Heritage Railway magazine - Issue 260

Page 1

S

11 6

PA GE

RETURNING CAN PAC TO THE ALPS

ISSUE 260

October 25 – November 21, 2019

LEEK FULL STEAM AHEAD!

Churnet Valley lays first stretch in 48 hours! BELLES OF ST TRINIAN’S

INVASION OF GLOUCESTERSHIRE WARWICKSHIRE GOVERNMENT £18.5m GRANT FOR

NRM EXPANSION

SECRET UNDERGROUND

UNMASKED IN COVENT GARDEN

■ DUKE OF GLOUCESTER SET FOR 2020 RETURN ■ NEW SEVERN VALLEY GENERAL MANAGER ■ STEVE DAVIES JOINS A1 TRUST

PRINTED IN THE UK

No. 260 UK Off-sale date: 22/11/2019 £4.40

AUTUMN GALAS SOUVENIR SPECTACULAR


A1 Pacific No. 60163 Tornado hauls the 7.02am ‘The Pennine Explorer’ from Leicester to Carlisle via Doncaster at Gorse Lane, South Milford on Saturday, October 5. The excursion was organised by Tornado Railtours. IAN DIXON

OPINION

We’re going to

EDITORIAL

Editor Robin Jones rjones@mortons.co.uk Deputy editor Gareth Evans gevans@mortons.co.uk Senior contributing writers Geoff Courtney, Cedric Johns, Brian Sharpe Contributors Fred Kerr, Roger Melton Designer Tim Pipes Reprographics Paul Fincham, Jonathan Schofield Production editor Sarah Wilkinson Publisher Tim Hartley Editorial address Heritage Railway magazine, Mortons Media Ltd, PO Box 99, Horncastle, Lincs LN9 6LZ Website www.heritagerailway.co.uk

ADVERTISING

Advertising representative Simon Meyer smeyer@mortons.co.uk 01507 529310 Group advertising manager Sue Keily skeily@mortons.co.uk

CUSTOMER SERVICES

General Queries & Back Issues 01507 529529 Monday-Friday 8.30am-5pm Answerphone 24H help@classicmagazines.co.uk www.classicmagazines.co.uk

DISTRIBUTION & PRINTING

Distribution Marketforce UK Ltd, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU 0203 787 9001 Printing William Gibbons & Sons, Wolverhampton

Independent publishers since 1885

MORTONS MEDIA GROUP LTD

Circulation manager Steve O’Hara Marketing manager Charlotte Park Subscription manager Paul Deacon Commercial director Nigel Hole Publishing director Dan Savage

ARCHIVE

Enquiries Jane Skayman 01507 529423 jskayman@mortons.co.uk

SUBSCRIPTION

Full subscription rates (but see page 30 for offer): (12 months 12 issues, inc post and packing) – UK £55.90. Export rates are also available – see page 30 for more details. UK subscriptions are zero-rated for the purposes of Value Added Tax. Enquires: subscriptions@mortons.co.uk

EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

Contributions to this magazine should be clearly typed and ideally sent by email. Photographs, which should be clearly marked with the contributor’s name and address, are submitted at the owner’s risk. Mortons Media Group Ltd cannot be held responsible for loss or damage, however caused. All postal submissions must include an appropriate SAE for the return of all material. Opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the editor or his staff. © Mortons Media Group Ltd.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage retrieval system without prior permission in writing from the publisher. ISSN No 1466-3560

Published Every four weeks on a Friday. Advertising deadline November 7, 2019 Next issue on sale November 22, 2019

Having trouble finding a copy of this magazine?

C

t town!

