The annual Giants of Steam event for 2004 was held over the weekend of the 23rd and 24th October.
Despite the w
ithdrawal from the event of resident Bulleid Pacific 'Blackmoor Vale' due to broken stays, the visit of LMS Jubilee No.5690 'Leander' from the East Lancashire Railway,
coupled with an intensive service and often appalling weather, still made for a memorable Bluebell weekend!
The Saturday was characterised by thoroughly miserab
le weather!
Here, No.5690 climbs Freshfield Bank with the 11.40 from Sheffield Park.
Two shots of the Dukedog and Standard 4 on Freshfield Bank with the 12.15.
No.80151 rounds the curve at the top of Freshfield Bank wi
th the 12.12pm from Kingscote.
Two views of Leander climbing Freshfield Bank with the 2pm from Sheffield Park.
Nos.9017 and 75027 again, this time seen blasting throu
gh the murk of Ketches wood.
Two views of Leander at Sheffield Park, prior to working the 4.20pm train.
Nos.9017 and 75027 run-round their train.
The fact that the lamps were showing so brightly indicates just how dull
it was!
The weather on the Sunday was a little better, but PW work somewhat restricted the amount of photos that could be taken!
Here, No.9017 approaches Horsted Keynes with the 3.45pm from Sheffield Park...
..and passes beneath the up inner-home signal.
No.80151 gets away from Horsted Keynes with the 3.42 from Kingscote.
No.5690 nears Horsted Keynes with the 4.20 from Sheffield Park.