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

08/05/2010 - A cold. cloudy & windy middle saturday of an event spread over three weekends.
An event originally advertising up to 12 engines in steam, had been reduced by failures to 60019 "Bittern," Black 5`s 45407 & 44871, BR Std 3 76079, S&D 7F 2-8-0 53809 & another guest engine N2 GNR 1744
I arrived to find a timetable running forty minutes late after one hour & all freight trains cancelled from the published timetable. I managed to catch the N2 with the teak set returning at Darnholme only to find that the engine then was dispatched to the sheds after just one trip along the line. Later in the day, the BR Std 3 returned to Grosmont double heading Black 5 - 45407 and a diesel was put on the Pickering / Levisham shuttles for the rest of the day. I gave up on the timetable at this point as engines were turned and sent back along the line with the next service.
Some sterling efforts were to be seen from "Bittern" & specially 53809 at Moorgates.
Whilst lots of action was to be seen, it was spoiled for me by all the changes on the day to the timetable taken from the website the previous evening. I came away disappointed after a 250 mile round trip hoping to see lots more from this top billed event.

32 files, last one added on Mar 22, 2011
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Sunday 28th March, and the last day of a four day "1960`s" Gala.
Following my last visit to the Autumn gala last year, this time I decided to go line side at one of the popular lineside bridges at Kinchley Lane between Quorn and Swithland Reservoir.
Guest engines running included A1 60163 "Tornado", 5690 "Leander", Std Tank 80097, Black 5 45231 "Sherwood Forester" plus home fleet of newly restored Jinty 47406 and Diesels - "Peak" Class 45 - D123, Class 27- D5401 & Mett Cam DMU unit.
Other traction running on previous days included Black 5 44767 "Georgson Stevenson", Diesels - Class 20 D8098 & Class 25 D5185
Reasonable weather and the usual extensive timetable with freight trains between passenger services meant another good Gala and a good day out.

28 files, last one added on Mar 23, 2011
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A two day event on the East Lancashire Railway with a Fridaynight Photoshoot before the action started on saturday 21st february. Guest engines for the gala were 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" & 30777 "Sir Lamiel" with 71000 "Duke of Gloucester" plus newly restored Black 5 44871, LMS Jinty 47324 & No.32 Gothenburg.
A day on saturday behind the engines after the Friday night photoshoot followed, but finding a fresh fall of snow on Sunday sent me linesiding between Heywood and Bury and also west of Irwell vale station for a morning viewing.
So was it a "BR Green weekend" this time, No - more of a Spectacular. An ELR Gala at its best !!

37 files, last one added on Mar 23, 2011
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Friday 12/02/2010 and a cold day with sunny intervals for the first day of a 3 day event. Working early morning unfortunately meant only half a day on the line .
The guest engine for this event was ex-Great Northern Railway Class N2 steam locomotive No.1744. Other engines running were WD 2-8-0 90733, BR Std tank 80002, Ivatt Tant 41241 & 0-6-0 Tank No. 1704 "Nunlow"

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A return to the Ribble Valley Railway situated around Preston Docks for their first event of 2010. The Gala started on friday 05/02/2010 with a full day photo charter with GWR tank 5643 with a coal train followed by an evening shed photoshoot at 5.00 pm just as it started to go dark with all engines being used for the gala in light steam. Having other committments on friday I chose to go to the shed photoshoot only and attend the gala on the saturday 06/02/2010
Engines being used for the gala included GWR 0-6-2 Tank -5643, " Austerity 0-6-0 Tanks "Cumbria" & "Walkden" and 0-4-0 saddle tank "John Howe."
All services were "Top & Tailed" to allow for 45 minute interval between services.
Very Well organised and enjoyable photoshoot and a good day out also on saturday. Nice to see some familar faces also

65 files, last one added on Mar 23, 2011
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Like their January steam event in 2009, it had a very atmospheric start on the freight photo shoot at Burrs country park - Misty & gloomy !! None the less, the light slightly improved as (Dub Dee) WD 8F - 90733, guest engine from the K&WVR put in a some very spirited performances along the straight with the freight
Other engines running included Ian Rileys newly restored Black 5 - 44871, K4 61994 "The Great Marquess" 0-6-0 Jinty 47324 & 0-6-0 No32 "Gothenberg"
Excellent day out ! and nice to see steam in quantity & quality again running on the line.

