When Class 50 50008 Thunderer thundered out of Princes Risborough with coaching stock bound for the Mid Hants Railway, it marked an unforgettable start to this year’s Diesel Gala. Dive into the story behind the move, plus our roundup of the best sights and sounds from the Watercress Line’s unmissable diesel event.

Step back in time with Sharpthorne Steam at the Severn Valley Railway’s Trains Through the Ages event — where iconic steam giants share the spotlight with heritage diesels. From black & white photography with Hagley Hall to nostalgic snaps of the mighty Western Courier, I share my favourite shots, film recipes, and insider tips on editing RAW images to bring railway history to life. Whether you’re a steam purist, a diesel convert, or just here for the photography secrets — this one’s for you.

Over three unforgettable days, the Cuckoo Line gala with four lovely steam locomotives, one diesel loco and one DEMU, provided a look back into the end of British Railway steam. There were headboards, painting of smokeboxes and fantastic community sprit in this gala that could be a contender of gala of the year. So grab your favourite beverage and read all about an amazing weekend on the Spa Valley Railway.

The first time I have experienced diesel traction at 125mphs when we blast up the East Coast Mainline and heads towards Stanhope to experience the Weardale Railway and get some Class 31 haulage in the loco yard before taking the HST back to Kings Cross for a round trip of just under 600 miles in a day!

The race to see Britannia is on, can an icon of British engineering help us catch another icon of British engineering. In a race to get the perfect shot.

A blog from a fantastic day out with friends during the Hastings Unit Tour to the Bluebell Railway on the 17 May 2025. A run down of the days lineside photography.