after it distorted during welding. A pattern was available for the identical block being cast for the standard 3MT tank new build project at the Severn Valley Railway, and thanks to their help a new block will now be cast for 76079. 75029’s tyres were turned at Ilford during the winter but the extent of the flange wear since its return is causing concern. Discussions are taking place with Network Rail to determine whether some flange lubricators should be installed between Grosmont and Pickering. 60007 has had extensive valve and piston work done during the winter and was expected to return to traffic in mid-April. 63395 is still undergoing repairs at Crewe but is expected back by mid-June. S15 825 is being fully used until its boiler certificate runs out in early July. Refurbishment of the cab fittings and all the associated pipework on the 9F is compete and reassembly of the tubes has commenced. The boiler inspector has agreed that the boiler can be steam tested back in the frames. Consideration is being given to sending the boiler of 80135 away for repairs in the hope that the locomotive would be back in service earlier than otherwise possible. The outward appearance of Cl.101 DMU, indicates that the power cars need both C&W attention and substantial mechanical refurbishment and the DMU will not be available this season. D7628 is being fitted with GSMR equipment following the extensive repair of its power bogies. For the 40th anniversary gala it was hoped that B1s 61264 and 1306 Mayflower would be present along with 45407, 44871, 45428, 62005, 69023 and 60007, as well as NER saloon coach 1661. However it is not clear if the two Bury based 5MTs will have returned from duties on the main line. The autumn gala will have an NER theme with 60163 Tornado being a possible guest, and for the LNER weekend at the beginning of October it is hoped that the engines will be A1 Tornado (in BR blue), 60007, 61264 and 63395. Northern Rail began operating Sunday services on the Esk Valley line on 31st March. This meant that the only signal box on the line (at Nunthorpe station) had to be manned with the knock on effect that NYMR were able to commence a Sunday service to Whitby running three return journeys in between the Northern Rail trains. Above the cabside number on each side of B1 61264, a small vinyl notice has been fixed stating “The Thompson B1 Locomotive Trust Custodian of ex-LNER Class B1 no. 61264”, along with a square mobile phone scanning ‘QR code’ display to enable smart phone owners to obtain details of the engine on their phone! It is thought that this is the first example of a scanning code appearing on a heritage locomotive. On 23rd a West Coast Cl.47 arrived from Newcastle hauling a Cl.26 and a Cl.20 departing on 24th with the addition of Cl.25
D7528 and a Cl.37 also in the consist en route to York and then KWVR for their diesel gala. With D7528 away the first train from Pickering and the last train to arrive in Pickering on 25th were hauled by 37518. Poulton and Wyre Railway Society. This group is behind plans to revive Fleetwood’s railway and has said that the link could provide a freight service which would take pressure off one of Wyre’s most congested roads. It has also produced a business plan outlining proposals for a weekday diesel passenger service linking Fleetwood with Poulton, and eventually a weekend steam heritage service. The society is waiting for permission from Wyre council, Lancashire country council and NR, before approaching funding bodies for the scheme. With the cost of new track infrastructure estimated at less than £1m, the group hopes the weekday passenger service could be running within three years. RailWorld, Peterborough. The founder of this preservation site, Rev. R. Paten, died in 2012 and there is now no external funding to maintain it. Amongst the exhibits, which were on view at an Easter opening, are the British experimental tracked hovercraft, 804 X-411, Bo-Bo DE Alco 77778/1950 and 4-6-2 996 (Frichs 415/50). The site also houses the Crown Agents’ railway records which fitted their world of railway’s aim. Severn Valley Railway. A members and shareholders’ weekend was held on 20th/21st April. At the event it was advised that shares worth more than £1.3m have been sold since the launch of the new issue six months ago. It was also said that work should start by the end of the year on the return to service of 4930 Hagley Hall. A swap of tenders has been arranged between 4930 and GCR-based 6990 Witherslack Hall so that the former will be paired with a Collett tender and the latter with a Hawksworth. For the event an intensive service was run using 1501, 2857, 5164, 7812 and 34053 with 0-4-2T 1450 running additional push-pull services, mainly between Kidderminster and Bewdley. 0-6-2T 5643 was scheduled to arrive on hire by the end of May and stay until at least January 2014. Southwold Railway Trust. This group is relaunching its plan to bring a narrow gauge line to Wenhaston despite district planners throwing out the original application in December. Campaigners opposed to the project have vowed to fight the resubmission, which developers say is of significantly smaller scale than the one refused planning permission by Suffolk Coastal’s development committee. The original proposal generated disapproval from the parish council and a number of villagers who objected to a heritage centre being built on a flood plain and the anticipated increase in traffic. 403