At Charmouth beach in Dorset on a fine summers evening. Gentle waves disturb the pebbles.

A summer evening at Charmouth beach

USA S160 No 6046 at the Nene Valley Railway
At Hallett's Halt adjacent to the Mailbag apparatus and close to the entrance of the 616 yards long Wansford Tunnel. No. 6046, having uncoupled from the coaches, runs round it's train. The locomotive sits with it's brake pump panting rythmically whilst the fireman trudges to the ground frame and inserts the key to unlock the points. As the S160 pulls back to cross over, the safety valves lift with a roar. The train then passes noisily to connect back up to it's train.

USA S160 No 6046 At Hallett's Halt Near The Entrance To Wansford Tunnel

At the Weekend On The Continent Event on the Nene Valley Railway

USA S160 No 6046 approaches then slows for the speed restriction over the River Nene bridge at Lynch wood. After crossing the River the train accelerates away towards Wansford with a train from Peterborough NVR.

At the Weekend On The Continent Event on the Nene Valley Railway

A Class 66 locomotive No 66711 heads towards Peterborough with a long train of containers to the accompaniment of fine spring bird song.

Freight Train at Aliwal Lane Crossing, Whittlesea

The sun has come out on this Easter Sunday morning in the Chilterns. At Chinnor Station ex Great Western Railway No.1369 an ex GWR 0-6-0 Pannier Tank steam locomotive is running the service. No.1369 is a survivor of the six engines of this type built at Swindon Works in 1934. She belongs to the South Devon Railway.

It is an idylic scene at Chinnor, faintly heard above the spring birdsong ex GWR 0-6-0 Pannier Tank No.1369 approaches from Princes Risborough. The sounds of the approaching engine are masked by the adjacent road bridge. No.1369 bursts into view and squeals to a stop.

No.1369 is uncoupled from the train and the signalman locks the foot crossing gates and walks past to his box climbing the short flight of stairs and shutting the door. He sets the road for the sidings where No.1369 will take on water and run round her train. After the engine has passed he then unlocks the foot crossing gates once again and then returns to his box.

Signal levers are heard and then a toot from the Diesel Shunter ex BR 0-6-0 Class 08 Diesel Loco No.D3018. The shunter passes by and buffers up to the waiting coaches with a hiss of the brakes, its English Electric 6 cylinder 6KT engine throbbing rythmically.

0-6-0 Pannier Tank No.1369 fed and watered returns from the sidings with it’s train. The platforms are busy with expectant passengers.

The Guard blows his whistle and No.1369 answers before heading past and away under the road bridge towards Princes Risborough. A rather watery whistle echoes over the Chiltern Hills.


Easter event at Chinnor

At the Cholsey and Wallingford Railway, a 2½ mile branchline that links the historic riverside town of Wallingford with the Great Western mainline at Cholsey.

Beside an occupational crossing on the Wallingford Branch. Peckett 0-4-0 ST 'Ivor The Engine' is heard approaching over the bypass crossing and whistling past with two chocolate and cream coaches for Cholsey.

Returning from Cholsey 'Ivor The Engine' passes noisily and hurries away over the road crossing towards Wallingford. A car shows it's appreciation as the warning sirens sound.

At Wallingford Station Ex British Railways class 08 Diesel Shunter No.D3030 'Lion' is heard idling in the siding as Peckett 0-4-0 ST 'Ivor The Engine' returns from Cholsey and slows to a stop at the platform to the accompaniment of some fine spring birdsong. 'Lion'
then approaches from the sidings to withdraw the two coaches further down the line.

Coupled up to the coaches 'Lion' removes the coaches to allow the run round manouvre.

'Ivor The Engine' then extracts itself from the platform and heads away to wait in the siding.

'Lion' returns the coaches to the platform and uncouples for the penultimate run round manouvre.

'Ivor The Engine' returns from the siding to couple back up to it's train and the manouvre is complete. There is some hilarity with the crew as someone gets a faceful of water from the water hose.

