The last steam train in March 2020

As we approach the end of April it is worth reflecting that this is probably the first completely steam free month in the UK in almost 200 years. That being so I thought it would be interesting to try to identify the last steam movements before the lockdown kicked in.

On the national network, the last public steam tour seems to have been the RTC's modified Cumbrian Coast Express on Sat 14/3 (re routed over the S&C due to storm damage on the coast line) hauled by 45699 (running as 45562).

The following week 60163 made the short move from Northallerton to York on Friday 20/3 - my one and only steam job this year (so far?) This was followed by 45212's transfer from Southall to Carnforth the next day, Sat 212/3. Various moves booked for the following week were all cancelled and steam on the network ceased for the time being.

This all happened so quickly it is difficult to recall just how fast events overtook us. I wondered which locos on our various heritage railways worked the final steam turns and on which day.

On the NYMR there has been no steam service since Wed 1/1/20. That day 62005 worked a special at 14.00 from Whitby to Pickering, being the last steam train into Pickering, while 926 worked the last train from Pickering to Grosmont. Unusually 62005 did not return to Grosmont as it was going by road transport to the GCR the following week. Due to bridge work the railway was not due to start its season until Mon 6/4 but of course this did not happen.

What about other railways?

Peter

 

An interesting question, Peter. I suspect several locos will have been in steam for certification purposes, if not working trains. HSE guidance says that you should keep up to date with statutory examinations during the shutdown.

 

I think a few lines were running on the weekend of 14/15 March, but none (AFAIK) on 21/22 March. The SDR had a gala that weekend - there were probably several others.

Tom

 

In the latest Hertiage Raiway there is a picture of 762 Lyn at Woody Bay on the 19th March, after hauling the last train before closure until further notice.

 

Certainly the GCR was running services on the weekend Mar 14/15 and after there may have been some charter or midweek running, but there was nothing for the following weekend Mar 21/22 and thereafter.

 

An interesting question, but being pedantic; between 1968 and 1971 we had three years of steam free months.
As more people read your post, perhaps other lines / pres centres will claim they had a loco in steam after that other lot did.

 

I scored this for haulage on the afternoon of Monday 16th March......



Beamish was open and it was the first day of the year that the Waggonway was running passenger services. I think they closed the site after the Friday that week when the "closedown" advice was given by the Govt.

 

Surely though in that period there were still thousands of industrial steam locos in regular operation?

Tom

 

I think also that the KWVR was in operation, together with the Middleton and Bluebell railways....The SVR started operation in 1970 I believe.

 

not to mention preserved railways and centres the bluebell certainly would have been running

 

London Transport was still using panniers up till June 1971

 

East Lancs had a diner on Fri 20 March that was cancelled after loco had been prepared and brought train into Bury station.
Loco was ex MSC 32 Gothenburg.

 

Being pedantic but when did 4472 commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1st Non stop to Edinburgh? And when did Bahamas move under its own power from Bury to Dinting? I could also mention 3 little tank engines in Wales...

 

The NCB was operating steam 12 months a year until what, 1981? '82?
Also, was there a civils contractor in the midlands that was still running a steam roller until the mid 70's. I remember being told about it, but he was the same bloke who told us he knew the exact whereabouts of a B17, so...

 

Also was the army still regularly operating steam at Longmoor. I know there were plans for a steam centre there, but when did the army stop training locomen on steam?

 

Although there was almost no main line steam operating between Aug. '68 and Oct '71 there was still a large amount of of industrial steam still operating on a daily basis. The heritage railway scene had seriously taken off by then but few if any were operating all year round and in the '70s and even the early '80s you were hard pressed to find a steam service in November or February. But this had changed by the time industrial steam ceased.

Peter

 

4472's non stop run was in May '68, while steam was still running in the North West.

Your three little tank engines in Wales did not operate all year round. I'm talking about a steam free month, not a steam free year.

Peter

 

I'd heard rumour the replica Ivor was in steam last week?

 

This raises the interesting point about how you keep your certification up to date if your staff are furloughed, so prohibited from working, and your volunteers are barred for attending the railway/workshop. AFAIK the Traction and Rolling Stock Manager (known as Piglet) is the only employee kept on at Grosmont at the moment and I gather his role is as much security as anything. Are other railways any different?

Peter

 

There are still several people working on the NYMR, including at the shed, primarily for security reasons but they aren’t just doing nothing. I believe a couple of steam tests are on the cards. I know several railways have run trains for various reasons but most likely all diesel hauled.