32 files, last one added on Mar 24, 2011
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21/01/09 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman" and train approaching and at Hellifield station on a loaded test run
31/01/09 - Black 5 45407 passes by on the climb at Copy Pit, Rishton & Darwen
07/02/09 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman" at Hellifield and leaving Horton-in-Ribbleshead heading north with the "Cumbria Fellsman"
27/03/09 - 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" takes the Blackburn turnoff at Fowler Lane,on the WCML heading
for Hellifield
28/03/09 - 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" at Hellifield and making easy work pulling 12 coaches at Selside with the CME
02/04/09 - LNER K1 62005 "Lord of the Isles" approaches Hellifield on L.E. move from Carnforth to Barrow Hill
08/04/09 - 34067 "Tangmere" approaches Flag Lane at Farington on the "Great Britain II"
09/05/09 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman" races north past Brock at speed with the "Scot Over Shap" rail tour.
17/05/09 - 5690 "Leander" working nicely whilst approaching Selside on the "Settle - Carlisle Express"
30/05/09 - 5690 "Leander" on the "Cumbrian Coast Express" crosses the River Kent on the Arnside Viaduct.
30/05/09 - 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" heads through the Lune Gorge with "The Royal Scot"
20/06/09 - 5043 "Earl of Mount Edgecombe" approaching Farington Junction on "The Castle Over Shap"
railtour.
23/06/09 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman" approaches Long Preston and at Hellifield with a test working from Carnforth to Scarborough
14/07/09 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman"at Copy pit andcrossing Rishton reservoir on a private charter over the Cotton mills Express route
05/08/09 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman" on the "Fellsman" comes off the mainline at Farington junction heading for Blackburn and returning at Billington
05/08/09 - Black 5 45231 "Sherwood Forester" passes by at Farington and onto Crewe with "The Welsh Mountaineer"
12/08/09 - 5690 "Leander" on Whalley arches. Gisburn Tunnel and approaching Langho station on the returning "Fellsman"
19/08/09 - 5690 "Leander" at Wilpshire and crossing Whalley Viaduct with the returning "Fellsman"
22/08/09 - 6201"Princess Elizabeth" returns from Carlisle at Billington having just pulled off Whalley Viaduct with a "Cumbrian Mountain Express" running
23/08/09 -Working hard, Black 5 45231 "Sherwood Forester" between Selside & Ribblehead on a York - Carlisle Cumbrian Mountain Express.
29/08/09 - 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" climbing the Whalley Banks leaving Billington with a returning "Cumbrian Mountain Express"
02/09/09 - 5690 "Leander" coasts down Whalley Banks with the Fellsman running No.6 to Carlisle.
09/09/09 - Jubilee 5690 "Leander" yet again on the "Fellsman"with the seventh running. Seen here with
whistle blowing and working out of Whalley at the footcrossing at Barrow.
23/09/09 - Black 5 45231 "The Sherwood Forester" on the season finale of "The Fellman" from Carnforth to Carlisle via the S & C seen here at Billington foot crossing.
03/10/09 - 60163 "Tornado" approaching Selside with its first outing over the S & C with the "Waverley"
04/10/09 - 60163 Tornado" crosses Ribblehead Viaduct with the "Waverley" over the Settle / Carlisle route.
06/09/09 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman" with "Girl Guide" name plate takes the Girl Guides to York celebrating 100 years of guiding with "The Yorkshire Scot" seen here crossing Lobb Mill viaduct leaving Todmorden.
18/10/09 -In the evening gloom,LMS Black 5`s 45407 doubleheads 45231 over Copy Pit with "The Tin Bath Extra"
8/11/09 - 5690 "Leander" heads towards Long Preston and leaving Hellifield with the "St Nicholas Steam Express" to York.
13/12/09 - 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" rushes through Eastwood heading towards Hebden Bridge with the "York
Yuletide Express" from Liverpool

