‘Pacifics’ break Nene Valley records

The platforms are crowded at Wansford as ‘Battle of Britain’ No. 34053 Sir Keith Park passes classmate No. 34081 92 Squadron, as it pulls into the station on February 26. TREVOR JONES

The Nene Valley Railway kicked off the end of Southern steam 50th anniversary celebrations in style, with record numbers attending the line’s ‘Bulleid 50’ event on February 25/26. It is estimated that almost 2,500 people travelled behind ‘Battle of Britains’ Nos. 34053 Sir Keith Park and 34081 92 Squadron ‑ the former paying its first visit to the NVR, while the latter made its public debut following overhaul (see SR462). NVR press officer Jerry Thurston says: “We knew it was going to be good, but it surpassed all expectations. We must have broken all records for a spring gala. “Our decision to give back to the movement that has supported us so well during the last 40 years, by not charging gala fares, was rewarded many‑fold; we are looking at takings equal to or even surpassing a ‘normal‑ priced’ gala ‑ even a very busy one!” The event was an auspicious start to an important year for the NVR, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in preservation. New‑build ‘A1’ No. 60163 Tornado will return to the line on April 22/23 for the railway’s ‘Best of British’ weekend, while on the actual anniversary, No. 46100 Royal Scot will be making its debut over Nene Valley metals on June 2‑4. Sir Keith Park and 92 Squadron were due to be reunited at the Severn Valley Railway’s Spring Steam Gala on March 17‑19 and will both attend the Swanage Railway’s ‘Strictly Bulleid’ event on March 31‑April 2.