Coal Train Gala: Chasewater Railway...

Evening all. Today saw me and Jenny pay another visit to the delightful Chasewater Steam Railway, the post from our previous visit can be found here. Today's visit was for the railway's Coal Train Gala to commemorate 25 years since Littleton Colliery closed ending coal mining in Staffordshire. We decided to pay a visit to the railway on the Saturday which despite the poor weather forecast and the slightly dull start today ended being one of our better ideas. This morning, after a fairly drive into Burntwood, we stopped off briefly at Morrisions to grab some drinks and snacks to keep ourselves going before arriving at Chasewater Heaths at 09:45. Tickets purchased, we split up as Jenny went into the station cafe to buy breakfast while I went onto the platform to set up my camera kit for the first shot of the day featuring the small 0-4-0 saddle tank No.2842 "Kent No.2". Before long, Jenny reappeared with our breakfast. One being a Sausage Sandwich (Jenny's) and mine being a bacon Sandwich... hmm...delicious...

At 10:50, the faint sound of a steam whistle could be heard in the distance before the unmistakable sight of 2842 rounding the sharp curve into Chasewater Heaths station with a rake of HHA hopper wagons., after a brief station stop to drop off the single line token, she set off for the short distance run to Chasetown Church street which to the clever eye can be just made out from the Chasewater Heaths Carpark entrance. This would be followed by the passenger train hauled by 2 diesel shunters.

Before long, it was time for the diesel shunters to bring the first passenger service of the day to Chasetown Church Street, Stopping to allow passengers to board at Chasewater Heaths, we boarded the train and was soon on our way to the end of the line at Chasetown Church Street.

After letting the steam loco out of the loop, our two diesels ran round their train which they can be seen doing in the above photo. Before coupling up to the other end of the train for the return to Brownhills West. For those who watch my YouTube videos, you may recognise the 08 from when it was in BR Green from previous videos last year.

As we departed Chasetown Church Street I just happened to spot deer on the rugby pitch so of course just had to take a photo of them as we trundled back to Chasewater Heaths.

A brief stop at Chasewater Heaths and we were on our way back to Brownhills West, the main hub of this little railway. Where on disembarking the train, me and Jenny discovered this impressive model of a colliery inside the museum on display. While in the shed, Jenny asked if she could take photos and without spamming this post with too many photos of static engines from inside the museum, here's one of Jenny's.

"No.2780 'Asbestos' " (Pic - J.Davies)

No.2780 "Asbestos" currently in the overhaul queue. After exiting the museum, we wandered back outside onto the station platform before visiting the gift shop. 

After visiting the gift shop and getting lunch it was time to start filming, after watching the diesel shunter on the demonstration freight, along with several other movements, we decided to slowly wander back along the footpath to Chasewater Heaths.

As we made our way back along the footpath, filming the 08 on its journey up the line, we came across a swarms of midges and flies....Oh what fun.. the things we do to film gala events. After a few brief stops to film the various train workings which can be found on my video here. 

After walking back to Chasewater Heaths we decided to call it a day and headed home via Jenny's grandparents house so she could collect a jacket she had left there the weekend before....Honestly Jenny... there's always on...lol.. Once again another fantastic day in the company of my girlfriend Jenny with fantastic weather..Cheers all, Jake...