-0 No.46441 is reflectedinthe stillwatersofthe RiverLeven as it makesits approach to Lakeside stationonthe Lakeside &HaverthwaiteRailway on April11. WILL SMITH
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TOsay thatthe latest new featuretaking shape on the Nene Valley Railway is a‘silk purse out of asow’s ear’isa gross understatement.
At the line’s Peterborough terminus,aforgotten station building thathad fordecades been enshrouded inthe mists of time has been recovered piecebypiecefromits original siteonone of the myriad of meandering branch linesinsouth west Lincolnshire,most of which closed as soon as a modest level of road transport wasinsight.
Having last seen passenger trains in 1929, WansfordRoad station, which datesfrom1867, became aprivate house and was laterboarded up and forgotten, hidden inthe cutting in which it stood However, amar vellous beyond-belief degreeof. inspiration and initiativewill now see iteasily sell moretickets in a year than it did during adecade in its first incarnation.
its historical legacyintactinits new identityas WoodstoneWhar f. Herein liesa lesson foreveryone concerned with savingBritain’s heritage, railway or other wise
Listed building status offers protection to countless structures deemed to be of historical worth. Yetsomanyclassic railway buildings have been lost, particularly sincethe Beeching closures, because they were deemed toorecentorspecial to be savedintheir ownright, or simply because adeveloper had no interest whatsoever in them, with profit being the all-consumingmotive.
“Inthisyearof Railway200,the public at largewill increasingly become more awareof Britain’s pivotalplace in worldhistory...”
Long the undisturbed hauntofbatsand squirrels, it wasrecently visitedbynoneother than Prince Edward,the Duke of Edinburgh (Headline News, page 7) andwill nowforma joint gatewaybetween the heritage line and the adjacentRailworldWildlife Haven. Ashortwalk from thecitycentre, it will become the entrancetoa must-visit family dayout, as well as aheritage showpiece in its ownright
Special thanks hereare rightly due to the Highways Agency, which needed to flattenthe building to make wayfor adual carriageway and so gave £200,000 towardsthe cost of providing it with anew home –where it will proudlyretain
In this year of Railway 200, the public at large will increasingly become moreaware of Britain’s pivotal placeinworld histor y through the developmentof the steam passenger train –and howitnot only connectedmany isolatedtowns and villages but also shrunk the globe in doing so. Victorian,Edwardian,and even later-datedstation buildings shouldbeconsidered as defining features of asettlement’shistor yasmuch as mansions,halls, places of worship and other key public structures
Maybe it is time to bring in ‘halfway house’ legislation,whereby developers who seek to legally bulldozeredundanthistoricstructures should be obliged first of alltooffer them –maybe free of charge to bona fide heritage groups which, as in the case of WansfordRoad,would dismantle, remove,and re -erect themattheir ownexpense. Surely,this is awin-win situation forall?
Robin Jones Editor
2MT2-6
Headline News
■ Nunney Castle returns to ser vice
■ ‘Great Britain XVIII’tour the last to be signalled by Southern‘boxtrio
■ 1825 comes to Weardale as replica train under takes test runs
■ Deltic preser vation histor yas Alycidon lines up gala appearances
■ Darlington renames conser vation area to honour railway heritage
News
■ LSWR and LYRwow the crowds at Mid-Hants’spring gala of ‘firsts’
■ Tickets go on sale fortravelling Railway 200 exhibition train
■ Green lightfor Severn Valley landslip repairs to begin
DonBenn looks at recent trips with No.45596 Bahamas and doubleheaded Class 37s,plus twosteam runs from 1965 in Scotland
Regulars
Subscribe Today30 Centre
LMS Jubilee 4-6-0s pass on April 20: BR green-liveried Nos 45699 Galatea (as 45627 Sierra Leone) and 45596 Bahamas rub shoulders at Bewdley JOHN TITLOW
Main Line Itinerar y59
Steam and heritage diesel railtours. Railwayana 70 Geoff Cour tney ’s regularcolumn. Off the Shelf 86 Latest book and DVD releases Up &Running 90 Guide to upcoming railway running days and events Next Stop106
Featur es
Double spring success forSevern Valley
TwovisitingBrunswick green LMSJubilees and rare double -heading by home -based GWR Manors,plusthe long-awaited appearanceof new-build No.6880 Betton Grange,wereamong the starattractions at the Severn ValleyRailway’sApril 18-21Spring SteamGala, as John Titlow reports in wordsand pictures
Welcome home: Betton Grange returns to star at Dee Valleygala
More than aquarterofacentur y afterthe new-build projectwas launched,the 81st member of the GWR Grange class returned to where thatstory began –the Llangollen Railway.OwenHayward reports
Ingrow museum gets £100k refurbishment
TheVintage Carriages Trust at Ingrow is entering anew phase in its development. Sally Cliffordfinds out more and reports in wordsand pictures
Celebrating the tinybut mighty Bignamed express locomotives mightwin out in termsofliteral pulling power, but even thesmallest of industrials can attractthe crowds.
Owen Haywardwenttothe Kent & East SussexRailway findout more about aunique event
Model News 76
Hornbyexpands its range of TT:120 models, while theIsleof WightSteam Railway commissions exclusivemodels from Bachmann.
CONTENTS: Abridge betweenworlds:modern wind turbines harvest greenenergyoff the Norfolkcoastline as 7F 2-8-0No. 13809fails to spook apairofgrazing deer at Sheringham Road on April20. Having run during February halfterm as BR No.53809,the North NorfolkRailway-based centenarianwas appearing freshly outshoppedinits LMSlivery, andtrainsover theEasterbankholiday weekendwerecoupled to theGresley Quad Artstock andLNERpigeonvan. No.13809 is in thefinal few months of itsboilerticket andwillbewithdrawn laterthisyearfor overhaul.
OWEN HAYWARD COVER: Following a lengthyoverhaulat Locomotive Services Limited’sCrewe workshops, GWR4 -6 -0 No.5029 Nunney Castle hasreturnedtomainline serviceafter adecade. On April17, it worked Jeremy Hosking’sprivate trainfromBristol Temple MeadstoKingswear on the Dartmouth SteamRailway, BS pictured passing LangstoneRockalong the Dawlishcoastline.For the fullstory,see Headline News,pages 6/7.
JOSHUA CURTIS
NEWS HE ADLINE NEWS
NunneyCastle is back!
By Robin Jones
GWR 4-6-0 No.5029 Nunney Castle is back on the main line afteradecade outofaction.
Following the completion of its overhaul and running-in tests, No.5029 hauled‘ TheChairman’s Train,’a privatechar tercarrying owner JeremyHosk ing and his family on their annual Easter holidayland cruise around the UK .
Thefirst daysaw Locomotive Services Limited Class 57 No.57002 –whichwas named Winston Churchill at Paddington thatmorning –take the first leg of the 1Z2910.42am Paddington to Kingswear char ter to Bristol Temple Meads.There,the train washanded over to No.5029, leading anotherLSL 57, No.57311 The InstitutionofMechanical Engineers
Thechar terpaused at Tauntonto allowthe Castle to take on water beforecontinuing, arriving at Kidderminster 73 minutes late due to the Paignton branch being closed due to atrespassincident.
Thesecond dayofthe char ter saw Nunney Castle returnthe train to TauntonwhereClass 37s Nos. 37667 Flopsie and37521 took over.Problems with No.37521 arose at Penzance, however, delaying the depar turetoShrewsbur yby three hours and eightminutes,and No.37667 laterhad coolantissues Class 47 No.47810 CreweDiesel Depot arrivedatBristol from Crewe and hauled the train to Shrewsbur y. TheShrewsbur ytoLlandudno leg wasworked by Class 45 No.45118 RoyalArtiller yman.
Life andtimes Built at Swindon in 1934 and first allocatedtoOld Oak Common, where it spentmost of its work ing life, Nunney Castle waswithdrawnfrom Cardiff East Dock in December 1963 and arrivedatWoodhamBrothers’ Barry scrapyard the following June.In May1976 it wassold to aconsor tium consisting of privateindividuals and
the GreatWesternSociety. It became the last locomotivetoleave the scrapyard by rail No. 5029 wasrestored at Didcot Railway Centre and returned to steam and main line ser vicein1990. In 2002 it became the first GWRlocomotive to be fitted with Train Protection Warning System apparatus.
Lateracquired by Mr Hosk ing, Nunney Castle last ranin2015, twoyears beforeits boiler ticket expired.Extensive boiler repairs at LNWR Heritage in Crewesaw its Collett superheaterreplaced by alater patternthree -row version, manufactured at Timsons Engineering of Kettering,intended to enable the locomotive to dealwith the lowerquality of coal it is now required to burn.
Theboiler wasreunitedwith the frames in Februar y.
