Hornby Schools Class Front Bogey Misbehaving
The biggest and only significant criticism that the review of Hornby’s super-detailed schools class found was the problematic front bogey. It isn’t alone in this respect and I have two other
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…
Other Recollections; My Journey in becoming a Steam Enthusiast, Part 9 Chapter 1
Part 9 concludes a long series of posts looking at experiences during my childhood of steam on preserved lines. These have included watching small tank engines working hard up Tenterden Bank on the Kent and East Sussex Railway, having a cab ride on an Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 on the Lavender Line, being astounded by the historic Bluebell…
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…
Southern Railway (Ex-LBSCR) E4 Class B473 on the Bluebell Railway
The next locomotive (after the previous article on U class 1638) to feature on locoyard following last Sunday’s visit to the Bluebell Railway is a unique survivor of the LBSCR’s E4 class. Purchased straight from British Railways in 1962, B473 is the last remaining member of Billinton’s 0-6-2 radial tank . Built in 1898 for…
Bachmann BR Standard 5MT Class Review
After updating the review of Bachmann’s N class, I took a look at the model reviewing poll conducted in July. The poll lead to both the N class review taking place and also the review of the Hornby A4 class and since then a review of Hornby’s unrebuilt West country pacific has also been completed. …
Southern Railway U Class 1638 on the Bluebell Railway
Following from my previous blog post (click here) on my visit to the Bluebell Railway, here are some pictures of the Maunsell U class 1638 that was in operation that day. The U class is no stranger to this website or to me and I’m happy to say that I’ve seen all four that survive…
Bachmann (ex-SECR/SR) N Class Review
In July, 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. Therefore the Bachmann N class will go through the Locoyardometer! This review has been updated on 28th August 2012 with additional pictures of slope-sided tender version number…
Sheffield Park and the Bluebell Railway
Yesterday I enjoyed a fantastic visit to what is still my favourite place in the railway world. My decision to visit the railway was fairly spontaneous. I try to visit when I can, which unfortunately is usually only once a year. It would be much more frequent if it wasn’t for it being a long…
Loco Yard 