60163 'Tornado' at Shildon 2010

Looking for some family pictures on my hard drive and I found these pictures tucked away in a file from last year. I'd thought I'd share them with you. It was from an afternoon in Richmond with some family members. We had popped in to visit Locomotion, Shildon on the way back and just happened to bump into none other than the newly built A1 Class No. 60163 'Tornado' at a Steam Gala held here. It wasn't planned....honest!

Class J72 No. 69023 'Joem'

A steam shuttle service heads towards the Collection Building

Tornado the main attraction, centre to Class K1 62005 'Lord of the Isles' to
the right in this picture and LNER Class V2 4771 'Green Arrow'

A close up of the Nameplate

The headboard reads A1 Steam Locomotive Trust as well as their website

Me, standing proudly in front of Britain's newest Steam Loco

Awaiting movement from Tornado

Tornado's Support Coaches lie in wait

Here she blows!

She passes close by.

Awaiting the Green Signal

Until next time.....

Ravensglass & Eskdale Railway Report and Photo's

Wednesday 20th July:

After another Full English and another 9.00am start from our campsite, we headed off towards Dalegarth Station (via Ambleside) which is found in Eskdale Valley and one end of the Ravensglass and Eskdale Railway in the hope of catching the first service of the day, the 10.30am departure to Ravensglass.

The journey had started well as we were making good time, however at a small junction I decided one of two roads would be the correct one as it looked wider than the other, suggesting this was the A road I needed to be on. It wasn't until we arrived in Coniston that I had realised I'd taken the wrong route.....Bugger! 20 mins behind schedule I found the right road and headed for the station. The road would infact pass over two of the most treacherous inclines in Britain.

First we tackled the Wrynose Pass which has a 1 in 4 gradient both ascending and descending and then as soon as we'd reached the bottom it was time to take on the steepest road in Britain, the infamous Hardknott Pass, a 1 in 3 gradient going up and going down! We were following a Volvo XC70 and a Land Rover in my Peugoet 206, but we managed to keep pace although never getting out of 1st or 2nd gear. Gemma was passed herself as we twisted and turned up and down both sides of the motoring behemoth, I was loving testing out my driving skills! After the decline,weI realised we wouldn't make it in time to reach Dalegarth Station for the 10.30am train, so decided to head for Ravensglass Station and travel from there instead.

As we were driving, the road criss-crossed the line via a few bridges, even catching a glimpse of the 10.30am from Dalegarth. We arrived in Ravensglass at 11.00am, parked up and headed for the engine shed where we were greeted by 'River Esk' tender shy alongside one of the diesel loco's used here.

Steeped in History

River Esk, without Tender

The un-named Diesel loco with it's engine on show.

We bought our tickets which were only £6.00 each as we had 50% discounts after travelling on the Ullswater Steamer Cruise Boats two days previously, the same company owns both, and headed for the Platform. Just as we got onto the platform, in came the 10.30 departure from Dalegarth. The Diesel that hauled in the service was a Class 66 look-a-like named 'Douglas Ferreira' after the longest serving General Manager of the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway who sadly passed away in 2003.

Douglas Ferreira - Winner of Miniature Class 66 Lookalike Comp!

Our coaches had now arrived into the platform. They were actually walked into the station by a few staff members which I'm sure I've never seen done at any station in the UK! Steam Loco 'Northern Rock' was then reversed in and coupled up ready to haul the 11.30am departure towards Eskdale.

Although I'd hoped to have travelled with my favourite loco 'River Mite' another Steam Loco, I was just happy to be here after a 15 year absence. This lovely looking locomotive shares the name of my former employers and local bank Northern Rock too, which fitted in nicely with the previous day's trip with a Loco named 'Princess', another co-incidence perhaps?

A bank in which I used to work! Not very popular nowadays!

We chose to sit in the last compartment of the train and I was impressed with the coaches. They are well built and surprisingly warmer than you'd think. The seats are a bit hard but I didn't care, I was back and ready for departure.

