Preserved Lines
Avon Valley Railway
Beautifully-restored 1956-built Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST No. 7 'Wimblebury' stands at Avon Riverside on Bank Holiday Monday, 28th August 2023 with the penultimate departure of the day, the 15.15 to Bitton. Photo: Alan Jones.
The Avon Valley Railway shares its route with the Bristol and Bath Railway Path, which is on the UK's National Cycle Network, and seen to the right of Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST No. 7 'Wimblebury' as it approaches Bitton station on August 28th 2023 with the 12.48 from Avon Riverside. Photo: Alan Jones.
The British Railways Mark 1 carriage is the backbone of the country's heritage railway operations. An un-numbered Tourist Second Open (a former LNER designation) vehicle stands in the former Northbound platform at Bitton station on August 28th 2023. Photo: Alan Jones.
The BR Standard 20 Ton Brake Van is something of a design classic with over 5,000 vehicles being built. B954127 was one of the later vehicles, being built in 1958 as part of the 845-strong Lot 3129 (953676-954520) at Darlington Works and seen here in wonderful condition at the Avon Valley Railway's Bitton station on 28th August 2023. Photo: Alan Jones.
Fry's Sentinel-built vertical boilered, chain-driven 0-4-0 spent its entire working life from 1928 to 1956 at their Somerdale works in Keynsham. It led a charmed life after withdrawal, finally arriving at the Avon Valley Railway on 5th September 2010. The locomotive is seen in the yard at Bitton station on August 28th 2023, shortly before being lifted back onto its wheels as seen to the left. Photo: Alan Jones.
08663 was a Western Region engine all its life, being based at Danygraig, Landore, Neath, Canton, St Blazey and Laira. It is therefore fitting that in preservation the locomotive should find a home in Bristol. Here she receives attention in the yard at Bitton station on August 28th 2023. Photo: Alan Jones.
The 14-strong Class 07 fleet was built by Ruston and Hornsby at their Lincoln Works in 1962 specifically for Southampton Docks. 07010 entered service on September 5th 1962 and was withdrawn by BR in October 10th 1976. It subsequently went to the Mid-Hants Railway and the West Somerset Railway before arriving at the Avon Valley in February 1994. Photo: Alan Jones.
The ground frame at Oldland Common has been installed but is not yet connected to the points at the South end of the loop, which are clipped and padlocked for use. The Guard and his assistant have done the honours and step back as Hunslet Austerity 0-6-0ST No.7 'Wimblebury' runs on to the 14.48 to Bitton on 28th August 2023. Photo: Alan Jones.
Dartmouth Steam Railway
On 8th August 2022, BR Standard Class 4 2-6-0 No. 75014 is seen during the running round movement at Kingswear. Photo: Robin Cullup.
The best place to work. A footplate view of BR Standard Class 4 No. 75014. Photo: Robin Cullup.
Approaching Greenway Tunnel on the Dartmouth Steam Railway behind BR Standard Class 4 No. 75014 on 8th August 2022. Photo: Robin Cullup.
East Lancs Railway
Gala Days on the East Lancashire Railway are always a delight. LMS Royal Scot Class 46100 'Royal Scot' has the road from Bury round to Heywood and is given the 'right away' from the station staff on 26th February 2022. Photo: Michael Smyth.
East Somerset Railway
Although of LMS origin, most of the 128-strong Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0s were built under BR, including the beautifully preserved 46447 which was built at Crewe in 1950. Photo: Robin Cullup.
On August 7th 2022, Ivatt Class 2 No. 46447 pulls out of Cranmore station on the East Somerset Railway. Photo: Robin Cullup.
Ivatt Class 2 No. 46447 departs from Cranmore Station on August 7th 2022. The light axle loading on these locomotives made them ideally suited to less heavily constructed branch lines. Photo: Robin Cullup.
Great Central Railway
LMS 8F 2-8-0 48305 has just arrived at Loughborough on 29th January 2022, as two authentically dressed railwaymen prepare to sign-off from their duties. The Great Central run some marvelously authentic period freight trains such as this. Photo: Richard Tremayne.
Cylinder and valve gear detail are picked out beautifully by the autumn light on 1953 Swindon-built Ivatt Class 2 2-6-0 No. 46521 at Loughborough on 1st October 2021. Photo: Richard Tremayne.
Derby Lightweight single car unit M79900 was introduced by BR in July 1956 and allocated to Bletchely to work services to Banbury Merton Street. It was transferred into Departmental Stock in October1967, ending its service with BR as a route learning vehicle in June 1999. It then entered preservation and is seen in magnificent condition on the Great Central at Loughborough in October 2022. Photo: Robin Cullup.
Single Car Derby Lightweight No. M79900 stands at the Down platform at Loughborough on 1st October 2022. Photo: Robin Cullup.
Nene Valley Railway
The six-year, £1M overhaul of LNER A4 No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' completed in early 2023 and the locomotive made its first post-overhaul appearance on the Nene Valley Railway at Easter. Immaculately turned out in BR Express Passenger Blue livery, 60007 makes a fine sight as she leaves Wansford station and crosses the River Nene heading towards Peterborough on 9th April 2023. Photo: Michael Smyth.
60007's visit to the Nene Valley Railway over Easter 2023 naturally created much interest! The elegant lines of the A4 are shown to good effect is this side view shortly after crossing the river Nene at Wansford on 9th April 2023. Photo: Michael Smyth.
