West Lancs Light Railway

Did anybody else take the chance to get to the West Lancs light Railways last gala of the year? It was a fantastic day, with 4 steam engines out, including the visiting Howard from the Statfold Barn on only it's second public appearance, and Diesel freight trains. It was a fantastic day and a tribute to what can be achieved even with an extremely short railway! My personal highlight was the triple header with Montalban, Utrillas and Irish Mail, it was a little Super Power train of their own

 

I didn't go on the 2nd October,I would liked to have seen Howard in action.I was however fortunate to be able to visit the August 14th steam gala and had a very enjoyable day.For a short line there are several good video locations,all made easier by the very friendly volunteers.I look forward to seeing their Joffre returned to steam in 2012 and double heading with the Apedale Joffre somewhere.Both West Lancs galas can be viewed on Mollsmyres excellent Youtube videos.

 

And triple-heading with Axe?!

 

I was lucky enough to get a footplate ride on Howard and have since started volunteering at the railway

I was therefore lucky enough to get a close up look at the Joffre and it looks mighty impressive. It's a fair size! Can't wait to see it in action...

Have a look at www.wllr.net for some pics of the boiler in the chassis

 

I'm also a member there too Tom but haven't been down for over tow years nearly now. It's called life!!! Haha!
It is a great little line with extremely friendly volunteers. Am hoping to get down a little more this yr if I can. Am also involved at other places too which eats into my free time so I try and organize myself as best as I can.
I've been lucky to be able to get on the footplate of all the working steam locos there in a very short space of time. My profile pic is me on the footplate of Montalban on a driver day. I've cabbed Utrillas and Irish Mail and also was fireman on Stanhope when it was there for Children in Need in 2009. That was an immense day indeed. Despite me managing to put the fire out not long after I had lit it!

I've seen the Joffre frames and tanks but that was before the boiler was delivered. It looks big and seems like it needs more wheels under the frames! Am looking forward to seeing that run some time soon as well.
I'm thinking the Leighton Buzzard Railway with a few other WW1 survivors and doing a war weekend with a difference!

 

got some great photos in my collection from west lancs last year including the august gala.
cheers,
mark.
Flickr: G1PIE's Photostream

 

Some cracking pictures amongst them. Looked as if the weather was extremely warm!

 

great railway, weather smashing and great people.
thanks,
mark.

 

This was posted on west lancashire railways facebook page.
"The date for the Launch/Naming Ceramony of the WLLR's Kerr Stuart Joffre 2405 has been set as Sunday 22nd July 2012. This is a normal Operating day for the railway so no need to book, but there will be a lot of guests and a Secret Celebrity to officialy name the engine. Mike Wilkinson 1917 WW1 Foden Steam lorry will be attending to continue the WW1 theme. See you all there!!!!!!"
so should be good day.
cheers,
mark.

 

Five of us at Ribble gala today decided to visit WLLR for their advertised friendly engines day .

Very impressed with the staff,all couldn’t do more to entertain us ,offered a walk into the shed to view Irish Mail being dismantled for its 10 year overhaul .
Hudswell diesel started and on the next train after our request .
Thank you will be back .