Seeing as a Christmas goods train was featured in this morning’s advent Calendar blog post (click here to view), I thought it fitting to publish some pictures of a goods train in action!

One of the many reasons that so many people go to steam gala’s is the relatively rare opportunity to see goods trains in action.  Goods trains were once the most common type on the UK’s railway network in all regions except the south.  On preserved lines, as they do not bring in revenue, wagons can not be given the same priority for restoration work as passenger carriages.  But that said, heritage railways do their best to keep and run collections of wagons and the Watercress Line is no exception.

The Watercress Railway restore their large fleet of wagons at Medstead and Four Marks station.  In the spring I had the pleasure of being given a tour of Medstead Wagon works (click here to read more), whereas in the Autumn Steam Spectacular 2013 I was happy to capture Ex-LMS Stanier Black 5 45379 hauling the demonstration freight train.

As can be seen from these photographs, the demonstration freight train had an impressive selection of wagons in tow, a credit to the railway’s wagon group.

The Watercress Line’s wagon group regularly post updates on the Watercress Line’s website that are well worth checking regularly.Thanks for reading folks 🙂