Late on in 2018 the Whitwell & Reepham Model Engineering Club decided to expand beyond Top Field Light Railway and by means of a loan from one of the members we were able to purchase a portable track from Miniature Railway Workshop. This has proved to be a very useful income stream from visiting many local events and steam rallies, the first of which was Strumpshaw Steam Rally in May 2019, followed by visits to the Norfolk Internal Combustion Engine Rally at North Walsham, the grand re-opening of Leiston Railway in Suffolk and finally another trip over the border to the Great Henham Steam Rally in September. Income from these events after repaying the loan has helped the main railway to maintain a surplus of funds.
This year the intention was to visit Strumpshaw & Henham again plus a visit to Barford Village Fete, but lockdown restrictions put a stop to that, but hopefully in 2021 we can try again.
If you would like to hire our portable steam railway then please enquire through the TFLR website, www.tflrailway... or email topfieldlightrailway@gmail.com
This is a model of an LNER K2 class locomotive built in 1993 by J T Drury in Coventry, who built 3 more similar locomotives. Loch Rannoch has a steel boiler with copper tubes and a working pressure of 90 PSI, 2 injectors, cast iron cylinders with automatic drain cocks, Wallcharts valve gear with stick lever, mechanical steam lubricator and is fitted with vacuum brake equipment.
The locomotive was the first steam locomotive to operate on the Top Field Light Railway in 2016 and is the flagship loco. Currently owned by John Mason it is out of action having the tender rebuilt, but should be back in traffic during the 2021 season.
The original “Loch Rannoch” operated on the West Highland Line, which includes the Glenfinnan Viaduct featured in the Harry Potter series of films.
6 сен 2024