Just nine of us for the autumn get together - a warm welcome to 'Welsh Gold' Chris Davies who joined us by rail and the David Hayes taxi/tour guide from Penarth near Cardiff.

Richie B, Nightshiftworker and Firemanphotter couldn't make it this time, fellas you were missed, hopefully next time you'll be back.

So, for the record left to right, Marra Man, me, Delticfan, David Hayes, Jim the Joker, Welsh Gold, Headcode, Sydpix and robmcrorie.

It was also the first appearance of a cake, surely to be repeated! Robert Chilton you're a legend, triple layer chocolate too!

Laugh of the day was 'what happened next' in the field where most of us captured the arrival of the grid and 'Tornado'. The female (?) owner of the filed turned up and proceeded to have a rant that would have put Margaret Thatcher in the shade. Still can't understand why I didn't capture the event as 'trespasser in chief 'Marra Man' copped most of it.

In a happier moment, 'MM' is seen on the MML warm up the day before at Souldrop.

Cheers chaps, a day to remember, lets look forward to the afternoon/night session at Crewe in November.

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Back in the autumn of 2008 a small group of folk who had 'met' by commenting on each others scanned archive photographs got together for the first time at Water Orton and Elford.

Many more of these events have taken place over the years, and it was fitting that the 5th anniversary gathering was blessed with good weather and our largest headcount

The 'bakers dozen' are seen here on the bridge at Winwick Junction near Warrington.

Other locations visited that day included Bank Quay, Arpley, Latchford, Fiddlers Ferry and Olive Mount Junction.

Special mentions to Jim who researched possible locations and tabulated the LBT - Fiddlers Ferry workings, Adrian who printed out the details of the trains that were running and David for supplying copious quantities of food and drink.

Long distance travel nominations were received from Hull, Workington via Devon and Kettering but these were all easily beaten by 'Headcode'. Robert came from Spain via Southend airport!!!

Great fun was had by all - left to right Richie B, cabsaab900, delticfan, tunnys pics, Headcode, Marra Man, robmcrorie, Nightshiftworker, Sydpix, fireman photter, David Hayes 77, Jim the Joker and me.

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As many of you may have already seen, Phil aka 'Auchlander' passed on recently and our next gathering on Thursday May 10th will be a sad one.

A group of us 'met' via the 'Railphotoarchive' a few years back, and exchanged frequent messages and tips as well as getting together to enjoy our hobby from time to time.

Philip had a great knowledge of the railway, having travelled widely and worked for both BR and Metro Cammell. When it came to photos though, his were just brilliant. He took pictures of places where few if anyone had ventured, with unique angles and compositions. See for yourself if you haven't discovered his flickr collection yet.

www.flickr.com/photos/auchlander/

and the new account (see comment trail below)

www.flickr.com/photos/auchlander-thephilipcromecollection/

He was great company, with a lively and engaging personality. His layout was such fun to 'play trains' with, and he gave me the priviledge of scanning a couple of boxes of his slides.

I have few memories of the 'old' MML near to where I have lived since 1992. Scanning Phil's images of my locality was almost as good as being there back in the days of 'Peaks', rats and semaphores.

We'll miss you Phil, but hopefully your vast collection will continue to get scanned and enjoyed by those who appreciate superb railway photography.

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A first class bunch of 'flickr fotters', represented by some rather average images of a somewhat dull station. The young lady vied with two others for our 'totty of the day' award.

Better pics of trains were taken at Nottingham as the sun went down.

Featured in the shot of 153383 are left to right delticfan, auchlander and sydpix. Fireman fotter was also present (dressed in blue in the Tornado shot) - a great day and evening was had by all........

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Ever changing light, two Tug workings cancelled but a few extra trains running - a fine day all in all with some great pictures taken by all.

Top left is a corker see the full image on flickr by David Hayes - link below. Next the three skinheads, with me finally having worked out how to use the wireless remote. Bottom Messrs Nicholls and Hayes and a fine 66 by 'Marra Man', provider of much information and a driver's take on events.

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