| "Group Photo Time" (Pic - C.Johnson) |
Hi all. Today saw meet up with a few friends of mine as we paid a visit to Ecclesbourne Valley Railway to see Ex LMS 3F Jinty 0-6-0 No. 47406, which was on loan from Great Central Railway. The day started with me meeting Jenny and Alice at Derby at 10:23. I'd arrived at Derby at 10am so had around 20 minutes to wait for the girls to arrive. Soon after meeting the girls off the train, we bought some breakfast and headed back to Platform 2 to wait for our train to Duffield which was gonna be the 10:52 EMT (East Midlands Train) Service to Matlock formed of a 2 car Class 158 Diesel Multiple Unit.
| "Coming into the Station" (Pic - J.Davies) |
Before long our train arrived and having found Kieran we decided to sit in the gangway and leave Casey sat at a table till we arrived at Duffield where we would disembark. Before long we'd set off towards Duffield and having introduced Kieran to Jenny and Alice and vice a verse our next task was getting off at Duffield bound for Ecclesbourne Valley Railway. We'd soon arrived at Duffield and having found Casey who had come up to great us from where she'd been sat, we all got off the train before exchanging hellos and then headed over the footbridge to the EVR Platform.
"47406 at Duffield" (Pic - J.Davies)
Having stood for a quick photo around the sign at Duffield EVR Platform, we bought tickets and sat inside till the first train of the day was due to arrive at 11:48am. We were soon made aware of a problem that had occurred with 47406 and were very reassured to hear the sound of her unmistakable whistle as she rounded the curve into the station. After a quick few photos we boarded the train and found a COMPO (A compartment seat) inside one of the Second Corridor Coaches that was forming the 5 coach train.
| "Smile Now" After a lot of messing around and waiting for the engine to change ends ready for the run up to Wirksworth it was time to depart bound for Wirksworth. Out of the 5 of us, I'm the only one who had visited EVR on three other separate occasions and once again had to pay the railway YET another visit. Before long it was time to depart. A quick toot from 47406's whistle marked the departure. After a slightly iffy departure, we started to move and soon were on our way towards Shottle for the first passenger stop. |
"One very happy Alice" (Pic - J.Davies)
After a brief stop at Shottle for the train to collect and drop off passengers we set off again with the next passenger stop being at Idridgehay. With 47406 now well into her stride it wasn't long before we arrived. A quick stop at Idridgehay and we were off again with the final stop being at Wirksworth where the engine would run round the train for the return to Duffield. Before long we were slowing down for Wirksworth. On arrival, we got off the train and Kieran decided to get a photo of Andrew Barclay 0-4-0 Tank No.3 which was working the Ravenstor Branch Brake Van Shuttle rides on the steep 1 in 27 Incline.
"Looking ahead from the Brake Van" (Pic - J.Davies)
Photos finished it was time for lunch, we found the café in a old Pullman Railway Coach on the same platform we arrived on. We were soon tucking into to our lunch and having a nice conversation the 5 of us together. Whilst having lunch Kieran spotted a sign about footplate rides on the Ravenstor Branch, which I'd previously mentioned to him in a brief conversation.... Oh why did I let it slip.... Sorry Casey.. lol. Lunch finished we headed over to the engine and brake van and after paying £2.00 per person, Myself, Jenny, Alice and Casey boarded the brake van as well as various other passengers and Kieran got on the engine with the crew.
"Cheesy Grin"
After a quick blast on the whistle from the guard followed by a green flag and toot in reply from the engines whistle we started to move. To begin with the engine was making little noise but once she hit he climb, the noise from the exhaust as a bit more crisp. On arrival at the top of the branch, a quite stop and it was time to return to the main station again. After getting off the shuttle, it was time to wait for our train back to down to Duffield. Once again the unmistakable sound of a 3F's whistle could be heard in the distance as she appeared.
"Looking up the hill" (Pic - J.Davies)
After a long stop at Wirksworth to allow 47406 to run round. The Journey down was pretty much the same as the outward so I won't go into details but id like to Thank Jenny, Alice, Kieran and Casey for their company once again And thanks again to all my readers of this Blog. Thanks all. Jake...