HAMPAGNE corks are popping not just in the Staffordshire Moorlands but across the entire heritage railway sector, after the Churnet Valley not only laid the first section of its long-awaited extension into Leek within 48 hours, but then ran a steam-hauled passenger train over it. We are celebrating the fact that not only is another of our heritage lines joining the growing set of those with a town centre presence – and therefore a‘somewhere to somewhere’purpose – but also the excellent support that is being given by the local district council, and which can never be praised highly enough. The opening of the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway’s extension into Broadway reinforced the message loud and clear that such schemes generate benefits that are a big win-win for all – not just us railway enthusiasts but also local traders, shopkeepers, hoteliers and council tax payers. The south-western side of the White Peak is indeed a beautiful landscape, and the completion of the Leek extension cannot but reinforce its position as a major tourist draw, not only in the summer months but all the year round. Elsewhere, the Llangollen Railway is completing its new Corwen Central station, and in a brilliant example of co-operation between lines, the East Lancashire Railway has just supplied its Bala Lake counterparts with half of the track materials needed to build its green field extension into Bala, again with regeneration the name of the game. I long for the day, hopefully sooner rather than later, when we will be able to take a vintage bus from Corwen to Bala and enjoy the stunning scenery on both of these railways in one visit. Also, as we have just seen at the line’s autumn gala, Swanage Railway steam-hauled passenger services are inching their way ever closer to

Wareham, another purposeful destination. There are lessons to be learned and blueprints for local economy revivals here aplenty, and we should now be asking the powers that be to match the example being set by the Churnet Valley’s local council and do everything to connect the Bodmin & Wenford Railway to Wadebridge and the South Devon Railway to Ashburton. Neither deserves any less. On another tack, just as one ground-breaking and thoroughly-recommended landmark exhibition has opened, in the form of the National Railway Museum’s Brass, Steel and Fire to welcome Stephenson’s Rocket to York, so we have a second, in Hidden London: The Exhibition, at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden. This superbly-executed series of displays, drawing on a wealth of rarely-seen contemporary material from the museum’s archives, unlocks the secrets below the city streets that are the forgotten tube stations, several of which played an essential role in protecting the capital and defending the nation in Britain’s darkest hour and yet were to afterwards remain unseen and unvisited by the millions of daily commuters who pass by only yards away. Finally, I must extend a big thanks to all of our supportive lineside photographers who have submitted material for this issue, and not just those whose pictures have been published. The autumn gala season is a jewel in the crown, not only of the sector but of the British tourism market as a whole, and it grieves me that space forces me to make very difficult and heart-wrenching decisions when choosing one submission above another. We have received countless stunning views from the galas this year, sufficient to fill several editions. Keep them coming! Robin Jones Editor

“The autumn gala season is a jewel in the crown, not only of the sector but of the British tourism market as a whole, and it grieves me that space forces me to make very difficult and heartwrenching decisions ...”

Heritagerailway.co.uk 3


CONTENTS ISSUE 260

October 25, 2019 – November 21, 2019

News

9

Headline News

6

■ ‘Instant’ extension launches

Churnet Valley push to Leek ■ Government backs NRM expansion with £18.5 million grant ■ New managers appointed at Severn Valley and Isle of Wight ■ Steve Davies joins Tornado operator as a trustee ■ ‘Lost’ Underground secrets unveiled in major new exhibition

14

News

10

■ Romney incident had parallels with Abermule, says RAIB ■ Baldwin 4-6-0T joins Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways fleet ■ Four panniers take centre stage at West Somerset gala ■ Hagley Hall set for big 2020 comeback at Severn Valley ■ NRM-owned Taff Vale 0-6-2T No. 28 to return to steam at Gwili ■ Southern cream makes Great Central dream gala ■ Calbourne bows out for overhaul at Isle of Wight Steam Railway ■ East Lancs help bring Bala Lake Railway extension 500 yards closer

CONTENTS: Celebrating the return of No. 7822 Foxcote Manor ‘home’ to the Dee Valley for the winter from the West Somerset Railway, the Llangollen Railway held a gala on October 12-13. The WR 4-6-0 double-heads with Large Prairie No. 5199 on the ‘Cambrian Coast Express’ at Berwyn station on October 12. MICHAEL ANDERSON COVER: North Yorkshire Moors Railway-based Schools class 4-4-0 Repton departs Loughborough on October 3 during the Great Central’s gala. ALAN WEAVER COVER INSET: USATC S160 2-8-0 No. 5197 is seen at the current end of the Churnet Valley Railway’s new extension. DAVE GIBSON

Regulars

Features

Subscribe Today Centre

30

‘Black Five’ 4-6-0 No. 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier is seen crossing Loch Eilt.

