WEST LANCS HOSTS HUNSLETS AT ‘NEARLY 50’ GALA

The West Lancashire Light Railway’s (WLLR) ‘Nearly 50’ event on August 12/13 featured four Hunslet 0-4-0STs. Joining resident Irish Mail were Statfold and Jack Lane from the Statfold Barn Railway, and the Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Trust’s Cloister. During the day, the locomotives were turned on the railway’s new turntable. The railway’s income has been boosted after it launched a unique burger van, which is built on a fourwheel chassis. This innovative vehicle is fully compliant with current hygiene standards. In the WLLR’s workshop, progress is being made on building a new riveted boiler for Bagnall 0-4-0ST Sybil, with WLLR volunteers acting as labourers for the boilersmith.

PETER JOHNSON Hampshire Narrow Gauge Railway Trust’s Hunslet 0-4-0ST Cloister pilots the Statfold Barn Railway’s Hunslet 0-4-0ST Jack Lane during the West Lancashire Light Railway’s ‘Nearly 50’ event on August 13.