Light engine move.

It's the Churnet Valley Railway 25th Anniversary Steam Gala this weekend, and I was signaller at delightful Consall on Friday and Saturday. Here, photographed (by Jon Kerr) from just in front of my signal box, 7820 'Dinmore Manor' (train 0F02 in the Working timetable) waits in the up loop at Consall to cross with the down train to Ipstones (2W01).

This was the second of many movements I signalled from Consall 'box on each of the last 2 days. Long days for a retired old git like me, leaving home before light and not getting back until about 8pm. Thought those sort of days were behind me.... But really, great fun!

'Dinmore Manor' is one of two visiting locomotives and is normally resident on the Gloucester Warwickshire Railway (which I know well through visiting our elder daughter Claire in Broadway in the Cotswolds where she is a vet). These Collett-designed locomotives, together with earlier Churchward Swindon designs, have a lovely sharp 'bark' when working hard.

Our other visitor is also an ex-Great Western loco, 2-8-0 tank no. 4277 from the Dartmouth Steam Railway. The resident S160 No.5197 and class 33 diesel 33102 'Sophie' are also participating.

4277 was in unprototypical GWR lined green when she arrived at Cheddleton earlier this month. She was repainted in correct unlined black by the CVR at Cheddleton, where she will remain until her boiler certificate expires in February next year.

Here's a video I found on YouTube. It has some nice scenes around Consall, including (7 minutes in) your truly collecting the Froghall - Consall staff from the Western Tank as it runs in past the waiting Manor.

Click here for CVR 25th Anniversary Steam Gala

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'The Wildfowler' passenger hauling at Urmston yesterday

It's been a few weeks since 'The Wildfowler' had an outing, so with Sunday's fine weather forecast it seemed only right to take him to Urmston track for a spot of passenger hauling.

Lovely Manchester Ship Canal locomotive built by Don 

Don used to work for the Ship Canal, and has written an excellent book on the Railways of the Manchester Ship Canal  

Proud owner / builder 

'The Wildfowler' during lighting up

Last Wednesday Professor Ian Morison (with the mug of tea in the picture) from Jodrell Bank gave a talk on that radio telescope to our Probus group. I know Ian from attending his astronomy lectures at Wilmslow Guild some years ago and last saw him at Rudyard Lake Steam Railway. I had a chat to him before his talk on Wednesday and it transpired he is about to take delivery of a live steam 5" gauge 'Alice' locomotive.

He was unsure where to run it, so I mentioned Urmston which he had not heard of. I was delighted therefore when I arrived at the club yesterday to see Ian there. He is impressed with the club and its facilities and is going to join and run his loco here.

'The Wildfowler' in the queue to pick up passengers at the station 

Stuart on Dave's Venezuelan Beyer Peacock tank loco. This was the loco I passed my 'driving test' on at Urmston and it was good to see it back in steam after an extended absence.  

A 'Sweet Pea' generates an interest in steam among a couple of young onlookers  

Aaron on Trevor's Polly tank loco 

The fine weather brought out plenty of customers for train rides 

Bit of a stretch over the tenders of these big express engines! 

Keith and Don take Don's MSC loco for a spin round the inner track 

More young enthusiasts, this time admiring Dave's Venezuelan tank loco, driven by Stuart

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