A powerful view of 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' approaching Wansford on 9th April 2023. With a little imagination, it could almost be 'The Elizabethan' running non-stop from Kings Cross to Edinburgh! Photo: Michael Smyth.
LNER A4 No. 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' runs tender-first out of Yarwell Tunnel with a working from Peterborough on 16th April 2023. Two days later, on Tuesday 18th April, the locomotive left the Nene Valley Railway and returned to Crewe. Later in the year it is due to visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Having run round at Yarwell Junction, 60007 'Sir Nigel Gresley' catches the weak Spring sunshine as it returns to Wansford on 16th April 2023. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Recently-completed GWR Saint Class locomotive 2999 'Lady of Legend' visited the Nene Valley Railway over two weekends in September 2023. On September 15th 2023, the latter of these two weekends, the beautifully-finished locomotive is seen approaching Wansford from Peterborough. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Having exchanged its rake of all-first class continental stock for an all-second class rake of BR Mark 1 stock, Polish State Railways Railways TKp Class 0-8-0T No. 5485 departs from Wansford under the fine Great Northern somersault signals with the 11.35 Santa Special on Saturday 17th December 2022. Photo: Michael Smyth.
On a very cold Saturday 17th December 2022, the steam condenses nicely from Polish State Railways TKp Class 0-8-0T No. 5485 as it departs from Wansford with the all-first class 10.00 Santa Special. The locomotive was built in 1959 by Fabryka Lokomotyw, Chrzanow for the Polish State Railways and worked in the Silesian (Slask) coalfields in Bytom for all its working life until withdrawal from service in 1995. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Danish F Class 0-6-0T No.656 (built by Frichs, Aarhus in 1949) moved to the Nene Valley Railway in 1975 following its withdrawal from service on the Danish State Railways. It began working on the line after its formal opening in 1977 but was taken out of traffic in 1986 with a failed fire box. After a lengthy restoration campaign, 656 returned to passenger service on Saturday 10th February 2024 and is seen at Wansford prior to departure with the 10.30 to Yarwell Junction and Peterborough. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Beautifully restored Danish State Railways 656 is seen on its return-to-service day (10th February 2024) at Yarwell Junction on the Nene Valley Railway, running round the 10.30 from Wansford to Peterborough. Photo: Michael Smyth.
During its working life with the Danish State Railways, 656 would have carried out shunting, light goods trains and passenger workings, as well as remaining ferry duties. On Saturday 10th February 2024, the first day of its return to service after extensive overhaul, she is seen leaving Peterborough with the 11.40 to Wansford. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Complete with the red and white national flag on its chimney, Danish State Railways No. 656 (built 1949 by Frichs, Aarhus) enters Peterborough on Saturday 10th February 2024 with the 12.30 from Wansford. This was the first day back in service for 656 after a lengthy restoration which was triggered by a firebox failure in 1986 and which led to an almost complete rebuild of the locomotive. The result, however, is wonderful! Photo: Michael Smyth.
Later on its return-to-service day of Saturday 10th February 2024, Danish State Railways 656 makes an interesting comparison with Wansford's Somersault signals as it departs with the 14.30 to Peterborough. Photo: Michael Smyth.
North Norfolk Railway
On April 1st 2022, BR Standard 4MT No. 76084 top-and-tails Great Eastern Y14 Class No. 564 on a Sheringham to Holt working during the Spring 2022 Steam Gala. Photo: Michael Smyth.
The North Norfolk Railway regularly hosts delightful Steam Galas which are never to be missed. On 1st April 2022, former Great Eastern Railway Y14 Class, No. 564 departs from Weybourne with a vintage rake of Great Northern, Great Eastern and Midland and Great Northern Railway carriages. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Displaying 'Stopping Passenger Train' discs, Somerset and Dorset 7F No. 53809 (with 82F Bath shed plate) pulls away from Weybourne towards Holt during the North Norfolk Railway's excellent 'Autumn Showcase' event on Saturday 7th October 2023. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Running non-stop through Weybourne station, BR Standard Class 4 No. 76084 works a Sheringham to Holt train on Saturday 7th October 2023, during the 2023 'Autumn Showcase' weekend. The engine’s boiler certificate was due to expire shortly after this event, which was billed as its last public outing, but in fact it was failed on Sunday 8th October, leaving only GER Y14 No. 564 and S&D 7F No. 53809 to conclude the weekend. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Ex Great Eastern Railway Y14 No. 564 is seen between Sheringham and Weybourne with the North Norfolk Railway's popular vintage train on Saturday 7th October 2023 during the Autumn Showcase event. Photo: Michael Smyth.
The 1904 Reedham Junction signal box, made redundant by re-signalling of the Norwich to Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth lines, was dismantled and moved to the NNR at Holt on 22nd November 2022, in an operation lasting 36 hours. All its internal equipment was also preserved, with the intention to restore it to working condition with computer-simulated block signals. Moreover, it forms the first step in an ambitious project to recreate a station scene and houses, similar to Beamish Museum, including installation of the ex-Botanic Gardens turntable which has long remained stored at Holt. This large project will need grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund and other sources and so is likely to take many years. Photo: Michael Smyth.
Northampton and Lamport Railway
The Great Western Railway 6400 Class 0-6-0 Pannier Tank was introduced by Collett in 1932 as a variation of the 5400 Class with smaller wheels, designed for light passenger work. 6430 is seen at Pitsford on the Northampton and Lamport Railway on June 10th 2010. Photo: Robin Cullup.