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Post by murphthesurf on Sept 29, 2018 8:06:22 GMT
Yes, Dees, do it, do it, do it! I went on my own (as usual) but rather than just getting on a 'plane and sorting everything out when I got to the other end as I usually do - this time I went on an organised coach hol and it worked out really well - I can't remember which travel company it was with (it was NOT Leger), but several of them do that sort of thing. Go for it! Thanks ! I've seen a couple of tours that include Colditz so I'll look into it a bit more now. Dees, if you're considering either or both of them, please send me a link/links and I'll have a look at them & tell you how they compare with the one I went on, which was really very good.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2018 8:33:07 GMT
As a child I always loved to sketch steam trains, especially the flying Scotsman
Once I reached double digits I dropped the pencil to accommodate my Percy......and I don't mean the friend of Thomas the tank
Like many enjoyable things i did i really lost interest in steam loco's during secondary school ...succumbing to peer pressure and turning into a carbon copy of all teenage zombi' s, too scared to be an individual due to the high risk of being laughed at.
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Post by chuffedstokie on Sept 29, 2018 8:34:53 GMT
Here's one to try which really is spectacular. It's called the 'Chemin de fer du Haut Quercy' or the Truffadou railway which runs along the Dordogne valley. Some amazing WW1 history to it and beautiful scenery. Worth a quick Google search. Originally went from the Massif Central to Bordeaux with timber for wine barrels and then truffles, hence the name.
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Post by lawrieleslie on Sept 30, 2018 19:02:34 GMT
Was a steam train fanatic in my youth. Spent many an hour on Crewe, Stafford, Stoke and Longport Stations. But my favourite place was Whitmore where we’d cycle to and spend hours trying to get the elusive Britannia Class "namers". We’d sneak into the railway yard at Crewe by climbing over the security wall and have a ball bagging the trains in the Loco Sheds. Still enjoy travelling on heritage railways. South Dartmoor from Buckfastleigh to Totnes is one of my favourites they do a great Rail Ale weekend but the best one is West Somerset Heritage Railway from Bishops Lidyard to Minehead. A great 40 mile round trip they also have a great Rail Ale weekend. Who remembers these .......... Attachment Deleted
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Post by chuffedstokie on Sept 30, 2018 19:20:25 GMT
Was a steam train fanatic in my youth. Spent many an hour on Crewe, Stafford, Stoke and Longport Stations. But my favourite place was Whitmore where we’d cycle to and spend hours trying to get the elusive Britannia Class "namers". We’d sneak into the railway yard at Crewe by climbing over the security wall and have a ball bagging the trains in the Loco Sheds. Still enjoy travelling on heritage railways. South Dartmoor from Buckfastleigh to Totnes is one of my favourites they do a great Rail Ale weekend but the best one is West Somerset Heritage Railway from Bishops Lidyard to Minehead. A great 40 mile round trip they also have a great Rail Ale weekend. Who remembers these .......... View AttachmentThe 'Deltic' was my favourite from the diesel era. Hell of a powerful beast.
