East Lancashire Railway
Autumn Steam Gala 2023
Friday 13th to Sunday 15th October 2023

The ELR's Autumn Steam Gala saw visiting locomotives in the form of LMS 8F 2-8-0 48305 (courtesy of Great Central Railway) and LMS ‘Jubilee’ 4-6-0 45690 Leander (courtesy of Jubilee Locomotive Company), joining residents L&YR 0-4-0ST Pug 11243, L&Y 0-6-0ST 752 (as BR 51456), Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0T 32 Gothenburg (in a fresh coat of black paint), LMS ‘Jinty’ 0-6-0T 47298 and SR Bulleid Light Pacifics 4-6-2 'Battle of Britain class' 34072 257 Squadron (On loan from Spa Valley Railway / Southern Locomotives Ltd) and 'West Country class' 34092 “City of Wells” (fresh from a 7 month overhaul).

The event saw an intensive timetable, with the additions of demonstration freight trains and shunting demonstrations. The curtain raiser to the event was the longest freight train on the ELR so far in preservation. The story of the train was that a Class 24 had failed and 8F 48305 had been called to rescue it, with banking assistance from a Jinty behind. Unfortunately on reaching Ramsbottom the 8F itself had actually failed, which meant that D5054 with 47298 banking took the 30 wagon freight train on the Rawtenstall. The 8F returned to Bury and quick work by the team onshed saw the locomotive back into traffic for its 11:30am departure from Bury.

Video from MSC 32 Gothenburg shunting around Bury: [ Ссылка ]

Please note, there is no public lineside access on the East Lancs, lineside shots are taken as a Working Member with Accredited Photographer status.

www.preservedrailway.co.uk
(C) Lee Andrew Davies 2023

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