Lincolnshire Wolds Railway - Easter Steam Gala

Not mentioned on the website yet, but thought i'd better get the news out.

The Lincolnshire Wolds Railway is holding it's first Steam Gala over the easter weekend of Saturday 3rd to Monday 5th April, with intensive running of trains, with visiting Great Western Pannier Tank 6430, along with 2 other visitors (to be announced soon), as well as Millom currently on the line. Trains start running from 1pm Saturday 3rd April, and 10am Sunday 4th and Monday 5th April.

The weekend also marks the Official Grand Opening for North Thoresby station, which will be done by a special VIP guest. Photo permits are available, make contact from the website (www.lincolnshirewoldsrailway.co.uk), with free car parking at Ludborough only (North Thoresby has no car park facilities).

 

Update:

Loco's at the gala, as well as Pannier 6430 & Millom, are Hudswell-Clarke 0-6-0T No. 70 from the Avon Valley Railway, and Peckett 0-4-0 No. 1438 from the Appleby Frodingham Railway Preservation Society at Scunthorpe. Passenger Trains run from 12pm to 6pm on Saturday, and 10am - 6pm on Sunday & Monday. For an added bonus, the first train down to North Thoresby (engineer's train stock) will be hauled by one of the steam loco instead of the usual diesel, and one will bring it back also in the evening. An hourly service will run, leaving Ludborough on the hour and North Thoresby on the half-hour. Locomotive changes will take place at both Ludborough and North Thoresby, and a 4th coach should be added to the usual 3 coach rake.

 

All is now set for the weekend, with all locomotives on site. All face north (towards North Thoresby)(which is a shame, as we had hoped for one to face south, but due to the direction it was loaded on the low loader, it was unloaded facing north). 4 coaches will still be used, our 2 road engine shed is completely clear for the locomotives to use (No. 2 road was full of wagons and diesel shunters, now out of the way at the end of the line towards Louth), and locomotives being changed at Ludborough can now be very clearly viewed from the footpath from the station to the engine shed. Millom and 1438 are due to run as a pair all weekend, and 6430 and 70 will perform solo. Each engine gets use on the early morning/evening freight movement from Ludborough to North Thoresby siding (engineer's train stock) for an added bonus. No 08 in use this weekend (we hope!).

 

It sounds like a great gala! I'm sorry I can't make it.

Are any of the locomotives staying on for the rest of the season? I notice you have steam services later in the year - was just wondering what was booked to be operating them. It looks like an interesting and friendly line to visit!

Wishing you all the best for the Gala - hope the weather holds, and the crowds flock in!

Cheers,

Phil.

 

called in today very busy and full 4 coach train's, the 2 small engine's were making lot's of noise.
mark

 

a very good photo charter with 6430 today, sun out for most of the day.
mark