In April 1981, I paid a visit to the Manchester area, and photographed several scenes which have all changed substantially – out of five sites visited, only one remains rail-served, and the three electric traction systems have all long-since vanished.

Visit “Obsolete Electrics – and other assorted motive power” on “Geoff’s Rail Diaries”

In July 1986, I visited the two main signal boxes at Shrewsbury – Crewe Junction and Severn Bridge Junction – a visit organised by the Shropshire Railway Society. Here’s a photographic record of that evening’s entertainment – “Shrewsbury“, on “Geoff’s Rail Diaries”

Just published to “Geoff’s Rail Diaries“, an illustrated account of a Yorkshire trip in September 1980, focusing on main line action with “Lizzie” and “Lord Nelson”, plus a peep at the Worth Valley and a Shipley scrapyard…

Visit “In and around the Aire Valley”

Here’s an account of a trip out getting on for 30 years ago – to see and photograph a special hauled by ex-LMS “Jubilee” no 5690 “Leander” (a locomotive I’d met for the first time in Barry scrapyard). Later in the day, a quick peep at Dinting, and a look at the western portal of Standedge tunnel, near Diggle.

Visit “Leander” on “Geoff’s Rail Dairies”

   

Just published to “Geoff’s Rail Diaries“, a photographic account of a couple of hours spent beside the former GWR main line at Twyford, and near Sonning. The Westerns have long since gone, but the Sprinters are still on the distant horizon. Visit “Springtime at Twyford and Sonning”

Just back from a little outing to Coalbrookdale. Never seen the place so busy – hundreds of people! The reason – a steam special on the branch from Madeley Junction to Ironbridge power station, hauled by Hawksworth-designed pannier tank 9466 (built for BR by RSH in 1952). The train is seen crossing the viaduct at the upper end of the dale, about half-way up the steeply-graded line. I guess the six coaches were about the limit for the locomotive, which can be heard labouring (check out the video below) as the curve kicks in.

It’s always interesting to dip into the archives – those boxes of slides that haven’t seen the light of day – or projector – for several years. I’d almost forgotten this trip – a two day outing, in late May 1996, which took us slowly down to Dover, for an overnight stay followed by an early(ish) crossing for a survey of railway activity in the Calais area. Mainline electric (mostly) and preserved steam in southern England, diesel and electric (ancient and modern…) in France. Visit Geoff’s Rail Diaries for A Trip to France

Try saying it quickly – “Emmet at Amerton, Emmet at Amerton…”

Just uploaded – a photographic account of a brief trip to the Amerton Railway, near Stafford, to see a little locomotive with a curious history in action, brightening up an otherwise dull grey Sunday afternoon. Visit “Emmet at Amerton” on “Geoff’s Rail Diaries”

Just published to “Geoff’s Rail Diaries“, a full(er) account of last week’s trip to the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway’s “Sutton 45” event, held to mark 45 years since the closure of the miniature railway in Sutton Park. Visit “Sutton beside the Humber” – and then, better still, visit the railway…

We’d decided to have a look at the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway, on our way home from a trip to York. Couldn’t find a timetable on their website, and no indication of anything special in the offing. Got there and found they were having a Sutton Miniature Railway event – “Sutton 45” to mark the closure of the line 45 years ago – with original locos, original stock, and original drivers too! Yes, really!

This was our first visit to this recently extended line – and a most enjoyable visit it was too, with exceptionally friendly staff (and exceptionally grip-happy ticket inspectors…). More photos and more detail will follow, in due course, on “Geoff’s Rail Diaries”.

Time for lunch – we’re at the seaside, so… The fish and chips, eaten whilst sitting on the promenade wall watching the shipping in the Humber, were excellent. There will definitely be a return trip.