Leighton Buzzard Railway

When, earlier in the week, I decided to go to Leighton Buzzard I didn't even know there was a narrow gauge railway in the town. Obviously it became the focal point of my visit. The Leighton Buzzard Railway is great, winding through the outskirts of the town and up to a former quarry.

I've always liked narrow gauge railway (of course my model railway is one), especially the sometimes strange little diesels used on mineral railways. Lots of those kind of loco were on display on the railway plus some rather lovely German built steam locomotives. You can see my photos here.

Pair of Gronks

A pair of shunters (Gronks) running around their train at Bewdley.

LV14 Lightship Sula

Lightships are basically mobile lighthouses. They are used in waters where it is impractical/impossible to build a permanent lighthouse. Lightships have been in use around British waters since 1734 and a number are still in use around the coast. These days lightships tend to be unmanned though previously were crewed.

A number of older lightships still survive as preserved boats and are dotted around British waters. One of them is Lightship Sula which once served at Spurn Head off the Humber estuary. Sula was decommissioned in 1985 and has had a varied life since in retirement including being the headquarters of a yacht club and an alternative therapies centre. Now it is moored at Gloucester Docks.

Churches (18) : St Christopher, Haslemere

The Church of St Christopher in Haslemere is an early twentieth century Anglican church built as the Surrey town expanded westwards following the arrival of the railway. The church was consecrated in 1903 though not finished until the following year. It was designed by Charles Spooner and built to the Free Late Gothic style.

The church was built mostly out of bargate stone and is a nearly perfect rectangle. The interior draws heavily on the Victorian Arts & Crafts movement (of which Spooner was a member of). A chapel was added to the North in 1935. Unusually the church was built by Haselmere Builders - owned by a Quaker who operated the company on a co-operative profit share basis.

Leaving Stamford

A Cross Country train departs Stamford.