Resplendentinits 1946/47 GWR liver yalong with anew Hawkswor th tender, Nunney Castle isbooked for Steam Dreams’June 21 excursion from London Victoratothe Dar tmouth Steam Railway Formoredetails and to book,visit steamdreams.co.uk/journey/londonto -paignton-k ingswear-21-06-24/
GWR4 -6 -0 No.5029 Nunney Castle, with Class57No. 57311 TheInstitution of Mechanical Engineers tucked inside,heads away from Dawlishwith‘The Chairman’s Train’ on April17. Astrongsouth easterly wind combined with the high tide provided lively sea conditions,withsomebig wavesbreakingoverthe seawall. JOSHUA CURTIS
UK land cruise tour becomes laststeam trainsignalledbyretiring ’box trio
By Robin Jones
HAULED by MerchantNavyPacific
No.35028 Clan Line,the London Victoria to Bristol via Haslemere, Southampton and Salisburyfirst leg of the Railway Touring Company’s ‘Great Britain XVII’ land cruise on April 26 became the final steam train to be signalled through by three retiring signalboxesbetween Farncombe and Petersfield on the Portsmouth
DirectLine.The ’boxes at Farncombe, Petersfield and Haslemereare nearing 50 years of serviceand arebecoming less reliableand increasingly difficult to maintain. Laterthis year,a long-term programme of work to upgrade the signalling systems will be completed,with controlof signalling being transferred from these ‘boxes to the Basingstoke Rail Operating Centre
This new digital signalling technology is partofwider upgrades between London and Portsmouth and aims to makethe railway morereliable. Oncecontrol of the signalling has been moved, the three ’boxes will be decommissioned.Haslemere ’box,which opened in 1895, will become asmall museum, run by the HaslemereCommunity Station and Signal BoxTrust
Trust chairman KenGriffiths said: “Weare determined to preserve the Haslemeresignalboxasan educational facilityfor future generations to enjoyand celebrate the railway’s heritage in thisyearof Railway 200. We would liketothank Network Rail forits constructive supportinour endeavour,and we look forwardtobeingable to open the signalboxuptothe public in the very near future.”
No.5029 Nunney Castle with itsnew Hawksworth tender passes BeestonCastleonaloadedtestrun from CrewetoChester on April11. KALLUM BUCKLE Y
Goodbye, Wansford Road:hello to WoodstoneWharf!
By Robin Jones
A£150,000 appeal to refit a‘lost ’ railway station thathas beenrebuilt eightmiles away as anew joint entrancetotwo major heritage attractions near Peterborough city centre has been launched.
As repor tedin Heritage Railway issue 322, the station building at WansfordRoad,anintermediate stop on the Stamfordand Sibson branch of the Stamford&Essendine Railway, has been dismantled brickbybrick and re -erected at the Nene Valley Railway ’s Peterborough terminus, placed at rightangles to the heritage line’s track –whereitwill form ajoint gatewaytothe adjacent Railworld WildlifeHaven.
The1867-built station, closed by the LNER to all trafficonJune 29, 1929, layinadeepcutting completely obscured by trees from
the view of passing traffic on Sutton Heath Road,near the village of Sutton, and afterwardsbecamea privateresidencebeforeeventually being boarded up and abandoned
When National Highways made plans forthe dualling of the A47 to the east of Wansford, including the bulldozingofthe forgotten station, it allocatedmorethan £200,000 forthe deconstruction, movement and reconstruction of the building as par tofits ‘designated funding’ programme
Plans forthe move and rebuild were drawnupbyarchitectHudsons of Nor wich, includingLewis Williams,aformer NVRyouth group member.With full permission from Peterborough CityCouncil,granted afteritwas demonstrated that therewould be no impacton the environmentorriskofpollution to the nearby river, the rebuild began.
Network Rail signaller Ashley Hillier,who signalled thefinal steam train through Haslemere, said: “It really is an honour to be part of this fantastic pieceofhistoryand to get to takepartand to cherish that in your memories going forward as Itakethatintomycareer. It’s fantastic.I’m very,veryproud.”
Prince Edward, theDukeof Edinburgh,after unveiling the plaque at the rebuilt station, with Nene Valley Railway chairman MichaelPurcell. RAILWORD
AMerchant Navy Locomotive Preservation Societyspokesman added: “Tosee Clan Line haul the final steam-hauled charterservice to be signalled by Farncombe, Haslemere, and Petersfield signalboxesisa poignantand historic moment.
“These boxeshavebeen an essentialpartofrailwayoperations on the Portsmouth Directlinefor generations,and their closure marks the end of aremarkable era.
“With Clan Line’s strong links to the South Western division of the Southern Region during its operational lifeunder BR and under MNLPS ownership,itisthe ideal locomotivetomarkthismilestone.”
It wasdecided thatthe historic station name would have to change as WansfordRoad wasjust too confusing,the NVR having its own Wansfordstation at its headquar ters
Thename Woodstone Whar f waschosen, Woodstone being the archaic spelling of the localdistrictin Peterborough and Whar freflecting the old loading stage on the riverbank
Prime contractor Fordsons under took the careful dismantling process and worked througha multitude of adversities –from protectedbatsand birds and unstable ground to freezing temperatures and near- impossible timescales –with acombination of stonemason sk ills and master yof modernbuilding standardstodeliver abuilding thatwill stand formany years to come
In Februar y, Railworld chairman Brian Pearce arranged thata visit to the HavenbyThe Duke of Edinburgh could include avisit to the ‘new ’ station. Thedukeunveiled astone commemorating his visit and recording the station reconstruction effor ts forposterityinaceremony also attended by NVRchairman Michael Purcell
Following months of painstak ing reconstruction from piles of carefully numbered bricks,inApril the rebuilt outer shelf and roof of the building were unveiled.The building is being returned to its originalcondition, with no modernadditions being fitted,and damaged features like
chimneys, doors and windows reinstatedasfar as is possible
Stan Bell,who has been leading the project, which is administered by TheWansfordRoadCIO charity, said £150,000 wasneeded to cover the remaining work,which largely centresonthe interior,fitting out the building (electrics,heating and internal décor), plus external landscaping.The building’s main function will be the sale of tickets and it will be decorated in the style of aVictorian ticket office, with period ar tefacts on display.
Thesmall rooms on each side of the centre will be used to host typical railway station ser vices,a toilet equipped to modernaccessible standards,a tearoom, asmall book/ gift shop,and astore
Stan said: “This is fundamental to our railway heritage.I hope people will rally round and help us get it through.”
➜ To donate to the appeal to complete Woodstone Wharf, visit https:// woodstonewharf.org.uk/support/ or https://donate.justgiving.com/ charity/thewansfordroadcio/ donation-amount or https://gofund. me/4e2a079d Alternatively,banktransfers can be made to sortcode 23-05-80 and account48351220, TheWansford Road CIO,referenceDonation, or sentacheque to:The Wansford Road CIO,Woodstone Whar f station, PleasureFairMeadow Road Peterborough PE2 9NR, with ‘Donation’written on the rear
Right: ‘Forgotten’WansfordRoadstation reborn as WoodstoneWharf as seen on April22. WRCIO
Above: Work in progress on giving anew leaseoflifetoWansfordRoadstation. RAILWORLD
On April26, Clan Line headsthe last steamtrain signalledthroughHaslemere signalbox. NR
Highlighting theworld’s firststeam-hauledpassenger train, thereplica Locomotion No.1 andits trainofthree chaldron wagons andpassenger coach Experiment in full cryduringtestrunsonthe Weardale RailwayonApril 16 DAVE SMALLIN
Pausefor thought: Thereplica 1825 trainstops on atestrun forits performanceto be analysed.
Time travel in Wearda le!
By Robin Jones
THE Weardale Railway has been used as atesttrack forthe modern-day replica of the Stockton &Darlington Railway ’s opening daytrain of September 27, 1825 –and it looked exactly the part.
The1975-built replica of Locomotion No.1,which hauled the world’sfirst steam passenger train and which, as reportedin Heritage Railway issue 331, under went running tests on the GreatCentral Railway (Nottingham) in March, wasbroughttoWolsingham in early April alongside thenew replicas of the pioneer passenger carriage Experiment and three chaldron wagons,which NorthernHeritage Engineering LtdofDarlington was contracted to build
Thetrain is equipped to run on the modernmain line and will run over the S&DR routefromShildonvia Darlington to Stockton-on-Tees on September 26, 27 and 28 at the height of the S&DR200 festival bicentenar y celebrations,which includes a re -enactmentofthatwatershed first journey
Thereplica, built to commemorate the 150th anniversar yofthe S&DR, wasinitially based at the Beamish Open Air Museum beforemoving
to the Head of SteamMuseum (now HopetownDarlington) in April 2021 and has sinceundergone an overhaul at LocomotiveMaintenance Services in Loughborough.The four vehicles has been displayed in HopetownDarlington.
While the Weardale test runs have not been opentothe public, on one day, agroup of Year Six-aged children from Wolsingham Primar ySchool were taken on awalk to the stationto see the replica train and were allowed to climb inside Experiment whileitwas stationary.A member of the testing team said thatthe Wearedale runs
went well and lessonswerelearned “Turns out thatitruns best on eco coal briquettes!” he said
An extension of the S&DR, the Weardale line opened in 1847, initially terminating at Frosterley, and linked the quarrying and iron industries of Weardale to Teesside
TheWeardale line closed to passengers in 1953 and to goods in 1965. TheWeardale Railway Preser vation Societyin1993 and ser vicesrestartedin2004. Theline’sseason ser vices run over the 11 miles from Witton-leWear to Stanhope,with an aim to
The Locomotion No.1 replica is delivered to Wolsingham by theWeardale Railway’s Network RailwayliveredClass 31 No.31465 on April8.
extend and open stations at Eastgate and Bishops Auckland
Meanwhile, in Stockton-on-Tees in late April, Tees Archaeology undertook adig alongpartofthe trackbed of the original S&DR in the garden of South Lodge,inthe grounds of Preston Park Museum and Gardens,inorder to establish howthe line wasbuilt, such as whether stoneoroak sleepers were used,and also if thereare anyhidden relics
Thesection of line throughthe park wasinuse onlybetween 1825 and 1853 and thereforeoffers aunique snapshot of the original track.
Preparations areunderwaytocelebrateanevenolder railway in Scotland
THE1722WaggonwayHeritage
Group is to mark Railway 200 by celebrating Scotland’s firstrailway. Thecommunityheritage projectwas createdtointerpret, preserve and enhancethe routeand associatedindustries and environments of the Tranent-Cockenzie Waggonway.
Thegroup has arranged a free evening at TheBattle of Prestonpans JacobiteMuseum in Prestonpans Town Hall,East Lothian, at 7.30pm on May16 with atalk by historians Anthony Dawson and Ed Bethune,who will discuss the latest research and archaeologicalfindingsrelating
to the waggonwayand its placein Scottish railway history.
