Railways

It is 200 years since George Stephenson's Stockton and Darlington Railway opened and the world of transport was changed forever. There are so many heritage railways doing their utmost to preserve the nation's railway heritage.

South Tynedale Railway - Thursday 12th September 2024

The South Tynedale Railway is a preserved, 2 ft (610 mm) narrow gauge heritage railway that runs for five miles from Alston in Cumbria, down the South Tyne Valley, via Gilderdale, Kirkhaugh and Lintley, then across the South Tyne, Gilderdale and Whitley Viaducts to Slaggyford in Northumberland.

A battery electric locomotive built by Clayton for Metronet Rail / Transport for London (Crossrail).

The station at Alston which has a small cafe.

The route was very green, reflecting all the rain during our so called summer.

It is quite a remote area and very few people were appreciating the beautiful countryside.

Locomotion - Thursday 12th September 2024

Part of the Science Museum Group, Locomotion is a railway museum at Shildon, County Durham. The main museum building houses passenger trains and the cafe. The photographs are from the more recently opened industrial shed.

Seaham Harbour Chaldron Waggon C1870. Able to hold four tons of coal, the bottom would drop to empty into a ship

Lowmac Waggon 1944, the low slung well between the bogies enabled high loads to fit through tunnels and under bridges.

An 1891 snowplough that fits in front of a powerful locomotive to ram its way through the snow.

ES1 Shunting Locomotive 1905 - electric powered engines were used on the Newcastle Quayside branch line to minimise smoke.

The Flying Scotsman - Bury - Friday 16th March 2023 - and Locomotion - Thursday 12th September 2024

Perhaps the most iconic locomotive in the UK, it earns its keep by touring the country.

Hard to get a good photograph amongst the hoard of photographers.

Enjoyed my Flying Scotsman ride on the East Lancashire Railway.

Also caught up with the engine at Locomotion

Vale of Rheidol Railway - Saturday 27th July 2024

The Vale of Rheidol Railway, Park Avenue, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 1PG. It's website says "See 12 miles of stunning Welsh scenery on one of the most spectacular railway journeys in the UK" and a trip from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge verifies the claim. At Aberystwyth their is a small museum with a few locomotives, sometimes there is a singer giving a free concert. The town includes a small harbour and beach.

The railway's policy is to rotate locomotives. This one is from South Africa.

The benefit in going around the bend is the chance to photograph the locomotive in action.

Some spectacular views of the river valley during the journey.

The partially forested hills and mountains look fabulous.

Great Orme Tramway - Monday 9th October 2023

The Great Orme Tramway is Britain’s only funicular, or cable-hauled, tramway that travels on public roads. Delighting visitors since it opened in 1902. Victoria Station, Church Walks, Llandudno, North Wales, LL30 2NB. Open late March to early November.

A tramcar at the top of the Great Orme.

Tramcars about to pass next to the road.

St Tudno's Church, the tramway used to charge mourners full fare and 2s 6d for the coffin.

Descending the Great Orme gives a spectacular view of Llandudno.

Strathspey Railway - Wednesday 17th May 2023

The Strathspey Railway in Badenoch and Strathspey, Highland, Scotland, operates a ten-mile (16 km) heritage railway from Aviemore to Broomhill, Highland via Boat of Garten.

The station at Aviemore.

These wooden barrel trains were seen at lots of Highland railway stations.

It helps to have a locomotive ready to pull the train.

Good to see there is plenty of coal to keep the train going.

The Jacobite Train - Fort William To Mallaig Return - Tuesday 16th May 2023

Cannot argue with the Jacobite Train website - Described as the greatest railway journey in the world, this 84 mile round trip takes you past a list of impressive extremes. Starting near the highest mountain in Britain, Ben Nevis, it visits Britain's most westerly mainland railway station, Arisaig; passes close by the deepest freshwater loch in Britain, Loch Morar and the shortest river in Britain, River Morar, finally arriving next to the deepest seawater loch in Europe, Loch Nevis!

The locomotive at Fort William takes second place to the journey.

Mallaig Harbour with its background of mountains.

The yellow gorse provided lots of colour.

Not just mountains, moors and heaths, but lochs as well.

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