PRESERVATION

SENTINEL 0-6-0 10218 PBA No.39 was in action again this year working Santa trains at the East Somerset

Railway ‘top and tail’ with steam. The rest of the year it sees little, if any, use on passenger trains, but is a big part of the Santa services

Based at Moreton Park on a former MoD site near Moreton on Lugg, Hereford, the D2578 Group, owner of Class 05 D2578 has been looking for another locomotive for the past 18 months. Not for themselves, but for the site owner to use as a display within the site. A pre-requisite was an MoD/Army background. While several were looked at none were suitable until Ruston & Hornsby LSSH 0-6-0DH (459517/1961) Army No. 422 came up for sale at the Lavender Line earlier this year. It proved the ideal choice and was purchased by the site owner and delivered to Moreton Park on October 7 (See Preservation, p32). It is also the 30th anniversary since the last Army loco worked at Moreton-on-Lugg – also a Ruston & Hornsby LSSH class Army No. 430 in 1991, so it is a very fitting choice. The locomotive is in running order, albeit needing some attention, and while it is the intention of the new owner to put the locomotive on a plinth, it will remain in running order just in case future traffic requirements require a return to operational duties.

Andrew Briddon has put up three of his shunter fleet for sale: North British 0-4-0DH No. 27097, North British 0-6-0DH No. 27932 and Brush Traction 0-6-0DE No. 803. All are in need of a full overhaul.