HOPES FOR OPERATIONAL FUTURE:
SR ‘Schools’ 4-4-0 No. 30925 Cheltenham made its last special event performance for the foreseeable future during the Watercress Line’s October 7-9 Autumn Steam Gala. The boiler certificate for the National Collection locomotive expires on November 15, but the last day in steam is expected to be November 5 for a photographic charter. Asked about what future lies in store for the ‘Schools’, a spokesman for the National Railway Museum told The RM: “We are in discussion with the Mid-Hants team as the locomotive’s boiler certification is due to expire and we are looking into the possibility for it to be overhauled and recertified for a return to operation. We are exploring the options for the loco’s future and discussing loan opportunities. Hopefully, we can include it in the revamped operational rail vehicle strategy which we are working on at the moment – with a publication date expected in early 2023.” Re-creating an RCTS (Railway Correspondence & Travel Society) railtour to Brighton which it had hauled exactly 60 years to the day prior, No. 30925 arrives at Medstead & Four Marks on October 7.