KWVR Steam Gala

The return of the 1888 Crewe built LNWR ‘Coal Tank’ was an attractive proposition for dad and I on Saturday 11th February.  With the snow still on the ground we made our way up to Bronte country and arrived at Howarth.  I gingerly made my way up to top field via the icy footpath.  Even Caterpiller grips on the boots was no match for the ice, my legs going in all different directions.  Dad took it in his stride having fitted ice grippers to his boots. (I am so going to get a set!)

Eventually joining Dad, Matt Allen and Phil Neale in the field, the 4F appeared no long after with the Suburbans.  A true BR Midland branch line feel.  Making our way round to the other side of the line at Top Field, next up was the re-numbered Super-D on a Mk1 maroon rake.  At the request of Pete Waterman, the national collection loco had been re-numbered 49442 for the day only. (I believe it was one of Pete’s favourites he used to see on a regular basis).  The photo could easily be from the Tissington trail Ashbourne to Buxton line.

Following the Super-D was the Ivatt 2 tank and 4F pairing. The leading coach has been recently completed following a mammoth 12 year restoration.  The L&Y saloon was withdrawn in 1951 and taken to Derby works, where it was seperated from the underframe and the body taken to Borrowash, Derby to be used as a cricket pavillion.  Mum remembers seeing it in the field when she was growing up.  The body was rescued and taken to KWVR in 1993.

Finally the last photo at this location after almost freezing my toes off was the one everyone by now had gathered for….  the two Webb designed LNWR engines, Coal Tank and Super-D. Three days previously the coal tank had been working a special for the BLS members in its original LNWR guise as No. 1054. 

 A brilliant transformation, including a BR style smokebox dart and shed plate, BR Numbers and tank crests and now we have a BR Coal Tank.  I am aware of a few charters lined up so expect to see plenty of images in forthcoming magazines!!!

Finally, I must congratulate the Keithley and Worth Valley Railway for an excellent gala.  Not trying to cram in too much into the day.  Authentic looking goods and passenger / loco combinations. Not all engines were used.  The Standard 4 tank made a late appearance on the Saturday but no sign of the Dub-Dee, which was great.  That has its own place and this particular gala wasn’t it.  Just wish some other railways would take note and not try to do too much.

Great Central Winter Gala 2012

GREAT CENTRAL WINTER GALA – 29th Jan 2012

I could not get down to the railway for the annual end of January Winter Gala on either the Friday or Saturday this year due to other committments.  So I arrived early on the Sunday morning to see which way round everything was.  The weather wasn’t great but exactly as forecast.  Photography wise the weather conditions wasn’t great hence why I have only included the two best from the day.

Pure BR Era Great Western - GWR Hall 4953 ‘Pitchford Hall’ hauling the Cornishman passes Great Western allocated LMS Ivatt Mogul 46521 on a fitted freight.

Only the GCR can re-create the passing scene, which was once common place on the railway network 50+ years ago.

However, I do wish the GCR would practice its motto more often. (Re-creating the experience). When in the days of British Railways did you see a King Arthur piloting a tender first Standard 2???  Or a Sunshine M7 on a mail drop??  With a little bit of fore thought the right combinations and making use of the turntable appropriately (ie its not a new toy…) a damm fine enthusiast gala could be put on.

Sunshine M7 - I could not go without including a photo of my beloved M7.  The loco sounded and performed like I have come to expect from the engine.

Published in Steam Railway Magazine

The current issue of Bauer Media’s Steam Railway Magazine features Stuarts photo of the green Duchess in light steam on 27th November 2011.

Duchess Returns to Steam

A quick visit to West Shed, Butterley on 27th November to visit progress on the rebuild of Duchess of Sutherland, took me by surprise.  The engine was in light steam!!  The PRCLT engineers were checking over the engine for steam leaks and gently warming the firebox up prior to a week of running in.

The engine was taken out of traffic a year ago in December 2010. It has undergone a complete rebuild with several new parts manufactured to replace worn out items.

You can get an idea how the engine will look in its coat of BR Brunswick Green as 46228, oops 46233.

 

Double Headed Panniers

With the return to steam for ex GWR / BR / LT pannier tank 7752 (L94) earlier this year, the loco made a light engine and loaded test run to Stratford on Avon on 10th November to gain its mainline ticket.  This was in preparation for the Vintage Trains circular railtour around the midlands on November 19th in conjuction with Tyseleys other mainline certified Pannier No. 9600.

From the times issued Stuart went to Burbage Country park for the first photo location.  Setting out from home in lovely weather, hitting a wall of fog and dull merky weather near Ibstock, this was to be the weather for the rest of the day ahead. As you can see L94 was in front of 9600 with the GUV water carrier behind.  Presumably both locos were piped up to receive additional supplies on the move??  With a half hour stop scheduled in to the timings (presumably for pathing) Stuart headed off to work to capture both engines as they passed Bardon Hill.  By this time they were half hour down.  The signalman in the box confirmed that they were taking on water during the presumed pathing stop. With an hour booked at Mantle Lane this seemed a little odd.

