The Christmas period saw some sterling work by the Wagon Group following a request for an Express Freight style rake for a photo charter with LNER A1 “Tornado” in early January. By using the two restored civil engineering goods vans we managed to provide six goods van (marshalled to be immediately behind the loco) in a rake totalling fourteen wagons plus brake van. See video of a run through Yarwell Tunnel courtesy of Nathan Wilson.

The photo charter included some staged scenes including our very own Phil & Tim (as Guard & Policeman respectively). Image courtesy of Martin Creese (C).

Following the photo charter, work commenced on the cosmetic restoration of the two wooden open wagons from the demonstration freight rake. This involved removing the rotten floors in the Southern Open and the BR Shock Hi-Bar plus cleaning, welding and painting the exposed chassis and an external repaint.

In February, Vanfit B778019, which has been stranded at Overton for some time, was the subject of a concerted effort to change the wheel sets in order to replace the bearings which had been stolen previously by the metal fairies. This should enable the van to be returned to Wansford for future restoration.

Tim expanded his replica plate range to include a 35A shed plate which were being sold from the Wagon Group sales stand over the Southern Gala weekend.

In March we ran a combined Freight Driving Experience and Photo Charter, this time using SR Schools class 926 “Repton” as motive power, which proved to be a popular and fun day. Neil managed to grab some video footage near Overton. Image courtesy of Ian Bowskill (C).

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