Heritage Railway

SociÉtÉ John Cockerill-built vertical-boilered tank engine No. 2945 returned from overhaul in time to take part in the Lavender Line’s Classic Cars & Miniature Steam Traction Engines Rally on October 6/7. Formerly named Yvonne, the locomotive has now been renamed Lady Lisa. Built in 1920, the locomotive was employed as a shunter at a gas…

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By Geoff Courtney THE newest resident at the Spa Valley Railway was put to work within days of its arrival in mid-October, handling trains packed with thirsty visitors eager to sample the delights of the line’s popular autumn real ale and cider festival. On October 14, Class 31 diesel No. 31430 Sister Dora moved from…

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By Geoff Courtney ONE of the more esoteric subjects in the wide-ranging world of railwayana is wagonplates, but devotees to this subject are as passionate and knowledgeable as aficionados of such higher-profile categories as nameplates or signalling equipment. Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire will therefore be the place to be on December 1, when Great Central…

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By Geoff Courtney THE restoration of one of the GWR landmark diesel railcars that were the trailblazers for the modern DMUs will soon be entering its fifth decade – but volunteers on the project are determined that their enthusiasm will ensure the ground-breaking vehicle will once again earn its keep in service. Numbered W20W, the…

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By Cedric Johns THE Purbeck Hills resounded with the sound of working steam when the Swanage Railway fired up eight locomotives to take part in its successful autumn gala held on October 12-14. Fielding an impressive line-up of motive power, the locomotives in action ranged from LSWR Drummond T9 4-4-0, No. 30120 built in 1899,…

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Deep in Southern Railway territory, there seems to be nothing like an LNER Pacific for drawing the crowds. That fact was brought home big time to the Bluebell Railway when Flying Scotsman visited last year. The crowds for the line’s October 12-14 Giants of Steam event were equally as rapturous when Gresley A4 No. 60009…

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A UNIQUE visit from a Swiss engine, along with an appearance by Welsh singing superstar Dame Shirley Bassey DBE boosted visitor numbers to the Snowdon Mountain Railway this season, the Llanberis-based line has said. Brienz Rothorn Bahn No.2 travelled 900 miles to North Wales in September to meet up with its sister locomotives, leading to…

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By Geoff Courtney A PRESERVED LNER-designed EMU that gave more than three decades’ service with BR on busy trains between the commuter belt of Essex and London’s Liverpool Street station, faces a new lease of life after its transfer from the East Anglian Railway Museum to the Locomotion museum in Shildon, where it will be…

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THE railway sector has been in mourning for photographer, author and publisher Colin Garratt, who has died at the age of 78. Globetrotting Colin – who has been dubbed ‘the David Attenborough of the steam locomotive’ – has written and illustrated more than 50 books, mostly based on his expeditions to document the world’s last…

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By George Jones A heritage signalbox cabin was lifted into its new position at the Llangollen Railway’s Corwen Central station site on October 25, adding a new dimension to the operational facilities being brought to the extension project, in preparation for the town’s new station opening to trains in 2019. The wooden structure has long…

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