IN BRIEF

➜ THE Lincolnshire Coast Light Railway has been given a £5,000 grant by Lincolnshire County Council’s Business Recovery Fund to help it recover from the effect of the first year of the pandemic. The line was unable to operate any passenger services during what would have been its 60th anniversary year and so lost a summer season’s income from fares and a planned series of special events.

➜ CLASS 20 No. D8110 arrived at the Battlefield Line on March 17. Formerly based at the South Devon Railway, the Type 1 has more recently resided at Worksop. Since its arrival at Shackerstone, the Harry Needleowned ‘Chopper’ has received a thorough exam and handled works trains. It is hoped it will operate on passenger trains this season.

➜ CLASS 207 ‘Thumper’ DEMU No. 1305 has departed the East Lancashire Railway for storage at MOD Bicester, joining vehicles previously at Finmere. The threecar set has been out of use for several years.

➜ VOLUNTEERS at the Caledonian Railway, Brechin, have completed the restoration of the line’s ‘Hyfit’ four-wheeled 13T open wagon No. B495394. The wagon was in a very poor condition before works began, having been sat out of use at Rosyth Dock for many years before it was saved for preservation.

➜ THE Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway was scheduled to reopen on April 13 following lockdown closure.

➜ WHILE the Derwent Valley Light Railway hopes to resume passenger trains later in the season, it plans to operate freight trains and shunting demonstrations on Sundays and Bank Holidays from April 18.