It was the Heritage Shunters Trust (HST) Gala at Peak Rail over the weekend of May 5th & 6th which also saw Peak Rail run their own service in conjunction, but not collaboration, sadly. On the Saturday D8 was T&T with steam loco 68013 on the Sunday 31270 was T&T with steam loco 68013. I Read the Rest…
The Mid Norfolk Railway is always a bit of a challenge, with it being so far away more than any other reason, but thanks to 37003 failing for the railway’s Stratford Depot themed gala and the fact that DRS couldn’t provide replacement 37087 until the Sunday, there was more than enough reason to make the Read the Rest…
Most bank holidays throughout the year the EBAR host a Thomas the Tank Engine weekend. They always have at least one diesel working trains, with two sets of stock in action and 3 locos in total. Locos run round each train at Bolton Abbey and lay over a train each time at Embsay. Each engine Read the Rest…
An early start to the 2012 proceedings at Peak Rail, they could have picked a better day though. It was -5 overnight and felt that cold at Rowsley when we arrived, to find 31270 clouding the place out with white smoke. It hadn’t taken kindly to the cold start and we could see the smoke Read the Rest…
The Great Central Railway had the 2012 honor of being the first preserved railway to use a 31 that season. To save on running round there were three round trips planned, with 20098 on the Leicester end and 31563 on the Loughborough end of the stock, at 1215, 1415 & 1535 ex Loughborough. Both locos Read the Rest…
January 29th – Pathfinder Tours “Rother Don Rambler” 31190/601 put in an excellent performance and with ‘190 “noisy end” next to the stock (as arranged prior to the tour) it was a good day all round. 31190/601 worked the following: 1Z27 0617 Bristol TM – Deepcar (from Birmingham International to Westhorpe RR Sidings) via Bescot, Read the Rest…
The Mid Norfolk Railway (MNR) Gala on 23rd-25th September 2011 was to be the last time 31438 worked at the MNR, it having just been sold and would make its way to the Epping & Ongar Railway immediately after the gala on the Monday! 31438 had been a bit of a poor example in its Read the Rest…
The week before the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) diesel gala 31128 was used every day due to not only the lack of steam loco but the railways own 25, 25278, was out of service and their 24, 24061 not being too well either, so ‘128 got a good run out with two round trips Read the Rest…
The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway (EVR) ran a diesel gala on 13th & 14th August 2011, which featured 31414 and should also have featured new arrival 33035, but unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your view on the matter, 33035 didn’t work at all over the weekend and 31414 did 4 round trips Wirksworth – Duffield (1020, Read the Rest…
A Preserved Locomotive Enthusiasts Group (PLEG) arranged day saw Cholsey & Wallingford Railway use all 3 of their Class 08’s, 08022, 08060 & 08123 on the one day, an event not often seen. Not only did this occur but PLEG arranged for the Didcot Railway Centre to put their Class 08, 08604, out on rides Read the Rest…
The Dean Forest Railway (DFR) diesel gala on 23rd July featured the following: 08238, D9521, 27066, 31466 & 73001 For a gala, 31466, the point of going, worked 3 round trips which was quite respectable. Also respectable was the hard work that had been put into the restoration of 31210, which was under cover in Read the Rest…
Nemesis Rails 31128 spent the whole season at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) in 2011 and was there to stand in when something was needed for the main line section from Grosmont to Whitby, although it did its fair share of regular work standing in for steam locos during times of poor availability. On this Read the Rest…