentrated my efforts on locations between Rawtenstall Station and Ewood Bridge, any further south and it starts to get into the 'dodge the orange blob' areas, where all the trespassers usually hang around and get into your shots!:-) This collection shows a number of shots taken that day, and though most were of the 'home fleet', which I have already photographed many times, there was one visiting class 50, and some very nice combinations of double-headers and 'top and tails', and whatever anyone thinks about the ELR's recent steam problems, no one can deny that the Bury Diesel Group always put on really fine Diesel Events - well done lads, another excellent one, and thanks for all your hard work! Sunday 18 October 2009: The weekend of 17th/18th of October saw the annual ELR Autum Diesel Gala, but due to being in Yorkshire on the 17th, I was only able to attend the second and final day this time. I'm not sure what it is about the ELR and me, but I seem to forever find myself taking pictures in either rain or dull and gloomy conditions whenever I'm over there, and yet again this was the case with this visit. Thankfully the rain never got above a mild drizzle, but almost from the word go the skies were overcast and the light very poor, which didn't make it easy when it came to shooting fast moving locomotives. Because of the wether, and the fact that I was on foot this time, I stayed mainly at the northern end of the line, and just concentrated my efforts on locations between Rawtenstall Station and Ewood Bridge, any further south and it starts to get into the 'dodge the orange blob' areas, where all the trespassers usually hang around and get into your shots!:-) This collection shows a number of shots taken that day, and though most were of the 'home fleet', which I have already photographed many times, there was one visiting class 50, and some very nice combinations of double-headers and 'top and tails', and whatever anyone thinks about the ELR's recent steam problems, no one can deny that the Bury Diesel Group always put on really fine Diesel Events - well done lads, another excellent one, and thanks for all your hard work!

d5054 attempts to burn a hole in the ozone layer over Rawtenstall! The visiting Hanson Class 50 approaches Rawtenstall Class 50 clagfest! 37418 & 40145 double head through Townsend Fold

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]]> Sun Oct 18 2009 Jorvik Growler, Church Fenton & Colton Junction http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1770208.html Saturday 17th of October saw us out chasing charters again, this time on the eastern side of the Pennines in North Yorkshire. The target this time was the 'Jorvik Growler', a diesel hauled charter run by Spitfire Railtours, and working from Taunton in Somerset to the city of York. Locos for this trip were to be a pair of WCRC Class 37s, 37516 and 37676, with Class 47 No. 47787 (Traction Magazine) on the rear. Our plan was to catch this as it passed through Church fenton at around 1120am, but shortly before that a very helpful guard from one of the regular service trains saw us waiting and very kindly informed us that due to a problem at Bristol the train was running about 90 minutes late. Further checks revealed that because of the delay the planned mini-tour that had been planned (and which again would have passed through Church Fenton for a second time - the reason for our choice of that location), had now been cancelled. With time to kill we decided to take a look at a few other locations on the route, and after checking out Ulleskelf, we were advised that the best spot to catch it was at Colton Junction near York, and we duly headed off there instead. The charter had made up a little time, so we didn't have too long to wait once we'd arrived there, and the train appeared 'triple headed' with all three locos at the front, the two 37s at the front, and the 47 behind them, and looked an impressive sight as is passed below us. For the return journey we decided to catch it at Burton Salmon, and were surprised (and a little worried in case we'd chosen the wrong location, or the route had been changed) to find that we were the only ones there and had the place to ourselves (ConwyCastle and me that is, not the 'royal we'!):-) The light wasn't too great by that time, but again it was a nice sight, though by now it had lost one of the growlers, and there was just 47787 at the front and 37676 at the rear on this one, the troublesome 37516 having been left behind in York I assume. In this collection are a number of shots of the railtour, plus various other Freds, Sheds and passenger services seen along the way. Saturday 17 October 2009: Saturday 17th of October saw us out chasing charters again, this time on the eastern side of the Pennines in North Yorkshire. The target this time was the 'Jorvik Growler', a diesel hauled charter run by Spitfire Railtours, and working from Taunton in Somerset to the city of York. Locos for this trip were to be a pair of WCRC Class 37s, 37516 and 37676, with Class 47 No. 47787 (Traction Magazine) on the rear. Our plan was to catch this as it passed through Church fenton at around 1120am, but shortly before that a very helpful guard from one of the regular service trains saw us waiting and very kindly informed us that due to a problem at Bristol the train was running about 90 minutes late. Further checks revealed that because of the delay the planned mini-tour that had been planned (and which again would have passed through Church Fenton for a second time - the reason for our choice of that location), had now been cancelled. With time to kill we decided to take a look at a few other locations on the route, and after checking out Ulleskelf, we were advised that the best spot to catch it was at Colton Junction near York, and we duly headed off there instead. The charter had made up a little time, so we didn't have too long to wait once we'd arrived there, and the train appeared 'triple headed' with all three locos at the front, the two 37s at the front, and the 47 behind them, and looked an impressive sight as is passed below us. For the return journey we decided to catch it at Burton Salmon, and were surprised (and a little worried in case we'd chosen the wrong location, or the route had been changed) to find that we were the only ones there and had the place to ourselves (ConwyCastle and me that is, not the 'royal we'!):-) The light wasn't too great by that time, but again it was a nice sight, though by now it had lost one of the growlers, and there was just 47787 at the front and 37676 at the rear on this one, the troublesome 37516 having been left behind in York I assume. In this collection are a number of shots of the railtour, plus various other Freds, Sheds and passenger services seen along the way.

'Fred' approaching Church Fenton Frieghtliner 'Fred' with coal train 125 approaches Church Fenton 158 arrives at Church Fenton from Leeds Sheffield train departs from Church Fenton Voyager passes through Church Fenton 158 arrives at Church fenton EWS 'Shed' coal train passes through Colton Junction EWS Shed Class 186 approaches Colton Junction 'Jorvik Growler' approaches Colton Junction This old carriage sits in a field near the railway bridge at Burton Salmon, I'm surprised none of the heritage railways have been after it, it looks old, and in reasonable condition! Jorvik Growler passes Burton Salmon on its return jorney

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]]> Sat Oct 17 2009 Various ELR Locos seen in October 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1767739.html With the end of the summer timetable and no midweek services now, my visits to the ELR in October haven't been quite as frequent as in previous months. This collection shows a number of images taken on the few visits that I was able to make. Thankfully I haven't had the usual soakings so far this month, but have probably just tempted the fates by making that statement, and monsoon like conditions will again be assured from now on!:-) The weekend of the 3rd/4th of October was the last of this year's 'Family Fun Events', and I was only able to make it for the last couple of hours, mainly to get a look at the k4 steam loco "The Great Marquess", who had just returned to the line again for a several month stay, a real pleasure to see this lovely loco back on the ELR once again. October 11th was my next visit, and this time it was all steam again, with the Jinty 47324 and the Great Marquess 61994 handling all of the services, and nice to see a big loco hauling the dining train once again. Sunday 25th of October saw a rare sight, two big black steam locos on the ELR - once a common sight, but not so usual in recent months. The weather forecast said it would be a mild day, with fine weather and even sunshine, so I should have realised that they meant all of the country except Rossendale, as I was subjected to the usual gloomy skies, rain and even winds bordering on Gale Force. Anyway, 'Lancashire Fusilier' 45407 was back, even if only for a short period, and it was great to see it on the ELR again, and sharing steam duties with the Great Marquess, 61994 for the day. And yes, I did get yet another soaking and went home wet yet again!:-) Thursday 1 October 2009: With the end of the summer timetable and no midweek services now, my visits to the ELR in October haven't been quite as frequent as in previous months. This collection shows a number of images taken on the few visits that I was able to make. Thankfully I haven't had the usual soakings so far this month, but have probably just tempted the fates by making that statement, and monsoon like conditions will again be assured from now on!:-) The weekend of the 3rd/4th of October was the last of this year's 'Family Fun Events', and I was only able to make it for the last couple of hours, mainly to get a look at the k4 steam loco "The Great Marquess", who had just returned to the line again for a several month stay, a real pleasure to see this lovely loco back on the ELR once again. October 11th was my next visit, and this time it was all steam again, with the Jinty 47324 and the Great Marquess 61994 handling all of the services, and nice to see a big loco hauling the dining train once again. Sunday 25th of October saw a rare sight, two big black steam locos on the ELR - once a common sight, but not so usual in recent months. The weather forecast said it would be a mild day, with fine weather and even sunshine, so I should have realised that they meant all of the country except Rossendale, as I was subjected to the usual gloomy skies, rain and even winds bordering on Gale Force. Anyway, 'Lancashire Fusilier' 45407 was back, even if only for a short period, and it was great to see it on the ELR again, and sharing steam duties with the Great Marquess, 61994 for the day. And yes, I did get yet another soaking and went home wet yet again!:-)

4th October 2009 4th October 2009 4th October 2009 4th October 2009 4th October 2009 4th October 2009 11th October 2009 11th October 2009 11th October 2009 11th October 2009 11th October 2009 11th October 2009 11th October 2009 11th October 2009 11th October 2009 25th October 2009 25th October 2009 25th October 2009 25th October 2009 25th October 2009 25th October 2009 25th October 2009 25th October 2009 25th October 2009 25th October 2009 25th October 2009 25th October 2009 25th October 2009 25th October 2009

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]]> Thu Oct 1 2009 Charters in the Mist & Railways around Blackpool http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1767577.html On Saturday 10th of October it was off to Leyland in Lancashire to catch a number of charters as they headed north on the West Coast Main Line. Three charters in 15 minutes, that's not something you see very often, though we almost didn't see them at all thanks to a blanket of fog which was severly limiting visibility when we arrived. Thankfully this started to clear, though I then wished it hadn't as the bright Sun made photographing anything coming from the south a bit more difficult - some days it seems you just can't win!:-) The first of the charters was the "Cumbrian Mountain Express", which was hauled by a DBS Class 66 shed (66152), and was on it's way to Hellifield where Tornado was due to take over as it travelled on the Carlisle. Next up was the "North Wales Lakelander", this was hauled by a Class 67 - 67005 as it made its journey from Holyhead to Carlisle. Last up it was the turn for some steam, and none other than the Duchess of Sutherland, 6233 herself, as she took the "Royal Scot" up to Carlisle from Crewe. After the charters had passed we jumped on the train and spent the day in the Blackpool area, not only to photograph some trams (these are now available in my other Tram Gallery, which is accesible from the link on the main page), but also to get a few shots of some remnants of the old line that used to run up to Blackpool Central before the powers that be turned it into a road and car/coach park, Blackpool South Station, and also the current stations at Pleasure Beach and Squires Gate. After this and a look at the now closed and disused Pontins Holiday Camp nearby, it was back north again, and after an enjoyable session of tram photting, off to Blackpool North Station for the return trip home again. Saturday 10 October 2009: On Saturday 10th of October it was off to Leyland in Lancashire to catch a number of charters as they headed north on the West Coast Main Line. Three charters in 15 minutes, that's not something you see very often, though we almost didn't see them at all thanks to a blanket of fog which was severly limiting visibility when we arrived. Thankfully this started to clear, though I then wished it hadn't as the bright Sun made photographing anything coming from the south a bit more difficult - some days it seems you just can't win!:-) The first of the charters was the "Cumbrian Mountain Express", which was hauled by a DBS Class 66 shed (66152), and was on it's way to Hellifield where Tornado was due to take over as it travelled on the Carlisle. Next up was the "North Wales Lakelander", this was hauled by a Class 67 - 67005 as it made its journey from Holyhead to Carlisle. Last up it was the turn for some steam, and none other than the Duchess of Sutherland, 6233 herself, as she took the "Royal Scot" up to Carlisle from Crewe. After the charters had passed we jumped on the train and spent the day in the Blackpool area, not only to photograph some trams (these are now available in my other Tram Gallery, which is accesible from the link on the main page), but also to get a few shots of some remnants of the old line that used to run up to Blackpool Central before the powers that be turned it into a road and car/coach park, Blackpool South Station, and also the current stations at Pleasure Beach and Squires Gate. After this and a look at the now closed and disused Pontins Holiday Camp nearby, it was back north again, and after an enjoyable session of tram photting, off to Blackpool North Station for the return trip home again.

Pendolinos in the mist 66152 - Cumbrian Mountain Express 66152 - Cumbrian Mountain Express 67005 - North Wales Lakelander The Duchess arrives with the Royal Scot The Grand Old Duchess 57601 on the rear end of the Royal Scot Thunderbird 'John Tracy' on standby at Preston old railway was near to where the Blackpool Central Station once stood more remnants of the old railway You can tell this was once a railway bridge unused side of the platform at Blackpool South, now just looking onto a car park the other side of the platform, still in use, but now leading to a dead end looking south from Blackpool South along the disused southern half of the current platform platform at Squires Gate looking north from Squires Gate Station the view south, showing the current platform at Squire's Gate, and the old disused one. That's the now closed Pontins Holiday Camp in the background the view north from Squires Gate towards the Pleasure Beach Pleasure Beach Station, opened in 1987, formerly Burlington Road Halt from 1913 to 1949 that's the 'Big One' in the background, and no you wouldn't get me up there, the footbridge was quite high enough for me!:-) that canopy looks much older than the station the view south from the Pleasure Beach Station Blackpool North Station

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]]> Sat Oct 10 2009 Gracie, 45231 & the last day of the Oldham Loop http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1765152.html Saturday 3rd of October proved to be a very busy day, with 45231 "Sherwood Forester" working "The Witch Way and Oldham Loop Farewell" tour for Spitfire Railtours, working its way around Lancashire and Yorkshire, and also a naming ceremony at Victoria Station in Manchester prior to the Oldham Loop seeing its last rail services before it becomes a part of the Metrolink Empire. Our day started with the arrival of 45231 at a very windy Manchester Victoria, with WCRC Class 37 37707 arriving on the rear for the first part of the journey (which of course I managed to forget to photograph due to being too busy down at the steam end of the train!). This arrived as per usual on Platform 3, and then later departed for Huddersfield, which allowed us time to head for Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire to get a few shots of it as it passed through the station. Then it was back to Victoria again for the next event. 4pm saw all the action taking place on Platform One, as a newly refurbished Class 156 '156466' received the name 'Gracie Fields' from Gracie's own nephew, Mr Dougie Wakefield (well being from the Rochdale area we couldn't really miss that could we?). Also in attendance at the naming ceremony were the Mayors of Rochdale, Shaw and Oldham, along with Councillor Keith Whitmore, the chairman of the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, and Rochdale MP Paul Rowen. On completion of the naming the 156 ran services around the Loop for the rest of the evening bearing a headboard with a "Last day of trains via the Oldham Loop" on it. Next up was 45231 again, as it arrived back at Victoria ahead of the evening part of the journey, a last ever steam trip around the Loop before closure. sadly, due to the timing of this, it was dark by the time the train reached Rochdale Station ahead of it's trip back to Manchester via Oldham, so I wasn't able to take any photographs of this, or the Class 37 as it hauled the train around the Loop later in the evening. Sad to see the Loop go, and with 2012 being the date when the trams will arrive at Rochdale, a very long wait ahead for local residents and passengers before we get to travel around the line again. It would have been really nice to have seen the steam loco travelling around the Loop, pity they couldn't have done this on the Sunday when no services would have been running, now that would have been a special 'final day'! Saturday 3 October 2009: Saturday 3rd of October proved to be a very busy day, with 45231 "Sherwood Forester" working "The Witch Way and Oldham Loop Farewell" tour for Spitfire Railtours, working its way around Lancashire and Yorkshire, and also a naming ceremony at Victoria Station in Manchester prior to the Oldham Loop seeing its last rail services before it becomes a part of the Metrolink Empire. Our day started with the arrival of 45231 at a very windy Manchester Victoria, with WCRC Class 37 37707 arriving on the rear for the first part of the journey (which of course I managed to forget to photograph due to being too busy down at the steam end of the train!). This arrived as per usual on Platform 3, and then later departed for Huddersfield, which allowed us time to head for Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire to get a few shots of it as it passed through the station. Then it was back to Victoria again for the next event. 4pm saw all the action taking place on Platform One, as a newly refurbished Class 156 '156466' received the name 'Gracie Fields' from Gracie's own nephew, Mr Dougie Wakefield (well being from the Rochdale area we couldn't really miss that could we?). Also in attendance at the naming ceremony were the Mayors of Rochdale, Shaw and Oldham, along with Councillor Keith Whitmore, the chairman of the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, and Rochdale MP Paul Rowen. On completion of the naming the 156 ran services around the Loop for the rest of the evening bearing a headboard with a "Last day of trains via the Oldham Loop" on it. Next up was 45231 again, as it arrived back at Victoria ahead of the evening part of the journey, a last ever steam trip around the Loop before closure. sadly, due to the timing of this, it was dark by the time the train reached Rochdale Station ahead of it's trip back to Manchester via Oldham, so I wasn't able to take any photographs of this, or the Class 37 as it hauled the train around the Loop later in the evening. Sad to see the Loop go, and with 2012 being the date when the trams will arrive at Rochdale, a very long wait ahead for local residents and passengers before we get to travel around the line again. It would have been really nice to have seen the steam loco travelling around the Loop, pity they couldn't have done this on the Sunday when no services would have been running, now that would have been a special 'final day'!

