A Day in Welsh Wales
Tuesday the 15th November promised to be a day of good light (according
to the Met Office!), a trip to South Wales to record various freight and
passenger movements was arranged. The day was quite busy with many of
the booked freight flows running to time, we concentrated our efforts
between Severn Tunnel Junction in the East, and Coedkernew in the West.
With some reasonable spells of sunlight, the best light came in the
final hour before sun down between 15:00 and 16:00. Below is a record of
the days sightings. Coedkernew provided some nice Autumnal light with
many differing colours from the lineside vegitation. Below is a
selection of images from the day.
Pontypool & Blaenavon - Diesel Gala
The Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway is a brilliant preserved line situated in the high in the Welsh Valleys with line gradients at 1 in 42 and up to 1 in 24 at one point on the line. The friendly atmosphere and enthusiastic spirit of volunteers on the line always make for a good day out. The 2011 Diesel Gala weekend saw 37216 (mid restoration), 37219 (Mainline Blue), D5627/31203 (BR Green) and 73128 (EWS) team up to provide multiple trips over the steeply graded line. The Thursday before the gala there were only two working diesel locomotives working on the line so great thanks should be extended to the volunteers who put in the effort to get the remaining two operational.
Severn Valley Railway - Diesel Gala
The Severn Valley Railway held their 4 day Diesel Gala between the 6th and 9th of October hosting a variety of traction for enthusiasts to enjoy. Rather than driving to the event, we opted for a full day of train travel via Brimingham New Street and Smethwick Galton Bridge on the way, and via Birmingham Moor Street (with a walk to New Street) on the way back. The Limited time at the event was not helped by the failure of 50031 on the 10:25 from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, which failed near Northwood Halt delaying services by up to 45 minutes. This gallery features images from the day, while not many lineside locations were able to be used we did at least make use of those we did visit.
London Underground - Heritage Rolling Stock Day (Metropolitan Line)
Sunday September 11th 2011 provided the chance to travel over part of the London Underground network on heritage stock from the London Transport Museum. Heritage Tube Locomotive No.12 'Sarah Siddons' teamed up with Railfreight Grey 20227 to work shuttles between Harrow on the Hill and Amersham. While a balancing diagram used former Northern Line 1938 tube stock, painted in London Transport Red.
Services were slotted inbetween normal tube trains running over the Metropolitan Line. The event was well attended and provided an excellant opertunity to view/ photograph all aspects of the London Underground operation of 'The Met'.
Services were slotted inbetween normal tube trains running over the Metropolitan Line. The event was well attended and provided an excellant opertunity to view/ photograph all aspects of the London Underground operation of 'The Met'.
Dean Forest Railway - Diesel Gala
Saturday 23rd July provided the chance to see diesels operating on the Dean Forest Railway for one day only. The line has a good selection of locomotives, which can operate between Lydney Junction to Norchard and Parkend. The total length of the line is 4.25 miles. The Dean Forest is only a small line with limited resources but always provides a good day out.
Saturday 23th July featured Class 08: 08238 'Charlie', Class 14: D9521, Class 27: 27066, Class 31: 31466, Class 73: E6001 and the DFR's resident Class 108 DMU all provided the chance to enjoy the countrside scenes riding up to Parkend Station.
Saturday 23th July featured Class 08: 08238 'Charlie', Class 14: D9521, Class 27: 27066, Class 31: 31466, Class 73: E6001 and the DFR's resident Class 108 DMU all provided the chance to enjoy the countrside scenes riding up to Parkend Station.
West Somerset Railway - Mixed Traffic Gala
Friday 10th June to Sunday 12th June featured the West Somerset Railway’s annual ‘Mixed Traffic Weekend’.
The 2011 event featured 4 visiting Class 59 locomotives from Mendip Rail, each of the locos was specially painted and washed for the event. All three Class 59 sub classes were represented along with 4 different operating liveries. 59001 (Aggregate Industries), 59002 (Foster Yeoman), 59103 (Hanson Aggregates) and 59206 (DB Schenker). 2011 marks the 25th anniversary for the introduction of the first Class 59’s to the rails of the UK. D1010 was also renumbered and renamed for the weekend to run as D1035 ‘Western Yeoman’, and a specially repainted open wagon was also specially repainted in Foster Yeoman colours.
The 2011 event featured 4 visiting Class 59 locomotives from Mendip Rail, each of the locos was specially painted and washed for the event. All three Class 59 sub classes were represented along with 4 different operating liveries. 59001 (Aggregate Industries), 59002 (Foster Yeoman), 59103 (Hanson Aggregates) and 59206 (DB Schenker). 2011 marks the 25th anniversary for the introduction of the first Class 59’s to the rails of the UK. D1010 was also renumbered and renamed for the weekend to run as D1035 ‘Western Yeoman’, and a specially repainted open wagon was also specially repainted in Foster Yeoman colours.
The Great Central (North) - Diesel Gala
The Great Central (North) is very much a railway in its infancy with a main base at Ruddington the preserved line joins a spur at Ruddington South Junction and via requires a reversal to access the line to Rushcliffe Halt and Loughborough. Currently there is no station at Loughborough but East Leake (also known as Rushcliffe Halt) provides a place to change trains. The GCRN also has a mainline connection which generates Gypsum Traffic from the mainline network.
The total length of the line is 8.25 miles, which is slightly longer than the Great Central Railway!
The total length of the line is 8.25 miles, which is slightly longer than the Great Central Railway!
The Great Central Railway - Diesel Gala
The Great Central Railway held a joint Diesel Gala with the Great Central Railway ‘North’ on the 14th and 15th May 2011 with a free bus link between the two railways. This was the first time the two railways (split by the current Midland Mainline) had decided to hold a joint event. The prospect of nearly 20 locomotives to photograph and ride behind provided good crowds at both events over the weekend. Having not visited the GCR since 2005 it was time to make the most of unique gala weekend. The Great Central runs between Loughborough Central and Leicester North.
St Pancras, East Midlands Parkway & Loughborough
In order to attend the Great Central Railway & Great Central Railway (North) Diesel Gala’s we travelled up to Loughborough via London and East Midlands Parkway on Friday 13th May. The location of East Midlands Parkway is right next to Ratcliffe Power Station which provides a stunning and unique backdrop to any railway photos. This collection details a selection of images from our time spent in the Loughborough area between the 13th and 16th May.
Swanage Railway - Diesel Gala
The 6th, 7th and 8th May 2011 heralded the annual Swange Railway Diesel Gala weekend, with combined Beer Festival (at Harmans Cross). The event has slowly built up a good reputation over a number of years, providing good transport links to both Swanage and Nordon late into the night. The three day has become one of the major persevered railway events in the South West, and as such draws crowds from a large radius that come to photograph and ride diesel locomotives from their era. The 5 mile line provides a model template for diesel galas which many other lines in the South West can take note of. This gallery provides a selection of images taken during the 2011 Diesel Gala Weekend, which provided a mixed back of weather conditions, including thunder and lightening.
South Devon Railway "Cambrian Easter Gala"
The South Devon Railway held their Cabrian Easter Gala Weekend between Friday 22nd April through to Monday 25th April, taking advantage of the Bank Holiday. Despite a small period of rain on the Friday morning the country branchline was blessed with some of the hottest weather of the year so far. The gala attracted steam enthusiasts, keen to see the visiting 'Dukedog' from the Bluebell Railway, and families out to enjoy the long weekend.
Photos in this gallery feature events from Friday 22nd April.
Photos in this gallery feature events from Friday 22nd April.
