Cunarder
At Southampton Docks
Monday 8 August 2011
My Birthday – For the Love of Steam
Once in a while something or some event will take place in one’s life that is, and will remain truly memorable. This week has got to be one of those times! Because this year my son gave me the best Birthday present I’ve had in years!
He called me and said that he really didn’t know what to get me for my Birthday, so he suggested that I go and spend a week with him (he would send me the train tickets) and we could do some fishing and whatever else I wanted to do.
Well! A whole week away I haven’t had a break like that since I don’t know when. Then I got to thinking, where Erik lives there are quite a few heritage steam railways. So we planned out the week and boy what a week it was!
We started with the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway, then the Dean Forest Railway and finished with the Severn Valley Railway. We went fishing in between of course, even caught fish!
My holiday started well, I saw my wife on the Thursday, she’s working on a cruise ship and we hadn’t seen each other for months. So yes a good start to my hols!
I spent the weekend preparing for my trip and early on Tuesday June 21st I caught the 0905 train from Inverkeithing to Edinburgh and then the 1000 to Cheltenham via Newcastle and Birmingham arriving in Cheltenham about 1600 because the train was late arriving at Birmingham and I missed my connection. The journey down was most enjoyable; I hadn’t been on a train for years... really!
Journey number 1,
The Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway (GWR).
Tuesday 22nd June
I just love trains, especially steam trains and I’m so happy to have this opportunity to re-live my past a little bit and take a nostalgic trip back in time. I was really excited to be going to visit the GWR and see real steam locomotives. It certainly turned out to be a most exciting and enjoyable day! If you’ve ever wished you could turn back the clock for a while you’ll understand what I mean!
We arrived at Toddington station at around 12 noon only to find that there were no steam trains running here (Oh gloom) because of an embankment collapse! So we spent a wee while looking round this elegant station and all of its interesting aspects. It was so quiet and peaceful, such beautiful surroundings.
After a good poke around we set off for Winchcombe and a nostalgic journey! This was another beautiful period station, where we had a cup of tea and homemade sandwich whilst waiting for the train. There was so much to see! Even the rain was interesting! Eventually ‘Formarke Hall’ appeared and after doing a run-around we boarded and set off for Cheltenham Racecourse. Childhood memories came flooding back as the mighty locomotive pulled out of the station, hissing and chuffing, all the sounds from a bygone age opening scenes from boyhood days! Ah it was so wonderful to be here!
Pictures galore as you will see attached. The stop at Gotherington was brief and we arrived at our destination a short time after. The station here at the racecourse is well cared for and it does the line credit. The station is now open full time, not just on race days. Once more our ‘Hall’ class loco does a run-around and I manage to get a good look inside the cab with a few pics beside the loco.
The scenery along the line is quite breath-taking so we sat and took it all in on the return journey. It was a most memorable day, harkening back to my childhood days when steam hauled trains were quite the norm and life was... well different then.
Arrived at Toddington
But no steam trains from here!
So we went to Winchcombe
Nice station
even in the rain!
Sunshine again
Erik studies the time-table!
Here comes our train
A real beauty
Much excitement at the station as the train pulls in
Uncoupling for the run-around
Backing down the track
Almost there!
Now we're off to the Racecourse
Through the countryside
past picturesque villages
A brief stop at Cotherington
You can tell it's Cotherington
coz the sign says so!
More countryside!
Cheltenham Racecourse
Ready for another run-around
Water first though
Erik having an ice cream!
A really well kept station
Much interest in the coupling up!
Do you think they'll let me drive?
Guess not! hmmmm!
Back to Winchcombe
A really nice run!!
Journey number 2,
Dean Forest Railway Adventure.
Sunday 26th June
This is not just a railway, it is a railway that runs through a fantastic forest with lots to see and do. I intend to go back someday soon and spend a few days here walking through the Forest of Dean and taking in all the interesting places as well as the railway. The area is full of natural beauty a tribute to British heritage and conservation.
Well we all (that is, Erik, Tanya – Erik’s wife – and me) arrived at Norchard around midday. The drive to Norchard was very picturesque through the Cotswolds, lots of interesting places which would be worth a visit on another day. But today was for the railway!
Norchard is set in rural surroundings and is the main headquarters for DFR. We had time to have a good look around before our train arrived and I was lucky enough to get a look around the repair yard and get some picks there, my escort kindly stood back while I took pictures!
Our train duly arrived, hauled by a ‘Prairie’ class loco. You know the feelings have never left me, I still feel a surge of excitement whenever I see a steam train and today is no exception. We were soon on our way to Parkend, where you can alight the train and go for a walk along one of the woodland trails and get a pub lunch. However today we didn’t have the time for that, so I just took in all the atmosphere of the surroundings. It was a beautiful day and it enhanced the experience greatly. The journey through to Parkend was so very picturesque and I wish I could have got more pictures of the forest but the trees were so close and when you went through a clearing it was gone before you had time to focus. Never mind, like I said I intend to go back soon with a tent and spend a few days walking and getting some up-close shots of the trains as they run through the various places.
The DFR has quite an impressive fleet of steam loco’s and diesel trains, including a variety of rolling stock and on special days, there is of course ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ but we didn’t get to see him.
After our loco had completed its run-around it was time to depart for Lydney Junction, which is the other terminal close to the main line station. Here we got off the train to stretch our legs and of course get more pictures. The station is still under development so you really need to go and have a good wander around Lydney and take in the harbour, which is reputed to be quite picturesque. I watched, fascinated by the run-around and the amount of stuff here at Lydney, I could have spent a good few hours here.
Well it was soon time for our final leg back to Norchard, where we arrived safe and sound. After a good look around the shop and museum we set off for home. Great day out, I just have to get back here sometime soon!
