Lakeshore Railroad, South Shields

Lakeshore Railroad, my local steam railway, is about 5 minutes away by bike.   It's a 9.5" gauge miniature railway which steams over 200 days a year, weather permitting.   Running on demand around the boating & water bird lake in the South Marine Park, its 5-10 minute journey is usually well-patronised at £2/head.

The now 50 year-old loco Adiela runs its train into the station on an evening service

The railway competes with the fairground across the road for much of the year.   Its staff seem well-capable & knowledgeable, even keen, about steam - they have to be, with many long days, weeks & months of continuous public service.   Recently they've switched from coke to smokeless compressed fuel, but know the locos' idiosyncrasies well enough to handle the usual ensuing steaming & ash problems in a small firebox, grate & ashpan.

Spot the AW2 look alike in the website header photo cycle!