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Post by murphthesurf on Oct 3, 2018 19:17:14 GMT
Thanks ! I've seen a couple of tours that include Colditz so I'll look into it a bit more now. Dees, if you're considering either or both of them, please send me a link/links and I'll have a look at them & tell you how they compare with the one I went on, which was really very good. Right, been doing a bit of homework on this for you but can only come back with a mixed bag of findings rather than a perfect solution - sorry! Couldn't remember which travel firm I went to Colditz with, so I looked through my pics - success! It was Travelsphere. I've had a look at their www but they now seem to offer only 3 tours to Germany, none of which, as far as I can tell, being comparable with the one I did, which was a pleasant sort-of 'general Germany' tour including Colditz & the Möhne lake trip + Möhne Dam and Harz Mountains + Steam Train trip --- worse still, they don't even seem to be featuring Colditz at all. But I could have misread it, so pls check their www if you feel so inclined. Don't know if you've heard of Leger? (Also don't know if a coach trip is what you want.....) Anyway, they've been a very big name in coach tours for many years so I had a look at their www - they have a lot of German tours - including many variations on the Xmas Market theme - but again nothing like the one I did. Re. Colditz, Leger do one tour featuring it, but it's very much a 'WWII theme' tour, so perhaps not too appealing for the ladies, as presumably Mrs Dees will be with you: www.leger.co.uk/battlefields/tours/colditz-dambusters-great-escape Re. the Harz Mountains / Steam Trains, Leger do a tour called ' Little Trains of the Harz Mountains': www.leger.co.uk/germany/tours/little-trains-of-the-harz-mountains
Bit of food for thought there. Sorry I couldn't find the same thing I went on for you, because it really was enormously enjoyable.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2018 19:23:01 GMT
Dees, if you're considering either or both of them, please send me a link/links and I'll have a look at them & tell you how they compare with the one I went on, which was really very good. Right, been doing a bit of homework on this for you but can only come back with a mixed bag of findings rather than a perfect solution - sorry! Couldn't remember which travel firm I went to Colditz with, so I looked through my pics - success! It was Travelsphere. I've had a look at their www but they now seem to offer only 3 tours to Germany, none of which, as far as I can tell, being comparable with the one I did, which was a pleasant sort-of 'general Germany' tour including Colditz & the Möhne lake trip + Möhne Dam and Harz Mountains + Steam Train trip --- worse still, they don't even seem to be featuring Colditz at all. But I could have misread it, so pls check their www if you feel so inclined. Don't know if you've heard of Leger? (Also don't know if a coach trip is what you want.....) Anyway, they've been a very big name in coach tours for many years so I had a look at their www - they have a lot of German tours - including many variations on the Xmas Market theme - but again nothing like the one I did. Re. Colditz, Leger do one tour featuring it, but it's very much a 'WWII theme' tour, so perhaps not too appealing for the ladies, as presumably Mrs Dees will be with you: www.leger.co.uk/battlefields/tours/colditz-dambusters-great-escape Re. the Harz Mountains / Steam Trains, Leger do a tour called ' Little Trains of the Harz Mountains': www.leger.co.uk/germany/tours/little-trains-of-the-harz-mountains
Bit of food for thought there. Sorry I couldn't find the same thing I went on for you, because it really was enormously enjoyable. That's great murph - thanks for taking the time to do this !! I'll have a look at the ones you mention. Mrs Dees is "undecided" whether she wants to go or not at the moment !
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Post by murphthesurf on Oct 3, 2018 19:36:31 GMT
Right, been doing a bit of homework on this for you but can only come back with a mixed bag of findings rather than a perfect solution - sorry! Bit of food for thought there. Sorry I couldn't find the same thing I went on for you, because it really was enormously enjoyable. That's great murph - thanks for taking the time to do this !! I'll have a look at the ones you mention. Mrs Dees is "undecided" whether she wants to go or not at the moment ! You're very welcome, Dees - actually I did a prep of the info last Saturday & was going to post it for you then, but I had to abandon very suddenly as I had a sudden migraine attack…… I'm just relieved that the draft of all the info & links remained on my LT.
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Post by chuffedstokie on Oct 3, 2018 21:06:46 GMT
Was a steam train fanatic in my youth. Spent many an hour on Crewe, Stafford, Stoke and Longport Stations. But my favourite place was Whitmore where we’d cycle to and spend hours trying to get the elusive Britannia Class "namers". We’d sneak into the railway yard at Crewe by climbing over the security wall and have a ball bagging the trains in the Loco Sheds. Still enjoy travelling on heritage railways. South Dartmoor from Buckfastleigh to Totnes is one of my favourites they do a great Rail Ale weekend but the best one is West Somerset Heritage Railway from Bishops Lidyard to Minehead. A great 40 mile round trip they also have a great Rail Ale weekend. Who remembers these .......... The 'Deltic' was my favourite from the diesel era. Hell of a powerful beast. Just the 32 cylinders.
