Just published, a photographic account (23 photos) of Saturday’s visit to the Forest of Dean. Check out “Paddy and the Garratt” on “Geoff’s Rail Diaries”

It’s 1st September 2007, and it’s the annual open day at Alan Keef Ltd, near Ross-on-Wye, and a “special” day on the 15″ gauge line at nearby Perrygrove.

Starring at Keef’s were old friends Taffy and Peter Pan, and newcomer “Paddy”, a newly-built vertical boilered loco, plus much else of interest (as always) including a fine new diesel “Flynn” for the Longleat line, and the frames of “Lydia”, who is to be a new 2-6-2T for Perrygrove…

…where, after the obligatory pork-and-stuffing rolls, we went to see three locomotives in action – “Spirit of Adventure”, Ursula and the 15″ gauge replica of the 2′ gauge K1 Garratt, making its first public appearence. The day also marked the public launch back into traffic of Heywood’s Ducal saloon for the Eaton Hall Railway, by none other than Sir Arthur’s grandson…

Perrygrove – the Garratt and Ursula

Bank holiday weekend – no plans, and we try to avoid going out on the Monday – but Sunday was fine and clear – a good day for photography? We decided on a new destination (but, again, one I’d been aware of for some time) – the Transport Museum at Wythall, just south of Birmingham, home of BaMMOT – the Birmingham and Midland Motor Omnibus Trust. (By a curious coincidence, the first clue in today’s Guardian crossword was “Large volume one may take to work (7)”. Yes, you’ve got it!)

I’m not sure what I’d expected – something akin to some of the smaller railway preservation schemes perhaps, with lots of rotting old vehicles strewn around? Quite the opposite – this is a fine collection of well-restored, clean and shiny vehicles (apart from a few clearly undergoing restoration in the workshops). As a student in Birmingham in the early 70s, those old Guy half-cabs were a distinctive feature of city life – as were the slightly odd-looking Midland Red vehicles used on the longer routes. And here they all were again – wonderful! And not just to look at – regular bus rides are available throughout the day. We took a great trip in old JOJ 976, dating from 1953, out of the museum to Maypole in the south Birmingham suburbs, almost ten miles round trip – for just £1.50 each! A bit more than the 6p and 8p fares we used to pay, but excellent value for a little bit of nostalgia (and yes, we had the front seats at the top…)

 Just published, an account of a trip to Peterborough, and a visit to the Nene Valley Railway, where services were in the hands of ex-GWR pannier tank no 6412 from the West Somerset Railway. Visit “Peterborough Pannier” on “Geoff’s Rail Diaries”

Uploaded to the “monorail” pages – the last of Tim’s old “Brownie 127” photos from the early 60s (there are one or two more, but they’re just too blurred / scratched / whatever). Once again, I’d be very grateful for assistance with the locations – I’ve guessed a few, but there are several that I can’t place. York / Leeds / Bradford / Doncaster perhaps, or across the Pennines in Manchester and Crewe… Help! Please visit Tim’s steamy snaps – page 3

Just published to the “monorail” pages – another set of fine railway scenes taken by the late Robin Barbour in the days of black and white – “Portrait of Steam“.

Once again, I’d be very grateful for any assistance site visitors can offer with the locations…

We’re on a roll here! Another page of Robin’s b&w photos published to the “monorail” pages – trains on the move in Scotland and northern England, hauling passenger and freight. Visit “Steam in Action” – and please, if anyone can help with the locations…

Just published – more of Robin Barbour’s wonderful black and white photos of northern steam. This time – an assortment of locomotive portraits, from humble 0-6-0 and 0-4-4 to main line pacifics. Visit “Assorted Locomotives” on the “monorail” pages