An opportunity has presented itself to recreate a classic 1960’s steam scene. The engine that is available is Britannia No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell, a well photographed engine on mainline specials of course - but not seen on a long goods train so typical of the work the class did through most of the 1960’s as dieselisation took effect. Therefore I have agreed with the Great Central Railway for a charter with No. 70013 on Tuesday 17th January 2012 hauling a long mixed goods made up of their mixed goods rake plus the mineral wagons on the rear of the train.
The charter will commence at Loughborough at 08.00 hrs and continue throughout the day with only a very short lunch break (if the weather is behaving itself!) to take water and crew change etc. due to the short daylight hours in January. The charter is expected to finish around 16.00 – 16.30 hrs.
THE TERRIER & BIRDCAGE
Monday, 7th November 2011
KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY
|
FULLY BOOKED
In conjunction with Sentimental Journeys and Alan Crotty of KESR I'm pleased to announce my first charter at the Kent & East Sussex Railway.
We shall have full use of the 10 mile line throughout the day, plus the rare chance to traverse the new Junction Road extension from Bodiam towards Robertsbridge.
Our train will be formed of BR Black Terrier No. 32678, just as it ran on the line in the 1950's, and a single 1920 built "Birdcage" coach in BR red (faded!) livery. The engine and coach will be repainted into earlier liveries during 2012 so this is a last opportunity to record the combination together for some time. The engine will face east/uphill which should also be good for some backlit glint shots in the afternoon.
The charter will commence at Rolvenden at 07.30 hrs and continue throughout the day, and there will be a "nightshoot" at the end of the day at Tenterden Town station.
As with many charters recently I am expecting this charter to fill fast so please be quick to secure your place. If you are on our mailing list you will receive full details of the charter during the next week plus details of the SJ days on 5th & 6th Nov.
BLACK ROBINSON FAREWELL
Tuesday, 11th October 2011
GREAT CENTRAL RAILWAY
| CANCELLED - All bookings tranferred to alternative date with another organiser.
With the demise of the Blue King charters Russ Hillier has worked hard to arrange a programme of charters at the Great Central Railway on the original dates using the 04 2-8-0 No. 63601. The engine is now expected to be out-shopped shortly following repairs still in BR Black.
Therefore I am offering you your last chance to photograph the engine in BR Black livery as it will be repainted into a fully lined out Great Central livery to see out its 10 year boiler ticket which expires early in 2012. Who knows if it will steam again in the near future, even if it does I very much doubt it’ll be in BR livery.
I propose to run the day with the mixed goods and mineral wagon sets together to form a fairly long train, starting at Loughborough at 08.00 hrs with breakfast available from 07.00 hrs in the buffet. We have full use of the line throughout the day, finishing approx. 17.30 hrs. A lunch break will be taken but the buffet will not be serving hot food at that time.
I know its short notice but this really is your last chance to photograph this engine in BR black for a long time!
MIDLAND GOODS
Thursday, 22nd September 2011
KEIGHLEY & WORTH VALLEY RAILWAY
|
| The much missed 4F No. 43924, the first engine to leave Barry scrapyard for preservation back in 1968, was our booked engine for this day with a mixed goods rake.
Another slow start due to unforecast cloud, but after this with a little careful calling of the train on the radios we managed to get some decent shots of all locations during the morning session before the cloud thickened up. Typically the sun came out again whilst we were at lunch and promptly disappeared again when we restarted! A number of participants decided to leave us at that point, rule No. 1 on charters - never leave early! The sun then returned for some excellent shots at Damens loop with classic Midland signals and signal box.
Weather rating 7/10.
A report & images of this charter appears on my blog page.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
IVATT IN THE DALES
Wednesday, 21st September 2011
KEITHLEY & WORTH VALLEY RAILWAY
|
|
| This charter ran as planned but with the 4F No. 43924 replacing the Ivatt which was declared too delicate to work on charters.
