Sherwood Forest End-of-Season

Miniature Railways - Colin Peake's Photographs

7th October 2008

The Sherwood Forest Railway's now traditional end of season weekend is always sure to turn out something unusual. This year was no exception, although there were no visiting locos we were treated to a couple of passenger runs by the lines latest locomotive acquisition, the 1947 petrol loco 'Pioneer', possibly for the first time in 10+ years since it ran at Brocklands, ironically with two Minirail coaches, both of which are now at the SFR.

Two trains were in operation, the Minirail pair (the third was still under restoration) and a mixed rake with the Exmoor coach and wagons. Locos took it in turns although 'Anne ' sadly had an electrical fault not resolved until late aftenoon, allowing the author to have a drive just as the public service ended!

As the light faded the coaching stock was re-marshalled and a test run made before service for invited guests started in the evening. This train was also used to plant the lanterns and candles around the railway to illuminate the line in darkness, a ride on which is truly a different experience....

Shortly after the weekend parts of four more Minirail coaches arrived at the railway, which we suspect are the remainder of the coaches built to the design.

David Colley Snr with Anne at Weldale. 640x480	Pet arrives at Loxley. 640x480	Lottie the Lister on the mixed set at Loxley. 640x480
David Snr sets off with Lottie, an interesting drive! 640x480	Smokey Joe and Pet at Loxley. 640x480	The end of the line... literally! 640x480
Pet on the mixed train at Weldale. 640x480	Pet arrives back at Loxley again. 640x480	A rare event - Pioneer on a passenger train! 640x480
Smokey Joe seen beyond Pioneer. 640x480	Pioneer after the historic first passenger run in years. 640x480	Shades of the Brocklands train... 640x480
Pet follows Pioneer's train to pull it back. 640x480	Pet at the signal. 640x480	Smokey Joe exudes narrow gauge atmosphere. 640x480
Under the Treehouse, another deceptive shot! 640x480	As the light fades the evening top-and-tail formation is tested. 640x480	Smokey Joe at Loxley after the test run. 640x480