Railtours Track Record Double-headed ‘B1s’ off to Cornwall in Steam Dreams’ ‘Mayflower’ special

DOUBLEHEADED 4-6-0s were a familiar sight in Cornwall during GWR and BR days, and this September such a spectacle is expected to be seen again, albeit with a distinctly Eastern Region twist.

Steam Dreams’‘Mayflower 400’ excursion on September 14 is a commemorative tour to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower in September 1620, which took the founding fathers from Plymouth to the Americas.

Appropriately, the train will be hauled throughout by Thompson ‘B1’ No. 61306

(owned by Steam Dreams boss, David Buck), which will be joined by LNER-built classmate No. 1264, courtesy of the Thompson B1 Locomotive Trust.

The Eastern duo are expected to depart from Paddington at 09.00 and follow the Great Western Main Line out to Reading for a pick-up, then proceed onward to Devon for the next stop at Newton Abbot at around 17.00.

Passengers have the option to join or leave the train here, and after an extended layover the ‘B1s’ will continue through Devon to Plymouth, arriving at 19.00. From here they will cross Brunel’s Royal Albert Bridge into Cornwall, and reach journey’s end at Penzance sometime around 21.30.

The two 4-6-0s are expected to spend the next two days in the South West before heading the return leg of the ‘Mayflower 400’ back to Paddington on September 17.

Return tickets for the train are priced at £325 in Premium Standard, £649 in Premier Dining and £849 in Pullman Dining. Prices do not include accommodation.

Steam Dreams has every intention of pairing the two ‘B1s’ for the tour, but if No. 1264 is unavailable LMS Pacifics

Nos. 6233 Duchess of Sutherland or 6201 Princess Elizabeth may deputise.

For further information and booking details: www.steamdreams.co.uk

■ Steam Dreams’ summer excursion programme has fallen victim to the ongoing coronavirus restrictions, with all of its planned tours for August being postponed until a later date.

Its first post-lockdown tour will now be a King’s Cross to York run on September 3, featuring ‘Black Five’ haulage one way, and ‘B1’ power on the return. See the Steam Dreams website for details.

PETER AINSWORTH STEAM HEADS NORTH FOR ‘JACOBITE’ 2020: Coast Railways transferred in mid-July the two locomotives that will work its ‘Jacobite’ season from Carnforth to Fort William. Hauling a uniform rake of maroon carriages, NELPG’s Peppercorn ‘K1’ 2-6-0 No. 62005 and Ian Riley’s ‘Black Five’ No. 45407 The Lancashire Fusilier tackle Shap during the first leg to Carlisle on July 11, ahead of the delayed start of the ‘Jacobite’ on July 15.

SYDNEY HANCOCK ‘B1s’ Nos. 61306 Mayflower and (6)1264 have never met on the main line, but the pair did work together at Barrow Hill Roundhouse during an LNER gathering in later 2007. Here, the duo come face-to-face on November 9 that year.