HST TOUCH DOWN: HST power car No. 43056 was delivered by road to the Gwili Railway’s Bronwydd Arms headquarters on February 16. Donated to the Welsh Railway Trust by Porterbrook, it was previously named The Royal British Legion. After being shunted by Class 03 No. D2178, No. 43056 was hauled to Llwyfan Cerrig by GWR 0-6-0PT No. 1369, which is on hire from the South Devon Railway this season. No. 43056 was due to go on public display over the half-term school holiday on February 22-27. Subject to a satisfactory Covid-19 risk assessment, it is hoped to open the vehicle to the public on selected days over Easter. In due course, No. 43056 is expected to form a cornerstone in the trust’s ambition to create a museum telling the stories of Welsh railways.
MORGAN WHITTALL
PICTURE: TOM CULSHAW
CLASS 14 No. D9525 relocated to the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway on February 18, following a change of ownership. The 0-6-0DH has previously been advertised for sale by the Rowsley-based Heritage Shunters Trust. As part of the work to return the loco to traffic, the power unit is to be removed and stripped down. To ensure future reliability, the ‘Teddy Bear’ is to be put through a ‘C’ exam. No. D9525 is seen being transferred on a low-loader, exiting the M1 Southbound at junction 28, and shortly after heading WestBound on the A38. Note the teddy bear in the loco cab window.