On Saturday, May17, the group is planning aspecial dayat its heritage centre on West Harbour Road,Cockenzie,from 10am to 11pm, with traditional skills activities including making trenails,quill and ink writing,
donning historic costumes to have photographs taken with the group’s waggon, and guided walks over the routeofthe waggonway.
An evening celebration will run from 5pm-11pm. Formoredetails, visit www.1722waggonway. co.uk/post/rail200-waggonwaycelebration-event
DALE SMALLIN
DALE SMALLIN
Darlington’s Northgatetoberenamed to showcase area’s railwayheritage
By Robin Jones
DA
RLINGTON’S
Nor thgate conser vation area is be expanded and renamed to celebrateits railway heritage
Thesitewill be rebranded as the Stockton &Darlington Railway : Nor thgate Conser vation Area following consultations with residents and heritage exper ts
Theareaisidentified as a designatedheritage asset of international significancedue to its structures and associations directly linked to the earlyyears of the S&D star ting in 1825. Aconservation area is ‘anareaofspecialarchitectural or historical interest, the characteror appearanceofwhich it is desirable to preser ve or enhance.’
Historic buildings and structures within the conser vation area consist of buildings within the multiple award-winning HopetownDarlington museum attraction, including a carriage worksand goods shed, Skerne Bridge,RailwayTavernand Edward Pease House,
TV star ’s suppor t
DespiteNor thgate’s historical impor tance, it has been on the national At Risk Register since 2010. Darlington Borough Council is planning to writeanew draft appraisal to replaceone from 2007, which officials sayisnow out of date It is aimed to implementthe update laterthis year
Meanwhile,T Vpresenterand historian Dan SnowMBE has been filming in HopetownDarlington as par tofthe Stockton &Darlington Railway bicentenar ycelebrations He filmed the three locomotives
DanSnowMBE (right)infront of theoriginal Locomotion No.1 inside Hopetown Darlington. DARLINGTON BC
thatare currently displayedinthe Grade II-listed carriage worksaspar t of its Railway Pioneers exhibition: the original LocomotionNo. 1,which hauled the world’sfirst steam-hauled passenger train, and the replicas of RichardTrevithick ’s 1804 Penydarren locomotiveand the SteamElephant of 1815.
AHopetownspokesman said Dan filmed with the trio fora TV programme about the railways, which will airlater thisyear.“Dan spoke to festivaldirectorNiccy Halifax about wider S&DR200 festival plans around the region andto HopetownDarlington’s director, Leona White-Hannant, about the histor yofthe S&DR, the significance of the three locomotives, and Darlington’s impactonrailways and communities around the world.”
In 2013, the BBC aired DanSnow’s Histor yofRailways, athree -part BBC documentar yseries.
Meanwhile,HopetownDarlington is again set to showthatitcan host major non-railway events.Comic Con, the premier eventfor all things comicsand relatedpopular ar t, including movies,television and gaming,isreturning on July 5/6 in par tnership with Cute FoxEvents afterasuccessful debut in Februar y. Returning forHopetownSummer Conisthe ever-popularDeLorean DMC-12 car made famous by the Back to TheFuturefilms,allowing the public to sit inside it forthe ultimate fans’photographic oppor tunity.
Guests already announced forthe eventinclude Dene Michael,fromthe band BlackLace, Phil Fletcher and Hacker TDog,fromCBBC, original Gladiators Saracen and Scorpio, and Ar tthe Clown from the Terrifier horrorseries
Reaching newaudiences
Amainstayofthe eventis cosplay, or costume play, an activityand per formance ar tinwhichpar ticipantscalled cosplayers wear costumes and fashion accessories to representaspecific character. Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member forlocal ser vices, Coun LibbyMcCollom, said: “HopetownDarlington’s first Comic ConinFebruar ywas sucha positive and fantastic event. It wasa real crowd-pleaser as it broughtabrandnew and nowloyal audiencetothe attraction, and we cannot wait to welcome ever yone back forSummer ConinJuly.”
Formoreinformation and to book tickets,visit www. hopetowndarlington.co.uk/whatson/Hopetown-Summer-Con
NewDeltichistory made as Alycidon gala line-up includes Moorslinehomecoming
APRIL 17 sawall three of the Deltic Preser vation Society’s Class 55sinaction on the same dayattwo differentlocations, when D9015 Tulyar commenced testing as its protractedoverhaul nears conclusion.
On April 13, 1997, Tulyar was powereddownatthe Midland Railway –Butterley forwhatwas expected to be atwo -year overhaul, which has taken substantially longer than thatoriginal forecast. Just four days beyond 28 years sinceitlast worked under its ownpower, Tulyar wasstar tedupatthe DPS depot at BarrowHill and made its first moves unassisted to check thatits control systems were operating as intended During these tests around the site,it
towedclassmate No.55009 Alycidon out of the shedintothe yard, where it toowas star tedup and ranupand down the branch on test. Elsewhere, the thirdofthe DPS fleet, No.55019 RoyalHighland Fusilier,was work ing trains on the GreatCentral Railway, the result of which meantthatall three of the society’slocomotives were in operation on the same day–something which has not happened sinceJuly 5, 1986.
Further work will be carried out on Tulyar prior to itsplanned upcoming move to Loughborough, whereitwill undergo testing on the GCR.All three will also be at Alstom’s TheGreatest Gathering at DerbyonAugust 1-3. In addition to this, Alycidon will be visiting twoheritage lines fordiesel
P3 makes it three forStainmore S&DR bicentenary gala schedule
TWONorth Eastern Railway locomotives and aformer regional residentwill help the Stainmore Railway celebratethe bicentenary of the Stockton &Darlington Railway at agala on August 2325, with 0-6-0 J27 No.2392 the final visitor to be announced as heading forKirkby Stephen for the occasion.
Once apartofthe S&DR route, the 200th anniversaryofwhich is beingcelebrated throughout 2025, theline wastaken over by the NER in 1863. While No.2392 is notrecordedashaving ever run over theS&DR itself,itisone of the fewsurvivingexamples of locomotives withorigins in the companythattook over the line, theclass being derived from Wilson Worsdell’s P3s.
Localconnection
It will join previously announced LNER Y7 0-4-0T No.985, which also has NER roots,havingbeen built in 1923 to Thomas William Worsdell’s Hclass design first introduced in 1888. It is currently based on the Mid-Suffolk Railway,whereitiscomingto an end of a10-yearly overhaul. Also visitingisBRStandard2MT 2-6-0 No.78018, which wasonce based at Kirkby Stephen depot and is nowresidentonthe Great CentralRailway.
Arailway statementsaid: “The addition of the P3 completes the line-up forour gala, with two NER-designedlocomotives and an ex-Kirkby Stephen-based BR StandardClass 2, plus two clerestorycoaches (NER luggage thirdNo. 818 and inspection saloon No.1661), twoGresley coaches and NER Snowplough No.18.
galas.The first of these will be the Nor th YorkshireMoors Railway forits June 12-15 event, whereitwill debut with its freshly-applied Finsbur yPark whitecab.The NYMR was Alycidon’s first base when preser vedin1982, so the visit will be something of a homecoming,itnot having been based theresince1998; see www. nymr.co.uk/Event/annual- diesel-gala forfull details
It will then head straightfor the Keighley &Wor th Valley Railway for its June 19-22 gala, meaning all of the society’sDelticswill have operated thereinpreser vation, with D9015 having appeared in November 1988 and No.55019 in June 2018. For fur ther information, visit www.kwvr co.uk/events/dieselgala
“This gala is partofa larger West Side Storyproject, generously supportedbythe National LotteryHeritage Fund. As such,admission willbefree. However, the grantdoes not covergala-relateditems such as haulage,steaming fees,coal, insuranceand so on, all of which amounts to morethan £30,000.
“Asaresult,weand all other such groups can only continue to organise these events foryou all to enjoyif, at the very least, we coverour costs
“Do please supportour efforts by purchasing aticket to ride on thetrainsand/or leave a donation duringyour visit.”
Aspinall 0- 6- 0STNo. 11456climbsoverGrosvenor Road with themixed set bound
Left:BR2MT No.41312 ranall threedayscarryinga replicaheadboard of which it wore on April2,1967, when it worked thelastBRsteam branch serviceto Lymington. PAUL
Nort hmeets sout hatspr ing ga la of ‘firsts’for Mid- Ha nt s
By Owen Hayward
LANCASHIRE came to Hampshire at the end of April as the Mid-Hants Railway ’s annual spring steam gala broughtawaveoffirsts forthe line, drawing in the crowds despitealate locomotivefailure.
Therewas no doubt thatthe star of the April 25-27 gala wasLSWR T3 4-40 No.563, making itsfirst trip away from its home at the Swanage Railway following its returntosteam thereinthe autumn of 2023, while the Lancashire& YorkshireRailway duo of classes 23 0-6-0ST No.11456 and
27 0-6-0 No.52322 were makingtheir first visits to line,both found residing on the East Lancashire Railway. If that was not alluring enough,itwas also boththe first gala event andpublic outing to featureSRMerchantNavy Pacific No.35005 Canadian Pacific sinceits launch event in March, as reportedlast issue
Midland meets Southern
Thevaried line -up broughtwith it amixed representation railway companiesand ages throughout the operating fleet. No. 563 wasbuilt in 1893 at Nine Elms and at 132 years of
age wasboth theoldestlocomotive operatingthatweekend andthe only onetobecarryingthe colours of apre -Grouping company, it being resplendentinLSWRDrummond green.
