A sign that spring is coming; my first visit to a steam railway this year, the one at Chasewater, North of Brownhills in Staffordshire, and just off the main A5. Last weekend was a Gala one on with three steam and one diesel locos providing a frequent service. The line was originally built to serve the Cannock Chase coalfield, but now just a short section is preserved. It follows Chasewater, a lake that was once a canal reservoir but now a nature reserve and used for watersports, for much of its route, and with its very reasonable fares and distinctive character it is well worth a visit; full details here:
http://www.chasewaterrailway.co.uk/

I had hoped to take some photos, and I had the perfect atmospheric shot of a demonstration freight lined up.......... then I found my newly charged and fitted battery was dead. Fortunately all was not lost as I had my trusty film camera in reserve, but I fear it will be a little while before I see the results. In the meantime I will cheer myself up by looking at some railway photos like the ones in this book, now for sale on Specialistauctions.com:
http://www.specialistauctions.com/auctiondetails.php?id=1300787
The dustwrapper is slightly torn, although the book is in very good condition, but Specialistauction.com's low fees mean that I am able to offer it at the bargain price of £2.50 without cost swallowing up most of the return.