DIARY
PACIFIC POWER: No. 34072 257 Squadron became the third Bulleid Pacific to be hosted at the Spa Valley Railway since 2020 after it was unloaded on November 4 for use during the line’s Polar Express season. On November 13, Southern Locomotive Limited-owned 4-6-2 made four return crew training and one timing run before being disguised in its polar garb for the rest of the year. On its second trip of the day, the Swanage Railway-based loco runs round at Groombridge. No. 34072 will return to its usual identity for one Winter Steam Up weekend in January before leaving the railway.
DAVID STAINES
Dec 10 Chinnor Railway: Carol Evening Steam Train Dec 10/11,
SVR DEBUT: Thompson B1 No. 61306 Mayflower has paid its inaugural visit to the Severn Valley Railway – but not hauling public trains. The Crewe-based 4-6-0 operated on the SVR for a week from October 31 and was used by Locomotive Services Group to train crews on the loco’s newly installed air-braking system. Prior to returning to Crewe on November 8, hauled by two Class 20s, Mayflower received its fitness-to-run exam at Bewdley. The ‘B1’ is pictured running through a deserted Hampton Loade station after a rain shower with the first training trip on November 1 – the stock being LSG Mk.3s stored on the SVR, plus a Mk.1 support