Royal Scot guests at two galas as main line problem sorted
LMS Scot No. 46100 Royal Scot is booked as the star guest for the East Lancashire Railway’s February 25-27 spring steam gala, and will also appear at the Keighley & Worth Valley’s March 11-13 events.
While running Saphos Trains’ December 18 ‘Pennine Moors Christmas Cracker’ from Crewe towards Preston on the West Coast Main Line, No. 46100 unusually failed at Euxton Junction, and was pushed into Preston by the trailing diesel.
The Scot was taken off and put into a siding – with the tour continuing over Copy Pit behind the diesel – and No. 46100 returned to the LNWR works at Crewe behind a diesel, too.
The problem was not serious but unclarified. It was swiftly repaired and No. 46100 returned to main line duties.
As pictured in Main Line News, page 56, the first Saphos main line tour of the year took place with the ‘White Rose’ between Crewe and York, and No. 46100 was back in action running out through the Hope Valley and returning via the Calder Valley.
Ian Walker took a day off driving No.70000 Britannia on the Severn Valley Railway in exchange for a turn on the main line. Ian is a passed fireman on the main line but drove No. 46100 as a trainee driver on the outward leg. He has to complete 200 hours before passing out, and hopes to become a qualified main line driver at the end of the year.
‘Perfect performance’
He said that No. 46100 ran well, putting in a perfect performance throughout, and timekeeping was good; it reached its line speed of 75mph numerous times.
At the ELR gala, No. 46100 will appear alongside Sentinel No. 7232
Ann, Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T No. 32
Gothenburg, Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway No. 51456 and Class 27
No. 52322, and West Country Light Pacific No. 34092 City of Wells.
The KWVR gala makes a welcome return after two years. The last one was in March 2020, squeezed in immediately before the first lockdown. It did not happen last year due to Covid-19 restrictions but as they eased, a mixed traffic gala was held in September.
The format is similar to previous years, starting on the Friday with an intensive service running throughout. Unique double headers, multiple goods trains demonstrations and Ingrow West crane demonstrations will take place.
A second visitor will be GWR 0-6-0PT No. 7714 from the Severn Valley Railway. It will arrive by road, whereby No. 46100 will run by rail direct from the ELR.
The home fleet will consist of LMS Jubilee 4-6-0 No. 45596 Bahamas, ‘Black Five’ 4-6-0 No. 45212, Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway 2F 0-6-0 No. 52044, Taff Vale Railway 0-6-2T No. 85, BR Standard 2MT 2-6-0 No. 78022 and LMS 2MT 2-6-2T No. 41241 in KWVR red livery.
Trains will pass at Damens loop as usual, and the full locomotive roster and timetable will be released soon.
The moving of large loads by road can be expensive and timeconsuming to organise due to the complexities involved. Restrictions are in place on some highways that mean certain moves – including those outside the KWVR’s loading point at Ingrow – need a police escort.
Obtaining dates from busy local police can be tricky if not planned well in advance.
There is also a charge for this service, which means that the overall cost can start to soar – especially if it is just for a single hire of a few days.
Revenue streams
The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway is always looking at additional revenue streams, such as photographic charters, to help offset the transport costs.
This year, Martin Creese, of 30742 Charters, has organised two such events, one with each visiting locomotive, which will be an added opportunity for enthusiasts to enjoy them at the KWVR and will help justify the hire charges.