All set for steam haulage on new Astley Green line

LANCASHIRE Mining Museum’s new passenger carrying 2ft gauge railway at Astley Green, opened on May 30( RM, July), is to introduce steam-hauled trains.

Graham Fairhurst’s ex-Minas de Utrillas O&K 0-4-0WT 2378/1907 Utrillas will be relocated from West Lancashire Light Railway (WLLR) – where it has been resident since importation from Spain in September 1984 – imminently as this RM went to press. It will stay for the remaining two years of its boiler ticket.

Amid Covid-19 lockdowns and with Hunslet 0-4-0ST

Irish Mail and Kerr Stuart ‘Joffre’ 0-6-0T+WT Joffre

(2405/1915) available for WLLR service, Utrillas has seen little use in recent times.

Moreover, O&K 0-4-0WTT Montalban and Bagnall 0-4-0ST 1760/1906 Sybil

are in the latter stages of overhaul and restoration respectively at WLLR. In addition to regular use, it seems appropriate for Utrillas

to again work at a colliery.