200 Years From When?
"Rail" ways for goods date back to at least the 17th century when wooden wagons ...
... were pushed by hand along wooden tracks, later lines of flat stones. Lines using iron rail then followed with carts pulled by horses. Steam would allow heavier loads to be hauled and would lead on to railways as we know them.
The first passenger carrying railway in the UK ran from Swansea to Oystermouth and opened in 1807, but horse drawn.
By a quirk of fate, the first steam-hauled passengers were carried on the Stockton and Darlington Railway on 27th September 1825.
However, after the opening day jollifications, passenger trains, what few there were, reverted to using real live horse power.
Some would argue, therefore, that the first real steam hauled passenger service, with stations and tickets, was the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830.
fbb reckons we should have a proper 200th celebration in five years time!
He did not go to "The Greatest Gathering" at Derby because his days of traipsing round uneven rail yards drooling over huge locomotives have probably come to an end. After all, your9 blogger has been alive for 40% of the lifetime of the passenger carrying locomotive hauled railway.
Which is a bit scary!
But plenty did go!
It is astounding, to fbb at least, how many folk of all ages are still captivated by steam cans on wheels, called, lightheartedly, "kettles" by some present day transport writers.
There were many "kettles" at Derby but it would have been good to see a few more examples from the earlier decades of the steam era. Where, for example, was Rocket and the repro Locomotion from Beamish? There wasn't even a humble GWR pannier tank.
STOP PRESS
Ian (of Ian Visits blog fame), was there - and snapped Locomotion hidden away in one of the sheds!
Sir Nigel was there resplendent in blue ...
... as was Tornado in green.
Tornado did not exist in the glory days of steam but is a recent new-build beginning its main line service in 2009!
The glories of named trains were represented by the "Golden Arrow" headboard ...
... with more LNER nostalgia in the hands of the ever popular "Flying Scotsman".
It must have been quite scary for the little kiddies to stand next to such an iconic beast even if they had little real idea of its significance.
It was good to see an example of the BR "standard" classes there ...
... and to reflect on how short-lived these "modernised" steam machines were, very soon eclipsed by the all conquering diesel.
Also present was Bahamas ...
... an LMS Jubilee and representative of the mainstay of fbb's short-lived trainspotting career spent at Northampton Castle station and Courteenhall cutting on the lines out of Euston. Ah ... happy memories!
Also representing steam was a selection of model railways ...
... plus an example of our narrow gauge heritage ...
... Trankil No 4 ...
... which was joined by Prince from the Festiniog Railway ...
... to chuff top and tail on short rides. Joyous!
Here was an engine from the huge private collection at Statfold ...
After the bank holiday weekend many enthusiasts found their way to Derby station to watch the exhibits depart. 
It wasn't quite as spectacular as those who witnessed some arrivals out in the countryside ...
... as most platform-based spotters had to content themselves with slow stook movements.
As at the gathering itself, more modern diesel and electric locos dominated the "off home" displays ...
fbb will be back at the Alstom depot for tomorrow's blog; looking at the huge (and it really was huuuuge!) variety of more modern diesel and electric traction on display.
Next Variety blog : Sunday 31 Aug
There are lots of opinions out there about what the start date of the railways should be, but the people who actually organised something went with 27th September 1825 so that's what we got.
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