SteamingNorth.com - Main line Steam workings and Heritage Line Steam Galas - (click on a picture to open that album and click the pictures inside the albums for a intermediate size and again for a full page image.)

3-17 July 2013 - "Mallard 75" at the National Railway Museum - On 3 July 1938, A4 class locomotive Mallard raced down Stoke Bank at 126mph to set a new steam locomotive world speed record
In 2013, mark the 75th anniversary of Mallard’s achievement with a gathering of all six surviving A4s at York.
4468 (60022) "Mallard"
4498 (60007) "Sir Nigel Gresley"
4488 (60009) "Union of South Africa"
4464 (60019) "Bittern"
4496 (60008) "Dwight D Eisenhower"
4489 (60010) "Dominion of Canada"
I went along mid week on Tuesday 9th July hoping it would be fairly quiet compared to the weekend. Alas, arriving around 11am to a 20 minute wait and thousands already inside the Great Hall.
The NRM did a fanastic job of getting these locomotives all together, but unfortunately nearly impossible to get great photographs of the line up due to the crowds of people attending
Well worth the visit to see this line up of locomotives even if my pictures fell short of their usual standards.

32 files, last one added on Jul 14, 2013
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Every Summer since 1968, Nordsjaellands Veterantog ( The North Zealand Heritage Railway) has on Sundays operated steam locomotives and original rolling stock from Graested to Gronnehave.
Sunday 30/06/2013 was the first service on the year running two trips each way.
Turning up 30 minutes early to pay on the train, the carriages where already nearly full with locals in period dress ready for the occasion. Myself and party finished up in an open carriage - better for photography but cold on this dull day when the engine was running at speed.
The engine on the front was DSB K 582 4-4-0 made by Ernesto Breda in 1900 which gave a spirited run through the Danish countryside giving over an hour long run in each direction, stopping at stations in between on the single track to let service trains pass from the other direction.
One of the best steam journeys I have been on !!
wip

51 files, last one added on Jul 04, 2013
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16/04/2013 - LMS 4-6-0 Jubilee 45699 "Galatea"on a test run from Carnforth around the loop to Blackburn, Preston and back to Carnforth.
Pictures at Hellifield Station, Hellifield Green and climbing Whalley Banks at Langho station.

18 files, last one added on Apr 16, 2013
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Starting on Friday 1st March until Sunday 3rd March, I managed to call in on Saturday whilst returning from the S & C watching "Britannia" for an hour or so at Keighley and Haworth before heading for home. I returned on Sunday for a return trip along the line from Oxenhope to Keighley visiting the Museum at Oxenhope on my return.
Guest engines running - BR Std class 2 - 78019 from the GCR and L&Y 0-6-0 No.1300 plus engines from the home fleet - BR Std Tank 80080. 4F 0-6-0 43924, 0-6-0 Side tank "Nunlow" and WD Austerity 90733
Slightly different visit for me this time, having to fit my visits around work and would have liked to stop alot longer. Very enjoyable days out with everything running to timetable.

24 files, last one added on Mar 05, 2013
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Saturday February 24/02/2013 - The only time available all weekend due to work and only time to fit in the Photographers run past at Burrs Country Park at 7.45am until 9-00am
The engine chosen for this runpast was the LNWR 0-8-0 Super D 49395 with a LMS Jinty attached at the rear acting as a banking engine.

19 files, last one added on Feb 24, 2013
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Saturday 26/01/2013 - I missed the heavy snow fall by driving down Friday afternoon and arrived early at Woodthorpe Bridge in the morning to find a very large gallery of photographers already there and with bright sunshine and a small layer of snow, the conditions couldn`t have been better. I left here about lunchtime and reappeared at Kinchley Lane later in the afternoon after a nice lunch. By this time a thaw had started and layers of thin clouds started to appear. I stay untill the light started to fade about 15.30.
Sunday 27/01/2013 - Completely different conditions - Heavy rain overnight and a thaw had melted all the snow, showers and a gusty sort of wind lent me to look for other locations for a afternoon session of just a couple of hours settling for just leaving Loughborough and at Rothley
Engines running - Guest engines - 6023 King Edward II & 3803 GWR goods 2-8-0, plus home fleet - 777 Sir Lamiel, BR Std 2 78019, Ivatt class 2 46521, 8F - 48624, LMS Jinty 47406, GNR N2 1744 + a DMU unit
Excellent weekend and up to its usual high standard.

