Ten in steam at Leighton Buzzard’s 50th

A grand total of ten narrow gauge locomotives will be in action during the Leighton Buzzard Railway’s 50th anniversary gala on September 30 – October 1, including three visiting engines.


Two engines that will be in action at the Leighton Buzzard Railway’s 50th anniversary gala – LBR resident O&K 0-4-0WT P. C. Allen and visiting Bagnall 0-4-0ST Woto. STEVE DOUGHTY

The trio of visiting locomotives includes Patrick Keef’s 1924-built Bagnall 0-4-0ST Woto, Nick Williams’ Andrew Barclay 0-4-0T Jack from 1925, and Phil Mason’s recently restored 1909-built Kerr Stuart ‘Sirdar’ 0-4-0T Diana.

In addition to the visiting engines, seven of the LBR’s own steam fleet will be in operation during the event, including all three of the 2ft-gauge railway’s Orenstein & Koppel tank engines – 0-4-0WT P. C. Allen and 0-6-0WTs Elf and Pedemoura, the latter having been restored last year.

Joining these will be the railway’s De Winton 0-4-0VBT Chaloner, unique Baguley 0-4-0T Rishra, Baldwin 4-6-0PT No. 778 and Andrew Barclay 0-6-0T Doll, which has recently returned to traffic following overhaul at the railway’s Page’s Park headquarters.

Demonstration freight trains are expected to be run at the event, using the railway’s log-carrying wagons, First World War rolling stock and sand tipper wagons typical of those used in the railway’s industrial pre-preservation life.

Some freight trains will operate over the whole length of the line, including the rarely used spur north towards Mundays Hill. This extension of the railway is currently part of a bid to restore it to passenger train operational standards.

The Saturday of the gala will climax with a parade of all the working steam and diesel locomotives at Page’s Park station.

For further details about the LBR’s 50th anniversary gala, visit www.buzzrail.co.uk.

Continue reading...

 

Deleted