Yorkshire

We stayed overnight in the Cairn Hotel in Harrogate. In general it had a faded Victorian splendour but the staircase and stained-glass window were still impressive. HH(Harrogate)FF to everyone. Have a great weekend!

A shot from our Boxing Day visit to the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. With sanders on to help rail adhesion on this damp day Stanier Black 5 4-6-0 45212 works the 14.25 to Oxenhope Mince Pie Special out of Keighley station. Interesting to see the lamp on the lower & offset to the right bracket which is authentic for its last years on BR. The top brackets were removed to avoid any danger of the fireman getting close to the overhead electric wires. Having said that 45212 retains its top bracket too!

It may not be a steam train but it certainly produced plenty of smoke which lingered in the gloom of the tunnel for quite a long time! This working out of Knaresborough is 2C24, the 10.29 Leeds to York service, and Northern Class 170 diesel multiple unit 170475 has just departed from the north end of the station through the tunnel.

The lone cyclist has the road to himself climbing through the Yorkshire Pennines past Ribblehead viaduct on the Settle & Carlisle railway Colas Railfreight Class 70 diesel 70814 on the 12.46 Carlisle yard to Chirk Kronospan freight train on the viaduct is dwarfed by the scenery. Best appreciated Large.

Fountains Abbey is one of the largest and best preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in England. Founded in 1132, the abbey operated for 407 years, becoming one of the wealthiest monasteries in England until its dissolution, by order of Henry VIII, in 1539. HWW to everyone. Enjoy the day!