64 files, last one added on Jan 31, 2013
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Saturday 19/01/2013 - A mix up with my works timetable meant I missed the freight runpasts at Burrs and I arrived at Ramsbottom after its arrival there. An hour or so here and then off to work until after lunch and I arrived at Rawtenstall for a memorable journey along the line for reasons not to be mentioned here,only to say that it was ... cold and a great run back with 44871 in charge.
Sunday 20/01/2013 - Arrived at Burrs for todays runpast with 44871 with a Jinty banker. I stayed at Burrs until after Brauntons runpast and then hurried off to Ewood bridge to capture it pasting there. By this time I was frozen stiff and decided it was time for home
Engines running - Black 5`s - 45407 & 44871, Jinty 47324 in disguise as 47584, Std Tank 80080 and guest engine 34046 Braunton. ( Super D 49395 failed before starting)
An excellent event considering the freezing cold conditions which caused late running to the timetable and a service cancellation giving me the double whammy on saturday!

33 files, last one added on Jan 20, 2013
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Sunday 21/10/2012 and the final day of the Autumn Gala in early morning brilliant sunshine (again)
Having to work on saturday and the friday night shoot cancelled, this was my first oppertunity to visit this gala but only for a limited time due to family visiting.
Arriving at the crack of dawn at Burrs country park for the early freight run past just as the sun was rising just in time as guest engine 61306 4-6-0 LNER "B1" Mayflower made its appearance.
Another guest engine was Ex GNR Gresley CLASS N2 0-6-2T tank engine 1744
Also running were 0-8-0 Super D 49395, LMS 0-6-0 Jinty 47324 & 132 0-6-0 Austerity "Sapper"
I stopped at Burrs until the Super D past by heading for Ramsbottom, then headed to Ewood Bridge before returning home to meet family and friends.

19 files, last one added on Oct 21, 2012
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Sunday 14/10/2012 - An early start to a lovely sunny day with an early morning frost giving excellent conditions for photography of steam trains.
Guest engines - Ivatt 2-6-0 (Mogel) 43106 "The Flying Pig" from the Severn Valley railway and L&Y 0-6-0 No.1300.
Also featuring from their own fleet, Fowler 0-6-0 4f - 43924, Ivatt 2mt tank - 41241 on its last gala before its boiler ticket expires, Br Std Tank 80002, L&Y 0-6-0 No. 957 and 0-6-0 coal tank in LMS guise as 7799 plus 0-4-4 Saddle tank "Pug" No.68 (51218)- static at Haworth sheds.
Arriving early in the morning gave me time to view the action at the sheds in Haworth. Some engines had ready left for duties, so I made a trip further down the line towards the end of the shed loop to capture engines coming off shed and also photograph the early morning departures from both ends of the line. A trip to Keighley Banks followed later before travelling back to the countryside to catch the doubleheaded L&Y pair and the Ivatt mogel before setting off back home
What else can I say - The weather was just brilliant with the early frost and sunshine, giving fantastic photo opportunities and great displays of steam and power.
One of the best galas I have attended here!!!

46 files, last one added on Oct 16, 2012
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Sunday 17/09/2012 and the 2nd day of a two day gala.
This was my first visit to this Leicestershire line and set off early to catch the early goods train - arriving at Shackerstone station just as it left the station on time. This gave me an hour to look around and photograph some of the engines being used for the gala. These being - guest engine LMS Black 5 - 45379 from the Mid Hants Railway looking splendant
GWR 2-8-0 28xx goods engine - 3803 from the South Devon Railway
GWR tank 5521 from Flour Mill
Peckett Industrial saddle tank 1859 "Sir Gomer"
2-2-0 - AP 9449 "The Blue Circle" (Traction engine on rails) giving break van rides at Shackerston
A return trip along the line then followed with 5521 outward & returning behind 3803 both giving spirited runs when allowed.
After a few more station shots I decided to try to go lineside along the line, but soon discovered that this is not the easyest line for photographing, having mainly hedges all the way and giving very restricted shots from the right side of the fence and bridges having restricting parking available along narrow lanes. I soon gave up after watching trains go by and no pictures taken and decided to head back home.
Still a nice day out and an interesting visit with the station staff all being very friendly and helpfull.
Oddly enough - never seen any of these engines before except 5521 at NRM on the turntable- will have to get further south on my journeys!!

