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Day 6

A cloudy and humid day with some sunshine this afternoon. Lots of driving today. Set out from Kidderminster and after a break en-route Allan visited a model railway shop at Hensall. The station is on the line from Doncaster to Goole. We then headed towards York. As we were running early for check in we took a Park and Ride bus into York for a quick look round prior to our full day visit tomorrow to go round the National Railway Museum.

Hensall station

First look at York.  Spot the ESNG Chairman in full holiday dress!!

Day 5

Another hot sunny day. Took a 5 minute drive to the Severn Valley Railway’s Kidderminster Station. Took train to Bridgnorth had a drink and returned to Highley were we visited their Engine House Visitors Centre and cafe. We had a snack on their first floor veranda looking over the track across the Severn Valley. Then we returned to Bridgnorth for another break before the train returned to Kidderminster. From leaving Kidderminster and returning took 6 1/2 hours

Severn Valley Railway

Highley Engine House

Allan had a moment of fame! (Nice carriages, too.)

Walking back to the van at Kidderminster Station there is a long stretch of 5 inche track. With a memory garden. There was this sign.

Ron had a pint!!!!!

Day 4

Ron says…..

Yet another hot sunny day. We drove today from Ilminster, Somerset to Kidderminster, Worcestershire visiting the Gloucester and Wawickshire Railway where we had a 2 1/2 hour trip Toddington – Cheltemham – Broadway -Toddington. 

And Allan adds…..

A fantastic place to visit. One on my bucket list.

Trains by Allan….

Mainly scenery by Ron…..

And the usual toilet picture from Ron….

Seen in gents toilet at Cheltenham Racecourse Station

As a break from the Dawes tourism, here’s a railway they didn’t get to…..  Brian on the Isle of Wight Steam Railway.

Just been to the Terrier weekend on the IOW, brilliant to see the real locos in action

Wonderful little locos!

Day 3

Another hot sunny day. Drove to Paignton for a return trip on Paignton and Devon Steam Railway to Kingswear and then a ferry to Dartmouth. Now sitting on Buckfastleigh station for return trip on South Devon Railway.

View from Paignton railway. You can just make out 2 mothballed cruise ships in Torbay.

Kingswear, harbour, ferry and marina

Train leaving Paignton main line station and the US engine outside Paignton steam Railway station.

And the trains on the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway.

Then on to the Dart valley, and the South Devon Railway.  Maxine and I visited a few years ago – I’d last been there when it was the Dart Valley Railway, and was about to open as a preserved line.  Dates me a bit…..

It’s holiday time for the Dawes brothers.  As Switzerland is off limits, they headed westward on a tour of heritage railways.  They’ve sent me the usual snaps, so my blogging holiday will sort of stop, with these easy to write posts!  Day 1, not much to report….

Having delivered the cats to the cattery we set out for the South West to our first stop at Ilminster. We suffered heavy traffic and delays on M25 and M3 and finally on A303 passing Stonehenge. Currently enjoying meal and a pint in a pub just outside Ilminster. Sorry no photos today.

Day 2, a visit to the Seaton tramway….

A hot sunny day. Took a 45 minutes drive to Seaton, where using our pre-paid tickets we took 3 round trips on the Seaton Tramway to Colyton, where on our 3rd round trip we enjoyed pre paid Devon Cream Teas.

Devon Cream Tea. Should I have put the cream or jam on first?

Obvious.  You’re in Devon, so jam first.  Cornwall, cream first.

Some trams….

Colyton Station

The excellent webcam of the line.  Worth a look!

dig

And the lovely Axe estuary.  They’ve got the right weather for it!