Having forgone their 'Spring Steam Gala' due to the high-profile visits of LNER A3 60103 'Flying Scotsman' and GWR Churchward 'Saint' 2999 'Lady Of Legend', the East Lancashire Railway staged their 'Autumn Steam Gala' over the weekend of 13th to 15th October. Since 2023 celebrates one hundred years since the formation of the 'big four' railway companies, the former-LMS line paid tribute to their founding fathers in grand style.
Two locomotives would head up the guest list: Stanier 8F 2-8-0 48305 from the Great Central Railway, following in the footsteps of fellow GCR 8F 48624 which visited the ELR in 2017, and Stanier 'Jubilee' 4-6-0 45690 'Leander'. Having previously wowed the crowds at the Keighley and Worth Valley's Railway's gala back in March (see separate video), 'Leander's mainline ticket has now expired and it is rumoured she will be staying at Bury into the new year. Furthering the LMS theme would be home-based L&YR Class 23 51456 and Aspinall 'Pug' 11243, the latter wearing LMS livery. Rounding off the roster would be Fowler 3F 'Jinty' 47298, although sadly she wasn't running on the day of my visit. All in all, five former LMS locomotives of various shapes and sizes would grace the railway over the gala. However, it soon seemed there would be some competition from another region...
To cover for the ELR's own out-of-ticket SR Bulleid 'West Country' 34092 'City Of Wells', the railway hired in fellow Bulleid 'Battle Of Britain' 34072 '257 Squadron' for the summer season. Later extended into the autumn, the Spa Valley-based engine would be able to strut her stuff at the gala. In addition, 'City Of Wells' was returned to traffic in late September following a rapid nine-month overhaul; a credit to the team at Baron Street. Now there would be two ‘Spamcans’ stacked up against the Midlanders, including a double-headed service on Saturday afternoon. Who would come out on top?
In the end, I'd say it was a draw, with all locomotives providing a fantastic spectacle. The gala kicked off with 48305 and 47298 top-and-tailing the longest freight service in ELR preservation history on Friday morning (although 48305 failed at Ramsbottom and was replaced with a Class 24). Like last year, the 'Pug' provided shunting demonstrations at Ramsbottom on Saturday, as well as chasing the big engines up and down the loop. Additional shunting in Castlecroft Yard was handled by Hudswell Clarke 32 'Gothenburg', seen in plain black as opposed to her usual Sodor blue. A total of eight engines would be in service throughout the weekend.
I visited on the Saturday of the event. Surprisingly, the weather was in my favour, with bright blue skies cast across Lancashire and showers only setting in during the afternoon (although that did result in lots of rainbows!). The railway was a hive of activity and all trains ran to time.
The full lineup consisted of:
Visiting:
LMS Stanier 8F 2-8-0 48305 (from the Great Central Railway)
LMS Stanier 5XP 'Jubilee' 4-6-0 45690 'Leander' (from Chris Beet)
SR Unrebuilt Bulleid 'Battle of Britain' 4-6-2 34072 '257 Squadron' (from Southern Locomotives Ltd and the Spa Valley Railway. On loan to the ELR for the 2023 season. Ran on Saturday only)
Home Fleet:
L&YR Aspinall Class 23 0-6-0ST 51456
L&YR Aspinall Class 21 0-4-0ST 11243 (ran on Saturday and Sunday only)
SR Unrebuilt Bulleid 'West Country' 4-6-2 34092 'City Of Wells' (first gala appearance since overhaul)
Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T Manchester Ship Canal 32 'Gothenburg' (ran on Friday and Saturday only)
LMS Fowler 3F ‘Jinty’ 0-6-0T 47298 (ran on Friday and Sunday only)*
*Does not feature in this video.
I hope you all enjoy the video. Huge thanks to all staff and volunteers of the East Lancashire Railway for an absolutely brilliant gala. Personal highlights would have to be the double-headed Bulleids, 'Leander' and the 'Pug' racing at Ramsbottom and the 8F blasting through Touch Hill Cutting. Check out pictures from the day and more at / secondvalvesteam . Feel free to comment and subscribe!
15 окт 2024