A view from the back

Mrs Pearson looking as bored as she told
me she was! Oh well!

The 40 minute journey to Dalegarth takes you through some beautiful landscapes. The railway has a title of one of the most scenic in Britain. I was impressed at the speed in which we travelled too, 'Northern Rock' a mighty little loco hauling 8 coaches full of passengers. I managed to catch our train cutting through the forests on video too. Catch them on my YouTube channel here. 

'Northern Rock' does a grand job of hauling 8 coaches full to
capacity

When we reached Dalegarth I headed down to the front of the train to catch 'Northern Rock' on the turntable at the end of the platform.

Time for a switch round

Letting off Steam as Northern Rock loads herself onto the
Turntable at the end of Dalegarth Station

My spent around 30 mins inside the impressive station building which has had a massive refurbishment since my last visit. After a quick drink and sandwich we looked around the gift shop before heading back outside. By this time the missus was really bored but didn't complain too much, bless her. So to keep us busy before the journey back to Ravensglass, we took some pictures of us next to 'Northern Rock' before taking our seats on board, choosing to sit behind the Loco for the journey back.

So tempting to have a go!

Me with Northern Rock

Ready to head back to Ravensglass

After 40 minutes travel we were back at Ravensglass Station where we had a look at the on-site museum before heading back to the car anf for home via treacherous mountain passes. After 15 or so years, the Railway still excited me as much as it had the first time around. It was great to be back at my favourite narrow gauge railway, which is a true testament to the people who have kept it in working order for decades and I'm sure for many more to come.

It's a place I'd definately share with any children I may have in the future, although their future Mum definately had her fill of it for life! Thanks for coming darling! xxxxxxxxxxx

So what happened to my favourite Loco, 'River Mite' I hear you ask? Well I did managed to see it, passing her on a small section of double track for just a few seconds as seen below...

River Mite seen as we passed her on one of only two sections
of double track here at R&E

Racing Past

Pleased to have seen you

So that was my Railway Adventure of today and the final one of my week away, until next time....

Lakeshore & Haverthwaite Railway and Windermere Lake Cruise Report and Photo's

Well after finally sorting out my pictures, here is the first of two write up's on my recent Railway Adventures

Tuesday 19th July 2011

After an early morning start and a Full English Breckie, My wife and I headed over Kirkstone Pass, and down towards Lake Windermere on route to the Lakeshore and Haverthwaite Railway. We planned to catch the first departure out of Haverthwaite Station at 10.40am where we'd steam up to Lakeshore Station and onto our connecting River Cruise up to Bowness-on-Windermere. This was just £12.50 return which we thought was really good value.

When we arrived it had just passed the hour of ten, so after buying our day tickets we headed over to the Engine Shed located near to the station. As we headed towards the shed, we were greeted by two loco's 'Princess' which was being prepped for a service and 'Repulse' which was quietly awaiting the call of duty behind.

'Repulse' and 'Princess' Loco's await duties

0-6-0ST Bagnall Tank Engine no. 2682 'Princess'

0-6-0ST Hunslet Austerity No. 3698 'Repulse'

We then headed into the shed to check out what else this Railway had to offer. Inside we saw more than a few Loco's from Black 5's to a Steam Roller. Here's a little peek inside.

0-4-0ST Barclay Tank Engine No. 2333 'David'

BR Fairburn, 4MT 2-6-4T No 42085 (with me!)

BR Fairburn, 4MT 2-6-4T No 42073 (with me again!)

BR Class 26 No. D5301

The Railway even has a Steam Roller 

BR Class 20 No. D8314

Once I'd had my fill we had a slow walk back towards the station. There were now coach loads of people now arriving as we made our way onto the platform. Just as we were chatting, one of the Loco's we'd seen over near the sheds pulled into the station and stopped right next to us. My nickname for my Wife is 'Princess', which was a nice little coincidence that it should be the name of the loco that would haul the first trip on a steam train for her!

