In Greek mythology, he was a great hero and slayer of monsters, apparently. He’s still fighting fit on the Foxfield railway, despite his age – built by Haydock Foundry in 1874, which makes him more than 140 years old. More photos and video, from an excellent day out in Staffordshire, will appear on Geoff’s Rail Diaries in due course (i.e. tomorrow. Probably).
Author: geoffspages
Late September on the Clee
We’re walking up to Clee Burf this afternoon – it’s fine, bright and sunny, and though there’s a chill in the air, we’re warm from the ascent. It seems a shame to come down again – it’s a great place on a day like this. The hills to the west seem to go on for ever.
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=358410&Y=284786&A=Y&Z=120
Acorns, sloes, hips and haws
The leaves are starting to turn, but the most obvious signs of the season are the fruits in the hedgerows. The blackberries in particular make this walk take longer than usual…
View OS map on Streetmap http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?X=365330&Y=301096&A=Y&Z=120
The Scot and the Brit
Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries, photos (a few) and video of yesterday’s trip to the Severn Valley’s autumn gala – starring, among others, 46100 Royal Scot and 70000 Britannia. Visit “The Scot and the Brit” – now!
Royal Scot
A regal visitor to the Severn Valley Railway this weekend – 46100 Royal Scot – one not to be missed. Scots were regular visitors to Shrewsbury in steam days, but I suspect this is first time a Scot has been to the SVR. Also visiting were 70000 Britannia and former resident 46521 – yes, it’s the Autumn Steam Gala. More photos and video will appear on Geoff’s Rail Diaries – but not today…
Entering Autumn
Walking near Wenlock, the onset of autumn is evident – blackberries, elderberries, toadstools galore. The air is cooler, and there’s rain in the wind – much more than the forecast implied. We sheltered from the first shower, and should have sheltered from the second, but we weren’t far from the car…
We walked this route last September – today we’re doing it clockwise.
Sunshine and showers at Statfold
It was only a little one, at the start of our day – after that, plenty of sunshine and, from time to time, interesting lighting conditions. Visit “Statfold Again” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for lots of pictures…
Last in, first out…
More-or-less… Visit “First Day of the Waverley Route” for more on the first public train from Edinburgh, on the line that closed more than 46 years ago (and see “Last Day of the Waverley Route” for an account of the last time – and what I really thought would be the last time – I travelled on the line).
The first skyscraper
…or perhaps its grandfather? It’s the world’s first iron-framed building – built as a flax mill in 1797, it was converted to maltings in 1897 – and remained in use as such, on and off, until 1987, by which time its historic significance (and a Grade 1 listing) ensured continued existence. Work is now ongoing to restore the buildings on this site in Shrewsbury to further commercial – and community – use, work that will not be finished overnight. Our visit today, with an excellent guided tour, was a (free) Heritage Open Day event, and well worth a donation to funds. Must have another look in a year or two…
Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings
Golden tickets to Galashiels
Just published – pictures from last Saturday 5th September – my photographic outing to record the “Golden Ticket” specials on the Borders Railway, the reopened northern part of the former Waverley route. Visit “By Gala Water” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries.
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