‘Green Dragon’ and ‘MacRats’ to feature in Worth Valley mixed traffic gala line-up
A STEAM locomotive which has not run for 11 years and the first time the prototype Class 26 and 27 (affectionately known as ‘MacRats’) have worked together in preservation will be among the attractions of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway’s September 10-12 mixed traffic gala.
In addition to popular steam performers BR ‘2MT’ No. 78022, USA ‘S160’ No. 5820 ‘Big Jim’, BR ‘2MT’ 2-6-2T No. 41241 and MR ‘4F’ 0-6-0 No. 43924, Lancashire & Yorkshire 0-6-0 No. 957 ‘The Green Dragon’ which starred in the 1970 film ‘The Railway Children’ is due to return to traffic after overhaul (RM
August p63). It is hoped that repairs to Taff Vale 0-6-2T No. 85 will be completed in time.
Traction
Two confirmed visiting diesel locos include Barrow Hill-based No. 26007, courtesy of Victor Korzeniewicz and No. 27001, courtesy of the Class 27 locomotive Group and the Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway.
No. 26007 entered service as D5300 in 1958, followed by
No. 27001 as D5347 in 1961. Each were their respective prototype for the class.
Members of the resident diesel fleet set to see action over the weekend include Class 20 No. 20031, Class 37 No. 37075, English Electric Prototype D0226 Vulcan. Shunters are also set to see action, including Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0DM
No. D2511 and Hunslet 0-6-0DM No. 32 Huskisson.
Day one will be a diesel-only day – with traction from the main line supplementing the home fleet.
The theme of day two will be mixed traffic, representing the changeover years from steam to diesel. A visiting diesel loco will join the resident diesel and steam fleet.
The final day is billed as ‘Sulzer & Steam’ with the visiting locos providing the diesel element.