What can we look forward to next year?

It's traditional to look forward to the New Year with optimism, so what might the railways around the country be expecting to whet our appetites with? Starting with the NYMR we should see 44806 returning to service,, with possibly 75029 and (less likely) 34101 following on, not too far behind, but off set by the withdrawal of 76079 for overhaul at some point. On the carriage side the main interest will be the return to service of the overhauled and modified GNR saloon 3087 and the introduction of the modified (fuss-free) Gresley open third 43632, which will restore the teak train to a seven coach set. There's an outside chance of Thompson CL 88339. being a further addition in 2024.

What can we realistically look forward on other lines?

 

Well Watercress Line should be getting 35005 and 75079 back, I think.
Swanage are getting 563 and 30053 back, some more Victorian traction.
34059 still on-track for a relaunch?

Coaches and Wagon wise, I don't know.

 

I believe the N2 will be returning to service on the NNR after it’s overhaul.

 

70013 Oliver Cromwell is also scheduled to be returning in the later half of the year I understand.

 

Severn Valley Railway has permanent way works on the 'dip' at Alveley woods and phase 1 of the Bridgnorth yard project over this winter.

On the events side, two 1940s weekends are planned.

On the locomotive front 4930 should see more running after its brief appearances in September, 7812 will debut after overhaul and I think Stanier Mogul 13268 later in the year too (with 2857 and unique 1501 and 43106 bowing out). 33108 (Dutch livery) and D821 (blue) are due to return having missed 2022. H3802, the hydrogen-powered 08, is set to emerge too. I think 7802, 4150 and 82045 and the rest of the diesels (35, 37, 50, 52) under repair aren't expected in 2023?

I don't have any insight on carriage and wagon expected in or out, nor Beamish's Sharp Stewart 0-4-4T 4085 Dunrobin.

The Junior club has recently restarted.

Not a 'look forward to' but departures are expected for the Barry coach and the Parry People Mover currently stabled at Highley.

And, hopefully, non-extreme weather, a reasonable supply of coal and a better than expected economic outlook!

 

Small potatoes in the grand scheme of things but the Mountsorrel Railway will be welcoming their 3, new build 2ft gauge passenger coaches and with them, the eventual commencement of our own passenger trains in the quarry bottom (all the standard gauge passenger trains on the branch are organised and operated by the Great Central).

Selfishly, in 2023 I will also be looking forward to more progress on the reconstruction of the Stephenson's lift bridge and the reconnection of the bridge deck to a working railway line for the first time since the Leicester West Bridge branch closed.

 

On the Bluebell, I think the following are likely:

Locos

• - Fenchurch into traffic
• - Sir Archibald Sinclair into traffic
• - Beachy Head into traffic (or at least running in)?

Carriages

• Stroudley 4wh 3rd brake No. 949
• Wheelchair accessible Pullman brake 3rd Car No. 54
  
• Maunsell Restriction 0 (Hastings line) brake 3rd No. 3687?

The suggestion is that the LNWR Obo and the complete 4 wheeler set (both of which have been sidelined for a couple of years) will be made operational again.

Wagons

• SR 20T dropside open No. 62002
• SR 12T Open No. 12058

Events

• Branch Line Gala 21 - 23 April 2023

I assume that Flying Scotsman will be visiting (held over from last year) but haven't seen dates.

Tom

 

Big year at the Gwili as we open our new car park at Abergwili and also proceed to construct the carriage shed.
On the loco front we will sadly bid farewell to 1369 but hope to announce a replacement shortly.

Regards

Matt

 

Severn Valley.

Locos: 7812, 13268, first full year of 4930. Maybe 4150 in the last throws towards the end of the year.

Carriages: 43612 finished, 24617 finished, 9581 going into the works at Kidder.

Projects: Station throat of Bridgnorth being replaced before April. Large amount of work being done in the woods between Highley and Hampton Loade.

Plus all the normal things. Hopefully less steam bans.

 

Didcot.

Loco 1466 back into traffic, likely to be mid-year and will be operating with auto-coach 231

Projects: Entrance ramp will be built (finally!)

Events: 4 Castles at Didcot on 4 March, 3 in steam. 2 from Tyseley (on a railtour) plus Pendennis and static 5051. Other events tbc.

Hire out: Pendennis will be at certain galas during 2023, 4144 off on long-term hire for a season (can't disclose heritage line just yet but somewhere new!)

 

Great Central will have several significant events to celebrate its 50 years of running as a preserved Main Line. The January 27-29th Winter Gala has two visiting locomotives and displays at all 4 stations.
There will be no through running Feb/March as two bridges replaced/repaired either side of Quorn Station.
Tornado due to be "running in" after overhaul.
Return of Witherslack Hall after boiler work.

 

Looking at progress that has been made in quicktime, 4110 out-shopped from Cranmore?

Blue Peter?

 

Yes, 4110 should be the star of the show at the ESR gala in March alongside 4555, 46447 and Lady Nan.

Sent from my SM-A226B using Tapatalk

 

Let me guess... Glos Warks?
Will need a tank engine when 4270 bows out AND it does fit in with the Cheltenham & Gloucester Steam Days theme for the CFoS!

 

One of them the Severn Valley?

 

Llangollen reopening to Corwen proper will be a highlight for me.

 

Hopefully a favourable outcome to the long awaited verdict following the Inquiry into the development of the Rother Valley Railway. I think that I’m right in saying that the Inspector’s Report was initially expected last Spring. If approval is given to reinstate a level crossing, that would auger well for other heritage schemes.

 

DSB 0-6-0T no. 656 should enter service by Easter at the Nene Valley Railway. Trial running has taken place but the axleboxes have just gone away to Statfold for remetalling, after the white metal started to peel away.

 

On the F&WHR, we should see the return to traffic of 'Linda' and 'David Lloyd George' following their overhauls, as well as the completion of the new Double Fairlie 'James Spooner'.
On the WHHR, Baldwin 794 should be ready and will be running as scrapped classmate 590.