The year has flown by, and it seemed like only yesterday that I was ankle deep in snow and slithering into work absurdly early as part of our emergency response. So, eyeing the forecasts with trepidation I'd expected this trip to fall victim to the weather. In particular, Scotland seemed totally paralysed by heavy snowfall, and it seemed unlikely we'd get anywhere - let alone north of Edinburgh. However, against all the odds and thanks to the persistence of Spitfire I found myself speeding up to Preston yesterday under cold, blue skies and with some amazing wintry scenes to enjoy. It seemed that the east had taken the brunt of the weather, and I was amazed to find the pavements of Preston clear and dry. It was a little different this morning though, as a night of rain and fog had left a carpet of slippery half-frozen snow underfoot. Allowed lots of time - which meant an even earlier start - and headed down to the station. The stock arrived soon after, and I was horrified to find "The Green Knight" in the rake. This coach, some sort of hybrid of First and Standard Class, is horrible. Narrow seats with no leg-room, but with full size tables which take all the available space. It was also very, very cold. Soon rectified, with a bonus move right to the front of the train, next to the loco. News from the east was that others had made the slog through deep snow up to Huddersfield. Things were going to plan!

The morning began with a fairly good run through Leeds and York to reach the East Coast. Services were heavily disrupted here, and we didn't see many trains at all on our northward journey. On some stretches, speed was limited to 80mph but this didn't seem to unduly affect things, and the locomotive performed perfectly given the challenging circumstances. Once the sun rose, it was clear just how much snow had fallen over this side of the country - but despite this, the word was that we were still permitted to head for Dundee and wouldn't need the contingency plan. Feeling sleepy and a little rough, I decided on a quiet morning and a snooze here and there.

Woke as we approached Edinburgh, amazed at the scenes. Cars hadn't moved for days, and the city was unrecognisable under it's white carpet. The station was a little chaotic, with replacement buses queuing down the ramp and turning on the concourse. Made a dash for a photo, then over to the shops for sustenance. Didn't really feel good by this point, but the idea of pressing on over the Forth kept me going. Soon back on board, and with a spirited start, passing Haymarket Depot and turning north towards the bridge. Fife in the snow was stunning, but it was clearly pretty cut off too. Taking the longer route through Cowdenbeath, we learned that rather than attempt a double run-around at Dundee with potentially frozen couplings, we would turn at Thornton Junction, with 47500 leading us into our destination. This would position 55022 for the long journey home. We arrived at a deserted and snow-bound Dundee station to find staff fairly amazed to see us. As the display told us "All Trains are Cancelled", but even this quiet scene didn't deter one jobsworth from trying to prevent photography on the station!

Slithered briefly into town, got a drink and had a quick look around. The pavements were treacherously icy, and surprising crowds were out taking advantage of the dry, sunny but freezing cold day. Tried to slog over to the supermarket but the road was pretty difficult to negotiate so settled for a wander back to the station to watch our train come back from the sidings. Feeling really grim now, and I suspect having fallen victim to the bug my nephews had been suffering from - although another theory about the exhaust fumes from the neighbouring loco had some currency for a while when others started to get sleepy! We were soon off again, heading into the slowly sinking sun and showering clouds of snow on the trackside as we headed back by the more direct route. A chance to catch up and chat on the return journey, between attempts to sleep off the sickness and headache which had developed. Again, no trains around until Edinburgh, where once again the station seemed to be in panic. I settled in for a sleepy journey south and by York had begun to feel a little better. Enjoyed the last leg of the journey watching Yorkshire and Lancashire pass by as we sped back to Preston.

Despite feeling grim at times, this was a fitting end to the touring year. It was good to make it up to Scotland again too, when it seemed almost no-one else dared to try! It's been a long and varied year on the rails, with lots of really remarkable trips achieved due to no small effort on the part of the organisers. There have been one or two disappointments along the way too, but many of the most the memorable things - over 2000 miles of Deltic haulage, a fantastic weekend in the Highlands and a truly groundbreaking trip to East Anglia - have occurred thanks to Spitfire. Thanks folks, and I hope to see you next year!

In the words of one wistful crank on the unit back from Cardiff tonight: "I probably won't ever go to Rhymney again". Despite the apparent melodrama in this statement, an era will end next Saturday, and today we celebrated in style.