Finally the train is assembled and the Water Tank cover closed with a clang. A whistle from 'Ivor The Engine' and the train is away for another journey down the 2½ mile branch to Cholsey Station.


Easter event at the Cholsey And Wallingford Railway

Fine spring bird song mingles with the sound of an approaching train. L.M.S Class 5 (Black Five) 4-6-0 No.45305 pulls into the station with a squeal on the brakes. After station duties are completed the engine makes a spirited getaway towards Loughborough.

A mixed goods train arrives headed by British Railways Class 2 2-6-0 No.78019, slowing and then shuddering to a buffer clanging stop. After a brief pause the train departs for Quorn and Woodhouse.

An approaching train is heard faintly on the breeze and the station bell sounds to herald it's arrival. 92220 'Evening Star' whistles and with L.M.S Class 2 2-6-0 No.46521 at the rear shuffles through the station from the sidings with an empty coaching stock movement before halting at signals. A vintage Lanchester car is heard heading for home. G.W.R Hall Class 4-6-0 No.6960 'Raveningham Hall' is also heard approaching. No.6960 resplendent with an 'Inter City' headboard arrives with the train for Leicester North. Some wood pigeons are heard rustling in the conifers opposite. After a short stop 'Raveningham Hall' heads powerfully away over the foot crossing. 'Evening Star' and No.46521 then depart with the ECS.

Railway's at Work event at Rothley on the Great Central Railway

L.M.S 8F Class 2-8-0 No.48624 brings a service from Leicester North into Quorn and Woodhouse, halting with a screech from the brakes. Passengers alight. Moments later on the adjacent platform L.M.S Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No.45305 rolls in with a service for Leicester North. Doors slam and children run around exitedly. The fireman can be heard shovelling coal onto the fire. 
No.48624 is heard departing for Loughborough then the right away is given for No.45305 and it beats strongly away towards Rothley and Leicester North.

A breezy May afternoon at the Great Central Railway

It is a changeable day weather wise with hot spring sunshine intermingled with cloud that brings a cold chill on the stiff breeze that blows strongly across the railway.

At Rushey Lane in a field adjacent to the overbridge near Swithland Reservoir. The spring sun is very warm and a  strong breeze has got up, rustling the trees in the woods opposite. Former L.M.S Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No.5305 (British Railways No.45305) heads past light engine under the bridge and away towards Rothley. Someone gets busy with a chainsaw in the nearby wood.

The breeze carries the faint sounds of a hard working engine approaching from Rothley. L.M.S 8F Class 2-8-0 No.48624 bursts out from under the bridge and away round the curve towards Quorn and Woodhouse with a train for Loughborough.

Class 31 No.D5830 painted in an early experimental livery of 'Golden Ochre' sounds a warning, heads past under the bridge towards Rothley with a service for Leicester North.

Former L.M.S Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No.45305 heads back light engine towards Quorn and Woodhouse.

Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No.45305 returns light engine once again heading past and scampering away towards Rothley before whistling a warning.

Moving now to Quorn and Woodhouse Station..
At Quorn and Woodhouse Station, the breeze is really strong now as Class 31 No.D5830 resplendant in it's 'Golden Ochre' livery arrives at Quorn and Woodhouse from Leicester North and squeaks to a stop.

L.M.S 8F Class 2-8-0 No.48624 announces its approach to Quorn and Woodhouse followed by the Station Master's warning. The coupling rods clank as the train squeals to a stand. After platform duties are completed the train gets the right away and purposefully heads away towards Rothley and Leicester North.

Stanier Class 5 4-6-0 No.45305 runs straight through Quorn and Woodhouse station with a Dining Train for Loughborough.

The Great Central Railway on a breezy spring afternoon

It is a tranquil scene at Market Bosworth Station. The sun shines and spring birdsong fills the air as ex G.W.R Class 2884 2-8-0 Heavy freight locomotive No.3803 whistles in the far distance. After a lengthy pause, punctuated with birdsong, the train arrives, shattering the peace at the country station. The huge locomotive, on loan from the South Devon Railway, is in immaculate condition. Burning coals spill out from underneath the engine and smoulder on the sleepers as the powerful engine gets the train underway, and heads towards the end of the line at Shackerstone. The Station Master steps off the platform onto the track, dousing the smoking coals with a bucket of water as the train is heard accelerating away into the distance.

