There was something nostalgic in the air today. Maybe it was the fantastic weather, or the idea of a simple out-and-back trip to a new branch line - at any rate, I was transported back to the 1990s when I first began tramping around the railway network. An early memory from trips to Sheffield and Newcastle was the sight of the line curving away on a majestic metal bridge at Ambergate Junction. I knew soon after obtaining my first Baker atlas that this was the way to Matlock - but a combination of incredibly bad connections and the need to always be somewhere else had meant it stayed unvisited. I'd actually tried unsuccessfully to work Matlock into the itinerary last week, but I'm glad I didn't because I think this was one I needed to do on my own - for old time's sake if nothing else. So I set off, initially accompanied by my brother-in-law who was heading for Wembley for the Bristol vs. Hull playoff. Changed at a packed, but seemingly well controlled Temple Meads and had time for breakfast before the 0830 rolled in. More nostalgia - in days gone by, this was the first service northbound I could access from Highbridge, and I spent many hours on this service heading for all kinds of places. Once again, I wasn't let down and we sped northwards sticking to time - if somewhat overloaded in Standard Class due to the weather, the bank holiday and the insanity of running this service with a four-coach set!

Changed at Derby, totally unaware of just how bright the day had turned out because of the ongoing roof work, which renders almost all of the station dark and inhospitable. Work progresses on the northern ends of the platforms though, leading to some odd operations and the use of Network Rail wagons as temporary buffer stops! Got coffee and wandered out to the station front to watch the world go by. Decided not to stroll into town, despite having an hour or so to wait for a Matlock train. Passed the time people-watching and wandering around the general area, before boarding the waiting 158777 once the staff had sorted out that it really was going to Matlock and not Stoke-on-Trent as originally stated - much to the annoyance of a train full of people. Soon off, and following a run up the mainline calling at stations I'd always passed before (such as Belper and Duffield) we peeled away to the West at Ambergate, crossing the aforementioned bridge and following the A6 as it wound its way into the Peak District. Some stunning views as we worked our way up the branch, and some interesting station buildings too, which reflected the once far greater status of this line - the Midland's mainline to Manchester. A well-loaded train with lots of daytrippers and family groups which was good to see, many of them heading for Matlock Bath which looked pleasant and busy. Had planned various ways to get back down here to look at a couple of pubs, but not feeling energetic once I looked at the likely walk, so will need to return for that.

On arrival, explored the station a little before walking out to find Peak Rail's station at Matlock Riverside. Was vaguely aware of the saga of the supermarket cutting the line here, and the ongoing plan to restore the link and run heritage trains into one of the Network Rail platforms. Was surprised to see a stretch of well-constructed two track railway leading out of the terminus, and as I followed it's curve beside the new Sainsbury's store, I marvelled at this surprising level of consideration in dealing with a rail link to a preserved line. As I walked over the road bridge though, my heart sank as I saw two pairs of buffer stops and a fence separating the Network Rail and Peak Rail lines just short of the tiny platform at Riverside. I sincerely hope this is resolved, as such a lot of effort seems to have been expended by developers to make it work - for a change. Consoled myself with a wander around the supermarket and over the bridge towards town, before returning to the station and enjoying the sunshine while I waited for the unit to come back up the branch.

After watching the hired-in National Express East Coast HST head north, a swift change at Derby this time, onto a cool and surprisingly quiet 220026 back to Bristol. A quick and smooth journey, a little too early to achieve the tradition of sunset over Cheltenham which would have made me even more nostalgic! Instead, we experienced some 'technical problems' which saw us sit in Cheltenham Spa for 18 minutes - likely causing a fairly lengthy tailback. Soon back under way and into Bristol a few minutes down with a lazy wait in the sunshine for a unit home. Took the opportunity of taking a snap of the Voyager resting under the curve of the roof - if only to show that things have changed more than perhaps I'd admit this past decade!

With the major operator's Summer programmes out, it looks like a rather lean season for the traditional enthusiast railtour. Aside from the open days and galas which seem to be springing up, it's going to be a case of making your own entertainment it seems. So today, despite a nagging toothache which necessitated serious medication, I dusted off my plan to cover as much light rail track as possible during the year, and headed for Nottingham. As ever, took a roundabout route travelling first up to London. A nice, quiet ride up on the direct train from Highbridge, too early to be bothered by FA Cup Final crowds. The Circle Line was predictably sluggish in getting us to St Pancras International, and this meant only time for a cursory glance at the station. This was my first departure from the refurbished shed, and as on my first walking visit a couple of months ago, it didn't fail to impress. Found the statue of Sir John Betjeman too, staring in awe at the roof right at the front of the concourse where the entrance used to be.

Onto a busy Meridian unit for Nottingham. Managed to get an excellent fare for this, possibly due to passengers flagging this for the next, faster service. No particular concern for us, as we sped along the Midland Mainline, now under the auspices of East Midlands Trains. A timely, easy run. Recalled at Bedford that I'd been here before with a serious toothache, and that I was heading for Nottingham that time too. Arrived at a fairly busy Nottingham station and headed for the NET platforms at Station Street. The plan was to cover the network in a few moves, and then seek refreshment. Surprised at first by the clean and tidy look of the stops and the trams.

First onto a Hucknall tram, winding through the city centre and needing to readjust my bearings as we encountered familiar places from different angles! Impressive but sad to see the viaduct crumbling away at Weekday Cross, signalling a bygone age of railway. The tram pressed on into the suburbs, curving sharply to descend alongside the Robin Hood line to Mansfield and Worksop. We gathered speed here and soon arrived at the shared tram/rail station at Hucknall. A swift change of ends in order to double back to David Lane, a rather quiet stop with nothing nearby. However, this enabled us to take the next branch train to Phoenix Park using the alignment of a former freight-only branch to access the Park and Ride stop. Another change of ends, and a chance to note the surprising gradients on the branch as we headed back towards the city. Also figured that as there were two trams in the depot, we'd managed to see the entire fleet in our brief visit!

