It's amazing that I've never really managed to get out to photograph one of the more unusual local workings which pass through the station her at Highbridge. Despite having seen the Bridgwater flask train passing by on occasion, carrying spent fuel rods to Sellafield for reprocessing, I've never quite had my camera in the right place at the right time. With a little time on my hands today, and unsure of the timings of the other notable GBRf working to Minehead, I decided to head down to Bridgwater to watch the process by which this train leaves the small yard.

I arrived to find 66419 and 66434 about to run around a train of three wagons, using the very rusty headshunt which runs behind the up platform at Bridgwater.

Somewhere along the way, a points problem developed which left everyone twiddling their thumbs and waiting for Network Rail's attendance. Eventually, all was sorted and the train left shortly after it's booked time - although much later than it has often run.

Interesting to finally get to see how this complex operation takes place.

It's very unusual that I'm around to catch the first Torbay Express of the season these past few years. However, the slightly earlier timing and excellent weather tempted me out to the lineside. Very few people out and about despite the appearance of celebrity locomotive Tornado - leading me to believe that perhaps people had just forgotten about the start of the runs.

Pleased that the trip ran to time and arrived before the clouds closed in, as I don't expect to make the next couple of morning runs. This evening however was a different matter, and with unexpected whistles clearly heard this morning a few more folk had turned out giving the station something of a buzz. There was added tension for us photographers, with a down service minutes away and the sun disappearing behind a mass of black cloud in an otherwise blue sky! Finally, after being pointlessly held for the stopping service to Bristol, Tornado appeared on the horizon.

The appearance of a steam locomotive at my home station is still magical, and its always heartening to see the town turn out for the event too.

It's almost exactly a year since my last quick dash up to the East Lancashire Railway for their gala. I recall last year, it came in the midst of a summer which was short on interesting railtours and thus was a welcome event. Having thought about staying locally for the next one however, a much more packed summer has come along and I found myself once again going up for just a few hours on this excellent line with it's fine pedigree for diesel operations. Set off early on the first train, grabbed breakfast and settled into 220019. Shortly after boarding a familiar face appeared, and I spent most of the journey up to Manchester chatting happily in an increasingly sweltering carriage as the air conditioning first failed, then seemed to go into reverse pumping out hot air! Not sorry to arrive at Piccadilly, where after bidding our fellow traveller goodbye and cooling off a little, we set off on foot to Victoria because of the city centre tram improvements. Soon onto a Bury bound tram which seemed to get us to our destination surprisingly quickly.

It quickly became clear that the day was going to be both hot and busy. Despite running long trains, seats were proving tricky to find and there was a busy atmosphere with lots of banter with the railway staff in evidence. Arriving with seconds to spare, we made the 11:00 departure with a pristine 47292 at the helm which we took all the way to Rawtenstall. Here we commenced a series of over-the-bridge leaps at Ramsbottom in order to experience a few more of the locos on offer. Notably, 37248 and 37109 made a very spirited pairing before we again made the leap at Ramsbottom. The reason? D1062. Since my early railtour experiences I've really enjoyed travelling behind Westerns. The recent Scottish excursion has reminded me of just how much fun it could be, and this trip was no exception. We stayed with 'Western Courier' all the way to Heywood to ensure we covered the full line.

Back at an incredibly busy Bury Bolton Street we were due to wait while 37418 was attached in place of D1062. This recent addition to the extensive home fleet was another good reason for the visit today, however it was nowhere to be seen and we'd almost consoled ourselves with 50015 which trundled into view when suddenly 37418 dropped on the front of the stock from Castlecroft Depot. Back on board, sadly only for the run up to Ramsbottom again, however the tremendous sound as the driver applied power as we passed through Brooksbottom Tunnel was a very special moment, and one which will be remembered for some time! Again a quick dash over the bridge, pointing the camera vaguely in 37418's direction before boarding an extremely busy train hauled by D7629 (25279) and D5054 (24054). This pairing made an extremely quick run back to Bury, ending our brief trip all too soon. After some final pictures, a brief walk back to the Tram Terminus, then back to Victoria via an unusual crossover, arriving back in the Bury-bound platform. During the walk back to Piccadilly the clouds began to form into a mass of black and the wind began to whip the litter in circles. We were due a storm, and I wasn't sorry to get back into the station. Arrived back surprisingly early, but wouldn't have managed a further run on the ELR, so contented ourselves with watching the goings on at the station - where there had clearly been some sort of huge musical performance during the day, evidenced by the remains of a full orchestra, a few harps and a lot of musicians!

A quiet ride back in much cooler surroundings, broken only by Mr Spinks clearly wrong-headed view that Westerns' "don't really make much noise". Begged to differ and cited a few recent occasions as evidence, not least a certain departure from Perth! As we sped south, the sun returned - and it was still almost light when we rolled up at Highbridge at 22:39! It's plain that the next trip to an ELR gala has to involve a stay overnight to get the best out of this fine railway. However, today made for a very entertaining trip with some fine locomotives.