First GBRf held an Open Day at the Nene Valley Railway in aid of the charity "Help for Heroes" and supplied two locomotives (66723 & 73207) to supplement that day's steam hauled trips (in the capable hands of 73050 CITY of PETERBOROUGH)
The diesel round trip departures from Wansford were at 10.15; 13.25 & 16.35 and (especially the early trip) appeared to be heavily loaded.
A pleasant couple of hours was spent, mainly at Wansford, the photographic results of which can be seen here.
Yes ... I did swell the charity's coffers by donating a few pounds.

Minehead witnessed the ONSLAUGHT of a Hymek, a couple of "Teddy Bears" and their COURIER, a phenomenon that is seeing the NORTH STAR in daylight .... plus .... a TORNADO! May I add that miraculously, JOHN F KENNEDY also put in an appearance, or two!!!
Sounds unbelievable .... it was a sight for sore eyes.
One of my favourite Preserved Lines in the country, and home to three of my four favourite classes of locos, the West Somerset Railway had pulled out all the stops and organised a belter of a week-end. The main "draw" being, of course, 60163 TORNADO, but I'm sure that the many families riding thoroughly enjoyed their day out, just like me.
The extremely picturesque railway and very friendly staff and locals, made this (for me) one of the top events of the year. Sincere congrats to ALL concerned. I visited (an the photos are from) Friday afternoon when the weather was gloomy, and all day Saturday, when the sun shone.

An event I had been looking forward to since purchasing my ticket some three months previously. The event was greatly marred by the inclement weather ... it pi**ed down!!
That was a great shame as hosts Motorail Logistics, and in particular, Jack Boskett and his team had done a marvellous job in organising such an event, and have it washed out on the first day.
I'm glad that the weather was far superior on the second day!

An explanation (from BOB WATT and in his words) of the derailment (photo 47 of this colloection) is as follows:-
"Originally the centre coach of 3; the rear vehicle had been drawn off by 11230 by this time; the space remaining on North Gate platform permitted the leading coach (trailing on departure) of the Railtour, propelled by 66060, to get a door on the platform, letting everybody (including me!) get back on
again, and away at 1403, only 2 minutes late".

With a five year break since the last diesel gala, this Mid-Hants Railway (a.k.a. the Watercress Line) event was a welcome return. Being yet another of what I call the "pretty" preserved lines, my visit coincided with the first day of this three day event. I have to say that the crowds were conspicuous by their absence! Yes there were people about, but not the volume one comes to expect from a diesel gala!
The Watercress Line's website was lacking with regard to any serious information regarding the gala, and the timetable only appeared (without the loco roster) just two days before the event.
Two possible reasons for the absence of the hoards could be explained by the fact that their website stated that everybody entering the station areas HAD to buy a Rover ticket. Well at least, it started off like that. I would hope they came to their collective senses, especially IF the punters were turning away.
There was also a gala programme available (which I believe included the loco roster) but had a price tag of £5. I don't think that enthusiasts would pay £5 for information and descriptions that they already knew (being enthusiasts!!) just to obtain the loco roster. I certainly didn't pay £5 and later in the day I asked for, and was given a roster upon production of my ticket.
I do hope that the other two days had a better patronage and that, in this economic climate, the line doesn't become known for "being a rip-off."
I had a great day without the hoards .... thanks for asking.

Not far from home is the Ouse Valley Walk which runs alongside both the Great River Ouse and the East Coast Main Line. This particular part of the walk runs from St. Neots to Buckden, south of Huntingdon and during the eight or so mile round trip, saw a variety of (generally) unidentified Locos / Electrics and Units. My legs are still aching!!

Saturday 23rd. May 2009 saw the LNER's A1 Pacific at the head of "The Cathedrals Express" to York. This fully booked Steam Dreams 08.18 departure was waiting in platform 1 as my train pulled into "The Cross".
I was on my way to the Eastleigh Centenary event by train / tube / train and stopped to furnish this small collection for our collective pleasures.

An hour or so at Eastleigh station, both before and after the "Main Event," records the continual flow of SWT's Class 444s et al. There were two Railtours converging upon Eastleigh for the centinary event; one was steam hauled from London Victoria, whilst a pair of DRS 37s brought the other from Crewe. The former organised by Past-time Railtours; the latter by Spitfire Railtours. Both are covered within this collection. Hope you enjoy this collection of some of that day's action.

The Eastleigh depot held its centenary open weekend throughout the Spring Bank Holiday (Witsun to those of a certain age!!). It was a "coming together" of an excellent line up of locomotives (and stock). To quote the Eastleigh 100 website:- "The primary aim of the weekend was to raise money for a number of local and national charities". I think it must have done that judging by the masses that thronged the site on the first day (Saturday). The weather was thankfully, very kind and a great day out was had by this happy chappie. Thanks and congratulations to ALL concerned for a fabulous event.

