SINGLE LINES

■ CLAYTON Engineering is to build a new battery-electric Co-Co locomotive for the Bure Valley Railway. The twin-cabbed loco will have two traction motors on each bogie, anti-slip braking and be capable of hauling 75tons at 20mph on a 1-in-75 gradient. Detailed design work is about to commence with delivery not anticipated until at least late 2023. ■ NEW frame plates will be required for ex-Renishaw Sugar Estates Avonside 0-4-0T 1986/1926 Renishaw No. 2, undergoing restoration at Apedale Valley Light Railway. Despite the loco’s generally very poor condition (picture, RM September 2021) some parts have been found to be in surprisingly good condition. ■ THE protracted overhaul of Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway’s S F Belge 0-8-0T (ex-No. 699.01) No. 10 Sir Drefaldwyn took a significant step forward on January 28, when the boiler was lifted into the frames. ■ CLEETHORPES Coast Light Railway’s Fairbourne-built 2-6-2 No. 24 was sent to John Fowler Engineering, Bouth, Cumbria on January 21, for a comprehensive overhaul. The intention is for No. 24 to return to Cleethorpes in spring 2023 ready for the line’s 75th anniversary. ■ FAIRBOURNE Railway’s May 28-30 gala will feature three visiting locos built by Exmoor Steam Railway. Rebuilt 2-6-2T Christopher from Littlehampton Miniature Railway will run on Fairbourne’s 12.25in gauge main line to Barmouth Ferry, while Perrygrove Railway’s 0-6-2T Anne and Evesham Vale Light Railway’s 0-4-2T Monty will operate shuttles on the 15in gauge dual gauge section alongside Beach Road. ■ 1863 Mountaineer Locomotive Ltd’s ambition to produce a rolling chassis for its replica Ffestiniog Railway George England 0-4-0T+T Mountaineer by Easter (RM, January) has been progressed by paying a £5000 deposit against the £18,700 cost of erecting the frames. Donations are needed to raise the £13,700 balance. ■ OLD Kiln Light Railway marked 40 years of being at the Rural Life Living Museum in Tilford, Surrey, on January 30. This anniversary, and the 100th anniversary of its O&K 0-6-0T Elouise, is likely to be celebrated with a gala later this year, probably during the museum’s September 10/11 ‘Steam at Work’ event, although this is not yet confirmed.