Today it struggled to get light. We were out before dawn and had our mile or so wander along the estuary. Horrible it was….misty coolish rain but lots of birds hiding in the murk. I’m pretty sure there are a couple of Eider Ducks now. I’m here for a good while so will wait for an early high tide and wrapped in thermals and a duvet jacket I’ll hide myself and the dogs under the poncho and try for some ducky snaps.
We went down to the station at Ravenglass to see the start of the seasons steaming of steam locomotives. Only the one today but I love these. If I were a rich man I’d purchase one and a Showman's Traction Engine and an ERA……the latter is a car but if one were rich…… What the Hell!
The feeders are starting to do brisk business but the photos were middling at best so I’ll wait for a brighter day for birdy pictures. This post is all Northern Rock.
It was a bit chilly today so poor Northern Rock was enveloped in condensing steam.
This is a great narrow gauge railway. if you would like to know more about gauges then have a look at MARK’S problems and solutions.
I’m trying to post, eat my supper, watch the rugby and dream of steam…………………Multi- tasking….You Bet!…..It’s easy. Just don’t be afraid to show ones feminine side. Ladies are human too. One chromosome surely can’t make that much difference……Oh Yes It Can.
That’s all for today.
If I had to guess then I'd agree with you that the chunky thing is related to the vacuum brake, as it seems to be in roughly the right position, i.e. attached to one of the boiler pipes just before it would enter the smokebox. A wonderful loco no matter what it is though.
ReplyDeleteMark, you would be in one of your many elements here. If you come up then check first that the trains are running.
DeleteIf you buy your twelve pound return ticket and take it to the signal box on the right in the photo then they will swap it for a footplate pass.
Lovely post Adrian, i understand what you say about the joints. I get more enjoyment out of watching steam trains, than a trip on one. I think it's seeing the the wheels turning and the connecting rods going in and out.
ReplyDeletepeter
Peter, they are wonderful. they run alternate services with steam and diesel. It's still worth the trip up here.
DeleteOh yes. One chromosome changed the whole world for ever. Look at it this way for every 1 billion men then are 1 billion extra chromosomes for the other species. Size matters.
ReplyDeleteJust anticipating many great railway photos and ducks and .... It's going to be a Good Month. I can feel it.
There is/was what I always assumed to be an ERA Cobra replica somewhere around Napier. It is a fearsome beast. You would just love the Art Deco weekend with all the steam traction engines and hundreds of vintage/veteran cans in mint condition. One of the beauties of Napier is that many cars from the 1930/40s are still in everyday or at least weekend use.
AS I have mentioned before, I regret never having been to New Zealand
DeletePhotos are weather dependant. The cameras and lenses are water resistant but the flash isn't.
What an awesome little train. I'll bet it's fun to get a ride on it.
ReplyDeleteIt is a grand trip Horst....beautiful scenery.
DeleteI don't think there are very many males who do not like steam trains! When I want some very easy book I find books on steam railways.
ReplyDeleteRed, I too used to enjoy Thomas the Tank Engine......Only kidding!
DeleteA deadly place to take a camera Adrian, I wouldn't get out for hours. Have you been to the Great Dorset Steam Fair? Now that is something that needs two days worth. Hope the camper isn't too expensive to fix!
ReplyDeleteSteam engines always remind me of my dad, he was crazy about them. We visited lots of little railways in Britian in the early 70's, I'm not sure if this one was included or not. (I can't tell one from another with most of them...)
ReplyDeleteSolid machine ... even more so than the Bank with the same name !!
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