The first down train of the day sees Beaudesert approaching Chamberlain’s Bridge with the 1000 ex Pages Park
The sun shone, the normals and diesel enthusiasts turned up in big numbers. Most trains were busy. The loco roster on the web was replaced by an on the day version but even this was amended big time to add to the “what next” riot value of the day.
10 diesels worked a half hourly service, namely Beaudesert, Caravan, Feanor, Red Rum, Trumpton, 23, 43, 44, 46 and 51. Many locos hadnt worked passenger for some years, for me the highlight was a return trip behind the mighty Feanor, a loco i last enjoyed in the late 90’s. 44 didnt work in the end and 46 was on freight turns only. Peter Pan provided the sole steam turn.
The only downer was this railways ongoing inability to offer Rover Tickets, expecting you to book your individual train prior to joining, which wasnt easy when the roster had gone out of the window!
A huge thanks to the LBNGR volunteers (especially the Stonehenge boys) for making it such an enjoyable day for so many, lets hope the diesel gala becomes a regular event, the Feanors of this railway need regular running…………..
Looking and sounding good Trumpton and 43 approach Chamberlain’s Bridge with the 1035 ex Pages Park
Showing the difference in loco sizes Red Rum, Caravan and Beaudesert emerge from Chamberlains bridge with the 1106 Stonehenge – Pages Park
Simplex clag! Caravan shunting at Pages Park depot
46 on an up freight at Leedon loop, 46 was a freight sector machine all day.
The mighty Feanor at Stonehenge with the 1401 to Pages Park
Feanor at rest at the Pages Park stops after an excellent run on the 1401 ex Stonehenge
The former Munday’s Hill Quarry excavator in a Ruston Bacyrus loading sand into skips in time honoured style at Stonehenge
The battery loco 23 and Simplex 43 at the Park prior to working the 1525 to Stonehenge
Simplexes 17 and 30 topping and tailing a rake of skips with Beaudesert on approach too
Beaudesert approaches Stonehenge with the last up passenger train of the day
Taken from the rear of Beaudesert’s train an impressive 8 loco convoy plus freight wagons at Leedon loop, 51 was powering the consist composed of Red Rum, Caravan, Trumpton, 44, Feanor, 46 and 43 en route from Pages Park to Stonehenge the last movement of an excellent gala.
Link to our Feanor loco history with many archive phots and much gen
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