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06/04/2013 - Sunday and a 90 mile each way journey to catch the smell of steam. I arrived in time to catch the BR Std Tank - 80096 taking to the main line for a later morning train and then carried on towards Carrog to photograph the first service leaving there, GWR Pannier Tank 1638 and then the first service from Llangollen and then travel back along the line.
At this point, things went wrong for me when the clouds opened and the expected double header wasnt. Just GWR Goods 28XX - 3802 captured running through rainbows heading away towards Carrog.
At Carrog, I found out that guest engine - GWR mogel 5322 had failed and would not run, also, no trip further along the new stretch of line towards Corwen and that the freight was also cancelled.
A lovely scenic journey along the line back to Llangollen followed with a quick tour along the sheds before I returned. Did things get worse - Yes - The ales in the real ale bar were not that exciting either and I settled for a bottle of local Banks beer which was OK .
At this point, I had had enough and decided to return home at 12.30 disappointed - More of a extended timetable than a Gala. One good point - I now qualify for Senior tickets! - Is that good?

16 files, last one added on Apr 06, 2014
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08/03/2014 - Saturday and day 2 of a 3 day festival of steam on the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. The weather started cloudy but improved as the day continued where upon I left around 16.00, after visiting as many locations I could fit in between services and then catching 46115 on the CME at long Preston and Hellifield green.
Guest engine for the festival was 61994 "The Great Marquess" with newly restored US ATC S160 No. 5820 running as BR 95820 "Big Jim" plus WD 90733, 4F 43924, 0-6-0 Coal Tank 1054 and 0-6-0 1701 "Nunlow" making up the numbers with "City of Wells" in Haworth Yard under restoration on display
09/03/2014 - Sunday - Back for a trip along the line after lunch from Oxenhope to Keighley and returning after an hour stop over.
Seemed strange to find no BR Std Tank, Ivatt or L&Y running which have been the main stay of the railway for the past few years. Hope they are back in service soon .
Very well organised Gala and practically everything running to timetable as well. Wish all galas were run as well as this. Excellent weekend!.

29 files, last one added on Mar 10, 2014
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22/02/2014 - Early start to the Churnet Valley Steam Gala but stopping off at Burrs Country Park on the ELR first to catch the early Photo charter with guest engines - Black 5 - 45379 and BR std 4 - 76084 which was banking a long freight for about 6 run pasts.
23/02/2014 - A trip along the line to capture some action at Bury station and run arounds at Heywood and Rawtenstall. Engines running included above plus LMS Black 5 44871, Br Std Tank 80080, LMS Jinty 47324 still in 47584 guise, 0-6-0 Austerity"Sapper" and Peckett 1270 0-4-0 "May"

24 files, last one added on Feb 24, 2014
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22/02/2014 - Saturday. A gala where the timetable was thrown in the bin in the first hour. Guest engine 34007 "Wadebridge" fire grate collasped on the first trip on the Cauldon Lowe branch dropping its fire into the ash pan and nearly stranding the train.This lead to lond delays throughout the day.
USATC S160 No. 6046 & GER N7 No 69621 had to double head as the air pump on the S160 had not been repaired in time for the gala.
Ex GWR Steam Railmotor No. 93 from Didcot made for an interesting addition to the gala with Industrial saddle tank - Beyer Peacock No. 1827 running around Cheddleton station giving £5-00 a drive lessons on a siding. 34007 "Wadebridge" was repaired and was back in service mid afternoon taking over from a replacement diesel.
All in all, a very enjoyable gala in you were not stuck on a train. Well done CVR for keeping it going !

16 files, last one added on Feb 23, 2014
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15/02/2014 - I arrived at lunchtime after a trip up the WCML to see 46115 on the CME, just in time to get a Ribble steam breakfast in the canteen - excellent value !
4 engines in steam - Bagnall 2680/1942 in the guise of Preston Dock loco 'Courageous'
Andrew Barclay 2261/1949 'No. 6' - which returned to steam in 2013,
Hunslet 3155/1944 'Walkden' and 0-4-0 Barclay 'John Howe'
John Howe had already done in shifts and was idling in front of the sheds leaving the other 3 engines running in various forms during the afternoon.
The final run was a demonstration goods in the last of the daylight pulled by "Courageous" before an evening photo shed shoot which I was unable to attend.
All services ran exactly to time and an excellent visit plus also a chance to see some new exhibits in the museum including the Deltic prototype from the NRM.

