Best Of 2011 - Preserved

With 2011 now finished and 2012 underway it's time to look at the highlights of the past year and some of my favourite shots of the year. This video features highlights from my non-mainline videos I've taken during 2011 in date order.

And the list goes as follows:

- 61994 'The Great Marquess' puts on a thrilling performance through Quorn & Woodhouse Station on the TPO at the Great Central Railway's Winter Steam Gala (29/01).
- GWR no.2807 runs non-stop through Stogumber Station at the West Somerset Railway's Spring Steam Gala (27/03).
- 6024 'King Edward I' climbs to the summit of Washford Bank into Washford Station at the West Somerset Railway's Spring Steam Gala (27/03).
- From one King to another in April the Didcot Railway Centre launched 6023 'King Edward II' after a 20+ year restoration, turned out in a magnificent BR Experimental Blue livery (02/04).
- We saw the two Kings apart now we see them together at Didcot as for the first time since the early 60s two King Class locomotives were seen in steam together. They were lined up together with 5051 'Earl Bathurst' and even ran double headed in Didcot Railway Centre's main running line (23/04)
- Class 117 Unit nos.51365 & 51407 run along the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway's then new Laverton Extension (25/04)
- Double headed Atlantics now as 4-4-2s nos.32 'Count Louis' & 103 'John' climb up the bank during the Evesham Vale Light Railway's July Steam Gala (02/07).
- Hunslet 2-4-0STT 'Linda' makes a lovely departure from the Ffestiniog Railway's Porthmadog station (22/08).
- NGG16 Garratt no.87 climbs up Nantmor Bank through the cutting to the first of the Aberglaslyn Tunnels on the Welsh Highland Railway. No.143 of the same class is seen starting the climb up Nantmor Bank with ease (25/08)
- One of the most unusual things I've seen in my time filming, the locos of the Talyllyn Railway perform 'Poco a Poco Loco a Loco' using their whistles, certainly one for the books (27/08) Note this particular footage was filmed on my iPod Touch not my regular camcorder and was hand held.
- 2011 saw Caledonian Railways 812 Class no.828 making a very rare southern trip from her usual Scottish base to the Severn Valley Railway for their Autumn Steam Gala. This shot shows her departing Kidderminster Station on a Royal Scot set (25/09).
- 60163 'Tornado' departs Highley Station on the Severn Valley Station at their Autumn Steam Gala (25/09).
- 2011 also saw the return of 7828 'Odney Manor', renamed 'Norton Manor 40 Commando' in honour of the camp based there. She is seen departing Crowcombe Heathfield Station on the West Somerset Railway at their Autumn Steam Gala (30/09).
- 30777 'Sir Lamiel' makes a cracking get away from a signal stop near Loughborough on the Great Central Railway at their Autumn Steam Gala (08/10).
- 4953 'Pitchford Hall' makes a storming run through Quorn & Woodhouse Station with the TPO, not the greatest shot of the year due to so many people but definitely one of the greatest sounds of the year. Again this was taken at the GCR's Autumn Steam Gala (08/10)
- Another great piece of sound came from the Avon Valley Railway's End of Season Gala in the form of two industrial tank locos no.1873 'Jessie' & no.7151 as they storm up the line on a freight, lovely (16/10).
- The AVR's End of Season Gala saw Black 5 no.45379 return to the line where restoration was first started on her before she moved to the Mid-Hants Railway. She is seen departing Bitton Station on a freight set.
- Another return to steam in 2011 came as 6960 'Raveningham Hall' returned to public revenue earning services on the West Somerset Railway. Her she is seen on her first public train climbing up to Crowecombe Heathfield Station at the WSR's Winter Steam Festival (28/12).
- My last shot of 2011 saw 7828 'Odney Manor' making a fantastic departure from Stogumber Station at the WSR's Winter Steam Festival, upholding the Manor Class' reputation for barking (28/12).

What a year 2011 has been, I've been to many new locations, seen new locos I'd never seen before and I've met many great people. I hope you've enjoyed watching my videos this year as I have filming them.

Happy New Year

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• best of 2011
• preserved steam
• preserved railways
• 61994 the great marquess
• gwr 2807
• 6024 king edward i
• 6023 king edward ii
• garratt 87
• garratt 143
• 32 count louis
• 103 john
• cr 828
• 60163 tornado
• 7828 odney manor
• 6960 raveningham hall
• 30777 sir lamiel
• 4953 pitchford hall
• black 5 45379
• letmadnessbegin
• yt:quality=high

[LocalCity52]

I know this is late but...

WOW! What a great collection of locomotives. That was a crowd at Didcot. Liked and subbed!

[letmadnessbegin]

@LocalCity52 that's alright, it's always nice to have new comments =) Thank you very much for liking & subscribing =D

[bkendlerA4]

Hiya Kristian, An excellent collection of clips. Very enjoyable Barry

[letmadnessbegin]

@bkendlerA4 thank you Barry =D

[TimHall42]

You have been busy! Thanks for sharing!

[letmadnessbegin]

@TimHall42 certainly have =) Thank you Tim.

[letmadnessbegin]

@moddeells16 thank you =)

[letmadnessbegin]

@siobhan104 we certainly are very lucky indeed Tim. Thank you for all your comments throughout the year, I look forward to seeing what 2012 will bring =)

[letmadnessbegin]

@gwsr55 indeed, was definitely a case of right place right time there =) Thank you Tom, Happy New Year to you too =)

[letmadnessbegin]

@dickeramb thank you mate =) Glad you enjoyed it.