Hopped off at Old Market Square, an early memory of Nottigham for me, and headed away from the shoppers and towards the castle. My target was of course Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. An absolutely must-visit pub didn't disappoint with it's signature beer still very good despite a change of brewery. Then a wander back to the station, with a chance to watch a freight pass and have a bite to eat before heading back to Derby. Lots of interesting things lurking at the RTC, including the not-yet-ready for traffic 56311 belonging to Fastline. Interesting to hear a couple of passengers beside us heading from Bristol conversing about Highbridge pubs, and indeed my local on the journey back! Despite the toothache, a good day out with plenty of interest. I remain really impressed with the tram system in Nottingham, and it will be interesting to see it develop and grow.

Despite a tiring day and a late night, I was up and about early enough to visit my folks then head out with my nephew and brother-in-law to see the Duke of Gloucester pass by on a charter. As we were all heading out in the car, plumped for Crooked Lane which would certainly give an interesting photographic location. It soon became apparent that all was not well, and messages from up the line were not positive - as it looked like a diesel locomotive might haul the train, the small crowd of onlookers departed. We stayed, with nothing to lose and my nephew enjoying his time out, watching local trains and HSTs pass under the bridge.

Out patience was finally rewarded around an hour later when a light in the distance and a small plume of smoke heralded the appearance of the Duke. In apparently light steam, and the diesel pushing quite a bit tucked inside the train, it sped by saving it's whistles for Springfield Road.

Really good to pass an hour or so with my nephew just watching trains go by, something I rarely end up doing these days!

It was all going to be so efficient - companies would compete on key routes, and impartial regulator would decide on services for the good of the network and user, and new rolling stock would pour into the market. Well, finally, fifteen years after the Railways Act promised a bright future of competition - and despite the meddling of DfT and others, this week saw the third Open Access operator begin to run trains - Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railways. It's been an eventful first week, and today wasn't going to be any different, as I decided to try out the new service. The first challenge was fitting a trip into the Saturday timetable, with four awkwardly timed (for us) trains from London to Wrexham and back. Settled for a later than usual start at 08:16 with a run up to Paddington, fairly uneventful and mostly early running meant time for breakfast, to chat and generally to enjoy the promising morning. It also allowed time to make the transfer to Marylebone - although this wouldn't have been necessary. Arrived to find the service shown as delayed almost an hour before it was due to leave! A locomotive breakdown had necessitated fueling a substitute loco, and as time slipped by it was touch and go whether the train would leave with the new loco and stock, or with that of the next incoming service. Time slipped by, and so did the alternative option to travel on a Chiltern unit to Leamington and change a couple of times for Wrexham. However, a small core of us stayed firm - we'd come for the loco-hauled service and we'd wait for it to run. A few knowing smiles from the gateline staff showed they knew our game, and we were left alone by the large British Transport Police presence at Marylebone due to football, and this being the only place Birmingham trains were arriving.

Finally the service was called, and we walked out to the new platform 4 to wait for it's arrival. The staff waiting for the train were clearly relieved and pleased to be running, and there was a fine atmosphere as the recently repainted 67014 slipped into the bay, with three immaculately turned out blue and grey coaches bearing Wrexham and Shropshire branding. Taking us forward would be 67024 - the replacement engine we'd waited for. Until the modified Driving Van Trailers are ready, these services will continue to use pairs of 67s. Soon on board, settled into a comfortable coach and away from London, well over an hour late. As we moved through the suburbs, alternating bursts of good running with slacks due to speed restrictions or local units ahead, tried to recalculate the journey ahead? Once we'd called to pick-up at Banbury, we had a better idea of timings. Should we leap and Tame Bridge Parkway and risk a couple of hours at New Street, or could we press on into Shropshire? It was clear we were now unlikely to make it to Shrewsbury, where we'd originally planned to turn for home. The staff onboard made up for this with excellent free coffee, friendly service and a genuine interest in what they were doing. A promising start for this new company.

At Leamington Spa we took the line for Birmingham rather than the single-track via Kenilworth. A number of these services, and reportedly all of them at weekends, run fast through Birmingham New Street - making a mockery of the idea of fair competition. We crawled through the southeastern suburbs of the city, passing Tyseley and travelling via Small Heath South Junction and Bordesley Junction to reach Proof House. We came to rest in platform 9 of New Street for some minutes, the driver out of the cab and showing some dismay at the signal check. The doors, of course, stayed locked. Off again, taking the line for Bescot at Soho and reaching our next stop at Tame Bridge Parkway. Calculations showed Telford Central was possible, so we nervously sat tight as we pressed on, getting inevitably stuck at Crane Street Junction before our next pick-up only stop at Wolverhampton. On the move again we passed Oxley, teeming with stored Adelante units, until recently working locally for First Great Western. Stuck behind another local service we crept into Telford with eleven minutes to spare before our train back to New Street. Time for a quick picture in the afternoon sun, then over the bridge to head home via a packed and stiflingly hot Voyager ride which left me tired and cranky.

The restrictions which cynically ensure that Wrexham and Shropshire's service isn't a competitor for Virgin and Arriva are going to make this operation a challenge, and technical issues like today's failure won't help either - but while the staff retain their air of genuine concern for service and interest in customers' needs, this operator will be winning the battle by other means than short journeys. The popularity of the much missed South West to North West trains shows that for many people a direct train with no changes is often as attractive as an early arrival. If Wrexham and Shropshire keep their spirits and level of service high, they'll become popular and well used.