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Post by murphthesurf on Oct 5, 2018 7:27:09 GMT
The 'Deltic' was my favourite from the diesel era. Hell of a powerful beast. st the 32 cylinders. I don't know why, but that REALLY gives me the creeps, Chuff!
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Post by murphthesurf on Oct 5, 2018 7:39:35 GMT
And anyway, when you've been on the Harz mountains railway trip and get to the top of the mountain you all pile off the train and stay up there for an hour or two and there's a big café up there and you go in and have a big bowl of steamin' 'ot pea soup with a giant sausage about a foot long reclining all the way across the soup plate!!!!!! I just had a cup of tea.
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Post by murphthesurf on Oct 14, 2019 12:27:48 GMT
Back to our Steam Train enthusiasts (mainly Chuff & Dees) for these : New series: Steam Train Britain starting on 'Yesterday' channel on Thurs. 17 Oct, 8pm-9pm.About Ep 1 it says: 'Behind the scenes of three preserved steam railway lines - the South Devon Railway heritage line, the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highlands Railway and the Great Central Railway. Sports scientist Megan Smith has a dream of becoming a steam locomotive fireman on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway, and she fires-up NG143 and sets off along the 25 miles from Caernarfon to Porthmadog.'I think Chuff is already a longstanding expert on the Welsh one. Here's the gen: www.tvguide.co.uk/m-detail/3362735/14696882/steam-train-britain * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Just noticed the previous prog on that night, too - looks like another new season: Train Truckers Transporting Classic Steam Locomotives 7pmSeason 1 Episode 1/6 There's a local connection in this one as it was restored in Crewe: 'Documentary following the exploits of a family-run crew of heavy-haulage specialists as they transport the heaviest, longest and most precious locomotives around the world. Terry and Jason have been called in to move legendary steam locomotive Britannia. The 68-year-old vehicle has undergone a major restoration in Crewe and is scheduled to start running at the Severn Valley Railway.'www.tvguide.co.uk/mobile/channellisting.asp?ch=320#423149718#HHbbk7j6kfC6MQv8.99
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Post by Deleted on Oct 14, 2019 12:37:20 GMT
Back to our Steam Train enthusiasts (mainly Chuff & Dees) for these : New series: Steam Train Britain starting on 'Yesterday' channel on Thurs. 17 Oct, 8pm-9pm.About Ep 1 it says: 'Behind the scenes of three preserved steam railway lines - the South Devon Railway heritage line, the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highlands Railway and the Great Central Railway. Sports scientist Megan Smith has a dream of becoming a steam locomotive fireman on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway, and she fires-up NG143 and sets off along the 25 miles from Caernarfon to Porthmadog.'I think Chuff is already a longstanding expert on the Welsh one. Here's the gen: www.tvguide.co.uk/m-detail/3362735/14696882/steam-train-britain * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Just noticed the previous prog on that night, too - looks like another new season: Train Truckers Transporting Classic Steam Locomotives 7pmSeason 1 Episode 1/6 There's a local connection in this one as it was restored in Crewe: 'Documentary following the exploits of a family-run crew of heavy-haulage specialists as they transport the heaviest, longest and most precious locomotives around the world. Terry and Jason have been called in to move legendary steam locomotive Britannia. The 68-year-old vehicle has undergone a major restoration in Crewe and is scheduled to start running at the Severn Valley Railway.'www.tvguide.co.uk/mobile/channellisting.asp?ch=320#423149718#HHbbk7j6kfC6MQv8.99Thanks for the heads up murph - i'll get them recorded and watch them when Mrs Dees is out on one of her jaunts.
