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Christmas Message

Annual Yearly Summary.

 

The year opened with the GCR’s Winter Gala. It turned out to be their last gala of 2020 and the only gala I could attend this year.

 

Then I went to the 30742 Charter at the Battlefield Line with Modified Hall 6989 ‘Wightwick Hall’. A day time, followed by an enjoyable evening shoot. This was the first time I had seen Wightwick since the mid 1960s, at Dai Woodhams Barry scrapyard.

 

In late February saw Simon (www.flickr.com/photos/captainkez/) and I once again visiting the Wolsztyn steam. It was early morning starts (up at 04:30!) due to the revised time table which saw the steam leaving in the dark at 05:34. It was a very enjoyable week, all the same.

 

A week after returning from Poland attended another 30742 charter, this time at the ELR. Back in steam agin after 37 years of restoration, was ex L&Y 0-6-0ST number 752, running as fictitious British Railways 51456. The restoration had originally started at KWVR and was finished at the ELR.

 

The winter had seen storms including Ciara, Dennis & Jorge.

 

By now I’m starting to become accustomed to my Nikon mirrorless Z6 camera, after years with a DSLR.

 

Then came COVID!

 

As we know the lockdown proved devastating to the TOCs, with wholesale cancellations.

 

When the first lockdown ended I and a few friends when to Scotland, to Beattock specifically, my first visit. 'Tornado’ didn’t disappoint as she made steady progress up the gradient.

 

A week later and we are in Scotland again, this time for our annual trip to Fort William for the Jacobite. This was a month earlier then previously and the weather was certainly an improvement. With several new locations visited I regarded it as a great success. That was until a few days after returning, we all found we had contracted the coronavirus.

 

Lockdown number 2 and the tier system brings uncertainty regarding the Christmas rail tours.

 

All my best wishes for the coming year, may it be prosperous, healthy and Covid free.

 

 

Riddles '4MT' 2-6-4T no.80080 heads past Duckworth Lane crossing, Townsend Fold, with the 11:15 Bury-Rawtenstall train

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Uploaded on December 16, 2020
Taken on January 20, 2013