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Swanage gala success despite setback
ALTHOUGH the Swanage Railway lost five of the locos advertised for its May 11-13 diesel gala, the event was otherwise a total success. A quick recasting of the roster was called for and all locos present performed faultlessly over the three days. This included Paul Spracklen’s Class 50 No. 50026 Indomitable, making its preservation debut 22 years after it last hauled a passenger train on BR and following a very extensive restoration from scrapyard condition. Another debutant was Network Rail Class 57 No. 57312 which was the first such loco to haul a passenger train. Class 27 No. D5401 (courtesy of the Northampton Type 2 Group) was kept busy for the whole event, as was resident Class 33 No. 33111 Hot Dog. Filling in for ‘absent friends’ were BR Standard Tank No. D80104, the ‘D’ prefix applied especially for its standin role and ‘ED’ No. 73136 Perseverance. The green-liveried Class 73 (courtesy of Transmart Trains Ltd) was delivered at short notice by GBRf, which moved it from St Leonards depot, the loco
FOLLOWING the huge success of the ‘Deltic’ weekend on the East Lancashire Railway last year, a similar event is to be staged on September 22/23. Residents Nos. 55022 and D9016 will be joined by Deltic Preservation Society’s Nos. D9009 and 55019 plus the NRM’s No. 55002. This date clashes with the MidNorfolk Railway’s ‘Class 47 Jubilee’ event, which was announced in 2010.
Wickham wanted by GCR group INDOMITABLE LIVES UP TO ITS NAME: Proving that you can’t keep a good loco down, Class 50 No. 50026 Indomitable hauled its first passenger train for 22 years on May 11, following restoration from scrapyard condition. It was the star attraction at the Swanage Railway’s diesel gala on May 11-13. It had been hoped this loco would have appeared at the corresponding event last year, but further work was needed to bring it up to the required standard of restoration and it performed faultlesly at the three-day event. On May 11, the loco is seen heading 2N18 – the 15.15 Swanage-Norden Park & Ride – just after crossing Corfe viaduct. PETER NICHOLSON
arriving at Swanage during Friday afternoon. Locos not able to attend included resident Class 33 No. D6515 which, being passed for main line operation, had been sent to collect the convoy but failed en route. The others were ‘Deltic’ No. 55019 Royal Highland Fusilier, Class 20s Nos. D8188 and D8059 and ‘Warship’ No. D821 Greyhound.
Class 26 tried and tested
TOM Clift’s Class 26 No. 26038 hauled its first train since withdrawal by BR in 1992 when the loco made its long-awaited passenger debut on May 6. This followed running-in on the Barry Tourist Railway (RM June p96) and it is seen approaching Barry Island station on its inaugural train from Hood Road, with ‘ED’No. 73118 at the rear. The Type 2 was then set to attend the KWVR diesel gala (May 25-27) before moving north to the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway for an extended stay, including the diesel gala on July 27-29. Picture: JAMIE SQUIBBS
Following the locos’ return to the Severn Valley Railway, Kidderminster, the ‘Deltic’ was to be sent to the Nene Valley Railway for its May 19/20 diesel gala. The sold-out ‘Deltic’ driver experience runs had to be cancelled while the Class 20 driver experiences were replaced by resident Class 08 No. 08436. Compared with the
2011 event, passenger numbers were only down by 60 people, but retail business on the railway saw an increase on all previous diesel galas. The Swanage Railway thanks everyone for their support and understanding of the situation, including the various locoowning groups. The 2013 event has been confirmed for May 10-12.
BR blue for Brunswick green‘Hoover’? WHEN BR repainted Class 50 No. 50007 Hercules in Brunswick green and renamed it Sir Edward Elgar on February 25, 1984, not everyone was happy about it. However, the livery and identity have been carried ever since by the Type 4, which has been in the care of the Class 40 Appeal at the Midland RailwayButterley since 1994. Those who would like to see it turned out again in large-logo blue livery as Hercules – which was carried from March 1983 until repainted at Laira in February 1984 – now have the chance to have their way. The owners have launched an
appeal for funds to cover the cost of the repaint into largelogo blue, which will be in excess of £3,000. This includes body panel replacements as required, paint, decals and new nameplates. A new set of batteries, costing around £5,000, is also needed, so the appeal is for £8,000 to return No. 50007 to run as Hercules. Those wishing to support this proposal should send a cheque to: ‘Class 40 Appeal’, 65 Darby Road, Wednesbury, West Midlands WS10 0PN. n Further details see website: www.trainweb.org/cfa/.
‘Crompton’stripped for spares
very similar to the BR Class 11 locos with EE 6KT engines. No. 663 is air-braked only but will be fitted with vacuum brakes to enable it to work passenger trains. The airbraking will be retained so it can be used on the bitumen trains which the railway handles for oil company Total. The purchase of this loco may result in the disposal of Class 08 No. 08628 as that requires a considerable amount of restoration work. It will probably be stripped for spares and then broken up.
THE Great Central Railway’s Mountsorrel restoration group is looking for a Wickham rail trolley owner prepared to place a working vehicle on the branch to help with the movement of 1,500 chaired sleepers. It would be kept in a purpose-built shed. Anyone able to help should email Brian M. Phillips at: seahornet809@ntl world.com
One weekend only for Wensleydale 37
CLASS 37 No. 37250 was started up for the first time in preservation on March 30 at the Wensleydale Railway. It will be in operation (June 22-24) on three trips a day plus a ‘Beerex’ on Friday and Saturday evenings. Class 20s Nos. 20121 and 20166 may also be running. The 37 will not be used again until its external appearance has been improved.
Yellow DMU broken up at Cheddleton
FORMER Network Rail ultrasonic test train No. 901001, originally a Class 101 DMU (Nos. 50167 and 51433), has been sold for scrap by the Churnet Valley Railway and dismantled on site at Cheddleton by a contractor. Many useful components were obtained for other DMUs in preservation.
MR-B celebrates Brush Type 4 jubilee
THE 50th anniversary of the Class 47 will be marked at Midland Railway-Butterley on August 18/19. Residents Nos. 47401 (D1500), D1516 and spares donor No. 47761 will be joined by No. D1501 from the East Lancashire Railway, which has been restored to original condition in twotone green livery.
‘Deltic’ heading for WSR June gala
Dutch‘Gronk’joins Ribble collection
FORMER Dutch Railways (NS) Class 600 English Electric 0-6-0DE No. 663 has been acquired by the Ribble Steam Railway after previously being in private ownership and on open-air display at Locomotion, Shildon. It is English Electric 2160/Vulcan Foundry D350 of 1956 and joins the RSR’s No. 671 (formerly NS No. 601), both of which were among six such locos imported from Holland a few years ago – some of which are now in industrial service. They are
East Lancs to repeat ‘Deltic’ gathering
THE West Somerset Railway’s June 15-17 mixed traction gala (RM June p96) is being supported by GB Railfreight, which is sending a Class 66 and Class 73 ‘ED’ No. 73119. Martin Walker’s ‘Deltic’ No 55022 Royal Scots Grey, is also attending. THE 71A Locomotive Group, owner of Swanage Railway-based Class 33 No. D6515 (33012), is currently dismantling sister No. 33034 at Norden on the SR. It is seen on May 5 – the BR double arrows being removed soon after the photograph was taken. Once the final spares have been removed, the remains of the loco will be disposed of for scrap later in the year. The group has several items of Class 33 spares for sale, some of which make interesting souvenirs for collectors. The spares can be seen on website: www.71a.co.uk/for_sale.htm. Picture: ALAN R. HAWKINS
‘Bubblecar’ goes to Weardale Railway
SINGLE-CAR Class 122 DMU No. E55012, restored by Rail Restorations NE at Shildon for owner Dr Mike Wood, was moved from Locomotion Shildon to the Weardale Railway on April 7.
July 2012 • The Railway Magazine • 97