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Post by chuffedstokie on Oct 14, 2019 12:40:54 GMT
Back to our Steam Train enthusiasts (mainly Chuff & Dees) for these : New series: Steam Train Britain starting on 'Yesterday' channel on Thurs. 17 Oct, 8pm-9pm.About Ep 1 it says: 'Behind the scenes of three preserved steam railway lines - the South Devon Railway heritage line, the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highlands Railway and the Great Central Railway. Sports scientist Megan Smith has a dream of becoming a steam locomotive fireman on the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway, and she fires-up NG143 and sets off along the 25 miles from Caernarfon to Porthmadog.'I think Chuff is already a longstanding expert on the Welsh one. Here's the gen: www.tvguide.co.uk/m-detail/3362735/14696882/steam-train-britain * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Just noticed the previous prog on that night, too - looks like another new season: Train Truckers Transporting Classic Steam Locomotives 7pmSeason 1 Episode 1/6 There's a local connection in this one as it was restored in Crewe: 'Documentary following the exploits of a family-run crew of heavy-haulage specialists as they transport the heaviest, longest and most precious locomotives around the world. Terry and Jason have been called in to move legendary steam locomotive Britannia. The 68-year-old vehicle has undergone a major restoration in Crewe and is scheduled to start running at the Severn Valley Railway.'www.tvguide.co.uk/mobile/channellisting.asp?ch=320#423149718#HHbbk7j6kfC6MQv8.99I'll have to do the recording thing as well. Don't finish work until 10pm. Mind you I'm now living half a mile away from Talyllyn railway again.
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Post by murphthesurf on Aug 9, 2021 14:20:21 GMT
When I first saw the new thread title, 'New Telly Recommendations', which Chuff started yesterday, I thought 'what a good idea - Chuff's going to be recommending some forthcoming new TV programmes which will be worth watching' because I've thought of starting a thread like that several times. But it was all centred on Chuff's search for which new TV he should buy so, instead of posting this on there, I'll post it on here…. and if anyone knows any train enthusiasts, you might want to tip them off: There'll be a new series starting on C5 at 9pm on Friday 13/8:
'Ian Hislop - The Trains that Changed the World' - 'How four iconic British-built trains revolutionised rail travel and inspired incredible projects internationally.' There you go.
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Post by chuffedstokie on Aug 9, 2021 15:48:52 GMT
When I first saw the new thread title, 'New Telly Recommendations', which Chuff started yesterday, I thought 'what a good idea - Chuff's going to be recommending some forthcoming new TV programmes which will be worth watching' because I've thought of starting a thread like that several times. But it was all centred on Chuff's search for which new TV he should buy so, instead of posting this on there, I'll post it on here…. and if anyone knows any train enthusiasts, you might want to tip them off: There'll be a new series starting on C5 at 9pm on Friday 13/8:
'Ian Hislop - The Trains that Changed the World' - 'How four iconic British-built trains revolutionised rail travel and inspired incredible projects internationally.' There you go. I'll miss that because of work unfortunately murph but if I had a decent telly box!!.😁 I'm sure there'll be a way to catch up on it.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 9, 2021 16:14:36 GMT
When I first saw the new thread title, 'New Telly Recommendations', which Chuff started yesterday, I thought 'what a good idea - Chuff's going to be recommending some forthcoming new TV programmes which will be worth watching' because I've thought of starting a thread like that several times. But it was all centred on Chuff's search for which new TV he should buy so, instead of posting this on there, I'll post it on here…. and if anyone knows any train enthusiasts, you might want to tip them off: There'll be a new series starting on C5 at 9pm on Friday 13/8:
'Ian Hislop - The Trains that Changed the World' - 'How four iconic British-built trains revolutionised rail travel and inspired incredible projects internationally.' There you go. Thanks Murph - yes, I've seen it advertised and set it to record already. I'll find the time to watch the first episode over the weekend. As an aside, I know they're repeats, but I've been watching Michael Portillo's series on trains on the i-player. He's doing Australia this week. He's certainly got a different approach to colour "co-ordination" for his clothing hasn't he !
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Post by mrcoke on Aug 9, 2021 16:18:57 GMT
I was a regular train spoter as a kid in the 50s, going to Madeley, Whitmore, Longport, Crewe, and even Newcastle before it closed .
I once went on a double header none stop from Crewe to Euston which included the Royal Scot loco, and when we arrived at Euston they announced the journey was in record time.
