In Search of Steam

07/11/2023

Thanks to all who attended who have supported 8 events with 55189 and 46512 this year (with a guest appearance from 65243 ‘Maude’). It is great to see so many fantastic images appearing from the charters whilst knowing we’ve also raised a substantial amount of money for the SRPS & Strathspey! A quick phone photo of the Caley Tank & J36 whilst setting up for Saturday’s evening shoot.

A question we’ve been asked a lot this week is how to find out about the events. We don’t always post charters on Facebook, especially when they fill quixly as many have this year, so subscribing to our mailing list here is highly recommended!

http://eepurl.com/dulXGf

13/05/2023

Three days of charters available to book with the Caley tank in BR black before her LMS Crimson repaint in spring 2024!

10/11/2022

Our first daytime charter announcement of 2023, and again we find ourselves in Aviemore but with a twist!

Scheduled for Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th of April, we will be using Ivatt No. 46512 on a rake of Blood & Custard coaches not too dissimilar to previous events held at the Strathspey Steam Railway. This time round, we instead are focusing on the afternoon and evening shots from the North West of the railway, giving stunning backdrops featuring the Cairngorms and River Spey.

Price is £215 for both days, which against the current cost increases of coal, I'm sure you'll agree is value for money.

If you would like more information including the email invite, please pop us a private message including your email address and we will get the details sent across.

02/11/2022

While we're still working on our own itinerary for 2023, we wanted to share this rather rare charter opportunity, held by our friend Peter Van Campenhout for March which could be rather spectacular.

There is a possibility that BR Black liveried Jubilee No. 45690 Leander may visit the Lakeside And Haverthwaite Railway next spring based on the response to this offering. This is intended to be a short visit, and they are hoping to run it with the railways carmine and cream set on a couple of private photographic events especially for the occasion.

If anyone would like further details would you please email Peter at [email protected] .

For an idea of what the Lakeside branch holds for a photographer, we've included a few photos below and also one of the star Jubilee.

30/03/2022

Earlier this month we ran another weekend of photo charters on the Strathspey Railway with Ivatt 46512 on a local passenger train. We've since several requests from people interested in attending future events - the best way to find out about charters is to join our mailing list: http://eepurl.com/dulXGf

17/11/2020

It's great to see several images from some of our events at Bo'ness feature in the SRPS's Diamond Jubilee Calendar! A great purchase for only £10!

10/11/2020

Two years ago today (8-11th November 2018) we ran some very successful 'Caledonian Reunion' photo charters. All fingers crossed for next March with 45025!

15/08/2020

Our friends at the Bo'ness Kinneil Railway, where we have operated several enjoyable events with 62712, 419, 828 and 5643, have suffered landslide damage following the storms earlier in the week. If anyone can afford even a small donation to their appeal they would be incredibly grateful!

29/06/2020

To say we are looking forward to our events with this loco next spring is perhaps an understatement!

Much progress has been made in the past year since the return of the boiler.

Unfortunately the overhaul has been affected by Covid-19 and we still have a few minor and one or two major jobs left to finish the work all of which require materials or professional services.

We need copper pipework, nuts and bolts, oak timber for seats and flooring, some cab fittings and final painting and lining

Any donations would be greatly appreciated and help to finish this massive undertaking in 2020

A huge thank you for your donations and support over the years. We couldn’t have done it without you!

If you’d like to make a donation to this project, please follow the link below and click on the ‘donate’ button. Thank You.

https://thewatkinsontrust.blogspot.com/?m=1

12/06/2020

All of our photo charters with 45025 in March 2021 are now fully booked! If you'd like to be the first to hear about our future events, make sure you have signed up to our mailing list - you can subscribe here: http://eepurl.com/dulXGf. In the meantime, here is an image of '45025' in a condition similar to which we hope to recreate temporarily before the locomotive is finished into lined LMS livery! Photo kindly provided by Phil Metcalfe.

11/06/2020

We've announced some further dates with 45025 on the Strathspey Railway on 23rd and 24th March 2021. Due to the phenomenal demand for our original dates, at point of advertising there are only 9 places left on these additional dates - don't hesitate should you wish to book!

With huge thanks to the Strathspey Railway and WEC Watkinson Trust we have gained permission for 45025 to appear in her BR guise for five days only (and we have been assured that it will only ever be a one-off...). The engine is currently in the final stages of a very comprehensive rebuild and will...

07/06/2020

Details of a one-off photo charter with 45025 in her BR late crest livery in March 2021 can be found here! Almost 75% of available places sold in 3 hours... don't hesitate if you'd like to book!