Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway

Seems a shame to do it after it has been down South surely.

 

Could be on its way home after another little tour down south? (Pure speculation on my part but don’t forget it’s Autumn gala season around then )

 

What galas are on after the Bo'ness gala on 11-13 October?

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I’ve no idea, I haven’t the time or the inclination to check atm, as I said it’s just speculation on my part, I could very much be wrong, but a certain tank engine has recently made a trip from North Yorks to Hampshire whilst breaking its journey in the West Midlands, then I believe it’s off to Kent?

I’m very much guessing that rather just put it on a low loader for a few days holiday in the Lakes and bring it straight back again it’s also going to be be on tour elsewhere to spread its transportation cost a little?

For example about 14 years ago myself and my Dad copped a certain LNWR 0-8-0 on the M1 on the back of a low loader between events around the same time of year.

If I’m wrong I’m more than happy to be corrected but as we’re constantly told by those in charge of our heritage railways costs are always going up, so would it not be a reasonable assumption that a certain Caley Tank will be paying visits elsewhere?

 

Currently, the engine's trip to Lakeside is a return trip from Bo'ness that has been entirely funded by photographers.

 

Thankyou, as I say just a presumption on my part it could possibly be visiting other heritage railways.

 

Ah, the non contributing members of the enthusiast word.

 

When you say "private"...is this a photo charter for which tickets can be purchased, or is this genuinely a completely private charter? I don't very often do photo charters because of the expense, but I must admit I'd be seriously tempted by this one, if I had the opportunity.

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A normal photo charter which anyone could buy a ticket for, but on this occasion full within 12 hours with a very long waiting list.

 

Shame I missed it, but never mind! Thanks for the info.

Since these charters have proved so popular, we can only hope that both railways might consider it worthwhile for 419/55189 to make a return visit at some point...

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A bit of a taster from a recent film shoot on the railway. The full programme is due to be on CBBC over Christmas.

BBC News - Kevin McKidd: From Trainspotting to the Railway Children
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cmm29en61p9o

 

This plug for next month's (11th - 13th October) gala is probably a bit overdue. https://bkrailway.co.uk/page/steamgala

 

Outrageous relivery of "Lord Roberts" for the forthcoming Bo'ness gala!

 

I’m no fan of BR Black but it does look good. Strong suggestions that No.19 is also going BR Black…

 

But the strange thing about that decision is that even in BR black it doesn't really look like a Caledonian 782 - the tanks are a different shape for one thing. I don't have strong objections to making the best of what you have to try and recreate a lost scene, but in this case, I think you have to squint rather too hard to make it work...

 

Well, effectively speaking it's all just a bit of fun. The engine's 'Thomas' livery has become a bit worn down, and so it was deemed to require a repaint over the winter/spring. That presented an opportunity to have a little fun for the gala, as we have no more Thomas obligations at the railway until April.

As for the number? Well, as the person who chose it, perhaps I should explain the logic. No. 1 (now 56377) was permitted to run over Caledonian Railway metals while in industrial use, hence the cab side lamp irons to abide by Caledonian headcode regulations. So I aimed for a gap in the Caledonian 0-6-0t numbering in BR days, and 56377 was the perfect candidate as it would be the next in the '782' sequence, but was never worn by another class and so no conflict. So we've dubbed it our little Caley 782 with severe modifications.

 

I get that logic, and as you are the group that runs the loco and pays for the paint, ultimately it is your choice what you do with it. But (to play devil's advocate) if you're repainting it this October out of Thomas Livery only to repaint it back to Thomas livery in April, why create a fictional BR identity for it instead of repainting it into it's identity from Industrial Use? Then you have an authentic representation of a loco that worked over Scottish railways, rather that having to create a 'what if' scenario. Might be a nice thing to consider next time the Thomas colours need a refresh

 

It was considered, but then once 41312 was confirmed as visitor, we decided that a full 'BR Black' gala would be of interest to have as a one off.

BR Black is also relatively simple, indeed I've re-used the Late Crests on fablon that I had made up for the Caley charters in November 2023. The cost has been relatively low and undertaken within a week, in comparison to a more complication NCB livery with more lettering that likely would have had to be painted by hand and not transfers.

 

Thank you for your explanation and outlining of the thought process, more railways would benefit from being as transparent as you have been regarding their decision making!

 

Busy yard at Bo'ness this morning