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Episode 22 – Spring Steam Gala 2019
Welcome to Spring Steam Gala 2019, where we look at the attractions for this special weekend.
London Transport 0-6-0 Pannier Tank L92
This loco was originally a Great Western class 5700 tank engine. The GWR and BR built 863 of these locomotives between 1929 and 1950.
The class was designated as light goods and shunting engines. They were also used for passenger trains on branch, suburban and shorter mainline journeys.
British Railways withdrew them by 1966. London Underground bought 13 of these locomotives following trials and modifications and used them for permanent way trains.
London Transport sold L92 to the Worcester Locomotive Society in 1969.
WD 300
WD 300 is an American built locomotive. 382 of the type were built and used in World War 2. They saw service in many countries during and after the war. The War Department borrowed 42 which were stored at Newbury Racecourse station.
The Southern Railway bought 15 for use in Southampton docks.
Two of the locomotives, including WD 300, are at the Kent and East Sussex Railway. They survived because they seized up on their journey to the scrapyard.
The Freight Train
The Gala was an opportunity for people to ride on the ‘Queen Mary’ guards van. This is an articulated guards van and is very rare. Listen to the engine, look at the photographs and find out more about this rare railway vehicle.
Interested in the pictures? Please click on a thumbnail to open the gallery:
Find out more about the Watercress Line:
To visit the Watercress Line website please follow this link Watercress Line.
Join us for the Autumn Steam Gala 2019 from the Friday 18th to Sunday 20th October. Click here to find out more.
Don’t forget the Wizard Weekend on the 26th and 27th October. Click here to find out more.
About ‘Life on the Watercress Line’
The next episode of Life on the Watercress Line is in two weeks.
This podcast is available on Apple Podcasts/iTunes, Deezer, Spotify and Stitcher.
AKM Music has licensed Steam Railway for use as the theme and incidental music.
Joseph McDade has licensed Backplate for use as incidental music in this episode.
© The MrT Podcast Studio 2019