I headed up to the bridge to get some high up shots of the station as 'Princess' (the loco not the wife) was teathered to the front of 4 BR Mk1's 'Blood and Custard' coaches. We then headed towards the rear of the train to get some good seats. The train was pretty busy as we pulled out of Haverthwaite Station as we headed along this scenic route for approximetely 25 mins. We arrived into Lakeshore Station which has a Port built onto the back of the Station Building making it a perfect place to link the River Cruises into. Also here is a small Harbour and a newly built Aquarium.

My Princess meets 'Princess'!

A shot from the bridge which leads from the platform to a
lovely picnic area to the right

The other view from the bridge, the Engine Shed to the right.

Nearly ready for departure, the 10.40 service to Lakeshore

All Aboard!

Once we alighted and headed for the portside, it was just a 5 minute wait before our River Cruiser 'Swan' sailed in. We found some nice seats just inside (the rain had just begun) and before we knew it we were sailing on Lake Windermere on our way to Bowness. The journey only took 40 minutes and was very smooth. The rain had wained as we arrived into Bowness and we walked around this beautiful town setting checking out the local shops and grabbing a bite to eat. We then headed back towards the Port and once again boarded 'Swan' back to Lakeshore Station around 1.50pm.

Windermere Cruiser 'Swan' seen here at Lakeshore Port.

As it was on our journey up it began raining so no passengers were outside as I went for a walk around. As I stopped at the bow of the Cruiser to check out the view I could not believe how peaceful it was, easily the most peaceful place I've ever experienced my whole life! The water was like glass such was the calmness, not a ripple and with the boats engines you could pick it out. Because of the shape of Swan's keel, the waterbreak was behind me too. It was total peace, I felt like I was floating in a dream! A lovely moment I'll never forget.

Total Tranquility, Lake Windermere looks so calm

Back at Lakeshore Port Station our train was awaiting us as we alighted 'Swan'. Once again we'd be hauled back to Haverthwaite by Locomotive 'Princess'. We were joined by a nice spell of sunshine on our journey back too adding to the views along the route. 25 minutes later and back at Haverthwaite I unlocked our 'slam' door and stepped onto the platform. Immediately in front of us was a collection of Owls with their handler. They were from an newly built Owl Sanctuary that is based in the Lake District and raising awareness by handing leaflets out (the handler not the owls!) and being also able to handle the 4 beautiful Owls on display. Gemma, feeling very brave chose to hold the biggest Owl there. Here's me that thought she'd pick the smallest!

She doesn't looked scared at all, neither does my wife!

She was brave until the handler joked she would need to sign a disclaimer form incase of injury! My turn next, and I was suprised at the weight of the bird, a Barn Owl. I was amazed at how beautiful and amazing creatures they are!

Couldn't resist a hold myself

Beautiful Creatures indeed

We finished our afternoon out by heading back towards Ullswater where we visited Aira Falls, a National Trust site that features a wonderful waterfall. After that we headed out for some tea and back to the campsite for an early night.

For tomorrow it would be off the the Ravensglass & Eskdale Railway....

Until then......

Ravensglass & Eskdale Railway

Very excited this morning, had a great day out yesterday at the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway on the south shores of Lake Windermere and today will be going to the wonderful Ravensglass & Eskdale Railway or known locally as La'al Ratty which is a 15 in (381 mm) gauge miniature railway that runs for 7 miles between Ravensglass and Dalegarth stations. It has been many years since I was last here and I'm as excited as I was as a kid back then! Hopefully I'll get to travel on my favourite loco here, River Mite, with her 2-8-2 wheel arrangement as seen below:

River Mite pulls out of Ravenglass Station

Camera's at the ready, pictures to follow when I get back to the laptop.

Until then.....

