‘Windcutters’ at work in South Wales

A RARITY apart from special events, two locomotives were in steam at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway on June 19, one being for an afternoon and evening charter organised by Martin Creese of 30742 Charters after the day's service trains.

Barclay 0-4-0ST Rosyth No. 1 was on the service trains and with its new spark arrester struggled to get two Mk.1 coaches up the 1-in-40 ruling gradient. It normally has no problems on the grade.

The charter with five ‘Windcutter' wagons on loan from the Great Central Railway and the Shark brake van was hauled by Bagnall 0-6-0ST Empress. The weather was murky, but nonetheless a freight train among the colliery slag tips again evoked memories of times gone by. Social distancing and safety along the line were followed and this was one of the first standard gauge charters to take place in 2021.

JOHN TITLOW Two coaches is the maximum that Barclay 0-4-0ST No. 1385 of 1914 Rosyth No. 1 can take on the climb to Blaenavon Furnace Sidings on June 19.

JOHN TITLOW Formerly based at the Mangapps Farm Museum, Bagnall 0-6-0ST No. 3061 of 1954 Empress climbs the last few yards into Blaenavon Furnace Sidings on June 19.