Monthly Archives: February 2010

Today’s entertainment was Spitfire Railtours trip through Shildon and on to Stanhope. I went down to see it pass and ended up using Andy Mills’ Dutch shunter 663 as a photographic vantage point. Here the tour arrives at Shildon, with … Continue reading →

On a foul day which saw snow, sleet and rain in equally heavy measure, NELPG test steamed their BR class J72 tank loco 69023 at Darlington today. At lunchtime a group of staff and volunteers from Shildon popped over to … Continue reading →

Late last week, Richard at Shildon began to assess the Stirling tender which is to be restored to go behind the Single. He’s been measuring tyres, using a thickness tester on the platework and scraping back the paintwork. Below you … Continue reading →

Yesterday (Friday) back at Shildon saw the first through train from London Kings Cross to Shildon since 2004, and more historically, the first train beyond Shildon on to the Weardale Railway to Stanhope since the line was closed to cement … Continue reading →

A complete change of weather on Thursday morning as I headed west on the M4. As I crossed the Severn Bridge, I couldn’t see the river for fog, and as I left Chepstow for the Forest of Dean, the snow … Continue reading →

Having looked at Woolmer at Milestones, where it looks very much at home, Wednesday morning saw me land at Alresford station on the Mid Hants Railway, where a vintage bus service had been laid on to fetch us from a … Continue reading →

Tuesday last saw me set off bright and early for Hampshire again, this time to visit Knights Rail Services at Eastleigh Works, check on Woolmer at Milestones and then on Wednesday represent work at the opening of the Mid Hants … Continue reading →

Having another day at York today, I took a walk into the yard after my meetings and lunch to have a look at “Rocket” undertaking trial runs and crew training. Here, Steve Piper under the guidance of Rod Lytton drives … Continue reading →