Out on the first train from Highbridge at 0905 after some deliberation and, now I think about it, some foolishness about not going to South Wales today. Hugely inconvenient times meant a long wait at Temple Meads and missing the first two trains off Cardiff. Met up with more Somerset cranks at Bristol and set off on the delayed 1040 to Cardiff, a mega-158 combo of no less than eight cars! Received some worrying family news after setting off, which left me a bit torn as to where to be for the remainder of the day. Took advice and stuck with it however, and after a quick run through the tunnel arrived in time to stock up on provisions before the 1156 to Rhymney arrived.

In order to try to vary our traction, and to travel with all the sets out working today, we started with a short hop to Caerphilly in the company of 37425 and 37419. Excellent running in bright sunshine, with a chance to take photographs on arrival. Somewhere on this trip we passed the 33 hauled set - something we seemed to do a lot, as we chased it up and down the valley! A short wait after the 37s had left for 37411 leading 50049 back to Cardiff Central. While we waited, a slightly aggrieved normal decided to ask what was so special about the train which "had completely ruined her day" - I think she was surprised by the vociferous answers she received! Once aboard, more speedy running with a check near Queen Street, then about half an hour to wander Cardiff and wait for the next train back up the valley.

We expected the same set in reverse, but were pleasantly surprised to see the 50s had been swapped at Canton, producing 50031 and 37411 back up to Rhymney. Once again, a fantastic run. Debated bailing at Bargoed for the Crompton, but once again it passed us seconds before we arrived! So, up to Rhymney with this set - and a delay awaiting the arrival and departure of a service train which arrived late and then had to clear the single line as far as Bargoed before we could move - the shape of things to come when DMUs rule this line perhaps?

Not a hope of a decent picture of the 50 at Rhymney due to truly huge crowds and lots of security and British Transport Police marshalling us around. Stayed with this set back to Caerphilly. A quick change of platforms here, in perfect time to see ex-DRS 33207 now in West Coast Railway Co. colours arriving with the set we'd been chasing all day. Hopped aboard for a spirited run back up the valley to Rhymney. No chance of pictures at Rhymney as the light began to fail, and just like always when I'm in the valleys, the rain began to fall. Good to see some traditions don't change.

Another DMU related delay at Rhymney with a similar wait before 47854 arrived back from the headshunt for our last trip back down to Cardiff. In my view, perhaps the best run of the day speedwise, despite the gloom turning into full darkness by the time we arrived back at Cardiff.

Watched 47854 lead the stock off to Canton before boarding the 1900 back to Bristol. The delay at Rhymney meant missing the 1830 and a long wait for a train home, but I was cold and happy with the day, despite the crowds and the light preventing much in the way of photography. The atmosphere was celebratory throughout, and I bumped into quite a few folks I knew during the day. A fitting send off for the last diesel-hauled daylight service trains in the national timetable.

Soon after arrival in Bristol, I was evacuated due to a full scale security alert at Temple Meads with armed police herding lots of angry punters off the concourse and into a cold and exposed spot on the approach road. There was it seems, a report of a male carrying a firearm in the station, which meant a full search by machine gun toting officers. So all stop through Temple Meads, with trains stacking up on the approaches. The process of searching and checking the platforms took quite a time, and the sound of some ECS moves in the station convinced people their trains were leaving without them which caused a near riot - which the young Police officer in situ dealt with very well. Finally got away on the 2107 about 55 late. A cold and tiring end to a fantastic day in the valleys.

I probably won't ever go to Rhymney again either.

Set out to wander locally, once again on a Wessex Rover. Planned to start at Newport and maybe head over to Westbury or up to Gloucester depending on how things progressed. Time for much needed coffee at Temple Meads, and onwards to Newport, where I joined quite a crowd at the end of the platform. Ended up staying all day...

In the first hour or so, lots of activity - mainly Class 60s on a variety of workings. Lots of movement on and off Godfrey Road too. Kept busy dashing around to see everything.

Around lunchtime, some more familiar faces arrived. Settled in for the afternoon and had a pleasant and sociable time. Finally saw 158961 - the three car hybrid Wessex Trains unit, along with several of the newly repainted First Great Western power cars inherited from Midland Mainline earlier in the year.

Resolved to head back on one of the numerous diverted Voyagers we'd been seeing all day. Spent a little longer at Bristol before heading back to Weston behind yet another newly repainted power car. A friendly driver was also very keen to show us the cab and instruments of the Class 180 he was about to take off to the depot. A busy and pleasant day all in all, despite not getting very far from home.

Set out to see And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead at the Fleece, only to find it completely sold out. Wandered across town to Fiddlers and Saw Mary Lorson (of Saint Low/Madder Rose) and Kurt Wagner (of Lambchop). Amazing stuff, and well worth missing Trail of Dead for! Way too tired to mess around with the new Sawfish tonight.