25 files, last one added on Feb 15, 2014
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17/01/2014 - Starting Friday night at Buckley Wells with a Photo shoot featuring two of the guest engines - Thomson B1 - 61264 & Br Standard Class 4 - 76084 + Super D 49395.
18/01/2014 - Saturday - I decided to miss the early morning photocharter at Burrs due to bad weather but arrived later to catch the action once the rain had stopped with the above 3 locos running plus BR Std tank 80080 and LMS Blackfive - 45407
19/01/2014 - Sunday - Overnight the Super D had been failed with leaking small tubes and would probably not run again for a considerably long time. This meant a rewriting of the timetables and cancellations of the freight trains except the photo shoot at Burrs.
The conditions at Burrs for the photo shoot was very dull with drizzle with B1 61264 pulling the freight.
Following the fright shoot I made a trip to Irewell Vale for more pictures with a ramble towards Ramsbottom for more pictures before returning back and a return home for a late lunch.

53 files, last one added on Jan 19, 2014
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First journey to the mainline this year for steam for me due to clashes with work / other galas / and bad train timings due to dark weather.
16/02/2013 - LMS Black 5 - 44932 on "The Lancastrian" running the Carnforth - Hellifield -Blackburn - Carnforth loop captured on time at Billington leaving Whalley Viaduct.
02/03/2013 - 70000 "Britannia" with "The Cumbrian Guardsman" at Selside
02/03/2013 - 60009 "Union of South Africa with a returning Winter CME in failing light crossing Whalley Viaduct.
09/03/2013 - Last of the Winter CME`s - 60009 "Union of South Africa" climbing Whalley Banks approaching Langho Station in dull, drizzley conditions.
17/03/2013 - LMS Black 5`s - 44871 leads 45407 at Copy Pit on a running of "The Tin Bath" from Manchester to Sheffield on a round route returning via Blackburn.
22/04/2013 - LMS Black 5`s - 44871 & 45407 on the "Great Britain VI" heading for Preston
02/05/2013 - LNER B1 -61306 "Mayflower" on a loaded test run around the Carnforth - Hellifield - Blackburn - Carnforth circuit captured between Clitheroe and Whalley at Barrow footcrossing
23/05/2013 - LMS Black 5 - 44932 on "The Flyde Coast Express" at Billington heading for Blackpool via S&C from Kilmarnock.
12/06/2013 - 61994 "The Great Marquess" on the first running of the summer season of "The Fellsman"
19/06/2013 - A late running Marquess stops & starts from a red signal at Barrow on the returning 2nd Fellsman
03/07/2013 - Black 5 - 45231 running "The Fellsman" in drizzly conditions at Langho
04/07/2013 - LMS 8F 48151 on a loaded test run around the Carnforth - Hellifield - Blackburn circuit.
10/07/2013 - LMS 8F 48151 takes a turn on this weeks Fellsman pictured approaching Langho station.
17/07/2013 - LMS Jubilee 45699 "Galatea" takes a turn on the Fellsman captured at Barrow on the return.
24/07/2013 - 61994 "The Great Marquess" takes a turn again on "The Fellsman" at Whalley station and returning approaching Langho
27/07/2013 - 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" at Whalley on an outbound "CME" to Carlisle and returning on the WCML near Farington Junction.
31/07/2013 - Black 5 - 45321 "Sherwood Forester" on this weeks Fellsman at Wilphire and returning atWhalley
07/08/2013 - "The 15 Guineas Fellsman"- Double headed Black 5`s - 44932 piloting 45321" Sherwood Forester" at Barrow and returning at Langho and Bilsborrow.
11/08/2013 - IT57 returning over Whalley Viaduct with Black 5`s 45321 and 44932
14/08/2013 - 61994 "The Great Marquess" again on "The Fellsman" approaching Whalley on its return.
17/08/2013 - 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" - A series of pictures at Langho, Gisburn, Hellifield and Horton -in-Ribblesdale whilst running on a CME.
21/08/2013 - 45321 "Sherwood Forester" takes another turn on this weeks Fellsman caught at Little Harwood & Whalley Arches returning
28/08/2013 - 61994 "The Great Marquess" outward bound crossing Whalley Arches on "The Fellsman"
31/08/2013 - 60009 "Union of South Africa" on the "Cumbrian Mountain Express" at Newsholme and Selside
14/09/2013 - 60009 "Union of South Africa" races off Whalley Arches on a running of the C.M.E
28/09/2013 - 45699 "Galatea" on "The Lune Rivers Trust" annual special heading for Chester at Billington.
16/10/2013 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman" on a returning Midweek CME at Whalley station in heavy rain.
23/10/2013 - 45699 "Galatea" on a late running midweek CME on Whalley Arches in the evening gloom.

