Back by popular demand is the Anything Goes Gala that will feature all home based locomotives hauling services between Froghall – Leekbrook and up the steeply graded line to Ipstones Loop. This section of line features 5 miles of gradients ranging from 1 in 40 – 1 in 59 posing a stiff test to any locomotive.
The home fleet set to feature at the gala are;
· Ex NER N7 No. 69621 (on long term loan courtesy of the East Anglian Railway Museum)
· TKH Polish Tank No. 2944 (subject to completion of major overhaul
· Beyer Peacock No. 1827
· Class 33’s Diesel Locomotives No 33102 & 33021
· Class 104 DMMU
The gala will be one of the last opportunities to see N7 No. 69621 in traffic prior to its impending withdrawal for major overhaul and one of the first opportunities to see our resident TKH Polish tank locomotive No. 2944 in traffic following major overhaul after its arrival at the railway in May 2013.
Additional Attractions
LCGB – “The Great Eastern Suburban Rail Tour”
The last train of the Gala will feature N7 69621 re- creating the “The Great Eastern Suburban Rail Tour” that was hauled in 1962 by a particular N7 locomotive numbered 69621! This was one of the last trains that the locomotive hauled before withdrawal by BR and therefore it is quite appropriate to recreate this given the locos impending withdrawal for overhaul. This will be the only opportunity to see 69621 tackle the gradient to Ipstones Loop unassisted over the weekend. http://www.sixbellsjunction.co.uk/60s/620428lc.html
Knotty Coaches
The CVR is resident to unrestored Knotty 4 wheeled coach No.28 and in conjunction with the Knotty Coach Trust and the North Staffordshire Railway Company one of recently restored Knotty coaches No.61 will be visiting from the Foxfield Railway and will be on display during the gala. The appeal to restore No. 28 will be launched at the event with a display stand and the two vehicles being on display at Cheddleton during the event.
Beyer Peacock No. 1827 will be on driver experience course at Cheddleton bay platform, tickets can be obtained from the Cheddleton booking office.
The locomotive workshops will be open during the weekend to view progress on the major overhaul of S160 No. 5197 along with the new machine shop and carriage shed.