Pacer approaches Manchester Victoria 45231 arrives at Victoria On goes the 'Spitfire' headboard 158 approaches Hebden Bridge 158 approaches Hebden Bridge 158 departs from Hebden Bridge 45231 passes through hebden Bridge I love 'tugs' and this one was just sat waiting to be photographed at Manchester Victoria Signboard on the front and rear of the 'named' 156 preparations for the naming ceremony on Platform One The covered nameplate getting ready to begin The speeches begin Councillor Whitmore starts the speeches Mayor of Rochdale Keith Swift Gracie's nephew prepares to unveil the nameplate Richard Greenwood, well known railway photographer, and Chairman of 'STORM' (Save the Oldham, Rochdale and Manchester Group). Gracie Fields' nephew Dougie wakefield The Mayors go off for a jolly around the Loop Watch they don't arrest you lads! A tram arrives from Bury The 156 at Rochdale in the 'bay' platform

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]]> Sat Oct 3 2009 Embsay & Bolton Abbey Harvest of Steam 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1761388.html On Sunday 27th of September 2009 it was a short trip north again to Embsay near Skipton for Day Two of the annual "Harvest of Steam" event, which was taking place over that weekend. The main attraction this time was the visiting BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 78019, one of only four survivors in this class, which was visiting from the Great Central Railway just for the duration of the event. This black loco was a very impressive sight, always smartly turned out, and producing lots of smoke and steam, a lovely sight with either passenger coaches or goods wagons attached. Well worth the trip alone to see this in service. The other steam power was provided by another visiting loco, this time "Darfield No.1", who, according to the Embsay stocklist, was visiting the Railway for a one year period from June 2008 (this has now been extended for another period). This loco was visiting from the Llangollen Railway, and according the website, was formerly based at Embsay until the late 1980s. The Llangollen site says that this loco was built by the Hunslet Engine Co. Ltd. of Leeds in October 1953 for the National Coal Board. Diesel loco D5600 was also in service, and took turns with goods and passenger working as well (these included standard and vintage coaching stock). One of the highlights of the event, unfortunately at the end of the day when it was starting to get a bit gloomy, was the double header, which consisted of both 78019 and Darfield No. 1. 78019 arrived from Embsay light engine, before joining up with Darfield, who had hauled the standard coach set up from Bolton Abbey to the Stoneacre passing loop. These locos were coupled together there, and then with 78019 at the front, they double headed back to Embsay, both locos looking very impressive as they passed by us with a fantastic display of steam and smoke at our location just to north of Holywell Halt. My thanks to all the staff and volunteers at the YDR for yet another enjoyable event, always nice to visit this very scenic part of the country (even if it is in Yorkshire)!:-) Sunday 27 September 2009: On Sunday 27th of September 2009 it was a short trip north again to Embsay near Skipton for Day Two of the annual "Harvest of Steam" event, which was taking place over that weekend. The main attraction this time was the visiting BR Standard Class 2 2-6-0 No. 78019, one of only four survivors in this class, which was visiting from the Great Central Railway just for the duration of the event. This black loco was a very impressive sight, always smartly turned out, and producing lots of smoke and steam, a lovely sight with either passenger coaches or goods wagons attached. Well worth the trip alone to see this in service. The other steam power was provided by another visiting loco, this time "Darfield No.1", who, according to the Embsay stocklist, was visiting the Railway for a one year period from June 2008 (this has now been extended for another period). This loco was visiting from the Llangollen Railway, and according the website, was formerly based at Embsay until the late 1980s. The Llangollen site says that this loco was built by the Hunslet Engine Co. Ltd. of Leeds in October 1953 for the National Coal Board. Diesel loco D5600 was also in service, and took turns with goods and passenger working as well (these included standard and vintage coaching stock). One of the highlights of the event, unfortunately at the end of the day when it was starting to get a bit gloomy, was the double header, which consisted of both 78019 and Darfield No. 1. 78019 arrived from Embsay light engine, before joining up with Darfield, who had hauled the standard coach set up from Bolton Abbey to the Stoneacre passing loop. These locos were coupled together there, and then with 78019 at the front, they double headed back to Embsay, both locos looking very impressive as they passed by us with a fantastic display of steam and smoke at our location just to north of Holywell Halt. My thanks to all the staff and volunteers at the YDR for yet another enjoyable event, always nice to visit this very scenic part of the country (even if it is in Yorkshire)!:-)

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]]> Sun Sep 27 2009 One Last Full Day on the Oldham Loop http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1759832.html Although I've ridden around the Oldham Loop hundreds of times (literally) during my lifetime, I'd never bothered to photograph very much of it, and with the closure date of October 3rd approaching rapidly, now seemed like a good time for one final photographic trip before it all becomes a part of the Metrolink empire. Thursday 17th of September was the chosen date, and after catching a 'Green' charter at Castelton Station earlier that morning, it was off to Rochdale to buy one of the cheap Day Rover tickets and spend the day visiting all of the stations on the Loop. After taking a service train direct to Manchester Victoria via Castleton, Mills Hill and Moston, it was a quick change onto the Shaw 'stopping' train and first stop on this was at Dean Lane. Last time I was on this station was when I visited the open day at the nearby Newton Heath Works in 2007, the entrance of which is just across the main road from the station. A little time was spent here (photographing everything in sight of course), before again catching the 'stopping' train to the next station along the line at Failsworth. Failsworth Station, like all the Loop stations as far as Shaw is double tracked, and the platforms here are of the wooden type, with the railway line and station looking down onto the main road, which passes underneath it. Next up was Hollinwood, which since it was originally built, now also has a motorway running alongside it (and under the line just to the north of the station). It also has a very large and impressive looking building just to the rear, and this was where Ferranti had once made electricity transformers (back in the days before we exported our manufactring industry to the far east and eater Europe), but for some years now it has been well known as the place that turns out over 11 million copies of the Daily Mirror newspaper every week. From Hollinwood it was back on the train to the next station up the line, and this time it was the turn of Oldham Werneth, where, if all goes to plan, the new Metrolink service will leave the old line and make its way through the centre of the town before rejoining the old line at Oldham Mumps once again. Werneth Station is quite intersting in that the northern end of the platforms approach the Werneth Tunnel, and this has a nice stone carved emblem up above the portal. According to its Wikipedia entry, the station was originally built to serve the Platt Brothers cotton spinning engineering company. To the south there was a former branch line called the Werneth Incline, which ran down towards Middleton Junction. If you look very carefully you can just see where the line once curved away from the mainline on the southside of the bridge, though like many other places, this is now heavily covered by trees and bushes. Next station visited was Oldham Mumps, and this is the main station for the town, but is located well down at the bottom of the hill from the town centre, and reaching it requires crossing the B & Q car park and going under the subway or across a very busy main road (and it's not much fun doing this after dark). The Mumps Station platforms look quite run down, and at times I half expected David Attenborough to pop up, but this is not surprising since there hasn't been any great incentive to make improvements and investment when it has had the threat of conversion to Metrolink hanging over it since the early 1990s. It will be interesting to compare how it looks after the Metrolink conversion, and just which bits survive. In spite of that I personally like Mumps Station, it certainly has a bit of character about it anyway!:-) Before moving on to the next station at Derker it was a quick trip on foot to the south of Mumps Station to get some shots of the Oldham Signal Box, and the nearby old and impressive iron footbridge which crosses the mainline near there, and does seem to be well used by the people of Glodwick. Derker Station is the 'newest' station on the line, and I can well remember this coming into service in 1985, with its 'temporary' wooden platforms. It now looks very different to what I remember though, as the large mill that once stood alongside it has now been demolished and there is just a very large space there (future park and ride site perhaps?). After Derker we reach Shaw & Crompton Station, which is not only the terminating point for the 'stopping' trains from Manchester, but also the last station to be double tracked on the northern section of the line. This station always seems quite busy, and has a main road/level crossing at the southern end (operated by Shaw Signal Box just the other side of the main road to the south, with a semaphore signal on the end of the platform, which I can't see surviving into the Metrolink era). There is also a footbrige across the line and this makes a fine vantage point for visiting photters. There is a 'crossover' to the north of the station where trains that terminate here can cross over to the other platform before they start their return journey back to Manchester. 'Direct' trains from Manchester Victoria also call here on their way to and from Rochdale as well. From Shaw the next station is at Newhey, and trains from Rochdale call here on their way down from Rochdale, and the trains that don't stop at the stations between Victoria and Mumps also call here on the northwards journey. Now single tracked for many years, the old platform can still be seen under the heavy undergrowth. It will be interesting to see if this comes back into use when Metrolink finally gets there, hopefully I will be back in 2012 to make the same trip again and compare it with how it looks in this gallery. The end of the platform at the Rochdale end requires the trains to pass under a bridge, which carries Huddersfield Road over it, thos main road is connected to the platform by a short path for the use of passengers. An old Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Warehouse across from the station still dominates the skyline and looks quite impressive. Milnrow Station is the last stop before Rochdale, and the station is again single tracked with a disused platform looking very overgrown at the other side. There is an old iron sided bridge crossing the track just to the north of the station, and the stretch of the line between here and Rochdale Station crosses the Rochdale Canal at one point near to Firgrove. The plans for the new Metrolink extension propose various new stations to serve the vast Kingsway Business Park, and parts of the town leading down to the planned new interchange in the centre of Rochdale, so this end of the line will look quite different, and we shall not see the 'Bay Platform' Platform 2 in use at Rochdale after the conversion. This gallery ends with a shot of a Class 156 parked in the bay there awaiting its return to Manchester, this was the one that we had just arrived on. The line currently has Class 142, Class 156 and Class 158 DMUs running on it, so if you haven't yet visited the line you'd better be quick, because it won't be there for much longer in its current form! Thursday 17 September 2009: Although I've ridden around the Oldham Loop hundreds of times (literally) during my lifetime, I'd never bothered to photograph very much of it, and with the closure date of October 3rd approaching rapidly, now seemed like a good time for one final photographic trip before it all becomes a part of the Metrolink empire. Thursday 17th of September was the chosen date, and after catching a 'Green' charter at Castelton Station earlier that morning, it was off to Rochdale to buy one of the cheap Day Rover tickets and spend the day visiting all of the stations on the Loop. After taking a service train direct to Manchester Victoria via Castleton, Mills Hill and Moston, it was a quick change onto the Shaw 'stopping' train and first stop on this was at Dean Lane. Last time I was on this station was when I visited the open day at the nearby Newton Heath Works in 2007, the entrance of which is just across the main road from the station. A little time was spent here (photographing everything in sight of course), before again catching the 'stopping' train to the next station along the line at Failsworth. Failsworth Station, like all the Loop stations as far as Shaw is double tracked, and the platforms here are of the wooden type, with the railway line and station looking down onto the main road, which passes underneath it. Next up was Hollinwood, which since it was originally built, now also has a motorway running alongside it (and under the line just to the north of the station). It also has a very large and impressive looking building just to the rear, and this was where Ferranti had once made electricity transformers (back in the days before we exported our manufactring industry to the far east and eater Europe), but for some years now it has been well known as the place that turns out over 11 million copies of the Daily Mirror newspaper every week. From Hollinwood it was back on the train to the next station up the line, and this time it was the turn of Oldham Werneth, where, if all goes to plan, the new Metrolink service will leave the old line and make its way through the centre of the town before rejoining the old line at Oldham Mumps once again. Werneth Station is quite intersting in that the northern end of the platforms approach the Werneth Tunnel, and this has a nice stone carved emblem up above the portal. According to its Wikipedia entry, the station was originally built to serve the Platt Brothers cotton spinning engineering company. To the south there was a former branch line called the Werneth Incline, which ran down towards Middleton Junction. If you look very carefully you can just see where the line once curved away from the mainline on the southside of the bridge, though like many other places, this is now heavily covered by trees and bushes. Next station visited was Oldham Mumps, and this is the main station for the town, but is located well down at the bottom of the hill from the town centre, and reaching it requires crossing the B & Q car park and going under the subway or across a very busy main road (and it's not much fun doing this after dark). The Mumps Station platforms look quite run down, and at times I half expected David Attenborough to pop up, but this is not surprising since there hasn't been any great incentive to make improvements and investment when it has had the threat of conversion to Metrolink hanging over it since the early 1990s. It will be interesting to compare how it looks after the Metrolink conversion, and just which bits survive. In spite of that I personally like Mumps Station, it certainly has a bit of character about it anyway!:-) Before moving on to the next station at Derker it was a quick trip on foot to the south of Mumps Station to get some shots of the Oldham Signal Box, and the nearby old and impressive iron footbridge which crosses the mainline near there, and does seem to be well used by the people of Glodwick. Derker Station is the 'newest' station on the line, and I can well remember this coming into service in 1985, with its 'temporary' wooden platforms. It now looks very different to what I remember though, as the large mill that once stood alongside it has now been demolished and there is just a very large space there (future park and ride site perhaps?). After Derker we reach Shaw & Crompton Station, which is not only the terminating point for the 'stopping' trains from Manchester, but also the last station to be double tracked on the northern section of the line. This station always seems quite busy, and has a main road/level crossing at the southern end (operated by Shaw Signal Box just the other side of the main road to the south, with a semaphore signal on the end of the platform, which I can't see surviving into the Metrolink era). There is also a footbrige across the line and this makes a fine vantage point for visiting photters. There is a 'crossover' to the north of the station where trains that terminate here can cross over to the other platform before they start their return journey back to Manchester. 'Direct' trains from Manchester Victoria also call here on their way to and from Rochdale as well. From Shaw the next station is at Newhey, and trains from Rochdale call here on their way down from Rochdale, and the trains that don't stop at the stations between Victoria and Mumps also call here on the northwards journey. Now single tracked for many years, the old platform can still be seen under the heavy undergrowth. It will be interesting to see if this comes back into use when Metrolink finally gets there, hopefully I will be back in 2012 to make the same trip again and compare it with how it looks in this gallery. The end of the platform at the Rochdale end requires the trains to pass under a bridge, which carries Huddersfield Road over it, thos main road is connected to the platform by a short path for the use of passengers. An old Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Warehouse across from the station still dominates the skyline and looks quite impressive. Milnrow Station is the last stop before Rochdale, and the station is again single tracked with a disused platform looking very overgrown at the other side. There is an old iron sided bridge crossing the track just to the north of the station, and the stretch of the line between here and Rochdale Station crosses the Rochdale Canal at one point near to Firgrove. The plans for the new Metrolink extension propose various new stations to serve the vast Kingsway Business Park, and parts of the town leading down to the planned new interchange in the centre of Rochdale, so this end of the line will look quite different, and we shall not see the 'Bay Platform' Platform 2 in use at Rochdale after the conversion. This gallery ends with a shot of a Class 156 parked in the bay there awaiting its return to Manchester, this was the one that we had just arrived on. The line currently has Class 142, Class 156 and Class 158 DMUs running on it, so if you haven't yet visited the line you'd better be quick, because it won't be there for much longer in its current form!

