***1 TICKET BACK ON SALE***
An afternoon and evening on the Wirksworth branch using visiting '3F' 47406 and a short mixed train, Wednesday 23rd August 2017

About this event

We are pleased to be able to offer a charter on the Ecclesbourne Valley Railway in Derbyshire featuring visiting '3F' Class 0-6-0T No.47406 on a short mixed train.

The Wirksworth branch runs for just over nine miles from adjacent to the national network main line at Duffield to Wirksworth with a further half a mile extension up the Ravenstor incline to a station adjacent to the former quarry which became the raison d'être for the line which, despite losing passenger services in the 1940s and regular goods traffic in 1964, continued to operate first as a works testing run and then for limestone traffic until 1989. Efforts to preserve the line began in 1992 and started to seriously take off in 1996 when Wyvern Rail was awarded a Light Railway Order allowing it to operate the line. Sections were gradually reopened with passenger services to Duffield being reinstated from 8th April 2011.

Built in 1926 as LMS 16489 and first allocated to Warrington and then Crewe, No.47406 was principally a Carnforth-based engine, being based at this depot for over thirty years from 1928 onwards. A series of moves saw 47406 transferred between several sheds in the North of England towards the end of British Railways main line steam, its final shed being Liverpool Edge Hill from where the '3F' was withdrawn in December 1967. The loco was one of seven members of the class to find their way to Woodham Brothers' Scrapyard at Barry in South Wales and was the last of the seven to be secured for preservation, moving initially to Peak Rail, in June 1983. Consequently, the loco had 'donated' many parts to other members of the class and required much restoration and many brand new components. What was left of the loco was subsequently purchased privately by Roger Hibbert and painstakingly restored over many years at the Great Central Railway; 47406 finally returned to steam in January 2010 and has been a useful and popular performer at the GCR ever since.

On Wednesday 23rd August, No.47406 will be working a mixed branch line train consisting of a covered van coupled next to the locomotive followed by two maroon Mark I coaches. This employs a little artistic licence as passenger trains were suspended back in 1947 and officially ceased in 1949, but it will nevertheless make a fine branch line combination. And, as the line continued to be used as a test track from Derby Works, just about anything could have been seen on the route. We will run bunker first from Wirksworth to Duffield where the loco will run round the train and begin our charter with shots coming out of the tunnel. We will then slowly work our way back to Wirksworth taking in as many photographic locations as possible. On return to Wirksworth, we will have an evening shoot in the station featuring both 47406 and the former Iris single-car unit M79900, one of only three of the surviving original units which is in all-over British Railways green livery; this will complement perfectly BR black-liveried 47406. We aim to finish photography by 21.45 hours.

Places will be strictly limited to ensure comfortable conditions at the lineside. We hope you will wish to join us in the Midlands on this charter at one of the country's 'up and coming' preserved railways.

Event cost £65.00 per person.

                                                                                                                                                              Images for illustrative purposes only.

 

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