The Ruddington (Nottingham) to Loughborough preserved line and Heritage Centre hosted an excellent line up of locos, both local and imported, for their Spring Diesel Gala, so a visit was imperative! I was not disappointed ... well ... except for the weather ... showery at best.

A marvellous day out and well worth the three and a quarter hour drive to get there! I've never been to the Swanage line before but was thoroughly impressed. A professionally run organisation; expertly kept (and clean) stations; pleasant scenery and the "natives" were very friendly and ... the sun shone on day one (Friday). My sincere thanks to all concerned. A return is definitely "on the cards."

Following on from the MNR Diesel Gala - Day 1 (my last collection), day 3 was as good, if not better, than day 1. The weather was kinder and a shed visit was offered, and readily accepted by yours truly! I arrived at Dereham (just) in time to catch the first train of the day (50019 RAMILIES doing the honours) at 09.00.
The only blot on the day will be (I suspect in the near future), a demand letter from "The Old Bill" for £60 and the "honour" of them putting three points put on my licence.
A camera van just a couple of hundred yards inside a 50mph zone at 08.10 on a Sunday morning .... now let them insist that the cameras AREN'T a way of printing money!!!!!!!

The all diesel (no steam ... for now) Preserved Railway held its annual gala over the long (Friday to Sunday) weekend of 27th to 29th March.
Billed as a "heavy haulage" event, DB Schenker sent some old and new(ish) heavyweights to join with the locals for an entertaining first day.
The newly restored 56040 OYSTERMOUTH, had its first outing on the 10.20 Dereham to Wymondham Abbey and 11.20 return which was very well supported, considering it was a Friday! Don't any of these rail enthusiasts have jobs!!

Up the A1 for 25 miles I drove on Saturday 7th March 2009 to Wansford, or more specifically, Orton Mere, where my visit to this NVR gala started. The "imports" this time, alongside the usual mix of the "locals," were in the guise of 37667 from DRS; 66732 from GBRf and D5401 (27056) from the GCR. Unfortunately 60074 TEENAGE SPIRIT was pulled from the show by D.B. Schenker; this being previously notified on the NVR website, so was not a shock upon arrival!
Day one of this Spring Gala looked a bit quieter (punterwise) than previous galas. Hopefully this is not a bad omen for the survival of the twice-annually future of NVR Diesel Galas.

This was one of four railtours going to the city of Lincoln for the first day of the 2008 Christmas Market. Our railtour took a circuitous route (through eight counties - ged-it!!) and was hauled by 67005 QUEEN'S MESSENGER throughout. London Euston, Watford Junction, Leyton Buzzard and Bedford were the pick-ups (the latter being my joining point) for this ramble to Lincoln. Taking (from Bedford) nearly three and a half hours, we were taken via Kettering, Harringworth Viaduct, Oakham, Loughborough, Nottingham and Newark. Our train was the last of the railtours to reach its destination that day. Thankfully, after allowing us a stay of four hours, we were also the last to leave for the more direct route home via Leicester.

My second (and much better) visit to Lincoln was via one of the four railtours that descended upon the city for the first day of the Christmas Market 2008. Three 67s (021 in the company of 019; 005 QUEEN'S MESSENGER), two 47s (804 & 826) and an ex Battle of Britain class steamer (34067 TANGMERE) brought hoards of visitors to the 26th year of Europe's biggest Christmas Market. Held in the area surrounding the cathedral and castle, the open market containing some 300 stalls plus bands, buskers, choirs, barrel organs and street theatre, entertained the gathered hoards. My camera, for an hour or so, captured a variety of traction.

Wednesday, 15th October 2008; mid afternoon and a change of scenery was made. The half mile walk to another of Glasgow's city centre railway stations found an abundance of Turbostar units amongst more 156s, along with some 158s for a change!
With engineering work on the Glasgow - Edinburgh line, a temporary timetable was operational at half-hourly intervals (quarter to and past the hour) between the two Scottish cities. Suburban and other inter-city trains also arrive and depart at an alarming rate.

With five hours spare after The Electric Scot Tribute railtour arrival at Glasgow Central, my camera and I had a field day within the confines of this station. As it was precipitating heavily (pi**ing down!!); the first half hour was spent photographing the numerous "sets" away from the platform ends. Thankfully the rain cleared away to the east and superb photos from the south ends of the platforms abound later in this collection.

A collaberation between Spitfire Railtours and Rail-Blue Charters produced The Electric Scot Tribute Railtour.
The tour ran late ... nine and a half months late to be exact!
This mid-week tour was the re-run of the aborted Electric Scot Farewell Railtour from 29th December 2007 behind 87022 between Birmingham International and Glasgow Central ... but didn't run.
On the outward journey, this tour ran effortlessly throughout the 304 mile northward trip, arriving just six minutes late - an excellent feat - congratulations to all concerned.

