The
locomotive departed six weeks in advance of the gala to have its eccentric
straps re-metalled and refitted. The straps had been taken to Ropley two weeks
earlier. Spa Valley Railway, West
Station, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN2 5QY
Telephone: 01892 537715
Email spavalleyrailway@email.com
Visit of LMS Jinty 47493 to railways during 2005.
Mid Hants Railway 11th - 13th March
Jinty 47493 made its first trip away from the Spa Valley since the
completion of its overhaul in 2004. The locomotive visited the
Mid Hants Railway
for their Spring Steam Gala over the weekend of 11th - 13th March. The
locomotive lined up alongside the National Railway Museum's famous 'City of
Truro' at the same time. The locomotive departed Tunbridge Wells on 6th February,
arriving the same day. During its visit, the locomotive had its eccentric straps
re-metalled in Ropley works.
6th February
The
locomotive departed six weeks in advance of the gala to have its eccentric
straps re-metalled and refitted. The straps had been taken to Ropley two weeks
earlier.
It is seen here outside Tunbridge Wells West, about to set off on its journey. Photo © V. Goble
The picture left shows 47493 at Fleet services during a break en-route to Alresford. The loco was unloaded the same day. The next picture shows it sat outside Alresford. Photo Left © V. Goble
Photo Left © S.
Gorsuch
13th February
Right:- 47493 (centre) lines up next to some of the other engines on the Mid Hants. From left to right, Visiting LMS Black 5 45321, 47493 and BR Standard 5 73096 - Photo © Roger Stronell - steamtraingalleries.co.uk
22nd February
Right:- 47493 sits in the sun at Ropley yard on 19th February - Photo Roger Stronell
Spring Steam Gala - 11th - 13th March
47493 unfortunately failed during preparation for its first turn in service with a broken spring leaf. A temporary repair was undertaken by the staff at Ropley which enabled 47493 to carry out shunt-release at Alresford for the remainder of Friday. The locomotive was replaced by the MHR's Austerity conversion 'Douglas' which was originally rostered to be Alresford pilot.
Top Left:- 47493 waits at Alresford for its next turn of duty. Top Right:- 47493 waits alongside Black 5 45231 'The Sherwood Forester' at Alresford. Middle Left:- 47493 rests at Ropley. Middle Right:- 47493 enters Ropley with Austerity 'Douglas' on the Friday evening. Bottom:- 47493 waits in Alresford platform following shunt release. All 5 photos © J. Nye
On the Saturday 47493 performed the same duties although later in the day, it did take its part on some of its rostered shuttles between Ropley and Alresford, following inspection of the repair that declared all still to be well. On the Sunday the loco performed all of its scheduled trips.
Top Left:- 47493 waits for departure at Ropley with an Alresford bound shuttle. Top Right:- 47493 approaches Ropley with the 14:00 hrs Alresford - Ropley shuttle on 13/3/04. Bottom Left:- 47493 approaches Ropley with the 16:00 hrs shuttle, assisted by 'Douglas' out of shot at the rear. Bottom Right:- 47493 departs Ropley with the 14:29 hrs shuttle to Alresford. All 4 photos © Roger Stronell - www.steamtraingalleries.co.uk
Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust 15th - 24th July
47493 made its' second trip away from the railway in 2005, with a two week summer holiday to the Somerset and Dorset Railway Heritage Trust at Midsomer Norton. The locomotive became the first steam engine to operate on the former Bath to Bournemouth mainline in preservation, whilst it performed demonstration trains over 600 yards of track. On Sunday 24th July, the engine took part in the 'Return to Steam' celebrations, when the first train was waved off by former Strategic Rail Authority chairman Richard Bowker. The engine appeared over the two weekends as a former S&D 'Jinty' 47496.
All photos below © Darren Skinner
Top Left and Right:- 47493 as 47496 rolls into Midsomer Norton station. Bottom Left:- 47496 sits on the buffer stops above the main road. Below Right:- The engine is viewed in the same position from the station.
Above Left:- A group of S&D volunteers line up in front of the Jinty. Above Right:- The Jinty viewed from the opposite platform. Below Left:- 47496 sits in the platform with a single coach. Below Right:- The engine hauls the coach up the grade towards Chilcompton.
Above:- 47496 rests in the former goods shed at Midsomer Norton at the end of the first weekend. Below Left and Right:- 47496 rests on the buffer stops during the second weekend, complete with a Pines Express headboard, a headboard that was associated with the former main line.
Above Left:- 47496 sits in the platform with a single coach. Above Right:- 47496 sets off with another trip up the line. Bottom Left:- The engine heads up the grade towards Chilcompton. Below Right:- 47496 rests in the platform.
Above Left:- 47496 rests in the platform, whilst a Jazz band plays to the public under the Waiting Shelter (Above Right). Below Left:- The Goods Shed at Midsomer Norton. The Jinty occupied the whole of this shed during its visit. Below Right:- The Jinty sets off with another demonstration train.
Above Left:- The station at Midsomer Norton. Above Right:- The Jinty rests in the platform. Below Left:- The loco runs onto the loading siding, and is reversed out of the yard on the lorry as it sets off back to Tunbridge Wells on the Sunday evening.
Last Updated 29th July 2005. ©M. Dives