Anorak On...............

....................Elaine and the dogs loaded in the car and we were off to the steam gala taking place at the Churnet Valley Railway.

They had 3 steam engines running up and down the track.

This loco was an interesting one - it was built in the USA and shipped to France during the second world war to be used in the war effort.  After the war she operated in Hungary!  She was saved from the scrapyard by a British pilot who bought her and returned her to the UK.

We then drove to The Black Lion Pub which must be one of the remotest pubs in England!  It sits right next to the railway and canal - no road! There was a outdoor BBQ on plus a beer festival, all in 2 degree temperatures!

There were some very "interesting" people at the pub.....train anoraks, real ale connoisseurs and dog walkers!  We sat outside in the garden - experiencing the occasional snow flurry!

The view from the pub is fantastic.....if you like trains!

Another view from the pub garden, the train is just leaving Consall Forge station.  The canal is on the left.

It was a ........

double headed steam train......

I was beside myself!

Elaine was too of course!  She reckons it was the best day out she has ever had!
(Elaine here ... NOT !)

The railway and pub.

Even got a narrow boat in the shot, well it is a narrow boat blog!

The USA loco running backwards, as you can see she is burning smokeless fuel!

All in all another fantastic day out!