tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40736791124877366522024-02-07T13:32:43.593+00:00Martin's Railway RamblingsMartin Creese's Railway BlogMartin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.comBlogger151125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-12634248881089997192019-05-20T23:01:00.000+01:002019-05-20T23:01:20.362+01:00the loss of individuality As a viewer of BT Sport I've watched the excellent "two tribes" documentary on Liverpool in the 1980's that weaves a story of politics of the time , football and music . It comes from a time I remember on all levels but what struck me was the individuality of the city driven by harsh economic conditions brought upon by the sudden decline of the docks , the very thing that defines the city .<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/45319853421/in/photolist-2bYsJWG-2c3L6v8-2c3L6ur-2c3L6xc-2c3L1q8-2bYsEi3-2aE9E76-2aE9Ebe-2bYsEhS/" title="Liverpool weekend"><img alt="Liverpool weekend" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/1908/45319853421_9e515c1a6d_z.jpg" width="425" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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The more I thought about the more the notion that our island is made of so many unique areas in at times a short area . From the Warwickshire I grew up in the look and feel changes as you head to the Cotswolds , Worcestershire or head north into suburban Birmingham. Wherever you go on the Island each area definably different , buildings , speech, food , local transport. Extending this our railway companies and the predecessors added another layer onto this . As you look back at images from Steam Days photographers like Peter Gray and David Fish captured to perfection the South West, Sid Rickard - South Wales, Ivo Peters of course the Somerset and Dorset , WJV Anderson - Scotland , Dick Blenkinsop and Michael Mensing the Midlands . There are of course many more, each one whose style and skill captured a unique locality . It was only in later years that with steam retreating and mobility increasing photographers became more national. Even in BR era regional differences , colour scenes , livery prevailed.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/45271201372/in/photolist-2bYsJWG-2c3L6v8-2c3L6ur-2c3L6xc-2c3L1q8-2bYsEi3-2aE9E76-2aE9Ebe-2bYsEhS/" title="Liverpool weekend"><img alt="Liverpool weekend" height="425" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/1910/45271201372_d5ac26d633_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Last year I went to Liverpool for a couple of long weekends . Now a very different city it does feel something of the uniqueness has gone. the unique dockers umbrella long gone, Trams , even the music scene changed. The docks now redeveloped and restored become part of a more generic heritage . Modern buildings in Liverpool similar to those in other cities. And here is my fear , as our world becomes smaller , businesses more global our towns , our environment more generic , identikit . the charm of the difference disappears . Don't get me wrong there are some very individual parts . Stay at 30 James Street and you will understand . Merseyrail another more identifiable part of our rail network<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/44407619625/in/photolist-2bYsJWG-2c3L6v8-2c3L6ur-2c3L6xc-2c3L1q8-2bYsEi3-2aE9E76-2aE9Ebe-2bYsEhS" title="Liverpool weekend"><img alt="Liverpool weekend" height="425" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/1949/44407619625_f2a1281907_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Preservation has an interesting challenge . Does it seek to recreate a train ride or more . Does it strive to evoke those local areas, the railway companies , motive power and rolling stock, the buildings , signal boxes , signalling , railway paraphernalia etc . Where does each line strive to be a little different, to stand out from the other lines . How does our heritage movement avoid being a generic identikit organisation<br />
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Writing this allows hopefully a more interesting examination of those lines where the visitor can be transported back to a unique time and place<br />
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<br />Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-37239851644586211452019-03-01T22:36:00.000+00:002019-03-01T22:36:16.630+00:00Welcome back 7029 Clun Castle February 2019 saw the welcome return to main line metals of Tyseley flagship 7029 Clun Castle . A main line regular from the return to steam on the main line in the 1970's she worked her last mainline tour in 1988<br />
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After a comprehensive overhaul she was relaunched in steam in October 2017 but has had to wait to stretch her legs once again as Vintage Trains has gone through the process to become a Train operating company in its own right<br />
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And so on February 19th 2019 light engine runs were made to Whitlocks end followed by an engine and coach run to Stratford that evening . Loaded runs took place on Thursday 21st February and Tuesday 26th February on the Shakespeare Express route. Unusually both saw fabulous weather, something enjoyed by myself and many other photographers keen to capture her return<br />
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Each day saw two round trips to Stratford, the first train I couldn't see but with a fine late afternoon 7029 was duly captured at Bearley just on the branch to Claverdon. A still day allowed the sound to carry for some time before she came into view<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/33293902908/in/dateposted-public/" title="7029 Clun Castle at Bearley"><img alt="7029 Clun Castle at Bearley" height="416" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7886/33293902908_8e6dc06802_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Second day of loaded test running and the familiar vantage point of Hatton North Junction was chosen . The day saw temperatures into the 70's evidenced by the lack of exhaust as she worked off the branch<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/46497744154/in/dateposted-public/" title="Clun Castle test run week 2"><img alt="Clun Castle test run week 2" height="425" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7813/46497744154_c0a7c200e8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Second shot of the day was again near Bearley albeit a little further along and not one I had done before .<br />
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looking and sounding superb in the winter sun 7029 is very much back . Her first public tour was an evening run on the 28th February to Worcester . With Vintage Trains now launched as a TOC the coming months sees a number of tours planned , full details of which can be found here <a href="http://www.vintagetrains.co.uk/homepage.aspx">http://www.vintagetrains.co.uk/homepage.aspx</a><br />
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<br />Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-59724943495051230672018-08-11T10:53:00.000+01:002018-08-12T11:27:25.968+01:0070013 Oliver Cromwell - Photo reviewAs National Railway Museum owned 70013 approaches the end of its current boiler certificate and as we celebrate fifty years since the last steam working on British Railways a little photographic look at the engine . For some reason 70013 isn't a locomotive that has been captured that many times , thinking back there is no particular reason apart from other attractions have taken precedence.<br />
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First shot is a winters day at the Great Central Railway and the engine on the mail set<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/6777533847/in/photolist-28qU334-28qU2YX-29JssmC-29Jssk5-273VxuU-29JsswC-273VxxE-273VxBs-MF8cvL-27C5yTa-Ku8HP3-X1zmaN-qH6j3e-qZAV6E-bQTuzX-bjUCFR" title="Winter Mail"><img alt="Winter Mail" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7022/6777533847_bd1b662359_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Second are two shots from Great Britain 5 and the one year I gave chase . Chester Le Street viaduct and picking up a hint of brightness after a passing shower on what I think was a York to Edinburgh leg and later on looking across to Holy Island and an image that has really grown on me over time<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/6970729736/in/album-72157629545245306/" title="Chester Le Street"><img alt="Chester Le Street" height="405" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5120/6970729736_689a8c538e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/7116806361/in/photolist-28qU334-28qU2YX-29JssmC-29Jssk5-273VxuU-29JsswC-273VxxE-273VxBs-MF8cvL-27C5yTa-Ku8HP3-X1zmaN-qH6j3e-qZAV6E-bQTuzX-bjUCFR/" title="Holy Island and 70013"><img alt="Holy Island and 70013" height="337" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7126/7116806361_06412a81dd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Back at the GCR and facing North 70013 is seen at Kinchley lane on the "windcutter" Mineral wagon rake . Almost recreating the Annesley to Woodford Halse runner workings of the steam era<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/16404415132/in/photolist-28qU334-28qU2YX-29JssmC-29Jssk5-273VxuU-29JsswC-273VxxE-273VxBs-MF8cvL-27C5yTa-Ku8HP3-X1zmaN-qH6j3e-qZAV6E-bQTuzX-bjUCFR/" title="Britannia Minerals take 2"><img alt="Britannia Minerals take 2" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/16404415132_0ee5f7429e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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In 2017 after a period of inactivity 70013 returned for a brief main line stint and seen here engine and coach passing Hatton North Junction<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/36106128784/in/photolist-28qU334-28qU2YX-29JssmC-29Jssk5-273VxuU-29JsswC-273VxxE-273VxBs-MF8cvL-27C5yTa-Ku8HP3-X1zmaN-qH6j3e-qZAV6E-bQTuzX-bjUCFR/" title="70013 Oliver Cromwell"><img alt="70013 Oliver Cromwell" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4381/36106128784_28492160e6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Finally and bringing the story up to date 70013 attended the Cotswold Festival of Steam back in May and seen here passing Dixton Cutting . Britannia's were no strangers to the Stratford upon Avon Cheltenham line in the latter days of steam<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/42415118071/in/photolist-28qU334-28qU2YX-29JssmC-29Jssk5-273VxuU-29JsswC-273VxxE-273VxBs-MF8cvL-27C5yTa-Ku8HP3-X1zmaN-qH6j3e-qZAV6E-bQTuzX-bjUCFR/" title="70013 Oliver Cromwell"><img alt="70013 Oliver Cromwell" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/874/42415118071_a005d219d7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Finally GCR last weekend as part of the railways end of steam event and seen here at Quorn and Woodhouse<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/43800001092/in/photolist-28qU334-28qU2YX-29JssmC-29Jssk5-273VxuU-29JsswC-273VxxE-273VxBs-MF8cvL-27C5yTa-Ku8HP3-X1zmaN-qH6j3e-qZAV6E-bQTuzX-bjUCFR" title="GCR Fifty years End of Steam Gala"><img alt="GCR Fifty years End of Steam Gala" height="473" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1794/43800001092_cc2eea45f2_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<br />Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-68687146605774933602018-08-05T15:10:00.002+01:002018-08-05T15:10:50.734+01:00Fifty years onSo here we are in August 2018 and marking fifty years since the end of steam on British Railways . Of course it didn't end , preservation and the many achievements and miracles that have happened keep steam alive on the still growing preserved lines and on the main line<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/42039913420/in/dateposted-public/" title="GCR Fifty years End of Steam Gala"><img alt="GCR Fifty years End of Steam Gala" height="454" src="https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1797/42039913420_889ee9284c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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To mark the occasion the Great Central Railway are hosting a gala over the weekends of the 4th and 5th plus 11th and 12th . Ambitious plans for six engines in steam were affected by fire risk with the long warm summer, so three steam engines , two diesels and the DMU in action still made for an attractive event<br />
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My motivation was to see 70013 Oliver Cromwell which is in the last months of its current boiler certificate but more importantly hauled a leg of the Fifteen Guinea , farewell to steam special on the 11th August 1968 . Supporting cast was newly restored BR Standard Five, 73156 masquerading as 73069 and Standard 2 78018 . Modern traction was represented by Brush type 4 D1705 and Sulzer Type 2 D5185 along with a DMU<br />
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Fire risk meant that steam was restricted to the Loughborough to Rothley section . An interesting timetable with through trains , engine changeovers , DMU workings and a goods train maintained the interest<br />
