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.
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