BrickishRail

31/08/2026

Size isn't always everything... | With Autumn Gala season fast approaching, and the Severn Valley's event this year taking on a Tank Engine theming, here's a look back at earlier in 2026 during the Spring Steam Gala, when Port of Par Bagnall 0-4-0ST 'Judy' visited the line.

Built in 1937 by WG Bagnall, 'Judy's diminutive size was for the need to shunt China Clay around the tight corners of Par docks, as well as navigating a low bridge under the Cornish Main Line, bringing her in at 7ft 6in tall and 16ft 6in long. She was later joined by a similar designed Bagnall locomotive, 'Alfred', in 1957. Judy was retired in 1969, needing extensive boiler repairs, before eventually being preserved in 1978. Today, both locomotives are resident at the Bodmin and Wenford Railway.

Judy most recently returned to service at the end of 2022, and at the Severn Valley this year, made the unusual pairing with BR Standard 8 Class 71000 'Duke of Gloucester'; Bringing together one of the UK's smallest and largest standard gauge steam locomotives. Her small stature is illustrated here by the engine crew and GWR autocoach towering above her at Kidderminster, 18/04/26.

Severn Valley Railway
Bodmin Railway

30/08/2026

Not just any Black Five... | Many will be aware of recent news that LMS Black Five 45212's future now sits in limbo, with the locomotive having been withdrawn in September last year and with no immediate plans for the loco to return to steam. Having been a familiar sight at various galas at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway over the years, as well as other heritage railways and appearing on the mainline, primarily on Jacobite services on the West Highland Line, her absence won't go unnoticed.

Whilst the majority of people may see 45212 as yet another Black Five in preservation, to me she's something more special. Her appearance at the 2017 North Yorkshire Moors Steam Gala was the first time I would cross paths with 45212; Not only was this my first ever proper attendance at a steam gala, but my first event with my friend Emily (Midwinter Photography), who I had only met for the first time a couple of weeks prior after starting university in York together. This event marked the start of almost 9 years (so far) for us both traveling across the UK visiting heritage railways, and was to catalyst in creating BrickishRail and improving on my railway videography and photography. The loco to haul the first train we rode together that day? 45212.

A year later, during my second year of university, I would start volunteering at the Worth Valley, having been introduced to the railway again by Emily. Whilst my time spent volunteering only lasted a year, sadly with life getting in the way, February 2019 gave me the opportunity to ride the footplate and partake in a day's Fireman training. The loco for that day? 45212. Speaking of the Worth Valley, she was also present for two of my favourite galas over the years: The KWVR 50th Anniversary gala in 2018, and the bitterly cold 2023 Spring Steam Gala.

Here's to hoping 45212's time out of the spotlight isn't long term, and if it is, perhaps there's a chance to turn her out in one of preservation's more "unique" liveries...bulk order of Solvite anyone?

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway

27/08/2026

With recent (and much needed) rain perhaps signalling the end of the summer, which has seen minimal steam owing to record temperatures, here is Great Northern Railway N2 No.1744 at Weybourne, which returned to traffic at the North Norfolk Railway on the 18th July, following the completion of a £800,000 overhaul, having last steamed in 2018. The loco's return also coincides with the 150th anniversary of Sir Nigel Gresley, with the N2 being the oldest surviving Gresley designed locomotive in preservation.

North Norfolk Railway PLC
NNR Engineering Works Updates

20/08/2026

New Video! Germany's 125 Year Old 'Flying Trains' | The Wuppertal Schwebebahn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AtkX1TzB5c

A recent trip to Germany provided the opportunity of visiting one of the world's most unique transit systems: The Wuppertal Schwebebahn. Running through the city of Wuppertal, predominately following the route of the river Wupper. Only a handful of suspended monorail systems such as this exist across the globe, and Wuppertal's is the oldest of its kind, having opened in 1901. Join us as we take a ride along the 13.3km line, along with a visit to the Schwebodrom Museum.

WSW Wuppertaler Stadtwerke GmbH

A recent trip to Germany provided the opportunity of visiting one o...

18/08/2026

Six years ago our cameras were out to capture 58022's move from Rowsley South Yard to the Ecclesourne Valley Railway in Wirksworth, hauled by Allelys Heavy Haulage. Since then the locomotive has been entirely stripped down to the chassis as part of The Ivatt Diesel Re-creation Society's plans to construct a new build of Britain's first mainline diesel locomotive, LMS 10000.

LMS 10000
Allelys
The Ecclesbourne Valley Railway

16/08/2026

One event absent from 2026's heritage railway calender is the Great Central Railway's award winning 'Railways at Work' event, where visitors can enjoy imersive railway scenes and cameos from the 1960s, featuring multiple reenactors of railway staff, police, young trainspotters, protesters and more. Here is some footage taken from last year's event, showcasing the wagon loading and unloading demonstrations taking place in the yard at Quorn & Woodhouse station, whilst Dr Richard Beeching carries out his inspections.

Great Central Railway
Railways at Work - Great Central Railway
Quorn Wagon and Wagon
Quorn & Woodhouse Station

12/08/2026

What if...? | D816 'Eclipse'

Outshopped from Swindon Works in February 1960, D816 was one of 38 Class 42 Warships built by British Rail, based on the diesel-hydraulic design of the Deutsche Bundesbahn V 200 class. Named after HMS Eclipse, an E-Class Destroyer of the Royal Navy which served in WWII, D816 like many of her classmates was a common sight in the South West of England throughout the 1960s. She would be withdrawn at the start of 1972 and ultimately scrapped.

Two members of the class survived into preservation, with D821 'Greyhound' "accidentally" becoming the first BR Diesel Locomotive to be preserved. In 1971, the Diesel Traction Group had approached British Rail on purchasing Class 22 D6319. However, after agreeing a price for the loco, D6319 was mistakenly cut up at Swindon Works. BR offered up a selection of recently withdrawn Class 42s as an alternative, and with D821 being in the best condition, she was purchased instead in 1973. Today, D821 is based at the Severn Valley Railway.

Diesel Traction Group
Severn Valley Railway

11/08/2026

58 years ago, the final British Railways ran their mainline steam hauled service, 1T57, dubbed "The Fifteen Guinea Special". The return working between Liverpool Lime Street and Carlisle, via Manchester Victoria and the Settle & Carlisle Railway was worked by BR Britannia Class 70013 'Oliver Cromwell', and LMS Black Fives 44781, 44871 and 45110.

Three of the four locos which hauled 1T57 survive today, with 44781 being scrapped following it's use in the production of the 1969 film 'The Virgin Soldiers'. Today, 44871 and 45110 are in operational condition, whilst Britannia Class 70013 is undergoing overhaul at the Great Central Railway. Here is 'Ollie' pictured at Keighley during the loco's visit for the 2018 Spring Steam Gala, 10/03/18.

National Railway Museum
The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway
Great Central Railway

09/08/2026

Another photo from my recent travels to Germany, with a Rhein-Ruhr Express service crossing the Sonnborn railway bridge in Wuppertal, the only bridge to pass above the Wuppertal Schwebebahn, with a GTW15 carriage passing underneath, 29/07/26.

WSW Wuppertaler Stadtwerke GmbH

08/08/2026

Slowly going through photos from my recent trip to Germany, with this long exposure of Colonge in the evening twilight being one of the highlights: The Cathedral which dominates the city's skyline on the left and Köln Hauptbahnhof on the right, 29/07/26.

Deutsche Bahn