IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Breeze Avenue, CANNOCK, WS11 9QB

A foot crossing behind the bush is a way in to the Norton Lakeside Wildfowl Reserve.

A short train conveying track maintenance volunteers crosses the causeway in the direction of Brownhills West, Chasewater Country Park, Brownhills, Staffs.

A dog walker is oblivious of the commotion behind him as Robert Stephenson & Hawthorn 0-6-0T No. 7684 of 1951 hauls its two coaches towards Norton Lakeside Halt. The locomotive worked in the power stations at Nechells and is known as Nechells No. 4.

Teddy is nearest the photographer - it is a Peckett of Bristol 'Yorktown' class 0-4-0ST No. 2012 of 1941 and used at the Royal Ordnance factory at Creakmoor, Dorset. It was for a time with the late Reverend Teddy Boston at Cadeby and is now privately owned and on hire to the National Railway Museum where it gives rides. It was visiting Chasewater for the winter gala. At the other end is Colin McAndrew built by Andrew Barclay of Kilmarnock as No. 1223 of 1911. It was built for contractor Colin McAndrew then later used by N Greening at its wireworks in Warrington. It was acquired for preservation in 1966. The train is heading to the left for the main operating base at Brownhills West. I had just had a ride in the open end of the brake van immediately behind Colin McAndrew and was well kippered. I got out at the first opportunity as it was more pleasant being stood here than in a cloud of acrid smoke and steam.

A Chasewater Railway "Heritage" Diesel Multiple Unit crosses the causeway at Norton Lakeside, Chasewater Country Park.

Approaching Norton Lakeside Halt. Teddy is in front - It is a Peckett of Bristol 'Yorktown' class 0-4-0ST No. 2012 of 1941 and used at the Royal Ordnance factory at Creakmoor, Dorset. It was for a time with the late Reverend Teddy Boston at Cadeby and is now privately owned and on hire to the National Railway Museum where it gives rides. It was visiting Chasewater for the winter gala. At the rear is Colin McAndrew built by Andrew Barclay of Kilmarnock as No. 1223 of 1911. It was built for contractor Colin McAndrew then later used by N Greening at its wireworks in Warrington. It was acquired for preservation in 1966.

Slightly shocking when you first see it, the "Pool" has been drained for maintenance work to be carried out on the dam which has been concerning engineers due to its age. Because of the limited number of streams feeding water it will be many years before the level returns to normal.

Sunday April 29th 2012. After heavy rain all day the culvert was in 'full-flow', could be a year at least before the levels are back to normal, hopefully if I try to take this shot next year the water will be up to my waist !

One man and his dog.