A new collection specifically about these unique trains which are particularly interesting because of the variety of motive power and the varying number of flasks in the consist.

I have never figured out why so many people are so paranoid about these trains carrying low level radioactive waste for recycling. Greenpeace do NOT help their cause by putting the fear of God into people!! What worries me are the HGVs carrying all sorts of LETHAL loads on our roads, and driven by foreign drivers who can't even speak English and drive dangerously. Rant now over Enjoy the pictures.

As the trains only run about 2-3 times a week, I can only take photos when work allows. I hope to get some nice pics along the coast given time.

Photos from my visit on the Saturday, mainly to see the wonderful A1 Peppecorn Tornado.

Pictures from the 2 day Gala. Class 122 W55001 was visiting from the ELR and Llangollen's Class 104 was repainted into BR blue, making its debut in the new livery. Photos still being uploaded. Captions to follow tomorrow.

Pictures are a little limited in scope as they were taken between night shifts!

Railtours usually happen when I'm working. May 9 was an exception!! I thought I would try to get some coverage of both tours, so a North Wales all zones day rover enabled me to got to Shrewsbury and then onto Holyhead-saving not only £12 against the normal fares, but a fortune in petrol and enjoying a relaxing rail jourmey. The bonus was perfect weather in Holyhead! Many thanks to the Met office.

I was biased towards seeing The Duchess of Sutherland as this was to be her last summer in operation before a major overhaul next year. It was good to see 47798 Prince William as support loco, looking fantastic. This was truly a Royal train tour!!

Photos from the second major Steam Gala at Llangollen from April 18-26 2009. Due to the number of pictures taken, I am still adding captions to the individual photos! I have tried to portray all aspects of the Gala and not just steam n action. I hope you think I achieved this.

Obviously, the seasoned railway photographers won't think much of them, but I hope just ONE person doesn't think my efforts have been a waste of time and money.

Experiments with Tilt/Shift effects. Wilkipedia describes it so: "Tilt-shift miniature faking is a process in which a photograph of a life-size location or object is manipulated so that it looks like a photograph of a miniature scale model." (by selective blurring which mimics the narrow depth of field in close-ups)

Normally you would need specialist lenses costing hundreds of pounds, or Photoshop CS, but anyone can create the same effects for free at :http://tiltshiftmaker.com/
Have Fun! **I should add that the effect suits some pictures better than others, so its trial and error!**

Photos from this years event. A little disappointing as the Class 20 couldn't run, and 37418 was still to have repairs completed. It was also a shame not to see 37109. 37901 Mirrlees Pioneer (not so long ago resident at Llangollen) did appear, though.

This collection has been started as an additional collection to focus on traffic along this route, and particularly to document the enhancements and improvements to the single track between Saltney Junction and Wrexham.

Dedicated to Virgin Trains' Wrexham-London services. There are pictures of the trial run and first services in other collections, but this collection covers workings since then. It will be updated when time allows!!

Photos recording the first visit of the year (and probably the last) by the serco test train, top'n'tailed by 37605/259.

Pictures from the first few days of the timetable, featuring several different services.

The first ever visit of a Class 221 Supervoyager, 221103 Christopher Columbus, to Wrexham, a trial run in readiness for the new Virgin London Service. Primarily this was for platform clearances and "4/5 Car" stop sign siting on platform 1 and 2. They also placed a "Signal Warning C6" sign above the AWS reminder sign at the end of Platform 2! Wrexham General is suddenly awash with warning signs!!

The Voyager was only in Wrexham for 45 minutes, before departing back to Chester.

No, not the Wife and Girlfriend Express, but the new Welsh Assembly Government's prestigious service from Holyhead to Cardiff (and by passing Wrexham-so I call it the Wrexham Avoiding Government Express!).

I shouldn't be too critical, considering all the extra services that the Welsh Assembly have invested in, and now news of £20m to create improvements along the single line between Saltney Jct. and Wrexham, creating passing loops. Its a shame that the single span Wrexham by-pass bridges over the line prevent the redoubling of the complete stretch.

