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Capturing the very best of Britain's mainline and preserved railways.

20/06/2026

‘Sir Nigel Gresley’s 150th Anniversary’

On 19 June 1876, Sir Nigel Gresley was born in Edinburgh. Raised in Derbyshire, he served his apprenticeship with the London and North Western Railway at Crewe, before studying under John Aspinall of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.

However, he became internationally renown as Chief Mechanical Engineer of the London and North Eastern Railway. Equally elegant in aesthetics and mechanics, his designs have gone to become seminal icons of British engineering, cementing the image of the steam locomotive in the public mindset.

Arguably, one of his most popular innovations was the streamlined Bugatti-styled nose on the legendary A4 Pacifics. Streaking along home territory on the East Coast Main Line, 60007 ‘Sir Nigel Gresley’ races through Newark Northgate with a charter service bound for York. 02/03/24. #60007

Sir Nigel Gresley Locomotive Trust

13/06/2026

‘Sunday Morning Freight’

The Winter months always allow for some fantastic photographic opportunities, as exhaust hangs still in the bitter climate and the sound of steam power echoes through the valley.

GWR Churchward 28XX 2807 (visiting from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway) prepares to depart Totnes Riverside on a frosty January morning on the final day of the South Devon Railway’s ‘Winter Steam Gala’. 04/01/26. #2807

South Devon Railway
Cotswold Steam Preservation Limited (CSPL)

12/06/2026

'The Geordie 'Castle'

5043 'Earl Of Mount Edgcumbe' made a little bit of history today, becoming the first GWR 'Castle' to visit Newcastle since classmate 7029 'Clun Castle' all the way back in 1967.

See 5043 hauling 'The Cathedrals Express' on YouTube now: https://youtu.be/lQAFsS9rW7w?si=zan0s0xTj_tPnSDK

Vintage Trains

11/06/2026

- ‘Marquess Memories’

61994 ‘The Great Marquess’ was one of six K4 2-6-0s built by the LNER, specifically for use on the West Highland Extension from Fort William. Saved for preservation by Viscount Garnock, she was later sold to John Cameron, owner of LNER A4 60009 ‘Union Of South Africa’.

When Cameron announced the retirement of his two locomotives in 2014, 61994 worked out the final year of her boiler certification on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. A popular engine missed by many, ‘The Great Marquess’ is seen powering past Darnholm with an unfitted freight during her final gala appearance.

No 60009, Union of South Africa
North Yorkshire Moors Railway

06/06/2026

‘We Will Remember Them’

Forty years ago in 1986, LMS Stanier 8F 48773 was dedicated as a memorial to British railway personnel who gave their lives during the Second World War. She spent much of her early working life in the Middle East, working in the Suez Canal zone.

Having last run in 2008, the engine can be seen on display in The Engine House on the Severn Valley Railway. 16/04/26. #48773

Severn Valley Railway

04/06/2026

- ‘North Tyneside Traction’

This weekend sees Peckett 0-4-0ST ‘Lion’ visiting the North Tyneside Steam Railway. This will be the locomotive’s first time back in the North East since its heyday, shunting wagons at Wallsend Slipway & Engineering Co. Ltd.

Originally set to be a full-scale ‘Steam Gala’, let’s look back to 2023 when Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST NCB No.60 (visiting from the Aln Valley Railway) charges under the A1058 Bridge with a demonstration freight service.

North Tyneside Steam Railway
Stephenson Steam Railway
Aln Valley Railway

30/05/2026

‘Atlantic Star’

LB&SCR Marsh H2 32424 ‘Beachy Head’ is currently the UK’s latest operational new-build steam locomotive. Making her debut visit away from her base on the Bluebell Railway, the recreated ‘Atlantic’ curves around the main demonstration line at Didcot Railway Centre. 24/05/26.

Didcot Railway Centre

26/05/2026

'Beachy Head's Heatwave!'

Recreated LB&SCR H2 'Atlantic' 32424 'Beachy Head' was the star attraction at Didcot Railway Centre's 'Heritage In Motion' gala this weekend, wowing the crowds despite scorching temperatures reaching over thirty degrees!

Watch the full video now on Youtube:
https://youtu.be/QH6RXWEm9HY?si=da7ET4kvW98XBgcX

Didcot Railway Centre

21/05/2026

- ‘Cotswolds Festival Of Steam’

This weekend sees the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway stage their annual ‘Cotswolds Festival Of Steam’, starring a vast array of visiting locomotives including GER Class 209 ‘Coffee Pot’ 229, CR McIntosh 439 15189 and the surprise return of LMS Stanier ‘Black Five’ 45110.

Unfortunately, I am unable to attend this year, but I can wait to see everyone’s photos and videos from this incredible event. Looking back to 2023, LMS Aspinall ‘Pug’ 11243 (visiting from the East Lancashire Railway) speeds around Chicken Curve with a short freight for Toddington.

Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway

16/05/2026

‘Steam On The Met’

On a visit to the capital last weekend, I popped into the London Transport Museum to see the sole-surviving Metropolitan Railway Beyer Peacock A Class No.23.

While highly unlikely to ever run again, she continues to draw customers as the only steam locomotive amongst a plethora of buses, trams and electric units. #23

London Transport Museum

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