73 files, last one added on Oct 25, 2013
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3-17 July 2013 - "Mallard 75" at the National Railway Museum - On 3 July 1938, A4 class locomotive Mallard raced down Stoke Bank at 126mph to set a new steam locomotive world speed record
In 2013, mark the 75th anniversary of Mallard’s achievement with a gathering of all six surviving A4s at York.
4468 (60022) "Mallard"
4498 (60007) "Sir Nigel Gresley"
4488 (60009) "Union of South Africa"
4464 (60019) "Bittern"
4496 (60008) "Dwight D Eisenhower"
4489 (60010) "Dominion of Canada"
I went along mid week on Tuesday 9th July hoping it would be fairly quiet compared to the weekend. Alas, arriving around 11am to a 20 minute wait and thousands already inside the Great Hall.
The NRM did a fanastic job of getting these locomotives all together, but unfortunately nearly impossible to get great photographs of the line up due to the crowds of people attending
Well worth the visit to see this line up of locomotives even if my pictures fell short of their usual standards.

32 files, last one added on Jul 14, 2013
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Every Summer since 1968, Nordsjaellands Veterantog ( The North Zealand Heritage Railway) has on Sundays operated steam locomotives and original rolling stock from Graested to Gronnehave.
Sunday 30/06/2013 was the first service on the year running two trips each way.
Turning up 30 minutes early to pay on the train, the carriages where already nearly full with locals in period dress ready for the occasion. Myself and party finished up in an open carriage - better for photography but cold on this dull day when the engine was running at speed.
The engine on the front was DSB K 582 4-4-0 made by Ernesto Breda in 1900 which gave a spirited run through the Danish countryside giving over an hour long run in each direction, stopping at stations in between on the single track to let service trains pass from the other direction.
One of the best steam journeys I have been on !!
wip

51 files, last one added on Jul 04, 2013
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16/04/2013 - LMS 4-6-0 Jubilee 45699 "Galatea"on a test run from Carnforth around the loop to Blackburn, Preston and back to Carnforth.
Pictures at Hellifield Station, Hellifield Green and climbing Whalley Banks at Langho station.

18 files, last one added on Apr 16, 2013
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Starting on Friday 1st March until Sunday 3rd March, I managed to call in on Saturday whilst returning from the S & C watching "Britannia" for an hour or so at Keighley and Haworth before heading for home. I returned on Sunday for a return trip along the line from Oxenhope to Keighley visiting the Museum at Oxenhope on my return.
Guest engines running - BR Std class 2 - 78019 from the GCR and L&Y 0-6-0 No.1300 plus engines from the home fleet - BR Std Tank 80080. 4F 0-6-0 43924, 0-6-0 Side tank "Nunlow" and WD Austerity 90733
Slightly different visit for me this time, having to fit my visits around work and would have liked to stop alot longer. Very enjoyable days out with everything running to timetable.

24 files, last one added on Mar 05, 2013
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Saturday February 24/02/2013 - The only time available all weekend due to work and only time to fit in the Photographers run past at Burrs Country Park at 7.45am until 9-00am
The engine chosen for this runpast was the LNWR 0-8-0 Super D 49395 with a LMS Jinty attached at the rear acting as a banking engine.

19 files, last one added on Feb 24, 2013
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Saturday 26/01/2013 - I missed the heavy snow fall by driving down Friday afternoon and arrived early at Woodthorpe Bridge in the morning to find a very large gallery of photographers already there and with bright sunshine and a small layer of snow, the conditions couldn`t have been better. I left here about lunchtime and reappeared at Kinchley Lane later in the afternoon after a nice lunch. By this time a thaw had started and layers of thin clouds started to appear. I stay untill the light started to fade about 15.30.
Sunday 27/01/2013 - Completely different conditions - Heavy rain overnight and a thaw had melted all the snow, showers and a gusty sort of wind lent me to look for other locations for a afternoon session of just a couple of hours settling for just leaving Loughborough and at Rothley
Engines running - Guest engines - 6023 King Edward II & 3803 GWR goods 2-8-0, plus home fleet - 777 Sir Lamiel, BR Std 2 78019, Ivatt class 2 46521, 8F - 48624, LMS Jinty 47406, GNR N2 1744 + a DMU unit
Excellent weekend and up to its usual high standard.