My biggest regret is I never saw the Coronation Scot in streamlined form. You can keep your Flying Scotsmen and Mallard, this has to be the iconic steam loco of all time, but I doubt it will be mentioned in the TV programme.
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Post by marylandstoke on Aug 10, 2021 0:02:07 GMT
Was a steam train fanatic in my youth. Spent many an hour on Crewe, Stafford, Stoke and Longport Stations. But my favourite place was Whitmore where we’d cycle to and spend hours trying to get the elusive Britannia Class "namers". We’d sneak into the railway yard at Crewe by climbing over the security wall and have a ball bagging the trains in the Loco Sheds. Still enjoy travelling on heritage railways. South Dartmoor from Buckfastleigh to Totnes is one of my favourites they do a great Rail Ale weekend but the best one is West Somerset Heritage Railway from Bishops Lidyard to Minehead. A great 40 mile round trip they also have a great Rail Ale weekend. Who remembers these .......... View AttachmentThe 'Deltic' was my favourite from the diesel era. Hell of a powerful beast. +1
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Post by murphthesurf on Aug 10, 2021 9:20:41 GMT
I was a regular train spoter as a kid in the 50s, going to Madeley, Whitmore, Longport, Crewe, and even Newcastle before it closed . I once went on a double header none stop from Crewe to Euston which included the Royal Scot loco, and when we arrived at Euston they announced the journey was in record time. My biggest regret is I never saw the Coronation Scot in streamlined form. You can keep your Flying Scotsmen and Mallard, this has to be the iconic steam loco of all time, but I doubt it will be mentioned in the TV programme. Nice one, Coky. What a fabulous design: classic Art Deco styling, like the Empire State Building and Hoover Dam. Wonderful!
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Post by murphthesurf on Aug 10, 2021 9:29:13 GMT
When I first saw the new thread title, 'New Telly Recommendations', which Chuff started yesterday, I thought 'what a good idea - There you go. Thanks Murph - yes, I've seen it advertised and set it to record already. I'll find the time to watch the first episode over the weekend. As an aside, I know they're repeats, but I've been watching Michael Portillo's series on trains on the i-player. He's doing Australia this week. He's certainly got a different approach to colour "co-ordination" for his clothing hasn't he ! You're welcome, Dees - I haven't seen much of MP's prog, but from the bits I have seen at odd times he comes across as a very pleasant & watchable presenter, and I have heard before about his eye-catching bright jackets - a bit like Harry off 'ere!
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Post by murphthesurf on Aug 10, 2021 9:35:40 GMT
When I first saw the new thread title, 'New Telly Recommendations', which Chuff started yesterday, There you go. I'll miss that because of work unfortunately murph but if I had a decent telly box!!.😁 I'm sure there'll be a way to catch up on it. Oh, no probs - job as good as done, Chuff. I'll record the series & put it on a DVD for you & put it in with your bag of Housewarming prezzies. It would be nice to think you might actually get them one day! Then you'll be able to watch the DVD back on your new Panasonic TV, innit???!!!
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Post by mrcoke on Apr 10, 2022 13:38:50 GMT
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Post by misterj on Apr 10, 2022 16:29:08 GMT
Just been to Glenfinnan, near Fort William Scotland to see the viaduct used in the Harry Potter film and car park attendant says “you’re in luck, the steam train coming through in a few minutes” so stood on the grassbank with hundreds of (mainly overseas) tourists for a good view. Thoroughly recommend it!
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Post by partickpotter on Apr 10, 2022 16:38:32 GMT
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Post by chuffedstokie on Apr 10, 2022 19:29:33 GMT
Most of the heritage lines have been trialling the anthracite/biomass stuff and it works quite well on the whole the Ffos colliery had its wash plant pack up and they decided not to fix it as too costly. Biggest issue with the new E coal is price. Here at the Talyllyn they should get away with using it with the engines fireboxes being pretty small but places like the North York Moors and mainline stuff like the Scotsman wouldn't run very often. Even your average traction engine rally might be hit. Trials still ongoing.