Rochdale Station - Bay 2 Dean Lane Dean Lane Dean Lane Newton Heath Works, across the road from the entrance to Dean Lane Station Dean Lane Dean Lane Dean Lane Dean Lane Dean Lane Dean Lane Closure Notices at Dean Lane Railway pub outside Dean Lane Station Dean Lane Dean Lane Failsworth Station Failsworth Station Failsworth Station Failsworth Station Failsworth Station Failsworth Station Failsworth Station Failsworth Station Failsworth Station Failsworth Station Failsworth Station Failsworth Station Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station outside Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station Daily Mirror Printworks Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station Hollinwood Station - over the M60 Hollinwood Station

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]]> Thu Sep 17 2009 Super Steam Saturday in York http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1758211.html We had originally planned to go to the Middleton Railway's Steam Gala on the 19th of September, but with no information available about what was running, and a lot of buzz on the internet about there being an unprecedented four steam charters, all hauled by large and impressive locos passing through York Station that day, we decided that a day there might prove to be a better option instead. I have to say in hindsight that it looks like we certainly made the right decision!:-) After a very early morning start, and a trip over the Pennines in foggy conditions, things were brightening up by the time we reached York, and we were there in good time to see the mighty A4 Pacific 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' arrive at 7.30am to prepare to haul "The Heart of Midlothian" charter up the East Coast Main Line to Edinburgh. Departure time was 8.02am, and there were already a lot of enthusiasts on the station waiting to see this famous engine off on its journey. Next up was 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland', which was taking "The Tyne Valley Tourer" from York to Carlisle, and planned departure time for this one was 9.29am. The loco arrived from Peterborough hauled by diesel locos 57601 and 47851 - the second time I had seen the latter loco on charter duty in the past week! I'm glad I was able to photograph the Duchess as she backed onto her coaches, because when she parted she was doing a great impression of a stealth aircraft, and the only view that many enthusiasts had of her departure was a large cloud of steam, a bit of a disappointment for many waiting photographers. Third up was the great protector himself, as 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' arrived from Cleethorpes on his way to Hellifield with the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' and bearing the headboard "The Waverley". What a lovely sight it was, with an even more impressive departure at 10.32am (well at least we could see this one!). Only mid morning and we'd already seen three of the most impressive locos around, and what was left to come - yes new boy 60163 'Tornado', who was bringing "The Cathedrals Express" from London Kings Cross for a three hour stopover in York. The loco arrived just after 1.20pm, and this gave us time to have a look around York and photograph a number of other service trains and buses (been a few years since I last did that at York Station). Tornado's departure was scheduled for 5.02pm, so we decided to catch this at a location to the south of York, and it looked a lovely sight as it powered down the ECML in bright sunlight. What a grand day out, well worth getting up at 5am, and who would have believed even 10 years ago that we would ever see four steam engines in the same day at a major mainline station like York ever again. That wasn't quite the end though, we knew that there was also a NENTA diesel charter which had been running from Norwich to Carlisle, and this was due to pass through Hebden Bridge on its return at around 6.40pm. Since this was on our way home we headed for there to try and catch this one. The light was fading fast as the charter approached, topped and tailed by two Class 47 locos, and in spite of the poor light and having to shoot at ISO1600, I was confident of at least getting a usable shot, that was until a service pacer came alongside me just as the train was appearing into view, and forced me to shoot it at a distance, and then wait until the pacer had passed to try and get the rear loco. Well these things happen, and you can't do much about it, but I wasn't too unhappy having had so much good stuff for the rest of the day, and I have included the two poor shots I did manage anyway, better than nothing I guess!:-) The numbers of these two locos were 47826 and 47787 (my thanks to Robin Lush for kindly providing this information and putting me out of my misery!):-) Check out ConwyCastle's video of the incident via the collection link at the foot of the page, if you look carefully you can just see me at the end of the platform as the pacer passed between me and the 47s. Looking at it again I'm amazed I managed to get a picture at all!:-) Still, four steam locos and four diesels on charter duty, as well as numerous service trains (not to mention lots of buses and ships for my other galleries too), what a cracking day out it was! Saturday 19 September 2009: We had originally planned to go to the Middleton Railway's Steam Gala on the 19th of September, but with no information available about what was running, and a lot of buzz on the internet about there being an unprecedented four steam charters, all hauled by large and impressive locos passing through York Station that day, we decided that a day there might prove to be a better option instead. I have to say in hindsight that it looks like we certainly made the right decision!:-) After a very early morning start, and a trip over the Pennines in foggy conditions, things were brightening up by the time we reached York, and we were there in good time to see the mighty A4 Pacific 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' arrive at 7.30am to prepare to haul "The Heart of Midlothian" charter up the East Coast Main Line to Edinburgh. Departure time was 8.02am, and there were already a lot of enthusiasts on the station waiting to see this famous engine off on its journey. Next up was 6233 'Duchess of Sutherland', which was taking "The Tyne Valley Tourer" from York to Carlisle, and planned departure time for this one was 9.29am. The loco arrived from Peterborough hauled by diesel locos 57601 and 47851 - the second time I had seen the latter loco on charter duty in the past week! I'm glad I was able to photograph the Duchess as she backed onto her coaches, because when she parted she was doing a great impression of a stealth aircraft, and the only view that many enthusiasts had of her departure was a large cloud of steam, a bit of a disappointment for many waiting photographers. Third up was the great protector himself, as 70013 'Oliver Cromwell' arrived from Cleethorpes on his way to Hellifield with the 'Cumbrian Mountain Express' and bearing the headboard "The Waverley". What a lovely sight it was, with an even more impressive departure at 10.32am (well at least we could see this one!). Only mid morning and we'd already seen three of the most impressive locos around, and what was left to come - yes new boy 60163 'Tornado', who was bringing "The Cathedrals Express" from London Kings Cross for a three hour stopover in York. The loco arrived just after 1.20pm, and this gave us time to have a look around York and photograph a number of other service trains and buses (been a few years since I last did that at York Station). Tornado's departure was scheduled for 5.02pm, so we decided to catch this at a location to the south of York, and it looked a lovely sight as it powered down the ECML in bright sunlight. What a grand day out, well worth getting up at 5am, and who would have believed even 10 years ago that we would ever see four steam engines in the same day at a major mainline station like York ever again. That wasn't quite the end though, we knew that there was also a NENTA diesel charter which had been running from Norwich to Carlisle, and this was due to pass through Hebden Bridge on its return at around 6.40pm. Since this was on our way home we headed for there to try and catch this one. The light was fading fast as the charter approached, topped and tailed by two Class 47 locos, and in spite of the poor light and having to shoot at ISO1600, I was confident of at least getting a usable shot, that was until a service pacer came alongside me just as the train was appearing into view, and forced me to shoot it at a distance, and then wait until the pacer had passed to try and get the rear loco. Well these things happen, and you can't do much about it, but I wasn't too unhappy having had so much good stuff for the rest of the day, and I have included the two poor shots I did manage anyway, better than nothing I guess!:-) The numbers of these two locos were 47826 and 47787 (my thanks to Robin Lush for kindly providing this information and putting me out of my misery!):-) Check out ConwyCastle's video of the incident via the collection link at the foot of the page, if you look carefully you can just see me at the end of the platform as the pacer passed between me and the 47s. Looking at it again I'm amazed I managed to get a picture at all!:-) Still, four steam locos and four diesels on charter duty, as well as numerous service trains (not to mention lots of buses and ships for my other galleries too), what a cracking day out it was!

Sir Nigel arrives at York These two locos had hauled the charter up to York The Duchess doing her impression of a stealth bomber and trying not to be seen by the waiting hordes Oliver Cromwell invades York You'd think they'd know better at their age! Poor old pigeon, it didn't stand a chance!:-( Tornado arrives from Kings Cross

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]]> Sat Sep 19 2009 Ribble Steam Railway - Steam Gala 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1755190.html On Saturday the 12th of September 2009, it was back to Preston in Lancashire again, this time for the Ribble Steam Railway's annual steam gala, which was taking place over that weekend. The event featured 6 passenger plus three freight workings, and two if their steam locos were in use (plus one visitor), with one additional diesel loco to assist whenever required. I'm forever complaining about the way it always rains whenever I visit the narby ELR, yet just barely 20 miles away on the western side of the county, the opposite always seems to be true, and every time I've visited the RSR so far the weather has always been beautiful, with blue skies and bright sunshine the order of the day. Maybe I have just been very fortunate, or maybe I'm living in the wrong part of the county palatine!:-) Locos in steam on this day were: Barclay 0-4-0 ST 'John Howe', Hunslet Austerity 3155 'Walkden', and star attraction was the visiting loco, 0-6-0 Hunslet Austerity ‘Cumbria’, which is owned by the Furness Railway Trust, and which according to the RSR website, had never run on any line other than the Lakeside line near Windermere. The diesel in use on the Saturday was the Class 03 D2148, which I believe was replaced on the Sunday by a Class 05 due to a mechanical fault. The RSR may not have one of the longest of lines, but being based around the Preston Docks area it is certainly based in a very dramatic location, and the Marina always looks very picturesque when bathed in bright sunshine. The swing bridge across the entrance to the docks must be one of the biggest and most interesting level crossings in the country I would think. I had just been commenting to a friend that I'd never seen it open to let any boats through, when the tannoy asked everyone to clear the bridge, and then promptly opened it to let a small speedboat come out. The approaching locos were held up at the signal whilst this was taking place, and I'll be placing a number of shots of this opening and the Marina and its craft in my Fotopics Maritime Gallery in due course. All in all an enjoyable day out, and it's always a pleasure to visit the RSR and have a look around their workshops too. Hopefully we will be back there next month for the Diesel Gala if we're not tied up elsewhere that day. My thanks to all the RSR's volunteers and staff for their hard work, it's always much appreciated. Saturday 12 September 2009: On Saturday the 12th of September 2009, it was back to Preston in Lancashire again, this time for the Ribble Steam Railway's annual steam gala, which was taking place over that weekend. The event featured 6 passenger plus three freight workings, and two if their steam locos were in use (plus one visitor), with one additional diesel loco to assist whenever required. I'm forever complaining about the way it always rains whenever I visit the narby ELR, yet just barely 20 miles away on the western side of the county, the opposite always seems to be true, and every time I've visited the RSR so far the weather has always been beautiful, with blue skies and bright sunshine the order of the day. Maybe I have just been very fortunate, or maybe I'm living in the wrong part of the county palatine!:-) Locos in steam on this day were: Barclay 0-4-0 ST 'John Howe', Hunslet Austerity 3155 'Walkden', and star attraction was the visiting loco, 0-6-0 Hunslet Austerity _Cumbria_, which is owned by the Furness Railway Trust, and which according to the RSR website, had never run on any line other than the Lakeside line near Windermere. The diesel in use on the Saturday was the Class 03 D2148, which I believe was replaced on the Sunday by a Class 05 due to a mechanical fault. The RSR may not have one of the longest of lines, but being based around the Preston Docks area it is certainly based in a very dramatic location, and the Marina always looks very picturesque when bathed in bright sunshine. The swing bridge across the entrance to the docks must be one of the biggest and most interesting level crossings in the country I would think. I had just been commenting to a friend that I'd never seen it open to let any boats through, when the tannoy asked everyone to clear the bridge, and then promptly opened it to let a small speedboat come out. The approaching locos were held up at the signal whilst this was taking place, and I'll be placing a number of shots of this opening and the Marina and its craft in my Fotopics Maritime Gallery in due course. All in all an enjoyable day out, and it's always a pleasure to visit the RSR and have a look around their workshops too. Hopefully we will be back there next month for the Diesel Gala if we're not tied up elsewhere that day. My thanks to all the RSR's volunteers and staff for their hard work, it's always much appreciated.

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]]> Sat Sep 12 2009 Various ELR Locos seen in September 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1750440.html Any hopes I had of September not being quite as wet as August quickly faded on my first trip of the month, when the heavens really opened as I arrived at Rawtenstall Station, and looking at the forecast for the coming weekend, I can see that 'damp and gloomy' is going to be the theme yet again for this month's ELR Gallery - what a big surprise that is - where is this scorching summer that the BBC Weather Centre were promising us just a few months ago?:-) Anyway, 2nd of September was the date of my first visit, and even though it was just for a couple of hours I did get a few shots of the 'Growler' 37418, which was on duty that day, and another good soaking as well. Good job It's a good job I like taking pictures in these sort of conditions. Second visit of the month was on Saturday 5th of September, and for the first part of the afternoon it was yet again 'traditional' East Lancashire weather, with low cloud and lots of rain, but thankfully it didn't last this time, and by 3pm the clouds hade cleared and we had blue skies and sunshine for the remainder of the day. Nice to see Jimmy the Jinty back in action, and some steam action on the ELR once again. My luck must be changing, visits on the 13th and 20th of September both saw fine weather for a change. Sunday 20th saw the Jinty and the WD double heading the dining train, these looked impressive in the sunshine, though I think they'd have looked even if they'd been tender to tender rather than nose to nose, steam locos always look so much better when they're running chimney first. Nice to see steam back on the ELR no matter which way round they're running though!:-) Tuesday 1 September 2009: Any hopes I had of September not being quite as wet as August quickly faded on my first trip of the month, when the heavens really opened as I arrived at Rawtenstall Station, and looking at the forecast for the coming weekend, I can see that 'damp and gloomy' is going to be the theme yet again for this month's ELR Gallery - what a big surprise that is - where is this scorching summer that the BBC Weather Centre were promising us just a few months ago?:-) Anyway, 2nd of September was the date of my first visit, and even though it was just for a couple of hours I did get a few shots of the 'Growler' 37418, which was on duty that day, and another good soaking as well. Good job It's a good job I like taking pictures in these sort of conditions. Second visit of the month was on Saturday 5th of September, and for the first part of the afternoon it was yet again 'traditional' East Lancashire weather, with low cloud and lots of rain, but thankfully it didn't last this time, and by 3pm the clouds hade cleared and we had blue skies and sunshine for the remainder of the day. Nice to see Jimmy the Jinty back in action, and some steam action on the ELR once again. My luck must be changing, visits on the 13th and 20th of September both saw fine weather for a change. Sunday 20th saw the Jinty and the WD double heading the dining train, these looked impressive in the sunshine, though I think they'd have looked even if they'd been tender to tender rather than nose to nose, steam locos always look so much better when they're running chimney first. Nice to see steam back on the ELR no matter which way round they're running though!:-)

2nd September 2009 2nd September 2009 2nd September 2009 2nd September 2009 2nd September 2009 2nd September 2009 2nd September 2009 2nd September 2009 2nd September 2009 2nd September 2009 2nd September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 5th September 2009 13th September 2009 13th September 2009 13th September 2009 13th September 2009 13th September 2009 13th September 2009 13th September 2009 13th September 2009 20th September 2009 20th September 2009 20th September 2009 20th September 2009 20th September 2009

Published in Railway Gallery

]]> Tue Sep 1 2009 Elsecar Diesel Gala - August 31st 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1749072.html The Bank Holiday Monday on the 31st of August saw us back across the other side of the Pennines again, this time to visit the Elsecar Heritage Railway, who were holding their annual diesel gala there. Having visited this small but very friendly railway back in late May, I had been looking forward to this event very much, and it was great to see that they had put the full timetable on their website prior to the event, thus giving us advance details of all the planned runs and working locos that day, and very importantly for us photographers, which ends of the train the locos would be on for each run. After having been a bit critical of several other railways of late for treating this sort of essential information as some sort of state secret, which should only be revealed to those eventually, and having spent many spent hours rubbing and polishing their crystal balls trying to work out what time the first train would depart, and then used guesswork to decide what time they should leave home, and only when they've done all this and then paid for a programme, been given this information (it's a bit like the search for the Holy Grail in some cases!). Full marks to the folks at Elsecar for getting this spot on, obviously they use real enthusiasts to plan their events and not greedy business managers!:-) Six locos were listed as being operational during the event, these included home fleet: Hunslet 6950, Drewery 72229, Yorkshire 2895, 14901, and visiting Class 31 'D5580' (31162), which is owned by the Midland Railway I believe, also, on static display, was North British No. 27097. These locos ran 'top and tail', with the locos changing ends later in the day to give us a chance to photograph and see them from a different angle. Elsecar isn't always the easiest of lines to take pictures on, mainly because virtually the entire route is lined by trees, so it isn't easy to find many places where you can stand well back to take your shots. Thankfully our previous visit proved very helpful here, as this time I knew where the Sun would be, and also had decided to make as much use of my telephoto lens as possible so that I could shoot the locos 'head on' whenever I was away from the station. All in all a very enjoyable day, and even the weather was good, with blue skies at times and plenty of sunshine, a big change from the almost Monsoon like conditions of the previous two days. Well done Elsecar, and my thanks to all of your volunteers and members, who worked very hard to keep us entertained for around 8 hours. I really appreciated all of your efforts, and look forward to returning for one of your other events in the future, and I hope that your plans to extend the line do eventually come to fruition, you certainly deserve it! Monday 31 August 2009: The Bank Holiday Monday on the 31st of August saw us back across the other side of the Pennines again, this time to visit the Elsecar Heritage Railway, who were holding their annual diesel gala there. Having visited this small but very friendly railway back in late May, I had been looking forward to this event very much, and it was great to see that they had put the full timetable on their website prior to the event, thus giving us advance details of all the planned runs and working locos that day, and very importantly for us photographers, which ends of the train the locos would be on for each run. After having been a bit critical of several other railways of late for treating this sort of essential information as some sort of state secret, which should only be revealed to those eventually, and having spent many spent hours rubbing and polishing their crystal balls trying to work out what time the first train would depart, and then used guesswork to decide what time they should leave home, and only when they've done all this and then paid for a programme, been given this information (it's a bit like the search for the Holy Grail in some cases!). Full marks to the folks at Elsecar for getting this spot on, obviously they use real enthusiasts to plan their events and not greedy business managers!:-) Six locos were listed as being operational during the event, these included home fleet: Hunslet 6950, Drewery 72229, Yorkshire 2895, 14901, and visiting Class 31 'D5580' (31162), which is owned by the Midland Railway I believe, also, on static display, was North British No. 27097. These locos ran 'top and tail', with the locos changing ends later in the day to give us a chance to photograph and see them from a different angle. Elsecar isn't always the easiest of lines to take pictures on, mainly because virtually the entire route is lined by trees, so it isn't easy to find many places where you can stand well back to take your shots. Thankfully our previous visit proved very helpful here, as this time I knew where the Sun would be, and also had decided to make as much use of my telephoto lens as possible so that I could shoot the locos 'head on' whenever I was away from the station. All in all a very enjoyable day, and even the weather was good, with blue skies at times and plenty of sunshine, a big change from the almost Monsoon like conditions of the previous two days. Well done Elsecar, and my thanks to all of your volunteers and members, who worked very hard to keep us entertained for around 8 hours. I really appreciated all of your efforts, and look forward to returning for one of your other events in the future, and I hope that your plans to extend the line do eventually come to fruition, you certainly deserve it!