64 files, last one added on Jan 31, 2013
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Saturday 19/01/2013 - A mix up with my works timetable meant I missed the freight runpasts at Burrs and I arrived at Ramsbottom after its arrival there. An hour or so here and then off to work until after lunch and I arrived at Rawtenstall for a memorable journey along the line for reasons not to be mentioned here,only to say that it was ... cold and a great run back with 44871 in charge.
Sunday 20/01/2013 - Arrived at Burrs for todays runpast with 44871 with a Jinty banker. I stayed at Burrs until after Brauntons runpast and then hurried off to Ewood bridge to capture it pasting there. By this time I was frozen stiff and decided it was time for home
Engines running - Black 5`s - 45407 & 44871, Jinty 47324 in disguise as 47584, Std Tank 80080 and guest engine 34046 Braunton. ( Super D 49395 failed before starting)
An excellent event considering the freezing cold conditions which caused late running to the timetable and a service cancellation giving me the double whammy on saturday!

33 files, last one added on Jan 20, 2013
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Sunday 21/10/2012 and the final day of the Autumn Gala in early morning brilliant sunshine (again)
Having to work on saturday and the friday night shoot cancelled, this was my first oppertunity to visit this gala but only for a limited time due to family visiting.
Arriving at the crack of dawn at Burrs country park for the early freight run past just as the sun was rising just in time as guest engine 61306 4-6-0 LNER "B1" Mayflower made its appearance.
Another guest engine was Ex GNR Gresley CLASS N2 0-6-2T tank engine 1744
Also running were 0-8-0 Super D 49395, LMS 0-6-0 Jinty 47324 & 132 0-6-0 Austerity "Sapper"
I stopped at Burrs until the Super D past by heading for Ramsbottom, then headed to Ewood Bridge before returning home to meet family and friends.

19 files, last one added on Oct 21, 2012
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Sunday 14/10/2012 - An early start to a lovely sunny day with an early morning frost giving excellent conditions for photography of steam trains.
Guest engines - Ivatt 2-6-0 (Mogel) 43106 "The Flying Pig" from the Severn Valley railway and L&Y 0-6-0 No.1300.
Also featuring from their own fleet, Fowler 0-6-0 4f - 43924, Ivatt 2mt tank - 41241 on its last gala before its boiler ticket expires, Br Std Tank 80002, L&Y 0-6-0 No. 957 and 0-6-0 coal tank in LMS guise as 7799 plus 0-4-4 Saddle tank "Pug" No.68 (51218)- static at Haworth sheds.
Arriving early in the morning gave me time to view the action at the sheds in Haworth. Some engines had ready left for duties, so I made a trip further down the line towards the end of the shed loop to capture engines coming off shed and also photograph the early morning departures from both ends of the line. A trip to Keighley Banks followed later before travelling back to the countryside to catch the doubleheaded L&Y pair and the Ivatt mogel before setting off back home
What else can I say - The weather was just brilliant with the early frost and sunshine, giving fantastic photo opportunities and great displays of steam and power.
One of the best galas I have attended here!!!

46 files, last one added on Oct 16, 2012
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Sunday 17/09/2012 and the 2nd day of a two day gala.
This was my first visit to this Leicestershire line and set off early to catch the early goods train - arriving at Shackerstone station just as it left the station on time. This gave me an hour to look around and photograph some of the engines being used for the gala. These being - guest engine LMS Black 5 - 45379 from the Mid Hants Railway looking splendant
GWR 2-8-0 28xx goods engine - 3803 from the South Devon Railway
GWR tank 5521 from Flour Mill
Peckett Industrial saddle tank 1859 "Sir Gomer"
2-2-0 - AP 9449 "The Blue Circle" (Traction engine on rails) giving break van rides at Shackerston
A return trip along the line then followed with 5521 outward & returning behind 3803 both giving spirited runs when allowed.
After a few more station shots I decided to try to go lineside along the line, but soon discovered that this is not the easyest line for photographing, having mainly hedges all the way and giving very restricted shots from the right side of the fence and bridges having restricting parking available along narrow lanes. I soon gave up after watching trains go by and no pictures taken and decided to head back home.
Still a nice day out and an interesting visit with the station staff all being very friendly and helpfull.
Oddly enough - never seen any of these engines before except 5521 at NRM on the turntable- will have to get further south on my journeys!!

