31452 was the visiting loco, courtesy of British-American Railways and SERCO and 47765 was debuting whilst 37248 was making its last appearance before going off to Glos and Warks Heritage Railway. Wow didn't 31452 look splendid after its re-paint in the afternoon sunshine

A really sunny morning produced some stunning results of 25035, 45133, 50008, D9009 and peds 31108 and 31276. Another superb gala it was a pity the sun didn't stay out longer into the afternoon

A smashing diesel gala with 56086 and 56040 stealing the show. I attended on the Sunday and with glorious sunshine throughout the day was fantastic. The odd hiccup with 47640 and 56040 suffering failures only added to the excitement of the day

A great weekend saw 47292 and 56097 working all services t'n't on GCRN. Thanks to the guys at GCRN for changing round the locos on Sunday from Saturday so that both locos had a turn in leading to Loughborough. Both locos looked and sounded magnificent. Bring on the gala in October 2009

Spent a long weekend out near Sheringham and took the opportunity to photograph 24081 working a number of services on NNR. This was the 24's first visit to the Heritage Line and was mainly there to work the last 2 services of the day and 2 goods trains during the Sunday afternoon from end of July and August. Luckily for me on the Sunday I was there it was deputising for a non available steam loco on the red timetable but the goods workings were cancelled

Courtesy of the National Railway Museum and the custodians at GCR PLC at Loughborough and with the help of David Clarke Railway Trust, Class 04 N0 63601, the last remaining GCR locomotive in steam in the world came to the Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre to commemorate the opening of a new platform. Platform No. 1 is a massive effort over a 6 year period by GCRN volunteers led by Project Director Peter Wilson, funded by volunteers through LNER GC Heritage Trust and Main Line Steam Trust (now DCRT) which invested over £75,000 in this high quality facility, worth well over £300,000.

Deltic D9009 made its debut on Nene Valley Railway at the Rail Mail weekend gala. The loco performed splendidly and looked superb on the TPO and passenger services. I went across to Peterborough on the Sunday and it was a shame the weather wasn't more kind

47843'Vulcan' collected D7629, 47292, and 37248 from East Leake Gypsum sidings on 1.7.09 having arrived with Western D1062 from Kidderminster (SVR) Aftyer a lengthy stay at Rushcliffe Halt station at 1615 0Z49 1630 East Leake Gypsum - East Lancs Railway departed via Loughborough -Leicester - Loughborough giving various opportunities for photos

The highlight for me of the event was seeing 37152 re-painted in Railfreight livery. It looked awesome and is a ctredit to John Ball and his team. Thoroughly enjoyable day as ever with great afternoon weather and thanks to Jackie, MD of Peak Rail for letting me go lineside at Rowsley

Best diesel gala so far with visiting guest locos GBRf 66731 and the Growler Group's 37248 in West Coast livery. 47292 had been re-painted into large logo blue livery and looked splendid. Nine loco's in total were used over the two days. Not bad for a small preserved line!

Called in at Wensley to phot 47703 working a passenger service in connection with the Dales Festival of Food and Drink taking place over the May Day Bank Holiday weekend. Nice spot for the morning service from Redmire and if only the sun had shone it would have been superb

Just a couple of images from the diesel gala of the Rat and Grid on the sunday morning. Lucky on the Class 25 image with the sun but not with the Class 56. Our weather is great!

A couple of images of 20154 working on GCRN on Sunday 19 April 2009. This was its first Sunday working of the year

A few pics of 31101 which was working all services on Sunday 29 March 2009, the first weekend of the new season. Close up of 56098 and 25067 which will be the stars of the April 2009 diesel gala

A great day again at the NVR with guests 27056, 37667 and 66732 along with the home fleet. Sun in the morning then a lucky break in the clouds in the afternoon when the 2 tractors, 37518 & 37667, worked together back to Wansford

56097 made its debut in preservation at this gala and didn't it look the business. A cracking gala and well done to all involved in producing the best yet

Friday was guest diesel day with 20069 from Mid Norfolk Railway, 25057 from North Norfolk Railway and 'home' 37518 looking superb in its Railfreight livery complete with Thornaby Kingfisher motif working 6 round services between them.

A beautifully sunny weekend so took the opportunity to see 47635 running on Peak Rail since its move from the Swanage Railway on the Sunday. Excellent day and a well run gala. Surely D8' Penyghent' must be the most immaculate preserved loco in the country

Spent an enjoyable time at Kelling Heath for a few days on holiday and managed to get some pictures of Class 31 No 31207 which was running only on Saturday 6 September 2008. Enjoyed my time both riding behind the 31 and photographing the line

E6016 (73110) was making its debut at the GCRN railway following its move from Peak Rail at Cheddleton. The ED looked and sounded great and was a joy to photograph. Other workers were D8007, D8154, 25279 and 47292. 20154 (D8154) had received a new yellow front end and fitted snowplough. A really good day, well done all.

Another fantastic gala from CVR with guest loco's D8001, D9016 and 73138 providing the spectacle. 37075 looked great after its re-paint into Thornaby depot style livery with Kingfisher emblem. Just a shame the sun couldn't shine on the friday.

37905 made its debut at the diesel gala with the highlight on Sunday afternoon when it double headed with 37227 the 1600 service to Shenton. Aweswome power and noise! Another very good event with something for all including 03/04 shunter haulage

A splendid day as ever on the GWR where thwe sun was mixed in with some April showers. Guest loco 27066 looked the part and D4095 added something different to the event. Well done to all those hard working unsung folk

Another excellent Diesel Gala - they just seem to get better!! Weather was a bit mixed but 24081 was my personal favourite. 47270 looked magnificent following its re-paint into BR blue whilst another guest 27066 took me back to the 80's. GBRf kindly sent 66727 along for today's enthusiast which was certainly appreciated

D8007 was making its debut at GCRN along with stalwarts D8048, D8154, 47292 and D7629. A good day with D8007 double heading with D8048, a first for the line. Bring on the 37 and 56 at the next gala

Picked the right day for sunny weather to see 37518 making it's preservation debut. Pity it clouded up in the afternoon though. However the tractor was awesome. Well done to all in getting the loco ready for the gala

31270 looked magic in Regional Railways colours with the added bonus of on one side being painted as 31421 Wigan Pier. D8 Penyghent was my favourite with its new yellow front end and red sole bar. Good day all round, pity not much sun - how many times is that now this year!

Another great diesel gala at The Battlefield Line. 47640 repainted fron 47244 into large logo livery and named University of Strathclyde looked awesome while the paint brushes were out on 31101 returning the loco to its Bescot pet colours days with red stripe round the cab. All loco's worked and its never a disapointment to visit this line.

47292 made its preservation passenger debut on Sunday at the GCRN gala working tnt with D7629 and the Gatwick stock. D8154 and D8048 were in use tnt on the other train. This was a forerunner for the bigger gala in October 2007

D8048 made its debut on Sunday 5 August on GCRN since returning from GCR Loughborough. This is the second stint that D8048 has worked out of Ruddington but should see more work that previously