Accidental visit to the Steam Gala

Today we visited Consal Forge Nature Reserve to walk and photograph birds.  Little did we know about the Churnet Valley Railway Winter Steam Gala, which was in full swing.  Car parks were full and railway enthusiasts with cameras were everywhere.

Two USA Transport Corps S160 locomotives were operating today.  No 5197 and No 6046, each with a number of carriages which seemed to be full of passengers.  It is unusual to see both of these locos out at the same time.

The GWR 42XX No 4277 "Hercules" which was on loan from the Dartmouth Steam Railway is on its last run today.  It is going back tomorrow for a refit and boiler check.
To see three separate trains on this line in half an hour is unusual and such a joy.  We did manage to see a few birds.