Table of contents for Issue 250 in Heritage Railway

SAM Mullins, the director of London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, has received an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List. Having been appointed as director in 1994, Sam, who comes from Salisbury and now lives in Dalston, is credited with transforming it into the world’s premier urban transport museum. He played a pivotal role in the award-winning Metropolitan Railway 150 celebrations in 2013, which marked the anniversary of the world’s oldest underground line. He also opened the museum’s depot at Acton, the UK’s first publicly accessible museum storehouse that houses Transport for London’s outstanding and nationally designated heritage collection, from trains, trams and buses, to the design archive of signs, maps and posters. TfL said that under Sam’s leadership, LTM has engaged and delighted millions of visitors, as well…

Respected by main line steam operators, DB Cargo’s traction inspector Gareth Jones was given a celebratory retirement presentation organised by the firm’s special trains manager, Richard Corser at its Doncaster headquarters before Christmas. Renowned for his professionalism, being well prepared for each job on the footplate and route knowledge second to none, the former Bescot man often solved problems to keep steam locomotives and their tours on the move. DB Cargo’s CEO officer Hans-Georg Werner presented Gareth with a model Class 66 and a glass plaque to mark 65 years of railway service. His final duty saw him on the footplate of No. 34052 Lord Dowding working Pathfinder’s ‘Chester Chuffer’ on December 15. Growing up in Tywyn, Gareth became a volunteer on the Talyllyn Railway at…

TOM Blight received an early Christmas present on December 15, when he was passed out as a fully-qualified Bodmin & Wenford Railway steam driver. Tom, 24, from Roche in Cornwall, joins the select group of volunteers nationwide who have achieved this milestone before their 25th birthday. The responsibility of being in charge of a steam locomotive weighing up to 80 tons, pulling a 150 ton train, with up to 200 passengers on board, on the steep BWR gradients, does not seem to phase him. Known to all his friends and colleagues as ‘Blighty’, Tom’s credentials are impressive. He started volunteering at Bodmin aged 16, and quickly showed his enthusiasm and aptitude as a trainee fireman. As soon as he was old enough, he became an apprentice engineer in Loughborough, which…

A CROWDFUNDING appeal has been launched to help build London’s newest heritage railway. The Royal Arsenal Narrow Gauge Railway aims to build a 2ft gauge line to carry visitors to the Crossness Pumping Station from the car park 800 yards away. The project has already been granted planning permission by the London Borough of Bexley for the laying of a railway and the conversion of an existing building for use as a depot facility. Severn-Lamb diesel locomotive Busy Basil and a rake of carriages from the closed Bygones Village Museum railway at Fleggburgh in Norfolk arrived at Crossness last year. The stock was built for the 1986 Stoke-on-Trent Garden Festival. The new line is being laid by the Crossness Team, volunteers who restored one of the…

➜ New GWR Saint 4-6-0 No. 2999 Lady of Legend is to be officially launched at Didcot Railway Centre during a special event on April 5-7. It will also be steamed during the Easter weekend of April 19-22 alongside GWR 4-6-0 No. 6023 King Edward II and steam railmotor No. 93, and also during June 7-9, when Modified Hall No. 7903 Foremarke Hall will be visiting from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. ➜ GWR Collett saloon No. 9005, built for use on the ‘Ocean Liner Express’ from Paddington to Plymouth Millbay in 1931, has been moved from the South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh to Jeremy Hosking’s Locomotive Storage facilities at the former Hornby Hobbies headquarters in Margate for eventual public display. ➜ BARROW Hill Engine Shed Society is buying long-time resident…

THE Vale of Berkeley Railway expects its Class 03 Drewry-Gardner 0-6-0DM shunter No. 03069 to return to traffic this year. No. 03069 has had a chequered history since being built as D2069 at Doncaster in 1959. Withdrawn by BR in 1983, it saw service in Vic Berry’s scrapyard in Leicester until being bought for use on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway in 1991. After several years’ service, it was brought to the old engine house at Sharpness in 2015 in a stripped-down condition. Since then a small group of volunteers has rebuilt the power unit which was successfully run for the first time in 2017, made and fitted new engine covers, cab panels, doors and resprung two of the buffers. The jackshaft bearings have been remetalled and machined, the cab electrics…

