Barmouth Viaduct

Whilst we were in Wales, we took a trip out to Barmouth. This used to be a regular spot for us when The Childs were little, but a combination of our favourite cafe closing, the Childs growing to old, teenaged, and boring for days playing on the beach, and the closing of some nice shops, means we don't really go there often now.

What we had though was a need to get some reference pics for an upcoming model project that Ben is doing.

The welcoming face of a mainline station at one of the supposedly busiest seaside resort towns in West Wales...

It was also a chance to get some pics of the dwindling fleet of Class 158's, due to be retired shortly. Shame the weather had taken a turn for the worse after a long, hot, dry summer.

Crossing the impressive viaduct.

This had a lot of refurbishment work done recently, and it probably looks better than it's done my whole life.

Actually the term refurbishment doesn't really do it justice, the level of work it's had. Almost all the metalwork and a lot of the timber is new.

Lots of wildlife to be observed on the low tide.

But again, shame about the poor weather. The idea had been to shoot some landscapes to use as backdrops for a miniatures build.

Northbound train approaching...

...and passing.

Then the walk back up, getting some more research shots for the build along the way.

A butterfly at Fron Goch

We haven't seen many butterflies at home this year; it was lovely to see this magnificent specimen at Fron Goch, near Caernarfon, whilst we out with my (Ben's) parents for lunch.

 

Bodnant in August, 2026

It's been a busy few weeks. The end of August saw us back in Wales, but the shots from that visit have taken a while to edit due to the Day Job. Anyway, let's kick things off with a visit to Bodnant Gardens, near Conwy

As even a cursory glance at the blog will attest, this is one of our regular haunts. It's handy when travelling to and from our usual accommodation, just the right location for a loo and cafe stop, and a chance to stretch our legs.

We've not seen many butterflies near home this year, so it was good to see so many in the gardens.

Equally nice was seeing the place so green and pleasant after months of heatwaves.

That said, the grass was noticeably parched. Still it was a nice afternoon strolling about, a lovely meal at the cafe, and a nice little break on the way to our last proper holiday of the year.

 

A KWVR Diesel Gala Miscellany

Time for a big post of odds and ends from the Diesel Gala. First off, the lovely 08's; "Ashburnham" departing Ingrow.

Walking between Ingrow and Keighley.

The long-term visiting 47.

'Green' 37.

The two visiting 31's in Railfreight colours were particularly nice. I've never been a massive fan of the class, but these have swung me around to appreciating them.

As did the First Class seats in the borrowed Scottish coaching set.

Carmine and Cream in Keighley- the station looks superb now they've finished restoring it.

Love a Teddybear; another visitor which has quietly become a part of the KWVR fleet.

The 50; to be honest, I sometimes feel these are over-hyped in the enthusiast community, though they are quite impressive.

The 47 again.

And again! It's a rather nice machine, and growing on me.

The other 08, on pilot duties at Keighley. A humble machine doing the job it was built for, which is rather nice.

 

Sunset over Shipley

One thing you can say for the super hot summer we've been having, there have been some awesome sunsets.

Too nice, to not get some pretty pictures.

 

On the goods

More from the KWVR Diesel Gala- this time, riding the Thursday morning goods train. Actually the above picture is Friday morning, but it was such a nice shot to open the post with, I couldn't resist.

On the actual Friday, this was our loco- the gorgeous 55009, thundering away at the head of the train.

Off we go- I started on the rear veranda of the brake van, as the Deltic was chucking up a load of oil from the engine on the climb out of Keighley. The group on the lead veranda looked like they'd been spray painted before we reached Damems.

Speaking of, the visiting 37 at Damems loop.

Heading for the tunnel...

...and emerging from same.

Racing up through the fields between Haworth and Oxenhope.

At Oxenhope, the Deltic swapped out for a 31, and that meant I was at the tail end of the freight.

That meant some nice shots from the brake. Oakworth...

...and Damems. I've been enjoying these rides at the galas; have to make this a habit I keep up.