Austin No. 1 steals show at Midsomer Norton gala
FORMER Austin Motor Company 0-6-0ST Austin No. 1 took centre stage at the Somerset & Dorset Railway Heritage Trust’s (S&DRHT) three-day Summer Mixed Traction Gala on July 2-4, marking a welcome return to operation of the Llangollen Railway Trust (LRT)-owned locomotive. The Kitson-built machine (5459/1932) was the subject of an overhaul and repaint at Llangollen immediately prior to its move to Midsomer Norton, arriving resplendent in the Austin Motor Co’s green livery and complete with cabside crests. Completion of the overhaul served as a symbol of intent for the LRT as it worked to secure the future of the Dee Valley line; the loco’s summer hire to the S&DRHT will bring in muchneeded revenue that will help further the LRT’s reopening plans. During the gala Austin No. 1 shared duties on an intensive timetable with ex-Croydon Gas Works Sentinel 4wVBT No. 7 Joyce (7109/1927). Passenger trains were formed of three Mk.1 coaches, while a demonstration goods train also featured with passengers conveyed in a Southern ‘Queen Mary’ brake van. All trains ran with Class 08 No. D4095 on the rear, although the two industrial steam locos were able to work hard on the 1-in-50 climb towards the old Chilcompton Tunnel. The line’s resident Class 03 No. D2128 was also in service during the event, enabling services to be worked in a variety of combinations, including a triple-header with the ‘08’ on the rear at the end of each day. Austin No. 1 is to remain in Somerset for the rest of the summer, with planned steam dates on August 8, 15, 22, 29 and 30, and September 5, 19 and 26. For further details visit www.sdjr.co.uk ■ Another Llangollen Railway Trust locomotive – Hudswell, Clarke ‘Cornist’ 0-6-0T Samuel Fox & Co Ltd No. 20 (or Jennifer) – has begun a long-term hire at the Aln Valley Railway at Alnwick, Northumberland. The loco (1731/1942) completed gauging runs on July 5, and will now share duties alongside resident Hunslet ‘Austerity’ 0-6-0ST No. 60 (3686/1948) and Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T Richboro (1243/1917); a rare opportunity to see two sixcoupled Hudswell tanks working side-by-side.