THE first locomotive to be bought by the Great Western Society has left Didcot Railway Centre for an estimated £300,000 overhaul. Collett 0-4-2T No. 1466, which was bought for preservation in April 1964, was taken from the centre on December 3 to Ed Freeman’s Western Steam Engineering at Lydney on the Dean Forest Railway. Mechanically, the engine is in reasonable condition, but it needs a new backplate, firebox side plating and possibly a new boiler barrel will be needed. The society currently has £190,000 in the overhaul fund, but has launched a public appeal to raise the remaining £110,000. ➜ Anyone who would like to help is invited to contact: Chris Herridge, Great Western Society, Didcot Railway Centre, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 7NJ, telephone 01235 817200 or email info@didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk…

THE National Railway Museum has signed a co-operation agreement in the field of cultural and scientific activities with Russian Railways. The Russian State Secretary and deputy managing director of Russian Railways Anatoly Mescheryakov and museum director Judith McNichol signed the document to conclude the agreement at the VII St Petersburg International Cultural Forum in Russia on November 16. The agreement provides for joint work on exhibitions and expositions, academic co-operation and events to promote the development of culture, art and science. During their visit to the St Petersburg forum, the British delegation also held a working meeting between Russian Railways and the Science Museum Group, aimed at developing an international partnership in the field of museum activities. Under discussion were an exchange of museum exhibits and multimedia exhibits on the…

THE Corris Railway will be offering a‘Your Railway For The Day’experience in 2019. The day will include opportunities to sample all aspects of the railway, including working on the footplates of the locomotive fleet (one battery electric, an internal combustion trio and an 0-4-2ST), joining the guard in his or her duties, controlling the yard at Maespoeth Junction from the signalbox and enjoying a ride in a gravity train down the Dulas Valley between Corris Station and Maespoeth Junction. Participants will also see behind the scenes in the workshops of both the original locomotive shed and the modern carriage shed at Maespoeth Junction and will have the opportunity to walk down the planned route of the southern extension of the running line. Subject to volunteer availability, the days will be…

Seven S15s survive in preservation. Of these, the pair owned by the ULS are from the first batch, designed by Robert Urie and built between 1920 and 1921. The remainder are from the second batch – designed by Urie’s successor, Richard Maunsell and built between 1927-28 (Nos.825, 828, 830) and the third batch, constructed in 1936 (No. 841 and 847). SR/ BR No. / Location / Status 825/ 30825 / North Yorkshire Moors / Under overhaul 828/ 30828 / Mid Hants / Under overhaul 830/ 30830 / North Yorkshire Moors / Stored awaiting restoration 841/ 30841 / North Yorkshire Moors / Awaiting overhaul 847/ 30847 / Bluebell / Operational…

The complete 2019 Heritage Railway guide to special events at preserved lines and museum centres. EVENTS are listed here in chronological order, concentrating on those of interest to the enthusiast. All railways will be holding additional events to those listed here, which are aimed more towards the family market, details of which can be obtained direct from the railway, but Thomas and similar events are included in the listing. The information was correct at the time of going to press, however we strongly advise that you confirm details of a particular event with the railway concerned to avoid disappointment. JANUARY 20: Nene Valley Railway: Winter Railcar Specials ■ 25-27: Great Central Railway: Winter Steam Gala ■ 27: Nene Valley Railway: Winter Railcar Specials ■ FEBRUARY  3: Tanfield Railway: National Coal…

AN 87-year-old O-gauge electric train set made by the American company Ives Manufacturing of Connecticut, sold for £2700 at a Vectis model train and railwayana sale at Thornaby on December 14. Produced in 1932, the set comprised a 4-4-4 overhead electric locomotive, a passenger car, passenger car with verandah, and baggage car, with the carriages featuring internal lighting. In the early 20th century, Ives was the largest toy manufacturer in the USA, but after a difficult period the Lionel Corporation became sole owner in 1930 and dropped the Ives’ branding in 1934. Some way behind this veteran set as runner-up was another O-gauge model, of a Deutsche Reichsbahn Class 03 Pacific made by Gebauer (£800). Prices exclude buyer’s premium of 25% (inc VAT).…

