Shred`s UK trips.

[shredder1]

The GCR gala looked great. They’ve got all the props for that mainline feel up there.
Did the brake tender get much use?

Yes thank you it really is an amazing railway, they had the brake tender out again, it really looks the part

 

[shredder1]

Wish we had something like the GCR down south west.

One closer to Manchester would be helpful too

 

[shredder1]

Leighton Buzzard Railway. Saturday 2nd June 2018.

Another early start, with the alarm set for 04.00. I was heading for the Leighton Buzzard Railway, it was nearly 20 years since I last visited the railway and things have certainly changed since then.

I`d booked an advanced ticket £18.00 return from Manchester Piccadilly to Leighton Buzzard, booked on the 05.25 Virgin Pendolino, but it was cancelled, so I had to catch the 05.55 instead. I was still in plenty of time before the railway opened though.

I walked out through the town to Pages Park and stopped at a café for breakfast on the way through. My first stop on arrival was the locomotive depot to catch locos steaming up, I was given permission to go around the depot, and the railway had quite a collection of locos on display. Steamed up outside the depot was Andrew Barclay 0-6-0T “Doll”, who was on duty for the day.

I was still however a little early for the first train but found entertainment in Pages Park in the form of various exercise machines arranged in a circuit around the Park, a very innovative idea by the local council, which many others have also followed.

Once the railway did open proper, I took a few rides up and down the line to Stonehenge Works behind “Doll”, the railway also had a diesel operating on a second train. It was a real ale event and I couldn’t help but try a few extremely good ales, including a pint of Black Buzzard.

Stonehenge Works has improved a lot since my last visit and a good display of loco and stock were to be seen, the line is also an interesting one with a number of road crossings that two linesmen flag to stop cars, and allow trains to cross, unusual in these days of staunch health and safety. The railway in addition has plans to extend another mile and possibly to the Arches eventually.

I had a lovely visit and will try not to make it too long before I return, a big thank you to all the volunteers at the Leighton Buzzard Railway for making my day so enjoyable and well done on a great event, thank you,

http://www.buzzrail.co.uk/

The journey down there
https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...94891611356.1073743075.100001125840218&type=3

Exercise in the park
https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...90928278419.1073743074.100001125840218&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...99628277549.1073743076.100001125840218&type=3

 

[shredder1]

A weekend around the Mendips, (Day 1).

Bristol, Bath, East Somerset Railway, Midsomer Norton and Westbury. Friday 8th June, Saturday 9th June 2018.

A long weekend around the Mendip Hills. My son Lee had bought me a Steam Train Ride Gift Experience for Christmas and since he now resides in the Home Counties, we`d arranged to meet up in Bath on the Saturday. I`d chosen a day on the East Somerset Railway,

t was the only one in the options that I`d not travelled on, although I had visited the site back in the late David Shepherds era. I travelled down from Manchester on Friday night after work, by Cross Country service, changing at Bristol Temple Meads for a Bath GWR service, and arriving into Bath just before 22.00. I stay for two nights in the Bath Backpackers, ideal for the railway station and not too bad an accommodation as far as hostels go.

On changing trains at Bristol, I couldn’t help but notice the influx of Azuma 800`s now taking over, although there were still plenty of HST around, for the moment at least. I slept well the first night and was up showered and out by 06.00. I initially made my way to Bath Green Park the former S & D railway station, now lovingly restored thanks to Sainsbury`s, the last time I photographed this magnificent building was in the 1980`s on slide film, so it was nice to catch up and get a few updated photographs.

I returned to Bath town centre for breakfast in a local café and then spent an hour on Bath Spa railway station and by luck just in time to see Black 5 45212 pass through the station with its support coach. Lee and his partner were staying in a village out towards Wells, what they call Glamping, (I`ll explain later). I met them just after 09.00 and jumped in the car with them for our trip to the East Somerset Railway at Cranmore.

It didn’t take us long to drive down there and the weather was glorious, (LMS) Ivatt Class 2MT, 2-6-0 46447 was operating on the day. I`ve always been a great Ivatt and later Riddles fan, such a uniquely designed loco. I had a few trips up and down the line and was impressed how far the railway had now extended, it still has a mainline connection and runs as far as Mendip Vale, from Cranmore, with intermediate stations at Cranmore West, and Merrifield Lane a distance of 2.5 mile, although it seems much longer.

