Swanage bits , mostly 56006 9-10 May 2015

Boss unwell earlier in the week ,but better late than never , I arrived at Swanage on the Saturday ,9th May 2015. Just one or two lineside pictures. Most of the time was spent riding the trains. 56006 and shadow await the next working. Norden 13.22hrs.

On the stops at Swanage. With sun on the " right " side , the magnificent paint job can be seen. Congratulations all round.

Having alighted from 56006's northbound journey at Corfe, I waited for its return and then , after taking this picture , had a mad scramble to get to the bridge and over in order to catch the train back to Swanage. No northbound train to cross this time so speed was of the essence. Corfe 9th May 2015 16.46hrs,

Shot on the move. With the last passengers climbing aboard I judged there was just time for a quickie before jumping on myself.

Sunday 10th already. Norden again.

A very nice surprise was the invite into the cab for the return journey. I'm grateful to the lads for asking me up. Surely one of the shortest cab-rides ever though as the family was waiting for me at Corfe ,intending us all to travel back together in the Brake, I had to get off after just a mile and a bit.

Getting a bit more used to the idea now , so a smile and a wave. Come on Danny. Hurry or you'll miss it.

We have the road so away we go.

Happy Snappers line up. Not quite as spectacular a departure as I'm told the first one out of Swanage was on the Friday !

After being held at this impressive signal ,it finally gets pulled off and we ease round the corner towards Corfe Station.

Peaky Blinder. Sorry about the hi-viz reflection.

Alan ,Caz, Bo ,Mick, or half of him at least. Quick exit from the cab ,down onto the ballast and back to the Brake with the family for the last few miles down to Swanage ,and the final trip of the Gala for 56006. No Didcot , but all being well , I hope to be at the West Somerset in early June.

56006 moves down the siding at Swanage to join the loco convoy ,travelling as far as Didcot on the following day. A great Gala, Swanage. Thank you very much. After sorting out the problems which arose on Friday ,the Grid performed perfectly on the next two days. Not just a pretty face,then !

...and finally , a very big thank-you to this little loco without which none of the previous action would have happened. Big round of applause for 73107, please.

Almost ready for the next stage in a busy two months. After the Swanage Gala , 56006 gets ready to move forward and join the convoy which next day would be off to Didcot.