Fradley Junction: A Sunday Afternoon Walk...

Now for something slightly different... Many who know me will know that I'm a bit of a amateur photographer and film maker, and as such I enjoy going out taking photos and making videos. Most of what I film and take photos of is trains, however I do occasionally do non railway related photography and films too. After arranging to meet up with my girlfriend Jenny for the day, we decided to make the most of the nice weather with a visit to Fradley Junction. I woke up just after 9am and after a morning glass of Chocolate Milkshake, I got washed and changed and waited for Jenny to arrive, before long she arrived and after deciding to go out to Fradley Junction, we got in her car and I helped direct her. 

We arrived at Fradley Junction just before 11am and after getting my camera kit from the car, we went for a walk towards the locks near the Swan Inn pub. After a chat with a volunteer from the Canal & River Trust, we decided to grab some lunch before doing some filming.

"Quack quack" (Pic - J.Davies)

Lunch finished we decided to start filming towards a little film project I was planning. While I was filming, Jenny armed with my DSLR photo camera, kept herself occupied taking photos, some of which can be seen in this post.

At around half two, we decided to call it a day and head home. Another end to another fun and successful day. Cheers all.. Jake...

BMES: Another Work Party & Driving Turn...

Evening all... Today once again saw me back down at the Riverside Miniature Railway for the weekly work party, but also the monthly 'Steam Up' which takes place on the first Tuesday of the month from April to October. This is usually for volunteers only and a chance to test any work done to locomotives, as well as iron out any niggling problems... as well as being a chance to play trains. I woke up at around half 7 and after a quick glass of Chocolate Milkshake, I got dressed and got my stuff ready... leaving the house just after 9am, I was able to get a lift in the car into town...Unfortunately fate wasn't on mine or my mum's side today, her car had developed a strange grinding sound on the brakes and it was decided to drop it off at the garage, resulting in a call to my dad to pick us him... disaster averted, I arrived in town just after half 9 and wandered through to the Birds Bakery on Station Street, after buying myself some breakfast I carried on the short walk past the library and Meadowside Leisure centre over to the Trent Bridge and down to the Club. 

I arrived on site around 10am, just behind John and found Brian and Dave were already on site, after signing the track and trace form, we went into the club house to drop our bags off and were soon joined by Jim, Barrie and Phil. After eating my sausage sandwich I'd bought from Birds, it was time to help Barrie unload his engine, despite the lovely sunshine, it was rather cold today, unlike the weather last weekend.. this only hindered todays activities.

We were soon joined in the steaming bay by Dave who had also brought his engine Maude, a little Polly 0-4-0 trojan style tank engine. Before long both engines were in steam and were both on the track. After struggling to maintain steam due to bad coal, Barrie managed to get the Pannier to steam and completed a few laps before asking me if I wanted a go at driving. Having not driven since the middle of last year I took the controls and with the pressure on the red mark and a full ahead of steam, and Barrie sat behind, I eased the loco from a stand, just as a light snow shower began, we managed to complete a lap and stopped back under the canopy where after a brief stop to check the fire and boiler water level. Checks complete, I took the loco round a few more laps of the track before handing back to controls to Barrie who decided to come off for the day and drop the fire, soon followed by Dave on Maude. Both seemed fairly happy with the way their engines had performed.

Of course as soon as they did this.. the sun came out.... typical.. ah well.. there's always next time. Fires dropped and boilers blown down, I helped Barrie put the riding truck we had used back into the container before packing away my camera and tripod. Another end to another successful day.. Thanks again to Barrie for letting me have a go at driving... Until next time...cheers all...Jake...

Please note any views or opinions expressed in this blog are merely personal and do not in any way represent the views or opinions of any other person, group or organisation. 

BMES: Easter Sunday Steam Up...

Evening all... Wow its been a while... first of all...A belated "Happy New Year" to you all, hope you had a good Christmas and festive period, despite the weird and wonderful times we currently find ourselves in. Today saw me once again back down at the Riverside Miniature Railway for the 'Easter Sunday Steam Up'. I arrived on site just before 10am, after signing in. I got chatting to Mike and his Wife who were also on site along with a new member.

"Steam In The Sun" (Pic - P.Harrison)

We were soon joined by Paul who had brought his 7 1/4 inch gauge 0-6-0 Quarry tank along with 3 wagons to test. Before long Paul had his locomotive on the steaming bay and was lighting up. Dave had also arrived on site and we exchanged a conversation, soon followed by Adrian and his son Michael with their 5 inch gauge Class 37 Diesel. At this point I must confess that I was too busy talking to take many photos or film, so today's post maybe a little short on photos.... sorry. Alongside Paul's 7 1/4 gauge locomotive, Mike had also brought a few of his battery diesel shunters to run, and his grandson enjoyed many laps round the ground level on driving his various locomotives. 

"7 1/4 Inch gauge wagons" (Pic - P.Harrison)

Other locomotives included another battery operated 0-4-0 diesel shunter which was brought by one of our new members which was running on the raised level track. After unlocking the turntable for Paul, I proceeded to help Adrian lifting his riding truck and locomotive out of his car. A photo of his locomotive can be found on a post from last years 'August Bank Holiday Steam Up'. Click the link here. 

"resting in the afternoon sunshine" (Pic - P.Harrison)

My eye however had been caught by the wagons that Paul had brought down to run behind his locomotive. Following a conversation with Paul, I am informed that he has plans to make three more of these to create a rake of 6. After admiring them for most of the day, I was offered a ride and was quite surprised by how smooth they are.

After a ride behind Paul's loco, Mike took me for a lap behind one of his battery locos, sadly I was unable to get any photos of the other locomotives or videos of trains running. A video from today can be found on the club's YouTube Channel by clicking the link below. With thanks to Michael for allowing me to share the video from today.

At around 2pm it was decided to call it a day, locomotives were packed away and fires dropped. Another end to another successful day. Thank you to everyone who made the day enjoyable... Until next time... cheers all...Jake...

Please note any views or opinions expressed in this blog are merely personal and do not in any way represent the views or opinions of any other person, group or organisation.