Tranquil scene at Market Bosworth Station

A Steam Lorry passes through the village behind the station. Soon after the sounds of 'Northern Gas Board No.1' are faintly heard as it returns to Cholsey with the last train of the day. As it rounds the curve a Class 165 Turbo races through the station disturbing some leaves on the platform. Wheels squeak on rail as it slows and sighs to a stop in the Bay platform. Cholsey Station staff chat to the train crew about the Bank Holiday arrangements as 'Northern Gas Board No.1' is uncoupled and pulls forward to the buffers. Points are changed, and the loco then reverses to run round it's train. Another Class 165 Turbo disturbs the scene as it races past towards London with a service from Oxford. The loco safety valves lift with a roar as the engine backs up the line. Points are changed once more and the engine returns to buffer up and couple up to the carriages. Another Class 165 Turbo heads for Oxford. Once the coaches are hooked up, carriage doors are closed, and the crew await the arrival of a connecting service approaching from Didcot. Once this has departed the Guard gives the right away. The crew are busy on the engine and don't respond so he whistles impatiently twice more. The Driver raises his hand and the tiny locomotive, dwarfed by it's two coaches, wheezes unhappily before getting the train on the move and onto the Wallingford Branch. An excited boy advises his Dad of an approaching engine, one of the newly introduced Class 70 Freightliner locomotives No.70807, hauling a short freight towards Didcot.

Wallingford Bunk Line at Cholsey Station

After the previous days rain it is a warm overcast day at Chinnor. Ex G.W.R 0-6-0 Pannier Tank No.1369 is on duty today on the 7 mile round trip between Chinnor and Thame Junction. We hear the engine from opposite Bledlow Cricket Ground in a field of peas.
It's a very English scene in the pea field as No.1369 is heard faintly approaching from the direction of Thame Junction. The Cricket match is in full flow and spectators relax by the pavillion. The sound of willow on leather is heard as the train whistles at the various foot crossings. The train slows as it crosses West Lane bridge then, after whistling merrily for the cricketers, opens up for the ascent of the bank leading up towards Wainhill Crossing and Chinnor.

Cricket and Peas at Bledlow

The North Norfolk Railway offers a 10.5 mile round trip by steam and vintage diesel trains through a delightful area of North Norfolk. There are stations at Sheringham, Weybourne, Kelling Heath Park and Holt.

BR Standard Class 9F No.92203 'Black Prince' returns from Holt as L.N.E.R B12 4-6-0 No.8572 waits to depart after arriving from Sheringham. The signals clear and No.8572 whistles, then makes a spirited departure, the sounds of its exhaust echoing off the surroundings as the signal arm returns to danger. 

LNER B12 No.8572 on the Poppy Line at Weybourne Station

On the Dartmouth Steam Railway in Devon.
It is a glorious summers day near Broadsands. The sea is sparkling in the distance and seagulls wheel overhead. The sounds of a hard working engine are carried on the breeze mingling with the sounds of crickets in the dry grass. Rounding the curve G.W.R 7800 Class No.7827 'Lydham Manor' heads powerfully past, climbing up the gradient and over Hookhills Viaduct towards Churston with a train for Kingswear.

In a field overlooking Hookhills Viaduct an engine is faintly heard approaching up the steep gradient from Goodrington Sands. G.W.R 7800 Class No.7827 'Lydham Manor' appears from the trees and heads past towards Churston with a Kingswear train.

G.W.R 7800 Class No.7820 'Dinmore Manor' coasts down the gradient towards Goodrington Sands whistling as it passes, it's coupling rods ringing as it slows prior to the station stop.

Nearer to Goodrington by the lineside a train is faintly heard calling at Goodrington Sands. The train gets the right away after picking up some passengers and G.W.R 7800 Class No.7820 'Dinmore Manor' punches past up the gradient towards its next call at Churston, the sounds echoing off the surroundings. Children can be heard having fun at the nearby Splashdown Waterpark Quaywest.

