Diesel Cabs for the RSR

The Railway Herald is reporting that the Stockport garden, famous for it's display of vintage diesel loco cabs, has been cleared ahead of the sale of the house. The Ribble Steam Railway has reportedly acquired two of the items, namely the bonnet nose of 20009 and the full cab of 47100, both of which will be painted into BR green and placed on display in the museum.

NEW - LOOK WEBSITE!

For months now, we've been playing around with new formats for the website. The general feedback we get is that people generally like the "look" of the site the way it was, but that it was looking a bit untidy (hard to disagree with). So... The new look is intended to remain familiar, but make the site easier to navigate. Hopefully you'll think we've managed that.

All the old features remain, but with a new, logically organised drop-down menu, though a few pages have been updated along the way. Please let us know what you think... good or bad!

Class 37s galore

Two test trains ran through the area yesterday. 37611 and 37603 did the grand tour round the North West, including trips down the Dock Branch and to Southport. Graham Boreham recorded the train's progress on video. Also putting in an appearance was 37405 and inspection saloon "Caroline" on 2Z02.

45th Anniversary End of Steam Reunion

A reunion of Lancashire railwaymen will take place at the Leyland & Farington Social Club, Leyland, on the evening of Friday, August 2nd 2013, to commemorate the 45th anniversary of the end of steam traction on British Railways.

Although the event is aimed at former railwaymen, there will be some places available to enthusiasts.

Admission fee will cover cost of room and buffet and will be around £3.50 per head, according to the number attending, which has to be ascertained before August.

If you wish to attend, please contact:
Paul Tuson, 01257 793764.
Bob Gregson, 01539 532645.

Galatea Latest

LATEST - Galatea at Hellifield 13.52 (8 mins early)

Galatea Test Run Today

It seems that "Jubilee" 45699 Galatea is to do a loaded test today, round the usual circuit from / to Carnforth

Galatea is booked to stand in the RES platform at Preston, from 16.27 to 18.11.

As with all test-runs, the booked times should be taken with a very large pinch of salt. This test could run very early, very late, or not at all!

The big question is, after the frankly bizarre efforts to confuse the enthusiast fraternity on the first (aborted) light test run - Galatea was sent out in a hastily-applied coat of WCRC maroon paint and Leander's number and name plates.... What will Galatea be disguised as this time? Perhaps they WCRC apprentices will have made a ply-wood casing to make it look like a DMU ?

Last Chance to See...

** LATEST .... MOVE NOW CANCELLED **
This evening may well be the very last time a Class 87 passes through Preston. 87002 and 86101 are due to move from Willesden following winter ice-breaking duties based at Carlisle.

The owners of these locos recently announced that all their locos were to be taken out-of-service, due to insufficient work. The locos are likely to be sold into Eastern Europe, where class-mates are already continuing to earn a living.

0Z87 Carlisle - Willesden, Due Preston 17.38 - 17.40 DETAILS