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Arriving at Quorn we caught a train to Loughborough hauled by 70013 . On a set of Maroon stock and carrying reporting number it could have been an end of steam railtour. We stayed on the train as the engine ran round and took the train to Rothley . Changing engines at Rothley Brook we alighted changing motive power to the DMU shuttle to Leicester North . The single line section more akin to a branch line that the former London extension but view from the comfort of first class behind the driver was one to be enjoyed. When you consider these units which were once the future of rail traction and have themselves become history and play a valuable role in preservation now<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/43812898102/in/dateposted-public/" title="GCR Fifty years End of Steam Gala"><img alt="GCR Fifty years End of Steam Gala" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/937/43812898102_c4c6b5f07f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Back to Quorn and marking the new era, was with D1705 "Sparrowhawk" resplendent in the blue . The afternoon was spent at Quorn , enjoying a warm summers afternoon watching trains go by and the crowds that assembled around the station to see 70013 as it passed showed it still has the celebrity status it enjoyed in 1968. Setting the steam era scene further Quorn yard contained a rake of mineral wagons just as it would have done. Vintage vehicles and traction engines filled the car park as a visitor attraction. The real ale bar hopefully did brisk trade.<br />
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Highlight for me was the last goods with 78018 on the vans . The harsh summer sun softened into rich warm light and the engine's passage from Loughborough was watched from the road bridge at Quorn . It was a scene from the steam era beautifully recreated fifty years on<br />
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My thanks to all involved at the Great Central Railway for a very enjoyable dayMartin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0Great Central Rd, Loughborough LE11 1RW, UK52.7686597 -1.195844599999986727.2466252 -42.504438599999986 78.2906942 40.112749400000013tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-36088945657106365842017-12-29T13:53:00.000+00:002017-12-29T13:53:07.329+00:00Something different So after two days of family and food it was time to brave the cold and venture for a day out . For something different and to appeal to all the family we went to the Black Country Living Museum near Dudley. Sadly the nice covering of snow that blanketed the Lickey Hills didn't quite extend that far west .<br />
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The pleasure to me is wondering around just looking for the little photo opportunities that present themselves . Everything to chance and reactions needed . So what did I learn . I was in the nicest sense a little rusty , my focusing points could have been better chosen and keep an eye on what is behind you<br />
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First image ironically is one of the last when the sun finally came out to play and the Guy bus came past the workers institute<br />
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Secondly inside the Motorcycle shop with friend Dan Edwards who works at BCLM posing for me<br />
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The bakers and I apologise for going sepia but it seemed to work best. Roaring fire in the back room and a veritable selection of cakes for sale .<br />
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These two were in conversation on the street . They asked if I wanted them to pose , my response was simply to ignore me and continue the conversation . I have two regrets though , firstly the bins , secondly the additional figure in the reflection !<br />
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Final image is the Colliery , all snow covered and not in operation<br />
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With an annual ticket, I'll be back in the spring<br />
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<br />Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0Tipton Road, Dudley DY1 4SQ, United Kingdom52.517787 -2.075084999999944626.9957525 -43.383678999999944 78.0398215 39.233509000000055tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-42256955085918326662017-10-21T13:42:00.001+01:002017-10-21T22:29:43.811+01:00Seeking nostalgia part 1Summer holidays this year were spent in Devon . The steam era in the West Country was beautifully captured and it sets a nostalgia for long summer days, picture postcard branch lines , holiday expresses running along by the sea and of course motive power from the Great Western Railway.<br />
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For the railway enthusiast in 2017 what can still be found to recapture that golden era? . The first part of this blog visits the Paignton and Dartmouth railway. This line in its setting is the microcosm of the Great Western Railway holiday line in Devon from the beach side running at Goodrington to the descent into Kingswear alongside the River Dart . The preserved line which commenced running in 1973 is probably the most successful of all carrying hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers. To call it commercial feels unkind but that it was the line is very good at . To that end the heritage elements are missing so there is no Semaphore signalling , the station at Paignton is modern and caters to the tourist with big gift shop and cafe and the former bay platform at Churston that was once occupied by the Brixham auto train is now a paint shop with the other side the railways workhops . Kingswear station still retains its train shed and canopy but the signal box at the platform end is long gone and the former carriage sidings and turntable a car park . In a further nod to the tourist market the loco's are all named as are the carriages , which are in Chocolate and cream<br />
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You may feel that my hunt for the nostalgia I was hoping to find was fruitless but this wasn't totally the case . Sit back in the first carriage with newly overhauled BR Standard 4 75014 at the front with seven fully loaded coaches behind it and the soundtrack from Goodrington to Churston and Kingswear to Churston is a joy to listen too.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/36377812172/in/dateposted-public/" title="Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway - August 2017"><img alt="Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway - August 2017" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4363/36377812172_6b7ff3fd0a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Running alongside the Dart as the engine leaves Kingswear and the mind can drift to being on the Torbay Express or a returning summer holiday special to the midlands<br />
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at Kingswear you can change to steam of the marine variety and a River Dart Cruise on the Kingswear castle which is an equal pleasure and I'll try and write a separate blog post on it .<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/35711244924/in/dateposted-public/" title="Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway - August 2017"><img alt="Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway - August 2017" height="340" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4439/35711244924_e3ba227639_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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And despite my earlier observations Churston still retains a GWR station building and footbridge<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/36546213375/in/dateposted-public/" title="Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway - August 2017"><img alt="Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway - August 2017" height="316" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/36546213375_01c2a48b9a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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Paignton and Dartmouth is a line that is very good at what it does. What it loses in heritage it makes up in doing what it does very well and just to sit back and listen to the soundtrack of an engine working hard is worth the visit alone .<br />
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Part two will look at the South Devon Railway<br />
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<br />Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-32974110467113162382017-09-16T22:52:00.000+01:002017-09-16T22:52:16.450+01:00Cathedrals Express to Stratford22nd April 2017 was one of those rare days where a steam excursion to Stratford and good weather combined . Rebuilt Bulleid West Country 34046 Braunton is running as 34052 Lord Dowding and was at the head of a Steam Dreams "Cathedrals Express" tour<br />
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For the outward run I went to Wilmcote , the light being just right and the station retaining lots of GWR charm with both platform buildings and footbridge well looked after. The risk as I discovered a few years earlier when 61306 paid a visit is that the local service can rather spoil the image ! No such misfortune occured this time and running to time 34052 looked superb as it came through.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/34202786505/in/dateposted-public/" title="34052 Lord Dowding Cathedrals Express to Stratford"><img alt="34052 Lord Dowding Cathedrals Express to Stratford" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4171/34202786505_aae3e17304_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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34052 then proceeded to Tyseley via the North Warwicks line to service so I ventured to Blunts Green<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/34202786045/in/dateposted-public/" title="34052 Lord Dowding Cathedrals Express to Stratford"><img alt="34052 Lord Dowding Cathedrals Express to Stratford" height="425" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2854/34202786045_69fa50f7cf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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The return run I went to just the other side of Bearley Junction on the now single track line to Hatton . With the sun getting low the light was perfect as 34052 accelerated away from Bearley<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/34045520362/in/dateposted-public/" title="34052 Lord Dowding Cathedrals Express to Stratford"><img alt="34052 Lord Dowding Cathedrals Express to Stratford" height="425" src="https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2927/34045520362_338598745e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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The original 34052 was withdrawn from traffic at the end of steam on British Railways Southern Region on the 9th July 1967 being scrapped at Cashmores Newport. 34046 was withdrawn earlier in October 1965 going to Woodham Bros at Barry from where she was rescued in 1988 becoming one of the last engines to leave the yard. She is now part of the Icons of Steam fleetMartin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-75588876733426202152017-08-28T21:12:00.000+01:002017-09-16T22:02:11.416+01:00Northampton & Lamport RailwayI am appallingly behind with my blog writing firstly due to work and family commitments and secondly due to writing the 30742 Charters blog . I will attempt to play a little catch up in the coming weeks<br />
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There are many lines which despite my increasing age I have yet to visit and so for one that omission was rectified on August Bank Holiday weekend when I visited the Northampton and Lamport Railway at Pitsford and Brampton . The reason for my visit was the visit of Severn Valley Railway based GWR Auto Tank 1450 for the lines annual gala . The line originally connected Northampton and Market Harborough being part of the LNWR then LMS before closing finally in 1981 . Northampton county council purchased the line converting it into a linear country park and cycle way. The scheme to reopen the line commenced at the same time and to date track has been laid from Boughton Crossing at the Northampton end roughly a mile and a half northwards through Pitsford and Brampton station which is the railways head quarters. passenger services starting again in 1995 .<br />
