‘LIZZIE’ TRIALS MEAN CARNFORTH IS HOME TO A LIVE ‘PRINCESS’
Back in 1961, when Nos. 46200 and 46203 were in store at Carnforth, it would have been hard to believe that the former LMS shed would be home to a working ‘Princess Royal’ almost six decades on. Yet that is now the case, following light and loaded trial runs with the Princess Elizabeth Locomotive Society’s steed in March.
At the start of April, PELS chairman Clive Mojonnier described No. 6201 as “nearly ready” following work at the former 10A that has included replacement of small tubes. On March 28, the Crewe-built ‘Pacific’ hauled five coaches on the ‘Carnforth circuit’ – out to Hellifield then round via Blackburn and along the West Coast Main Line.
It’s understood that what remained to be done following that trip falls into the category of ‘minor niggles’ – such as adjustment to the Stanier engine’s air-brake system.
Now PELS is looking for ‘Lizzie’ to pick up again after what’s been more than two years away from the main line; it arrived at Carnforth in February 2018, having last run on a Steam Dreams Norwich train in November 2016. Fundraising towards the Crimson Lake engine’s upkeep is ongoing. See www.6201.co.uk ●● SR’s historical consultant Richard Strange explains that when it comes to storage, Engine Record Cards are not always completely clear, for while they give dates for locomotives entering or leaving store, those can sometimes be the actual dates themselves, but in other cases either a ‘week ending’ or ‘week commencing’. In the case of No. 46200 The Princess Royal, the card shows the 4-6-2 as being stored at Carnforth from September 23 1961 to January 19 1962; for now-preserved No. 46203 Princess Margaret Rose the dates are September 1 1961 to January 24 1962.