A PLATFORM indicator clock believed to have been located at an LMS station but carrying the GWR‘shirtbutton’ roundel on its face has caused furrowed brows at Thirsk Railwayana, who will be auctioning the item on January 19. Thirsk’s Michael Harrison said the clock, which has no mechanism, would have been located on a station platform and features hands that were manually moved to indicate the time of the next train whose stops were shown on fingerboards slotted into the side of the clock. As the clock was discovered at a reclamation yard, its precise history is not known, but Michael said that archive photographs of Rochdale station in Lancashire show a similar clock. Indeed, this may be the actual one in the auction which, despite its GWR identification, is mounted…

■ No. 61608 Gunton was withdrawn on August 2, 1960 and broken up at Stratford – the last of its kind. ■ Thanks to Hornby, the class has been available in model form for many years. A variety of liveries and sub-classes form the current range. ■ The sole member of the first batch to have its name changed was No. 2805. Originally named Burnham Thorpe, birthplace village in North Norfolk of Admiral Horatio Nelson, it was renamed Lincolnshire Regiment on May 4, 1938 in a ceremony at Lincoln Central station. ■ A total of 73 B17s were constructed.…

DARJEELING Tours is pleased to announce new itineraries, as well as old favourites. The operator is hopeful that a tour to Bhutan will run in late November 2019, combining rail and culture, involving plenty of temples and festivals. A tour to southern India will be taking place January 2020. The inaugural trip of its kind for the operator, customers will be able to enjoy a night on the backwaters in Kerala; see elephants roaming in a wildlife park; a trip to the impressive City Palace at Mysore; steam-hauled train up to Ooty; The Indian Golden Rock Works and Temple; as well as the chance to eat fresh fish on the beach at Cochin with an extension to Goa. A favourite is the Magic Tour in March 2020, which is a…

THE Steam Dreams Rail Co has recently announced an exciting programme of holidays by steam for 2019, including a nine-day trip to the Scottish Highlands, featuring Flying Scotsman, and a six-day Emerald Isle‘Craic Express’trip with the option to see much of the stunning Wild Atlantic Way. On Thursday, May 9, the ‘Highlands and Islands Explorer’will set out from London Victoria for a stunning tour, taking in some truly spectacular Highland scenery. After a quick run up to York, the train will be joined by the world’s most famous steam locomotive, Flying Scotsman, before heading north along the East Coast Mainline to Edinburgh. After an overnight stopover in Edinburgh, the tour sets off the next day, this time double-headed with the newly refurbished No. 61306 Mayflower, as the train makes its…

MERVYN Allcock, who 30 years ago founded the campaign to save Britain’s last rail-connected roundhouse – the former Staveley Midland shed at Barrow Hill – and turned it into a major heritage venue, is to be appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire. The appointment in the 2019 New Year’s Honours List was made for “services to railway preservation and development”. The 1870-built roundhouse is just a short bike ride from Mervyn’s childhood home at Inkersall, near Chesterfield, and was a favourite place for trainspotting when he was a child. Mervyn learned of the plans to close the site in 1989, which led him to set up the campaign to prevent its demolition. Built in 1870, it was threatened with demolition in 1991 when the site was…

THE West Somerset Railway has asked train operator Great Western Railway to run a shuttle train service connecting Taunton and Bishops Lydeard on peak days during this summer. The bid has been made to GWR’s Customer & Communities Improvement Fund and faces competition with hundreds of others from around the Great Western network. The results should be known in the coming weeks and if successful, the service could start at the end of May. Under the proposals Great Western DMUs would connect with steam trains from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead. Great Western already offers through ticketing from staffed stations to the WSR, including the connecting service provided by Buses of Somerset route 28 from Taunton station. WSR general manager Paul Conibeare said:“With the refurbishment of Taunton station, a new car…

THE Wensleydale Railway has been given the Victorian signalbox from Hertford East. The heritage line plans to install and renovate the 1888-built GER timber-framed and weather boarded structure at Constable Burton between Bedale and Leyburn, in a two-year project by volunteers. Network Rail needs listed building consent before it can dismantle and relocate the ’box, which comes complete with the original lever frame and many of the internal instruments necessary to operate it. WR volunteer co-ordinator Helen Ashworth appealed for more volunteers to help with the project to email volunteercoordinator@wensleydalerailway.com  or call 01677 425805.…

