A visit to the Tanfield Railway

We paid a visit to the Tanfield Railway in May. It was a dual visit, partly to go to a railway I (Ben) have been wanting to go to for many years, and partly a run to get some pics for magazine articles.

We nearly came here last October, but ended up cancelling the visit as we were a bit hard-up for money that month.

Wow, am I glad we didn't come in the Autumn. Way better to come in the Spring, much better weather...

Yeah this is May. The weekend before we'd been wearing shorts in north Wales. This time, we actually had to resort to wearing gloves, and getting hot drinks at each station. 

This was one of the objects of the exercise; getting reference pics of the coaches for a piece I'm doing for British Railway Modelling.

Also a fun place to be stuck in the middle of a family argument between you, your wife, and your teenagers. Ask me how I know...

One thing I can say for Tanfield, the rolling stock is gorgeous. Not a Mark.1 coach to be seen.

Some very characterful locomotives too, but then I'm a nut for industrial machines like this RS&H shunter.

The engine shed at Marley Hill was impressive; there'll be a separate post here later on the shots taken around it. He threatens.

Loved the stations in general.

At least the weather made for some very impressive atmospheric effects.

Illustrating something of the character of the Tanfield; mixed trains, wonderfully turned-out vintage industrial locomotives, and a lovely atmosphere at the stations.

Lots of useful shots taken throughout the day, which should inform a couple of projects going forward.