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Sadly the original station building at Pitsford which itself closed in 1950 has been demolished although there is a wish to rebuild it. There is a nice image on Flickr of how it used to look https://flic.kr/p/cQ6Kuy. What does stand out on the line is the railways signalling with two rebuilt and restored signal boxes and signals plus a timetable for the gala which made full use of them . With thanks to the signalman I spent some time watching the sequence as the trains ran. The box itself was recovered from Little Bowden . Our conversation edged closer to home in my case as his father had been signalman at Hatton North junction, somewhere I was not twenty four hours earlier<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/36479698390/in/dateposted-public/" title="Northampton and Lamport Railway"><img alt="Northampton and Lamport Railway" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4400/36479698390_ea66d6c80b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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1450 and 47205 took turns on both passenger and short freight trains and I walked down the footpath to Pitsford sidings to see 1450 arrive with its wagons before a shunt release allowed it to pick up the ballast wagons. Whilst the visit of 1450 probably marked the first appearance of the class in the county, the railway is home to both 5967 Bickmarsh Hall and Collett 38xx 3862 , both under restoration from Barry Scrapyard condition<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/36041916874/in/dateposted-public/" title="Northampton and Lamport Railway"><img alt="Northampton and Lamport Railway" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4358/36041916874_d25dcf0b92_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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The little headshunt and two sidings as well as the ex Wolverton works signal box perfectly recalls the many little sidings that once existed . The 20 minutes of activity from arrival to departure as well as the passage of the passenger train a wonderful bit of railway theatre. Just beyond Pitsford sidings is the limit of operations although track is laid all the way to Boughton crossing and a third signal box rebuilt along with a new station<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/36479696980/in/dateposted-public/" title="Northampton and Lamport Railway"><img alt="Northampton and Lamport Railway" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4355/36479696980_bd66cdd942_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/36041915764/in/dateposted-public/" title="Northampton and Lamport Railway"><img alt="Northampton and Lamport Railway" height="425" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4419/36041915764_e5a6e2e403_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/36041916104/in/dateposted-public/" title="Northampton and Lamport Railway"><img alt="Northampton and Lamport Railway" height="414" src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4411/36041916104_c8c5b9116f_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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As you can see as well the day was actually a proper summers day with glorious sunshine and temperatures to match.<br />
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My thanks to the railway for a warm welcome and the time spent in Pitsford Signal Box<br />
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<br />Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0Pitsford Rd, Chapel Brampton, Northampton NN6 8BA, UK52.2931262 -0.92362400000001852.2543062 -1.004305000000018 52.331946200000004 -0.842943000000018tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-75751170250166145302017-04-03T07:09:00.001+01:002017-04-03T07:09:29.002+01:00A Drummond in LeicestershireWhilst the enthusiast world heads for the sunny south and another LSWR 4-4-0 takes the headlines following its gifting to the Swanage Railway I used a free afternoon to visit rural Leicestershire to travel behind another LSWR 4-4-0 in the shape of T9 30120 which is currently on hire to the Battlefield Line at Shackerstone.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/33622040632/in/dateposted-public/" title="30120 at the Battlefield Line"><img alt="30120 at the Battlefield Line" height="473" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2873/33622040632_5a3e83ac9a_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>The T9's date from 1899 , designed by Dugald Drummond and built by Nine Elms works of the LSWR and Dubs Locomotive Works of Glasgow. 30120 which dates from the first batch and built at Nine Elms was the last of the class to be Withdrawn in 1963. The last survivors working the former LSWR lines in North Cornwall known affectionately as the Withered Arm. The loco has enjoyed a working career in preservaton, firstly at the Mid Hants ans Then Swanage Railway and then a second overhaul, returning to steam in 2010 and based near to its former stamping ground on the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.<br />
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The East Midlands has a rich variety of railways but the Battlefield line feels a little forgotten, maybe overshadowed by its near neighbour. That though adds to its charm in my eyes and having navigated some rural byways the access road to Shackerstone station is down the trackbed of the former line from Moira. The line was originally Midland and London and North Western Railway Joint lines with Shackerstone the Junction of the line from Ashby and Moira with the line from Coalville. The line then continues south to Nuneaton. The first trains ran in 1873. Passenger services ceased on the line to Coalville in 1931, the line being retained for freight and excursions until closure in 1964. The section from Ashby to Nuneaton seeing its last passenger trains in 1965. Preservation came in 1969, firstly at Market Bosworth and then moving activity to Shackerstone in 1970 with the line reopened to Shenton in 1992<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/33778671775/in/dateposted-public/" title="30120 at the Battlefield Line"><img alt="30120 at the Battlefield Line" height="425" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2827/33778671775_cf39baee7d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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My plan was simple , I was keen to have a trip behind 30120 so a round trip on the 3pm and then photograph the 4:15 before returning home, brownie points hopefully largely intact. It did mean I gambled on whether the sun shone at any point on the outward leg , as always I had an image in mind. With four coaches in the running set consisting of a Maroon Mk1 Full brake , Chococlate and Cream Mark 1 Corridor First, Griddle Car and Maroon TSO 30120 was soon into her stride as she ran along towards the intermediate station at Market Bosworth. The original station building still stands in private ownership now used as a garage, whilst the former waiting room from Chester Road on Birmingham's Cross City line stands on the Battlefield Line Platform and at the Shenton End the original LNWR Signal Box is being restored with many signals already erected and waiting to be brought back into use. Over the winter a new point has been added which should become the start of a new passing loop which will increase operational flexibility.<br />
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All too soon we had arrived at Shenton where the train stood in a welcome patch of sunshine with the former station building from Leicester Humberstone Road and re erected at Shenton as the backdrop. Three quarters of the station is occupied by a local glass artist with a small ticket office and cafe the other quarter.<br />
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Back at Shackerstone I kept one eye on a largely cloud filled sky as 30120 ran round , and unusually for most railway photographers , the sun appeared at the opportune moment remaining out whilst the engine set back onto its stock and then departed. Needless to say I was rather happy with the images that followed although it did involve me running around endeavouring to capture as many angles as possible. Please don't laugh too much as you read this but the T9 does need a close eye as you hit the shutter to keep the rods down as when they are at the top they disappear into the splasher
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A welcome cup of tea followed in the very pleasant refreshment room at Shackerstone before heading home. If this post has whet your appetite to sample some miles behind 30120 , she is in operation at Shackerstone for the next two weekends (check website for details https://www.battlefieldline.co.uk/ )Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-15898465991988444692017-03-26T22:38:00.001+01:002017-03-26T22:38:59.172+01:00A March CastleThere wasn't a particular plan to capture 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe three times during the month of March, each time . Each trip out unusually the product of circumstance<br />
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March 4th saw 5043 out on an evening and slightly belated Valentines Day trip round to Leicester. I opted for Small Heath on the grounds that closest to home and also that with relatively slow speed having just departed Tyseley gave me a sporting chance of stopping the engine . A slight delay with service trains and soon the sound of a Castle was heard. With light low and the ISO ramped up a "noisy" image resulted but one that captured the moment<br />
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Roll forward a week and I had to go to Tewkesbury . task duly performed I had about ten minutes in hand to find a location south of Ashchurch. 5043 was on a tour to Cardiff returning via the Welsh Marches line. Soft lighting and a hazy day and having found a gap in the hedge and clear embankment it was a short wait until the distant sound of a castle at speed was heard<br />
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Final trip for March at least and with the promise of a good forecast I headed to Droitwich with the thought of the Semaphore signals. The tour took 5043 on a circular route taking in the Welsh Marches. It is some years (way too many) since I visited Droitwich. After a short water stop in the goods loop 5043 was on her way , cautiously passing the former GWR signal box and then opening up through the station where a large crowd of locals had turned out to see her passing<br />
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Whilst the planning may not have identified so many opportunities the resulting images and the cumulative story they tell was rather a nice way to reflect on the month<br />
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Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-91723330432742535862017-01-23T18:53:00.000+00:002017-01-23T18:53:04.252+00:00Severn Valley Santa Specials What would I like for Christmas is the late autumn question . The one thing I always hope for is a nice sunny day for the Santa Specials and nearly always a trip over to the Severn Valley Railway where with a 30 minute interval service and five locos in steam it really is too good to miss<br />
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The weather gods kindly granted my wish with a cold clear December 4th . With eight and nine coach sets larger engines are needed so Manors 7802 Bradley Manor and 7812 Erlestoke Manor, Bulleid Pacifics 34027 Taw Valley and 34053 Sir Keith Park , along with Ivatt 4mt 43106<br />
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The Santa's run between Kidderminster and Arley with trains crossing at Bewdley so the two pairs passed at Bewdley with both chimney first as one faces north and one south. It wasn't a scene I captured though preferring the countryside and away from the Christmas decorations. The days photography started at falling sands viaduct with 7812 Erlestoke Manor . The canal was frozen adding to the scene as 7812 drifted over, its safety valves feathering . A short drive from there took me up to Burlish Top looking down towards Bewdley as the line climbs up towards Bewdley Tunnel where 43106 was captured heading for Kidderminster<br />
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Even with only part of the line in use there are still a nice selection of publicly accessible locations and I even ventured up to Church View overlooking Bewdley North viaduct to see 7812 departing. Northwood lane is always a favourite with the foot crossing close to the end of North Viaduct an ideal vantage point as is The finale was the silhouette at Sandy lane, first with 34027 Taw Valley which was paired appropriately with the Carmine and Cream set which looked superb in the low winter sunshine and then a quick move to the opposite side with 7802 in Silhouette<br />
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And so ended a very enjoyable day in weather conditions that you hope for . good to bump into so many friends as well<br />
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As always if you enjoy the blogMartin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-56748053567772363712017-01-21T16:55:00.000+00:002017-01-21T20:14:04.770+00:00Holly Bank Farewell<br />
With the sun shining the week before Christmas I took the opportunity to pop up to Chasewater to see Holly Bank No.3 in action of the santa specials . The reason apart from the sun shinng was that she only had a few days remaining on her current boiler ticket, By way of an introduction what we know as Holly Bank was built by Hunslet in 1953, works number 3783 and was delivered to Darfield Main Colliery near Barnsley where it became Darfield No.1. Dieselisation at the colliery came in 1970 but the loco was retained until 1974 when the NCB offered them for sale<br />
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Acquired for preservation she went to Embsay where she was returned to steam and then in 1988 she moved to Llangollen. After attention she returned to Steam in 1990 working to 1995 before withdrawn for Boiler repairs. Returning to Steam again in 2006 she moved to Chasewater in 2011 initially on hire and then acquired by the Chasewater Railway Company. In 2012 she was repainted from black into Blue and took on the identity of the long since scrapped Holly Bank No.3. The original Holly Bank was built to the same design by Hunslet in 1924 w/n 1451 working at Hilton Main and Holly Bank Colliery's before moving to Littleton Colliery in 1962 . An image of the original engine can be found on the <a href="https://chasewaterstuff.wordpress.com/ncb-west-midlands-division-area-2-locomotives/hilton-main-holly-bank-locomotives/" target="_blank">Chasewater Stuff blog</a>.<br />
