Miniature Railways - Colin Peake's Photographs
Sherwood Forest End-of-Season
7th October 2008
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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.
David Colley Snr with Anne at Weldale.
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Pet arrives at Loxley.
Pet arrives at Loxley.
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Lottie the Lister on the mixed set at Loxley.
Lottie the Lister on the mixed set at Loxley.
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David Snr sets off with Lottie, an interesting drive!
David Snr sets off with Lottie, an interesting drive!
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Smokey Joe and Pet at Loxley.
Smokey Joe and Pet at Loxley.
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The end of the line... literally!
The end of the line... literally!
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Pet on the mixed train at Weldale.
Pet on the mixed train at Weldale.
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Pet arrives back at Loxley again.
Pet arrives back at Loxley again.
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A rare event - Pioneer on a passenger train!
A rare event - Pioneer on a passenger train!
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Smokey Joe seen beyond Pioneer.
Smokey Joe seen beyond Pioneer.
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Pioneer after the historic first passenger run in years.
Pioneer after the historic first passenger run in years.
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Shades of the Brocklands train...
Shades of the Brocklands train...
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Pet follows Pioneer's train to pull it back.
Pet follows Pioneer's train to pull it back.
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Pet at the signal.
Pet at the signal.
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Smokey Joe exudes narrow gauge atmosphere.
Smokey Joe exudes narrow gauge atmosphere.
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Under the Treehouse, another deceptive shot!
Under the Treehouse, another deceptive shot!
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As the light fades the evening top-and-tail formation is tested.
As the light fades the evening top-and-tail formation is tested.
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Smokey Joe at Loxley after the test run.
Smokey Joe at Loxley after the test run.
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