The station at Cranmore is well preserved and has an excellent giftshop and café, while visitors can also explore the engine sheds and workshops located at Cranmore West. I was well behaved and didn’t buy anymore railway books although I did spend £62 on fridge magnets, they had a full collection of S & D totem signs, so I had no chance.

We had an excellent visit and my son later drove me over to see his accommodation for the weekend, his Glamping tent. It was set in a campsite at Priddy, the Moor View Luxury Canvas Camping, with a Barrington Bell Tent complete with a double bed, fire built into the tent, hammock and all the cooking facilities. It looked quite good for the weekend actually and I stayed and had a few local ales with them.

They later dropped me off near Chilcompton, as I`d heard a group were trying to revive the old station site, but I was unable to find it, I then walked down the former Somerset and Dorset track-bed to the Southern portals of Chilcompton Tunnels, but I had to divert back to the road to walk into Midsomer Norton, my next port of call.

Midsomer Norton is home to the Somerset and Dorset Heritage Railway, quite a remarkable site with a new extension in the making towards Chilcompton cutting and tunnels. I managed to talk to a few of the volunteers on site but the railway wasn’t operating on my visit, but I will return. In the yard was the Sentinel vertical -boiled locomotive in LMS livery, it looked absolutely amazing. Definitely a place worth visiting if you are in the region.

I later walked into Midsomer Norton village centre, a lovely locality and took tea in a high street café before returning by bus to Bath. I decided at this point to take a train out to Westbury, always had been a good freight location and I wasn’t disappointed with plenty of action from class 66`s and 70`s on the Saturday evening.

I returned to the Bath Backpackers as the light was fading, it had been a very eventful day and nice to catch up with the family down there.

Friday Evening Bristol Temple Meads

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...09270779918.1073743101.100001125840218&type=3

East Somerset Railway

https://eastsomersetrailway.com/

Somerset and Dorset Heritage Railway

https://www.sdjr.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...96950671150.1073743107.100001125840218&type=3

 

[AnthonyRail]

Nice to see you’re getting south, did you have a look for shepton mallets former railways stations

 

[shredder1]

Nice to see you’re getting south, did you have a look for shepton mallets former railways stations

Sadly not, I need to explore that region more Anthony.

 

[shredder1]

A weekend around the Mendips (Day 2).

Bath, Westbury, and Bristol. Sunday 10th June 2018.

Another early start and departure from the Bath Backpackers Hostel, it had been good, they even had a few guitars in the common room and I had a bit of a jam with one of the lads one night.

Bath Spa railway station doesn’t open until 07.30 on a Sunday morning and I struggled finding somewhere for breakfast also. I`d decided to go back to Westbury. I was surprised to still find trains moving in the yard including a pair of class 70`s and a few class 66`s plus a bonus, the Cathedrals Express passed through behind a West Coast Railways Class 37 and you could certainly hear her coming.

I later returned to Bristol Temple Meads, the weather was again glorious and I spent a few hours photting and soaking up the sun, before boarding a train to Bristol Parkway. Bristol Parkway is quite a decent station for photography now that they have opened up the new platform and made the stabling point more visible. No less than 7 Freightliner class 66`s were parked up.

I later returned directly to Manchester on a Cross Country Voyager, arriving back in the City for around 19.00, it had been a fantastic weekend with great weather again, many thanks for reading.

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...94677228044.1073743110.100001125840218&type=3

 

[Kite159]

Sounded like a good weekend Mr Nick

 

[shredder1]

Thank you very much, yes lovely Kite

 

[Mattydj60]

A weekend around the Mendips, (Day 1).

They later dropped me off near Chilcompton, as I`d heard a group were trying to revive the old station site, but I was unable to find it, I then walked down the former Somerset and Dorset track-bed to the Southern portals of Chilcompton Tunnels, but I had to divert back to the road to walk into Midsomer Norton, my next port of call.

