Not often these days that Shrewsbury is graced with the presence of 1 GWR Castle, let alone 2.But reminiscent of the old days it was great to see 5043 and 5029 on the Welsh Marches Express. Drove down to Gloucester later in the day to see them leave there and a mad dash back up the M5 to catch them near Kidderminster.

Llangollens mega gala ran for the second time, with a fantastic line up of loco's. Star attraction was newly restored 6100 Royal Scot looking amazing in its new crimson lake paint, but the sight of a black Dukedog on western metals again was well worth seeing. And an added bonus on the day was the weather. My journey home took me to Llynclys station to see Cogan Hall.

First time visiting Barrow Hill and also my first glimpse of 60163 Tornado, what an impressive engine. Also saw an old friend in the shape of the SVR's black 5 45110 which has been loaned to Barrow Hill for the next few years so its kept undercover prior to its overhaul.

My first photo charter was Matt Fielding's charter with Nunney Castle. Unfortunately the weather and poor light tried to intervene on what was otherwise a superb day. But our loco crew, Kev and Dave more than made up for the poor conditions with a very noisy display of western power.

Took the friday off to attend the event, and was not disappointed yet again by a SVR gala. They were able to match the loco's with their relevant stock, with the A4 on the teak and the Castle on the chocolate and cream.

My first visit to the Great Central to take in the winter gala. Apart from the arctic like weather its was an enjoyable visit, one which i hope to make again when the weather hots up.

Just a few pics from the santa specials run on the SVR in 2008

Thanks to a family party in the Southampton area i was able to make a flying visit to the Watercress Line on my way down. Only managed to get to Ropley though and see what was on shed.

After 43 years, 5043 finally made its return to the mainline, on its loaded test run from Snow Hill to Stratford. The sound of that double chimney as it accelerated along the tree lined branch to Stratford was awesome. Even better was the stretch from Hatton Junction to Tyseley where the Castle was able to stretch its legs, with some fast running. Unfortunately the run ended abruptly at Tyseley with the discovery of a hot bearing. But full credit to the restoration team on a job well done.

This years gala had a Cambrian theme to it, with plenty of large loco double heading from Bewdley to Kidderminster. With the glorious sunny weather and a well thought out timetable, spending all 3 days at the line was a decision well made.

40th Anniversary of the end of mainline steam in Britain........or so they thought. Not being born until 1970 it was good to go and see this landmark excursion. The day started in Manchester followed by a drive north to a very wet and windy Ribblehead. Finally a mad dash back south to Liverpool to catch the end of the tour.

A quick visit to Tyseley during the 100 years gala.

First visit to the new 'Engine House' at Highley couldn't have come at a better time, as 6024 King Edward I and 6201 Princess Elizabeth were also visiting the SVR for the weekend.

A trip to the WCML just south of Winsford to see 6233 Duchess of Sutherland returning to Crewe whilst hauling 'The Caledonian'

A flying visit on the Saturday afternoon, not much chance to catch too many of the workings.

A weekend of steam in the Shrewsbury area. Started on the Friday with 8F 48151 on the 'Welsh Dragon', followed on the Saturday morning with 45407 and 76079 on the 'Central Wales Explorer'. Then a quick drive to the Severn Valley Railway to see 'Bittern' on the 'Severn Valley Phoenix'.

Good Friday 2008, the day that the Severn valley echoed to the sound of steam loco's once again, and including after a 22 year absence 7812 Erlestoke Manor. All the hard work put in on both projects has paid off.

A visit to the SVR over christmas, only 45110 in steam on the southern section and the soon to be withdrawn 8F on shuttles at Bridgnorth.

9466's mainline trip to Ironbridge, shots taken around Coalbrookdale. Unfortunately failing light on the return trip made it difficult for photography

A cold, wet day with poor light, not the best conditions for photography, but still an enjoyable first full visit to the West Somerset.

One day, the sunday, was all i could manage but still a very worthy day despite the line closures. Just shows the SVR is still alive and kicking after the recent flood damage.

Last 2 days of July,all of August and 1 week in September saw the return of 76079 in excellent condition after its long winter overhaul to the Cambrian Coast line. This year running Machynlleth to Porthmadog only and working Monday through Friday.

My first ever trip on the Shakespeare Express, included the surprise overnight change of loco from Rood Ashton Hall to Kinlet Hall and a gloriously sunny day in Stratford. One of the few this wet summer. Also the first outing with the new camera a Nikon D80.

