Model Railway Exhibition

I've been really busy at the moment with work giving me very little to blog about, however, with the Bank Holiday Weekend upon us, I am happy to say I will be attending the Blyth & Tyne Model Railway Club's Annual Exhibition held at The Parks Sports Centre, North Shields (see here for their website) I'll be visiting with my Grandad on Saturday and hope to catch Chris Heath, who's blog you can find here.
Until then, here's a few pictures that managed to slip the net whilst uploading my photos of my Railway Adventures in and around the Lake District in July. I actually took them whilst visiting the South Lakes Zoo. It's a short 7 1/4 inch miniature railway that runs parallel to the Tiger Enclosure. The train is 50p per ride and all monies raised goes to a charity that ensures the survival of some of the worlds most endangered species of Tigers.

Steam loco 'Guillaura' with a 0-4-0ST+T wheel arrangement awaits it's next

service in the loco shed at the end of the line.

Diesel Loco '4' with a 0-4-0PH wheel arrangement built in 2001

The raised level section which allows better views
into the tiger enclosure

Two of my favorite things in close proximity, Trains and Big Cats.

Until next time.....

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.....

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.....

Summer Holidays!

Instead of heading off for a big summer holiday abroad this year, the wife and I decided since we now have the use of a car, we should take a few long weekends or week breaks here in the UK.

So with that in mind we have booked up to visit one of our favourite locations in the UK, the English Lake District. We'll be here for about 5 days during July, camping out and getting back in touch with nature.
It just so happens that we won't be too far off from the Ravensglass and Eskdale Railway, a fantastic seven-mile stretch of line which has been described as the most beautiful train journey in England! It runs from Ravensglass to Dalegarth Terminus, which is based at the foot of some of England's Highest Mountains.


'River Mite' leaves Ravensglass Station

Not happy with just one possible Railway Adventure, I've also earmarked the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway, to the south of Lake Windermere, near to our campsite. Excellent!

All that needs to be done is to get the Missus to agree!

Until next time,

Craig