| Tanfield
Railway 1940s Weekend - May 25~27th
We originally planned to camp for the three days at Tanfield. As we got closer to the event, the weather forecast wasn't looking great, with thunder storms and heavy rain predicted. The following week was also due to be wet, giving little chance to dry out the tent. By Thursday evening, our plans had changed and we wouldn't camp, but leave the Dodge and travel in the Jeep. I took the Dodge on Saturday morning while Lynne took my daughter to dance rehearsals. They would be along later in the day to take me home. There were a few vehicles and some
dioramas, but not as many as past years. The new May date clashed with a
big show in Lincolnshire, a local car show on Saturday and a 1940s day
in Durham on Monday, thinning out support. |
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The Andrew Barclay Works 0-6-0ST "Horden" was pulling trains on Saturday. After a quick look around the vehicles and dioramas, I went for a walk around the railway's storage yard, as it's a great atmospheric location for photos. |
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The "Hand-me-down" brigade were set up in the ticket office at Andrews House station. Most of the other displays and the field kitchen, were on the show field next to Marley Hill yard. Colin Bourdiec and the Seatones were providing the musical entertainment at Andrews House and East Tanfield stations. Saturday was mainly dry and sunny, but the forecast hadn't changed. |
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On Sunday, we took Jessie the Jeep and set up next to the Dodge. With heavy thundery showers forecast, I left the canvas fastened up on the Dodge and didn't put any crates out. For day two, there was only one other Jeep there. |
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On Sunday there were two locos running, with Hawthorn Leslie No.2 joining "Horden" pulling passenger trains. During the day, I got the opportunity for a footplate ride on "Horden". A short video of the trip is shown below along with some general video of the two trains. We got soaked in the Jeep heading home on Sunday, but managed to get all the green clothes dried again for day three. |
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"Last Man Standing" When we got there on Monday morning, the
field kitchen was gone, but for their tents, the other dioramas ( except the
Hand-me-down brigade ) had packed up for the Durham market place event and we
were the only vehicles there. So rather than being at the end of the field, we
moved the vehicles and barbed wire further up to where the field kitchen had
been. The sun was out again for Monday, but not all day and there were a few
heavy showers. We'd enjoyed the show, despite the weather trying its hardest
to spoil things, so had made the right call not to camp. |
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