The days of the cross-country pick-up freight were already numbered long before the end of steam in Britain. Although such operations were hopelessly uneconomic, delightfully bucolic scenes such a... (more)

Whilst photographers usually prefer some indication that a locomotive is working hard, good driving and firing skills are well in evidence here. 62005 has left Levisham Station, seen in the far di... (more)

In lovely and remote Farwath only two things disturb the idyll of a perfect Spring Sunday morning. The first is birdsong. The second is the passage, about once an hour, of a steam locomotive and i... (more)

Two operating characteristics epitomise the West Country class of Pacifics designed by Oliver Bulleid of the Southern Railway. The fierce exhaust, often referred to as 'volcanic' and a reputation ... (more)

The painting of locomotives in unusual liveries has its supporters and detractors. Personally, I'm glad that we're still able to see steam out on the 'big railway' no matter what coat is being wor... (more)

The highlight of today's 'Hadrian' was the exciting chase along the beautiful valley of the river Tyne made possible because the road and railway run in parallel for many miles. Sometimes they are... (more)

Recently returned to traffic at the Worth Valley after lengthy overhauls are a BR 'Standard 4' class 4-6-0 and an ex-Southern Railway 'West Country' class Pacific. This makes the perfect combinati... (more)

The possibilty of re-creating a War Department 2-8-0 was long thought to be the stuff of fantasy. Thanks to an example of the class being repatriated from Sweden and entirely due to the dedication... (more)

A brief shower has left the yard rails glistening, as BR 'Standard Five' class 73129, visiting from the Midland Railway Centre, raises the echoes with a stirring departure from Ramsbottom during t... (more)

It's not really surprising that we British are obsessed with trying to predict our weather. Today in the Irwell valley it rained, hailed, snowed and returned to brilliant sun all within the space ... (more)

The weather on Saturday was as sombre as my mood. Earlier that morning, I'd had the heartbreaking task of bringing an end to the life of my wonderful dog. 'Jess' had been my faithful companion on ... (more)

Much against a pessimistic forecast, the weather today in the Eden Valley was glorious. The sympathetically restored former station at Long Marton plays its part in what continues to make the Sett... (more)

Only in dreams do 114 year-old locomotives emerge from ethereal mists passing untrodden snow in the still of a Sunday morning. I'm still unsure if this a question or a statement. I am sure that I ... (more)

Racing across the gentle South Yorkshire countryside, 'Union of South Africa' is heading along the Swinton & Knottingley route. She is now only about 40 miles from her final destination at York. Q... (more)

I'm not normally a denizen of stations, preferring to be 'out on the line'. I just thought that the lovely afternoon lighting at the platform end at Pickering made for a fine view. The elegant lin... (more)