My first visit to the Dean Forest in nearly ten years. A good value Day Rover at £22 and a line where everybody incl volunteers and passengers enjoyed themselves. 2 rakes of immaculate stock with the 03 working 2 mk Is 4980 and 9003, the 37 on load 4 plus popular guards van S56303, 5175, 5341, 4923 and 34742.
The extreme heat (30 degrees plus) hardly affected the Gala running apart from 9521 blowing up! I had the misfortune of using the Western Region of Network Rail to get to and from Gloucester on the Friday outward and Saturday return, as feared Network Rail were a shambles on both days.
Still the Gala was excellent with a good crowd many scopping former Landore beastie 03145 which ran superbly all day. On the Sunday the teddy was swapped for the line’s 08769, great fun for those there on the Sunday too. Chinnor based 37227 sounded and ran superbly as she always seems too.
Early morning at Norchard as the Gala’s locos are warmed up, 03145 and 08769 look the part on September 9th 2023
With morning mist still swirling in the forest 9521 gets ready for action at Norchard on September 9th 2023
08769 carrying original D3937 number at Norchard as thunderbird on September 9th 2023
03145 at Lydney Jn after working the 1055 from Norchard on September 9th 2023
Chinnor tractor on tour! 37227 looking good running round at Lydney Jn on September 9th 2023
Probably the best emblem of the surviving depot’s, Thornaby’s kingfisher on 37227 at Parkend on September 9th 2023
Busy Parkend, 37227 awaits the road as 03145 and 9521 arrive with the 1125 ex Lydney Jn on September 9th 2023, by now the weather was getting very hot!
Looking good 03145 leaves Lydney Jn with the 1450 to Parkend on September 9th 2023
37227 passes over the level crossing at Lydney Jn with the popular brake van atop her 4 coach consist forming the 1505 to Parkend on September 9th 2023
NOTE – Next Lists update will not be until September 23rd 2023……
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Leighton Lists 