THOMPSON ‘B1’ No. 61306 Mayflower is back! Overhaul of David Buck’s 4-6-0 was completed at the West Coast Railways workshop at Carnforth in November, and on the 29th the loco underwent an engine-and-coach main line test run from Carnforth to Barrow-in-Furness and back.
A loaded test run followed over the Carnforth-Hellifield-Preston circuit on December 6, during which No. 61306 is seen on the steep climb to Wilpshire summit in dismal conditions.
However, plans for the loco to return to main line charter work with Mr Buck’s Steam Dreams ‘Cathedrals Express’ were postponed, and Mayflower will not return to railtour duty until early 2019. PETER AINSWORTH
Read more News and Features in the January 2019 issue of The RM – on sale now!
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