Not wishing to dwell on negativity, the return trip was more eventful.
Reported elsewhere on the internet that 87002 caught fire whilst on the Glasgow layover is a vast exaggeration. I have it "from the horse's mouth" that the problem was overcharging of the batteries which caused the chargers to emit smoke. This caused the Class 87 to be "failed" prior to departure time.
At Glasgow Central, garbled station announcements and word-of-mouth ushered us onto the 18.47 Glasgow "Low Level" departure for Motherwell, where our return journey would now commence behind 57601, the "insurance" loco. We, along with the Glaswegian commuters were shoe-horned into a Class 334 (334033) and transported through the suburbs and on to Motherwell for our returning railtour. With a Class 57 in charge instead of an Electric, 57601 gave us a spirited run down the WCML to Birmingham International where we arrived at 00.57, some 73 minutes behind schedule.
Hats off to the Spitfire / Rail-Blue teams, it was still a great day out ... thanks.

A railway station I've always liked the look of. Semaphores are now replaced by colour light signals and gantries; a track rationalisation / renewal in a six week closure during the summer of 2008. I perhaps visited on the wrong day. The "natives" were very unfriendly, one of them calling me an "f-ing train spotter" whilst I minded my own business on the public footbridge over the eastern end of the platforms! I will visit again, perhaps on a weekday and with a return ticket, rather than a car park ticket. The lady member of staff politely refused me and my camera entry to the platforms "due to it being too busy!"

Not to be confused with the Great Central Railway running between Loughborough and Leicester, this is the Ruddington (Notts) to Loughborough preserved line and their 2008 diesel gala. This "B" catagory preserved railway has some excellent diesels on their line. This gala included the preservation debut of their now fully restored Class 56. 56097 was immaculate!

My "local" preserved railway held its bi-annual Diesel Gala between Friday & Sunday, 3rd & 5th October 2008. I visited on the middle day prior to the rain setting in. Plenty of visitors joined the locals; from a Class 20 through to a Class 73 via a 25 & 66. Wansford was the place to be and where the main action took place. I then moved on (as I usually do) to Orton Mere for my final shots of my visit.
Behind Highley on the SVR and Gothland on the NYMR, Wansford is number three in my favourite preserved line station listing.

Situated just short of milepost 52 on the East Coast Main Line, St. Neots is my home town. The town boasts a good commuter service into King's Cross courtesy of First Capital Connect (FCC).
National Express East Coast (NXEC) is the new operator running trains to Leeds / Newcastle / Edinburgh / Aberdeen / Inverness. The newer TOCs of Hull Trains (HT) and Grand Central Railways (GCR) to Sunderland, all share the fast lines running non-stop through the station.
Unlike some of the commuter stations on this section of the ECML, St. Neots has platform faces on all four running lines which aid the "fast" commuter services to run non-stop into the capital.
A variety of colourful liveries can be expected. Whilst I was hoping to see a complete NXEC set or two in the new white / silver livery, alas just a rake of Mk.3s could be spotted but still with GNER blue Power Cars. All other 225 / HST sets were in the previous operators' livery, but now with the white NXEC band running along the side of all the stock.
All photos were taken at the station.

Billed as the first Western to Whitby, D1015 WESTERN CHAMPION made railway history with the slightly delayed 10.20 arrival from Grosmont to the north eastern seaside town. Unfortunately the misty and nippy weather had not cleared in time for this historic event; no doubt the two repeat trips that day were better blessed.
Here is the photographic evidence of the first Whitby / Champion trip on Sunday 11th May 2008.

Another of the major preserved railways' Spring Diesel Gala had the "pleasure" of my company! An entertaining three day event with absolutely fabulous weather throughout to brighten this beautiful area of Great Britain. Despite the failure of 55019 on one of the Friday night services (and had to be rescued by D182); plus the necessity to juggle the loco roster, the whole weekend appeared to go very well. 50027 LION roared its way to the rescue of the errant Deltics' turns, which meant that the Grosmont - Goathland "locals" had to be cancelled on day two.
Full marks to the NYMR Diesel boys (and girls) for an excellent event.

The SVR held it's Diesel Gala, unconventionally on a Thursday, Friday & Saturday, AND during the Spring!
I visited on the first and second days along with hoards of other diesel fans. We were treated to some fine action over the full length of the line albeit a more intense service was operational over the southern section.
Double-headers were distinctly lacking during the whole gala; the only exception being the occasional pairing of the Class 37s to Bewdley from Kidderminster.
This was the first FULL Diesel Gala since the devastation caused by the storms of June 2007.
CONGRATULATIONS to all the professionals, staff and volunteers that coped admirably with the mammouth task of repairing the SVR and returning it to its former glory.
A great couple of days out .... the weather could have been kinder during my two day visit though, as the photos show!