3–5th May Kent and East Sussex Railway

Almost a year to the day since my last visit to the delightful Kent and East Sussex Railway, I return together with Ben Fraser to look after visiting N7 69621. The loco was well received amongst crews, and we were made to feel most welcome by all staff and volunteers at the K&ESR, thanks.

28–30th March North Yorkshire Moors Railway LNER Festival

I make no secret of the fact that I'm a bit of an Eastern nut, and its with great regret that the Eastern didn't have it's very own Dai Woodham. So when the NYMR's LNER Festival finally looked to be on the cards this year, it was a must. Headlining the event were A4 Pacifics, 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley, 60009 Union of South Africa and 60019 Bittern, the first time that all three working 'streaks' had been bought together. Drawing as much attention as the A4s was LNER liveried V2 4771 Green Arrow, which was paired with the (LNER Coach Association's) teak train. (Personally, I hope that 4771 has a future, in steam. This surely can't be the end of such a superb engine.) Then we come to the black contingent, maids of all work; B1 61264, K1 62005, Q6 63395, J15 65462.

While we attended all three days (of the first weekend), it was only just long enough to see, and do everything we wanted (and that didn't include trips to Whitby or Battersby!). I think it was a testament to the NYMR, that come Sunday evening, we really didn't want to head home.

16th February Keighley & Worth Valley Railway Winter Steam Gala Weekend

The K&WVR's Winter Steam Gala has been on my 'must visit' list for a few years. With the irresistible winter sunshine and a superb locomotive line-up, I finally succumbed. An intensive timetable ran over the two days, which featured seven steam locos, passenger and goods trains. All in all it was a superb event. Two visiting locos attended. These where NELPG's freshly out shopped LNER K1 62005, and Mid-Hants based LMS Ivatt 2MT 41312 (which saw extensive use with the K&WVR's resident mickey mouse 41241). Remaining locos in service were; Taff Vale Railway 85; LMS 3F 47279, WD 2-8-0 90733; BR Standard 4MT 80002.