On The Dartmouth Steam Railway at Hookhills Viaduct and Goodrington Sands

The signal is heard clearing and 'Black Prince' whistles an acknowledgement before beating powerfully away towards Holt. The signal drops back to danger. A Brush type two class 31 locomotive, No.D5631 is heard idling in the background.

Black Prince on the North Norfolk Railway at Weybourne

British Railways 4MT 2-6-0 No.76084 gives a wonderful whistle then makes a rousing, surefooted departure towards Holt. The signal arm returns to danger with a clatter.

British Railways 4MT 2-6-0 No.76084 departs from Weybourne

L.M.S Class '3F' 'Jinty' 0-6-0T No.47406 heads a freight past towards Rothley as G.W.R 'Hall' Class 4-6-0 No.6990 'Witherslack Hall' whistles, then sure-footedly takes her train away in true G.W.R fashion towards Leicester North.

'Witherslack Hall' at the GCR Autumn Steam Gala

L.M.S Class 5 'Black Five' 4-6-0 No.45305 stands at Quorn & Woodhouse station patiently awaiting the right away. Eventually the guard sounds his whistle and the magnificent locomotive replies with a whistle before beating strongly away towards Leicester North. The signal arm returns to danger and bells are heard in the signal box opposite.

L.M.S Class 5 'Black Five' departs for Leicester North

L.M.S Class 5 (Black Five) 4-6-0 No.45305 is heard approaching Quorn and Woodhouse along with the sound of bells in the signal box and a motorcycle in the station yard. The locomotive hauling 'The Elizabethan' Dining train, slows, then opens up, before powerfully accelerating away towards Leicester North.  You can just hear 0-4-0 Peckett 'Teddy' whistling on the Mountsorrel Branch in the distance.

No.45305 returns with 'The Elizabethan' Dining train and with coupling rods ringing slows through the station before whistling and heading purposefully away towards Rothley. The Signal wires are heard as the semaphore returns to danger.

No.45305 arrives at Quorn and Woodhouse with the last train of the day. The fireman is heard shovelling coal into the firebox. The guard whistles the right away and the imposing black liveried locomotive slips slightly before hurrying away into the fading light towards its next stop at Rothley.

Black Five on the Great Central Railway at Quorn And Woodhouse

It is a freezing cold day at the Great Central Railways final special event of 2015. The wind chill was face numbing and I sought shelter from the gusting wind in the lee of a large railway crane in the station yard.

L.M.S Class 5 'Black Five' 4-6-0 No.45305 gets the right away and heads purposefully away towards Leicester North. Dried leaves are heard blowing along the yard.

Great Northern Railway 'N2' Class 0-6-2T No.1744 gives a watery whistle and heads rather wheezily away towards Leicester North.

L.M.S Class 5 'Black Five' 4-6-0 No.45305 whistles, then heads powerfully away towards Leicester North.

L.M.S Class 5 'Black Five' 4-6-0 No.45305 is heard once more, this time departing energetically and whistling gaily on its way to Rothley.

BR Standard Class '9F' 2-10-0 No.92214 gives a long whistle before making a rousing departure for Leicester North. Bells are heard in the signal box.

Class 31 No.D5830, a Brush Type 2 in experimental Golden Ochre livery gives a good old fashioned BR Horn and heads past towards Leicester North with Great Northern Railway 'N2' Class 0-6-2T No.1744 unhappily bringing up the rear.

G.W.R Modified 'Hall' Class 4-6-0 No.6990 'Witherslack Hall' pulls into Quorn and Woodhouse with a groan. After a brief station stop the magnificent engine beats strongly away towards Leicester North. Bells are heard in the signal box once more.

L.M.S Class 5 'Black Five' 4-6-0 No.45305 with a late afternoon service for Leicester North.

Last train of the day for me, I was frozen, BR Standard Class '9F' 2-10-0 No.92214 shows its muscle and heads briskly away towards Leicester North as the light fades.