THE Llangollen Railway is set to prosecute a foxhunt after a pack of hounds ran into the path of a Santa Special, killing at least one dog. Young children on board the train running back from Carrog to Llangollen behind GWR 2-8-0 No. 3802 around 4pm on December 9 were said to have been left traumatised after witnessing the incident near Deeside Halt, which was reported by media across the world. The footplate crew made an emergency brake application after spotting the dogs running over the track. The crew and several of the hunters then removed the dogs from the line, delaying the journey by about 45 minutes. The mother of a seven-year-old girl who was on the train, said: “I have to say the Llangollen Railway staff were wonderful.…

THE Railway Touring Company is set to operate a steam-hauled passenger train to Hindlow on March 30, making it only the second such train to run over the former LNWR route between Buxton and Ashbourne since 1968. Originating at Carnforth,‘The High Peak Explorer’ will be double-headed for the trip to Buxton, running along the West Coast Main Line before making its way, via Chat Moss, for its final pick-up at Manchester Victoria. After tackling the 1-in-49 bank at Miles Platting, the train then makes its way to Buxton via Chinley, rather than the direct route via Chapal-enle-Frith. Upon arrival at Buxton reception sidings, one of the locomotives will uncouple from the train, to operate in top and tail mode, before it reverses and digs in for the gruelling climb along…

THE Nene Valley Railway is set to offer dedicated space for canoeists and cyclists on some of its trains from early summer. The development follows the awarding of a £12,000 grant by the Mick George Community Fund through the Landfill Communities Fund to restore four-wheel Mk.1 van No. DB94796 to service. NVR chairman Keith Parkinson said:“There is a potential market for conveying cyclists and canoeists, either after or before they have used the Nene Park footpaths or River Nene for the other leg. It’s a clever but fortunate play on words that we can move the acronym CCT from ‘covered carriage truck’ to ‘canoe and cycle truck’.” He added:“This is a personal success for me, as many years ago I persuaded the board to retain the van owing to its…

THE North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s main permanent way project this winter – the relaying with brand new materials of nearly 2/3mile – is now underway. The section being relaid runs from the foot of Grosmont Bank, at Esk Valley viaduct, up past Esk Valley cottages and ending just short of an earlier relay that goes southwards from Green End. It is planned to be carried out in two stages either side of the February half-term running. If time permits after the work has been completed, an additional short section will be lifted for upgrading between the two relaid sections, with sleeper density increased from 24 to 26 per length. Like the previous relay the new track will be formed of continuous welded rail. It will be the second time that…

VOLUNTEERS at the Yeovil Railway Centre normally expect one, or possibly two, main line trains to arrive for servicing in December but, exceptionally, three turned up during a busy period committed to running local Santa specials. LMS ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0 No. 44871 arrived on December 11 with empty stock after working the Railway Touring Company’s trip to Sherborne for a carol service in the abbey. Having been given the usual service, turning the engine, cleaning the firebox over the ash pit, and checking axle box levels, plus watering and coaling as required, the 4-6-0 departed on time to pick up its passengers for the homeward journey to London Victoria. 5MT’s second pre-Christmas visit The same engine tuned up again on December 17 with a‘Cathedrals Express’that had started its journey on…

THE Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society has announced the dates for its spring 2019 railtours around the British Steel steelworks at Scunthorpe. The four-hour long brakevan rides will run on January 26, February 23, March 30 and April 27, between 11am and 3pm. The trains are operated using BR Standard brakevans and visit parts of the site which aren’t normally seen on standard railtours. Due to the open verandas, the tours are unsuitable for children under the age of 10 years old. Motive power is scheduled to be provided by Avonside 0-6-0ST Cranford with Yorkshire Engine Company 0-6-0DE Janus No. 1 in reserve. All tours must be booked in advance through Brigg Tourist Information Centre on 01652 657053. No fares are charged but donations are requested.…

