SteamingNorth.com ... (Click on a picture to open that album and then on a picture to enlarge it...........Pictures copyright of Author

23/04/2012 - Monday and who else but the Welsh would organise a Scottish Theme day on St Georges Day !!.
A cloudy day with some sunny intervals for three engines in steam today. BR Pacific 70000 "Britannia," CR 828 & Black 5 - 44806 running as 44801. Near full loads on the trains, with exhibitions at Carrog and Glyndyfrdwy, a beer festival and a tour of the sheds at Llangollen meant lots to see & do whilst waiting for the trains
29/04/2012 - Sunday & the Last Day. - Never in all my years did I encountered constaint heavy rain like this for most of the day, putting a sad end to probadly the best gala since SSS11, the heavy rain just easing off for the cavelcade at the end.
The lineup for today was 60163 "Tornado, 70000 "Britannia" Coal Tank 58926, BR Std Tank 80072, LNER N7 Tank - 1744, GW Pannier 6430 on the Autotrain. GW Tank 6619, Super D 49395 & my favorite CR Railways 828
The best gala by far but spoit by the last days torriental rain.

77 files, last one added on Apr 30, 2012
Album viewed 398 times

Saturday - 31/03/2012 A dull cloudy day for a 1960`s gala and with a couple of hours to spare whilst visiting family, I headed for Rothley and Kinchley Lane to capture some action.
Two two engines I had not seen running before - 0-6-0 Austerity Tank No.22 and recently overhauled Ivatt 2 mt 46521 ( which I missed at the winter gala). Other engines running where Robinson 01 - 63601, GWR 4953"Pitchford Hall", Stanier Red 8F - 48624, LMS 0-6-0 Jinty - 47406 and BR Std 2 tender engine - 78019 plus a DMU 2 car set. 30777 "Sir Lamiel" was advertised but failed before the gala started needing maintanence.
A busy timetable was running with goods trains running between the passenger services on the double tracks keeping the camera clicking.
A good selection of engines at this gala !! It was a pity that family committments and work meant only a short stay.

19 files, last one added on Apr 02, 2012
Album viewed 394 times

25th February, Saturday - An early start at Burrs for the Photo-run-past with 0-6-0 "Sapper" in NCB Guise and a couple of mineral wagoms. I moved on to Summerseat for some different views and then Irewell Vale before other committments meant leaving at around lunchtime.
Similar line up to the Janurary event minus 45407
February 26/02/2012- Sunday. A spare two hours around lunchtime and I headed for Townsend Fold area and a walk along the river bank towards Irewell Vale and the A56 bridge for different photo oppertunies.
Engines running - 71000"Duke of Gloucester" BR std tank 80080, SR 850 "Lord Nelson" LMS Black 5`s 44871 & 45231, Super D - 49395 & 0-6-0 "Sapper" as NCB 56
Excellent shoot on saturday and another excellent gala!

41 files, last one added on Aug 24, 2019
Album viewed 439 times

Saturday 18/02/2012 - A working couple of hours visit was all I could fit in on this visit to Preston Riversway station to the Ribble Steam Railway for their Winter Steam Gala.
3 engines in steam which include 2 of the usual suspects, these being 0-4-0 saddle tank "John Howe" and 0-6-0 saddle tank "Walkden" plus one of my favorite engines as guest engine - 0-4-0 Tender Engine -Furness Railways No 20.
Only time for one trip along the line and a look around the museum before returning back to base.
My client had a wonderful morning out. - Up to its usual high standards.
Pity we could have not stopped longer.
WIP

16 files, last one added on Feb 18, 2012
Album viewed 228 times

12/02/2012 - A freezing morning spent chasing "Ollie Cromwell" on the Cumbrian Mountain Express" meant I didn`t arrive until 2pm in the afternoon and felt just too cold to go linesiding. So a round trip of the line ensued with thoughts of being in a warm carriage. I just missing one service, then followed the freight, meant a wait of over an hour on the station snapping some action. A spirited express double header run behind guest engine Super D (running as 49442) & BR Std tank 80080 followed to Oxenhope and a leisurely glide back down the line behind the Super D with a fault on the steam heating.
Other engines running included Ivatt 41241, Fowler 0-6-0 43924, 0-6-0 Nunlow, L&Y 0-6-0 - 957, plus newly overhauled Coal tank 1054 now in BR guise 58926
Gala up to its high standard - pity it was so cold - never did get warm!

