Today, 5th March 2016 is the 80th anniversary of the first flight of the legendary Supermarine Spitfire. The Spitfire is often described as being one of the most famous aircraft types in the world and its elliptical wings are still one of the most instantly recognisable of any aeroplane. The first Spitfire was originally designed by RJ Mitchell…
As part of the Heritage Lottery Funded Canadian Pacific Project, we are researching and exploring the social history of the railway covering a wide range of topics. The following link provides a fascinating insight into the Southern Railway Orphanage at Woking. That’s right, there’s more to railways than trains! http://preservation.watercressline.co.uk/blog/entry/the-childrens-orphanage Photographs provided by Roy Smith and the Bishopstoke History Society…
Some great Throwback Thursday photos from the Bristol Harbour Railway looking at when the GWR 813 Saddle Tank visited the line. Another Throwback Thursday to 29th July 2001, when GWR 813 was visiting Bristol. This locomotive has just celebrated its centenary, having been built in June 1901. You can learn more about GWR 813 ……
Here are a series of pictures I took in Rogiet, Gwent on May 4th 2013 of 34067 Tangmere, an SR Battle of Britain Class 4-6-2 steam locomotive as it stopped to take on water. This was actually the first time I ever got to see a steam locomotive up close. I was sat at home…
Today Bachmann announced their plans for 2016/17. To coincide with its’ thirtieth anniversary, the main theme of their new range is Network South East (NSE.) The only new tooling for 00 scale follows this theme – a Class 414 (2 HAP) Electric Multiple Unit to fit in with the growing number of EMU’s available. For N gauge…
Hotham Valley railway train leaves from Dwellingup every weekend and public holiday. We purchased the tickets online as we were only down there for one day and didn’t want to miss out. The ca… Source: Hotham Valley Steam Train
The latest update from the Mid-Hants Railway’s carriage shop has been posted, that includes progress on Bulleid Open Third 1456 (part of the Heritage Lottery Funded Canadian Pacific project) – go to – http://preservation.watercressline.co.uk/blog/entry/carriage-shop-update-february-2016 to read more.
A new blog post detailing progress on the Heritage Lottery Funded Canadian Pacific project has been published. Please click on the following link to read more: http://preservation.watercressline.co.uk/blog/entry/canpac-overhaul-update-feb-2016
On a frosty, sunny February day I escaped to the Kent marshes for a day out on the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. Here’s Hurricane looking lovely in her blue livery. She hauled my train… Source: Sun, Steam and Steak – a Day on the RH&DR
Today, the world’s most famous steam locomotive, Flying Scotsman, has returned to Steam, at the tune of a £4.2m overhaul, taking 10 years in the process. While I was not able to attend today’s celebrations, as a railway enthusiast and historian, it is a remarkable achievement that the locomotive is finally operational. The locomotive was…
Loco Yard 