THE North Yorkshire Moors Railway has started to use its new workshop facility located at an industrial estate at Kirby Misperton near Pickering. Although it is not rail connected, it is intended to provide a centre for bogie and brake gear overhauls, freeing up space in the carriage and wagon workshop at Pickering. The first set of bogies, a spare pair of BR1s, has recently entered the new works for refurbishment. Carriage wheel turning, originally envisaged as possibly being done at the new workshop, will continue to be carried out by contractors as it needs to be done in a Network Rail-approved facility and it is not considered cost-effective to apply for certification for the likely volume of wheelsets the NYMR will generate. In addition, the new facility will supply…

THE boiler from the Fairbourne Railway’s 12¼in gauge 2-6-4T Russell has been delivered to Grosmont Works, where the North Yorkshire Moors Railway boilersmiths are to fit it with a new steel inner firebox and foundation ring. It is expected to be returned to the Fairbourne Railway in time for the locomotive to be reassembled for the peak season. The frames are in generally good condition but are receiving close examination to see how the Vesconite bearings, that have been fitted extensively to replace bronze ones, are standing up to use in the challenging seaside environment. Russell will be the third of the Fairbourne fleet to receive a new firebox, and preparations are beginning to be made for a detailed inspection of the fourth locomotive…

THE Severn Valley Railway’s new Bridgnorth refreshment room and toilet facilities were completed in December and opened, at least in part, with the toilets commissioned and the old ones closed down just before Christmas. The building has been completed in an authentic GWR style with great attention to detail going into making it as authentic as possible, while able to meet exacting 21st century standards that today’s visitors demand. The restaurant/ cafeteria will have a ‘soft opening’ during January, so that staff can get used to their new surroundings and equipment, before a full opening in time for the February school holidays. The commissioning of the new building means that the 30-year-old portable building facility can be closed and the site cleared to allow more parking and exhibition space for…

■ 499 No. 499 (or BR No. 30499) is the oldest of the group’s two S15s, having been one of the first batch of five ordered in January 1916, but not completed at Eastleigh until May 1920. The 4-6-0 was turned out as No. 499 in London and South Western Railway holly green goods livery and allocated to Nine Elms for heavy goods work. After 20 years, the S15 moved to another London shed in 1940 – Feltham, where it joined the remainder of the class at the marshalling yard there. A year later, 499 was commandeered to help on the GWR. This wartime period kept 499 on the GWR section, working out of Old Oak Common until 1943. Once part of the Southern Railway, No. 499’s first heavy overhaul…

PATHFINDER Tours has announced a new excursion for March 16. Named the‘Cumbrian Mountaineer’, the diesel-hauled trip starts from Cardiff and Newport then calls at all stations to Shrewsbury and Crewe, where steam backs on in the shape of A4 No. 60009 Union of South Africa. Heading on north through Preston and Lancaster, the A4 tackles Shap on the way to Carlisle. Following a two-hour break, the 4-6-2 returns via the Settle and Carlisle line, stopping at Appleby for water, before continuing to Hellifield, where the train continues through Clitheroe to Preston and the West Coast Main Line. At Crewe, the A4 comes off in exchange for diesel traction back to Cardiff. Chuffed with the chuffer Commenting on the firm’s ‘Chester Chuffer’which ran just before Christmas, Pathfinder’s Peter Watts…

I DON’T like the long, dark days of winter and so avoid anything which means timing in the dark for any length of time. Many charters are timed not to return until very late, which even if they are in the south sometimes means a struggle to get home at all on the same day. I was therefore very pleased to see that UK Railtours was running a short day circular trip on November 24, with No. 35028 Clan Line,‘The Chiltern and Downs’. This trip was bound to be popular and so I booked early in common with a small group of other exiles from the real days of steam. We arrived at Paddington over five minutes early on one of the Great Western Railway’s new Class 800 IET trains,…

SHE MAY have been a last-minute replacement as auctioneer after her husband Roger had to admit defeat due to illness fewer than five hours before the scheduled start, but Sandra Phipps delivered the goods at Talisman Railwayana’s November 24 auction at Newark. Although making her debut as auctioneer with virtually no warning, she stepped into the breach to such effect that all three nameplates sold and a number of other lots, including a diesel cabside numberplate, went for four figures. The top-selling nameplate at £7000 was Somerleyton Hall from LNER B17 No. 61640, followed by two LMS Jubilee plates that each realised £6500 – Revenge from No. 45714 and Nigeria from No. 45619, the latter going after close…

NINE live steam models in 3½in, 5in and 10¼in gauges from the collection of the late Lord Braybrooke, who died in June 2017 aged 85, will be among the highlights of a Dreweatts’ transport sale at Donnington Priory, Newbury, on March 12. Among them is a 10¼in gauge GWR No. 4005 Polar Star that is estimated at up to £35,000 and was on display in Lord Braybrooke’s office at his family’s estate in Audley End, near Saffron Walden in Essex. Others include a quartet of 5in gauge models comprising LNER No. 4468 Mallard , Standard Pacific No. 70000 Britannia , LMS Royal Scot No. 6170 British Legion, and GNR Stirling single 4-2-2 No. 53, a 3½in…

Risk assessment has curbed mortalities IN his Star Letter in Platform, issue 248, Mr McGinty claims ‘jobsworths’ are well shored up by health and safety legislation. He flies the kite that in the days of the GER there was “a lot more flexibility to working procedures” and implies this would solve today’s problems. Certainly, there was a lot more flexibility to get killed or injured, or to cause an accident. In 1900 there were 16,000 injured or killed on the railways, and by 1913 this had risen to 30,000 (National Railway Museum figures). Only then did the railway companies start to take any action. The huge progress in recent years in driving down deaths and injuries on the railway are the result of understanding risk and implementing sensible precautions. No…

FOR several years now I have been searching unsuccessfully for either, or both, of the Captain Fryatt nameplates, which were carried by LNWR 4-6-0 Claughton class locomotive No. 154 from new in March 1917, but given LMS number 5931 after Grouping; the class was designed by Charles Bowen Cooke, introduced in 1913 and built until 1921. After withdrawal, many of the names, including those relating to the First World War, were transferred to the replacement Patriot class, designed by Sir Henry Fowler and introduced in 1930. Other Claughton nameplates were distributed and occasionally come up for auction but no trace has been found of Captain Fryatt. Who was Captain Fryatt? He was a ferry captain employed by the Great Eastern Railway. In March 1915 while in command of the SS…

VALE of Rheidol Railway 2-6-2T No. 7 is to make a comeback by pulling the line’s first train of the new season after a 20-year restoration. The 1923-built locomotive (pictured), which has previously carried the name Owain Glyndwr, will return to revenue-earning service on February 16 following restoration by the line’s craftsmen and apprentices Trains will run on February 16-28 and March 1-3, 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, and 30-31. Also, phase one of the £1.2 million redevelopment work at Aberystwyth station (HR248) will be open. This project includes the new accessible platform alongside the car park, new toilet facilities and an interim booking office.…

TORNADO is now on the brink of returning to traffic after its failure on the‘Ebor Express’last April and subsequent‘hospitalisation’on the Nene Valley Railway for extensive repairs, which included outside contractor’s manufacture of replacement parts. As part of the A1’s running-in and as a thank you for the Nene Valley Railway’s hospitality, the 4-6-2 worked driver experience trips on January 5 and 11 and scheduled passenger trains on January 6 and 12. All that remained was a main line proving run or two to establish the locomotive’s credentials in time for it to be available to work the first of a series of ‘North Briton’ charters from Doncaster to Carlisle via Shap, trains returning over the Settle and Carlisle line. The first departure is booked for Saturday, February 9. A trust…

THE Bahamas Locomotive Society is opening its Heritage Lottery Fund-backed Learning Coach at Ingrow West station on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, for a series of free illustrated talks. The talks are: Sunday, January 20, 11-11.45am: Rebuilding Ingrow station – a walking talk and tour (David Pearson); Sunday, January 27, 11-12pm: Bradford’s railway that never was – the Midlands’ lost route to the north (David Pearson); Sunday, February 17, 2-3pm: Preserved steam locomotives Stateside (Richard Greenwood); Sunday, February 24, 11-12pm: Rocket to Metrolink – Greater Manchester Transport heritage and operation (Keith Whitmore); Sunday, March 3, 11-12pm: Steam Locomotive No. 1054 – A mobile National Trust property (Pete Skellon); Saturday, March 9, 5pm-6.30pm: The artistry of Eric Treacy and other rail cameramen (John Hillier); Saturday, March 16, 11-12pm: Island tracks…

