‘B12’ to go green MEMBERS of the Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society, supporting organisation of the North Norfolk Railway, have voted in favour of ‘B12’ 4-6-0 No. 8572 appearing in LNER green when it returns to traffic from overhaul. Of 882 votes cast, 551 backed LNER green, while 331 supported BR lined black. The loco is currently being dismantled at the NNR’s workshops at Weybourne and invitations to tender for elements of the overhaul will shortly be issued.
Heavy freights to tackle the ‘Alps’ THE Mid-Hants Railway is to welcome two visiting powerful 2-8-0 locomotives for its April 29-May 2 Spring Steam Gala. GWR ‘28XX’ No. 2857 is to visit from Severn Valley Railway, while LMS ‘8F’ No. 48305 is to attend from the Great Central Railway. With the exception of two occasions where they have operated in the Alton area, it is believed to be the first visit of an ‘8F’ to the railway. Other performers during the event are expected to include resident LSWR Urie ‘S15’ 4-6-0 No. 506 and S&D ‘7F’ 2-8-0 No. 53808 and SR ‘Schools’ 4-4-0 No. 30925 Cheltenham. A goods train featuring vehicles restored by the line’s Wagon Group is also booked to operate.
Halt gets hedge AS part of the Queen’s Green Canopy, celebrating Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, volunteers from the Aln Valley Railway planted more than 150 saplings claimed from Northumberland County Council’s free tree giveaway. The plants will provide a hedge barrier along the rear of the new platform at Greenrigg Halt, which will be open to the public this year.
Inspection saloon boosts Blaenavon fleet THE West Somerset Railway Association has loaned its Western Region Hawksworth inspection saloon to the Pontypool & Blaenavon Railway (PBR) for three years. It arrived at the PBR on March 16. It is hoped the carriage will enter service sometime during May following the completion of maintenance work.