Rebuilt West Country Pacific 34028 Eddystone

Our “stead” for the day whilst visiting the Swanage Railway was the rather magnificent rebuilt West Country Pacific 34028 Eddystone.

Hornby Railroad LNER J83 Tank Model Review

In the search for a working Hornby type 7 motor, this J83 spent a brief foray on the locoyard layout before being dismantled, quite frankly in disgust! This model is very poor and it is quite surprising that Hornby sell it in this century. You’ll soon find out why I say this…

Model of the Week – Bulleid Q1 class – C1

Today’s model of the week is possibly the most ugly of the 100% steam Locoyard fleet of locomotives. Hornby’s model is very good and is worth checking out (click here for it’s review). The real thing is an interesting locomotive type and as with all model of the week blog posts, we will now look…

Gallery of Views of the Swanage Railway

The Swanage Railway runs a short but very picturesque route from Norden to Swanage, passing through the magnificent Corfe Castle (above) and Harman’s Cross.

A4 Dominion of Canada – Before and After courtesy of UKHH

Today’s special photograph has been kindly submitted by Rowan Jackson of UK Heritage Hub. LNER A4 pacific 4489 Dominion of Canada has been subject to an incredible cosmetic restoration and the picture above shows the before and after shots. I’m sure you will all agree that the National Railway Museum have done an excellent job…

M7 Tank 30053 – Lined BR Black (late crest)

Earlier in the week, I had the pleasure of visiting and traveling on the Swanage Railway in Dorset with Mrs Locoyard and as is always the way; there will be much coverage on the visit in the next few days.

The Watercress Line Video

Following up from the blog post looking at 34051 Sir Winston Churchill in Ropley, today we take a slightly different perspective – a moving perspective on the Watercress Line!

34051 Sir Winston Churchill at Ropley loco yard

At the Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Spectacular 2012; the National Railway Museum’s Battle of Britain class 34051 Sir Winston Churchill was put on display at Alresford (click here to read more). Last Sunday; 34051 could be found at the railway again, this time in Ropley loco yard, outside the main works.

BR (SR) Branchline Service

After the excitement of the holding the poll to find the most famous steam locomotive, today is time to play trains! I hope you enjoy these pictures of BR terrier 32670 with a high-window Maunsell carriage and luggage van.

Bachmann Ex-LMS Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0 DCC Fitting Guide

Whilst searching to fill the missing BR standard 4MT gaps in the locoyard fleet, I stumbled upon an Ivatt 4MT 2-6-0. This is not a southern engine and in that respect quite out of place in the collection, but nevertheless it is an unusual addition to the fleet and a review of it will be…