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Anyway back to my visit , stopping off at Chasewater Heaths to see what was going on Holly Bank rolled into the station and a cherry greeting saw me joining the train for an unplanned trip to Brownhills West. Opting to miss the next train to capture the departure the sun stayed out and the first image was happily captured. A peruse of the shop added two books to the collection and a look round the museum found a packed Santa's grotto with lots of very happy customers. The large shed at Brownhills is ideal creating an indoor warm , dry and welcoming space to both display the railways collection and host Santa<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/32192713265/in/dateposted-public/" title="Holly Bank"><img alt="Holly Bank" height="640" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/263/32192713265_118b0b4d70_z.jpg" width="425" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/32044382302/in/dateposted-public/" title="Holly Bank"><img alt="Holly Bank" height="425" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/741/32044382302_389c2935e0_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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A few footplate scenes were also captured and thanks to Luke the fireman. An economic and powerful engine you could see why the design was produced over such a long period of time. Returning back to Chasewater Heaths it was nice to listen to the exhaust beat as Mitchell opened her up with another train of families enjoying a round trip before seeing Santa. Reflecting a little we take our former industrial locomotives a little for granted when you consider the sentiment expressed as GWR Prairie 4566 bowed out of traffic a few weeks earlier. As in their working lives engines like Hollybank become unsung yet perform a vital role for many of Britain's smaller lines.<br />
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With the loco going out of traffic a few days later I reflected on scenes previously captured with the engine seen below on the MGR hoppers back in September 2015, a scene that could easily have been Littleton.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/21157258866/in/photolist-xk2vPZ-xZptR4-yeAss3-xk2vSp-ygV46n-xk2wXF-yeAtvA-ygV5fB-xZhN2C-xZiS6W-xk2vY6-yhBb8z-ygV5ox-xk2xae-xZhNgf-xZptJk-yhBbgv-xk2xgM-ygV5Ez-xZhNu1-yeAtXh-yg1ddU-ydE3Jf-yffuaR-xhFcWB-xX463a-ycf5DL-xX46ae-xhxbru-ycf5Z5-xhFcKp-xhxbv7-xhxbyU-ydE4hE-ycf5Gb-xhxbDy-yeyAdg-yffuCe-xhFcQp-xWXrzU-yffuK8-xX46AK-ydE4Cu-ycf6rN-xWXrLW-yffuWk-xWXr1s-yeyAbn-xX46tR-ydE4kW" title="Chasewater Railway evening shoot"><img alt="Chasewater Railway evening shoot" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/588/21157258866_f4d29e8627_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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and shortly after arrival at Chasewater on ballast wagons again leaving Brownhills West<br />
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And finally on warm evening at the entrance to Brownhills West looking at home shunting minerals wagons as she did for her working life<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/21130645246/in/photolist-xk2vPZ-xZptR4-yeAss3-xk2vSp-ygV46n-xk2wXF-yeAtvA-ygV5fB-xZhN2C-xZiS6W-xk2vY6-yhBb8z-ygV5ox-xk2xae-xZhNgf-xZptJk-yhBbgv-xk2xgM-ygV5Ez-xZhNu1-yeAtXh-yg1ddU-ydE3Jf-yffuaR-xhFcWB-xX463a-ycf5DL-xX46ae-xhxbru-ycf5Z5-xhFcKp-xhxbv7-xhxbyU-ydE4hE-ycf5Gb-xhxbDy-yeyAdg-yffuCe-xhFcQp-xWXrzU-yffuK8-xX46AK-ydE4Cu-ycf6rN-xWXrLW-yffuWk-xWXr1s-yeyAbn-xX46tR-ydE4kW" title="30742 Charters - Austerity 66 on the MGR's"><img alt="30742 Charters - Austerity 66 on the MGR's" height="480" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/572/21130645246_62ae361b7e_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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The loco worked its last trains before overhaul on Christmas Eve. Hopefully it won't be too long before this Staffordshire Blue will be back in traffic again<br />
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As always if you like the blog please feel free to subscribe. My Flickr Gallery can be found here <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/">https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/</a> and I am on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MartinCreesePhotography/?fref=ts" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/MartinCreesePhotography/?fref=ts</a> . Finally if the blog post has whet the appetite to visit Chasewater their website is <a href="http://www.chasewaterrailway.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.chasewaterrailway.co.uk/</a><br />
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<br />Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-51202417047448922912017-01-03T20:31:00.000+00:002017-01-03T20:31:05.378+00:00Shakespeare Express 2016 SeasonIn our house the start and finish of summer tends to be marked by the running of the Shakespeare Express, our little piece of main line steam right on the doorstep. Our Sunday routine is to try and see it as many times as possible as well as travelling on it one weekend. It is also something we run the risk of taking for granted . I used to look enviously at Bristol and York and the S&C in summers past as Weymouth's , Kingswear's, Waverley's, Dalesmans, SSE's all often with appropriate motive power brought regular and sometimes almost daily steam running but times change so this year more than ever I set out to try different locations and record the season<br />
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The task was made more interesting as engineering work at Dorridge in conjunction with laying the goods loop saw three weeks running up the North Warwickshire line rather than the normal route. The season started on July 17th and the first week I have to confess started badly as despite arriving at Wood End ten minutes before the scheduled time 4965 Rood Ashton Hall was running 11 minutes early so all we saw was the lingering smoke billowing out of the tunnel mouth. Lesson learned so for the second train I was at Danzey in good time . I chose the station as it is a location I haven't done before and it still retains some steam era charm with spear top fencing and unusually for the line a Concrete footbridge
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Week 2 again saw 4965 in charge and the route back to normal via Solihull so with the day set cloudy I went over to Lapworth station . This used to be the end of four traffic running all the way to Snow Hill but the passage of time has seen vegetation hide the former suburban platforms and remaining section of the original footbridge. 4965 was audible for some time before passing<br />
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Week 3 was back on the North Warwicks and with an overcast day I stayed local going to Shirley to capture the classic scene through the GWR station buildings. This was a scene I tried some years ago and fluffed with the loco blurring slightly so I was pleased to capture this. The footbridge is missing from the view being replaced by a new bridge behind and the road bridge due for replacement in October.<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/28678119275/in/album-72157668836463833/" title="Shirley Shakespeare"><img alt="Shirley Shakespeare" height="491" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8892/28678119275_b9b6c86064_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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That days return saw a trip to Umberslade to capture 4965 as she neared Wood End.<br />
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Week four brought the first appearance of 5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe. It was also my first trip behind a Castle on the North Warwicks since 1990(ish) . An impulse decision to travel saw me acquire the last 5 tickets for the lunchtime train from Stratford which at £15 adult return has to be the best main line steam ticket in the land. The trip didn't disappoint with the long climb firstly to Wilmcote and then from Bearley up to Earlswood having a delicious castle soundtrack . The route also feels more scenic and less green corridor than the mainline<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/28755718311/in/album-72157668836463833/" title="5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe"><img alt="5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" height="640" src="https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8693/28755718311_df6c102c3a_z.jpg" width="425" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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The afternoon run was captured at Blunts Green just north of Henley in Arden as the afternoon sun softened . The banks awash with rosebay willowherb added a dash of colour<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/28727131562/in/album-72157668836463833/" nbsp="" title="5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe"><img alt="5043 Earl of Mount Edgcumbe" height="425" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7311/28727131562_2ffde40202_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Week 5 didn't run due to engineering works , Weeks 6 and 7 returned to the route via Solihull and were hauled by 4965 and 5043 respectively although holiday meant that I was away so sadly no images for your enjoyment and then the final weekend with 4965 Rood Ashton Hall in charge<br />
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The final weekend saw 4965 doing the honour and bringing down the curtain on another season. our weekends fall silent and summer feels like it has passed . I'm looking forward already to the 2017 season and hopefully the return of 7029 . I also hope that we see northbound's on the North Warwicks again for a weekend or two<br />
<br />Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-57251544395297626762016-09-17T17:35:00.000+01:002016-09-17T17:35:38.414+01:00Talyllyn Despite impressions to the contrary , I don’t always spend my weekends with trains. As National Trust members we visit a number of their properties in the year. Most properties have a selection of second hand books which I can never resist a peruse of looking , ok I confess for railway books. It was on such a visit earlier this year that I acquired LTC Rolt’s “Railway Adventure. Railway literature is all too often historical and factual but this is an excellent piece of story telling covering the history and preservation of the Talyllyn railway.<br />
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Fast forward to late August and on a warm morning I was standing in the peace and quiet of Rhydyronen station awaiting the first train of the day . Little changed from the pictures in the book in my hand it was my first visit to the Talyllyn railway for probably well over ten years . A distant whistle and the sound of a hard working engine climbing Cynfal bank heralded the trains approach. What I didn’t expect was a very cheery “Hello Martin” from the footplate. A quick acknowledgment and we boarded the train in an open carriage . The joy of no windows of course is being able to lean out a little and watch the journey unfold as the line progresses up the valley .<br />
At Nant Gwernol I went up to the footplate to see my friend who acknowledged me earlier and discuss our mutual surprise at seeing each other. The gentleman in question is also the owner of Bala Lake Railway Diana so it was nice to catch up after Threlkeld . What followed in the conversation was the second surprise of the day with an invite to enjoy a footplate trip later in the week . Thursday morning saw me at Wharf station and having signed my life away on the footplate pass joined the crew on the footplate of No.4 Edward Thomas which was carrying it "Peter Sam" identity. Family settled happily in the saloon behind we were away climbing through the cutting between Wharf and Pendre. Tokens exchanged and having stopped briefly to pick up a passenger we were soon away again . I was warned about the heat on the footplate and although the day wasn’t hot, sat in the middle of the footplate the heat from the firebox was very noticeable even with the firehole doors closed. The loco as it worked also had a gentle fore and aft motion with each stroke of the cylinders gentle accentuate by each rail joint . The talyllyn still retains much of its charm as so beautifully described in “Railway Adventure” with its stations and halts little changed with the passage of time . Onward we went over the crossing at Brynglas dropping off the days signalman, then climbing up to Dolgoch and over the viaduct before stopping at the station where many alighted. Water taken we were soon away past quarry siding , Abergynolwyn and finally journeys end at Nant Gwernol .<br />
