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| "Steaming Along With 'Harrogate' at SBR" (Pic - R.Dimmick) |
"Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne?". Here we are once again then folks. On this blustery New Years Eve another fine year with steam is slowly but surely drawing to an end. It's been another busy one for the blog, with the final total coming in at 62 posts. I will admit that 2018 has probably been the most difficult year for my blog writing, mainly due to time constraints. Regular readers may have noticed that the posts have been going live at a much reduced pace and this is all down to just how long it takes to gather the photos, compose the backstory and then write and proof read each post as we go. But, nevertheless, here we are: the final post of 2018. As usual I'm just going to list the majority of the railway related things I've been up to and include a couple of photo highlights. You can refer back to any of the mentioned posts by searching the content list. For 2018, here's the rough scores on the doors:
23 Tyseley Shed Days
2 Tyseley Open Weekends
7 Statfold Driving Turns
4 Evesham Driving Turns (Should have been 5 but 1 got snowed off!)
3 Shackerstone Outings
1 massive Giant Miniature Weekend
And a Partridge in a Pear Tree!
Naturally, in amongst the above there has been a few days out here and there and of course the odd one-off experience. I suppose the first big highlight of 2018 came in April when I visited Ed's new base in Sheringham. First stop was the North Norfolk Railway where I managed to catch a short footplate ride with the huge WD 2-10-0 No90775 during the run round at Holt...
The reason for the visit to Norfolk was to take part in a footplate day Ed had organised for me at his new haunt: the Bure Valley Railway. This 15" gauge main line in miniature provides miles of enthralling steam action and I had a brilliant time...
Here we are aboard ZB "Blickling Hall", otherwise known as 'Beaver 6'...
In May I was instrumental in organising yet another successful "Giant Miniature Weekend" at the Statfold Barn Railway. With 100 miniature engines joining us from across the UK and many visitor tickets sold, GMW III was a winner. GMW IV will hit Statfold this coming May: don't miss it...
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| "Six-Inch Savage 'Spud' All The Way From Ireland" (Pic - M.Ranieri) |
One of the visiting 4" Foster's which attend GMW...
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| (M.Ranieri) |
In a return to old haunts, myself and JB did two turns at Shack in June. The first of these turns involved a bright sunny day and we cleaned our steed: GWR 5542: to within an inch of her life. She looked the business...
In early July we had the first of two Tyseley Open Weekends at 84E. I spent two half days crewing the ever immaculate Pannier 9600 in roasting hot weather...
The warm sunshine made an almost miraculous disappearing act in time for our third annual visit to Welland to crew on the Road Making railway. Thankfully though, in the end, rain didn't stop play and we still had a great time...
A fairly pleasant August was completed for me with a very wet turn at Evesham. That day was literally like a scene from Noah's Ark...
Steaming into October, we made our first visit to the wonderful Bluebell Railway in Sussex: the preservation pioneer of standard gauge...
A daytime trip through typical Autumn drizzle behind a chunky S15 was followed by fine dining aboard the beautiful 'Golden Arrow' Pullman in the evening...
Thanks to Statfold Barn's introduction of additional events into their calendar, I've done more driving turns there this year than ever before. In late October I had a cracking night at the regulator of "Trangkil No4", complete with skeleton...
November saw us make the annual pilgrimage to the Severn Valley Railway. "Taw Valley" did the honours for us as we dined on the 'Severn Valley Limited'...
As far as Tyseley trips go, the new TOC made its first public steam moves during December with the very popular 'Polar Express'. "Rood Ashton Hall" (renamed "Polar Star") performed many trips between Moor Street and Tyseley throughout December. This magical theatrical performance really seemed to captivate the thousands of passengers that took part in the experience...
Also new to Statfold in 2018 were the 'Santa Express' trains which quickly became a sell-out success. I had three 1/2 days driving the lovely Peckett...
My last turn of 2018 was completed aboard a wonderful Western visitor to Shackerstone: 6400 Class Pannier Tank No6412. Crewing with David on this fine old steed was just like old times, completed entirely by a flying visit from JB to boot. 6412, I really hope our paths cross again...
And with that, I'm done for 2018! As you'll see in the contents list there are many outings and posts that I haven't mentioned above and plenty of dribble to read if you're ever bored over a cuppa'. Finally, just quickly, I'll mention the two little engines: my 5" Achilles and 3.5" Maisie. Neither have turned a wheel this year I'm ashamed to say. Only the other day I uncovered the two of them before guilt and their no doubt burning resentment got the better of me! I'm committed to steaming them in 2019 as two years out of action is quite long enough. Sorry you two...
With that I'll sign off after another great year with steam. Thank you to everyone who has read, commented and even contributed to the posts this year: it's great to hear that people are still reading! I wish you all a very Happy New Year...
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