Bagnall 2680

Bagnall 2680, perhaps a forgotten engine in some quarters was steamed at the Ribble Steam Railway today for the first time in preservation following an extensive restoration. The loco last steamed in 1973 prior to preservation and has passed through several hands in the intervening years including a spell at the North Norfolk Railway.
Final finishing followed by running in will take place shortly with a view to the loco making its public debut at the Ribble Steam Railways gala on 15th and 16th Feb.

 

Excellent news and yet another under the radar achievement for AB Enterprises.

 

Industrial steam working for a living returned to Northwest England today when Bagnall 2680 worked the Bitumen traffic diagram at Ribble Steam Railway this morning. The event was a great success and may well be repeated in the future.

 

Any photos of the event 3855?

Cheers,

Alan

 

For anyone who uses Facebook some photos on the RSR page - plus some of the Deltic out and about.

https://www.facebook.com/Ribblesteam?fref=ts

 

Many thanks GWR 4707, those photos are very "Preston Docks" with a 16" Bagnall on a bitumen train, very evocative.

Cheers,

Alan

 

not from me I was driving! But there were a number of cameras about.

 

Try these

 

Fabulous photos Fred, industrial steam on real commercial work in 2015 - hard to believe. I do hope that this becomes a regular feature as I really must witness this. Many thanks for sharing.

Cheers,

Alan

 

Re Steam doing commercial work: In 2000 the RPSI hired LP&HC No3 'R.H. Smyth' to the contractors relaying the Bleach Green - Antrim line for hauling ballast trains and again in 2005 they hired the same loco to the contractor relaying the Carrickfergus - Whitehead line for ballast trains. In both cases the trains ran daily for many weeks.


Keith

 

Operationally it was very successful, there is a desire to do it again at some point.

 

Nice to see some industrial steam doing what it was built for.

It looks like she's got an air pipe fitted to her, either that or the tankers were run as swingers. Is she dual fitted, or simply through piped with a valve in the cab and a diesel on the back of the train providing the air for the consist?

 

For now the latter