New locomotives and Steam in Miniature Weekend at Bressingham

Last year's winner hoping to take
the prize again

Today's visit coincided with Bressingham's 21^st Steam in Miniature Weekend. This would be the second time round for me, so I knew roughly what to expect, except this time I would be writing a blog entry as well.

In fact we bought our family season ticket at last year's event and given the number of visits we managed in a year (at least sixteen, possibly as many as twenty) I have to rate it as excellent value.

Seymour returns - a date for your diary

Seymour - good to see he hasn't changed much!

Whilst at the Steam in Miniature event I fortuitously bumped into Seymour in the afternoon. This was the first time I'd seen him since the Ivor Day some three months ago.

I know that a few people would like to know when he visits Bressingham so they might be able to say hello and catch up. With this in mind I asked him if he'd mind me letting people know when he was next due to visit so that I could put it on my blog. Ever Seymour, he was happy to oblige and quite happy for me to take a photograph as well to publish with the news.

The date to put into your diary is Sunday 29th August.

Now of course I must say that this is not one hundred percent guaranteed, so please don't go cancelling your plans on my say so, but if you are a season ticket holder or have been meaning to visit, then the 29th might be a good choice.

Ian's big day

Ian on Rosenkavalier

Today was another day that wasn't intended as a blog entry - just a visit with number one son and grandma, but a couple of conversations later that's what it became.

Whilst having something to eat I noticed that today's Nursery Line driver was Robert, the same chap featured in the photograph that won some of the software that I will be using to bring the collection online over the next few months. After thanking him for taking part we got chatting and I learned that Bevan is awaiting final inspection from the Railway Inspectorate before coming into service. I don't know when this is scheduled to happen, but it can't be too long now. I also learned that there are some new narrow gauge locomotives soon to be arriving at Bressingham for passenger service, including a diesel. This should help to provide a better level of backup during maintenance and breakdown.

Bevan complete and awaiting inspection

Bevan waiting for inspection

Sitting in the locomotive shed is a completed Bevan. Everything has been finished and is awaiting final inspection for a boiler certificate and associated insurance paperwork. This I'm told is scheduled for w/c 12 July, so presumably if all is well, Bevan could be steaming out in the next few days.

Dad's Army Day

Walmington on Sea comes to Bressingham

This year marked the tenth anniversary of Dad's Army Day at Bressingham. Usually held each May, this year it was moved back to June to coincide with the unveiling of the statue of Captain Mainwaring in Thetford and the Dad's Army Day organised by Dad's Army Museum on Saturday 19th.