Conversely,the LYRlocomotives each tell laterpar ts of their stories. Outshopped from Hor wichWorks just twoyears afterthe 4-4-0, No.52322 enteredser viceasNo. 1300 but currently runs carrying its BR number and unlined BR liver y, while the saddle tank appears as it would have under LMS ownership.Neither the T3 nor Class 23 made it to BR ownership,
having been withdrawnin1945 and 1937 respectively.No. 11456 wassold to the BlainscoughCollier y Co,ofCoppull,Lancashire, where it remained in use until entering preser vation in 1967, while No.563 went into storage at Eastleigh. While No.563 is not knowntohave ever run over the former diversionar y routefromAlton to Winchester,itand other examplesofthe T3 were based nearby at Eastleigh and it is therefore likely thatsome of the class did work trains over the line,with the last having been morethan 80 years ago Savedfromthe cutter ’s torch, No.563
LAWRENCE
Above:
forAlton. OWEN HAYWARD
waspar tially restored and put on displayfor the 150th anniversar yof Waterloo station in 1948, following which it wasstoredinthe electric carriage shed at Farnham, fur ther strengthening its local links
Laterpar ts of the SR stor ywere representedby Canadian Pacific, which wasbuilt at Eastleigh in 1941 and worked fast expresses in the region, and Ivatt2MT 2-6-2T No.41312, which wasoutshopped from the former LMS worksofCrewe in 1952 to asuccessful Midland designofcross- countr yand branch line locomotives
It had been hoped to see No.563 work ing alongside the Urie Society’sS15 4-6-0 No.506, the designofwhich has its origins in the LSWR, although its current appearanceisthatasmodified by the SR. Unfor tunately,just 10 days beforehand it wasdiscovered thatasmall number of firebox stays were defectiveand needed repairs,necessitating its temporar y withdrawal from ser vicetoeffect repairs.Bythe firstday of the gala, the boiler had been craned out of the frames and had enteredthe Ropley boilershop forworktostar t. Having been one of the railway ’s regular ser vicelocomotives over the last fewyears,while it is out of action some remedial work will also be under takenonthe axleboxesand motion to ensurethatitcan continue
to provide reliable servicefor the remainder of its boiler ticket.
Good turnout
Regular attendeesatgalas will normally find thatFridays of such events arequieter, yetitwas apparentthatthe line -up on offer washugely appealing as manyofthe trains departedwith corridors and vestibules full
An engaging and interesting timetable kept matters interesting, with stock formations changing throughout each dayasrequired by some of thespecial ser vices No.41312 paidtributetothe anniversary of BR’s last steam-hauled branch working,which ranonApril 2, 1967, over the Lymington branch with the same locomotive.
Canadian Pacific also evoked scenes of the namedtrains thatitcould have oncebeen found allocatedtoby departing Alresfordeach afternoon with an eight-coach rake which ran non-stop to Alton. Theset wasformed by merging twoseparatefiveand four-coach consists intoone,with the surplus vehicle being coupledtoa mixedset foraround trip of the line Thelatterformation wasalso subject to regular changes,withthe extra carriage being attached and removed as required,while parcels vans and acattle wagon also appeared on rotation. Ridesaboardthe Queen Mary bogie brake vanwereonoffer
Above: Theeight-coach trainprovesnochallenge for Canadian Pacific as it headsfor Ropley at thestart of the express runonApril 26. OWEN HAYWARD
Left:No. 52322climbstowards Rookwood Lane with the freighttrain on April25. OWEN HAYWARD
Below: TheT3looks rightathomeonthisformerLSWR routeasitemerges from SunLanecutting on April26. OWEN HAYWARD
forthose looking foranunusual way to enjoytravelalong theline Therailway ’s varied collectionof freightwagons also featured with a daily outing. With avast number to choose from but morethan can be accommodatedinone rake,wagons were removedand reattached at Medstead &Four Marksinthe Up direction,while an extended layover at Altonallowedfor further changes to be made to theconsist, ensuring that each appearancewas different Making its first appearance forsome considerabletime wasPresflo cement
hopper No.29, which stood out from therest inits vibrantyellowBlue Circle Cementliver y, while sole -sur viving BR ventilatedmeatvan No.870067 sportedBRcrimson
Arailway spokesman said: “Just under 3000 people travelled on trains throughout the three days,which is fantastic,and was20% up on what we hadpredicted. Focus nowturns to the July11-13diesel gala, which also promises to be something really special,with an exciting line -up of locomotives planned.Wewill be announcingthese very soon.”
No.35005 rounds WanderersCurve with arecreationofthe ‘Bournemouth Belle,’ whichran non-stop from AlresfordtoAlton each dayofthe gala. OWEN HAYWARD
Newly-qualifiedWensleydale Railway driver George Stephenson with Class 142DMU No.142060. WR
George becomes Wensleydale’s youngest driver
THE Wensleydale Railway has appointedits youngest train driver. George Stephens,21, from Darlington, has passed his driver training and is nowqualified to drive the line’s Class 142 and Class 143 DMUs. He studied travel and tourism at Darlington College and began working forthe railway as atravelling ticketInspectoratthe beginning of 2022, progressing to become a qualified guardin2023. He then became asecondman on the railway ’s diesel locomotives,asignaller and responsible officer,and starteddriver training in 2024.
“Learning to driveatrain hasbeen an ambition of mine sinceIwas a child,” he said ➜ Therailway is hosting its fourth annual model railway showatLeeming Bar station on May10/11. Passenger services during the weekend will be operated by the railway’s diesels –Class 37 No.37250, Class 14s D9513 and D9523 and Class 03 No.03144) –and the new liveryofClass 47 No.47714, which the railway bought last November,will be revealed to the public forthe first time.
Thirdguest for Minehead event
CLASS 50 No.50015 Valiant has joined the line -up forthe West Somerset Railway ’s June 5-8 summer diesel festival.LoanedbyBur yValiantGroup and the East LancashireRailway, No.50015, which last visited the line in September 1998, will be joined by fellowguests Class 45 ‘Peak’No. 45108, Class 52 D1015 Western Champion and the home fleet of Class 03 D2133, Class 14 ‘Teddy Bear ’D9526, Class 33s D6566 and D6575 and Class 35 ‘Hymeks’D7017 &D7018
Atwo-day cider festival will be held on Minehead Station on the Saturday and Sunday, while the Sundaywill be amixed traction daywith both steam and diesel locomotives in action. To book,visit https:// westsomersetrailway.digitickets.co.uk/ event/23719207
Cromer Lifeboat joins PoppyLinebeerfestiva
By Robin Jones
ALINK to thelocalRoyal National LifeboatInstitution will be celebrated at the NorthNor folk Railway ’s popular Rails &Ales eventonJune 13-15 when GB Railfrieght’sClass 66 No.66714 Cromer Lifeboat will join the line -up and make aver yrare appearanceonpassenger trains
Theblue and yellow-liveried GB Railfreightlocomotivewas built in Canadabeforebeing shipped to the UK ,and it enteredser vicein2003 to regularly haul heavy good trains on the national network
It wasnamed Cromer Lifeboat in honour of the lifeboatstation and the close association between the RNLI and GBRf,with aceremonytak ing placeatCromer stationin2003.
Local RNLI volunteers will be invited by theheritageline to attend the golden anniversar yyear eventand take atripbehind Cromer Lifeboat to celebratethe occasion.
NNR visitor experienceand marketing manager Hannah Drur y said: “Weweredelightedtohear thatGBRf wasable to suppor tthis year ’s Rails &Ales eventand are very thankfultobewelcoming a locomotivethathas not only hauled relatively fewpassenger trains,but also one with such alocallink thatis
close to manypeople’s hear ts.” No.66714 will join Class 40 D213 Andania,appearing cour tesy of LocomotiveSer vices Limited,and Waggon und Maschinenbau railbus E79960.
Therailbus worked off-peak ser vices at the NNR throughout the 1970s and 1980s,shuttling passengers from Weybourne to Kelling Heath Halt beforethe full section from Weybourne to Holt was relaid
It is currently on loan to the Ribble
Steam Railway but will returntothe NNR forthis eventaspar tofthe 50th anniversar ycelebrations
Home fleet steam and diesel locomotives will be outeach day, and each station will showcase arange of local bees and ciders, with the real ale bar and livemusic at Weybourne station. Therailway ’s popular breakfast train also sees areturnfor this year ’s eventwith visitors able to climb aboardthe firstround trip of the day: forfull details and to book, visit www.nnrailway.co.uk/rails-ales/
Hunslet0 -6 -0ST No.3783of1953 HollyBankNo. 3 headsarakeofmerry-go-roundhopperwagonsonApril 28 during the Chasewater Railway’sindustrial gala weekend. MARTIN CREESE
Island Ivattready forsecondmainlandholiday
THE Isle of WightSteam Railway’s BR Standard2MT No.41313 is set to make its second tripoverthe Solent thisyear,having beenbooked to star at another twogalas –including one in East Anglia!
