UK Railways

Florence No.2 in the yard at Foxfield Colliery.

The gateman flags the morning passenger service up to Caldon Low across Apesford Crossing as the rain continues to fall.

Star performer at the Caldon Low gala was Bulleid pacific 34028 Eddystone, seen here charging up the bank in the deep cutting at Bradnop.

Today was the AGM of the Industrial Railway Society, held at the Chasewater Railway. We were made very welcome and three locomotives were in steam along with several diesels also in use. Hawthorn Leslie 2780 of 1909, " Asbestos ", is departing Brownhills West with one of the many trains run during the day.

Austerity Whiston banked by Florence No.2 start out of Foxfield Colliery yard at the autumn gala.

More action from the driver training runs on the Caldon Branch. 8624 heads up the 1 in 45 of Bradnop Bank towards Apesford Crossing.

The crossing keeper watches 8624 departing Cheddleton on a crew training run for the Caldon Low steam gala.

Andrew Barclay tank ‘Colin McAndrew’, formerly at Greening Wireworks in Warrington, simmers quietly at the coaling stage on the Chasewater Railway whilst awaiting its next duty.

Situated on a 'rat run' to the A6 the level crossing at Norbury Hollow has little room for vehicles to pass on either side of the almost right angle turns as you drive on and off. This is the former LNWR line from Stockport to Buxton between Hazel Grove and Middlewood. The present crossing cabin replaced a small single storey house a few years ago. The view at the start of the twentieth century .

8624 approaching Apesford Crossing on Bradnop Bank with a Caldon Low crew training run in the days before the first steam gala on the newly restored line.

The large Prairie tank 5199 is making good progress towards the crossing at Apesford with the midday train from Froghall. If you look closely into the misty background it is just possible to see the folly at Mow Cop on the skyline.

I wasn't actually out to photograph trains on this day but just happened to spot people waiting by the lineside as I passed Shap in the car. Hastily pulling in and grabbing the camera I was just in time to climb onto the wall and snap Earl of Mount Edgcumbe coming around the bend on the way to Carlisle.

In rapidly failing light I was waiting for this train which was running about half an hour late. The shot I was planning was with the train rather nearer to me and clear of the bushes, but I was taken with the exhaust and the banker being just visible here as the train set off from the stop for the accommodation crossing. If only that hedge had not been there! Eddystone leading and 8F 8624 at the rear. 1/125 at f/4.0 1600ASA. It's amazing what you can still shoot with modern digital cameras.

67013 arrives at Wrexham General with a service from Marylebone. It is a great shame that the company has today announced that it is closing its business due to continuing losses. This was a well run service with a highly motivated staff who helped to make travelling with them a pleasure. The restrictions on the places the trains could pick up and drop passengers between Wolverhampton and London meant that this completely unsubsidised service was always going to struggle to make a profit.

25 059 on the bank down to Winkhill shortly after leaving the current reversing point at Caldon Low. The distant processing and loading buildings for the quarry are due for demolition.

Whiston banked by Florence No.2 power out of Foxfield yard.

34028 with 44767 at the other end near Blackbrook Crossing on one of the duller days of the Caldon Low gala.

Unfortunately the 8F used for the first days of the Caldon Low gala has failed due to firebox problems (I am told), and now stands forlorn in the yard at Cheddleton.