13 files, last one added on Feb 12, 2012
Album viewed 227 times

Friday - 27/01/2012 and the first of a three day gala starting in bright sunshine and promising up to 10 engines in steam with the usual passenger , local , freights, TPO and LE turntable movements.
Alas I could only visit for about 2 hours in the morning on the first day and left about 11.45am, the timetable only showing 3 of these 10 engines in steam and then on passenger services only.
What usually is one of the best galas in the country on a weekend , was let down by this friday timetable.
Engines I saw running today - 70013 "Oliver Cromwell," Robinson 04 - 63601 & Guest engine M7 30053
A Friday visit was overpriced in my opinion and needs a total revamp at these prices compared with the action on Saturday & Sunday

7 files, last one added on Jan 27, 2012
Album viewed 174 times

Saturday 21/01/2012 and a very dull start to the winter gala, which started with an evening photoshoot the previous evening in the rain at Buckley Wells shed then an early morning freight runpast with LNWR 0-8-0 Super D - 49395. at Burrs Country Park at the edge of Bury.
Slowly, it get brighter as the day progressed and a early morning failure of 71000 Duke of Gloucester plus signal problems did not spoil a great day out on the railway. 71000 did finally get a run down the line in the late afternoon after I had left for home.
Engines running - SR 850 "Lord Nelson," LNWR Super "D" - 49395. BR Std Tank 80080 and 3 Black 5`s - 45231 & Ian Rileys pair 44871 & 45407 - both facing south adding different photo opportunities plus 71000 "Duke of Gloucester in the late afternoon.
Sunday 22/01/2012 - A quick visit to the craft shop in Ramsbottom gave me a few minutes to take some more pictures
Great gala despite the early morning dull conditions and the cold weather

52 files, last one added on Jan 22, 2012
Album viewed 974 times

Saturday 22/10/2011 - The start of a two day gala starting with a early morning photoshoot at Burrs with a freight runpast with one of the guest engines - Black 5 - 45231 "Sherwood Forester." I stopped here until lunchtime with the weather improving all the time then going home and returning later in the evening.
The star of the gala for me was Super D 49395 and other engines running included BR Std Tank - 80080 and Industrials 0-6-0 "Sapper" and No.32 Gothenburg plus Peckett 1370 "May".
71000 "Duke of Gloucester failed to turn up at the last minute due to transportation problems
The Day was rounded off with a well attended photo shoot in the late evening at Buckley Wells with 45231, 80080 & 49395
Always a good show and this was no exception.

34 files, last one added on Oct 23, 2011
Album viewed 312 times

Sunday 16/10/2011 - Another trip to the "Dark Side" and a dull start to the last day of a two day event starring 5 of the top line diesels of the 60`s & 70`s - "The Deltics." Five of these beasts lined up to grace the line for the weekend.
•55002 “The Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry”
•55022 “Royal Scots Grey”
•55009 “Alycidon”
•55016 “Gordon Highlander”
•55019 “Royal Highland Fusilier”
plus EE Type 4 - D335
I spent most of the day on a Rover ticket and the last hour at Irewell Vale before returning home.
Pity I missed the Beerex the night before with all 5 on the front but it would have been a wasted journey for me - the fans drank it dry !
Different day out and enjoyable