The2-6-2T will returntostarin the Spa ValleyRailway ’s June13-15
Cuckoo Line gala, commemorating 60 years sincethe closureofthe Tunbridge Wells to Hailsham route. It will run alongside visiting Uclass 2-6-0 No.31806 and previously-announced BR Standard4MT No.80078, which will run as scrappedclassmates. TheIvatt willthen head to Dereham
forthe Mid-Nor folk Railway ’s Southern Steam Gala on June 27-29, with SR Battle of Britain Pacific No.34053 Sir Keith Park (currently running as 303 Squadron)following from Tunbridge Wells West to also appear Timetables forboth events were still to be confirmed as we went to press
Class66No. 66714isofficiallynamed Cromer Lifeboat at Cromer stationin2003. STEVEALLEN
Book nowfor Railway200 Inspiration exhibition trainata stationnearyou
BOOKIN GS arenow openfor visits to the unique exhibition train which will tour the UK as par tofthe Railway 200 celebrations
As repor tedin Heritage Railway issue 330, the train, named Inspiration,will be launched at Kidderminster Town on the Severn Valley Railway on June 27 at the star tofa 12-month journey to 60 locations,showcasing rail’s past, presentand futureinnew,fun and engaging ways
Curatedinpar tnership with the National Railway Museum, Inspiration aims to help attractthe next generationof pioneering talenttothe railway.I t will comprise four reconditioned Mk.3carriages.Rail’s pioneering pedigree will be explored in aRailway Firsts coach, highlighting landmark moments in rail’s development. Alongside will be Wonderlab on Wheels,invitingvisitors to test their engineering sk ills with hands- on exhibits.Nextisa Your Railway Futurecarriage,showcasing some of the morehidden roles in rail and
encouraging people to join the railway to shape the next200 years
Thefinal coach isaPar tner Zone, offering free and flexible exhibition space. Thecarriages arebeing fitted out, aided by a£250,000 grantfrom the National Lotter yHeritage Fund.
Tickets arenow available to book forvisits from June 27 to October 1; the itinerar yfor the rest of 2025 and first six months of 2026 will be confirmed during thissummer
More than200,000 people, including manyschoolchildren, are expectedtovisit by prior book ing Admission to thetrain is free,but normal entr ychargestothe heritage railwaysand private sites whereitis locatedwillapply
Book ings arenow open forJune 27July 6(SVR); July 8-10 (Birmingham Moor Street station); July 12-15 (Euston); July 18/19 (Waterloo); July 20/21 (Margate); July 23-29 (Bluebell Railway); August 7-10 (Nor wich station); and August 11-14 (Lowestoft station). Formoredetails about the train and to book,visit https:// railway200.co.uk/inspiration/
Book ings will open in the coming weeks forAugust 16-17 (Freightliner Doncaster Railpor t) and August 25-31 (NRM, York).
Inspiration will visit the Nor th East in September,rail’s200th anniversar y month, as par tofS&DR200, aninemonth international festival inspired by the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, and can be visited on September 10-17 (Darlington station) and September 20-October 1(Locomotion, Shildon).
As previously repor tedin Heritage Railway, Inspiration is also visiting TheGreatest Gathering at Alstom’s Litchurch Lane siteinDerby from August 1-3. This eventhas already sold out.
No passengers will be carried on the train as it travels to its exhibition sites
Booked visits will take place between 10am and 5pm, with the on-train experienceexpectedtolast up to an hour.Avir tual tour of the exhibition experienceisplanned forthose who areunable to visit in person.
PreviewpeekinsideManchestermuseum’s redesigned PowerHallahead of reopening
IMAG ES of howManchester ’s Science and Industr yMuseum’s reimagined PowerHall: TheLaw Family Galler y maylook when it reopens this summer have been released Createdbyaward-winning designersStudio MUTT,the computer-generated images give an idea of whatvisitors canexpect to see in advanceofthe reopening of the hall,which wasclosed to the public forurgentrepairs in 2019. Themuseum has collaborated with architectand lead designer Carmody Groake to reimagine and improvethe PowerHall experience and conser ve the building’shistor y, and with Studio MUT Ttocreate an engaging interpretation of the historic collection through the exhibition design. This reimagined spacewill allowvisitors to rediscover their favouriteobjects from fresh perspectives and uncover the stories behind those who powered and continue to powerManchester ’s industr y. ThePower Hall will explorethe building blocks of the relationship between humans and engine thatwas borninManchester and endurestothisday
Alongside these new experiences, the much-lovedexhibits and atmospherethatvisitors will recall from before2019 will be retained. Theintention is to provide asensor y
Acomputer-generatedvisualisation of visitors exploringthe newlyrestored PowerHall. MOSI
experiencethrough the sounds, smells and sights of Manchester’s past and presentindustr yand be a lively,working gallery full of engines and rail vehicles
Threemain themes will guide visitors through the hall.Connecting Places will examine howpeople used locomotives to connect communities around the world.
Star ting at the site of the museum, the Manchester terminus of the pioneering Liverpool & Manchester Railway in 1830, it will explorethe factors thatsparked a transpor trevolution.
Secondly,Mak ing More will explore howengines helped people to make more, faster –featuring the steam engines thatfactory and mill owners eagerly installed to boost their productivityand profits from the 1800s onwards, but at acost to people and the environment.
Locomotive trusttreasurer completes60 yearsinrole
THE WarwickshireIndustrial LocomotivePreser vation Trust ’s treasurer,Robin Jones,stepped down at the organisation’s annual general meeting afteramarathon60years of ser vice.
Robin, who had held the post since the organisation began in 1965, said: “I’vebeen asked howIwas persuaded to take on the role.The organisation wasformed by agroup of friends and needed atreasurer.They suggested thatI could do the job,but carefully avoided mentioning forhow long! I had no idea whatwas involved,but Ilearnt quick ly howtoorganisea paper leger system beforetak ing on the complexityofVAT and GiftAid.”
Thirdly,Powering Lives examines howengines powertoday’selectricity network and look howscientists and engineers aredeveloping greener methods
Themuseum’s interpretation and contentmanager,K ateChatfield, said: “This will be amust-see Manchester experience–a living galler ythatshowcases aunique collection of historic 19th and early 20th centur yworking engines to tell the stor yofManchester as an epicentrefor the engine -drivenideas and industr ythatshaped the world as we know it today.”
Theworktoreimagine the hall is par tofamulti-million-pound regeneration projecttak ing placein the museum, conser ving its historic buildings and revealing new spaces forall visitors to enjoy, playand learn in.
Since2019 the hall has undergone crucial restoration worksto futureproof it foryears to come, including urgentroof and timber repairs,new windows and doors,and wider building conser vation.
ThePower Hall sits at the hear t of the museum’s vision to deliver asector-leading programme of decarbonisation thatplaces zero carbon technologies at the centre of the visitor experienceand creating a sustainable museum forthe future.
Thepacked meeting on April 13 sawRobin presentedwith a commemorativeplaque.Robin has agreed to continue as atrustee to help his successor in the role.
New treasurer BenShawsaid: “I had not been bornwhen Robin became treasurer,but Imustwarnmembers thatitisextremely unlikely thatI will hold the post for60years!”
Thecharitable trust ’s Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST No.2047 of 1926 Warwickshire is in the middle of acompleterebuild at Bewdley on the Severn Valley Railway.The trust grew out of the Warwickshire Railway SocietyinresponsetoRugby Portland CementLtd look ing for agood home forthe redundant locomotivethatwas the last built by Manning,Wardlebeforethe firm closed.The trust ’s second locomotive, Hunslet 0-6-0T No.686 of 1898, is also based on the SVR
RobinJones (left) is presentedbyhis successor, BenShaw, with aplaque commemorating60years as treasurer. NIGELCRIPPS
Severn Va lley signalsgreen lightfor la ndslip repa ir s
By Robin Jones
THE Severn Valley Railway is pressing ahead with repairs to the landslip it suffered at MorBrook bridge af terits insurer agreed to settle its claim regarding the incidentwhich severed the line bet ween Eardington and Hampton Loade stations on Januar y29, as repor tedin Heritage Railway issue 329.
Theinsurer will payfor the full reinstatementofthe bridge’s wing wall and stone arch, as well as the embank mentitself.The railway said thatthe final costs will be significantly morethan £500,000
SVR managing director Jonathan ‘Gus’Dunster said: “Weare delightedwith this decision by our insurer,which means we can now move ahead withfixing things. Never theless,the SVR is still going to be responsible forfunding asubstantial excess as par tof the settlement.
“Weare still in negotiation with the insurer about the exac t amount, but thanks to the generous donations thatsuppor ters have made to the SVR ResilienceFund andthe SVR Charitable Trust since the landslip,weare confidentthat we will be able to coverthis.
“What’simpor tanthereisthatour insurancecompany ’s acceptanceof the claim meanswewillnot have to launch afull-scale appeal forthe landslip repairs,which would have meantfur ther delays beforewe could put things right.”
“Thishas been ahighlycomplex situation to resolve, anditwas importanttomove carefullyand slowly to ensure aproperand long-lasting solution.”
In conjunc tion with its insurer,the SVR has appointedcivilengineering contractor CML to carry out all the worksrequired at MorBrook to reinstate the line.The railway ’s infrastruc ture managementand permanentway teams will work with CML to provide logistical suppor tand carry out work related to the track
Some hopes have been expressed thatan imminentstar ttorepairs
mightsee the affec tedstretch of line reopen in time forthe September 18-21 Autumn Steam Gala.
TheSVR ’s head of infrastruc ture, Chris Bond,said: “Our own permanentway team will remove track in preparation forthe main contract workstocommence
‘Timescales arestill subjec ttothe produc tion ofafinalprogramme of works. Clearly,atthis stage it is impossible to pin down afinishdate.
“This will depend on manyvariables, such as the weather,procurement ofmaterials,and gaining statutor y approvals.I tisunlikely to be completed beforethe middle of the summer,and it could be later, depending on these variables.”
Gus added: “I would like to pay tributetobothAntonyBar tlam, our consultantcivil and struc tural engineer and SVR volunteer,and Chris Bond forthe dedication and hardworkthey have already put in to get us to this impor tantstage.
“This has been ahighly-complex situation to resolve, anditwas importanttomovecarefully and slowly to ensureaproper and longlasting solution, rather than rushing in to attempt aquick fix.
“Onceagain, on behalf of the railway,Iwanttothank ever yone who has donatedtohelp us.”
