30th December Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway Christmas Cracker

The Gloucestershire and Warwickshire Railway operates 10 miles of the former Great Western main line from Birmingham to Cheltenham, through the beautiful Cotswold countryside. The line was once the route used by The Cornishman express. I have been meaning to visit the line for a few years now, and finally got to pay a visit at their excellent Christmas Cracker event. Five locos were in steam; GWR City class 3440 City of Truro, Modified Hall 7903 Foremarke Hall, (NNR favourites) LNER J15 65462 and BR 9F 92203 Black Prince, and finally Hunslet-designed Austerity No. 15.

4th–11th November The Wolsztyn Experience

The Wolsztyn Experience (based in Poland) has now been running for 10 years. It gives enthusiasts the chance to drive and fire steam locos on the mainline, hauling steam commuter services from Wolsztyn to Leszno, and the city of Poznan. I went to Poland with fellow NNR enginemen, Ben Fraser, James Redburn and Henry Mowforth (also of the K&ESR and Bluebell). Out there we were joined by Stefan and Arthur (from bonnie Scotland). The week was split with firing/driving trains to either Leszno (just over and hour) and or Poznan (around two hours). On Friday, we also got a chance to play on the narrow gauge (750mm) from Stare Bojanowo to Smigiel.

I think I speak for all of us by saying that we had a brilliant week, and great experience for us loco crew, that are unable to experience speeds higher than 25mph. Personally, the Leszno run was my favourite. There is one section, where the line climbs quite steeply, and running through the forest, with the autumnal colours, and sharp beat of the exhaust echoing all around, it was just magic!

1st–2nd May J15 65462 visits the Kent and East Sussex Railway

At the beginning of May, the M&GN Society's J15 65462 visited the K&ESR. I, together with Ben Fraser and James Redburn, went to assist in unloading and prepping the loco for its week long stay, during which it took part in the line's 'Colonel Stephens Weekend'.