Schools Class V – 925 Cheltenham at Ropley

In a change to the scheduled post, tonight I wanted to share with my followers my first proper look of recently restored Schools class 925 Cheltenham, that I was fortunate to catch today in a rather sunny Ropley loco yard.  Restored to working order in Eastleigh works (the locomotive’s birthplace) in just two years; it…

70000 Britannia at Didcot Railway Centre – 8th August 2012

It’s always the way; you wait for an article featuring a certain locomotive and then several come at once!  Featured last Saturday (click here) was an article on the Nene Valley Railway and several shots of BR standard 7MT class 70000.  They were taken in 1997, the last time I saw the locomotive in action until this Wednesday. …

My Journey in becoming a Steam Enthusiast, Part 6 – The Watercress Line (1997)

1997 was a significant year for the Watercress Line, as it marked it’s 20th anniversary as a preserved railway.  My father and I visited the line twice that year.  The line’s impressive home fleet was supplemented by some very special visitors.  Continuing from last week’s post, here are a selection of photographs of the Watercress…

Hornby LNER A4 class review

Last week, Locoyard followers were given the opportunity to vote for the next model review.  The Bachmann N class and Hornby A4 won with the same number of votes.  Today see’s the Hornby A4 class go through the Locoyardometer! Class: Gresley A4 Pacfic Use: Express Passenger Region: London and North Eastern Railway Era: 1935-1966 Preserved examples: 4464 (60019) Bittern – mainline certified, based at Southall Depot 4468 (60022)…

My Journey in becoming a Steam Enthusiast, Part 6 – The Watercress Line (up to and including 1996)

Regular readers of this blog will no doubt be very familiar with the Watercress Line!  It is a railway I visit regularly now, but when growing up one that I visited relatively infrequently.  However, these early visits nevertheless were regular and enjoyable enough to go a long way in sowing the seeds of becoming a steam enthusiast! Going back…