37 files, last one added on Oct 16, 2011
Album viewed 361 times

08/10/2011 - A Dull saturday with fine drizzle at times after the sunny Friday on the K & WVR.
Lots of action on the double track and I decided to catch the action at Woodthorpe Bridge and the surrounding fields for some different views later in the day.
9 engines in steam which included guest engines
SR 4-6-2 pacific 34007 "Wadebridge"
S&D 2-8-0 No 88,
plus home fleet of SR 4-6-0 King Arthur class - 30777 "Sir Lamiel,"
Red LMS 2-8-0 8F - 8624,
LMS 0-6-0 Jinty - 47406,
LNER N7 - 1744,
Robinson O4-63601,
GWR 2-6-0 4953 "Pitchford Hall"
BR 2-6-0 Std 2 - 78019,
All running a extensive passenger timetable plus local services, freight trains, mineral wagons and postal services plus light engine movements to the turntable at Quorn as well.
Always one of the best galas anywhere in the country and this on was no exception.
Just the weather spoilt it a little but still a great day out.

41 files, last one added on Oct 09, 2011
Album viewed 303 times

07/10/2011 - Friday and a lovely start to what seems to be a classic steam gala on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway with long sunny spells and very clear conditions for great photography.
Steam engines running on the first day were GWR 2-8-0 Goods engine - 2807, LMS Black 5 - 45212, Newly restored Midland Fowler 4F 0-6-0 - 43924. 0-6-0 "Nunlow" & unseen by myself today L & Y 957
Having worked earlier in the day I could only stop a couple of hours but wouldn`t have missed it - Alas the horrid weather and work on Sunday put me off coming back for more.

21 files, last one added on Oct 07, 2011
Album viewed 288 times

18/09/2011 - A sunday afternoon at one of my favorite little railways for their Autumn gala.
3 engines in steam - Manning Wardle 0-6-0 No.1601 "Matthew Murray" 0-6-0 MSC 67 and LNER Y7 No.1310 straight from the workshops in light steam plus two industrial shunters - Austins No1 & Thomas Hil 138C.
Had an enjoyable time on Matthew Murray in the shed shunt with " Drive an engine for a fiver" and a ride upto Park halt as well. Passenger trains ran to Park Halt whilst goods trains ran down the Balm Road stretch running a very regular service with plenty of movements around Moor Road station adding lots of interest..
Alas the weather turned foul towards the end of the afternoon and I decided to head back home.
I`ll be back again soon !

20 files, last one added on Sep 18, 2011
Album viewed 300 times

17/09/2011 - A saturday morning with heavy showers and only a couple of hours to spare to visit because of work commitments in the early afternoon - just time to take a few snaps around the swing bridge area before leaving just after noon.
3 engines in steam - Guest engine 0-4-0 Fulstow No2, plus 0-4-0 John Howe & 0-6-0 Walkden
Arriving in time at 10.30 to watch the demo goods with Fulstow and John Howe and two passenger services with Fulstow plus John Howe & Walkden in various combinations.
Alas, I would have liked to stop the day for a full visit but still a nice visit despite the horrid weather on the way home.