For this day we had a two coach suburban set and enjoyed mostly sunny weather throughout the morning after a cloudy start. As a result the morning session was extended to after 14.00 hrs before lunch was taken when it clouded over for the remainder of the day.
Weather rating 7/10.
A report and images of the charter can be seen on my blog page.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
THE AUTO PANNIER
Tuesday, 10th May 2011
Bodmin & Wenford Railway
|
| The Bodmin Railway have recently overhauled their new BR built autocoach and it has been outshopped in BR lined Maroon to match the lines 64xx Pannier No. 6435, in unlined BR Green. A combination not seen in preservation before.
Our charter with the engine was run on 10th May. A mixed day of sunshine and clouds made for some good shots, but it was quite difficult calling the train on the radio at times and timing the sunny gaps!
Weather rating 7/10. Full report on the blog within this website.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
PANNIER FAREWELL
Monday, 9th May 2011
Bodmin & Wenford Railway
|
|
| The 10 year boiler ticket on Bodmin based Pannier No. 4612 is due to expire at the end of May 2011. The engine is currently in BR Black livery.
Our charter with the engine was run on 9th May with a mixed goods and single run with passenger stock at the end of the day. A mixed day of sunshine and clouds made for some good shots, but it was quite difficult calling the train on the radio at times and timing the sunny gaps!
Weather rating 7/10. Full report on the blog within this website.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
MILKY WAY
Friday, 8th April 2011
SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY
|
| Another chance to photograph the BR Black Dukedog 4-4-0 No. 9017 on the South Devon Railway. The engine is visiting the line for the Easter gala between 22nd April & 25th April.
A full report appears in my bog at http://www.donbishop.co.uk/blog/ and full image library will be uploaded ASAP.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
DEVON 'DOG ON GOODS
Tuesday, 5th April 2011
SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY
|
|
| FULLY BOOKED
DAY 2 ONLY OPTION
A rare chance to photograph the BR Black Dukedog 4-4-0 No. 9017 on the South Devon Railway. The engine is visiting the line for the Easter gala between 22nd April & 25th April where it will work with another BR liveried Cambrian “partner” Collett 0-6-0 No. 3205.
A full report appears in my bog at http://www.donbishop.co.uk/blog/ and full image library will be uploaded ASAP.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
DEVON 'DOG
Monday, 4th April 2011
SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY
|
|
| FULLY BOOKED
TWO DAY OPTION
A rare chance to photograph the BR Black Dukedog 4-4-0 No. 9017 on the South Devon Railway. The engine is visiting the line for the Easter gala between 22nd April & 25th April where it will work with another BR liveried Cambrian “partner” Collett 0-6-0 No. 3205.
A full report appears in my bog at http://www.donbishop.co.uk/blog/ and full image library will be uploaded ASAP.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
DEVON 'DOG LOCAL
Monday, 4th April 2011
SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY
|
|
| FULLY BOOKED
DAY 1 ONLY OPTION
A rare chance to photograph the BR Black Dukedog 4-4-0 No. 9017 on the South Devon Railway. The engine is visiting the line for the Easter gala between 22nd April & 25th April where it will work with another BR liveried Cambrian “partner” Collett 0-6-0 No. 3205.
A full report appears in my bog at http://www.donbishop.co.uk/blog/ and full image library will be uploaded ASAP.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
CAMBRIAN COAST MANOR
Wednesday, 9th March 2011
WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY
| The first West Somerset charter for 4 years ran on Weds 9th March 2011 and featured Manor No. 7812 Erlestoke Manor (Courtesy of the owning group and Severn Valley Rly) on a 4 coach local set, typical of the Cambrian coast lines in the 1960's.
The day was one of mixed blessings, but the weather was quite good (given a poor forecast earlier in the week) with sunny intervals in between the clouds allowing some quite nice shots to be obtained, despite a brisk westerly wind. Unfortunately a problem with the water tower at Minehead resulted in delays starting the afternoon session and opportunties were thus limited in the afternoon. Still an enjoyable day and I'm sure we will be able to run further charters on the WSR in the not too distant future.