I later walked into Midsomer Norton village centre, a lovely locality and took tea in a high street café before returning by bus to Bath. I decided at this point to take a train out to Westbury, always had been a good freight location and I wasn’t disappointed with plenty of action from class 66`s and 70`s on the Saturday evening.

Chilcompton station project - here you go http://www.sdjrchilcompton.co.uk/

Oooh, you'll upset the locals, calling Midsomer Norton a village. Its definately a town (with a Town Council and a Mayor)

 

[shredder1]

Many thanks for the link, yes of course a town, lovely place too.

 

[shredder1]

Tanfield Railway Gala, (Day 1). Saturday 16th June 2018.

Friday night and I was away sharp from the office and soon down to Manchester Victoria on a TPX 185 bound for Newcastle on Tyne, it doesn’t take long these days and I was soon up in the Northeast. I noticed on the way through Leeds a Scotrail 172 in the platforms and while passing the NRM at York, I saw SR Merchant Navy Class, 35018 British India Line parked up with its support coach.

I arrived into Newcastle by around 21.00, it was a lovely sunny evening and I spent some time on Newcastle’s palatial Central station, before checking into the Albatross Backpackers Hostel on Granger Street, a 5-minute walk away from the station. I`ve stayed at the Albatross before while I`ve been in the city and always found it very good, indeed I had a 4-bed dormer all to myself on the Friday night.

After a good nights sleep I was showered and out of the Backpackers for 07.00, buses out to the Tanfield Railway are not very early on a Saturday, the first bus out of Eldon Bus Station was at 08.15, the X30, I did however manage to find an earlier bus, an X6 to take me to Sunniside, near the Tanfield Railway station and I walked down the line from there, this took me right into Marley Hill, just in time to catch the locos steaming up.

A total of 5 locos were in steam, these included, visiting locos National Coal Board, Lambton railway Austerity’ No. 60, Central Electricity Generating Board, Dunston Power Station No.15 and resident locos, Sir Cecil. A Cochrane, Keighley Corporation Gas Department No. 2, Joicey Collieries No. 3, Twizell, Armstrong Whitworth diesel electric Reyrolles No. 2 on shunt release in Marley Hill yard, and National Coal Board, Backworth railway No. 49 (on static display).

I do like the Tanfield Railway and it was sometime since I last visited. The price for the gala was a mere £10 a day on a senior ticket and visitors have access to just about everywhere on the railway. I took a number of rides up and down the line in a variety of restored coaching stock. A new depot and platform`s are in the process of being built at Tanfield West station, while I also paid a visit to the unique waggon-way Causey Arch.

The carriage sheds at Marley Hill had an excellent café, book stalls and model railway displays. The Tanfield Railway have an excellent collection of industrial locomotives in the yard and various sheds and visitors have a free access to all areas, the staff are always very friendly and on event days the railway is very busy with plenty of train action on both the running lines and the depot yard.

I caught the last bus back into Newcastle which was 18.20 for the X30, to Newcastle Central station for another few hours photting before returning to the Backpackers.

I`d got friendly with 3 of the lads at the hostel who knew each other, a lovely set of guys who happened to have a few guitars with them, needless to say we had a bit of a jamming session in the common room, and a few beers before retiring for the night, it had been a first great day.
.

The Tanfield Railway

https://www.tanfield-railway.co.uk/

The Causey Arch

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Causey_Arch

York and Newcastle Central, Friday 15th and Saturday 16th June 2018.

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...77563196422.1073743112.100001125840218&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melling.104/media_set?set=a.1736462786401233.1073743113.100001125840218&type=3

 

[shredder1]

Tanfield Railway Gala, (Day 2), Sunday 17th June 2018.

After a reasonable night’s rest at the Albatross and a fantastic evening with some great lads, I was up, showered and out for 07.00, on Sunday mornings the first X30 left Eldon bus station at 07.30, so I made sure I caught that one. Bright sunshine greeted me at Marley Hill and I`d decided to go lineside mainly on this second day.

The Tanfield Railway offers some excellent opportunities for lineside photography and I took full advantage of these, some very good locations can be accessed from public footpaths. I was again up and down the railway in various locations, another visit to the yards and depot and a ride on the trains, a great second day and also visited the site of Bowes Bridge depot, which I remember from my 1960`s combines as being listed as a sub shed for Gateshead. A truly remarkable and historic railway, in a region where it all started.

