stephenfay

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year

Now for a bit of christmas trivia, Terence Cuneo used to put a signiture mouse in all of his paintings Can you spot the Railway themed tree ornament.

can you spot the train???

I commisioned Chris at Severn mill to make me some plates this year and here they are,

4037 The South Wales Borderers

my Grandad served in this regement during world war two

She was a Newton Abbot loco and was a favorite on the Shrewsbury double home turns so would have been seen on a regular basis on the north and west route.  Not quite sure when I will have a loco built to use the plates but it will get done in the next few years.

Hope to see some of you again in the new year and hope santa brings you all what youve asked for.

On Saturday we had the unique experience of Two Steam tours on the Welsh Marches Route.

Firstly 6024 headed North then followed by Tornado which does look nice now its in the right shade of green. Sorry no pics of them.

On sunday we headed off to the Severn Valley Railway for a belated birthday dinner for my dads 60th. Our train was hauled by 80072 hired in from the llangollen for the winter period.

Once at Bridgnorth my dad got one of his mates to take us around the shed

7812 resting on shed

me and the old man on the footplate of the caley

43106 simmering at bridgnorth

Its probably been 20 years since I last walked around the shed and its interesting to see right inside where all the work takes place.

I will try and get back up for the spring gala to see 828 in Steam.

Hi

As you all probably know up untill recently my Dad had a Railway museum in Griffithstown situated in a GWR goods shed.

The whole site is now ear marked for redevelopment,  Next to the museum is the original Station building which was untill recently home to a builders office. This staion building is going to be demolished.

I have been in direct contact with the local council who have agreed subject to a local consultation that the station could be removed to a heritage railway.

The council are keen to see the building stay in Wales but if a credible offer comes from out side then I cant see this being a problem.

The council have said there would be no charge for the station as the ground will need to be cleared any way.

If there are volunteers from any heritage Railway with the man power and infastructure to remove the building then they need to make a formal application to Torfaen County borough Councils asset managements department,  All these details I have.

I also have a band of volunteers ready to assist to save this historical building built in 1879.

Panteg & Griffithstown Station

a three quater view

On the platform side the full canopy is still in place.

I hope this is of interest

If theres any one on this forum that volunteers or works for the Llangollen Steam railway please could PM me as I have some information you might be interested in.

I cannot go public with it just yet.

Many Thanks

Steve Fay

1369 at totnes

run around at totnes

5526 at totnes

a view across Broadsands beach

run around at buckfastleigh

lined black manor at Paignton

Here are a few pics from my recent break in Devon, A trip to the South devon with the delightful little out side cylinder pannier 1369 and 4575 Prarie.  This is a cracking little line full of branch line atmosphere and the kids loved the petting farm at totnes more than the zoo.

You can see why the Great Western promoted south Devon as the English Riviera with a view across broadsands beach with a train making its way back to Paignton. I didnt take a trip on the Paignton and Dartmouth this time but managed to see the Manor at Paignton in glorious lined black. I think this livery is under used on ex GWR locos I know most prefer Green but a few in black cant be bad.

Hope you enjoy.

tender first with Paul Hanna in the background

46521 leaving the Avenue

climbing the bank with Pete working on the shed

rolling through brinklow

6023 at Leamington Station

Loco change

Two Kings at Leamington

A few pictures from my recent trip to Leamington.  With thanks to Pete and Dave for another cracking video.

5043 mechanical lubricator

6023 mechanical lubricator

A couple of close up pictures just for you Paul.

a pheonix from the ashes

Collett auto with two suoer saloons

The Earl being prepared to work back to Tysley

what a pair

king and castle

ROD Mogul

5043 Earl of mount Edgcumbe

Forget the royal wedding this was the royal event of the year, 6023 was finally put back into traffic yesterday at Didcot.

Its been 20 years since I last visited and I wont leave it that long again. They have such a wonderful collection of locomotives and coaches at Didcot and you get a good feel of how a working shed would have been.

Work is continuing on Pendennis Castle, I wasnt born when she left for Australia so im looking forward to seeing her in steam for the first time. Work also continues on the saint the county and they have officially launched a plan to build a Churchward 47xx, now that will be special.

A king in Blue? well for me YES I think she looks ‘brilliant’ ( said in a strong Welsh accent) im looking forward to seeing her up the severn valley in september for the autumn gala.

lionheart 64 xx on a push pull working

Petes Cambrian 0.6.0 on a goods working

lightning in the up goods loop after failing on the capitols united

Petes king gets an interegional express away from Leamington

How Do every one,

A few pics from a recent visit to Leamington. Unfortunatley my Brit and King didnt perform very well due to the settings on the digital chips which have now been altered, so a better performance next time.

Hopefully our own Cooperman will have some better pics and a video for us all to see soon.

Once again thank you Pete, look forward to seeing Leamington again soon.

heljan class 20 weathered by fred lewis

heljan class 20 weathered by adrian butler

both these models are for sale from my dads model shop GRM Models in Griffithstown railway museum.tel 01495762908 the first is 20030 and the second is 20040.

they are £435 each or £800 the pair.