Small Prairie Tank
Today’s blog post looks at ex-GWR 45xx class small prairie tank 4566 of the Severn Valley Railway.
70th Anniversary of the Railway Series by Rev W Awdry
Today marks the 70th Anniversary of Rev W Awdry publishing the first of the famous Railway Series books, “The Three Railway Engines.” Interestingly this first book did not introduce the most famous character of the series – Thomas the Tank engine, but of course it is Thomas who became the star. Hornby are marking the…
Two Teddy Bears!
How many diesel locomotives be given the title of honorary steam engine? The steam era GWR diesel railcars are usually included and early pioneering prototypes that could produce so much clag that they could be confused with smoke from a coal fire! For me (and this is definitely only a personal opinion!) some of the…
Four Marks and Ropley Scout Group 11th Annual Model Railway Exhibition
Next Weekend on Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th May 2015 Four Marks & Ropley Scout Group are holding their 11th Annual Model Railway Exhibition. In 2012 I visited this small but very friendly model railway exhibition (click here to read more.) As usual, on Sunday it coincides with the Watercress Festival in Alresford and so…
The Mighty River Mite
In the late 1960’s steam power was being obliterated in the UK. The iron king that had powered the industrial revolution and changed the world was at the end of its reign. As steam locomotives were being withdrawn and scrapped, something unusual was happening. A new 2-8-2 steam engine was being built…
GWSR “Speed to the West” Cotswold Festival of Steam
The GWSR’s annual Cotswold Festival of Steam has once again chosen an imaginative theme going with Speed to the West, with guest locos representing classes who pulled the heavy holiday express trains at the height of rail travel Headlining the event will be two of Bulleid’s light pacifics, 34007 ‘Wadebridge’ courtesy of the Mid-Hants Railway…
Simon’s journey into the world of Volunteering – Diary Entry 12
Good evening, It’s been a couple of months since I have written a volunteer diary entry on my experiences working on Canadian Pacific but with most of the work focused around cleaning the frames and various components on the locomotive it seemed sensible to hold fire until I have something actually interesting to report. The big…
A Favorite Blue Tank Engine…
Ask most people they’re favourite blue tank engine and you can expect one answer, Thomas the Tank engine. But after a visit to the Lakeside and Haverwaithe railway, you may have you swayed if you see Andrew Barclay 0-6-0T 1245 in steam.
Bellerophon
Bellerophon was a hero of Greek legend, famous for riding Pegasus and slaying the Chimera – a fire breathing beast. Being one of the greatest names of mythology, it comes as no surprise that it has been used for a number of warships. A little more surprisingly though, is that is name of a quirky…
The Severn Valley
Although today’s blog post is the last of a quartet of heritage railways visited in a little over a week, it certainly is not the least. The Severn Valley Railway deservedly has a reputation as one of the leading lights in the heritage railway world. The line has featured here on this blog before, but…
Loco Yard 