© Geoff’s Rail Diaries 2011 Here's another of those "must have a look one day" visits - the Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum, near Keswick in the Lake District. As its name suggests, it's not primarily a railway attraction - but over the years a substantial collection of narrow gauge equipment has been amassed, with the intention of operating a passenger train into the quarry. To that end, a recent arrival has been "Sir Tom", a rather nice little Bagnall (2135 of 1925) steam locomotive. Sir Tom is in full working order - but neither he nor any of his diesel, petrol or battery- electric colleagues were in action on this occasion. The upside, of course, was that we were able to wander around the site without hindrance. In addition to the railway, there is a huge collection of mechanical excavators - mostly of the Ruston-Bucyrus variety, but with representatives of other manufacturers present. Not just excavators - masses of other equipment too, the purpose of which frequently defies the imagination... In common with many such sites, much of the equipment is in open air storage, awaiting restoration. And then there's the museum itself - "comprehensive geological and mining museum" - yes, it was - a most interesting collection, well displayed and well explained (and, curiously, much bigger than it appeared to be from outside). In short, an excellent visit - and there will be a return visit when the railway is operating. Link: Threlkeld Quarry and Mining Museum