First Loco List for NRM’s Railfest 2012 Announced

The NRM has announced the 15 locomotives – all steam - booked to appear at its June 2-10 ‘Railfest 2012’ event, the largest railway event in the UK next year.

Record Breaking Event Theme in an Olympic Year

The event is centred on a theme of record-breaking locomotives which left their mark on rail history. Obvious examples in the guest list confirmed so far include A4 No. 4468 Mallard (holder of the record for the fastest steam locomotive at 126mph), A1 No. 60163 Tornado (newest main line steam locomotive in operation) and Maerdy colliery No. 1 Peckett 0-6-0ST Mardy Monster (the most powerful industrial steam locomotive built for use in the UK).

The list released identifies 15 participants (although this includes Mallard and Hardwicke which are presently displayed in the York museum) for the event, which the museum says will feature over 30 locomotives. It also includes the NRM’s flagship No. 4472 Flying Scotsman, which should – surely – by then have emerged from its protracted and increasingly costly overhaul.

The Official Published List of Confirmed Locos is:

A3 No. 4472 Flying Scotsman

A1 No. 60163 Tornado

GWR No. 3717 City of Truro

‘Princess Coronation’ No. 6229 Duchess of Hamilton

SR ‘Schools’ 4-4-0 No. 925 Cheltenham

RSH 0-4-0ST Castle Donington No. 1 (7817/1954)

A4 No. 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley

9F No. 92203 Black Prince

Peckett 0-4-0ST 2012/41 Teddy

Pannier No. 7752 - in London Transport maroon as No. L94

LNWR Webb 0-6-2T ‘Coal Tank’ No. 1054

Maerdy colliery No. 1 Peckett 0-6-0ST Mardy Monster

A4 No. 4468 Mallard

LNWR Webb 2-4-0 No. 790 Hardwicke

Shropshire & Montgomeryshire Railway 0-4-2WT Gazelle

Narrow Gauge Steam-Hauled Rides

Although not on the released list of attendees the Ffestiniog Railway has announced plans for its 0-4-0STT Palmerston and carriages to run on the NRM’s 2ft gauge line. The FR also says static exhibits could include 2-6-2T Lyd. The FR provided 2ft gauge operating steam at the 2004 Railfest (which celebrated the bicentenary of Britain’s railways) in the form of its 0-4-0STT Prince working with carriage No. 15 and then newly restored ‘Curly Roof’ brake van. New-build Lynton & Barnstaple 2-6-2T replica Lyd also appeared in 2004, then in part-built form, and may be present this time in fully completed condition, but probably not running.

Entry to the NRM will remain free, with a charge for entry to Railfest in the outdoor area beside the York museum. The 2004 Railfest attracted over 60,000 visitors and the NRM hopes the 2012 version will be bigger and better.

External Links

• Railfest 2012