The return run was a little cooler with the portlole in the cab back giving a gentle breeze on to the legs . A stop for refreshments afforded a welcome drink and then the journey back to Wharf crossing Tom Rolt at Quarry on the second sevice train and Dolgoch at Brynglas. At each moving waving amongst passengers and staff took place . All too soon my journey was over and rather magical it was . It took a little while for my land legs to return and the afternoon was spent on the beach building sandcastles . My thanks to all involved at the Talyllyn<br />
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Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-59666135110661274062016-05-29T22:33:00.000+01:002016-06-04T22:57:47.923+01:00 Built in Swindon at the GWSR<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/27301993506/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="GWSR Gala 2016"><img alt="GWSR Gala 2016" height="531" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7208/27301993506_fa100b3cae_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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The GWSR held its annual steam gala over the late May Bank holiday weekend . Following on from last years “Back in Black” theme, this year adopted “Built in Swindon” with the majority of the loco’s having a Swindon Birthplace . The home fleet of 7820 Dinmore Manor, GWR 28XX 2807, GWR 42XX 4270 and 7903 Foremarke Hall were joined by visitors 7812 Erlestoke Manor from the Severn Valley Railway, and Ivatt 46521 now resplendent in BR lined green, and 9F 92214 from the Great Central Railway also carrying BR Green. The final engine and what was probably considered the star attraction was newly restored Merchant Navy 35006 Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company, after an almost thirty year restoration and also over fifty years since withdrawal from British Railways service in 1964. It should also be added that 7903 Foremarke Hall had also returned to traffic after overhaul just before the gala, running in the week before and in classic BR(W) tandem with 7812. The visit of 7812 and joining 7820 also brought together two of the stars of Manor 50 from last year with 7812 still proudly carrying its Aberystwyth embellishments and its late BR lined green complimenting 7820’s early unlined BR Black. For me the two sat side by side in Toddington Station on the Sunday afternoon just looked right.<br />
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The other observation is that all the loco's running at the event had been together in the same place before , all being ex Barry Scrapyard and their restoration a tribute to the achievements of the preservation movement as a whole. 46521 was the 12th departure in 1971 with 4270 the 167th in July 1985<br />
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An intensive service with three passenger sets together with a goods train ran the length of the line including top and tail to Laverton. Other attractions included the North Gloucestershire Narrow gauge railway which in a nice touch was free for ticket holders, brake van rides , visits to the carriage and wagon works at Winchcombe and drive a loco opportunities. The privately owned Gotherington station was also open for the duration for people to explore the gardens and collection of railwayana. The Saturday evening also saw a fourteen coach special top and tailed with 92214 and 35006 . I can very much recommend the video by Marsh steam videos and found here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3OJDrB0Koo as 35006 hauls the train back to Toddington.<br />
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With the exception of 35006 all the locomotive were familiar on the lines through the Cotswolds so the event brought back memories of the line in its heyday and having had the pleasure of a trip behind Foremarke Hall from Laverton down to Cheltenham listening from the first carriage as we headed south you were hoping to head for Bristol and the holiday destinations of the south west.<br />
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The railway should also be complimented for a very reasonable children's ticket price of £7 which for a family certainly makes events like these more affordable and it was noticeable how many family groups were out . I traveled on the Sunday and the trains were comfortably full but with a good atmosphere on board. The event was also fortunate with dry , sunny and warm days .<br />
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Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0Winchcombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL54, UK51.957204999999988 -1.969203999999990651.878908499999987 -2.1305654999999906 52.035501499999988 -1.8078424999999907tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-47164645888348601712016-05-15T18:09:00.000+01:002016-06-04T18:09:56.819+01:00 Tracks to the Trenches<br />
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The Moseley Railway Trust held its second “Tracks to the
Trenches” event over the weekend of the 13<sup>th</sup> to 15<sup>th</sup> May.
This unique event commemorates the use of narrow gauge railways in the first
world war . Moseley railway trust have established the Apedale Valley Light
Railway which currently runs for ½ mile in Apedale Country Park, established on
the site of the former Apedale Colliery. For the event the adjacent field is
transformed into all things world war 1 . The field railway carries supplies to
a small section of recreated trench which for the duration is occupied by
reenactors representing various regiments that fought including the Manchester
regiment , 18<sup>th</sup> Batttalion Durham Light infantry and the Croix De Guerre amongst others . Wagon
loads are moved by a myriad of very light internal combustion engines be it
shells and munitions or a barrel of water or even an injured soldier. The
volunteers allow young and old the chance to fire into no-man’s land , to look
over the top and to hear the stories of life in the trenches. In other parts of
the field encampments are set up with Field Kitchen courtesy of the 29<sup>th</sup>
field kitchen who were preparing lunch on large wood fired stoves , hospitals ,
stable and horses with cavalry displays from the 16<sup>th</sup> Lancers
Display Troop . At one point an early internal combustion engine sits in a
shell hole surrounded by barbed wire . This year I enjoyed meeting a group representing the Russian Army who
gave us a really interesting description of the standard they carried. <o:p></o:p><br />
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Also on display were military vehicles, Horse drawn wagons,
and even field guns . An extensive selection of model railways of the
battlefields occupied one of the carriage sheds and a selection of trade stands
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It would be remiss of me to not to devote a few lines to the
railway side of the event . The home fleet of Kerr Stuart “Tattoo” aka Stanhope
, Hudswell Clarke 1238 of 1916 and Joffre KS3014 of 1917 were joined by a
second Joffre KS2405 of 1915 from the West Lancashire Light Railway and Baldwin
778 from Leighton Buzzard fresh from its overhaul. Internal combustion engines
of the period had come in from Welsh Highland Heritage Railway as well as
Ffestiniog and not to mention Statfold Barn who also kindly supplied their
Hudswell Clarke 1643 of 1918. Space and time precludes a full listing of the gala
attendees and these can be found on the webpage <a href="http://www.ww1-event.org/">http://www.ww1-event.org/</a> .<br />
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Whilst a corner of Staffordshire will never be the Somme or
any of the battlefields in that war , the opportunity to see a little piece of
history brought to life was well worth the visit. The railway runs most weekends and details can be found on the railways website <a href="http://www.avlr.org.uk/">http://www.avlr.org.uk/</a>
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Full gallery together with those from the 2014 event can be found here https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/albums/72157647155565100</div>
Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-18626283271537184532016-04-24T18:24:00.000+01:002016-06-04T18:25:42.323+01:00Statfold Barn<br />
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Over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th April Statfold Barn hosted its first family weekend . The private line near Tamworth hosts a limited number of opening weekends through the year but so far had restricted invitations to those over fourteen years old. This event saw not all the museum buildings open but with five loco’s in steam and over 80 traction engines , both full size and miniature the event promised something for everyone , young and old . The loco’s teamed for the event were newly restored Hudswell Clarke “Alpha” (W/n 1172 of 1922), Hudswell Clarke 972 of 1912 “Fiji” together with its former Colonial Sugar Refining Co and Lautoka Mill , Fiji stablemate No.19 (Hudswell Clarke 1056/1914) plus Bagnall 4-4-0 “Isibutu which spent its working life in Natal and finally Hunslet 0-4-2t Howard. No.19 spent its time giving footplate rides to excited children and I suspect quietly excited adults . The other loco’s working turn and turn about on two sets of stock gave everyone a chance to travel on the line around the fields and with balcony ends on the coaches visitors got a ring side view of the driver and firemen at work, not to mention a head and face full of smoke steam and smuts. The circuit was originally dual gauge with both two foot and two foot six inches however much of the larger gauge has now been removed .<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/26019383653/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Statfold Barn Family Day"><img alt="Statfold Barn Family Day" height="531" src="https://c6.staticflickr.com/2/1649/26019383653_1809c8dec1_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script><br />
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Of the open sheds one held the collections fleet of former Penrhyn Railways engines in Marchlyn, Ogwen, Sybil Mary and GP39 along with the stand for the Penrhyn Quarry Railway Society . The workshops hosted and selection of displays of model engineering. The miniature traction engines whilst impressive model engineering were dwarfed by their full scale cousins . Towing trailers around with the owners and in once case a neckerchief attired dog which sat there as if it were an everyday mode of transport they made for made for a continuous stream of activity<br />
All profits from the weekend were as always with events at Statfold barn going to be donated to local charity<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/26019384513/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Statfold Barn Family Day"><img alt="Statfold Barn Family Day" height="531" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1608/26019384513_379ec8bc84_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0Staffordshire, UK52.658580781056891 -1.641593523437450152.581507781056892 -1.80295502343745 52.735653781056889 -1.4802320234374502tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-87264259837038845742016-04-10T18:17:00.000+01:002016-06-04T18:21:47.262+01:00Along Cambrian Lines <div class="body undoreset" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1465053471835_5660" style="-webkit-padding-start: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; display: table; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; padding-left: 0px; padding-top: 12px; width: 1002px;" tabindex="0">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif;">It is worth opening with what may read as a bold statement . As a rule I tend to avoid gala’s both for travel and increasingly photography . The reason is simply how popular they can be both on the trains and on the lineside. One gala in recent years ,and I will indulge the reader in allowing a guess as to the line, a peek over a bridge offered a column of orange on both sides of the track . After an enjoyable day last September at the “Along Branch Lines” gala at Llangollen , the temptation of this Springs “Along Cambrian Lines” gala was just too much . The billing of visiting small prairie 4566 from the Severn Valley Railway and resplendent in British Railways black joining 7820 Dinmore Manor from the Gloucestershire & Warwickshire Railway and again in BR unlined black joining the home fleet of BR standard tank 80072, 64XX 6430 and newly returned to steam 7822 Foxcote Manor also in unlined black giving two matching manors for the first time since the 1950’s. The line up of course is classic 1950’s and 1960’s Cambrian motive power. Add in a rolling stock roster of BR Mark 1’s and Suburban’s and you had the makings of a very authentic evocation of Cambrian steam . Of course it would be remiss of me to fail to observe that in the Ruabon to Barmouth line whilst built in independent stages from 1862 became part of the Great Western Railway in 1896 finally closing in 1968.