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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!

34 files, last one added on Mar 27, 2011
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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

26 files, last one added on Mar 27, 2011
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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

26 files, last one added on Mar 27, 2011
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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

32 files, last one added on Mar 28, 2011
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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!!

67 files, last one added on Mar 27, 2011
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04/04/2009 - Another of the ELR novel ideas for a steam event which I didnt want to miss. All the engines running down the line in BR Black.
Turned out to be a cloudy day with sunny intervals and after visiting Burrs,I went to Ramsbottom and onto Townsend fold at the Rawtenstall end of the line.
Engines running were Black 5 45407 "Lancashire Fuselier", Std Class 4 76079, Std Tank 80098 as 80086 and Jinty 47324 plus the Peckett at Bury station. Black 5 - 45231 failed to appear, being stuck due to an holdup down south which spoiled the double heading of Black 5`s but all the rest where extremely well turned out
Another enjoyable day on the ELR !
A couple of pictures added taken at Irewell Vale on 12/04/09 - Easter Sunday, the last scheluled run day of Std 4 Tank 80098 on the ELR

26 files, last one added on Mar 28, 2011
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Sunday 8th march and the last of a three day festival of steam on the Severn Valley Railway. The weather was not as forcast a few days earlier and the sun on the way down quickly changed to cloudy with rain showers and rather cold.
Great idea with big guest engines of 71000 "Duke of Gloucster", 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" 60007 "Sir Nigel Gresley" & 5029 "Nunney Castle" plus looking spendid from the home fleet - 7812 "Erlestoke Manor", Ivatt 46443 & GWR Tank 5164.
Good day out !!

28 files, last one added on Mar 29, 2011
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22/02/09 - A Friday night photo shoot at Buckley Wells Engine shed & Yard on the night before the Feburary steam Event at the ELR
Engines on display include
BR Std 3 Cyl Pacific - 4-6-2 - 71000 "Duke of Gloucester,"
2 x LMS Stanier 4-6-0 Black 5`s - 45231"Sherwood Forester" & 45407 "Lancashire Fuselier" plus
BR STD 4 2-6-0 - 76079
BR STD 2-6-4 Tank - 80098,
LMS 0-6-0 "Jinty" - 47324 &
L & Y "A" Class 0-6-0 -1300 plus
Peckett 0-4-0 2173 "May" at the shed entrance.
Very well attended by photographers and a good night out!!

43 files, last one added on Mar 30, 2011
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14/02/2009 - A cloudy Saturday and its day 2 of a 3 day at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Winter gala and some patches of snow still remains in places from the week before.
The usual suspects make their usual appearance for the gala with special guest engine for this gala -
BR Std Britannia Class Pacific - 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" & K&WVR Home Fleet -
WD 8F 2-8-0 - 90733
BR Std Tank 2-6-4 - 80002,
LMS Ivatt class 2 4-6-2 Tank - 41241,
LMS 3F 0-6-0 "Jinty" - 47279
Taff Valley 0-6-2 Tank - No.85
The trains ran to their full capacity and practically on time with the usual freight trains in between the passenger trains.
Up to its great standard !!

30 files, last one added on Mar 30, 2011
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Missing files just found - 23/02/2019
24/01/2009 - ELR winter steam gala - Starting at Burrs Country park with a freight run past featuring BR Std Tank 80098.
LMS Stanier Black 5 - 45231 "Sherwood Forester"
LMS Stanier Black 5 - 45407 "Lancashire Fusilier"
BR Pacific 4-6-2 71000 "Duke of Gloucester"
Austerity 0-6-0 No. 2183

33 files, last one added on Feb 23, 2019
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12/01/2008 - Br Std 4 - 76079 crosses the viaduct at Accrington on a running of the Cotton Mills Express. Picture taken from the top level of the carpark at the Arndale center.
10/02/2008 - 4771 "Green Arrow" bows out at the East Lancashire Railway with its last service train along the line.
15/03/2008 - Br Std 4 76079 reaches the top of the climb out of Blackburn at Wilpshire with a re-routed Cotton Mills Express.
15/03/2008 - BR Std 4 76079 has picked up 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" at Preston and heads down the WCML at Flag lane, Lostock Hall with a re-routed "Cotton Mills Express"
10/05/2008 - 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" heads south down the WCMl at Farington south junction with the returning Flyde Coast Express
18/05/2008 - LMS Black 5 - 45407 "Lancashire Fusilier" leaving Darwen for Manchester on a Cotton Mills express
24/05/2008 - 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" heads south at Fowler lane, Leyland on "The Citadel"
31/05/2008 - 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" approaches Billington footcrossing with a returning Cumbria Mountain Express.
14/06/2008 - LMS Black 5 - 45407 "Lancashire Fusilier" working the Cotton Mills Express at Turton Tower heading towards Manchester
21/07/2008 - Jubilee 5690 "Leander" stops off at Hellifield goods loop for a watering stop and leaving on the way to York with matching empty coaching stock for the Scarborough Spa Expresses
26/07/2008 - Black 5 - 45407 works its way from Todmorden towards Copy Pit - seen here at Lydgate viewed from the top of the surrounding hillside on a running of the Cotton mills express
02/08/2008 - 6201 "Princes Elizabeth" at the top of the climb out of Blackburn at Wilpshire on a running of the "Cumbria mountain Express"
05/08/2008 - 4-6-2 Britannia class 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" leaving Hellifield behind heading towards Blackburn
16/08/2008 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman" on the Settle Carlisle Venturer coming off Ribblehead Viaduct.
17/08/2008 - LMS Jubilee 45690 "Leander" on the Dalesman approaching Helwith Bridge
23/08/2008 - 46201 "Princess Elizabeth" on the "Cumbrian Mountain Express passing Selside on the S & C
27/08/2008 - 70013 "Oliver Cromwell in Profile at Selside on a midweek running of the Dalesman
20/09/2008 - 45690 Leander on "The Pennine Limited" leaving Hellifield for Carlisle
27/09/2008 - LMS Jubilee 45690 "Leander" on a running of the Cotton Mills Express crossing Robinwood Viaduct, Lydgate
09/10/2008 - 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" with a mid week running of "The Royal Scot" from Crewe to Carlisle and return
01/11/2008 - 60007 "Sir Nigel Gresley" on Ribblehead Viaduct pulling the "Cumbrian Mountain Ltd"
29/11/2008 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman" on an excursion from Carnforth to Scarborough at Long Preston station
13/12/2008 - BR Std 4 76079 as 76001 on the "Cotton Mills express" at Copy Pit
14/12/2008 - LMS Black 5 - 45407 on the York Yuletide express from Liverpool crossing Gauxholme viaduct approaching Todmorden.