Anyway, the reliveried 57s do look smart, as does the stock. Loco hauled rail travel is the only way to travel in comfort-look no further than the W&S London services. And, as it happens, the 0725 to Marylebone from Wrexham connects with te train at Shrewsbury at 0805, so travel from Wrexham to Cardiff is loco hauled all the way after all!!

And I am no expert on photography at night, so those pictures may not be up to anyone else's standards. Getting an accurate colour balance is most tricky, though is easy to adjust in the RAW files. Any advice on this is appreciated! More pictures will be added as the service develops!

The Llangollen Diesel Group operated their Class 20 D8142 for the last time on December 7, before it is sold to an as yet unknown buyer!
Not only were bashers treated to some authentic EE noise and clag, but the scenery was fantastic too, with frozen fields and winter sunshine combined.

Pictures from Rood Aston Hall's farewell Tour on November 22 and 34067 Tangmere with the Cathedrals Express Railtour on November 29.

Just one 37 on 3J96, and no coverage-again-of the single line between Wrexham and Saltney Junction, not even a once weekly run, despite the tree lined line and Gresford Bank. If your train slips to a halt, I'm not to blame!

3S71 is difficult to photograph as it often runs very early in darkness, and doesn't make a pathing stop!. However I'll get at least one shot of it if its the last thing I ever do!

And don't expect "sunny" pictures, as I do not have control over the weather (unlike some) when I'm off-which is very rare.

Pictures from the three day event, taken over the three days.

There's no Diesel Gala at Llangollen this year, so instead I had a look at 37240 working in place of the usual DMU on september 27. Some pictures of this, and also 3802 for steam fans. A second consecutive glorious Saturday too!

In aid of Hope House Hospice. The Severn Valley Railway Gala must have caused this event to take a big hit on visitors attending. Still, those who went had glorious weather.

Pictures from the visit of the two Mendip 59s-59005/104-hauling the tour.

Photos of the railtour at Chester. (As usual for me because of work!) Unusually, the tour departed from Platform 7-there were no Merseyrail services operating due to flooding between Chester and Hooton.

Maybe summer is the wrong word when you look at the weather here!

Pictures taken at Chester of the "Cathedrals Express" railtour, run by Steam Dreams, from London Paddington-Chester. The tour was diesel hauled to Chester by WCRC 47245, and steam hauled for the return by 6233 Duchess of Sutherland.

Admittedly not up to Colin Marsden's standards, so here are a few of my pathetic efforts-many in awful weather!

**I thoroughly recommend The Blenheim B&B if you're looking for accommodation, just 200 yards from Dawlish Station. For a small extra charge, you can book a room overlooking the railway, less than 100 yards away!!**

Photos from the Spring Railcar Gala. Sadly the weather was poor, and with the F.A Cup final also taking place on the Saturday, it seemed relatively quiet-including Llangollen itself! Still, as usual, it was a very enjoyable day.

Derby Lightweight Single Car Unit M79900 "Iris" was visiting from the Ecclesbourne Railway, and ran services both as a single unit, and also linked to other units in the Llangollen fleet.
Three "Irises" enjoyed a free ride in their namesake!

Photos from Gobowen on May 16 during Community Rail Day, dedicatiom of the David J. Lloyd Memorial, and naming of W&S Class 67 No. 67015 David J. Lloyd.

Some photos taken at the magnificent St. Pancras International. I will add more pictures on my next visit soon! Certainly a must-see place on a visit to London, whether you're a rail enthusiast or not!

Photos from the Friday and Saturday at the event. These Galas are always immensely enjoyable whatever the weather!

**37901 deputised for ailing D8142 on Friday 11th.**

A collection of photos dedicated to this specific train which, fortunately, is still running, and keeping the A55 safe and free from hundreds more dangerously driven HGVs, which would have happened if the contract to haul loads from Anglesey had been lost to road hauliers. And, of course, the additional tons of CO2 emissions which would have been created!
The collection begins from March 29 2008.

Pictures from Saturday's events. Operational locomotives were D5054 Phil Southern, D6525 Captain Bill Smith RNR, 50015 Valiant, 37109 (making its debut appearance at its new home), D335 and 55022 Royal Scots Grey.