Heritage Railway Issue 242

IT is truly heartening in a year when we are commemorating half a century since the end of BR main line steam haulage, to see that mode of traction inching forward to reclaim yet more lost territory. I first visited the Mid-Norfolk Railway 21 years ago, and while at that stage it ran over a comparatively short length and had only diesels on offer, the huge potential was clear. It was typical of what we dubbed a New Generation Line, a breed of heritage railway operation which took off basically because a redundant line was available and reasonably intact. Unlike other lines in the heritage sector portfolio, such revival schemes did not have the benefit of being able to buy steam locomotives straight out of BR service, or even from…

IN the year when the nation is commemorating the 50th anniversary of the end of BR standard gauge steam haulage, the Mid-Norfolk Railway has opened the latest length of its new northern extension. On Friday, May 18, Dennis Howell’s WR 0-6-0PT No. 9466, which in recent years has made the surviving section of the GER Wells-next-the-Sea branch a second home, top and tailed a special inaugural train of invited guests from Dereham station to the level crossing at Worthing, which lies north of the previous limit of special train operations at Hoe. The outbound train was hauled to Worthing by Class 04 D2334 and headed back to Dereham by steam. Further trains were run over the extension during the following weekend. On some of them, the 04 was paired with…

FOLLOWING Peppercorn A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado’s failure while hauling the 90mph‘Ebor Flyer’on April 14, investigations have continued and are now drawing to a close in readiness for the locomotive’s swift return to the main line. Its builder and owner, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust, said that it will publish an update on key findings. Although the investigation is being treated as a priority, repairs are proceeding, the trust said, adding that it is grateful to suppliers who have responded quickly by manufacturing new components for the locomotive, and to Locomotive Services Limited – and its supremo Jeremy Hosking – for the loan of components obtained from the overhaul of A2 No. 60532 Blue Peter to help speed repairs. Thanks were also given to DB Cargo for its support in…

THE Moseley Railway Trust has received £10,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund to extend its Western Front field railway. The third of the trust’s award-winning Tracks to the Trenches events, which recreate the Western Front in Staffordshire using steam trains of the period, military vehicles and re-enactors, will be held at its Apedale Valley Light Railway home on July 13-15, when the extension will be completed. The grant will also allow a visit to Tracks to the Trenches by a draught horse team and a field gun and limber, and finally it will support a visiting steam locomotive of a type used on trench railways during the First World War. There is also a sub-project to recreate a wagon used for the transportation of heavy artillery pieces on 2ft gauge…

THE Flour Mill workshops at Bream in the Forest of Dean have begun the exploratory dismantling of the Swanage Railway’s LSWRT3 4-4-0 No. 563 to see if the former National Collection engine can be returned to steam. Staff at the market-leading expert in the restoration of Victorian steam locomotives have begun removing the boiler cladding and unbolting pipework so the boiler can be lifted in June. The 1893-built locomotive was controversially gifted to the Purbeck line by the National Railway Museum, with the strict condition that if the railway ever finds it does not want it any longer, it has to be offered back. Meanwhile, the Flour Mill is building what is believed to be the first big standard gauge boiler built in the UK for many years. It has…

THE National Tramway Museum has been awarded £74,500 from AIM Biffa Award for a new permanent exhibition ‘Holroyd Smith – Electrifying the Future’. The History Makers scheme funds museums to create new exhibitions that will inspire the public through the lives and achievements of extraordinary historical figures. It is managed by the Association of Independent Museums and Biffa Award, a multi-million pound fund that helps to build communities and transform lives through awarding grants to communities and environmental projects. The exhibition will explore the life, inspiration and inventions of Michael Holroyd Smith, pioneer in electric traction and versatile electrical and mechanical inventor. Smith is little known, except for his invention of the first electric street tramway in 1885, but the Crich museum’s archives show that Holroyd Smith should be recognised…