A full report appears on my blog.
Weather rating 6/10
WESTERN HEAVY GOODS
Monday, 7th February 2011
Great Central Railway
|
| West Somerset based GW design 38xx 2-8-0 No. 3850 is visiting the Great Central Railway for the winter period and has been repainted into BR Black livery.
Our photo charter with the engine on Monday 7th Feb, and which featured 3850 heading the 16ton mineral wagons in a classic recreation of scenes from South Wales in the early sixties, was affected by yet more cloudy weather! Cloudy and very windy start, but it did brighten up late morning for some success to be enjoyed at 4 locations. We thought that perhaps we would have a nice sunny afternoon, but the clouds had other ideas and rolled back in to block out any meaningful light for the rest of the day. The night shoot was quite successful with lighting provided and set up by Jason Cross - of course by then the sky was clearing!
Images to follow shortly.
Weather rating 5/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
CALBOURNE RETURNS (Day 2 only)
Tuesday, 16th November 2010
ISLE OF WIGHT STEAM RAILWAY
| FULLY BOOKED
Another much awaited return to traffic is the sole surviving 02 0-4-4T No. 24 Calbourne on its native Isle of Wight. The loco has been (or rather will be very soon!) returned to traffic in lined BR Black livery with the correct profile coal bunker etc. to recreate that period in its life. We will match the engine with the railways rake of Green Bogie coaches which will look simply magnificent. There are no services on either of these two dates so we will have sole line occupancy throughout each day. Full joining instructions and times etc. will be given nearer the time.
This charter booking option is for DAY 2 ONLY.
CALBOURNE RETURNS
Monday, 15th November 2010
ISLE OF WIGHT STEAM RAILWAY
|
| MONDAY 15TH & TUESDAY 16TH NOVEMBER 2010
Two very successful days on the Isle of Wight again, the Monday started rather cloudy which persisted through the morning but cleared for a very nice afternoon's photography. A cold night ensured we had still cold and misty conditons on Tuesday morning for some stunning back lit autumnal mist shots followed by a full days sunny charter.
Weather rating 10/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
CALBOURNE RETURNS (Day 1 only)
Monday, 15th November 2010
ISLE OF WIGHT STEAM RAILWAY
| FULLY BOOKED
Another much awaited return to traffic is the sole surviving 02 0-4-4T No. 24 Calbourne on its native Isle of Wight. The loco has been (or rather will be very soon!) returned to traffic in lined BR Black livery with the correct profile coal bunker etc. to recreate that period in its life. We will match the engine with the railways rake of Green Bogie coaches which will look simply magnificent. There are no services on either of these two dates so we will have sole line occupancy throughout each day. Full joining instructions and times etc. will be given nearer the time.
This charter booking option is for DAY 1 ONLY.
CORNISH GREYHOUND
Thursday, 7th October 2010
Bodmin & Wenford Railway
|
| THURSDAY 7TH & FRIDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2010
The first opportunity to see the much desired T9 4-4-0 back in Cornwall and in BR lined Black livery. The charter went generally well with mixed rather warm weather resulting in difficulty getting much exhaust on 7th & 8th October. On 21st/22nd October the related Sentimental Journeys/Russ Hillier charters ran with pleasant clear light for much of the day on 21st October and much cooler!
Weather rating; 8/10
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
MILK FOR LONDON
Thursday, 29th April 2010
South Devon Railway
|
| A classic milk train working along a branch line to meet up with mainline trunk milk train from the West Country to London? A common scene from the 1950's with BR Black Prairie No. 5526 on two 6 wheel milk tanks and a BR Red/Cream pre 1948 ex GWR full brake.
Sadly the day was greeted by cloud and rain with some very poor light for photography - the first day of wet weather for some 6 weeks!