Lakeside & Haverthwaite Visit

Today I'm headed to the small, but by all accounts quaint Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway. We're also continuing our day out on a Steamer Cruise from Lakeshore Port up to Bowness-on-Windermere and return. It will be my first visit to the railway which is always exciting.

From research the railway has a nice selection of Steam and Diesel Loco's, a few that I've never set eyes on yet such as Barclay Loco No 2333 'David'. As always I'll have the camera handy and and upload the best shots here on my return home as there's no real signal in the Lake District - this also has it's benefits!
Here's their website if you can't wait that long! http://www.lakesiderailway.co.uk/

Another Fellow Blogger - Model Railway

A few of you may remember me mentioning my friend Jim and his Cycling Club Blog that featured a lot of riding along the disused lines in and around the Gatesheas and Co. Durham areas. Well after lending my 'expert' advice, he has finally created a blog that will be showcasing his extensive Railway Photographs. Jim's Train Pics is now live and can be found here

Another friend of mine who has also decided to blog about his model making is Chris Heath. His blog will catalogue the building and creation of his new loft layout, Wynyard Lane. I have actually seen some of his models first hand and I can say without doubt it's difficult to find anyone with his amount of attention to detail and he's just a novice in comparison to some. Wynyard Lane Models is now live and can be found here and keep up to date with his progress.

Please have a look when you get the chance, I'm sure you'll enjoy them.

Flying Scotsman Set-Back

Do you ever get that feeling when your excited about something and then it all goes wrong? Well that's what I'm feeling today as the news of No. 4472 restoration hitting yet another problem.

An official statement from the National Railway Museum announced that the team at Riley & Son in Bury, where the restoration is in it's final stages, have found cracks in the Chassis, a problem that has plagued the Scotsman before. The Museum states that everything possible is being done to return 'Flying Scotsman' to the main line as soon as possible and that they will continue to restore it to perfect running condition as soon as possible.

However this now mean that I will not get to see 4472 in action later this year during the NRM's Steam Shuttle Event which was to feature Scotsman running between the NRM at York and Locomotion at Shildon on the main line. Massive disappointment but let's wish the team at Riley & Sons all the best and successfully returning Scotsman to action as soon as possible.

Scotsman and Me! This was taken at the unveiling of the famous Loco at 

a VIP event, Friday 27th May 2011.

Until next time.....

Craig

Support needed for Wylam to Lemington Steam Railway's 200th Anniversary

Here's a story from one of our local newspapers yesterday, which is something personally I'd be very happy to see come to fruition.

Full credit goes to the Newcastle Journal Newspaper:

***************

A group of pensioners is campaigning for the North East to mark the 200th anniversary of what it says is the world’s oldest steam railway. A band of OAPs who live along the route of what was the Wylam to Lemington Wagonway are calling on bodies in the region to lay on events
to commemorate two centuries since it became operational in 1814.

The group, whose members live at Newburn, is led by Michael Balfour, a steam rail enthusiast.
He was researching the history of the railway several years ago for a poem, and discovered its opening in 1814 made it ‘the first steam railway (that actually worked) anywhere in the world.’

Mr Balfour, 70, of West Denton Close, has now written to Northumberland County and Newcastle City councils, The National Railway Museum and Beamish – which is said to have a working replica of the famous engine Puffing Billy which operated on the line – to ask if they would be prepared to help in the organisation of celebratory events. He has also approached Wylam Parish Council. To date, Mr Balfour has received verbal support from the parish council but no reply from the others.
He has visions of events being run simultaneously at Wylam station and Tyne Riverside Country Park at Newburn, close to Lemington and where bosses are said to be behind the group’s idea, with an engine of some kind – ideally the Puffing Billy replica – taking people across the Northumberland and Tyneside border and between the two sites.

Mr Balfour feels such events would have to be organised by a group involving the kind of bodies he has approached, and that he and his friends would not be able to manage alone.