➜ Twomoreguest locomotives have been added to the line’s May15-18 Spring Diesel Festival, which will featureanintensive timetable between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade.Locomotive Services Limited will send Class57 No.57003 forall four days and aClass 69 from GB Railfreightwill appear on the Saturdayand Sunday. Colas is sending twoClass56s,and apair of High Speed Train powercars from Rail Adventurewillappear,plus Freightliner Class 66 and Class70 locomotives,while the homefleet will run examples of Classes17, 20, 33, 37, 40, 42, 46, 50 and 52. ➜ Double spring success forSevern Valley:see feature, pages 46-51.
Rolling stockdamagedasvandals attackfourheritage linesinrecentweeks
HERITAGErailwayshavebeen hit by vandal attacks in recent weeks
On April 20, the Spa Valley’s Class 207DEMUNo. 1317 wasattacked, leavingboth the motor and trailer carriages coveredingraffiti.
Theonly surviving original unrefurbished three-car Class 207 leftinthe world,No. 1317 formed the last public shuttle servicefrom Eridge to Tunbridge Wells West when the line closed on July6,1985, and wasobtainedbythe railway in 2004. Theentireunit will nowhave to be repainted, diverting vital funds from other SpVR projects
More than 28 windows were smashed in coaches and in a privately-owned DMU currently undergoing renovation at the East
LancashireRailway’s Baron Street engineering workshop in Buryon
April 12/13.Three carriages were broken into andseverelydamaged, with fixtures ripped apart, leaving arepair bill of morethan£5000 covering glass replacementand labour alone.Evidence of attempted arson wasalso discovered
Public support
Afterthe ELR issued anSOS appeal forfunds to rectify the damage, chairman Mike Kelly said: “Wehave been truly overwhelmed by the outpouring of supportfromour community.
“Amid this adversity, your generosityhas shone brightly. Donations have been pouring in and
countless individuals have offered their time and skills to assist in the restoration efforts.Your support reaffirms our mission and fuels our determinationtocontinue preserving therich historyofour railway forfuturegenerations. Together,wewill overcome this setback andemerge stronger.”
Elsewhere, West Mercia Police launched an investigation after windows were smashed by stones thrownatseveral stationarySevern Valley Railway carriages located near the Wyre Forest LeisureCentre in Kidderminster.The attack took placeonApril 6between 6pm and 5pm the next dayand followedan incidentonApril 6at2.10pm in whichtwo teenage youths were
seen throwingstones at apassing train from an embankment. One windowwas smashed by astone, which hit apassenger
Signal smashed
TheSomerset &Dorset Railway Heritage Trust at Midsomer Norton South has been hit by trespass and vandalism. Abanner repeatersignal wasdamaged between April 9and 14, apparently by being struck with a fencing rod. Theglass wassmashed and extensivedamage caused to the internal parts.
Youths arebelieved to have been gathering on stretches of the railway;emptydrinks canshave been leftscattered and apieceof wood placed on atrack
Severn Valley volunteers clearing vegetation on theembankmentnearthe landslip. GARY ESSE X/SVR
Threemakes forMiddysuccess as carriage shed plansannounced
By Owen Hayward
SUPPOR Tfromthe local community and atriooflocomotives in steam helped cementthe Mid-Suffolk Light Railway ’s April 20/21 Easter steam-up as the line’s best ever gala to date –with the onsitebar needing to replenish supplies beforeatrain had even run!
While the trains took centre stage on Easter Sunday and bank holiday Monday, the railway threw openits doors on Good Fridayand sawthe residents of Wetheringsett almost fully depletestocks,with volunteers having to race to nearby breweries on Saturdaytorestock before trains star tedrunning the following day.
Oncethe public began arriving on April20, such wasthe patronage of the bar and refreshmentroom that stocks of draughtbeer weresoon completely out onceagain, with the tearoom alsorepor ting its most successful single dayoftrading since the heritage line opened.
Services were operated in rotation by one of three steam locomotives, with Manning Wardle 0-6-0ST No.1210 Sir Berkeley headlining the occasion. Built in 1891 for
engineering contractor Lord Hemingway, Sir Berkeley wassaved from scrap in 1964 and moved to the Keighley &Wor th Valley Railway, whereitwas laterboughtby the Vintage Carriages Trust.
Being underpoweredfor the KW VR’s ser vices,ithas toured several heritage lines and latterlyhas been operating at the Middleton Railway
Ideal locomotive
Also mak ing its Suffolk debut was Andrew Barclay0-4-0STNo. 2315
Clyde,which arrivedfromthe Spa Valley at thestart of April.InJanuar y 2024 it returned to ser vicefollowing aprolonged overhaul in Kentbut was adver tised forsale by its then owner as the SpVR had grownconsiderably sincethe locomotivewas last operational inthe mid-2000s,the result being it wasnow no longer suited to ser vices there.
Thenew owner has transferred it to theMSLR, whereitisexpectedto be based forthe foreseeable future, proving an ideal sizefor the current 550-yard route.
Rounding off the line -up was another Barclay. 0-6-0ST,No. 2138 Swordfish,which is privately owned
SirBerkeley prepares to depart Brockfordstation with the finaltrain of thegala.
and based at the Buck inghamshire Railway Centre but is on loantothe MSLR forthe 2025 operating season.
Thecombination of locomotives, good weather and recent newsofthe granting of the Transpor t& WorksAct Order forthe 550-yard extension set the stage forahugely successful gala.
MSLR marketing manager John Reevesaid: “Entr ysales at the ticket officefor the twodayswas just shor t of £7500, whichexcluded advance sales online.Altogether,itmore than made up fornot being able to open on New Year ’s Daywhen ser vices were cancelled due to storms forecast.
“For the first public opening of 2025, things could hardly have gone better.Opening the Middy Bar for the locals on the evening of Good Fridaybroughtina record of more than £1000 turnover, so muchsothat supplies had to be replenished on Saturday, and all beforethe first train had turned awheel.”
Shed talk
With the opening of the extension set to take placeduring the August bank holidayweekend this summer, the MSLR has alreadyturned its
itsvintage rollingstock.A new line will be laid alongsidethe existing siding,withthe new structureplanned to coverbothtracks, but£100,000 must be raised to achievethis.
attention to the nextmajor project–the construction of acarriage shed at Dovebrook Halt.
With its rolling stock comprising three wooden-bodied four-wheelers, coveredaccommodationisvital to ensuring their longevity,not least because among those vehicles is No.140, afirst class smokingcoach which wasbuilt at Stratford in 1863, and which is believed to be the oldest-sur viving GER carriage in operational use
Theprovision of anew shed in which to storethese vehicles will prolong not just their lives,but also those of some of the other vehicles on the railway,including GER brake thirdNo. 12 and compar tmentthird No.13, all of which aresimilar in designtocarriages that would have oncebeen found running on the ‘Middy.’The railway is also home to GER No.180, which is the oldestknownsur viving horseboxwagon, dating back to 1869.
“Wemustraise£100,000 to install a new siding and constructthe carriage storage shed,which will stable these historic vehicles and other rolling stock needing protection nowand in the future,”said John.
“Our principle aim is to preser ve the uniqueness of this Edwardian lightrailway which served ruralmidSuffolk fornearly 50 years.”
Theprojectwill involverelaying and realigning the current siding at Dovebrook to allowfor the installation of the second track. Groundworks and the final erection of the shed will then take place, with MSLR permanentway manager Terr ySiermers saying it was“vital thatitisstar tedassoonaspossible” to preventfur ther damage to the carriages,with atarget of star ting work as soon as January
➜ Formoreinformation and to donate to the shed appeal,visit www.mslr.org. uk/dovebrook-carriage-shed-appeal/
OWEN HAYWARD
TheMSLRhas announced plansfor anew carriage shed at Dovebrookhalttoprotect
OWEN HAYWARD
On shed (lefttoright)are SirBerkeley, Swordfish and Clyde as preparations getunderwayfor services on April21. LAWRIE ROSE
Va le of Rheidoldonates Conqueror to Welshpool
By Robin Jones
THE Welshpool &Llanfair Light Railway has received alocomotive donatedbyone of the other Great Little Trains of Wales.
Former Bowaters Paper Mill 2ft 6in gauge Bagnall 0-6-2T No.2192 of 1922 Conqueror wasone of four locomotives acquired by Sir William McAlpine foranew circular line he built at Whipsnade Zooin Bedfordshire. Conqueror hauled the first train on the completeline in 1973 withPrincess Margaret as apassenger.
It operated on the Whipsnadeline until 1983, whenitwas withdrawn foroverhaul and stored alongside the shed.In1994 it wasacquired by enthusiast PeterRampton and joined his large collection of locomotives from around the worldstored privately at premisesinSurrey.
Following Peter’sdeath in 2019, responsibilityfor the collection passed to the Vale of Rheidol Railway and some items have since found homes in the railway ’s new museum at Aber ystwyth. Others have beenpassedtonew owners in circumstances when VoRdirectors considered they could be more useful,and so Conqueror has been donatedtothe WLLR.
VoRboardchairman Patrick Keef said: “Aspar tofalong-termplan to consolidate and focus the VoR’s collection of historic locomotives, the railway is very pleased to have agreed the gift of Conqueror to the WLLR Preser vation Co Ltd. Being
of the wrong gauge to runonthe VoR, it wasfelt appropriate thatthe locoshould move to arailwayof thecorrect gauge,with along-term potential forrestoration and return to ser vice.”
Conqueror isnot in work ing order and initially will become an exhibit in the displayshed at Welshpool, whereitwillbereunited with another former Bowaters locomotive, the Bagnall 0-4-4-TNo. 6 Monarch, which wasthe first steam locomotive acquired by thepreservation companyin1966.
WLLR chairman SteveClewssaid:
“Weare very pleased to be able to offer ahome to Conqueror as par tofour ongoing commitment to the preser vation of 2ft6in gauge vehicles.
“This is apower fullocomotivethat should be suited to our line.Though thereare currently no planstoget it operational,the acquisition givesus morealternatives forthe futureand storage under coverwill ensurethat it is protecteduntil thatday comes.”