58

65 Railwayana

60

Main Line Itinerary

69

Geoff Courtney’s regular column.

Main Line News

64

■ Steams Dreams to celebrate 20th

anniversary in December

■ A1 Steam Locomotive Trust

Steam and heritage diesel railtours.

Platform

100

Off the Shelf

103

Up & Running

104

The Month Ahead

114

confirms its 2020 programme ■ Union of South Africa owner faces further wait for museum go-ahead

Where your views matter most.

With Full Regulator

Guide to the railways running in the autumn.

Don Benn examines the performances of Tornado, William Whitelaw and Sir Nigel Gresley.

4 Heritagerailway.co.uk

70

Latest book and DVD releases.

Returning Can Pac to the Alps!

Gareth Evans learns about the project to return to action the Mid-Hants Railway’s flagship locomotive, No. 35005 Canadian Pacific – a National Lottery Heritage Fund-supported scheme, which includes the restoration of two Southern Railway carriages and a package of engagement, interpretation and education, which will help secure the future of the line.

46


54

84 SUBSCRIBE FROM JUST £20

74

*

*THAT’S JUST

£3.33 AN ISSUE

IF YOU PAY BY DIRECT DEBIT EVERY 6 MONTHS

See page 30 The spirit of St Trinian’s

Gareth Evans talks to well-known professional photographer Jack Boskett about how he attempted to capture the feel of the original 1966 Great St Trinian’s Train Robbery film in 2019 through a series of black and white photographs. All photographs by Jack Boskett.

Steam’s Polish Indian summer

A Wolsztyn Experience – 1000 miles of main line steam in four days. Poland continues to make it happen but for how long? Rodney Towers gives an update in words and pictures on this acclaimed British-led venture.

Was this the best Moors autumn gala ever?

The long-awaited return of BR 9F No. 92134 and stunning displays by visiting and home fleet locomotives made the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s showpiece September 26-29 event one of the finest events of its kind, writes Roger Melton.

92

Severn Valley gala success despite fires and failures

Superb weather and the first hints of seasonal colour changes, combined with crowd-pleasing visiting locomotives, ensured that the SVR’s September 19-22 steam gala was the perfect curtain-raiser for the autumn events season, writes Paul Appleton.

Giants win the day

98

Despite southern England being deluged by rain for much of the weekend, the Bluebell Railway’s October 13-15 Giants of Steam event saw crowds defy the weather to see and ride behind two illustrious main line visitors – Mayflower and Britannia, writes Robin Jones.

Find the latest news, images and discussion online only at: Like us facebook.com/ heritagerailway Follow us @HeritageRailMag Heritagerailway.co.uk 5


NEWS

‘Lew’ and Lyn return to Woody Bay with the original five carriages on the last train of the gala on September 29. TONY NICHOLSON

It’s 1935 all over again! g

Two L&B engines and five original coaches in service

Paul Lewin oiling round ‘Lew’ alongside Lyn at Woody Bay. TONY NICHOLSON

22 Heritagerailway.co.uk

Find us on www.facebook.com/heritagerailway


SPECIAL READER OFFER

SAVE OVER 46% when you take out a subscription to Heritage Railway

GREAT REASONS TO SUBSCRIBE TO >> Free UK delivery to your door or instant download to your digital device >> Save money on shop prices >> Never miss an issue >> Receive your issue before it goes on sale in the shops

EACH ISSUE FROM £2.30

VISIT www.classicmagazines.co.uk/hrdps

TERMS & CONDITIONS: Rates are based on UK orders only – for overseas please visit www.classicmagazines.co.uk/hr-overseas. Subscriptions will start with the next available issue. Offer closes 22/11/19. Direct debit payments will continue at the price you paid, on this offer, every 6 months thereafter unless you tell us otherwise. Full terms and conditions can be found at www.classicmagazines.co.uk/terms. Quoted savings are based on a 13-issue digital subscription when compared to the cost of 13 full-price printed issues.