Stuart went across to Willington Station for the final shot of the day.  This has not been included due to some inconsiderate individuals (enthusiasts) deliberately standing on the edge of the platform leaning out at the last minute as the railtour passed spoiling the shot for those who had waited for an hour.  Now I say deliberately as these so called enthusiasts knew we were there yet still proceeded to continue with their actions…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Southern Sunday

Great Central 16th October 2011

Another visit to the Great Central Railway to photograph Bullied Pacific 34007 Wadebridge.  The railway were advertising the loco working in tamdem with the other southern working resident engine, NRM Owned King Arthur class 30777 Sir Lamiel.  Due to the excellent weather forecast Stuart was unable to enjoy a ride behind the engines today.  Choosing instead to take advantage and photograph them. 

After starting at Loughborough and photographing the two engines on shed.  Creating a timeless scene, which could be Bricklayers Arms shed in the 1960′s….

After heading off to Woodthorpe bridge, meeting up with Barry Coleman and John Marriott and having a good old laugh.  Glad to see Johns not lost his sense of humour!!!!!!!!

Bullied Pacific Wadebridge was out next but disappointed to see the southern green MK1 set had not been paired with it.  This was sat at Loughborough and would form the 12.15 diesel service with the Class 20.   Clearly operations guys at loughborough have missed a classic opportunity to create a true southern experience.  But then this is a classic GCR schoolboy error, we have been accustom too over the years.

I was disappointed to learn from Barry that both engines had been working the previous day.  Come on GCR guys – where was the advertising?  If I had known that, I would have spent the day riding on the cushions putting more finances into the pot.  Such a wasted opportunity.

For the next run by the bullied I went over to Kinchley Lane and photographed the engine, again on maroon stock in fab light.

I left Kinchley and went round to Quorn Station.  Heading south I took the footpath West to the corner of the field to photograph the King Arthur doing a driver experience turn.  Following behind was the Type One Loco groups Class 47 with the groups charter. 

Leaving the location, given the excellent weather Stuart decided to head on back to Woodthorpe.  As the last departure was due to be doubleheaded.  Various rumours were banding around the photographers, who had gathered. Some were saying we were going to get the Arthur leading.  A horrid idea but one we could see happening.  Others were quoting the railway that they would top and tail. 

Next we hear an unexpected whistle. The Arther went south with only 25 mins till departure.  Hmm people started saying the engine had gone to turn at Quorn.  No chance, I had witnessed the signalman lock up at Quorn.  It transpired when Mr Putt turned up to say it had gone to rescue the 47, which had failed.  YES, there is a god!

And these were the results.

GCR Autumn Gala

With a four day gala this year starting on the Thursday.  Stuart was a work during the week so was unable to get down during the sunny weather.  Saturday was as the weatherman predicted, very overcast.  Parking up at Quorn, we went north along the Quorn straight to see the double header BR Green 34007 piloting Blue 88… Hmm what a combination. 

We then progressed further north to the occupation bridge, to capture Robinson 04 No.63601 facing north with the empty mineral windcutter rake.

A few minutes later the suspected east coast mainline fire-starter, King Arthur 30777 ‘Sir Lamiel’ passed us heading south.

With respect of the recent mainline fires, which have been attributed to the arthur.  I have to wonder if the lineside vegetation allowed to grow over the years has contributed to this.  I have experienced on many occations hearing tree branches scraping along the side of carriages.

We then turn back and headed south to Quorn ready for the mail drop.

Stuart felt the drop was a bit of an anti-climax.  The loco was allowed to accerate up to speed too soon so the sound effect of the three cyclinder Bullied chattering away was muted.

We then called into Butler-Hendersons bistro for a coffee and apple pie..  Mmmmmm….. lovely!

Next up was a round trip, first down to Birstall and then back through to Loughborough.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Given the weather, I decided to remain on the platform at Loughborough to get the departure of the mid-day mail drop.  Capturing Assistant Editor for Steam Railway Nick Brodrick getting onto Lamiels footplate ready to build the fire up.  He was part of the crew today.

I also took the opportunity to capture the footplate crew from visiting engine 34007 ‘Wadebridge’

We then caught the train back to Quorn to witness the red 8F backing down on to the ex York North sheds second turntable (Now part of NRM).

 

After a £130k restoration, the turntable was working this weekend for the first time and experiencing the expected teething problems.

We then went further south along the lineside to shoot 4953 ‘Pitchford Hall on the mixed freight

Bullied Pacific 34007 ‘Wadebridge’ was next up and due to the poor weather we decided to call it a day.