A trip along the Nene Valley.....

"34081 '92 Squadron at Peterborough Station" (Pic - K.Evans)

Hi all. Today saw me and two friends take a trip to Nene Valley Railway for the day. Sadly what we hadn't planned for was the horrible wet weather we were about to have. My day started as I left Burton on Trent (My home town) by train on a Cross Country Class 170 Diesel Multiple Unit. Before long after stops at Willington, Derby, Long Eaton & Beeston it was time to leave the train at Nottingham Station. Before long I was on the 08:34 Nottingham - Norwich Train which would see me to Peterborough the East Terminus of the Nene Valley Railway.

"Kieran posing for a photo on the footplate of 34081" (Pic - C.Johnson)

 At Grantham I was joined by my good mate Kieran and his girlfriend Casey and we settled down for the journey to Peterborough. Before long we arrived at Peterborough Station and had the fun of trying to get out the station and find our way to Nene Valley Railway. We found the station and Railworld, Only to find that Railworld DOES NOT open till 11:00am....KIERAN.... Take note.... lol. Before long the distinctive sound of a Bullied Pacific's whistle could be heard in the distance as 34081 appeared with her train. 

And soon 34081 could be seen as she arrived with her train of BR Mk1 Coaches. It was the first I'd got up close to 34081 so whilst Kieran was getting ready to take photos as 34081 ran round her train I was admiring 34081 whilst the crew were uncoupling. With a quick toot on the whistle 30481 moved off her train to the head shunt to run round. As she ran round her train, she slipped to the bemusement of myself and Kieran who muttered things afterwards to the line of "Really, light engine?" 

Soon it was time to find a seat on the train, so whilst Kieran was was stood at the carriage window taking photos me and Casey found a seat and waited for the wanderer to return. At 11:00 with a quick toot from 34081's Whistle we set off for Wansford, the main base of the NVR. This station has been featured in my T.V. programmes such as Holby City, Casualty, London's Burning, East Enders, Coronation street and many more. 

"Catching the mail!!"

We soon arrived at Wansford and decided to get off the train and head over to Platform 2 for the Travelling Post Office Demonstration Train which was being operated a Class 31 Diesel Locomotive. But of course we couldn't miss an opportunity for a photograph as Kieran managed to get a quick look on the footplate of 34081. With thanks to Casey for allowing me to use the photo of Kieran in this blog post. 

We then boarded the TPO demo train to just south of Wansford Station where apparatus is situated. We disembarked along with others on the train and stood as the volunteers of the TPO Society at NVR explained how the TPO Equipment worked, After they reversed the class 31 just south of the apparatus and did 3 run pasts for us all to take photos and videos of it. Sadly I didn't film much due to poor weather conditions but I've decided to revisit Nene Valley in the summer when the weather is a bit better.... (He says) lol.

"Hi Thomas!!"

After the run pasts it was back to Wansford where we disembarked for a wander round the site, We soon found the workshop Gallery and guess who we found... non other than Thomas the Tank engine. After a quick look at Thomas and the Class 14 shunter, we wandered back out past Ex GWR 0-6-2 5600 Class Tank engine '5619' and A1 Pacific 4-6-2 60163 'Tornado' which was currently being repaired after a incident on the mainline, For more information on that, please go to the A1 Trust Website by clicking the link here. We then headed back to the station building to go to the toilet and then into the café for lunch. 

After lunch we decided to head back to Peterborough behind 34081 and head over to Railworld. Whilst at Railworld we had wander round and came across this old Turntable Pit. I decided to take a few photos and couldn't miss a chance to get a photo of Kieran Stood in the pit looking at his camera...lol

"Deep concentration!!"

Having looked round Railworld we decided to call it a day and head back to Peterborough Mainline Station. Whilst I have 30+ photos from today, I decided to limit it down to the ones you see in today's post. Thanks to Kieran and Casey for their company today, thoroughly enjoyed your company and thanks again everyone to those who continue to read my blog posts. Speak soon, Jake...

A Private Castle Viewing....

"7029 'Clun Castle, 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' & 5080 'Defiant' "

Hi all. Today saw me take a trip to Tyseley to the former 84E at Tyseley Locomotive works. The reason for my visit was that Tyseley Locomotive works were holding a private steaming of newly overhauled No7029 "Clun Castle". This would be the first time I've visited Tyseley Loco work in 3 years since my last visit back in July 2014 when I went to see 5972 "Olton Hall". Aka "Hogwarts Castle". The event would also see me joined by my good friends David Moyle, Kevin Poole and Phil Clarke. 

