The Diesel Gala on the Worth Valley Railway is one of those events I (Ben) always look forward to; they tend to be held in the summer, so the valley is looking at its best, there's plenty of colourful locomotives and stock (and an eccentric roster of unusual, visiting locomotives), and increased photo opportunities. Steam locomotives always face uphill (so any south-facing shot tends to be a boring, tender-first pic), but there's no such restrictions on diesels meaning a greater variety of angles to go for.
I tend to lineside on the Friday and Sunday, and ride the trains on the Saturday, but this year saw me stuck at work for a Chest Drain course. As it happened the weather was a bit poor, so I didn't feel I missed out too much. Saturday saw myself, Amy, her dad, and our Elder Child nice and early out at Ingrow to catch the train.
Locomotive Services Limited of Crewe had sent their Scotrail excursion set, which meant (on a muggy, hot day) we had the luxury of air-con, a buffet carriage, and big windows in line with the comfortable seats. I don't think British railway design has surpassed this carriage, why can't modern trains manage something to this standard?
Off at Oxenhope, and a chance for a few arty shots.
The beautifully-kept set, looking somewhat out of place at the vintage surroundings. Given these carriages are about as old as I am, the train still manages to look contemporary.
Back down to Keighley, which was incredibly busy throughout the day.
Another interesting visitor, the Rail Adventure HST's. About 10 years ago a High Speed Train visited the line, and I was stuck working and ended up missing it, so it was nice to have a chance to get some pictures of these machines, even if it is a bit of an odd livery. And another vintage design that still manages to look nice and modern.
Back up to Oxenhope.
...and back to Keighley, which (with the Scottish class 37) was managing to look a bit like Aberdeen or Inverness in the 1990's.
Back to Ingrow; as soon as you got off the air-conditioned coaches, the heat got you, so we thought we'd bail out mid-afternoon.
A quick trip into the museums at Ingrow first though.
Sunday saw me out bright and early on what promised to be a day of mixed, but generally nice, weather. The Scottish set passing north of Damems.
After a brew, it was back up to Damems itself. another photographer had beaten me to it, so I ended up on the wrong side of the level crossing, shooting into the light.
I thought I'd try an angle I went for while ago, and have the camera balanced on the gate post. Nice and dramatic, though the lighting is a little off.
The McTrain on the crossing...
...followed by the arrival of the 'Teddybear' (the nickname for the class). I wasn't too bothered about photographing this, impressive machine as it is, having got some nicer pics of it a few weeks back.
The class 14 and 20 slow for a stop at Damems.
Having had a spot of bother with the local yoofs in the woods a few weeks back, I was wary of going back in there later in the day, but there were more 'normal' people about this time. If you call paddling in a river that carries sewerage outflow normal, they clearly have more faith in Yorkshire Water's ability to not dump crap into the Worth more than I do.
And that brings to an end a great Gala event. I rather enjoyed this one, and the busy month of railway photography is nearly over, barring the Steampunk event at the Middleton Railway next weekend.
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