FAREWELL MALACHITE: FIFTIES FAST-FORWARD FOR CHELTENHAM

The repaint of National Railway Museum ‘Schools’ class Cheltenham into BR green was close to completion as Steam Railway went to press, as shown on the contents page.

Initiated and financially supported by photo charter organiser TimeLine Events, its refresh at Ropley, on the Mid-Hants Railway, was expected to be all but complete by the end of July (SR494).

The work is being carried out by Blackburn-based contractor Heritage Painting, which provided the finishing touch to MHR-based ‘S15’ No. 506 in May.

However, No. 30925 will not be available for traffic on the ‘Watercress Line’ until late summer as its leading driving axle is currently being worked on, meaning that the ‘Schools’ will remain in the wheeldrop shed for the time being. Operating dates are still to be confirmed, including a series of TimeLine photo charters this autumn, for which paint fund donors who gave £75 or more will be given priority booking.

Support to fund the repaint is still required – for details, see page 91.

BOTH: PETER ZABEK Black undercoat and plenty of filler covers Cheltenham in early July.

Teriann O’Connor of Heritage Painting gives the nameplates attention.