Episode 22 – Spring Steam Gala 2019

Welcome to Spring Steam Gala 2019, where we look at the attractions for this special weekend.

London Transport 0-6-0 Pannier Tank L92

This loco was originally a Great Western class 5700 tank engine. The GWR and BR built 863 of these locomotives between 1929 and 1950.

The class was designated as light goods and shunting engines. They were also used for passenger trains on branch, suburban and shorter mainline journeys.

British Railways withdrew them by 1966. London Underground  bought 13 of these locomotives following trials and modifications  and used them  for permanent way trains.

London Transport sold L92 to the Worcester Locomotive Society in 1969.

WD 300

WD 300 is an American built locomotive.  382 of the type were built and used in World War 2. They saw service in many countries during and after the war. The War Department borrowed 42 which were stored at Newbury Racecourse station.

The Southern Railway bought 15 for use in Southampton docks.

Two of the locomotives, including WD 300, are at the Kent and East Sussex Railway. They survived because they seized up on their journey to the scrapyard.

The Freight Train

The Gala was an opportunity for people to ride on the ‘Queen Mary’ guards van. This is an articulated guards van and is very rare. Listen to the engine, look at the photographs and find out more about this rare railway vehicle.

Interested in the pictures? Please click on a thumbnail to open the gallery: