Peak Rail

Just published to "Geoff's Rail Diaries", an account of a visit to the standard and narrow gauge railways based in the Peak District's Derwent Valley - the standard gauge "Peak Rail" running on the route of the former Midland main line to Manchester, and the "Derbyshire Dales Narrow Gauge Railway", a line that is nearly as long as its title, but with plans to extend... Peak Rail has aspirations to extend too, through the National Park to Buxton.
Visit "Peak Rail - standard and small", 15 April 2007.

Railway variety on the North Wales coast

Just published to Geoff's Rail Diaries, an account of a trip to the Great Orme Tramway - photos and video - followed by a quick look at the very fine collection of industrial locomotives at Penrhyn Castle. Visit "Great Orme - and a peep at Penrhyn", 12 April 2007

Black 10...

Just back from a little trip into the Welsh border country around Knighton - and the Central Wales Line, destination for a railtour hauled by a pair of "Black 5s", 45407 and 45432. Called in near All Stretton first - and nearly missed it - only just had time to get the camera out of the bag.

The lineside seem to be heavily overgrown these days - the line is more like a linear forest - so at Knucklas we took to the hills for a near-aerial view of the train on the viaduct.

Narrow Gauge fun at North Ings

Just published to "Geoff's Rail Diaries" - a visit to the North Ings Farm Museum, in deepest Lincolnshire, home to a wonderful little 2' gauge railway with a home-made steam tram loco, and coaches whose height is greater than their length... Visit "North Ings Narrow Gauge", 1 April 2007