22 files, last one added on Sep 17, 2012
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Not really a late start to the year ! Please check out collection "Cumbrian Mountain Express - 2012"
09/03/2012 - 5043 "Earl of Mount Edgecombe" & 6201 "Princess Elizabeth" double head along the WCML with support coaches for a trip over Shap + S&C the next day.
30/03/2012 - 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" on a movement from MOSI to Carnforth.
11/04/2012 - 46115 "Scots Guardsman returning with "The Roses Express" at Rishton in the late evening.
18/04/2012 - 8F 48151 on this weeks "Roses Express" captured at Huncoat & Copy Pit.
24/04/2012 - K1 62005 "Lord of the Isles" on a loaded ECS test run at Langho
26/05/2012 - 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" at Bilsborrow with a running of "The Citadel"
26/05/2012 - 5043 "Earl of Mount Edgcombe" heads north at Bilsborrow on "The Castle to Scotland" rail tour.
02/06/2012 - 6233 "Duchess of Sutherland" at Hellifield station on "The Hadrian"
11/07/2012 - 48151 on the 2nd running of the Fellsman exiting Wilpshire tunnel
18/07/2012 - 60009 "Union of South Africa on a testing ECS at Billington.
25/07/2012 - 48151 on the 4th Fellsman returning at Billington.
30/07/2012 - Black 5 - 45305 on the Mersey Moorlander near Barrow, Clitheroe.
01/08/2012 - 61994 "The Great Marquess" on "The Fellsman" pictured at both sides of Wilpshire station.
08/08/2012 - 61994"The Great Marquess" on "The Fellsman" returning near Clitheroe at Standen Hey crossing.
15/08/2012 - 61994 "The Great Marquess" again with "The Fellsman" outbound at Langho station
20/08/2012 - Black 5 - 45305 on the "Mersey Moorlander" captured at Billington.
22/08/2012 - Black 5 - 45305 on "The Fellsman" outward at Wilpshire and returning on Whalley Arches
29/08/2012 - 61994 "The Great Marquess" on a returning "Fellsman" on Whalley Arches.

51 files, last one added on Aug 29, 2012
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04/02/2012 - The first of a early season of "Cumbrian Mountain Express`s" with LMS Black 5 - 45305 at the helm pictured at Barrow, leaving Whalley behind and on the accent of the S & C approaching Selside in the falling snow.
11/02/2012 - 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" has a run with a couple of extra coaches on the CME captured at Newsholme and Horton-in-Ribblesdale in the snow.
18/02/2012 - A run in the opposite direction with two Black 5`s - 44932 piloting 45305 and load 13 across Whalley viaduct in the failing evening light.
25/02/2012 - 70013 "Oliver Cromwell" in the late evening gloom, attacking Whalley Banks at Billington.
12/04/2012 - 34067 "Tangmere" on a returning midweek running of the CME at Barrow
21/07/2012 - 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" running a CME at Whalley station.
28/07/2012 - 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" again on the CME at the same location.
04/08/2012 - 60009 "Union of South Africa" approaching Langho station
11/08/2012 - 46233 "Duchess of Sutherland" on the CME running through Clitheroe.
18/08/2012 - 60009 "Union of South Africa" captured at Newsholme heading towards Hellifield

26 files, last one added on Aug 18, 2012
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2/06/2012 - "200 Years of Steam" Gala. In June 1812 the Middleton Railway became the first railway in the world to successfully use steam locomotives in a commercial environment.
A Sunday afternoon visit was all I could manage due to working over the weekend but I wish I could have stopped much longer as there was lots to see and do at this event.
Engine running include "The Steam Elephant " from Beamish doing £5 driving experiance in the yard . Furnace Railways No20 - first time a tender engine has visited. 0-6-0 saddle tank - Slough No3, plus Matthew Murrey, Sir Berkley and 0-4-0 Y7 plus Bagnall 2842 from the Foxfield Railway.
A gallery of traction engines in the forecourt and model railway layouts in the museum made for a well worthvisit.
The best gala I have attended here and one of the best over the past few years.

28 files, last one added on Jun 25, 2012
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23/04/2012 - Monday and who else but the Welsh would organise a Scottish Theme day on St Georges Day !!.
A cloudy day with some sunny intervals for three engines in steam today. BR Pacific 70000 "Britannia," CR 828 & Black 5 - 44806 running as 44801. Near full loads on the trains, with exhibitions at Carrog and Glyndyfrdwy, a beer festival and a tour of the sheds at Llangollen meant lots to see & do whilst waiting for the trains
29/04/2012 - Sunday & the Last Day. - Never in all my years did I encountered constaint heavy rain like this for most of the day, putting a sad end to probadly the best gala since SSS11, the heavy rain just easing off for the cavelcade at the end.
The lineup for today was 60163 "Tornado, 70000 "Britannia" Coal Tank 58926, BR Std Tank 80072, LNER N7 Tank - 1744, GW Pannier 6430 on the Autotrain. GW Tank 6619, Super D 49395 & my favorite CR Railways 828
The best gala by far but spoit by the last days torriental rain.