Meanwhile,the WLLR’s £150,000 appeal to restoreBeyer Peacock 0-6-0T No.823 Countess to steamin 2027 in time forits 125th bir thday and thatofits sister original locomotive, thecurrently operational No. 822 TheEarl,as repor tedin Heritage Railway issue328, has reached its halfway target.
Work on the 10-year overhaul of Countess accordingly began during the winter. To donate to the appeal, visit https://wllr.org.uk/suppor t/ donations-appeals/
Mid-Hantstextile
AUNIQUE pieceofartwork has star tedayear-long tour of Hampshire, telling the histor yofrail travel through aseries of metre -tall embroidered panels.
Broughtabout through a collaboration between the Mid-Hants Railway and almost 200contributors, the vibrantcelebration of 200 years of the modernrailwayisdepicted through the mediums of textiles, sewing and embroider y. Those who have helpedtocreatethis unique masterpiecehaveincluded local ar tists,students,and members of communitygroups.
Each of the panes,which all stand at ametre in height, have been intricately designed and embroidered,capturing two centuries of the stor yofrailina piece entitled 200 CommunityTextile
magicembarks on itssouthernjourney
Timeline of Train Travel.Par ticipants have been meeting each month at the MHR’s Ropley station and remotely online sinceMay 2024.
Each of the panels carries themes of innovation, nostalgia, and the enduring connection between railwaysand local communities.At the end of March, itcommenced a year-long tour which will see the ar tworkdisplayedatnumerous venues throughout the region before it concludes nextJuneatMedstead & Four Marksstation.
MHR CEO Rebecca Dalley said: “We areincredibly proud of this inspiring projectwhich has brought together so manycreativeindividuals in a shared celebration of our railway ’s rich histor y. Thetextile timeline is atestamenttothe dedication and ar tistic talentofour community.
Themulti-panelledtextile timeline of rail historywillbetouring venues in the souththroughout2025and into 2026.Itwas createdby200 individualswho have worked on thepiece sinceMay 2024. MHR
“Weare delightedtotakeiton tour,giving even morepeople the oppor tunitytoexperienceits beauty and significancefirst-hand.” Updatesonthe textile timeline’s travels will be shared on the MHR’s websiteand social media channels,
with planned stops including Micheldevers station forits own Railway 200 celebrations during May 17/18, Basingstoke station (August 1-29), and Farnham station(October 8) prior to returning to theMHR on June 1, 2026.
GWRprairie No.4144, on loan from Didcot RailwayCentretothe Nene Valley Railwayuntil September, catchesthe sunriseinWansfordyardonGood Friday. PAUL ROE/NVR
Help choose thecount ry’s favour iterailway pa inting!
by Robin Jones
THE public has beeninvited to help choose Britain’s favouriterail ar tworkaspar tpfthe Railway200 celebrator yprogramme
Ar teducation charityArt UK has joined up with the Railway 200 campaignfor the vote, and together with its museum par tners has assembled 200 ar tworks dating from the 1830s to the 21st centur yfrom94public collections to select from.
The20best-lovedrailway ar tworks in the UK were unveiled on April 15, WorldArt Day, following aglobal vote in which nearly 4000werecast.
Ar tlovers and rail enthusiasts arenow invited to choose an outrightwinner,which will be announced on June 9, the bir thdayof‘Father of the Railways’ George Stephenson.
Ar tistic choices
Theshor tlist of 20 highlights work by 14 ar tists includingJMW Turner and Eric Ravilious,along with six worksbyrenowned painterTerenceCuneo and two by Norman Wilk inson, whose worksare featured in popular travel posters.
Paintings on the shor tlist have beendrawn from 11 public collections,including the National Railway Museum, HopetownDarlington and The Postal Museum.
Ar tUKishostinganonline exhibition of all 200 paintings at https://ar tuk.org/discover/ curations/railway-200celebrating-200-years- of-rail-
travel-18252025 and also agaller y of the shor tlist of 20 at https:// ar tuk.org/discover/curations/ railway-200-vote -for-the -worldsfavourite-uk-railway-ar twork
Alan Hyde,fromRailway 200, said: “The railway has always been asource of inspiration for ar tists,helping to enrichour cultural lives.Wehope thatin rail’s bicentenar yyear,art lovers will travel by traintoenjoythe best of railway-inspiredart at first-hand and help to choose the nation’s favourite.”
Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross said: “For twocenturies our railwayshavecarried passengers and freight, as well as inspiring ar tistic creativityaround Britain. This remarkable collection showcases howdeeply trainsare wovenintoour culturalfabric.
“I am delightedtosee such diversityinthe shor tlist and encourage ever yone to celebrate this bicentenar ybyviewingthese wonder ful ar tworks and voting fortheir favourite.”
Andrew Ellis,chief executive of Ar tUK, added: “There areso manyterrific ar tworks of trains and the railway in the UK national collection and on Ar tUK. Thefirst public vote has narrowedthis down to 20 ar tworks from which awinner must nowbechosen.
“Given the shor tlist, thiswill be quiteachallenge,and Icannot wait to see which one is chosen as the‘world’sfavouriteUK railway ar twork!’”
➜ Anyone can register forthe final vote at https://railway200.artuk org. Thepoll will close at midnight on Sunday, June 1
NewWakefield market
ANEW mural reflec ting localrailway heritage hasbeen unveiled at the newly-refurbished Normanton Market in Wakefield
It is the work of West Yorkshire ar tist Harriet Colours,who throughout last September worked ex tensively with the local communit ytoengagethem in her designprocess.She attended coffee mornings at the library,wentalong to heritage talks,and engaged young people at the market siteto find out howlocals feel about the placewherethey liveand whatis impor tanttothem.
She also rancreativeworkshops with NormantonAll Saints Church of England InfantS chool,during which the children helped create
Amongthe 20 shortlistedpaintings is Rain,Steam,and Speed– TheGreat Western Railway, by Jospeh MallordWilliam Turner (1775-1851), firstexhibited at theRoyal Academyin1844. Thepaintingshows oneofthe Firefly2-2-2sof1841, capableof reaching 60mph, racing throughtorrentialrainasitcrosses Maidenhead Bridge, with thewidestand flattest arches ever builtatthattime, supporting what wasthenthe fastestrailway of all. In theintroductiontohis book TheCondition of theWorking ClassinEngland,the German philosopher FriedrichEngelswrote in 1845:“Therailway profoundly transformedperceptions of distance,speed,and time.Withits expanding network, it brought places closer together,enablingunprecedented mobility. The introductionofGreenwich Mean Time replaced regional time zones, standardising schedulesacrossthe country. Theseradical changeswerecapturedbyJMW Turner in this groundbreaking oil painting.” THENATIONALGALLERY
Left:Alsoin theshortlist is TheCoronation Scot Ascending Shap Fell, Cumbria, LMS poster artwork by Norman Wilkinson (1878-1971). NRM/SCIENCE& SOCIET YPIC TURE LIBR ARY
muralhighlightslocal rail heritage
tapestries which were then displayedatNormanton Librar yfor three months
In total,228 people helped create the ar twork, including the schoolchildren and people attending TheWell Youth, NormantonBaptist Church coffee mornings,and the Friends of NormantonLibrar y.
Thefinal designhighlights the vital role of thelocal colliery,with its iconic cooling andash towers,and the town’s unique place in histor y as home to the Nor th of England’s first postaloffice, made possible by the station’s critical link between Scotland and London. Theforeground features exaggerated lupins,anod to the wildflowers that oncethrived
along the railway sidings, symbolising nature’sharmonywith the town’s industrial past.
Theart work ,one of aseries in the council ’s Crossings and Gateways mural programme, has been painted using graphenstone lime -based paints which absorbcarbon dioxide, helping to improveair qualit yand which will reducethe building’s carbon footprintovertime
Harriet said: “I thas been an honour to get to know so many people within the communit yof Normanton, to create this mural,and learnfromtheir stories and values, and apleasuretobring their voices to lifeonthis wall,turning ashared spaceintoa meaningful celebration of the town’s importantrail history.”
HarrietColours in frontofher railway muralatNormanton Market
Greatest Gathering’s newartistinresidence
ALSTOMhas appointed Nottinghamshirebased painter, author and tutor
TimO’Brien as the officialartist in residencefor The Greatest Gathering,Britain’s biggestever grouping of historic rail vehicles, to be staged at the firm’sLitchurch Lane plantinDerby on August 1-3 as one the primar yeventsof Railway 200.
Visitors to the sold- out eventwill gettosee Timpainting outdoors as he captures the rolling stock, atmosphere, and architecture on show.
He said: “I feel very privilegedand honoured to be invitedbyAlstom to be their official ar tist in residenceand capturethis bicentennial celebration in ar t. Ihavealwaysbeen afan of TerenceCuneo’s railway ar tand as a child Ipracticed drawing usingmy HornbyOOgauge steam engines as subjects,sothis oppor tunityisoff the scale
“One of the biggest challenges forplein air ar tists is not to become over whelmed by the vast arrayof topics in frontofmeatanevent like this and attempt to depicttoo much on asingle canvas. Iwillhaveto quick ly focus on aview and simplify it so it becomes astudy of colour and atmosphere.”
Timstar tedhis 40-year ar tcareer as an adver tising illustrator before he focused solely on fine ar tinthe mid1990s.The 55-year-old has worked on awide varietyofsubjectmatter thathas embraced militar yhistor y, public occasions,rail,maritime and automotivetopics
Over the years he has worked with both the RoyalAir Forceand the
Cambrian HQ’s first phase of restoration is unveiled
COMPLETED restoration work has been unveiled at the Grade II-listed Cambrian Railway headquarters at Oswestrystation as partofa £900,000 project.
