‘Scotsman’ to reopen S&C - and Barrow Hill?

‘A3’ No. 60103 Flying Scotsman is to take part in the celebrations marking the reopening of the Settle & Carlisle line, with a rare steam charter starting from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. The Gresley ‘Pacific’ was the last steam locomotive to run over the S&C in February last year, before a landslip severed the route at Eden Brows - but on March 31, it will return with a charter from Oxenhope to Carlisle promoted by the KWVR. For more details, see ‘Down Main’, page 40. Steam Railway understands that Flying Scotsman could be set to rededicate another muchloved location in September - Barrow Hill Roundhouse. Agreement in principle has been reached for No. 60103 to be the star of Barrow Hill’s steam gala on September 23/24, which will form the official reopening of the shed following its £1.5 million lottery-funded rebuild. Also on the guest list is the replica Stephenson’s Rocket, while another large visiting locomotive is a possibility. It is the Gresley’s ‘A3’s’ first appearance at Barrow Hill since 1973, during its main line stint under the ownership of Sir William McAlpine. Barrow Hill closed in early January for work on its a new visitor entrance, café and roof - although it will reopen briefly for the ‘Rail Ale Festival’ on May 18-20. The new roof is to be constructed in two parts, one half of the roundhouse having been emptied of its stored diesel and electric locomotives while that section of the roof is replaced. The steam locomotives on display including ‘Director’ No. 506 Butler-Henderson, ‘J17’ No. 8217 and Stanier 2-6-4T No. 2500 - will be moved across to the ‘modern traction’ side of the shed while the other half is re-roofed.