77 files, last one added on Apr 30, 2012
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Saturday - 31/03/2012 A dull cloudy day for a 1960`s gala and with a couple of hours to spare whilst visiting family, I headed for Rothley and Kinchley Lane to capture some action.
Two two engines I had not seen running before - 0-6-0 Austerity Tank No.22 and recently overhauled Ivatt 2 mt 46521 ( which I missed at the winter gala). Other engines running where Robinson 01 - 63601, GWR 4953"Pitchford Hall", Stanier Red 8F - 48624, LMS 0-6-0 Jinty - 47406 and BR Std 2 tender engine - 78019 plus a DMU 2 car set. 30777 "Sir Lamiel" was advertised but failed before the gala started needing maintanence.
A busy timetable was running with goods trains running between the passenger services on the double tracks keeping the camera clicking.
A good selection of engines at this gala !! It was a pity that family committments and work meant only a short stay.

19 files, last one added on Apr 02, 2012
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25th February, Saturday - An early start at Burrs for the Photo-run-past with 0-6-0 "Sapper" in NCB Guise and a couple of mineral wagoms. I moved on to Summerseat for some different views and then Irewell Vale before other committments meant leaving at around lunchtime.
Similar line up to the Janurary event minus 45407
February 26/02/2012- Sunday. A spare two hours around lunchtime and I headed for Townsend Fold area and a walk along the river bank towards Irewell Vale and the A56 bridge for different photo oppertunies.
Engines running - 71000"Duke of Gloucester" BR std tank 80080, SR 850 "Lord Nelson" LMS Black 5`s 44871 & 45231, Super D - 49395 & 0-6-0 "Sapper" as NCB 56
Excellent shoot on saturday and another excellent gala!

40 files, last one added on Feb 26, 2012
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Saturday 18/02/2012 - A working couple of hours visit was all I could fit in on this visit to Preston Riversway station to the Ribble Steam Railway for their Winter Steam Gala.
3 engines in steam which include 2 of the usual suspects, these being 0-4-0 saddle tank "John Howe" and 0-6-0 saddle tank "Walkden" plus one of my favorite engines as guest engine - 0-4-0 Tender Engine -Furness Railways No 20.
Only time for one trip along the line and a look around the museum before returning back to base.
My client had a wonderful morning out. - Up to its usual high standards.
Pity we could have not stopped longer.
WIP

16 files, last one added on Feb 18, 2012
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12/02/2012 - A freezing morning spent chasing "Ollie Cromwell" on the Cumbrian Mountain Express" meant I didn`t arrive until 2pm in the afternoon and felt just too cold to go linesiding. So a round trip of the line ensued with thoughts of being in a warm carriage. I just missing one service, then followed the freight, meant a wait of over an hour on the station snapping some action. A spirited express double header run behind guest engine Super D (running as 49442) & BR Std tank 80080 followed to Oxenhope and a leisurely glide back down the line behind the Super D with a fault on the steam heating.
Other engines running included Ivatt 41241, Fowler 0-6-0 43924, 0-6-0 Nunlow, L&Y 0-6-0 - 957, plus newly overhauled Coal tank 1054 now in BR guise 58926
Gala up to its high standard - pity it was so cold - never did get warm!

13 files, last one added on Feb 12, 2012
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Friday - 27/01/2012 and the first of a three day gala starting in bright sunshine and promising up to 10 engines in steam with the usual passenger , local , freights, TPO and LE turntable movements.
Alas I could only visit for about 2 hours in the morning on the first day and left about 11.45am, the timetable only showing 3 of these 10 engines in steam and then on passenger services only.
What usually is one of the best galas in the country on a weekend , was let down by this friday timetable.
Engines I saw running today - 70013 "Oliver Cromwell," Robinson 04 - 63601 & Guest engine M7 30053
A Friday visit was overpriced in my opinion and needs a total revamp at these prices compared with the action on Saturday & Sunday

7 files, last one added on Jan 27, 2012
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Saturday 21/01/2012 and a very dull start to the winter gala, which started with an evening photoshoot the previous evening in the rain at Buckley Wells shed then an early morning freight runpast with LNWR 0-8-0 Super D - 49395. at Burrs Country Park at the edge of Bury.
Slowly, it get brighter as the day progressed and a early morning failure of 71000 Duke of Gloucester plus signal problems did not spoil a great day out on the railway. 71000 did finally get a run down the line in the late afternoon after I had left for home.
Engines running - SR 850 "Lord Nelson," LNWR Super "D" - 49395. BR Std Tank 80080 and 3 Black 5`s - 45231 & Ian Rileys pair 44871 & 45407 - both facing south adding different photo opportunities plus 71000 "Duke of Gloucester in the late afternoon.
Sunday 22/01/2012 - A quick visit to the craft shop in Ramsbottom gave me a few minutes to take some more pictures
Great gala despite the early morning dull conditions and the cold weather

52 files, last one added on Jan 22, 2012
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