A theatrical staging (arranged just prior to the garden steam-up at Nev's
on the 30th August) to try to emulate the roundhouse shots of yesteryear.
On the right-hand photograph we have the "Fierce Fronts" of Matt's Class 52, Duncan's Maxitrack, and then
Nev's Class 08, Class 45 "Peak" and Class 20.
New member Matt Roberts proudly shows off the Class 52 "Western" that he
obtained in a nearly-finished state from Ebay. I understand that the price
was so reasonable that the rest of us, if we knew the price, would go green with envy
to such a depth of colour that it would complement the brightness of that red!
Motor Rail Diesel No 8720.
This motor rail was built to the order of the Ministry of fuel and power
on 3rd feb.1941 for Robert Mc Alpine for their Arnold Sands operation at
Leighton Buzzard for invoiced amount of £291/16.3d. With the running
No. 26 she was the last loco running at Leighton Buzzard when the old
railway finished. Having led an nomadic existence she ended up at the
Glyn Cheriog Quarry Museum in North Wales, where the writer first saw
her in about 1986. This museum eventually closed and she moved on once
again to Alan Keef loco builder and dealer at Ross on Wye from where the
present owner bought the now very sorry looking 8720 in 2003. The work
done includes repairing the frost damaged cylinder head and replacing
all of the sheet metal work. the volunteers at the quarry museum had
painted over the rust and sand! This had caused serious damage to the
frames resulting in the buffer beams having to be replaced. With the
overhaul of the engine complete it was started for the first time in
2005. On the move again, she now has returned home to Leighton Buzzard
where this picture was taken. There is still work to be done on this old
lady. We are going to fit air brakes so passenger trains can be hauled
and fit new drive chains.
Nev's new hot-off-the-press Class 20 received its first public airing at the Gala Day on the 5th June 2010.