</span><br /><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/26261646802/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" style="font-family: helveticaneue, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif;" title="Llangollen Railway - Along Cambrian Lines gala weekend"><img alt="Llangollen Railway - Along Cambrian Lines gala weekend" height="531" src="https://c3.staticflickr.com/2/1497/26261646802_778e01b71b_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/25749172984/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" style="font-family: helveticaneue, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif;" title="Llangollen Railway - Along Cambrian Lines gala weekend"><img alt="Llangollen Railway - Along Cambrian Lines gala weekend" height="528" src="https://c1.staticflickr.com/2/1499/25749172984_794d647d13_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif;">Two youngsters with me meant that travelling as opposed to linesiding which of course terrifies the photographer in me with that always nagging fear of the shot that may have got away. Having got lucky and secured the only available parking space in the town car park we made our way over the bridge. Recent rains had put the Dee in full spate, but that only added to the scene as we looked onto Llangollen Station . As a digression this view has to be one of the best of any station in preservation all aided by the scene largely unchanged since steam days.</span><br /><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/25749172734/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" style="font-family: helveticaneue, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif;" title="Llangollen Railway - Along Cambrian Lines gala weekend"><img alt="Llangollen Railway - Along Cambrian Lines gala weekend" height="531" src="https://c7.staticflickr.com/2/1496/25749172734_f2d3e37af5_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif;">It is a credit to those involved at Llangollen that the restored line is full of GWR and BR(W) character, not just the loco’s and rolling stock but the railway infrastructure with lower quadrant semaphore signals , GWR signal boxes including the former Leaton wooden one now at Glyndyfrdwy and controlling the level crossing. The stations all exude the same atmosphere.</span><br /><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif;">Tickets acquired we took our seats on what was the day’s run of the Cambrian Coast Express with 4566 piloting Foxcote Manor and proudly carrying the famous headboard. With the sun shining, windows secured the guards whistle heralded our departure . once tokens were exchanged the loco’s were opened up on the climb over the Dee and onwards to Berwyn . With the recent lineside clearance and no leaves on the trees the views along the Dee Valley were beautiful . We stayed on all the way to the temporary terminus at Corwen picking up 80072 on the back at Carrog and the pilot of 4566 being taken off. The time taken to do the loco moves allowing a few images to be captured . Corwen of course has a temporary platform whist a new station is built a little closer to the town but tantalising short of the original station which is now to a trailer dealership.</span><br /><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><br /></span><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/26354029915/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" style="font-family: helveticaneue, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif;" title="Llangollen Railway - Along Cambrian Lines gala weekend"><img alt="Llangollen Railway - Along Cambrian Lines gala weekend" height="531" src="https://c4.staticflickr.com/2/1480/26354029915_d5f5f1ec51_c.jpg" width="800" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif;">80072 was on the North Wales Radio Land Cruise with a big circular headboard . We broke our return at Glyndyfrdwy with the aim of catching 6430 on the mixed . A short wait enabled a welcome cup of tea and a look at the former Barmouth signal box which now sits at the Corwen end of the platform. We also watched the passing of 7820 heading West and 4566 on a short set returning to Llangollen. 6430 was running on a single suburban , couple of wagons and toad . Redolent of the Cardigan branch in south wales or even the Bala – Blaneau Ffestiniog line. With the front compartment secured our little time machine took us to Carrog. Comparison of a 1950’s non corridor compartment with its comfortably upholstery , drop light windows , you do ask whether modern day multiple units compare. Our final trip was with 7822 and 5199 up front to return us to Llangollen.</span><br /><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, helvetica neue, helvetica, arial, lucida grande, sans-serif;"><br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: helveticaneue, 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, 'lucida grande', sans-serif;">The day was one of those where those who attended were transported back to the past . Right loco’s right stock , all in a consistent livery all on the right line . The little touches like the themed program , luggage labels you could download , headboards appropriate to the era all added to the illusion and it was a very compelling illusion. That my youngsters still talk about what a superb day they had also speaks volumes. The challenge of course is how to follow the event next . </span></span></div>
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Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0Llangollen, Denbighshire, UK52.969215 -3.171659999999974452.892711999999996 -3.3330214999999743 53.045718 -3.0102984999999745tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-84954273327340308272015-12-28T20:23:00.001+00:002015-12-28T20:23:49.376+00:00Lines in the Landscape After a rather long break I recently returned to compiling an album of my railway images on Blurb . Entitled Lines in the Landscape this volume is larger in pages at 100 and size being large landscape . I wanted the pictures to talk for themselves so they fill the pages so captions are absent until the end
I've tried as much as possible to maintain a broad variety of images and the selection is from my varied travels over the last few years .
Full preview hopefully on the link below and if you are tempted by a copy Blurb print on demand
Special offer 20% off until January 5th with MOMENTS20
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Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-43043473407429875922015-12-27T15:45:00.000+00:002015-12-27T16:17:29.805+00:00Staffordshire Santa's part 3 - ChasewaterAfter the brief stop at Foxfield our day out headed for Chasewater to see the last of their Santa Specials . Holly Bank No.3 was in service . A very different ambiance to the Foxfield with it positively milling with people and excited children . The buffet was full and the large museum shed offers a great all weather venue<br />
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What my children really wanted was a train ride and given that our day was rather a spur of the moment decision and we hadn't booked a quick last minute enquiry as to whether we could jump on , there being a few spare seats yielded a yes. For the children the day and Christmas was made and sat behind the loco we enjoyed our round trip<br />
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At the end of the journey both spent a little time on the footplate , the crew answering all the questions and showing them how it all worked . Its little things this that inspires hopefully a new generation<br />
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As a family we've had some very pleasant times at Chasewater this year made all the better by the warmth of the welcomeMartin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-74802775328922969892015-12-27T15:13:00.001+00:002015-12-27T15:13:56.289+00:00Santa Specials Part 2 or a tale of a crossing After the Churnet Valley I popped over to the nearby Foxfield Railway. part of this was down to having my children with me and to show them something different . After a mooch round the museum at Caverswall road with the engines all dressed up we went down the line a little and stopped at the level crossing . The realisation that the next working was Diesel and a hint of children's boredom settling in we took a decision to head further south but not before the camera had been deployed<br />
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I know it may sound a tidge strange but through 2015 the railway feature of level crossings has formed part of my photography on more than one cocasion, maybe I need to create a blog post covering the images. This one caught my eye for its rustic charm , Brick bothy crossing keepers cottage and sun straight down the track<br />
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needless to say three images were quickly captured before we headed for stop number 3<br />
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Sadly no steam although my inclination is that the exhaust shadow would have removed the glint so maybe a case when no train is a better image . The brick crossing cottage with smoke rising from the chimney hinting at a nice warming stove sat in the corner and providing a little home charm<br />
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I think a small loco would just about fit and maybe one to go and try sometime </div>
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<br />Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0Blythe Bridge, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK52.969189 -2.072085000000015552.950062 -2.1124255000000156 52.988316 -2.0317445000000154tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-35065804318233925992015-12-24T13:51:00.000+00:002015-12-25T19:58:08.661+00:00Santa Specials at last Part 1After what has felt like weeks of grey dull wet weather the sky broke just in time for Christmas and with car packed I headed for Staffordshire and more importantly the Churnet Valley Railway where I knew that visiting Collett 56XX 0-6-2 tank 5619 from the Telford Steam Railway was in operation .<br />
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I made my way to Consall Forge where the railway and the Caldon Canal come together in fabulously picturesque conditions. The light in December just gets into the station at this time of year but it was the drama I was aiming for as 5619 lifts her seven coach train and trailing class 33 onwards to Cheddleton and Leekbrook. With the light shafting through the bare trees and a hint of mist from the canal and some cooler air than of late it was a fabulous start to the day<br />
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For the second train there was only one place to go and that was alongside the canal in the hope of a reflection. With patches of cloud coming and going driven on by a brisk sou westerly the odds were evenly balanced. In the spirit of Christmas though the weather gods played ball and with thanks to the crew who worked the engine past the scene this wonderful moment unfolded<br />
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the objective of the day had been happily achieved and with that it was onwards and the second part of this blog post<br />
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<br />Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0Cheddleton, Staffordshire, UK53.068533 -2.043669000000022653.0303655 -2.1243500000000228 53.1067005 -1.9629880000000226tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-68900841410597701582015-12-06T17:46:00.000+00:002015-12-06T17:46:49.141+00:00Manor 50 - 7820 Dinmore Manor<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/22367463314/in/dateposted-public/" title="7820 Dinmore Manor at the SVR"><img alt="7820 Dinmore Manor at the SVR" height="354" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/575/22367463314_5087be8e55_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Have you ever noticed how some engines whenever you see them run in sun
and others avoid being caught in sunlight in your presence. One particular
“bogey” engine for me has been 7820 Dinmore Manor. Two April days in 2014 were
beset by of all things Saharan smog. Other priorities and distance precluded
much of the 2014 and 2015 season and when it was at least close by at the
Battlefield line it was another day of leaden grey skies. I even tried a short
notice charter on one railway which didn’t quite collect the necessary numbers,
which maybe thankfully as the day was
heavy overcast skies and rain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">You may then consider the wisdom of any involvement in the organisation
of the visit of 7820 to Severn Valley Railway for a celebration of fifty years
since the end of workings by the class on the Cambrian lines west of
Shrewsbury, Trouble was the lure of the engine on carmine and cream coaches in
the GWR atmosphere of the SVR was just too much. The pressure ratcheted up a
level when the charters sold out in less than twenty four hours . Two further
evening shoots also sold out. Over the months leading up to the event the Manor
50 Facebook had showcased many images of the class in operation building a
sense of celebration and what the event hoped to achieve<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I always think it is worth sharing a little of the historical context to
try and set the scenes. The class were introduced in 1938 as a powerful but
light modern engine Whilst Manors were found across former GWR they became
synonymous with the Cambrian lines in the later years of steam. From January
1965 when many of the Cambrian Lines services were dieselised, all the
remaining Manors shedded at Aberystwyth and Machynlleth were transferred to
Shrewsbury, itself now under London Midland region control and denoted 6D.