Published in Railway Gallery

]]> Mon Aug 31 2009 Great Garratt Gathering - Museum of Science & Industry http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1741682.html 14th-16th of August saw "The Great Garratt Gathering" at the Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester, and this collection shows a number of pictures taken during my visit on Saturday the 15th. The event featured various Beyer, Peacock and Garratt designed locomotives, both large, small and model, and also included various presentations, and site tours of the former Beyer, Peacock Works in Gorton. Locos on display included: 1909 built K1 0-4-0, "Willian Francis", 'Ironclad' 957 from the Worth valley, Tram Engine "John Bull", ELR Diesel D7076, 7.25" Guage Class 59 locos Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro, the Museum's own replica locomotive 'Planet', and 85 other Garratt style locomotive sof various guage and size. Also on site was a vintage bus, lorry and tank, and also a Steam Traction engine and Steamroller. The event itself was enjoyable, in spite of the Manchester weather, which varied between deluge and sunshine, often within a few minutes of each other, but my one moan, and one that was shared by a number of other visitors, many who had travelled a lot further than we had (hundreds of miles further in some cases), was the way that the site tours to the Beyer, Peakcock Works was handled. This was to be the highlight of the visit for us, and with three trips planned for 11am, 1pm and 3pm, we thought that we would go for the 3pm one, since we didn't have to worry about making any long trips home afterwards. 2.30pm arrived, and we joined the growing queue for the old SELNEC bus, and were somewhat shocked to be told, after nearly a half hour of waiting, that we needed a 'ticket' to get on the tour. No mention of this was made on the museum's website or downloadable programme of events, and there were no notices or mentions about this anywhere near the bus queue or in the museum itself. On visiting the information desk to find out what was going on, we were told by a very smug and unhelpful woman that because there had been so many people wanting to go that morning they had given them the tickets, and that was that, tough luck in other words. You can imagine how we all felt about this (moreso as the bus had at least six empty seats on it when it departed), and would it really have been so difficult to have put a notice up somewhere explaining what was happening? You have to ask why was this situation not forseen beforehand so that people who really wanted to go on this tour could have pre-booked a place on it in advance (they managed to do this with the £20 a head photoshoots no problem, no doubt if there had been a charge for these trips things would have been very different)? We could only draw the conclusion that the museum and organisers knew damn well this would happen, but didn't want to publicise the fact because it would have put many people off from going there (it probably would have too!). This piss-poor organisation and total lack of consideration ruined what would otherwise have been a good, and greatly anticipated event - and someone needs a good kick up the arse over this cock up! Pleased about it I certainly was not as you may have already gathered!:-( Sunday 16 August 2009: 14th-16th of August saw "The Great Garratt Gathering" at the Museum of Science & Industry in Manchester, and this collection shows a number of pictures taken during my visit on Saturday the 15th. The event featured various Beyer, Peacock and Garratt designed locomotives, both large, small and model, and also included various presentations, and site tours of the former Beyer, Peacock Works in Gorton. Locos on display included: 1909 built K1 0-4-0, "Willian Francis", 'Ironclad' 957 from the Worth valley, Tram Engine "John Bull", ELR Diesel D7076, 7.25" Guage Class 59 locos Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro, the Museum's own replica locomotive 'Planet', and 85 other Garratt style locomotive sof various guage and size. Also on site was a vintage bus, lorry and tank, and also a Steam Traction engine and Steamroller. The event itself was enjoyable, in spite of the Manchester weather, which varied between deluge and sunshine, often within a few minutes of each other, but my one moan, and one that was shared by a number of other visitors, many who had travelled a lot further than we had (hundreds of miles further in some cases), was the way that the site tours to the Beyer, Peakcock Works was handled. This was to be the highlight of the visit for us, and with three trips planned for 11am, 1pm and 3pm, we thought that we would go for the 3pm one, since we didn't have to worry about making any long trips home afterwards. 2.30pm arrived, and we joined the growing queue for the old SELNEC bus, and were somewhat shocked to be told, after nearly a half hour of waiting, that we needed a 'ticket' to get on the tour. No mention of this was made on the museum's website or downloadable programme of events, and there were no notices or mentions about this anywhere near the bus queue or in the museum itself. On visiting the information desk to find out what was going on, we were told by a very smug and unhelpful woman that because there had been so many people wanting to go that morning they had given them the tickets, and that was that, tough luck in other words. You can imagine how we all felt about this (moreso as the bus had at least six empty seats on it when it departed), and would it really have been so difficult to have put a notice up somewhere explaining what was happening? You have to ask why was this situation not forseen beforehand so that people who really wanted to go on this tour could have pre-booked a place on it in advance (they managed to do this with the _20 a head photoshoots no problem, no doubt if there had been a charge for these trips things would have been very different)? We could only draw the conclusion that the museum and organisers knew damn well this would happen, but didn't want to publicise the fact because it would have put many people off from going there (it probably would have too!). This piss-poor organisation and total lack of consideration ruined what would otherwise have been a good, and greatly anticipated event - and someone needs a good kick up the arse over this cock up! Pleased about it I certainly was not as you may have already gathered!:-(

It's wet, so we must be in Manchester! now where have I seen this 'hymek' before? looks like it's getting ready to take out the Beethan Tower!

Published in Railway Gallery

]]> Sun Aug 16 2009 Lizzie, the Duchess, Mossley and the Delph Donkey http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1740069.html With so many steam charters around at the moment, it's great to get the occasional opportunity to photograph some of them whilst they're on the move. This gallery contains a number of shots of some of them and these were taken on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th of August 2009. On the friday morning, it was out early for a trip over to Mossley, which is near to Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester, and this was to catch sight of the ex LMS 'Princess Royal class' 6201 "Princess Elizabeth", who was taking the Scarborough Flyer from Crewe to the Yorkshire seaside resort, and the spot we chose to see it was on the section between Stockport and Huddersfield. A number of extra shots of passing Class 185 DMUs at this location, plus a few shots of a pair of DMUs from nearby Greenfield Station, and some from the now long closed and disused "Delph Donkey" line nearby. Saturday morning saw another steam charter, yet again with a LMS royal doing the pulling, and this time it was the turn of the Princess Coronation Class "Duchess of Sutherland" 6233, as she hauled the "The Cumbrian Mountain Express" from Crewe to Shap and Carlisle. This time she was seen as she whizzed through Clifton Railway Station, which is located just north of Salford in Greater Manchester, at around 9am. Well at least that should explain the odd choice of name for this gallery anyway!:-) Monday 10 August 2009: With so many steam charters around at the moment, it's great to get the occasional opportunity to photograph some of them whilst they're on the move. This gallery contains a number of shots of some of them and these were taken on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th of August 2009. On the friday morning, it was out early for a trip over to Mossley, which is near to Ashton-under-Lyne in Greater Manchester, and this was to catch sight of the ex LMS 'Princess Royal class' 6201 "Princess Elizabeth", who was taking the Scarborough Flyer from Crewe to the Yorkshire seaside resort, and the spot we chose to see it was on the section between Stockport and Huddersfield. A number of extra shots of passing Class 185 DMUs at this location, plus a few shots of a pair of DMUs from nearby Greenfield Station, and some from the now long closed and disused "Delph Donkey" line nearby. Saturday morning saw another steam charter, yet again with a LMS royal doing the pulling, and this time it was the turn of the Princess Coronation Class "Duchess of Sutherland" 6233, as she hauled the "The Cumbrian Mountain Express" from Crewe to Shap and Carlisle. This time she was seen as she whizzed through Clifton Railway Station, which is located just north of Salford in Greater Manchester, at around 9am. Well at least that should explain the odd choice of name for this gallery anyway!:-)

Princess Elizabeth heads for Huddersfield Notice Board on the former line Measurements Mill now disused, but once a source of much railway traffic You can tell it used to be a station The line used to pass along the front of the mill, the street name is a bit of a giveaway! Greenfield Station Greenfield Station Duchess of Sutherland

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]]> Mon Aug 10 2009 Barrow Hill Twin Engine/Type 5 Diesel Gala http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1739275.html After the excellent steam event at this location earlier in the year I had been really looking forward to returning for this diesel event, which was held at the Roundhouse site over the weekend of 8th/9th of August 2009, but in spite of the impressive array of locos on display on the 8th when I visited, I have to say that I came away a little disappointed with some aspects of the event, and vowing to think very carefully before ever going to any similar events there again. Amongst the massive selection of locos on display, were (mostly running locos listed here) Janus 07001, Stanton No.50, 55022, 55019, 47818, 56101, 66841, 66425, 66433, D1023, and D1015. There were also a great many static exhibits too, and a truly impressive collection of Deltic locos. My main gripe about the event though was that, on the Saturday at least, there were just too many locos occupying many of the roads outside the roundhouse, and this made taking pictures much more difficult than it was at the steam event, which had been really well laid out, and allowed many visitors to take pictures and films of the moving trains fairly comfortably from the top of the hill, or from a space created near the bottom in front of the angled layout of locos. With most visitors seemingly carrying cameras or camcorders I would have thought attention to this detail would have been a very important consideration. As it was, the only really good place to get shots of the locos on the move (especially with that bright sun making the direction towards the shed very difficult) was down near to the gates where the locos go out onto their short stretch of line before returning again. This was where my day was pretty much ruined, mainly by members, who I assume were Barrow Hill staff, who were not working, but just dashing around in their hi viz jackets and taking photographs of their own for much of the day. Now I appreciate that folks like the signalman have a job to do, and I have no problem at all with getting them in my pictures, in fact I think they often really add to a shot, and I like to try and take a few like that which show them working whenever it's possible (and if they want to get a few of their own during the day why not?). What was annoying though, and not just to me and my travelling companion, but also to many of the other paying visitors down there, was the way that some of them selfishly put their own photographic interests first, and frequently ruined shots for the paying customers by constantly running over to the central pier of the gates to take pictures whilst we were busy trying to take our own shots. I go to many heritage railways, and am a member of a couple of them, and a big supporter of the heritage movement in general, so it gives me no pleasure to have a go at one, but in all my years of attending events I have rarely ever come away with anything but great respect for the volunteers that work so hard to make them a success, so this sort of selfish behaviour from staff members who should know better has really left a very bad taste in my throat I have to say. After five hours of travelling, two hundred miles plus, 30 quids worth of petrol, and 2 x the £12 entrance fee, I left there feeling that I wouldl never darken their doorsteps again after this ignorant performance. I just hope the idiot got the message and that him and the other 'chosen few' of orange blobs who were happily exploiting their privileged position didn't go and ruin it for many of the Sunday visitors as well. Glad I've got that off my chest, but I still feel angry thinking about it even several days later, and I've put a few shots of the berk and his mates in this gallery just to get my revenge. I'll finish on a positive note though, the Deltic workshop was very impressive and boasted an excellent collection of these big locos, but I have to say that my star performer of the day was without doubt the Hulley's bus driver, who was running one of the bus services to Chesterfield. Upon seeing me trying to get a picture of him departing from the site, but having my view blocked by cars coming from the other direction, he stopped and waited until the road was clear and I'd got my shot of his bus before he finally departed with a friendly wave. What a star and a gentleman, pity he couldn't give the selfish orange blob brigade inside the site a few lessons in considerate behaviour!:-) I really am starting to turn into Victor Meldrew as I get older I think, these things seem to bother me a lot more nowadays than they ever did in the past!:-) Saturday 8 August 2009: After the excellent steam event at this location earlier in the year I had been really looking forward to returning for this diesel event, which was held at the Roundhouse site over the weekend of 8th/9th of August 2009, but in spite of the impressive array of locos on display on the 8th when I visited, I have to say that I came away a little disappointed with some aspects of the event, and vowing to think very carefully before ever going to any similar events there again. Amongst the massive selection of locos on display, were (mostly running locos listed here) Janus 07001, Stanton No.50, 55022, 55019, 47818, 56101, 66841, 66425, 66433, D1023, and D1015. There were also a great many static exhibits too, and a truly impressive collection of Deltic locos. My main gripe about the event though was that, on the Saturday at least, there were just too many locos occupying many of the roads outside the roundhouse, and this made taking pictures much more difficult than it was at the steam event, which had been really well laid out, and allowed many visitors to take pictures and films of the moving trains fairly comfortably from the top of the hill, or from a space created near the bottom in front of the angled layout of locos. With most visitors seemingly carrying cameras or camcorders I would have thought attention to this detail would have been a very important consideration. As it was, the only really good place to get shots of the locos on the move (especially with that bright sun making the direction towards the shed very difficult) was down near to the gates where the locos go out onto their short stretch of line before returning again. This was where my day was pretty much ruined, mainly by members, who I assume were Barrow Hill staff, who were not working, but just dashing around in their hi viz jackets and taking photographs of their own for much of the day. Now I appreciate that folks like the signalman have a job to do, and I have no problem at all with getting them in my pictures, in fact I think they often really add to a shot, and I like to try and take a few like that which show them working whenever it's possible (and if they want to get a few of their own during the day why not?). What was annoying though, and not just to me and my travelling companion, but also to many of the other paying visitors down there, was the way that some of them selfishly put their own photographic interests first, and frequently ruined shots for the paying customers by constantly running over to the central pier of the gates to take pictures whilst we were busy trying to take our own shots. I go to many heritage railways, and am a member of a couple of them, and a big supporter of the heritage movement in general, so it gives me no pleasure to have a go at one, but in all my years of attending events I have rarely ever come away with anything but great respect for the volunteers that work so hard to make them a success, so this sort of selfish behaviour from staff members who should know better has really left a very bad taste in my throat I have to say. After five hours of travelling, two hundred miles plus, 30 quids worth of petrol, and 2 x the _12 entrance fee, I left there feeling that I wouldl never darken their doorsteps again after this ignorant performance. I just hope the idiot got the message and that him and the other 'chosen few' of orange blobs who were happily exploiting their privileged position didn't go and ruin it for many of the Sunday visitors as well. Glad I've got that off my chest, but I still feel angry thinking about it even several days later, and I've put a few shots of the berk and his mates in this gallery just to get my revenge. I'll finish on a positive note though, the Deltic workshop was very impressive and boasted an excellent collection of these big locos, but I have to say that my star performer of the day was without doubt the Hulley's bus driver, who was running one of the bus services to Chesterfield. Upon seeing me trying to get a picture of him departing from the site, but having my view blocked by cars coming from the other direction, he stopped and waited until the road was clear and I'd got my shot of his bus before he finally departed with a friendly wave. What a star and a gentleman, pity he couldn't give the selfish orange blob brigade inside the site a few lessons in considerate behaviour!:-) I really am starting to turn into Victor Meldrew as I get older I think, these things seem to bother me a lot more nowadays than they ever did in the past!:-)

That's another photograph ruined Hope you got all our nice bright hi viz vests in your shots lads!