My journey to Tyseley started at 09:21am when I caught the 09:21am Cross Country Service into Birmingham New Street from Burton on Trent. I soon arrived at New Street and walked the 5 minute walk between New Street and Moor Street Stations. On arrival at Moor Street, I walked for the 10:45am service to Tyseley via Small Heath. Before long the train arrived worked by a Ex London Midland 2 car 172 Turbostar Unit. I soon settled down for my journey to Tyseley. Soon we departed on our way to Tyseley, and before long as we approached, a small plume of smoke could be seen appearing from Tyseley Locomotive Works, which was 7029 'Clun Castle' as we arrived into Tyseley.

"Anyone want a Castle? "

I got of the train and hung around on the station till 11:48am for my good friend David Moyle to arrive, who had travelled down from the North West. Whilst waiting I was able to grab a quick photo of a passenger Cross Country Trains 220 Voyager which passed through Tyseley Platform 1. At 11:48am, David's train could be seen in the distance as it arrived on Platform 1. I walked into the footbridge and stood waiting him, Before long we were following the stream of other people towards Tyseley Locomotive works. Now as I've mentioned already in this post, I've visited Tyseley Locomotive Works on more than one occasion, but its always nice to be greeted by the friendly faces of Vintage Trains Stewards who myself and my girlfriend Jenny are very good friends with. Having showed our tickets to the stewards on the gate. We went into the site and were greeted with 7029 'Clun Castle', 5043 'Earl of Mount Edgcumbe' and 5080 'Defiant' sanding side by side around the turntable. 

After taking plenty of photos of the engines sat side by side. 7029 was moved to sit nose to nose with 5043. Which did look like that 5043 and 7029 were trying to kiss. Which I did find rather amusing so of course I couldn't not take a photo.

"Kissing Castles. "

It wasn't long before Kevin Poole and Phil Clarke joined us and came for a chat. I was also lucky enough to meet a fellow YouTuber by the name of SYKAROST, who also filmed the event. I'll put a link in at the bottom of this post for their YouTube Channels. After taking photos of 7029 and 5043. I wandered into the workshops to see progress with 4936 'Kinlet Hall' and to see if I could find 9600 and 4965 'Rood Ashton Hall'. To which I found both engines.

 "4965's cab view. "

The last time I had seen 9600, she was paired with 9466 on 'The Valley Rambler' tour to Bridgnorth, back in November 2017. As for 4936 'Kinlet Hall' The last time I had seen her, she didn't quite look in the state she was on today's visit. I had seen 4936 at Severn Valley Railway back in April 2013.

Before I left the workshops and sheds to head back out side. I manged to get a quick photo of 9600, 71000 'Duke of Gloucester' which at the time of writing is currently undergoing a 10 year overhaul and 34070 'Manston' who I had seen at Great Central Railway back in October 2013. Sadly last year 34070 was involved in a slow speed shunting accident and was at Tyseley for repairs. 

 "71000 'Duke of Gloucester'. "

Having spent a bit of time in the workshops and sheds, myself, David and Kevin wandered back out side and I got one last shot of 7029 before 

 "34070 'Manston'. "

Whilst outside again taking photos and video clips of 7029, I caught up again with Brian (SYKAROST) for a quick chat. Before we were joined by Ben Mason from Vintage Trains Ltd. After a lengthy chat, I said good bye to them and went over to speak to David to say good bye, but of course I wasn't gonna get away without a quick photo. With thanks to David for allowing me to use his photo he took of me at Tyseley. I said good bye to David and headed back to Tyseley Station to wait for my train back to Birmingham New Street.

"Caught on Camera!!" (Pic - D.Moyle)

Its time to wrap up and I'd like to thank David Moyle, Kevin Poole, Phil Clarke and Brian for their company throughout the afternoon whilst at Tyseley. Below are the links to the following YouTube Channels.

David Moyles Channel - Click here

Phil Clarke's Channel - Click here

Brian's Channel - Click here. 

Above is the link to my video from today's event. Once again thanks for a fantastic day all of you. And thanks again to all my readers of this Blog. Thanks all. Jake...

A double dose of Severn Valley Railway

"Smile now"

Hi all, Once again me an Jenny took another trip to the Severn Valley Railway, this time with the company of Jenny's best friend Alice, who has been mentioned in a previous blog post from the Llangollen trip. - see post here. Having caught the train from Burton to Stone to meet the girls we then caught a train to Stafford to change for a train to Smethwick Galton Bridge. where we would then change for a train to Kidderminster. Having arrived at Kidderminster, we collected our pre booked tickets from the booking office and went to the café for refreshments and in Jenny and Alice's case BREAKFAST!!