Weather rating 0/10
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
DEVON DELIGHTS
Wednesday, 28th April 2010
South Devon Railway
|
|
| An opportunity to recreate a classic Devon branch line scene from the 1950's, again using with BR Black Prairie No. 5526, this time on its home line - the South Devon Railway. On day 1 we used the loco with two coach BR Red/Cream set of pre 1948 ex GWR stock. The weather was generally fine all day if a little cloudy at times, but I think some good results were obtained by most who took part.
Weather rating 7/10
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
1950'S CORNISH CLAYS
Monday, 19th April 2010
Bodmin & Wenford Railway
|
| A rare chance to recreate a typical Cornish branch goods with BR Black Praire tank, No. 5526 from the South Devon Railway, which visited Bodmin for a gala event.
We had very good sunny weather all day. Add to that the the Bodmin railways usual great hospitality and genuine Cornish pasties and you have the recipe for a very good days charter and photography.
Weather rating 9/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
WENFORD LIVES ON
Friday, 16th October 2009
Bodmin & Wenford Railway
|
|
| On Friday 16th October we made use of Beattie Well Tank No. 30587 on a short mixed goods. Parts of the Bodmin line really do exude the atmosphere of the Wenford goods branch on which the engine was of course so famous.
Another mostly cloudy day, under a high pressure, however we did get a limited number of sunny images.
Weather rating 5/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
BODMIN WESTERN RECREATION
Thursday, 15th October 2009
Bodmin & Wenford Railway
|
|
| Two annoyingly cloudy days under a high pressure ridge after 3 days of wall to wall sunshine and a forecast for good weather over the two days following the charter.
However we did get a limited number of sunny images on both days, more espically on the Friday with 30587.
Weather rating 3/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
DUB DEE MINERALS
Tuesday, 6th October 2009
Great Central Railway
|
| A generally cloudy day with only short glimpes of sun in the afternoon, we did get one run past in good light but others in cloudy conditions. However the cloudy conditions did produce some reasonable black & white images which somehow look right for a WD on coal wagons!
Weather rating 3/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
DUKEDOG DOUBLE HEADER
Tuesday, 28th April 2009
Llangollen Railway
|
| After a number of requests I somewhat put my neck on the block and made efforts to put together a full days charter with BR Black Dukedog No. 9017 & BR Black Prairie No. 5526 on a rake of red/cream coaches on Tuesday 28th April.
sadly the day was greeted with cloudy damp conditions throughout and only a few shots in "brighter" lighting were to be had.
This authentic pairing was a very rare opportunity and very unlikely to be repeated in the foreseeable future.
A Dukedog & small Prairie was quite common (including on the Cambrian Coast express portions) and a number of pictures appear in various volumes on Cambrian steam.
Weather rating 2/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
WESTERN BRANCH PASSENGER
Wednesday, 22nd April 2009
South Devon Railway
|
| A chance to recreate a classic BR Western branch line scene, a BR Black Pannier hauled branch passenger of two red & cream coaches.
Generally good weather conditions prevailed for the two days of these charters which produced some decent images of both branch passenger and goods traffic.
Weather rating 9/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
WESTERN BRANCH GOODS
Tuesday, 21st April 2009
South Devon Railway
|
|
| A chance to recreate a classic BR Western branch line scene, a BR Black Pannier hauled goods.
Generally good weather conditions prevailed for the two days of these charters which produced some decent images of both branch passenger and goods traffic.
Weather rating 9/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
CAMBRIAN DREAM - DAY 2
Tuesday, 31st March 2009
Llangollen Railway
|
|
| The surviving GWR Dukedog 4-4-0 No. 9017 was painted BR Black and returned to its former haunts in the Welsh hills, thanks to the efforts of the Betton Grange society.
Day 2 of our two day event saw No. 9017 hauling a mixed goods train. The day was again mostly cloudy but some brighter/sunny spells were enjoyed.
