“Titley Junction“, 24 September 2006, published to “Geoff’s Rail Diaries“. Photos and video of “The longest private railway in Herefordshire”.

Published “SVR – a glance at the gala“, 23 September 2006, to “Geoff’s Rail Diaries“. Action on Eardington bank (including video) and night photography at Bridgnorth.

…is the home of one of our newest preserved railways – a good ¾ mile of standard gauge in deepest rural Herefordshire. It’s a strictly private setup – but today was an open day, largely, I think, to satisfy the curiosity of the Kington locals, if overheard conversations are anything to go by. I spotted it on the internet, on Kington Tourist Centre’s “What’s On in Kington” page, and decided a visit was called for. We had a pleasant ride down the line – and one cannot see Percy’s face from the train…
A “Rail Diaries” entry will follow in due course.

A quick look at the Severn Valley’s “Autumn Steam Gala” – with a glimpse of visitor “Super D” 49395 and a closer look at 6233 “Duchess of Sutherland”, also “just visiting”. The Duchess was accompanied by 6201 “Princess Elizabeth”, which arrived at Bridgnorth just as we were leaving, after an hour or so of night photography and a pint of Hobson’s “Manor Ale”…

   

A “Rail Diaries” page will probably appear in a day or two – in the meantime, this afternoon we’re off to Titley Junction – watch this space…

30 April 1983 – a trip to Southampton and Portsmouth, with a little added interest. Thumpers, a 47, a 33 and a 73, an EMU or two – and something out of the ordinary… Visit Southampton and the ghost train on Geoff’s Rail Diaries

Main line steam ended in August 1968. Only one locomotive was allowed to run on the tracks of British Rail – Alan Pegler’s 4472 “Flying Scotsman” – until, in late ’69, it went to the USA – no more main line steam until the “Return to Steam” in October 1971. Have a look at this record of 4472’s Grand Tour of the North – published today to Geoff’s Rail Diaries

New on the Specials pages – “Bayston Hill” a selection of summer evening photography, from June ’88, June ’89 and July ’90. 37s, 47s, 108s, 155s, a 128 DPU, etc, etc…

Published “Bressingham – at last!“, 24 August 2006, and “Bure Valley Railway“, 25 August 2006, to “Geoff’s Rail Diaries”

Just back from a trip to East Anglia – and a couple of new venues for the Rail Diaries. We set out from Shropshire on a fine sunny day – and arrived at Bressingham after a torrential downpour, with flooded roads near Bury St Edmunds. It was dull and intermittently rainy for much of the afternoon – so the photos aren’t great, but we had a good time nevertheless, and a ride on all three lines included in the admission price.

The following day was much better for our Bure Valley trip, travelling from Wroxham to Aylsham and back. Aylsham was a hit with the household authorities – good food and a great second-hand bookshop! (May have to pay a return visit…) The Railway is pretty good too – those little 15″ gauge trains really rattle and roar along.

New on the “Specials” pages – “BR (mostly) blue diesels”

A selection from the archives – photos taken in the early 1980s when just about everything was in the BR blue livery. 25s, a 33, 37s, 40s, 45s and 47s, in a variety of locations including Newport (Essex), Shrewsbury, Chester and near York.