THE Severn Valley Railway’s spring steam gala is taking on something of a Great Western tank engine theme, with the announcement that former GWR large prairie No. 4144 is the second guest engine, joining fellow ‘Western’visitor 0-6-0PT No. 6430. The Didcot-based 2-6-2T last visited the SVR in 2001 and is a type that was once a familiar sight along the Severn Valley Railway in GWR and BR steam days. No. 6430 visited the SVR as recently as 2016 when it starred at the spring steam gala alongside classmate No. 6412. It will make the short journey from the Llangollen Railway and as an auto-fitted engine, will allow two auto-trains to operate along with resident Collett 0-4-2T No. 1450. Add to these the other resident GWR tank locomotives available for the…

THE North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group’s K1 2-6-0 No. 62005, the boiler ticket of which has expired, is back at West Coast Railways’ Carnforth base for examination prior to overhaul back to main line condition. Stripped of its outer casing and cladding, the boiler has been lifted and confirmed to be in good condition. A work schedule has been prepared for a speedy turnaround of Thompson’s versatile two-cylinder engine. Apart from repairing a small mudhole door steam leak, a retube and the replacement of a handful of firebox stays, the locomotive’s boiler is said to need little attention – and it is on course for a quick return to traffic. It was expected that work will be stepped up, with hope that the 2-6-0 will be fit for yet another…

THE North Yorkshire Moors Railway has placed two BR Mk.1 corridor second (SK) coaches on a 10-year loan to the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway. The coaches in question are the carmine and cream-liveried Nos. 24804 and 25488. The reason for the loan is that both carriages need money to be spent on them, while the NYMR has a backlog of work on various Mk.1 open coaches that are regarded as more suitable stock. However, the NYMR did not wish to sell the coaches, as they represent a strategic reserve in case of loss or severe damage to the running fleet, but would only deteriorate if stored unused. It was therefore decided to offer them on loan to any heritage line that would be prepared to undertake the work that is required…

AWARD-WINNING NER electric autocar No. 3170 is to enter public passenger service at the Embsay & Bolton Abbey Steam Railway over the weekend of April 17-18. While the unit was unveiled to the press at Embsay on October 19, as highlighted in issue 248, at that stage there were still several outstanding tasks to complete before the public could travel in it, along with the need for further test running. Despite its entry into service being dependent on the outcome of the tests, the NER 1903 Electric Autocar Trust said it does not envisage any problems with No. 3170 making the launch date. As reported in our last issue, the 1903-built unit, hailed as the world’s first internal combustion passenger vehicle and the forerunner of most modern trains today, has…

MAID of the Loch stalwarts are ecstatic after the Scottish Government confirmed that a £950,000 capital grant will be made, allowing restoration to go ahead. The grant has been made despite earlier fears that the cash would not be allocated to the project, after the Heritage Lottery Fund rejected Loch Lomond Steamship Company’s (LLSC) £3.7 milion funding bid in September 2018. The Balloch-based group revealed its success in attracting the government cash on December 6, and immediately unveiled plans to take the last railway-built paddle steamer in the United Kingdom out of the water in early 2019, using the company’s restored, steam-driven, winch cradle and slipway, to allow hull repairs to take place. The cash will also be used to overhaul the engines to allow them to operate…

THE Nene Valley Railway has been awarded a grant of £50,000 by the Heritage Lottery Fund’s Resilient Heritage programme to enhance staff and volunteer training, as well as organisational structure. The line’s chairman, Keith Parkinson, said:“This grant will enable us to strengthen good governance at the NVR. It will allow us to fund the appointment of a governance/management structure; appoint another consultant to review alternative business models (to achieve ‘quick wins’); provide a programme of training for board and managers, review and update NVR policies and procedures, as well as learn from three other heritage railways about their style of governance and management.” He added: “For me, this is all about taking our railway forward in a progressive and modern manner. “For too many years, we have had an insular…

