…the annual Autumn Steam Gala is upon us. For pictures and video, visit “Visitors in the Valley” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries
Category: Railways…
…and trams, traction engines, buses, ships, boats, canals and other transport subjects
A most welcome visitor
Sunday afternoon – back to the Severn Valley Railway. I’d seen Metropolitan Railway No.1 on Friday, in action further north – but it was bunker-first up the bank at Eardington, and just drifting down again. Here it’s working well on the gentle climb from Bewdley to Foley Park Tunnel – and the right way round.
There will be a Rail Diaries page in a day or two…
A most welcome visitor, a photo by
geoffspages on Flickr.
Well Preserved
Well they are – “well tanks”, that is, both of them. The lovely Krauss metre-gauge locomotives were on display on a short stretch of track at the Alan Keef open day today. The green one is 3142 of 1894, the black one 5742 of 1908. Both have been restored to full working order at Keef’s in the recent past – I met them when they were in the works a few years back (see “Justine and Lydia” and “Coffee Pots at Keef’s“). Both were in steam today, and shuffled up and down their temporary track from time to time.
We drove the short distance from Keef’s to the Lea Bailey Light Railway, where a 2′ gauge line is being developed at the former gold mine (yes, really). One to watch, I think.
Little and large
On now to Perrygrove. We thought Keef’s was busy – Perrygrove was packed… Perhaps it was the attraction of visiting locos, demonstration freights etc… It’s difficult to believe that “Lydia” and “Cagney”, seen in the photo (right) both operate on the same 15″ gauge track.
There will be a “Rail Diaries” page on the day’s amusements in due course.
Severn Valley Schooldays
The Severn Valley’s autumn gala is in full flow – today, tomorrow and Sunday. Here’s one of the visitors – SR Schools class no. 925 “Cheltenham” going well on Eardington bank.
Might have another look on Sunday – we’ve other plans for tomorrow. Rail Diaries page(s) in due course…
Severn Valley Schooldays, a photo by geoffspages on Flickr.
Taking it easy…
More from yesterday’s laid-back day – visit “September at Statfold“, just published on Geoff’s Rail Diaries.
No 9 on the new line
Another great day at the Statfold Barn Railway: here’s Graham Lee’s pride and joy, No.9, in action on a new stretch of railway (yes, it’s still expanding), with the man himself at the controls. Had a fairly lazy time on this occasion – concentrated on enjoying the railway, the bacon baps and the conversations… Nevertheless, a Rail Diaries page will appear in due course…Early Autumn at Chasewater
It was described as the “Summer Steam Gala”, but the temperature was decidedly autumnal at Chasewater – great when the sun was out, chilly when it disappeared behind the increasingly threatening clouds. We timed it well, catching the first shower minutes after departing. For more pictures and video, visit “Early Autumn at Chasewater” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries
Another four-wheeler – railbus riding beside the Ribble
A break in the long drive down the M6, for our first look at the Ribble Steam Railway. Must go again when steam is operating… Visit “Ribble-side Railbus” for more about our visit.
44 years later…
Since my last visit, a forest had been planted and grown to maturity – and was now being harvested.
That earlier visit was on a railtour from Leeds to Edinburgh, out and back via the Settle and Carlisle and the Waverley Route. In later years, the S&C came under threat – and survived. The Waverley Route wasn’t so fortunate – the railtour was to mark its last day, 5 January 1969.
Today, the northern part of the line, from Edinburgh to Tweedbank, south of Galashiels, is being reconstructed, due to reopen in 2015. Further south, at Whitrope siding, the Waverley Railway Heritage Association are laying the track for a different kind of line – we thought we ought to pay a visit. See “Return to Whitrope” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries.
A ride at Nantmawr
Before our Canal Central walk (see below), we visited Nantmawr. The Tanat Valley Railway people have moved some DMU stock up there, and are currently offering weekend train rides. Visit Nantmawr DMU on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for more…
