What was the first preserved line you visited, and what is the most recent ? ?

Today, during a quite spell, i got wondering, What was the first preserved railway members visited, and what is the most recent,
My first was the Bluebell, when it was still only running from SP to HK,the engines in use that day, were the standard 4 , 75027 and 488, It would have been in about 1972-3 i remember getting the train to Haywards Heath, then a bus to Horsted Keynes village,
The most recent, back in October 2020 the Mid hants gala.

 

First for me was Llangollen with my Dad in about 1982-3ish. I think they were only running to Pentrefelin at the time, it was pre Berwyn anyway. the last was the Pontypool and Blaenavon in December last year with my children. Hopefully they'll develop the same interest!

 

It was all so new when I was taken to my first heritage site. The first was a ride on the footplate of the Red Ivatt at Steamtown but first in a coach was the Severn Valley when it ran just to Hampton Loade at that time.
The last UK one was the Mid Hants in December 2019.

 

I actually have no idea what would be first line, possibly SVR arriving on a GWS tour, I know we used to visit Didcot and the old Swindon Railway museum very regularly in the latter mid 70's and also travelled on a lot of the GWS tours with the vintage train in that period.

Lst one god only knows, probably LHR or Ratty, does Millerbeck count.....

 

In the early 70s the Lochty Railway with No. 9 and beaver tail carriage.

 

What I wouldn't give to have been able to do that!

 

First - 7th August 1960. As a 9 year old my Dad took me to the opening of the nearby Bluebell Railway. He had an invite as he was a local MP at the time and we travelled on the official opening first train. The Bluebell has certainly come a long way since then.

Last - 16th December 2020, my last turn to date on the NYMR

Peter

 

I'll be honest I barely remember any of it, I was incredibly young probably under 5 in most cases.

Possibly the most surreal experience I have ever had at a preserved line was at the GWSR where my dad had his wedding reception in a carriage chugging up and down the line attached to the normal service train, think it was the first time they had ever done anything like that, its probably common now. My best man speech was rudely interrupted by a tunnel!

 

Ha! Sadly not common, at a guess I wonder if you were in the LMS inspection saloon, which was restored over a 10 year period, used about a dozen times over the next 10 years then sold. :/

 

I think it would have been c.2000, pretty sure it was a standard open carriage, motive power was a modified hall I think. it was sorted out as my dad (and I previously) worked in a camping/outdoor shop and one of the drivers at the GWSR was a sales rep who we got to know well (I suspect you know who I mean)!

The nicest part was just how much the GWSR volunteers invested in the day and got involved, I remember when we got to the southern end the first time as they ran round the locomotive passed the carriage with all the crew hanging out of the cab with Roses in their teeth for instance.

Has left me with a soft spot for the GWSR but never been back sadly.

 

First - Dinting I think, early 80s
Most recent - RH&DR October(?) Last year

 

First, Severn Valley in August 2008 (I only started with preserved railways late in life and how I wish it had been earlier). Most recent, Severn Valley again in October 2020.

Making up for lost time, by my count I've racked up around 14,000 miles on the SVR in that period, and I've also recorded mileage at 80 other preserved railways and museums as well.

 

First: RH&DR 1966 Loco No.5 Hercules, which was way taller than me back then.
Haven't yet made my last trip (I hope!), most recent: Bluebell 2019 loco 5MT

 

Dart Valley as it was called then back in July 1969.
Nene Valley just before the December lock down.

 

Looking in an old photo album I found these pictures of my sister and I, from around 1955....
and my last visit was to the GCR in 2020

 

Lovely shots @Flying Phil. No.3 hauled the first TR train I experienced, back in 1971 (I shelled out a few pence more to travel in one of the GVT 1st class carriages), though I'd seen No.4 at Wharf, from a CCL train a few days earlier. My most memorable TR trip was behind No.1, sitting in the doorway of the ex-Corris saloon, which I doubt they'd let you do these days!

 

1st...KWVR in the summer of 1968. Most recent, ELR in January 2020.

 

I too visited the Dart Valley in July '69 for my only steam trip that year, Buckfastleigh to Staverton Bridge and back. Just to show how exciting it was, here is the train:-

Looks historic now but I was not impressed by being unable to get a decent picture of the engine. 8/7/69, 6412 and four auto trailers

Peter

 

Bressingham would have been the first, circa 1969, where a footplate ride on 70013 was taken, followed by getting some foreign body in my eye from it which entailed a Hospital visit the following day (which meant missing school...)
Last was a hastily arranged drive, just prior to the November 2020 Lockdown, to have a look at the recently purchased "Colin McAndrew" at Mountsorrel.

 

For me both first and most recent are the Ffestiniog Railway - the first visit was 24th June 1978 when I was a mere 15 days old and the youngest person on the first passenger train to Tanygrisiau since 1939, the last was 11th October 2020 for the Bygones weekend.

John