I caught the 15.08 X30 bus back into Newcastle, an hourly service on a Sunday. On entering Newcastle Central station, a TPX 185 was about to leave for Manchester and I caught it. I didn’t notice on the way up to Newcastle on Friday night but I was diverted via Hebden Bridge and the Calder Valley line, I alighted at Manchester Victoria, the service then continued to Manchester Piccadilly and on to Manchester Airport, an interesting diversion.

A total of 5 locos were in steam, these included, visiting locos National Coal Board, Lambton railway Austerity’ No. 60, Central Electricity Generating Board, Dunston Power Station No.15 and resident locos, Sir Cecil. A Cochrane, Keighley Corporation Gas Department No. 2, Joicey Collieries No. 3, Twizell, Armstrong Whitworth diesel electric Reyrolles No. 2 on shunt release in Marley Hill yard, and National Coal Board, Backworth railway No. 49 (on static display).

A big thank you to all the staff at the Tanfield Railway for a fantastic gala and a very enjoyable weekend.

The Tanfield Railway

https://www.tanfield-railway.co.uk/

York and Newcastle Central, Friday 15th and Saturday 16th June 2018.

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...77563196422.1073743112.100001125840218&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...61516391360.1073743114.100001125840218&type=3

 

[shredder1]

South Tynedale Railway and Alston Branch. Saturday 23rd June 2018.

Friday night and Rob came over from Yorkshire and joined me for a trip on the South Tyndale Railway and the new extension to Slaggyford, while we had also arranged to meet up with another friend, Mark Jones, chairman of the Railway Ramblers as we intended joining the group for a walk up the old railway track bed from Slaggyford to Haltwhistle.

I drove up to Alston Friday evening after work, meeting Rob in Middleton, North Manchester, my local town, we had booked into a pub in Alston, the Victoria, it was alright and I had a lovely dormer attic room with views across the surrounding moors. After settling in, we went down to the bar and tried a few local ales before retiring for the night.

I slept well and Rob gave me a knock at 08.00, unusual for me as I`m usually up much earlier. We went down the stairs for breakfast, it was very good and then we made our way down to the railway station and locomotive depot to see what was steaming up for the day.
We were treated to a limited build T. Green and Son Ltd, 0-6-2 Saddle Tank, Number 441 “Barber” of 1908 in pristine Apple Green Livery.
Mark had texted me the night before to do a bit of car sharing for the group, so I left Rob to meet Mark at Alston as he was driving up the same day, and I was to meet the rest of the group at Haltwhistle. I left my car at Haltwhistle and jumped into another car with one of the other lads and we drove back to Alston in time to catch the first train out to Slaggyford.

We all boarded the 10.45 to Slaggyford, a 5-mile journey, an amazing railway and nice to finally travel into Slaggyford, although the railway has longer tern plans to eventually get the railway back to Haltwhistle. A group of 11 Railway Ramblers boarded the train from Alston to Slaggyford and after a photoshoot at the latter, we commenced the walk up the old track bed to Haltwhistle, of circa 8 mile.

Group leader was a very knowledgeable guide Phil Hernshaw took the head, and we were given handouts and information at the various points of interest along the way. The main point of interest on the line was the magnificent Lambley Viaduct. The former Lambley railway station sits at the southern end of the viaduct, now in private hands, and was also the junction station for the Brampton line. Other stations along the route were Coanwood, platform and station house and Featherstone Park, platform and station house also survive and are both in private hands.

It was a great day and a fantastic walk in some lovely country and company. We eventually reached the start of the line from Haltwhistle. A few of us returned to Alston, so I collected my car from the car park and dropped took two other members off to collect their own cars respectively.
It had been a great day, we all said our goodbyes and Rob and I drove back to Manchester, arriving home for around 19.30. Many thanks to Phil Hernshaw, Mark Jones and the Railway Ramblers for a fantastic day out.

The Railway Ramblers

http://www.railwayramblers.org.uk/index.php

Alston Railway

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alston_line

Lambley Viaduct

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambley_Viaduct

Route map

http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/l/lambley/

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...92162144962.1073743118.100001125840218&type=3

 

[shredder1]

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, 50th Anniversary Gala. Sunday 24th June 2018.