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Post by potterinleeds on Apr 10, 2022 19:38:15 GMT
Most of the heritage lines have been trialling the anthracite/biomass stuff and it works quite well on the whole the Ffos colliery had its wash plant pack up and they decided not to fix it as too costly. Biggest issue with the new E coal is price. Here at the Talyllyn they should get away with using it with the engines fireboxes being pretty small but places like the North York Moors and mainline stuff like the Scotsman wouldn't run very often. Even your average traction engine rally might be hit. Trials still ongoing. Have you ever been on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Chuffed? I'm not a steam train buff, but have got into a bit of a tradition of taking the first steam train from Keighley to Haworth on New Year's Eve morning, trawling the pubs in Haworth and the moors roundandabout, and then getting the last steam train back into Keighley late afternoon (which also has a bar on it!). A few years ago, it was a cold, misty morning arriving in Haworth, and the train was giving off huge clouds of steam all the way down the carriages at the station - very atmospheric. Scenery is not bad on route - mixture of moors and West Yorkshire industrial - plus the added bonus of seeing all the locations from The Railway Children if you are a film buff.
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Apr 10, 2022 19:52:57 GMT
Not sure if this means anything to anyone as I’ve no interest in trains but since I’ve moved jobs to Crewe I’ve seen some interesting trains. Non more so than a Dark Navy Beast called The Sir Nigel Gressley. Have to say even I was impressed at the beauty. Apparently it was going to a show where it was being run under its own steam for the first time in decades🤷🏻♂️
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Post by chuffedstokie on Apr 10, 2022 20:16:40 GMT
Most of the heritage lines have been trialling the anthracite/biomass stuff and it works quite well on the whole the Ffos colliery had its wash plant pack up and they decided not to fix it as too costly. Biggest issue with the new E coal is price. Here at the Talyllyn they should get away with using it with the engines fireboxes being pretty small but places like the North York Moors and mainline stuff like the Scotsman wouldn't run very often. Even your average traction engine rally might be hit. Trials still ongoing. Have you ever been on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Chuffed? I'm not a steam train buff, but have got into a bit of a tradition of taking the first steam train from Keighley to Haworth on New Year's Eve morning, trawling the pubs in Haworth and the moors roundandabout, and then getting the last steam train back into Keighley late afternoon (which also has a bar on it!). A few years ago, it was a cold, misty morning arriving in Haworth, and the train was giving off huge clouds of steam all the way down the carriages at the station - very atmospheric. Scenery is not bad on route - mixture of moors and West Yorkshire industrial - plus the added bonus of seeing all the locations from The Railway Children if you are a film buff. I've never had the pleasure yet but it's on the 'must do' list, there's so many dotted around the UK and quite a few in N Staffs.
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Post by foghornsgleghorn on Apr 10, 2022 21:14:16 GMT
Most of the heritage lines have been trialling the anthracite/biomass stuff and it works quite well on the whole the Ffos colliery had its wash plant pack up and they decided not to fix it as too costly. Biggest issue with the new E coal is price. Here at the Talyllyn they should get away with using it with the engines fireboxes being pretty small but places like the North York Moors and mainline stuff like the Scotsman wouldn't run very often. Even your average traction engine rally might be hit. Trials still ongoing. Have you ever been on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Chuffed? I'm not a steam train buff, but have got into a bit of a tradition of taking the first steam train from Keighley to Haworth on New Year's Eve morning, trawling the pubs in Haworth and the moors roundandabout, and then getting the last steam train back into Keighley late afternoon (which also has a bar on it!). A few years ago, it was a cold, misty morning arriving in Haworth, and the train was giving off huge clouds of steam all the way down the carriages at the station - very atmospheric. Scenery is not bad on route - mixture of moors and West Yorkshire industrial - plus the added bonus of seeing all the locations from The Railway Children if you are a film buff. The Worth Valley is a good line , was a bit surprised at how much development there is in the area. I understand they made a 'sequel' to the Raiway Children there last year, set in the 2nd World War. Jenny Agutter returns but I doubt she waves her petticoat this time round.
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