L&B Doll birthday party Bank holiday weekend

This weekend leighton buzzard are having a 90th birthday party for our steam Loco Doll as part of our 90th anniversary. We will be having several visiting loco's this will include another birthday girl Gertrude "Dolls" sister that we hope to have in operation but as she is just out of rebuild and has not completed testing.
We will also have the Hudwell clark "G" class and the Hunslet 4-6-0

look forward to seeing you there

 

I plan to be there for the evening session on Saturday once I have got home from work. Are there anymore details on that yet?

Cheers,

Paul

 

In the evening I understand that 778 Doll PCA the visiting henschel will be in steam and in various positions without the evening. Gertrude should also be in steam and about but this is open to steam tests on friday. Hope this helps will see you on Saturday

 

Sounds good, thanks for the info.

Cheers,

Paul

 

Gertrude arrived at Leighton Buzzard, yesterday Friday 28th August 2009. After unloading she ran under on own steam, from Stonehenge Works to Page's Park, and then did another test run to Leedon and back. All so far, so good. Gertrude has not run any distance since her overhaul, and in fact her trip along the line today, was her longest run in a single direction ever.
The photograph below shows Gertrude on arrival at Page's Park.
Congraulations to Exmoor Transport, for compleating the restoration of this locomotive, when Peter Westmacott, who had been slowly restoring the locomotive for many years, had to get up due to ill health.
We should have Gertrude, Doll, 778, the Henschel, P.C.Allen and hopefuly Sezela No.4 in steam over this weekend , with our other two vistors, the Hunslet 4-6-0 and the Hudswell Clark 0-6-0WT from Apedale (both of which require very major overhauls) also be on display. Plus of course the ever growing LBNGR internal combustion fleet.
As mentioned above Saturday night, will also see Doll's 90th bithday celebrations, and an evening photo shoot.

 

Looks like a trip to the line is called for as this is an excellent line up.

 

Have been there all day today, though I had to escape early to get ready to go to Wales tomorrow, so have missed the steam glow event, but Peter Westmacott, and his daughter Sarah, who now owns Gertrude, have been today. The looks on their faces to see the loco running were astounding. Sarah had a short drive, and Peter a footplate ride, and both were exctatic. Les said it was the greates honour to have been the man to bring Peter's dreams to life, and despite his serious illness, give him the first ride on the loco he worked so hard to save.

I was honoured enough to be allowed to help out today, and to see Gertrude hauling her first ever passenger train - what a sight, what a sound!

John

 

I went to the evening photo shoot when all the locos were posed outside the shed, a fine sight and well done to the railway for organising it.
My photos can be seen on my fotopic site.

Regards,

Paul

 

A splendid day at Leighton Buzzard in spite of the virtual non appearance of the forecast sun. Interesting mix of locos and a couple of nice double headers. Can't say I'm madly in love with Gertrude's colour but what the heck, how many other lines can boast double headed narrow gauge Barclays? Well done all round.

 

Gertrude now has her own website - www.gertrude1578.co.uk - which confirms her next outing is to Toddington in a few weeks time. Where she will go after that is anyone's guess!

 

the excitement odes not end there we have our annual steam up when we will be running our intensive service, and all the engines from dolls birthday celebration and some more

 

It may be also of interest that Gertrude MIGHT make its first single headed journey over the weekend but this is and a possibility and not definite as some more work on its twin line air breaking is required.

 

I notice in one of the local papers that there was a road traffic accident early Sunday morning at Shenley Hill Road during the 90th anniversary weekend and one of the vehicles involved ended up upside down on the railway.
Did this adversely affect things or was it cleared before services began?

Regards,

Paul

 

Lucky enough was clear out of the way before the first train I was told the air ambulance had to attend.

 

For those interested, Gertrude, did make make its first single headed journey, yesterday, and should do another today.

 

she ran today, mostly double headed with Doll, but with a single journey from Stonehenge to Pages Park on her own. Steamed like a witch, despite the best efforts of the fireman (me)...

John

 

The only thing I don't like about it is the horrid Gartell spectacle plates they've used on the back cab.

 

yes, they are rather out of keeping, aren't they. You're ok with the pink livery and lilac lining then?

John

 

Yep, though I feel this might just add to the shame of my new nickname.