Take advantage of these SAVINGS and don’t miss an issue of

FIVE GREAT OPTIONS TO CHOOSE FROM...

PRINT ONLY

BEST OFFER

6thenissues FOR £20 £20 everyy six months Direct Debit bi » 13 issues FOR £44 Credit/debit card » 26 issues FOR £82 Credit/debit card »

DIGITAL ONLY

6Credit/debit issues FOR £15.99 card » 13 issues FOR £29.99 Credit/debit card » Preceding the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway’s successful October 5/6 Victorian weekend, the opportunity was taken to stage this four-locomotive line-up outside Porthmadog Harbour station. England 0-4-0STT No. 1 Princess, which has never steamed in the heritage era, was taken out of storage at Minffordd station and towed to Porthmadog for the line-up on Friday, October 4. From left to right are Princess, No.2 Prince, double Fairlie Merddin Emrys and single Fairlie Taliesin. CHRIS PARRY/F&WHR

or PHONE 01507 529529 QUOTE REF: HRDPS LINES OPEN 8.30am-5pm (Mon-Fri)

BRONTE STEAM 31


ENJOYED THIS PREVIEW? THE BEST ACTION IN TRIALS AND MOTOCROSS

DIRTb bike ke

VELO MAC MA S SPECIAL PECIAL NORTON RT RTON INTER AJS SCEPTRE SCEP E SPORTS! SCEPTR SPORTS POR ! PORTS

CLASSIC

#48

ISSUE

Forty-eight Autumn 2018

OCTOBER 2018

No. 330 October 2018 £4.30 UK Off-sale date 31/10/2018

MOTO MEMORIES // TECH TALK // MONTESA COTA 200 // BULTACO MATADOR

3.60

Running, Riding & Rebuilding Running, Rebuilding Real RealClassi RealC Classic C lassi Motorcycles

BOXER CKS TRIC

HOW THE LEGEEND BEGAN

SUPERMAC’S TRIUMPH DRAYTON

PRINTED IN THE UK

PLUS MOTO MEMORIES TECH TALK MONTESA COTA 200 BULTACO MATADOR AN HOUR WITH: GERRIT WOLSINK

£3.60 US$9.99 C$10.99 Aus$8.50 NZ$9.99 PRINTED IN THE UK

HOME, JAMES!

UNIVERSITY GRADUATE

#48

001 Cover_OCT.indd 1

AT THE CASTLE

DRUMLANRIG 2018 D 20

WINNER

SUPER PROFILE: ARIEL’S HT3

GREEVES ESSEX TWIN BUYING GUIDE // STRIP YOUR TWOSTROKE // BSA B31 RESTORATION // MALLE MILE // CAFE RACER CUP // SHETLAND CLASSIC // THE CLASSIC TT // MIKE HAILWOOD REPLICA

CLASSICS

65 PRE65 PRE

PRINTED IN THE UK

R 2018 ISSUE 174 OCTOBER

N48 2018 US$15.99 Aus$14.99 NZ$18.99 UK£5.50 UK Off-sale date 15/11/18

BUY  SELL  RIDE  RESTORE

13/09/2018 10:34:50

001 CDB Cover_048.indd 1

02/08/2018 14:53:55

001 Cover_174.indd 1

03/09/2018 10:18:26

•SINGLE ISSUES •SUBSCRIPTIONS

CLICK HERE

www.classicmagazines.co.uk


ENDOFPREVI EW

I fy oul i k ewhaty ou’ v e r eads of ar ,whynot s ubs c r i be,ort r ya s i ngl ei s s uef r om:

www. c l as s i c magaz i nes . c o. uk


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.