17 files, last one added on Sep 18, 2011
Album viewed 237 times

The "Fellsman" - A series of summer steam hauled midweek runnings from Carnforth to Carlisle via Blackburn, Hellifield & the Settle & Carlisle Railway and return.
Engines running are from the WCRC pool based at Carnforth.
The "Mersey Moorlander" A new series of runs over the S&C & back down the WCML, steam hauled from Preston on Mondays during August.
20/07/2011 - The first of the series this year and hauled by 46115 "Scots Guardman" captured on the return between Clitheroe & Whalley at Barrow footcrossing. - The wreath on the smokebox in memory of John Shuttleworth
27/07/2011 - 2nd running of the season and 46115 "Scots Guardsman" in charge again. Failing at Carlisle the tour & engine are dragged back by class 47 - 47760. Captured at Wilpshire & Whalley viaduct on the return
01/08/2011 - The first of a monday August steam trip with the "Mersey Moorlander" up the S & C pulled by LMS Black 5 - 45305 seen leaving Whalley behind at Barrow footcrossing
03/08/2011 - The 3rd running of "The Fellsman" with LMS Black 5 44932 in charge, captured at Hougton heading for Blackburn and Billington on the return.
08/08/2011 - The 2nd "Mersey Moorlander" again headed by LMS Black 5 - 45305 on Whalley Viaduct in damp & cloudy conditions and returning at Brock on the WCML
10/08/2011 - 8F - 48151 on the 4th Fellsman working the climb at Hougton & returning in dreadful conditions at Whalley station
15/08/2011 - Britannia Class - 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" heads the 3rd running of the "Mersey Moorlander" caught coasting at Billington heading towards Hellifield
17/08/2011 - 8F - 48151 in charge again on the 5th "Fellsman" approaching Pleasington station
24/08/2011 - 8F - 48151 again caught at Hougton on the 6th running of the series of "The Fellsman"
31/08/2011 - 8F - 48151 again captured at Barrow and chased from Selside to Ribblehead with No.7 Fellsman
07/09/2011 - LMS Black 5 - 45231 takes a turn on "The Fellsman" seen west of Wilpshire station
14/09/2011 - The finale of the "Fellsman" with LMS Black 5 - 45231 again captured at Whalley station and exiting Wilpshire tunnel on the return journey.

45 files, last one added on Sep 14, 2011
Album viewed 428 times

26/03/2011 - Another slow start for the year - 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" shooting north on the WCML leaving Bilsborrow, this being the first steam excursion seen by me due to work commitments, other than Tangmere on a test run - (see seperate collection.)
16/04/2011 - 5043 "Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" at Copy Pit & leaving Cherry Tree with a running of "The Red Rose" from Tyseley to Blackburn & return.
28/04/2011 - Black 5 45231 "Sherwood Forester" on a test run from Carnforth to Hellifield & return
12/05/2011 - Black 5`s 45407 & 44871 working around Preston on the "Cathedrals Explorer"
19/05/2011 - 71000 "Duke of Gloucester" heads the Cumbrian Mountain Express at Selside
21/05/2011 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman" tackling the S&C near Selside on the "Rail Tourer"
21/05/2011 - 71000 "Duke of Gloucester" returning south at Billington with a CME
08/06/2011 - 60163 "Tornado" on a ECS move along the WCML from Grosmont to Didcot.
25/06/2011 - 46115 "Scots Guardman leaving Bilsborrow behind with a running of the CME
02/07/2011 - Black 5 - 45305 on Lobb Mill Viaduct, Todmorden with the "Coast to Coast Express"
23/07/2011 - Black 5 - 45305 on a "Cumbrian Mountain Express" @ Ribblehead, Hellifield and Langho
24/07/2011 - Black 5 - 45407 "Lancashire Fusilier" on the "Waverley" at Bell Busk and Long Preston
30/07/2011 - 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" on a CME on the WCML @ Fowler Lane & Bilsborrow plus returning west of Langho
30/07/2011 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman" leaving Hellifield with the returning 2nd "Waverley" of the season
13/08/2011 - LMS 8F - 48151 on a returning "Lakelander" at Arnside.
13/08/2011 - LMS Black 5 - 44932 on a returning "Waverley" at Ribblehead and also leaving Hellifield
20/08/2011 - LMS Black 5 - 45305 again on a CME at Billington
25/08/2011 - 70013 "Oliver Cromwell at the head of "The Cathedrals Express" at Barrow.
27/08/2011 - LMS Black 5 - 45305 again on a CME at Billington replacing 70013
03/09/2011 - LMS Black 5 44932 working the "Lune Rivers Trust" special at Langho
01/10/2011 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman" running with "The Train of Hope" special leaving Leyland
12/11/2011 - 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" on day 1 of "The Royal Scot" approaching Shap
11/12/2011 - 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" on the "York Yuletide Express" at Hall Royd Junction.

