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12 July 2026

Gaylord Grip & His Shunting Tractor

Gaylord Grip & His Shunting Tractor

Here we are at Catcott again, where national treasure Uncle Bob, accompanied by the decidedly non-identical twins Fifi & Fiona, are about to board their train to Glastonbury.

It’s a regular weekend pilgrimage. They enjoy a spot of crystal appreciation, a hearty sniff of hemp, local cider and then a leisurely stagger up Glastonbury Tor, where they spend the afternoon detecting ley lines, cosmic vibrations and other things that mysteriously vanish the moment anyone asks for evidence.

Over on the left is Gaylord Grip, retired wrestler, part-time boxer and full-time shunting tractor enthusiast, leaning proudly against his trusty machine. Gaylord is gentle giant for the most part, but put him behind the wheel and he transforms into a man determined to prove Newton’s laws of motion the hard way.

Fortunately there isn’t much to shunt today. He’s already propelled the brake van enthusiastically into the buffer stop, and because the tractor can only push—having never been acquainted with something as extravagant as a coupling hook—his day’s work is gloriously complete.

Meanwhile, Bob Geeza Cat is giving Uncle Bob “the evils”. In Bob’s opinion there’s only room for one Bob in the Land of the Inch High, and he’s already claimed the title, the territory and, if asked, most of the credit for inventing the village name of nearby Catcott.

~~~😎~~~

And finally, thank you those who occasionally 👉 www.buymeacoffee.com/Nevardmedi3

11 July 2026

Watercress Line Diesel Gala Friday 10 July 2026

Friday 10 July was a bit of a hot one at 33c, nevertheless I popped down to the Watercress Line for day one of their annual diesel gala. 

These were all taken at Ropley, for the thought of travelling a hot sweaty non-air conditioned train didn’t appeal. 

It wasn’t that busy, though I put that down to most heritage diesel fans being still in the workforce, this being a Friday, unlike the steam lovers who are mostly retired. I imagine Saturday and Sunday will be different. 

I didn’t venture as far as I’d like to have done because of the heat, like most late middle aged beer loving blokes of my physique we’re not designed for anything more than 23.5c. 

Pics taken using a selection of heritage diesel era manual Nikon primes (35, 50, 85, 135mm) on a Nikon Z5

Click the link or image below for photos 

https://flickr.com/photos/22561588@N03/sets/72177720334621612

Watercress Line Diesel Gala 10 July 2026

04 July 2026

Summer on The Levels

Waiting at The Gates

It’s a lovely summer morning at Catcott level crossing and halt as the 9.05am Evercreech Junction to Highbridge service rumbles past

Swanky Syd is on gate duty today, covering for crossing keeper Dafne Dando, who’s off to Highbridge market to buy a few bits and bobs she absolutely doesn’t need but will insist were a bargain.

National treasure Uncle Bob has climbed out of his car to watch the little train trundle by. Today it’s graced with an ex-Southern Railway Maunsell brake composite in the formation, which makes a pleasant change from the usual pair of elderly LMS non-corridor coaches pensioned off from the Grim North.

And, of course, Bob Geezer Cat completes the scene while giving Uncle Bob ‘the evils’. In Bob’s eyes there’s only room for one Bob in the Land of the Inch High. 

~~~😎~~~

Thank you those who occasionally 👉 www.buymeacoffee.com/Nevardmedi3