Published in Railway Gallery

]]> Sat Aug 8 2009 Various ELR Locos seen in August 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1735886.html To start off the August gallery of happenings on the ELR, I have this time included some of the locos photographed on Day One of the ELR 'Family Engines' Event on the 1st of August. Normally I would include them in their own separate gallery, but yet again my plans were thwarted by the appalling weather, which made it very difficult for me to visit as many locations as originally planned (a real problem when you are travelling by foot!). As a result most of the images taken on that day where done at Irwell Vale, Ewood Bridge and Rawtenstall Station, as I squelched my way between them on the soaking footpaths. I have definitely come to the conclusion that a combination of me plus the ELR equals a rain making ceremony of some kind, since virtually every visit there seems to result in me getting a soaking and taking pictures with sideways rain and gloomy skies. Thankfully it did brighten a little for the last hour or so, but just to add insult to injury, Day Two, which I wasn't able to attend this time, was fine and sunny, which after getting a soaking on each of the three previous Sundays in July, was really taking the michael I think!:-) Locos seen included the US S160 Steam loco 5197, who was playing as 'Frank', and 37109, which was Edgar, the 'Bubble Car' DMU 'Barry Bubble'and the mighty Deltic 55022 'Royal Scots Grey', who didn't have a name that I could see, but was I assume, 'Basil. Having silly faces on the front of the locos didn't seem to put off the bashers though, and both diesels seemed to have quite a few of them hanging out of the windows and enjoying the thrash. Visit number two was on a midweek day, and this was mainly because the ELR orperate an August mid-week 'Orange' Timetable, which is pretty much the same as the Winter weekend one, and that means six services rather than the usual four. I had to make a visit to Bury anyway, so it was the ideal opportunity for a few shots as well as a ride down there behind the S160, and back again on the 'Bubble Car'. Most unusually for me, I didn't get wet, and it was bright and sunny throughout much of the afternoon - obviously the curse that gets me soaked so often on this line is only in force at the weekends!:-) Sunday 9th of August came as a real shock, yes, you've guessed it, it wasn't raining, and I didn't get soaked for a change, wonders never cease!:-) Running this day were the usual S160 and Jinty on steam duty, and 37901 doing the diesel runs. The latter had a nameboard on the front with 'Grannies cakes' on it, and I also noticed that the observation car was also on along with the other four coaches. I thought it must have been a works outing or something, but a search of the name on Google only produced a couple of obscure porn sites (well you never know), so if anyone knows who these folks were do please let me know and put me out of my misery!:-) The midweek service saw something of a change this week, and due to the S160 having a problem, steam power was provided by one of the small industrial locos, and this time it was the small brown 'austerity' saddle tank "Earl David". This was sharing midweek duty with the DMU on the 12th/13th and 14th of August. I took a ride behind this one, nice to see plenty of soot and sparks as it worked hard up through Burrs and towards Ewood Bridge. I hope it is running again next week, as I would like some shots of this one working hard as it approaches my location. Sunday 16th saw me at the ELR once again (I know, I'm a glutton for punishment), and in spite of assurances from the BBC weather forecaster that we would be having a fine and sunny day, I again found myself getting wet as soon as I arrived at Rawtenstall. Not only was it wet, but it wasn't that warm either, and trusting fool that I am I hadn't even brought a jacket with me! Well what else could I do, but take a ride down to Heywood on the first service of the day, the Class 20 - 20087, and then jump off and take a few shots at the various stations along the way there and back again. On the return trip I broke my journey at Irwell Vale (it had stopped raining by then, but was still quite breezy and cool), and spent the next couple of hours walking between there and Ewood Bridge (once via the Irwell Sculpture Trail, not a good idea, the weeds were so high it looked like scene from "Day of the Triffids". I also found the skeletons of a few lost cyclists and hikers in there, and I could swear I also saw a couple of Japanese snipers hanging around in there as well). The reason for this hike was to get a shot of the dining train, which was being pulled by the small tank engine 2183 (Earl David), with the venerable Jinty on the back to help with the extra rake of coaches, as it worked up the stretch towards Ewood Bridge. Quite a nice sight it was too, what a pity the Sun wasn't out at the time, still, the giant weeds with the funny pink flowers that had tried to strangle me on the way up looked very pretty. After that it was back to Irwell Vale, then a few shots of 40145 (which was standing in for the injured S160), and it was back to Rawtenstall to spend the rest of the afternoon taking pictures of the remaining services, and grumbling about the poor light and gloomy conditions, which would have been better served if they'd turned up at Headingly during the last test match. Just to end the day off as I've come to expect at the ELR, yes you guessed it, the heavens opened again, and yet again I arrived home wet - I never learn do I, I must be a masochist or something!:-) Another short visit on the 19th saw 'Earl David' providing the steam, and the DMU sharing the duties on the midweek service. Sunday 23rd of August saw me at the ELR yet again, and this time the day started off fine, so I took the opportunity to walk from Rawtenstall down to Summerseat and take pictures at various locations along the way. The plan was to get a shot of the solitary steam loco, 'Earl David', the little brown tank, as it hauled its coaches up towards Brookbottom Tunnel, and all went to plan, expect for the weather that is, as the Sun had departed and it was quite murky by the time I got there. After getting my shots it was on the train and back to Rawtenstall again, this time behind 37418, which along with 37109 was filling two of the three spots normally occupied by steam locos on Sundays. With two growlers at work that day how could I not go along there, I just love Class 37s and the wonderful sounds they make! At Rawtenstall, well it was the ELR after all, and in spite of a good weather forecast for the area, yet again it chucked it down around 4pm, but unlike the previous week, I had taken my waterproofs with me, and with the waterproof hood fitted on to my camera I just carried on taking pictures. Hard to believe it could be that gloomy at that time of day in mid-August - shades of 2007 again, when it was like that for almost the whole summer. Saturday 29th saw what will likely be my final visit of the month to the ELR (I do seem to have spent a lot of time up there this month, that's for sure!). This time the weather was what could best be described as 'typical ELR weather', or four seasons in one day, as is often the norm for this part of the world. Unusually for a Saturday, especially in the summer high season, there were no steam engines to be seen at all, and due to technical problems, the brown Austerity, which had been doing most of the work for the previous couple of weeks, was also absent, leaving services to be hauled purely by diesel, and three of the ELR's biggest ones at that. On duty was the Deltic '55022 - Royal Scots Grey', Class 40 '40145 - East Lancashire Railway' and Class 37 '37418 Pectinidae', with the latter standing in for the absent steam loco. As I said earlier, the weather was typical ELR, and at times the heavens well and truly opened, only to be followed by sunshine and blue skies a few minutes later. As always, I continued to take pictures during the heavy rainfalls, as I like the interesting effects that watery surfaces and gloomy skies create, though when you do that sort of thing you not only need a good waterproof jacket (for both yourself and your camera), but also a thick skin, so that it doesn't bother you when all the folks who are nice and dry and under shelter, see you doing it and mouth the words "Look at that bloody idiot taking pictures in the rain!", in your direction!:-) For the record (and because several people have asked about this), the rain hood I use for my camera is an Optech type, and these are available from a UK company called 'Morris Photographic', and can be purchased direct from their website, and also from their eBay Seller Shop too. I have added a link to their website in the 'collection links' at the bottom of this page. This works very well, you just have to remember to use a decent sized lens hood to help keep the drops away from your glass, and turn your head away when you breathe out, or your eyepiece tends to get steamed up. In really heavy rainfalls I often switch to my telephoto lens, this has a very deep lens hood, which offers extra protction and rarely ever lets a drop get through. I wasn't the only person out in the rain that day though, the ELR's 'Pathways' group were changing sleepers and doing other maintenance work just south of Townsend Fold, and I took a few shots of these as I passed by on the Class 40, and also whilst I was at Townsend Fold later in the day. The S & T Department were also hard at work down at Bury Station, and also near to the Signal Box at Ramsbottom as well. Perhaps September will be a better month weather wise, and we will see some steam return to the line once again. I won't be betting any money on either of those things happening though, the only sure thing is that I will get another good soaking at least once during the month!:-) Saturday 1 August 2009: To start off the August gallery of happenings on the ELR, I have this time included some of the locos photographed on Day One of the ELR 'Family Engines' Event on the 1st of August. Normally I would include them in their own separate gallery, but yet again my plans were thwarted by the appalling weather, which made it very difficult for me to visit as many locations as originally planned (a real problem when you are travelling by foot!). As a result most of the images taken on that day where done at Irwell Vale, Ewood Bridge and Rawtenstall Station, as I squelched my way between them on the soaking footpaths. I have definitely come to the conclusion that a combination of me plus the ELR equals a rain making ceremony of some kind, since virtually every visit there seems to result in me getting a soaking and taking pictures with sideways rain and gloomy skies. Thankfully it did brighten a little for the last hour or so, but just to add insult to injury, Day Two, which I wasn't able to attend this time, was fine and sunny, which after getting a soaking on each of the three previous Sundays in July, was really taking the michael I think!:-) Locos seen included the US S160 Steam loco 5197, who was playing as 'Frank', and 37109, which was Edgar, the 'Bubble Car' DMU 'Barry Bubble'and the mighty Deltic 55022 'Royal Scots Grey', who didn't have a name that I could see, but was I assume, 'Basil. Having silly faces on the front of the locos didn't seem to put off the bashers though, and both diesels seemed to have quite a few of them hanging out of the windows and enjoying the thrash. Visit number two was on a midweek day, and this was mainly because the ELR orperate an August mid-week 'Orange' Timetable, which is pretty much the same as the Winter weekend one, and that means six services rather than the usual four. I had to make a visit to Bury anyway, so it was the ideal opportunity for a few shots as well as a ride down there behind the S160, and back again on the 'Bubble Car'. Most unusually for me, I didn't get wet, and it was bright and sunny throughout much of the afternoon - obviously the curse that gets me soaked so often on this line is only in force at the weekends!:-) Sunday 9th of August came as a real shock, yes, you've guessed it, it wasn't raining, and I didn't get soaked for a change, wonders never cease!:-) Running this day were the usual S160 and Jinty on steam duty, and 37901 doing the diesel runs. The latter had a nameboard on the front with 'Grannies cakes' on it, and I also noticed that the observation car was also on along with the other four coaches. I thought it must have been a works outing or something, but a search of the name on Google only produced a couple of obscure porn sites (well you never know), so if anyone knows who these folks were do please let me know and put me out of my misery!:-) The midweek service saw something of a change this week, and due to the S160 having a problem, steam power was provided by one of the small industrial locos, and this time it was the small brown 'austerity' saddle tank "Earl David". This was sharing midweek duty with the DMU on the 12th/13th and 14th of August. I took a ride behind this one, nice to see plenty of soot and sparks as it worked hard up through Burrs and towards Ewood Bridge. I hope it is running again next week, as I would like some shots of this one working hard as it approaches my location. Sunday 16th saw me at the ELR once again (I know, I'm a glutton for punishment), and in spite of assurances from the BBC weather forecaster that we would be having a fine and sunny day, I again found myself getting wet as soon as I arrived at Rawtenstall. Not only was it wet, but it wasn't that warm either, and trusting fool that I am I hadn't even brought a jacket with me! Well what else could I do, but take a ride down to Heywood on the first service of the day, the Class 20 - 20087, and then jump off and take a few shots at the various stations along the way there and back again. On the return trip I broke my journey at Irwell Vale (it had stopped raining by then, but was still quite breezy and cool), and spent the next couple of hours walking between there and Ewood Bridge (once via the Irwell Sculpture Trail, not a good idea, the weeds were so high it looked like scene from "Day of the Triffids". I also found the skeletons of a few lost cyclists and hikers in there, and I could swear I also saw a couple of Japanese snipers hanging around in there as well). The reason for this hike was to get a shot of the dining train, which was being pulled by the small tank engine 2183 (Earl David), with the venerable Jinty on the back to help with the extra rake of coaches, as it worked up the stretch towards Ewood Bridge. Quite a nice sight it was too, what a pity the Sun wasn't out at the time, still, the giant weeds with the funny pink flowers that had tried to strangle me on the way up looked very pretty. After that it was back to Irwell Vale, then a few shots of 40145 (which was standing in for the injured S160), and it was back to Rawtenstall to spend the rest of the afternoon taking pictures of the remaining services, and grumbling about the poor light and gloomy conditions, which would have been better served if they'd turned up at Headingly during the last test match. Just to end the day off as I've come to expect at the ELR, yes you guessed it, the heavens opened again, and yet again I arrived home wet - I never learn do I, I must be a masochist or something!:-) Another short visit on the 19th saw 'Earl David' providing the steam, and the DMU sharing the duties on the midweek service. Sunday 23rd of August saw me at the ELR yet again, and this time the day started off fine, so I took the opportunity to walk from Rawtenstall down to Summerseat and take pictures at various locations along the way. The plan was to get a shot of the solitary steam loco, 'Earl David', the little brown tank, as it hauled its coaches up towards Brookbottom Tunnel, and all went to plan, expect for the weather that is, as the Sun had departed and it was quite murky by the time I got there. After getting my shots it was on the train and back to Rawtenstall again, this time behind 37418, which along with 37109 was filling two of the three spots normally occupied by steam locos on Sundays. With two growlers at work that day how could I not go along there, I just love Class 37s and the wonderful sounds they make! At Rawtenstall, well it was the ELR after all, and in spite of a good weather forecast for the area, yet again it chucked it down around 4pm, but unlike the previous week, I had taken my waterproofs with me, and with the waterproof hood fitted on to my camera I just carried on taking pictures. Hard to believe it could be that gloomy at that time of day in mid-August - shades of 2007 again, when it was like that for almost the whole summer. Saturday 29th saw what will likely be my final visit of the month to the ELR (I do seem to have spent a lot of time up there this month, that's for sure!). This time the weather was what could best be described as 'typical ELR weather', or four seasons in one day, as is often the norm for this part of the world. Unusually for a Saturday, especially in the summer high season, there were no steam engines to be seen at all, and due to technical problems, the brown Austerity, which had been doing most of the work for the previous couple of weeks, was also absent, leaving services to be hauled purely by diesel, and three of the ELR's biggest ones at that. On duty was the Deltic '55022 - Royal Scots Grey', Class 40 '40145 - East Lancashire Railway' and Class 37 '37418 Pectinidae', with the latter standing in for the absent steam loco. As I said earlier, the weather was typical ELR, and at times the heavens well and truly opened, only to be followed by sunshine and blue skies a few minutes later. As always, I continued to take pictures during the heavy rainfalls, as I like the interesting effects that watery surfaces and gloomy skies create, though when you do that sort of thing you not only need a good waterproof jacket (for both yourself and your camera), but also a thick skin, so that it doesn't bother you when all the folks who are nice and dry and under shelter, see you doing it and mouth the words "Look at that bloody idiot taking pictures in the rain!", in your direction!:-) For the record (and because several people have asked about this), the rain hood I use for my camera is an Optech type, and these are available from a UK company called 'Morris Photographic', and can be purchased direct from their website, and also from their eBay Seller Shop too. I have added a link to their website in the 'collection links' at the bottom of this page. This works very well, you just have to remember to use a decent sized lens hood to help keep the drops away from your glass, and turn your head away when you breathe out, or your eyepiece tends to get steamed up. In really heavy rainfalls I often switch to my telephoto lens, this has a very deep lens hood, which offers extra protction and rarely ever lets a drop get through. I wasn't the only person out in the rain that day though, the ELR's 'Pathways' group were changing sleepers and doing other maintenance work just south of Townsend Fold, and I took a few shots of these as I passed by on the Class 40, and also whilst I was at Townsend Fold later in the day. The S & T Department were also hard at work down at Bury Station, and also near to the Signal Box at Ramsbottom as well. Perhaps September will be a better month weather wise, and we will see some steam return to the line once again. I won't be betting any money on either of those things happening though, the only sure thing is that I will get another good soaking at least once during the month!:-)

1st August 2009 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 - I assume it was laughing at me for getting soaked once again! 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 1st August 2009 5th August 2009 5th August 2009 5th August 2009 5th August 2009 5th August 2009 5th August 2009 5th August 2009 5th August 2009 5th August 2009 5th August 2009 9th August 2009 9th August 2009 9th August 2009 9th August 2009 9th August 2009 9th August 2009 9th August 2009 9th August 2009 9th August 2009 9th August 2009 9th August 2009 9th August 2009 9th August 2009 13th August 2009 13th August 2009 13th August 2009 13th August 2009 13th August 2009 13th August 2009 13th August 2009 13th August 2009 16th August 2009 16th August 2009

Published in Railway Gallery

]]> Sat Aug 1 2009 Embsay & Bolton Abbey Diesel Gala - July 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1732564.html I made my first visit back to the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, which is located near to the town of Skipton in North Yorkshire, since the mid-1990s, for day One of the two-day annual Diesel Gala there on Saturday 25th of July 2009. Just for a change the weather was near on perfect, with sunshine and blue skies for much of the day, followed by a glorious evening for the 'Beerex', which ended the day. It looks like we definitely picked the right day for our visit, since Day Two was back to a more normal grey, wet and miserable once again, and with such nice weather (and more importantly, nice light), I did of course get a bit carried away and took far too many pictures once again (don't I always?):-) Locos taking part this time were Class 37 '37294', which was in 'Dutch' livery, and Newton Heath Diesel Traction Group's Class 31 'D5600', along with their Class 47 D1524, Class 31 '31119' and Class 08 '08773' (which sadly failed after its first couple of runs). The bigger locos hauled most of the passenger services between Embsay and Bolton Abbey, whilst No.36, D2203 and 08773 took the shuttle down to Bow Bridge near to the Skipton mainline and back again to Embsay. The other performer, which also took severeal services to Bolton Abbey, and also double headed one trip there with D2203, was Embsay's ex-BR/NCB No. 38 (D9513), which also looked quite impressive, especially in the bright sunshine. At just £12 for a Day Rover ticket the event was excellent value, and there were quite a few really good photographic locations on this picturesque line to choose from. The evening saw several runs from the 'Beerex', which was hauled by 37294, there was an extra charge for this, but it seemed to be well filled with the usual crowd of characters, who seemed to be having a great time as they hung out of the windows in their various guises, and with their various stuffed animals and aliens!:-) All in all an excellent day out, and what a great selection of railway books and videos they have in the shop at Embsay Station - if you are planning a trip there in the near future do pay it a visit, but don't take too much money with you or you'll want to buy everything in the shop (I did!)!:-) As I said previously, this was my first visit since the mid-90s (1995 if I recall right), and at that time the line didn't go as far as Bolton Abbey, but with plans afoot to gain a connection to Skipton in the future, and with a nice shiny new engine shed and an impressive new station at Bolton Bridge, this railway has certainly come on in leaps and bounds, and I'm sure it won't be another 14 years before my next visit. Well done Embsay a grand day out, and my thanks to all your volunteers and staff for their efforts. Saturday 25 July 2009: I made my first visit back to the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway, which is located near to the town of Skipton in North Yorkshire, since the mid-1990s, for day One of the two-day annual Diesel Gala there on Saturday 25th of July 2009. Just for a change the weather was near on perfect, with sunshine and blue skies for much of the day, followed by a glorious evening for the 'Beerex', which ended the day. It looks like we definitely picked the right day for our visit, since Day Two was back to a more normal grey, wet and miserable once again, and with such nice weather (and more importantly, nice light), I did of course get a bit carried away and took far too many pictures once again (don't I always?):-) Locos taking part this time were Class 37 '37294', which was in 'Dutch' livery, and Newton Heath Diesel Traction Group's Class 31 'D5600', along with their Class 47 D1524, Class 31 '31119' and Class 08 '08773' (which sadly failed after its first couple of runs). The bigger locos hauled most of the passenger services between Embsay and Bolton Abbey, whilst No.36, D2203 and 08773 took the shuttle down to Bow Bridge near to the Skipton mainline and back again to Embsay. The other performer, which also took severeal services to Bolton Abbey, and also double headed one trip there with D2203, was Embsay's ex-BR/NCB No. 38 (D9513), which also looked quite impressive, especially in the bright sunshine. At just _12 for a Day Rover ticket the event was excellent value, and there were quite a few really good photographic locations on this picturesque line to choose from. The evening saw several runs from the 'Beerex', which was hauled by 37294, there was an extra charge for this, but it seemed to be well filled with the usual crowd of characters, who seemed to be having a great time as they hung out of the windows in their various guises, and with their various stuffed animals and aliens!:-) All in all an excellent day out, and what a great selection of railway books and videos they have in the shop at Embsay Station - if you are planning a trip there in the near future do pay it a visit, but don't take too much money with you or you'll want to buy everything in the shop (I did!)!:-) As I said previously, this was my first visit since the mid-90s (1995 if I recall right), and at that time the line didn't go as far as Bolton Abbey, but with plans afoot to gain a connection to Skipton in the future, and with a nice shiny new engine shed and an impressive new station at Bolton Bridge, this railway has certainly come on in leaps and bounds, and I'm sure it won't be another 14 years before my next visit. Well done Embsay a grand day out, and my thanks to all your volunteers and staff for their efforts.