Weather rating 5/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
CAMBRIAN DREAM - DAY 1
Monday, 30th March 2009
Llangollen Railway
|
|
| The surviving GWR Dukedog 4-4-0 No. 9017 was painted BR Black and returned to its former haunts in the Welsh hills, thanks to the efforts of the Betton Grange society.
Day 1 of our two day event witnessed No. 9017 hauling a red/cream and Maroon mix of stock with a van. A mostly cloudy day unfortunately but with some sunny spells to get some very valuable shots.
Weather rating 5/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
NORTH EAST MINERALS
Monday, 19th January 2009
Great Central Railway
|
| The visit of NELPG’s Q6 No. 63395 to the Great Central Railway for the lines winter gala presented the unusual opportunity to do a charter with this classic 0-8-0 goods engine.
We had a full day’s winter steam photography with the Q6 on a rake of 16 of the 16 ton mineral wagons.
Generally a mixed day of sunshine and cloud with a brisk westerly wind. We had some quite reasonable shots as shown on the website page, but did not get all of the shots we would have liked.
Weather rating 7/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
SOMERSET & DORSET CLASSIC
Tuesday, 18th November 2008
Bluebell Railway
|
| An opportunity to recreate a classic S&D scene – the wonderful S&D 7F 2-8-0 No. 53809 in BR Black livery running with a rake of Southern Maunsell and Bulleid coaches to recreate a typical through express service over the long closed S&D route. The regular Cleethorpes – Exmouth and return workings were rostered 7F turns and one train set was often Southern green stock and the other maroon/red & cream Eastern region stock.
The Autumn colours were quite pleasant in the autumn sunshine on what was a generally fine day.
Weather rating 8/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
DUKEDOG LOCAL
Monday, 6th October 2008
Severn Valley Railway
|
| Our second SVR GWR Double Frame 4-4-0 charter this Autumn with Dukedog No. 9017 Earl of Berkeley and a short rake of 4/5 GWR coaches.
A day with some great sunshine for the first hour then cloudy conditions for the rest of the day - still the shots were in the bag by then!
Weather rating 6/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
DOUBLE DOUBLE FRAMERS
Wednesday, 1st October 2008
Severn Valley Railway
|
|
| This charter featured the very rare pairing of GWR Double Framers No. 3440 City of Truro & Dukedog No. 9017 Earl of Berkeley heading an appropriate rake of GWR coaches. These are of course the only surviving GWR outside frame 4-4-0 locos which were once numerous on the GWR network.
A glorious autumn day when we got shots at all locations we attempted, particularly good last shot at Eardington with dark sky in the background.
Weather rating 9/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Cambrian Standard
Monday, 16th April 2007
West Somerset Railway
|
| Our third WSR charter offering for this spring was a recreation of a 1960's period local train on the Welsh Cambrian system when the BR Standard 80xxx 2-6-4 tanks had taken over many of the services in that area.
The charter ran with Std tank No. 80136 with 5 Maroon coaches between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. The morning session was reasonably successful with mainly bright/sunny but hazy skies. The afternoon proved more difficult due to operating issues and the weather was also rather less sunny.
Weather rating 5/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Summer Saturdays in the West
Friday, 16th March 2007
West Somerset Railway
|
| SPRING 2007 GALA EVENT CHARTERS
FRIDAY 16TH MARCH 2007.
Castle 5051 Earl Bathurst & large Prairie No. 4160
A very authentic combination from the Devon banks in the 50’s & 60’s is a large Prairie tank, Newton Abbot shed had a large allocation for this purpose, piloting an express 4-6-0 – often coupled inside as well as on the front of Castle’s and King’s etc.
This combination was recreated for the cameras on 16th March 2007, pretty much 50 years since it was a regular sight in Devon!
The day started bright and sunny and a number of good shots were obtained during the morning session before more cloud appeared after lunch meaning only one location was possible in good light during the afternoon. My own results can be viewed in the steam galleries section of the site.
