Class: Original (unrebuilt) West Country / Battle of Britain class Use: Express Passenger and Express Goods Region: Southern Era: 1945-1967 Preserved examples: 34007 21C107 Wadebridge – Mid Hants Railway – operational 34023 21C123 Blackmoor Vale/Blackmore Vale – Bluebell Railway (as-built, Coat of Arms added in preservation) – Static Display pending overhaul 34051 21C151 Winston Churchill – National Railway Museum – Static…
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…
Fittingly after yesterdays blog post we move forward in time to the 22nd July and to another character from Thomas the Tank Engine and friends; 5 James! This is in reality the sole surviving Maunsell N class (31874) that was painted as the Thomas the Tank Engine character towards the end of its last stint in…
A set of posts reflecting on my journey in becoming a steam enthusiast would not be complete without Thomas the Tank engine! As a child, I adored Thomas the Tank engine and it is without doubt one of the reasons that I love steam engines today. My Hornby model (above) is the longest-serving member of locoyard, although it is currently…
After much time, I have finally got round to adding the “Golden Arrow” Regalia to Hornby 70004 William Shakespeare. I also fitted a vacuum pipe, coupling hook and
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…
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…
As promised earlier in the week, this is the first post following a short stay in Devon. My wife and I had a lovely time staying with Grannie, despite the best intentions of the wet weather! So thank you Grannie 🙂 We visited the railway on Sunday 8th July, during its Military Weekend. There was…
A quick blog update tonight and a sneak preview of articles to come! I am currently enjoying a short break in Devon and have managed a wondeful ride on the South Devon railway with my wife yesterday and even squeezed in a quick visit to Staverton today. A full write-up of these visits will be given; hopefully…
As promised in yesterdays post, here are a few pictures taken at a visit to Buckfastleigh in 2010. That day, pannier tank 57xx 5786 was shunting stock around the yard. Meanwhile the beautiful (in my humble opinion) and only surving Collett Goods class 2251 0-6-0 number 3205 ran services. Meanwhile, a few other locomotives were…
Loco Yard 