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10/10/2009 - A quick call-in at the Gala en-route to Leicester with family & friends meant a curtailed visit and no chance for me to go linesiding with my camera.
Guest engines for the event were 70013 "Oliver Cromwell, 9F -92203 "Black Prince WD 8F 90733 from the K&WVR plus Fairburn Tank 42085 still on loan from the L&HR, and home fleet of BR Std 2-78019, 30777 "Sir Lamiel,"Robinson 04 63601 & Stainer 8F 48305 - which managed to elude me on several occasions - passing me every time whilst traveling.
A extended timetable with freight trains with different stock between very passenger service meant lots of train movements using the double tracks. Full passenger services seemed to be the norm as well and all stations were very busy in the nice weather.
Only complaints were that I couldnt have stopped longer because I had to return for work on sunday.
Excellent Gala

32 files, last one added on Mar 25, 2011
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27/09/2009 -Another poor Harvest for the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway with only two steam engines running due to breakdowns but a class 31 - D5600 diesel was used as a substitute. Back in 2007 the event was cancelled and replaces with a frequent timetable when this happened, but the importing of BR STD 2 - 78019 working the rounds from the GCR meant that the event went ahead. The other engine was 0-6-0 saddle Tank "Darfield No1."
Nice to see a decent freight train on the line and also the "Stately Train Set" being used.
Perhaps dropping the Gala fares might have enticed more people to attend, but some nice photo opportunities were to be had on a mild cloudy autumn day

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19/09/2009 - Autumn Steam gala at the Middleton Railway and after last years 250th aniversary event I didn`t want to miss this one either, but work limited me just to a saturday afternoon visit.
Not as high key as the previous year but they managed to pack just as many line movements into the timetable with passenger services to Park halt and freight / guards van runs to the hardly used Balm Road, double heading ending the day with a full line freight & passenger services.
Steam engines running were "Sir Berkley" & MSC No.67 plus Diesel shunters D2999 & LMS 7051.
Another enjoyable visit to this friendly industrial line in Leeds.

31 files, last one added on Mar 27, 2011
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13/09/2009 - Another visit to the Ribble Steam Railway in Preston Docklands for their Steam Gala. Work prevented me from going for the full day but I managed an afternoon trip with a run along the line, a quick look around the museum and also a look around the workshops to see what was under restoration and repair and also lineside for some photographs.
3 engines in steam and a shunter were working a small freight and a 3 coach set. - 0-4-0 saddle Tank "John Howe,"0-6-0 Saddle tank "Cumbria" on loan from the Furness Trust & 0-6-0 Saddle Tank "Walkden"+ 03 Shunter D2595
Another day sunny day out and an interesting visit to the workshop - must be one of the best workshop facilities I`ve seen.

33 files, last one added on Mar 26, 2011
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11/09/2009 - Friday and the first of a three day steam gala and a glorious sunny warm day as well!!
Engines running were BR Std 2 - 78019 visiting from the GCR, newly restored BR - Std 4 80072, Black 5 - 44806 & GWR Pannier tank 6430 between an autotrain.(GWR 3802 & 5643 due to be running later in the gala)
A enjoyable run up and down the line (with an interesting start behind 78019 at Llangollen) was followed by going lineside with my camera in the sunshine.
Not as high key as the "Steel Steam & Stars II" gala earlier in the year but still a nice day out on a beautiful line.

23 files, last one added on Mar 26, 2011
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15/08/2009 - Museum of Science & Industry, Manchester - Great Garratt Gathering.
I wasnt too sure what to expect for this event - I thought a couple of Garratts plus and engine or two in steam and that would be it - How wrong I was !!! - Garratts in all shapes and sizes from oo guage up to the full size monsters - hundreds of them (mainly models - with a good percentage steaming!)
L&Y Ironclad 957 from the K&WVR plus 2-2-0 "Planet" & 0-4-0ST Beyer Peacock No1827 from the Foxfield railway pulling trains and too many on static display here to mention all.
Model Railways & tramways in the halls , trade stalls plus another warehouse full of aircraft cars & motorbikes made for a terrific day out.
Im busy planning a time for another trip - too much to take in on an afternoon. Brilliant !!

63 files, last one added on Mar 25, 2011
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18/07/2009 - Saturday and a cloudy sort of day with showers and sunshine for my second visit to the Foxfield Light Railway.
Yet again, 6 Industrial steam engines in steam on this steeply inclined collery line through the Staffordshire countryside.
Engines in steam :- 0-6-0`s "Bellerophon,"partnered again with Beyer Peapock 0-4-0 " Florence No2,""Meaford No2""Wimblebury" and guest engine 0-6-0 saddle tank No.47.
All the engines worked a passenger service from Caverswall Rd to Dilhorne Park and a coal empties train to the Foxfield Collery and back to Dilhorne Park up the steeply graded 1 in 19 climb.
Another excellent day out and with this little gem of an Industrial railway!

