An English Interlude &

 Why I married someone from Ramsbottom!

Five months since I last posted, yikes!!!!!

Thought I would share a few photos from our Christmas trip to the UK.

Approximately 10:30 on Christmas eve 2013 at Ramsbottom Station, Lancashire UK it was all go on the East Lancashire Railway (and it a was bl###y cold 2 or 3 degrees C!) as the two Santa Specials passed at the only place on the line they could. The East Lancashire Railway http://www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk/ operates between Bury and Rawtenstall. 

Both trains were operating in push/pull mode with diesels connected at the Bury end.

The 2-6-0 61994 (The Great Marquess) is a K4 built by the LNER in 1938 and was heading to the end of the line at Rawtenstall.

The 2-6-4 tank loco 80080 (BR Standard Class 4) was getting it easy on the rear end and being pulled back to Bury.

For those that take an interest in cricket the Ramsbottom Cricket Club http://www.ramsbottomcc.com/  is just to the left of 80080 (photo below) and over the years has employed several Australian cricketers including Ian Chappell, Michael Clarke, Brad Hodge & Alex Doolan as the club’s professional.

 

Well I'm sure that's enough holiday photos to send everyone off to sleep!

Now back to the NSWGR; the IDR CW mentioned in the last post it is now complete and will be included in the next post .

Until then I hope you enjoy the photos.