22 files, last one added on Sep 17, 2012
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Not really a late start to the year ! Please check out collection "Cumbrian Mountain Express - 2012"
09/03/2012 - 5043 "Earl of Mount Edgecombe" & 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" double head along the WCML with support coaches for a trip over Shap + S&C the next day.
30/03/2012 - 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" on a movement from MOSI to Carnforth.
11/04/2012 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman returning with "The Roses Express" at Rishton in the late evening.
18/04/2012 - 8F 48151 on this weeks "Roses Express" captured at Huncoat & Copy Pit.
24/04/2012 - K1 62005 "Lord of the Isles" on a loaded ECS test run at Langho
26/05/2012 - 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" at Bilsborrow with a running of "The Citadel"
26/05/2012 - 5043 "Earl of Mount Edgcombe" heads north at Bilsborrow on "The Castle to Scotland" rail tour.
02/06/2012 - 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" at Hellifield station on "The Hadrian"
11/07/2012 - 48151 on the 2nd running of the Fellsman exiting Wilpshire tunnel
18/07/2012 - 60009 "Union of South Africa on a testing ECS at Billington.
25/07/2012 - 48151 on the 4th Fellsman returning at Billington.
30/07/2012 - Black 5 - 45305 on the Mersey Moorlander near Barrow, Clitheroe.
01/08/2012 - 61994 "The Great Marquess" on "The Fellsman" pictured at both sides of Wilpshire station.
08/08/2012 - 61994"The Great Marquess" on "The Fellsman" returning near Clitheroe at Standen Hey crossing.
15/08/2012 - 61994 "The Great Marquess" again with "The Fellsman" outbound at Langho station
20/08/2012 - Black 5 - 45305 on the "Mersey Moorlander" captured at Billington.
22/08/2012 - Black 5 - 45305 on "The Fellsman" outward at Wilpshire and returning on Whalley Arches
29/08/2012 - 61994 "The Great Marquess" on a returning "Fellsman" on Whalley Arches.

51 files, last one added on Aug 29, 2012
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04/02/2012 - The first of a early season of "Cumbrian Mountain Express`s" with LMS Black 5 - 45305 at the helm pictured at Barrow, leaving Whalley behind and on the accent of the S & C approaching Selside in the falling snow.
11/02/2012 - 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" has a run with a couple of extra coaches on the CME captured at Newsholme and Horton-in-Ribblesdale in the snow.
18/02/2012 - A run in the opposite direction with two Black 5`s - 44932 piloting 45305 and load 13 across Whalley viaduct in the failing evening light.
25/02/2012 - 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" in the late evening gloom, attacking Whalley Banks at Billington.
12/04/2012 - 34067 "Tangmere" on a returning midweek running of the CME at Barrow
21/07/2012 - 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" running a CME at Whalley station.
28/07/2012 - 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" again on the CME at the same location.
04/08/2012 - 60009 "Union of South Africa" approaching Langho station
11/08/2012 - 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" on the CME running through Clitheroe.
18/08/2012 - 60009 "Union of South Africa" captured at Newsholme heading towards Hellifield

26 files, last one added on Aug 18, 2012
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2/06/2012 - "200 Years of Steam" Gala. In June 1812 the Middleton Railway became the first railway in the world to successfully use steam locomotives in a commercial environment.
A Sunday afternoon visit was all I could manage due to working over the weekend but I wish I could have stopped much longer as there was lots to see and do at this event.
Engine running include "The Steam Elephant " from Beamish doing £5 driving experiance in the yard . Furnace Railways No20 - first time a tender engine has visited. 0-6-0 saddle tank - Slough No3, plus Matthew Murrey, Sir Berkley and 0-4-0 Y7 plus Bagnall 2842 from the Foxfield Railway.
A gallery of traction engines in the forecourt and model railway layouts in the museum made for a well worthvisit.
The best gala I have attended here and one of the best over the past few years.

28 files, last one added on Jun 25, 2012
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