RoyalNavy. This collaboration gave Timoppor tunities to go flying with the RAFand spend several days at sea with the Navy on boardaircraft carriers,gathering referencefor his ar t.
Hispaintings have been exhibited at venues such as the Mall Galleries in London and PatchingsArt Centre in Nottinghamshire. He held his first solo exhibition at the RoyalAir Force
Club in London in 2015, which led to him being commissioned to paint25 paintingsfor permanentdisplayinits dining room overlook ing Green Park ➜ Recently announced forThe Greatest Gathering eventare Class 17 D8568, Class 42 D821, Class 44 No.44004, Class 46 No.46045, Class 47 No.47715 and Class52s D1015 Western Champion and D1062 Western Courier
Funded by Shropshire Council and the UK Shared ProsperityFund,the work completed by craftsmen from local building conservation specialist Phillips and CurryLtd has included fixing and restoringthe building’s exterior to prevent falling masonry, removing dangerous asbestos tiles and replacing them with Welsh slate,and painting windows and doors in Cambrian Railway colours
Thescaffolding wasremoved in time forEaster
Nesting boxesfor swifts and roosting tiles forbatshave also been installed at the station, which is used by the Cambrian Heritage Railway Thecouncil’ssenior project managementoffice, Peter Gilbertson, said: “This building holds significant cultural value and these essential repairs ensurethat it remains safeand usable for futuregenerations.”
Further work on theinterior of the building wasbeing planned for2025, subjectto grantfunding being available.
Museum commissionsnew cultural Undergroundposters
LO NDON Transport Museum has commissioned anew series of posters forthe Underground to celebrateiconic cultural venues
Createdbyaward-winning ar tist Eliza Southwood,the seriesmarks the returnofcontemporar yartists being commissioned to create Transpor t forLondon travel posters forthe first time since2020, continuing the tradition of commissioning talented ar tists to create inspiring poster ar tworks thatpromoteattractions in the capital
Part of themuseum’s Transported by Cultureinitiativetobring more ar t, music and theatreprogramming to its visitors,Eliza’s four posters depict Dulwich PictureGaller y, the Royal Alber tHall,LondonZoo and LTM itself
In 2019, Eliza wonthe Poster Prizefor Illustration, acompetition hosted LTMinpar tnership withthe
Association of Illustrators,for her ar tworkLondon Is ThePlaceFor Me, adepiction of the arrivalofthe HMT EmpireWindrush at Tilbur yDocksin 1948.
Thenew poster seriescontinues a long tradition begun by Frank Pick, who in his roles as publicityofficer at TheUnderground Group and later as the first chief executiveofLondon Transpor t, iswidelyconsidered as the brains behind London Transpor t’s iconic design style and identity. From 1908 onwards, he revolutionised poster design, commissioning leading contemporar yartists and designers to create posters to promotethe numerous music venues,theatres,museums and attractions thatcould be reached using London’s public transpor t. LTMdirectorand CEO Elizabeth McKaysaid: “Weare excited to continue Frank Pick ’s brilliant
designlegac yand getposters by contemporar yartists back into Underground stations.His pioneering approach madegreat ar t accessible to ever yone andhelped to shape London’s transpor tnetwork into amuch- envied global icon, as it remains to this day
“Weare thrilled thatEliza Southwood’s vibrantdesignscapture the energy of some of London’s most
belovedcultural sites –all easily reached by the tube.”
Thefirst of the series went on displayinUnderground stations from April 4. First edition posters and ar tworkprintswill be available forpurchase,including limitededition prints exclusivetoLTM, via ltmuseumshop.co.uk or in person from the Covent Garden museum’s store.
Above: A4 PacificNo. 60007 Sir NigelGresley passingthrough Lowdham, as portrayedbyTim O’Brien. AL STOM
Left:Tim O’Brienatwork painting in Nottingham. AL STOM
Thefournew Undergroundposters LTM
Tw in Peak ssteal theshowat jointDerbyshiregalaweekend
Modern liverygoesheritage: EWS maybeconsidered modernbysome, butthe branding hasvanishedfrom thenationalnetwork in theyears following thecompany’s buyout by DB CargoUKin2007. Newlyoutshopped in thelivery, Class09No. 09001 arrives at Darley Dale with afreight trainon April12. CHRISGEE
By Owen Hayward
THE idea thatcollaboration is thekey to success is something whichthe Ecclesbourne Valley Railway and Peak Rail have proven first-handinrecent years,and 2025’s annual jointdiesel gala weekend has outper formed previous events –with awinning combination all round in the line -up
Undoubtedly formany, the highlight of the April 11/12 Twin Peaks gala wasexactly that–the appearanceoftwin ‘Peaks’– with Matlock-basedClass 44 D8 Penyghent being joined by Midland Railway –Butterley-basedsister No.44004
Great Gable,the first time in more than four decades thatthattwo 44s have beenseenworking together, the pair being the only sur vivors of a class thatnumbered only 10
The‘Peaks’weresynonymouswith fastexpresses in the region,the nick name derivedfromthe English and Welsh mountains afterwhich they took their official names.They were alsothe precursors to thelater Classes 45 and 46 which shared the nick name,although the names allocatedtothese locomotivescame from other sources.
ThePeak Rail fleet also sawthe Heritage ShunterTrust ’s Class 09
Together again: Thesole-survivingClass 44 locomotives, No.44004 GreatGable (left) andD8 Penyghent,sit side by side on shed at Peak Rail’s RowsleySouth shed on April11. Thegalawas thefirst time that twoofthe classhaveworked together sincewithdrawalofthe fleet by BR in the1970s. MART YN TATTAM
No.09001 inser vice spor ting the moremodern(yetheritageinits ownright) EWSliver y, with aClass 108 DMU providing additional seating capacity.
Lightweightdebut
In nearby Wirkswor th, the EVRhad its ownaccomplishmenttoboast about as it turned outthe first half of the sole -sur vivingDerby Lightweight two- car DMU. Built at BR’s Derby worksbetween 1954 and 1955, the ‘Lightweights’werethe first units to be constructedenmasse as BR soughttoreplacethe ageing steam fleet and reduceoperating and maintenancecosts
They employedweight-saving techniques such as lightalloy luggage racks and body panelling being welded intoone long continuous sheet which wasrivetted to theextruded frame.
Atotal of 217 vehicles were built and employedon two, three and four-car formations.Two were built as single railcars and Driving MotorBrake Second No. 79900 Iris sur vives,having finished its main line career as atest train conversion. Fully refurbished and returned to passenger-carrying condition, it is normally residentatthe EVRbut is
Making itspreservationdebut,Derby Lightweighttrailer No.79612’s restorationhas been recently completed, having formerly been an ultrasonic test trainunit. It ran coupledtothe Ecclesbourne ValleyRailway’s Class122 unit, theformation seen arriving at Shottle. MART YN TATTAM
currently on long-termloan to the GreatCentral Railway.Meanwhile, the restoration of driving trailer compositeNo. 79612 sawwhat wasonceanultrasonic test train conver tedvehicle undergo the same treatment, and it made its preser vation debut at the gala weekend,paintedintoBRblue with small yellowpanel,and coupled to the EVR’sClass 122 ‘bubble car,’ the trailer itself being one of the unpoweredexamples
With the first of the twovehicles nowcomplete, focus will shiftto completeDMBS No.79018, which had previously been refurbished in time forthe Railcar50 celebrations at the Severn Valley in 2004 but has yettocarry passengers owing to the absenceofthe accompanying trailer. Afterstanding outdoors idle for manyyears,itiscurrently in the EVR’s workshops whererefurbishmentis progressing swiftly,with muchof the interior and exterior body work already carried out.
Services between Wirkswor th and Duffield were also run by residentClass 47 (D1842) andClass 33 No.33103 Swordfish,which wasmak ing awelcome returnto traffic following overhaul.Class 08 D3236, on loan from Nemesis Rail,
also appeared forthe weekend and worked its first passenger trains since2016.
Huge success
With the tworailwaysrunning their diesel fleets on the same days, enthusiasts were able to sample both thanks to aconnecting bus service, with tickets bought at oneline also allowing fortravelatthe other Peak Rail marketing manager Jack Evans said: “The eventwas very wellattended,with pre-sales being far higher than the previous years.
“Running in conjunction with the EVRgaveusthe heritage bus ser vice between Matlock andWirkswor th stations,and this ser vicewas very well-used,whichhighlightedhow well-received this jointevent is within the heritage community.
“Wewould like to thank ever ybody who came to visitour Twin Peaks Diesel Gala.
“The star of the showfor us was, of course,the visit of Great Gable Theatmospheresurrounding both of the sur viving Class 44 ‘Peaks’was amazing,and we have lovedseeing all of the photos thatpeople have taken –not just of both Peaks,but also of all the other locomotives that took par tatboth railways.”
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FlyingScotsman the early summer star forWest Somerset
By Robin Jones
LNER A3 Pacific No.60103 Flying Scotsman will be haulingpassenger services on the West Somerset metals in late June and July
Following agreementwith the National Railway Museum and NorthernSteam Operations, the world’s most famoussteam
locomotive–which,asreportedin Heritage Railway issue 330, proved a sell-out attraction during its recent visit to theNene Valley Railway –will haul trains between Bishops Lydeardand MineheadonJune 2830 andJuly 1/ 2, 8/9, and 10-12. It will be on static displayat Bishops LydeardonJune 26/27 and July 3-7 and 13/14.
Onthe days whereservicesbehind Flying Scotsman arerunning,the railway will offer excursions behind the A3 forone full-length journey of the line and areturn journey behind one of it home fleet locomotives.
Further evening excursions will also be available on June 28/29and July 2, 8/9, and 11/12 forafull return trip behind FlyingScotsman from