58 files, last one added on Feb 15, 2015
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23-11-2008 - A Novel excuse for a event ! - and any excuse for me to go out with my camera was all that I needed
2 steam engines running each with 3 cylinders.
The two engines in question -
BR Std 3 CYL 4-6-2 Pacific - 71000 "Duke of Gloucester"
LNER 4-6-0 K4 61994 "The Great Marquess"
I was hoping for a few line side pictures but the weather had other ideas and I decided a trip along the line in a warm carriage was the better option.
Still an enjoyable day out despite the weather

16 files, last one added on Mar 31, 2011
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Saturday 25th of October 2008 and if you where a duck and liked steam trains - Burrs Country park was the place to be and get wet with the constant rain. Unfortunately I didnt arrive untill mid afternoon and this made the later trains impossible to photograph in the gloom & rain of the late afternoon
Guest Engines where 61994 "The Great Marquess"
Austerity J94
71000 "Duck of Gloucester",
"Jinty" 47324
BR STD 4 2-6-0 76079
L & Y 1300
LMS 4-6-0 Black 5 45407 "Lancashire Fusilier"back from a Cotton Mills Express.

A Night photo shoot then followed at Buckley Wells Engine shed again in constant rain but this was still very enjoyable.

39 files, last one added on Mar 31, 2011
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11/10/2008 - Saturday, and the rain from early morning had gone when I arrived around lunchtime and it turned into a nice afternoon.
Guest engine from the Churnet Valley Railway was
USA S160 2-8-0 class - 5197
and the usual suspects made up for the rest of the gala.
L & Y CLASS 25 ‘IRONCLAD’ 0-6-0 NO.957
Taff Valley coal Tank 0-6-2 No.85
LMS Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 41241,
WD 8F 2-8-0 - 90733,
0-6-0 tank - "Nunlow"
BR Std 4 Tank 2-6-4 - 80002 (which unfortunatley eluded me today in my short visit)
Upto its usual high standard!

23 files, last one added on Mar 31, 2011
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10-10-2008 - Friday and the first day of a three day Autumn gala and with pleasent weather as well!
5 engines in steam today with more in steam over the weekend. Today saw
LMS 0-6-0 - 4f - 44422 running the goods train all day with
GWR 0-2-6-4 Tank -5643,
Great Eastern N7 0-6-2T - tank No.69621 - took the sub sets.
Metropolitan Railway Class E tank engine No1 ran a shuttle between Carrog / Glyndyfrdwy and
GWR Pannier tank 0-6-0 - 6430 ran a full line Autotrain.
Great day out including the usual guards van ride for me

40 files, last one added on Mar 31, 2011
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21/09/2008 - Sunday, and another glorious day following on from yesterdays visit to Embsay and this time at the Middleton Railway celebrating 250 years in opertion as a railway.
3 engines in steam (Sir Berkley, Brookes No.1, & Matthew Murray) and nearly every diesal engine in the museum that could run must have been used in todays event.
A frequent service upto Park Halt and guardsvan / train rides down the rarely used Balm Road section added to the interest.
Plus a great photoshoot with a steam roller, steam wagon & Sir Berkley. Great value too and a great day out !!!

42 files, last one added on Mar 31, 2011
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20/09/2008 - A glorious sunny saturday for this years Embsay & Bolton Abbey Railway - Harvest of Steam Weekend 2008
Guest engine LNER D49 No246 "Morayshire" looked great running on the line and was accompanied by two 0-6-0 saddle tanks, Monckton No1 and Darfield No1 + Class 31 D5600 deputising for a failed NCB140 running both an extensive timetable and a freight train
Great improvment on last years event

29 files, last one added on Mar 31, 2011
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