SINGLE LINES

■ THE boiler of ex-South African Railways Société Anglo-Franco-Belge (works No. 2684) NG15 ‘Kalahari’

2-8-2 No. 134, which has been receiving extensive attention at Locomotive Maintenance Services in Loughborough, was steam tested in mid-November. The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway locomotive is being restored under the auspices of Cymdeithas Rheilffordd Eryri/Welsh Highland Railway Society.

■ JOHN Uphill’s 2ft gauge 0-4-2T Faith was back at the Gartell Light Railway in September. Having appeared at the Gartell line (where it was originally built) on August 22 after relocation from Lynton & Barnstaple Railway, it was taken to a September 17 auction (RM, October) at the Berwick St John Country Show and

Steam Rally but did not reach its reserve price.

■ ROMNEY, Hythe & Dymchurch Railway’s Krauss 0-4-0TT The Bug returned to the line in November in time to participate in Santa Special operations following a summer visit to Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway.

■ A FIRE was lit in the newly made boiler for Sybil Locomotive Trust’s Bagnall 0-4-0ST 1760/1906 Sybil at West Lancashire Light Railway for the first time on December 1. Pressure was not raised, the purpose being to warm the boiler plates to help them seal.

■ IN mid-November John Bennett was appointed Southwold Railway Trust president. He was involved in formation of the trust, at that time a society, in 1994 and latterly has served as trust chairman. The new chairman is Nick Evans, in addition to his current role of treasurer.

■ LINCOLNSHIRE Coast

Light Railway’s (LCLR) ex-Nocton Estates Railway coach hitherto nicknamed ‘Queen Mary’ (originally by Nocton Estate workers) which entered service in June 2022 following restoration, is now officially named after fitting of a nameplate prepared by a traditional signwriter.