Chilly 'Last Hurrah' at Quorn and Woodhouse

It is a mild and sunny day at Quorn and Woodhouse on the Great Central Railway. Two Locomotives are in service today running Christmas trains, namely L.M.S Class 5 'Black Five' 4-6-0 No.45305 and BR Standard Class '9F' 2-10-0 No.92214.

BR Standard Class '9F' 2-10-0 No.92214 complete with blue 'The Asbergers Flyer' headboard gets a rapid start from Quorn and Woodhouse station and hurries away towards Leicester North, the sounds echoing off the surrounding buildings.

BR Standard Class '9F' 2-10-0 No.92214 returns from Leicester North. A member of the Station staff is heard calling out destinations. L.M.S Class 5 'Black Five' 4-6-0 No.45305 arrives from Rothley and squeals to a stand, followed by more announcements. No.92214 gets the right away first and answers with a toot on the whistle, it's sounds are muffled as it passes under the road bridge. A whistle is then heard from No.45305 and it beats strongly away past the signal box. A squeak of signal wires is heard as the signal returns to danger.

Recorded from a very soggy field on the opposite side of the line, the water can be heard soaking into the sodden grass. L.M.S Class 5 'Black Five' 4-6-0 No.45305 arrives from Leicester North and clatters over the points past the signal box. A motorcycle passes over the road bridge as BR Standard Class '9F' 2-10-0 No.92214 arrives from Loughborough and stands waiting for platform duties to be completed. No.45305 heads away its sounds muffled by the road bridge. No.92214 acknowledges the whistle and accelerates away towards Leicester North.

L.M.S Class 5 'Black Five' 4-6-0 No.45305 stands at Quorn and Woodhouse station. The safety valves lift and Steam shoots high into the blue sky. The 'right away' whistle is heard and the black liveried locomotive makes a spirited start and powers away past the signal box and away to Leicester North.


'Black Five' and '9F' on The Great Central Railway

3205 was built by the G.W.R in Swindon in 1946 and is the sole surviving member of the 120-strong 2251 class of locomotives designed by C. B. Collett. They had a fine turn of speed and G.W.R enginemen nicknamed them 'Baby Castles'

At a cold and drizzly Shackerstone Station on the Battlefield Line G.W.R Collett 2251 Class 0-6-0 No.3205 arrives with a train from Shenstone and screeches to a stop. This is No.3205's last weekend on the line before it's return to the South Devon Railway. After being uncoupled we hear No.3205 runnning round it's train in preparation for another trip up the line. The other locomotive, The Furness Railway Trust's Austerity 0-6-0ST 'Cumbria' was due to be sharing todays duties, but is having a bit of bother, and is still stuck in the shed receiving some attention. After coupling up, the fine looking locomotive makes a strangely lacklustre departure and the fading sounds are interspersed with the passing by of impatient photographers.

A cold and drizzly New Year Steam Event on The Battlefield Line

My name is Gary Ladds; I am 57 years old and live in Cambridgeshire. My interest in railways was started by my Grandad who, when I was a small child used to take me to watch steam trains pass by on the Great Northern Railway. Later I watched the BR blue Diesels pass by on the same line. This interest has stayed with me all through my life. The interest in sound recording was down to one man, Peter Handford. It was a chance purchase of an ASV Transacord vinyl LP ‘This is York’ in the local ‘Boots’ back in 1978 that sparked things off. Hi-Fi record decks were the in thing then, and combined with a good pair of Sennheiser headphones I was transported back in time. I collected a few other railway recordings throughout the late 1970’s including some of the superb recordings made by Brad Miller of Mobile Fidelity, before other distractions took over. In 1981 after re-visiting the records, I had an idea that I would like to be able to record the sounds of railways myself. Early ventures were mixed. The only equipment I had was a Sony Walkman and a cheap stereo microphone, but, it got me out there doing it and I tried again in 2000 with a JVC Minidisk and a slightly better mic. This was a slight improvement but I needed to invest in better gear. Again it went on the backburner until 2013 when I realised I really must do something about this before it was too late and these are the results.

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