‘GANGES’ REUNITED FOR LEIGHTON BUZZARD CENTENARY GALA
Two Hudswell Clarke ‘Ganges’ 0-6-0WTs helped the Leighton Buzzard Railway celebrate its 100th anniversary, recalling the earliest years of the Bedfordshire line.
Works Nos. 1238 and 1643 Surrey County Council Highways Dept. GP39, from the Apedale Valley Light and Statfold Barn railways respectively, were part of an 11-strong line-up at the LBR’s Centenary Steam Gala on October 5/6.It was the first time a pair of ‘Ganges’ had worked over the line since 1921, when the railway’s original ‘Ganges’ duo – the LBR’s motive power when opened in 1919 – were withdrawn.
There was a surprise addition to the visiting engine line-up in the form of Bagnall 0-4-0ST Works No. 2043 Kidbrooke, the attendance of which was confirmed only days before the event. It was one of the final public appearances for the Yaxham Light Railway-based locomotive, as its boiler ticket expires later in October. It was joined by Patrick Keef’s fellow Bagnall 0-4-0ST, Works No. 2133 Woto, and Nick Mason’s Andrew Barclay 0-4-0T Works No. 1871 Jack.
The resident line-up comprised Avonside 0-4-0T Works No. 1738 Sezela No. 4, Andrew Barclay 0-6-0T Works No. 1641 Doll, Baldwin ‘10-12-D’ 4-6-0PT No. 778, De Winton 0-4-0VBT No. 1 Chaloner, and Orenstein & Koppel 0-4-0WT Works No. 5834 ‘P. C. Allen’ and 0-6-0WT Works No. 10808 Pedemoura.
Despite healthy passenger numbers, not all went to plan, as ‘P. C. Allen’ failed on the Saturday with a fractured firebox seam, prompting its immediate withdrawal and disrupting the timetable.
Elsewhere, work continues apace on the line’s half-mile extension towards Munday’s Hill, with much of the double-track – a rarity on 2ft gauge railways – now in place and ballasted, thanks to the assistance of apprentices from Crossrail’s Track Maintenance Team. The LBR’s extension appeal has received a significant boost in recent weeks, following the donation of £20,000 from an anonymous local charitable trust, and £10,000 from one of the railway’s members.
“The line should be ready for testing and training by spring, and our target is to have the work completed in mid-2020 with regular passenger operation from 2021,” said LBR press officer Rocky Lancer.
To donate towards the LBR’s extension appeal, visit www.buzzrail.co.uk/static/ doublearches.html (short link: https://bit.ly/2LTxMX6)