Arriving at Norchard
In the yard!
Plenty of work going on here!
A real live 0-4-2T 14xx
up close and personal! Wow!!
Guess who they're waiting for??
On the platform waiting for our train
Here she comes
A Prairie 2-6-2T magic!
Ready for the off now!
A peak inside our coach
On the way, through the Forest
Derelict signal box
quite romantic really
Good view from here, have to mind the soot though!!
Arriving at Parkend
Nice place!
Run around time
Coupling up!
No time for a pint though
Back on the train, then on to Lydney Junction
Through Norchard
Lydney Town next stop
Beautiful isn't she?
Maybe they'll let me drive this one!
Waheeyyyy!
Yaaayyyyy!
Off we go then!
Posers!
Is this what they do with naughty trains??
Final stop for today!
There she goes
A picturesque walk through The Forest of Dean
Journey number 3,
The Severn Valley Railway.
Monday 27th June
This had to be the best day of all; it really was a magical day out! Unfortunately Tanya couldn’t join us due to a medical appointment, which was a shame because I’m sure she would have enjoyed it.
The SVR runs regular steam-hauled trains between Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire, a total distance of 16 miles. The route follows the River Severn for the most part, crossing the River Severn over the Victoria Bridge; a massive 200-foot single span with a spectacular view high above the river.
There are few roads along the Severn Valley; therefore the best way to see the views is via the railway. The scenery is quite breathtaking and the quaint ‘olde worlde’ stations lend a charm to the line giving easy access to the local villages and country walks.
The railway is run mostly by volunteers and it is plain to see that they are dedicated and most conscientious in their endeavours.
We arrived at Kidderminster late morning and had a stroll around the station and a good look at the Ivatt 2MT which headed up our outbound train. I was even lucky enough to get onto the footplate and have a chat with the crew… really great!
Kidderminster station is a reproduction, however it is really well done and an excellent representation of a period station; which is a short walk from the main line station.
Onward then to Bridgnorth, enjoying the view on the way! Unfortunately I was too engrossed with steam trains to take in much of the countryside, so there isn’t much photography covering the scenery. An error I will not make twice!
Bridgnorth station is also a really beautiful period piece and is quite something; it’s well worth the journey just to see this magnificent piece of ‘olde worlde’ architecture. The other attraction here of course is the engine restoration shed which housed a plethora of steam locos in various states of overhaul. Unfortunately it was not open for public viewing due to ‘Health & Safety’ regulations – good old HSAW – nonetheless you can still see a great deal from the foot-bridge and through the fence!
We caught the same train back to Highley to visit The Engine House and museum. A really well laid out presentation which is a must in my book if you are visiting this piece of history! We took tea on the terrace and watched the 1420 Kidderminster – Bridgnorth hauled by ‘Erlestoke Manor’, number 7812, steam into Highley.
Well it was soon time to catch our train back to Kidderminster; this pulled in dead on time, a 2-6-2T Prairie Class 61XX with a rake of superb teak LNER carriages. What a delight! It is really something to travel in one of these trains, there are so many memories evoked from my childhood and indeed teenage years. I often ask myself why the world had to change, but of course that’s progress… isn’t it?
Arriving at Kidderminster we took one final look around the station, a few more photos and a couple of souvenirs. Then off home! Tomorrow I will journey back to Scotland and back to reality I guess! However; this has been a most memorable week, one I shall not forget in a long time.
Ivatt 2MT
Erik's off to get tickets
Bus anyone?
A real post box!
Erik getting tickets
pictures are not in any order of station stops now
This is Kidderminster
Kidderminster again!
Off to Bridgnorth
 |
| Yep! Gonna drive this one hehehe! |
Real teak LNER coaches
 |
| Inside the cab of the Ivatt, just smell that fire and steam! |
The loco crew; they're cousins and regular volunteers
Good job guys!
Thank you for the visit.
The homeward bound train
hauled by a 'Prairie 2-6-2T Class 61xx'
Setting off from Kidderminster
Beautiful coaches eh?
Inside view
Kidderminster
Great view from here!
The Severn Valley
Quick stop at Bewdley
Yeah I know... you can tell it's Bewdley coz the sign says so!!
 |
| All run around ready for the next run |
Bridgnorth... a really interesting place!
Checking the coal!
Taking a breather
Think this is Arley!
1940's camp
Bridgnorth from the footbridge
We had a little wait here
Got some good pics too!
Look at this beauty... a 9F 2-10-0 the last of British Steam!
The last British Steam Locomotive was 9F No 92220
the 'Evening Star'... aptly named
Loco's awaiting repair and restoration
Whose luggage is this then?
The 9F in all it's glory!!
The end of a perfect day!!
Bridgnorth Station entrance
The telephone kiosk is in working order I'm told.
Yeah yeah, I know what the sign says!
Views of the Severn Valley and River Severn.
Sheep!
More sheep!
Nice place for fishing huh!
Leaving Highley
We alight at Highley for a visit to the Engine House and Museum
Some beautiful pieces in here!
Well laid out...
and beautifully preserved
Could have spent the day here!
A coach fit for a King!
The King George VI Royal Carriage
Gordon a War Department Loco
Views from the gallery
View of a 'Jinty'
Time for tea now!
A view across the valley
Tea and scones... yumee... haven't had one of these in years
Our train arrives for the return leg to Kidderminster
The interior of the teak coaches
Lovingly restored!
You know? It’s the preservationists that keep our history alive and allow us to take a look back in time, sharing memories and re-living past encounters. We should be proud of these people and most grateful to them for doing what they do… for the love of steam!!
Thanks Erik & Tanya; a really great holiday!
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