Scotland - April 2012
Part two of the replacement American trip was a weeklong visit to Scotland using the ‘Freedom of Scotland Rover’ to get around. Although the week was based around rail travel to make the most of the ticket there were opportunities to take photographs along the way. Our base for the week was Haymarket which gave us the opportunity to visit some outposts in the Scottish Highlands such as Aberdeen, Inverness, and Fort William without having to overnight at another location.
Lincolnshire & Yorkshire
The Lincolnshire and Yorkshire ‘Road Trip’ was planned as part of a hasty replacement for a trip to America in 2012. Unfortunately we had to postpone this overseas trip, but replaced it with two trips in April to compensate for not being able to go abroad. From Taunton we planned to head North (via a stop off at Ashchurch near Cheltenham and Portway in the Midlands) to Barnerby in Lincolnshire. At Barnetby we would spent two days in the area photographing the busy freight scenes on the mainline to and from Immingham. On Wednesday 4th April we then moved North East towards York where we would cover the various maze of freight lines connecting to Drax, Eggborough, and Ferrybridge power stations. On Friday 6th April we returned South (via Clay Cross near Chesterfield).
West Somerset Railway - Spring Steam Gala
March 22nd - 25th provided 'Part 2' of the West Somerset Railway's Spring Steam Gala events. The second weekend provided much better weather than the first weekend, and was reminiscent of the glorious conditions which occurred during the Autumn Steam Gala in 2011. The final weekend also provided most steam locomotives running boiler first (where possible) and the added bonus that visiting 'Britannia' was able to be turned on the Norton Triangle. The use of a GWR Manor, Hall and King was also very popular with enthusiasts, providing the last change to ride and photograph King Class No.6024 'King Edward I' before its overhaul. The Spring Gala event was also complimented on the Saturday 24th where a group of photographers gathered at Crowcombe after the last train for a paid 'Night Shoot' organised by WSR Journal Editor, David Williams. The unique event used visiting 14XX No.1450 complete with its Autocoach No.178. The loco was posed in several positions within Crowcombe Heathfield station and provided a fitting end to a good days photography, although the amorous couple in the rear coach of the last train probably didn't plan on such a large group of photographers witnessing their own 'steamy' activities!
A Day on the Southern
The 25th January saw a trip onto Southern teritory for a visit to Ford Station on the South Coast. Situated between Southampton and Brighton (just to the North of Littlehampton) Ford Station also provides quick and easy access to the popular Guagemaster Model Shop. Things didn't go to plan after we planned a meet up at Southmapton with a friend from Portland. A 80 year old lady drove her car off the road crossing at Brokenhurst Station cuasing major delays to train services to and from Weymouth/ Southmapton. After a coach connection we were finally able to continue forward to Ford via Fareham with Southern Trains. The return trip from Ford also took in Littlehampton, Barnham and Portsmouth Harbour, before picking up our First Great Western service home.