After an eventful day in Northumberland and exploring the Alston Branch the day before, I was up and out again and soon driving over the moors to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway this time, as they were running a celebratory 50th Anniversary Gala over the week, with some great locos in store for visitors, sadly I only had the Sunday in which I could attend and the one loco I did want to see running was the Royal Scot. The 50th Anniversary Gala was operating over 8 Days Gala 24th June - 1st July 2018.

It was still however an excellent day with lots of action throughout. Rob had stayed at my house the nights before but needed to get back to Yorkshire to catch up with his family so I dropped him off at Hebden Bridge, I also collected another mate from Middleton, John, who accompanied me for the day.

The usual visit to the depot, allowed for some great photographs in the bright sunshine, the Royal Scot however was in the back of the depot, but pulled out and put on full view for Sunday visitors later in the day, she looked truly awe inspiring. We started photting at the bottom of Keighley bank for some shots of City of Wells departing in Golden Arrow livery and later moved up the bank for the Coal Tank and Black 5 45212.

Our next move was to the Mound just north of Oakworth, another popular photting spot, with our final move to the Field below Haworth and a few final shots at Oxenhope. Other locomotives on the day included the Standard class 4, 75078, S160 Big Jim 5820, and the Mickey Mouse tank 41241 which has been returned to the original red livery it has when the Worth Valley Railway first started to operate.

I spent the day lineside but did put money into the railways coffers as I always do, it was a marvellous day out and I`m only sorry I couldn’t revisit again over the 8 days the gala was running, but other commitments prevented me from doing so. However, a really big well done to all the staff at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, who are always prepared to go that extra mile for members, a great job people.

http://kwvr.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...44328796412.1073743119.100001125840218&type=3

 

[Kite159]

Another few new lines into your little book, some more mileage for you little car

 

[AnthonyRail]

Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, 50th Anniversary Gala. Sunday 24th June 2018.

After an eventful day in Northumberland and exploring the Alston Branch the day before, I was up and out again and soon driving over the moors to the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway this time, as they were running a celebratory 50th Anniversary Gala over the week, with some great locos in store for visitors, sadly I only had the Sunday in which I could attend and the one loco I did want to see running was the Royal Scot. The 50th Anniversary Gala was operating over 8 Days Gala 24th June - 1st July 2018.

It was still however an excellent day with lots of action throughout. Rob had stayed at my house the nights before but needed to get back to Yorkshire to catch up with his family so I dropped him off at Hebden Bridge, I also collected another mate from Middleton, John, who accompanied me for the day.

The usual visit to the depot, allowed for some great photographs in the bright sunshine, the Royal Scot however was in the back of the depot, but pulled out and put on full view for Sunday visitors later in the day, she looked truly awe inspiring. We started photting at the bottom of Keighley bank for some shots of City of Wells departing in Golden Arrow livery and later moved up the bank for the Coal Tank and Black 5 45212.

Our next move was to the Mound just north of Oakworth, another popular photting spot, with our final move to the Field below Haworth and a few final shots at Oxenhope. Other locomotives on the day included the Standard class 4, 75078, S160 Big Jim 5820, and the Mickey Mouse tank 41241 which has been returned to the original red livery it has when the Worth Valley Railway first started to operate.

I spent the day lineside but did put money into the railways coffers as I always do, it was a marvellous day out and I`m only sorry I couldn’t revisit again over the 8 days the gala was running, but other commitments prevented me from doing so. However, a really big well done to all the staff at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway, who are always prepared to go that extra mile for members, a great job people.

http://kwvr.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...44328796412.1073743119.100001125840218&type=3

8 day gala sounds amazing

 

[shredder1]

Another few new lines into your little book, some more mileage for you little car

Thanks Kite, yes keeps me going, lol

 

[shredder1]

8 day gala sounds amazing

Yes I`m sorry I can`t manage a few more days Anthony

 

[theblackwatch]

South Tynedale Railway and Alston Branch. Saturday 23rd June 2018.

