Heritage Railway Issue 308

THE Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, an outstanding example of British engineering overseas, became a UNESCOWorld Heritage Site in 1999. However, comparatively few British enthusiasts have found the opportunity to ride on it – therefore, the UK heritage sector owes an enormous debt of gratitude to the late Adrian Shooter, who reimported and restored DHR Sharp Stewart 0-4-0SWTT No. 19B for use on his private railway, before commissioning the construction of a superb pair of replica matching coaches, and also now to the recently-formed DarjeelingTank LocomotiveTrust which, as reported in Headline News, has bought the entire train for the enjoyment and education of home audiences. No. 19B has now been moved to the private Statfold Barn Railway near Tamworth, which, as highlighted in our special feature on pages 86-88, has undergone a…

WHAT would you do if you had travelled more than 150 miles to turn up for your duty on a heritage railway, only to find your watch – an important piece of equipment you need as a driver – was no longer working? Rely on your telephone or source a replacement? When former KESR general manager Matt Green, who still volunteers as a driver there, turned up at Rolvenden for duty over the May bank holiday weekend Steam Up event, he found as he unpacked his equipment that his pocket watch had stopped working. With no time before signing on to go out and source a replacement locally and nearby shops most certainly closed by the time the day was done, he ordered a new one online – and decided…

TWO narrow gauge stalwarts have been awarded forservicestorailway preservation in King Charles’s first Birthday Honours List, announced on June 17. The Talyllyn Railway’s former chief engineer, John Bate, 93, who made a significant impact in transforming the line from a near derelict entity to a major tourist attraction, has been made a Member of the British Empire. “For more than 70 years, John, a skilled engineer, has demonstrated qualities of leadership, encouragement and ingenuity which has inspired generations of employees and volunteers alike,” said a TR statement. “John first rode on the line in 1947, four years before it was taken over by the Talyllyn Railway Preservation Society, and became the world’s first volunteer-run heritage line. “That year he gave up his summer holidays to work on the railway’s track,…

AN appeal to extend mining at Ffosy-fran mine to save vital supplies of steam coal for the heritage sector was lodged theWelsh Assembly in Cardiff on June 26. Paul Paddock, sales manager of supplier Hargreaves Services plc, said:“This is prior to the deadline of mining operations notice received from Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council recently. “Despite the refusal by the planning committee, the final decision on the extension was always going to be made by the Welsh Assembly and, once submitted, they carry on producing at Ffos until the appeal will be heard, and this would probably be some months‘down the line’. “I have been in dialogue with the mine owner, Merthyr (South Wales) Ltd, which would now appreciate any support that the heritage steam market can provide by highlighting the…

THE late Chiltern Railways founder Adrian Shooter CBE’s pride and joy, his 1889-built Sharp Stewart Darjeeling Himalayan Railway 0-4-0SWTt No. 19, has been savedfortheUKheritagesector. The Darjeeling Tank Locomotive Trust also managed to buy Adrian’s two matching replica coaches at the June 21 auction of his Beeches Light Railway, based at his Steeple Aston home, near Banbury. Trust members also purchased several items for themselves as personal possessions to remember Adrian by. Trustees, their supporting team, and officials from the Statfold Barn Railway – where No. 19B is to be based – attended the auction, where Statfold founder Graham Lee bid on behalf of the trust. Trust chairman Jeremy Davey said: “It could have been a Midsummer’s Day nightmare but turned into a dream for all involved after a nervewracking wait…

THE‘secret’visit of King Charles III aboard the RoyalTrain hauled by none other than A3 Pacific No. 60103 FlyingScotsman in its centenary year to Pickering has boosted the NorthYorkshire Moors Railway’s visitor numbers as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. Details of the meticulously planned trip on June 12 were kept tightly under wraps, apparently for security reasons and for Network Rail’s bid to deter trespassers eager to view the world’s most famous steam locomotive from barred positions. During its journey from London to York along the East Coast Main Line, hauled by DR Cargo’s Class 67 No. 67006 Royal Sovereign, the Royal Train’s headcode was not visible on rail forums or tracking apps. Around the break of dawn at York station, Flying Scotsman – its cab roof painted white, and with…