Tuesday 3 May 2011

Afternoon Delight at Kingsbury...

Hi everybody. Following our visit to Shackerstone, we branched out through Derby Lane and across to Twycross before continuing out onto the M42. Destination?: Kingsbury. On arrival in the busy Kingsbury Water Park, we paid the (slightly over-priced in my opinion) £3 parking fee before parking up. From the car, we walked past the Visitor Centre. There, we heard the familiar toots of steam whistles on the nearby Echills Wood Railway. I have driven here, on the 7.25" gauge line, a few times in the past (see seperate posts) and throughly enjoyed it. So, passing by, we couldn't resist a ride. Unfortunately, after paying for our good value return tickets to Far Leys and back, we ended up behind a diesel. Can't win them all. But, oh well, no soot or hot ash for a change...unfortunately! Mind you, jokes aside, the diesel was very well kept and looked very powerful; I think it was called 'CP Rail'. She gave us a smooth ride, carrying us easily in a comfortable rake of articulated coaches. The EWR journey takes around 15-20 minutes and is around 1.5 miles. For £1.50; you can't go wrong! Its a very scenic run, taking in wooded areas, double-track sections, sharp curves and open plains over impressive bridges. As I say, I have driven here before, so I know the road quite well; its lovely. We throughly enjoyed our ride with 'CP Rail'. Below, perhaps one of the most impressive engines on the railway; "Peggy". She is a 2-4-2 I believe, and is of course American. She is very large for the gauge and is a supremely powerful machine. Mind you, you should see her sister "Douglas"; she is even bigger...massive even! "Peggy" approaches the main station...
Out on the lake, the usual antics of water-skiing were continuing, even in the chilly breeze. The views here are beautiful. It is a lovely park...
From the lakeside near Harvesters Station, we walked up towards Far Leys along the lake edge. Nature is very apparent here, with Swans, Mallards, Rabbits and many other wild creatures in the locality. The walks are very tranquil and scenic, with plenty of route availability. Times like this I wish I had a dog! Up at Far Leys, now away from the lakeside, we crossed the Car Park and discovered the Far Leys station which we had passed through by train just half an hour earlier. Below, we see a John Drury engine. John Drury, a member of CMES, is a prolific model engineer. He has built many engines from stationary loco's to a 5" Royal Scot class, as well as a Showmans Engine too, amongst countless other examples. John built the 7.25" K4 2-6-0 Mogul "Loch Lomond" seen below. John sold the loco on and she is now based at the EWR. She always seems to perform well and is very attractive. Below, she approaches Far Leys on an ECS run of BR coaches...
Tyseley-Supremo Bob Meanley tries out something a little smaller as he boards the Modified Hall Class 4-6-0 owned by John Hancock. This must be a far cry from tearing up the mainline on "Rood Ashton Hall"!...
After a good walk around the park, and the spotting of many trains, we made our way back to the Saxo. Many engines were in action on the EWR. We saw "The Baron", the huge Garrett, the Hall, "Peggy", "Douglas", "Loch Lomond", "CP Rail", "Vulcan" the Royal Scot and some others too. And this must be a normal EWR day! Anyway, a lovely restful day out; first to Shackerstone and then on to Kingsbury for the EWR. I have been invited by my friend Dave to do a day or two at the EWR later this year...keep an eye out for that! Next weekend?: A quiet one really...a simple Sunday afternoon turn on the RPMR, owned by CMES...hopefully steam hauled if I have my way ;). Thanks all, Good Evening...

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