OVERSEAS TRAVEL
In 2017, two overseas trips proved sufficiently ambitious, and they both included my beloved Burma (Myanmar, as it is now known). To track down overseas visits I've written about in earlier years, to both Burma and other countries, you can try the following posts:-
Jan Ford's Travels (2001 onwards).Burma and Australia in 2017
Jan Ford's Travels - The early trips (before 2001).
Jan Ford's Travels: Around the World in pictures (alphabetic list with links to pictures).
I set off on 19th April and visited Yangon, Mon State, the Bagan Medical Clinic and local schools with Doctor Hla Tun (as in previous years) before a visit to Kayah State and Inle Lake. The first of a series of posts is here and each post in the series has a link to the subsequent episode.
Taung Gwe Zedi, Loikaw.
Then, I spent a few days in Australia visiting Perth, Melbourne and Hobart. The first of the Australia posts is here and each post has a link to the subsequent episode.
Port Arthur Historic Site: The remains of the Penitentiary.
Second trip to Burma in 2017
I set off on 29th September and visited Yangon, the Delta Region, Myitkyina, Indawgyi Lake, Mandalay. Then, I travelled on the 'Road to Mandalay' river ship to Bagan with Doctor Hla Tun. After spending time at Bagan Medical Clinic, I returned to Yangon for a final stays at the Belmond Governor's Residence. The first of a series of posts is here and each post in the series has a link to the subsequent episode.
Shwe Mykitzu Pagoda, Indawgyi Lake, Myanmar.
TRAVEL IN THE UK
During the year I made a few trips (mainly by rail) to various destinations in the UK, some of which have blog posts.
By Bus to Brighton.
Croydon Airport (site of).
London: The Shard.
Exploring Liverpool's former South Docks.
Interlude in London.
Channel Tunnel Rail Link.
Rail Research UK Association Annual Conference 2017.
Quinton Rail Technology Centre.
High Speed One.
The Postal Museum and Mail Rail, London.
London Bridge Station: View from Tooley Street, with the Shard in the background.
RAILWAYS AND PRESERVATION
During 2015, I continued to support the Old Locomotive Committee and remained an active volunteer at The Battlefield Line and Peak Rail.
The Old Locomotive Committee
On Saturday, 17th June 2017 the 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Old Locomotive Committee was held in the Museum of Liverpool. As usual, I travelled to and from Liverpool by train. Various photographs I took have been added to the appropriate album.
Liverpool: View from Pierhead as 'Manannan' leaves for the Isle of Man with Seacombe Landing Stage in the background.
The 'Lionsmeet' event was held on Saturday, 22nd July 2017 at the Worden Park track of the Leyland Society of Model Engineers. My report is here.
'Lionsmeet 2017' at Leyland SME: During the afternoon John Brandrick, Chairman of OLCO, made a short address of thanks to Leyland S.M.E. for their hospitality.
You can find all my posts about OLCO here and there's more information on the Old Locomotive Committee's website (and becoming a member) here.
The Battlefield Line
I had a number of driving turns during the year, some of which are described in blog posts:-
Dugald Drummond and the 'T9' - Historical Background
Bank Holiday with Steam and Diesel
Battlefield Line Model Steam Weekend, 2017
DMU Days at the Battlefield Line
Summer at Shackerstone
Battlefield Line Fish and Chip Evening Special
Two Failures
On the Footplate: the Drummond 'T9'
On the Footplate
Santa Specials at the Battlefield Line 2017
Drummond 'T9': 30120 being prepared at Shackerstone.
You can find all my posts about the Battlefield Line here.
Peak Rail
I regularly drove steam during the year at Peak Rail and there are a few blog posts:-
Peak Rail in 2017
Cars and Trains at Peak Rail
Peak Rail 1940s Weekend 2017
On the Footplate
Peak Rail Santa Specials
Visiting locomotive 'Jennifer' at Peak Rail.
You can find all my posts about Peak Rail here.
Myanma Railways
During my two visits to Burma in 2017 I again spent some time studying the railway system, resulting in a number of blog posts:-
Last Full Day in Yangon
Train movements at Yangon Central station
Features of Railway Signalling in Myanmar
Railway Signalling in Burma - Index
Around Mandalay
Mandalay Wednesday
Mandalay and its Circle Line
Non-operational steam in Myanmar
Rail-mounted Cranes on Myanma Railways
Final day in Yangon and the Circle Line
Jan in Kyee Myin Daing South Signal Cabin (Photo: Myanma Railways)
You can find all my posts about Myanma Railways here.
BREWOOD HALL
The Brewood Garden Party was held at Brewood Hall for the fifth time on Saturday, 8th July 2017. There's a report here.
Brewood Garden Party 2017.
You can find all my posts about Brewood Hall here.
TY GWYN
Ty Gwyn is a small commercial woodland around 27 hectares in area near Corwen in Wales. There's a review in the post Ty Gwyn 2017
. To see all my posts on Ty Gwyn, click here.
Ty Gwyn 2017: Memorial Pool in August.
'ROAD TO MANDALAY' SOCIAL CONTRIBUTION
For a number of years, I've supported the charitable initiatives operated under the above name in Burma. When I visit Burma, I try to see as much as possible of the work in hand. The charity provides Educational Support to a range of schools and orphanages (including the Orphans & Vulnerable Children Project in Mon State) and Medical Treatment to all ages (centred on the wonderful Bagan Medical Clinic).
You can find all my posts on Educational Support here.
Hlaing D.I.C. in Mawlamyine.
You can find all my posts on Medical Support here.
Bagan Medical Clinic, Friday 13th October 2017.
OTHER BLOG POSTS IN THE YEAR
This review covers trips and events during the year but doesn't include other types of post including:-
Technical or historical articles, mainly about railways;PREVIOUS ANNUAL REVIEWS
Recollections of past events;
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
