Sir Winston Churchill – Battle of Britain Class 34051

The Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Spectacular 2012 had two visitors; 43XX 5322 and Battle of Britain Class 34051 Sir Winston

The Autumn Steam Spectacular 2012! Mid-Hants Gala, 2012

Yet another fantastic steam gala was held at the Watercress Line this weekend. The whole line was constant hive of activity, with seven locomotives (and one crane) in steam; working a variety of services, some double-headed plus demonstration freight services. There was also plenty on static display too; including a visitor from the National Railway…

SECR C Class 592 on the Bluebell Railway

After looking at Ex-LBSCR E4 class B473 and Southern U class 1638 we now complete the round-up of locomotives that were in steam when visiting the Bluebell Railway on the 26th August. In my opinion we have left the best to last – South Eastern and Chatham Railway’s C class 592. If you have enjoyed…

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…

Watercress Autumn Steam Spectacular 2012 Locomotive Line-Up – Updated

This Friday 7th to Sunday 8th September is an important weekend for the Southern steam enthusiast as it is the Watercress Line’s Autumn Steam Spectacular. In antcipation of this; today we look at the planned steam locomotive line-up for the event, in order of build date. UPDATED 4th September – S15 class 825 has been withdrawn and…

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…

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…