Hi from Mike57
 

My first post after finding you.
Brief background before I ask a question (which is why I joined)

I have always been interested in steam ( I grew up near Laira shed in Plymouth, UK) and studied mechanical engineering at university.
My first job was with BR Research Dept working on APT. I did a lot of load case calculations for the bogie designers. Later on I designed the air secondary suspension and the detailed design of the tilting power packs.

When I left I went to Avon Rubber in Wiltshire and designed/developed their air secondary systems which they sold to BR for the class 508 etc and managed the production of those and the different units for the HST mk 3 coaches.

But all that was a long time ago and I am now retired and taking up photography.

I see that quite a lot of steam specials travel through the Bath to Bradford on Avon route or pass through Westbury.

What I would like to know is if there are any sites which list what is coming (dates, time of day etc) so that I could get out there photographing.

Sorry to be so longwinded
Best wishes

Mike57
Mike Hinds

Hi Mike,

Welcome to the forum (Im fairly new as well I hadnt realised there were so many railway discussion forums), I think the best website is http://www.uksteam.info/tours/. I think its fairly unofficial so the timings may not be as acurate as those given to the paying punters.

Welcome Mike,
Here's a picture to make you feel at home:D
Attachment 56
Although www.uksteam.info is unofficial I have always found the timings given to be very accurate. I assume that its webmaster has a lot of contacts within the rail industry.
John.

Hello and welcome Mike. I don't really have anything to say regarding your query but thought I'd welcome you anyway, so welcome!

thanks
 

Thanks for the welcome
uksteaminfo looks good and it shows a King going through my home town on Saturday so I will be out with a camera. I will post those in the 'correct' thread

To wrap up the APT photos - here are three from this year - it will be (probably) my last look at the train as I just happened to drive through Crewe in January. The site was closed but when I said I had been a designer on the train they let me in for a wander.

Best wishes everyone

Mike57

The APT is starting to look a little sad now that the Virgin sponsored repaint is wearing off:(
John.