Diana based at Amerton in 2018

Unique operational Kerr Stuart ‘Sirdar’ 0-4-0T Diana will be based at the Amerton Railway during 2018.


During its 100th anniversary tour, Kerr Stuart ‘Sirdar’ Works No. 1158 Diana prepares to leave Pages Park on the Leighton Buzzard Railway, double-heading with DeWinton 0-4-0VBT Chaloner, at the railway’s ’50 Not Out’ gala on September 30 2017. THOMAS BRIGHT/SR

The 1917-built locomotive (Works No. 1158), which is owned by Phil Mason and hauled its first passenger trains in preservation on the Bala Lake Railway in May 2016, will arrive at the Staffordshire line in March.

It will be the 1ft 11½in gauge railway’s main steam locomotive when the 2018 operating season begins on March 24, as the AR’s resident Bagnall 0-4-0ST Isabel and replica Kerr Stuart ‘Wren’ 0-4-0ST Jennie are both undergoing ten-yearly overhauls.

Diana will also appear at the railway's 'Summer Steam Gala' on June 30/July 1, which will also feature the first steaming of Kerr Stuart 'Wren' 0-4-0ST Lorna Doone in preservation.

It is reported that the railway is in discussions to secure another steam locomotive during 2018, although nothing has yet been confirmed.

It is not the first time Diana has visited the railway, as it appeared at the line’s ‘Summer Steam Gala on June 24/25 2017, running alongside both Isabel and Jennie, as well as visiting Peckett 0-6-0ST Liassic and Avonside 0-4-0T Marchlyn – courtesy of the Statfold Barn Railway.

For more information about the Amerton Railway’s running dates, visit: www.amertonrailway.co.uk

Elsewhere, Diana has also been confirmed for the Bursledon Brickworks Industrial Museum’s railway event on July 22.

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