My 50th Birthday Celebration

30/4/16

To celebrate my 50th birthday, I hired a train on the Watercress Line hauled by the class 50 diesel locomotive 50027 Lion. A 50 for my 50th!

Firstly a big thank you to the loco crew including Driver Rob Forster, Guards Richard Stevens & Chris Jones and Buffet Stewardess Freda Lawes.

An even bigger thank you to my Dad who helped cover the cost of the train. A totally unexpected surprise when I joined with my family for a meal on my actual birthday.

The train used the Real Ale Train set of 6 coaches and did 5 round trips from Alresford. I just did 4 round trips from Alton.

Train times and beer list below:

Below is the working timetable for the day to show how my train slotted in between the service trains. Please note that this is (C) Mid-Hants Railway and is reproduced here with their permission.

I also produced Reservation Notices for the train.

In fact having my own bar on my own train made me feel like the Stanley Holloway character in the film The Titfield Thunderbolt.

Mr Valentine

I suppose I ought to add some photos taken on the day.

Train arrives at Alton station for the 1000 departure:

And ready for departure

Some photos at Alresford

Here are some photos of people on the train:

Guard: Richard Stevens, wearing a black tie as he is also the Guards Inspector

Freda Lawes selling nice things in the Buffet Car

Guard: Chris Jones. He was the evening RAT Guard but worked the last round trip of my train.

I tried to take photos of all on the train but I missed a few.

The beer (wooden boxed polypins were for my guests):

(C) Tony Davis

 Matt Bentley (in photo below) took photos on the day both on and off the train, with his friend Andy Goss videoing. Thank you to both.

Some more odds and sods photos to finish with:

It was a great day, everyone enjoyed it, thanks to all that took part.

My BF50 Challenge update 59 - the final festival

29/4/16

And now the final beer festival. Back to Reading where it all started, albeit at a new venue.

What to say. I just worked one day on the cellar team this year.

As usual here are some photos

My BF50 Challenge update 58

20/4/16

An unexpected bonus beer festival. Celebrating British Beer Week at The Rake in Borough Market, London Bridge. Nearly 3 weeks since my last festival.

Great poster for the event.

Some photos of the outside bar with Burnley Dave in residence serving the beers.

Beers available on the outside bar:

My BF50 Challenge update 57

1/4/16

CAMRA National AGM members bar

Counts as a beer festival for me.

My BF50 Challenge update 56

1/4/16

The Cricketers Arms in St Helens.

The main bar

The festival bar

3 thirds for 2.40 with CAMRA discount was available so I had 6 thirds.

My BF50 Challenge update 55

30/3/16

A non CAMRA beer festival in the former Higsons Brewery. A piss up in a brewery you might say.

Some other photos

My BF50 Challenge update 54

24/3/16

My third beer festival of the challenge at my local.

Great choice of beers as ever.

Lots of familiar faces as well.