Friday night and Rob came over from Yorkshire and joined me for a trip on the South Tyndale Railway and the new extension to Slaggyford, while we had also arranged to meet up with another friend, Mark Jones, chairman of the Railway Ramblers as we intended joining the group for a walk up the old railway track bed from Slaggyford to Haltwhistle.

I drove up to Alston Friday evening after work, meeting Rob in Middleton, North Manchester, my local town, we had booked into a pub in Alston, the Victoria, it was alright and I had a lovely dormer attic room with views across the surrounding moors. After settling in, we went down to the bar and tried a few local ales before retiring for the night.

I slept well and Rob gave me a knock at 08.00, unusual for me as I`m usually up much earlier. We went down the stairs for breakfast, it was very good and then we made our way down to the railway station and locomotive depot to see what was steaming up for the day.
We were treated to a limited build T. Green and Son Ltd, 0-6-2 Saddle Tank, Number 441 “Barber” of 1908 in pristine Apple Green Livery.
Mark had texted me the night before to do a bit of car sharing for the group, so I left Rob to meet Mark at Alston as he was driving up the same day, and I was to meet the rest of the group at Haltwhistle. I left my car at Haltwhistle and jumped into another car with one of the other lads and we drove back to Alston in time to catch the first train out to Slaggyford.

We all boarded the 10.45 to Slaggyford, a 5-mile journey, an amazing railway and nice to finally travel into Slaggyford, although the railway has longer tern plans to eventually get the railway back to Haltwhistle. A group of 11 Railway Ramblers boarded the train from Alston to Slaggyford and after a photoshoot at the latter, we commenced the walk up the old track bed to Haltwhistle, of circa 8 mile.

Group leader was a very knowledgeable guide Phil Hernshaw took the head, and we were given handouts and information at the various points of interest along the way. The main point of interest on the line was the magnificent Lambley Viaduct. The former Lambley railway station sits at the southern end of the viaduct, now in private hands, and was also the junction station for the Brampton line. Other stations along the route were Coanwood, platform and station house and Featherstone Park, platform and station house also survive and are both in private hands.

It was a great day and a fantastic walk in some lovely country and company. We eventually reached the start of the line from Haltwhistle. A few of us returned to Alston, so I collected my car from the car park and dropped took two other members off to collect their own cars respectively.
It had been a great day, we all said our goodbyes and Rob and I drove back to Manchester, arriving home for around 19.30. Many thanks to Phil Hernshaw, Mark Jones and the Railway Ramblers for a fantastic day out.

The Railway Ramblers

http://www.railwayramblers.org.uk/index.php

Alston Railway

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alston_line

Lambley Viaduct

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambley_Viaduct

Route map

http://www.disused-stations.org.uk/l/lambley/

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...92162144962.1073743118.100001125840218&type=3

You were lucky to get 'Barber' in the book - as a Harrogate resident, it used to work on the Gasworks Railway which is only a mile or two from my house. Sadly, when I visited the South Tynedale just four days before you, it was a diesel operating and I didn't even see Barber. Disappointingly, there didn't seem to be any access to see any rolling stock other than what was operating, so I didn't even get to see 'Barber'. Looks like I will have to go on a gala event at some point to guarantee it. I have to say the new station at Slaggyford was quite impressive.

 

[shredder1]

Sorry to hear you missed it, yes the new station at Slaggyford is amazing, I was very impressed the railway have done very well over the last few years

 

[AnthonyRail]

Yes I`m sorry I can`t manage a few more days Anthony

I’d have loved to be there this weekend, Deltic and vac alongside spam can, my idea of heaven

 

[shredder1]

I’d have loved to be there this weekend, Deltic and vac alongside spam can, my idea of heaven

Yes the Worth Valley have had an amazing gala.

 

[shredder1]

Snowdon Mountain and Llanberis Lake Railway`s and Dinorwic Slate Quarries. Sunday 1st July 2018.

I had a lovely weekend down in Wales, when my Daughter, Son In Law and youngest Grandson Alfie aged 8, took me down to the Snowdon Base Camp at Rhyd Ddu and on the Saturday we all climbed to Snowdon`s summit via the Snowdon Ranger path, I was last up, it was a difficult one, at least for me.