Weather rating 7/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Summer Saturdays in the West
Tuesday, 13th March 2007
West Somerset Railway
|
|
| SPRING 2007 GALA EVENT CHARTERS.
TUESDAY 13TH MARCH 2007.
Castle 5051 Earl Bathurst & Manor 7822 Foxcote Manor
The first of our two WSR Summer Saturday's in the West charters was greeted by a wonderfull cool early and sunny eary spring morning - perfect for steam photography. Although a little cloud was present during the morning session in remained largly sunny throughout the day.
The train made up of 8 SRPS Maroon MK1 coaches hauled by 7822 Foxcote Manor & 5051 Earl Bathurst looked superb. A number of different locations along the WSR line were covered through the day, the results can be viewed in the steam galleries section of the site.
Weather rating 9/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
The Churnet Valley Marquess
Saturday, 3rd February 2007
Churnet Valley Railway, Cheddleton
|
| A simply stunning day - full sun and clear skies all day!
The long out of service K4 No. 61994 The Great Marquess looked great with it's 5 coach passenger train with two vans added to the front to give the appearance of a Scottish Highlands train of the 1950's.
See a sample of the images available on the day in our galleries.
Weather rating 10/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Goods for Ashburton
Saturday, 11th November 2006
South Devon Railway
|
|
| Using the South Devon Railway's small Prairie tank No. 5526 in BR Black livery, the charter recreated the atmosphere of the daily Ashburton goods train of the 1950's. The train consisted of a 4 wagon BR bauxite livieried train.
The weather was quite good in the morning with some sunny spells, however it did cloud over by the afternoon making photography quite difficult.
Weather rating 6/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Somerset & Dorset Recreations
Monday, 27th March 2006
West Somerset Railway
|
| The fourth of our S&D recreations charters, an extra date added to satisfy demand. This charter employed S&D 7F 2-8-0 No. 53809 in the morning and BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 No.92203 in the afternoon - classic S&D single headed trains using the SRPS Maroon stock.
This was possibly the worst day of the 4 for the weather! Rain on and off throughout the day made photography quite difficult. Again a few black & white images were possible.
Weather rating 2/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Somerset & Dorset Recreations
Wednesday, 22nd March 2006
West Somerset Railway
|
|
| Day 3 of the S&D recreations, and this time we put the 4F & 7F together, both in BR Black livery, to recreate what for many is THE S&D classic - two older design good's engine's on a passenger train. Like the other two days the train operated throughout the day between Bishops Lydeard & Williton where the scenary is not too dissimilar to that around the old S&D route itself. Again we used the Maroon coaching stock hired from the Scottish Railway Preservation Society.
A little brightness was experienced on this day, but no real "full sun" shots, so at least everyone went home with something.
Weather rating 4/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Somerset & Dorset Recreations
Tuesday, 21st March 2006
West Somerset Railway
|
|
| Day 2 of the S&D recreations at the WSR, on this date we exchanged the 4F for a classic Somerset & Dorset 7F 2-8-0 goods engine. The WSR had hired in 7F No. 53809 from the Midland Railway Centre (to accompany their own 7F No. 88) and we paired it the Bulleid No.34067 Tangmere to doublehead our train, again a classic S&D scene. This train was also formed of the Maroon Mk.1 coaching stock hired from the Scottish Railway Preservation Society through the kind offices of FM Rail.
Again the weather was cold and cloudy for much of the day, however a few classic black & white images were possible to record the event.
Weather rating 3/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Somerset & Dorset Recreations
Monday, 20th March 2006
West Somerset Railway
|
|
| Day 1 of our special S&D recreations at the West Somerset Railway employed 4F No. 44422 and Bulleid "Battle of Britain" Pacific No.34067 Tangmere doubleheaded to recreate a classic S&D scene of a holiday express of the 1950's or even the famous "Pines Express". The train was formed of Maroon coaching stock hired from the Scottish Railway Preservation Society through the kind offices of FM Rail.
