More evocative pictures of A4 Pacific "Bittern"

DOH!!!!!!

Look closely to see Homer in the engine compartment window of class 57, no. 57601 at Crewe.

The "Duchess" 6233

The next generation.......

The nippers at Shrubb Hill with a special visitor, Royal Train Class 67, 67005 "The Queens Messenger" arrives with a special charter train, and a close up of the insignia and royal appointment.

Semaphores at Worcester Shrubb Hill

A great example of semaphore signalling still in full working order at Worcester Shrubb Hill, one of the few remaining areas in the UK where this sight is common place on our 21st century railway network. Another very rare occurrence, if not the only surviving example of this type of signalling on the entire network is the banner repeater signal mounted on the roof of the platform canopy at Shrubb Hill, and still in operational use.

Deltic memories.....

Photos from top to bottom in this selection.....top, 55011 at the end of another sprint down the ECML taking a breather at K Cross. Middle, the final day at Doncaster in Feb '82 when I copped the class with the last being 011 (far left in the line up). Bottom, what a sight for any Deltic fan! four in a row at Kings Cross!! would have made any spotters day I'm sure.

Grimey Black Five

One of the original stars of the final day of BR steam in August 1968 is BR Standard "Black Five" 45110 looking authentically grubby at Kidderminster station in the summer of '09.

AC electrics still going after 45 years of service

Class 86, 86610 languishes between the freightliner container wagons at Crewe Gresty Rd between duties in late August 09. Looking a little tired in its faded Freightliner green and yellow its still good to see them at work. I remember spotting these at B'ham New Street with my Dad in the seventies and thrashing through Stafford and up the WCML at 100mph!

"Deltic" 55022 Royal Scots Grey

The most iconic diesel ever to grace BR metals, the "Deltic". Built at the famous, but now long since demolished Vulcan foundry this machine was the most powerful and graceful of all the main line passenger deisel fleet. Only a short stint as far as railway careers go for locomotives at around 20 years from '62 to 81/82.
I managed to see them all, with the final "cop" being 55011 Royal Northumberland Fusiliers at the infamous Doncaster Works open day when the final members of the class looking somewhat deshevelled were together for one last time before being broken up or dispersed for preservation or dismantling.

Green Arrow

Green Arrow at Glos & Warks in beautiful crisp LNER apple green

rust n prime at its best

cool van, seems like the guys were enjoying the festival, this van had the most amazing interior and exterior finishes.....

Nice work

the inside finish on this splitty is just coool!

My Dad's book - a great read, go and buy it!!

This is a link to my Dad's book titled "Trailing Clouds of Glory". It contains a collection of short semi auto-biographical stories of events and people that Dad has experienced and known throughout life, as well as some evocative poetry at the end. He is currently working on his second book, which he hopes to publish next Spring.

A4 no. 60019 Bittern at Worcester Shrubb Hill 19th April 2008

Bonfire night

Had a great firework night tonight, rockets were brill! and even managed to get most of them to land on next doors garden! Baked potatos and doughnuts mmmm lovely with a nice glass of Merlot.
The rain stopped just at the right time too to let the kids enjoy the show, even had the nippers from next door come round, with their Dad to re-live a snippet of his own childhood.

Cashmores Newport

Cashmores Newport

we thought this was the best camper

Sir Nigel graces the SVR

"Jubilee" no.5690 Leander at Newport 27/3/07