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E H First Class Thank you Eth

cockyedwards1@hotmail.co.uk first class jim, thank you.

Jim Thank you for your comments, I often wonder how far my slideshows travel - so if you view it from outside the UK let me know. Jim

Si and Christine You certainly know how to enjoy life Jim. Another set of wicked Pickys

Jim Our loco the Duke of Gloucester.

Bill f You never cease to amaze ; you'll get in the celebrity book yet .

gerald and mavis what a great day out. Hope you got a black pudding with your pint.

Dave from Canada Really good Jim; one of your best. Or is it they just keep getting better?

Jim Sunshine - a beer with friends...

Jim Big boys like talking to the train driver too.

Jim "Steams up, we're good to go driver"

Jim The route from Bury to Rawtenstall.

Jim 50 years ago trains like these, packed with young people, would leave the Lancashire mill towns for a night out in Blackpool - hence my choice of song for the show.

Jim The East Lancashire Steam Railway is run by volunteers and runs from Bury up the Irwell Valley to Rawtenstall. I along with friends recently enjoyed a pleasant ride on this great reminder of our past.

Jim Watching the fireman change the points....

Jim ..so the engine can back up for the return trip..

Jim Line end at Rawtenstall - pronounced Rottenstall - here we boarded our coach and headed for Skipton.

Jim Skipton....

Jim ..on the Leeds to Liverpool Canal.

Jim Here in the canal basin and to the far right is the famous Bizzie Lizzie's fish and chip restaurant - mine's cod and chips please - pass the salt and vinegar - hmm!

Jim Old luggage and the station clock.

Jim The Duke of Gloucester steam loco - is the real thing - and goes out on the main rail line on various trips.

Jim Approaching Ramsbottom - or Rami as it's known to the locals.

Jim Time for a beer at a pub with the one and only name in the UK of The Royal Shepherd - so named after George 111 who apparently introduced the Merino sheep into Britain..

Jim ... a narrowboat sailing by - Ah! God's in his heaven, all's well with the world.

Jim And as the barge sails away we make our way back into town by cobbled alleyways. as Fred Dibnah used to say "Did you like that then?"

Jim Arriving at Bury Steam Rail Station - the little girl was jumping about as excited as any little boy when she saw the steam engine puffing away.

Jim The Trackside cafe and bar..

Jim ....with nine different types of real ale from nine hand drawn pumps - cheers! mine's a pint of bitter.

Jim All steamed up and ready to go.

Jim Last minute visual checks.

Jim Here comes the guard in his smart period uniform..

Jim ..and the train driver - every little boy's hero.

Jim Just stick your head out of the old drop down window..

Jim ..smell the steam and watch the train curve around the bends.

Jim Here a flock of sheep siesta in the shade of a large tree - I thought it would be cruel to frighten them by shouting "Mint sauce - Mint sauce"

Jim It's a great ride up the lovely Irwell Valley.

Jim Just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Jim Ramsbottom - great name for a really homely Lancashire town...

Jim ...who love their cricket, and always hire a good Aussie or West Indian player for the town team each season.

Jim Journey's end - all too soon - here at Rawtenstall Station local school children try an evacuee experience, recreating the war time evacuation of children to the country away from the Blitz.

Jim Here two evacuee "helpers" implore us to give a home to a couple, or six maybe? children - "Just 'till the war's over" Great stuff.

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