Heritage Railway Issue 254

IN recent months, we have covered extensively the impending crisis at the West Somerset Railway and the rapid steps that are being taken to right the ship. We all know that the West Somerset is a magnificent heritage railway, and there is every reason why it should continue to be so, but it appears that for too long, aspects of it have been taken for granted. As soon as the problems were properly identified, along with the help of the Office of Rail and Road, sweeping changes have had to be made. For example, a brave decision was taken to close the line for three months while a major new infrastructure plan was developed and implemented, even though this meant the loss of the spring steam gala. An audit was…

TRIAL DMU weekend services are to link the West Somerset Railway’s southern terminus of Bishops Lydeard with Taunton this summer. Main line operator Great Western Railway (GWR) has awarded £60,000 from its Customer and Communities Improvement Fund for the Exmoor Gateway project, which is intended to link the national rail network at Taunton to the heritage line’s services at Bishops Lydeard. West Somerset Railway chairman Jon Jones-Pratt said: “We welcome the chance to work with our colleagues on GWR to bring more visitors to this lovely part of Somerset, and to enjoy the sight and sound of steam trains to the seaside. “What better way to start a holiday or have a great day out?” Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow said: “Linking Taunton railway station to the West Somerset Railway…

AS we closed for press, the Union Pacific Steam Team was making final preparations for the May 4 relaunch of Big Boy articulated 4-8-8-4 No. 4014 in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The relaunch follows a five-year restoration to running order for the Spike 150 celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the completion of the UStranscontinental railroad. A final steam blow on the evening of Saturday, April 29, cleared out No. 4014’s throttle header and the associated high pressure steam lines. It was planned that UP’s ‘Living Legend’ – FEF-3 4-8-4 No. 844 would double-head with No. 4014 from Cheyenne to Ogden on May 4 after Big Boy’s 9.30am ‘christening’ ceremony. Union Pacific hosted the 150th anniversary celebration at 10.30am on Thursday, May 9, at Ogden Union Station – a day ahead…

THE Great Central Railway is waiting to hear whether its bids to overhaul two National Collection locomotives are successful. As we closed for press, officials were negotiating a draft contract from the National Railway Museum on the line’s proposals to overhaul both BR Britannia Pacific No. 70013 Oliver Cromwell, in its case back to main line operating standards, and GCR O4 (8K) 2-8-0 No. 63601. A ‘rival’ bid by No. 70013’s long-term custodian the 5305 Locomotive Association, to resume custody of the locomotive, failed because of concerns over funding and the location. In April, an exploratory examination of No. 70013, involving staff from both bodies took place in a bid to ascertain the extent of the 10-year overhaul that is needed, prior to the NRM giving consent for an overhaul…

AWARD-WINNING NER petrol-electric autocar No. 3170 has carried its first fare-paying passengers since it was rebuilt. The historical run by the 1903-built vehicle now acknowledged as the world’s first internal combustion-powered passenger train, was made on Thursday, April 18, with the 10.30am from Bolton Abbey station on the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway. The autocar made several runs the day before – but with the aid of a diesel after technical problems were encountered. After working on the problem overnight, the autocar ran the first trip on its own for the first time as a fare-paying service the following morning. Project founder Steve Middleton gave a short introductory talk on board about the autocar before departure and a film crew was there to record the event. The round trip…

THE Great Central Railway has launched an appeal to build a new £960,000 locomotive works and shed at Loughborough, combined with a state-of-the-art visitor centre and educational facility. The railway has been holding what is described as ‘positive’ discussions with potential grant aid bodies and as-yet-unnamed match funders, but expects to have to raise up to £400,000 of the overall cost of the scheme by itself. Replacing its existing life-expired facility which has become costly to maintain, will provide enhanced facilities for the restoration and maintenance of the railway’s extensive locomotive fleet along with greater manufacturing capabilities. The new works is also set to become a tourist magnet in its own right. An extended machine shop will help make the railway more self-sufficient in manufacturing precision parts but also in…