75 files, last one added on Dec 11, 2011
Album viewed 635 times

Sunday 29/05/2011 - This year it turned out to be a dull weekend for this years "Old timers" steam gala.
Run on similar lines to the previous years gala with "Bellerophon" & 32662 "Martello" as this years new guest engines plus "Rocket""Planet" & "Furness No20" back on the tracks again with LMS Jinty - 47406 & LNER N7 - 1744 also making up the numbers from the GCR stock.
Like last year - a very interesting gala spent mostly linesiding at Woodthorpe bridge plus a stroll to Charnwater Park for a different location and not a gala to be missed.

33 files, last one added on May 29, 2011
Album viewed 342 times

Sunday 08/05/2011 and the last day of a 10 day gala promising lots of engines in steam. I arrived early at Pickering for the freight, only to find it had been cancelled and it was raining as well.
With time now to spare I decided on moving up the line to Water Ark arriving just as the shuttle went past. It did get better as some nice pictures were achieved and it did stop raining and the sun came out !. At lunch time a move was on the way towards Levisham for some food stopping off at Moorgates on the way.
Engines running which I saw included 60007 "Sir Nigel Gresley" 71000 "Duke of Gloucester" Black 5 44767 "George Stevenson" SR 4-6-0 No.827, Br Std 4 - 76079. Br std Tank - 80072, GWR Tank - 6619 & 2-2-0 No.9 "Planet" and newly named 9f - 92214 "Cock o the North" - (not sure if I like it)
Other engines used in the gala included another 4 black 5`s.44871, 45212, 45407 & 45428, SR Schools Class "Repton", Replica of "Rocket" plus 63395 & 69023 "Joem" & Super D 49395
A massive line up !
enjoyable day out

20 files, last one added on May 08, 2011
Album viewed 320 times

25/04/2011 - Last of a 4 day event over the Easter period whenThe East Lancashire Railway was celebrating the 50th anniversary of the esteemed and iconic English Electric Type 5 main line diesel locomotive. "
55 022 ‘Royal Scots Grey’ and D9016 ‘Gordon Highlander’ were working services throughout each day, running either individually, some top and tailed and some double headed combinations in between two steam services on a three path rota.
A round trip from Rawtenstall to Bury & back behind D9000 outward & doubleheaded on the way back was my plan for the day.
Steam Engines running were BR Std Tank 80080 & BR Std 5 73129
A different dayout for me behind the beasts ... and sunshine as well !!

19 files, last one added on Apr 25, 2011
Album viewed 306 times

09/04/2011 - Saturday And a beautiful warm sunny day for a slight twist on the normal timetable were small engines were the flavour of the day.
Newly arrived austerity 0-6-0 "Sapper" was the incentive for me to make a visit to this event. Also running full length of the line were Std Tank 80080 & Type twenty diesel 20087.
Bury Bolton Street station had push pull trains to Baron street shed gates pulled by a variety of shunters and Peckett 1370 "May"
Shunters included MSC4002 & Class 08 shunter - 08479 which did a trip to Ramsbottom as a last trip of the day plus shunters - 08700, D3232, D2062 & D2656
Something different and another good day out.

29 files, last one added on Apr 09, 2011
Album viewed 389 times

19/03/2011 - The first day of a two day spring gala held in lovely sunshine at this small colliery line which runs in a country park in between two large reservoirs running in a lage semi circle in over a mile in length from two beautifully maintained stations, sheds & museum.
Steam Engines running 0-4-0 "Asbestos"(2780), 0-4-0 Andrew Barclay(1964). 0-4-0 WG Bagnall "Linda"(2648), 0-4-0 "Colin McAndrew"(1223) plus on display but failed 0-6-0 Nechells No4 (7684)
Diesel shunters running Br Class 08 - D3429, 0-4-0 Bass No9 & Hunslett 0-4-0 6678
Excellent gala and a great place for a family day out.

38 files, last one added on Mar 20, 2011
Album viewed 322 times