Alan Keef open day to return after four years

ENGINERING firm Alan Keef Ltd is to mark its 50th anniversary by holding a special open day at its Ross-on-Wye works on Saturday, September 24.

The event is set to see the first public test steaming of the new-build Corris Railway No.10 Falcon 0-4-2T (see separate story, News, page 27) and De Winton replica 0-4-0VBT Taffy, built by Keef in 1990, in steam for the first time in more than 12 years.

The firm held its last steam-up four years ago, the last two open days being cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Also in steam will be Bagnall 0-4-0ST Woto, while Graham Morris will be bringing his Kerr Stuart 0-4-0ST Peter Pan from the Leighton Buzzard Railway.

Both of the extensively restored carriages from the derelict Dalmunzie estate railway in Scotland that were acquired by the firm along with the locomotive in 2016 will be in use.

Also visiting will be The Trotter of Coleford, a one-ton steam roller that attended the last event in 2018.

A walk-through-time display of five decades of Alan Keef Ltd will form a central point of the open day, the firm’s 30th, offering a fascinating insight into the company’s history.

The event will run from 11am to 4.30pm. Admission is £7.50 for adults and £3 for children. Money raised will go towards Lea’s village church.