As the title says had a steamy Sunday at the SVR with a host of Poppy day wreaths and whatnot.

This months collection will be without captions due to My own busy schedule (I know rubbish excuse but it's true)

Well as always I had my sunday free and well after checked the gen I caught wind that 37075 was operating 5 return trips with the resident steamer for company so I could resist and also I know there was a great little pub along the line so it defiantly was a great result.

The following is a collection of shots taken whilst on a day trip to the beautiful town of Stratford-upon-Avon courtesy of vintage trains and "Kinlet Hall.
Although this is more of an "Arty" collection I hope even the full 3/4 in you enjoys this collection.

Updated :- 26th July a series of shots from watching the Shakespeare from the line side.

To round off the Thumper spectacular today the GCR was running it's newly painted and restored 4-BIG in multi with the resident crompton and also the various steam still running about.

It's not everyday that a station turns 100 years old and considering I have been around 1/5 of that time it's only fitting that I paid homage to the new glory of Moor Street Station.

Well a somewhat none event of the 101st Birthday of the Locomotive works brought many old locomotives and one new locomotive to the fore and hundreds of visitors so obviously I could not turn down this event and with thanks to my girlfriend with her artistic flair Imanaged to create this collection of images which seem to be slightly dominated by the new Green Machine "Tornado".

Rather than have the title as " a captial day out or a day in London" I thought the current title fitted better.

Basically this is a collection of one shot of each surviving member of the class 52 "Westerns" and each will be a manipulated image in the attempt to create an new/old collection which these days is simply not possible in real terms so far I have

D1015 "Western Champion"
D1062 "Western Courier"
D1048 "Western lady"

This collection as you may of noticed is mainly about D444 "exeter" who was fortunately the rostered diesel on the SVR this bank holiday Monday so needs must and It was decided I would go after her for a few snaps.

I cannot believe I am actually doing this but this is my collection froma Thomas event on the Severn Valley railway basically I travel there in the hopes of seeing some diesels and managed to bag some western action up at Bridgenorth but basically this coillection is a mix of serious period shots and happy shots with what I would call "real face value" (sorry)

A selection of the months events and traction.

A selection of photos from what was a fantastic gala from the Derbyshire line with a great array of traction including a trio of peaks just to keep with the Midlands theme.
I hope you enjoy.

Well it seems most bank holidays I end up doing something related to the Birmingham Rail scene such as day trippers or just hanging about well today was Birmingham railways at their best at the Tyesely open day which was definatly awash with great locomotives of many shapes sizes and all of which tell their own storys.

I really did enjoy the day and especially the chance to cab 86259 and be shown around the locomotive by none other than Les Ross who I thank greatfully for a chance to cab a favourite locomotive of mine.

But to be honest even with the 86 aside it was still an amazing day and a big thank to Andy for his company and obviously his four wheels.

Well due to some very cheap ticket deals courtesy of my Andy (the right hand man) we managed to get to Glasgow to get a taste of what Scottish railways are like and It was defiantly any experience and it proven my estimation wrong completely.
Nevertheless it was a very good day and one I shall remember for years to come.

Well definatly a change from the normal as on this day I found myself actually gettin excited about buses obviously these are quite Heritage or soon to be examples but anyway the event was great and there were also free rides from Aston to either Sutton Coldfield utilizing the Leyland Lynx's or the Runs to Birmingham that used mainly Metrobuses with also the RouteMaster having the odd run.

Well after quite a while I feel it's time for a new loco class collection and this occasion we have the class 57's all of which are former class 47's which have received new equipment such as alternators (all class 56 ones) and Power Units (in the 57/0's are recycled also) and this class can range from the orginal bodysnatcher aka "Purple Ronnie" the backbone of the WCRC charter spectrum or even the 57/0's the first bulk order and all of which earned the titles body snatchers due to their exact likeness of the class 47 fleet freightliner owned at the time of purchase.
Another dubious lot is the ThunderBirds all of which are named (like my self) after the Gerry Anderson creations.
Finally we have the 57/6's all of which are used by FGW for their sleeper service and for general rescue missions.

First diesel gala of the year in the fen's and defiantly a memorable one with a very worth while fleet in attendance and even though the weather was very changeable it was a great.
(I must add there are various black and white images and Sepia which although are unrealistic are more fitting than the original conditions)

Will this be a good one???

Definatly one of the more longer day trips I have done in recent month but managed to get cheap tickets to york so took advantage and went to go see 60007 "Sir Nigel Gresley" on a excursion from york to Birmingham as part of a positioning movement.
And obviously a trip to the NRM was made and finally a good deal of night photography to round off a perfect day.

Well in this collection is the photographic Highlights of a day spent at the Chasewater Railways Gala full of steam and diesel with passenger and demostration freight on offer.
Not my favourite photographic location but never say no to anything really.

Well it's rail tour time again and it's the good old class 20 traction again (with a 37 thrown in for good measure).
Was indeed one of the best days I have spent on the railways as there was some beautiful scenery and some amazing traction throughout the day and generally it was great so check the shots out.

Well I think the first two days of the collection sums up the name so far.

Well I seem to be spending a fair amount of time at the GCR but this occasion was the annual Winter Steam gala which had many loco's on a variety of different works so although it was cold and I was ill still it was a great day.

Well over the last year I have managed to get into an odd loco or two to have a nose around at open days or in the case of 86609 actually having a driver kindly let me have a look around anywho this section will be constantly updated but obviously not so often as I or you would like.

Quite a great day out indeed an every way the loco's were great all of which knew how to pump up the decibels.
The cooked Breakfast on the Griddle was supreme and not to mention the great photo opportunity especially all those of D5401 which was a great honor to be in the presence of as it's nice to see a Brummie built loco every now and again.
And not to mention D123,33??? (didn't have any numbers) and all those little cracking loco's on the miniature railway.
Also on the sheds was Oliver Cromwell that was seen last in London on my Sarah Siddons adventure.

A collection a images of mainline action from the first month of the new year enjoy!!