This brought the sheds allocation to eight. Sadly 7803 and 7801 which were
withdrawn in April and July respectively and were eventually scrapped .
September 1965 saw numbers increase with 7820 and 7821 which were transferred
from Oxley in a move that secured their eventual safety . October 1965 saw both
7827 and 7828 withdrawn, and in early November these were joined by 7819, 7821
and 7822, leaving 7812, 7802 and 7820 to soldier on into the last week. All
these final eight Shrewsbury Manor’s were sold to Woodhams Bros at Barry
from where they were secured for preservation, all now having returned to
steam.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The reunion for a special weekend was the idea of the Erlestoke Manor Fund
with support from the Severn Valley Railway and Dinmore Manor Locomotive
Limited. Movement costs were supported by the Footplate experience day which
saw 44 people enjoying the three engines as well as a series of photo charters
with evening shoots and day charters run by Severn Valley Photo charters and
30742 Charters, around a special Manor 50 gala weekend on the 14<sup>th</sup> and
15<sup>th</sup> November. The weekend itself turned into a Cambrian
weekend with both 4566 in steam plus 1450, whose appearance was sponsored by
the by the aforementioned charter organisers. Both classes of course were no
strangers to Cambrian line.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In what I’m sure felt like a race against time the workshops at
Bridgnorth and Erlestoke Manor fund volunteers completed the overhaul of 7802
Bradley Manor just a week before the event . The frames had been overhauled
at Tyseley with support from EMF volunteers, with Bridgnorth completing
the boiler overhaul. It had been hoped to add a fourth Manor to the event with
strenuous efforts being made for 7819 Hinton Manor to return from Swindon where
it has been on display, but sadly logistics precluded it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So it was that the morning of November 13<sup>th</sup> 2015 found
three Manor class locomotives raising steam at Bewdley for a footplate
experience day. The significance of this was that fifty years earlier to the
day 7820 Dinmore Manor hauled the last workings of the class on the former
Cambrian Lines. That day she took the down Cambrian Coast Express from
Shrewsbury and returned with the 18:05 Aberystwyth to York Mails, both at that
time still regular steam turns . She then joined fellow final week survivors
7802 Bradley Manor and 7812 Erlestoke Manor on the scrap line at Shrewsbury
shed . The forecast promised a day of almost unbroken sunshine so what could go
wrong ? Well a business meeting precluded the first working, but hey two to go
plenty to play for . Orchard crossing was my chosen location, sadly and guess
what , it was also the clouds too. No time to really change so tough it out ,
was there a gap in it ? A distant whistle and things were not looking too good
, Northwood halt at a guess and out comes the sun, right light wrong location ,
why do we do this , still nice to hear the engine finding its feet as it comes
through , however wait a pool of light , yes , no , what the heck do we set the
camera on ! The result half-light so shall we call that an honourable score
draw , not quite enough to end my hoodoo but better than previously<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" data-footer="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/22369034103/in/dateposted-public/" title="7820 Dinmore Manor at the SVR"><img alt="7820 Dinmore Manor at the SVR" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/736/22369034103_415b6cb49c_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A very welcome coffee and shelter in the Erlestoke Manor Fund coach as
it preceded to tip it down (not in the forecast) caused some to go home , even
my thoughts were much the same but with clearing skies I walked round to safari
curve . The debate was whether the sun would hold on and a few minutes lateness
may even be curtains, too late as well to try and leg it up to the tunnel . A
distant whistle gave us hope and 7820 , a minute early accelerated away up
towards the tunnel. The exhaust went orange , the loco gold and I could say the
hoodoo was broken<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This was probably the first time such an out of season event has been
run on the SVR and the endeavour was rewarded with over 1400 tickets sold on
the weekend , significantly higher than a normal operating weekend. These also
don’t take into account advance ticket sales, family passes and
shareholders/members tickets so actual passenger numbers were higher. The event
also had ordinary fares applied and an interesting timetable had been created
with first trains at 9am, local working , nonstop workings and on Sunday the
Dining train was made into a public train with the addition of additional
carriages including the beautifully restored art deco excursion brake 650. The
three Manors worked the full length of the line with 4566 and 1450 on
intermediate locals .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">There were lots of nice touches including 7812 Erlestoke Manor carrying
the trademark Danny Rowlands , who was Aberystwyth shed master in the 1960’s,
white smokebox and buffer embellishments, and of course the appearance of the
Cambrian Coast Express headboard. In addition 4566 ran with the GWR Toplight
carriages and 1450 on Auto trailer 178. A number of fitting
railtour headboards also featured, with 7802 carrying the SLS special
which had been carried by the engine in Jan 1965 on a railtour to mark the closure
of the Welshpool to Whitchurch section. On the Saturday the EMF also hosted a
group of former Aberystwyth shed railwaymen and Kidderminster Railway museum
had a show of Michael Clemens films of the last years of steam on the Cambrian.
