Seven in steam at Maldegem 2018 festival

Seven steam locomotives will be in action at Stoomcentrum Maldegem’s steam festival on May 5/6 next year.


Two locomotive starring at the Maldegem 2018 steam festival are ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST No. WD196 Errol Lonsdale and Avonside 0-4-0ST Fred. KEVIN HOGGETT

Held to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, the Belgian steam museum will be fielding both standard and narrow gauge designs at the event, including several British locomotives.

Two visitors at the gala hail from the UK – the Apedale Valley Light Railway’s Kerr Stuart 0-6-0T ‘Joffre’ and privately-owned Kerr Stuart 0-4-0ST ‘Wren’ Peter Pan.

Joining these will be two of Maldegem’s resident standard gauge British-built locomotives – ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST No. WD196 Errol Lonsdale and Avonside 0-4-0ST Fred.

Rounding out the line-up will be visiting 1906-built Hanomag 0-4-0WT Yvonne (believed to have been taken prisoner by the British during the war), the last surviving Prussian ‘T7’ 0-6-0T from Train 1900 in Luxembourg (representing German designs during the conflict), and resident 1893-built St. Leonard 0-4-0T Yvonne.

Several WW1 themed attractions are planned including re-enactors and a small memorial festival involving a steam engine and a large work of art featuring a poppy each day. As usual, there will be an international selection of trade stands present.

For groups wishing to attend from the UK, transport from Zeebrugge P&O ferries terminal (nightly sailing from Hull) or Bruges railway station can be arranged by preserved bus.

For more information, visit www.stoomcentrum.be or email via avonside040@telenet.be

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