Portsmouth Historic Dockyard - A Celebration of Steam - May 2007
Yo Ho Ho and a Bottle of Rum.....
Well, I didn't see any rum (during the day), but there was an
inordinate amount of activity for steamaholics for the whole of this weekend.
Apart from the SS Shieldhall and HMS Warrior, other giants of steam including Terrier "Freshwater" was in light steam and several steam road tractors, rollers, lorries and showmans engines were really running about and powering a vintage carousel.
Exhibitors included the Bluebell Railway, Pulborough (South Downs Railway), Ffestiniog (from Wales, you know) to name some, and Southdown was pride of place in the middle of it all.
A series of pictures from the day follows - click on any one to view a larger image......
Blakeman Autos is collecting scrap for recycling - assuming it doesn't all rust away in the meantime
Work
continues at the engine shed, a rather new looking tipper needs attention,
additions to the yard are watched over by the foreman.
Lovedean Station and the local shops are doing a roaring trade.
Action all day, picnics by the tracks - and an interview for those in charge (good job the rest of us kept things running smoothly in the meantime).
The usual suspects showed up, Mallard on another record breaking run, southern influences in the shape of Lyn, stately progress from a Shay (not sure why after passing the speed trap that we should get a visit from The Law!). Oh, and a small blue tank engine decides NOT to stop by the river this time - perhaps its the sight of the fisherman?
Road workers are making a din, but the pigs don't seem to mind, the blacksmith has them used to the noise, and further round, time passes so slowly at the coal yard.
Meanwhile,
at the far end of the line, the Indians camp next to the tracks......
A series of short videos from the event are on Youtube - click the links here to view....