All of this created a rather evocative BR(W) atmosphere. Sadly the
weather didn’t quite enter into the spirit with Saturday being rather wet
, however this didn’t seem to dampen the spirits. Unusually for a gala I
travelled on the Saturday . Trains were well filled with a mix of enthusiasts,
volunteers and also public and families. What was nice was a great atmosphere
with people enjoying themselves. A round trip with 7820 broken only by changing
at Hampton Loade for a trip to Bridgnorth on 1450 was great fun. This was also
supported by social media reaction afterwards was universal approval with both
passengers and volunteers saying it was one of their favourite events of the
year and can we do it again next year. A dedicated Facebook page at </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ManorFifty/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #196ad4; font-family: "helvetica" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">https://www.facebook.com/ManorFifty/</span></a><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> attracting
over 30000 views over the event itself<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">A couple of days later and I was back at Bewdley for the 30742 Charters
day with the engine . Storm Barney was spilling cloud and increasing wind
across the country and even Metcheck which normally offers hope if any was
urging all to take cover . BBC though gave a window early afternoon and so it
was that back at Orchard Crossing after a patient wait three magic runpasts of
7820 on Carmine and Creams and proudly carrying the Cambrian Coast Express were
captured. We ended with Silhouettes at Safari Curve with just a glimmer of
brightness in a now sullen grey sky. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My thanks to Dinmore Manor Locomotive Limited , Erlestoke Manor Fund and
the Severn Valley Railway for a magic few days <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-83368311398954345622015-10-24T10:17:00.001+01:002015-10-24T10:17:15.310+01:00Battlefield Line Gala October<div style="background-color: white; color: #282828; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; padding: 0px;">
I am perhaps spoilt for choice when it comes to preserved railways living as I do in the Midlands. So much so that venturing towards Leicestershire and the delights of the M42 feels sometimes like a journey too far. A mere 35 minutes and an exit at Junction 11 leads me on the roads to Twycross past the delightfully named Parva's and Magna's and onwards to Shackerstone, home of the "Battlefield line that runs through Market Bosworth and onto Shenton. A quick digression but it always suprises me how in what is a relatively small country a short distance reveals an area of very different character.<br />
Opened in 1873 as a joint LNWR and Midland Railway route linking Moira near Ashby De La Zouch and Nuneaton.Shackerstone itself was a junction with a line running up to Coalville. The line lost its passenger service as early as 1931 but continued as a freight route until , the Shackerstone to Coalville line closed in 1965 followed by the Moira to Nuneaton section as late as 1970</div>
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For the 2015 Autumn gala the visiting locomotives 7820 Dinmore Manor courtesy of DMLL and the GWSR, and 3205 from the South Devon give a distinctly Cambrian feel to this former byway . The two visitirs were joined by Furness Railway Trust owned Austerity "Cumbria" and resident Peckett w/n 1859 "Sir Gomer" , itself a former NCB loco resident at Mountain ash Colliery in South Wales.</div>
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I visited on the friday which saw both 3205 and 7820 in operation each running two round trips solo before a double headed finale. Shackerstone station is accessed by driving down the former trackbed of the line to Moira. The station itself is beautifully restored and the original A&NJR station building houses a very fine Victorian tea room and Museum . The Midland Railway signal box was recoved from Measham and includes a 16 lever Mackenzie and Holland frame recovered from the former North Staffordshire Railway Uttoxeter North Signal Box</div>
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<a class="bbc_url" href="https://flic.kr/p/A7tsyL" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da;" title="External link"><img alt="22389386476_34f908364e_c.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5739/22389386476_34f908364e_c.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></a><a class="bbc_url" href="https://flic.kr/p/A7tsyL" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da;" title="External link">Battlefield Line Autumn Gala</a> by <a class="bbc_url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da;" title="External link">Martin Creese</a>, on Flickr</div>
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<a class="bbc_url" href="https://flic.kr/p/zcTkdR" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da;" title="External link"><img alt="21794270173_318f2bb9f2_c.jpg" class="bbc_img" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/647/21794270173_318f2bb9f2_c.jpg" style="border: 0px; cursor: pointer; max-width: 100%; vertical-align: middle;" /></a><a class="bbc_url" href="https://flic.kr/p/zcTkdR" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da;" title="External link">Battlefield Line Autumn Gala</a> by <a class="bbc_url" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/" rel="nofollow external" style="color: #0f72da;" title="External link">Martin Creese</a>, on Flickr</div>
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there is a small tale of two tenders in this story as 7820 which has been running with the tender from the Bluebell Railway owned Dukedog 9017 whilst the owning group build a new one is now running with the tender from 3850 which was withdrawn from service for overhaul at the end of September. 3205 is paired for this visit with the tender from fellow South Devon Railway engine 3803 which has been running at Shackerstone for the last few years . Itself withdrawn from traffic for boiler repairs in August the tender was hastily repainted into green for 3205. </div>
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Whilst 3205 and 7820 were running the service Sir Gomer and Cumbria were being prepared for operation over the weekend. With thanks to the volunteers I was allowed in the shed to explore the potential of the scene looking out . Needless to say I wasn't disappointed and with a black and white conversion an industrial shed scene materialised</div>
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/21794269473/in/dateposted-public/" nbsp="" title="Battlefield Line Autumn Gala"><img alt="Battlefield Line Autumn Gala" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/705/21794269473_27f55cfe87_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script>
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My visit was only brief but very enjoyable. The line still has that sleepy cross country route feel , maybe harking back to its history and almost feels overshadowed by its main line Leicestershire neighbour. The drive around the lanes to find the line is well worth it. More details on the Railways website http://www.battlefieldline.co.uk/index.html</div>
Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4073679112487736652.post-74137329629954256982015-09-12T22:06:00.000+01:002015-10-29T20:54:39.936+00:00Cambrian day out part 1<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have for some time wanted to see how things are progressing at Oswestry and the revival of the former Cambrian Lines from Gobowen down to Llynclys. My previous visit was many years ago when I used to live up on the Welsh Borders and 7822 Foxcote Manor was under restoration. Of course with the passage of time 7822 and its new home at Llangollen have flourished and brought back to life the atmosphere of BR (W) in North Wales, I was curious though to see what had happened at Oswestry?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />It is worth reflecting on how Oswestry used to be in steam days with a large three road station , bay platforms , large goods yard and not to mention the extensive Cambrian Railway works plus Oswestry engine shed (89C) which of course was home to a number of GWR Manor’s, and Dukedogs. Words don't really convey the sheer scale of the railway in Oswestry at their peak and it is worth a google search or find a copy of the excellent Book Law Publications/Foxline book Scenes from the past 55 "the Cambrian Main Line" to see in pictures how it used to be. The comparison to now is rather stark and initially very sad however as you explore and see the green shoots of the revival hope once again springs.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oswestry was sat on the Cambrian main line from Whitchurch (Shropshire) to Buttington Junction where it joined with the line from Shrewsbury. The Oswestry and Newtown railway opened in 1861 with the line to Whitchurch opening in July 1864. The lines were amalgamated into the Cambrian Railway in 1865 and eventually the Great Western Railway on the grouping in 1923. Passenger services ended in January 1965 although DMU shuttles continued to run between Gobowen and Oswestry until November 1966. The section from Gobowen through Oswestry remaining open to serve the stone quarry at Blodwell on the Tanat Valley Light Railway which left the Cambrian main line at Llynclys Junction. These services ceased in 1988. Preservation efforts started in 1972 with a museum being established in the old Cambrian Railways Goods Yard </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The image below is courtesy of Flickr user Ricks rail pics and shows 7802 Bradley Manor taking water at the North end of Oswestry Station whilst on Railtour duties in 1965</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/16749798@N08/3342774888/in/photolist-66oAvN-5Nt7ib-rJZYX-jGQkD-rJZYY-fhgKeB-oNdeYF-dBMdYF-9ksMY1-kbu6vz-sNMeF-dKVaxg-go9yo-m1qBiF-gHYWA-9a14y9-m1BPyc-7JPR6s-8LAsnX-dUssd8-8VVjqw-m1E7wq-rgVpFk-8GUKpj-gjWiD-9f9KTQ-dSJZSx-jU2HR-dAqQJH-iHznre-9bwadR-iHw9Sc-jwcnQv-nXXmjT-ckmB5A-d5C1pw-dgTj8X-9GEbPg-aUukRc-m1Afdr-e3uRie-muwuqc-c2rMbu-jtr3yY-69bVyn-ijmLjT-gGLmBi-dXCRsX-zwQei-iHoak" nbsp="" title="7802 'Bradley Manor'. Oswestry. 17 January 1965"><img alt="7802 'Bradley Manor'. Oswestry. 17 January 1965" height="456" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3340/3342774888_2b47bc20de_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was on my to Llangollen to see the Along Branch Lines Gala (more to follow) so popped into Oswestry where visiting Beyer Peacock w/n 1827 was giving brake van rides</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/21178907268/in/album-72157658123748919/" nbsp="" title="Oswestry revival"><img alt="Oswestry revival" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/741/21178907268_55a63e0e89_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The good news is there is still track in the station with more being added in the direction of Gobowen. The original and very imposing station building is still standing and restored being home to a tearoom and small museum. All the Northbound platform had been rebuilt by the preservation society. Sadly the canopies and footbridge are long gone as are the platform buildings on the southbound platform. The flame cut canopy girders can still be seen in the station building walls. The better news is that if memory serves me correctly that some of the canopy from Wolverhampton Low Level was recovered for eventual rebuilding at Oswestry. At the south end of the station more track laying is in evidence reconnecting the middle road and a GWR bracket signal stands once again on the platform. Oswestry South Signal Box still stands with track work and signals being reconnected. . The old Gobowen line bay behind the station name board at the north end of the station has been infilled and is now partially covered by road as is the former good sidings.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The line is currently home to four steam locomotives: Peckett 0-4-0 w/n 2131 named Oliver Veltom which is under overhaul, Peckett 0-4-0 w/n 1430 of 1916 which is dismantled, Barclay 0-6-0st w/n 885 of 1900 which used to work at Polkemmet Colliery in Scotland and is awaiting restoration and finally Hunslet Austerity w/n 3770 of 1952 and better known as Norma, formerly of Maesteg Colliery and latterly of Pontardulais. “Norma” was one of the well-known South Wales Austerities being. The line is also home to a number of DMU’s cars </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/21355993582/in/album-72157658123748919/" nbsp="" title="Oswestry revival #2"><img alt="Oswestry revival #2" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/676/21355993582_77b1173310_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Brake van rides were running along the length of the platform and then south to the next over bridge at Middleton Road, alongside the old cattle pens which have been cleared out and still stand</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/21355992912/in/album-72157658123748919/" nbsp="" title="Oswestry revival #4"><img alt="Oswestry revival #4" height="425" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/576/21355992912_76f1e74a97_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />Clearance and re-sleepering is ongoing with a hope of further extension south with the ultimate goal of reopening to Llynclys where the privately owned station stands. A bus shuttle was also running to the section at Llynclys South down to Pen-y-garreg halt, however I had plans further into Wales so that can wait until another day as can a visit to the Nantmawr section . A brake van ride even if short is always enjoyable allowing perhaps a better appreciation of the line being travelled on especially on a glorious sunny day as it was. I hope to return again next year and explore further the surviving lines and see how the project progresses. Whether I shall ever see a Manor heading south from Oswestry again we shall see but it is nice to dream </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/21355992552/in/album-72157658123748919/" nbsp="" title="Oswestry revival #5"><img alt="Oswestry revival #5" height="421" src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/645/21355992552_bfd597d575_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The balance of the visits photographs can be found here https://www.flickr.com/photos/martincreese/albums/72157658123748919. T</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following websites may be of interest for those whose interest has been awakened</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a useful map of the line here http://cambrianrailways.com/twao/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Location-map.pdf</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cambrian Heritage Railways http://www.cambrianrailways.com/index.html</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Osrail – useful blog and news site http://www.osrail.co.uk/oliver_veltom_overhaul.html</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disused stations (a very good history and lots of pictures) http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/o/oswestry/</span><br />
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<br />Martin Creesehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12801461681521758395noreply@blogger.com0Oswestry, Oswestry, Shropshire, UK52.857148 -3.05641200000002352.8187975 -3.1370930000000232 52.8954985 -2.9757310000000228