Issue 65 June 2016

News from the London & North Western Region
PIONEER RETURNS TO CHEDDLETON
The Churnet Valley Railway is delighted to announce that the locomotive, which
signaled the start of railway preservation of former Knotty lines back in 1977, has
now returned to its spiritual home.
Following an approach from the locomotive's current owners to the CVR, a deal has
been struck that will see Hunslet no. 3777 take up residence at the railway ahead of
a planned overhaul - after which the locomotive will then be based on the CVR for
the next 5 years.
More recently known as no. 68030 following an identity change into a LNER J94,
3777 gained iconic status when it ran the first preservation trains at the Cheddleton
Railway Centre which was to later develop into what is now the CVR. Rescued from
the nearby Wolstanton Colliery at Newcastle-under-Lyme where it was numbered
as NCB no. 9, the locomotive was restored onsite at Cheddleton by the early
volunteers of the North Staffordshire Railway Company who then painted it into a
replica Madder Lake Livery and named it "Josiah Wedgewood" after the local potter.
Compiled by James Batcheler - LNWNEWS@UKHERIAGEHUB.CO.UK
Once restored Josiah operated the NSRC shuttles trains along the demonstration
line that was laid along the former Goods Yard.
With the developments at Cheddleton and the expansion into the Churnet Valley
Railway, the locomotive subsequently saw service along the now preserved line
through the 90s and early 00s until the locomotive left to go on the hire circuit
visiting numerous railways across the UK in 2006.
Affection for the NSRC's first steam locomotive remained strong amongst many of
the CVR's long-standing members however, for it was originally a sign of hope that
what many at the time only dreamed of would one day become reality - as eventually
happened with the transfer of ownership of the Churnet Valley line from British
Railways to CVR and the operation of steam services through Staffordshire's Little
Switzerland.
To see the locomotive return will bring back many happy memories for a many
number of volunteers and visitors, and the CVR looks forward to announcing
further developments as the overhaul commences and the locomotive is returned
to operation once again.
Scotsman to Return to the East Lancs
Following the hugely successful weekends in early-January, the East Lancashire
Railway will dedicate a weekend in October to 60103 ‘Flying Scotsman’, with the
Pacific returning to Bury in an event dubbed ‘Flying Scotsman Returns’. The event is
set to take place over the 13th – 16th October.
More information will follow in due course, along with advanced bookings and
timetables.
Austerity tank 3777 “Pioneer” arrives back on to Cheddleton Shed in 2004
Dave Gibson
Wartime Weekend at the GCR
The 1940s will be brought back to life at
the Great Central Railway, over the
weekend of the 3rd – 5th June, providing
an evocative commemoration of
wartime Britain.
One of the highlights of the weekend
will include flypasts from three
Hurricanes, as well as a Spitfire aerial
display, along with a remembrance
poppy drop! Mock battles, live music
and theatre will be additional activities
that are taking place along the line.
Period entertainment will also take
place, along with displays of military
vehicles and visiting dignitaries.
Each station along the line is themed, to
check what’s happening where check
the website, at www.gcrailway.co.uk.