25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 - this poor old gronk failed shortly after this was taken. 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 - preparing to change the tokens! 25th July 2009 - bet that lad wishes he had a catapult with him!:-) 25th July 2009 25th July 2009 25th July 2009

Published in Railway Gallery

]]> Sat Jul 25 2009 Foxfield Railway Steam Gala 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1728802.html The annual Foxfield Railway Steam Gala in Staffordshire took place over the weekend of the 18th/19th of July 2009, and this year we were in attendance at Day One of the event. This gallery contains a number of images that were taken that day. The event boasted a fine collection of small industrial steam locos, and these were used in various configurations to carry passengers between the stations at Caverswall Road and Dilhorne Park, whilst a number of freight departures featuring both single and double headers kept us well entertained as they worked hard up that steep (1 in 19 in places) embankment from the Foxfield Colliery. Locos on duty on Day One included: Meaford No.2, Bellerophon, Beyer Peacock, Florence No.2, and ex-NCB blube locos Wimblebury and Backworth 47. When you consider that some of these little locos are well over 100 years old, it was certainly impressive to see them still more than able to make this steep climb. What an impressive sight this will be when passenger trains eventually run down to the colliery. Considering the busy timetable the staff did a great job in keeping them pretty much to what was a fairly hectic timetable, with many turnarounds at Dilhorne Park as locos were switched from Passenger to Freight duties. After the extremely miserable and wet weather of the previous day, we got away with just one major shower (which actually produced some nice effects), and apart from the dull skies of the morning, the later part of the day and the final 'long frieght' train worked mostly in bright sunshine and fine conditions. The staff and volunteers of the railway should be congratulated for all their hard work, and for putting on such a good event, and the only small criticism I can make of the day (and one that seems to happen with many of the smaller railways), was the lack of detailed information regarding the proposed timetable, ticket prices and start time on their website. Like many travellers from further afield, if you are planning to make a several hour or several hundred mile trip you at the very least need to know what time the first train departs, and were it is departing from and going to, we didn't find out this information until we had arrived on site (way to early), with no idea whatsoever about whether or not you had to buy a ticket first, and without knowing what time the first train would depart until after we'd purchased a programme/timetable. Now I appreciate that these events cost of lot of money to put on, and that making the timetable only available in something that you have to buy does bring in some badly needed revenue, but it does cause some inconvenience to the visitors who are coming there to bring that money, and that doesn't seem like a very good idea businesswise. Entrance to the Gala was £12, which included an all day rover ticket, and I doubt anyone could argue that it wasn't excellent value at that price, so why was it not mentioned on their website that this was so, I doubt it would have put anyone off going there? Like many people I like to plan my day and know exactly where I'm heading for, and how much money I need to take with me, and it would have also been useful to know that there was a shuttle bus running between the colliery and Caverswall Road as well before deciding where to park. At the very least details of prices, time of the first and last train (visitors by rail and bus need to know when to depart to catch these), and some basic information would make the day's outing a whole lot smoother for many of us poor travellers! Grump over, and it didn't spoil my day too much and I had a good time and enjoyed it very much, and I just think a little more information would have made it even better that's all (and we wouldn't have had to get up at 5am!):-) I'm looking forward to next year already, thanks Foxfield! Monday 20 July 2009: The annual Foxfield Railway Steam Gala in Staffordshire took place over the weekend of the 18th/19th of July 2009, and this year we were in attendance at Day One of the event. This gallery contains a number of images that were taken that day. The event boasted a fine collection of small industrial steam locos, and these were used in various configurations to carry passengers between the stations at Caverswall Road and Dilhorne Park, whilst a number of freight departures featuring both single and double headers kept us well entertained as they worked hard up that steep (1 in 19 in places) embankment from the Foxfield Colliery. Locos on duty on Day One included: Meaford No.2, Bellerophon, Beyer Peacock, Florence No.2, and ex-NCB blube locos Wimblebury and Backworth 47. When you consider that some of these little locos are well over 100 years old, it was certainly impressive to see them still more than able to make this steep climb. What an impressive sight this will be when passenger trains eventually run down to the colliery. Considering the busy timetable the staff did a great job in keeping them pretty much to what was a fairly hectic timetable, with many turnarounds at Dilhorne Park as locos were switched from Passenger to Freight duties. After the extremely miserable and wet weather of the previous day, we got away with just one major shower (which actually produced some nice effects), and apart from the dull skies of the morning, the later part of the day and the final 'long frieght' train worked mostly in bright sunshine and fine conditions. The staff and volunteers of the railway should be congratulated for all their hard work, and for putting on such a good event, and the only small criticism I can make of the day (and one that seems to happen with many of the smaller railways), was the lack of detailed information regarding the proposed timetable, ticket prices and start time on their website. Like many travellers from further afield, if you are planning to make a several hour or several hundred mile trip you at the very least need to know what time the first train departs, and were it is departing from and going to, we didn't find out this information until we had arrived on site (way to early), with no idea whatsoever about whether or not you had to buy a ticket first, and without knowing what time the first train would depart until after we'd purchased a programme/timetable. Now I appreciate that these events cost of lot of money to put on, and that making the timetable only available in something that you have to buy does bring in some badly needed revenue, but it does cause some inconvenience to the visitors who are coming there to bring that money, and that doesn't seem like a very good idea businesswise. Entrance to the Gala was _12, which included an all day rover ticket, and I doubt anyone could argue that it wasn't excellent value at that price, so why was it not mentioned on their website that this was so, I doubt it would have put anyone off going there? Like many people I like to plan my day and know exactly where I'm heading for, and how much money I need to take with me, and it would have also been useful to know that there was a shuttle bus running between the colliery and Caverswall Road as well before deciding where to park. At the very least details of prices, time of the first and last train (visitors by rail and bus need to know when to depart to catch these), and some basic information would make the day's outing a whole lot smoother for many of us poor travellers! Grump over, and it didn't spoil my day too much and I had a good time and enjoyed it very much, and I just think a little more information would have made it even better that's all (and we wouldn't have had to get up at 5am!):-) I'm looking forward to next year already, thanks Foxfield!

Published in Railway Gallery

]]> Mon Jul 20 2009 Various ELR Locos seen in July 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1725927.html This gallery is the usual look at the locos seen on the East Lancashire Railway during various visits there in July 2009. This gallery excludes special events, such as the Summer Diesel Gala, which took place over the 3rd, 4th and 5th of July, these are shown in their own separate gallery, most of the shots shown here were taken on midweek or 'non' railway event weekends, and feature images taken at various points along the route, mainly at Rawtenstall, Townsend Fold, Irwell Vale, Ramsbottom, Bury and Heywood. July sees mainly 'High Season' timetable activity, with two steam locos and one diesel on duty on most weekends, and a single steam loco working the midweek service. The Deltic 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' was the working loco on Sunday 12th of July, and most of the pictures from that date were taken during a ride down from Rawtenstall to Heywood to see the Ford Classic Car event which was being held on the car park there (pictures of this can be seen in my 'heritage gallery'). On the return trip I took a break at Bury Bolton Street to get a shot of the shunter moving the 'Lancastrian Lunch' Dining Car, and there was a rare bit of excitement when the station had to be evacuated at that time due to a bomb hoax/scare, but fortunately the delay wasn't too long and the diners didn't have to eat a cold dinner. It was back again on the 18th, and this time mainly to see the CFPS Class 40 'East Lancashire Railway' 40145, which was doing service this weekend along with the ELR's only two working steam locos, the overworked Jinty 47324, and the US S160 loco '5197', which is on loan from the Churnet Valley Railway until the end of the year. I had planned to walk down to Summerseat from Rawtenstall, but thanks to a major deluge of true ELR proportions, I decided to have a ride behind the 40 instead. Most of the shots from this visit were taken at Rawtenstall, Ramsbottom, Bury Bolton Street and Heywood Stations. A brief midweek visit to Rawtenstall Station on the 23rd saw the venerable Jinty decked out in it's 'Jimmy the Jinty' garb, which was something of a surprise, since the 'Big Engines' event doesn't take place until August, but it appears that this was just for a publicity shoot down at Bury earlier that day, and the face and name had been removed again by the weekend. Sunday 26th of July was yet another typical Lancashire summer's day, with more grey skies and torrential rain, this seems to have been the pattern throughout much of this month, with heavy rain on almost every Sunday it seems. On duty today along with the hard working Jinty and S160, was the Deltic, 55022, which is always a pleasure to see (especially when it puts out such impressive clouds of clag - there goes the ozone layer over Rossendale again!):-) Wednesday 1 July 2009: This gallery is the usual look at the locos seen on the East Lancashire Railway during various visits there in July 2009. This gallery excludes special events, such as the Summer Diesel Gala, which took place over the 3rd, 4th and 5th of July, these are shown in their own separate gallery, most of the shots shown here were taken on midweek or 'non' railway event weekends, and feature images taken at various points along the route, mainly at Rawtenstall, Townsend Fold, Irwell Vale, Ramsbottom, Bury and Heywood. July sees mainly 'High Season' timetable activity, with two steam locos and one diesel on duty on most weekends, and a single steam loco working the midweek service. The Deltic 55022 'Royal Scots Grey' was the working loco on Sunday 12th of July, and most of the pictures from that date were taken during a ride down from Rawtenstall to Heywood to see the Ford Classic Car event which was being held on the car park there (pictures of this can be seen in my 'heritage gallery'). On the return trip I took a break at Bury Bolton Street to get a shot of the shunter moving the 'Lancastrian Lunch' Dining Car, and there was a rare bit of excitement when the station had to be evacuated at that time due to a bomb hoax/scare, but fortunately the delay wasn't too long and the diners didn't have to eat a cold dinner. It was back again on the 18th, and this time mainly to see the CFPS Class 40 'East Lancashire Railway' 40145, which was doing service this weekend along with the ELR's only two working steam locos, the overworked Jinty 47324, and the US S160 loco '5197', which is on loan from the Churnet Valley Railway until the end of the year. I had planned to walk down to Summerseat from Rawtenstall, but thanks to a major deluge of true ELR proportions, I decided to have a ride behind the 40 instead. Most of the shots from this visit were taken at Rawtenstall, Ramsbottom, Bury Bolton Street and Heywood Stations. A brief midweek visit to Rawtenstall Station on the 23rd saw the venerable Jinty decked out in it's 'Jimmy the Jinty' garb, which was something of a surprise, since the 'Big Engines' event doesn't take place until August, but it appears that this was just for a publicity shoot down at Bury earlier that day, and the face and name had been removed again by the weekend. Sunday 26th of July was yet another typical Lancashire summer's day, with more grey skies and torrential rain, this seems to have been the pattern throughout much of this month, with heavy rain on almost every Sunday it seems. On duty today along with the hard working Jinty and S160, was the Deltic, 55022, which is always a pleasure to see (especially when it puts out such impressive clouds of clag - there goes the ozone layer over Rossendale again!):-)

2nd July 2009 2nd July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 12th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009 18th July 2009

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]]> Wed Jul 1 2009 Churnet Valley Railway July 11th 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1725197.html Never having been to the Churnet Valley Railway in North Staffordshire before, it was nice to pay them a visit on Saturday the 11th of July 2009, a day that the weather forecasts said would be a very wet one, but which turned out to be dry and warm, though somewhat dull at times (useless buggers never get it right!):-) The loco running was GWR Large Prairie 2-6-2 '5199', which is normally based at Llangollen (and which I last saw there at Steam, Steel and Stars II earlier this year), and this was hauling the service between the stations at Cheddleton, Consall and Kingsley & Froghall. The CVR is located close to Leek, and has long term ambitions to eventually extend the line to there, but at the moment trains in that direction run through Cheddleton and the 531 yard long Leekbrook Tunnel to Leekbrook Junction, where the service currently terminates, and then the loco 'changes ends' there before returning to Cheddleton. There are also plans to extend the service in the other direction to Oakamoor, and this will likely happen first, and these plans will lengthen the current 10.5 mile round trip considerably if they go ahead. The line runs through some lovely countryside, and along many parts of the route the line is parallel with the Caldon Canal, and since I never could resist photographing canal barges you will find a whole collection of these appearing in my 'Heritage' Gallery as well before too long. Consall Station is situated between Cheddleton and Kingsley & Froghall, and has a popular pub called the Black Lion, and the line crosses the canal at this point for a way, offering useful vantage points for taking photographs of the line. Kingsley & Froghall on the other hand, has a stone road bridge crossing the line, so it's very easy to go up on there and take pictures of the train whilst it's in the station, or whilst it's approaching from Consall. Most of the loco sheds are at Cheddleton, and a number of locos, both working and undergoing restoration are based there, and I could see ex LMS 4F 44422, in the yard there along with various diesels. Some nice cafes, shops and facilities along this line, which provide plenty of rest places for the visitor, and I'm very much looking forward to visiting there again during one of their upcoming galas. Saturday 11 July 2009: Never having been to the Churnet Valley Railway in North Staffordshire before, it was nice to pay them a visit on Saturday the 11th of July 2009, a day that the weather forecasts said would be a very wet one, but which turned out to be dry and warm, though somewhat dull at times (useless buggers never get it right!):-) The loco running was GWR Large Prairie 2-6-2 '5199', which is normally based at Llangollen (and which I last saw there at Steam, Steel and Stars II earlier this year), and this was hauling the service between the stations at Cheddleton, Consall and Kingsley & Froghall. The CVR is located close to Leek, and has long term ambitions to eventually extend the line to there, but at the moment trains in that direction run through Cheddleton and the 531 yard long Leekbrook Tunnel to Leekbrook Junction, where the service currently terminates, and then the loco 'changes ends' there before returning to Cheddleton. There are also plans to extend the service in the other direction to Oakamoor, and this will likely happen first, and these plans will lengthen the current 10.5 mile round trip considerably if they go ahead. The line runs through some lovely countryside, and along many parts of the route the line is parallel with the Caldon Canal, and since I never could resist photographing canal barges you will find a whole collection of these appearing in my 'Heritage' Gallery as well before too long. Consall Station is situated between Cheddleton and Kingsley & Froghall, and has a popular pub called the Black Lion, and the line crosses the canal at this point for a way, offering useful vantage points for taking photographs of the line. Kingsley & Froghall on the other hand, has a stone road bridge crossing the line, so it's very easy to go up on there and take pictures of the train whilst it's in the station, or whilst it's approaching from Consall. Most of the loco sheds are at Cheddleton, and a number of locos, both working and undergoing restoration are based there, and I could see ex LMS 4F 44422, in the yard there along with various diesels. Some nice cafes, shops and facilities along this line, which provide plenty of rest places for the visitor, and I'm very much looking forward to visiting there again during one of their upcoming galas.

