Winter activity at Bo’ness

DIDCOT Railway Centre’s

Class 08 No. 604 Phantom had a birthday celebration, complete with cake, on December 22.

It was built at Derby in 1959 as No. D3771 (TOPS No. 08604), and gained its No. 604 plates and Phantom name prior to preservation, when based at Tyseley depot.

Depot staff took it upon themselves to paint it in BR(W) green with ‘ferret and dartboard’ logo and applied 84E shed code plates.

On completion, it went to

New Street station for use on pilot duties for the next four years. After transfer to Bescot its appearance deteriorated and it was destined for withdrawal and scrap.

Phantom was bought by a driver and found a new home in preservation at Didcot, arriving at the railway centre on September 28, 1994.

It has received much attention since then, including several livery changes.

In 1995, it was turned out in wartime black for the 50th anniversary of VE day weekend as War Department No. 40, and numbered WD40. It was later repainted in BR green, and is now in BR blue and owned by the Great Western Society.

THE Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway held its traditional winter diesel gala on December 28.

Visiting DRS Class 66

No. 66426 joined resident locos in operation,

Class 26 No. 26038 Tom

Clift 1954-2012, Class 37067 (37703), and Class 47

No. 47643.

The 12.30 service, which proved to be popular with those visiting the event, was provided by Class 126 DMU ‘Swindon’ set Nos. 51043, 59404 and 51017.

PICTURES: JOHN CRANE Didcot Railway Centre celebrated the 60th anniversary of Class 08 No. 604 Phantom (08604) entering BR service at 9A Manchester Longsight in June 1959. A cake was cut on December 22 by Simon Grego, who arranged the acquisition of the loco for Didcot in 1994.

IAN LOTHIAN All appears well as the 10.30 Bo’ness-Manuel approaches Kinneil double-headed by Class 26 No. 26038 Tom Clift 19542012 and Class 47 No. 47643 suppling train heating. DRS No. 66426 was on the rear to take the train back from Manuel. However, the Sulzer Type 2 failed when nearing Manuel, leaving the Brush Type 4 to complete the journey. Upon return to Bo’ness behind the ‘66’, the ‘47’ took the failed Type 2 off the train and into the sidings.

JAMES HENDRIE Class 20 No. 20020 was not working trains but added to the day’s interest as it moved around the Bo’ness station providing various photo opportunities. It is seen having completed the return of the failed Class 26 to the sidings.