Statfold - the O&K day

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3 June 2006

Keeping an eye on the action...Pakis Baru No 1 - out in the fieldsClick the thumbnail to view the full sized images, which measure 600 pixels on the longest side, and are around 50k in size. Please read my copyright notes if you want to use them in any way

I'd promised myself a return trip - so when the IRS advertised this event, I booked straight away. The previous trip had been excellent - but the weather had been bitterly cold and dull - perhaps a June fixture could be better...

Trangkil No1 on shed  Pakis Baru No 1 - out in the fields  A trip with Charley  Hunslet steam roller

Charley in the gardenPakis Baru No 1 leaves the stationSure enough, the clouds cleared and the sun shone from a blue sky on this warm day - although, photographically, its height in the sky didn't help, especially as the main run back from the fields is more-or-less north-south - and the stars of the event were in all-black livery. Nevertheless, it was another excellent day. We started with a ride out on the field railway behind 2'6" gauge O&K 614 of 1900 - "Pakis Baru No 1" (in 2' gauge stock!). This little Statfold returns from the fieldsloco was in the running shed last time, nearing completion of its renovation - today would be its debut event. Accompanying it in action would be

  • fellow O&K "Montalban" 6641 of 1913 from the West Lancs Light Railway,
  • Statfold, the "new" Hunslet 3903 of 2005,
  • Trangkil, the last "old" Hunslet 3902 of 1971, and
  • Harrogate - the fine 0-6-0ST Peckett 2050 of 1944

Harrogate heads for the fields  Pakis Baru No 1 returns from the fields  Pakis Baru No 1 returns from the fields

Trangkil heads for the fields  Montalban returns from the fields  Pakis Baru No1 returns from the fields

Returning from the fields, we visited the garden railway - resident Simplex "Charley", MR gave us a ride in the open coach. Then, after a bite of lunch, it was out to the fields, to photograph and video, as best we could, the steamy action!

The Harrogate gas works Peckett  The Harrogate gas works Peckett  Statfold heads for the fields  Smoke, steam and Montalban

The Statfold Barn Railway is not open to the public - it is a private undertaking. The only was to get there is through one of the bodies that have been privileged to be invited. This event was, as mentioned, organised by the Industrial Railway Society, though I understand that the Moseley Railway Trust have been. If you haven't been, it's worth keeping an eye on the activities of these groups, because a visit is highly recommended to any interested in steam railways, especially the narrower gauges

Video Clips:
YouTube Video

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Steam on the field railway

All five steam locomotives are seen out on the line in this compilation of clips
Charley in the garden

A trip around the garden railway, plus lineside scenes, featuring Charley the Motor Rail

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