We’ve been to the Amerton Railway today, for their steam gala. We should have gone yesterday – we picked the wettest day for weeks. Despite the rain, which wasn’t always heavy, we had a most enjoyable afternoon. For more pictures etc. visit “A rainy day at Amerton” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries.
Saturday 10 June: the latter is nothing to do with the former. This just happens to be the 1,000th post on this blog (which started life just over 11 years ago, on Blogspot*). What better way to celebrate (given that I noticed quite by chance that no. 1,000 was approaching) than a coincidental trip to the Statfold Barn Railway, for the June open day. It was a lazier day than usual – not good weather for photography (though the rain held off), and the increasing numbers attending make photography more and more difficult too, in more ways than one. It’s still a great day out though!
*I moved the posts across to WordPress
Twenty in steam at Statfold, for the March Enthusiasts’ day – what a great day’s entertainment! For more on the visit to the Statfold Barn Railway, and lots of pictures, visit “A Spring Score at Statfold” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries
As promised: photos etc. from Saturday’s trip to Statfold – 10 years after my first visit (how things have changed!) – now at http://geoffspages.co.uk/raildiary/statfold10years.htm
It was only a little one, at the start of our day – after that, plenty of sunshine and, from time to time, interesting lighting conditions. Visit “Statfold Again” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for lots of pictures…
It’s the Statfold June open day – and, as ever, there are narrow gauge steam locomotives everywhere. One on each end of the two trains on the new line, lots more on the old line – the freight has no fewer than four locomotives, two at each end. Haven’t attempted to count them – perhaps if I can’t get to sleep tonight (better than sheep…). A “Rail Diaries” page will appear in a day or two – in the meantime, here’s just one taster.
AS promised, (a few) more photos of the little Davenport – and its somewhat larger companion – in action at Statfold yesterday. Visit The Davenport and the Plymouth on Geoff’s Rail Diaries.
We’ve been for a ride on the extended Brecon Mountain Railway. It now runs from Pant to Torpantau, a few yards south of the site of the old standard gauge station. At just under five miles, it’s a good distance for a most enjoyable 2′ gauge train ride. Visit “Brecon Baldwin” on Geoff’s Rail Diaries for more…
The season continues: this weekend the Toddington Narrow Gauge Railway held its Autumn Steam Gala. Two residents – Jung “Justine” and Henschel Brigadelok “Sena” were in action, together with visiting Kerr Stuart “Stanhope” from Apedale. There’s action on the standard gauge too – two 2-8-0s, one of which has an interesting history. Visit “Little and Large at Toddington” for more…
The Forest of Dean is a great place for narrow gauge railways – especially when Keefs hold their annual open day. Star attraction is the completed “Barber”, the locomotive built in 1908 by T Green of Leeds for the Harrogate gas works railway – it’s ready for the journey back to South Tynedale and its return to steam. Nearby is the Lea Bailey Light Railway, where there’s a real narrow gauge industrial feel to operations. We’ll look in at Clearwell Caves too, to have a look at the locomotives there 
(including Lea Bailey’s Hunslet), before visiting Perrygrove, where the annual gala is in full swing, with visitor St Egwyn from the Evesham Vale line. There will be a full set of photos in a day or two, when I’ve had time to put a “Rail Diaries” entry together – but not tomorrow, we’re visiting the Severn Valley for their gala…
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