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05/07/2009 - Sunday. and the last day of three, and a trip to "The Dark Side" for me photographing diesels at Burrs Country Park on the E L R. As usual for this event, the Railway as excelled itself with a great lineup of traction over the three days and running to timetable today.
Traction running today included 10 Diesels!! - BR Class 52 - D1062 "Western Courier",Class 24 - D5054 "Phil Southern".Class 40 - 40145 "East Lancashire Railway" Class 37`s 37248, 37418"Pectinldae",37901"Mirlees Pioneer". Class 47s 47843 "Vulcan" & 47292. Class 25 - D7629. Hymek - D7076.
The weather was very reasonable whilst I was there with just one small rain shower between trains and lots of sunny periods. Overall - a nice day out

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27/06/2009 - Day 2 of a 3 day of the Summer Steam Gala on the K&WVR .
Two guest engines for this event - 1) LNER Robinson Type O4 7F No, 63601 from the GCR and 2) Jubilee Class 5690 "Leander" running mainline making 3 trips from Keighley up to Settle Junction & one trip onto Ribblehead.
The usual suspects make their usual appearances for the gala (90732, 80002, 41241, 47279, Taff Valley No.85 & L&Y 957 Plus "Nunlow" which eluded me again). A failure of 63601 in the morning lead to the using of No.85 as the spare engine - a small bonus.
Good day out and upto it usual high standards !!

33 files, last one added on Mar 27, 2011
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Monday - 15/06/09 = Finally decided a trip to the National Railway Museum at York was required to view the recently displayed "Duchess of Hamilton" in its recently rebuilt streamlined form. Whilst I think it looks stunning, the verdict on whether it should have been has not been decided by me yet. Perhaps if it is made mainline runable, I could possibly make up my mind after seeing it on the WCML
It must be about five years since my last visit and not too much as altered since then apart for a few changes in the Locomotive line up.
Always a good day out !!

64 files, last one added on Mar 27, 2011
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23/05/2009 - Saturday and the first day of a 3 day event on the East Lancashire Railway when the line is invaded by the military and the trains running are of little consequence except for the enthusiasts.
Engines running though were L&Y No1300 & Jinty 47324 doubleheading, USA S160 -5197, newly repainted 0-6-0 No32 on a freight + Diesals D335 & the Thumper on the Heywood Shuttle. Not forgetting a "Dakota" flypast.
A quick run up the line and back from Ramsbottom to Bury with the wife shopping lead to a few photos here.
... A great day for traveling and enjoying the flavour of the event and especially well done Ramsbottom High street shops which seemed to have been taken over by the war effort.
Well organsied and another interesting dayout

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Saturday 2nd May 2009 with fine weather and a much awaited trip to the NYMR Spring Gala for my first sightings of the new build A1 60163 "Tornado".
Other engines running included some of my favorites - 60009 "Sir Nigel Gresley" & Ian Riley`s "Pocket Rocket" - BR Std 4 -76079 plus 6619 GWR Class 56XX 0-6-2T, BR Std Class 5 75029 & Ex NER Q6 - 63395.
Other engines lined up later for the gala includes Black 5`s 45212 & 45407 plus S&D 7f - 53809, 30926 "Repton" & SR 825 if repairs to these 3 engines are completed in time.
In my opinion Tornado was a great crowd puller but needed other engines running shuttles between stations to fill the gap in the timetables with train services or freights.
Still an enjoyable day out and worth the travelling

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23/04/2009 - Phew !! What an event... and I went on one of the quieter days!!!
Thursday and I arrived early and had time for a walk around the sheds before the first train.
It was a 4-4-0 day, the engines running - Dukedog 9017, 3440 "City of Truro", and D49 - 246 Morayshire. After a journey up and down the line with breaks at various stations to view the exhibits, it was time to visit the beer festival before going line side followed by the evening photo shoot back at the sheds.

Could have spent a week here but work spoilt my plans to be back again
Excellent is an understatement - well done Betton Grange lads!!

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