Tanfield Railway September Gala

I was working on Saturday so I could only get on the Sunday, when the sun did not shine!

Several of the locos sported a sprig of  heather on their smokebox doors, something to do with a referendum perhaps?

The star of the show was the Lambton tank No. 29, brought in from the North York Moors Railway

Seen with an appropriate Lambton Worm headboard!

Leaving Andrews House station

And here's one that I took earlier, about 45 years earlier, at the Philadelphia NCB works.

Interestingly, No. 29 appears to have its chime whistle at this time. The film was probably developed in my parents' bathroom; looks like reticulation has occurred due to temperature variation in processing. Digital is so easy!

Sony NEX 6 with manual focus lenses, not sure what I used for the B&W, possibly EXA 500.

Steam Trains

‘The Wansbeck’ special train hauled by K4 61994 The Great Marquess and K1 62005 ran, on Easter Saturday, from Newcastle to Morpeth on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and then around the old freight lines back to Newcastle, before heading south on the ECML. 

Operating with one loco at each end of the train, reversing was easy, but the sight of a steam loco operating at speed in reverse was a tad unusual.

There is a bit of speed blur here, but I think that adds to the excitement! Heading north on the ECML through Bedlington

Passing Marcheys House crossing

Crossing the Wansbeck

Heading south through Plawsworth. Glorious sunshine, but a strong wind blowing the exhaust over the train.

The Great Marquess running in reverse!

Canon 5DII 24-105L