Bachmann BR Standard 4MT Class Tank Review

Class: BR Standard 4MT class 2-6-4 Tank Use: Mixed Traffic Region: All Era: 1951-1967 Preserved examples: 80002 – Keighley and Worth Valley Railway 80064 – Bluebell Railway 80072 – Llangollen

Bachmann BR Standard 9F Class Review

Today is round 2 of the Bachmann versus Hornby 9F battle! Click here for the Hornby Review. Class: BR Standard 9F class Use: Heavy Goods Region: All Era: 1954-1968 Preserved examples: 92134 – Crewe (only single chimney type preserved) 92203 – Black Prince

Hornby Railroad BR Standard 9F Class Review

Given that the version of 92220 Evening Star reviewed here has undergone a rather comprehensive make-over, it was never an intention to review it properly. However after acquiring a Bachmann 9F (click here for its review) , I thought it too good an opportunity to compare one of the best budget models with one of…

Clash of the Titans! Bachmann versus Hornby 9F models

Certain prototypes capture the hearts and minds of many enthusiasts and the BR standard 9F is certainly one of them. The 9F was a unique standard class that unlike it’s cousins, gave British steam a locomotive type that was new. And it’s also regarded as one of the best performing types too, as discussed in…

British Railways Standard 9F Class

Regarded by many as the ultimate and best British Railway Standard class, the 9F is also generally considered the finest

Autumn 2011 Watercress Services

The Steam Diary on this blog has had several back-dated posts with the long term ambition of it being complete record from where the entries in my journey in becoming a steam enthusiast end on the About page. Despite the increasing number

Mid-Hants Autumn Steam Spectacular 2011 – The Home Fleet

As promised in yesterdays post, today we will see the Watercress Line’s home fleet in action at last years Autumn Steam Spectacular. As mentioned previously, the weather was terrible, but it made for some great photograph opportunities. All three locomotives illustrated here will be running at this weekend’s Autumn Steam Spectacular 2012 – the full…

Mid-Hants Autumn Steam Spectacular 2011 – The Visitors

As promised yesterday; in anticipation of the forthcoming Autumn Steam Spectacular we have a brief look at last year’s event. My wife and I visited on the final day (the 30th October) of the three day event when the weather was terrible. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the reason why it is being…

Golden Arrow – The Movie

After receiving much feedback from the article; Gild the Golden Arrow, I decided to have a go at making a movie of the train. Admittedly my camera doesn’t produce the best quality results and my skills at editing are at a beginners level, so please treat it gently! As you can see, I have now…

Kinlet Hall in Kingswear

What a fantastic place South Devon is for the railway enthusiast! During a four night stay I was fortunate to see much of great interest. I hope there are a few Great Western Railway fans out there who have enjoyed the Western themed posts. In what will probably be the final Devonian post for the time being, here…