At the end of August my brother Briancelebrated his 60th birthday. Like most people when they get older, he can be very difficult to cater for when it comes to presents. I say this as for his 50th I bought him a Western diesel driver experience course on the Severn Valley Railway. I couldn’t possibly think how I could top this for his 60th.
All was not lost, however. As a regular reader of Heritage Railway magazine, I happened to come across an advert in issue 255 for Deltic Driver Experience courses which were being held at the Nene Valley Railway. I thought that this would be perfect and just like the western Experience, it was better to be able to share it with someone you know and who has a passion for the same things.
This was good as it meant that I could go along and also experience the thrill of getting behind the controls of a former East Coast Main Line legend with him. After running the idea past my father, we decided to share the cost and in terms of the perfect present for Brian, we had killed two birds with one stone.
A phone call was made and our places were reserved for September 19 at 1.30pm. There were three time slots to choose from but due to the distance we had to travel, this fitted the bill perfectly.
Arrival
Five or so weeks later and the day was finally here. It was a 6am alarm call as we intended to leave home at around 7.30am to allow for traffic and to cover the 170 miles from East Lancashire toWansford station, which is where our course was to start. After negotiating a couple of accidents on the M66 and again on the M62 over the Pennines, we finally could relax and enjoy the rest of the journey down the A1. We were exceptionally lucky as the weather was perfect for a September day – only days away from autumn, with blue skies, unbroken sunshine and temperatures in the early twenties.
Denne historien er fra Issue 261-utgaven av Heritage Railway.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 261-utgaven av Heritage Railway.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Storms Close ‘Last' Section Of S&D In Regular Use
NEARLY 150 years after the line was opened, the last surviving part of the original Somerset & Dorset Joint Railway main line – and the legendary system’s westernmost extremity – has been taken out of public use.
Driving A Deltic!
Chris Newton recalls his recent driver experience course at the Nene Valley Railway on Deltic diesel locomotive No. 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier, which he enjoyed with his brother after seeing it advertised in Heritage Railway.
Norfolk Loco-Hauled Finale
A POPULAR class of diesel locomotive first introduced in 1960 has finally ceased regular timetabled passenger services on Norfolk’s GreatYarmouth and Lowestoft branches.
Britain's ‘First' Public Railway Rises From The Ashes
A HISTORICALLY important scheme to restore part of what is claimed to be Britain’s first public railway is set to have its first track laid this year.
Homefleet variety
THE Mid-Hants Railway’s (MHR) October 18-20 autumn gala provided a varied line-up from the line’s resident fleet of locomotives – and also acted as something of a farewell event for a popular performer.
Building On A Successful Year
Gareth Evans talks to A1 Steam Locomotive Trust trustee Mark Allatt about the latest developments at the operator of popular A1 No. 60163 Tornado, its current new-build £5 million P2 2-8-2 No. 2007 Prince of Wales and the next project – the LNER V4.
At Last –Corwen Back On Line After 51 Years!
A MAJOR milestone was passed on October 17, when the Llangollen Railway’s running line into its new Corwen station was physically connected.
1501: The Final Bow... For Now
New Year’s Eve 2006 brought down the curtain on the activities of WR 0-6-0PT No 1501 at the Severn Valley Railway. J Crosse pays tribute to a one-time colliery shunter’s nine-year stint on serious passenger duties.
Pitchford Hall Produces Rich Pickings
Britain’s most expensive Great Western Hall stole the show at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway’s hugely successful winter steam gala, while a long-time admirer of the 4-6-0s had the good fortune to make the occasion a real family affair, writes Fred Kerr.
‘Instant' Extension Launches Churnet Valley Push To Leek
AFTER years of planning and negotiations, the first 659ft of the Churnet Valley Railway’s (CVR) eagerly awaited £1 million extension into Leek has carried its first passengers.
