Pitchford Hall steps in at last minute for failed LMS Duchess

THE GALA gap left by the failure of planned guest locomotive LMS 4-6-2 6233 Duchess of Sutherland with axle box issues was admirably filled by GWR 4-6-0 4953 Pitchford Hall visiting for the Severn Valley Railway Steam Gala from the Epping Ongar Railway.

The ‘Duchess’ was failed over a week before the four-day event took place, during maintenance at its Midland Railway Butterley base, when axle box wear was detected that could not be repaired in time. It was the first time that 4953 – now running in lined BR black – has worked trains over the full length of the SVR, although in 2007 it worked a special from Bewdley to Birmingham Snow Hill.

Unfortunately, on the final day 4953 failed before it left the shed, joining GWR 0-6-0ST 813, which failed after two days in use.

Graham Nuttall GWR Hall 4953 Pitchford Hall approaches Arley with the 1245 Bridgnorth-kidderminster on September 17, during the SVR’S Autumn Steam Gala.