41313 HAULS FIRST PASSENGERS PRIOR TO MAY LAUNCH
Ivatt ‘2MT’ 2-6-2T No. 41313 has hauled its first revenue-earning trains since 1965, ahead of its official launch at the Isle of Wight Steam Railway in May. The former Lymington branch engine, whose contract restoration from ex-Barry condition was completed at the East Somerset Railway last June, worked its first public passenger trains on Wednesday April 4, and was also rostered for service during the following six days. It completed all its duties successfully, except for the morning of Sunday April 8, when it was withdrawn with a steam brake problem and replaced on passenger duties by ‘O2’ 0-4-4T No. W24 Calbourne, while Class 03 No. D2059 took over the demonstration goods train from the ‘O2’; however, the Ivatt was back in action by the afternoon. Its official launch will take place at the IoWSR’s ‘Three Island Ivatts’ gala on May 26-28, when all three ‘2MTs’ donated to the line by the Ivatt Trust in 2006 will be in steam together for the first time in preservation. Visiting from the East Somerset Railway will be 2-6-0 No. 46447 – the first tender engine ever to operate on the island – with 2-6-2T No. 41298 also in action.