Sunday we drove around the Mountains to Llanberis and had a delightful day in the town and on the Llanberis Lake Railway before returning to Manchester late Sunday afternoon.

Snowdon Base Camp Rhyd Ddu

http://www.snowdoninn.co.uk/accommodation/campsite/

Snowdon Mountain Railway

https://snowdonrailway.co.uk/

Llanberis Lake Railway

http://www.lake-railway.co.uk/

Dinorwic Quarry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinorwic_Quarry

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...=1530554039493356&notif_t=photo_album_comment

 

[shredder1]

East Lancs Diesel Gala, (Day 1). Saturday 7th July 2018.

Back on home territory this weekend for the East Lancs Diesel Gala, Ten minutes up the road and the weather was glorious again, best Summer since 1976 and I certainly remember that one. I spent the Saturday almost entirely around Burrs Country Park, basically following the sun around, and finally calling in at Bolton Street station to spend some money and put something back for the excellent day I`d had.

I had a full day out in the fields, you put sun tan oil on and all the flies stick to you and by the end of the day, I was still peeling from last weeks Snowdon climb, red in parts again and full of dead flies, but it had been a great day, I caught up with a few old friends and met a few new ones. The gala was the usual success which we expect from the ELR but with very little thought to all the effort that goes into these events, a hell of a lot of people, do one hell of a lot of hard graft behind the scenes and we just turn up and enjoy it. A really big well done to the East Lancs Railway for a fantastic weekend, thank you so much guys.

Locomotives rostered were, Visitors, 33 103 ‘Swordfish’ - Courtesy of Nemesis Rail and Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Class 25 D5185 - Visiting from GCR, Class 40 40012 "Aureol" - Visiting from MRC, Home Fleet, Class 14 D9531 "Ernest", Class 14 D9537, Class 25 D7629, Class 33 33109 "Captain Bill Smith RNR", Class 37 37109, Class 45 45108, Class 47 D1501, Class 50 50015, Class 47 47765 - First runs on the East Lancashire Railway since arriving

http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...38666736978.1073743125.100001125840218&type=3

 

[shredder1]

East Lancs Diesel Gala. (Day 2). Sunday 8th July 2018.

The second day, as least for me and this time I initially made my way down to Sumerseat, later moving up line to the Irwell Vale area and then Ewood Bridge. I later drove up to Rawtensatll and then to Bury Bolton Street, before returning to Rawtenstall for the last trains of the day.

It had been an exceptional gala, although it didn’t appear as well attended as usually, the East Lancs Railway however had put on an excellent show, so a really big well done to all involved and thanks for a fantastic weekend.

Locomotives rostered were, Visitors, 33 103 ‘Swordfish’ - Courtesy of Nemesis Rail and Ecclesbourne Valley Railway, Class 25 D5185 - Visiting from GCR, Class 40 40012 "Aureol" - Visiting from MRC, Home Fleet, Class 14 D9531 "Ernest", Class 14 D9537, Class 25 D7629, Class 33 33109 "Captain Bill Smith RNR", Class 37 37109, Class 45 45108, Class 47 D1501, Class 50 50015, Class 47 47765 - First runs on the East Lancashire Railway since arriving

http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/nick.melli...31083384403.1073743126.100001125840218&type=3

 

[Kite159]

although it didn’t appear as well attended as usually,

I wonder if the glorious weather (& football) has something to do with the lower attendance, as those coaches can get hot inside. I was on a tour to Hull & Goole docks on the 30th June and it got a bit uncomfortable at times

 

[shredder1]

I wonder if the glorious weather (& football) has something to do with the lower attendance, as those coaches can get hot inside. I was on a tour to Hull & Goole docks on the 30th June and it got a bit uncomfortable at times

Thanks Kite, yes weather, football and maybe tennis too, I`m sure were contributing factors.

 

[Kite159]

Thanks Kite, yes weather, football and maybe tennis too, I`m sure were contributing factors.

Probably not so much for the ping pong (tennis), as that is more posh (judging by some very well spoken folk)

 

[shredder1]

Probably not so much for the ping pong (tennis), as that is more posh (judging by some very well spoken folk)

Hahahaha