A day of low cloud and drizzle greeted everyone booked onto Russ Hilliers photocharter on the Great Central Railway on the 4th Feb using S.V.R. based Stanier Mogul,42968, recreating a typical British Railways era stopping passenger train.
No master shots this time, with everyone trying to make the best of the very poor conditions. However it was still another great days entertainment in good company with lots of banter. My thanks again to Russ for the arrangements and the G.C.R. crews for putting up with us.

L.M.S. theme for this years Winter Gala featuring locomotives mainly designed by Sir William Stanier.With resident 8F 48305 renumbered to 48476 to represent the last 8F to work from Lostock Hall shed ,the feel of the Gala was to reflect on the last days of steam on B.R. in 1968. L.M.S. Jinty No 47406 was also back in action after a long restoration by owner Roger Hibbert.
Full Line up:
70013 Oliver Cromwell
5690 Leander
45231
44767
42968 (on loan from S.V.R.)
47406
48305
78019
(w.i.p.)

A small collection of photographs taken during an afternoon visit to Loughborough station area and around the loco shed.
23 Jan 2010

Another opportunity for some night photography at the excellent Newark Air Museum in Nottinghamshire. Army pesonnel provided Crusader80 British Army on the Rhine group.

Another exceptional day out at the Great Central Railway, Britains only preserved main line. Recreated by Russ Hillier, Simon Hopkins and the G.C.R. the day again featured 70013 on a van and passenger train of eight vehicles. The day was blessed with bright winter sunshine and no rain.
My thanks to fellow photographers Syd Hancock, Rick Eborall and Jon Bowcutt for their company, gossip and banter.

Out of the house at first light for the one hour drive over to the Rutland Railway Museum for a days photography expertly organised again by Russ Hillier. Weather for the days shoot was not ideal, low cloud and occasional drizzle but the museum volunteers pulled out all the stops to make everyone welcome and gave us all a good days entertainment.
As a mark of respect, just before 11.00a.m. the charter came to halt and everyone gathered around saddle tank "Singapore" for a short service of remembrance and to observe the national two minute silence.
The day ended with a night shoot in the yard and the loading siding.
My thanks again to Russ, Simon Hopkins and every one at R.R.M. for a great day out.

Photographic charter run by Russ Hillier using visiting Fairburn tank 42085. Recreating a Southern region train(London Victoria to Hastings)in the morning using three "blood and custard" coaches and a mixed freight after lunch.

Another Russ Hillier production this time using David Shepherds B.R. Standard 9F 92203 recreating (in the morning) a typical Somerset and Dorset Railway class 1 passenger train, changing over in the afternoon to a mixed collection of freight wagons. (W.I.P.)

Prior to the Steam Railway gala on the Great Central, visiting W.D. 2.8.0 No 90733 was used on photographic charters. This collection of photos was taken on 07 10 2009 using a collection of mixed wagons and vans. Yet another excellent day out organised by Russ Hillier and the crews at Loughborough. (More photos and captions to follow)

A few of my images taken on two short visit to this excellent event.Pride of place for me was E.E. Deltic 55019 "Royal Highland Fusilier"bringing back memories of the East Main Line at Peterborough and Newcastle.

Organised again by Russ Hillier, the day featured three industrial tank engines on an assortment of wagons and vans. First up was the small 1911 built Andrew Barclay No 1223 "Colin McAndrew" shunting the yard before heading down the line towards Chasetown with a 75ton mixed freight in tow.
At midday our train headed back to Brownhills for a lineup with two other locos and some runpasts in the yard. Due at Beamish next day, No1223 was loaded onto road transport(still in steam!) for its overnight journey to the Northeast.
After lunch the remaining two saddle tanks took another journey down the line stopping off at various vantage points for photos.
Another break for refreshments in the buffet at Brownhills, then out into the yard for a final session in the early evening light.
My thanks again to everyone involved for organising the day.

Supporting LOROS Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice, the weekend was a chance for the 10 1/4 inch line to show off the railway to the public.

Photographs taken in May 2009 during a days visit to this excellent attraction.

A collection of photos taken during a short break in North Wales visiting the newly extended Welsh Highland Railway, Welshpool and Llanfair light railway and the Ffestiniog Railway.

A few photos from the latest event on the G.C.R. featuring Fairburn tank loco 42085 on a T.P.O. run (More photos to be uploaded)

A collection of photos taken during the museums Edwardian day.Some of the images where recorded early morning before the event was opened to the public.

With G.C.R. 2.8.0, No63601, nearing the end of its current boiler certificate the opppurtunity was taken by Russ Hiller to arrange a photo charter on the Northern section of the Great Central Railway on 15 07 2009. Dispite some problems with stock early in the morning and miserable conditions until lunchtime, the day ended in bright sunshine and most went away happy with photoghraphs.My thanks again to Russ and the crews at Ruddington for the days entertainment.
A.M. Crew:
Derek Webb- Driver
Martin Stretton-Fireman
Dr Joanna Wragg- Cleaner
Barry Horsley- Gaurd
Arthur Barber- D.T. Manager
P.M. Crew:
Ron Whalley-Driver
Mark Hellebaut-Fireman
John Dye-Cleaner
MalcolmGruby-Gaurd
Alan Watson-D.T. Manager

A short tour of Cotswold villages using a Midland Red, 1963 built, S17 single deck bus, vintage cars and two steam rollers.

Photos taken on short visit to the Great Central railway mainly to view progress on L.N.E.R. N2 tank engine.My thanks to Clive Hanley and Mike Snow for their company at the lineside,and all the gossip.

A recreation of a typical British Railways era breakdown train using Stanier 8F, 48305, Swindon built (1940) 40 ton breakdown crane and an assortment of suitable rolling stock.
All arrangements , including the fine weather, by Russ Hillier.

Photographs taken during a holiday in Northern Ireland visiting locations on both sides of the border from Malin head in the North to Killybegs and Donegal in the South.

On a short visit to the G.C.R. from the North Norfolk Railway via Barrow Hill the opportunity was taken by Russ Hillier to organise a photo shoot using three maroon coaches.
A damp and cold start(more like November than April!) gave way in late afternoon to some warm hazy sunshine much to every ones surprise. A couple of hours decent light meant most went home reasonably happy. My thanks again to Russ for arranging everything and to lads from the G.C.R. for the days entertainment.