THE ‘bottom end’ overhaul of No. 7822 Foxcote Manor started in earnest in early January with the removal of the wheelsets at Tyseley Locomotive Works. Supported by volunteers from the Foxcote Manor Society, Tyseley staff are expected to complete the task by the end of March. The WR 4-6-0 will then return to the West Somerset Railway in time to handle the main season trains. The 1950-built Manor enjoyed a record-breaking year in 2018, clocking up more than 150 days in steam. In addition to its duties at the WSR, the one-time BR Oswestry shed stalwart attended the Watercress Line for its autumn steam gala on October 19-21, where the locomotive was well-received.…

THE Ecclesbourne Valley Railway is to run its biggest steam programme to date this year. Andy Booth’s Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Class 27 0-6-0 No. 52322 will visit the Derbyshire line from April 19 until June 16. It was on loan to the Spa Valley Railway last year. Great Central Railway-based BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0 No. 78018 will visit the EVR from June 15 until September 8. The railway is also looking into the possibility of steam-hauled Santa specials in December. The line ran its busiest Santa trains ever over the weekend before Christmas last year.…

ALTHOUGH to an outside observer it may look as though BR Standard 9F 2-10-0 No. 92134 is being dismantled again, with the boiler lifted from the frames, in reality this is a sign of further progress on the locomotive on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The boiler lift has been carried out to facilitate the riveting of the new smokebox to the boiler shell, as some of the rivets are not accessible with the boiler on the frames. At the same time, the opportunity is being taken to collect detailed measurements for a new ashpan, which is to be built and fitted before the boiler is replaced on the frames for the last time.…

The group runs a sales cabin on the bank overlooking the locomotive yard at Ropley. It is home to a treasure-trove of second-hand books. An appeal for the restoration of 499 is on-going. “Rather than selling merchandise, we’ve offered seats on the commemorative train hauled by both locomotives for £499,” explained Mark. “Payable either as a one-off or with a five-year standing order, sponsors will receive confirmation in the form of a certificate once all monies have been received. “We’ve sold more than 100 seats so far. One individual has kindly bought 15.” Membership categories include: £15 adult; £10 for seniors (65+) and juniors; joint husband & wife £25. Details from David Pratt, 8 Woodlands Close, Hawley, Camberley, Surrey, GU179HZ – or online at: www.urieloco.co.uk…

THE eagerly awaited return of Jubilee No. 45596 Bahamas to main line action remains on course – despite some unexpected delays to its commissioning process. In addition to confirming plans for its flagship for the first quarter of 2019, owning group the Bahamas Locomotive Society, has also revealed that further requests for the year ahead are currently being considered. The double chimneyed Jubilee is all set to operate two railtours in the coming weeks – the first being on February 9 from Oxenhope to Carlisle and return, with a second train booked to traverse the same route on February 16. John Hillier, BLS spokesman, said:“The first tour sold out literally within a few hours – only a handful of dining seats remained. As a result, the tour operator, the Keighley…

JUST two weeks after GW Railwayana achieved a world record £64,500 for a nameplate from LNER No. 60103 Flying Scotsman, as reported in last month’s issue, the tills were also ringing at Great Central’s December 1 sale at Stoneleigh Park, with the top five realisations achieving a combined £142,200 before the addition of buyer’s premium. Heading the line-up were nameplates from two Southern Railway Pacifics – Cunard White Star from Merchant Navy No. 35004 (£42,000) and Dorchester with the county town’s coat-of-arms from West Country No. 34042 (£38,000). This pair was way ahead of third-placed Windward Islands (£17,200) from No. 45637, the LMS Jubilee that was involved in the tragic Harrow & Wealdstone station crash in October 1952. Behind came three plates that each achieved £15,000, from GWR Star class…

A VICTORIAN era ticket issued by a railway that operated as an independent for just a decade will be a highlight of Paddington Ticket Auctions’ sale in central London on January 26. It was bought by a passenger on the Lancashire Derbyshire & East Coast Railway for a single journey from Cliftonon-Trent to Skellingthorpe and is dated January 23, 1899. The railway was originally planned to run from Warrington to Sutton-on-Sea, but the only section completed was between Chesterfield and Lincoln, which opened in 1897 and was operated by a fleet of 37 locomotives, all built by Kitson & Co of Leeds. The line was taken over by the Great Central Railway in January 1907 which also inherited its engines, two of which survived just a few months into BR…