I saw Sir Nigel Gresley along with a whole bunch of others of its class a few years back at the Doncaster works - one of their then regular Steam events. A lot of the trains including Nigel were all running under steam as well, the sounds and smells of these locomotives really makes them seem almost alive and human. I can see where the reverend got his idea from for the books for sure.
On that occasion I spent several days up there with my late father and we visited the York museum also, they have some incredible exhibits there including a working replica of Stephensons Rocket, not to mention (well at that time) a genuine Japanese Shinkensan - mind you I have to admit the cockpit was a lot smaller than I was expecting, the doors were tiny lol...
The other location that is a lot closer to me - I mean not much more than 30 minutes drive away is the Bluebell Railway, the home of STEPNEY, I've seen him running on numerous occasions along with his cousin whose name I can't recall off the top of my head. They've got many locomotives there that run regularly including a Battle of Britain class loco if you like the big engines. But the highlight for anybody here is that it is possible to get to actually ride on the footplate of Stepney for a fee
I'll have to dig out some pictures from my visits there - I've not been for quite a while as after I lost my father for a long time it was too painful to return there. But I think I should soon go back as its not so hard now...
On that occasion I spent several days up there with my late father and we visited the York museum also, they have some incredible exhibits there including a working replica of Stephensons Rocket, not to mention (well at that time) a genuine Japanese Shinkensan - mind you I have to admit the cockpit was a lot smaller than I was expecting, the doors were tiny lol...
The other location that is a lot closer to me - I mean not much more than 30 minutes drive away is the Bluebell Railway, the home of STEPNEY, I've seen him running on numerous occasions along with his cousin whose name I can't recall off the top of my head. They've got many locomotives there that run regularly including a Battle of Britain class loco if you like the big engines. But the highlight for anybody here is that it is possible to get to actually ride on the footplate of Stepney for a fee
I'll have to dig out some pictures from my visits there - I've not been for quite a while as after I lost my father for a long time it was too painful to return there. But I think I should soon go back as its not so hard now...
Happily collecting things all my life... 
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