11 August

38 years ago, to the day, the last steam special ran, or so we thought at the time. BR's infamous 15 Guinea special ran from Liverpool Lime Street to Carlisle and back on 11 August 1968, a full week after normal steam haulage had finished.

11 August 2006: met some old (railway) friends at Bridgnorth - a chance for a pint and a quick look at some preserved steam.

Outside-cylindered pannier tank 1501 arrived with a fine rake of Gresley teak stock (!), then went "on shed" joining close relative 5764.