It’s the annual open day at the works of Alan Keef Ltd, near Ross-on-Wye – always an interesting event (not to mention the hot pork baps). Star attractions this year were vertical boilered “Chaloner” and “Taffy” – built in 1877 and 1994 respectively – not forgetting the widely-travelled “Peter Pan”

Visit “Coffee Pots at Keefs” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for more…

Paddy at Apedale
Originally uploaded by geoffspages

The Apedale Valley Light Railway, constructed by the Moseley Railway Trust, officially opens this weekend. For more pictures etc. visit Apedale – open for traffic on Geoff’s Rail Diaries

Couldn’t see anything local that appealed particularly – but this caught my eye – the Aston Manor Road Transport Museum in Birmingham (just along the road from Aston hall and Aston Villa…). Two of the preserved vehicles were offering rides – a 1954 Daimler, the classic Birmingham bus of the 50s and 60s, and a 1963 Midland Red coach (another very familiar vehicle). The museum itself is housed in a former tram depot, complete with tram rails – an interesting little collection, well worth a visit.

For more photos visit Aston Manor Transport Museum on Geoff’s Pages

There’s enough of interest at Summerlee to merit a “Rail Diaries” – several (static) steam locomotives, and more of the tram in action. Visit Summerlee for the full story

More photos etc. on Geoff’s Rail Diaries – visit “Evesham’s Gala”