Just published to “Geoff’s Rail Diaries” – the full story of yesterday’s specials, and a few more photos. Visit “Steam on a windy day“.

Gale-force winds only a little further north and west – and Tornado (and King Edward I) on steam-hauled specials to Ludlow Christmas market – great! The outward run would be in daylight; Tornado was not due to leave Shrewsbury southbound until teatime. Perhaps a video clip of the train passing through Church Stretton? Maybe there would be enough light for a still shot too?

A Rail Diaries page will appear in due course – in the meantime, a taster:

It looks like the six week period originally mentioned for Caledonian Railway 0-6-0 no. 828’s sojourn in the western midlands (on the Caley 828 Society’s website) has stretched a little. It does look as though last Sunday’s outing may have been its last for some time – the SVR’s website says it’s out of traffic for “tyre replacement”, and according to the current issue of the Railway Herald, it will be spending the winter at the SVR for “bottom end repair work”, before joining other celebrities in the “Steel, Steam and Stars” gala on the Llangollen Railway at the end of April next year. Sounds like one for the diary…

…before he goes home to Scotland. There should have been photos as well as video, but the battery was still in the charger (duh!), and the spare was in the other camera bag…

Double-heading with GWR 2-6-2T no. 4566, Caledonian Rly no. 828 is seen ascending Eardington bank with the 12.15 ex-Kidderminster. An odd combination, but a fine sight and sound.

More from Saturday’s super steam spectacular at the Foxfield Railway – a reminder of the days of industrial steam

Another tremendous day at the Foxfield Railway – a real steam spectacular on the fearsome 1 in 19 gradient. Visit “Sunshine and Steam at Foxfield” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries

 Blue engines are the best, aren’t they? The Caledonian Railway 0-6-0, resplendent in its superb blue livery, was (for me, and I suspect for many others) star attraction at the Severn Valley’s autumn gala this weekend. Visit “Caley Charm” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries.

Heritage Open Day 2011 – a return visit to Nantmawr – see “Riding the Wickham – Nantmawr” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries

A newly-restored steam locomotive entered service this weekend, at the Apedale Light Railway’s “Made in Staffordshire” gala. The loco in question – Kerr Stuart “Joffre” class no. 3014 of 1916, had last steamed in public some 65 years ago, and when I met it at Gloddfa Ganol in 1979, it looked like a lost cause. Not so!

To see the outcome of this major restoration project, in action, visit “Apedale and the Joffre” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries

Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries, the full account of yesterday’s trip, fully illustrated. Visit “Echills Wood”.