I spent a couple of hours on sunday at Quorn station in the sunshine at the GCR's War weekend . The trains were incidental at this event the main feature being the service and civilian people re-enacting the period of WWII. I have to admit to not really being a people photographer but I found that most people were only to willing to pose,getting them not to pose was the problem!

I recently travelled from Rugby to Euston by train,my first visit to Rugby since the extensive station redevelopment took place there.The work which was highly publicised for overrunning time is extensive and I visited a few days before I was due to travel to get the lay of the land so to speak.All these pictures were taken with my new little compact digital Panasonic TZ6 which has a 12X zoom and which takes amazing pictures.Thanks to Clive Hanley for recommending it to me.See my PicturesGalore website for the London pics.

Celebrating 25 years the G&WR held its Festival of Steam this weekend. I accompanied Mike Snow on saturday which turned out quite sunny although it clouded over in the morning.A mixed bag of locos and some odd timetabling but still quite enjoyable especially as we enjoyed the excellent company of Graham ,Gordon,Henry and the incomparable Dee.

Once again I entered some pictures in the annual L&LPS competition for pictures taken on the GCR.This time I came away empty handed but for sake of continuity and fairness I am posting my entries on my site.There is also a link to the winning pictures posted on the L&LPS site See winners.

I spent three days up in North Yorkshire being blown about at the so called NYMR Gala.I have to admit being disappointed that so few engines were actually working. The Glossy brochure was pretty much a farce as regards which locos were running on the friday as there were only three locos actually on passenger train duties, no more than on thursday. Ok so Tornado was one of them, but not good enough for a Gala! Also there were no freights running at the weekend! My rant is over so here are the pics,enjoy.

The first saturday of the nine day Steam Gala at the Llangollen Railway dawned bright and sunny.Thanks to Clive Hanley for chauffering me in his limo I was able to attend this event for the first time.The weather was great and the lineup of locomotives inspiring.Congratulations to the Betton Grange society for organising the event,the printed programme was the best I've ever seen and I hope others take note.

In somewhat dismal weather the so called GCR Tank Engine Gala commenced over the Easter weekend.Saturday dawned grey and drizzly and so it stayed most of the day.With visitors from the NNR and KWVR the third engine insteam was 4141 which is nearly out of it's ticket.Thanks to Mike Snow for ferrying us about.

The annual trip to the WSR Spring Gala was eagerly awaited but not so the traditional dousing we seem to get each year.This time it was the strong winds which sought to blow us and the smoke everyway.It was cold wet and windy at times especially on the first couple of days but sunday was lovely.Timetabling was at times baffling with tender first locomotives too prevalent but in spite of all this it was enjoyable.Thanks to Graham,Gordon ,Henry and Dee for their company and to the WSR for keeping this wonderful line running and well kept!

On saturday I made one of my rare trips to the east coast to the NNR Gala commemorating the closure of the M&GN. My thanks to Mike Snow for taking me on the 240 mile round trip.

After suffering with flu for a couple of weeks I ventured over to Loughborough for a few shots in the sunshine.Not as exciting as the Bluebell but it will have to do!

Along with the rest of the world or so it seemedI managed to photograph Tornado in glorious sunshine at South Muskham north of Newark as she sped south from Darlington to Kings Cross.

The Winter Gala was blessed with fine weather on saturday and was once again a non stop steam fest from start to finish.Those reprobates Mike and Clive once again kept me from seizing up in the cold and I am endebted to Mike for ferrying us around.

Thanks to Mike Snow I was able to visit the ELR Gala.My first for three years.The day was predominantly cloudy with the odd burst of sunshine when there were no trains about.It was enjoyable and in the company of Mike and Clive there is never a dull moment!

Well Christmas has gone and with it my man flu I hope, so I visited the GCR on Tuesday in the hopes of seeing some sunshine and 70048(70013)

On 25th November I joined with twenty or so photographers on a special event organised jointly by GCR,Steam Railway Magazine and the NRM.The three NRM engines were to be made available for a photo shoot at Swithland.The weather was superb and the colder temperatures made for superb exhausts against the blue sky.Thanks to the organisers and GCR Director Tony Sparks for accompanying us.

Brittania Class Loco 70013 Oliver Cromwell was temporarily renamed as 70048 Territorial Army 1908-2008 on saturday at Quorn by HRH The Duke of Gloucester.

On a day which promised much and delivered little in terms of weather I spent the first morning of November in the company of Mike Snow and Clive Hanley.City of Truro and Leander were once again the engines in steam.

After spending a pleasant week down in Lyme I returned to find that City of Truro was running this weekend together with Leander and Lord Nelson.I went over on sunday and found some sunshine and for a change I started up at the Leicester end of the line.

Very busy day,everywhere very busy,trains packed.Weather ok am but poor pm.Annoying as only a few miles south of Quorn sunny all day.Trains on time well done everybody.

For the first time the GCR Gala is being held over three days.Here are some pictures from Friday morning's activities.

Another visit to West Somerset for their Autumn Gala.Three days spent in the great company of Graham,Gordon,Henry and Dee who I am indebted to once again for their companionship and for ferrying me around.Mixed weather as is the norm at the WSR but a great lineup of engines and with the turntable at Minehead now in operation never a dull moment!

Mike Snow took me up to the NYMR Gala on saturday and we were blessed with fantastic weather for once.An excellent Gala at which we met up with some of the "greats" of railway photography and videography.Everyone was friendly and considerate except of course white van man at Moorgates who could'nt have parked in a worse position.

Following it's first public runs Tornado has today commenced high speed running trials prior to it's mainline certification .Tornado has spent the day undergoing tests at Kinchley Lane to ensure it's track loading is suitable for mainline running.

Tornado was hauling public trains for the first time yesterday and today.As yesterday's weather was dismal I ventured out full of hope for a fine day today.It was not to be however another grey Leicestershire day dawned at least till lunchtime anyway but I did manage a few pics.

I took my family on the Swanage Railway last week whilst on holiday in the area and although only one loco was in steam it was an excellent experience and the family enjoyed lording it in the Devon Belle Pullman Observation car.