Sadly the weather did not live up to expectations, being cold and cloudy all day. The images shown herewith give an example though of what a truly authentic recreation of the S&D this was.
Weather rating 2/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Great Western country station scenes
Monday, 23rd January 2006
Severn Valley Railway
|
| This charter was to recreate that classic branch line image of the GWR. A Pannier tank hauling 2 genuine vintage GW coaches. A full days charter with 57xx class Pannier No. 5764 with an emphasis on shots around about the SVR's superbly restored stations and infrastructure by way of a change from the more usual landscape countryside shots. Unfortunately the weather was poor - cloudy & cold all day - so only Black & white photography was really possible, except for some after dark time exposures in Bewdley station that evening. As there is clearly plenty of opportunity in this charter it will be re run soon - keep an eye on this site for details.
Weather rating 2/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Auto Pannier WSR
Friday, 30th December 2005
West Somerset Railway
|
| A Christmas week "excursion" to enjoy the sight of a small Pannier tank hauling its single coach Auto train. Unfortunately the weather was rather poor, cloudy & damp all day, but some nice after drak shots were obtained at Williton station.
Weather rating 3/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
LMR local train
Monday, 31st October 2005
Severn Valley Railway
|
| A second attempt at this one, the first had been greeted with "disappointing" weather! Our loco was SVR home based Stanier Mogul No. 42968 now in BR Black livery and coupled to a short rake of LMS coaches to recreate an Cross Country local train such as those that worked many secondary lines in the Midland region of BR. The weather on this occasion was also bad in the morning but brightened up for a while in the afternoon allowing two locations to be covered.
Weather rating 5/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
E4 Bluebell
Thursday, 3rd March 2005
Bluebell Railway
|
|
| A number of photographic charter organisers clubbed together to fund the repaint of the Bluebell Rlys E4 0-6-2T in BR Black livery and run a programme of photo charters with the engine. I paired it with two Maunsell design coaches for a Steam Recreations event on 3rd March 2005. Weather was very good generally with a few snow showers.
Weather rating 7/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Dart Valley branch locals
Sunday, 25th April 2004
South Devon Railway
|
|
| A two day visit to the South Devon Railway in April 2004 featuring No. 5526. together with different two coach local trains formed of two Great Western coaches in Chocolate & Cream coaches and two Carmine liveried coaches, very much as they would have appeared in the early 50's. Weather on both days was very good.
Weather rating 8/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Dee Valley local
Wednesday, 7th April 2004
Llangollen Railway
|
| A typical BR Western Region local train of the late 1950's period with mixed livery coaching stock - Maroon and Blood/Custard - hauled by Llangollen based large Prairie tank No. 5199. Waether was generally good, particularly in the afternoon.
Weather rating 7/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Great Eastern goes west
Monday, 22nd March 2004
West Somerset Railway
|
| As the WSR's special events planning team had secured a rare visit by the little Great Eastern J15 0-6-0 No. 65462 the opportunity was taken to work a goods train along the line with this loco. The day was sunny throughout.
Weather rating 9/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
Cornish clay classics
Saturday, 18th October 2003
Bodmin Railway
|
|
| One of these two charters, operated on 10th April 2005 formed a sight I thought I would never see a few years ago - a Beattie Well Tank back working around Bodmin in Cornwall. The charter was to recreate the quite unique sight of the little 2-4-0WT working a china clay train along the Boscarne Junc - Wenford bridge line as it had so many times in the past.
It had followed a previous charter with a similar theme operted on 18th October 2003 featuring BR Green Prairie tank No. 5552, back working as it did some 40 years ago on china clay trains on the branch lines of Cornwall. Weather was very good with good sunny spells throughout on both dates.
Weather rating 8/10.
Pictures from this charter are now available in our gallery store »
|
| | | | |
