FotR Photogala Pics by Lee Gates (9th Aug 2010)

[Lee Gates]

Truley, the BEST way to spend a Monday morning!

Dodging bullets at work, but I have managed to compile a small selection of pictures from the recent Friends of the Rail morning photo shoot held last Monday. Their ‘little fraulien’, the Class 19D, took center stage, flirting with her lacy steam petticoat to show off her knobbly knees as she flounced around in front of the photographers. I’m a fairly recent entry into the Steam Preservation world, so it’s the first time I’ve seen a full sized Class 19D running ‘in the metal.’

The event was a success with optimal conditions, clear skies and low, steam-condensing temperatures. Staged photos included the early morning brew up (Complete with a wood burning brazier), run pasts with side-door coaches, run pasts with a pair of DZ’s and then settling into the park-like surroundings of the ash pits for the morning fire dumping and lots of photogenic blowing down.

Included in the spectators were a pair of unimpressed-looking ostriches. There were buck getting their morning constitutional by doing sprints. I recognized the springbok and think the three others were either blesbok or bontebok. My knowledge of such fauna goes as far as horns or no horns, venison and non-venison. I even had a close encounter with a donkey and a pony – so the Friends of the Rail bunch aren’t the only wild life in the vicinity.

The photos are in no particular order. I’m not sure how they’ll come out. Low light photos are tricky to set up for viewing as everyone has different computer monitors.

Well done FotR team and many more to you! <<Lifts an imaginary beer stein.>>

[attachment=18]Backlit Approach.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=17]By the Brazier.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=16]Cleaning Fire.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=15]Crew.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=14]From Tanker-Top.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=13]Front View.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=12]Golden Steam.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=11]Low Show.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=10]Lubricator Blow Down.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=9]Means Business.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=8]Mist Shrouded Coach.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=7]Misted Tumbler.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=6]Raising the fog.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=5]SATS Springbok.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=4]Simmering on Shed.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=3]Sprint.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=2]Steaming the trees.jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=1]Two is company.Jpg[/attachment]

[attachment=0]Whoa baby.Jpg[/attachment]

[Derek Walker]

Awesome pics Lee....

[Lee Gates]

Pretty tame compared to some that I've seen of this event. But it's always interesting to see the work from different people.

[John Ashworth]

Thanks, Lee. I wouldn't say "pretty tame"! I think you've got some interesting and unusual shots there - superb.

[Gabor Kovacs]

Lee, thanks for sharing your pics with us! Each one very unique in many respects, and a lot of reat shots too. Thanks you . . . .!