And although the anniversary is three years away, he says events of the kind he envisages would require planning well in advance. He said: “I think in the region we really need to do something because it is the first ever commercially successful steam railway anywhere in the world coming up 200 years, that has to be a big occasion.“Unless we can get some more powerful support nothing is going to happen at all which in my view would be a tremendous shame.”

The Wylam Wagonway is said to be the first to introduce steam power via a mobile steam engine running on flat rails. It was built on a path on which initially horses used to pull wagons of coal along wooden rails from Wylam Colliery to the River Tyne at Lemington, for shipping on.
Richard Trevithick was commissioned to design an engine and his effort started running in “early 1813”.

However mine owner Chris Blackett was not impressed and asked its engineer William Hedley to come up a better design.
Together with Timothy Hackworth, they built Puffing Billy which started work in early 1814 and ran in various guises for approximately 50 years. Trackbed from the old railway still lines part of the route, which is now part of Hadrian’s Cycleway.

******************

'Puffing Billy' at Beamish Museum, Co. Durham
(Picture from Jims Train Pics)

I've highlighted a quote from the above text, as I agree with it. Although we have a rich history of railway origins here in the North East, it is often overlooked. It can and should be remembered as the birthplace of the railways. Home to railway pioneers such as Stephenson, Trevithick & Hackworth we as a region don't really celebrate this enough. Even today Newcastle is a main stop on the ECML, wonderful bridges were created to carry these 'Iron Horses' safely across the Tyne. The region's coal mining industry would not have been such if it wasn't for the railways. Hardly anything is mentioned about these facts, which is why the above passage strikes a chord with me.

I want to see the North East celebrate its railway history a lot more. And reading the story today, it looks as though I may not be alone in this. Is there something I could do for this project mentioned in the Journal yesterday? Possibly. It seems tragic to think without support the 200th anniversary of this line will pass un-noticed.

I will watch proceedings closely and report here on this potential event.

Until then......

Sunny Sunday Snaps

With all the wonderful weather at the weekend, I spent most of it outdoors sipping Cider in the local's beer garden. With a little bit of a headache on Sunday, I chose to walk it away with a little jaunt to  Saltwell Park in Gateshead which is just 5 mins walk from my front door. After wandering around in the 30 degree heat I decided to grab a drink and an Ice Cream and sat down next to the boating lake within the compound.

It was here where I gazed across the way and saw a few older gentlemen busy at the water's edge. I watched with interest as they lowered something into the water. It was a remote controlled model tug boat followed by a few more that I couldn't make out. Although my main modelling interests lie with railways, I always appriciate other types of  model and the hard work that goes into creating the miniature versions.

Through cider induced bleary eyes, I take 5 minutes out to enjoy these
miniature nautical models

Saltwell Park itself is a real gem of a location and has plenty to do and see. Features include Saltwell Towers, which was once the main residence of the grounds. It has been converted to include a small Museum and Cafe. Other attractions here are the Bird Avieries and small Petting Zoo. It has nostalgic Bandstands, Rose Gardens, Waterfalls, 3 Childrens Play Areas, Tennis Courts,
the Boating Lake and many large grass covered open areas perfect for Picnics or a kick about with a ball.

I also remember being a kid coming here and it having a full sized plane next to the play park. It was a 017 Vickers Viscount which you could board using stairs, walk through the empty fuselage and exit down the inflatable slide. It had no wings, but we didn't care....it was bloody great!

Vickers Viscount 017, Saltwell Airways! Brilliant

One thing Saltwell Park doesn't have and in my opionion would benefit from having a miniature railway that could circle the boating lake, similar to the one I have frequented for years at South Shields. This narrow gauge railway called the Lakeshore Railroad features American Loco's running clockwise around the Boating Lake. To this day I refuse to leave the park until I've had my ride, a rule I've had since 1984.

Santa Fe Loco 3440 'Mountaineer' awaits departure on the
South Shields Lakeshore Railroad

Until next time.....