"Give it a push"

Refreshments finished we wandered onto the platform to board our train bound for Highley. At this point it I'll make mention that it was Alice's first time to Severn Valley Railway and I think she was a bit overwhelmed by it all. Once we boarded the train, we managed to find a compartment with a lady and gentleman and their grandson, - Thanks for allowing us to join you as far as Highley. At 11:10 we departed Kidderminster behind 7802 'Bradley Manor' on our way to Highley for the Engine house and model railway displays. Before long we it was time to leave the train at Highley in order to visit the engine house.

"Taking photos"

Having got off the train at Highley, I decided I wanted to stand and watch 7802 depart with her train for Bridgnorth. I knew that with a 8 coach train and a 1 in 100 climb and wet rails, 7802 was likely to loose her feet on the climb. Sure enough I was right. The driver whistled and 7802 started her train away, to begin with we thought she was going to get away cleanly without a problem, but sure enough, just as the last coach started to pass us, we heard 7802 loose her feet, but impressively the driver managed to control the slip to avoid the train being brought to a stand still. Having watched the train leave we headed for Highley Engine house after showing our tickets to the ladies in the main entrance, we started to walk round to have a look at the various layouts on display. 

 As we wandered round the museum looking at the various layouts that were being exhibited, It become clear that Alice was quite overwhelmed by the size of the engines in the Engine House, having made sure Alice was ok we carried on walking round the exhibits, And even managed to get Jenny to pose as if she was trying to push Ivatt 2MT 2-6-0 46443 aka 'The Mickey mouse' as the class is often referred to as. It wasn't long before the girls spotted the TPO coach, so we had to have a look inside the coach,... It would be hard not to.

"Smile now!"

After having a look at the exhibits downstairs we decided it was time for a light lunch. So wandered up stairs to the café. Having eaten lunch and figured out a plan for the afternoon we dashed back to Highley Station from the engine house in order to catch the double header behind 1501 and 1450 to Bridgnorth. Soon we were on our way to Bridgnorth...well after a brief stop at Hampton Loade in order '7802 Bradley Manor' to pass us on her way back down to Kidderminster that is.. Soon it was onwards to Bridgnorth.  Our arrival at Bridgnorth saw us arrive on Platform 1 alongside 34027 'Taw Valley', which that and its train could be seen on Platform 2 awaiting the route to depart. It wasn't long before 34027 was due to leave so, having found a space on Platform 1 I prepared to film 34027 depart, well attempt to depart. She lost her feet a few times as the engine struggled to depart Bridgnorth on her way back down the line. 

"New Build loco 82045"

Having watched 34027 depart for Kidderminster, we wandered over to the sheds for a walk round the sheds which was open to the public as part of the 'Open House Weekend', At this point, I'll point out that the sheds aren't normally open to the general public so access is limited to special events ONLY. After walking round the sheds and looking at the progress on 4930 'Hagley Hall' and 75069 it was back to the station for a quick look inside Bridgnorth Signal Box. As we walked back to the station, I managed to get a quick photo of 82045's frame, Boiler and cab. For those who don't know, 82045 is a New Build engine just like 60163 Tornado, the latter being build and completed in 2008 - 2010. Where has 82045 is due to be finished sometime in 2018 - 2019. 

"The leaver frame inside Bridgnorth Signal Box". (Pic - J Davies)

Before long it was time for me to surrender the Canon Photo camera to Jenny for her to get a few photos for me. We stood at the bottom of The signal box and was quickly offered up inside by the signal man. Needless to the say the signal box was lovely and warm and Jenny and Alice's ears soon pricked up at the mention of the station catch that apparently is known for sleeping in the signal box. Before long it was time to re board the train back to Kidderminster for our journey home. I'll try and write a separate post soon explaining more about the insides of a signal box as seen in the photos above and below. 

"Track diagram". (Pic - J Davies)

Soon we were retracing our steps back to Kidderminster behind 1450 and 1501 which were both double heading. As we headed back down the valley, i was able to get a photo from the carriage window as we arrived at Arley, Which is a lovely station in itself and has plenty of character, for those that don't know. Arley was used in 'Goodnight Mister Tom' and in 'Oh Doctor Beeching' the latter being about a branch line in the 1960s at risk of closure. Despite only being a 2 series sitcom by David Croft, Its a very interesting program and myself, Jenny and our families have spent many happy days watching the series through, so much so, I think we can recite the words off by heart.

 The return home was pretty much standard, having seen the girls as far as Stafford, we said good byes and parted company as they returned to Stone. I headed back to Burton via Tamworth. Once again another great trip out with Jenny and Alice. Thanks again both for your company. And once again thanks for reading all, And goodnight, Jake...