Trago Mills line holds its first grand steam gala

THE Bickington Steam Railway at Trago Mills retail and family fun park near Newton Abbot held its first-ever grand steam gala over August 20/21.

The 10¼in gauge railway was originally located at a Suffolk wildlife park but was relocated to Trago Mills in 1988. In 2006 the 1½mile line was extended by half a mile and an additional terminus, Riverside, was built at the car park, Trago Central station being located at the fun park. The line runs through woodland and loops around lakes and the fun park.

Special guests

The two guest locomotives for the inaugural event were Exmoor Steam railway-built 2-42 No. 297 Pendragon, now resident at then Astbury Light Railway, Glebe Farm, near Congleton, and Wells & Walsingham Light Railway 2-6-0 No. 4 Norfolk Pioneer.

Built by the railway’s chief engineer, Tony Martin, and constructed around the former boiler of WWLR resident Norfolk Hero, it was completed in 2011 and is used mainly for private running.

Bickington Steam Railway resident 2-6-0 Alice, built by Simkins & Vere in 1984, was making its first public appearance since undergoing a three-year overhaul.

JAMES HAMILTON Right: Resident Alice in its new red livery at Riverside terminus station.

JAMES HAMILTON Norfolk Pioneer and 1991-built resident 2-6-4 No. 24 Sandy River climb the approach to Riverside.