Cheddleton Station Cheddleton Station Kingsley & Froghall Station Consall Station Cheddleton Station

Published in Railway Gallery

]]> Sat Jul 11 2009 Lizzie, Vic & The Scarborough Flyer http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1722415.html In contrast to the gloom and dampness of the previous day, Saturday 4th of July started in near perfect conditions, as we headed off to Manchester's Victoria Station to catch the arrival of the 'The Coast to Coast Express', which was a charter involving former LMS Princess Royal Class No. 6201 'Princess Elizabeth', which was en-route from Liverpool to the Yorkshire coast town of Scarborough. The tour was operated by the Railway Touring Company, and during its brief stopover at Manchester, the nameplate 'Scarborough Flyer' was added to the smokebox of the loco. What an impressive sight this grand old locomotive, which was built back in 1933, was as it approached the station in bright sunshine. Not wanting to waste such excellent conditions I have even included a few of the local DMUs in the gallery as well!:-) Saturday 4 July 2009: In contrast to the gloom and dampness of the previous day, Saturday 4th of July started in near perfect conditions, as we headed off to Manchester's Victoria Station to catch the arrival of the 'The Coast to Coast Express', which was a charter involving former LMS Princess Royal Class No. 6201 'Princess Elizabeth', which was en-route from Liverpool to the Yorkshire coast town of Scarborough. The tour was operated by the Railway Touring Company, and during its brief stopover at Manchester, the nameplate 'Scarborough Flyer' was added to the smokebox of the loco. What an impressive sight this grand old locomotive, which was built back in 1933, was as it approached the station in bright sunshine. Not wanting to waste such excellent conditions I have even included a few of the local DMUs in the gallery as well!:-)

Published in Railway Gallery

]]> Sat Jul 4 2009 ELR Summer Diesel Gala - July 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1720841.html Mention the words 'ELR' and 'Diesel Gala' in the same breath and what you usually have is a rain-making ceremony it seems, and the first day of this year's 'summer' event gave us just that - at least for a good two thirds of the day that is! After a week of scorching sunshine and beautiful light, it was back to very wet, gloomy and miserable - typical ELR weather in other words. After starting out fine for a brief period, in which D6525 'Captain Bill' took the first shuttle up to Ramsbottom, it was pretty much a non-stop deluge after that, so most of the time we were confined to areas were there was at least a little shelter, such as Irwell Vale and Rawtenstall. Typically, by 5pm the rain clouds had finally departed and the Deltic arrived in bright sunshine and blue skies, as if to add insult to injury and rub salt in our already soggy wounds and show us just what we had been missing all day. Not to be put off though (and having already spent a fair chunk of my life photographing locos on the ELR in conditions such as this - well this is East Lancashire what else do we expect?), it was still nice to see a fine selection of diesel locos on display, and a number of 'visitors', all which I was seeing in action for the first time. Following 'home' locos D6525, 37109 and 50015 it was the turn of the visitors starting with D7629, and followed by D1062, 37248 and 47843. We should also have seen the other visitor 47292, but in spite of being listed as doing the penultimate run of the day, it was instead 47843 that appeared, and, according to a post just received from the 'PresGen' mailing list, this was due to a leaking header tank, and the loco should be in service on Day Two (though D1062 is now reported to have a problem, so it will remain to be seen if it runs again or not). Last loco up was the Deltic 'Royal Scots Grey' 55022, which is always pleasant on the eye, and this time appeared in bright sunshine, which was a major contrast to the conditions all of the others had arrived in. Thankfully Day Two proved to be a very different day weatherwise than Day One, and in spite of a few splashes at various times, it was fairly warm and dry for most of the day, up to around 5pm that is, when of course we finally had the inevitable shower. In spite of this the day was quite an enjoyable one, with lots of impressive traction, both visitors and home fleet, on display, and 47292 did make its appearance, and very impressive it looked too. The one no-show on this day seemed to be 40145, which should have appeared late afternoon, but was replaced by 50015 instead (which arrived at Rawtenstall just as the skies blackened and the rain started!). Day Three was probably the warmest and brightest of the three days, and this time I was mostly down at the Bury end, and only able to attend for the latter part of the afternoon unfortunately. This was still a useful visit though as quite a few of the locos were seen changing ends at the station, and I also caught several of them coming over the 'ski jump' on their way back from Heywood. For the final run of the day (and the highlight of the whole event for me) the Hymek D7076 was on duty, and this loco (being called a 'wesmek' by some folks), was not only notable for having the engine from the ELR's Western installed in it for the event, but also for a most impressive display of clag as it rounded the curve at Townsend Fold on its last run of the day - a good candidate for 'Carry on Clagging IV' if ever I saw one!:-) To sum up the three days: "Quite a few miles walked, 14 locos photographed, severe nettle rash, two good soakings, one good roasting and two sore feet - priceless, I loved every minute of it!":-) My thanks to all the volunteers at the ELR and Bury Diesel Group, who must have put in a phenomenal amount of time to make this event such a success, and they should feel rightly proud of their efforts. What a pity it is though that the ELR steam events just don't seem to be anything like up to this very high standard these days now that they don't seem to have many steam locos left there. Friday 3 July 2009: Mention the words 'ELR' and 'Diesel Gala' in the same breath and what you usually have is a rain-making ceremony it seems, and the first day of this year's 'summer' event gave us just that - at least for a good two thirds of the day that is! After a week of scorching sunshine and beautiful light, it was back to very wet, gloomy and miserable - typical ELR weather in other words. After starting out fine for a brief period, in which D6525 'Captain Bill' took the first shuttle up to Ramsbottom, it was pretty much a non-stop deluge after that, so most of the time we were confined to areas were there was at least a little shelter, such as Irwell Vale and Rawtenstall. Typically, by 5pm the rain clouds had finally departed and the Deltic arrived in bright sunshine and blue skies, as if to add insult to injury and rub salt in our already soggy wounds and show us just what we had been missing all day. Not to be put off though (and having already spent a fair chunk of my life photographing locos on the ELR in conditions such as this - well this is East Lancashire what else do we expect?), it was still nice to see a fine selection of diesel locos on display, and a number of 'visitors', all which I was seeing in action for the first time. Following 'home' locos D6525, 37109 and 50015 it was the turn of the visitors starting with D7629, and followed by D1062, 37248 and 47843. We should also have seen the other visitor 47292, but in spite of being listed as doing the penultimate run of the day, it was instead 47843 that appeared, and, according to a post just received from the 'PresGen' mailing list, this was due to a leaking header tank, and the loco should be in service on Day Two (though D1062 is now reported to have a problem, so it will remain to be seen if it runs again or not). Last loco up was the Deltic 'Royal Scots Grey' 55022, which is always pleasant on the eye, and this time appeared in bright sunshine, which was a major contrast to the conditions all of the others had arrived in. Thankfully Day Two proved to be a very different day weatherwise than Day One, and in spite of a few splashes at various times, it was fairly warm and dry for most of the day, up to around 5pm that is, when of course we finally had the inevitable shower. In spite of this the day was quite an enjoyable one, with lots of impressive traction, both visitors and home fleet, on display, and 47292 did make its appearance, and very impressive it looked too. The one no-show on this day seemed to be 40145, which should have appeared late afternoon, but was replaced by 50015 instead (which arrived at Rawtenstall just as the skies blackened and the rain started!). Day Three was probably the warmest and brightest of the three days, and this time I was mostly down at the Bury end, and only able to attend for the latter part of the afternoon unfortunately. This was still a useful visit though as quite a few of the locos were seen changing ends at the station, and I also caught several of them coming over the 'ski jump' on their way back from Heywood. For the final run of the day (and the highlight of the whole event for me) the Hymek D7076 was on duty, and this loco (being called a 'wesmek' by some folks), was not only notable for having the engine from the ELR's Western installed in it for the event, but also for a most impressive display of clag as it rounded the curve at Townsend Fold on its last run of the day - a good candidate for 'Carry on Clagging IV' if ever I saw one!:-) To sum up the three days: "Quite a few miles walked, 14 locos photographed, severe nettle rash, two good soakings, one good roasting and two sore feet - priceless, I loved every minute of it!":-) My thanks to all the volunteers at the ELR and Bury Diesel Group, who must have put in a phenomenal amount of time to make this event such a success, and they should feel rightly proud of their efforts. What a pity it is though that the ELR steam events just don't seem to be anything like up to this very high standard these days now that they don't seem to have many steam locos left there.

3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 - water, water everywhere and how my boots did sink... 3rd July 2009 - just a typical summer's day in Lancashire.. 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 - and finally the Sun makes an appearance.. 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 3rd July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 4th July 2009 - wonder if that emu had to buy a ticket? 4th July 2009

Published in Railway Gallery

]]> Fri Jul 3 2009 Ribblehead, Leander and Settle http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1719306.html I was originally planning to include the shots of LMS Jubilee Class No. 5690 'Leander' in the same gallery as the K&WVR 2009 Summer Steam Gala, since it was on duty handling the steam charters from Keighley to Settle Junction (and over Ribblehead Viaduct to Blea Moor) during the weekend of the event, but since I ended up taking so many pictures of Settle Station, Hellifield, numerous main line diesel passenger and freight services (I make no apologies for including the DMUs, 'Sheds' and Freds' here, I don't get many chances to photograph them these days!) and the Viaduct itself, it seemed more logical to place them all together in their very own gallery instead. After spending the 26th at the K&WVR, we decided to spend most of Saturday trying to catch Leander and its accompanying West Coast Railway Company Class 37 (37516) at various points along the route from Keighley to Settle Junction. The evening service was to go beyond Settle and cross over the famous and very impressive Ribblehead Viaduct to Blea Moor, and that was where we decided to head to, to see it arrive there around 8pm. Images in this gallery feature both Settle and Hellifield Stations (the charters were not going into Settle Station, but I'd never been there before, or surprisingly considering I've been a railway enthusiast all of my life, had I ever been on the Settle and Carlisle line before), so that was included here as well. The Ribblehead Viaduct is a Grade II listed monument, and monument is the right word for it too, built between 1870 and 1874, it is over 104 feet high and 440 yards long and has some 24 arches in all. Set in an impressive moorland location, and surrounded by some very large hills that seems to have their own weather systems (and also block most of the sunlight at crucial moments at that time of year), it beggars belief that a previous UK government could have even considered closing it in the 1980s. My only complaint about this location was the sheer volume of midges trying to eat us, I thought that sort of thing only happened in the north of Scotland!:-) The evening charter over the viaduct was a sell out, and Leander looked very impressive as it crossed the viaduct, I just wish the Sun which had been shining so brightly just an hour previously, had still been there to illuminate the scene as it made its arrival. Saturday 27 June 2009: I was originally planning to include the shots of LMS Jubilee Class No. 5690 'Leander' in the same gallery as the K&WVR 2009 Summer Steam Gala, since it was on duty handling the steam charters from Keighley to Settle Junction (and over Ribblehead Viaduct to Blea Moor) during the weekend of the event, but since I ended up taking so many pictures of Settle Station, Hellifield, numerous main line diesel passenger and freight services (I make no apologies for including the DMUs, 'Sheds' and Freds' here, I don't get many chances to photograph them these days!) and the Viaduct itself, it seemed more logical to place them all together in their very own gallery instead. After spending the 26th at the K&WVR, we decided to spend most of Saturday trying to catch Leander and its accompanying West Coast Railway Company Class 37 (37516) at various points along the route from Keighley to Settle Junction. The evening service was to go beyond Settle and cross over the famous and very impressive Ribblehead Viaduct to Blea Moor, and that was where we decided to head to, to see it arrive there around 8pm. Images in this gallery feature both Settle and Hellifield Stations (the charters were not going into Settle Station, but I'd never been there before, or surprisingly considering I've been a railway enthusiast all of my life, had I ever been on the Settle and Carlisle line before), so that was included here as well. The Ribblehead Viaduct is a Grade II listed monument, and monument is the right word for it too, built between 1870 and 1874, it is over 104 feet high and 440 yards long and has some 24 arches in all. Set in an impressive moorland location, and surrounded by some very large hills that seems to have their own weather systems (and also block most of the sunlight at crucial moments at that time of year), it beggars belief that a previous UK government could have even considered closing it in the 1980s. My only complaint about this location was the sheer volume of midges trying to eat us, I thought that sort of thing only happened in the north of Scotland!:-) The evening charter over the viaduct was a sell out, and Leander looked very impressive as it crossed the viaduct, I just wish the Sun which had been shining so brightly just an hour previously, had still been there to illuminate the scene as it made its arrival.

north of Gargrave en-route to Hellifield WCRC growler leading the journey back to Keighley Leander takes a breather at hellifield Settle Station Signal Box Settle Station, very popular with hikers The sign says it all! Wall plaque at Settle Station Leaner approaches Settle Junction Blue plaques at Hellifield Station EWS 'Shed' approaches Hellifield Leander steams through Long Preston Ribblehead Station Ribblehead Viaduct A 'Fred' passes through Ribbleahead Station The view north from Ribblehead Station The view south from Ribblehead Station Datestone showing 1875, the date it was opened Ian Allen likes it too!

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]]> Sat Jun 27 2009 K&WVR Summer Steam Gala - June 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1719263.html It was off to the Worth Valley on Friday 26th of June for Day One of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's Summer Steam Gala, and as per usual there was a good selection of steam locos on display. As with the Diesel Gala a few weeks earlier, the weather was fine and pleasant in the morning, but deteriorated a bit as the day went on, and by the late afternoon it was getting positively gloomy, and I was shooting at ISO1600 at times in my attempts to keep the moving locos in focus by 6pm. In spite of that though there was a nice lineup of locos, including one of the the star attractions, which was the visiting GCR class 8K 2-8-0 '63601', which is owned by the National Railway Museum, and currently on loan to the Great Central Railway. The other main attraction was 'Leaner' 5690, but this was mainly working shuttles between Keighley Station and Settle Junction, and after spending most of Saturday following this around, I have decided to put the pictures of this one in a separate gallery, which will include images of its Saturday evening trip over the world famous Ribblehead Viaduct (please check the index page for the link to this gallery when it appears very shortly). As well as the visitors though there were plenty of 'home' locos on display, and these were busy running various double headers and goods trains, and amongst the locos included this time were: 47279, 957, 90733, 85 and my favourite one for the event - 1704 'Nunlow' (first time I'd actually seen this one running). Always a good day out at the K&WVR, and I'm grateful to all their volunteers for the effort and time they put in to give us this enjoyable event, I just wish they would organise some better weather for the whole event the next time!:-) Friday 26 June 2009: It was off to the Worth Valley on Friday 26th of June for Day One of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's Summer Steam Gala, and as per usual there was a good selection of steam locos on display. As with the Diesel Gala a few weeks earlier, the weather was fine and pleasant in the morning, but deteriorated a bit as the day went on, and by the late afternoon it was getting positively gloomy, and I was shooting at ISO1600 at times in my attempts to keep the moving locos in focus by 6pm. In spite of that though there was a nice lineup of locos, including one of the the star attractions, which was the visiting GCR class 8K 2-8-0 '63601', which is owned by the National Railway Museum, and currently on loan to the Great Central Railway. The other main attraction was 'Leaner' 5690, but this was mainly working shuttles between Keighley Station and Settle Junction, and after spending most of Saturday following this around, I have decided to put the pictures of this one in a separate gallery, which will include images of its Saturday evening trip over the world famous Ribblehead Viaduct (please check the index page for the link to this gallery when it appears very shortly). As well as the visitors though there were plenty of 'home' locos on display, and these were busy running various double headers and goods trains, and amongst the locos included this time were: 47279, 957, 90733, 85 and my favourite one for the event - 1704 'Nunlow' (first time I'd actually seen this one running). Always a good day out at the K&WVR, and I'm grateful to all their volunteers for the effort and time they put in to give us this enjoyable event, I just wish they would organise some better weather for the whole event the next time!:-)

orange blobs everywhere!

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]]> Fri Jun 26 2009 NRM, Duchess of Hamilton, and ECML http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1716678.html Another visit to the National Railway Museum at York, this time to see the very impressive looking London Midland & Scottish Railway 4-6-2 8P Coronation class No 46229 'Duchess of Hamilton', which was appearing as the star act in the 'Duchess of Hamilton Streamlined Styling An Era' exhibition, which is running until the end of 2010. The Duchess has recently been restored to its pre-1939 streamlined form at the Tyseley works, and looks quite magnificent now. I would dearly love to have seen this running on the main line, it must have been quite a sight back in those pre-war days. Currently on display at the Great Hall in York, it's well worth taking a look at if you are over that way. As often happens, our visits to York are timed to coincide with something interesting arriving there on the East Coast Main Line, and this time it was the 'Jorvik Fellsman' charter, which featured two DBS Class 37 locos double heading. Shots of these were taken both arriving and departing at the outskirts of York, and a few other mainline locos were also captured whilst I was awaiting its arrival. York must have its own micro-climate I think, it lashed it down for most of the time we were there, yet everywhere else in the county, other than the city itself, seemed to be enjoying bright sunshine and fine weather - I thought that sort of thing only happened in Lancashire!:-) Saturday 20 June 2009: Another visit to the National Railway Museum at York, this time to see the very impressive looking London Midland & Scottish Railway 4-6-2 8P Coronation class No 46229 'Duchess of Hamilton', which was appearing as the star act in the 'Duchess of Hamilton Streamlined Styling An Era' exhibition, which is running until the end of 2010. The Duchess has recently been restored to its pre-1939 streamlined form at the Tyseley works, and looks quite magnificent now. I would dearly love to have seen this running on the main line, it must have been quite a sight back in those pre-war days. Currently on display at the Great Hall in York, it's well worth taking a look at if you are over that way. As often happens, our visits to York are timed to coincide with something interesting arriving there on the East Coast Main Line, and this time it was the 'Jorvik Fellsman' charter, which featured two DBS Class 37 locos double heading. Shots of these were taken both arriving and departing at the outskirts of York, and a few other mainline locos were also captured whilst I was awaiting its arrival. York must have its own micro-climate I think, it lashed it down for most of the time we were there, yet everywhere else in the county, other than the city itself, seemed to be enjoying bright sunshine and fine weather - I thought that sort of thing only happened in Lancashire!:-)

ECML, York - 20th June 2009 Jorvik Fellsman arrives at York NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 NRM - 20th June 2009 ECML, York - 20th June 2009 ECML, York - 20th June 2009 ECML, York - 20th June 2009 ECML, York - 20th June 2009 ECML, York - 20th June 2009 ECML, York - 20th June 2009 ECML, York - 20th June 2009 Jorvik Fellsman departs from York

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]]> Sat Jun 20 2009 Foxfield Railway Victorian Theme Day June 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1713104.html Foxfield Light Railway is a heritage railway in Staffordshire which was built in 1892-93 to provide a link to the Foxfield Colliery. After its closure in 1965 it was preserved by the Foxfield Light Railway Society, and now in 2009 boasts a very good collection of industrial steam and diesel locos. Running from the station at Caverswall Road near to Blythe Bridge, the line runs through some beautiful countryside, and up through a number of gradients to the current termination point for passenger coaches at Dilhorne Park. During our visit there on the 13th of June 2009 (and my first ever to a railway in Staffordshire) we were treated to a trip on some original Victorian coaches, which were on hire from the Tanfield Railway, and due to be returned the following week, these were pulled by the Victorian locomotive Beyer Peacock 0-4-0ST No 1827, which was built in 1879. The reason for the coach hire was due to the line having been used the previous week for the filming of a new two-part Christmas Special of the BBC Victorian based costume drama 'Cranford', which starred dame Judy Dench, and after riding the line several times it was easy to see why they'd chosen this beautiful location, it was easy to imagine what it would have felt like for folks in those days as we rode in Victorian coaches drawn by a Victorian loco. Another small but very friendly heritage railway, and it was a pleasure to visit there and meet with and speak to so many of its volunteers who were only too happy to show us around their workshops and railway. I'm looking forward very much to a return visit when the line is shortly extended down that very sharp incline to the old Colliery at Dilhorne. Saturday 13 June 2009: Foxfield Light Railway is a heritage railway in Staffordshire which was built in 1892-93 to provide a link to the Foxfield Colliery. After its closure in 1965 it was preserved by the Foxfield Light Railway Society, and now in 2009 boasts a very good collection of industrial steam and diesel locos. Running from the station at Caverswall Road near to Blythe Bridge, the line runs through some beautiful countryside, and up through a number of gradients to the current termination point for passenger coaches at Dilhorne Park. During our visit there on the 13th of June 2009 (and my first ever to a railway in Staffordshire) we were treated to a trip on some original Victorian coaches, which were on hire from the Tanfield Railway, and due to be returned the following week, these were pulled by the Victorian locomotive Beyer Peacock 0-4-0ST No 1827, which was built in 1879. The reason for the coach hire was due to the line having been used the previous week for the filming of a new two-part Christmas Special of the BBC Victorian based costume drama 'Cranford', which starred dame Judy Dench, and after riding the line several times it was easy to see why they'd chosen this beautiful location, it was easy to imagine what it would have felt like for folks in those days as we rode in Victorian coaches drawn by a Victorian loco. Another small but very friendly heritage railway, and it was a pleasure to visit there and meet with and speak to so many of its volunteers who were only too happy to show us around their workshops and railway. I'm looking forward very much to a return visit when the line is shortly extended down that very sharp incline to the old Colliery at Dilhorne.