The Kings first mainline tour with its water wagon. Some shots from the movements around Shrewsbury on the Friday night and then from Upton Magna bridge on the Saturday. A fine sight seeing the King climbing to Upton Magna leaving one bystander to comment on the carbon footprint it was leaving, what is this world coming to.

6024 King Edward 1st having a week stay on the SVR. Just a few weeks before the recent storms devastated the railway

I could only manage a quick trip out on the Sunday afternoon to Llangollen's spring gala. But still enough time to catch all the visiting loco's.

A first visit to both Didcot and 'Steam' museums allowed the chance to see the progress being made on 6023 King Edward II, 4079 Pendennis Castle, and the two new builds 'Lady of Legend' and 1014 County of Glamorgan. A short journey across to Swindon allowed me to catch up with a loco last seen in its mainline days at Shrewsbury nearly 30 years ago, 6000 King George V.

A mad dash from Shropshire to Devon to catch the tour at Whiteball and 5051 Earl Bathurst's last mainline tour, did not disappoint. Which then resulted in an equally mad dash back to Bristol Temple Meads.

The Railway Touring Company's tour to Cornwall. Double headed by 6024 King Edward 1st and 5051 Earl Bathurst brought some storming ascents of the devon banks, especially a memorable run up Wellington Bank. This tour allowed the two engines to be in Penzance for the following weeks 'Great Britain' tour.

Taken over the weekend of the 10th/11th March at the S.V.R Branch Line gala. Visiting loco's included the Somerset and Dorset 2-8-0 No 88 and large prairie 4141.

A surprise snowstorm on the friday had nearly gone by sunday, but still enough left to get some winter photo's.

The Final weekend that Hawksworth tank 1501 worked before being withdrawn from service at the end of its 10 year boiler certificate.

The chance to catch the annual Santa Specials between Arley and Kidderminster, enjoying some late December sun.

Night time shots of 6201 on Past Time Rails 'Christmas Chester Chuffer' during it's water stop on Crewe Bank.

Past Time Rail's Capitals Express on Nov 18th from Minehead to Paddington. A cold early morning start from Minehead led to a frustratingly slow run along the West Somerset Railway. Finally leaving Bishops Lydeard at 08.50 nearly 35 minutes late. After two slick water stops and the ability to stay on the up main from Reading to Paddington we arrived at Paddington 12.50, some 17 minutes early. A fantastic effort from crew and loco.

A wet day out in Lancashire but an enjoyable day for my first visit to the East Lancs railway.

The autumn gala held over the weekend of the 22nd to the 24th Sept. Some shots from the friday night, and the saturday.
A good line up of loco's with the visiting engines 6201, 6233 and 49395 complementing the home line up.

RTC's Cambrian Coast Express on 16/09/06 from Leicester to Aberystwyth. Steam hauled from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth by 7802 Bradley Manor (ex 89C Machynlleth) returning to it's old stomping ground for possibly the last time.

A summer's day out on the Torbay Express on August 27th. Some fantastic high speed runs along the Dawlish coast, the return run being halted as we caught up the local stopping service in front.

Pictures taken from the successfull A.T.W summer tour on the Cambrian Line over the week 29/07/06 - 06/08/06.
Starting with 76079 bringing the E.C.S and Class 33 into Shrewsbury on its way to Mach. (Thankfully the 33 wasn't needed)
Travelling on the train from Mach to Porthmadog on a glorious summers day.
And finally catching it again in Barmouth on the last day of our holiday. Sadly A.T.W chiefs have so far declined to run the tour this year.

A sunday trip to Tyseley coincided with 4965 Rood Ashton Hall on the 'Shakespeare Express' and the chance to see 30777 Sir Lamiel, a loco I had last seen over 20 years earlier at Shrewsbury.

My first photographic visit to the Llangollen railway, started as a very wet day but ended in glorious spring sunshine.

A few pictures of Kingfisher tours 'Brunel Anniversary Ltd' excursion from Bristol to Shrewsbury. The tour suffered confusion over the clearance on the crossover at the end of platform 4. A problem thankfully resolved which allowed the Welsh Marches Express to run into that platform a month later.

The tour was due to route through Shrewsbury and on to Chester but a last minute change on the friday night caused an early morning sprint to Crewe.

18th and 27th December 05, two cold december visits to the Severn Valley.

A few pictures of the Santa Steam Specials in Dec 05

The 'Great Gathering' at Crewe works over the weekend 10/11 Sept 05. An enjoyable day out, but sadly this was probably the last time the event will take place.