Historic railways reopening again
Posted by Chris Graham on 16th July 2021
There’s good news from the world of preserved railways, with several historic railways reopening again after lockdown-enforced closures.
Historic railways reopening again: Bagnall 0-6-0ST Empress with 1924 Marshall roller (No.78563) at the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway on May 1st.
The Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway reopened on May 1st, and featured Bagnall 0-6-0ST Empress on the trains, while Dave Nash’s 1924 Marshall road roller (No.78563), which is based on site at Furnace Sidings, was in steam and on display.
The second train of the day, soon after leaving Brownhills West Station, on The Chasewater Railway. (Pic: Alistair Grieve)
The Chasewater Railway at Brownhills, West Midlands, also reopened over the weekend of May 22nd-23rd, with diesel operation on Saturday and steam on Sunday, in the form of 0-6-0ST Hollybank No.3. This was its first day hauling trains since 2016, following the completion of a four-year overhaul.
At the Leighton Buzzard Railway (LBR), trains ran again on May 22nd-23rd, on an enhanced service that signified the start of the first phase of the railway’s main season.
A cleaner attends to a train at Page’s Park, Leighton Buzzard Railway. (Pic: Rocky Lancer)
Many special events which were cancelled in 2020 are planned to be reinstated this year, including the return to service of the much-loved Peter Pan locomotive in July. Details of the railway’s operating dates and special events for the autumn will be announced in due course, and will be dependent on the prevailing situation.
Peter Pan’s relaunch into traffic – delayed from 2020 – took place on Sunday, July 4th at Leighton Buzzard. (Pic: LBR)
Full details of operating days, the timetable and the new measures and procedures under which operation will take place, can be found at www.buzzrail.uk.
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