13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009 13th June 2009

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]]> Sat Jun 13 2009 Middleton Railway Diesel Gala - June 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1708731.html It was back to the Middleton Railway in Leeds again on Saturday 6th of June 2009, but this time to Day One of their annual Diesel Gala. Just as with the day before, the weather split the day into two parts - wet and fine, but this time we had the wet stuff first, and then things dried out during the afternoon, leaving us with a fine and pleasant but slightly breezy conditions for the rest of the event. Many people tend to ignore some of the 'smaller' railways, which in my humble opinion is a big mistake, since many of these organisatons put on some really excellent events, and this one was no exception. Amongst the running line up, which consisted of numerous combinations of single and double headers (and even a triple header featuring one of the more vintage locos), was the main attraction, which was a visiting Class 05 ex-BR loco D2578, which was built by the nearby Hunslet Engine Company, and was making a rare return 'home' from its more usual location in Hereford, and this was accompanied by 'home' locos: 'John Alcock', 'Mary', 'Carroll', 'D2999', 'Austins No.1', vintage loco 'Courage', and last but not least, railcar 'OLIVE',. An intensive timetable featuring no fewer than 21 trips along the usual line from Moor Road to Park Halt, and also some frieght and passenger workings down the seldom used branch line to Balm Road. These services operated between 10am and 5pm - and provided great value indeed at just £6 for a whole day's rover ticket! All in all a very pleasant day out at a small and friendly railway that I always enjoy visiting, and one that has plenty of interesting places that are easily accessible for taking photographs from. Well done to the Middleton and all of its volunteers for a very well run event, and with all combinations of locos swiftly changed and all departing right on time throughout the entire event, it was a very efficient and well run operation for sure and a very enjoyable day out. Saturday 6 June 2009: It was back to the Middleton Railway in Leeds again on Saturday 6th of June 2009, but this time to Day One of their annual Diesel Gala. Just as with the day before, the weather split the day into two parts - wet and fine, but this time we had the wet stuff first, and then things dried out during the afternoon, leaving us with a fine and pleasant but slightly breezy conditions for the rest of the event. Many people tend to ignore some of the 'smaller' railways, which in my humble opinion is a big mistake, since many of these organisatons put on some really excellent events, and this one was no exception. Amongst the running line up, which consisted of numerous combinations of single and double headers (and even a triple header featuring one of the more vintage locos), was the main attraction, which was a visiting Class 05 ex-BR loco D2578, which was built by the nearby Hunslet Engine Company, and was making a rare return 'home' from its more usual location in Hereford, and this was accompanied by 'home' locos: 'John Alcock', 'Mary', 'Carroll', 'D2999', 'Austins No.1', vintage loco 'Courage', and last but not least, railcar 'OLIVE',. An intensive timetable featuring no fewer than 21 trips along the usual line from Moor Road to Park Halt, and also some frieght and passenger workings down the seldom used branch line to Balm Road. These services operated between 10am and 5pm - and provided great value indeed at just _6 for a whole day's rover ticket! All in all a very pleasant day out at a small and friendly railway that I always enjoy visiting, and one that has plenty of interesting places that are easily accessible for taking photographs from. Well done to the Middleton and all of its volunteers for a very well run event, and with all combinations of locos swiftly changed and all departing right on time throughout the entire event, it was a very efficient and well run operation for sure and a very enjoyable day out.

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]]> Sat Jun 6 2009 Various ELR Locos seen in June 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1708292.html This gallery is the usual look at the locos seen on the East Lancashire Railway during various visits in June 2009. The first visit was a short mid-week one on Wednesday 3rd of June, and that day the Jinty (47324) was doing all the work, and was the only servicable ELR steam loco at that time, with the U.S. S160 loco '5197' having failed the weekend before that. On my second visit on Sunday 7th of June though, I was pleased to see that 5197 was back at work again, and was again providing the full Sunday steam service with the hard working Jinty. One bonus shot though was of the Class 37 '37109', which was hauling a special private charter of Pullman coaches on the 'spare path' which usually exists when the Low Season Timetable is in use, and this looked really impressive in its old BR blue livery, and I was pleased to get a few shots of this at the picturesque Irwell Vale Halt. After a short mid-week visit (with just the Jinty running) another visit was made, this time on the 14th of June for the Morris Minor Day at Heywood Station. I rode down from Rawtenstall for this event, so not too many pictures of locos taken, other than during brief disembarkations at Bury, and a few shots at Heywood and back at Rawtenstall. The Morris Minors (Moggies) looked lovely in the Sun, and since I took far too many pictures of them to include in this gallery, I will be placing them in a special gallery of their own in the 'Heritage' Gallery. I will include a direct link here when this is done. Next visit was on Sunday 21st of June, and mainly because I knew that due to the lack of steam locos a diesel would be running that day, though since the website only showed 'tba' I had no idea what this would be until I got there. As it turned out it was a 'growler', and this one was 37109 in its nice shiny new blue livery at that, and looking very photogenic (and I just love growlers, they're my favourite diesels). Steam work was done by the venerable workhorse the Jinty (what would the ELR do without it these days?), and after a few shots of each it was a trip down to Bury behind the 37, and a few shots at Bury and Ramsbottom, then back to Rawtenstall for the last couple of runs of the day. Whilst at Bury I noticed that the 'Lancastrian Lunch' Pullman coaches were parked in one of the platforms with a shunter attached, and eventually the coaches were taken down to Buckley Wells, before being shunted back and attached on the end of the 37's four standard service coaches, so it was a fair sized train that made its way to Rawtenstall. Naturally I just couldn't resist jumping off at Ramsbottom and getting a few shots of it departing, and then returning a little while later. Glad I went now!:-) My final visit of the month was on Sunday 28th, and again it was very hot and humid, which made walking down the line hard work to say the least, so most of the shots taken during this visit were at various locations between Rawtenstall and Ewood Bridge. This weekend had also seen the start of the 'High Season' timetable, so more services were running, and according to the ELR website locos on duty were the 'Jinty', the S160 and the diesel loco 'Captain Bill' D6525, though around 3pm I had a pleasant surprise when Captain Bill arrived double-headed with the Hymek 7076. I can only assume they must have been testing it in readiness for the Diesel Gala the following week, but it was good to see both of them out together in the sunshine. Saturday 6 June 2009: This gallery is the usual look at the locos seen on the East Lancashire Railway during various visits in June 2009. The first visit was a short mid-week one on Wednesday 3rd of June, and that day the Jinty (47324) was doing all the work, and was the only servicable ELR steam loco at that time, with the U.S. S160 loco '5197' having failed the weekend before that. On my second visit on Sunday 7th of June though, I was pleased to see that 5197 was back at work again, and was again providing the full Sunday steam service with the hard working Jinty. One bonus shot though was of the Class 37 '37109', which was hauling a special private charter of Pullman coaches on the 'spare path' which usually exists when the Low Season Timetable is in use, and this looked really impressive in its old BR blue livery, and I was pleased to get a few shots of this at the picturesque Irwell Vale Halt. After a short mid-week visit (with just the Jinty running) another visit was made, this time on the 14th of June for the Morris Minor Day at Heywood Station. I rode down from Rawtenstall for this event, so not too many pictures of locos taken, other than during brief disembarkations at Bury, and a few shots at Heywood and back at Rawtenstall. The Morris Minors (Moggies) looked lovely in the Sun, and since I took far too many pictures of them to include in this gallery, I will be placing them in a special gallery of their own in the 'Heritage' Gallery. I will include a direct link here when this is done. Next visit was on Sunday 21st of June, and mainly because I knew that due to the lack of steam locos a diesel would be running that day, though since the website only showed 'tba' I had no idea what this would be until I got there. As it turned out it was a 'growler', and this one was 37109 in its nice shiny new blue livery at that, and looking very photogenic (and I just love growlers, they're my favourite diesels). Steam work was done by the venerable workhorse the Jinty (what would the ELR do without it these days?), and after a few shots of each it was a trip down to Bury behind the 37, and a few shots at Bury and Ramsbottom, then back to Rawtenstall for the last couple of runs of the day. Whilst at Bury I noticed that the 'Lancastrian Lunch' Pullman coaches were parked in one of the platforms with a shunter attached, and eventually the coaches were taken down to Buckley Wells, before being shunted back and attached on the end of the 37's four standard service coaches, so it was a fair sized train that made its way to Rawtenstall. Naturally I just couldn't resist jumping off at Ramsbottom and getting a few shots of it departing, and then returning a little while later. Glad I went now!:-) My final visit of the month was on Sunday 28th, and again it was very hot and humid, which made walking down the line hard work to say the least, so most of the shots taken during this visit were at various locations between Rawtenstall and Ewood Bridge. This weekend had also seen the start of the 'High Season' timetable, so more services were running, and according to the ELR website locos on duty were the 'Jinty', the S160 and the diesel loco 'Captain Bill' D6525, though around 3pm I had a pleasant surprise when Captain Bill arrived double-headed with the Hymek 7076. I can only assume they must have been testing it in readiness for the Diesel Gala the following week, but it was good to see both of them out together in the sunshine.

3rd June 2009 3rd June 2009 3rd June 2009 3rd June 2009 3rd June 2009 7th June 2009 7th June 2009 7th June 2009 7th June 2009 7th June 2009 7th June 2009 7th June 2009 7th June 2009 7th June 2009 7th June 2009 7th June 2009 7th June 2009 10th June 2009 10th June 2009 10th June 2009 10th June 2009 10th June 2009 10th June 2009 10th June 2009 10th June 2009 10th June 2009 10th June 2009 10th June 2009 14th June 2009 14th June 2009 14th June 2009 14th June 2009 14th June 2009 That Polish coal tastes awful!:-) 14th June 2009 14th June 2009 14th June 2009 14th June 2009 14th June 2009 14th June 2009 14th June 2009 21st June 2009 21st June 2009 21st June 2009 21st June 2009 21st June 2009 21st June 2009 21st June 2009 21st June 2009 21st June 2009

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]]> Sat Jun 6 2009 K & WVR Diesel Gala Weekend June 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1708225.html After the fine and sunny weather of the previous week, Day One (Friday) of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's June Diesel Gala Weekend started with very mixed weather. After a bright and sunny start to the day things changed during the afternoon period as things quickly deteriorated and the skies were transformed into murky grey clouds, and was accompnaiied by a lot of the wet stuff. In spite of the less than friendly weather though there was at least an impressive array of traction on display, and these included the following locos: 20031, 25059, 33109 (D6525), 37025, 37682, 47643 and 57007 (the DMU was also providing a shuttle service between Ingrow and Keighley). 37682 and 57007 were visiting locos from DRS, though 57007 was a late replacement for the class 20 loco which should have attended. A great line up with lots of double headers featuring various combinations, and as expected, well up to the usual high standard of K & WVR events. Friday 5 June 2009: After the fine and sunny weather of the previous week, Day One (Friday) of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's June Diesel Gala Weekend started with very mixed weather. After a bright and sunny start to the day things changed during the afternoon period as things quickly deteriorated and the skies were transformed into murky grey clouds, and was accompnaiied by a lot of the wet stuff. In spite of the less than friendly weather though there was at least an impressive array of traction on display, and these included the following locos: 20031, 25059, 33109 (D6525), 37025, 37682, 47643 and 57007 (the DMU was also providing a shuttle service between Ingrow and Keighley). 37682 and 57007 were visiting locos from DRS, though 57007 was a late replacement for the class 20 loco which should have attended. A great line up with lots of double headers featuring various combinations, and as expected, well up to the usual high standard of K & WVR events.

5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009 5th June 2009

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]]> Fri Jun 5 2009 Elsecar Heritage Railway - 31st May 2009 http://windyrail.fotopic.net/c1705901.html After Saturday's 'thrash' fest at the ELR, it was over to the other side of the Pennines on Sunday 31st to make our first ever visit to the Elsecar Heritage Railway at Elsecar near Barnsley in South Yorkshire. This small line operates a number of smaller standard guage steam and diesel locos, and this day, in place of the usual workhouse the 'Mardy Monster', we found the first run of the day being worked by a diesel, the Yorkshire Engine Company 0-6-0DE No. 2895 "Earl of Strafford". Due to a slight technical problem with steam loco the Sentinel Waggon Works 4wVBT No. 9599 "William", the diesel had been brought in whilst a repair was effected. William was soon repaired I'm glad to say and it handled all the rest of the services that day. We weren't complaining about this at all though as it's always nice to get an extra loco thrown in as a bonus when you aren't expecting it. As on the previous day, the Sun was again blazing down on us, and this did cause some problems taking pictures because the track runs north/south, and with the locos running smokestack to the north it wasn't at all easy to get shots that didn't look burned out. That's why there aren't many shots of the moving locos taken from the front, but lots of them from the side and rear!:-) This was a very enjoyable first visit, and we'll certainly look forward to going back again for one of their special events in the near future. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and as a bonus we were treated to a tour of the workshop as well, so I'd like to say a big thank you to the Guard who was on duty that day, and to the senior driver, and we really appreciated all of your kindness and helpfullness, my apologies for not getting your names. If anyone is thinking of a trip over to Elsecar I would say do make the effort, many of the heritage lines that operate the smaller locos are often overlooked, but these are always well worth visiting, and are usually a good day out. Thank you Elsecar! Sunday 31 May 2009: After Saturday's 'thrash' fest at the ELR, it was over to the other side of the Pennines on Sunday 31st to make our first ever visit to the Elsecar Heritage Railway at Elsecar near Barnsley in South Yorkshire. This small line operates a number of smaller standard guage steam and diesel locos, and this day, in place of the usual workhouse the 'Mardy Monster', we found the first run of the day being worked by a diesel, the Yorkshire Engine Company 0-6-0DE No. 2895 "Earl of Strafford". Due to a slight technical problem with steam loco the Sentinel Waggon Works 4wVBT No. 9599 "William", the diesel had been brought in whilst a repair was effected. William was soon repaired I'm glad to say and it handled all the rest of the services that day. We weren't complaining about this at all though as it's always nice to get an extra loco thrown in as a bonus when you aren't expecting it. As on the previous day, the Sun was again blazing down on us, and this did cause some problems taking pictures because the track runs north/south, and with the locos running smokestack to the north it wasn't at all easy to get shots that didn't look burned out. That's why there aren't many shots of the moving locos taken from the front, but lots of them from the side and rear!:-) This was a very enjoyable first visit, and we'll certainly look forward to going back again for one of their special events in the near future. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and as a bonus we were treated to a tour of the workshop as well, so I'd like to say a big thank you to the Guard who was on duty that day, and to the senior driver, and we really appreciated all of your kindness and helpfullness, my apologies for not getting your names. If anyone is thinking of a trip over to Elsecar I would say do make the effort, many of the heritage lines that operate the smaller locos are often overlooked, but these are always well worth visiting, and are usually a good day out. Thank you Elsecar!

The end of the line!

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]]> Sun May 31 2009