Nameplates are in focus at Barrow Hill’s 150 gala

TWO nameplates from Gresley B17/4 Footballer 4-6-0s are to be officially unveiled during the August 26-28 Barrow Hill Roundhouse 150th anniversary gala.

As part of a special Railway Correspondence & Travel Society day on Saturday, August 27, the nameplates from Nos. 61649 Sheffield United and 61661 Sheffield Wednesday, which are both owned by the group and mounted on the wall of Barrow Hill’s new café, will form part of an RCTS members’ day, at which all enthusiasts are welcome. Group members and their families will enjoy half-price concessionary admission.

Diesel namesake Class 66

No. 66726 Sheffield Wednesday will be part of the gala display and another diesel will be named at the event. The recently-loaned nameplate from LNWR Precursor 4-4-0 No. 54297 Sirocco will also be on display.

There will be an RCTS-sponsored photographic competition, open to all, with a cash prize for the best photograph taken on the day.

Visitors joining the RCTS during the gala will be offered extended membership until the end of 2023 at half of the price of one year’s normal subscription rate.

As reported last issue, the gala is being held two years late because of the Covid-19 pandemic.