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).
Category: Railways…
…and trams, traction engines, buses, ships, boats, canals and other transport subjects
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…
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).
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.
Rain, steam and (relatively low) speed
Been to Statfold today. The overnight night rain cleared, but there was plenty of cloud around, making for some threatening skies and, just occasionally, dramatic lighting. Here’s a sample – eventually, there will be several more pictures on Geoff’s Rail Diaries (when I’ve done the Waverley photos…).
More from Threlkeld
Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries – “Sir Tom” – an illustrated account of our visit to Threlkeld quarry (just over two weeks ago – there’s a bit of a backlog to work through…)
Return to Fountainhall
Today, trains have been running on the reconstructed part of the Waverley route, between Edinburgh and Tweedbank, a couple of miles south of Galashiels. Part of the celebration of the reopening, they were for Golden Ticket holders – local people including numerous school children. No such tickets for Geoff’s Pages. Having travelled on the last day (see “Last Day of the Waverley Route” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries), we’ll be doing our best to travel on the first public train from Edinburgh Waverley tomorrow morning; today we’ll have a photographic day out.
A Rail Diaries page will follow before too long. In the meantime, here’s a photo which provides a link between the last day and the first day. Our special train, in January ’69, called at Fountainhall for a photo stop. The station there has not been reopened – there will be no more returns (or singles) to Fountainhall. The platforms have gone, as have the level crossing and signalbox – but that house, immediately beyond the crossing, is still there…
Sir Tom
We looked in at Threlkeld Quarry this afternoon – for a ride into the old workings behind Bagnall 0-4-0ST “Sir Tom”. There will be a “Rail Diaries” page in due course; in the meantime, here’s a taster…
Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum
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