HAPPY NEW YEAR 2022 [PRAYING THIS YEAR IS MORE FUN THAN THE LAST]

Oh yes it's time to kick off another year, a big welcome to 2022 and may it be twelve amazing months for you and yours, unlike the year we have just seen go by for many of us.

Can we just agree that the last year has not really gone to plan at all so might be best to just leave it be and move on. Been unable to attend any of the regular open days and running nights at local railway clubs, so quietly been adding to my small N Gauge collection at home, which is growing nicely now with a few additions and my Xmas gift to myself of another locomotive. Still need a place to give everything a good run but we do what we can with a test track at home. Hopefully would be nice to have some events and exhibitions to enjoy as well as visiting heritage railways and therefore the plan for 2022 will be to indulge in that more. While also considering a change of scene might do me the world of good and would be looking at a move down towards the south coast depending on how work turns out. While this blog has outlived its original remit, which was to highlight and focus on my late father's models, I do enjoy it and plan to keep it going for as long as I can with hopefully more news and events throughout the year as well any more days out I can manage. Still need to rearrange trips to places like Swanage during the coming year now that the line is connected to Wareham and they might begin to run a service from the main line which would help my plans to get there by Train. Must arrange a few days away in York when it becomes possible and a trip to the National Railway Museum plus hopefully Blaenau Ffestiniog would be great ideas for long weekends away this year. We also expect to see more of friends and family as well given the past year and an almost complete cancellation of activities then. All this would help if work was better for me too, and if I can get back to enjoying life rather than the grind of train strikes and commuting. Whatever happens make it fun, enjoy life as much as you can and be entertaining too in all you do.

Peace and love to all.
Hope you enjoy a wonderful year throughout 2022.

MERRY CHRISTMAS ONE AND ALL - LOVE AND BEST WISHES TO YOU ALL

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas this year, I hope you enjoying a break from work and get to spend time with friends and family. Another disrupted year for so many and this is a time of year to once again spare a thought for those still working as they are doing an awesome job. It's also been a very difficult year for many with the continued variants, tiers, vaccinations and sadly looks set to continue for a while. Therefore I also send out a lot of love to all with thoughts for anyone missing this year, think of them, raise a glass and salute their memory. Though it's the season to "Eat, Drink and be Merry" and then let's go give the trains a run!! 😊 

Missing you so much Dad.

You always fulfilled my wishes, giving me whatever I wanted. Your presence in my life I had taken for granted. After your death my whole world has gone into a frightening void. When I had you, I had it all, now everything is destroyed. This is my repentance, my regret, I know you cannot hear me, but I still want to say, Dad I miss you and I'm sorry ... We had so much still to do together and despite the years that have passed I find it so hard to carry on without your love and influence. 💔

I always think that this time is a moment for reflection and while I hope it's been wonderful for you it may well be that together we have lost a lot of friends and legends so it's time to remember and never forget. Let us also move forwards to the new year, life is only as good as you make it and you have to let yourself live too, although this is something I don't allow myself time to breathe and enjoy life. 2022 needs to see many changes and hopefully I can find some energy and joy. So much to do, lets do more, enough of the excuses make some noise and a change for good now. 

Miss both of you, Mum and Dad xx

Love is always the answer 💕

THE WHITE ROSE - CHRISTMAS RAILTOUR - SATURDAY 18th DECEMBER 2021

The Christmas White Rose
 - Saturday 18th December 2021
Kings Cross - York behind 6233 Duchess of Sutherland

Enjoy a classic day out by steam train, combining exciting main line running, varied landscape and the special atmosphere of historic York. Our train will be steam hauled from London to York by Princess Coronation class locomotive No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland.

Due to depart from London King’s Cross at around 07:20 behind Duchess of Sutherland and follow the route of famous old trains like the Flying Scotsman. We storm up the gradient through Gasworks Tunnel and Finsbury Park and head northwards, calling at Stevenage, Huntingdon and Peterborough to pick up more passengers.

Our steam locomotive then tackles the 15-mile climb up the famous Stoke Bank. Here on 3rd July 1938, “Mallard”, an A4 class ‘Pacific’, achieved a world record speed of 126 mph when travelling in the opposite direction. Once over the summit we should have a good, fast run down the 20 mile descent to the Trent Valley and on through Grantham, Newark and Retford. We steam onwards through Doncaster before arriving into York.

There will be plenty of time for passengers to enjoy the city and all it has to offer. York has some major tourist attractions including the National Railway Museum, the largest museum of its type in Britain; the Castle; the Shambles; the splendid Gothic York Minster, one of the largest of its kind in northern Europe; and the city walls. There are a number of other interesting museums, quaint alleyways, and a good variety of shops. The York Christmas Market will also be in full swing with its vast number of stalls offering local yuletide crafts, along with seasonal food and drink.

Our train leaves York at around 16:30, diesel hauled, along the East Coast Main Line towards Peterborough. We continue, stopping to set down passengers at the same stations as on the northbound journey, arriving back at King’s Cross at around 22:00.

Background - No. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland
LMS Princess Coronation Class 46233 Duchess of Sutherland is a steam locomotive built in 1938 for the London, Midland and Scottish Railway (LMS) at Crewe Works to a design by William Stanier. It is a 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive built as part of the LMS Coronation Class for its express passenger services, including the Royal Scot service from London to Glasgow.

Withdrawn by British Railways in 1964, the locomotive was originally sold to Butlins holiday camp in Scotland. In 1996, the locomotive was acquired by The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust with the intention of restoration to mainline condition. In 2001, 46233 was restored to operating condition and since then has been a regular performer on the national network.

In Preservation
Following withdrawal from service, 46233 was acquired by Butlins Heads-of-Ayr holiday camp, Scotland, in October 1964. It was later purchased by Bressingham Steam Museum. In 1996, 6233 was acquired by the Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust (PRCLT) arriving at the PRCLT's West Shed, at Swanwick Junction on the Midland Railway - Butterley, on 3 February 1996. In 2001, No. 6233 returned to the national network after an overhaul assisted by the heritage lottery fund and match funded by the PRCLT.

To allow it to run on the main line in preservation, 6233 was fitted with Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS) and on-train monitoring recorder (OTMR) equipment, alongside the BR fitted Automatic Warning System (AWS). On 6 March 2010, 6233 was rolled out in LMS lined black livery, which was retained during 2010, before a major overhaul, taking 6233 out of service for the 2011 season. On 3 March 2012, now renumbered 46233 was rolled out in "authentic (Brunswick) green" livery, as used by British Railways during the early 1950s.

To mark the locomotive's 80th birthday in September 2018, the engine regained its original number "6233" and LMS "Crimson Lake" livery.