The annual 'Giants of Steam' weekend was held this year under
stormy skies with Saturday greeted with high winds and heavy rain, Sunday was brighter
by lunchtime and very pleasant during the afternoon. Star of the weekend was the visiting locomotive Leander
No.5690 in its LMS colours. 5690 hauled a train consisting of two LMS coaches, a
carriage which once formed part of King Edward VII's Royal train and a
guards van.
The rest of the locomotives on display were all Bluebell
based, Camelot No. 73082 now running its last year of service before being
withdrawn from service for a full ten year overhaul. Class
4 tank, No. 80151 built in Brighton in 1957 and of the type used to operate the
final services on the line in 1958. No. 75027 Standard Class 4 built in Swindon
in 1952 running in green of Western Region origins and lastly "Earl of Berkeley
No. 9017, built in Swindon in 1938, comprised of two older engines and more
commonly known as the 'Dukedog'.
There were displays from the Mechanical Horse Association at
Sheffield Park Station and to mark their 50th anniversary, two RM buses were
displayed at Kingscote.
(Click on picture to enlarge)
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