NEWS

Unique 2‑10‑0 to join the biggest standard gauge gala of the decade.

COVER ❖ ‘9F’ No. 92134 returns to steam

❖ Railways hit by volunteer shortage

COVER ❖ Authentic send-off for Calbourne

COVER ❖ Four panniers for West Somerset?

❖ Horwich Works set for demolition

September 6 was a momentous day in preservation, as unique single-chimney ‘9F’ No. 92134 steamed for the first time on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

The first fire on the Riddles 2-10-0’s grate marked the end of a near 40-year restoration, which began when it was rescued from Barry in December 1980. It is appropriate that No. 92134 steamed for the first time in preservation at Grosmont as, in a case of history coming full circle, the line was the ‘9F’s’ first preservation home after leaving Barry.

Howard Self, No. 92134’s owner, said: “How does it feel? Absolutely brilliant, and a great credit to all the people who have worked on her over the last 20 years. Best of all, my son, who was only five when we started this, got really interested in heritage railways, and after a spell as general manager at Rudyard Lake, has now joined Vintage Trains, as well as volunteering at East Lancs. He put the first fire in 92134 as a complete locomotive.”

Coupled to the BR1G tender on loan from out-of-ticket BR ‘5MT’ No. 73050, and without smoke deflectors, No. 92134 was receiving the finishing touches to its unlined BR black paintwork in the NYMR’s paint shop at Grosmont at the time of going to press, and was expected to be completed in time to join the line-up for what promises to be the biggest standard gauge steam gala of the decade on September 27-29, with potentially up to 16 engines in action (see panel). Not only will all each of the Big Four railway companies be represented, but so will examples from BR, industrial and overseas steam, presenting a true cross-section of the standard gauge preservation spectrum.

NYMR general manager Chris Price said that No. 92134 was expected to undergo a final steam test on Tuesday September 17, and commence running-in trials towards the end of that week.

“We’re nearly there now,” he said. “It’s not every day an ex-Barry engine comes back to life, and it will definitely be ready for the gala.”

minus smoke deflectors and other sundry items, unique single-chimney ‘9F’ no. 92134 stands in light steam outside grosmont shed on september 6, with the first fire in its firebox since 1966.

BOTH: ADRIAN DENNIS no. 92134 is temporarily coupled to ‘5mt’ no. 73050’s BR1g tender while it awaits construction of its own high-sided BR1c example. although the ‘9F’ was never paired with a BR1g in BR service, the type is authentic for the class.