Heritage Railway Issue 293

I was delighted to be able to attend the recent ‘Obby ‘Oss celebrations at Padstow, returning after a three-year absence due to the pandemic. This festival, usually held on May 1 or the Monday immediately afterwards, is one of Britain’s great folk traditions, an ancient custom which heralds the advent of spring in all of its multi-coloured glory. However, I had already been enamoured by the many delights of spring which that are in blossom throughout the heritage railway sector. Superb early-season weather has made for some truly spectacular spring galas, as we report this issue. Then we see the fruits of the labours of the tireless army of volunteers who have worked tirelessly when conditions permitted during the days of lockdown. I was particularly delighted to learn about Lancashire…

I was delighted to be able to attend the recent ‘Obby ‘Oss celebrations at Padstow, returning after a three-year absence due to the pandemic. This festival, usually held on May 1 or the Monday immediately afterwards, is one of Britain’s great folk traditions, an ancient custom which heralds the advent of spring in all of its multi-coloured glory. However, I had already been enamoured by the many delights of spring which that are in blossom throughout the heritage railway sector. Superb early-season weather has made for some truly spectacular spring galas, as we report this issue. Then we see the fruits of the labours of the tireless army of volunteers who have worked tirelessly when conditions permitted during the days of lockdown. I was particularly delighted to learn about Lancashire & Yorkshire ’Pug’…

THE Welsh Government has agreed to meet with the Heritage Railway Association to discuss the worsening coal crisis which is threatening the sector, a major player in the UK tourist economy. Following an approach from an unnamed Senedd AM (Welsh Parliament assembly member), a cabinet member has agreed to hold a meeting with representatives of the HRA who will be making the case for a ready supply of coal to be made available to steam railways, at least in the short to medium term during which alternative and sustainable fuels which could power historic locomotives are explored and developed. As reported last issue, the HRA has written to both the UK and Welsh governments to request that at least one mine remains open to provide essential fuel to keep steam services running,…

THE Welsh Government has agreed to meet with the Heritage Railway Association to discuss the worsening coal crisis which is threatening the sector, a major player in the UK tourist economy. Following an approach from an unnamed Senedd AM (Welsh Parliament assembly member), a cabinet member has agreed to hold a meeting with representatives of the HRA who will be making the case for a ready supply of coal to be made available to steam railways, at least in the short to medium term during which alternative and sustainable fuels which could power historic locomotives are explored and developed. As reported last issue, the HRA has written to both the UK and Welsh governments to request that at least one mine remains open to provide essential fuel to keep steam…

STEPHENSON Steam Railway, in association with the North Tyneside Steam Railway, held the Victor & Vulcan Reunion Gala over the May bank holiday weekend. Victor and Vulcan were two of three Bagnall New Standard 18 0-6-0STs (Nos. 2994 and 2996) specifically designed for Port Talbot steelworks and built in 1951. They last saw service on the internal system at British Leyland’s Longbridge factory in Birmingham from where they were bought in 1973 for the nascent West Somerset Railway, on which Victor was the first locomotive used. No. 2994 was sold in 1986, and is now at the NTSR. No. 296 was sold three years later and eventually ended up at the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway. The reunion had been postponed for two years because of the pandemic. Pre-order Issue 294:…

STEPHENSON Steam Railway, in association with the North Tyneside Steam Railway, held the Victor & Vulcan Reunion Gala over the May bank holiday weekend. Victor and Vulcan were two of three Bagnall New Standard 18 0-6-0STs (Nos. 2994 and 2996) specifically designed for Port Talbot steelworks and built in 1951. They last saw service on the internal system at British Leyland’s Longbridge factory in Birmingham from where they were bought in 1973 for the nascent West Somerset Railway, on which Victor was the first locomotive used. No. 2994 was sold in 1986, and is now at the NTSR. No. 296 was sold three years later and eventually ended up at the Lakeside & Haverthwaite Railway. The reunion had been postponed for two years because of the pandemic. Pre-order Issue 294: Order your copy from…