Loose_Grip/Pete's photos with the keyword: Wirksworth

A rose between two thorns? My second turn on British Railways Standard 2 2-6-0 78018 on the EVR. It took 1hr 25 minutes from lighting up before the pressure gauge came off the stop but by 09.10 we had 80psi and she was coming round quickly. This shot illustrates the fact that the EVR is mainly a diesel railway as did the guard's request for air after coupling up - unlike the diesels 78018 is vacuum-braked of course. Our loco is flanked by Class 73 electro-diesel 73210 Selhurst and Class 31 diesel 31601 in the yard.

In the rain Duncan walks along the platform at Idridgehay station to open the crossing gates as we wait on British Railways Standard 2 2-6-0 78018 with the returning train from Duffield. The EVR is a game of two halves really: the Up trains coast downhill all the way from Wirksworth to Duffield while Down trains climb all the way at a ruling gradient of 1 in 100. It makes a change for the engine (& fireman!) to get a decent workout. 5 coaches up 1 in 100 is a bit more work for a Class 2 than it would get at the Great Central.