Just published to “Geoff’s Rail Diaries“, an illustrated account of a few days wandering around the railways of Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland in July 1984. Visit “Northern Counties” now…
1 year on – full circle…
…and another ancient Southern tank at Horsehay… Yes, the blog is a year old – and the first entry depicted the Beattie well tank’s visit to Horsehay, home of the Telford Steam Railway. A year later, the bank holiday visitor to the railway was ex-LBSC “Terrier” 662 “Martello”. Last time I met this little locomotive, it was in steam, in the pouring rain, at Bressingham. Once again, the clouds had gathered – Sunday was a total washout, and within an hour of my arrival this afternoon, it was raining again. Can’t win them all! Nevertheless, an attractive little visitor, and an opportunity for one or two half-decent snaps…
Kites
The red kites of mid-Wales are a real success story. Down to single numbers of breeding pairs – as few as two or three at times – in the 1920s and 30s, there are now hundreds – and introduced populations are thriving elsewhere in the UK. One factor in their recent success must be the feeding programme at Gigrin Farm, Rhayader. Since 1994, and at the initiative of the RSPB, the feed has provided a daily spectacle for visitors.
We had an omen for the day’s success shortly before leaving Shropshire – we spotted one circling near Hopton Heath, on the road from Craven Arms to Knighton – my first Salopian sighting.
We took our places in the hides at the farm at around 2pm and waited. The crows began to take their places too, and as the hour wore on, the odd kite or two in the sky above the farm became several, then, as 3pm approached, dozens. By the time of the feed (3pm in summer) there must have been around 50 kites in the air.
The crows stomp around and take their pick – the kites swoop, grabbing their chosen morsel with their talons, and eating it on the wing – amazing! (I think Hitchcock would have been impressed too…)
The weather could have been better (it was, a few miles away) – if it had, the photos might have been better.
Peak Rail
Just published to “Geoff’s Rail Diaries“, an account of a visit to the standard and narrow gauge railways based in the Peak District’s Derwent Valley – the standard gauge “Peak Rail” running on the route of the former Midland main line to Manchester, and the “Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway”, a line that is nearly as long as its title, but with plans to extend… Peak Rail has aspirations to extend too, through the National Park to Buxton.
Visit “Peak Rail – standard and small“, 15 April 2007.
Railway variety on the North Wales coast
Just published to Geoff’s Rail Diaries, an account of a trip to the Great Orme Tramway – photos and video – followed by a quick look at the very fine collection of industrial locomotives at Penrhyn Castle. Visit “Great Orme – and a peep at Penrhyn“, 12 April 2007
Black 10…
Just back from a little trip into the Welsh border country around Knighton – and the Central Wales Line, destination for a railtour hauled by a pair of “Black 5s”, 45407 and 45432. Called in near All Stretton first – and nearly missed it – only just had time to get the camera out of the bag.
The lineside seem to be heavily overgrown these days – the line is more like a linear forest – so at Knucklas we took to the hills for a near-aerial view of the train on the viaduct.
Narrow Gauge fun at North Ings
Just published to “Geoff’s Rail Diaries” – a visit to the North Ings Farm Museum, in deepest Lincolnshire, home to a wonderful little 2′ gauge railway with a home-made steam tram loco, and coaches whose height is greater than their length… Visit “North Ings Narrow Gauge“, 1 April 2007
Hergest Ridge
A walk along this fine ridge on the Herefordshire – Radnorshire border, on a bright March day. Visit “Hergest Ridge” on “Walks with a Camera”
More monorail from Robin
Published to “monorail“, another page of the late Robin Barbour’s b&w photos from the days of steam – “Scottish scenes, highland and lowland“. Callender, Killin and the Aberfeldy branch; 46115 at Quintinshill, Black 5 action at Riddings Junction – and some Scottish shed scenes (help required here…)
monorail: Robin Barbour collection
New on the “monorail” pages, the first of many from another northern railway photographer, Robin Barbour of Hawick on the old Waverley Route. Robin sadly died last year, and the proceeds from the sale of his railway book collection have paid for an eccentric crank for the new A1 “Tornado” – what a great legacy!
Visit page 1 – “Wandering Willie” on the monorail pages.
