HERITAGE TRACTION

ABOVE: D5061 to the rescue! On the 14th April 2011 one of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s steam locomotives failed and had to be replaced with D5061. Looking almost as though it’s 1960, when the locomotive entered service, it is seen about to leave Grosmont for Pickering. Steve Hall

LOWER LEFT: 37 254 is seen standing in Eridge Station on 9th March 2011 on the first working over the Spa Valley line between Tunbridge Wells West and Eridge; the DMU trailer was used for the people who weren't loco crew, and the working was an Officers Special for Network Rail and Southern. This was the first Spa Valley Railway-based locomotive to run over the new track between Birchden and Eridge. Douglas Barrow

LOWER RIGHT: At the Wensleydale Railway’s Diesel Gala 55 019 is seen crosses Aiskew Level Crossing near Leeming Bar with 2R03 the 10:25 Leeming Bar to Redmire on the 9th April 2011. Other locomotives in use were 20 020, 20 166, D5310 and 47 715. Brian Sherrington

14 901 is seen shortly after arrival and in the company of D2178. Andrew Briddon

Andrew Briddon’s Class 14, 14 901, has moved from its Peak Rail base to the Gwili Railway on a two year hire, where it is expected to see regular use during its stay. The locomotive is no stranger to the South Wales area, as during its short career with British Rail, when operating as its original identity of D9524, it was withdrawn from Swansea Landore depot in September 1969. Following withdrawal by BR, the locomotive along with a large number of other Class 14s was sold on to industry before being preserved in the mid-1980s.

purchased privately by two members of the Derwent Valley Light Railway, being delivered to their Murton base on 21 April.

The pro-diesel WR has also recently launched an appeal to build an engine shed at Leeming Bar to assist in the maintenance and restoration of its growing fleet of locomotives and coaches. Work is currently carried out in the open and the railway wishes to improve the facilities for its volunteers and owners of rolling stock based on the line.

The new shed will consist of two roads capable of housing four locomotives, coaches, or a combination of both, and an appeal for funds was launched in early April, prompting more than £12,000 of donations in the first week alone. The supporting Wensleydale Railway Association has also pledged £25,000 towards the appeal and the WR operating company Wensleydale Railway PLC is also setting aside some share capital towards the essential facility.

Online donations can be made by visiting the WRA’s website at: wensleydalerailwayassociation.com

On Saturday 12th March 2011, the sole remaining Clayton Class 17 D8568 successfully completed a test run to Thame Junction and back on the Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway with a four coach rake. The Clayton will be in action during the Steam and Diesel Gala on Sunday 5th June 2011 and also the Annual Gala day on Sunday 7th August. Otherwise it may well be seen on the occasional Saturday or Sunday performing shunt release duties at Chinnor.

The Llangollen Railway’s Heritage Railcar Gala on Saturday 25th June 2011 will follow the pattern of the very successful 2009 and 2010 weekends with 14 trains each way on each day and with a timetable designed to enable almost continuous travel for those who wish to enjoy this feature. Of particular interest is the visit of the unique railbus RB004, which was built in 1984 by British Rail Engineering and Leyland Vehicles as an export demonstrator, principally for work in the USA.

As well as the railbus four DMU sets will be used, as will a steam push-pull train. These are expected to be as follows:-

• Class 104 DMBS 50454+DMC

50528 • Class 108 DMBS 51907+DTC

54490 • Class 109 (Wickham) DMBS

50416 + DTC 56171 • Class127/108 DMBS

51618+DTC 56223 • GWR Pannier tank 6430 and autotrailers

DIESEL GALA RETURNS TO NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY, JUNE 25/26 The first NNR diesel gala for some years promises a real feast for the enthusiast. The strong line-up scheduled to appear over the weekend of June 25/26 is headed by HNRC’s latest acquisition, 20 118; the class 20 came over the Sheringham level crossing at the end of April, and will stay for about three months.

Other locos will be D6737, 47 367, 25 057 and one of the class 37s from the DRS fleet. The unique Leyland railbus LEV1, which was originally trialled in East Anglia, adds a special (even quirky!) touch, and the line-up is completed by the NNR’s recently refurbished 101 DMU.

NNR managing director Hugh Harkett said: “We hope for renewed success with this gala, in which case it will again become a regular event.”

All day hop-on, hop-off Rover fares are £16 adult, £15 senior citizen, £10 child and £45 family (2 adults + 2 children, one 3 adults + 1 child). There is a 15% discount for tickets booked before June 17th.

For bookings and lineside photo passes, call: 01263 820 800, or go to: www.nnrailway.co.uk www.traction.co.uk

5